It's cool that our predictions coincide nearly in everything except for Chile-Holland and Cote d'Ivoire-Greece. Not major differencies;)
EDIT: After reading your next comment, I should say that I see the results of the semifinals completely opposite
Maybe it's better to swap match-by-match predictions with predictions regarding teams going into play-offs? We already have predictions of @Montresor_SP , @Mhamza , @Blackraven , @Pibaro and my own predictions regarding the group winners. It would be much easier to operate and I think more people could do such predictions.
How about this (all the predictions must come before the tournament stats):
1) guessing the winner of each group = 5 points 2) guessing the second team in each group = 5 points 3) bonus for the right prediction regarding the 1st and the 2nd teams in one group = 5 poits 4) guessing the champion: 30 points 5) guessing the vice-champion = 20 points 6) guessing the 3rd team = 10 points 7) bonus for the right prediction regarding the 1, 2 and 3 places = 20 points.
By the way, that poll's winner is Brazil with 6 votes, Argentina is on the second place with 5 votes, Germany is on the 3rd place with 4 votes, England has 3 votes, Spain and Uruguay have 2 votes each, France - 1 vote, Italy - 0, other teams share 2 votes.
I just want to say that I am completely uncomfortable with like half of my choices, but here they are. Went with my mind over my gut and my heart, so obviously I'd have doubts. Hate not taking the US or Greece, but I had to Group A: Brazil, Croatia Group B: Spain, Chile (Yeah I went there, sorry to the Dutch) Group C: Colombia, Ivory Coast (omg… I can’t believe I’m not taking Greece. Its honestly a 50-50 shot for anyone, but Greece has been playing like #@%^ during the friendlies and I can’t see how they will score. Japan also has a chance, and I'd say a better one than Greece's at this point. Closest group in my opinion. Pretty much anyone can qualify. Every team has ways of winning) Group Italy, England (I’ve given my doubts about Uruguay, but they have the talent to advance as well. Very close) Group E: France, Switzerland Group F: Argentina, Bosnia (one of the easiest predictions imho, but Bosnia could blow a game to a minnow) Group G: Germany, Portugal (this one breaks my heart as well. USA has a bright future though) Group H: Belgium and… um, Russia I guess (every other team in this group is just not up to par. Easily the group with the least star power)
I´m disgusted once again how the stupid Football circus is more precious then the live of the poor people of brazil. Money for the game but not for the bread anymore. The romans were better in that regard...
not that i realy care but it just shows me again how detached the politicians and miserable "humans" are who organize and run all that crap from rthe reality of their own people. I hope they attack the players and everyone else who think they can have fun in the citys where people run around with signs that read
"we need food not football"....
A great tragedy would be the only sign to the stupid mass that something is not right! And football is a good way to show it because millions are watching it! Sorry if i sound so negative but i´m just sick and tired of all that injustice just to feed the illusion of something important happens....
@NWN_babaYaga I have 12 close friends living in São Paulo, each of whom agree with you. Unfortunately, this and the 2016 Olympics have been pushed through by the few people in charge and the burden has been and will be borne by those unable to afford it. Apparently, many—not all—Brazilians don't even want to host either event. I wouldn't be surprised to see protests spring up during both of them. The exposure is worldwide, the issues are very real, and the anger is certainly justified. I'm going to curtail my contribution to this line of discussion so as not to derail this thread. However, I will happily discuss this elsewhere. Edit: I do feel "attack" is a very poor word choice.
While I do think you guys are peeing on our parade, I do agree that public funding for sports events is incredibly misguided and almost never reaps the benefits that are anticipated. Publicly subsidized stadiums have been a sinkhole for money and a terrible investment (just ask Detroit).
Why does a business that makes 9 billion dollars a year in profits require 1 billion in subsidies? It creates what economists call a moral hazard: owners of sports teams can take risks because "hey... if it doesn't work out as well as we hoped the tax payer will eat the losses". Worst part: oftentimes state governments pay for stadiums in specific cities.
