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SMALL BALLERS GON LOOK 2018 FIFA World Cup

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
The World Cup opens in 25 days, at 11:00 AM EST when Russia takes on Saudi Arabia. Squads are starting to come out so I figured a new thread wouldn't hurt.

Group A
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Egypt
Uruguay


Group B
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
Iran


Group C
France
Australia
Peru
Denmark


Group D
Argentina
Iceland
Croatia
Nigeria


Group E
Brazil
Switzerland
Costa Rica
Serbia


Group F
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea


Group G
Belgium
Panama
Tunisia
England


Group H
Poland
Senegal
Colombia
Japan


To me this is one of the hardest group stages to predict I've seen. Will post mine in the next post.
 

Dr. Shats Basoon

Closed mouths don't get fed
zWJq0In.png
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Squads

Portugal
Guarda-redes - Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe) e Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defesas - Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cédric Soares (Southampton), José Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mário Rui (Nápoles), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto) e Rúben Dias (Benfica)
Médios - Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), João Mário (West Ham), João Moutinho (Mónaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), e William Carvalho (Sporting)
Avançados - André Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Gonçalo Guedes (Valência) e Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)

Spain
Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Athletic Bilbao), Pepe Reina (SSC Napoli).
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Álvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Gerard Piqué (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), César Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Saúl Ñíguez (Atlético Madrid), Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona), Thiago Alcántara (Bayern München), Koke (Atlético Madrid), Isco (Real Madrid).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Marco Asensio (Real Madrid), Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid), Diego Costa (Atlético Madrid), Rodrigo (Valencia), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo).


England
Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley).
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United).
Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea).
Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester), Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

France
Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain)
Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

Germany

Brazil
Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Man City), Cassio (Corinthians)
Defenders: Fagner (Corinthians), Danilo (Man City), Thiago Silva (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Geromel (Gremio), Miranda (Inter Milan), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Fernandinho (Man City), Paulinho (Barcelona), Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona)
Forwards: Willian (Chelsea), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (PSG), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool)

Argentina
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Wilfredo Caballero and Franco Armani.
Defenders: Gabriel Mercado, Cristian Ansaldi, Nicolás Otamendi, Federico Fazio, Marcos Rojo, Nicolás Tagliafico and Marcos Acuña.
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Eduardo Salvio, Lucas Biglia, Giovani Lo Celso, Ever Banega, Manuel Lanzini, Maximiliano Meza, Ángel Di María and Cristian Pavón.
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero

Uruguay
GK: Muslera (Galatasaray), Silva (Vasco da Gama), Campaña (Independiente).
DF: Godin, Giménez (At. Madrid), Coates (Sporting), Cáceres (Lazio), Pereira (Porto), Varela (Peñarol), Silva (Independiente)
MF: Nandez (Boca), Torreira (Sampodria), Vecino (Inter), Bentancourt (Juventus), Sánchez (Rayados), Rodríguez (Peñarol), Laxalt (Genoa), De Arrascaeta (Cruzeiro)
FW: Urretavizcaya (Rayados), Gomez (Celta), Stuani (Girona), Cavani (PSG), Suárez (Barcelona)


Morocco
Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia), Yassine Bounou (Girona), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger)
Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), Romain Saiss (Wolves), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid), Hamza Mendyl (LOSC)
Midfielders: M'barek Boussoufa (Al Jazira), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray), Faycal Fajr (Getafe), Amine Harit (Schalke 04)
Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor), Aziz Bouhaddouz (Saint Pauli), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax).

Senegal
Goalkeepers (3): Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes / FRA), Khadim Ndiaye (Horoya / GUI), Alfred Gomis (Spal / ITA)
Defenders (7): Kalidou Koulibaly (Naples / ITA), Lamine Gassama (Alanyaspor / TUR), Kara Mbodj (Anderlecht / BEL), Moussa Wagué (Eupen / BEL), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux / FRA), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes / FRA), Salif Sané (Hanover / ALL)
Midfielders (5): Pope Alioune Ndiaye (Stoke / ENG), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton / ENG), Cheikhou Kouyate (West Ham / ENG), Sheikh Ndoye (Birmingham / ENG), Alfred Ndiaye (Wolverhampton / ANG)
Attackers (8): Sadio Mané (Liverpool / ENG), Keita Baldé Diao (Monaco / FRA), Diafra Sakho (Rennes / FRA), Moussa Konate (Amiens / FRA), Ismaila Sarr (Rennes / FRA), Mbaye Niang (Torino / ITA), Moussa Sow (Bursaspor / TUR), Mame Biram Diouf (Stoke / ENG)

