In article <518589b9-129b-4b6d-a2e0-38473a5756fdn@googlegroups.com>,
Michael Falkner <darkstar7646@gmail.com> wrote:
>So Group B is the Ukraine pod winner, England, Iran, and USA.
>
>No Group of Death by any standards, and vewy vewy interesting.
>
>Mike

Egnalnd and Canada Games will be interesting to watch.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca Ici doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca
Yahweh, Queen & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism https://www.empire.kred/ROOTNK?t=94a1f39b
Truth is the only progress. -unknown Beware https://mindspring.com

In article <7b8bc2e6-4c8f-4607-bfb3-d3084dd37ffbn@googlegroups.com>,
Al Kamista <alkamista@hotmail.com> wrote:
>On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 2:37:57 PM UTC-4, Krishna Raja Nadar wrote:
>> So what do you think is the easiest and the toughest?
>>
>> Group A: Qatar (hosts), Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
>> ---- I think this is the weakest group, Netherlands have an easy ride
>here... may be Ecuador can pose a bit of a problem.
>
>Senegal are loaded. The Mendy-Koulibaly-Gueye-Mane is spine is as good
>as any in the world. They could actually top this group.
>
>Netherlands, Senegal
>
>>
>> Group B: England, United States, Iran, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
>>
>> --- Most dramatic group. Iran seems like the toughest of the Asian
>teams. If Ukraine qualifies, the drama quotient goes up. I think England
>wins the group easily. But the second spot is for grabs. Fairly tough
>for the second spot.
>
>Easy ride for England.
>
>England, USA
>
>>
>> Group C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
>>
>> ---- Argentina got an easy one here. I think Poland are pretty
>disappointing though they beat Sweden. They could even finish bottom
>This is not a very interesting group unlike many other news sources seem
>to claim
>
>Argentina, Poland
>
>>
>> Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru/Australia/UAE
>>
>> Poor Denmark. They could have got an easier Pot1 opponent. I haven't
>seen Peru, but if they qualify they will make it interesting.
>
>France, Tunisia
>
>>
>> Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica/New Zealand
>>
>> Wow... this is a tough one and closest to group of death here I think.
>Costa Rica is no longer the same. But they will go past NZ. So that
>would make this group close to group of death.
>
>How exactly is this a GoD? Two top teams and two below average teams.
>
>Walk in the park for Germany and Spain.
>
>> Group F: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
>>
>> Canada is the most likely underdog going to bomb. Croatia may not be
>the same but should progress
>
>Belgium, Croatia

I might go with Belgium and Canada!

1st Game in an attempt to stop Davies and David, de Bruyne and Lukaku
are red carded!

>
>>
>> Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
>>
>> LOL, hasn't Brazil played these teams before. The battle for second
>spot will be tough, but Brazil are winning this world cup, so they romp
>through this.
>
>LOL, no. This actually is the closest to a GoD. All 4 teams have quality.
>
>Brazil, Switzerland
>
>> Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
>>
>> Competitive one but probably the most boring after Group A
>
>Portugal, Uruguay

--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca Ici doctor@@nl2k.ab.ca
Yahweh, Queen & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism https://www.empire.kred/ROOTNK?t=94a1f39b
Truth is the only progress. -unknown Beware https://mindspring.com

On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 12:57:47 PM UTC-7, Krishna Raja Nadar wrote:
> On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 1:49:00 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:

> > > Group B: England, United States, Iran, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
> > >
> > > --- Most dramatic group. Iran seems like the toughest of the Asian teams. If Ukraine qualifies, the drama quotient goes up. I think England wins the group easily. But the second spot is for grabs. Fairly tough for the second spot.
> > Easy ride for England.
> >
> > England, USA
> Are you sure US has it easy?

He didn't say anything about the ease for the USA, only England.

That said, the USA has all to play for -- it's on them. They could well make the quarters at the very least and then play on house money.

Mike

On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 2:58:25 PM UTC-7, The Doctor wrote:
> England and Canada Games will be interesting to watch.

As will the USA. England and USA can do some damage in this tournament.

(I'm not saying USA can win the thing, but damage is very possible.)

Mike

Germany beat Yugoslavia 4-1 in 1990 in I think the first game, one of the best games, if not the best game that i have ever seen Germany play. Ahhh, those were proper days. Not even the Brazil game comes close to that. And I mean that.

