World Cup 2018: Russia - General Chat

[Guest Cannabis]

 

 

14th June 2018 - 15th July 2018

Let the hype begin... all news in here

[SirBalon]

ROAD TO RUSSIA

who's qualified so far...

 

HOST NATION

RUSSIA

 

 

BELGIUM

ENGLAND

GERMANY

POLAND

SPAIN

 

 

BRAZIL

 

 

COSTA RICA

MEXICO

 

 

IRAN

JAPAN

SAUDI ARABIA

SOUTH KOREA

 

 

EGYPT

NIGERIA

 

 

Edited October 9, 2017 by SirBalon

[Machado]

USA

Iran

Syria

Russia

10/10 group 

[Aladdin]

52 minutes ago, Machado said:

USA

Iran

Syria

Russia

10/10 group 

Might as well add Saudi Arabia in it

[El Profesor]

1 hour ago, Machado said:

USA

Iran

Syria

Russia

10/10 group 

Group of the (Nuclear) Death.

[Aladdin]

Although no one likes to see likes of Netherlands or possibly Argentina to miss out but i like this change of faces at the coming World Cup, regular participants from the past two or three World Cups like Cameroon,Ghana,Algeria missing out Ivory Coast,USA and Australia not there yet either and lots of teams coming back to the World Cup.

Poland and Saudi Arabia back after 2006 Tunisia almost there also. Egypt coming back after 28 years and Peru might do it after 30+ years,Senegal also in good position to qualify after 2002, Morocco also can qualify after 1998. Iceland making there debut and possibly Ireland or Northern Ireland might qualify as well.

Change is good

Edited October 9, 2017 by Azeem98

[Aladdin]

With this Iceland become the smallest country to qualify for the World Cup breaking Trinidad's record 

[Honey Honey]

It's amazing what jailing bankers can do to a country 

[Lucas]

Personally feel Iceland improved the moment they dropped Kerry Katona.

[SirBalon]

ROAD TO RUSSIA

who's qualified so far... (updated 10/10/2017)

 

HOST NATION

RUSSIA

 

 

BELGIUM

ENGLAND

GERMANY

ICELAND

POLAND

SERBIA

SPAIN

 

 

BRAZIL

 

 

COSTA RICA

MEXICO

 

 

IRAN

JAPAN

SAUDI ARABIA

SOUTH KOREA

 

 

EGYPT

NIGERIA

 

[Dan]

Germany's to lose for me.

A lot would've fancied Argentina to push for it and Chile to be a dark horse and yet it's plausible that one of them will miss out altogether.

France I think will make the semis. Don't really rate Deschamps. Their squad is as good as anyone's but I'm not convinced they get the most out of them.

I predict if England meet Iceland again we'll lose again.

It's mental that you've potentially got Bale, Ronaldo and Messi all not at this tournament.

England I think are absolutely nailed on for a group stage exit. We've not improved since two years ago - although I'm not sure even Southgate will produce as absurd decision making as Hodgson did. I think you'd be hard pushed to see a worse tournament performance from any manager ever than Hodgson at the last Euros.

Edited October 10, 2017 by Dan

[Lucas]

Aside from the usual suspects, Brazil won't be a million miles away to be fair. They are looking much better now than they did four years ago on their own turf with the likes of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Coutinho, Firmino, Willian, Alex Sandro etc. Obviously there is the classic argument of whether they can do it in Europe as statistically it's always been their Achilles heel but I definitely expect semi's for them at least. 

The World Cup has a funny habit of throwing up surprises, especially when you think about the likes of Costa Rica and Ghana in recent years. At Euro 2016, I tipped Poland as my dark horse. And I think they have an outside shot too albeit a slim one. They seem to be getting better and better as a team, again qualifying with ease. And I have to say, they look very good again to fit that dark horse role. You would think they would be accustomed to Russian conditions as well. If Lewandowski fires, they will be a threat.

