World game world cup
In barely two weeks, the [strike]soccer[/strike] football world cup will kick off.
Anyone interested?
The Aussies are in group D with Germany, Serbia and Ghana. Not easy, but a second place progression to the round of 16 is possible.
What is your team facing?
I'm rooting for the good ole USA and Italy.
Where is the bracket info? Got a link?
groups
IN-GER-LAND!
I guess the USA can get through too.
North Korea
Surprisingly not the least favorite, which is New Zealand
oddsI'm rooting for the good ole USA and Italy.
Where is the bracket info? Got a link?
Sir, this is not the diving competition, or drama school. I want to see Italy lose every match seven-nil after they lose players to red cards for repeated simulation.
Me, bitter? Never.
Ok you're on - $10 US to the tip Jar.
Well, I am not sure what the exact terms of this suggested wager are, but I offer a unilateral pledge of US$10 for every time an Italian player is yellow carded for simulation, and another ten for every time Italy loses 7-0.
Ok, I'm chicken as well as bitter. :D
I'll of course follow the US as they crash and burn with various body parts snapping off along the way.
I'll watch England praying for Terry, Gerrard, and Cole to simply snap in two and burst into flames.
The world would best be served by having the Italians oversleep and miss their flight. Cheaters stay home.
France has some of the best players in the world but possibly the worst national team coach ever. Crash and burn.
Germany has some guys I like but screw the Germans. They ALWAYS get "lucky" calls in their favor.
Spain have the most attractive game and many of my favorite players. Go Spain.
I'd like to see Spain Vs Brazil in the final.
Or North Korea Vs South Korea, but that is less likely.
Brazil isn't the Brazil that we always think of anymore. Instead of the quick movement and incredible attacking flair of previous teams, dunga builds upon a rock solid closing game and only hits on the counter. Incredibly effective but not as enjoyable in my opinion. I'd rather see spain v germany and have spain literally rip them limb from limb.
I'll root for Ghana, because that's where my favorite shrink moved.
I'm sorry to bring up old posts where I had contentious issues (as in I'm not sorry at all) but this thread proves to me that the internet is NOT nationless. Or nationfree. Or regardless of nationality. Not making my point three times, just trying out phrases :)
The World Cup is just that. It's the Greatest Show on Earth. Wait, isn't that the Olympics? No! Because teams can get knocked out of the World Cup on the result of one single game. A whole country wins or loses on a single goal.
Not American bashing (being a bit snarky maybe) but pointing out that much of the civilised world will embrace the coming competition. The fact it has less attention on the Cellar than a single American Football team ... I'm not complaining, I'm just storing up evidence.
Back on track; I walk out into the Close and all the parked cars have St George's Cross flags in their windows. The one exception would be the 'rents, but they're away now, houresitting in super-posh-village and will be home for two days before going on hols to Spain. Mum has an England hat, and both have England t-shirts though.
A number of houses have the St George Cross in their windows. I'm sure this will increase as we count down (less than two weeks!) The supermarkets and convenience stores are doing a crazy trade, and fast food outlets are themeing.
So here is me ready for the World Cup. And yes I will be following it closely. And yes I would be SO happy to have other Dwellars I can discuss this with. Excuse the hat. But... it has sequins!
I'm interested too - I'm really looking forward to it, but I have priorities. The Flyers are in the Stanley Cup finals - Once that is over, the world cup will have my undivided attention!
Oh, and nice hat!
play fair, SG - more than half the posters in this thread are american, and the threads about single teams which generate a zillion posts are usually about teams in contention at a significant point in their journey. The World Cup hasn't even started yet and the USA doesn't have a hope of winning, so I'd say 4/7 so far is pretty good.
I'll root for the USA to make it out of the group and just be a little competitive.
I'll root for England after that, and after that, English-speaking countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Holland and France.
?!? England? Hell no. Not so long as they bring gentlemen like Terry and Gerrard along. Even Cashley is more likeable than those douchebags.
Not American bashing (being a bit snarky maybe) but pointing out that much of the civilised world will embrace the coming competition. The fact it has less attention on the Cellar than a single American Football team ... I'm not complaining, I'm just storing up evidence.
NPR reported this morning that the US will have the largest group of fans traveling to SA for the Cup.
Shhhh. don't tell a brit that. They hold the title to all things football. ;)
play fair, SG.
Play fair? This is the World Cup! Good point well made, although I hope you see what I mean :dedhorse:
Shhhh. don't tell a brit that. They hold the title to all things football. ;)
But of course! Merkins are only the biggest group going because you have a large and relatively wealthy population. We win on the fan front simply because we invented it. So there.
I will be rooting for America and Holland anyway. As long as they don't play us at any point. My favourites to win (aside from England)? Germany. They won the Eurovision against all odds, it would be nice for them to do the double.
Sports wise, I think Australia are a good chance to make the second round. We've won - although not convincingly - our warm up games so far, and our rivals - Ghana and Serbia - have lost theirs.
More importantly, which country's fans will win the street violence?
And which player will have the stupidest haircut?
What is it with these balls?
Which balls?
I can't find my England flag :(
Have a table booked in a local hostelry for Saturday.
Originally my bro & SIL were thinking of joining me. Now it seems Mum & Dad will be home (Dad thought they left for Spain on Saturday, turns out it's the Tuesday after?!)
I still might end up there alone, but am hoping not.
I might not be able to go out for any other matches, but am determined to go out for the first.
Am on countdown now - 5 days to go!
I may wear my sombrero watching the first game of course...
The balls are a new model. They are glued rather than stitched, so are more nearly perfectly round, and so have been covered in little ridges for aerodynamic effects.
1. A new ball should not be adopted just at the start of the biggest tournament. Give the players time to get to know it. You get better football games.
2. The ball is too aerodynamic - it is fast and curves, which is good, but it swerves and dips randomly, which is bad. It reduces the benefit of being the most skillful, and gives more advantage to the lucky.
Bah.
i don't like the new ball Zen but they have had a LONG time to work with it. They didn't show up this week to touch it for the first time. Hell, I've played at least a dozen games with the new one already.
This happens at every major international. It always starts with a couple of keepers bitching about it and then it spreads. It is sort of like Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola complaining about the turf conditions it is just plain going to happen.
