[quote=“scherpschutter, post:200, topic:3252”]Yes, we’ve definitely seen better Brazilian teams in the past … (I’m old enough to back as far as '66)[/quote]'82 was the first one I remember. I had the sticker book 
The 82 Brazilian team was a great team, the first world cup I remember watching, my first sticker collection was from Argentina 1978, but I made it some two years after.
Brazil had the best chances, but … lacks something.
Best teams so far, ones with potential to win - Germany, Italy followed by Argentina they didn’t play that much but have a great potential.
Let’s see what the second round will bring
When were you born, Topo? (if you don’t mind me asking), '73 for me.
0-to-0 draws aside, it seems like substitutes have scored in almost every game. I attribute it to the plus-75% humidity.
[quote=“Yodlaf Peterson, post:203, topic:3252”]When were you born, Topo? (if you don’t mind me asking), '73 for me.[/quote]Sony mine ar All mate 71 for me.
I gave up last night after some 30 minutes of Russia - South-Korea: two mediocre teams in a dull game. Apparently there wasn’t much improvement afterwards. A couple of funny goal keepers’ mistakes and that’s about it. Korea had one good player though.
This group H really is below par. Belgium (even if they keep playing like they did yesterday) will win this group easily.
Also good news for Stanton & Co: the number two of this group will be no match for Germany.
One of the conclusions after having seen all teams now, must be that it’s a rather attractive tournement so far, but that there are too many below par teams. In two years, we’ll probably have the same effect on EURO 2016, when 24 (instead of 16) teams take part.
Here in Croatia when Belgium is playing tv reporters are constantly commenting how this team “has united whole (otherwise divided) Belgian nation”. They are probably just falling for the Belgicists propaganda. Similar situation is in another, even more terribly divided European country, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian and Serbs living there are not considering BiH national their team and team is not playing their home games in capital Sarajevo on largest stadium, but in Zenica where Muslim community is strongest. Team is 99% made of Muslim players, while Croatian and Serbs players prefer to play for Croatia or Serbia team. When Ćiro Blažević, legendary coach of '98 Croatia team who is Croat born in Bosnia, was leading BiH team couple of years ago he tried to incorporate more Serbian and Croatian players in attempt to unite the whole country, but players were allegedly receiving pressures not to play.
In Mexico - Brazil match, Mexico was pretty equal if not better, as I have predicted, but draw is not best result for Croatia. There was even similar contact on Marcelo as the one that the Japanese ref awarded penalty for in the Croatia game, but this time whistle was not blown. In fact, this was far more serious contact because Marcelo was running in front of the Mexican player who was clearly obstructing him, while Fred just fell in the spot when he sensed the hand on his shoulder. This time it would actually be better for Croatia if the penalty was given and Brazil won, but referee was probably not keen to award similar penalty tonight for Brazil after the criticism after the first game. So, that penalty on Fred double-screwed Croatia…
Well, I think it was a penalty in this case, but the ‘Fred (non) penalty’ was playing in the ref’s head, I suppose. Indeed: Croatia double-screwed.
Mexico was quite impressive (I’ve only seen the second half, I’ve heard that Brazil was better in the first half)
Odd that Mexico had so much trouble qualifying. I see a lot of young players, so maybe it was all due to a lack of experience.
The team is maybe too young to go all the way this time, but they certainly have the future. Will be an interesting team to follow, several great talents.
I feel that Cameroon are here to make up the numbers whereas Croatia were unlucky with the opening game so I’d like to see Croatia win this and keep some pressure on Brazil/Mexico, although the way the group has fallen it’ll put more pressure on the Mexicans than the Brazilians, sadly.
0-2
An absolute BELTER of a goal from Tim Cahill there.
[url]http://www.tsmplug.com/football/tim-cahill-goal-video-vs-netherlands/[/url]
End to end stuff, this! Best match of the competition so far? It’s one of them, absolutely. Aussies should be very proud of themselves, however this turns out now.
Oranje have already scored as many goals in this competition so far as Spain did in winning the whole thing in 2010.
The Van Robbin goal factory at work.
Respect for Australia. In group C or H they could have made the next round.
Spain livelier than in their first game but Chile are in no way intimidated. Look evenly matched at the minute. Very early still, of course.
CHILE! 0-1! 
Well, Spain either get their heads straight or they can pack their bags.
0-2!
Champions, knocked out at the group stages for the second consecutive World Cup?
Happy with the win, but enormous respect for this Australian team, what a courage, what an attitude. 4-4-3 seems a better system for this Dutch team after all. Depay played well, DeGuzman below par.
Australia would have been able to make it to the second round in group H, yes. Maybe even in the Argentina or Germany groups. I don’t think they could beat any of these two teams, but would certainly would have stood a chance against the Portuguese team of Pepe & Co. And Bosnia, Nigeria or Iran? Don’t think the Socceroos would be afraid of them.
And the first side eliminated from the World Cup Finals in Brazil 2014 are…
Hard to believe, but true …
Some reasons for Spain early exit.
1-Tired players, a lame excuse for some but a real one (specially for European teams). Spain had three teams in both euro cup finals, some of the players had 50 or games on their legs, and with the kind of weather conditions tis world cup is being played, physical fitness is of top importance.
2-Some key players not 100% fit, Diego Costa is injured, and the only two relevant attack options really don’t count, Torres because he’s mostly ineffective and Villa because he doesn’t play.
3-Success for the Spanish team came at the same time Guardiola’s Barcelona started to have success, La roja was basically Barcelona along with a few players from Real and other teams, without Messi. Barcelona is under a renovation process players like Xavi even Iniesta (even Fabegras one the best players in his position), are no longer capable of making a difference, and that is reflected in the Spanish team.
4-Casillas, he never really was a super good goalkeeper like a Pfaff or Cech, to name a just this two as an example, really good goalkeepers are from their 20 to their 40’s, they don’t have to run, and with thirty five you still have reflexes or know how to came out of the poles, if you don’t have it at 25 forget it.
5-The key Spanish teams this year were RM and Atletico, playing a very different style from the one that the Spanish team plays (an anti tiki taka), and with lots of important foreign players, the most important ones, so the few Spanish players really don’t count, players like koke even Villa are cards out of the deck.
6-Motivation, or lack of it, they just don’t have it, being the first team two win two world cups in a row wasn’t enough to motivate the players. Also it’s the end of a generation of players.
About the game, also can’t understand why Spain didn’t play with two forwards at front, Del Dosque is continuity coach not really a innovator, but I thought he would risk a little more.