I rather like Honduras - a great BBC profile of this tiny amateur nation - we'd all love a real outsider to win the whole thing, wouldn't we?

I remember 2002 (I was in prison for crimes that had never taken place).

Then, in Euro 2004, both Ronaldo and Torres, very young, talented and cute, caught my attention.

South Korea/Japan hosted the 2002 World Cup which was won by Brazil - who are favourites to win in 2014.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup starts this Thursday - for a month; the first game (at 9pm BST) is Brazil v Croatia.

32 teams will play in 12 venues - in 7 new and 5 renovated stadiums; the most interesting venue is Manaus, in the Amazon, where England will have their first game against Italy on Saturday night, in 80% humidity.

Its the 20th World Cup and the second time in Brazil (first, 1950). The previous four World Cups, staged in South America, were won by South American teams.

For the first time (at World Cup finals), goal-line technology will be used. Also vaninshing spray will be applied by the referees to mark a ten yard line for free kicks.

The mascot is Fuleco, an armadillo and the offical song is We Are One - although Jennifer Lopez has just pulled out of the opening ceremony.

Costing c$14b to stage, the World Cup will be watched in every country on earth (all 209) - by c2b people.

Brazil are 3/1; England 25/1; Germany 6/1; USA 250/1 Honduras 1,500/1; Iran 2,500/1.

Can enthusiasm beat cash? I reckon a fiver on Honduras at 500-1 might be fun. I've placed a bet.

Bit like asking 'do you remember your first time?'.......there is a male version that asks 'what was your first World Cup?'.

Me, 1978 Argentina.

I never understand betting as fun, but at 25/1, Eng would only command an offer of £10 from me..........unless they start to play a very solid 4-4-2 kick and rush game and forget this fancy continental passing and possession game.......they don't like it up em ( the foreigners) so let's make ourselves awkward. The country will forgive the style for success

Mr Reason wrote:
Bit like asking 'do you remember your first time?'.......there is a male version that asks 'what was your first World Cup?'

For me it was England 66

with World Cup Willie


Beckenbauer


and that third goal


Final 2014:
Brazil v Argentina 1:0

England will get pass the group stage and that be it then plane home.

In the knockout stages a team winning on penalties is always about 12-1. So when England are in the knockout stages of the World Cup or European Championships I bet on their opponents to win on penalties.

Goose bumps..

I'm actually getting quite excited! Honduras to win in an astonishing upset! Brazil get bumped out in first round! Referee raped on pitch! I can write the coverage today with 24 hours to go.

I think Argentina will win it. It could be the moment Messi dominates the world stage. The brilliant Suarez would do so if he was in a better international team.

SP17 wrote:
the offical song is We Are One - although Jennifer Lopez has just pulled out of the opening ceremony

She's changed her mind - an will sing the song at the opening ceremony tonight.

Still surprised no one has mentioned Hulk.

andrew wrote:
Still surprised no one has mentioned Hulk

de Souza will play on the wing for Brazil tonight

.
My pick is Spain - to become the third country to retain the FIFA WC. They have the best league and their teams - Real/Atletico Madrid and Barcelona - dominate European competitions.



(the others were Brazil and Italy)

Quite a good first half of the Brazil/Croatia opener. The time difference is going to be a massive drag for us over here!

For smart phones, tablets etc. - there are a number of free apps available which provide an amazing amount of information on the World Cup.

Including its history, details of the stadiums/teams/players, group tables, results etc. At a glance, you can see which games are on - when.

You can even get texts/emails when goals are scored - or just giving the result at full time. Handy if you don't want to miss something - or can't be watching everything.

SP17 wrote:
.
My pick is Spain - to become the third country to retain the FIFA WC


Taken apart by the Dutch - no further comments (on the WC) from me.

Football is almost as ludicrous as politics on here. Everything else is fun, but please just wipe all of this tosh out! [Cue ghastly 'democracy doesn't work - I THINK it means just anything goes - but I don't really know what democracy means at all' threads

I'm afraid you'll get lots more footie over the next few weeks, Pru!

JK2006 wrote:
I'm afraid you'll get lots more footie over the next few weeks, Pru!

I love the game, it's just the literary equivalent of dad dancing on here!