The 2014 FIFA World Cup

[Giles]

The quirks of football that baffle Americans

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28100892

[Maynard Friedman]

The US is hosting an extended centenary Copa America in 2016 I believe so that should be a short-term target for them and help retain the focus and momentum for the next edition of the "greatest show on earth" in 4 years time.

[Winchy]

Wow Babyknight, jealous! How is the Arena Corinthians? The late header against the post from the Swiss was so unlucky and the way this WC has been going you wouldn't have been surprised if they'd have equalised.

Most of the 'big' teams showing that (annoying/admirable) habit of getting the result even when they've not played very well.

[jock1624]

Hand it to the yanks for never quitting ….surely the increase in viewing will get some
corporations , bigwigs attention for money making in the name of football (soccer) in the U.S.
Perhaps Beckham will come back to promote again.

Giles your link reminded me of Rivaldo's horrible fake in 2002 ....pathetic .

[Seul]

The US forced the Belgians to bring their A game.

I'm also pretty proud of the level of fairness and courtesy diplayed by both teams towards eachother (giveth or taketh a couple of incidents)…

[jock1624]

Well said Seul and congrats to you and the flying flock of pigs ! Harr harr

[jock1624]

Hopefully the U.S. teams efforts will have long reaching
positive results in America.

Colombia I reckon can knock out Brasil . Will be a great match.

[Megatron1505]

My pics from the next round are….

Colombia
France
Netherlands
Belgium

It's time for Europe to assert themselves.

[Giles]

@Megatron1505:

My pics from the next round are….
Colombia
It's time for Europe to assert themselves.

That'd be:

Columbia Road Flower Market

then?

[Maynard Friedman]

^ almost my old neck of the woods and the ancestral home of Micky Flanagan!

[501IH]

Remarkable that with all these ultra-close games, all eight group champions from the first stage prevailed. Don't think that ever happened before, the quarter-finals thus filled.
Few things would surprise me now, I think every single remaining game is 50/50 or very nearby.

[mclaincausey]

It's shocking. I don't think there's any other sport that can have scoring parity like this amidst so much lopsided skill.

[Megatron1505]

@Giles:

@Megatron1505:

My pics from the next round are….
Colombia
It's time for Europe to assert themselves.

That'd be:

Columbia Road Flower Market

then?

I was referring to the 3 to 1 advantage as you well know captain smarty pants 

[summ3rhays]

Next round

Brazil
Germany
Netherlands
Argentina

[Maynard Friedman]

^ that's the obvious choice alright, but I think there'll be at least one surprise in there.

[kiya]

My picks:

Brazil
Germany
Costa Rica
Argentina

I think the wild card surprise will be the Netherlands/CostaRica game.

[Megatron1505]

Colombia will win this thing 

[501IH]

I still dont believe that!

[Megatron1505]

You will on the 13th 

[summ3rhays]

They've been playing well enough.