Futbol Talk

[jesmu84]

Dial down the hyperbole.

The gulf between a difficult group and the "hardest group ever" is pretty wide. Trumpeting the latter only shows shortsightedness, especially if using the notoriously unreliable and always laughed at FIFA rankings as evidence.

So, top to bottom, can you think of a tougher group?

[Golden Avalanche]

So, top to bottom, can you think of a tougher group?

You've climbed down from the "hardest group ever" exaggeration, right?

Tougher group? You'll get that in Group B.

[jesmu84]

You've climbed down from the "hardest group ever" exaggeration, right?

Tougher group? You'll get that in Group B.

Nope. Australia. Try again.

also, i originally said "arguably the hardest group ever." which it 100% is. probably should look at the whole sentence i wrote and not just part of it.

[brewcity77]

You've climbed down from the "hardest group ever" exaggeration, right?

Tougher group? You'll get that in Group B.

Aussies are likely to tally zero points. Every other group has one walk-over type team. Group G is definitely the toughest top-to-bottom group. Germany is a legit threat to win, Portugal has one of the two best players in the world (and arguably all-time), and the two other teams both advanced in the last WC and are ranked in the top-25. I don't like the FIFA rankings, but if anything, they underrate teams from outside Europe and South America. Ghana is certainly nobody's whipping boy, and we aren't a slouch either.

[setyoursightsnorth]

motherunnatural carnal knowledgeer.

arguably, the hardest group EVER.

australia has a better chance to advance

Hardly the hardest group ever. 1982 world cup had a group with defending champion Argentina, the eventful champion Italy, and Brazil. That might be the toughest group of all time.

[jesmu84]

Hardly the hardest group ever. 1982 world cup had a group with defending champion Argentina, the eventful champion Italy, and Brazil. That might be the toughest group of all time.

You're going to reference the '82 cup with it's extremely odd format? oh. ok. when looking at the 4 team groups, those teams weren't together.

[Golden Avalanche]

Nope. Australia. Try again.

also, i originally said "arguably the hardest group ever." which it 100% is. probably should look at the whole sentence i wrote and not just part of it.

What's wrong with Australia? At the last Cup, against the big bad bears of Germany and Ghana along with Serbia in their group, they tallied four points and missed out on advancing by goal differential. Australia would have advanced out of three groups with that point total. Surely, if the Socceroos are so terrible and yet took four points the USA won't break a sweat.

Hardest group ever shows the blinders. Overrating US to get there. Ghana has been to two World Cups. Portugal has been to five. This isn't exactly the "A" squad of illustrious national teams. People are biased by the fact that Ghana beat the US in 2006 and 2010 and by Ronaldo. Neither Ghana nor Portugal are considered a threat at anything deep in this Cup.

In fact, this group has Germany as a legitimate threat and when you can write that only one country is top tier it seems silly to even discuss it as daunting to overcome. Even sillier to think it's in the discussion of hardest groups ever.

[setyoursightsnorth]

It is finals week. Brain fizzled out.

[jesmu84]

What's wrong with Australia? At the last Cup, against the big bad bears of Germany and Ghana along with Serbia in their group, they tallied four points and missed out on advancing by goal differential. Australia would have advanced out of three groups with that point total. Surely, if the Socceroos are so terrible and yet took four points the USA won't break a sweat.

Hardest group ever shows the blinders. Overrating US to get there. Ghana has been to two World Cups. Portugal has been to five. This isn't exactly the "A" squad of illustrious national teams. People are biased by the fact that Ghana beat the US in 2006 and 2010 and by Ronaldo. Neither Ghana nor Portugal are considered a threat at anything deep in this Cup.

In fact, this group only has Germany as a legitimate threat and when you can write that only one country is top tier it seems silly to even discuss it as daunting to overcome. Even sillier to think it's in the discussion of hardest groups ever.

What's wrong with Ghana? In the last two cups they've advanced out of the group stage.

[Golden Avalanche]

What's wrong with Ghana? In the last two cups they've advanced out of the group stage.

And......

[jesmu84]

And......

Every team in Group G is far and away better than Australia. Look at the stats. FIFA rankings show it. G is VERY MUCH tougher top-to-bottom better than B. And, again, arguably the hardest group ever. You still haven't shown me a more difficult group.

[Golden Avalanche]

Every team in Group G is far and away better than Australia. Look at the stats. FIFA rankings show it. G is VERY MUCH tougher top-to-bottom better than B. And, again, arguably the hardest group ever. You still haven't shown me a more difficult group.

Group B has the best team in the world and a Finalist from the 2010 Cup. Chile did well in qualification and some feel they could surprise and advance. And, Australia (which finished level on points with Ghana in South Africa). You don't feel it's anything special. That's fine. I think it's a harder group then one in which there's only one top tier country. I'll go on believing the US is in a regularly tough group and you can go on believing it's one of the hardest groups in the history of the tournament.

By the way, since you're a pretty fierce believer of the FIFA rankings, surely you felt the United States really was the fourth best country in the world going into Germany 2006.

[jesmu84]

By the way, since you're a pretty fierce believer of the FIFA rankings, surely you felt the United States really was the fourth best country in the world going into Germany 2006.

According to the algorithm they use, absolutely.

[setyoursightsnorth]

You guys can keep arguing about which Group is tougher. It doesn't matter. Both are extremely challenging. And the USA will enjoy a nice first round exit when they fail to score a single point.

[JWags85]

You guys can keep arguing about which Group is tougher. It doesn't matter. Both are extremely challenging. And the USA will enjoy a nice first round exit when they fail to score a single point.

[MUfan12]

You guys can keep arguing about which Group is tougher. It doesn't matter. Both are extremely challenging. And the USA will enjoy a nice first round exit when they fail to score a single point.

So predictable.

[jesmu84]

You guys can keep arguing about which Group is tougher. It doesn't matter. Both are extremely challenging. And the USA will enjoy a nice first round exit when they fail to score a single point.

Just curious.. where are you from? which national team do you support?

[ChicosBailBonds]

So predictable.

+1

[setyoursightsnorth]

So predictable.

+1

[setyoursightsnorth]

Just curious.. where are you from? which national team do you support?

Portugal, Germany, and Ghana.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

As for soft, look at Group C...Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan.

Another difficult one is D...Uruguay, England, Italy, Costa Rica

Youre joking right? Group C soft? Colombia can make it to the semis with a good draw. Ivory Coast is loaded with talent, Drogba, Kalou and Toure. Japan is on the rise and Greece doesnt let in goals.

[jesmu84]

Portugal, Germany, and Ghana.

Why can't you just answer the question?

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

On a side note I just applied for tickets to the Colombia vs. Ivory Coast match to see me two favorite teams in the world play. Wish me luck.

[Golden Avalanche]

According to the algorithm they use, absolutely.

Not even the most ardent USA supporter would claim that unless they're just being obstinate. Hell, even some of the players admitted so after the 2006 Cup. Your non-answer answer speaks loudly.

[Henry Sugar]

Portugal, Germany, and Ghana.

It's Poland, right?