Tag Archives: WWC2015

WWC2015: Wrap Up & Awards

{Preview of the final here.} I admit that, as a sports fan, my preference is for white-knuckle, tension-filled games that are won in the agonizing final minutes … but that USA win was still pretty enjoyable. There’s not a lot … Continue reading

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WWC2015: The Award Shortlists

My first response to the FIFA Award Shortlists was predictable confusion. But I found it hard to argue for players that were omitted, once you accept a few caveats. First, these awards only go to the more successful teams. That’s … Continue reading

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WWC2015: The Semifinals & Preview of THE FINAL!

{Previews of this round can be found here and here, along with links to prior writing on this tournament.} GERMANY v USA It is so rare for a sporting event to live up to its hype, and such a pleasure … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Quarterfinals Two & Three & Preview of the Second Semifinal

{The other side of the bracket can be found here.} AUSTRALIA v JAPAN This was a tense game, with Australia’s speed always looking threatening in spite of the technical skill of the Japanese, which allowed them to dominate not just possession, but … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Quarterfinals One & Two & Preview of the First Semifinal

{Previews of this round here, which links to prior writeups as well. Will have the second two quarters and the second semifinal up sometime tomorrow.} GERMANY v FRANCE This game, I believe, lived up to its billing and, in the … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Round of Sixteen and Quarterfinals Preview

{If you want to see how I did, previews of this round here, that post also has links to write-ups of each matchday of the group stage. Commentary is grouped by quarterfinal matchup, not in the order the games were … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Round of 16 Previews

{Discussions of the first match days, the second match days, and a final overview of the group stage preceded this.} While I’ve succumbed to the prediction bug below, I’m more interested in thinking about what the key components of each contest … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Group Match 3 Thoughts

{Written after the completion of Group Play. Thoughts on the opening games here; second games here. Will have a preview of the Round of 16 sometime after this.} Warning: This is a long post, as it turned into more of … Continue reading

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Monday Evening Quarterbacking: Thoughts on the USA’s Third Game

Wanted to get these out there before the game, as it’s so easy to claim these things in hindsight. The USA will not reach the finals of the WC insisting on playing Carli Lloyd or Morgan Brian out wide. It’s … Continue reading

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WWC2015: Group Match 2 Thoughts

{Thoughts on the Match 1 here.} Ultimately, I’m conflicted. The round 2 games were, overall, a bit underwhelming. But they set up a fantastic set of clashes for round 3, with almost every game having potential impact on what nations … Continue reading

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