I hope Brazil will re-work some old magic
:dedhorse:
I hope Brazil is fed a poisoned lasagna the night before their first game. They are not the free flowing creative side of the 70's and 80's anymore. they play a rock solid back 6. Probably a single forward with 3 creative mids. They are more a counter attacking force than anything under Dunga.
Netherlands and Spain will be supplying the beautiful game for this edition of the world cup.
1. A new ball should not be adopted just at the start of the biggest tournament. Give the players time to get to know it. You get better football games.
Hasn't that happened before?
In my teens, PBS showed Soccer Made In Germany, when Hans Mueller, Beckinbauer, Rummenigge, etc played, so I'm partial to the German side.
Just watching the Opening Concert. Black-Eyed-Peas so rocked. I totally expected them to be lame live.
?!? England? Hell no. Not so long as they bring gentlemen like Terry and Gerrard along. Even Cashley is more likeable than those douchebags.
So we won't need this?
Nice. Rooney is an amazing player. If you stripped his personality out he'd be the perfect forward. Of course that is true of Cashley as well, I guess.
I don't know nuthin' about the football, but I did watch the last bit of today's South Africa/Mexico game. Very exciting, although I would have liked to see a win for South Africa rather than the tie they ended up with.
Looks like slow hockey ... ;)
I'll probably catch a couple more games since they'll be on before I go to work, and Lifetime moved Wife Swap to 4pm.
I watched France Vs Uraguay today. they BOTH suck 0-0
England vs Us tomorrow at 1.30
France has some amazing players - among the best in the world. Unfortunately they have a clinically stupid coach. His name is a punchline for football jokes. He left some far superior players sitting at home and picked some very questionable players to come to SA.
Games with Spain and Netherlands would be your best bet for entertainment if you are not already a football junkie. They both play fast paced passing games that focus on strong multi pronged attacks.
I expect the US v England to be a major snoozefest. The US is not blessed with great technicians although they are improving with each generation. England has some highly skilled players with massive egos that often get in the way. Expect the US to try to soak up attack after attack and try to hit on the counter. That worked well against a complacent Spain but Rooney is a bulldog and the US central defense is damaged right now. The game could honestly be a draw or go either way, but don't expect excitement.
Go Us! Do we have the team speed to counter effectively?
Thanks for the note on Spain/Netherlands will effort their games.
Looks like slow hockey ... yes a friend of mine familiar with hockey, but not with football, said
"Three shots on goal the entire half??"
I had to answer, yes, rare but yes.
It was a dire dire horrible game. Please don't let that crapfest (which most international football games are) turn you off the game.
In regards to the US speed, the answer is easily yes. and no. the US is known for being less skilled but amazingly athletic but they've suffered some major injuries this year. Charlie Davies was finally coming into his own and was a genuine speed demon and knew what to do with the final ball. He was instrumental in the upset against Spain. Unfortunately he chose to break curfew, go drinking, and then ride in a car with other drunks. One of them is dead and Charlie suffered massive injuries that will prevent him from ever being the player he could have been.
that leaves us with a forward line that is big and strong but not the fastest. Altidore is powerful but he's still young and learning his trade. He's got great potential but unfortunately he is not known for his work ethic up top so he doesn't scare defenders the way he could. Buddle is not as strong but works a bit harder. The problem is they are fairly similar in play so the question is whether they can compliment eachother up top. We'll find out in the next couple weeks.
Most of our speed and potential for surprises will be in midfield. Landon Donovan is finally starting to live up to his hype. He is fast and works as our primary playmaker. He played for Everton this year and actually impressed me with his play. He is without a doubt the best player the US has produced. That being said, he is only slightly above average in comparison to other players of his mold outside the US.
Clint Dempsey plays as a mid at Fulham and I rate him highly. good work ethic, good ideas and knows how to use his team and find the net. Can play on the wings or as a withdrawn striker. Again, he is fantastic by american standards but only slightly over average on the world stage.
Holden is a young and talented so he could give us some pleasant surprises... or he could be kicked around like a puppy due to his not quite fully developed physique.
Mike Bradley is a wildcard. He can be mr efficiency in anchoring the midfield as he does for his club team... or he can come unglued and become a redcard magnet as he has done so often for the US team. he's still young but has the tools to be our anchor for years to come. The question is who partners him in midfield.
Onyewu destroyed his knee in October and should still be trying to rehab it not stepping in to be our central defensive anchor. He was never fast, always defensively naive, and imo not that freaking great. He grew up playing for the right youth clubs and went to the right tournaments as a kid so he will always be a first choice national team player. Even if in our warm up games he couldn't sprint, jump, or tackle. He'll either come out and play a blinder (which he's never done before) or he'll blow out his knee trying to actually contain some world class forwards and his tournament will be over.
Jay Demerit is captain for Watford, a struggling second tier american team. He didn't go to a "big" club growing up and after college he literally couldn't get any of the american teams to give him a look so he went to england and started playing for a pub team. Within 2 years he worked his way up to a starter for watford and scored the goal that gave them a year in the premier league (top division) He's our best defender in my opinion but he'll always be an outsider because the US national team system is run by utter buffoon political hacks.
Bocanegra is an adequate left back but a horrendous center back. red card magnet due to poor positioning but he is the captain due to tenure and he came up through the US youth system.
right back is a crap shoot. We really have no consistent performers there so we'll just have to wait and see.
Tim Howard is our keeper. I like Tim. After being from unknown to hero and then to zero at manchester united he has found a solid home at Everton. He is an excellent keeper. Not as big and dominant as his predecessor he is very smart and efficient. I would honestly like to see him move to Arsenal but that will not happen. Please don't get nervous if he seems a bit...off. He has tourrette's.
Our subs bench has talent and potential but we are big time underdogs. The US has only really had a professional soccer league for 15 years vs the hundred + the rest of the world has so we are a bit behind. I will be ecstatic if we make it to the quarterfinals this year. I believe 2022 will be the first world cup the US will have a genuine shot of going the distance. That will be our first generation of kids who were raised by genuine soccer parents and coached by prefessional coaches from birth on.
Jay Demerit is captain for Watford, a struggling second tier american team. He didn't go to a "big" club growing up and after college he literally couldn't get any of the american teams to give him a look so he went to england and started playing for a pub team. Within 2 years he worked his way up to a starter for watford and scored the goal that gave them a year in the premier league (top division) He's our best defender in my opinion but he'll always be an outsider because the US national team system is run by utter buffoon political hacks.
