World Cup - Spoilers (Page 30)

Now that the EPL season is over, thought I would resurrect this thread from the last WC as there is so much to enjoy in it.  Especially starting on page 14.  

Anyone interested in a WC bracket competition?  There is one on ESPN and I'd be happy to set up a group for it.

Let the Nationalistic trash talking begin!

I'm excited every single game will be broadcasted.  My DVR will be full, that's for sure.  Found a nice 24x36 wall chart schedule we will be hanging up at the office.

I hope they surprise us, but I'm not sure how Team USA is getting out of their group.  Tough one.  PLUS they have a lot of travel too.  One of the most of any team.

On top of THAT, I may be doing some international traveling during group play.  Italy, France, Germany.  It might be fun to see the excitement going on over there.  Maybe check a game at a local pub.

After my club side (West Ham) failed to provide any last day excitement by rolling over against the Mancs, I'm now fully focused on the best sporting event on the planet.

England squad was announced today and I was pleased to see that he's picked a load of youngsters.  No European team has a cat in hells chance this World Cup because of the climate* so we might as well just give a load of young players the tournament experience and hope it puts them in good stead for next time

The may as well play the final now - Brazil v Argentina - up until that point it will be a procession.

I expect to see some massive European scalps fall to South American teams that are used to playing in these conditions.

*also going against England's chances is the fact they're rubbish.

Alright Y'all,  

Here is the link to the Bracket Predictor on ESPN - http://games.espn.go.com/world-cup-bracket-predictor/2014/en/game 

The Group Name is BT WC Time and the password is swmbkrn.  

Bragging rights on BT for 4 years.  You can't pass this one up!

C'mon y'all.  Don't forget to join in on the fun.  

Also, I like what ESPN is doing.  Check out their 32 in 32.  32 teams in 32 days.

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1819201/world-cup-32-teams-32-days?cc=5901 

It starts in a week.  Everyone done their brackets yet? 

All of the starting 23 players for each team have been selected.  A few surprises to say the least but also some injuries that might make you think twice. 

-       Will Suarez be able to come back from his surgery? 

-       Supposedly Ronaldo is now complaining about a sore knee. 

-       Looks like Falcao won’t be able to make it back from his crushing injury. 

-       Walcott out for England and Benteke out for Belgium

-       Interesting list of stars out because of injury here (http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/03/world-cup-2014-injured-xi-brazil-radamel-falcao)

-       And those are just from injury.  What about those just left off the squads like Donovan, Kaka, Rossi and Ronaldinho to name a few. 

I just finished my bracket! I'm getting pumped for this! USA, USA!

Good morning everyone!  

Remember, you can do up to 3.  

AND SO IT BEGINS!!!!!

Agreed.  It is also like March Madness.  

- 32 teams/countries

- 736 players

- 64 games

- Played in 12 cities

- Just a little over a month long

Just signed up and made my predictions.  A few picks were from my heart rather than my head - my Dad is Australian so I chose them to make it to the round of 16..

Who knows, the Socceroos were robbed against Italy 8 years ago, so maybe the soccer gods will give them a break.

Welcome to the club.  The more the merrier.

OH MY!

Will the first spoiler be the host country losing their opening match!?!?!

Then again, maybe not.  

I didn't see them either, but a guy in the office said there was a terrible PK awarded at around minute 82 to break the tie.

...and another Brazilian ( playing for Spain) dives and gets a PK.....3 games in and 2 dives for PK's....this is not what I wanted to see

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf_puN-S5OM