Imagine where those diverted resources could go? Now this problem is exacerbated when host nations need a lot of preparation for an event (case in point-Greece Olympics 2004). It is much easier for nations to host events when they have the necessary infrastructure, but that creates a problem for organizers since it doesn't look good for such an international event such as the World Cup or the Olympics to always take place in Europe, North America or Japan and South Korea.
Yet somehow every nation seems to want the prestige, so much that some in Qatar were willing to resort to bribery to secure the right to host the next competition. You think Brazil has problems? Just think about the political situation in Qatar and what their entire economy is based on. An average of one migrant worker a day dies preparing that nation for the World Cup. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/qatar-admits-deaths-in-migrant-workers Read that again
At the same time, I think saying ridiculous things like this
I hope they attack the players and everyone else who think they can have fun in the citys where people run around with signs that read
"we need food not football".... .
do not change anything for the better. The World Cup is happening, making it worse does not benefit anyone. It is not the player's fault that the Brazilian government is entirely irresponsible. Plus, there are a lot of bad things in the world... but people should still be able to enjoy themselves.
Greece won and I had a great time. Went with my Dad, my brother and a friend of mine. The Greek fans were ridiculously loud as usual. I saw a bunch of people I knew. I videoed every corner of the game on my phone... EXCEPT for the two that they scored on (what kind of luck is that?????)
Even though Greece won I don't feel good about them entering this tournament. We've lost Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke to injury, and he is our brightest talent. Sokratis from Borussia Dortmund is also questionable for the first game, and didn't play today. That means both our first choice centerbacks might miss the matches... not good for a team that relies on its defense.
Group A : Brazil/Croatia Group B : Spain/Netherlands Group C : Japan/Greece Group D : England/Italy Group E : Switzerland/France Group F : Argentina/Nigeria Group G : Germany/USA Group H : Belgium/Korea R.
I just can't keep not posting here as the WC draws near.
Today the Bloomberg News poll has been published. According to a survey of 171 economists from 139 companies across 52 countries, Brazil will win it.
Projections of a sixth World Cup victory for Brazil mesh with bookmaker odds and forecasts based on economic models created by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., UniCredit SpA and Danske Bank A/S. Paddy Power Plc and Ladbrokes Plc both rank Brazil as favorite, at odds of 3/1.
I have found it interesting that the predictions for the WC winner centered almost exclusively on Brazil, Germany, Argentina and Spain.
Of the 171 responses, only six economists diverged from that trend, with three choosing Portugal, two backing Italy and one Uruguay. And noone has chosen England, sorry @Anduin and @Dungeonnoob
G.A : Croatia (They are great actors on the pitch:) G.B : Netherlands (More hungry than Spain) G.C : Japan (Great stamina,speed) G.D : England (Two words=Paddy Power) G.E : France (They can score goals) G.F : Argentina (Messi) G.G : USA (They have a extra gear when they play in big tournaments) G.H : Korea R. (See Japan)
Soccer isn't my game and this list might prove it,cheers:)
Ahm, I don't fully understand your post. After 2 best teams from each group qualify to the knockout stage, they will play according to the certain schedule, that is, for e.g. winner of the group A - second team from group B and so on.
Also, we haven't set points for predictions for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals. But it seems @Dungeonnoob says "10 points". Do you guys think we should also set predictions as well as points for the outcomes of matches between groups and finals?
Ahm, I don't fully understand your post. After 2 best teams from each group qualify to the knockout stage, they will play according to the certain schedule, that is, for e.g. winner of the group A - second team from group B and so on.
Also, we haven't set points for predictions for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals. But it seems @Dungeonnoob says "10 points". Do you guys think we should also set predictions as well as points for the outcomes of matches between groups and finals?
K. Proper predictions will be made on my return from work. England only win if it is a million to one shot. The economists and bookies are just playing into our own hands.
I predict England to put in the first own goal of the season to make it harder for themselves...
I predict Brazil to score the first goal and get the first yellow and red card.
I predict Argentina to recieve the first penalty.
I predict Germany will take the most free kicks.
And Spain to win the most corners...
Out of the fans. England will consume the most beer and get more people arrested due to disorder than all the other nations put together... Because every country has a talent. ..
