FIFA World Cup 2014

[ebandit]

opportunity

The Sun today over here have a story about a Nigerian football agent planning to fix games during the tournament.

An undercover reporter caught him out. There was another Nigerian person with him who said it was 50,000 euros for a yellow card and a 100,000 grand for a penalty.

Very worrying.

wire £5mil to my account I will ensure your team of choice wins the world cup.......................honest!

meanwhile in the real world I just hope england score

Mark L

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

meanwhile in the real world I just hope england score

Mark L

It´s not only today with big betting markets in Asia. The $hit goes on much longer. At least since the 70s: the WC 78, and Rossi the superstar was involved at home, the Bundesliga had a big scandal in the early 70s.
And it´s not only coming from the syndicates. When (at least) a complete Seria A season was fixed, high functionaries were involved. From the inner soccer circle.

But yeah such things only happen in a parallel universe, not in your real world.

 

[alspacka]

The rest is pretty much failed politics by our political correct parties in power. It´s completely out of hand. The hardcore fans I know, don´t like those Güllegurkekans at all, and they don´t like us. Having built their inner city ghettos, pi$$ing pretty much on everything our fathers and mothers have built, but collect the money from taxpayers for free. Some of them get out of the ghettos to play for Germany. But deep inside they have a hate for our way of living. Many own two passports. What a sad joke. Anyway, that goes to long, it´s something for the world politics thread. I am a person the poltical correct lefties can´t template. I am for the right thing, not left, not right per se.

Interesting. Perhaps wrong thread as you say, but I will point out that this is a major issue in UK at the moment also. UK independence party got around 30% of the vote in the EU elections. Slightly bizarre as you're voting them into a parliament they think shouldn't even exist. I see the NDP didn't make any progress in Germany. Whilst I fundamentally disagree with most of their arguments, the usual childish branding of anyone who, in the current circumstances, is anti-immigration, as racist is infuriating.

 

[gooner]

wire £5mil to my account I will ensure your team of choice wins the world cup.......................honest!

meanwhile in the real world I just hope england score

Mark L

I don't think World Cups per say are decided through match fixing.

Individual games are targeted and like in the case of the Nigerian football agent above, he mentions the players still playing domestically in Nigeria as guys who are easy targets for this due to lesser finance they earn. When you have respected journalists like Declan Hill putting a cloud over the Brazil v Ghana game, that can't be dismissed. Conte, the Juventus manager was banned because even though he wasn't involved in arranging fixes when he was manager at Siena, he still knew the club was doing it but didn't report it. Fenerbahce had their problems with match fixing in Turkey recently.

I think the lower leagues in England are very suspect. Recently the 6 players with Preston and the spot fixing that they were accused of. I even know one of the players personally and was shocked to find his name linked with it.

Dismiss it if you wish, but this is a serious problem to the game.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Interesting. Perhaps wrong thread as you say, but I will point out that this is a major issue in UK at the moment also. UK independence party got around 30% of the vote in the EU elections. Slightly bizarre as you're voting them into a parliament they think shouldn't even exist. I see the NDP didn't make any progress in Germany. Whilst I fundamentally disagree with most of their arguments, the usual childish branding of anyone who, in the current circumstances, is anti-immigration, as racist is infuriating.

The far right parties in Germany are from yesteryears. It´s good they don´t make any progress. Pretty dumb people...
But it´s a complete different story when voters of the AfD (a very democratic party in Germany) for example are called out as Nazis/Rascists/etc. by the political correct voters who also cheer for gendermainstream and other silly human experiments!
Because the AfD and other parties with the right ideas are against multi-kulti-pay-the-whole-world-experiements, against EU dictatorship in the name of US & big co-operation interests, against looting the pockets of taxpayers for ESM and social help gifts for Sinti and Roma who never payed a coin into the system, and other dangerous experiments on the back of taxpayers, those are called xenophobics etc.! It´s disgusting.

