Official World Cup 2014 Thread
 

With the tournament coming in three weeks, I think it's probably appropriate to start the discussion on Letsbeef.

Post your predictions, what team you are/are not supporting, and any other stuff you want to add to the discussion.

Groups:

Group A:

Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon


Group B:

Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia

Group C:

Columbia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan

Group D:

Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy

Group E:

Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras

Group F:

Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria

Group G:

Germany
Portugal
Ghana
United States

Group H:

Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea

Groups:

Group A:

Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon


Group B:

Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia

Group C:

Columbia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan

Group D:

Uruguay
Costa Rica
England
Italy

Group E:

Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras

Group F:

Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria

Group G:

Germany
Portugal
Ghana
United States

Group H:

Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea


Green = making it past the group stage.

I'd like to see an Underdog win it but crazy talent in the obvious monsters.

Likely Winners: Spain, Germany, Brazil & Argentina
Teams I'd like to see winning: Holland Or Belgium

Any world cup without Ireland is only 70% interesting anywhooooo, so fuggit :high:

---------- Post added at 12:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:37 AM ----------

Dunno If my vote went through but Im rooting for the 2 above teams i mentioned ^^. If holland or belgium aint there, Spain V Brasil final, Spain on penalties :high:

I'm really watching to see how Ronaldo and Messi play. They are the two best players in the world, and have never had immense success at the world stage. I want to see if this changes this world cup. This is probably going to be their last chance to really cement their legacy Maradona style.

---------- Post added at 05:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:42 PM ----------

Another thing to consider is that it's going be 30+ Celsius at like 90% humidity down in Brazil. Possession teams will be advantaged, counter-attacking teams will tire quickly.

They got another World Cup in them but both are in there prime right now to do it on the big stage. Only problem Ronaldo has is Portugal are fucking shit. Not the team they used to be with Rui Costa e.t.c. Messi has quality all around him with Argentina, & If Aguero manages to stay fit they'll do damage. Spain V Argentina would prob be a better final now that i think about it lol.

Every single pick Mayneak said, and every likely winner/want to win too.

Who DOESN'T want Belgium to win? From an absolute random nobody European team to being the best young player to best player ratio in the world, including Brazil, who's held that title since the dawn of time.

Sucks to see no Ireland or Scotland in there. Not surprising about the latter but Ireland has fell off so much since 2002 when they hit the quarters.

---------- Post added at 07:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:04 PM ----------

http://www1.theladbible.com/images/c...210a356c2e.png

Germany got this one

Belgium are the dark horses but losing Benteke is a major blow. If England don't win it I wan't Belgium or the Ivory Coast to win it.

Agree with Mays predictions minus Ivory Coast and England. Though it wouldn't be the WC without atleast 1 major shock i the groups.

Being Honest....i'd say Belgium will take this. They've a hell of a team. :high:

I can't see England beating Italy or Uruguay.

Not sure Ivory Coast could take Japan or Columbia, those are two really good teams.

I think May is right with most of his predictions, except Mexico is not going to make it.

Obviously I'm supporting England, I think we'll get through the group stages too despite being in a difficult group. I don't really mind who wins it beyond hoping for England, I would rather Spain didn't win it again though.

---------- Post added at 07:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 AM ----------

England is definitely a better team than Uruguay. Suarez might be injured too. England vs Italy is always a pretty close game.

Supposedly Suarez will be back. Uruguay is a good side in general. They are also more accustomed to playing in the environment, which is going to be a bigger factor than I think some people think.

England are like the only team in the world that other countries actively want to lose.

The meltdown from English media is always hilarious.

I'd put it this way, England will advance is Suarez doesn't play, and won't if he does.

Why do you think that? That's the first time I've heard of it. A lot of people still resent Germany for the holocaust etc. and there is a rivalry between Germany and Holland. So I would say that's not true.

---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 AM ----------

England have a really interesting squad this time around. A lot more young players so it will make for interesting viewing.

The only teams really worth exerting energy in rooting against are Russia and Japan.

Why Japan Louie? I agree with Russia. If Maradona is still coaching Argentina I want them to lose too.

Because Russia and Japan basically exist for the purposes of being pieces of shit.

Russia has immense levels of racism and homphobia in their society, and Japan is actively denying decades of war crimes and rights abuses in eastern and southern Asia.

#COSTARICA

#TEAMRICAN

#PAPIGANG

#BIGPAPICREW

You're on drugs if you think Ivory Coast won't progress. They are the strongest African Team in the WC and easily the strongest team in their group. Shocks do happen but I don't get this consensus that they are a weak link in arguably the weakest group.

I just pretty much have a feeling that they won't make it through.

they wont make it.

Considering Ronaldo's age, this will be his last chance to perform at the world cup as one of the worlds elite players. While he will probably make the team in 2018, this is his last shot as a world class footballer.

With regards to Messi, I wouldn't be surprised if he has two more world cups, but in my mind this has to be his moment. Not only is he going to be worse as a player next world cup, the Argentina squad is absolutely stacked on offense.

Messi
Aguero
Di Maria
Higuain


Fucking deadly. Messi will not get the opportunity to play with this type of supporting squad again.

Not of the same calibre, but still world class - Rooney has said the same thing regarding this being his last world cup to make a real difference.

I dont agree that Ronaldo wont be an elite player in 4 years. Unless he suffers a Ronaldinho type drop Ronaldo will still be one of the best in the world in 4 years.

I don't really see how it's disputable that Messi is the best in the world. The guy has NEVER had a patch of inconsistency.

Cant see past Brazil winning tbh.

Agreed. Messi is the best in the world. It's actually a bit sad for Ronaldo as in any other generation he would be considered the best. Both will go down as legends though and although I wasn't around to see the greats; Pele, Maradona etc. From what I've seen I think Messi and Ronaldo are probably the best ever.

Ronaldo is going to be 33 next world cup. How many strikers are great that long into their career?

The two strikers I can really think of having great success at that age are Drogba and Ibrahimovic and Ronaldo is not like them. It is rare for a player like Ronaldo to keep form into his thirties. I would be very surprised if he is still a world class player at that time.

---------- Post added at 08:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 PM ----------

They don't have great attacking skill. I don't see it for them.

In fairness, there in one of them groups that any of the 4 can qualify. I still don't think they will. Japan have a good work ethic and are no punching bags by any means. Same can be said about Columbia. Greece is probably the weakest of the sides, but tight group. Sticking by the 2 selected

Agree with what Louie said, there strikers don't cut it for me. Hulk = overrated & lazy at times, Fred = average at the best of times, Neymar = decent player but acts the bollocks too much and inconsistent in his first season at Barca.

I think Neymar will probably have his world cup next time around. He needs more time to mature.

He struggles using his teammates, he's too much about doing everything himself. He may get away with it right now as Brazil isn't as strong offensively, but he must learn to play a more complete game.

---------- Post added at 06:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:36 PM ----------

7 days left gentlemen.

Oxlade-Chamberlain looks to be out. Tough injury to sustain right before the world cup, but he's young and should get a couple more tries.

Excited ...

I'm really hoping he will recover in time. I really think he's underrated he showed a lot of quality in the friendly and has done in the past too.

Marco Reus went off today in pain for Germany. Could be a massive loss.

One day left. Are there seriously no USA supporters here?

Do you men here as in on LB, or here was in the world?

Answers no either way.

LOL. I originally meant on LB, but the point stands.