Costa Rica v Greece (Knockout Group) Sunday 29th June 2014

[juice_terry]

The tie nobody would have predicted, would fancy the Costa Ricans to win this but Greece are capable of getting results from nowhere.

 

[Onket]

I'd like Greece to win, but who knows.

 

[Barking_Mad]

Hmm have to go for Costa Rica but a Greek win wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Lo Siento.]

can't see Greece winning. Their four points basically came from defending deep against a pretty toothless Japan and the softest of pens in the final second of their game with Ivory Coast, them being here at this point is almost a total accident and Costa Rica are massive favourites.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Hope Costa Rica win, but I won't put it past Greece jamming a 1-0. I predict few goals.

 

[marty21]

Costa Rica to win

 

[Gingerman]

 

[poului]

You never know...

 

[weepiper]

'Mon the Greeks.

 

[Maurice Picarda]

Forza Costa Rica. It's hell round here when the bubbles aren't popped.

 

[ruffneck23]

Costa Rica for me for the sweepstake

 

[mhendo]

I don't really mind who wins this game. I'd be happy to see either team go through.

 

[editor]

Bit of a flat atmosphere at the match, no?

 

[mhendo]

Bit of a flat atmosphere at the match, no?

The other three matches over the last couple of days have had huge swaths of supporters for each team playing. This morning's game had massive numbers of Mexican and Dutch fans. The colours in the stands suggest that more of the crowd at this game are neutral.

Also, remember that this was a game where either Italy or England were expected by many to be playing. Probably quite a few Italian and English supporters in the stands.

 

[strung out]

Hardly surprising that countries which are hard up and miles away haven't got as many fans there.

 

[mhendo]

Hardly surprising that countries which are hard up and miles away haven't got as many fans there.

Not only that, but the whole population of Costa Rica is only about four and a half million.

 

[Lord Camomile]

Also, remember that this was a game where either Italy or England were expected by many to be playing. Probably quite a few Italian and English supporters in the stands.

They're at least playing in the right colours...

 

[editor]

Hardly surprising that countries which are hard up and miles away haven't got as many fans there.

Not necessarily: it's not unheard of for some teams with little support to end up winning over the neutrals.

 

[mhendo]

That was a nice cross, and a really nice save.

 

[Onket]

Not necessarily: it's not unheard of for some teams with little support to end up winning over the neutrals.

Are either side winning anyone over at the moment?

 

[toblerone3]

Greece is shading at the moment. Note I did not say "the Greeks". I hate it when commentators use this metaphor.

 

[Onket]

Greece is shading at the moment. Note I did not say "the Greeks". I hate it when commentators use this metaphor.

Why?

 

[Lord Camomile]

Greece is shading at the moment. Note I did not say "the Greeks". I hate it when commentators use this metaphor.

Metaphor? Do you mean in relation to Greece specifically, or in general? Because I've heard "the [insert nationality here]" said of pretty much every nation.

 

[toblerone3]

Because most of the Greeks are not involved.

 

[Onket]

And it's not a metaphor.

 

[toblerone3]

Its difficult to do it for the USA though....the North Americans

 

[Lord Camomile]

Because most of the Greeks are not involved.

Yes, but the men playing for Greece are Greeks. And in the context of a match between two nations, they are the Greeks. No, they're not all the Greeks on the planet, but that's quite the linguistic pedantry, even for me!

 

[juice_terry]

That'll be the neutrals booing the teams off then

 

[editor]

Costa Rica are suddenly looking very ordinary.

 

[purves grundy]

Because most of the Greeks are not involved.

Neither is Greece as a nation state actually playing. What's happening is some citizens of Greece - some Greeks - are acting as representatives of that country.