World Cup 2018

now i need Brazil to win

(27-06-2018 17:53 )babelover48 Wrote:  

(27-06-2018 17:47 )Regenerated Wrote:  Germany are woeful - they've been fucking awful in this tournament, and they've got what they deserved. No hard luck story, bottom of the group is where they've deserved after three really poor matches.

It's also the sixth time in World Cup history that the defending champions have failed to make it out of the group stage. It happened to Italy in 1950, It happened to Brazil in 1966, It happened to France in 2002, it happened to Italy again in 2010 and it happened to Spain in 2014.

But I never expected it to happen to Germany. Oh well!

I can only imagine Merkel's reaction...
"let's invade Russia - NOW!!"

I do feel sorry for Low though he is a great coach with a great footballing philosophy and the players on the pitch let him down...

Old Joachim Low is Germany's equivalent of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal both their best days were long gone & both should have stepped down when they were at their peak with their reputations (& stock) were at their highest.They both have a player in common though in Ozil who must be the player who gives the kiss of death to any manager.

Low should have stepped down after winning the World Cup in 2014 where he could have walked into any club as manager.I thought Germany leaving Leroy Sane out of the 23 man squad was crazy but would he have changed Germany's fate I doubt it as their defence was a complete shambles throughout the competition.Attack wise I thought Timo Werner had the chance to put himself on notice in the transfer window with a good showing in the competition but he never got going.Their next manager will have the enviable job of ditching the egos (Ozil,Kroos,Boateng etc) & integrate the new blood.

what is our potential paths now as either group winners & runners up?

if we win the group and the round of 16 game we play brazil-mexico winner
if we come 2nd and win the round of 16 game we play sweden-switzerland winner

(27-06-2018 21:11 )papahet3969 Wrote:  if we win the group and the round of 16 game we play brazil-mexico winner
if we come 2nd and win the round of 16 game we play sweden-switzerland winner

Our best hope then is for Mexico to pull off a miracle. From what I've seen of Sweden and Switzerland they will be very difficult opponents.

(27-06-2018 20:01 )Jack the Nipper Wrote:  

(27-06-2018 17:53 )babelover48 Wrote:  

(27-06-2018 17:47 )Regenerated Wrote:  Germany are woeful - they've been fucking awful in this tournament, and they've got what they deserved. No hard luck story, bottom of the group is where they've deserved after three really poor matches.

It's also the sixth time in World Cup history that the defending champions have failed to make it out of the group stage. It happened to Italy in 1950, It happened to Brazil in 1966, It happened to France in 2002, it happened to Italy again in 2010 and it happened to Spain in 2014.

But I never expected it to happen to Germany. Oh well!

I can only imagine Merkel's reaction...
"let's invade Russia - NOW!!"

I do feel sorry for Low though he is a great coach with a great footballing philosophy and the players on the pitch let him down...

Old Joachim Low is Germany's equivalent of Arsene Wenger at Arsenal both their best days were long gone & both should have stepped down when they were at their peak with their reputations (& stock) were at their highest.They both have a player in common though in Ozil who must be the player who gives the kiss of death to any manager.

Low should have stepped down after winning the World Cup in 2014 where he could have walked into any club as manager.I thought Germany leaving Leroy Sane out of the 23 man squad was crazy but would he have changed Germany's fate I doubt it as their defence was a complete shambles throughout the competition.Attack wise I thought Timo Werner had the chance to put himself on notice in the transfer window with a good showing in the competition but he never got going.Their next manager will have the enviable job of ditching the egos (Ozil,Kroos,Boateng etc) & integrate the new blood.

Low's 'Korea' with the national team is surely over now. It never seems to end well for the Germans in Russia

Low has turned into wenger

Low's still got a fabulous record with Germany, but I'm surprised at how many team changes he made in this tournament.

Whatever happens today I an happy that we have got out of the group with some great performances, and we know the challenges of the knockout stages is a big one. And I'd like to think that the experience of the defeat to Iceland in 2016 will make the team that little bit more determined to do better. Either way, all i hope that the game tonight is a fantastic one win or lose, that the team play well and the fans behave themselves inside and outside the stadium and before and after the match
Whatever happens the final result reflects the route we have to take.
We cannot take Belgium for granted that's a given, their performances so far have been great and I think there is little to choose between them. I know Southgate wants to win the group but I have sneaking feeling that Belgium will push us all the way all through the 90 minutes and ask many questions and maybe this one game will show where we are at on the world stage as a team.
But, even without Lukaku, there are enough players on their side that our guys are familiar with and pose a goal threat so it will be a close but I think we may end up biting more than can chew in a 2-1 defeat.