It seems like the world champions getting kicked out of the tournament in the group phase has become something like a tradition. It happened to France in 2002 and to Italy in 2006 and now it has happened to Spain.
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
- Thread starter Jax
- Start date
Mehmet Scholl made sure to also mention Germany in the EC in 2000.
Italy in 2010, right? They won in 2006.
But with Spain it´s more surprising I think, since they won three tournaments in a row with the European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup 2010 inbetween.
Their failure was expected, what wasn't expected was how beautiful and fast it would be
Yeah, that was great, also the disaster in 2004. I enjoyed that a lot at the time.
Yes. Leave it to me to screw that up.
Watching Spain implode in these last two games was a thing of beauty.
And how fitting that they'd abdicate the throne the same day their actual king does.
And how fitting that they'd abdicate the throne the same day their actual king does.
Well, that was disappointing. Defensive lapses at crucial moments, embarrassingly poor set pieces and one wasted opportunity after another meant the result wasn't exactly unexpected. Having said that, I'm so proud of our blokes for having a real go. A lot of so-called "experts" (as well as know-nothings like myself) have ended up with egg on their faces after this effort. Postecoglou has already worked wonders and this experience will stand us in good stead for next year's Asian Cup.
Spain were pretty ordinary (to put it as politely as possible) and even without Cahill we've got a real opportunity to clock up a win. Frankly, I reckon we deserve one. I'm not in the Spain-loathing group so I'm a bit disappointed to see their era end in such dismal fashion. They looked absolutely clueless and hopefully they won't regain their mojo against us.
Missed the second half of the Cameroon-Croatia game, but Cameroon looked pathetic even before Song's Pepe-esque bout of stupidity and it really can't be good when people start head-butting their own team mates.
Loving this World Cup so far.
Spain were pretty ordinary (to put it as politely as possible) and even without Cahill we've got a real opportunity to clock up a win. Frankly, I reckon we deserve one. I'm not in the Spain-loathing group so I'm a bit disappointed to see their era end in such dismal fashion. They looked absolutely clueless and hopefully they won't regain their mojo against us.
Missed the second half of the Cameroon-Croatia game, but Cameroon looked pathetic even before Song's Pepe-esque bout of stupidity and it really can't be good when people start head-butting their own team mates.
Loving this World Cup so far.
Another high scoring match last night between Cameroon and Croatia. Seems like a lot of goals are being scored this World Cup 
Tonight it´s Uruguay vs. England - that could also be an exciting and fun match to watch. I´m looking forward to it.
Tonight it´s Uruguay vs. England - that could also be an exciting and fun match to watch. I´m looking forward to it.
I'm watching it with a friend who's also an England fan. I'm hoping for an England win but I'm not very optimistic.
I am, if the tournament so far has shown anything its that no one is unbeatable. Sure Holland looked good after the first game, but less so after the second, and the Germany/Portugal result was kinda skewed by the sending off. Costa rica beat Uruguay and we played well against Italy. I think it'll be a good game.
It's kinda odd though, even if we lose if we continue the way we played against Italy there's a lot for English football to be hopeful about. Suddenly the appointment of Hodgson seems to be bearing fruit, even if its fruit that might not ripen until after he leaves the job.
Of course being England the operative word is IF
2-1 England, Rooney and Sturridge with a Suarez consolation!
On the subject of FIFA, anyone else seen this? The arrogance of Blatter and co really knows no bounds (FIFA apparently stumped up £16 million of its £19 million budget)
It's kinda odd though, even if we lose if we continue the way we played against Italy there's a lot for English football to be hopeful about. Suddenly the appointment of Hodgson seems to be bearing fruit, even if its fruit that might not ripen until after he leaves the job.
Of course being England the operative word is IF
2-1 England, Rooney and Sturridge with a Suarez consolation!
On the subject of FIFA, anyone else seen this? The arrogance of Blatter and co really knows no bounds (FIFA apparently stumped up £16 million of its £19 million budget)
I´ll also be rooting for England. But since I didn´t see their first match, I don´t know about their chances.
I actually didn't think England played particularly well versus Italy. It's just that England's play style makes it easy for the casual observer to confuse effort with quality.
The English players ran a lot, seemed dynamic, very motivated. Yet Italy seemed perfectly in control of the game. Why? Because England just lacks quality, precision and tactical finesse.
They've got the effort down but they hardly produced anything of note. Italy's passing game was more precise, and Italy was way better when they didn't have the ball.
That's what a casual observer usually doesn't notice. The way the team moves when the opponent has got the ball. You know, Arrigo Sacchi made Milan's players train without a ball in the early 90s. Just moving on the field as a team, changing shapes to cover the spaces, from wide to narrow, all that.
England's game without the ball is still so... naive? It's like they didn't learn much from all the continental managers in the PL (Wenger et al.) or from their continental team mates. In a team full of Englishmen they seem to revert to their old style of... running... a lot.
Italy on the other hand almost seemed to take pre-planned pauses during the game, most likely because of the climate. That meant they had enough energy left to never lose focus when playing "against the ball". They never lost their shape or tactical plan there. But they took breaks in offense to not waste energy under these harsh conditions.
