WC 2014 - Bits and Bobs

[Royalclapper]

Stadia - A lot of the bowl type stadia are much of a muchness from what I've seen. Even though Sao Paulo hasn't quite been finished roof wise and has temp seating the atmosphere is good and the fans are close to the action.

Like the stadium in Cuiaba, those distinctive posts in the corner are class.

Puma's Blue and Pink boots - They have been noticeable on the players but it's just so chav for my liking.

Free Kicks - These have been generally poor, and at one time there was almost an unofficial best free kick taker competition going on at WC's. The spray is a good idea in what it does but the downside is it takes so long for everything to get set and then you see a shite effort.

Best kits are the French ones and the Columbia adidas retro style one.

Also like Honduras crest of Red Dwarf style giant H which is a less thought out alternative to most National Teams Emblems.

[YateleyRoyal]

Definitely hasn't been a 'keepers World Cup IMO. Too many lolable errors, not enough top saves.

[No Fixed Abode]

RE Stadia - More interesting that the new Stadia we have here, all built out of identikits.

[jd82]

BINGO!

[Big Foot]

Was really impressed with the stadium in Sao Paolo when I saw it on the tele the other night - check out the stands behind the goal, looked incredible to watch

[Ouroboros]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

[Big Foot]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

All teams have only had 2 games so far, "great teams" come about through more than just 2 games, IMO

[jd82]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

All teams have only had 2 games so far, "great teams" come about through more than just 2 games, IMO

Exactly this - some people writing off the Argies as they've made a slow start. Thats the best way to win a tournament IMO, teams that smash people in the groups rarely go on to win it (working from memory, not stats)

[Big Foot]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

All teams have only had 2 games so far, "great teams" come about through more than just 2 games, IMO

Exactly this - some people writing off the Argies as they've made a slow start. Thats the best way to win a tournament IMO, teams that smash people in the groups rarely go on to win it (working from memory, not stats)

^Agreed, I think Vieria said the other day that France had an awful start to WC 2006 but still made the final

[Big Foot]

Whilst I think of Vieria, has everyone else seen the genius video of Martin O'Neill mugging off him, Adrian Chiles & Cannavaro from ITV the other day?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G1Xe5vsAPU

Listen to the pause after his cutting remark

[liamobey]

Why haven't the Beeb or ShiteTV been doing town profiles and stadium previews like in previous WC's?

I think Brazil had enough cool and original stadia as it is.
Take a look at some of these, granted there are a few from the WC. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fo ... _in_Brazil

and these would have been good for an open air atmosphere that you'd expect from a southern hemisphere finals

[Ouroboros]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

All teams have only had 2 games so far, "great teams" come about through more than just 2 games, IMO

Of course they do.

I'm just contending that no side in this tournament will ever be mentioned in the same breath as Brazil 70 or 82, Holland 74/78, Spain 2010, even if they go on to lift the trophy. It's a prediction.

Anyone actually dis'gree with that?

[liamobey]

If someone new wins it then yes, they will be talked about in the same vain.

Belgium....?

[soggy biscuit]

Currently on track for most goals scored in a WC

[Ouroboros]

If someone new wins it then yes, they will be talked about in the same vain.

Belgium....?

If Belgium win it, I agree.

Not sure on your first statement though. You need to do more than win a World Cup to be talked about as a one of the greatest sides. West Germany 1990? Brazil 2002? England 1966?

[Big Foot]

If someone new wins it then yes, they will be talked about in the same vain.

Belgium....?

If Belgium win it, I agree.

Not sure on your first statement though. You need to do more than win a World Cup to be talked about as a one of the great sides. West Germany 1990? Brazil 2002? England 1966?

Interesting then that you reference the Dutch side of 78 - which final did they win?

[Big Foot]

The quality of this World Cup remains high as we head into the business end. Are the great world cups marked by the emergence of historically great teams? Does it matter that there aren't any really good teams in this one?

All teams have only had 2 games so far, "great teams" come about through more than just 2 games, IMO

Of course they do.

I'm just contending that no side in this tournament will ever be mentioned in the same breath as Brazil 70 or 82, Holland 74/78, Spain 2010, even if they go on to lift the trophy. It's a prediction.

Anyone actually dis'gree with that?

Spain 2010....meh

Spain 2008-2012, yes a f'ing gr8 side and the best side of my lifetime to date, IMO

But in 2010 they were a) The side to have scored the lowest number of goals in a single WC that they'd won and b) the only side to win the WC having lost their opening game (there's the slow start again)

So, I don't think you can call 2010 a vintage year for Spain

[Ouroboros]

Interesting then that you reference the Dutch side of 78 - which final did they win?

Winning a world cup is neither necessary nor sufficient to be a great side.

I don't decide the criteria, I'm just assuming what they are given the teams that people actually talk about.

[Ouroboros]

Spain 2010....meh

Spain 2008-2012, yes a f'ing gr8 side and the best side of my lifetime to date, IMO

But in 2010 they were a) The side to have scored the lowest number of goals in a single WC that they'd won and b) the only side to win the WC having lost their opening game (there's the slow start again)

So, I don't think you can call 2010 a vintage year for Spain

Yes, agree with that actually.

2010 confirmed their dominance, but they weren't great.

[liamobey]

If Holland win it they'll have to win a few games ugly, which they've already done against the Aussies. Their demolition of Spain ( i nearly wrote demolishment) will be a game that's talked about for a long time, as Spain were Champions. If they have another banger like that and end up winning it then they're a great team IMO.

Can Costa Rica actually win it?