FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifying

[Franknburger]

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

O.k., most major seasons have not yet or only just started, which became especially apparent with players like Khedira, Klose, Özil and Mertesacker (Podolski was a positive surprise in this respect). Germany attacked well, shot three goals and had excellent opportunities for a few more (Reus, Klose and Schürrle all failed miserably).
However, Germany also conceded three goals, all in the first half, and all due to disastrous defending and individual mistakes. During the first half, the central defence was a mess, with Hummels and Mertesacker regularly changing positions, but typically leaving one Paraguayan attacker uncovered. Khedira's slopping passing and unforced ball losses did not really help in this respect. It got better in the second half, after Boateng replaced Mertesacker, and L. Bender added a bit of defensive stability to the midfield.

Nevertheless, you have to wonder what drove German coach Löw to put only one Bayern player (Lahm) into the six playing in front of Neuer. O.k., Badstuber is still recovering from injury, and Schweinsteiger was also injured, but Löw could already have put in Boateng from the start, and not only after half-time. Alternatively, he could have considered a Dortmund set-up with Weidenfeller, Hummels, Schmelzer and Sven Bender/ Gündogan. This Bayern - Dortmund- Arsenal - Real mix did definitely not work!

[Franknburger]

Germany vs. Austria highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6dycSQ8wEs&hd=1

Austria played solidly, but lacks the individual class that some German players possess (e.g. Kroos' wonderful 2:0).
I was a bit disappointed by the number of "frustration fouls" Austrian players committed after the 70th minute (Foul statistics: Austria 20, Germany 8 ).  

[Franknburger]

Netherlands can book their flight.

I'm certain the Dutch fans are quite happy that they managed to qualify at least one round before Germany

Especially those Dutch fans that still remember 2002 (you may, b.t.w., cross out your last six four words in this context)

Oh, and congratulation, USA!

[Franknburger]

USA QUALIFIES FOR THE WORLD CUP

We'll be out in groups though.

Not so sure. You'll have time zone advantage.

[Franknburger]

Colombia is through in every non-technical way. For them to miss out on qualifying Ecuador and Uruguay must tie and then both win their other games while Colombia loses both AND Ecuador making up 9 and Uruguay 13 goals in goal difference. The latter part is obviously not happening.

Belgium and Germany are other examples of teams that are through in reality. And Spain.

Sweden situation is looking bad. Bloody Irish. We have to beat Austria, since Austria will beat Faroe islands and we will lose against Germany and we're already behind on goal difference. Those sucky games against Kazakhstan and Faroe Islands are coming back to bite us now.

Let's put it like this: If you beat Austria, you deserve 2nd place, if not, then not. Don't blame the Irish.

[Franknburger]

Next World Cups should be:

23 from UEFA.
8 from CONMEBOL.
1 from the rest of the world.

You're being slightly generous to CONMEBOL but otherwise, yes, perfect.

I am actually fine with four to five African teams - among Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast and South Africa (possibly also Egypt & Morocco), there is always one that can make it to the quarterfinals. Asia/Oceania  could go down to 3, seven from the Americas (I leave it to you guys to do the North-South splitting). 17-18 UEFA sounds about right.

If Austria and Switzerland would unite, they could actually come up with a quite competitive team. As far as I am concerned, no Anschluss is needed  (just pass over David Alaba, our right-hand defence is not that great...).

The British might, b.t.w., consider whether one team making it past the last sixteen wouldn't be better then proving to Luxemburg that there are teams they can beat.