*Will update when more are released. There's some others that have their preliminary squads out right now*
 
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NML

Well-Known Member
Who was the dude who played for Newcastle from Morocco? I guess he flamed out

They have a decent team though. Benatia is one of the better CBs in the world
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Predictions
Here's my full guesses:

Group A
Uruguay
Russia
Egypt
Saudi Arabia


Group B
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
Iran


Group C
France
Australia
Denmark
Peru


Group D
Argentina
Nigeria
Croatia
Iceland


Group E
Brazil
Serbia
Costa Rica
Switzerland


Group F
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea


Group G
Belgium
Tunisia
England
Panama


Group H
Colombia
Senegal
Poland
Japan


R16
Spain def. Uruguay
Russia def. Portugal on Penalties
France def. Nigeria
Argentina def. Australia
Germany def. Serbia
Brazil def. Mexico
Senegal def. Belgium in ET
Colombia def. Tunisia


QF
Spain def. France on Penalties
Argentina def. Russia
Germany def. Senegal
Brazil def. Colombia


SF
Argentina def. Spain
Brazil def. Germany


Top 4
Argentina def. Brazil on Penalties
Germany def. Spain


Top Scorer
Antoine Greizmann

Team of the Tournament
GK- David de Gea(ESP)
DEF- Jordi Alba(ESP), Nico Otamendi(ARG), Miranda(BRA), Joshua Kimmich(GER)
MID- Andres Iniesta(ESP), Alexandr Golovin(RUS), Paulinho(BRA)
FWD- Sadio Mane(SEN), Lionel Messi(ARG), Neymar(BRA)


*The one wild card in all my predictions is Salah. I saw a post on reddit saying there's a chance he's top scorer even if Egypt don't advance out of the group stage, and I kinda concur. If Egypt do play at least 4 games (good chance they can do more than that, tbf), Salah would be the Top Scorer and in the XI.

Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong and save this post for future reference to laugh at me later
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Who was the dude who played for Newcastle from Morocco? I guess he flamed out

They have a decent team though. Benatia is one of the better CBs in the world
I really like their team, but they really got a tough group. If they were in that England group instead of Tunisia, it'd be a no brainer to have them advancing. Just depends what version of Portugal and Spain show up to the party.
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
I'm also pretty surprised Laporte didn't even make France's sub list. Deschamps must really not like him. He was pushing for gaining Spanish nationality a couple years back, obviously a bit late now but I wouldn't be surprised if he's in a Spain jersey by 2020
 

Snorky's Shame

Well-Known Member
Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong and save this post for future reference to laugh at me later

Why Australia making it out of the group? This is probably the worst Australia team in years. Struggled in qualifying and between generations.

I don't see any Asian team making it out of the group stage. Iran would have been my choice but they got stuck in what I think is the "Group of Death".
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
I have a hunch that group will go awry. It could be a French collapse, but I think it's more likely France grabs 9 points and Australia pulls off the magic they weren't able to finish in Brazil. Australia looked decent last year in the Confed Cup, and while its arguable that Peru is better than 2017 Chile (without Guerrero I dont think so), they've at the very least shown they can do okay.

That group reminds me a lot of 2010's Group D. Completely different Aussie side now, but if they can grab 4 points they have a good chance

EDIT: They also have van Marwijk now, who could be hit or miss. If the 2010 Netherlands version of his corching comes out, then magic could happen.
 
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NML

Well-Known Member
Midfielders:Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea).

Is this really the best Ingerland has? Holy shit

:vomit:
 

Skeeter

Uber felon
Who am I supposed to root for with tUSofA out if it?
Is there an exciting underdog like Cameroon from a few years back, or a country that is really good and fun to watch like Portugal or Argentina?

