amolbhatia50k
Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Best I've seen. Been an absolute blast.
Hard to say. The semi finals were a complete non event, when in the past they made some of the most memorable games. The lack of big games hurts this world cup, which is a shame, because the few that there were, were fantastic. Spain Germany, England France, Netherlands Argentina, and Argentina France. Could've been a star studded quarter final and then semi final, upsets killed that (which is also great in a different way, but led to shit/barely competitive semi finals).
The final is probably the best football game I've ever watched, taking it all into account. So that'll always go down in history.
2014 group stage was brilliant but the only good knockout was the 7-1 and that was over as a contest after 20 mins. The knockouts let that tournament down massively.Still 2014 for me with spain getting banged by netherlands, italy engöand failed (like germany this year)
The 7-1. 4 great teams (on paper) in semifinals. I loved it
This year had the best final and some special surprises (japan marocco) but not the best overall imo.
France 98 had so many good players to watch was better to me too
I know a lot of people wanted to see Brazil in the semis but I wouldnt call Croatia team weak by any standard nor we can be considered a surprise anymore. I know you meant no disrespect but had to say it.Best World Cup final I’ve seen (maybe ever?). Best performance by an African nation!
Not sure if it’s the best World Cup ever though, as the semi finalists (Croatia, Morocco both deserved to be there, don’t get me wrong but it would have been amazing if Portugal/Brazil made it instead) were quite “weak” - but then again, we tend to remember previous editions through rose tinted specs and I’m sure those “upsets” existed even then with a surprise or 2 in the semis (no disrespecting this Croatian team either, they’ve proven it time and again).
Guess a long way of saying I have no idea if it’s the best World Cup ever - I doubt it but it culminated in possibly the best final ever though, with Messi lifting that trophy propelling it even more!
Yeah, absolutely meant no disrespect to them, bud. Argentina v Brazil would have just been amazing to see though, and giving Brazil the chance to avenge their Copa final defeat!I know a lot of people wanted to see Brazil in the semis but I wouldnt call Croatia team weak by any standard nor we can be considered a surprise anymore. I know you meant no disrespect but had to say it.
It wasn't a good one to enjoy socially as people cba to make the effort when it's minus temperatures. The semi finals were also a bust. The World Cup just has to be played at the end of the season when there's enough time for the excitement to build etc.
I know a lot of people wanted to see Brazil in the semis but I wouldnt call Croatia team weak by any standard nor we can be considered a surprise anymore. I know you meant no disrespect but had to say it.
Who watches the World Cup at home when it's sunny and 25 degrees out?! It was freezing cold on both nights of the semi finals where I am so nobody did anything. One of the most enjoyable aspects of international tournaments for me is watching the big games at a pub with a load of people and the smaller games at home or at a friend's place. That social aspect wasn't the same this time around, and there wasn't a big enough gap between the league stopping and the World Cup commencing for it to feel like a major event.To be fair where I was, lots of people were home for Christmas for the semi-finals/final and 3pm the Sunday before Christmas was a nice time to watch it socially.
I disagree I think the winter World Cup was a success as a spectacle. I had no problem watching several games a day when it was dark at 4.30 and cold and wet out, I didn’t feel I was missing out on anything, whereas watching 4 games when it’s sunny and 25 degrees out seems a slight waste of your day.
This time a year people watch a lot of football anyway in the PL and CL, so it was replacing that with better matches.
Who watches the World Cup at home when it's sunny and 25 degrees out?! It was freezing cold on both nights of the semi finals where I am so nobody did anything. One of the most enjoyable aspects of international tournaments for me is watching the big games at a pub with a load of people and the smaller games at home or at a friend's place. That social aspect wasn't the same this time around, and there wasn't a big enough gap between the league stopping and the World Cup commencing for it to feel like a major event.
Nah, I'm not rich/an alcoholic. I go for all the England games and then for other huge games (and would have gone for Brazil for the missus). Smaller games I watch at home or at a friend's place. For me, the build up to the World Cup after the season ends helps create excitement with all the discussion and associated razzmatazz. The season ends, you have a month or so for the dust to settle and enjoy the lull while expectation and anticipation grows. This World Cup kicked off less than a week after our last game against Fulham in November. There's obviously going to be an effect to that.Do you go to the pub every day in summer World Cups? Yesterday was one of the biggest sporting moments of my lifetime so I don’t know how you could say it didn’t feel like a major event.
Yup, we can't be considered a surprise anymore.Croatia had 3 World Cup Semifinals since their first participation in 1998 it's ridiculously good (vs England 1 in the same periode)
Isn't lack of quality somewhat inherent for international tournaments though? You can't buy a top team, you're dependent on your country producing quality players.One of the greatest finals ever, worst world cup in decades. It was absolutely shite, lack of quality was astounding.
One of the greatest finals ever, worst world cup in decades. It was absolutely shite, lack of quality was astounding.
Best World Cup final I’ve seen (maybe ever?). Best performance by an African nation!
Not sure if it’s the best World Cup ever though, as the semi finalists (Croatia, Morocco both deserved to be there, don’t get me wrong but it would have been amazing if Portugal/Brazil made it instead) were quite “weak” - but then again, we tend to remember previous editions through rose tinted specs and I’m sure those “upsets” existed even then with a surprise or 2 in the semis (no disrespecting this Croatian team either, they’ve proven it time and again).
Guess a long way of saying I have no idea if it’s the best World Cup ever - I doubt it but it culminated in possibly the best final ever though, with Messi lifting that trophy propelling it even more!
The level of quality was pretty shocking, England v France and the final. The rest was high on drama , low on quality. Top 6 in England would beat the majority of that dross. International football has slumped in the last few years. I just didn't think the games were of a high standard. The host nation was a joke, there crowd and team added absolutely nothing. You always like to see the home nation go far, see the energy spread in to the tournament. I tried to get in to it but couldn't wait to it ended, looking forward to watching United again.What was so shite about it?