From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer


QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay
France-Sweden

South Africa - Canada
Netherlands - Morocco


QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia
Spain - Austria

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium - Senegal


QF block 3
Brazil-Japan
Ivory Coast - Norway

Mexico - Ecuador
England - DR Congo


QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde
Australia - Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria
Colombia-Ghana


Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina


More comments tomorrow


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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

In article <g3a14l924ik7l5o7v3kj59a73l3cqi84q8@4ax.com>,
Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay
France-Sweden

France and Germay head on.

South Africa - Canada
Netherlands - Morocco

Canada and the Dutch.

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia
Spain - Austria

Iberian Derby.

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium - Senegal

USA vs Senegal

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan
Ivory Coast - Norway

Brazil vs CIV

Mexico - Ecuador
England - DR Congo

Mexico vs ENG

QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde
Australia - Egypt

Arg vs AUS

Switzerland-Algeria
Colombia-Ghana

SWISS vs COL

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

More comments tomorrow

--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ; 31 years in the ISP business!
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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

Futbolmetrix wrote:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay
France-Sweden

South Africa - Canada
Netherlands - Morocco

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia
Spain - Austria

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium - Senegal

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan
Ivory Coast - Norway

Mexico - Ecuador
England - DR Congo

QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde
Australia - Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria
Colombia-Ghana

Only interesting match Holland - Morocco. I'll watch it.

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

Hard to believe the USA will send out Spain, though of course nothing's impossible, especially with Spain.
Brazil - England will be a game to watch, hopefully they both get there.

Otherwise, with this schedule, looks like these are the most likely
semis indeed. Argentina has it way too easy to the semis.
England could beat Brazil and Morocco could beat France, though none is
very likely.

So, to be clear, my prediction:

Spain - France
Brazil - Argentina

to be followed by the dream final Spain - Brazil, with Spain the first
chance to win it.
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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

In article <111ruuh$3rlv9$1@dont-email.me>, FF <...@yahoo.com> wrote: >Futbolmetrix wrote:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay
France-Sweden

South Africa - Canada
Netherlands - Morocco


QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia
Spain - Austria

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina
Belgium - Senegal


QF block 3
Brazil-Japan
Ivory Coast - Norway

Mexico - Ecuador
England - DR Congo


QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde
Australia - Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria
Colombia-Ghana

Only interesting match Holland - Morocco. I'll watch it.

So am I ! The winner faces Canada.

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

Hard to believe the USA will send out Spain, though of course nothing's >impossible, especially with Spain.
Brazil - England will be a game to watch, hopefully they both get there.

Otherwise, with this schedule, looks like these are the most likely
semis indeed. Argentina has it way too easy to the semis.
England could beat Brazil and Morocco could beat France, though none is
very likely.

So, to be clear, my prediction:

Spain - France
Brazil - Argentina

to be followed by the dream final Spain - Brazil, with Spain the first
chance to win it.

--
Member - Liberal International This is doctor@nk.ca Ici doctor@nk.ca
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising! Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ; 31 years in the ISP business!
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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On 2026-06-27 21:57, Futbolmetrix wrote:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

Germany

France-Sweden

France, hard to see any other result. I hope Sweden wins, though.

South Africa - Canada

Done

Netherlands - Morocco

Morocco in an upset. But they have to play for 90 minutes for a change

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia

Portugal

Spain - Austria

Spain

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia on Penalties

Belgium - Senegal

Tough one. Belgium in extra time

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan

Brazil, but go Japan !

Ivory Coast - Norway

Norway

Mexico - Ecuador

Mexico but it won't be easy

England - DR Congo

England, narrowly, after playing badly

QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde

Argentina

Australia - Egypt

Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria

Algeria

Colombia-Ghana

Colombia

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

I will go out on a limb and say

Germany, SPain, Mexico and Argentina/

More comments tomorrow

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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:57:30 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess I should make my predictions for the bracet.

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

I'll be at this match. I expect a repeat of the 2002 R16, with
Paraguay sitting back and trying to drag the game to PKs, and Germany struggling to break the Paraguayan low block.

1-0

France-Sweden

At some point, France will be tested and may even bow out
unceremoniusly. But not today. 3-0

South Africa - Canada

0-1 sounds like a reasonable prediction I would have made.

Netherlands - Morocco

I have been less impressed with Morocco than others. 1-1, and
Netherlands to edge it on PKs.

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia

This just feels destined to be some Modric-inspired Croatian sorcery.
1-1, Croatia on pens.

