Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Is anybody excited for the World Cup this year?

If you are, which team are you cheering on? I'm looking forward to Germany playing this time around, and the majority of my coworkers are in the same boat as I am. Another close contender is England, followed by Uruguay.

I'm also curious to see how well the U.S. does with their new European coach.

Any thoughts?

Personally no not really. I expect the stadiums to be massively unsafe and generally poor quality.

 angelofvengeance wrote:
Personally no not really. I expect the stadiums to be massively unsafe and generally poor quality.

Ditto. Plus England are going to be pants as usual.

I'm absolutely pumped!

I don't expect much from England, but I'd love to see them do well.

Spain and Germany are incredible contenders, especially Spain. I do think that Brazil may have a stronger showing on account of their being accustomed to the heat - and I think Uruguay might pull out a few surprise victories.

Tough for the US to play Ghana straight out of the gate.

I'm looking forward to riots shown on TV . US pales in comparison of soccor match riots to you UKers

 SilverMK2 wrote:

Ditto. Plus England are going to be pants as usual.

Besides, the REAL English national team is in NZ


If you are aware of why there's an English National team for any sport in NZ, then you'll know what I'm really looking forward to. It's about a million times better to watch and played by actual men, with real balls... Also, Scotland is in Houston this weekend to play the Eagles

 Ensis Ferrae wrote:
Besides, the REAL English national team is in NZ

If you are aware of why there's an English National team for any sport in NZ, then you'll know what I'm really looking forward to. It's about a million times better to watch and played by actual men, with real balls...

Rugby is much better, no argument there

Extremely excited. Basically one of the few times my ignorant pro Americanism isn't totally frowned upon! Plus in my area there are TONS of Brazilian Portuguese people in my area and friend group it's fun to talk to smack!

It is a little depressing this time around with all the protesting going on in Brazil though.

I'm kind of shocked that after the big biatchfest over the state of Sochi in February before the Olympics there has hardly been a peep in the news about the state of unsafe stadiums or the social situation in Brazil in comparison. The only mainstream English news I get is from Google, so if there is stuff on TV back in the West I have no idea.

In other news, Pikachu is Team Japan's mascot now. He's everywhere wearing the Japanese blue uniform.

Yes, can't wait for the start.

I can't wait, my current job ends on June 13 just in time for the start of the WC

I'll be pulling for the U.S. to put up a decent fight against Ghana, but don't expect much of anything against Portugal or Germany (I fully expect Ronaldo to score at least 3 goals against us, our backline is utter garbage). I'd like to see Spain vs. Brazil or Germany in the final.

The stadiums aren't even going to be complete. There will be chaos at the start, like when that tiny Russian town hosted the Olympics and the hotels weren't ready.

However, the games should be as exciting as always and I'm looking forward to stadium closeups that showcase those super hot Brazilian fans!

 rabidguineapig wrote:

I'll be pulling for the U.S. to put up a decent fight against Ghana, but don't expect much of anything against Portugal or Germany (I fully expect Ronaldo to score at least 3 goals against us, our backline is utter garbage)

Portugal will either be a solid win for the US or a total blowout against us. It really depends on which Portugal shows up and if Ronaldo is feeling okay that day. That is the curse of Portugal being a one-player team.

Ghana, I think we can beat just because they pissed us off too many times in a row.

Germany? They have been a bit off their game, but that is standard "Germany getting ready for a World Cup" form though.

My guess for the group is that there will be US and Germany beating Ghana, with all other games being draws.

I don't think the US is the "automatic out" for the group.

I'd like to see Spain vs. Brazil or Germany in the final.

Spain vs. Germany would be my favorite, but I'm thinking Spain vs. Brazil is the most likely. Brazil, at home, is going to be a tough team to beat.

Eh, not interested in football. That being said, I'll pay attention if England, France or Switzerland (are they even in this?) get through to the quarter finals.

It should be interesting to see the media reaction to the quality of the stadiums and accommodation over there. Plus, there's the added risk of riots breaking out on live TV.

 d-usa wrote:

 rabidguineapig wrote:

I'll be pulling for the U.S. to put up a decent fight against Ghana, but don't expect much of anything against Portugal or Germany (I fully expect Ronaldo to score at least 3 goals against us, our backline is utter garbage)

Portugal will either be a solid win for the US or a total blowout against us. It really depends on which Portugal shows up and if Ronaldo is feeling okay that day. That is the curse of Portugal being a one-player team.

Ghana, I think we can beat just because they pissed us off too many times in a row.

Germany? They have been a bit off their game, but that is standard "Germany getting ready for a World Cup" form though.

My guess for the group is that there will be US and Germany beating Ghana, with all other games being draws.

I don't think the US is the "automatic out" for the group.

I'd like to see Spain vs. Brazil or Germany in the final.

Spain vs. Germany would be my favorite, but I'm thinking Spain vs. Brazil is the most likely. Brazil, at home, is going to be a tough team to beat.

If we can beat Ghana (I think they're 4-0 against us all time...) and force a draw against Portugal (hopefully Ronaldo plays like a bum that day) we could very possibly sneak through if Germany wins their first 2 games and don't play a quality squad against us in the last match.

I still think Portugal is a solid team and their backline isn't bad enough for the U.S. to really exploit - Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, and Fabio Coentrao is a lot better than what we have at the back. Meireles and Moutinho are also quality in their midfield, and having Ronaldo never hurts. It's not impossible to get a result against them but I don't stack the odds in favor of the U.S.

