ThisDrinkingLife and The World Cup: Belgium
Belgium, everyone’s favourite dark horses for years now, might be actually in a position to win the damn thing this time round. Spain and Portugal finally got to throw off the tag of nearly men, can Belgium do it this time? I think they have a real chance of doing so.
In a group featuring the mighty England and the not so mighty Tunisia and first timers Panama, they should easily get into round two. It doesn’t really matter too much if it is first or second, as that more or less means you get to play probably Senegal/Poland/Colombia, all three teams beatable but in the quarters you will have either Germany or Brazil no matter what side of the draw you are in. Can they get past the quarters? That is the question. In one sense playing Brazil or Germany could be their final as you’d expect that if they won that game then they would be hot favourites to lift the trophy. But we thought that before, remember the Euros and the crash to the Welsh!! Have they learned from that?
Roberto Martínez is a manager who has done well with small teams, especially in cup competitions, so I am sure he has the team well grounded. The midfield maestro of Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne, started the season on fire, and it looked to me at least that he quietened down a little after it looked that City would win the EPL. Was he trying to preserve himself for the World Cup? If so, then Belgium are a serious threat as De Bruyne when he is on form is easily the best player in the world. Belgium really need him to click, as they have the big oaf Romelu Lukaku up front who needs the ball to be put on a plate before he can score a goal.
As for the rest of the squad, they have Eden hazard who can be hot or cold, Marouane Fellaini mostly cold, and an ever slower Vincent Kompany in defence, but when they click they can play some good football and easily brush aside teams. I have to say I am a little surprised that Martínez decided not to bring Radja Nainggolan to Russia. But I guess he knows his squad inside and out at this late stage so you would have to trust the manager. For now!
So overall I wouldn’t be surprised if Belgium got to the final and even won the cup. But the question for me is can they beat Germany or Brazil? Its a tough question, lets see in a months time.
I’d expect them to canter in their group. Switzerland and Serbia are muck and Brazil will play some samba football putting them to the sword. Costa Rica might give them some game, but also wont have a chance of an upset. Nine points and lots of goals should see them ease into the second round where they might get to probably play Mexico. Belgium or even England in the last eight might be interesting but you would imagine that Brazil would edge them to make the semis. Might get France/Portugal/Spain in the semis to set up a possible final with Germany and a chance to really set the record straight. Now wouldn’t that be some final?
All eyes will be on Neymar, coming into the World Cup at 26 and in peak physical fitness, this really can his World Cup. I am also looking forward to seeing Liverpool ace, Roberto Firmino, and also Gabriel Jesus of Man City. Both players having great seasons in the EPL. Both the whole squad looks decent and although my heart skipped a beat when I saw the name Fred, rest assured it is a new younger Fred who plays in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, phew!
Messi they wouldn’t have even made it out of their group. Getting hammered 6-1 recently by Spain and only just about getting qualification (once again thanks to Messi in the last game) doesn’t bode well for this years games. They already lost to group rivals Nigeria recently as well. 
But you can never discount Messi. The 5 time World Player of the year will surely once again drag his team kicking and screaming over the line. I expect them to get out of the group, just about. With a tough second round game against either Denmark or France that might cause issues to them, and if they get trough that they have Spain or Portugal in the last eight. It wont be easy and it seems every game is a challenge. I don’t think they can do it as Sergio Aguero is carrying a niggly injury and Gonzalo Higuain is a crock of shit.
Nice talk with Seth Burkett, an ex professional footballer in Brazil and author of the well received book “The Boy in Brazil”
Established in 1872, Stuttgarter Hofbräu is a brewery located in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, in southwest Germany not too far from neighbours France and Switzerland.
Anyway, I thought I would try something new, a little bit of a light tasting beer for a change. Apparently this is made up of 40% beer and 60% natural lemonade, according to the label.
Got a LOT in the can.
Warsteiner beer is brewed in the Arnsberg Forest Nature Park outside of the town of Warstein, North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. Warsteiner has been privately owned by the Cramer family since 1753, and is now in its 9th generation of family ownership under the guidance of Catharina Cramer. 
Can also be known as Warsteiner Premium Verum, it is Warsteiner’s most popular beer, and exported to over 60 countries.
Bit of an aftertaste that is apparent in the back end. Light enough though.
The Abbey still stands and has a number of monks who live the lifestyle dictated to them by St Benedict, ‘ora et labora’ (pray and work). Nestled in a beautiful forest, the abbey is a bit of a tourist attraction and cultural retreat theses days. Visitors like to marvel at the Gothic church, walk in the gardens or do some schooling in the creative arts on offer. The Bible Centre has over 400,000 books, manuscripts and other important artifacts all relating to the monastic and spiritual way of life. But if that doesn’t take your fancy you can always have a beer and cheese tasting tour. I know which activity I would choose!
Really dig the small brown bottle and the label, looks lovely. Simple enough but well designed and appealing. The beer is bottle conditioned as well, all adding to the appeal.
Nice, I like it, very tasty. Has all the typical tastes, very clearly the coriander, cloves, the malts and fruits, particularly banana.