With the football season being almost over, it's time to really start looking forward to the World Cup!
Who do you think will have the better chances to win this year's edition? How well do you think your country will do? If your country doesn't participate, which country will you support? What do you think about the current situation in Brazil, with stadiums not being finished yet?
Anything you can think of related to the World Cup, discuss it here!
Personally I expect either Germany, Spain or Brazil will take it down this year. Personally I hope it will be Germany actually, of those three. We (Holland) lost the final to Spain 4 years ago so I don't want them to win. And although Germany are of course our biggest rivals, I still really like their team, more than I like the Brazilian squad.
I don't think we'll be a title contender this time around. Although we have a pretty decent squad up front and in the midfield, I think we're not quite strong enough defensively. Although, maybe the new 5-3-2 formation will help with that. I think we should be able to get through the group stages though, although it will be tough especially against Spain and Chile (they have some really quality players) and even Australia won't be a pushover. We'll see how things go though!
So yeah, should we get knocked out, I'm honestly going to be rooting for Germany, weird as it sounds. 
Also I'm sad Sweden didn't make it. Would've loved to see Ibra in action. Such a shame that Portugal and Sweden had to play off against each other for a WC ticket. Would've loved to see both Ibra and Ronaldo go at it 
One of my overly-patriotic friends has bet me, at even money, that England will make the quarter-finals. I think I've easily got the best side of that one.
My money is literally on Spain, because I snagged them at 9/1 a few months ago which I think is a crazy good price for a team that's won the last three major international competitions.
I think Brazil are probably going to win it, but I'm going to root for Spain unless by some miracle England make it further than 3 games in.
I'm Australian so I don't expect us to get past the group stage. But just in case.
I think I've easily got the best side of that one.
Couldn't agree more haha
21 days, world cup hype!
I think Brazil is going to win this one. They have a great team and the home-field advantage has had quite an impact on the host nation's performance throughout the history of the World Cup.
My own country (Germany) has a great chance as well, but I'm actually not rooting for them at all because I'm strongly opposed to nationalism. Seriously, you can't take two steps outside of the house without seeing German flags all over the place once the World Cup gets going. Everyone goes nuts. The sooner they're out of the cup, the sooner I can watch the actual event in peace without people doing car convoys in the streets and honking like crazy every time there is a game.
I think the USA will do a lot better than expected as well. They have a great coach (Jürgen Klinsmann, he was coaching Germany at the 2006 World Cup) and as far as I know, they played pretty well throughout last year.
Seriously, you can't take two steps outside of the house without seeing German flags all over the place once the World Cup gets going. Everyone goes nuts.
This is actually what I love about the World Cup and similar events. The fact that everybody goes nuts is actually really awesome I think!
Especially when your own country is playing, everyone is your friend, everyone is happy, there's just a really nice atmosphere. And when your country then loses, who cares, you just drink the sorrow away
Of course everyone's entitled to their own opinion though 
I both love and hate it. I understand it more in a country like Germany, where the team actually has a shot. Everyone in England just sets themselves up for disappointment.
Then again this is the most pessimistic about an international comp I've ever seen the country so maybe we'll actually do well this time.
Originally posted by TinoLaan
This is actually what I love about the World Cup and similar events. The fact that everybody goes nuts is actually really awesome I think!
It depends... I do enjoy the hype for the World Cup, but I don't enjoy the hype for the national team. Especially because many people who go crazy for the team don't even care about soccer outside of the World Cup.
Sometimes, I actually used to make bets on whoever plays against Germany just to have an excuse why I'm not cheering along with everyone else.
Maybe Germany is a bit of a special case as well, because nationalism applied to this country has some unpleasant associations...
Originally posted by TinoLaan
We (Holland) lost the final to Spain 4 years ago so I don't want them to win.
Originally posted by MJPerry
I both love and hate it. I understand it more in a country like Germany, where the team actually has a shot. Everyone in England just sets themselves up for disappointment.Then again this is the most pessimistic about an international comp I've ever seen the country so maybe we'll actually do well this time.
That'd be the ol' "Woy" effect!
I've been pretty agnostic towards this WC. Partly because we're not in it (Ireland) but more-so because it's in Brazil and that makes things shitty time wise.
I actually don't even know the draw 
The fuck is wrong with me?!
Anyways, money is on Brazil/Spain/Portugal and ze Germans. England haven't a hope in hell. They may scrape through their group but not a hope of winning it and I'm just waiting for their exit via penalties ♦
Originally posted by EmanuelC16
Originally posted by TinoLaan
We (Holland) lost the final to Spain 4 years ago so I don't want them to win.
I really wanted Holland to win last year. That final kinda sucked.
Ireland aren't in it unfortunately (probably for the best, we really wouldn't be able to deal with the heat). So I'll be supporting whoever England are playing...
I think Woy messed up his squad selection so I'd be surprised if they made it passed the group stages tbh, although Saurez potentially injured could be a huge blow for Uruguay.
I'm really surprised Spain are going for such a huge price (still 9/1 on betfair). For a dark horse I think Belgium, but it could be 4 years too early for them to be competitive. Winners = Argentina:
Forwards: Higuan, Messi, Aguero, Lavezzi...
Mid: Gago, Banega, Sosa, Di Maria, Mascherano, Biglia...
Def: Garay, Zabaleta, Demichelis...
Midfield contains a good mix of holding mids/pace/attacking talent. Forwards are unreal if Aguero stays fit. Def a bit meh but they have good defensive mids to help cover... Plus they'll be used to the conditions unlike Germany for example.
Originally posted by mesisification
Originally posted by EmanuelC16
Originally posted by TinoLaan
We (Holland) lost the final to Spain 4 years ago so I don't want them to win.
I really wanted Holland to win last year. That final kinda sucked.
Had Holland actually tried to play football and not mortal kombat they may have won it IMO
Originally posted by holmeboy
Ireland aren't in it unfortunately (probably for the best, we really wouldn't be able to deal with the heat). So I'll be supporting whoever England are playing...I think Woy messed up his squad selection so I'd be surprised if they made it passed the group stages tbh, although Saurez potentially injured could be a huge blow for Uruguay.
I'm really surprised Spain are going for such a huge price (still 9/1 on betfair). For a dark horse I think Belgium, but it could be 4 years too early for them to be competitive. Winners = Argentina:
Forwards: Higuan, Messi, Aguero, Lavezzi...
Mid: Gago, Banega, Sosa, Di Maria, Mascherano, Biglia...
Def: Garay, Zabaleta, Demichelis...
Midfield contains a good mix of holding mids/pace/attacking talent. Forwards are unreal if Aguero stays fit. Def a bit meh but they have good defensive mids to help cover... Plus they'll be used to the conditions unlike Germany for example.
I have bolded the one reason the Argies won't win it