On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 6:52:46 p.m. UTC-4, Michael Falkner wrote:
> On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 2:58:25 PM UTC-7, The Doctor wrote:
>
> > England and Canada Games will be interesting to watch.
>
> As will the USA. England and USA can do some damage in this tournament.
>
> (I'm not saying USA can win the thing, but damage is very possible.)
>
> Mike

On 1.4.2022. 22:16, Real Mardin wrote:

> Talking of Croatia and Serbia - if either win their group and the other finishes runner up and they each win their Rof16 match then they give us the gift of a Croatia v Serbia QF.

Speaking of Serbia, they are complaining that their coach Stojkovic was
the only
coach who wasn't shown after ball was drawn.
After they beat Portugal Serbian players were singing in a locker room
"give us Brazil
to play with" and they got their wish.
I don't think they have much to hope for given their slow and
error-prone defense, but you never know.

As for us, I don't think we will be going too far as well, I just don't
trust our coach,
he is still experimenting too much, Nations League will be important to
see where we are at the moment.
People here wouldn't mind Germany in R16 if we make it out of group, we
have some good experiences
with them, but also maybe Japan could make some upsets.
I was taking all these qualifications for granted, but this is Modric's
last tournament,
it will be a different story without him.

Krishna Raja Nadar escreveu:
> So what do you think is the easiest and the toughest?

I'll add some predictions, sophisticated-style.

> Group A: Qatar (hosts), Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
> ---- I think this is the weakest group, Netherlands have an easy ride
> here... may be Ecuador can pose a bit of a problem.

I think the Netherlands are the team to beat here, with Senegal and Ecuador
being front-running favorites for 2nd (with an edge to Senegal there, since
they have better players than Ecuador). If 2nd place indeed comes down to
these two, it's nice that they get to meet in the third matchday.

I may be underrating Qatar, they are not only hosts but also incumbent Asian
champions, but it doesn't seem like there's much to write home about? Well,
we'll see.

0.90 Netherlands
0.55 Senegal
0.45 Ecuador
0.10 Qatar

No previous World Cup meetings between teams of this group.

> Group B: England, United States, Iran, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
>
> --- Most dramatic group. Iran seems like the toughest of the Asian teams.
> If Ukraine qualifies, the drama quotient goes up. I think England wins the
> group easily. But the second spot is for grabs. Fairly tough for the second
> spot.

Agreed about England topping the group. No idea about who gets second, though.

0.92 England
0.36 for all others

Previous World Cup meetings:

1950 United States 1-0 England
1978 Scotland 1-1 Iran
1998 United States 1-2 Iran
2010 England 1-1 United States

> Group C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
>
> ---- Argentina got an easy one here. I think Poland are pretty disappointing
> though they beat Sweden. They could even finish bottom This is not a very
> interesting group unlike many other news sources seem to claim

A bit of a novelty for Argentina that they won't have to face Nigeria in the
first round. This happened in five of the last seven WC's, only missing out
1998 (different groups) and 2006 (Nigeria failed to qualify). They should top
this group, with Mexico pipping out Poland for second.

0.90 Argentina
0.60 Mexico
0.45 Poland
0.05 Saudi Arabia

Previous World Cup meetings:

1930 Argentina 6-3 Mexico
1974 Poland 3-2 Argentina
1978 Poland 3-1 Mexico
1978 Argentina 2-0 Poland
2006 Argentina 2-1 Mexico (aet)
2010 Argentina 3-1 Mexico

> Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru/Australia/UAE
>
> Poor Denmark. They could have got an easier Pot1 opponent. I haven't seen
> Peru, but if they qualify they will make it interesting.

I think this is in France and Denmark's hands, regardless of who comes through
from the AFC-Conmebol playoff. Peru might be a little tougher than Australia or
the United Arab Emirates, but not enough to push for a spot I think.

0.90 France
0.70 Denmark
0.20 for all others

Previous World Cup meetings:

1998 France 2-1 Denmark
2002 Denmark 2-0 France
2018 France 2-1 Australia
2018 Peru 0-1 Denmark
2018 Denmark 1-1 Australia
2018 France 1-0 Peru
2018 Denmark 0-0 France
2018 Australia 0-2 Peru
> Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica/New Zealand
>
> Wow... this is a tough one and closest to group of death here I think. Costa
> Rica is no longer the same. But they will go past NZ. So that would make this
> group close to group of death.

