At least big favourites 1950 in Brazil (lost in the final). Might not have been favs in 2 tournaments before that, I admit. Also don't really know about 1954 in Germany.

PS. 1986 when Argentina won, Brazil had one of the best teams ever imo, and Argentina were complete shyte, except for one player. 86 Brazil was only second to 82 Brazil that I have seen.

Not sure what your pulling me up on raju? I agree with all of what you've said there.

1970 Brazil was probably the best of all time. I'm thinking that Brazil in the 80's weren't actually that highly rated, but it's a long time ago so I might be wrong, but weren't they in Scotland's group both times?

Certainly their years without winning the World Cup wasn't overly surprising, Holland for one was nearly always a better team, unfortunately they couldn't win either because they spent more time fighting each other than the opposition.


Agreed on Argentina though, don't think anyone has ever disagreed that was Maradonna's World Cup.

They no longer have to qualify?

First time I really watched football was 82 WC. Don't remember much except that they completely dominated every game. Didn't much care to defend tho

In 86 they had goal difference 9-0 before the France game. France won it in penalty shootout. Zico had F'ed up a penalty before 90 mins at 1-1. I still get tilted when I think of that game.

In 70's Holland may have owned tho. Brazil isn't talked about much between 70 and 82 world cups.

Edit: Scotland didn't look too good in 82 LOL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Tk3L...eature=related

Big game today: West Bromwich Albion are one point away from promotion to the Premier league. I've been following the team since the Great Escape a few seasons back. What do the experts on the board think of their chances for staying up next season?

Tony Mowbray = very good manager, but I'll wait for the experts to make their point

Goaaaaaaaaaallllllllaaaaazzzzzzzzzzzoooooooooooooo oooooo

Actually, Scotland had an immense squad then. Four world cups we've ended up in Brazil's group

I don't follow the Championship so I have no idea, but how good of a shot at getting promoted do Bristol City have?

A very good manager indeed. He'll be a great manager if they can hold on for one more half!

They'll have to do it in the playoffs. They have sucked in recent weeks and they'll have to do it the hard way. Their recent form suggests that they're going to spend another season in the CCC.

I think that they'd have a much better shot at staying up then stoke or hull(if hull pips stoke for the other automatic spot). How they'd rank up all depends on who ends up getting relegated this year from the prem. If birmingham or fulham stay up, I have no doubt that they would just be delaying the inevitable and would most likely go down next season. So, that would help out West Brom's cause



probably a coin flip at best, cause there's just no way to predict how they'll do in the play offs, especially with how wide open the championship has been this year. It's crazy to think that only 18 pts seperate the last play off team and Southampton who sit in the last relegation spot(which is a crazy thought in of itself as they seemed to be ready to make a move into staying in the top 10 in the prem once their new stadium would be finished just a few years ago)

Hail Hail! Pressure's back on the Gers, so long as we win out...but that loss to Motherwell is gonna haunt us, I can see it already.

Scotty Mac = legend imo

Luka Modric to Spurs for 15m! I know it's a bit old now, but Hrvat Power baby, love it...thoughts anyone?

The man had a lot to do to convince me after seeing him put in some god awful performances recently, despite being top scorer etc. Finally he redeems himself somewhat.

Also about Brazil not being the favourites before Sweden, in 1950 they were favourites for the game vs Uruguay and it is still mourned heavily in Brazil 58 years later.

Also about them being favourites for every world cup, in 1978 they were definately not favourites.

Spain for Euro 08? Or are they gonna bottle it AGAIN? Seriously look at their squad, its immense but since its Spain who knows. Give Germany that amount of talent in their squad it would be game over.

I love the guy but I certainly don't think he's that superstar we've been looking for upfront since Henke left. Definitely not the guy who's gonna take us deep into Europe again.

I was just really happy to see him come through, he's an honest worker and seems like a really good guy all around, playing for his bhoyhood heroes, so good for him imo. Strachan not starting him at Ibrox was criminal.

Whether the title goes to CP or not, some serious holes in that lineup need to be addressed. I dunno if GS is the guy to do it anymore either.

Brazil are definitely in a class of their own, but Argentina are the fourth most accomplished team in World Cup history, having won the competition twice, with two second place finishes as well. I don't think it's fair to say Argentina lags "far" behind Brazil.

I think Argentina was the best team last World Cup. If you want to see team football at its finest form, watch (or re-watch) their 6-0 demolition of quality, European side Serbia. There is no shame in going out on kicks from the mark to the host country, especially considering Germany's track record.

Argentina's youth teams have experienced unparalleled recent success. With so many players (many of them quite young) starring for top clubs in Europe, Argentina have enviable depth in talent and the necessary star power to erase two decades of failure.

Heh :P.

Argentina has the greatest density of talent and its not close imo. For the size of Argentina to produce so much quality players, its ridiculous really. I don't know who would be 2nd, Holland maybe. I am considering Brazil but I mean its just so damn huge and football is by far the number one sport so its like obv that they have top talent so I don't think it would be at the top of the list.

What amazes me about the World Cup is the extent to which the very top teams dominate the final stages. This has especially been true recently. Over the last 10 tournaments only 6 teams have managed to reach the championship match (Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, France and Netherlands). In addition, Germany have advanced to the final 5/10 times and Brazil have done so 4/10 times.

My answer to the bolded question is yes, of course. European sides have come very close to accomplishing this in the past. 2010 is a long way off, but if you still feel this way in two years I'd gladly take a European nation to win at even odds.

By The Championship match you mean the WC final?

Yeah freakier statistic, since 1950 there have only been 2 finals that didn't have one of either Germany or Brazil playing and amazingly these two teams have only played each other once. Can you name them without researching?

Can you name what?? The times neither of them were involved?

Must be 2006 & 1974 surely?

Italy v France & Holland v Germany

Italy-France in 2006 was easy. I guessed wrong on the other one.

I am looking for the two times neither Brazil or Germany were playing yes, you seem to have named one where Germany were playing and in fact won for some reason...

lol, CLARK MUST BE SQUIRMING

wat

Stopped reading after that imo. Serbia_LOL

LOL my bad!

Must be Argies v Holland, 82 or 78 i think??