WC 2018 Draw and Group B News

Discussion in 'Spain: National Teams' started by Pichi, Dec 1, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Spain will be in Group B with Portugal, Morocco and Iran.
     
  2. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    2016 World Cup - Group B
    15 June
    Morocco v Iran in St. Petersburg
    Portugal v Spain in Sochi

    20 June
    Portugal v Morocco in Moscow
    Iran v Spain in Kazan

    25 June
    Iran v Portugal in Saransk
    Spain v Morocco in Kaliningrad

    Group WINNER'S path to the Final...
    Round of 16: Group A runner up (Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay)
    Quarterfinal: Winner Match 50
    Semifinal: Winner Match 58

    Group RUNNER'S UP path to the Final:
    Round of 16: Group A winner (Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay)
    Quarterfinal: Winner Match 52
    Semifinal: Winner Match 60
     
  3. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Not a bad draw, was hoping for Iran, Morocco is doable and to be honest having Portugal isn't that bad. However playing them in the first game will definitely set the tone for the other two matches.

    Aupa Espanha y La Furia Roja!
     
  4. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    BTW-According to Marca the match times for all of Spain's group games will be 2000 hrs CET, which equates to 1400/1100 hrs EST/PST over here, guess there will be some long lunch hours for us here on the west coast in June!
     
  5. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I usually take a two week vacation during World Cups to watch the group stage.
     
  6. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Here is a url for predicting the WC2018 Champion:
     
  7. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I assume there will be one or two friendlies against Arabic teams leading up to Russia.
     
  8. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    I am working on a huge project with a go live date in June! :(
     
  9. Oscar

    Oscar Member+

    Nov 30, 2001
    Holland
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Is it me or are we often in Group B of a tournament? At least I don't have to wait a week into the tournament to watch the team play, I'm guessing our game is on gameday 2 (?)
     
  10. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Yes. Russia-Saudi Arabia kicks off tournament on Thursday June 14.
    Spain-Portugal is last match on June 15.
     
  11. Juanele

    Juanele Member+

    Aug 4, 1999
    Colorado, US
    About a middle of the pack difficulty wise. Could be better, could be worse.

    Russia - Saudi Arabia...what an uninspiring game to start the WC with
     
    +PL+ repped this.
  12. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Group B Team analysis from the Guardian:

    Group B
    Portugal

    “Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany and France are the favourites to win the World Cup,” says the Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, before adding: “Then we have other candidates, who want to get as far as possible, and win the tournament if possible, and Portugal are in this second group.” Santos is cautious, despite winning Euro 2016 but he is looking forward to the World Cup with optimism and does so with good reason: Portugal seem stronger now than a year and a half ago, having added creativity to the defensive organisation that underpinned the 2016 title. Bernardo Silva and André Silva have been important factors in this attacking upgrade and in general the team have more depth. The one area which is perhaps weaker is the defence, where it has been hard to find replacements for Pepe (who will be 35 next summer), José Fonte (34) and Bruno Alves (36).

    How they qualified Winners of European Group B ahead of Switzerland Preferred system 4-4-2 Star player Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) One to watch Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) Manager Fernando Santos Odds 20-1

    Nuno Travassos, Maisfutebol

    [​IMG]
    FacebookTwitterPinterest
    Portugal are a stronger side now than the team who won Euro 2016. Photograph: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
    Spain
    La Roja are still La Roja and crashing out at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and the disappointment of France 2016 were not at all cathartic in the end. At the age of 51, and without much experience as a coach at elite level, Julen Lopetegui has managed to conserve the essence of what made Spain so successful. The backbone of the team who qualified brilliantly for Russia 2018 are the same as those who failed in France a year and a half ago. Eight of the team who lost against Italy in Paris would start in Russia if the World Cup started now: David De Gea, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva and Álvaro Morata. In addition, the wonderful Isco has found his feet with the senior squad, as have several of the under-21s who won the Euros with Spain and Lopetegui in 2013.