Most Germans are wimps. They elect the same parties again and again, even though they are the ones looting the voters. It´s schizophrenic.
OTOH, hats up to France, GB, Denmark, Greek and others who gave a big phuck you to the parties that rule the EU dictatorship.
Hope GB gets out of the EU. Because that would be the beginning of the end. France and Italy would follow soon, thus leaving Germany with no other option than to leave too. After that, the true europeans can start anew. A dream, but within reach.
After that, all that green party voters, social and multi-kulti romantics, extreme lefties, transexuals who like to adopt babies from aliens, and what else, can go to the desert and do their experiments there, without the hard working normal people.

Back to soccer; All the best for England. Would be interesting to see a re-match where they are on the right side of a wrong descision. Would like to see the outrage of the 4-weeks-every-two-years-nationals in Germany.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I don't think World Cups per say are decided through match fixing.

Individual games are targeted and like in the case of the Nigerian football agent above, he mentions the players still playing domestically in Nigeria as guys who are easy targets for this due to lesser finance they earn. When you have respected journalists like Declan Hill putting a cloud over the Brazil v Ghana game, that can't be dismissed. Conte, the Juventus manager was banned because even though he wasn't involved in arranging fixes when he was manager at Siena, he still knew the club was doing it but didn't report it. Fenerbahce had their problems with match fixing in Turkey recently.

I think the lower leagues in England are very suspect. Recently the 6 players with Preston and the spot fixing that they were accused of. I even know one of the players personally and was shocked to find his name linked with it.

Dismiss it if you wish, but this is a serious problem to the game.

Don´t forget the players and people involved in the 78 fix. It took them twentyfive or more years to talk. Holczer was a 1st league ref. Countless 1st league players in Italy were involved in fixes. Can´t give links to the 80s scandals, but there were a ton too back then. Now with bigger betting markets, it´s out of hand. Add in the corrupt & greedy low lifers at FIFA, who literally do everything for a extra buck, there is only darkness...
At the end of the day, to uncover a fix is pretty hard to do. Count one and one together. If the scandals hitting the news are just the tip of the iceberg like doping positives are, one must assume that a major number of big league and tournaments games are fixed. There shall be no tiny doubt about it. It´s just common sense... or you can close your eyes like Ebandit, and pretend to see the real thing at the pitches.

 

[Descender]

I think it's marvelous to see two Germans talking footy in English.

After tonight's depressing Dutch 1-0 against Ghana, I am even more convinced that Holland will not make it out of the group. Only three of the 'old guard' remain - Sneijder, Van Persie, and Nigel ****ing De Jong. The current generation is seriously disappointing. I honestly don't see any of them 'coming good' at a big tournament. Bringing Kuijt on (yes, he's in the squad) late in the game won't help either. It looks like the emphasis in the opening game against Spain will be to prevent them from scoring. There's a certain irony in the first game being against the same opponent as the last game of the previous WC.

Hope the Netherlands' tactic is a bit less violent than last time though.

 

[Descender]

No I am not. But same rules for all, right?!
BTW, I´d like to have one for USA, Hondouras, Grenada, Italy, Australia, and one you can choose for me...

What is the problem with you people being intolerant to other POVs than the political correct, and gendermainstream mish-mash? Calling those who point out the hard truths Nazis, Xenophobics, and what else? Only insults. Are your arguments really that weak, that you can´t counter more than with wrong accusations? That was rhetorical. No need to answer. It´s obvious...

I think the problem is you're painting with a thick brush.

Mario Gomez has two passports. He was born in Germany to a Spanish father and a German mother, chose to play for Germany since his teenage days, doesn't speak a word of Spanish and could not have a thicker Swabian accent.

He didn't choose to have dual citizenship, he got it automatically by virtue of being born and his father's country being in the EU.

What is wrong with that?

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I also don't get the fuzz he is making. As far as I can see, only Podolski and Klose were born outside of Germany, but both grew up there.

Speaking of weak arguments...

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Comphrehensive readin was never your strength... So let it...

 

[l.Harm]

Hope the Netherlands' tactic is a bit less violent than last time though.

Violent? You should've seen the tackle on Robben



Btw @Foxxy, first of all I don't feel like discussing this extensively and second I don't want to fill this thread with political stuff.

