Posted by harvestmouse on 2013-12-06 20:54:48

Here go mine -

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon
1, Brazil
2, Croatia

Group B: Spain, Chile, Australia and Netherlands.
1, Spain
2, Netherlands

Group C: Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
1, Columbia
2, Japan

Group D: Uruguay, England, Costa Rica and Italy.
1, Italy
2, Uruguay

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.
1, France
2, Switzerland

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
1, Argentina
2, Nigeria

Group G: Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA.
1, Germany
2, Portugal

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea.
1, Belgium
2, Russia

1, Winner A v Runner-up B \ Brazil vs Netherlands - Brazil
2, Winner C v Runner-up D \ Columbia vs Uruguay- Columbia
3, Winner B v Runner-up A \ Spain vs Croatia - Spain
4, Winner D v Runner-up C \ Italy vs Japan - Japan
5, Winner E v Runner-up F \ France vs Nigeria - France
6, Winner G v Runner-up H \ Germany - Russia - Germany
7, Winner F v Runner-up E \ Argentina - Switzerland - Argentina
8, Winner H v Runner-up G \ Belgium - Portugal - Belgium

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 \ Brazil vs Columbia - Columbia
2, Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs Japan - Spain
3, Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 \ France vs Germany - Germany
4, Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 \ Argentina vs Belgium - Belgium

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 3 \ Columbia vs Germany - Columbia
2, Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs Belgium - Spain

Final
Spain vs Columbia - Columbia

Posted by Garion on 2013-12-06 21:00:04

Wow you rate Colombia that highly. Belgium are a good shout for beating Argentina. We both ended on the same QF there and number 3. I think that could really go either way.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2013-12-06 21:09:52

I didn't rate them to win the cup really...........just how the draw worked out. I think attrition will play a part on the European teams, and really I don't think Brazil and Argentina are ahead of Chile, Columbia and Uruguay.

I do think, past performances do play a part, and no I don't really predict a new winner............but that's how my draw worked out. Of course, this didn't take in any locations after the first round. That also plays a part.

Basically any strong South American team should beat a European team if they get a very northern game.

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2013-12-06 21:13:23

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon
1, Brazil
2, Mexico

Group B: Spain, Chile, Australia and Netherlands.
1, Spain
2, Netherlands

Group C: Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
1, Columbia
2, Japan

Group D: Uruguay, England, Costa Rica and Italy.
1, Italy
2, England

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.
1, France
2, Ecuador

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
1, Argentina
2, Nigeria

Group G: Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA.
1, Germany
2, Portugal

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea.
1, Belgium
2, Russia

1, Winner A v Runner-up B \ Brazil vs Netherlands - Brazil
2, Winner C v Runner-up D \ Columbia vs England - England
3, Winner B v Runner-up A \ Spain vs Mexico - Spain
4, Winner D v Runner-up C \ Italy vs Japan - Italy
5, Winner E v Runner-up F \ France vs Nigeria - France
6, Winner G v Runner-up H \ Germany - Russia - Germany
7, Winner F v Runner-up E \ Argentina - Ecuador - Argentina
8, Winner H v Runner-up G \ Belgium - Portugal - Portugal

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 \ Brazil vs England - Brazil
2, Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs Italy - Spain
3, Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 \ France vs Germany - Germany
4, Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 \ Argentina vs Portugal - Portugal

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 3 \ Brazil vs Germany - Brazil
2, Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs Portugal - Portugal

Final
Brazil vs Portugal - Brazil

Posted by Verminardo on 2013-12-06 21:15:53

Germany to win the Cup of course. :)

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2013-12-06 21:21:41

Top scorer: Ronaldo.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2013-12-06 21:26:05

Looks like JimmyF has a crush on someone.....

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2013-12-06 21:39:51

Not at all. Messi won't be 100% coming back from injury. Suarez is a one man team at Liverpool I guess, but let's hope he only gets 3 games!

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2013-12-06 21:42:29

Spain look jaded and I think they will miss out on the final whoever they play

Posted by baelnic on 2013-12-06 22:25:33

I predict that the US will get my hopes up and then their lack of ability will bring those hopes crashing down.

Posted by liquidorange on 2013-12-07 00:02:58

I hate that the US is in a group with Germany and Portugal. C'mon... US football has come a long way and that's just a ridiculous group to be slated in. /rant

All in all though, I like Brazil to win on their home turf.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2013-12-07 00:40:26

You think it's tough having 2 good European teams in your group? Just think how hard it is qualifying for the World Cup if you're European.

Portugal finished second to Russia (which now means group winners Belgium and Russia meet) and then had to play off against zlatan ibrahimovic's Sweden....before having the right to play in the World Cup.