This is why Lil' Pete fences, team sports get too political (and she's a natural individualist). We know we have better players available but judging talent is an art not a science.
On the flip side, England has some amazing talents and one of the world's best coaches. BUT they've got ginormous egos and a history of underperforming.
goalie = who knows who will get the start? Calamity James? He's vastly experienced but known for committing howlers. Robert Green - a genuine professional but often uninspiring? Joe Hart? Definitely the best of the three but young with no biggame experience.
Defense: right back... Glen Johnson - barely average defensively but has blistering pace and is powerful going forward.
Center Back: Ledley King - Brilliant but his knees are so bad he doesn't even practive with his team during the weak and known for not being able to play more than once each week. John Terry - He's of the old mold. A hard man. He'll throw his body on the line and the announcers looove his real english grit. he's also a dirty player and a lousy excuse for a human being but it could talk an hour to type out all of his offenses.
Upson had a horrible season but he is an option. Carragher is well past his best or even close to something resembling his best but has been called out of retirement due to injuries.
Left Back: ashley cole. Quite possibly the best left back inthe world even if he is a douchebag. Learned his trade at Arsenal before cashing in at Chelsea in the most unethical and underhanded of moves.
Mids: Lampard is one sure bet. He's great. I hate his club team but this guy is a great attacking mid. Steven Gerrard is also an attacking mid but his nickname is "stevie me" so you might notice he's a bit selfish on the field. Historically Lampard and Gerrard cannot work together in central midfield so Gerrard has been forced out to the left. Injury may require they both start in the center with Gerrard playing in a holding role so we'll see how that works.
James Milner is excellent and flexible so he could pop up anywhere.
If you think you see an incredibly fast penguin run across the field, that's aaron lennon. Lennon is amazingly fast and has improved the rest of his game so could be dangerous.
Joe cole is an outstanding player with something to prove as he needs a new contract after being released by his club team after struggling with injury. Capello doesn't seem to know what to do with him though.
Michael Carrick is broken. Once thought to be great... by someone. Not me.
Gareth Barry is supposed to be the holding midfielder but he has been injured and noone seems sure if he'll play or not.
Sean Wright-Phillips is another wild card. an amazingly fast midget he is capable of creating something out of nothing, just not that often.
Forward: Wayne Rooney. He is simply amazing even if a bit of an asshole. One of the very best on the planet.
Jermaine Defoe is an excellent finisher with a record of scoring great goals but he's another amazing midget. Capello doesn't seem to know what to do with him.
Emile Heskey. ???? He's a bit of a joke. He doesn't score much and doesn't show that much skill. People always complain about him being selected over superior options. They fail to realize that while he doesn't score much rooney and defoe play their best games when partnered with him. He is a hulk that scares defenses and creates space for the other forward.
This is why Lil' Pete fences, team sports get too political (and she's a natural individualist). We know we have better players available but judging talent is an art not a science.
This isn't even an art v science issue. the US football association is an utterly inept political organization.
Example: Jurgen Klinsmann, recognized as being an outstanding international coach capable of creating well structured, tactically astute teams was ready to be hired as our national team coach. It fell apart at the last minute because as all top tier coaches would he demanded the freedom to select the players he thought were the best fit even if they didn't come from the pool of the most recognizable or marketable players. The association refused to give him free reign so off he went and in came bob bradley. bullshit.
Right now one of the top central defensive prospects in Europe is a man called Subotic. I'd literally sacrifice goats and throw virgins into a volcano to get the guy to sign for Arsenal. He grew up playing for the US national team at the youth level but fell out of favor and wasn't selected for a major tournament. He now plays for Serbia. The US missed out on him.
There are other players that have made the same choice.
Who is the sport's best diver?
Calamity is gonna need a bullet proof vest.
that was calamity james's replacement - Robert Green. wow. Just wow.
Best diver? I don't know about best, but prolific would have to be Steven Gerrard and Ronaldo. Although to be fair, Landon Donovan dove to get that foul a little while ago, I think. If it was a dive it was a great one or it could have been a legitimate foul.
I still think the game will end England 4 - 1 USA. We just don't have any forwards that are pressuring england with pace.
Ah, wrong dude. He just earned a worse nic-name than calamity. That was harsh.
LOL. believe it or not david (calamity) james has made a career out of being a 90% solid keeper while putting out a lot of howler's just as bad if not worse than Green's tonight.
That was a sub par performance from each team so the 1-1 seems a fair result. The US really misses having Charlie Davies. I honestly believe they'd have won that game if Davies was there (healthy) rather than Findley.
Ugh. still, not a loss....
Ouch. Horrible error from the keeper there.
England has still never beaten the US in a world cup. LOL!
here's a reenactment i found on youtube
[YOUTUBEWIDE]waHZSyUBqDk[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
That was a horrible error, but in all honesty if Stevie Me or Lampard or Rooney and the rest of their world class teammates had played as a team they'd have easily won this game. Lennon was largely useless and Wright-Phillips even more so. I'm glad we got a draw but disappointed that not even Capello can get England to play as a team rather than a bunch of stars sharing the field.
Man, if they played like the Germans are they'd be unstoppable.
Below is a copy of a mail I sent to various friends and family scattered about the globe.
Broken up to include photos and vids. No football commentary, just what I do best - a personal perspective of a global event.
You might not know that Mum & Dad were expecting to be en route to Spain at this point. As it turned out Dad had got the dates wrong (they leave on Tuesday, not Saturday as he thought) so the 'rents were unexpectedly at home for this match.
Now I'd already booked a table in the Kingsbury (pub) in Kingsbury (a place in Aylesbury).
At £5 a table, guaranteed view of the screen, table service and discounts on jugs of beer it seemed a steal.
My hoped-for companions (Ste & E, not that I'm mentioning names here) weren't up for it.
Luckily Mum jumped at the chance.
Dad declined originally, but I think he was galled at the idea of money coming out of their joint account being spent on drink he wasn't drinking!
So he came along after all, even springing for a taxi so Mum & I could wear our new flip-flops without getting blisters.
Hers have the cross of St George on them.
Mine had a patchwork Union Jack, but being only £1.50 this has pretty much worn off already!
The first picture is us in the garden before setting off.