 

[del1962]

The dutch have never been outside the use of a bit of rough stuff when things arent going their way a footie pitch, I think Gazza is still trying to avoid Jan Wouters elbow

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

He was born in Germany to a Spanish father and a German mother

You see the difference? The Gündos OTOH are not even 50% german. Got their two passports since the Green Party forced that BS when being in power...

Ok, lets leave that. It´s just sad that a once great soccer country has to depend on other countries players...

 

[kingjr]

You see the difference? The Gündos OTOH are not even 50% german. Got their two passports since the Green Party forced that BS when being in power...

Ok, lets leave that. It´s just sad that a once great soccer country has to depend on other countries players...

The only thing that matters is where they got their football education.

 

[ebandit]

fixed it for ya

or you can close your eyes like Ebandit, and pretend to see the real thing at the pitches.

you miss my point which was not that match fixing is not possible or never occurs but that pay your $ to a contact in nigeria source of wonderful emails
'you could inherit a zillion nairas etc and how do you know you will receive what one pays for

but more importantly i'm excited by the prospect of england v italia

once england travel home my support will be behind italia

just hoping for other than a home victory.............nothinng against brasilia but it's just too predictable

Mark L

 

[sophiapointing]

6 reasons to fear Belgium at the 2014 World Cup

The Premier League season has finished, but have no fear the World Cup is a matter of weeks away. Everybody believes that Spain, Brazil and Germany are the teams to fear, but here's five reasons Belgium should be feared:

1- Premier League Power
Many say the Premier League is the best in the world, and the Belgium World Cup squad will be littered with EPL talent, so surely that makes them a huge threat in Brazil? With players like Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Simon Mignolet, Thomas Vermaelen and Eden Hazard lining up for Belgium, will any team be able to hide their fear?

2- Youth and experience
Adnan Januzaj to sign five-year Manchester United deal | Mail Online
Belgium have the right blend of both youth and experience. They have the experience of their rock of a defender Vincent Kompany of Manchester City, the experience of Daniel Van Buyten of Bayern Munich and the youth that players like Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj bring. Could this be the perfect blend?

3- The hunger to win
Spain's Soccer Team, a Champion for the Facebook Age - Businessweek
Beligum haven't been a force at the World Cup in a long, long while and they'll be out to win games and prove they're a top nation that's ready to compete for years to come. Could teams like Spain who are used to winning, fall short against a team with the hunger the Belgians possess?

4- Players with a point to prove
Manchester United should have signed Mesut Özil rather than ...
Players like Marouane Fellaini had a dreadful season, and there's no doubt that he'll be looking to put things right at the World Cup.

5- The element of the unknown
Is It Time to Shine For Belgium? | Soccer Fan Base
Everybody knows what to expect from teams like Germany and Brazil, so could the element of the unknown Belgium have as a collective, be very, very dangerous to opposing teams?

6- Eden Hazard is one of the scariest players that is Brazil bound
Eden Hazard was at the center of a huge tug-of-war between Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, but he opted for the latter. Since his move he has been a revelation, getting better and better and forcing Chelsea to sell their former 'Player of the Year' without so much as a blink of an eye. Yes, Eden Hazard is that good.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I will be extremely happy if we reach quarter finals, semi-finals is semi-impossible.

Lot's of companies here with "all your money back if Belgium wins WC14" deals, so I guess they also are confident in how ridiculous the idea is (and how too many Belgians still are fooled by the mania)

 

[The Hitch]

The Premier League season has finished, but have no fear the World Cup is a matter of weeks away. Everybody believes that Spain, Brazil and Germany are the teams to fear, but here's five reasons Belgium should be feared:

1- Premier League Power
Many say the Premier League is the best in the world, and the Belgium World Cup squad will be littered with EPL talent, so surely that makes them a huge threat in Brazil? With players like Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku, Simon Mignolet, Thomas Vermaelen and Eden Hazard lining up for Belgium, will any team be able to hide their fear?

