Summary: In this episode we examine the first days of the 2014 World Cup for a look at a number of emerging trends and evolutions which make it very different from the base approach many national teams have taken over the last couple of world tournaments, revealing a new offensive verve and an overwhelming sense that attack and athleticism seems to be overtaking what had been a generally defensive international game. In the first segment Graham Ruthven joins to help examine some of the early trends where the first eleven matches produced increased goals, no draws and trailing teams going for equalizers and match winners with a frequency not seen since in more than a few World Cup tournaments. We consider where the favorites really do lie in this competition and if the South American threat from Colombia will produce the darkhorse that many have predicted to be Belgium, then we take another look at the Balkan teams as they look to rebound in their second matches in the group stage. In part two, digital media contributor Doron Salomon joins from London to consider the lessons learned for England after the Italy match and whether the reasons for optimism are deserved and if there are even deeper concerns for a number of key players such as Wayne Rooney, Jack Wilshire and a future class of internationals lacking perhaps one or two components in defense. We also reflect on the performance of the Dutch against Spain under Louis van Gaal in advance of his move to Old Trafford this summer, where he faces a number of challenges least of which is an evolving transfer priority list and the striker upon whom the changes will be built.