I had to go on the internet to find out which shirt England would be wearing.
Dads wanted to have the right strip on.
Mum & I both only had red shirts - were we bovvered? No.
Anyway mine was a charity shirt from Cancer Research, with a donation made to the Bobby Moore Cancer Fund. So there.
Yes I have my cheeks painted - just the ones you can see - and a cowboy hat on.
No-one else wanted to play along.
Pic 2 is once we arrived at the Kingsbury.
You got an inflatable hand with your name and table number on it. You were supposed to wave it for table service.
I think ours was broken.
I went up to the bar a couple of times just to keep Dads sweet.
This gives a flavour of what the pub was like before the game.
Lots of people dressed up, a fair split between red and white kits.
All tables booked and everyone in a party mood.
[youtube]vy2X4dsB2Xo[/youtube]
Pic 1 shows another of the freebies. England beenie bobbers.
Yes, Mum wore them throughout the match!
Bless her.
This shows the celebration after the England goal. Of course I missed the start because I was celebrating myself.
[youtube]R7j7RPCAN5U[/youtube]
Mum and I had a great night.
Dad less so.
He didn't like the noise (!) the crowds, having to wait for service/ drinks, the noisy guys behind us etc etc etc
Coming from a man who loves live football I'm not sure I get it, but hey.
I think it was because it was my idea and he felt railroaded into it...? Never mind, he can watch the rest of the group matches in the peace of a Spanish bar :)
Family members please note - if England go through we might be looking to descend on you or inviting you over.
Dad does like feeling part of a group, even though this wasn't the right group for him.
And Mum and I love it!
Come on England! Come on England! Come on England!
ETA you have a great goalkeeper in Tim Howard.
I think America deserved a draw and would not have had one if it hadn't been for Howard's skill.
Nice pics SG.
Anyone else bothered by the friggin horns these guys never stop blowing?
I'm used to it. While everyone is acting like it is some South African tradition new to the game I've suffered through the damn things for years. Mexicans start blowing them 10 minutes before the games starts and don't stop except to hurl insults at the opposing keeper. My hearing loss after a soccer game is worse than some concerts I've attended.
Important Safety Tip:
If you are travelling through Somalia, don't try to watch the games.
Soccer lovers often joke that their sport is more than a game, it's a matter of life and death. In Somalia, that's no exaggeration. Radical Islamic militant groups there have threatened any fans they catch watching televised World Cup matches with public floggings and even execution.
Anyone else bothered by the friggin horns these guys never stop blowing?
I had wondered what that noise was when I watched game one. Surely for TV they could use some sort of noise filtering ... or I could just turn the sound down.
Vuvuzela? Those look like those stupid plastic carnival horns that I loved (and momwolf hated) when I was a kid.
Oh well for once perhaps I'm in the majority. Thats unusual.
I had to turn the sound down to watch the Germany vs Australia game yesterday. Maybe they need some better sound dampening microphones or something. I really like soccer, but that was/is annoying as hell. Certainly not a plus and certainly not gonna help gain fans.
My beef with the horns is that they drown out the support from individual teams.
Yes I know it is South Africa's World Cup, but it's still the WORLD CUP.
There were Ghanians and Nigerians on the Five Live phone in this morning, complaining about their drumming being downed out. Our England band couldn't be heard (although 90 minutes of the Great Escape theme can also be wearing). And many teams have their own chants and songs. Also there is no noticeable noise difference when a team scores. It's a shame.
By all means add local colour when the home team is playing. But those watching at home really want to feel connected to the supporters watching live. Not listen to an insectoid drone the whole time.
Of course I know it is the fans THERE who are creating it. I just wish they wouldn't.
You should try attending a mexico v US game where the only break in the sound is when they all yell "PUTA" and laugh at eachother like they just created the world's greatest joke.
Horns suck. Drums suck. Whistles suck. Use your voices to support your team.
It isn't just soccer games. At my high school graduation there were three separate (Mexican) families blowing air horns for their own children as well as all their children's friends. It was fucking annoying as all hell.
Horns suck. Drums suck. Whistles suck. Use your voices to support your team.
Add those stupid thunder sticks to those as well. I will admit to enjoying the drums at a Colombia v Nigeria game years ago... of course I used to drink and Colombians are generous.
especially with their waffle dust.
Suarez is a little bitch.
Suarez is HUGE bitch. Typical uruguayan style though. Combined with his firsthalf blatant dive in the box he should be off. Dumb play by Khune but I feel for the guy.
It isn't Cherundelo.
Turns out Steve Cherundolo is a cousin of my old high school coach... cool.
USA! USA! USA! Down 2-0 at the half, presses on to draw 2-2 against Slovenia. And a disallowed goal, blatant Slovak fouling followed by a flurry of yellow cards...
Is this the thing where the Monkey tries to kick the ball 5,000 meters?
USA! USA! USA! Down 2-0 at the half, presses on to draw 2-2 against Slovenia. And a disallowed goal, blatant Slovak fouling followed by a flurry of yellow cards...
Damn you UT!
A spoiler alert woulda been nice. I WAS gonna watch that match.
Piss poor performance (England)
Looked like a kick about in a park.
Am now thoroughly depressed.
Just got home and saw the score. Well i'm glad I didn't leave the pool early to come home and watch. 0-0 against Algeria? Really? Ugh. The life of an England supporter is never easy.
Spoiler alert? Don't be silly -this is a discussion about the tournament, of course people are going to post results as soon as they happen. or maybe you were being intentionally silly for the purposes of shits and grins?
Honestly, if a disciplinarian like Capello can't get your lot to perform as a team then I don't think anyone can. Golden generation my ass more like pile of overrated selfish players.
Switzerland over Spain!
Serbia over Germany! That ref must work for hallmark, he gives out so many cards.
New Zealand with a goal and a point! Which is more than I can say for Australia so far. :( Do or die for us tonight, against Ghana.
Spoiler alert? Don't be silly -this is a discussion about the tournament, of course people are going to post results as soon as they happen. or maybe you were being intentionally silly for the purposes of shits and grins?
Yeh hadn't thought of it that way - watched it anyway.
I'm not going to watch the England game anyway. Had planned to, but frankly can think of better things to do with the time....
My bro came out of it smiling at least.
He had £5 on 0-0 at 10 to 1.