Spain - Austria

Austria should sit in a low block and let Spain tiki-taka themselves
to death, but under Rangnick they can't do that even when the other
team is deliberately trying not to score.

2-0 Spain

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Lots of enthusiasm for the US, but Bosnia could stifle them with super-defensive tactics. I think in the end the US will just have
enough to edge it. 2-1 USA

Belgium - Senegal

There has to be some surprise, even though the (legitimate) AFCON
champion beating a past-its-prime Belgium is not exactly it.

Senegal to win 2-0

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan

Japan will be a tough nut to crack, but I'm all in on Ancelotti and
Brazil going all the way. 3-2

Ivory Coast - Norway

Let's see if the extra rest paid off for the Norway starters. I say
yes. 1-2

Mexico - Ecuador

Mexico was expected to enjoy a big home field advantage, not just
because of the crowds, but also because of the altitude factor. And
then they pick plays-its-home-matches-at-2800m Ecuador. But does it
even matter when you have been training for weeks at sea level (and
anyway most of your players ply their trade for non-altitude based
clubs?)

Anyway, El Tri to prevail over La Tri. 2-1 Mexico

England - DR Congo

England will get one convincing win so that everyone back home starts
dreaming of it coming home, only to crash in the later rounds. (They
have a brutal path to the semis, with likely Mexico away and Brazil in
Miami, for all intents and purposes another away game).

4-1

QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde

In my sims, Argentina's chances of winning the Cup have gone from
about 8% pre-tournament to 15%, just because of the ridiculously easy
path they have to the semis. 3-0

Australia - Egypt

0-0, Australia on PKs

Switzerland-Algeria

Switzerland is the one team in this part of the draw that could give
Argentina trouble, but they are going out.
Algeria 2-1

Colombia-Ghana

Colombia has been very impressive so far, but I worry that they have
started too strong and will run out of steam. Still, it should be
enough for Ghana. 1-0



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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:57:30 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess I should make my predictions for the bracet.

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

I'll be at this match.

Witnessing history.

Ciao,
Werner



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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer


Greetings, it's probably been over 20 years since I posted here, but I miss this group so much. I'll take a crack at this.
Sending love to everybody here, I still recognise many names!

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> posted:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

Game is over already

France-Sweden

France easily.

South Africa - Canada

Game is over already

Netherlands - Morocco

Second half is underway (0:0 at the moment) but I'll say Morocco.

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia

This will be a very close one but Portugal.

Spain - Austria

Spain easily.

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia outsmarts the hosts.

Belgium - Senegal

Senegal but this will be also close.

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan

Game is over already

Ivory Coast - Norway

Ivory Coast

Mexico - Ecuador

Mexico

England - DR Congo

England

QF block 4:
Argentina - Cape Verde

Argentina

Australia - Egypt

Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria

Algeria

Colombia-Ghana

Colombia

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

More comments tomorrow

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

In article <g3a14l924ik7l5o7v3kj59a73l3cqi84q8@4ax.com>, Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

prediction N/A

France-Sweden

France

South Africa - Canada

prediction N/A

Netherlands - Morocco

Netherlands (very tight)

QF block 2:
Portugal-Croatia

Croatia (very tight)

Spain - Austria

Spain

USA - Bosnia and Herzegovina

USA

Belgium - Senegal

Senegal (tight)

QF block 3
Brazil-Japan

prediction N/A

Ivory Coast - Norway

Norway

Mexico - Ecuador

Mexico

England - DR Congo

England

Argentina - Cape Verde

Argentina

Australia - Egypt

Egypt

Switzerland-Algeria

Switzerland

Colombia-Ghana

Colombia

Just the unsophisticated semifinalist predictions:
France, USA(!), Brazil and Argentina

France, Spain, Mexico, Colombia

DK

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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:24:54 GMT, siveng
<user4794@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

Greetings, it's probably been over 20 years since I posted here, but I miss this group so much. I'll take a crack at this.
Sending love to everybody here, I still recognise many names!

Good to have you back, but I don't recognize the handle. :-/

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:38:15 -0000 (UTC), Werner Pichler
<wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:57:30 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess I should make my predictions for the bracet.

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

I'll be at this match.

Witnessing history.

When Paraguay blew its two match points, I thought to myself, Germany
can't possibly do this again, in *this* way? Alas, this is not the
Germany of old.

Anyway, any person with an iota of football knowledge knew that
Paraguay would play the way they did, sit back and do everything in
their power to drag the game to penalties. They performed the
assignment brilliantly (also scoring a very nice goal along the way:
Galarza's curling overlapping run around Almiron sent two German
defenders the wrong way, a bit reminiscent of what Falcao did to
Scirea and Tardelli in 1982), and Germany didn't have a clue on how to
break down them down. Very poor showing from them.