    How they qualified Winners of European Group G ahead of Italy Preferred system4-5-1 Star player David Silva (Manchester City) One to watch Isco (Real Madrid) Manager Julen Lopetegui Odds 15-2

    José Sámano, El País

    Morocco
    The Atlas Lions are roaring again. Twenty years after a heartbreaking elimination from the group stage at France ’98, the first African team to reach the last 16 are back at the World Cup. Morocco, the only African team to qualify for Russia without conceding a goal, have built their game on solid defence and hard work. The experience of Karim El Ahmadi, M’barek Boussoufa and Juventus’s Mehdi Benatia fits well with the intelligence of Hakim Ziyech and the strength of Nordin Amrabat. Hervé Renard is in charge but the advice coming from one of his assistants, Patrice Beaumelle, is vital. The former Coventry City midfielder Mustapha Hadji is also key in the setup, sharing his experiences and acting as a role model for this generation. The team’s main weakness used to be on the left but Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi has filled the gap admirably since September.

    How they qualified Winners African Group C (round three) ahead of Ivory CoastPreferred system 4-5-1 Star player Hakim Ziyech (Ajax) One to watch Sofiane Boufal (Southampton) Manager Hervé Renard Odds 250-1

    Amine El Amri, Le Matin

    Iran
    Team Melli are playing in a second successive World Cup for the first time. Carlos Queiroz’s men were the first Asian side to qualify for this tournament and did so with 12 consecutive clean sheets. The main aspect of Queiroz’s tactics is “reactive football” with a deep-lying defence and quick counterattacks. However, in recent friendlies against Russia, Panama and Venezuela, Iran played with a different tactic, pressing higher up the pitch and adopting a more aggressive approach. Queiroz, despite a temper and petulance that has caused many seemingly pointless controversies in recent years, is very popular in Iran because of the results and performances. Many believe he has given a real character to the national team. Iran have many Europe-based players this season and Queiroz tends to select those who play outside their homeland.

    How they qualified Winners of Asian Group A (round three) ahead of South KoreaPreferred system 4-2-3-1 Star player Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan) One to watchSaman Ghoddos (Ostersund) Manager Carlos Queiroz

    Behnam Jafarzadeh, varzesh3.com

    Group C
     
  13. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Marca in English team analysis for Spain's opponents in Group B
     
  14. Sumol

    Sumol Member+

    Portugal
    Oct 12, 2011
    Club:
    SL Benfica
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Not really, i watched Australia against Saudi Arabia in a playoff recently and it was really competitive. Saudi Arabia has more of a chance to spoil the Russians in that opener than many people think.
     
  15. Oscar

    Oscar Member+

    Nov 30, 2001
    Holland
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    They might be competive against each other, but even though I don't rate Russia that highly I'd still say they are better than either of those 2 teams. Especially considering they're at home and will probably have some ref "home advantage".

    That's actually what I am wondering about the most: will we see Korea 2002 type refereeing for Russia? Especially considering there's a chance the qualifying teams from our group could face them in the 2nd round.
     
  16. Juanele

    Juanele Member+

    Aug 4, 1999
    Colorado, US
    It's why I'd rather face Uruguay in the next round rather than Russia. Uruguay is the better team but they wouldn't have the extra baggage that facing Russia would.
     
  17. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Posting this in both the "News and Rumors" thread and the "WC 2018 Group B news" thread and letting you all decide which thread to continue using.


    Provisional squad list of 35 players to be announced on May 14.

    During and after the wild Clasico on Sunday a part of me wondered if the negative atmosphere could carry over to World Cup team.
    Then I see this and now believe all will be good. :)

     
  18. Sumol

    Sumol Member+

    Portugal
    Oct 12, 2011
    Club:
    SL Benfica
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Publicity work.

    Yes....Let's just forget about everything that transpired on the pitch. You are tying way too hard to convince yourself that the fears you face are false.

    They aren't. Just let it take over.
     
  19. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    [​IMG]

    What's YOUR proof?
     
  20. Oscar

    Oscar Member+

    Nov 30, 2001
    Holland
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    Most of the 'scuffles' weren't between national team members, the relationship between the Barça and Madrid players is no different than it was when won the WC and EC or when we went out prematurely in other tournaments imo.
     
  21. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    According to Marca, Spain will play against Portugal with their blue jersey, against Morocco in red and it is undecided what color uniform to wear against Iran.
     