I'm not saying Italy played an awesome game. They were just solid. This certainly isn't the best team Italy has ever fielded but the basics are there.
With the English team I feel they aren't.
Unrelated: Oh USA, y u so silly?
The English players ran a lot, seemed dynamic, very motivated. Yet Italy seemed perfectly in control of the game. Why? Because England just lacks quality, precision and tactical finesse.
They've got the effort down but they hardly produced anything of note. Italy's passing game was more precise, and Italy was way better when they didn't have the ball.
That's what a casual observer usually doesn't notice. The way the team moves when the opponent has got the ball. You know, Arrigo Sacchi made Milan's players train without a ball in the early 90s. Just moving on the field as a team, changing shapes to cover the spaces, from wide to narrow, all that.
England's game without the ball is still so... naive? It's like they didn't learn much from all the continental managers in the PL (Wenger et al.) or from their continental team mates. In a team full of Englishmen they seem to revert to their old style of... running... a lot.
Italy on the other hand almost seemed to take pre-planned pauses during the game, most likely because of the climate. That meant they had enough energy left to never lose focus when playing "against the ball". They never lost their shape or tactical plan there. But they took breaks in offense to not waste energy under these harsh conditions.
I'm not saying Italy played an awesome game. They were just solid. This certainly isn't the best team Italy has ever fielded but the basics are there.
With the English team I feel they aren't.
Unrelated: Oh USA, y u so silly?
First off I think you have a point re Italy’s use of the ball and their use of possession to rest in the heat, however England don’t really have the players to play that kind of game, and I’m not sure England will ever end up a tikka takka type of side (and frankly I’m not sure I want them to, I don’t think every team should play the same). I’m not suggesting that England have suddenly become the new Spain overnight or that they suddenly have a chance to win the world Cup but, compared to the team Hodgson put out against Italy just two years ago there was more cohesion, a better range of passing and a lot more pace. It was also clearly a team, which was perhaps the most refreshing thing about it, especially after the debacle of the 2010 World Cup.
I disagree that Italy controlled the game, they looked vulnerable to our attacking runs and if our final ball had been better, and if England had managed to get their noses in front Italy would have found it a very different proposition. It’s easy to hold possession and pass the ball around when you’re winning or drawing, but it’s not something that’s so easy when you’re chasing the game, especially in that heat. But that’s just wishful thinking because it didn’t happen. I certainly don’t begrudge Italy winning and, especially with Spain out and Brazil looking poor, I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility for Italy to go on and win it.
I disagree that Italy controlled the game, they looked vulnerable to our attacking runs and if our final ball had been better, and if England had managed to get their noses in front Italy would have found it a very different proposition. It’s easy to hold possession and pass the ball around when you’re winning or drawing, but it’s not something that’s so easy when you’re chasing the game, especially in that heat. But that’s just wishful thinking because it didn’t happen. I certainly don’t begrudge Italy winning and, especially with Spain out and Brazil looking poor, I don’t think it’s beyond the realms of possibility for Italy to go on and win it.
You should read my post again. I was talking about how the teams played when the opposition had the ball. Not about possession. Yes, Italy was more precise when they had possession but the big difference was when they didn't.
That's also one of the reasons England didn't get to play "that final ball".
Somewhat related: This is a great book: Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics
That's also one of the reasons England didn't get to play "that final ball".
Somewhat related: This is a great book: Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Soccer Tactics
I agree with that. They looked much better than in 2010 and they have some new young talents. Unlike then, it was enjoyable to watch their game. It's unfortunate that they're in one of the "death groups" because I'm not sure how much all of that will count when they don't make it into the knock-out round.
At first the trailer made it look rather embarassing but I like the style of the 50s to 70s and it seems that corruption will also play a role. I'd give it a watch even if it turns out to be a train wreck. The FIFA funding is bad, though. It's not like this money couldn't be invested better somewhere else (e.g. infrastructure for poorer members, youth work etc.).
Nice match between Colombia and Cote' de Ivore.
Going back to the ENG conversation, I feel the team is still in transition mode for me and our best player IMO is not playing atr the moment in Chamberlain. He may be only 20 and goes in and out on the Arsenal side but his techinal ability is simply superb for a 20 year old. 1st touch, dribbling, shooting, power, work rate and composure.
I really look forward to Euro 2016 and see the WC as a springboard. I only hope our young players can remain fit n get game time to progress over the next two years.
Players under 25
Butland
Walker
Flanagan
Chambers
Shaw
Gibbs
Stones
Jones
Smalling
Chamberlain
Sterling
Walcott
Townsend
Rodwell
Henderson
Barkley
Wilshere
Lallana
Ward-Prowse
Welbeck
Sturridge
I feel confident
I really look forward to Euro 2016 and see the WC as a springboard. I only hope our young players can remain fit n get game time to progress over the next two years.
Players under 25
Butland
Walker
Flanagan
Chambers
Shaw
Gibbs
Stones
Jones
Smalling
Chamberlain
Sterling
Walcott
Townsend
Rodwell
Henderson
Barkley
Wilshere
Lallana
Ward-Prowse
Welbeck
Sturridge
I feel confident