I'd love to see USA and some of the others taken out of their comfy CONCACAF region and play some proper qualifiers, and don't get me started about Oceania or Asia.....

And Blatter wants to decrease the amount of European teams that qualify....geez.

Posted by DeZigma on 2013-12-07 00:40:56

Group A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon
1, Brazil
2, Mexico

Group B: Spain, Chile, Australia and Netherlands.
1, Spain
2, Netherlands

Group C: Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
1, Columbia
2, Japan

Group D: Uruguay, England, Costa Rica and Italy.
1, Uruguay
2, Italy

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.
1, Swiss
2, Ecuador

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
1, Argentina
2, Bosnia

Group G: Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA.
1, Germany
2, Ghana

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea.
1, Russia
2, South Korea

1, Winner A v Runner-up B \ Brazil vs Netherlands - Netherlands
2, Winner C v Runner-up D \ Columbia vs Italy - Italy
3, Winner B v Runner-up A \ Spain vs Mexico - Spain
4, Winner D v Runner-up C \ Uruguay vs Japan - Uruguay
5, Winner E v Runner-up F \ Swiss vs Bosina - Bosnia
6, Winner G v Runner-up H \ Germany - South Korea - Germany
7, Winner F v Runner-up E \ Argentina - Ecuador - Argentina
8, Winner H v Runner-up G \ Russia - Ghana - Ghana

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 \ Netherlands vs Italy - Italy
2, Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs Uruguay - Uruguay
3, Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 \ Bosnia vs Germany - Germany
4, Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 \ Argentina vs Ghana - Argentina

1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 3 \ Italy vs Germany - Italy
2, Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 4 \ Uruguay vs Argentina - Argentina

Final
Italy vs Argentina - Italy

Posted by liquidorange on 2013-12-07 00:54:28

I think B, D and G are all terrible draws for the mid-level teams involved (where I would put the US in terms of ability). Any other group and we would've stood a chance at making it out. In Group G, we're going to have to hope for a miracle.

Like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxspfInbLV8

Posted by DeZigma on 2013-12-07 01:08:22

Usually groups with 2 european teams are always hard.

More terrible for the US boys is that they play vs physical strong teams like Germany and Ghana.

Well Portugal don't likes physical teams, that's a chance. But at the end there are missing skills to beat the others. But you know a good start vs Ghana could change everything. A win there tha u just need a another one!

Than the flight on wings of winning could bring everyone up. And this without the song "I believe I can fly"

Posted by baelnic on 2013-12-07 02:20:39

Didn't all 4 teams in group G make it to the second round in South Africa? I'd imagine that doesn't happen often.

Posted by Chainsaw on 2013-12-07 03:15:46

I predict England scrape out the group then lose to a better team in the knock out stages, and lots of people cry because we failed to win another world cup. Wayne Rooney celebrates by taking home an old tranny and Theo Walcott loses his virginity to a Brazilian hooker.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2013-12-07 03:17:02

Well the worst thing about group G is the travelling and northern matches. So that will particularly not favour the European teams. In order of hardness (as in the teams in the groups, group B stands out massively, you have 3 top tier teams.

I'm fine with ranking teams by ability, however qualifying or at least the final 2 rounds of qualifying should be like that as well. If the world cup groups aren't regional, neither should the qualifying.

In order of difficulty, I'd rank the groups in order of (hardest first, easiest last), this is on teams only, not schedules:

1. B
2. D
3. G
4. A
5. C
6. H
7. E
8. F

Posted by Jeffro on 2013-12-07 03:31:29

I read somewhere that England is doomed... I predict that.

Posted by Winni on 2013-12-07 11:35:59

Yay football world cup!

I am very excited and hoping for a lot of great and memorable games. Too bad we (germany) wont win the cup. I blame our coach and his woodelvish wimpiness.

Posted by fabiomightyblow on 2013-12-07 12:17:12

I think the final will be Italy/Germany or Italy/Spain.

Posted by Gromrilram on 2013-12-07 13:15:07

Brasil, Argentina, Spain, Germany are my top 4 teams

Belgium, Uruguay, Italy I expect to go far

France, Portugal , Netherlands, England I expect to underwhelm.



Brasil and Argentina both are heavily flawed teams. Argentinas defense is horrible, but the offense (not the strikers, the overall offense) is the best in the world atm. Brasil however are terribly uncreative upfront. But the way the refs are reacting to Neymar, he might be enough.
Both teams however are southamerican, and do NOT underestimate the climate.
Spain and Germany are the most complete and deep squads. Both follow a philosophy, what makes it easier for various players to join into a new tam and get settled. Both also have HUGE blocks from the same club, Barca and Bayern, what also helps the non-Barca (non-Bayern) players, because they have orientation.

