The unofficial World Cup Thread,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by drone

Egads, Teutonic efficiency. Whoever finishes 2nd in the English/US group is in for it.

Slovenia-Algeria. Boring for the most part. Algeria had flashes of individual flair, but neither side looked interested in the offensive third. Slovenia are in a good spot though, US and England will need to win their next games. The best thing about Algeria was the hair. Magnifique!

Serbia-Ghana was a much more interesting match. Both sides were moving well, making runs, entertaining. Ruined by two mental blunders by the Serbs. What was Kuzmanovic thinking? :inquisitive:

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Algeria Slovenia was extremely boring, I agree but I didn't find Serbia-Ghana much more interesting. No imagination, no creativity, no ideas. Antic messed up tactically in my opinion. Lukovic is a left back, not centre back. He was to blame for 2 out of 3 goals we conceded against Cameroon. Why he decided to play him again in a position he played only once (and was poor) is beyond my comprehension. He was again quite poor and to top it all, two fouls for which he received yellow cards weren't really needed.

Kuzmanovic idiocy (there are no other words for it - probably robbed us all chances of qualifying for the second round) is beyond words. Not raising your arms above your head is something he should have been thought at junior level, especially when there is absolutelly no danger. Idiot.

Germany trounced Ostraliyah, as expected...

Germany vs Australia was the best game so far! Go Germany!

Wow, Germany v Australia was easily the best game so far. Very exciting to watch on offense.

I honestly didn't really like the German - Australian game. Germany was the brilliant machine that I expected, Australia was disconnected and impotent. I think that Australia's players definitely weren't all there in the game, the Germans far more aggressive than the Australians. I felt that the Germany - Australia game could've been what the US - England game wasn't. This seemingly shows that Germans are simply more refined Englishmen.

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Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

I honestly didn't really like the German - Australian game. Germany was the brilliant machine that I expected, Australia was disconnected and impotent. I think that Australia's players definitely weren't all there in the game, the Germans far more aggressive than the Australians. I felt that the Germany - Australia game could've been what the US - England game wasn't. This seemingly shows that Germans are simply more refined Englishmen.

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You don't actually believe the US to be as weak as Australia do you? Personally I don't think the US will get far in the finals, but almost certainly they'll get to start the second round. They are a pretty strong team. England, well they have great players, but for some reason they're not running smoothly for a long time. The English team needs some oil, urgently or I'll prodict a rather failed WC.

Can't wait to see Brazil, Holland and Spain in action we'll see some more goals again when they get their chance for pwnage.

Netherlands - Denmark 4:1
Japan - Cameroon 2:1
Italy - Paraguay 1:0

Germany arrived as well prepared to this tournament as ever. Either the Germans are geniuses, or the rest of the world are a bunch of imbeciles. Is it really all that hard to just gather your best twenty players and have them play a straightforward, disciplined game of football?
All of the German injuries - Ballack! - don't even matter. German players excell in performing basic skills to perfection: passing over thirthy meters, receiving a ball and controlling it effortlesly so you can have your eyes on the pitch instead of the ball, etc. This way, it doesn't matter if you have international superstars or not. All you need are twenty players who can perform basic football to perfection, with discipline and a will to win. Unless Brazil or Spain can deliver their best, Germany will be a major contender yet again.

England (not the UK) and the US shall have to win their group to avoid the Germans!
Second in the group gets beaten by Germany next round, the winner meets a weak opponent and can cruise to the Quarterfinals.

~~o~~o~~<<oOo>>~~o~~o~~

Serbia is in major trouble already. They will lose to Germany in the second game. Then the tournament is already over. Serbia has done itself a major disservice today - I think it could be all over already.

~~o~~o~~<<oOo>>~~o~~o~~

Algeria's goalkeeping howler rehabilitates Green to a large extent: this ball is a :daisy: to control for a keeper if it is shot low with a bounce. Second game in two days that's been decided in this manner.

~~o~~o~~<<oOo>>~~o~~o~~

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Originally Posted by Sasaki

Wow, Germany v Australia was easily the best game so far. Very exciting to watch on offense.

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Most of the big teams have yet to play. Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal. Keep an eye out for Holland - Denmark tomorrow for some exhilarating football by two offensive teams.

