[Archived] World Cup 2014

[Audax]

In 1950, England played in Belo Horizonte. Here's a map. Manaus is far away alright per the map, I know little more than that.

Picture: http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/next/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/manaus-brazil-1024x576.jpg

[Audax]

I concur, France's group looks like the easiest group:

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.

[thenodrog]

18000 miles from Rio?

?? the UK is only about 5000 miles from Rio!

[Audax]

?? the UK is only about 5000 miles from Rio!

Brazil's one of the largest countries in the world.

[Rover_Shaun]

?? the UK is only about 5000 miles from Rio!

Depends which way you go

[Oklahoma]

Manaus is around 2000 miles from São Paulo and sao paulo is around 600 miles from Belo Horizonte

[thenodrog]

Brazil's one of the largest countries in the world.

Irrespective of all that the circumference of the entire planet is only 26000 miles! Basic general knowledge. Did nobody else do geography O level?

[Audax]

Coastlines are always often so long, one could make a case that Manaus mainly looks far because it is so far inland. Again, I know little of there, once read a book by someone who lived in one of the coastal cities. I guess most of Brazil really is forest, rainforest, population concentrated on the coast as this satellite picture shows (interesting how the Falklands are all lit up): http://subdude-site.com/WebPics/WebPicsEarthLights/south_america_hilights_429x600.jpg

[Proudtobeblue&white]

?? the UK is only about 5000 miles from Rio!

Ok you got me, little extra nought, 1,800, is that better?

[Proudtobeblue&white]

PS: been tut Manchester market, bit of Gluhwein, and beers, it was late, and I was made to watch I'ACGMOOH! BTW, Manchester to Munich 908 miles. It's early, I'm sober!

[Proudtobeblue&white]

18000 miles from Rio?

Sorted!

[meerkat]

The whole thing is a nationalistic yawnfest.

Would rather go watch Darwen FC.

[West Yorks Rover]

The whole thing is a nationalistic yawnfest.

Would rather go watch Darwen FC.

Agreed !

Although we will probably see a couple of top games, with some brilliant football, once England have gone home of course.

[perthblue02]

A fixed world cup draw, someone thinks so http://soccerly.com/article/leigh/video-questions-fifas-credibility-over-draw

And Blatter's nephew and his company announce a new venture in Qatar - http://www.infrontsports.com/nc/presscenter/newsdetail/article/aspireinfront-joint-venture-se/91/ . Lucky bloke after the same company won the hospitality contract for the South African world cup. http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/148233/FIFA-boss-Sepp-Blatter-gives-342m-contract-to-his-nephew

[Alex Rover]

A fixed world cup draw, someone thinks so http://soccerly.com/article/leigh/video-questions-fifas-credibility-over-draw

Of course, Jerome Valcke is French.

Brazil v France final anyone?

[Guest Norbert]

A fixed world cup draw, someone thinks so http://soccerly.com/article/leigh/video-questions-fifas-credibility-over-draw

And Blatter's nephew and his company announce a new venture in Qatar - http://www.infrontsports.com/nc/presscenter/newsdetail/article/aspireinfront-joint-venture-se/91/ . Lucky bloke after the same company won the hospitality contract for the South African world cup. http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/148233/FIFA-boss-Sepp-Blatter-gives-342m-contract-to-his-nephew

All pure coincidence of course. FIFA and its associates are bywords for transparency and honesty. Just like the contracts that were given to exploit Iraqi oil.

[thenodrog]

A fixed world cup draw, someone thinks so http://soccerly.com/article/leigh/video-questions-fifas-credibility-over-draw

I didn't watch the draw but that is definitely flaky isn't it?

[Guest Norbert]

Indeed. Funny how there was a sudden change in procedure when it was clear that France might lose out and get a dire group. You'd think that the head of UEFA was a former French international, who had been a big backer of a middle eastern world cup.

[Audax]

England's first match as we all know is vs. Italy. Italy didn't advance from the group stage last World Cup, they finished last in group F behind Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup . Italy made the Euro Final 2012 but still, it shows England will have to be ready for Italy who won't want a repeat of 2010 and Italy likewise are in the same tough group.

First fixture in Manaus BUT 2nd fixture vs. Uruguay is in Sao Paulo and 3rd vs. Costa Rica is in Belo Horizonte.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25273835

[perthblue02]

Of course, Jerome Valcke is French.

Brazil v France final anyone?

Septic Bladder as refuted claims that the draw was rigged to allow a Brazil v France final as France go out in the semi - finals 5-4 on penalties to eventual runners up Germany

[Proudtobeblue&white]

Septic Bladder as refuted claims that the draw was rigged to allow a Brazil v France final as France go out in the semi - finals 5-4 on penalties to eventual runners up Germany

:-)

[thenodrog]

Sepp Blatter wont favour France or Germany surely cos he is Swiss....... Oh wait a minute!

[Guest Norbert]

And the Swiss have never got up to any shady business as a nation. That's why they traditionally guard that other clean and incorruptible institution-The Papacy.

[Audax]

Switzerland did defeat Brazil in a friendly last summer, I believe they won on an own goal but still, Brazil should never lose to Switzerland and a few years ago, Luxembourg, the Big Dutchy defeated Switzerland but as for football itself, it does appear the Swiss have a fairly good team. Though I'd be of the view, I'll see it when I believe it.

June 16, 2010, http://eloratings.net/Switzerland.htm you can see they actually defeated Spain at the World Cup which I'm sure many remember. They are #8 FIFA, #14 ELO rating. So, at the least, this team is probably one of their best in a long time. I believe in 1954, they were semifinalists in the World Cup they hosted.

http://int.soccerway.com/teams/rankings/fifa/?ICID=TN_04_03_01

http://eloratings.net/

But as a rule, it seems Switzerland has not been in the running for much in recent years.

---------

That ELO table is interesting, Doesn't really tell you anything, interesting to see nonetheless:

All time:

Swiss Goals For/Against 1051/1280

England Goals For/Against 2096/935

Brazil Goals For/Against 1983/848

Germany Goals For/Against 1978/1033

Enjoy it while you can, looks like England are the only team to score over 2000 goals, I'd say in part it is due to the old Home-Nations matches that were so popular. All of the results are listed for each country at the ELO site, close to comprehensive. England might steam-roll Wales or Ireland back in the old days but vs. Scotland it tended to always be close as it still seems to be. http://eloratings.net/England.htm

[old darwen blue]

I didn't watch the draw but that is definitely flaky isn't it?

As I watched the draw I thought exactly the same thing