The witch doctor is taking care of Ronaldo!

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2085908-ghanaian-witch-doctor-claims-to-have-caused-cristiano-ronaldos-world-cup-injury?utm_source=m.cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=m.cnn-sports-bin

 d-usa wrote:
The witch doctor is taking care of Ronaldo!

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2085908-ghanaian-witch-doctor-claims-to-have-caused-cristiano-ronaldos-world-cup-injury?utm_source=m.cnn.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=m.cnn-sports-bin

I think the more likely scenario for Ronaldo's injury is this..

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/sports/soccer/fixed-matches-cast-shadow-over-world-cup.html?_r=0

Not a big football (soccer) fan but always make a special effort for the WC, it's always tremendous fun.

Already massively incensed about Sterling getting the red card against Ecuador last night, thought he did well not to react to that.

Also to see the country go nuts and stop to a stand-still if England make it out of the group phase. Bad point is that every other advert on TV is now ugly people making ridiculous faces for the next few weeks.

Made me laugh about the current news that Qatar's bid was apparently 'corrupt' with people in Fifa being paid off. Did anyone seriously think that that wasn't the case?

 -Shrike- wrote:
Plus, there's the added benefit of riots breaking out on live TV.

Can't wait, finished my exams on the 3rd and all my friends are in until the 17th. I'll be hoping for Italy to do well, we cant do any worse than last time.

I seem to be the only person who doesn't want to see Spain in the final, watching them play bores the hell out of me, they might be good at winning games but as a spectacle it's pretty tiresome to watch.

 gianlucafiorentini123 wrote:

 -Shrike- wrote:
Plus, there's the added benefit of riots breaking out on live TV.

I seem to be the only person who doesn't want to see Spain in the final, watching them play bores the hell out of me, they might be good at winning games but as a spectacle it's pretty tiresome to watch.

Well, a friend wants to see Italy. Italy being the only team capable to hypothetically catch up to Brasil in the number of world titles. I'd like to see Germany and France doing well, I enjoyed their games in the previous series and France doesn't strike as strong fighter to anyone I've talked to, I'd like to see them surprising few heads. Any South American team gets my support to go to the final.

-Shrike- wrote:Eh, not interested in football. That being said, I'll pay attention if England, France or Switzerland (are they even in this?) get through to the quarter finals.
V.

Switzerland stand a decent chance at grabbing 2nd spot in Group E behind France

gianlucafiorentini123 wrote:

 -Shrike- wrote:


I seem to be the only person who doesn't want to see Spain in the final, watching them play bores the hell out of me, they might be good at winning games but as a spectacle it's pretty tiresome to watch.

Same here, much rather see a Brazil/Germany vs Argentina matchup

Would it be bad to hope for an Israel vs. Jordan final (or, does Palestine try to field their own team?)

Chancetragedy wrote:
Extremely excited. Basically one of the few times my ignorant pro Americanism isn't totally frowned upon! Plus in my area there are TONS of Brazilian Portuguese people in my area and friend group it's fun to talk to smack!

It is a little depressing this time around with all the protesting going on in Brazil though.

What the hell is a Brazilian Portuguese person?

If I was single, I would totally go to Brazil for the World Cup.

 Sasori wrote:
If I was single, I would totally go to Brazil for the World Cup.

I wonder why...

Not at all.

 calamarialldayerrday wrote:

Chancetragedy wrote:
Extremely excited. Basically one of the few times my ignorant pro Americanism isn't totally frowned upon! Plus in my area there are TONS of Brazilian Portuguese people in my area and friend group it's fun to talk to smack!

It is a little depressing this time around with all the protesting going on in Brazil though.

What the hell is a Brazilian Portuguese person?

You do realize Brazil and Portugal are 2 different places yes? Idk all my friends make a big deal about the differentiation. So I go with that especially since in my area there are a lot of both groups, Portuguese from Portugal and Portuguese from Brazil.

I dont care about football, not even to go as far as to support England anymore. This will change briefly while playing, and will die as soon as they get kicked out, which wont be long I think.

However I will be watching the crime stats, if not the football scores.

There has already been serious concerns raised from inside and outside Brazil that local gang culture and the chronic rise in street crime in Brazilian cities may ruin the World Cup . This may also possibly effect Rio's already tenuous grasp on the 2016 Olympics.

The IOC has already placed warnings that Rio is too far behind with Olympics preparations, severely behind even where Athens was with two years to go until the games, and Athens only just finished in time.

Combine this with crime fears and Rio might lose the Olympics. It has already been floated in the IOC and the body can go that far.

This would be a humiliation for Brazil when they are getting stronger as a nation

Chancetragedy wrote:

 calamarialldayerrday wrote:

Chancetragedy wrote:
Extremely excited. Basically one of the few times my ignorant pro Americanism isn't totally frowned upon! Plus in my area there are TONS of Brazilian Portuguese people in my area and friend group it's fun to talk to smack!

It is a little depressing this time around with all the protesting going on in Brazil though.

What the hell is a Brazilian Portuguese person?

You do realize Brazil and Portugal are 2 different places yes? Idk all my friends make a big deal about the differentiation. So I go with that especially since in my area there are a lot of both groups, Portuguese from Portugal and Portuguese from Brazil.

I *THINK* that may be similar to how in America we (stupidly) call black people "Afircan-Americans"... a Portuguese-Brazilian would be someone who is from/lives in Brazil, but is of Portuguese descent?

Yes, pretty much exactly as I understand it.