Is this going to be (or already is) the best WC in living memory?

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Last 16 still not over but already the first three QFs look excellent.

We've had great goals (a couple more tonight), shock results, good performances from the 'smaller' countries, so called "favourites" getting knocked out, hosts surprisingly in the QFs, penalty shootouts, a great 4-3 and now a pretty good 3-2.

(EDIT - and England won a fecking penalty shootout!)

I'm not old enough to remember 66 "and all that" but just remember 78 (good) and loved 82, 86 and 90.

So, is this WC your favourite? ..... if not then what was? ..... and if not, what else does it need to make it your favourite?

 

[P-Nut]

Last 16 still not over but already the first three QFs look excellent.

We've had great goals (a couple more tonight), shock results, good performances from the 'smaller' countries, so called "favourites" getting knocked out, hosts surprisingly in the QFs, penalty shootouts, a great 4-3 and now a pretty good 3-2.

I'm not old enough to remember 66 "and all that" but just remember 78 (good) and loved 82, 86 and 90.

So, is this WC your favourite, if not then what was and if not, what else does it need to make it your favourite?

Couldn't you just have added this to the how good is this thread

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Since my dad's from Germany, 2014 is my favourite. Beating Brazil 7-1 on the way to winning it was glorious.

But this one is great fun. Incredible stuff.

 

[Mr.Ridiculous__]

This is an absolutely brilliant World Cup. Obviously being the Caf, people are going to point towards previous World Cups that they had barely watched.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Couldn't you just have added this to the how good is this thread

What thread?

(And drinking).

 

[sullydnl]

From the World Cups I've seen (1998 on) this is on course to be the best.

We haven't even finished the first knockout round yet though so we'll see how it goes.

 

[Kapardin]

2006 still edges it for me, but depends. If the latter stages also deliver, then perhaps this WC could top 2006.

 

[Jagga7]

Best WC so far. The games have been so entertaining.

 

[P-Nut]

What thread?

(And drinking).

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/how-good-is-this.439584/page-5#post-22747624

 

[Tom Van Persie]

It's the best World Cup I've seen.

 

[KM]

Of all the world cups I've watched, this is the best one for me.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/how-good-is-this.439584/page-5#post-22747624

Oh right, you have more time than me .... didn't see it.

That said, this is different? It's like the difference between two threads asking "how good is Messi" and "is Messi your fave, if not who is?" ?

 

[MJJ]

This has been brilliant so far.

 

[Hansa]

Not enough classics yet, and too many dour games in the group stage. It's slowly picking up, though.

 

[bosnian_red]

Easily the best for me. I dont want to see one clear cut world class side that is favourites from start to finish. I want the unpredictability, the chance of constant upsets, great and dramatic moments. That's what makes it memorable. 2010 isnt memorable and part of that is because we had the boring winner that everyone expected. Same as 2014. Some great games in the group stage but the knockout stage was all predictable and nothing crazy apart from the obvious semi final.

This has been fantastic.

 

[Giggsy92]

It's been great so far but if the semis and the final are underwhelming then I don't know if people will remember it so fondly.

 

[giorno]

How old are you? 1970 had 4 of the greatest games ever(brazil-england, brazil-perù, germany-england and of course italy-germany)

1982 had some classics, too.

For me it's 2006, for obvious reasons

This one's been pretty good so far though

 

[Ban]

1998 is still the best for me.

 

[Arruda]

Only one 0-0 is an amazing record too.

 

[Hercules]

2002 was better, my second but there are a lot more matches to play. I hope this turns out to be my best because the next one will be a disappointment.

 

[Dirty Schwein]

My favourite since 98

 

[bosnian_red]

Not enough classics yet, and too many dour games in the group stage. It's slowly picking up, though.

find me a world cup with more "classics" by the ro16 and more dramatic moments. Pretty much just 2 games all competition without incidents of note (France v Denmark and England v Belgium which was expected). Even the slower games in the groups (which is there every tournament) had dramatic moments and late winners.

 

[SCP]

Only one 0-0 is an amazing record too.

No one has mentioned this but I think VAR has changed completely the dynamics of the games. Not on this game in particular, but a lot of games on the past would be completely locked if those penalties weren't awarded.

 

[groovyalbert]

Watching since 98.

This is far superior at this stage to any I’ve watched before.

 

[ChaddyP]

1998 is still the best for me.

This. I have fond memories of 98, one of which being my country quailified for it. But this one is becoming as good.

