The 2014 FIFA World Cup
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Brazil (I have no idea what they are worth, though), Germany (as usual, athletic, solid, inspired at times), Italy (why? I dont know but they always seem to be able to get far), Holland (as usual, but I have no idea what they been up to lately), Argentina (really? naaaah), Spain would be a feat of epic proportions.
France, England, peuleazze, naah -
Worse preparation than Athens is a pretty harsh assessment. And as badly as Greece wanked around, at least they didn't have to send in the army to occupy swaths of the city to take it back from drug gangs. But yeah, they've got two years to pull it together, so who knows?
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Beyond preparations is the very real question of safety. Many of the favelas are currently occupied by government forces in preperation for the WC. The ones not in the immediate vicinity of the stadiums are controlled by local militias. Ben Anderson (BBC frontline football, along with much more) gave a very sobering and honest view of the situation on episode 1 of season 2 of vices HBO show. Highly reccomended viewing if you are interested in the subject, along with the entire series. They have covered some really interesting stuff in the last two years.
Not to mention that from the riots that happened during the confederations cup it's very obvious that many of the people of brazil are quite pissed off that they are starving and living in squalor while their country dumps billions into the World Cup and Olympics
I am serious….And so are the iOC......
the first post sums it up very well imo:
_"Same every Olympics.
They're not going to be ready! Danger! Danger!
Then everyone starts fawning over great it all is when it starts"_
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Not to mention that from the riots that happened during the confederations cup it's very obvious that many of the people of brazil are quite pissed off that they are starving and living in squalor while their country dumps billions into the World Cup and Olympics
But it's totally worth billions to prove to the world that the country isn't full of starving people living in squalor.
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6 percent of the population live in slums, a number very similar to the us unemployment rate, which is apparently a big deal that people should be concerned with. Certainly there are many people living a great life in brazil, but if you started looking at the quality of life levels above "slum" I'm sure you'd find there are a few steps to go before you hit what any of us would consider an acceptable quality of life.
Edit: If you were being sarcastic, I apologize for taking things on the Internet too seriously.
But at the end of the day I'm still mostly interested in the sub par quality football that will be happening
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I'm throwing £10 on Colombia at 33/1, their climate, they're ranked 5th in the world and absolutely no one expects it.
Players to watch, Falcao, Cavani, Hazard.
Falcao out of the tournament through injury. Could make your bet a bit more of a risk
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Dammit, glad that I didn't put that bet on yet now
Also a little disappointed as I genuinely think that Colombia were the only team with a decent shout of upsetting the status quo, but without Falcao they are boned.
Ho hum, I guess it will be Brazil, Argentina, Germany or Spain then, another win for the bookies…..... :-\
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Beyond preparations is the very real question of safety. Many of the favelas are currently occupied by government forces in preperation for the WC. The ones not in the immediate vicinity of the stadiums are controlled by local militias. Ben Anderson (BBC frontline football, along with much more) gave a very sobering and honest view of the situation on episode 1 of season 2 of vices HBO show. Highly reccomended viewing if you are interested in the subject, along with the entire series. They have covered some really interesting stuff in the last two years.
Watched this episode the other day, pretty confronting viewing, so much corruption going on over there.
For me, would be good to see the poms have a bit of success and not crash and burn early as per normal.
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For me, would be good to see the poms have a bit of success and not crash and burn early as per normal.
Won't happen. We'll go out early again and that means I'll have more time to watch stuff worth watching…..(or should this go in Unpopular Opinions?)
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Go where ?
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Go where ?
[/quote]did u see some belgians games?
me yes. Games again Croatia for ex.
they play a very nice and solid football.
Belgia has a very good team. and some very good individualities…
Courtois...Kompany...Hazard... -
For me, would be good to see the poms have a bit of success and not crash and burn early as per normal.
Won't happen. We'll go out early again and that means I'll have more time to watch stuff worth watching…..(or should this go in Unpopular Opinions?)
It always seems like success is just around the corner for England and that the "next generation" will be the golden one. They do have a lot of great young players who actually have good technical skill suited to the modern game coming through. Maybe one of these years.
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Go where ?
[/quote]did u see some belgians games?
me yes. Games again Croatia for ex.
they play a very nice and solid football.
Belgia has a very good team. and some very good individualities…
Courtois...Kompany...Hazard...Add in lukaku, mirallis and many more. Add that to their group and they should go past group stages for sure
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I always support Japan, nothing to do with denim either I've supported them for years. I gave up on England in 2000 and switched to Japan, but when I say gave up on England it was more like I stopped kicking my TV when watching them fuck up as usual.
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Go where ?
[/quote]did u see some belgians games?
me yes. Games again Croatia for ex.
they play a very nice and solid football.
Belgia has a very good team. and some very good individualities…
Courtois...Kompany...Hazard...Add in lukaku, mirallis and many more. Add that to their group and they should go past group stages for sure
fellaini….
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France intrigue me. On paper they have an excellent side but the capacity to completely melt down is always there. If they ever get it together they could be a force again.
