World Cup 2018 countdown!!!!

[smashup]

On paper Belgium should win it, some quality players but failed to gel and deliver in Euro 2016, too many egos in the team maybe

England will do well to get out of the group stage i reckon and it could be 3 games then home time again

Argentinas Group (D) has some cracking matches in it

Should be some fierce beatings dished out by the Russian ultras again, the Egypt and Saudi fans (if they have any) will be targeted for being Muslims.

[TitoFan]

England will do well to get out of the group stage i reckon and it could be 3 games then home time again

Well, if rankings are to be believed, England could very likely be facing Colombia in the Round of 16. Panama or Tunisia getting out of Group G would seem very unlikely.

[Mark TKO]

I've never know the build up be so quiet in this country - guess we've learned our lesson in the past and now expectations are next to nothing particularly for those of my generation.

We've had the golden generation who did fuck all, with their effort justifiably questioned, and we reached an all time low when we folded, clueless against Iceland two years ago. We don't get upset when we exit a tournament now just angry.

At least we have youth this time and no prima donnas up their own arse who don't give a shit so that's a plus.

I was never a big Beckham fan but I'll say one thing for him - despite his wealth he was the one guy who you could guarantee would give 110% on that field for his country.

We've had our near misses which were coupled with bad luck....but still.....

I don't know maybe a couple of good performances in group and get to quarters and they start believing then who knows.

The Germans have never had so called 'superstars' really and have always had a TEAM with unbelievable mental strength. They'll be there or there abouts come the latter stages I'm sure.

[Memphis]

Who's doing Panini then?

I've been drawn in by some proper hardcore Panini nerds at work. One bloke has got them going back the late 60's. Apparently it costs £700 to complete it. I'm not having that.

Anyway. Really looking forward to the World cup, especially the early umpteen games a day lark.

England, no expectations but they really ought to be looking at last 8 if fixtures pan out the way they 'should'

The usual suspects to be there or there abouts.

[TitoFan]

Well, surely the scheduling gods had a soft spot for England this time around as they put you in with Panama and Tunisia.

I took a page out of my fantasy football prep routine and looked at some rankings from different orgs. Each by themselves are probably about as wrong as you or I, but consensus rankings are usually pretty dependable, IMO.

England's ranked a consistent 9th by 3 out of the 4 orgs I looked at (Mirror, CBS Sports, Sporting Life). The Guardian is a bit more pessimistic and ranks England 13th.

Still.... Panama has rankings of (gasp) 31st, 28th, 23rd, and 28th again). Tunisia is ranked 29th, 31st, 25th, and The Guardian didn't even bother ranking them.

Also, interestingly enough, Colombia, England's likely opponent in the round of 16, is ranked lower than England by all four orgs (though admittedly not by much).


So let's see. I understand the pessimism but who knows?



I myself would like to see Brazil win and pull away from Germany in all-time Cups.

[Drago]

Without a doubt the least hyped worldcup I can remember (with england in it).

I used to book the days off England were playing and the day after, but i couldn't even tell you who they are playing (until I read this thread) or when they are playing.

In fact I have virtually stopped watching football now, Im sick of the diving. Its hard to watch a sport with so called men throwing themselves on the floor and cheating when in Boxing you hide your injuries. I honestly think if your rolling around on the floor you should be stretchered off as if your that badly hurt/injured you shouldn't be able to play. That would stop the cheating b'stards straight away.

[Master]

Rankings mean very little in tournament football especially the world cup. The best team wins the competition unlike European Championship where you get Portugal, Greece and Denmark winning it.

England do well and have a high ranking until they get to the tournament where they get exposure.

I have always thought we were going to win since 1982. Gave up after a dismal 2010 in South Africa.

Losing to Iceland and that dick goalkeeper Hart was a kick in the balls I needed to remind me we are poor.

Last time they were giving out free panini books in the city centre. No way am I forking out £700 to complete a book.

[smashup]

The one thing England have got in there favour for once is there's no real egos like TKO mentioned and we have a really young squad but that could work against us as much as for us.

I've been driven mad by England so many times over the years that i don't get my hopes up at all anymore.

Hope the Russians put on a decent show and like all World Cups the group stages always produce some classic matches and new unknown stars are born.

Like i said on paper Belgium should piss it but it'll be the same pedigree teams in the Semi finals with maybe one surprise.

Fucking German cunts more than likely win it.