My proper predictions. I am going to just predict winners of the groups, because the more I think about it... The more I think about it, the nations from tropics will have the edge. That heat and humidity is going to hurt the Europeans... But... I think as Brazil is south of the equator it is actually winter... so... my predictions then.
Group A Winners Brazil Croatia
Group B Spain Chile
Group C Columbia Greece
Group D Uruguay England
Group E France Ecuador
Group F Argentina Nigeria
Group G Germany Portugal
Group H Russia Belgium
...
A clear lean towards the those countries that can stand the heat. I think Qatar as a venue for 2022 could be killed off if players collapse from heat exhaustion.
I predict a player from Belgium will be the first to succumb to the heat.
I also predict a player from Germany will be pecked by a parrot and a player from Greece will be lost in the Amazon rainforest never to be seen again...
Comments
But I say they are gonna win as long as it doesn't go to penalties. Then we are screwed.
group A:
1) Brasil
2) Croatia
Group B:
1) Spain
2) Chile
Group C:
1) Japan
2) Cote d'Ivoire
Group
1) Italy
2) England
(In Brasil they won't let Uruguay repeat what happened in 1950)
Group E:
1) France
2) Switzerland
Group F:
1) Argentina
2) Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group G:
1) Germany
2) Portugal
Group H:
1) Belgium
2) Russia
It's cool that our predictions coincide nearly in everything except for Chile-Holland and Cote d'Ivoire-Greece. Not major differencies;)
EDIT: After reading your next comment, I should say that I see the results of the semifinals completely opposite
Maybe it's better to swap match-by-match predictions with predictions regarding teams going into play-offs? We already have predictions of @Montresor_SP , @Mhamza , @Blackraven , @Pibaro and my own predictions regarding the group winners. It would be much easier to operate and I think more people could do such predictions.
How about this (all the predictions must come before the tournament stats):
1) guessing the winner of each group = 5 points
2) guessing the second team in each group = 5 points
3) bonus for the right prediction regarding the 1st and the 2nd teams in one group = 5 poits
4) guessing the champion: 30 points
5) guessing the vice-champion = 20 points
6) guessing the 3rd team = 10 points
7) bonus for the right prediction regarding the 1, 2 and 3 places = 20 points.
We can add predictions from http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/32010/world-cup-2014-who-s-gonna-be-the-winner#latest regarding the champion - those who're interested can just add here predictions regarding the 2nd and the 3rd teams of the WC and we'll be set. You can of course give here another predictions, the new ones.
By the way, that poll's winner is Brazil with 6 votes, Argentina is on the second place with 5 votes, Germany is on the 3rd place with 4 votes, England has 3 votes, Spain and Uruguay have 2 votes each, France - 1 vote, Italy - 0, other teams share 2 votes.
Top scorer:
Messi
Round of 16:
Brasil - Chile
Winner: Brasil
Japain - England
Winner: England
France - Bosnia-Herzegovina
Winner: France
Germany - Russia
Winner: Germany
Croatia - Spain
Winner: Spain
Cote d'Ivoire - Italy
Winner: Italy
Argentina - Swtizerland
Winner: Argentina
Belgium Portugal
Winner: Belgium
Quarter-Final:
Brasil - England
Winner: Brasil
France - Germany
Winner: Germany
Spain - Italy
Winner: Spain
Argentina - Belgium
Winner: Argentina
Semi-final
Brasil - Germany
Winner: Brasil
Spain - Argentina
Winner: Spain
Final 3th and 4th
Germany - Argentina
Winner: Argentina
Final 1
Brasil - Spain
Winner: Brasil
And there's @Pibaro here who can participate in my place! ;D
When I'll win, we'll share the trophy
The Economist magazine offers an interesting chart of probabilities regarding the winner. It's easy to comprehend and I was surprised to the results:
http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2014/06/daily-chart
Also, it's fun to hear how some World Cup footballers' names are pronounced:
http://mashable.com/2014/06/04/world-cup-best-names/ I've especially liked the spelling of Yoichiro Kakitani.
According to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, the 16 nations that will qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup are Brazil, Holland, Ivory Coast (!), England, France, Nigeria (!), Germany, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, Italy, Greece, Argentina, Switzerland, Russia and Portugal (http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/06/02/world-cup-mourinho-picks-nigeria-15-others-to-advance-from-group-stage/)
I'm seeing Greece vs Bolivia tomorrow!
