**Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Thread**

[Notre Dame Joe]

I can buy this because our defense from 2012 to 2013. The same players somehow got slower without Te'o on the field.

[zoogs]

Zonal Marking's excellent breakdown of Germany-Brazil.

 

(This is a really cool site. Having trouble understanding a lot of it, but there's some really in-depth analysis.)

 

A collection of World Cup final 2014 previews

 

“Argentina are completely unaccustomed to pressing and entirely uncomfortable with a high line…the defenders protect the penalty box, while the midfielders occupy the space just in front.” (ESPN)

 

“Bastian Schweinsteiger needs to turn in the performance of his career against the most celebrated player of this generation, Leo Messi” (ESPN)

 

“This is ‘team versus individual’ – Germany are a cohesive, resilient and well-structured unit, while Argentina are based primarily around Lionel Messi.” (Betfair)

And, of course, the 3rd place match is today.

[Michiganball]

Let's see if Brazil implodes again, though Dutch might play a boring game considering their coach hates the third place games.

[It'sNotAFakeID]

I dislike the 3rd place game. It's just more money for ESPN and FIFA.

[It'sNotAFakeID]

I'm convinced that the US could beat Brazil by 4

[Michiganball]

I dislike the 3rd place game. It's just more money for ESPN and FIFA.

 

It's been around since 1930's so espn or tv ratings were not much a of a factor in it's creation. I like it simply because it often allows teams that have been screwed one way or another to make a point regarding their quality. Also as a fan, it's another good match up before the finals.

 

 

[Michiganball]

2-0 Netherlands...here we go

[huskerenner]

Hope the Netherlands fans stay safe if this continues.

[zoogs]

I don't understand why such thoughts keep coming up...I know Brazilian fans are passionate about the game and their team, and they haven't lost at home in a really long time until now, but is there anything to suggest they would cause danger to any of the visiting fans they are hosting?

[Michiganball]

Brazil is fortunate the Dutch cant pass and thread the ball as well as Germany did, their defense is full of holes.

[Michiganball]

I don't understand why such thoughts keep coming up...I know Brazilian fans are passionate about the game and their team, and they haven't lost at home in a really long time until now, but is there anything to suggest they would cause danger to any of the visiting fans they are hosting?

 

 

Bad things have happened, heck, there was a war once in Central America after a loss, though I agree, so far Brazilians have been well behaved.

 

[huskerenner]

I don't understand why such thoughts keep coming up...I know Brazilian fans are passionate about the game and their team, and they haven't lost at home in a really long time until now, but is there anything to suggest they would cause danger to any of the visiting fans they are hosting?

I was just going off of the match with Germany,when they announced to the German fans to remain in the stadium after that match.They were told they would be escorted out,for their safety.

[Michiganball]

 

I don't understand why such thoughts keep coming up...I know Brazilian fans are passionate about the game and their team, and they haven't lost at home in a really long time until now, but is there anything to suggest they would cause danger to any of the visiting fans they are hosting?

I was just going off of the match with Germany,when they announced to the German fans to remain in the stadium after that match.They were told they would be escorted out,for their safety.

 

 

Didn't know that, bit surprised also, since towards the end of the game many Brazilians were cheering for the Germans.

 

 

 

[EbylHusker]

It's just a preventative measure for fan safety when the circumstances warrant increased caution. It's not the vast majority of fans they're worried about, or even any specific threat, but what a few unbalanced morons might do. When you have a group of fans that are that passionate about a sport, to the point of it being a religion, and they've just been utterly destroyed on the field, you have to assume a few retards might try to pull some sh#t. Better safe than sorry.

[ShawnWatson]

I don't understand why such thoughts keep coming up...I know Brazilian fans are passionate about the game and their team, and they haven't lost at home in a really long time until now, but is there anything to suggest they would cause danger to any of the visiting fans they are hosting?

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