He said he'd rather have lost though. I offered to take the money off his hands to assuage the guilt, but he politely declined.
Nice payday for your Bro. This tourney is not following the script.
Well, he also bet £5 on England winning 3-1 (11 to 1).
Said he was trying to balance the score he wanted with the one he feared.
I wonder how much of this is to do with the ball?
England played far better in the qualifiers and friendlies...
And it's not just England - shock results for France, for Spain etc
I'm watching some matches OnDemand right now, trying to work up the energy to go to the supermarket. I found myself wondering ... Are Americans not advised to sing our words when God Save the Queen is played at the beginning of the game? Sure sounded like people might be doing that ...
I'm pretty sure I heard fans singing the Americanized version before the Us vs Them match.
Mutter grumble bitch moan gripe carp whinge sulk sulk sulk.
* No wonder ITV's pundits were so critical of England - the station had lined up some great adverts to show just as our first goal went in.
* The new Shrek film is very disappointing. Shrek did nothing for 90 minutes and then had a go at the audience for booing during the credits.
* The FA have launched an inquiry to find out how a fan found his way into the dressing room. And another enquiry into how Aaron Lennon found his way into the dressing room.
* Fabio Capello told Wayne Rooney to have a long look at himself in the mirror. Like that's going to improve his confidence.
* I can't believe we only managed a draw against a poor team we should easily have beaten. I'm ashamed to call myself Algerian.
* Police have released the name of the angry bloke who stormed into the England dressing room and subjected Fabio Capello and the players to a stream of foul-mouthed abuse. It's Wayne Rooney.
* The England team went out to visit an orphanage in Cape Town on Saturday morning. "It's good to put a smile on the faces of people with no hope, constantly struggling and facing the impossible," said Jamal Umboto, aged 6.
* Handy that Blackpool are in the Premier League this season. It's the only chance these England players will get at going in an open-top bus.
* In honour of England's display against Algeria, we're unveiling a new national flag. It's the same design as before but without the red cross.
* That wasn't vuvuzelas, that was the sound of grass snoring.
I'm watching some matches OnDemand right now, trying to work up the energy to go to the supermarket. I found myself wondering ... Are Americans not advised to sing our words when God Save the Queen is played at the beginning of the game? Sure sounded like people might be doing that ...
Maybe soccer players just not really conversant with the words of whatever national anthem is being played (including their own). Neither the Japanese team nor the Dutch team looked as if they knew their own national anthems, but some of the people in the stands obviously really knew their stuff and were clearly enthusiastic about it.
As far as I know all the players from Japan and Netherlands are from those countries so they should know the words. Quite a few of the countries have adopted players so that would be a bit more understandable.
A (now fairly lame) favourite (Australian) comedy segment is for comedians to imitate Australian Olympic teams singing the national anthem. Usually they can confidently sing the first line and the last line of the first verse and the chorus and that's it.
Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout.
OUCH! ! !
USA! USA! USA! Down 2-0 at the half, presses on to draw 2-2 against Slovenia. And a disallowed goal, blatant Slovak fouling followed by a flurry of yellow cards...
How about the yellow card for a hand ball in the penalty area, that actually hit the American in the face?
Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout.
OUCH! ! !
Are all those guys drama queens? they get a little trip or tap to the face and they fall on the ground squirming around in pain. What comedy. The dude who got carried off on a stretcher was totally acting.
Better yet, the US at least made it to the next round. I don't think they will much past that point.
Better yet, the US at least made it to the next round. I don't think they will much past that point.
huh? That' s not a given
huh? That' s not a given
Yea, I guess I am jumping the gun there a bit. Well a guy can hope.;)
A lot, I hope -sorry, but we need to push you guys down to get through. Maybe if you didn't charge so much for citizenship I'd feel differently ;) :lol:
Well I'm grateful someone has done worse than Australia. :D
New Zealand tied with Italy, now have TWO POINTS. Damn, still ahead of us. :(
I watched Portugal Vs North Korea. Wow. I didn't see much diving in that game, but after about 4-0 the Portugese relaxed and just started having fun, it was great to watch. According to the TV news, that was the first world cup game ever to be broadcast live in North Korea. :lol2: ouchies.
There has been some indifferent refereeing and terrible diving. Kaka (Brazil) was red carded after an Ivory Coast player ran into him (Kaka was stationary), bumped his midriff, and dived backwards clutching his head. Tosser should be suspended for a game, at least, IMHO. I cannot see why the USA's 3rd goal was disallowed.
Serious point. A lot of good teams are performing below what is expected of them. Lesser teams are seizing lucky breaks and stealing games. Why?
This is an effect that could be caused some kind of randomising device in the game. Stong teams are weakened, weak teams get lucky.
I blame the ball. It has unusual aerodynamic properties. As well as being faster and curvier, it swerves and dips/soars at random. It is harder for players to aim long passes or shots. This interferes with the skill of the best, while having less impact on the skill of the less skilled. This could explain the strange results we are seeing.
The Portugal/North Korea game was the first real drubbing we have seen. Portugal had the sort of control an excellent team ought to have. The ball was wet. The first half was drizzly and the ground quite wet throughout. I guess this affected the ball - maybe just by providing a smoothing layer that reduced the effect of the texture of the surface of the ball - and allowed for more skilled play.
Has anyone else seen any wet games? How was the skill level?
Lookout, did you say you've played with these balls? What are your thoughts? Did you play with wet balls?
A lot, I hope -sorry, but we need to push you guys down to get through. Maybe if you didn't charge so much for citizenship I'd feel differently ;) :lol:
:lol: That was good. Sorry, I usually support my UK Brethern but not this time.
Did you play with wet balls?
:eek: :D
Hey anyway, did you hear the story about the NK fans being hired actors from China? that was crazy.
On the US goal: As a rugby union ref I can say that the replay did show quite a number of fouls by both teams at the start of the run for the kick on the third goal for the US. Did I want it to count, yes absolutely, but should it have counted because the ref saw penalties that others did not see?, hard to say. It is not an easy job. Overall I think the ref in that game was marginal I would give him a C+ or B- if I left out my bias on wanting the third score to count.
But given that, the refs performance overall in the Cup I think has been pretty poor. Lots of penalties for silly contrived infractions. Tossers infuse this sport. The guy getting carried off on a stretcher for a bump on his ankle? please. A few refs have had stand up performances but they are in the minority. Yesterday's game with Spain and Honduras was fantastic. The ref ignored the acting and marginal stuff and called the game in the spirit of the sport. It should be interesting to see it progress.
