World Cup Thread

Ecuador strikes first! 1-0 Ecuador 21'

HT: 1-0 Ecuador (Valencia 21')

Brazil's Hulk left practice yesterday with a pulled hammy.....that's why you stretch so that you don't pull a hammy.

Switzerland with a response off the corner kick! 1-1 47'

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Originally Posted by Intramural All-American

Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid would all compete to win the World Cup. The only two national teams that could realistically compete with those clubs are Spain and Germany, but the real reason is chemistry. Club teams have much better chemistry than national teams because they play with each other all year rather than 4 or 5 times a year. Real Madrid (champion's league winners) have France's striker (Benzema), Portugal's winger (Ronaldo-best player in the world), Wales winger (Bale), Argentina's winger (Di Maria), Croatia's midfielder (Modric), Brazil's left back (Marcelo), France's center back (Varane), Spain's center back (Ramos), Spain's Right back (Carvajal), Spain's midfielder (Alonso), Spain's keeper (Casillas) as well as other world stars. And Barcelona and Bayern Munich have starters from countries all over the world, as well. Where national teams generally have at least one weakness, these world class clubs can fill those by throwing cash around.

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Was just about to say that last line. The best club is always going to be better than the best national team solely due to the ability to fill every hole in the square with money. They can pick and choose who fits best in their scheme and who they think is the best in a certain position, and that ability gives them so much more flexibility than a national team who is stuck w who they have

This game has been intense. Swiss are very young and talented and the Ecuadorians play really hard. It's been pretty fun so far

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Originally Posted by DudyDawg

This game has been intense. Swiss are very young and talented and the Ecuadorians play really hard. It's been pretty fun so far

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It has been fun. A lot of shots in this game which can either mean two really good offensive schemes or two really bad defensive schemes.

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Originally Posted by TheRef

It has been fun. A lot of shots in this game which can either mean two really good offensive schemes or two really bad defensive schemes.

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I've noticed a bit of both. Mainly on Ecuador. They have basically played bully ball and tried to ram it down the throat of the Swiss defense and not really messing around. And their defense has been constantly stretched and have left tons of small holes for through balls. The Swiss defense hasn't been as solid as it should be with the names they have.


I think this game will be won by someone like a Shaqiri making something out of nothing for the Swiss.

Wow. Bad call. Should be 2-1 Swiss.

The officiating has been pretty bad so far this World Cup.

The people who complained about soccer on other threads would probably throw a fit if the new foam stuff wasn't used on free kicks to keep the wall from moving. I like it a lot. Helps speed the game up a lot

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Originally Posted by DudyDawg

The people who complained about soccer on other threads would probably throw a fit if the new foam stuff wasn't used on free kicks to keep the wall from moving. I like it a lot. Helps speed the game up a lot

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For once, something good to come out of the MLS to the International soccer realm.

Holy cow!!!!! 2-1 Swiss in the dying moments!!!! Wow. Ecuador has it in the box and thirty seconds later it is in their own net

THE SWISS TAKE THE LEAD!

Switzerland takes the lead!!!! 2-1 Switzerland 90+2'

FT: 2-1 Switzerland

Group E Standings:

Switzerland 3 pts
Ecuador 0 pts
France and Honduras yet to play.

What a great game. Still no draws in this tournament

At work today relying on thread. Who's up next?

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Originally Posted by BulldogBear

At work today relying on thread. Who's up next?

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France v. Honduras

I've got France in this one. Saw Honduras in person a few weeks ago. They scored two beauties, and showed the ability to score out of nothing, so I think they will be dangerous on the counter, but I don't see them out scoring the French. Too much fire power