Of the other three most gifted teams, Argentina so far looked good, England dissapointed, and France put up the greatest football show since Brazil in 1970.

~~o~~o~~<<oOo>>~~o~~o~~

Netherlands https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...rlands.svg.png 2 - 0 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...enmark.svg.png Denmark
Japan https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Japan.svg.png 0 - 1 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...meroon.svg.png Cameroon
Italy https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Italy.svg.png 1 - 0 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...raguay.svg.png Paraguay

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Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro

Wow, Germany v Australia was easily the best game so far. Very exciting to watch on offense.

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Germany was dominating, especially on offense. They could have scored twice as many goals. Australia seemed to lose heart after Cahill was red carded and couldn't really finish the few chances they had. First game I've watched in a while.

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You don't actually believe the US to be as weak as Australia do you?

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Not necessarily as weak as Australia, but there from my point of view similarities between the two teams, the Americans only seemed to be more aggressive in attack than the Ozzies. Not that there was much doubt about the outcome of the Germany/Australia game, but the US team can learn some valuable lessons from the failures of the Australian defense in how to keep the English-style attacks at bay.

As for the upcoming matches.

:netherlands: 2 - 1 :denmark:
:japan: 1 - 1 :cameroon:
:italy: 1 - 0 :paraguay:

Was a joy to watch Germany play, finally a bit of class and some flowing football. As for tomorrow:

:netherlands: 3 - 1 :denmark:
:japan: 1 - 2 :cameroon:
:italy: 2 - 0 :paraguay:

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Originally Posted by gaelic cowboy

:yes:

The best thing about actually attending a world cup is the chanting the songs etc I would say the few hardy fans who made the trip are seriously annoyed.

Another thing just think on this when Brazil take the field soon the famous samba will be drowned under the vuvu's

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The vuvuzelas are the chants for Africans. They've probably been complaining about having to listen to the droning sound of "IN-GER-LAND" for years. It's something a bit different. If it bothers you so much, mute the TV. The commentary is hardly insightful or interesting so you're not missing much.

Some predictions:

Netherlands 2 - 0 Denmark
Japan 0 - 1 Cameroon
Italy 2 - 1 Paraguay

Robinho top scorer.
England to not go out on penalties and go out at the quarter finals.
Don't think there will be a Dutch collapse, I think they'll go out to Brazil but play well throughout the tournament.
Ronaldo to score 2.
Maradona's biggest mistake/downfall will be continuing to play Gutierrez at right-back.

Louis: +1 = 8
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +2 = 2
Sarmatian: +1 = 2
Insane Apache: +1 = 8
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +1 = 4
Romanic: +2 = 3
Joooray: +1 = 2
Rhyfelwyr: 0
Sasaki: 0

Let me just note here for eternity that I laugh at all the silly Australians that thought we were soccer gods.

:laugh4:

The media will just make this a minor setback though. :no:

Seems I was too conservative with Germany. But, I'm glad I got the right results this time round. Funny, everyone here is devastated, as if they didn't realise that Germany are about 10 times better than Australia.


Netherlands :netherlands: 3 - 1 :denmark: Denmark
Japan :japan: 0 - 0 :cameroon: Cameroon
Italy :italy: 1 - 0 :paraguay: Paraguay

:netherlands: 2 - 0 :denmark:
:japan: 0 - 1 :cameroon:
:italy: 2 - 0 :paraguay:

They need to ban that horrid instrument of torture, the vuvuzela.

It can't be compared to chanting or singing or anything but continuously blowing an airhorn because it's the same, constant drone.

There's no increase in volume when a goal is scored, no brief pause for a lucky save. Just the constant, unchanging drone that just makes it hard to enjoy the game.

Get rid of the wretched, meaningless, noise.

(Also, I predict The Netherlands, Japan, and Italy for winners)

CR

Yo, johnhughthom, here are my predictions that mostly screwed up for the matches of Sunday. Please update.

ALG 2-0 SLO
SER 2-2 GHA
GER 3-1 AUS

And about today's fixture:

NED 2-2 DEN
JAP 0-0 CAM
ITA 1-3 PAR (yayz0rz)

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

They need to ban that horrid instrument of torture, the vuvuzela.

