2022 World Cup

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

Why do you root for Germany if you're in Switzerland?

Because I grew up in Germany

[monkeyman576]

Originally Posted by rudel.dietrich

Because I grew up in Germany

Ah.

[Westheim]

Oh, I enjoy the post mortem on Channel 1 now.

Flick and Schweinsteiger now getting into each other's fur over tactics on live TV

[monkeyman576]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Oh, I enjoy the post mortem on Channel 1 now.

Flick and Schweinsteiger now getting into each other's fur over tactics on live TV

Now you know how it feels when the US loses in the World Baseball Classic.

[Westheim]

There were no expectations for this World Cup. Well, maybe not exactly being home by December 2.

But then again, Germany was in the final four at every World Cup and Euro except one (2004) from 2002 to 2016 inclusive. Since then, two group stage eliminations and one scratch-and-sniff and not advancing until an 85th minute equalizer in the last group game against Hungary and hapless Round of 16 exit against England at the Euro in between.

In baseball terms, we're rebuilding.

[pilight]

For three glorious minutes both Spain and Germany were both out and I will always cherish them

[dsvitak]

So MANY upsets in the group stages. Who would have believed that Morocco would be top of the table? Japan? Australia?

[Amazin69]

So, let's be real…Spain tanked that one, right?

I mean, by losing, they ensured Germany's exit and they booked a date with Morocco next round, instead of having to play Croatia. Makes all sorts of sense.

(Okay, I don't actually believe that, but I thought I'd stir the pot.)

[pilight]

UEFA has not exactly justified being guaranteed 40% of the field

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by pilight

UEFA has not exactly justified being guaranteed 40% of the field

You're right. There will be at least eight and possibly nine European teams in the Round of 16. UEFA should fill at least half the World Cup field.

[monkeyman576]

I think he's referring to Germany and Spain underwhelming(and Italy not qualifying at all) rather than the actual number in the knockouts.

[rudel.dietrich]

Originally Posted by Westheim

There were no expectations for this World Cup. Well, maybe not exactly being home by December 2.

But then again, Germany was in the final four at every World Cup and Euro except one (2004) from 2002 to 2016 inclusive. Since then, two group stage eliminations and one scratch-and-sniff and not advancing until an 85th minute equalizer in the last group game against Hungary and hapless Round of 16 exit against England at the Euro in between.

In baseball terms, we're rebuilding.

Hopefully in two years and then in four years we can have an actual attack capable of...well attacking

Not midfielders pressed into striker roles.

But this was also probably Manuel Neuers last WC. And Mullers
So we will have other areas to rebuild as well.

After that 2014 WC victory and then 3rd place finish at the 2016 Euros we just never seemed to be able to rebuild a top national squad.

Maybe rather than just coaching and tactics we need to look deeper and make sure our youth academies are producing the best talent that they can.

[pilight]

I don't see how UEFA can get nine. There's an outside chance of only seven if Brazil takes the day off tomorrow.

CONACAF are the big losers of the group stage. Mexico was disappointing, Costa Rica had moments but couldn't finish, Canada was a disaster. Only the punchless USA reached the knockout stage.

CAF looks like they'll get three into the knockouts, a good result for them. Senegal benefited from a favorable draw.

CONMEBOL and AFC are looking at two each. OFC, better luck next time.

[Amazin69]

Originally Posted by monkeyman576

I think he's referring to Germany and Spain underwhelming(and Italy not qualifying at all) rather than the actual number in the knockouts.

And, let's not forget, "#2 in the world!" Belgium getting sent home in favor of Morocco.

I say this as a fan of Leicester City, with its four Belgian players, all of whom have played for the national side and three of which were on this team. (Praet hasn't had enough minutes for us, because he's blocked by James Maddison. He pretty much won the one game where Maddison was under yellow-card suspension, though.)

Of course, you could argue that Belgium's problem was not playing the Leicestermen enough, since Coach Roberto Martinez for some reason left Youri Tielemans out of the XI in the last two matches, and never let Wout Faes see the pitch at all.

This despite our season turning around when Faes arrived to stabilize our defense and Belgium going with a back three of Alderweild, Vertonghen, and Dendoncker, who are not only a bear to spell correctly, but 31/32/33, in some order.

But Roberto Martinez stuck by the veterans on defense and didn't play Faes at all.

In other words…he never gave Wout a shout.

(And with that, I'll see myself out.)

[pilight]

Morocco played well all through qualifying and in this tournament. Spain will have their hands full.

[thehef]

I'm gonna say US over Netherlands, 2-1...

I'm not used to the US being involved in the WC, so I'm typically rooting for Germany & Italy (my heritages). With those two not involved, I won't know who to root for if US loses!

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by pilight

I don't see how UEFA can get nine. There's an outside chance of only seven if Brazil takes the day off tomorrow.

CONACAF are the big losers of the group stage. Mexico was disappointing, Costa Rica had moments but couldn't finish, Canada was a disaster. Only the punchless USA reached the knockout stage.

CAF looks like they'll get three into the knockouts, a good result for them. Senegal benefited from a favorable draw.

CONMEBOL and AFC are looking at two each. OFC, better luck next time.

(counts on all four paws again)

I swear when I was counting yesterday with my eyes half-closed there was one more.

Maybe mistook Senegal for Italy.

Where's Italy after all...?

I will stand over there and hang my head IN UTTER SHAME.

(stands over there and hangs head)

[snarls200]

Originally Posted by pilight

I don't see how UEFA can get nine. There's an outside chance of only seven if Brazil takes the day off tomorrow.

CONACAF are the big losers of the group stage. Mexico was disappointing, Costa Rica had moments but couldn't finish, Canada was a disaster. Only the punchless USA reached the knockout stage.

CAF looks like they'll get three into the knockouts, a good result for them. Senegal benefited from a favorable draw.

CONMEBOL and AFC are looking at two each. OFC, better luck next time.

My team was always going to have trouble being grouped with Morocco, Belgium and Croatia

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

So MANY upsets in the group stages. Who would have believed that Morocco would be top of the table? Japan? Australia?

I'm obviously rooting for the USA. I am also Spanish so I root for Spain. But I can't help but root for Japan as my second team in this WC. USA being the first.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

So, let's be real…Spain tanked that one, right?

I mean, by losing, they ensured Germany's exit and they booked a date with Morocco next round, instead of having to play Croatia. Makes all sorts of sense.

(Okay, I don't actually believe that, but I thought I'd stir the pot.)

Being Spanish myself, I have to believe this.