Is there some way to host a pool or something. I don't get this.

This could also serve as a place for the Obnish in the know to give some info to increase one's enjoyment of this thing.

Who are the best teams? Darkhorses? Best players? Upset specials?

I know little about it but I'm going to to try and follow it this go 'round. I'm a little confused by how a team advances.

I'm assuming the US has zero shot to win this thing.

it's gonna be the usual suspects and the US is not part of them. it's basically south america vs. europe.

If Neuro were still around, this would go 9 pages easy.

Derris: Group play is round robin. Top two teams from each group advance to knock-out round. Points in group are based on win, draw, and loss. Goal differential is sprinkled in.

Spain and Brazil are the favorites. Never count out Germany or Italy. Argentina and England are the dark horses. Everyone else is making up the numbers. Maybe Holland with an outside shot.

Search for the thread from four years ago. It was one of the longest Obner threads, and it is still the thread in which I posted more than any other thread.

Add Mexico to the darkhorses... something tells me it's time.

I think I'm just drawing teams from a hat.

Not a chance, sorry.

Well, there is dark (Holland) and then there is really dark (Ivory Coast, Mexico). They have so woefully underperformed in the past I think it's time to overachieve. They have a nice mix of seasoned veterans and young and talented.

I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the African teams step it up big. I mean look at South Korea playing at home and making the semis. But, I'd be willing to put money on Mexico not making it that far. Maybe when Vela and Dos Santos develop a bit more but right now? Mexico is about on par with the US these days and has been for a decade now. That's not World Cup winner territory.

I'm looking forward to checking out Javier Hernadez for Mexico, maybe see why Man Utd have spent a fair bit on the young lad. We play our first warm up friendly against them on Monday.

I just filled out that Espn bracket predictor, came out with a Spain/France final...



I have a clear schedule for June so i plan on watching every game.

An African team has surprised the last two Cups (Senegal '02, Ghana '06). Current signs probably point to Cameroon; I'd be surprised if they don't make the knockout phase. As much as I like Drogba, Ivory Coast's road is too rough too early: Brazil and Portugal in their group and a likely first-round match with Spain? If they get through that, they deserve to win it all.

What makes the Netherlands a dark horse? They arguably have the easiest group and will likely avoid Italy in the first round of the knockout phase. If there's a shakeup with BRA/ESP/POR, they could have a smooth sail to the semis. Is there an injury or suspension?

Along those lines, Germany lost their captain last Saturday, so I'd drop them a peg. Probably will still get through group stage, though.

Barring a French bedshitting, Mexico will be fighting Uruguay for the group's second spot. If they get through, it would probably be Argentina/Greece in the first round. Possible quarter-finalist, but I wouldn't bet on a championship.

Well no, I wouldn't call Netherlands a dark horse to make a solid run. Loads of talent and everyone is well aware of them. I'm just saying as far as possible winners. I don't think they would necessarily be considered a favorite to walk away with the whole thing.

Team Turmoil* took it last time out -- with a slight assist from Zizou's forehead -- so why not do it again?

Argentina to take its third Cup, second with Maradona.

*Italy, on the occasion.

"Se la pueda chupar. Y continue chupandola".

I'm not buying any of these dark horses as having a chance in hell of winning the whole thing. Brazil could field a 2nd team of players who Dunga didn't take that could probably finish higher than the U.S., Mexico, or the Netherlands. Victor; Alex, Naldo, Miranda; Hernanes, Lucas, Ganso and Ronaldinho Gaúcho; Adriano, Pato, and Neymar all didn't make the team.

That's not to say that Dunga's picks are popular with fans:



I think Brazil wins it if Kaka is healthy and is a huge disappointment if he's not. If not them, It'll be one of Spain, Italy, Argentina and Germany (probably in that in order).

Hup Hollandia Hup

Is there a parlay pool on things like:

"Team with most players ravaged by hyenas"

"Most fans of one team to contract AIDS"

"Most fans to get hacked up by machetes"

"Which day specifically Maradona is busted copping blow"

etc and so on

The Spoiler is profiling each World Cup team, which might be helpful. They are only about 9 teams in, but have mostly covered the heavyweights thus far (plus USA) - Argentina, Brazil, France, Italy, England, Spain, Holland, Germany, USA.

http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/c ... /world-cup

Since a European team has never won the World Cup outside Europe you might as well put all your money on Brazil or less likely a Messi inspired Argentina.

Argentina are 'less likely' because Diego Maradona is a Mr fucking-nutty-bar and has no idea how to coach a team at any level, never mind international level and will be totally reliant on the natural talent of the worlds best player and a whole bunch of good luck.

Although no one is mentioning them Germany will get to at least the semi finals. Spain will flop having peaked a couple of years ago. England will go out at the quarter finals as usual. Holland will look like the best team in the tournament during the group stages and then go off the boil. An African team that isn't Ivory Coast, will get to at least the semi finals.

A few warm up games last night. Argies looking good. The scoreline flattered England as we limped over the line against an impressive Mexico (bar some woeful marking at set pieces). A virtually full strength Portugal failed to break down Cape Verde Islands.

Argentina 5 (Rodriguez 2, Di Maria,Tevez, Aguero) Canada 0

Australia 2 (Holman, Vidosic) New Zealand 1 (Killen)

England 3 (King,Crouch, Johnson) Mexico 1 (Franco)

Japan 0 South Korea 2 (Ji-Sung, Chu-Young)

Portugal 0 Cape Verde Islands 0

South Africa 1 (Khuboni) Bulgaria 1


Tonight:

Georgia v Cameroon
Greece v North Korea
Nigeria v Saudi Arabia
Rep of Ireland v Paraguay
USA v Czech Republic

even though the varsity squad wasn't on the pitch the other night, i've seen our A team perform equally as terrible against shittier opponents. there was hardly any fluidity or creativity to their game and they appeared to be on their heels during both halves. sadly, you never really know which US team will appear on any given night. and while we may be significantly more talented than previous teams i can't see us making the knockout stage much like 06. still, a strong result versus the limeys would keep me satisfied if we bailed early.

we need a first-tier european coach already.

Considering the U.S. should have been in the semifinal in '02 -- fucking Germans; nothing changes -- I think Sam's Army is not quite so behind as you would have us believe. Prolly, though, they should have replaced Arena, then; he had taken USMNT as far as he could.

As to getting a top-flight Euro to coach, I have heard Hiddink bandied about, at various times, in the last three, four years, but he's pretty much a gun-for-hire, now. ROK in '02, Australia in '06, Russia for a time... Do we really want to go back to the Boro Milutinovic days?

That said, had the U.S. scored the Special One for the Men's team, after he left Chelsea, I would have been stoked.

Ha! Laugh at the Americans who know nothing of fussball.

Bastian Schweinsteiger has more skills than entire US team combined together. Stick to fat boy games Uncle Sam!

I jape of course, I love all nations except Poland and France and particularly Albania who are filthy criminals but no one can stop us except Brasil.