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2014 World Cup Preview & Predictions

Jun 11, 2014

WT
Stage· 123 messages
Jun 11, 2014

Just two days before Brazil kickoff the much anticipated 2014 World Cup, Will Tidey and Ryan O'Leary will break down the tournament and predict who will become World Champions!

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Will Tidey · 12:00 AM

Evening all, and welcome to our Tawk!
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:00 AM

Will...what's up?
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:01 AM

we already have the Albiceleste represented
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rodrigo A. Bartels

“Argentina for the win!!!!”

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Will Tidey · 12:02 AM

Sat here watching Republic of Ireland take on Italy in New Jersey. Global game.
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:02 AM

love it...good thing Ronaldo is playing tonight or else that would have been a major blow for Portugal and his chances in Brazil
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:03 AM

plus we've seen such a rash of injuries here, need those ambassadors to be playing at the World cup
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Will Tidey · 12:03 AM

Absolutely, Ronaldo IS Portugal. It's an oft-quoted perspective, and might sound like a cliche, but it's true
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Will Tidey · 12:03 AM

Yes we do. Last thing we want is the biggest stars of the game out of action
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:03 AM

he might just be "football" or "soccer" as well
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:04 AM

anyway, before we get going in depth here
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:04 AM

lets do some housekeeping
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:04 AM

he's Will Tidey...all around good guy, soccer nut and Brit that you can follow @willtidey
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:05 AM

I'm Ryan @br0leary....send us some questions/comments or just get a follow for commentary throughout the World Cup
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Will Tidey · 12:05 AM

very slick Ryan.
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:05 AM

Will, let me start of with this...what is the vibe in Brazil right now as we sit here 48 hours before Brazil kick off with Croatia?
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Will Tidey · 12:06 AM

From what we're hearing from our guys on the ground, the vibe is one of calm excitement
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Will Tidey · 12:07 AM

Let me respond to Rodrigo. You're from Costa Rica, but you support Argentina?
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Will Tidey · 12:07 AM

How does that work?
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:08 AM

lots of good questions coming out...lets start with some sleeper talk then
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lana Jay

“Switzerland is my sleeper...”

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Ryan O'Leary · 12:08 AM

Will, I know you have a few...tell me who you like outside of Chile and the Ivory Coast who you've mentioned to me previously
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Will Tidey · 12:09 AM

Lana Jay likes Switzerland as a sleeper - I like them to put us to sleep
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:09 AM

hahaha...well to some France is a sleeper this year following the disaster in 2010
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Will Tidey · 12:10 AM

Can England be deemed a sleeper? I think they're better than people think they are
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:10 AM

and Switzerland can't match their quality
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Will Tidey · 12:10 AM

Belgium an obvious one to mention, of course, with their massed ranks of Premier League stars
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Will Tidey · 12:10 AM

Eden Hazard is capable of lighting it up in Brazil
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:10 AM

yes, absolutely...especially b/c nobody expects much from your mates across the pond
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:11 AM

true and Belgium is playing in arguably one of the easiest groups...big things expected from the Belgians
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Will Tidey · 12:11 AM

Lots of talk about Argentina in here - they are a team of ridiculous attacking punch. But can they defend?
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:12 AM

Will, you don't need to defend if you just out score the opponent!
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:12 AM

is that Argentina's outlook?
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Will Tidey · 12:12 AM

this is true, but if they come up against Spain, or Italy, or even Brazil, will they score?
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Will Tidey · 12:12 AM

I think they go to the semis on firepower, then fall to Spain
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:13 AM

alright Will....don't give away all the big predictions here
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:13 AM

I want to go back to your not on Belgium...
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:14 AM

if they finish atop their group...they would play the second ranked from the Group of Death...could be a nice setup against either Portugal, Ghana or the U.S. - all three likely to be battered after a very difficult group stage
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:14 AM

so quarters might be in the stars for them
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Will Tidey · 12:15 AM

Potentially yes. Right now the idea of Belgium is better than the team. They have wonderful parts and if those parts come together they'll be a serious force. But it might still be too soon
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:15 AM

fair enough...can you clean up the injury talk we started previously...I want to know why you think we've had such a flood or injuries this time around
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Will Tidey · 12:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Emmanuel Rousson

“agreed about Spain. i think this generation of players is done. I don't see them going far.”

