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For questions or greetings for the CoN game, see here: http://www.cavesofnarshe.com/forums/ipb/in...showtopic=16735

This thread will be open now to talk about the WC itself. Commentary on the last pre-WC friendlies, debate about groups and teams, postmortem on the matches, stick it all here. I have stuff to say myself, but I'm actually in a meeting right now, so I'm opening the floor to start.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Italy played really lousy against Ireland and Luxemburg, but Immobile and Insigne against Fluminense... Whoa!

Yeah, the Italy/England/Costa Rica/Uruguay group could be a LOT of fun. Probably the most fun for me since it's a brutal group in which my country doesn't have to play.

Did you guys see Nate Silver's take on the tournament? http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/its-br...ld-cup-to-lose/

This post has been edited by Rangers51 on 10th June 2014 14:49

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

As long as Spain doesn't win, I'll be content. But the boys in blue had better shape up coming into this, because Italy has had rough showings in group play the last few Euro/World Cups and its time we break that tradition. Still, Uruguay have always been a wildcard team and when they're on fire, they're absolutely brilliant to watch. No matter what, there's going to be a whole lot of upsets going on, one way or another.

Oh, and hey, I guess England is a team...and they qualified? Good on them. Well, its the effort that counts, right boys?

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Okay, but there was a goat!

Quote (Dragon_Fire @ 11th June 2014 07:48)

Oh, and hey, I guess England is a team...and they qualified? Good on them. Well, its the effort that counts, right boys?

Okay, I'm not normally one of those Englishmen who gets blindly (to the point of denial) optimistic/patriotic about the England team and their (non-existent) chances of success in international sporting tournaments... but by gods, I hope we kick your arses for making that comment!

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We apologise for the inconvenience

Well, Group D is the one I'm excited and nervous for as well, as I'm supporting Italy. The first match against England in Manaus (of all the places... ) will most likely be crucial for the group. It's stupid that three world cup winners end up in the same group when every other group has either one or zero, but oh well.

Is there anyone who hasn't seen the buzzy World Cup-related adverts out there? http://time.com/2861378/best-world-cup-commercials-2014/

I've got a soft spot for the Nike ones as always, and, spinning off of those comes Ask Zlatan: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=271211046414251

This post has been edited by Rangers51 on 12th June 2014 17:45

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Here's my short note on yesterday's match copied from Facebook from about 10pm Eastern last night:

I missed the match earlier and am watching the abridged replay now. Neymar looked far luckier than he was good, and well, let's just say that I used to kinda like Fred. That game should have been 2-2, godawful refereeing.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

I watched the game yesterday, and yep, that refereeing was horrible. I really hope there's not more of this in the tournament... I feel sad for Croatia, they played really well, especially under those circumstances.

Quote (Gigantuar @ 13th June 2014 16:38)

I watched the game yesterday, and yep, that refereeing was horrible. I really hope there's not more of this in the tournament...

Yeah....don't watch the Mexico v Cameroon match.

It seems shitty craftsmanship, shitty politics, and shitty refereeing are gonna be the main take-aways this year.

Croatia look really tidy. They're clearly going to be the second qualifier from that group, and could even pip Brazil - who looked pretty wobbly at points. Croatia were robbed.

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We apologise for the inconvenience

Well, err, I'm not *last* on the leaderboard...? Somehow...? Still, just goes to show that the computer and I are equally ignorant of Things World Cup.

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This is a signature. You might think that there is something to it...but in fact it is just an ordinary signature.

Quote (Stiltzkin @ 13th June 2014 18:08)

Quote (Gigantuar @ 13th June 2014 16:38)

I watched the game yesterday, and yep, that refereeing was horrible. I really hope there's not more of this in the tournament...

Yeah....don't watch the Mexico v Cameroon match.

It seems shitty craftsmanship, shitty politics, and shitty refereeing are gonna be the main take-aways this year.

Croatia look really tidy. They're clearly going to be the second qualifier from that group, and could even pip Brazil - who looked pretty wobbly at points. Croatia were robbed.

I watched it =/ Really horrible to take away 2 goals like that. Also, the penalty in the Spain - Netherlands game was stupid as well.

Quote (Gigantuar @ 14th June 2014 02:00)

Also, the penalty in the Spain - Netherlands game was stupid as well.

It wasn't as terrible as the others, but yeah. Wasn't really a penalty, I don't think.

Obviously FIFA have passed some decree this year telling referees to act like they've never seen a football before...

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We apologise for the inconvenience

What about the host country this year? I haven't followed soccer for awhile (at least men's soccer) but Brazil is usually a contender for each World Cup. How are they doing this time around?

