The Wonders of the World Cup

[Mallo]

We could meet France...
http://www.mallo.co.uk/world-cup-2014.jpg

One week away from the start of the World Cup and I'm already looking down the fixture list for the interesting matches.

Spain v Holland on the second day; Chile v Australia should also be lively on the 13th. England v Italy on Wed 14th of course, and what about that 2am oddity on Father's Day?

Ivory Coast v Japan - a match I'm very much looking forward to, even though it probably won't finish until 4am GMT.

After that, the following look like (potentially) good matches:

German v Portugal 5pm on the 16th
Brazil v Mexico 8pm on the 17th
Spain v Chile 8pm on the 18th
Uruguay v England 8pm on thr 19th
Argentina v Iran 5pm on the 21st should be interesting, as should Germany v Ghana that same evening.
USA v Portugal 11pm on the 22nd

All the final games in the group stages will be frantic - all played-out in four days between the 23rd and the 26th. England will know its fate by the night of the 24th.

They might make it out of the group, but I can't see them winning the tournament. Am just hoping they are better than they were in South Africa. That'll do me.

So who's going to win it? I'd love to see Japan or Portugal win it, though if Spain are on-song then I think they'll do it again. Spain v Brazil final.

Will the Russian team get booed at the tournament? I bet they do.

Bring it on!

[psj3809]

I cant wait for the atmosphere, the Brazillian drums and dancing etc. It'll be far better than that terrible vuvuzela bees noise throughout every single game in South Africa which ruined it.

Looking forward to seeing when the 'round up' show is as i'll probably avoid the result of the two late games every day and watch those 'live' during the highlight shows the following day

Hopefully we'll get some upsets and some shocks, i'm not expecting England to do much so anything past the group stages will be a huge bonus. Shame the times of the later games are a bit odd but obviously as its in Brazil its going to be that way.

Roll on next thursday !!! Be good to always have something to watch on tv for a few weeks

On paper theres a lot of good teams but in most tournaments like this that doesnt always count for much.

[Mallo]

It'll be far better than that terrible vuvuzela bees noise throughout every single game in South Africa which ruined it..

I'd have to agree on that one! Absolutely NO vuvu-bloody-zelas in Brazil please. Shocks: yes, though hopefully no own goals will be punishable by death at these games...

[Son_of_Shinobi]

Football?........yawn

As is the case every 4 years - everybody will be claiming England has a fantastic chance of going all the way and winning........

And then the inevitable happens and we get kicked out in the semis.

Engand does NOT have a World Class team, they may have a couple of players that some call World Class - and even that is stretching it, but as a team, they cannot be held up to scrutiny against the likes of France, Brazil, Italy......

I mean, look at the performance against Equador.

[The Hardest of All Freds]

Italy?

The same Italy that ain't won in 7?

And were held to a 1-1 draw to Luxembourg?

At home?

[paranoid marvin]

Don't think anyone's expecting much from England this time. It's very much a 'work in progress' team with new introductions and the emphasis on youth. Be great to see them get out of the group with anything else being a bonus.

Last World Cup was awful; those vuvus making watching games with any sound a real chore, the balls used were awful (not sure if any free kicks were scored with those fly-aways), the host nation went out in the first round dampening the atmos for the rest of the tourney, and a largelky forrgettable final. Defo the worst finals in memory.

I've done a few of these predicta-tables, and always end up with Germany,Spain, Argentina and Brazil in the semis. Would be wonderful to see a Brazil/Argie final. Think Hodgson came out a while ago saying that an African team had more chance of winning the WC than a European team due to the heat. Can't see that happening myself (although Ivory Coast have players who wouldn't look out of place in a cup-winning side). With the group and then run-in they've got, I would have to go with Argentina, although Belgium have the best team they've probably ever had.

[The Hardest of All Freds]

I will watch every match simply because I love football. And it is usually the lesser games which prove to be be the most amazing ones.

[Mayhem]

I mean, look at the performance against Equador.

The game against Ecuador was mostly a second string England. Of the starting 11 in that game, only Rooney would likely start against Italy. So, we have no expectations, but getting out of the game would be a start, and quarters are realistic. Where we'd probably meet Spain or Brazil...

[The Hardest of All Freds]

Ecuador match

Rubbish in defence - Jones and Smalling are not good at club level, let alone international. Milner is NOT a right back (some may say he shouldnt be there at all)

The midfield looked decent apart from Lampard, who was woeful. Barkley was ace, Ox looked well up for it.

Sterling's red was very harsh.

I reckon Barry should have gone ahead of Lampard

[paranoid marvin]

Don't take notice of any friendly; it's all about aclimatising and getting to know one another - also it's about not picking up a serious injury ahead of the big one, hence the out-of-order tackle and subsequent red.

Having said that, England can't defend for tofee, and are likely to concede against both Italy and Uruguay, and probably be knocked out at the group stage

[Mallo]

I will watch every match simply because I love football. And it is usually the lesser games which prove to be be the most amazing ones.

A man to my own heart!

[Mallo]

Does anyone know if they're going to be using any new technology at the World Cup? I'm guessing goal line tech will be used for the first time. Dunno if it's Hawkeye of not.

[crusto]

I hope the Ox is passed fit, he looked excellent yesterday and would be missed dearly imo. Somebody mentioned wether Milner is any god at RB? Or at all? Imo he isn't good in any position at this level, way out of his depth. Overall I don't hold any hope for England getting out of the group stages, and likely never will again. We are simply not good enough at international level and have consistently proved this over the majority of years. I have believed the hype one too many times, and am no longer excited by any international competitions as there's little point in reality.

Of course I'll be watching it though as I love the game, but will be laughing at others after they get upset when we inevitably get spanked.

[The Hardest of All Freds]

Yes. They will use noise dampening tech to drown out anyone who takes in a brass instrument to ANY England game

[Liamh1982]

Regarding whether it's Hawkeye being used - no, I think it's some German-invented system instead.

I always really get into it especially this time as it'll be my first time watching in HD (my TV is working again - sort of...). I'm torn about England - being a Liverpool fan I'm hoping Gerrard, Sturridge etc. all have absolute blinders but being Welsh I want the English to fail!