Brazil World Cup!

[Runkel]

Going on how poor NL were at the European Championships, I can understand why little was expected of them. Their team lacks the big names with the exceptions of the obvious RVP/Robben/Sneidjer/De Jong. Compare the Spanish squad with that of the Netherlands and there is a massive gulf in big name class. Doesn't necessarily control how well they will/won't perform, however.

true, i wouldnt have guessed nl would win

but im sure nl wouldve beat chile.

my guess for the WC wouldve been 2nd at the poul ( spain first ) and then getting knocked out by Brazil. but now we will see

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Going on how poor NL were at the European Championships, I can understand why little was expected of them. Their team lacks the big names with the exceptions of the obvious RVP/Robben/Sneidjer/De Jong. Compare the Spanish squad with that of the Netherlands and there is a massive gulf in big name class. Doesn't necessarily control how well they will/won't perform, however.

I don't really see a "massive gulf in big name class". Spain is getting older, and their strikers aren't all that great (especially since Costa is half injured). Without David Villa's explosiveness, Spain really just plays a style that doesn't work anymore (The Barcelona possession style football). Too many good counterattack teams to win on possession alone.

Spain shouldn't have even had 1 goal today, was a blatant dive by Costa. That or he simply fell. Either way, wasn't a penalty.

I'm not surprised at all the Dutch won tbh.

Casillas nowhere near as good as he used to be, neither is Iniesta, David Villa (did he even make the team?). When you have Torres who loves missing the net and Diego Costa limping around..where at the goals going to come from? They might not even make it out of the group stages now.

 

[iAGZzzz]

I don't really see a "massive gulf in big name class". Spain is getting older, and their strikers aren't all that great (especially since Costa is half injured). Without David Villa's explosiveness, Spain really just plays a style that doesn't work anymore (The Barcelona possession style football). Too many good counterattack teams to win on possession alone.

Spain shouldn't have even had 1 goal today, was a blatant dive by Costa. That or he simply fell. Either way, wasn't a penalty.

I'm not surprised at all the Dutch won tbh.

Casillas nowhere near as good as he used to be, neither is Iniesta, David Villa (did he even make the team?). When you have Torres who loves missing the net and Diego Costa limping around..where at the goals going to come from? They might not even make it out of the group stages now.

I wasn't commenting on the quality of both sides, meerly the expectations of both sides. People see a CB pairing of Ramos and Pique compared to the rather mediocre looking Vlaar + Co. of the Netherlands and you can see why the expectation was for a Spanish white wash. On paper, they are the better side. True, they are ageing, but taking experience and whatnot into account it's still a shock result.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

But that's the beauty of Football my friend!! Paper means nothing . Unless you're the USA then yeah you're probably going to get pwned! LOL. That from a USA resident (a realistic one).

I respect the hell out of Spain, I really like their style, attitude, and classy players. I just was not all that surprised they lost today. I predicted a 2-1 loss, so yeah 5-1 was shocking to me. I just think that right now, the Dutch superstars are playing their best football, especially guys like Van Persie. They're hungry, and they know this is their last chance in all likelihood.

I still expect Spain to advance, but it's going to be really hard now. Hell, trust me, I want them to advance, it makes for better knockout games...but I'm very concerned about them. I was concerned before this game.

 

[iAGZzzz]

But that's the beauty of Football my friend!! Paper means nothing . Unless you're the USA then yeah you're probably going to get pwned! LOL. That from a USA resident (a realistic one).

I respect the hell out of Spain, I really like their style, attitude, and classy players. I just was not all that surprised they lost today. I predicted a 2-1 loss, so yeah 5-1 was shocking to me. I just think that right now, the Dutch superstars are playing their best football, especially guys like Van Persie. They're hungry, and they know this is their last chance in all likelihood.

I still expect Spain to advance, but it's going to be really hard now. Hell, trust me, I want them to advance, it makes for better knockout games...but I'm very concerned about them. I was concerned before this game.

Haha, very true! Cost me a fair few of my accumulators but I don't really care as once Spain were 3-1 down I was cheering the Netherlands to keep going and punish them further. It is nice seeing favourites not just lose, but get their asses handed to them. However it did hurt my wallet somewhat >.<

 

Predictions for England/Italy? 1-3 I say.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

England Italy is going to be intense but I like the Italians to win.

 

[Runkel]

surely england - italy will be an interesting and exciting game . will watch it

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Buffon out, adds some intrigue to the match for sure.

 

Damn that was close! England are on the attack.

 

Motherfuckin' GOALLLLLLLLL

 

[lechanster]

That Rooney corner (England v Italy) was absolutely pathetic.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Wow Dempsey!!!!


What a corner!! US WINS!! Wow! Revenge on Ghana FINALLY

 

[Justin Drew Bieber]

Wow Dempsey!!!!


What a corner!! US WINS!! Wow! Revenge on Ghana FINALLY

This... so many people don't realize the lethality of the US team.

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

Well we will certainly see their true potential in the Group of Death. First test completed. Ghana played very impressively but the United States survived. That corner was huge.

 

[Sanctuary]

Anyone watching this Spain vs Chile game??

Spain's about to be eliminated in group stages - unreal!

 

[I Bleed Duke Blue]

R.I.P. Spain

 

[Phant0m5]

R.I.P. Spain

Very poor decision to punch out the ball from Casillas, but yes Spain are being torn apart

 

[FireZ]

World cup imo is the only soccer worth watching, especially when it gets to the last 8 left.

 

[Justin Drew Bieber]

Spain's playing style is just easily exploited by solid counter-attack teams.