Posted by Garion on 2014-06-17 20:14:38

these were my predictions from way back. - https://fumbbl.com/p/blog&c=Garion&id=14396

Posted by Garion on 2014-06-17 20:15:09

oh and Belgium should kick USA's behind.

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 20:23:51

As if USA will get a result vs Portugal.

Posted by Wreckage on 2014-06-17 20:23:55

Assuming Portugal doesn't do it first...
I guess my point was, the US is going to make Quarterfinals.

By now we saw all the teams play and have seen how strong they really are.
Brasil did impress to a degree but the outcome of their match did not reflect on their abilities.

The Holland match said more about Holland than it said about Spain. There is lots of room for them to improve during the tournament.

Belgium did not impress at all. They barely made it against one of the worst teams in the tournament. They don't have a history of success either. If anything, their game showed that an amount of good indiviual players doesn't make a good team.

The biggest issue for the US is Portugal, not Belgium but since a tie is enough and Portugal 3 player down, the US is going to make quarterfinals, if not semi.

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 20:26:26

Portugal will beat USA and Belgium.

Posted by Garion on 2014-06-17 20:27:25

Portugal suck. though they will probably beat USA, belgium are a better team that portugal imo.

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 20:35:43

Meh a team of Premier League journeymen does not impress me.

Posted by DeZigma on 2014-06-17 21:04:33

Nah, USA will mae it, Portugal dont like physical teams.
But all three opponents are quite physical (Germany, Ghana and USA).

Posted by licker on 2014-06-17 21:19:45

France is winning the whole thing.

Nothing else really matters after that.

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 21:52:58

Portugal likes teams that can't play football though.

Posted by Garion on 2014-06-17 22:08:25

Like England lol

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 22:10:11

Yup lol

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-17 22:11:39

I say:
Spain (kicks out Brasil)
Netherlands (kicks out Mexico)
England
Italy
France
Argentina
Germany
Portugal

Posted by DeZigma on 2014-06-17 23:45:32

England?

Posted by JimmyFantastic on 2014-06-18 00:08:47

Yeah lol. Uruguay were bad, losing to Costa Rica. Columbia are unexciting without Falcao.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2014-06-18 06:27:07

"Belgium did not impress at all. They barely made it against one of the worst teams in the tournament. They don't have a history of success either. If anything, their game showed that an amount of good indiviual players doesn't make a good team."

No, they have amazing team spirit and good synergy. If anything it's that the star/s do not perform for Belgium like they do for the club.

Algeria are not terrible; however they didn't come to play. Like Iran did against Nigeria. The fact that Belgium worked out the puzzle, and cracked it tells us something. The last half hour Belgium were running riot over a team that should be better in the heat. They stayed calm and got the job done. Also showing diversity by having an effective plan B. Wilmots also knew that, making the Algerians chase for 60 minutes would get to them. This how the team has been playing for the last 2 years. Defensively Belgium looked 'quite' strong too. Vertonghen made a terrible error.

Saying that, I think they/we were better 8 months ago. Much more confidence, a couple of bad friendlies has hurt a little. I still think Belgium are better than the USA and Portugal.

Posted by harvestmouse on 2014-06-18 06:42:05

"Meh a team of Premier League journeymen does not impress me."

All the Belgians in the squad which play in the Premier, play for teams that finished in the top 7 of the league. These are not Journey Men, they could play for top teams in any league in the world.

Premier JMs are the guys that do the rounds with various clubs struggling for survival.

Posted by Verminardo on 2014-06-18 09:30:12

We'll see how Spain recovers from their humiliating defeat vs. Netherlands... it's possible that they fall apart, and Chile isn't an easy match.

I agree with harvestmouse about Belgium, they are an inexperienced team playing their first WC match under conditions they are not used to, vs. an opponent out to destroy their game, and unluckily one goal back, and still they kept their calm and managed to turn the match around.

But really I don't care whom we Germanz beat in the final. ;-)

Posted by Wreckage on 2014-06-18 12:04:59

"No, they have amazing team spirit and good synergy. If anything it's that the star/s do not perform for Belgium like they do for the club."
I dunno about you, but those two sentences are a contradiction for me. If the stars do not perform for Belgium like they do for the club it is because they do not have a good synergy and do not operate well together.

"they are an inexperienced team playing their first WC match under conditions they are not used to "
Indeed, and it's not going to get any easier from here.

Anyways, you guys don't make excuses when the US whoops Belgiums ass later.. :P

Go USA!

Posted by DeZigma on 2014-06-18 23:42:56

Spain, did i read Spain?

Posted by Cavetroll on 2014-06-19 00:17:22

I'm thinking you may want to rethink Spain in the Quarterfinals ;)

Posted by Wreckage on 2014-06-19 02:30:45

Was just thinking the same :)