Official World Cup Thread

After seeing what is news for me today I'm even more glad that Spain lost. I saw Aragones demonstrating his racism during practices before the match against France. I'll not blame the whole team for the mistake of the coach, but I can't help it, it makes even more relaxing to see the coach return bitter and failing.

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Originally Posted by English assassin

I reckon Argentina will struggle to beat Germany myself. They (Argentina) have been looking good, but have they played a good side yet? Mexico rank as only "Ok" IMHO and they didn't exactly put them away did they, and Germany are not an easy team to play against.

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Was saying the same about Mexico myself before that game, but surely you'd
have to admit that Mexico played much better than anyone had expected. They
were attacking Argentina from the off, and gave a very good account of
themselves.

Can only hope that Argentina hold on, up their game, and put the Germans down
- though not sure they will. The Germans have a habit of getting to finals under
the radar when they're not performing well, and we all know they're doing better
now. Would rather not have any final with Germany in it, there's just too much
of a chance that they'll win.

I think France can beat Brazil. [Sometimes wondering if no-one has seen how
disappointing Brazil has been from the beginning of this tournament onwards.]
They look beatable, even average; it's just down to their opponents to see
through the hype and the reputations.



And for those of you who will suffer withdrawal, just keep in mind that the Euro
2008 qualifiers start soon enough. [Personally I will be hoping that the Ukraine
keep up the poor performances for then, that France effectively collapses... and
yes, Italy too.]

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Originally Posted by SSNeoperestroika

They look beatable, even average; it's just down to their opponents to see through the hype and the reputations.

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Brazil team is a deceiver. They save fuel for the moment in wich their lives are stakes, like in the match against France. But France has a positive historial against Brazil. That will make it one of the best matches in this round (after Germany - Argentina, of course...~;) ). Besides there's no other team that reaching the finals acts so relaxed as Brazil, that image of Roberto Carlos laying on the ground smiling and watching with calm the match against Japan tells it all, it shouldn't be that strange after winning two world cups.

On another note the referee on England's match will be Elisondo, wich means that for the first time in the history of World Cups an argentinian referee will be arbitrating a match in wich english take part. Interesting note, oh yes, but let's see the results...

P.S.: What's with your writing style mate...:inquisitive: (to SSNeoperestroika)

Progressing to the quarter-finals is fantastic, beating Spain priceless. But it is Zizou's goal that really struck a chord, moved Louis to tears and set a nation on fire:

Encore, Zizou... encore !! http://matousmileys.free.fr/ourra.gif

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Originally Posted by Soulforged

an argentinian referee will be arbitrating a match in wich english take part..

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http://www.my-smileys.de/smileys2/d-lol_2.gif

Hehe: 'Sorry, Stevie, Wayne, teh red cards of God, eh?'

The quarter final results I'd like to see:
- Argentina - Germany (3-3 + either side winning by shootout)
- England - Portugal (2-2 + either side winning by shootout)
- Italy - Ukraine (0-3 - Italy didn't deserve to defeat the tactically superior Australia by getting an incorrect penalty shot last minute, plus their Italian league scandals are a shame to the sport so out with the spaghettis - hopefully they can come back next EC or WC and play well and get deserved victories instead but I don't like it when they get undeserved victories)
- France - Brazil (5-0 go France! Brazil haven't deserved any of their victories in the latest few tournaments, so this tournament when they're finally good enough to deserve to win I hope they lose as quickly as possible as revenge! Zidane will score 2 goals, Henry 1 goal, Trezeguet 1 goal and Ribery 1 goal)

The quarter final results I'll probably see:
- Argentina 1 - 2 Germany
- England 1 - 0 Portugal
- Italy 1 - 0 Ukraine
- France 1 - 2 Brazil

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Originally Posted by Soulforged

On another note the referee on England's match will be Elisondo, wich means that for the first time in the history of World Cups an argentinian referee will be arbitrating a match in wich english take part. Interesting note, oh yes, but let's see the results...

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I really, truly hope that our past history of conflict and rivalry doesn't get in the way of the match, it would be (for me) the icing on the cake of bad refereeing in the World Cup. :shame:

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Originally Posted by Louis

Progressing to the quarter-finals is fantastic, beating Spain priceless. But it is Zizou's goal that really struck a chord, moved Louis to tears and set a nation on fire:

Encore, Zizou... encore !!

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That was amazing, at the last world cup, we were all in the school assembly hall watching England v Brazil, and one of our teachers got the reaction to Englands goal on video, it was incredible how much noise 1,000 English, football-crazed teenagers can make :laugh4:

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England 1 - 0 Portugal

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Going on our current form, i'd agree, but it had better be a good match, we're due for one:2thumbsup:

Saw this at another forum:

https://img243.imageshack.us/img243/...sfinest6ic.jpg

I just had to show it! :laugh4:

Graham Poll sent home! BBC article *clicky*.

lmao :2thumbsup:

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Originally Posted by Divine Wind

Spain and Ghana both showed poor defensive tactics in their second round matches.

With the rubbish new offside rules, the offside trap just does not work. Linesmen, referees themselves state they do not know what the rules are so it is easy for teams too take advantage of this. Playing high up the field trying to catch highly mobile, technical teams like Brazil and France, does not work.

Playing deep is the only answer, and they didnt do this, and thats why there out.

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The main problem of Ghana in game against Brasil was referee (two Brasilian goals from offsides) and weak attack finishing. Remember that Ghana's couch Ratomir Dujković was sent off in half time as he protested to line referee.

