Braeburn's World Cup Blog - Day 1
And so the waiting is over, it is time to put aside the memories of past tournaments. All the successes, failures, hopes and disappointments mean nothing now. We must put history to bed and focus solely on the next few weeks. Well actually no, history is everything at the World Cup, and we would be wise not to ignore it!
Brazil's Neymar Jr, sure to be one of the stars at the Russia World Cup.
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In the European Championships, for example, shocks are not uncommon. Denmark triumphed at the 1992 tournament when they hadn’t even qualified and Greece were champions in 2004. Even Portugal’s win in France two years ago was against reasonable expectation. However, the World Cup is a very different animal. Don’t ask me why but it is.
Of the twenty World Cups to have been played, Brazil, Germany and Italy have won thirteen between them, that’s a whopping 65%. Argentina have two wins, at home in 1978 and the Diego Maradona inspired team of 1986. Uruguay also have two titles, the very first World Cup at home in 1930 and then the shock triumph in Brazil four years later. That leaves England, Spain and France with one win apiece. Of the three, France and England were both victors in their home tournaments, a huge advantage. Spain's win in 2010 was a different matter, European Champions ther were widely expected to add the World title in South Africa.
Brazil, Germany and Italy have dominated the World Cup with thirteen wins out of twenty.
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So what the hell does all this mean in terms of likely winners? Firstly the hosts are unlikely to bother the latter stages this time around. Russia are unfortunate to have their worst team for generations at the worst possible moment. Progress from the group is not guaranteed and any more than that is highly unlikely. Might Argentina harness the Messi effect as they did with Maradona at Mexico '86? They have the goals but doubts linger over the remainder of a team hammered 6-1 by Spain less than three months ago. Spain themselves have a chance, a fully functioning Diego Costa adding bite to their technically gifted squad. However, sacking the manager two days before the first game may unsettle things, rifts between Barcelona and Real Madrid player a possibility.
France have enough big name players to warrant attention but too often Les Blues can implode on the big stage, big names means big egos, anything could happen. Like the French, Belgium have a phenomenal set of players but huge doubts surround the suitability of Roberto Martinez to lead them against the world’s best. With the talent at their disposal they could be champions or else get dumped out in the group phase. Portugal have Ronaldo but not a great deal else but that didn’t stop them two years ago in France. I am personally optimistic about England but a courageous quarter-final defeat to Germany would probably be about par, enough for Gareth Southgate to earn a crack at the Euro’s in two years time.
Will RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner fire Germany to a fifth World Cup?
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All this leaves the big two (since Italy have failed to qualify) Brazil and Germany, nine wins and fifteen finals between them. Reigning champions Germany look no weaker than four years ago, the squad positively brims over with experience and has a blend of youth and experience few other teams cans match. Headlines were made in England when Leroy Sane of Manchester City was left out of the final squad, Germany’s strength epitomised in that one decision. Brazil is a wounded animal, the need to exorcise that semi-final defeat four years ago burning strong. Like the German’s, they have talent to burn, Coutinho, Firminho and Willian are well known on British shores but the rest of squad is no less impressive. They also have Neymar Jr, one of the big names in world football and a man desperate to prove that he is equal to Messi and Ronaldo.
There are 32 team and 736 players in Russia and half of them probably think they stand a chance of holding the famous gold trophy aloft on July 15th. Most however would do well to look at the history books.
This is most likely Messi's last World Cup, can he do a Maradona and win for Argentina?
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I will be writing a World Cup blog every day during the tournament, if you like it please read and resteem, I will love you forever!
WORLD CUP BETTING - Tip 8
Brazil to win the World Cup. 5 points at 4/1 with Paddy Power.
Brazil just head the betting over Germany to triumph in Russia. Yesterday I tipped Germany and today I am backing the five time winners to land the big one.
There is still time enter my WORLD CUP PREDICTION CONTEST supported by SBC and @stimp1024. Just head HERE to submit a prediction for the Tunisia v England game for your chance to win SBD and earn a chance to go for the Grand Prize.
Finally, if you haven't already done so why not head over to my blog and check out some of my very own World Cup Memories:
https://steemit.com/sbc/@marcusbraeburn/brazil-2014-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
https://steemit.com/sbc/@marcusbraeburn/south-africa-2010-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
https://steemit.com/sbc/@marcusbraeburn/germany-2006-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
https://steemit.com/sports/@marcusbraeburn/france-98-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
https://steemit.com/sports/@marcusbraeburn/italia-90-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
https://steemit.com/sbc/@marcusbraeburn/mexico-1986-world-cup-memories-and-betting-suggestions
Go Brazil!!!!!
wow, a blog post every day of the world cup, that's great, you're going to be busy!
The plan is to draft articles drunk after the final match of the day and then polish and publish in the mornings... we will see how it goes!
Then I will try to keep up with your posts.
Cheers! Thanks for reading!
Got a feeling Neymar's going to be the star of this World Cup.
Could well be although there are a few candidates. A lot of players in their prime who could take the tournament by storm! Griezmann, Pogba, Messi, Ozil even... should be a corker, can't wait for the Kick Off!
I want to see many plays from Messi.
Messi could be the star although Ronaldo got off to a pretty good start last night!
Well Marcus this is just a great article. I am always scarse with giving out a 100% upvote. But in this case I just need to do it!
I really hope that we do see a country lifting the cup this year for the first time ever! You know which ine I do mean!
Germany isn’t in shape, Spain indeed have their issues, Messi alone can’t do it!
Leaving France (my favorite), Brazil (you never know but I doubt it) and my dark horse Belgium (Martinez appears to be better than we think)!
Cheers,
Peter
Thanks for the kind words Peter, you're support is appreciated!
I am not sure I agree that Germany are not in shape though... they have enough talent to leave Sane at home and so much experience. It would be great for a new team to win the word cup, or even better one that hasn't won it for 52 years!!!
Look forward to breaking it down with you on these pages over the coming weeks!
:-)
And we will break it down!
One could also argue that we have the luxury because we can leave Naingolan at home. Just like in the case of the German this is a stupid decision!
Time will tell!
@Fullcoverbetting i really think you are very wrong about my all time favourite German team.
I am not certain they will win but for sure they will be in the finals once again.
Brazil is my least fav team but i am always scared of them. they do the unthinkable. It always pains to see them win even when they did not deserve it.
otherwise i will be following these analysis to see if you are in the same page as i am.
@fabyflavour
Last time Germany took on Brazil they didn't have so much problems with them :)
We all do have predictions and not every one can come true :)
@fabyflavour & @fullcoverbetting
Nothing I have seen so far makes me doubt that the winner will be one of Germany or Brazil... Obviously I hope I am wrong but what the heart feels and the head thinks are two very different things!
Interesting post) I think too that stars of world cup would be Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar and Salah, of course. But maybe someone new will show a good game and lead your team to victory. What do you think about it.
Ronaldo is my Bet on this one and team is Germany
Haha... Well Ronaldo certainly got off to a pretty good start!
Brazil,even with neymar and the calibre of players they have at their disposal tbey won't be able to lift the world cup..France on the other hand has lots of talents but are inexperienced in this competition..spain sacked their manager who has not lost a match a day before the big events,that will have effects on the players....so i am still going all in for Germany to win..
haha! I am a German staunch supporter so i hope they win. its been ellusive one too many times
Yep... to be honest I can't see past Germany either... They manage to get to WC finals and win tournaments when they DON'T have a good team so they should be feared by all this time around!
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