Group A:
Brazil, Croatia
Group B:
Spain, Chile (Yeah I went there, sorry to the Dutch)
Group C:
Colombia, Ivory Coast (omg… I can’t believe I’m not taking Greece. Its honestly a 50-50 shot for anyone, but Greece has been playing like #@%^ during the friendlies and I can’t see how they will score. Japan also has a chance, and I'd say a better one than Greece's at this point. Closest group in my opinion. Pretty much anyone can qualify. Every team has ways of winning)
Group
Italy, England (I’ve given my doubts about Uruguay, but they have the talent to advance as well. Very close)
Group E:
France, Switzerland
Group F:
Argentina, Bosnia (one of the easiest predictions imho, but Bosnia could blow a game to a minnow)
Group G:
Germany, Portugal (this one breaks my heart as well. USA has a bright future though)
Group H:
Belgium and… um, Russia I guess (every other team in this group is just not up to par. Easily the group with the least star power)
So all I'll say is * picks random team* ... go Uruguay!
Ribery and Falcao (and many others like Giuseppe Rossi, Strootman, Iker Casillas) are out.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, Diego Costa, Vidal, Oxlade-Chamberlain and many others are injured, and may not be at their top.
I think I should change some of my predictions, but I'll wait till the last minute.
not that i realy care but it just shows me again how detached the politicians and miserable "humans" are who organize and run all that crap from rthe reality of their own people. I hope they attack the players and everyone else who think they can have fun in the citys where people run around with signs that read
"we need food not football"....
A great tragedy would be the only sign to the stupid mass that something is not right! And football is a good way to show it because millions are watching it! Sorry if i sound so negative but i´m just sick and tired of all that injustice just to feed the illusion of something important happens....
I have 12 close friends living in São Paulo, each of whom agree with you. Unfortunately, this and the 2016 Olympics have been pushed through by the few people in charge and the burden has been and will be borne by those unable to afford it. Apparently, many—not all—Brazilians don't even want to host either event. I wouldn't be surprised to see protests spring up during both of them. The exposure is worldwide, the issues are very real, and the anger is certainly justified.
I'm going to curtail my contribution to this line of discussion so as not to derail this thread. However, I will happily discuss this elsewhere.
Edit: I do feel "attack" is a very poor word choice.
Take the NFL in America: it is the most profitable of any professional sports league in the world... and it receives a billion dollars a year in public subsidies.
http://reason.com/reasontv/2014/01/31/why-no-smart-city-would-want-the-nfl
Why does a business that makes 9 billion dollars a year in profits require 1 billion in subsidies? It creates what economists call a moral hazard: owners of sports teams can take risks because "hey... if it doesn't work out as well as we hoped the tax payer will eat the losses". Worst part: oftentimes state governments pay for stadiums in specific cities.
Imagine where those diverted resources could go? Now this problem is exacerbated when host nations need a lot of preparation for an event (case in point-Greece Olympics 2004). It is much easier for nations to host events when they have the necessary infrastructure, but that creates a problem for organizers since it doesn't look good for such an international event such as the World Cup or the Olympics to always take place in Europe, North America or Japan and South Korea.
Yet somehow every nation seems to want the prestige, so much that some in Qatar were willing to resort to bribery to secure the right to host the next competition. You think Brazil has problems? Just think about the political situation in Qatar and what their entire economy is based on. An average of one migrant worker a day dies preparing that nation for the World Cup. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/14/qatar-admits-deaths-in-migrant-workers
Read that again
At the same time, I think saying ridiculous things like this do not change anything for the better. The World Cup is happening, making it worse does not benefit anyone. It is not the player's fault that the Brazilian government is entirely irresponsible. Plus, there are a lot of bad things in the world... but people should still be able to enjoy themselves.
Greece won and I had a great time. Went with my Dad, my brother and a friend of mine. The Greek fans were ridiculously loud as usual. I saw a bunch of people I knew. I videoed every corner of the game on my phone... EXCEPT for the two that they scored on (what kind of luck is that?????)
