World Cup 2014 Thread....

I was hoping i'd find this here..................ha!

good stuff, vanzack, looking forward to it.............thanks for the primer, much appreciated!

Hey guys...

Just catching up.

One common question / comment is about the weather.

I am not saying that weather WONT be a factor, I am just saying that I am not handicapping weather at this time because I don't know HOW it will be a factor.

As always - I am taking a watch with both eyes, learn, and adjust mentality.  If I see something that seems weather related - I will react.

But since I have no predictable way of telling how the weather will have what effect on whom - I will leave that to speculation and discussion as of now...

Quote Originally Posted by mafia13:

Van = 

Thx for posting  your plays for the hilton contest last season

Thanks mafia - hoping to do it again this season.

You have to register between July 1 and opening week in Sept - so if the stars align - I will give it another shot this year.

I saw one site that had Ghana as the shortest, and then another that had them as the 5th shortest.  Either way - not a big squad - not good in the air to begin with - just another tool in your toolbox.

  Vanzack   Thank you ahead of time my friend!

Appreciate all your hard work!

I also like France more and more.  The initial reaction was "oh sh*t" - but since then I have become more secure (maybe just had a chance to talk myself in to it).  Their road should be easy to the quarterfinals - and by then - they should have the team dynamics without Ribery sorted.

I certainly am hoping for a reverse jinx on the US.  A point is very doable - more than 1 point would be a surprise.

I have mixed emotions about Klinsmann.  First off - it must be said - he is miles ahead of any coach we have ever had.  But that being said - I think more continuity with squads / lineups would help such a young team.  I am a big believer in teams like Italy overachieve because seemingly they all play for Juventus or AC MIlan or Inter - and Spain as well.  So why not let a team play more than one game together?  Even in the friendly runups - different squad every game.  I just don't get it - might be a small thing - but it bugs me.

But overall - the talent isn't there to put in a very sophisticated system.  His "diamond" midfield is interesting - and seems to be doing well for now.  I specifically think that the choice of the back of the diamond - the holding defensive midfielder - is important to this team.  I am worried about gaps in front of the defense - and the lack of organization and familiarity to maintain a sharp line to prevent guys like Nani and Ronaldo from tearing it apart - but JK probably has the right idea with playing basically 5 at the back.

Overall, I think VZ should be coach instead of JK - but I will get to this after I complete my duties as official NFL clock management consultant. 

Quote Originally Posted by SG99:



Place this bet right now, or wait before match start and get better odds? What do you expect Van? Odds will rise or shorten?

Line has moved recently to the under.

But honestly - and I hope this is the only time I need to say this - WC lines are totally unpredictable.  There is zero chance of guessing where these lines are going with such a big worldwide betting public.

As far as all of the nice posts...  I read them all - and thanks.

And I hopefully have to only say this once - I have done well with international soccer.  Does it mean I will do well this year?  Nope.

So I do my best to steer clear of the drama, the accusations, the defending of accusations etc.

I am going to post my picks, and you can decide what is of value or not in what I post - we can discuss / debate it all.  Hopefully that is what people will find valuable.