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"So, are you a fan of the Fett?"

"Nah, I'm more of a Star Wars guy."

Phew, the match against England went very well. I'm relieved.

Quote (chevleclair @ 14th June 2014 10:42)

What about the host country this year? I haven't followed soccer for awhile (at least men's soccer) but Brazil is usually a contender for each World Cup. How are they doing this time around?

They're still pretty well favored to win it this year, I think, but they definitely had the benefit of some terrible officiating on Thursday. We'll see after their next match if they're going to wake up a bit more.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

That was definitely one of the wilder group stages that I can remember. Tons of goals being scored, lots of bad refereeing getting press, and Luis Suarez once again losing his freaking mind.

I would like to take this time to point out to everyone in Europe that three of the four North and Central American teams advanced (Mexico, USA, Costa Rica) while under half of the UEFA teams made it though.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Quote (Rangers51 @ 27th June 2014 13:21)

I would like to take this time to point out to everyone in Europe that three of the four North and Central American teams advanced (Mexico, USA, Costa Rica) while under half of the UEFA teams made it though.

Still twice as many though.

I've had been avoiding the quarterfinal matches out of bitterness from the MEX-NED game last Sunday. I was so heartbroken after that one, but I'm back on my feet for the semis starting today.

Who do you all have lined up for the final? Think Brasil has a chance without Neymar?

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"The answer is, of course, that it would be best to be both loved and feared. But since the two rarely come together, anyone compelled to choose will find greater security in being feared than in being loved."
- Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince

Might be cheating to say now, but I don't give them that much hope. They haven't looked good enough and not having Neymar or Thiago is going to really, really hurt them. I think it's an all-Europe final.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

CoN World Cup aside, I'd love to see a GER-NED final. I'd be happy with either winner, although the Dutch have always been a soft spot for me, and it'd be nice to see them get their first.

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We apologise for the inconvenience

Wow, so that was a real thing that actually happened. That wasn't from FIFA 14.

That was such a bad performance from Brazil that if it had come from anyone else, I would assume that the fix was in.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Quote (baralai888 @ 8th July 2014 18:20)

I've had been avoiding the quarterfinal matches out of bitterness from the MEX-NED game last Sunday. I was so heartbroken after that one, but I'm back on my feet for the semis starting today.

That's the only match I've really seen. I had gone for a hike and I was burning up and I went to the Mexican place to eat and I was so hot it killed my appetite so I drank beer and watched that match.

My buddy who plays soccer said it was a terrible call that got them the penalty kick.

Quote (Billdolfski @ 10th July 2014 07:19)

Quote (baralai888 @ 8th July 2014 18:20)

I've had been avoiding the quarterfinal matches out of bitterness from the MEX-NED game last Sunday. I was so heartbroken after that one, but I'm back on my feet for the semis starting today.

That's the only match I've really seen. I had gone for a hike and I was burning up and I went to the Mexican place to eat and I was so hot it killed my appetite so I drank beer and watched that match.

My buddy who plays soccer said it was a terrible call that got them the penalty kick.

Your buddy was right. I think the overall result of that match was fair, but that particular call made the whole thing look bad.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Mexico was leading almost the entire time and I will say, the goal the Dutch made to even it up was nothing short of amazing.

I only partially understand the rules of soccer, and I know hacking in the box is a big "no-no" but it did look like the defender was going for the ball and not hacking. Is what it is, but when I texted him about the match he was furious about what happened.

Yeah, the penalty that NED got awarded in the end wasn't really a penalty. But, as R51 says, it probably balanced out - earlier in the game, NED weren't awarded two clear penalties. One of them was even a double whammy - two penalty-worthy fouls at the same time!

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We apologise for the inconvenience

So sorry I didn't have the time to hang out here while the World Cup was actually happening.

I actually watched parts of a number of matches. I was rooting for USA, Costa Rica, and Brazil. Of course, you can see how well that went.

I just feel bad for Brazil, though. It already seemed they were a bit shaky in their match against Chile. They did get a costly win against Colombia, but then the nightmare set in. My mom commented that there's a phrase (originating from soccer) in Chinese, meaning losing overwhelmingly and being completely pasted, and that phrase basically translates as "losing 7 to 1". Because it's just so incredibly rare and humiliating. Well, it happened.

Well, in sympathy, here's "Valsa da Dor" (or "Waltz of Pain"), by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos (and played by Brazilian pianist Anna Stella Schic): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHLu60ykjug

This post has been edited by Glenn Magus Harvey on 30th July 2014 22:01

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Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

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