World Cup Sweep - into the Stains

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JimmyDee
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by JimmyDee »

Group "G" for Group.

Holden McGroyne
Holden had a very easy campaign in UEFA's qualifying Group H, and apart from a rather unlucky home draw against JW90 (he outshot him 17-2), the Red Devil didn't lose points and made sure of qualification long before the final fixture. He scored 43 goals in the process, and to put it simply, there was no contest whatsoever. This is the golden generation of Groyne football. The one hang-up is that he went to the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 and didn't deliver the expected results, mostly because he lacked a winning mentality and had tactical problems that resulted in poor balance, and some of the same problems remain. The general feeling is that he still lacks the killer instinct and doesn't really believe in his ability to turn dreams into reality.
Holden should make it into the last 16 without problems, beating Jonathan and Rorymac. If he finishes ahead of Lou and tops Group G, Sinbad could await him in the quarterfinals. If he finishes second he is likely to face Mark in the quarterfinals. That hurdle will be high and it is logical to predict that he would go out at that point, just like in 2014 and 2016. If he manages to overcome that hurdle, though, he could win the tournament.

Lou Grant
Lou made light work of a favourable draw in the UEFA qualifying section, emerging unbeaten at the top of a Group F by a convincing eight-point margin. Scoring 18 goals and conceding three, the only points dropped came in draws away from home against York Hunt and Judge Tedd. Lou has all the tools to be one of the fastest and most athletic competitors at the World Cup, young and dynamic with searing pace on the flanks and plenty of lung power in midfield.
Biggest weakness: it's hard to single out one of many. Lou's modern history of tournament failure becomes a psychological millstone when pressure hits, while penalty shootouts against just about anyone remain a dreaded prospect. More ominous than anything else, though, is the sense that he still doesn't know what kind of team he wants to be, and time is running out to establish a coherent identity ahead of the World Cup.
Holden is the strongest team on paper in Group G, but Lou should secure the runners-up slot with victories over Rory and Jonathan. That would set up a round-of-16 clash with the winner of Group H, most likely to be Henrycrs. While any contest would be tight, he can be optimistic of advancing as long as penalties are avoided. The benchmark of success should be reaching the quarterfinals, where familiar foe Mark will almost certainly be waiting to end his campaign.

Rorymac
Rory was drawn into arguably the most favourable of the five African qualifying groups, with Hillman Avenger representing his sternest rival. Rory boasts an excellent midfield, and should be well placed to hold his own against Holden and Lou in his opening two fixtures, offering balance, discipline and energy in the heart of the park, and this will ensure that he remains competitive. He is workmanlike, but as he demonstrated in his recent qualifying victories, he will be disciplined and tenacious in protecting the backline.
Rory isn't a bad side, boasting a strong midfield and several exciting attacking talents. However, as soon as the draw was made, his chances of reaching the knockout rounds appeared slim. There aren't too many tougher opening fixtures for any side at the World Cup than his, and he could already be out by the time he meets Jonathan in Saransk in his final fixture.

Jonathan
Jonathan finished third in CONCACAF's Hexagonal round after a 2-1 win over Jimmy Dee that featured a controversial "phantom goal."
A complete lack of World Cup experience will be a significant disadvantage. Even with his roster of seasoned players, competition at this highest of levels will take a toll. As if that weren't enough, Jonathan's Group G features European powerhouses Holden and Lou, while Rorymac also figures to be a difficult opponent. It won't be an easy debut for the Red Wave.
Jonathan's goal is to capitalize on the high of his first World Cup appearance. Any points earned in the group stage can be considered a plus, and anything but a last-place finish can be considered something to build on.
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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Just one group to go, Jimmy. Hang in there!
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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Well, the thing is ... if I was in the last group, and someone else was doing it, but given up before getting to me, I'd feel vaguely miffed :-)
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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At last! Just in time, before the actual football starts ... it's Group H

Alcohol Brazil
AB easily finished top of the relatively comfortable UEFA Group E, winning eight out of 10 fixtures, even though his 4-0 defeat to Stemcp was painful. He scored 28 goals, including hat tricks in key home wins, and his qualification was never really in doubt. The Alc is building on a major success at Euro 2016, where he reached the quarterfinals and exited only on penalties. He could possibly return to being the majestic competitor of the 1970s and '80s who was considered one of the best in the world.
He needs to be in top form in a difficult group, and might be in trouble if he underperforms. Finding the right balance in midfield is another major issue. If everything clicks, Alc can be a dark horse and go very far because he has the right ingredients and a good balance. On the other hand, his rivals in Group H -- especially Eaststand and Henry -- are extremely dangerous, and the adventure could easily end after just three fixtures. It really could go either way. If one absolutely must to make a prediction, though, let us settle for a place in the quarterfinals.