Zen did you srsly ask L123 if he played with wet balls? :eek:
Oh grow up you two.
:lol:
So the SA defender goes for a header and gets a RED Card? WTF?
Merc- the buildup to the 3rd goal was the norm for that game. If it wasn't a goal it should have been a PK. The ref screwed the pooch on that one. It's a hard job and he proved he was not up to the task. The US was robbed. If this had happened to another country *coughIrelandcough* there would be mass hysteria and demands for justice. It is over and time to move on. We still have a chance of going through. The US has to win and England not win. We should order some dodgy pies and lasagnas for the england squad.
Anyway, Zen... No...the balls I played with were dry. I personally do not like Adidas balls from the last few generations so this was no different. It is light and has a lot of bounce. Hard strikes gathered...and lost speed and power quickly. The swerves and dips have a lot to do with the weight and texture. It sucks but all the teams in the tournament had the balls for months before they got to SA. Pro footballers should have been familiar with it. In fact, watch the Germans. They seem quite comfortable with it. Of course the budesliga played with that ball all season.
To bad SA didn't advance. I wanted them to go at least to the next round, but I guess Mexico really was the better team. France looked like doodoo.
France went on strike from training before the match.
laff. Egotists self destructing. Old adage about champion team and team of champions.
Meanwhile, the Italians had a nap on the pitch, the English are being searched for weapons at security, the Japanese are commuting from Nairobi, and the New Zealanders are assessing the field as pasture...
Australia plays Serbia in eight hours time. We need to win, and have Ghana beat Germany, to get through. Or if we just really thrash Serbia I think the Germany game might not matter so much.
hoo-yah.
(so far)
and
MOAR!
US scores in the 91st minute!
Despite the refs' best efforts the US are through to the next round!!!!!
Game winning goals ruled out in 2 separate games and a stone cold PK denied, but the US still manage to pull of the win in the 91st minute! WOOOHOHOHOHOOOOOO!
France went on strike from training before the match.
laff. Egotists self destructing. Old adage about champion team and team of champions.
.
It really is too bad, but in all honesty they should have done that two years ago. Domenech is possibly the worst international coach in the history of coaches. He has single handedly destroyed that team. Top drawer players have retired rather than play for him.
Even in this tournament when trailing with minutes left and needing goals he has left his best players sitting on the bench. The players have not done themselves any PR favors but the blame lies with the coach and the FFF.
Great News! I had to watch the ticker on-line. Amazing, the 91st minute.
When does the next round brackets get finalized so we know who we are up against? Will be have to play England again.
The US will play whoever finishes second in 'Group D' later today - that could still be any one of Germany, Ghana, Serbia or Australia.
Hope for an unexpected outcome so that Ghana or Australia goes through. Here we go.
That would be really interesting here on the cellar if Australia got through.
So it's USA to play Ghana in the next round with the winner of that meeting either Uruguay or South Korea in the quarter-finals.
[SIZE="10"][/SIZE]One World Cup and Two World Wars!
C'mon England!
So it's USA to play Ghana in the next round with the winner of that meeting either Uruguay or South Korea in the quarter-finals.
It looks like the US has an opportunity here.
Ach, that 4-0 thumping by Germany cost us. Serbia, who beat Germany, don't go through. I'm glad to see Ghana in, and the USA too.
Of those teams which made the last 16 last time, where are they now?
Well, unless something seriously changes in the next 15 minutes, neither of the teams in the final in 06 will even make it out of the group stage this year.
I'm glad we'll face Ghana rather than Germany, but it will be no walk in the park. They are a big strong team who attack with speed. While they aren't the most technical of teams they are exactly what the US struggles with.
Edit: Fuck the Italians then then fuck em with a rusty hacksaw just for good measure. cheating cunts one and all.
I'm glad we'll face Ghana rather than Germany, but it will be no walk in the park.
I'd heard (pre-play) Ghana predicted to do better than Germany. Why would you rather face Germany?
I'm glad we'll face Ghana rather than Germany.
Why would you rather face Germany?
:facepalm:
Germany is 8th in the
Soccer Power Index, Ghana is 33rd. US is 13th.
I'd heard (pre-play) Ghana predicted to do better than Germany. Why would you rather face Germany?
:facepalm:
Excuse my error, please.
Why would you rather face Ghana?
hehe. I was suprised to learn from the BBC that England vs Germany history is approx 50:50. Maybe Germany have triumphed more recently, or maybe it just feels that way because defeat to Germany is sooo bitter and victory so sweet.
Not sure if I'd rather England faced Ghana than Germany. Germany is more of a known. Either way, I'm routing for both England and USA, now I don't have to choose.
Ghana is a very difficult team to break down and I genuinely down know if the US can beat them. They have a lot of powerful players with a scrappy attitude so the US will really have to bring their A game and the right tactics but I believe they can do it.
Germany on the other hand are the team that I just don't see any conceivable way for the US to beat. Physically strong and technically excellent they are just as happy to play a quick pass attacking/pressing game or just pummel you with raw speed and athleticism. They play their own style of game which is effficient possession oriented but they are tactically flexible. I don't believe the German team is the "best" team at the tournament but I think they are the team that would be harder than any other for us to beat.
Many people don't realize that for years the US has been a technically weak team that managed to compete due to superior athleticism. Germany is every bit as athletic and they have the technical skills to boot.
Germany is every bit as athletic and they have the technical skills to boot.
groan
hehehee. Most americans wouldn't have gotten that.
well I am an amateur soccer geek, soo...
Donovan said this video brought him to tears.
[YOUTUBE]jbn3rOPmR9w[/YOUTUBE]
That was awesome, but it does make us a 3rd world country.
No, our government did that. this just makes us a third world country with that is learning to love the beautiful game.
Wow, that shot by Suarez for Uruguay was phenomenal.
Game on!
Random Hunch: Altidore watch him.
gomez or little stewie holden to make a completely unexpected contribution late in the game.
hopefully we start with
Howard
Cherundolo
Demerit
Bocanegra
Bornstein
donovan
Bradley
feilhaber
dempsy
gomez
alitdore
and use the wings for a quick moving game. If we sit back and try to absorb the attacks and wait for the counter Ghana will punish Bocanegra and bornstein. The left side of defense is our weakest spot. If we run at them and run at them some more we should be able to tire them out and put Holden on for Gomez or Altidore, pushing Dempsey into a second forward and Donovan to the left side. At least that is what I would try.
