World Cup Thread

[BillyStubbsTears]

It’s notable though, that before the current generation of migrants came to maturity, Switzerland were gash. They made 1 WC Final Tournaments in 40 years from 1966-2006. Since 2006, they’ve made 4 in a row and their record is
P13 W6 D4 L3
with whatvlooks like another qualification from the group stages on the cards.

Makes you think.

[Boomstick]

No. Accepted. I misread your post. My apologies.

Thanks, apology accepted.

[Boomstick]

It’s notable though, that before the current generation of migrants came to maturity, Switzerland were gash. They made 1 WC Final Tournaments in 40 years from 1966-2006. Since 2006, they’ve made 4 in a row and their record is
P13 W6 D4 L3
with whatvlooks like another qualification from the group stages on the cards.

Makes you think.

Interesting, more likely down to other factors like coaching, facilities and standard of their league improving. IMO

[BillyStubbsTears]

And no-one else has had those improvements?

[Bristol Red Rover]

Seems possible that it's a combination of:

1) The money available in Switzerland for football.
2) The increased interest in football due at least partly to a more football interested imigrant population.
3) The specific encouragement of their children by sectors of an immigrant population who have more of a football interest.
4) An immigrant population containing a number of passionate coaches.

To deny the effect of immigration is a bit flat earthed.

[Boomstick]

And no-one else has had those improvements?

Definitely, Iceland is a great example. With the smaller footballing countries investing more in their facilities, coaching etc improving the standard of their football, it levels the playing field more (pardon the pun) and makes it harder for teams like holland, Italy and usa to qualify.
After all not not everyone can qualify!

I think improving footballing standards as an argument for the merits of immigration can be put to bed.

[RoversAlias]

There are many factors that go into national team success or lack thereof. I doubt immigration is a driving factor for Suisse but I'm also sure that the changing make-up of nationality affects teams right across the world. This Tunisia team playing now, many of them are born Frenchmen. Germany's team includes Sami Khedira of Tunisian heritage, plus Turkish origin players Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan. Spain's star striker is Brazilian. I could go on and on. Look how many of England's squad come from minority backgrounds compared to even 20 years ago. So I'm not greatly sure what your point was originally BST.

Switzerland is situated in central Europe so it stands to reason that as the world has become more globalised, immigration policy or not, there will be many people of many backgrounds travelling to and through the country over the past few decades. French, Italian, German, Austrian, Balkan and so on so it doesn't surprise me much that their squad contains many multi-man players.

[DonnyOsmond]

England's pace has probably attributed a lot to immigration and that's probably one of our biggest assets.

[BillyStubbsTears]

My point was that the Swiss squad is quite exceptional in that there are something like 16 or 17 first or second generation immigrants in it. I’m not aware of any other country having a situation like that.

And, incidentally, a big proportion of those recent migrants are from the Balkans. It is precisely immigration from the Balkans that led to the Swiss referendum vote to tighten up their borders.

I find it fascinating that there are many facets to immigration. It’s far from a 100% negative thing. There’s a lot of talk in here about the national boost that WE would get if we did well in the WC. Presumably tgat also applies to the Swiss. But they are being represented by people that a big proportion of their population don’t want in their country.

[Colemans Left Hook]

just watched batshui miiss 3 sitters in 10 minutes so put £5 on him at 1000/1 

hope lukaku gets injured

[Colemans Left Hook]

he's got one in a row !!!

just missed another sitter

[redandwhitearmy]

Sweden 1-0 Germany

They’re in massive trouble here.

[rich1471]

never need a reason drink but if Germany go out i will party , but i did think think they would win it , it is a world world cup of surprises so far   

[drfchound]

Sweden should be two up at the break.
I hope they can go on to win this game.

[PDX_Rover]

And Sweden should have had a penalty. Germany should be down to 10. I expect to see Müller etc going down like kelly dolls as they get desperate. I bet June Brown’s half time talk is priceless.

[PDX_Rover]

Ref just missed an off the ball foul by Müller in the box...

[RedJ]

Even with a draw Germany are really up against it. Sweden only need a draw against Mexico.

[RedJ]

Jammy Kitsons.

[drfchound]

A bit like that third goal of Coppinger against Southend but from the other side.

[Filo]

f**king jammy bas**rds!

[Copps is Magic]

Never in doubt.  They'll win it.

[drfchound]

Never in doubt?
Really?

[Cantley Rover]

Sweden were their own worst enemies. They should have kept the ball at the other end when they had it, then gave away a stupid free kick when they didn't need to.

[Copps is Magic]

Master technicians. Can play shite against team's having the game's of their lives and still have that absolutely ice cold composure. If they start playing well, there's no team can live with them.

[drfchound]

Sweden were their own worst enemies. They should have kept the ball at the other end when they had it, then gave away a stupid free kick when they didn't need to.

Yep, it is really easy just to keep the ball at the other end isn’t it.

[BillyStubbsTears]

They’ll win the f**king thing now.

[Prez]

They need to improve defensively, the Germans. Better teams will exploit a week back line.

[Copps is Magic]

They’ll win the f**king thing now.

Of course they will. They're the best in the world at knock out tornaments. They just started theirs early.

[PDX_Rover]

He’s been watching Copps vs Southend.

[Filo]

Master technicians. Can play shite against team's having the game's of their lives and still have that absolutely ice cold composure. If they start playing well, there's no team can live with them.

There eas nothing ice cool about that, shear desparation would be more apt