Belgium is great and have one of the best strikers in the world in the making: Lukaku. The man is a beast. Also: young team, very few positions with flaws. They will go far, especially as the seeding favors them (if they finish first in their group - they should - and germany doesnt cough up the first place in their group) the way to the semifinals avoids Spain, England, Italy, Brasil, Uruguay, Germany. Thats HUGE. I don't see them good enough for the big throw however.
Uruguay has the best striker squad in the world, most importantly, Cavani is happy to play outside of central striker. How important is that? Watch a video of van Persie together with Huntelaar. You will want to cry over that arrogance both show each other. The lack of defensive stars is easier to compensate than a lack of offensive stars, because defense is more about teamwork than anything else. I don't see them good enough for the whole way as well.
Italy is... Italy. If they bring back Totti (as the national coach actually suggested, quote "if the worldcup was today, totti would play" - about a month ago) the laughingstock is perfect. Again a team that is too old, good defenders, but no standout, injured forwards, out of form forwards, Balotellis antics, Calciopolli, Cassano not training properly, Cannavaro involved in doping... wait. half of that was 2006. You get the idea. No team can outsmart Italy. Germany tried last european cup, failed miserably. Don't try it. No league deploys as many different formations as Seria A, so they KNOW how to deal with it. Also: Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giovinco play together at Juve. The defensive core intuitively knows where the teammate is - nothing beats that. Italy is always unpredictable. They might not win a game and go home, or they might end up winning the cup.

Underwhlemers: France is a laughingstock. The starting 11 is compiled of 13 different clubs, and everyone has a different idea how to win. A lot of quality - but nothing that united them.
Portugal failed to beat out Russia in the qualifiers. They also nearly lost against Sweden, the definition of a "one man show". The team has one of the best players of our generation. And Moutinho. And Hugo Almeida. Yes... that guy is the best striker they have. (if you want use "helder Postiga" instead, the argument stays the same)
The team is far too weak to not let their superstar down, and ronaldos play is brilliant, but its not to make his team better, like Figo would do in 2004.

Posted by DeZigma on 2013-12-07 14:43:40

@Grom:

Most of your points i would sign. But I'm not sure about Netherlands and Italy.

The Netherlands are usualy the killer for South American teams.
Italy takes out Germany and Argetina.
Germany usually Argentina, England, France and Netherlands.

Posted by Gromrilram on 2013-12-07 18:27:11

Italy I expect - but as I said, I see them unpredictable.

The Netherlands have an outstanding record against south american teams and I have a theory to that: Teams beat individuals. Hence the Netherlands loose out against Germany, Italy, Spain. Because those are the teams that field strong squads of one club (Bayern, Juventus, Barca)
But south american teams, France, England, Netherlands (after the Ajax times) are more spread out in terms of where the players are. That allowed the Netherlands to build on their individuals. But here is the thing: The Netherlands have a lot of young guys, but they are depleted of superstars.

Persie is left. Robben.

But they were around the last times, but also featured van Bommel, a far better version of Sneijder, van Bronckhorst, and before that we get to the really great teams the netherlands had.

Posted by DeZigma on 2013-12-07 21:25:24

Posted by Wreckage on 2013-12-09 01:42:27

Group H: 1. Russia 2. Beligium A rather balanced group of mediocre teams. Russia stands out here a bit. Why Beligium is considerd a top team is a bit alien to me. South Korea, like all asian contenders, I don't really consider to be in the same class as their european competitors. Am willing to give Beligium the benefit of the doubt over Algeria for 2nd place.

Group G: 1. Germany 2. USA Question here is mostly who will make second place. If Portugal or USA were to beat Germany by luck, they would qualify for sure. Here I see slightly better odds for the americans since their coach is more familiar with what is going on in Germany and has some insider knowledge. At the same time the US are on the rise, Portugal is very strong but you can't base your play around a single player. It is too easy to take him out. In previous WCs I'd never bet on the US but this time they might make 16.

Group F: 1. Argentina 2. Bosnia Here is one really strong team and three pretty irrelevant ones. Really impossible to tell wich irrelevant one is gonna make it. But when in doubt, bet on the european one.

Group E: 1. France 2. Switzerland
Only irrelevant teams in this group. France hasn't been showing much of a performance lately but in a group like that all they need is to get their act together. Switzerland is always good for a surprise, also they deliver sort of constant solid performances. Should be enough for them to qualify even on a couple of ties.

