There is no comment I can say here that is enough to showcase how delusional you are to even include Portugal in the equation. There are a few low tier teams that make Portugal's life hard, it doesn't mean that they're equally as good talent wise. Greece being our prime example. Other teams suffer from the same. I'm not placing Portugal among the best of the best, but it's also not reasonable to suddenly place the team two tiers below just because we crashed in the last WC.
I disagree. I would put England ahead of the 2 countries I had mentioned as well as Belgium. While Belgium has a talented squad, I think some of their players are overrated. Plus, they don't play that well together because of their lack the international experience. England's main problem is lacking a good foreign coach who will install tactical awareness and winning mentality. Plus they had some bad luck in several tournaments.
If push came to shove, I'd put Portugal ahead of the USA. And I agree that they are certainly more talented. But the results aren't actually so different. As I said, the US has 1 win, 1 draw, and 0 losses against Portugal in competitive matches in recent years. And the draw took a last moment goal. Of course, 2 matches is a super low sample size, so it's not particularly meaningful. But their general results bear out that the teams I mentioned are in a similar tier. Here are the teams' ELO ratings, along with their world ranking in ELO rating: Portugal: 1883 (10th) Uruguay: 1858 (12th) United States: 1836 (14th) Mexico: 1821 (15th) Of course, the US is currently losing to Jamaica in the Gold Cup, so perhaps they'll tumble down a bit very soon. But they're objectively within the same tier of teams on that metric.
2002 it was in a recent year, right? Have you noticed that the only 2 times Portugal crashed ever since we managed consistent results for the first time in the international stage were precisely the only 2 times we had shit preparation? At least I commend Greece for beating us at our best. Something that US can't clearly of having had done.
Okay lets take a look at each big team's starting squads and we can look at the talent and players each team has: Germany: (4-2-3-1) --------------------------Schurrle-------------------------- ---------Reus-------------Kroos----------Muller---------- --------------Schweinsteiger--Khedeira------------------- --Howedes--Mertasacker---------Hummels---Boateng-- -----------------------------Neuer-------------------------- Subs: Weidenfeller, Mustafi, Podolski, Ozil, Gotze, Kramer, Gundogan France: (4-3-3) ----------Griezmann--Benzema--Valbuena--------------- ---------Matuidi--------Cabaye---------Pogba------------ ----Evra--------Varane-----------Mathieu----Debuchy--- ----------------------------Lloris---------------------------- Subs: Mandanda, Koscienly, Sakho, Giroud, Lacazette, Kondogbia, Schneiderlin Italy: (4-3-3) -----------Giovinco---Gabbiadini---Berardi------------- ----------Marchisio-----Verratti-----De Rossi----------- ---Darmian-----Bonucci-------Chiellini----De Sciglio--- ---------------------------Buffon-------------------------- Subs: Sirigu, Rugani, Barzagli, Pirlo, Insigne, Candreva, Florenzi Belgium: (4-2-3-1) --------------------------Lukaku---------------------------- ---------Hazard-------De Bruyne--------Mertens---------- ------------------Fellaini-------Witsel------------------------ ---Vermaelen---Kompany---Van Buyten---Alderweireld--- --------------------------Courtois----------------------------- Subs: Mignolet, Vertonghen, Mirallas, Nainggolan, T. Hazard, Origi, Dembele Spain: (4-2-3-1) ---------------------------D. Costa------------------------- -----------Iniesta--------Fabregas----------Silva---------- -------------------Busquets------Alonso------------------- -----Alba---------Ramos-----------Pique----Juanfran---- ----------------------------Casillas-------------------------- Subs: De Gea, Bernat, Bartra, Koke, Alacer, Isco, Morata Croatia: (4-2-3-1) -------------------------Mandzukic------------------------ ----------Perisic----------Kovakic----------Brozovic------- --------------------Modric-------Raktic-------------------- ----Pranjic-------Corluka--------Lovren--------Srna------ ----------------------------Subasic--------------------------- Subs: Pletikosa, Vrsaljko, Strinic, Olic, Vida, Badelj, Rebic Netherlands: (4-2-3-1) (If they even qualify) ------------------Robben------Huntelaar--------------------- ---Blind-----De Jong---Sneijder---Wijnaldum--Janmaat--- --------Martins Indi-----Vlaar-------De Vrij------------------ --------------------------Cillessen------------------------------ Subs: Krul, Kuyt, Van Persie, De Guzman, Van der Weil, Depay, Clasie These are all the complete world class teams.