It can't be compared to chanting or singing or anything but continuously blowing an airhorn because it's the same, constant drone.

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Well, according to what they said on the radio here this morning, the South Africans normally use it differently, actually playing rhythms and such. It's the others that just blow it constantly throughout the match. So it seems the 'instrument' is not actually to blame, but the stupid foreigners that can't work 'em.
I also heard that some TV station are already looking for a way to filter the sound.

Edit:
Ah, yes, my predictions are:
:netherlands: 3 - :denmark: 1
:japan: 1 - :cameroon: 2
:italy: 1 - :paraguay: 2

Somehow I effortlessly tune out the vuvezela.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Algeria's goalkeeping howler rehabilitates Green to a large extent: this ball is a :daisy: to control for a keeper if it is shot low with a bounce. Second game in two days that's been decided in this manner.

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And don't forget Kingston: the ball simply bounced off his grip.

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Originally Posted by johnhughthom

Louis: +1 = 8
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +2 = 2
Sarmatian: +1 = 2
Insane Apache: +1 = 8
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +1 = 4
Romanic: +2 = 3
Joooray: +1 = 2
Rhyfelwyr: 0
Sasaki: 0

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Thankyou for keeping tally johnhughthom :bow:

Nah then....

Netherlands 2 - 0 Denmark
Japan 0 - 1 Cameroon
Italy 1 - 0 Paraguay

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

They need to ban that horrid instrument of torture, the vuvuzela.

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"Vuvu-Stop"

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The earplugs, marketed as the "Vuvu-Stop", have a label on the back of the packet which reads: "Highly effective noise reduction. Uses include soccer, rugby, or for couch potatoes to block out your wife's moaning."

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https://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9882/vuvu400.jpg https://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3694/300ww.jpg

Netherlands 0 - 2 Denmark
Japan 2 - 1 Cameroon
Italy 2 - 0 Paraguay

I'll bet for Japan because its Japan. Not a fan of the current team though :no:
Hope they prove me wrong.

https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3231/usawins11.th.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

:laugh4: Fantastic. :2thumbsup:

Yo, Beefy, I've read that Uchida signed for Schalke 04. What can you tell me about the player ?

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Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

Yo, johnhughthom, here are my predictions that mostly screwed up for the matches of Sunday. Please update.

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Sorry about that, I was sure you had made predictions but couldn't find them.

Louis: +1 = 8
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +2 = 2
Sarmatian: +1 = 2
Insane Apache: +1 = 8
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +1 = 4
Romanic: +2 = 3
Joooray: +1 = 2
Rhyfelwyr: 0
Sasaki: 0
LEN: +1 = 5

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Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

Yo, Beefy, I've read that Uchida signed for Schalke 04. What can you tell me about the player ?

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He played for Kashima Antlers (My Team! The best in Japan!) and he is by far the sexiest player in Japanese National Team :yes:
Pretty fast RB, with a decent crossing skill. His good at attacking but his often criticized for his defence skill.
I hope he plays tonight :yes:

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Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

I predict The Netherlands, Japan, and Italy for winners

CR

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Go one then, join the prediction game properly! You know you want to...

Most of the points are given in the knock-out phase anyway, so with one right prediction you can catch up with those who started playing before you.

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Originally Posted by LEN

Yo, johnhughthom, here are my predictions that mostly screwed up for the matches of Sunday. Please update.

ALG 2-0 SLO
SER 2-2 GHA
GER 3-1 AUS

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Yo, johnhughthom, here are my predictions for the matches of Saturday. Please update.

Eng 1-1 USA (I predict a green howler)
Korea 2-0 Greece
Arg 1-0 Nigeria

:sweatdrop:

Lwiz Ze Fad, you haz Turk genes.

Netherlands win and I sink even deeper.

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Originally Posted by InsaneApache

https://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3231/usawins11.th.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

:laugh4: Fantastic. :2thumbsup:

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Sadly, there is more truth to the headline than there should be.....

Pretty much a gift from the "footie dieties" to us on this side of the pond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxWX...eature=related

K'naan - Waving Flag (the true anthem, not that Waka Waka crap)

Poor Poulsen. From Agger to his head, back to Agger and into the goal. Still, Netherlands had no ideas until Elia came in. Van Persie shouldn't be there, they need Huntelaar.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Yo, johnhughthom, here are my predictions for the matches of Saturday. Please update.