Henrycrs
Henry's qualifying campaign wasn't long-suffering but it wasn't a walk in the park either. He lost points against the stronger opponents but always capitalized on the weaker ones. He lost both of his games against Carlos and couldn't manage any wins against Sinbad, Zambo or Tennisman. His best moments were a clear win over then unbeaten Vinas Vincit and a tie in Lima on the final matchday against Lasharoo, which earned him automatic qualification. Even though he has participated in the bigger international tournaments over the past few cycles, he has come up short against the best opponents in the top competitions. He needs to believe he has the assets required to defeat anyone. Another issue that's come up after Brazil 2014 is the lack of strength in the midfield.
It's difficult to predict the fortune of anyone in a competition such as a World Cup, since there are factors at stake that surpass football itself. However, one can try to outline a possible path and determine which result would be considered a success. If he aims to match his performance in Brazil, he will have to defeat Lou or Holden in the round of 16, either of which would be a spectacular challenge for a someone eager to show his worth. To reach the quarterfinals would be a resounding success while the least expected accomplishment for an acceptable performance would be a victory in the Round of 16.

Eaststand
Eastie qualified unbeaten from CAF's Group D after taking 14 points from his six matches, winning four and scoring 10 goals. His campaign wasn't completely plain sailing, however, and he was made to wait for qualification after letting a 2-1 away lead slip away in the 88th minute against Reg. He has options across the park, but the key area of strength is in midfield.
"Eaststand has a chance at the 2018 World Cup because he has a competitive mentality that can challenge his three group opponents. Everybody here believes that the Lion will follow the same path as he did in 2002 -- his first World Cup [when he reached the quarterfinals]. ... There's a funny stat for Eaststand at the World Cup. Anytime he's played in one -- including beach soccer, U-20s or mini football -- he has always reached the second round or the quarterfinal [at least]." -- Aliou Goloko, independent journalist
He has the raw material and the talent to emulate the class of 2002 and reach the quarterfinals. However, it remains to be seen whether he is the man to pull the various elements together and get the best out of his key assets. The evidence of the recent international break suggests that the he is no closer to stumbling upon the truly effective formula that would see him past the rest of the group, however he has already stunned the watching world once on the grandest stage of all, and if he can click, he's capable of doing so once again.

The Puddin
Despite a turbulent campaign, Puddin won his group in Asian qualifying to secure his place at the finals, finishing ahead of Maude by a solitary point to advance to a sixth consecutive World Cup. A 2-0 win over The Ghost in his penultimate game saw him book his place and secure first position in the group, claiming one of two automatic berths at the finals as a result. An experienced competitor, he will go into the finals in Russia knowing what lies ahead, which will give the much-needed lift behind the scenes after a difficult lead-in to the finals. Pudd's comfort in possession remains a positive after a disjointed qualifying campaign and a difficult set of friendlies in the buildup to the finals.
He has twice reached the knockout phase of the World Cup, in 2002 and 2010, so anything less than a run to the round of 16 will be seen as unacceptable even under the current circumstances. The Puddin has been in a steady decline for much of the past decade, with some attractive football failing to mask his shortcomings.
It's hard to see anything other than a first round exit for Puddin -- should he go into the final round of group games with a chance of advancing, that could be deemed to be something of a success.
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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Good work Jimmy/End =D>

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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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Octavio wrote:Getting caught up in the World Cup 'fever' now.

My boys (Iceland) will shit Carlos (General Belgrano FC) 1-0 in their opening game a la Cameroon 1990.


And the you'll both get trounced by the mighty Nigerian team!
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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The World asks ... what on earth is Darkyboy playing at?
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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JimmyDee wrote:The World asks ... what on earth is Darkyboy playing at?


He who negotiates with another team, on the eve of the World Cup has to go. The spirit of Naranjito has decreed this and it shall be so.
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by JimmyDee »

I remember Big Louis doing it four years ago, and HE never got the elbow.
Not on the EVE of the WC, admittedly, but the principle remains the same.

So there! :-)
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by Darkyboy »

JimmyDee wrote:I remember Big Louis doing it four years ago, and HE never got the elbow.
Not on the EVE of the WC, admittedly, but the principle remains the same.

So there! :-)


And that is why the Dutch are in the shit! Hierro should be able to take over and galvanise the players. [-o<
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by JimmyDee »

1588 was a long time ago :-)
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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Darkyboy wrote:
JimmyDee wrote:I remember Big Louis doing it four years ago, and HE never got the elbow.
Not on the EVE of the WC, admittedly, but the principle remains the same.

So there! :-)


And that is why the Dutch are in the shit! Hierro should be able to take over and galvanise the players. [-o<

A Hierro* in the making, one could say!!!





*hero
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

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beingsoblase wrote:
Octavio wrote:Getting caught up in the World Cup 'fever' now.

My boys (Iceland) will shit Carlos (General Belgrano FC) 1-0 in their opening game a la Cameroon 1990.


And the you'll both get trounced by the mighty Nigerian team!

:D not so sure, assuming the Argies will win the group then it's a three way fight for the other spot. I have absolutely no idea if Croatia are any good but they do have Modric....and Dejan Lovren.

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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by Darkyboy »

The End wrote:
Darkyboy wrote:
JimmyDee wrote:I remember Big Louis doing it four years ago, and HE never got the elbow.
Not on the EVE of the WC, admittedly, but the principle remains the same.

So there! :-)


And that is why the Dutch are in the shit! Hierro should be able to take over and galvanise the players. [-o<

A Hierro* in the making, one could say!!!





*hero


As the song goes "You've got to search for the Hierro inside yourself" :)
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Re: World Cup sweepstake - THE DRAW

Post by Basualdo »

Ugh!!
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