Even though Greece won I don't feel good about them entering this tournament. We've lost Kyriakos Papadopoulos of Schalke to injury, and he is our brightest talent. Sokratis from Borussia Dortmund is also questionable for the first game, and didn't play today. That means both our first choice centerbacks might miss the matches... not good for a team that relies on its defense.
However, what makes you think Casillas is out? He's the captain and from what I can tell he is healthy and will start for the Spanish.
Uhm.... You are right, i heard it somewhere, but i must have misunderstood.
Btw we are getting close, and i begin to feel the fever.
Today, my dad bought a 50' samsung led tv.
I and a friend of him convinced him. I want to try how it feels to play NetHack in 50'
But more importantly... Koke, Juanfran and Diego Costa are starting for Spain!!!
Round 2
Group A : Brazil/Croatia
Group B : Spain/Netherlands
Group C : Japan/Greece
Group D : England/Italy
Group E : Switzerland/France
Group F : Argentina/Nigeria
Group G : Germany/USA
Group H : Belgium/Korea R.
Final : England/Argentina
Winner : England
The most important thing was that David de Gea has made his Spanish debut in that match! What a goalie he will become!
And Greece has finally won;)
@Dungeonnoob
More hilarious pics here:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/how-the-front-pages-will-react-if-england-win-the-world-cup-mock-up-pictures/
Today the Bloomberg News poll has been published. According to a survey of 171 economists from 139 companies across 52 countries, Brazil will win it.
Projections of a sixth World Cup victory for Brazil mesh with bookmaker odds and forecasts based on economic models created by Goldman Sachs Group Inc., UniCredit SpA and Danske Bank A/S. Paddy Power Plc and Ladbrokes Plc both rank Brazil as favorite, at odds of 3/1.
I have found it interesting that the predictions for the WC winner centered almost exclusively on
Brazil,
Germany,
Argentina
and Spain.
Of the 171 responses, only six economists diverged from that trend, with three choosing Portugal, two backing Italy and one Uruguay. And noone has chosen England, sorry @Anduin and @Dungeonnoob
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-09/economists-as-soccer-pundits-predict-brazil-world-cup-win.html
Here's the latest version of SkyBet:
G.A : Croatia (They are great actors on the pitch:)
G.B : Netherlands (More hungry than Spain)
G.C : Japan (Great stamina,speed)
G.D : England (Two words=Paddy Power)
G.E : France (They can score goals)
G.F : Argentina (Messi)
G.G : USA (They have a extra gear when they play in big tournaments)
G.H : Korea R. (See Japan)
Soccer isn't my game and this list might prove it,cheers:)
Ahm, I don't fully understand your post. After 2 best teams from each group qualify to the knockout stage, they will play according to the certain schedule, that is, for e.g. winner of the group A - second team from group B and so on.
You can check the schedule here:
http://football.hkjc.com/football/special/english/2013-wc-draw/wc-knockout.aspx
Also, we haven't set points for predictions for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals. But it seems @Dungeonnoob says "10 points". Do you guys think we should also set predictions as well as points for the outcomes of matches between groups and finals?
I predict England to put in the first own goal of the season to make it harder for themselves...
I predict Brazil to score the first goal and get the first yellow and red card.
I predict Argentina to recieve the first penalty.
I predict Germany will take the most free kicks.
And Spain to win the most corners...
Out of the fans. England will consume the most beer and get more people arrested due to disorder than all the other nations put together... Because every country has a talent. ..
one good thing about supporting England is at least we tend to be entertaining in our mediocrity
Group A Winners
Brazil
Croatia
Group B
Spain
Chile
Group C
Columbia
Greece
Group D
Uruguay
England
Group E
France
Ecuador
Group F
Argentina
Nigeria
Group G
Germany
Portugal
Group H
Russia
Belgium
...
A clear lean towards the those countries that can stand the heat. I think Qatar as a venue for 2022 could be killed off if players collapse from heat exhaustion.
I predict a player from Belgium will be the first to succumb to the heat.
I also predict a player from Germany will be pecked by a parrot and a player from Greece will be lost in the Amazon rainforest never to be seen again...
My clairvoyance is working overtime...