2- Youth and experience
Adnan Januzaj to sign five-year Manchester United deal | Mail Online
Belgium have the right blend of both youth and experience. They have the experience of their rock of a defender Vincent Kompany of Manchester City, the experience of Daniel Van Buyten of Bayern Munich and the youth that players like Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj bring. Could this be the perfect blend?

3- The hunger to win
Spain's Soccer Team, a Champion for the Facebook Age - Businessweek
Beligum haven't been a force at the World Cup in a long, long while and they'll be out to win games and prove they're a top nation that's ready to compete for years to come. Could teams like Spain who are used to winning, fall short against a team with the hunger the Belgians possess?

4- Players with a point to prove
Manchester United should have signed Mesut Özil rather than ...
Players like Marouane Fellaini had a dreadful season, and there's no doubt that he'll be looking to put things right at the World Cup.

5- The element of the unknown
Is It Time to Shine For Belgium? | Soccer Fan Base
Everybody knows what to expect from teams like Germany and Brazil, so could the element of the unknown Belgium have as a collective, be very, very dangerous to opposing teams?

6- Eden Hazard is one of the scariest players that is Brazil bound
Eden Hazard was at the center of a huge tug-of-war between Premier League giants Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, but he opted for the latter. Since his move he has been a revelation, getting better and better and forcing Chelsea to sell their former 'Player of the Year' without so much as a blink of an eye. Yes, Eden Hazard is that good.

You forgot the main 1-

They have by far the easiest schedule of any team in the tournament.

Well maybe Argentina have easier but other than that.

They also play every match in the cold south and have next to 0 travel between games. 800km total between their 3 games, compared to something like 6000 for Brazil and maybe more for some others.

The team they play in the round of 32 meanwhile, whoever it is, have all their games in the tropics and have massive distances to travel between games. + will be bruised and battered from the group of death while Belgium might even be able to rest starters for game 3.

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Easy schedule? Well, if we don't win our group, we'll face Germany, and we're done.
If we do win, we'll face Portugal. If we manage to survive that, it's Argentina in quarter finals, and we're done.

 

[The Hitch]

Easy schedule? Well, if we don't win our group, we'll face Germany, and we're done.
If we do win, we'll face Portugal. If we manage to survive that, it's Argentina in quarter finals, and we're done.

Well duh you face a good team eventually

You think easy schedule means playing Algeria and Korea all the way to the final?

Half the teams get knocked out in the first stage, of course by the quarters you will face a good team. Everyone does. There's only 8 teams left by then.


A Germany and Portugal who, as I pointed out have to play all their games in 30 degree temperatures and spend half their rest period travelling across the continent.

While Belgium play in autumn breeze temperatures 10 degrees cooler and can practically bicycle their way to the next game. And have a very good probability of being able to rest their first team in the 3rd game since the group is so weak.

A total walk in the park compared to what everyone except Argentina has.

And if you know which team is going to win every fixture, whats the point of the world cup to begin with ?

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I thought the question was why Belgian could end high in the tournament. But rereading it I realize it says: "Why Belgium should be feared".
As I said: Quarter Final and I'm extremely happy.

 

[Descender]

You see the difference? The Gündos OTOH are not even 50% german. Got their two passports since the Green Party forced that BS when being in power...

Ok, lets leave that. It´s just sad that a once great soccer country has to depend on other countries players...

I'm the last one to throw out racism accusations, but quite frankly, the more you post the more suspect your motivations become.

This last message seems to indicate being German means being ethnically German.

EDIT: Maybe I'm reading it wrong and you're focusing on the passport thing. Who knows. I'm tired.

 

[ILovecycling]

Just to bump this thread,here are 2 nice commercials (esp the second one) for World Cup.
Only 4 days left

Nike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaVtinE8oO8

Beats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_i3Lcjli84&list=PLrEnWoR732-BHrPp_Pm8_VleD68f9s14-

 

[movingtarget]

A few high profile no shows. Riberry not playing for France. Falcao very doubtful for Colombia as is Suarez for Uruguay after knee surgery and there are others of course. Ranaldo not training at the moment but sounds like he will be okay. Poor Aussies have to face Spain, Netherlands and Chile. The obvious group of death.

 

[The Hitch]

Tevez for Argentina.