RealGM

17 June 13:00 Belgium Algeria
17 June 19:00 Russia South Korea
22 June 13:00 Belgium Russia
22 June 16:00 Algeria South Korea
26 June 17:00 South Korea Belgium
26 June 17:00 Algeria Russia

* All Times EST

Worst World Cup group ever.

Little Nathan wrote:Worst World Cup group ever.

seriously, how did this happen?

magik9113 wrote:

Little Nathan wrote:Worst World Cup group ever.

seriously, how did this happen?

Rushed beat out Portugal for first in their group and Belgium are quality group winner at the WC. As long as the russians play at the tourney like they did in qualifying instead of **** the bed, as they are want to do, this group should put two tough teams into the knockouts..

cgf wrote:

magik9113 wrote:

Little Nathan wrote:Worst World Cup group ever.

seriously, how did this happen?

Rushed beat out Portugal for first in their group and Belgium are quality group winner at the WC. As long as the russians play at the tourney like they did in qualifying instead of **** the bed, as they are want to do, this group should put two tough teams into the knockouts..

No doubt that Russia and Belgium are good teams. I know Belgium has their star-studded lineup, and Russia has a coach who I respect to the fullest, but compared to all the other groups (minus maybe Argentina's) this is not what I watch the World Cup to see. I sure do hope (and expect) that Russia and Belgium advance.

I know that Russia beat out Portugal, however I still don't think they're a better team. For conversation's sake, does anyone think so?

Belgium will at least make quarter or semi final in this tournament.

So good.

To the EPL or Eastern European guys: How probable is it that Januzaj plays for Belgium?

Point forward wrote:To the EPL or Eastern European guys: How probable is it that Januzaj plays for Belgium?

Manchester United star Januzaj to play for Turkey or Kosovo says father:
http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=5774

^^Thanks for the info, it interests me both from a soccer and from a human POV. The guy could play for a gazillion nations, but whatever he decides, we should respect it.

BTW: it would be too funny if Januzaj marries some foreign girl, adopts her nationality and ends up representing e.g. Ivory Coast

Belgium hit hard with the Benteke injury. I know they have a star studded team, yet I don't see any real strikers other than him and Lukaku

DD12 wrote:Belgium will at least make quarter or semi final in this tournament.

So good.

They have a lot of talent but I dont see them past 1/8. The reason is their lack of experience at the highest level. Hazard is playing quarterfinals of UCL for the first time, same for Courtouis. Kompany never past 1/8. Most of their roster even never played it.

So I think they move forward the group because of their talent, but I see a bunch of 12 teams or more that would beat them.

To me they're the dark horses of this tournament along with Colombia/Chile.

magik9113 wrote:Belgium hit hard with the Benteke injury. I know they have a star studded team, yet I don't see any real strikers other than him and Lukaku

Dembele has declined as well, I see them easily getting out of tje group stage and then hitting a wall.

I see Belgium as a team built for the WC. They have a strong, physical and good passing midfield specially with Dembele, Fellaini and Witsel(lacks someone that can link up fast with the attack through passing, though), they have speed up front and have a strong defensive line. I agree they aren't contender material yet, because they're just a tiny bit overrated on current ability (not potential, though) and inexperienced, and still are not hungry enough for it, but I guarantee they will knock out a former champion/top10ranked this competition.

i don't see any other team better than belgium here

The Belgian squad is probably the most talented it´s ever been. Besides a good first 11 their bench is quite good too. They could do very well, but the second round will probably be a tough draw. As young as they are they might become one of the favorites for the 2018 tournament though.

Only thing I don´t really understand is why Wilmots puts Vertonghen left-back instead of play him next to Kompany as central defender.

South Korea are getting pretty underrated here. I think they'll advance.

Great strike force of Arsenal's Park Chu-Young, and our young star Heung-Min Son of Leverkusen.

Combine that with a young and pacy midfield consisting of Mainz 05's Koo Cha-Jeol, Swansea's Ki Seung Yeng and Bolton's Lee Chu Young, we're going to be a pretty tough matchup.

South Korea is one of the youngest squads in the WC, but most of our young stars are key players for their respective Club Teams - so experience isnt lacking.

Should be a great World Cup

South Korea is actually quite good. They manhandled Greece in a friendly a few months ago.

With that said, I've got Belgium cruising to 9 points and Russia progressing with them. Greece ripped out Russia's heart in Euro 2012 so I'm sure they'll be starving to get to the knockout.

How the hell does FIFA make their groups? Is it just random? Grouping should be based on FiFA ranking. As flawed as the ranking system is, It would still result in better grouping than this crap.

DRK wrote:South Korea are getting pretty underrated here. I think they'll advance.

Great strike force of Arsenal's Park Chu-Young, and our young star Heung-Min Son of Leverkusen.

that's a great strike force? park chu-young?

DRK wrote:Combine that with a young and pacy midfield consisting of Mainz 05's Koo Cha-Jeol, Swansea's Ki Seung Yeng and Bolton's Lee Chu Young, we're going to be a pretty tough matchup.

sounds like a very mediocre bunch tbh