Contrary to popular belief I think German and Spain are on a downward trend. On the opposite, I see England, France, and Belgium on the rise. Netherlands will not be there (they didn't qualify), and Italy... well, Italy is always an enigma (can go 0-6 in group stage against all shit teams, or can go 6-0 against the best in the world). So... I'm not sure who will win, but I dare say the final will be played between 2 of these 3: France, England, Belgium (assuming they won't meet each other until the final). If they do... I see Italy making the final
England won't be any where near the final. I've long since thought that France might win it though. Some immense young talent through and a nation behind them on home soil.
France also has the home ground advantage, which is why I chose them as favorites for winning the championship. But, based on talent alone, Belgium overshadows everyone. And England... well, they will play without too much pressure (nobody really expects England to perform well at important tournaments, based on their past results), so... they will probably get out of their groups pretty easily, and from then onward anything can happen, and with the players they currently have (finally, England can field some good players after decades), they can pull a surprise
Really? Do you have any idea how much talent Spain has? There will be some great players from Spain that won't even make the squad. Spain has enormous talented players, I can't believe some people don't take this team seriously. Goalkeepers: De Gea, Casillas, Rico, David Lopez, Moya Defenders: Ramos, Pique, Juanfran, Alba, Azpilicueta, Carvajal, Albiol, Nacho, Bartra, Bernat, Coke (I am sure there is more I am forgetting) Midfielders: Busquets, Iniesta, Isco, Koke, Gabi, Fabregas, Herrera, David Silva, Thiago Alacentra, Alex Vidal, Vitolo, Reyes, Mario Suarez (Again I am sure I am forgetting some). Forwards: Callejon, Alcacer, Diego Costa, Morata, Llorente (Again I am sure thats not all) There you go I have already listed over 23 players and I said, I am sure there are more I am forgetting, and keep in mind this is coming from an italian who isn't even as familiar as regular spanish supporters. All of these players I listed are either starting players for their clubs or super subs at really big clubs like Barcelona/Real Madrid etc. Belgium has quite a bit of talent but only really in their starting squad as well as Carrasco. To me Spain has the best talent, followed by France. Then Germany and Italy.
eh.. no. They have several very good players but they don't have a worldclass 23 team and they have too less experience as well. I'd say they are behind Spain, Germany and France in talent and on par with England, Portugal and Italy. They have a great crop of players and on a good day can beat anybody but it won't be enough to win it all.
I do. That's why I said that Belgium overshadows anyone Just because you like Spain doesn't mean that I must like them, too De Gea and 3 others, yes... Ramos, Carvajal, and Pique, yes... Iniesta, David Silva, and few others, yes... Callejon, Diego Costa, and Morata I don't care Yeah so? Just because some of these names play for Real and Barca means that spain has the best players in Europe?? To you, yes. I have the right to have my own opinion.
Bla bla bla. I have my own opinion and I'm not gonna change it cause you or the other guy are spain a$$ lickers. I said that Belgium, France and/or England will make it to the final and I'm keeping my opinion.
I think Germany or France. Germany is the best team in the world at the moment but Italy definitely knew how to beat them in previous years. However, I don't think Italy will win it. France is my second candidate for the title because of home ground. Also, I will consider Spain there but definitely not as much as GER and FRA.
Yea that's how a forum works, doesn't it? I'm not a Spain fan, though. You better calm down before you look like a little girl in your Lederhose.
but what if I want to look like a little in my Lederhose? It's a free world, so I can be a little girl in Lederhose, or like a cucumber if I'm so inclined. You got nothing on me
Even though I think we're not as good as many teams there, I seriously believe England will make the final, perhaps even win it. A lot of youth, more hunger combined with less expectation.