I watch soccer every 4 years. I think the world cup is awesome, but I don't follow it otherwise. Since USA didn't make it I'm looking for some help.
 

adchester

A-1 From Day 1
Is there an exciting underdog like Cameroon from a few years back, or a country that is really good and fun to watch like Portugal or Argentina?

I watch soccer every 4 years. I think the world cup is awesome, but I don't follow it otherwise. Since USA didn't make it I'm looking for some help.
You’ll love Panama
 

wolverine318

Well-Known Member
Mod Alumni
Is there an exciting underdog like Cameroon from a few years back, or a country that is really good and fun to watch like Portugal or Argentina?

I watch soccer every 4 years. I think the world cup is awesome, but I don't follow it otherwise. Since USA didn't make it I'm looking for some help.
Panama like adchester said. I'm probably rooting for the Franch or the waffles just because I like some of their players.
 

goblue96

Disney and Curling Expert
With no USA and no Netherlands, I have to turn to my third choice for disappointment: The Socceroos of Australia
 

NML

Well-Known Member
Panama is god awful to watch. They’ll run a five man back line and start time wasting at kickoff. Next you’ll will recommend watching Greece.

I prefer small countries with one or two really good players. Those are who can make a run (like Costa Rica in 14 with Campbell). Egypt with Salah is the obvious choice. Poland with Lewandowski and Glik. Denmark (@DanishDonut0 )
 

wolverine318

Well-Known Member
Mod Alumni
Ohh I forgot about the pyramids. Salah is fun as hell to watch. Serbia has BRANISLAV IVANOVIC as well!
 

Snorky's Shame

Well-Known Member
Problem with Egypt is their coach Hector Cuper. He wins but it’s some of the most boring stuff to watch (think Otto Rehhagel and Greece 2004).

Second on Panama being boring to watch. Just hoping they don’t embarrass CONCACAF enough to merit discussion about how deep the confederation is.
 

whiteyc_77

The Skeleton Debator
Mod Alumni
Same as @goblue96, I too have to find a squad since I don't have USA or Netherlands in this tournament. Give me the Danish Jesus and Denmark as my team to root for this tournament.

-YTC
 

Snorky's Shame

Well-Known Member
Let’s see:

Country I was born in: United States. Nope.
Ancestral country: Philippines. LOL this isn’t basketball.
The two teams I really liked at USA 94: Italy and the Netherlands. Not this time.
Country of origin of best player on favorite European club team: Argentina. I guess but they’re not going to the semifinals.
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Is it just me, or are there a lot of mediocre teams in this tournament? There are a lot of groups that have one okay-to-good team and then just pure garbage.
 

Snorky's Shame

Well-Known Member
Is it just me, or are there a lot of mediocre teams in this tournament? There are a lot of groups that have one okay-to-good team and then just pure garbage.

No I feel the same way.

Asia is fucking terrible. Iran is the only half decent team but they got stuck in a tough group.

Africa we don’t know much about since the only repeat qualifier from 2014 is Nigeria. I’d expect better organized teams with this group but less attacking flair.

CONCACAF have a team just happy to be there (Panama), a team that won’t repeat it’s exploits from 2014 (Costa Rica) and a team that can’t get past the round of 16 (Mexico).

South America outside of Brazil doesn’t impress me. Colombia has declined since 2014. Uruguay’s core might be past it. Peru is a shit team now with unreasonable expectations. Argentina probably needs Messi to go full Maradona 1986 to even have a chance.

Euro 2016 probably gave us a look at how many mediocre teams there are on the continent. Outside of France, Germany and Spain, there isn’t much to like outside of maybe Croatia and possibly Belgium.

EDIT: It should also be noted that 4/6 reigning confederation champions are not at this World Cup (Cameroon, Chile, New Zealand and United States).
 
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DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Argentina is the most overrated team at this tournament. When have they actually played well at a tournament? Even in 2014, they scored 1 goal in regulation in the knockout stages. They have a ton of attacking talent, but they can't make that work. I wouldn't be shocked if they don't make it out of the group stage.

The most talented team at the tournament is probably France, but they have never really found a formula that works under Deschamps.

Brazil still feels like they are getting back up to their usual talent levels. I still feel like they're less talented than teams like Spain, Germany, or France.

Portugal is shitty. Who knows if Spain show up to this tournament, and they could have problems transitioning to a team past their golden teams.