I wouldn't call it a group of death. I can see Japan or (probably) Costa Rica
putting up a fight and stealing points here and there, but wouldn't bet on them
beating Spain or Germany for a place in the next round.

0.90 Spain
0.90 Germany
0.10 Japan
0.10 Costa Rica/New Zealand

Previous World Cup meetings:

1966 West Germany 2-1 Spain
1982 West Germany 2-1 Spain
1994 Germany 1-1 Spain
2010 Germany 0-1 Spain
2006 Germany 4-2 Costa Rica

> Group F: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
>
> Canada is the most likely underdog going to bomb. Croatia may not be the same
> but should progress

I'd like to see Canada doing well here, but it's hard not to see Belgium and
Croatia taking the top places.

0.90 Belgium
0.80 Croatia
0.15 Morocco
0.15 Canada

Previous World Cup meetings:

1994 Belgium 1-0 Morocco

> Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
>
> LOL, hasn't Brazil played these teams before. The battle for second spot will
> be tough, but Brazil are winning this world cup, so they romp through this.

Almost a copy of Brasil's 2018 World Cup group. Brasil is expected to win this
group, but it certainly won't be a cakewalk, just like it wasn't in 2018. For
what it's worth, Serbia and Switzerland are the teams that sent Portugal and
Italy to the UEFA playoffs. Will Cameroon show up and play? It's something they
don't do for a while in a WC now.

0.90 Brasil
0.45 Serbia
0.45 Switzerland
0.20 Cameroon

Previous World Cup meetings:

1950 Brasil 2-2 Switzerland
1994 Brasil 3-0 Cameroon
2014 Cameroon 1-4 Brasil
2018 Brasil 1-1 Switzerland
2018 Serbia 1-2 Switzerland
2018 Serbia 0-2 Brasil

> Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
>
> Competitive one but probably the most boring after Group A

Competitive indeed. Uruguay will have to watch out, as these three teams were
eliminated by them in the 2010 and 2018 WC's, and may be seeking for revenge.
I see Portugal and Uruguay qualifying. Not sure how to rate South Korea and
Ghana, I don't think they'll be pushovers, but they don't seem to be that great
either?

0.65 Portugal
0.65 Uruguay
0.35 South Korea
0.35 Ghana

Previous World Cup meetings:

1990 South Korea 0-1 Uruguay
2002 Portugal 0-1 South Korea
2010 Uruguay 2-1 South Korea
2010 Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 on pens)
2018 Uruguay 2-1 Portugal

Ok, so let's go ahead and try to predict the playoff tree too, never a wise thing
to do.

Round of 16

Netherlands - Iran (just to have an AFC team here): the Dutch win on autopilot.
Argentina - Denmark: tough one, but Argentina advances.
Spain - Croatia: Spain edges Croatia out on penalties.
Brasil - Uruguay: close match, but Brasil settles the deal on extra time.
England - Senegal: is it coming home?
France - Mexico: FIFA statutes forbid Mexico from playing more than 4 games in a WC (or less, for that matter), so...
Belgium - Germany: this has "Belgium" written all over it, so Germany advances.
Portugal - Switzerland: Portugal makes a meal out of this one, but wins.

Quarterfinals

Netherlands - Argentina: tough one, but Argentina advances.
Spain - Brasil: another 120 minutes match, Brasil just edging it out.
England - France: maybe it isn't coming home, after all.
Germany - Portugal: vielleicht kommt es doch nicht nach Hause, eh.

Semifinals

Argentina - Brasil: grudge match! The Brasucas want revenge for losing Copa America 2021 at home to their opponents.
France - Portugal: grudge match! The Frenchies want revenge for losing Euro 2016 at home to their opponents.

Third place playoff

Argentina - Portugal: Messi vs CR7 at what is possibly both of these all-time greats' last WC match. And it's worth a medal too! :-)

Final

Brasil - France: too bad we can never beat France when it matters, so I guess it's Le Triple Championnat to Le Tricolour.

