Rio 2014

[Zenyatta]

I must say that the French team looks very impressive indeed! They've now thrashed 2 solid teams in 2 successive games, first thumping Honduras 3-0, then dishing out a hiding to Switzerland 5-2. They could have had many more goals in the net - Benzema looks lethal.

At this point, I'm strongly tempted to go all-in with a big back punt on France to take out the tournament. They are still at reasonable odds on Betfair, with a price of 12.00 on the outright winner market.

[Groovyelms]

At Least now that England have sealed their fate we can all get on and enjoy the football..

cheers Groovy

[Euler]

That's what happens when you lose your objectivity you see. I notice that the non-English members of the forum cleaned up on lays on England again.

I don't do anything in games where I have an emotional attachment.

[LeTiss]

Personally, I think England's problems are very deep rooted. I hear pundits moaning about the lack of English players playing in the PL, but we don't need more players, we need better ones - the combined populations of Costa Rica & Uruguay is about the same as London!

I saw stats from last year referring to the original PL season of 1992-93. The league contained 68% English players, compared to 29% now. However, let's not forget 1992-93 was also the year we embarked on our disastrous WC qualifying campaign for USA 94 - with International superstars (cough!!) in our midfield like Carlton Palmer & Andy Sinton, proving that having 200 extra English players means jack if they aren't International class.

I grew up in the days of England dominating European club football in the 70's + early 80's, winning the European Cup 6 times in succession with 3 different clubs. The league was probably 98% British back then, yet England failed to qualify for a WC between 1970 - 1982!

The argument back then was we don't produce enough players with technical ability, well that's still the problem. That's the reason why we've seen a drop in English players in the PL - the same thing would have happened in the 70's if there was the same freedom of movement & football was generally more global like today. The big clubs will pick more English players, when there's more 16-18 year-olds showing potential to be an International footballer.

In a nutshell, our coaching of kids is crap......there simply aren't enough people with the necessary coaching badges at Youth level, but that will take another generation to sort out

[steven1976]

Anyway, leaving Englands football to one side, it could be a blessing for all you lot in England. You can now enjoy the great weather stress free, as you can be sure a shower of shit is coming in from brazil next week

[Euler]

Actually I'm pretty positive about it all. It's the first time England have matched the publics expectations at a major tournament.

[LeTiss]

Very unimpressed with Argentina, they have laboured in both matches so far

[Euler]

23-06-2014 - USA vs Portugal.png

[Euler]

Thanks to Mark for pointing out how bonkers this market was before the start last night. I think I was asleep after a loooooooooong week.

[giulio2010]

23/06 14 goals out of 4 games. I have really enjoyed 2nite games...
Neymar currenly paid 4.3, same odds for Brazil to win the world cup..

[verycrispy]

Hard to say as a Dutchie, but I realy tought the Netherlands played crap the last two groupmatches. They have such a nice bracket however, first mexico and after that, probably costa rica/ivory coast. It is almost impossible to have an easier draw to the semi finals.

[giulio2010]

Hard to say as a Dutchie, but I realy tought the Netherlands played crap the last two groupmatches. They have such a nice bracket however, first mexico and after that, probably costa rica/ivory coast. It is almost impossible to have an easier draw to the semi finals.

If Mexico did not have 2 valid goals disallowed there was a good chance Holland to meet Brazil..It almost happened last night too when Mexico scored the 3rd goal and Brazil was leading 3-1. But if you consider Mexico an easy game, you are wrong. The south american teams are doing quite well but, generally speaking everyone is struggling to play at 12-13 oclock, so did Holland twice and luckily won twice. That will definitely give strenght to your team to go as far as the semifinals. Good luck

[Euler]

Nine changes for England, recipe for disaster or incentive for success?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285354

[speakers]

I'm not sure it's either really, and it'll be difficult to tell whether it would have made a difference due to the facts that there are so many changes and Costa Rica are resting their best players (one of which appears to be Bryan Ruiz...who have thought it, hey?!).
I thought a major mistake by Woy was not playing Lallana throughout. He'll probably make me eat my words tonight but I cannot see why Welbeck was a nailed-on starter...a striker who can't score or distribute the ball instead of an industrious, attacking, goal-scoring midfielder who has clearly been one of the players of the season in the Prem.

[BJGardner]