England is probably the least talented they've been in 30 years.

Don't get me wrong, I'm excited for the tournament. But I don't expect it to be all that amazing to watch.
 

Southpaw

Fuckface
Utopia Moderator
Ok, I'm back. Every 4 years I try to become a fan. Not sure who to root for since my Netherlands didn't make it this year. I'm thinking Belgium or Portugal
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Germany are far and away the best team in it I think. That being said I think whoever wins it all is going to ride a hot streak so there are a handful of teams I can see doing so

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

adchester

A-1 From Day 1
Panama is god awful to watch. They’ll run a five man back line and start time wasting at kickoff. Next you’ll will recommend watching Greece.

I prefer small countries with one or two really good players. Those are who can make a run (like Costa Rica in 14 with Campbell). Egypt with Salah is the obvious choice. Poland with Lewandowski and Glik. Denmark (@DanishDonut0 )
When you were gonna make Skeeter watch 270 minutes of Panama and @NML ruins it:

brMao_s-200x150.gif
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Ok, I'm back. Every 4 years I try to become a fan. Not sure who to root for since my Netherlands didn't make it this year. I'm thinking Belgium or Portugal

Oh god, don't do Portugal. They are ugly to watch. And Ronaldo is a douche.
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
It's really too bad Saudi Arabia are in a shitty group. I'm going to miss them getting boat raced by a decent team in the group stages like they usually do.
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Senegal is my pic for fun sleeper. Like Egypt but Mane isnt alone

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Well I only know him and Messi. Who is an exciting team that has a chance to do something then?

Belgium could be really exciting. Germany will probably be pretty fun to watch, as well. France could be entertaining, could be a trainwreck. Brazil is usually fun to watch. Spain should be good and fun to watch. Those are probably your 5 best bets for entertaining and good.
 

Southpaw

Fuckface
Utopia Moderator
I don't want to root for a powerhouse, though. Of those teams, I would pick Brazil I guess. Fuck those other Euros.
 

Southpaw

Fuckface
Utopia Moderator
But I guess Belgium will be it and when they lose, maybe I'll find another team after watching them.
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Belgium isn't a powerhouse. They're a good team, but they haven't really done anything in a tournament yet.

Otherwise, go for Egypt or another African team. They're always fun. Not necessarily for the right reasons (cough, 2014 Ghana, cough).
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
Unfortunately no, they lost to Sweden.

Croatia may be a good team for you to follow as well, they had a solid qualifiers campaign and could do some real damage
 

wolverine318

Well-Known Member
Mod Alumni
What is Argentina's issues? Their D? I always feel like they should be better than they are with those attackers.
 

Karl Hungus

Here to fix the cable
Is there an exciting underdog like Cameroon from a few years back, or a country that is really good and fun to watch like Portugal or Argentina?

I watch soccer every 4 years. I think the world cup is awesome, but I don't follow it otherwise. Since USA didn't make it I'm looking for some help.

Argentina haven't been fun to watch since... Messi, basically. It's really bad. They all force the ball to him and hope for the magic to happen. Messi just ends up looking sad & frustrated after a 1-0 win.
 

DeadMan

aka spiker or DeadMong
Argentina's problem is that they have like 6 great players that are either strikers or number 10s. The rest of their team is pretty meh. They've never found a lineup that works well together in the attacking 3rd, because, as @Karl Hungus says, they just force the ball to Messi and stand around waiting for him to do something. Their solution has been to play 2 guys out of position, which just doesn't work.
 

Yankee151

Hot Girl Summer
I heard speculation they may not take Paulo Dybala because he and Messi can't play at the same time due to the similarity in their roles. And Dybala is probably a Top 5 winger/forward in Europe.
 

Snorky's Shame

Well-Known Member
I heard speculation they may not take Paulo Dybala because he and Messi can't play at the same time due to the similarity in their roles. And Dybala is probably a Top 5 winger/forward in Europe.

I’ve heard the same thing. They’ll probably go with Di Maria, Messi and Lanzini in the midfield and Aguero up front.

Romero is meh although when was the last time Argentina had a good keeper? Back line is below average and DM is now a question mark without Mascherano.

As inconsistent as Dybala can be, it would be madness to leave him at home.
 
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