Fair Play Trophy: Canada

--
Lléo

On Fri, 1 Apr 2022 16:56:31 -0700 (PDT), Binder Dundat
<dundat@gmail.com> wrote:
I remember that. Mattheus was out of this world. He was the star of
that tournament.
Although England should have beaten them 1-0--the German goal in that
game was one of the luckiest I have ever seen. Everybody knew
exactlyi how Germany was going to take that free kick, so Paul Parker
charged Brehme--and the shot hit him and parabolaed over Shilton into
the net.
>Germany beat Yugoslavia 4-1 in 1990 in I think the first game, one of the best games, if not the best game that i have ever seen Germany play. Ahhh, those were proper days. Not even the Brazil game comes close to that. And I mean that.
>
>
>
>On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 6:52:46 p.m. UTC-4, Michael Falkner wrote:
>> On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 2:58:25 PM UTC-7, The Doctor wrote:
>>
>> > England and Canada Games will be interesting to watch.
>>
>> As will the USA. England and USA can do some damage in this tournament.
>>
>> (I'm not saying USA can win the thing, but damage is very possible.)
>>
>> Mike

On Fri, 1 Apr 2022 14:09:51 -0700 (PDT), Krishna Raja Nadar
<krisraja777@gmail.com> wrote:

My two cents--not waiting to read the whole thread.

>On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 3:52:53 PM UTC-5, Binder Dundat wrote:
>> On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 3:57:47 p.m. UTC-4, Krishna Raja Nadar wrote:
>> > On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 1:49:00 PM UTC-5, alka...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> > > On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 2:37:57 PM UTC-4, Krishna Raja Nadar wrote:
>> > > > So what do you think is the easiest and the toughest?
>> > > >
>> > > > Group A: Qatar (hosts), Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador
>> > > > ---- I think this is the weakest group, Netherlands have an easy ride here... may be Ecuador can pose a bit of a problem.
>> > > Senegal are loaded. The Mendy-Koulibaly-Gueye-Mane is spine is as good as any in the world. They could actually top this group.
>> > >
>> > > Netherlands, Senegal
>> > Based on what I saw in the CAF qualifiers, Senegal are not that good in spite of having some big names. Their match against Egypt was poor.
>> Are you Mr.Lily.White?
>
>I am Indian so technically brown lol
>
>>Senegal, next to the Dutch, probably have the best centre back pairing in World Football. Granted, Egypt were kinda poor, but i like Senegal's chances in this WC.
>
>None of that matters when you cannot score goals... Hail Mary kicks from far outside the penalty box doesn't work in this day and age.
>
An entertaining group. Senegal-Ecuador looks key. I agree, Senegal
could do very well--remember 2002. This team has more talent than
that one.
>> > > >
>> > > > Group B: England, United States, Iran, Wales/Scotland/Ukraine
>> > > >
>> > > > --- Most dramatic group. Iran seems like the toughest of the Asian teams. If Ukraine qualifies, the drama quotient goes up. I think England wins the group easily. But the second spot is for grabs. Fairly tough for the second spot.
>> > > Easy ride for England.
>> > >
>> > > England, USA
>> > Are you sure US has it easy?
Of course we are all rooting for Ukraine, but I also love the
idea of three British empire teams in one group! The US has its work
cut out for them. This is maybe the best England team ever and any of
the playoff teams will be tough, and not impressed by the US.

>> > > >
>> > > > Group C: Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia
>> > > >
>> > > > ---- Argentina got an easy one here. I think Poland are pretty disappointing though they beat Sweden. They could even finish bottom This is not a very interesting group unlike many other news sources seem to claim
>> > > Argentina, Poland
>> > Poland - unless Lewandowski does something great are going out. I think they are overrated.
Argentina and Mexico have had wonderful games in the past,
final Poland-Mexico match looks key.