Bob Bradley fucked up his starting lineup. Either this gets really ugly or he has to use 2 of his subs far earlier than you would ever want to.
Ricardo Clark shouldn't even be a pro player, let alone in the national team.
Jozy looks uninspired.
I keep being surprised by our poor defensive play. Does Bradley leave Cherundelo in with the yellow? I doubt we have anyone to replace him. You were right before about a wing game. We are not getting any second chances when crosses go through the box... let's not jam up the middle.
Eugh - sorry, you know I'm not anti-America, but that video represents such an unattractive side of the US.
99% of those clips were from AMERICA. The one from France I have no doubt was filmed in an AMERICAN bar in France. The supporters in South Africa were probably the only overseas support in the whole clip. And yet it claims to be the world's reaction to America's win. Certinaly in this country we went, "Oh Shit!" It's possible Germany did too, although they relish a bash at England and have reasonable confidence going through either way.
I'm rooting for the US against Ghana (not going well as of typing) and every country deserves support. But purlease don't make a video about the world and only include three countries, two of which are on screen for under 5 seconds. (FTE, had the world thing not been mentioned I'd have thought it was a really cute montage, the sort of thing I'd sneak a tear out about if it was about England).
America Fuck yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Donovan said this video brought him to tears.
[YOUTUBE]jbn3rOPmR9w[/YOUTUBE]
pretty much brought me to tears too. probably not the same kind, though. SG nailed that pretty well. ugh.
...and I was glad the US made it through and I'm sorry they're gone. I sorta wanted to root for Ghana because they're underdog-ish, but I live here and I have an American child and I think you should support the team that represents you.
I thought that was kind of a goofy label for that video.
Yeah, it's not a very professional video, it should probably get a pass. Besides, I think any such video would make him cry at that point -that was just the one that got spotlighted/happened to be in the right place at the right time...
Still two hours to go and already I'm in pain
An hour to go and I am sweating like a paedophile in a creche.
But then I'm house-cleaning as the 'rents come home tonight.
And I want to sit down to watch the game with a clear conscience.
England should stick to lawn bowling
Don't say another word.
I know.
OMFG. Worst call of the tournament, surely.
1966. Just saying.
Yeah.
But 4-1 makes it much less painful.
Like a blister when you already have a broken leg.
John Cleese - football vs. football
[YOUTUBEWIDE]2sD_8prYOxo[/YOUTUBEWIDE]
Sneider!!!!
and Felipe Melo is in a world of hurt right now. He'd better not let his face be shown for awhile.
Wait, didn't they stop the tourney when the English speaking teams tanked?
Nope. They only let the english speaking teams in for the warmup rounds. The real World Cup starts when they all go home...unless you consider most of the german players speak better english than the majority of american and english players.
This Uruguay Ghana game is great.
If suarez makes it off the continent I'll be surprised. And disappointed.
Of course it wasn't supposed to be a free kick anyway, so perhaps it was best that it went to penalties.
The commentator on ITV was very biased.
He was moaning about how Uruguay ended the party for Africa.
Uruguay were invited to the party for heaven's sake! And Ghana weren't even the hosts! The most Uruguay did was spill Ghana's red wine on the carpet.
I have never cheered for a German team or athlete in any competition... until now. They are playing some great football. While I still prefer Netherlands or Spain, I think Germany is the team to beat. Klose is only one goal behind (fat) Ronaldo for most goals scored at the world cup.
I find it impossible to cheer central and south american teams. I hate how they play.
Netherlands v Spain in the final would probably be the most entertaining as they are both very attacking but a bit shaky at the back.
Netherlands v Germany could be pretty great too, but I think their styles would allow Germany to run right over the Netherlands. Maybe some historical tie in could be found there, I'm not sure.
Anybody but Uraguay and Paraguay and I'll be happy.
Uraguay should be proud of the way they cheated their way into quarter finals. If this was Rugby there would have been a penalty score allowed AND a red card. How can any game at a world cup level allow blatent and purposeful cheating allow a team to advance. Soccer is broken.
[YOUTUBE]I8wMLwsYxjA[/YOUTUBE]
Uraguay should be proud of the way they cheated their way into quarter finals. If this was Rugby there would have been a penalty score allowed AND a red card. How can any game at a world cup level allow blatent and purposeful cheating allow a team to advance. Soccer is broken.
Wrong. I don't like the player, the team, or the result but everything happened within the laws of the game. The player knew if he handled the ball 3 things would happen: 1) Ghana would not score at that moment, 2) He would receive a red card and 1-3 game suspension if his team were to progress, 3) Ghana would receive a penalty kick which almost always results in a goal. He handled the ball, preventing a goal, he received a red card, and Ghana missed their penalty kick sending the game into PK's. Uraguay prevailed.
That is not the way I want my players to approach the game but everything he did was within the laws of the game. Application of laws sometimes results in unjust outcomes. The game is far from broken.
I thought Argentina were pretty good against Germany; controlled but attacking, with a lot of possession in the German half. Until they got steamrolled.
Germany are looking favourites. Klose is in form at finishing, but Muller has been important for their attack and he is out for the next game. I suspect they'll get through. Despite my part-German ancestry, I would rather someone else won it.
I've been looking for The Fast Show's take-off of the World Cup (which was being held in America at the time). Can't find it sadly. It was a light-hearted poke on the fact that the rest of the world was focussed on the event, while Americans living in the various cities seemed distinctly underwhelmed. And the fact the US pronounces some country names in a distinctly different way to Britain.
The one which stuck in our minds (talking my brother and me here) was Your-ugga-way for Uraguay. So that in fact this world cup has delighted us with the amount of time we've been able to bring it up. Don't worry, we still find lines from Spitting Image funny too (Lancashire, la-la-la-laaaa - a cricket related sketch from the 80's).
Wrong. I don't like the player, the team, or the result but everything happened within the laws of the game. The player knew if he handled the ball 3 things would happen: 1) Ghana would not score at that moment, 2) He would receive a red card and 1-3 game suspension if his team were to progress, 3) Ghana would receive a penalty kick which almost always results in a goal. He handled the ball, preventing a goal, he received a red card, and Ghana missed their penalty kick sending the game into PK's. Uraguay prevailed.