[DnC] that is brilliant! :laugh4:

As much as it pains me, Germany will win tommorow...i feel it in my bones.

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Originally Posted by DukeofSerbia

The main problem of Ghana in game against Brasil was referee (two Brasilian goals from offsides) and weak attack finishing. Remember that Ghana's couch Ratomir Dujković was sent off in half time as he protested to line referee.

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What do you expect, FIFA is virtually a Brazil cheerleading organization.

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Originally Posted by Red Peasant

What do you expect, FIFA is virtually a Brazil cheerleading organization.

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Soon to be in my signature :2thumbsup:

I'm going to sound like a bit of a girl here, but can someone explain to me how the new offside rules differ from the old ones? I always thought you just weren't allowed to be closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball and the second to last defender, when the ball was played by your team and you were involved in play. Has that been altered?

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Originally Posted by Big King Sanctaphrax

I'm going to sound like a bit of a girl here, but can someone explain to me how the new offside rules differ from the old ones? I always thought you just weren't allowed to be closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball and the second to last defender, when the ball was played by your team and you were involved in play. Has that been altered?

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before, if player A stands offside and the ball is passed from player C to player B (who isn't offside), and player B after receiving the ball passes it to A, there would be an offside. Now, if player A stands offside and the ball is passed from player C to player B (who isn't offside), it's not offside to pass player A. The "having advantage of being in offside position" thing sort of gets cleared after every new pass...

That's as clear as mud. No wonder Graham Poll got sent home :laugh4: .......the :furious3: has committed himself to the EPL, declaring that he won't officiate in any more tournaments...

God help us. :sweatdrop:

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Originally Posted by Ianofsmeg16

I really, truly hope that our past history of conflict and rivalry doesn't get in the way of the match, it would be (for me) the icing on the cake of bad refereeing in the World Cup. :shame:

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Don't worry, Elisondo is the best argentinian referee, and has been one of the best in this World Cup, he'll do it objectively, even if all Argentina wants the english to lose...:2thumbsup: (me included :2thumbsup: )

France knocked out my team :no:. Oh well, I've still got England to cheer for. And they better win :bounce:.

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Originally Posted by {BH}Goalie

Me and a few of my friends were talking about this yesterday. If the US bread all of its best athletes for soccer like the European teams and the South American team, the US would be good. Instead of taking all our best athletes and making them football players and basketball players we breed them to play soccer. I mean if you put Brian Urlacher who is 6' 4" 250 and can run the 40 in a 4.4 at sweeper if would just be a question of how long the opposing forward was in the hospital with a concusion. If a player like Shaq was put up at forward to win balls out of the air like crazy and would make that Crouch guys look like an ant. If we put Reggie Bush at mid and have him fly by and juke out everyone. It is just kind of fun thinking about how good the US could be if we actually trained our best athletes to play soccer. Although I am pretty sure that this wont be happening in the near future because nobody in the US cares about soccer. But there is that old question "What if..."

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At this point futbol isn't getting the best atheletes we have to offer. At best futbol is getting our 3rd or 4th tier athletes. I don't think it would we would dominate the sport as much as the Dream Team in the '92 Olympics. Inversley since we haven't been very good at the sport it won't be as bad as the last Olympic basketball "team" we fielded.

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Originally Posted by whyidie

At this point futbol isn't getting the best atheletes we have to offer. At best futbol is getting our 3rd or 4th tier athletes. I don't think it would we would dominate the sport as much as the Dream Team in the '92 Olympics. Inversley since we haven't been very good at the sport it won't be as bad as the last Olympic basketball "team" we fielded.

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This word (fútbol) amuses me mate, are you by any change a latin american brother in US lands? Of course it lacks the tilde, but just curiosity you know...:2thumbsup:

I hope Germany wins tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by Csar

I hope Germany wins tomorrow.

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Unfortunately I don't thing that is going to happen. Argentina has been very classy this entire tournament

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Originally Posted by Rythmic

Unfortunately I don't thing that is going to happen. Argentina has been very classy this entire tournament

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Always bring me down Rythmic always bringing me down.:furious3:

I'm not bringing you down, I'm just making an observation. The German inside me wants: Deutschland, zum die siegreiche Mannschaft zu sein. But somehow I don't think it is going to happen. Argentina have displayed flare, creativity and class each and every time they have played. Germany has played well, but not well enough to beat Argentina.

I can still dream or hope. Whatever

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Originally Posted by Csar

I can still dream or hope. Whatever

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Exactly the feeling I have when supporting :england: :wall:.

True

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Originally Posted by Rythmic

Deutschland, sollte die siegreiche Mannschaft sein. ... Germany has played well, but not well enough to beat Argentina.

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We will see! The odds are even, I think.

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Originally Posted by Red Peasant

What do you expect, FIFA is virtually a Brazil cheerleading organization.

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Dujković said for Serbian daily newspaper "Blic" todaz that Cantalejo will help Brasilian side tomorrow to reach semifinal. No comment. :no:

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Originally Posted by Soulforged

Don't worry, Elisondo is the best argentinian referee, and has been one of the best in this World Cup, he'll do it objectively, even if all Argentina wants the english to lose...:2thumbsup: (me included :2thumbsup: )

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Coming close on the heels of Sepp "I am a muppett AND corrupt" Blatter and his completely out of line remarks about Englands lack of attacking play, I'm just a little bit worried.

Throw in Portugals outrageous behaviour in the last game and I fear England will finish the game with only 10 (or 9!) players... :no: