Sorry - it's more that they look like a team on the up and have shown that from the moment they qualified. Their warm up games were very convincing too.
Who will win the World Cup ?
- Thread starter Raoul
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Sorry - it's more that they look like a team on the up and have shown that from the moment they qualified. Their warm up games were very convincing too.
True that
Well the key players are, Buffon, Pirlo, though he seems to age well.
They didn't really meet all that often. Of the two encounters that haven't already vanished in the mist of history, one 2006 was well deserved, the other more a freak accident helped by grotesque individual failures.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany–Italy_football_rivalry
they have met a lot. The Germans will be shitting it to meet Italy.
I'm surprised so few are talking about France. They've been the most impressive team in the tournament by a distance so far
Still Brazil for me.
Hmm I changed my mind totally ,I cant even believe im writing this but , France will win this i'm guessing now . Physically they are 10 times better than the other teams , Argentina and Germany look so damn tired , same for Brazil and the others favorites ...
Costa Rica, lol. After all, they did beat 2 former champions
Its so great that there is no team that is clearly out in front so far.
2006, 2012 - the rest was 20 years ago or earlier
the tide has not turned though.
It's so wide open, no one has looked like they can walk to the last 4.
Looking at the bracket (of how things look so far) I'd say the only teams that look to have a substantial edge in their potential Round of 16 match-up are France and Germany, who are set to play Nigeria and Algeria respectively.
Brazil-Chile, Colombia-Italy (or Uruguay), Netherlands-Mexico, Costa Rica-Ivory Coast, Argentina-Ecuador and Belgium-USA can all easily go either way.
We might see a last 4 of Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Argentina. Or we might see Chile, France, Mexico and Belgium.
Looking at the bracket (of how things look so far) I'd say the only teams that look to have a substantial edge in their potential Round of 16 match-up are France and Germany, who are set to play Nigeria and Algeria respectively.
Brazil-Chile, Colombia-Italy (or Uruguay), Netherlands-Mexico, Costa Rica-Ivory Coast, Argentina-Ecuador and Belgium-USA can all easily go either way.
We might see a last 4 of Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Argentina. Or we might see Chile, France, Mexico and Belgium.
my guess is for either Germany or Argentina
I've switched from Brazil to Germany after seeing how lackluster they were against Croatia.
even after the dreadful games against Iran, still cant see past Argentina.
Messi really is something special and that might be the trump card
In all fairness Germany were quite "average" against Ghana. They don't have loads of quality on the wings, and that'll hamper their chances.
I know they've had it easy so far, but France have looked better than both Brazil and Germany. Sure they've looked vulnerable at the back, but who wasn't.
The current hot side is going to fluctuate with every match/performance. Last week it was Holland and Germany, right now its France. IMO the important thing to consider is whether an already good side are gradually gaining confidence as the tournament wears on. Spain had a rocky start in 2010 but seemed to straighten the ship and gain confidence, and most importantly peaked in form near the end.
Although I picked the Argies, its a bit ominous that they are not getting the sort of performances they need from the likes of Di Maria, Higuain, and Aguero to sufficiently compliment Messi (who himself hasn't been at his best) in order have the sort of attack that can win the tournament. So far, only France, Holland, and Germany, as well as the upstart South/Central American sides seem capable of this.
Although I picked the Argies, its a bit ominous that they are not getting the sort of performances they need from the likes of Di Maria, Higuain, and Aguero to sufficiently compliment Messi (who himself hasn't been at his best) in order have the sort of attack that can win the tournament. So far, only France, Holland, and Germany, as well as the upstart South/Central American sides seem capable of this.
I said Brazil initially and I still think they will but they need to put in a better performance tonight against Cameroon.
So far Germany, Netherlands and France are the only sides not to have shown any glaring weaknesses. That's not to say they've been perfect, but they've got enough about them play in several different ways depending on the opposition.
Unless you're the master of one single tactic like Barca/Spain were with tiki-taka in recent years, I think that adaptability is the most important quality to have if you want to win a cup. My head says Germany but my heart says Holland.
Unless you're the master of one single tactic like Barca/Spain were with tiki-taka in recent years, I think that adaptability is the most important quality to have if you want to win a cup. My head says Germany but my heart says Holland.
Still not convincing from Brazil, and was surprised at Holland beating Chile.
You look at the potential last 16 and quarter final match ups and you would expect Holland, Brazil and Argentina to have a decent chance of reaching the semi's. I think Chile will be very hard to beat though, and France are a real shout. After the last few years there wasn't much talk of them before the tournament but they've been the most impressive for me so far.
I thought Argentina v Brazil final with Argentina nicking it from the hosts, but I'm not so sure now.
You look at the potential last 16 and quarter final match ups and you would expect Holland, Brazil and Argentina to have a decent chance of reaching the semi's. I think Chile will be very hard to beat though, and France are a real shout. After the last few years there wasn't much talk of them before the tournament but they've been the most impressive for me so far.