That is not the way I want my players to approach the game but everything he did was within the laws of the game. Application of laws sometimes results in unjust outcomes. The game is far from broken.
Yup, and nothing better than Diego's "Hand of God".
Its all the part of game. Human Game.
What about the Hand of Henri that kept Ireland out this year?
actually, Ireland's lack of quality kept them out. Their inability to do anything with the ball for the other 89 minutes and 58 seconds might have something to do with it. Henry was wrong to do it as was Suarez. He never claimed he didn't use his hand, the ref simply didn't see it.
Well, there's another sporting event final I won't have to care about watching ...
Spain 1 Germany 0.
Spain to play Netherlands in the final.
I'm glad we'll have a first time winner.
I hope somehow Netherlands upsets the balance and win the final. Er.....no, ok let it be Spain only. Fine fine, its to be Argentina. What!? They have kicked out? Well then we will all cheer for Turkmenistan! Go you babies kick some ass.
Damn I am going bonkers:D
[youtube]z-Ln_rqPpPk[/youtube]
Hey Griff, Thats bloody good one! :rotflol:
Thanks.
Where is Lookouts breakdown on this game?
Not a great final but the better team won. Comparing them to the US side, we still have a serious skills gap but we are closing it. I missed the beginning of the game, I'm assuming the Spanish attack came out strong is why Netherlands went punk? I like good hard football but that means tough ball first tackles not cleats in the chest (final or not that's a red card). Nice goal play on both sides. Too much referee chatting for my taste, go play the best game you can within the confines of the way its being called.
Breakdown? Nah, too depressed to bother. That was a predictably horrible final. For the last few years I've supported Spain and Netherlands in international football. Mrs L thought we'd won the lottery when Spain won the Euro's in 08. Their flowing football is what dreams are made of most of the time, but imo they've become too cocky. They've slowed their play down too much and have basically just become a slow motion version of Barcelona. Eh Whatever.
Netherlands were the underdogs and the Dutch invented total football. I liked that over the last year they had continued playing their fast attacking game but had managed to set some of the egos aside and get a bit tougher as well. Unfortunately going into the final they decided they couldn't compete with Spain's passing unless they played physical and defense (how Inter beat Barca in the CL) but they failed to notice that van bommel and De Jong don't have the skills to play that game without getting carded. Van Marwiik got the tactics and line up wrong, imo.
Once Robin Van Persie received a yellow card (unwarranted imo) early in the game the die was cast. When you give a yellow for something that soft the ref MUST throw cards the rest of the game just to be consistent. netherlands had no chance of finishing the game with 11 players on the field. Between Webb(generally a poor attention whore ref) stopping play every 3 seconds, Van Bommel plowing through everyone, and Iniesta and a few other spanish players diving like the prima dona queens they've become the final was a painful game to watch. Exactly what the US budding enthusiasm did not need to continue growing.
Spain was by far the better team but Puyols should have been red carded early in the first half for his two footed studs up lunge, and Iniesta could have seen red for retaliatory shove and certainly should have seen a couple of yellows for his playacting and general cuntishness. I've never wished ill on a player but I'd have a hard time feeling bad if someone were to snap Andres Iniesta in half in Barca's season opener.
Ah, well it's all over now. Germany were the best team in the tournament but their youth were a bit intimidated by Spain early in their game and they lost out to a more talented, less cohesive Spanish side.
Have I mentioned yet that Iniesta is a worthless piece of shit who should be cuntpunted every hour on the hour for the next 25 years? I don't like him much and this game just reinforced my distaste.
I understand that fouls can be useful by breaking up the momentum of the game and possibly intimidating opposing players so they aren't as aggressive in the future, but when someone does a clear intentional foul like that Dutch guy kung-fu kicking the Spaniard in the chest, how does that happen? I mean, is he instructed to by his coach? Does he just see the opportunity to kick some dude in the chest and take it? There is no way he could have thought that a ref wouldn't see that and call him on it, so it was clearly with forethought. But I just don't understand what that thought process was. Any insights?
Does he just see the opportunity to kick some dude in the chest and take it?
Carpe Kick 'em!
Nigel De Jong is a vastly overrated player known for his physicality and not known to be the sharpest knife in the drawer. This was a brutal foul but I've seen the exact same thing done by better players. It really isn't that unusual and wasn't necessarily an actual attempt to kick someone in the chest. I've been kicked in the face simply because I got to a ball the other player didn't think I could get to. For me this was a yellow card offense in the context of this game. Puyols two footed lunge was far more dangerous.
Looking back I could have summarized my thoughts better. - Dutch were disappointingly cynical
- Dutch might have won if Robben wasn't such a glory chasing prick. He didn't complete 1 pass to RvP, his lone forward, the entire game.
- Spain, being the better team deserved their win even if they played poorly.
- Howard Webb is a pisspoor ref and attention whore in England and he lived up to his standards in SA.
- Iniesta is a highly talented piece of shit and it saddens me that kids will look up to him as a player for his winning goal.
- If Iniesta spontaneously combusts - I'll be the guy calling for marshmellows.
Depressing:
North Korean football team shamed in six-hour public inquiry over World Cup
North Korea's football team has been shamed in a six-hour public inquisition and the team's coach has been accused of "betraying" the reclusive leader's heir apparent following their failure at the World Cup, according to reports.
The entire squad was forced onto a stage at the People's Palace of Culture and subjected to criticism from Pak Myong-chol, the sports minister, as 400 government officials, students and journalists watched.
The players were subjected to a "grand debate" on July 2 because they failed in their "ideological struggle" to succeed in South Africa, Radio Free Asia and South Korean media reported.
The team's coach, Kim Jong-hun, was reportedly forced to become a builder and has been expelled from the Workers' Party of Korea.
If they follow their own guidelines, FIFA will now ban North Korean teams from international competition for two years as punishment for the government getting involved in the sports program.
However, media in South Korea said the players got off lightly by North Korean standards.
"In the past, North Korean athletes and coaches who performed badly were sent to prison camps," a South Korean intelligence source told the Chosun Ilbo newspaper.
It is so hard for me to wrap my brain around this.