Group D: 1. Uruguay 2. Italy
This is a killer group. England has been struggeling a bit lately. That wouldn't usually kick them out in quali but then there is Uruguay, a team that I regard as a totally underrated high end top team with potential to take a world cup home. Then there is Italy of course, they can't be overestimated. It's a tournament team that only delivers if it has to but usually does. Like all more defense oriented teams, the group phase is harder for them since they lose points on ties. Thats why Italy is only considerd 2nd place here in the group.

Group C: 1. Greece 2. Ivory Coast
Another group of weak teams. Colombia is supposed to be top team here but I'm not really buying it. I'm not sure I have ever heard of that nation in a WC before. I'm sure they are stronger than some of the other teams in the WC but Greece is not a total pushover and if one african team has potenitial to go somewhere it's the Ivory Coast. I'm not betting on Colombia here, sorry.

Group B: 1. Spain 2. Netherlands.
Is this supposed to be hard group? Former world champion and vize champion vs.. the great nation of Chile? Nah, sorry Chile, you're outmatched.

Group A: 1. Brazil 2. Croatia



1, Winner A v Runner-up B \ [b]Brazil[/b] vs Netherlands - 3:2
This is the moment of truth when Brazil has to deliver. But we are talking KO stages here. Brazil will be ready. They know what they are up against and have the flow of the moment on their side. If they make it here they might make it all the way. Netherlands is slightly overrated because they had an easy run in the last WC. Except for their generally strong performance the signs are against them on this one. Brazil is gonna take it home.

2, Winner C v Runner-up D \ Greece vs [b]Italy[/b] - 0:2
Two defensivly oriented teams face off, but one is outclassed.

3, Winner B v Runner-up A \ [b]Spain[/b] vs Croatia - 3:0
One team gets run into the ground, one team advances. Meeting Spain should be the end of the line for most teams.

4, Winner D v Runner-up C \ [b]Uruguay[/b] vs Ivory Coast - 1:0
There is really no question who is better here. The Ivory Coast can catch up but Urugay will always be able to get a lead again, even in OT if needs to be.

5, Winner E v Runner-up F \ [b]France[/b] vs Bosina - 2:1
At this point France is probably start to struggle, but again no real competition coming their way, so they will be victorious.

6, Winner G v Runner-up H \ [b]Germany[/b] - Belgium - 4:0
Germany likes to win huge and after making it to through that badass quali group, Belgium will only be a footnote.

7, Winner F v Runner-up E \ [b]Argentina[/b] - Switzerland - 2:0
In this incredibly boring and one sided round of 16, of course Argentina will take it from Switzerland, no problem.

8, Winner H v Runner-up G \ Russia - [b]USA[/b] - 2:3
Woah, that is gonna be the most interesting match of that phase. Not only skillwise on par but also emotionally tense meeting. USA wins because it's just the tick better but might take as long as overtime.


1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2 \ Brazil vs [b]Italy - 1:1[/b] (4:5 a. P.)
This is gonna be a tense one. Brazil is gonna get out of breath here. Their competitor is too good, too ready. Maybe they can ruffle some feathers tho. It's gonna be close, don't think Brasil would win a penalty shootout vs Italy.

2, Winner Match 3 v Winner Match 4 \ Spain vs [b]Uruguay[/b] - 0:1
Uhm, might we see a surprise here and Uruguay win? All it takes is a lucky goal and not too many chances. Maybe this is the break Germany needs to make it all the way.

3, Winner Match 5 v Winner Match 6 \ France vs [b]Germany[/b] - 2:5
One nation is outclassed here. Maybe they can tickle Germany a little.

4, Winner Match 7 v Winner Match 8 \ [b]Argentina[/b] vs USa - 3:1
USA are good, but there are some nations you can't go up in a WC and hope to come out alive of. Argentina is one of them.



1, Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 3 \ [b]Italy[/b] vs Germany - 2:1
The most feared match for Germany. There is no way around those guys if you want to win a title. The Germans like to underestimate those guys, the Italians are always well prepared. The offensive play stile doesn't work against such a team. There will be counter plays and Germany will lose. This is gonna be a repeat history.

2, Winner Match 2 v Winner Match 4 \ Uruguay vs [b]Argentina[/b] - 0:1
Wow. in this WC south american teams do really well. Close as always, but Argentina knows who they go up against here and odds are they will come out on top.

Final
[b]Italy[/b] vs Argentina 0:0 (7:6 a. P.)
Who would have thought Italy makes it to the final again? All the good teams are out and only those strange teams are left, what a disappointment! The final will only be interesting for the experts, two teams playing incredibly high level football but both protect their goal too well. Nobody manages to go that last little piece of the way and decide it. Italy wins in the penalty shootout after 120 minutes. Italy is 5 times World Champion and on par with Brazil now! The World Championship in Brazil will go into history as the World Championship where Brazil was pushed of its throne as the all time best team of the world.