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Germany in practice mode? Germany has a difficult group draw. The progression after the groups is a little easier, but one of Belgium (very tough team)/Russia/South Korea, followed by France followed by (probably) Brazil is not an easy path to the final.
Argentina got an easy draw, and should walk to the quarters, but there they are likely to face Portugal or Belgium, both very tough teams.
Difficult group draw? Are you kidding me? who think Portugal or USA can even in the most remote possibility jeopardize Germany being a first place in the group! Then Belgium is very difficult in Round of 16??? Did you see the other likely match ups at round of 16? Oh, France, big deal.
Germany and Argentina are guaranteed in the semis. If they don't make it, they don't deserve to win. Come on.
I don't know, Belgium is a great dark horse/fun team to watch. Hazard, De Brunye, Lukaku, Benteke, Bakkali, Mirallas, Dembele - some of the best young attacking talent in Europe. A back line that consists of Kompany, Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Alderwield and a keeper of either Courtois or Mingolet ... that is one of the stouter/stronger back 5's of any team in the tournament.
The rest of the group is a little vanilla, but South Korea has played nice stuff in recent tournaments, and Russia have also been a very nice side to watch as well. There may not be any marquee sides, but there is alot of entertainment in this group.
Brazil gets Holland or Spain in the round of 16, then England or Uruguay or Italy in the quarters. Easy???
You know what?
Maybe, just MAYBE, Brazil should try to purposely come in second place in the group...
Because if Brazil comes in first, it plays against Spain or Netherlands in Belo Horizonte at 3:00 PM
If Brazil comes in second, it plays against Spain or Netherlands in Fortaleza at 1:00 PM
In the second case, the HEAT will be tremendously greater. And I bet Brazilian players can take more advantage from tremendous heat than the European players.
Not to mention that the fans here in Fortaleza are the most passionate of all when rooting for Brazil!
Difficult group draw? Are you kidding me? who think Portugal or USA can even in the most remote possibility jeopardize Germany being a first place in the group! Then Belgium is very difficult in Round of 16??? Did you see the other likely match ups at round of 16? Oh, France, big deal.
Do you know anything about Belgium? One of the best young sides in the world. Obviously not in a class with Germany/Spain/Argentina who are favorites, or even Brazil who are a notch below that. But show me a team outside of that big four who should feel confident against Belgium. Belgium will have one of the best back 5's in the tournament and a team replete with some of the best young attacking talent in Europe at the moment.
Yeah the US is DOA, no chances against Germany and Portugal, besides Ghana may be the strongest African too.
Not only is Ghana strong, but they seem to beat the US in every world cup. They have our number. That is the first game for the US, too. If they don't get three points from Ghana, there is so little chance to get out of that group.
And then the travel schedule: start in Natal, fly to Manaus, then back to Recife.
But, now that I am thinking about it, 4 points may get a country second place in that group...It is possible because the draw is so tough.
Klinsmann, I am sure, is not happy about being matched up against Germany in the group stage.
Best case, Germany beats everyone, Ghana and Portugal tie and the US wins one and ties one...that would get them through.
Do you know anything about Belgium? One of the best young sides in the world. Obviously not in a class with Germany/Spain/Argentina who are favorites, or even Brazil who are a notch below that. But show me a team outside of that big four who should feel confident against Belgium. Belgium will have one of the best back 5's in the tournament and a team replete with some of the best young attacking talent in Europe at the moment.
In a cup where people are worried about WC champions not reaching the quarters or even going beyond first round, someone is worried about powerful Belgium
A1 (BRA) vs. B2 (SPA)
------------------------------- BRA - ENG
C1 (COL) vs. D2 (ENG)
----------------------------------------------------------- BRA - GER
E1 (FRA) vs. F2 (NIG)
------------------------------- FRA - GER
G1 (GER) vs. H2 (RUS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRA - ARG
B1 (NL) vs. A2 (CRO)
------------------------------- NL - ITA
D1 (ITA) vs. C2 (JP)
----------------------------------------------------------- ARG - NL
F1 (ARG) vs. E2 (SWI)
------------------------------- ARG - POR
H1 (BEL) vs. G2 (POR)
Maybe, just MAYBE, Brazil should try to purposely come in second place in the group...
Because if Brazil comes in first, it plays against Spain or Netherlands in Belo Horizonte at 3:00 PM
If Brazil comes in second, it plays against Spain or Netherlands in Fortaleza at 1:00 PM
In the second case, the HEAT will be tremendously greater. And I bet Brazilian players can take more advantage from tremendous heat than the European players.
Not to mention that the fans here in Fortaleza are the most passionate of all when rooting for Brazil!
I don't know about that. The heat should really benefit mostly the African teams, most Brazilians and Argentinians are more used to European climate these days.
Besides, believe or not, but I would rather have Brazil to face Spain than Holland in the round of 16.
In a cup where people are worried about WC champions not reaching the quarters or even going beyond first round, someone is worried about powerful Belgium
What does the past mean? Look at the strongest teams in the world right now. Spain/Germany/Argentina are clearly ahead of everyone. Brazil and possibly Holland are a notch behind that. After that Belgium is arguably as strong of a team as anyone in the world right now.
A1 (BRA) vs. B2 (NL)
------------------------------- BRA - ENG
C1 (COL) vs. D2 (ENG)
----------------------------------------------------------- BRA - GER
E1 (FRA) vs. F2 (NIG)
------------------------------- FRA - GER
G1 (GER) vs. H2 (RUS)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRA - ARG
B1 (SPA) vs. A2 (CRO)
------------------------------- SPA - ITA
D1 (ITA) vs. C2 (***)
----------------------------------------------------------- SPA - ARG
F1 (ARG) vs. E2 (SWI)
------------------------------- ARG - POR
H1 (BEL) vs. G2 (POR)
Love your predictions
specially ARG beasting SPA in semi
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