FIFA World Cup 2014

[Maf]

It only happens once every four years! Who are you guys rooting for? Thought it would be fun to make a group for the forum on ESPN's bracket predictor thing.
games.espn.go.com/world-cup-bracket-predictor/2014/en/group?groupID=40494
Group password is mvzworldcup

Personally I'm pulling for an underdog victory by the United States. Far fetched maybe but I think the US can pull it off. Donovan not being picked for the squad is ridiculous and incredibly petty but even without him I'm hoping the US take it.

[iMG]

U-S-A !

[zee]

No European team has ever won the World Cup in South America, and I have a feeling we're getting more of the same this time around. Uruguay is my pick to win it all, but its going to be a tough one.

[CJ]

I'm personally rooting for Spain again, but I think it'll go to Argentina this year, but either those 2 or Brazil and I won't mind. Fuck Uruguay though

[CJ]

Fuck Brazil and their paid referees.

[J-Roc]

Jun 12, 2014 16:54:11 GMT -5 CJ said:

Fuck Brazil and their paid referees.

That penalty was a gift, plain and simple.

Those two other Brazilian goals were on the weaker side though to say the least.

[Maf]

Jun 12, 2014 16:54:11 GMT -5 CJ said:

Fuck Brazil and their paid referees.

If Brazil keeps winning like this...

Croatia were good though, they didn't let the Brazilians intimidate them one bit.

[iMG]

Brazil played poorly i'd say. Two of their goals were the mistakes of the keep reacting late, the other a penalty which they shouldn't have gotten (and neymar wasnt gonna miss a penalty kick lol). Anyway, i liked what i saw from Croatia

[Maf]

Croatia defender Vedran Corluka launched into a spectacular verbal rant that accused controversial referee Yuichi Nishimura of showing favoritism to Brazil following his team's 3-1 defeat to the host nation in the opening game of the World Cup.

Corluka and his teammates were furious Nishimura awarded a penalty in the second half and claimed other teams in the World Cup should consider boycotting the tournament if what he described as an "embarrassing" situation carries on.

"If this continues, I think no one should play against Brazil," Corluka told Yahoo Sports. "We can just give them the World Cup and everyone can go home. [Nishimura] shouldn't be allowed to referee another game."

Croatia began the game strongly and took the lead when Brazil's Marcelo scored an own goal in the 11th minute, with Neymar equalizing for the hosts in the 27th. But the pivotal moment of the game came midway through the second half when Fred fell to the ground after the softest of touches from Dejan Lovren, and Nishimura inexplicably pointed to the spot. Neymar converted the penalty and Brazil was on course for victory.

"I think it is embarrassing," Corluka said. "It is embarrassing. Everyone who was watching saw that nothing happens. I didn't see anything. I saw a touch on [Fred's] body but [Lovren] didn't even pull him. [Nishimura] was keen to give the penalty."
"Everyone saw that," Corluka added when asked if Nishimura had specifically favored Brazil. "Not just the Croatia players. Every 50-50 decision goes to them. It was the opening of the World Cup and you expect something more.

"I congratulate Brazil but they didn't deserve it today."

Nishimura is well respected in refereeing circles but has also been involved in some controversial moments. He angered Brazilians in 2010 when he issued a red card to Felipe Melo in its 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to the Netherlands.

And he was criticized during the African Cup of Nations in 2008 for failing to send off any Angola players who angrily and aggressively circled him during a game.

The Croatia camp criticized FIFA for appointing Nishimura, claiming it was unable to communicate with the 42-year-old as he does not have a strong command of English.

"I never saw in my life in a World Cup that a referee doesn't speak English," Corluka said. "I don't know how to say it. I think it is amazing that he speaks with the players in Japanese. It is ridiculous. He was speaking something in Japanese but no one could understand him because we don't have Japanese players. It is quite fascinating to be honest."

Brazil and the ref are the biggest heels in the World Cup right now.

[zee]

[CJ]

Van Persie's header was brilliant. Defintely a deserved win for Netherlands.

[zee]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnit

[zee]

Spain out of the tourney and Luis Suarez keeps my dreams alive!! With the exception of a few snoozers, this a World Cup has been fantastic.

[ONYX]

France is doing really well so far, especially Benzema.

[iMG]

Jun 20, 2014 0:34:14 GMT -5 zee said:

Spain out of the tourney and Luis Suarez keeps my dreams alive!! With the exception of a few snoozers, this a World Cup has been fantastic.

This.