>> > > >
>> > > > Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Peru/Australia/UAE
>> > > >
>> > > > Poor Denmark. They could have got an easier Pot1 opponent. I haven't seen Peru, but if they qualify they will make it interesting.
>> Denmark are the most exciting team in Europe. The Erikson angle makes them the team I want to win.
>
>Yes, same with me. I like Denmark since the Laudrup brothers. Bendtner was annoying though. I hope they play exciting just like the Euros.
Denmark has a history of playing brilliantly in the group stage. They
beat defending champion France there and put them out in 2002. I
expect Denmark and France to go through.
>
>> > > France, Tunisia
>> > Tunisia? Are you sure they are this good? Even over Peru?
>> > > >
>> > > > Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica/New Zealand
>> > > >
>> > > > Wow... this is a tough one and closest to group of death here I think. Costa Rica is no longer the same. But they will go past NZ. So that would make this group close to group of death.
>> > > How exactly is this a GoD? Two top teams and two below average teams.
>> Kinda, Spain and Germany are two teams that were good 10-20 years ago. Though if i understand correctly they play brazil or portugal and Germany ( should they make it) have a good record lately vs Portuguese speaking antions.
>> > >
>> > Japan is good IMO. Costa Rica was disappointing in the qualification, but they will make it difficult. Could squeak in some draws
>> > > Walk in the park for Germany and Spain.
Looks like Germany and Spain to me.
>> > > > Group F: Belgium, Croatia, Morocco, Canada
I havent' seen Canada. They did win CONCACAF over US and Mexico!
However, Belgium (what a break for them) and Croatia look pretty
solid.
>> > > >
>> > > > Canada is the most likely underdog going to bomb. Croatia may not be the same but should progress
>> > > Belgium, Croatia
>> I want to say Kanadian katneaccio is something no one in Europe will ever understand.
>
>They were the best CONCACAF team... but lack of experience will bite them.
>> > > >
>> > > > Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
>> > > >
>> > > > LOL, hasn't Brazil played these teams before. The battle for second spot will be tough, but Brazil are winning this world cup, so they romp through this.
>> > > LOL, no. This actually is the closest to a GoD. All 4 teams have quality.
>> > But Brazil is way ahead :-)
>> > >
>> > > Brazil, Switzerland
>> yeah it is Brazil and someone else. Brazil as muxh as i dislike there German like efficeincy has to be favourite to win this thing.
>> I dont do anti weafaux ing, but this is as close as I come.
>
>haha. This is not the same Brazil as from the Pele days or even the Ronaldo days.
The Africans tend to disappoint, of course, but this could turn out to
be the group of death. Switzerland are always tough. Not pretty, but
tough.
>> > > > Group H: Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, Ghana
>> > > >
>> > > > Competitive one but probably the most boring after Group A
>> > > Portugal, Uruguay
>> I dont think Uruguay is as good as people think. Ghana want revenge ( If I recall correctly that they were the team that Saurez hand balled them in a couple of WM ago).
>I think no one from this group is very good... and hence this is the worst group, even worse than the Qatar group.
Ghana were great in 2006-10 but haven't been near that since. South
Korea are consistently a good team. That makes the opening
Portugal-Uruguay critical--if anyone loses it they are going to have
to play very well.

On another front--Qatar buying this WC was a travesty and having it in
November-December is ludicrous, but it's going to be great for me.
December is the most depressing month in the northeastern US, and I'll
be thoroughy entertained the whole time!

On Fri, 1 Apr 2022 14:15:34 -0700 (PDT), Binder Dundat
<dundat@gmail.com> wrote:

>On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 5:10:44 p.m. UTC-4, Krishna Raja Nadar wrote:
>> On Friday, April 1, 2022 at 4:09:39 PM UTC-5, Real Mardin wrote:
>> > GERMANY - THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
>> >
>> > Win group.
>> >
>> > Rof16 - Croatia
>> When was the last time Germany won against an ex-Yugoslav team at the World Cup? Game over for Germany
>
>I think every time? Germany always beats Yugoslavian teams. Germany is not a good team, though getting better.

Oops. Croatia destroyed Germany in the 1998 QF.
>> >
>> > QF: Brazil
>> >
>> > SF: Argentina
>> >
>> > Final: England
>> >
>> > RM

On Fri, 1 Apr 2022 14:18:18 -0700 (PDT), Real Mardin
<real_mardin@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Quite a road--four former champions in a row--every one has won at
least twice.

>BRAZIL - THE ROAD TO THE FINAL
>
>Win group.
>
>Rof16: Uruguay
>
>QF: Germany
>
>SF: Argentina
>
>Final: France
>
>Ok, that's enough World Cup predictions from me, I don't even like Qatar 2022 :(
>
>
>
>
>RM

On 2.4.2022. 2:16, vedran wrote:

> Speaking of Serbia, they are complaining that their coach Stojkovic was
> the only
> coach who wasn't shown after ball was drawn.

If that wasn't insulting enough, Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said he
doesn't
know any Serbian players

https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2022&mm=04&dd=02&nav_id=2132684