The "Bracket" or The "Second Phase"

[Drico]

Back when I was a lad, circa 1982, we referred to the later rounds of a World Cup as "the second phase". That was probably because it wasn't a straight knockout but a hybrid system of groups and semi-finals. But the term stuck and, frankly, it still sounds grander than "the bracket" or "pelvic contusion" or whatever euphemism is in vogue today.

So, the bracket then.

 

[Drico]

Brazil look set to go into the top half where, right now, they could play Ghana, Uruguay, or South Korea, with the Africans the most likely as things stand. Cutting to the chase, Spain's result last night means Brazil may not have to play a European side before the final, with Croatia perhaps the strongest European side they might face before then if at all. So, Brazil are the big winners from last night, given their record against European sides this century.

Portugal are likely to be in the bottom half where, right now, they could play Switzerland. Serbia could knock out the Swiss, and Cameroon still have a chance, but it looks like Portugal v Switzerland on all known form. Both sides would provide Spain, if they can beat Morocco, with a serious last eight test. The Swiss brought the Spanish to penalties at last year's European Championship.

 

[PhilM]

What’s wrong with the ‘knockout rounds’?

 

[Billy Dean]

Back when I was a lad, circa 1982, we referred to the later rounds of a World Cup as "the second phase". That was probably because it wasn't a straight knockout but a hybrid system of groups and semi-finals. But the term stuck and, frankly, it still sounds grander than "the bracket" or "pelvic contusion" or whatever euphemism is in vogue today.

So, the bracket then.

View attachment 194174

My predicted QF line-up:

Netherlands v Argentina
Japan v Brazil
England v France
Spain v Portugal

 

[4737carlin]

This is why Spain deliberately folded, they wanted the side that avoids Brazil and Argentina

 

[Billy Dean]

My predicted QF line-up:

Netherlands v Argentina
Japan v Brazil
England v France
Spain v Portugal

That being said lots of upset potential too in a lot of the games, USA-NED, SEN-ENG, ESP-MAR for example

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Round of 16 is how I usually refer to it

 

[Shevin Keedy]

What’s wrong with the ‘knockout rounds’?

The terminology is too easy to be mixed up with boxing.

 

[Drico]

Round of 16 is how I usually refer to it

This works better in German: "achtel-finale", "viertel-finale", "halb-finale", und so weiter. In English, not so much. The term "eighth-final" has never caught on. "Round of 16" always seemed preposterous to me. Last 16, fair enough. Good old "second round" is my term of choice.

 

[davek]

I always called it 'the England-less stage'.

 

[wandyr79]

I always called it 'the England-less stage'.

Not sure if this is meant to be funny or not?

I mean England are in this phase that we are talking about, so ???

 

[st.domingo]

Not sure if this is meant to be funny or not?

I mean England are in this phase that we are talking about, so ???

He did use the past tense tbf - despite the fact that ENG, er, usually make it out of the group

Just enjoy the bitter tears ?‍

 

[davek]

He did use the past tense tbf - despite the fact that ENG, er, usually make it out of the group

Just enjoy the bitter tears ?‍

They failed to get out of the group stage 3 times and were knocked out at the round of 16 three times....oh, and failed to qualify for 3 world cups

One SF and one final reached in 19 tournaments. They're not very good at this are they?

 

[mmmmsnouts]

Hoping the US cause an upset this round to set up a confrontation between USA fans and obnoxious front-running Messi fanboys

 

[wandyr79]

They failed to get out of the group stage 3 times and were knocked out at the round of 16 three times....oh, and failed to qualify for 3 world cups

One SF and one final reached in 19 tournaments. They're not very good at this are they?

England have had a relatively poor major tournament record, there is no doubting or getting away from that. Just find that particular joke ' a bit weird and a bit forced (also it is 2 semi finals ).

Anyway, onto the actual topic.

Should be a good lineup, can see Japan getting past Croatia.