Eng 1-1 USA (I predict a green howler)
Korea 2-0 Greece
Arg 1-0 Nigeria

:sweatdrop:

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Update:


Louis: :france: + :shifty: = :rolleyes:
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +2 = 2
Sarmatian: +1 = 2
Insane Apache: +1 = 8
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +1 = 4
Romanic: +2 = 3
Joooray: +1 = 2
Rhyfelwyr: 0
Sasaki: 0
LEN: +1 = 5

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Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh

Sadly, there is more truth to the headline than there should be.....

Pretty much a gift from the "footie dieties" to us on this side of the pond.

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Would Robert Green have stopped the ball if he were less of a diety and more of a fat bastard?

I want to drown myself after the Netherlands' victory. ;_;

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Originally Posted by edyzmedieval

Van Persie shouldn't be there, they need Huntelaar.

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A nice 6 goals in 5 consecutive games for club and country before today says otherwise. The problem lay in de Jong being ineffecient will keeping tha ball moving and Robben being on the bench. The Elia - v.d.Vaart - v.Persie - Snjeider - Robben front five is much more effective than when Kuyt and de Jong are in the team. Although, admittedly that is fairly attacking.

Gawd that was boring 2-0 yipee, put us in the group of death next time, we aren't going to win so at least make it fun. Denmark..

Watching Cameroon under le Guen brought back all sorts of horrible memories of his Rangers years. :shame:

Very poor game, no flair on either side. The only difference between the sides was that Japan were actually well organised.

And what was PLG (Paul le Guen) doing with Eto'o on the right of midfield? :dizzy2:

That was brutal stuff twas terrible game Cameroon/Japan they deserved there beating entirely.

I shall speak no more of it worst game so far.

It's not the most exciting tournament evar, is it?

Very few goals. Too many matches decided by some defensive howler. Boring, weak teams.

Not enough fans travelled to South Africa. What little atmosphere they wish to create is frustrated by those vuvu******zelas. And what little we hear of this little atmposphere I can't hear because I turn down the volume of that awful monotenous noise.
Imagine what Saturday's game would've been like with a sing-off between God Save the Queen and the Star Spangled Banner. The players would've fought twice as hard.

The ball is a disaster. Players are looking for long distance shots, and defenses are kept tight to block attempts. Once again, Fifa managed the opposite of what it intended with some weird supermarket beachvolleyball - rather than more goals, we see fewer, of lower quality, with less of a passing and attacking game.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

One would almost think the lack of atmosphere is standard. Not so. Here's what a football game should be like, for atmosphere, audience participation, sounds, oohs and ahs, anthem sing-offs, taunts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7NJyNwLlCg

Freakin' trumpets ruin my enjoyment of every match. The sound feels like a giant swarm of mosquitos is circling around the stadium.

Africa unfortunately wasn't ready to organize a tournament of this magnitude...

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

The ball is a disaster.

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It's because it's too round.

Honestly, apparently one of its special features is that it is the roundest ball ever. :shrug:

As for the vuvuzelas, I don't think they're annoying of themselves, but they ruin all the atmosphere. I think a fair compromise would be to let them be used in games were African teams are playing. But other than that, no, let all the supporters be heard in their own style.

England 1 - 1 USA

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In Lego

Is every world cup this mind-numbingly boring? Maybe hindsight is blurring my perspective, or not following a team is reducing my involvement, or the "World Cup Fever" hasn't grasped me. But, I don't remember being so bored watching football before....

The sad thing is every USian that went to South Africa for the Cup (and supposedly there are a lot of these) is going to come home with a vuvuzela. We'll be hearing these in MLS and national qualification matches for a few years. :no:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

The ball is a disaster. Players are looking for long distance shots, and defenses are kept tight to block attempts. Once again, Fifa managed the opposite of what it intended with some weird supermarket beachvolleyball - rather than more goals, we see fewer, of lower quality, with less of a passing and attacking game.

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:yes: Why use a ball that makes it impossible to maintain a decent passing game or make simple crosses into the box?