Very fun atmosphere at "Boston" stadium, before, during and after the
match. About 50% of fans wore German shirts, which was the majority in
most sections, while the Paraguayans (maybe 15% of shirts) were
concentrated in a few loud pockets. The rest were there wearing, USA,
Mexico, Brazil, France and a lot more. I also got a few shoutouts for
wearing my Italy colors!

"Il mondo e` una giostra di colori" (the world is a merry-go-round of
colors) as the Italia '90 song went. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ANAqO1TLs

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From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer


For a time I went under unhallowedsaint, I was a big metalhead, still kind of am now.

I always read the flame wars during the WC and Euros, but more as a lurker. I did participate in some heated discussion for the 2000 Euros...


Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> posted:

On Tue, 30 Jun 2026 02:24:54 GMT, siveng
<user4794@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

Greetings, it's probably been over 20 years since I posted here, but I miss this group so much. I'll take a crack at this.
Sending love to everybody here, I still recognise many names!

Good to have you back, but I don't recognize the handle. :-/

--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:47:24 GMT, siveng
<user4794@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

For a time I went under unhallowedsaint, I was a big metalhead, still kind of am now.

I always read the flame wars during the WC and Euros, but more as a lurker. I did participate in some heated discussion for the 2000 Euros...

Welcome back, and feel free to stick around. There's only a few of us
left here, but somehow we have managed to keep the flame (if not the
flame wars) alive.
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:38:15 -0000 (UTC), Werner Pichler
<wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:57:30 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess I should make my predictions for the bracet.

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

I'll be at this match.

Witnessing history.

When Paraguay blew its two match points, I thought to myself, Germany
can't possibly do this again, in *this* way? Alas, this is not the
Germany of old.

I donrCOt think Nagelsmann ever really managed to
internalise his transition to NT manager. HerCOs been
absolutely awful as a vibes coach.

Ciao,
Werner
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: rec.sport.soccer

On 30/06/2026 01:50, Futbolmetrix wrote:

On Mon, 29 Jun 2026 23:38:15 -0000 (UTC), Werner Pichler
<wpichler@gmail.com> wrote:

Futbolmetrix <futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

On Sun, 28 Jun 2026 00:57:30 -0400, Futbolmetrix
<futbolmetrix@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess I should make my predictions for the bracet.

QF block 1:
Germany-Paraguay

I'll be at this match.

Witnessing history.

When Paraguay blew its two match points, I thought to myself, Germany
can't possibly do this again, in *this* way?

My thoughts at the moment, too. Paraguay snatching defeat from the jaws
of victory this way would have been too cruel.

Alas, this is not the Germany of old.

I read that Kimmich asked a number of players about who would take the
sixth penalty, before Jonathan Tah stepped up. I can understand this is
a high level of pressure, but this was usually the kind of thing the
Germany of Old would have had figured out even before a ball was kicked.

Anyway, any person with an iota of football knowledge knew that
Paraguay would play the way they did, sit back and do everything in
their power to drag the game to penalties.

And that's what they'll do again in the next round. Indeed, that's what
they know how to do, that's Paraguay at their very best.

However, I think France is several levels above Paraguay's very best,
they are too good to be contained this way. I'll root for the underdogs,
but brave and valiant as they have been, unfortunately I wouldn't be
surprised by a, say, 3-0 lead for France in the first half alone. This
really isn't like 1998, France is a lot better and Paraguay a lot worse
than that. But, of course, this is football and we shall see what happens.

They performed the
assignment brilliantly (also scoring a very nice goal along the way: Galarza's curling overlapping run around Almiron sent two German
defenders the wrong way, a bit reminiscent of what Falcao did to
Scirea and Tardelli in 1982), and Germany didn't have a clue on how to
break down them down. Very poor showing from them.

Galarza has been very good for Paraguay in this World Cup, a much better player than what he usually is at club level. He really rose to the
occasion for the Albirroja.

Very fun atmosphere at "Boston" stadium, before, during and after the
match. About 50% of fans wore German shirts, which was the majority in
most sections, while the Paraguayans (maybe 15% of shirts) were
concentrated in a few loud pockets. The rest were there wearing, USA,
Mexico, Brazil, France and a lot more. I also got a few shoutouts for
wearing my Italy colors!

"Il mondo e` una giostra di colori" (the world is a merry-go-round of
colors) as the Italia '90 song went. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ANAqO1TLs

Thanks for this report.


Best regards,

Ll|-o

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