I thought Argentina v Brazil final with Argentina nicking it from the hosts, but I'm not so sure now.
Italy (if they make it tomorrow), France, Germany, or Holland.
Chile were hard to beat until Holland did.
Chile were hard to beat until Holland did.
I think Brazil dips out earlier than expected, possibly in the quarters. Their lack of a true target man will hurt.
My prediction is a South American team will win it all.
Voted for Argentina and still think they'll be the ones who win it. Would love it if either of Chile, Colombia or Netherlands pull off a shock win.
Costa Rica for the win
This would be a national disaster from Brazil's point of view, echoes of 1950. Would be a great final tho.
Definitely. The question is whether they have the individual brilliance when the games are tight. They'd be really scary with Ribery.
Assuming Germany and Belgium win tomorrow.....looks like the Argies and Holland have a fairly straightfoward path to the semis.
Brazil certainly will not, and Germany will have to go through France. Great world cup so far.
Brazil certainly will not, and Germany will have to go through France. Great world cup so far.
i would vote Greece but my team wasnt in the Poll's team list i suppose there is plenty of room now to vote a bit late for them :P
i suppose there is plenty of room now to vote a bit late for them :P
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Argentina v France final?
Argentina VS Brazil final.
Messi hat trick.
Cue the hyperboles. Forever known as the Messi World Cup and history written.
Very likely a South American team will win it, and everyone knows you never back the favourites (Brazil) but the 2nd or 3rd favourites.
Messi hat trick.
Cue the hyperboles. Forever known as the Messi World Cup and history written.
Very likely a South American team will win it, and everyone knows you never back the favourites (Brazil) but the 2nd or 3rd favourites.
Holland v Germany final. Watch.
It's all set up for a Germany - Argentina final, you'll see.
Brazil vs Holland final methinks.
For the top 8 : I don't suppose Germany/ France will be shattered after their quarterfinal matchup and it'll play into the host nation's hands. Brazil meanwhile has been building some momentum. The obviously massive home advantage will be key and if Neymar/ Oscar click for me it's better than the Muller/ Gotze or Benzema/ Valbuena duo. The absence of Reus/ Ribery as a third cog might just end up costing them.
For the bottom 8 : If Holland get past Mexico I reckon they make it to the final. They've been the tournament's best "team", play as a collective and have confounded some common wisdom - stifling Chile out in Sao Paolo. Argentina has been quite poor apart from Messi and De Jong could do a good job of marking him partially. If Holland can negate Messi I don't see any other contender to the final from a relatively easier knockout route to Maracana.
Plus I'm a biased Holland homer now with Louis as their coach.
For the top 8 : I don't suppose Germany/ France will be shattered after their quarterfinal matchup and it'll play into the host nation's hands. Brazil meanwhile has been building some momentum. The obviously massive home advantage will be key and if Neymar/ Oscar click for me it's better than the Muller/ Gotze or Benzema/ Valbuena duo. The absence of Reus/ Ribery as a third cog might just end up costing them.
For the bottom 8 : If Holland get past Mexico I reckon they make it to the final. They've been the tournament's best "team", play as a collective and have confounded some common wisdom - stifling Chile out in Sao Paolo. Argentina has been quite poor apart from Messi and De Jong could do a good job of marking him partially. If Holland can negate Messi I don't see any other contender to the final from a relatively easier knockout route to Maracana.
Plus I'm a biased Holland homer now with Louis as their coach.
Brazil-Germany and Holland-Argentina would be ideal.
I quite fancy Chile to knock Brazil out.
Have no idea who's going to win (hopefully Belgium because I got them in the sweep) but It'd be nice to see a new name on the trophy and with the likes of Chile, Columbia and Costa Rica looking good in the group stages this might just be the year for it to happen.
Have no idea who's going to win (hopefully Belgium because I got them in the sweep) but It'd be nice to see a new name on the trophy and with the likes of Chile, Columbia and Costa Rica looking good in the group stages this might just be the year for it to happen.
I believe there's a chance that Mexico will beat Holland. Its going to be a hell of a match
Individually, Holland has a better team but there are many factors in Mexico's favor such as crowd advantage, weather, and they've arguably had one of the best defenses in the world cup only having allowed one goal in 3 matches. Not to mention they scored 3 on Croatia and should've had 3 on Cameroon had it not been for the clearly wrong Ref calls. This would've made them finish first place in the group, above Brazil.
Holland has the edge over Mexico but if Mexico wins, don't be surprised. Can't wait till Sunday!
Individually, Holland has a better team but there are many factors in Mexico's favor such as crowd advantage, weather, and they've arguably had one of the best defenses in the world cup only having allowed one goal in 3 matches. Not to mention they scored 3 on Croatia and should've had 3 on Cameroon had it not been for the clearly wrong Ref calls. This would've made them finish first place in the group, above Brazil.
Holland has the edge over Mexico but if Mexico wins, don't be surprised. Can't wait till Sunday!
So the final 16.....