  22. Pichi

    Pichi Moderator
    Staff Member

    Dec 17, 1999
    San Jose, CA
    Club:
    Real Betis
    Nat'l Team:
    Spain
    #22 Pichi, May 16, 2018
    Last edited: May 16, 2018
    Here is Iran's initial WC Roster.

    Here is Portugal's:

    Porteros: Anthony Lopes (O. Lyon), Beto (Goztepe) y Rui Patrício (Sporting CP).

    Defensas: Antunes (Getafe), Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cédric Soares (Southampton), João Cancelo (Inter), José Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Luís Neto (Fenerbahçe), Mário Rui (Nápoles), Nélson Semedo (Barcelona), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (B. Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Oporto), Rolando (Marsella) y Rúben Dias (Benfica).

    Medios: Adrien Silva (Leicester), André Gomes (Barcelona), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), João Mário (West Ham), João Moutinho (Mónaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), Rúben Neves (Wolverhampton), Sérgio Oliveira (Oporto) y William Carvalho (Sporting CP).

    Delanteros: André Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Éder (Lokomotiv), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Gonçalo Guedes (Valencia), Nani (Lazio), Paulinho (SC Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas) y Ronny Lopes (Mónaco).

    Morocco and Spain have not yet submitted their initial roster, according to Marca, Lopetegui will announce the squad on Monday 21 May.
     
  23. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Blue? That makes no sense. I thought Spain only had red and white kits for the World Cup (?) I haven't seen a blue one presented although I'd love to see one.
    And if Spain wears blue then Portugal (the designated home team for that match) would have to switch to white because of FIFA's requirement that every World Cup match must have one team wear a "dark" color and the opponent wear "light".
    That's how Holland ended up wearing blue against Spain in 2014. Complicated scenario:
    - Holland were deemed the home team and wanted to wear orange, which was their "light" shirt. (They had no white shirt)
    - But orange clashed with Spain's red, which was their "dark" shirt. So Spain had to switch to white ("light").
    - But that would have meant both teams wearing "light". So Holland were made to switch to "dark" (blue).
    The dark v light was also why Germany couldn't wear their all-white kit against Brazil in the semis.
    Gotta love FIFA. :rolleyes:
    So with Portugal as the designated home team they will naturally choose red ("dark") meaning Spain should be wearing white ("light").
    I'm guessing Portugal's "light" kit will either be white or that light green they wore at Euro 2016.

    Spain is the home team against Morocco so wearing red against Morocco's white makes sense.

    Iran is the home team against Spain so they'll likely choose white meaning Spain should be wearing red shirts.
     
  24. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    #24 unclesox, May 21, 2018
    Last edited: May 21, 2018
    [​IMG]

    GOALKEEPERS
    Pepe Reina ...................................... Napoli (ITA)
    David de Gea ................................... Manchester United (ENG)
    Kepa Arrizabalaga ........................... Athletic Bilbao

    DEFENDERS
    Sergio Ramos .................................. Real Madrid
    Gerard Piqué .................................... Barcelona
    Jordi Alba ......................................... Barcelona
    César Azpilicueta ............................. Chelsea (ENG)
    Dani Carvajal .................................... Real Madrid
    José Ignacio "Nacho" Fernández ..... Real Madrid
    Álvaro Odriozola ............................... Real Sociedad
    Nacho Monreal ................................. Arsenal (ENG)

    MIDFIELDERS
    Andrés Iniesta .................................. Barcelona
    Jorge "Koke" Resurrección .............. Atlético Madrid
    Francisco "Isco" Alarcón .................. Real Madrid
    Thiago Alcántara .............................. Bayern Munich (GER)
    Saúl Ñíguez ...................................... Atlético Madrid
    Sergio Busquets ............................... Barcelona

    FORWARDS
    David Silva ........................................ Manchester City (ENG)
    Marco Asensio .................................. Real Madrid
    Diego Costa ...................................... Atlético Madrid
    Iago Aspas ........................................ Celta Vigo
    Lucas Vázquez ................................. Real Madrid
    Rodrigo Moreno ................................ Valencia
     
  25. unclesox

    unclesox BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 8, 2003
    209, California
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    #25 unclesox, May 21, 2018
    Last edited: May 21, 2018


     

Share This Page