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Will Tidey · 12:16 AM

Not sure I agree. There's a pretty decent generation coming through
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:18 AM

I think you also have to give credit to a team that knows how to win and has the proven chemistry
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:19 AM

that will help them when things are tight in Brazil
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:20 AM

★ Spotlighted from Emmanuel Rousson

“so what teams do you think will make the semis, the final and win it all?”

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Will Tidey · 12:20 AM

absolutely you do. Players like Ramos, Casillas, Torres etc - they now understand the flow of tournament football and how to eek results out
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:20 AM

Emmanuel...we'll get to that toward the end...stick tight...we're gonna want yours as well
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:21 AM

Will...another team that looks to have a golden generation taking form is Germany...how high are you on them?
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:21 AM

considered the other European favorite along with Spain...
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:23 AM

and how much does Reus' injury affect those World Cup aspirations?
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Will Tidey · 12:23 AM

Germany, being built of this fine Bayern Munich side, should be ready to peak in Brazil. Were the tournament in Europe, I think they'd be second favorites behind Spain
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Will Tidey · 12:24 AM

Reus clearly costs them in terms of creative spark, no question. But they still have Gotze, Schurrle, Muller, Ozil...
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:25 AM

there was a mention before about France...they've got to be so excited to get 2010 behind them and surprise some people in Brazil, huh?
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Will Tidey · 12:28 AM

France seem to have a good WC followed by an awful one. 2010 was an embarrassment clearly. 2014 they're calm, ready to go. They will miss Ribery, but still have a host of really, really good players
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Will Tidey · 12:28 AM

★ Spotlighted from Emmanuel Rousson

“Benzema became a much better player this year. The DCs are the only question marks?”

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Ryan O'Leary · 12:29 AM

yes, luckily for France he has and that'll cover some of the loss felt by Ribery's injury
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:29 AM

the other guy is Paul Pogba who must blossom now on the biggest stage
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Will Tidey · 12:30 AM

Benzema had a great season at Madrid. He could be a dark horse for the golden boot in Brazil. Pogba is an absolute beast - can't wait to see him at the WC
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:30 AM

Will, before we get into all of the very dangerous South American teams...are there any other lurking in Africa, Asia or elsewhere that will be reckoned with in Brazil?
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Will Tidey · 12:32 AM

Never write off Italy - they have firepower and always come highly organized and compact. Very hard to beat
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Will Tidey · 12:34 AM

How about you Ryan - how do you like
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Will Tidey · 12:34 AM

or even who!
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:34 AM

how do I like what? my coffee? are you running to grab some?
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Will Tidey · 12:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Emmanuel Rousson

“The only problem with Italy is Balotelli. It can make the group explode.”

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Ryan O'Leary · 12:36 AM

I'm excited to see the Netherlands...so strong up top and in the middle
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:37 AM

defense is a question...goalkeeping should be fine
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Will Tidey · 12:37 AM

As a Manchester United fan I'm hoping Robin van Persie hits form. He was injury-ridden and struggled to hit his 12/13 heights last season
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:37 AM

I don't know how so many people are counting out a team that was within PKs of hoisting the trophy
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:38 AM

and Louis van Gaal must be doing something right to work for Bayern for a few years and get a gig at Old Trafford
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Will Tidey · 12:38 AM

I don't think the Dutch endeared themselves to people in South Africa. They played some dour stuff and basically tried to murder Spain in the final
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:39 AM

but that doesn't mean they won't win...unless it's a popularity contest
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:39 AM

nobody likes nil-nil football....but people do like wins
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:41 AM