 

[RedTiger]

Of all the World Cups I've watched I'd say this is the best. The only 2 that come close is 1990 and 1998.

Expanding on 1990, I used to think it was because of all the drama but it's more likely because England got close and the theme song was Nessun Dorma.

 

[breakout67]

First world cup I watched was 98. If it keeps on going like this then this will be the best world cup I've ever watched.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Of all the world cups I've watched, this is the best one for me.

Possibly me too.

I think you always have a soft spot for WCs when you were growing up? so 82 stands out for that reason and because it had Brazil v Italy and West Germany Vs France which I could watch again and again and again

BUT I'm honestly close to the point now where this could be top. If it has another high scoring back-and-forth match, an overhead scissor-kick, a couple more penalty shootouts and a good final, then it'll walk it.

 

[Hansa]

find me a world cup with more "classics" by the ro16 and more dramatic moments. Pretty much just 2 games all competition without incidents of note (France v Denmark and England v Belgium which was expected). Even the slower games in the groups (which is there every tournament) had dramatic moments and late winners.

I can only give you my honest opinion. Today was a classic. That games have incidents of note doesn't make them classics.

 

[Isotope]

As I said in the other thread, imho this is the best WC in the last 2 decades. I kinda forgot about earlier WC than that, other than their SF and Finals.

You have it all. Good football, giant killers, great great goals, and all the drama with VAR.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Not enough classics yet, and too many dour games in the group stage. It's slowly picking up, though.

Really? France Argentina?

How old are you? 1970 had 4 of the greatest games ever(brazil-england, brazil-perù, germany-england and of course italy-germany)

1982 had some classics, too.

For me it's 2006, for obvious reasons

This one's been pretty good so far though

I did say 82 in op (and post since) but was trying to be neutral and not impose.

Age? I'm a (19)69er seen it, done it, got the t-shirt.

 

[Bobski]

Of all the World Cups I've watched I'd say this is the best. The only 2 that come close is 1990 and 1998.

Expanding on 1990, I used to think it was because of all the drama but it's more likely because England got close and the theme song was Nessun Dorma.

1990 was actually an awfully defensive tournament in the main, and dirty at that. The England/Netherlands/Ireland/Egypt group was a visual atrocity. Only really highly thought of because England did well.

 

[Devil81]

I've never known a World cup this good, it's actually insane the quality on show. In my head 1994 was the closest to this but I still feel this is by far the best ever.

 

[SCP]

Of all the World Cups I've watched I'd say this is the best. The only 2 that come close is 1990 and 1998.

Expanding on 1990, I used to think it was because of all the drama but it's more likely because England got close and the theme song was Nessun Dorma.

Man 1990 the football level was awfull, only Germany and Italy performed at top level, not even close from 94 or 98. And I think this one can already be discussed as better than those 2.

 

[oneniltothearsenal]

Objectively speaking (not considering teams when our nations win World Cups or those WCs we attended personally and experienced) I think its on pace for being the best.

Poor SFs and Final can ruin that of course but its looking quite promising

 

[VorZakone]

Spain vs Portugal , Spain vs Russia and France vs Argentina are classics.

 

[Treble]

How old are you? 1970 had 4 of the greatest games ever(brazil-england, brazil-perù, germany-england and of course italy-germany)

1982 had some classics, too.

For me it's 2006, for obvious reasons

This one's been pretty good so far though

Why not 1982? Reckon Italy 82 had a better team than Italy 06. And the WC '82 was better, imo. 2006 didn't have a single classic game, imo. '82 had Italy vs Brazil and France vs Germany.

 

[Treble]

The Russia half of the scheme doesn't have great teams. Only Brazil, Belgium and France look capable of great performances. Japan showed today that we can hope for surprises though.

 

[Hansa]

Really? France Argentina?

Yes, I think most will agree that three games have stood out so far. BEL-JAP, FRA-ARG and SPA-POR. However, when eulogizing over the tournament as a whole, I can't help but think about all the teams which various posters have regarded as either 'rubbish', 'defensive' or 'boring'. Saudi, Egypt, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Switzerland, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Portugal, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Tunisia, Panama, Poland. That's almost half the World Cup.

I'm glad others are thrilled with what they see. I'm enjoying it myself, to a certain degree.

 

[Pagh Wraith]

In terms of goals possibly, but not in overall quality.

I'm still waiting for another Germany v Italy (2006 SF) type game. The quality and tension on display was incredible.