[SirBalon]

ROAD TO RUSSIA

who's qualified so far... (updated 11/10/2017)

 

HOST NATION

RUSSIA

 

 

BELGIUM

ENGLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

ICELAND

POLAND

PORTUGAL

SERBIA

SPAIN

 

 

 

ARGENTINA

BRAZIL

COLOMBIA

URUGUAY

 

 

COSTA RICA

MEXICO

PANAMA

 

 

IRAN

JAPAN

SAUDI ARABIA

SOUTH KOREA

 

 

EGYPT

NIGERIA

[Guest]

I just noticed. The champions of each continent.

OFC - New Zealand: playoff vs Peru.

AFC - Australia: playoff vs Honduras.

CAF - Cameroon: eliminated

CONMEBOL - Chile: eliminated

CONCACAF - USA: eliminated

UEFA - Portugal: qualified

[RandoEFC]

I can see England drawing Panama and not beating them in the opening game.

[SirBalon]

7 hours ago, RandoEFC said:

I can see England drawing Panama and not beating them in the opening game.

A mate of mine said EXACTLY the same thing to me yesterday! 

[Guest]

Made a "mock" world cup bracket on excel.

 

[Guest]

15 hours ago, RandoEFC said:

I can see England drawing Panama and not beating them in the opening game.

Luis Tejada hattrick, then linked to Real Madrid.

[Stan]

Peru aren't getting to the quarter finals  

willing to bet on that as well. Happily donate £50 to the forum if they do. 

[Guest]

Just now, Stan said:

Peru aren't getting to the quarter finals  

willing to bet on that as well. Happily donate £50 to the forum if they do. 

It will depend on who we get in the round of 16. I was being optimistic with the draw.

I think we will make it past the groups. If we get someone like Portugal, France or Argentina then we go home. If we get anyone like Poland or Costa Rica, we have a good chance.

That's not the mission though. Our mission this WC is to market Peru as a football name. As long as we do that, I'll be happy.

[SirBalon]

7 minutes ago, Blue said:

Made a "mock" world cup bracket on excel.

 

Where's Spain? 

[Guest]

Just now, SirBalon said:

Where's Spain? 

Shit, I fucked up 

[Lucas]

5 minutes ago, Blue said:

Made a "mock" world cup bracket on excel.

 

Russia and England in the same group. Should imagine that will be pretty friendly.

[Guest]

It has been edited @SirBalon  Keep in mind this is something I did because I'm bored. Not something serious of course, there are still bound to be mistakes. I'll make one for the forum once all the teams have been qualified.

[SirBalon]

23 minutes ago, Blue said:

It has been edited @SirBalon  Keep in mind this is something I did because I'm bored. Not something serious of course, there are still bound to be mistakes. I'll make one for the forum once all the teams have been qualified.

All I can fathom from that is that you really feel it's a Germany v Portugal final (that plus the first one).

My Portuguese brothers in Vauxhall will be loving this!!! 

I ain't showing them it though just incase they believe it. 

 

I'm going for an Italy v Germany final.

[Guest]

Portugal have the style and the players to go that far, but we'll see. I like Italy but I don't think they'll get anywhere under Ventura.

[SirBalon]

Just now, Blue said:

Portugal have the style and the players to go that far, but we'll see. I like Italy but I don't think they'll get anywhere under Ventura.

Italy are always competitive in tournaments...  Not flamboyant or entertaining, just efficient like the Germans.

Although the only teams deep enough to win it are Germany, Spain, Brazil and France on paper.

[Honey Honey]

Italy went out of the group stage at the last world cup 

[SirBalon]

8 minutes ago, HoneyNUFC said:

Italy went out of the group stage at the last world cup 

They’ve also been to two international finals shrouded in scandal and last ditch qualification. They know how to compete... They’re the epitome of competitiveness. 

Every side has the odd dodgy tournament. Even Germany have been party to that during transition. 

[Stan]

I reckon Spain vs Brazil final.