Will...everyone knows that a European team has never won the World Cup in South America...
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:41 AM

with that said...who are the most dangerous South American teams this year
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Will Tidey · 12:41 AM

never Ryan. Never, ever, ever. Not in South America. Not in the Americas either
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Will Tidey · 12:42 AM

I'd like to be out there and say Colombia or Uruguay, but I can't
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Will Tidey · 12:42 AM

it's Brazil, then Argentina
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:42 AM

why not on Colombia and Uruguay?
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Will Tidey · 12:43 AM

I just don't think those teams have the depth of talent you need to go really deep at a WC
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:44 AM

so Suarez can't carry Uruguay? No long run for them like in 2010?
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Will Tidey · 12:45 AM

Not after England have battered them
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:45 AM

spoken like man wearing his emotions on his sleeves, I like it
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:46 AM

I'm supporting the U.S. of course and after watching Portugal a bit recently...I think the U.S. might have a shot at #2 in that group...but I digress
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Will Tidey · 12:47 AM

That same Portugal are currently butchering your Irish friends in NJ
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Will Tidey · 12:47 AM

but I agree, the US can frustrate them if they get the right gameplan
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:47 AM

I believe Whiskey and an own goal are butcher the Irish
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:47 AM

*butchering
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:47 AM

and Hugo Almeida
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:48 AM

now...the oddsmakers agree with you Will
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:48 AM

Argentina (4/1) and Brazil (3/1) are the favorites for the final...do you agree?
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Will Tidey · 12:49 AM

no, I think Spain will reach the final at the expense of Argentina
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Will Tidey · 12:49 AM

they're not done yet
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:49 AM

so make it four majors for them, you're saying? or does Brazil get the job done at home?
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Will Tidey · 12:49 AM

but Brazil have the full package - attacking guile, bullets galore and a tight defence
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Will Tidey · 12:50 AM

I think Brazil will ride the wave and do it
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:51 AM

I think we actually see a German side face Brazil
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:52 AM

in the semifinal
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:52 AM

and boy, that might actually be the best match we see, including the final
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:53 AM

but instead of Spain, I'll pull for Argentina
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Will Tidey · 12:54 AM

ok I like it. Who do you have for the golden ball?
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Will Tidey · 12:54 AM

or should that be boot!
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:54 AM

it's all there for them...no better chance for Messi to do this
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:55 AM

either one... could be the same guy actually
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:56 AM

for the Golden Boot, Argentina have no competition in the group stage, so Messi could put up some ridiculous numbers and assert himself for that award
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:56 AM

you?
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Will Tidey · 12:56 AM

I like Aguero. He's rested after missing some of the Premier League season, will relish the big stage and has all the weapons to get 6 or 7 in Brazil
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:56 AM

all this love for Argentina
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Will Tidey · 12:56 AM

elsewhere, quite fancy a random German - maybe Muller
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:57 AM

speaking of which - Klose sitting on 14 trying to pass Ronaldo's 15 for most goals at World Cup
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:57 AM

another storyline to track
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Ryan O'Leary · 12:58 AM

alright, final prediction...I'm guessing you have the Cup in Brazil's hands and Neymar as the Golden Ball winner?
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Will Tidey · 1:00 AM

Brazil to win the whole lot, but not Neymar to be crowned prince of the tournament. I think it could be somebody else for the Selecao
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Will Tidey · 1:00 AM

maybe Fred, or Hulk gets a bucketload of goals
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:01 AM

well...I think that Messi finishes the script here
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:02 AM

we've assumed him to be the best player for a long time and now the last knock on him will be erased
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:02 AM

there will be no more doubters
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:02 AM

(oh and he's only 26)
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:03 AM

alright Will...good chatting with you...enjoy the next three weeks
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Ryan O'Leary · 1:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Emmanuel Rousson

“Thank you! Nice Tawk to start the WC.”

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Ryan O'Leary · 1:04 AM

thanks Emmanuel for joining us and making your points
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Will Tidey · 1:05 AM

great to be on and join the Tawking revolution - very fun
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Will Tidey · 1:05 AM

thanks for your questions all - enjoy watching England break Brazilian hearts