World Cup 2014

Aye up peeps! ‘Tismoi - DobertoSavageo again, live from Braaaaaaaaaaaazil wi’ me ingenious insights in t’a games o’ the old World Cupeo.

So, me old muckers, the group stages have drawn to a close wi’ more than a touch o’ controversy about ‘em. Let’s recap at the winners, losers, movers and shakers. And biters. Ahem.

Groupeo A

Brazil - must do better (unless they can afford the ref from the Croatia game every match…) Will undoubtedly meet Argentina in the final.
Mexico - unbelievable performance from a mediocre squad. A real surprise package - even though they were expected to over-achieve, no-one expected the performances they’ve put in. Quarters.
Croatia - shame about the ref in the first game, else they could have gone much further.
Cameroon - what were they thinking? There’s nothing like a ridiculous act to receive a very well deserved red card and destroy your chances all in one swell foop. Stupid boy.

Groupeo B

Netherlands - after the final against Spain in the last tournament, they wisely changed tactics - and how! Semi-finalists if they keep key players fit and off the cards.
Chile - THE dark horses of the tournament. Wow! No-one saw these boys coming - and anyone who says they did is lying. Now the surprise factor is gone, the quarters MAY beckon. But they need to exit with heads held high. Very high.
Spain - OMG! Why change a winning formula? To surrender 80% possession stats so you can punt the ball to an out-and-out striker who is, frankly, so over-rated it’s laughable… Foolish beyond words. Costa is undoubtedly the new Suarez of the Premier league. He won’t know what’s hit him when he starts in the English game with its more physical side, and with a personality as incendiary as Suarez’, he’ll be sitting out a lot of games this coming season. Another foolish boy who was lucky not to walk in the group stages. As for Spain conceding goals - no wonder the defence showed its age and weakness when the opposition suddenly has 30% more possession per game. They think Spain are all over…
Australia - epic battlers who just weren’t good enough. But they can take pride in one of the goals of the tournament as Cahill once more showed the class and ability that Everton would love to have back. Brave effort guys.

Groupeo C

Colombia - unbelievable performances and results. Well done boys. Quarters.
Greece - once more performed like they were battling the Spartans for land. Awesome endeavour and so fitting that they clawed their way through in the last minute of the group stages. Be proud, but get packing your bags now guys.
Cote d'Ivoire - as in every other tournament, a team of highly paid stars were expected to shine brightly but sputtered out against sheer hard graft, endeavour and a bloody-minded desire to win. Hang your heads boys and get out of here so we can enjoy the football.
Japan - May have been expected to progress from this group, but in the end had less fight and pluckiness than talent, and were out performed by the Greeks and Colombians over the 3 games. Better luck next time. Groupeo D Costa Rica - another surprise package, particularly when you consider the group they were in and the opposition concerned. Got exactly what they deserved - top spot. Well done boys! Uruguay - Once again it was the Suarez show - in more ways than one. Just like Cameroon, one stupid boy has now cost them any chance they had of progressing. Not exactly out of character though now, was it? Italy - Not good enough. Even Pirlo couldn’t save this team from their changeable performances. Although they deserve a little sympathy as Suarez should have walked, and Godin should’ve done the same earlier in the tournament. FIFA really needs to get to grips with these major decision cock-ups that can be so costly. England - Another team that got exactly what they deserved. Everyone has an opinion on this lot. Bad tactics and poor performances by over-paid clueless bumblers. Everyone in an England shirt watching expected this result, but was praying they would somehow perform a miracle and break the cycle. To say that they were inexperienced and will learn for the next tournament is such pathetic bollocks it’s laughable. If you’re building for the future, why are you paying them big bucks now? Who has a boss who pays them 300 grand a week for what they’ll do in 4 years time? Do me a favour you moron and shut up - and go away. Oh yeah, you already have. Groupeo E France - after the comedy shows of recent tournaments, France have actually surprised with their performances, particularly where the younger players they’ve brought on are concerned. And everyone thought they’d miss Frankie-boy. Including me. Wrong! Outsiders for the semis methinks. Switzerland - Argentina next? Pack your bags boys. Over-performed (for once) and bored (as usual). Here’s where the party ends for you guys. Bye. Ecuador - Showed grit and determination and the performances we expected after the showing at Wemberleeeeee. Ultimately came up short, also as expected. Honduras - ditto. Groupeo F Argentina - Messi finally turned up for a major tournament and looks like showing all the critics who’ve said he’ll never be the best until he’s lifted that golden statue. Has individually taken an under-performing team and pulled them through by the boot-laces with his sheer talent and ability. Finalists against Brazil. Mouth-watering prospect - can he finally put the demons to bed? Nigeria - Lucky boys not to be going home. Unconvincing. In a stronger group would have been cannon-fodder. Suitcases at the ready guys. Bosnia-Herzegovina - Unlucky where Nigeria weren’t. It could have been either, but at the end of the day that’s the fine line you walk between achieving more or enjoying a longer summer holiday. Look forward to seeing these boys in future tournaments. Should still be proud of what they’ve shown here. Well done. Iran - Plucky and ultimately not good enough, but entertained and were quite a joy to watch. Good effort guys. Groupeo G Germany - the interminable Germans are like the Terminators of tournament football - relentless and all-destroying. They rarely fail, and rarely change tactics. Spain - take note. Semi-finalists where they’ll be unlocked by moments of sheer class. United States - Go USA! Well done guys. Ok - so you were handed the chance by Germany’s tonking of Portugal on day one, but you grabbed the opportunity you were given and held on for dear life. Americans led by a German and helped by the Germans - go figure! Hold your heads high as you head home shortly. Portugal - the mountain they left themselves to climb after the thrashing by Germany kind of kicked the life out of them and disappointingly left Ronaldo as a side-show. He may be (arguably) better than Messi at this moment, but he needed too many Messi moments to save his countrymen. Even Ronaldo’s not THAT good. Only themselves to blame after that first performance. Ghana - Ended where their performances deserved to leave them. But boy, they can be entertaining at times! And finally… Groupeo H Belgium - how many players are Premiership players? Not unexpected as Prem watchers have been anticipating their rise for a while now, and they haven’t disappointed. Very hard to gauge where they’ll finish though. Hmmmmm. Quarters? Algeria - awesome! Beating Russia to the knock-out stages is probably the biggest shock of the tournament, but they’ve got their just rewards for all their grit and endeavour. Well done boys! Go home proud now. Russia - LOL. Capello. LOL. That is all. Korea Republic - Under-achieved really with the squad they have, but I suppose the surprise factor of recent tournament performances has gone now. Disappointing, but Algeria won’t think so. And now, peeps, the line-ups for the knock-out stages. Can’t wait! Make a brew and I’ll see ya’ll soon! 2014 World Cup Schedule - Round of 16 Date Match June 28 Brazil vs. Chile June 28 Colombia vs. Uruguay June 29 Netherlands vs. Mexico June 29 Costa Rica vs. Greece June 30 France vs. Nigeria June 30 Germany vs. Algeria July 1 Argentina vs. Switzerland July 1 Belgium vs. USA