Monday 14 July 2014

The World Cup Final

So, after the fireworks of the semi finals I was expecting great things from the World Cup Final.  Two attacking teams with plenty of goals in them and the best player in the world to boot.  What followed was a good display of world class defending as both teams failed to score in normal time.  It was a wonder goal from Mario Gotze in extra time that decided the match and gave Germany their fourth World Cup.

The World Cup Food Challenge didn't disappoint either with a main course and two desserts on offer.

Below is the classified result of the 2014 World Cup (Food Challenge) Final.

Germany (Schwarzwälder kirschtorte) 1  v 0 Argentina (Choripán)

Well done to Lianne (Everything goes with Toast) and Steph (The Food I Eat) for cooking and blogging five dishes each for the two finalists over the course of the world cup.

Thursday 10 July 2014

Semi Finals

Well I think it's fair to say that nobody saw that coming!  Never in all of my years as a food blogger have I seen pasties humiliated 7-1 by fruit soaked in alcohol.  But that is exactly what has happened as Brazil have been knocked out of the World Cup (Food Challenge) by Germany.

Joining Germany in the final of the World Cup are Argentina whose chicken escalopes beat the pancakes of Holland in a tense penalty shoot out.

Below are the classified results of the Semi Finals of the 2014 World Cup (Food Challenge).

Brazil (Pastelzinho de Carne com Queijo) 1 v 7 (seven) Germany (Kirschwasser)
Netherlands (Poffertjes) 0 (2) v 0(4) Argentina (Chicken Milanesa)

So my pre tournament prediction of an all South American final has failed to materialise, but my favourites to win (Argentina) are still going strong.  There will be no update for the third place play off.  Lets be honest the teams don't want to play in that game and I'm sure that Rebecca from Really Nice Food and Gary from Exploits of a Food Nut don't want any part of it either.

Next up we have the grand final! Keep following #wcfc2014 for more updates.

Sunday 6 July 2014

Quarter Finals

Now we're getting serious, the last eight, and in the first time in World Cup history the Quarter Finals are populated by the eight teams that finished top of their respective groups.  For us that means that not only are the best eight teams still in the competition, but it also means that all eight food bloggers are still cooking and blogging recipies for their countries.

Sadly with the completion of these matches we will lose half of or bloggers.

Below is the classified results of the Quarter Finals of the 2014 World Cup (Food Challenge).

Brazil (Coxinhas) 2 v 1 Colombia (Papas Rellenas Colombianas)
France (Jarret de Veau) 0 v 1 Germany (Spatzle)
Netherlands (Erwtensoep) 0 (4) v 0 (3) Costa Rica (Sopa Negra)
Argentina (Spicy Beef Empanadas) 1 v 0 Belgium (Gaufres de Bruxelles)

So with the results in we say thank you and goodbye to Colombia (Soup Tuesday), France (Tonight's Menu), Costa Rica (Occasional Drivel), and Belgium (Food and Frets).  Next up it's the Semi Finals.  I wonder if there will be any shocks in store or will my pre-world cup prediction of an all South American final come true?

Thursday 3 July 2014

The Last 16

It's been a crazy few days of football in the World Cup. The favourites have struggled, the underdogs have shown true fighting spirit, and with a few exceptions football has been the winner.  Or has it?  The food bloggers of the World Cup Food Challenge have been busy in their kitchens making sure that each team that got to the last 16 had a new dish to represent them.

Below is the classified results of the Last 16 of the 2014 World Cup (Food Challenge).

Brazil (Caipirinha) 1 (3) V 1 (2) Chile (Chilean Fish Stew)
Colombia (Ajiaco) 2 V 0 Uruguay (Chivito)
Netherlands (Boterkoak) 2 V 1 Mexico (Churros)
Costa Rica (Arroz con Pollo) 1 (5) V 1 (3) Greece (Avgolemono)
France (Choucroute Garnie) 2 V 0 Nigeria (Chin chin)
Germany (Gurkensalat) 2 V 1 Algeria (Sahlab)
Argentina (Dulce de Leche) 1 V 0 Switzerland (Pizzocheri)
Belgium (Aardappel Taart) 2 V 1 USA (BBQ Ribeye Steak)



In a bizarre twist of fate the World Cup has done something that it has never done before.  Never in the history of the competition have all eight winners of the group stage made it through to the quarter finals, yet that is exactly what has happened this year.  Each blogger has one team left.  The matches on Friday and Saturday really are knock out matches for our team of intrepid foodies.  This weekend will spell the end for four of us...but at least we'll get eight more recipes before the semi-finals.

Follow #wcfc2014 on twitter for updates.