FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying

[Tender Branson]

Well, Germany-Paraguay was, eh, interesting ...

Right, completely forgot about that game. How'd it end?

3-3

Paraguay was leading 3-2, then Germany scored the 3-3 in the last 15 minutes.

[Tender Branson]

Germany vs. Austria is this Friday (sold out, ca. 70.000 in Munich).

Austria vs. Ireland is next Tuesday (sold out, ca. 53.000 in Vienna).

...

My Predictions:

3-1 Germany/Austria
2-1 Austria/Ireland

[Lief 🗽]

Big game for Austria against Ireland. Between Sweden, Ireland and Austria I hope they get the second spot in their group. They have a lot of great young players.

[Keystone Phil]

It would be nice to see Austria keep the battle for second interesting but, at the end of the day, we need Zlatan (Sweden) at this World Cup. Also, Ireland proved to be a colossal failure last year so they can sit out international tournaments for another eight to ten years as far as I'm concerned. I don't want to have to hear about how "great" their fans are during every damn game like that's supposed to be some consolation for their team sucking.

[Lief 🗽]

It would be nice to see Austria keep the battle for second interesting but, at the end of the day, we need Zlatan (Sweden) at this World Cup. Also, Ireland proved to be a colossal failure last year so they can sit out international tournaments for another eight to ten years as far as I'm concerned. I don't want to have to hear about how "great" their fans are during every damn game like that's supposed to be some consolation for their team sucking.

Yeah, as long as Ireland isn't there to waste space like they were in 2012 I'll be happy.

[Keystone Phil]

Rumors swirling that Prandelli will soon announce his intention to step down after the World Cup. He didn't deny it at a news conference, only saying that he'll make a statement after Italy mathematically qualify for Brazil (which means he's leaving). No surprise at all as he badly misses the day to day coaching life. He's even had big offers while serving as national team coach (Napoli supposedly tried to lure him this Summer).

Mancini is the favorite to succeed him with Milan's Allegri as the second favorite. Dark horses include Juve's Conte, Luciano Spalletti of Zenit, current Russia manager Fabio Capello (!) and current Japan boss Alberto Zaccheroni.

[Keystone Phil]

Decisive stage begins today! Some good matches today. We're all obviously hoping for Finland to pull off another miracle draw (dare I say "win?" No, not that crazy) at home this time against Spain!

Serbia vs. Croatia should be...interesting. Germany vs. Austria, Ireland vs. Sweden, Northern Ireland vs. Portugal, even Switzerland vs. Iceland...really important matches.

[GMantis]

Decisive stage begins today! Some good matches today. We're all obviously hoping for Finland to pull off another miracle draw (dare I say "win?" No, not that crazy) at home this time against Spain!

What happened with supporting "traditional football powers"?

[Keystone Phil]

Decisive stage begins today! Some good matches today. We're all obviously hoping for Finland to pull off another miracle draw (dare I say "win?" No, not that crazy) at home this time against Spain!

What happened with supporting "traditional football powers"?

Haha, I knew this would be mentioned! There are always exceptions! I want Spain to really sweat it out (though they'd obviously win in the Playoff round...or would they? Seeing them somehow blow it might be worth straying from my traditional powers worldview).

Oh, good luck today. I'm glad my side has been warned not to take the Bulgarians lightly. 

[GMantis]

Oh, good luck today. I'm glad my side has been warned not to take the Bulgarians lightly. 

Thanks and the same to you. By the way, an amusing statistic: both Italy and Bulgaria have conceded only four goals in six games, half of them in the game between. So a game with lots of goals?
Incidentally, today is a national day in Bulgaria, so I hope this inspires our players

[GMantis]

In the Czech Republic-Armenia match, the Armenians have taken the lead despite the  Czechs having most of the possession. Which is good news for Bulgaria (though it won't be good news if Armenia continues  playing as they do in this match

[Keystone Phil]

I don't know what the hell it is with Armenia sucking at home and doing well away. They're up 1-0 in the Czech Republic. Hoping for a draw or an Armenia win for group purposes though a win will worry me a tad. We face them at home in the final game (in Naples). Qualification should be secured by then but you never know...

Russia up 2-0 to Luxembourg. Kazakhstan only up 2-1 at home to the Faroe Islands.

[Keystone Phil]

In the Czech Republic-Armenia match, the Armenians have taken the lead despite the  Czechs having most of the possession. Which is good news for Bulgaria (though it won't be good news if Armenia continues  playing as they do in this match

Yeah but you guys are playing them in Armenia. They have sucked at home this campaign!

[Tender Branson]

Tonight, we are all Austrians ...

[GMantis]

Tonight, we are all Austrians ...

Even the Germans?

[minionofmidas]

Tonight, we are all Austrians ...

Even the Germans?

Oh yes. It's time for another Cordoba. I want to see Jerome Boateng cry all night through like Rolf Rüssmann is reported to have done after that and Philipp Lahm best Berti Vogts and not just joke about hacking off that own-goal-scoring leg but actually doing it.

[Tender Branson]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

[minionofmidas]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

That was a friendly though.

(Every German involved in that game is dead at least 24 years; researching which made me find out that Weimar era footballing legend "Hanne" Sobek only barely missed living into my own sports-coverage-following days. Who would'a thought it?)

[Keystone Phil]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

Ah, The Hitler Derby glory days...

[Tender Branson]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

Ah, The Hitler Derby glory days...

No, that was between 1938-1945.

Hitler didn't take power until 1933, Austria was annexed in 1938.

[Tender Branson]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

That was a friendly though.

(Every German involved in that game is dead at least 24 years; researching which made me find out that Weimar era footballing legend "Hanne" Sobek only barely missed living into my own sports-coverage-following days. Who would'a thought it?)

I wonder how many people who watched this game are still alive today ...

[Keystone Phil]

Important fact:

The last time Austria won against Germany, playing in Germany, was 82 years ago - in 1931.

It was a 6-0 then in Berlin.

Ah, The Hitler Derby glory days...

No, that was between 1938-1945.

Hitler didn't take power until 1933, Austria was annexed in 1938.

Uh huh. Next you're going to tell me the Germans really weren't the ones that bombed Pearl Harbor...

[Keystone Phil]

The Czechs tied it up in the 70th! In stoppage time now.

[GMantis]

Armenia takes the lead in the 93rd minute!

[Keystone Phil]

...and Armenia scores at the very end.