Tin foil hat time:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Adidas gave the Germans Jabulanis months before other teams got a hold of them. It's the only explanation for their clinical performance while other teams are flailing about.

That Kawaksaki Yamaha Honda goal must be the softest ever and the goal awarded to Cameroon IMO. :embarassed: :sweatdrop:

"World Cup matches have had lots of zeroes

I would like to say that for many Americans not totally initiated, these games seem to be "soccer as usual", vuvuzelas aside. I thought the glory of the game was scoring that one lone goal...not a high-scoring match like Germany - Australia.

In regard to Vuvuzelas, I don't really know what a regular soccer game "sounds" like, so I'm not seeing the vuvu's as a problem, even though every match sounds like a beehive. I figure (and many Americans the same) that the vuvuzelas are simply "part of the game", especially since the games are in South Africa. Meh. Besides, if it annoys the Europeans, it has to be good.

I think that the more "erratic" balls are making the game so much more intriguing because luck and skill makes every game a toss-up. Who could win, who loses, because the possibility of correctly predicting these games has become more difficult.

I would hope that the reasons for some of the poor games have been the poor teams.

The USA-england match was good and the Germany-australia match was great. I remember argentina looking pretty good too. And I liked the opener because it's fun to watch the host country and the announcer kept saying "tshabalala--Owww" which was entertaining because I didn't know what the hell he was talking about...

Also, the games that decide for sure whether a team advances will be more tense.

For those that were looking for streamless entertainment: Back to your WWEs, UFCs, NFLs or whatever please. This is football and there is a serious trophy up there.

Paraguay leads the game for the moment and it'll end that way after the second half. YAAAARRRR ! :smoking:

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Originally Posted by Marshal Murat

In regard to Vuvuzelas, I don't really know what a regular soccer game "sounds" like, so I'm not seeing the vuvu's as a problem, even though every match sounds like a beehive. I figure (and many Americans the same) that the vuvuzelas are simply "part of the game", especially since the games are in South Africa. Meh. Besides, if it annoys the Europeans, it has to be good.

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A general background murmur, with waves of songs periodically washng across the stands. An intake of breath when there's a chance, followed by an ooh if it stays out, applause if there's good play, or a roar if it's a goal. Having only watched genteel and even parochial clubs, I haven't really experienced them, but I've heard that some of the bigger clubs have atmospheres that one can feel. However, I did once watch a 3-3 which had some pretty decent atmosphere for such a small club.

In fairness lads yer all being hard on USA they have supposedly one of the biggest if not the biggest traveling contingents at the games.

Well that Italy game was a bit better but that was only because there was a second goal.

I was gonna say I would turn of telly till the 1/4finals but seeing as portugal and brazil out tomorrow I will be still tuning in.

Can I still join the prediction game?

:newzealand: 0 - 1 :slovakia:

:cotedivoire: 1 - 2 :portugal:

:brazil: 1 - 1 :northkorea:

The Brazilians are pretty old, I don't think we're going to see great soccer from their part.

:newzealand: 0 - 2 :slovakia:

:cotedivoire: 1 - 1 :portugal:

:brazil: 2 - 0 :northkorea:

:newzealand: 1 - 1:slovenia:
:cotedivoire: 0 - 2 :portugal:
:brazil: 3 - 0:northkorea:

A few days ago I would have said Portugal would win 2-0 but the way things are panning out I dunno now.

I think though that Ivory Coast are basically team Drogba though an he aint there so maybe 2-0 is the score.

Brazil will only manage two cos I'd say there will 11 men in the North Korean box for the entire game lol.

While I'm happy for Japans victory, I'm still against our manager :curtain:

Anyhow,

Newzealand 0- 1 Slovakia
Ivory Coast 1- 2 Portugal
Brazil 1- 0 North Korea

I'm not doing too well so far. :sweatdrop:

:newzealand: 0 - 1 :slovakia:

:cotedivoire: 0 - 1 :portugal:

:brazil: 6 - 0 :northkorea:

I'm going to be optimistic and hope Brazil pull of some real class, this tournament needs it.

I wonder how things will work for North Korea with fans etc. Are they even allowed out the country?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

It's not the most exciting tournament evar, is it?

Very few goals. Too many matches decided by some defensive howler. Boring, weak teams.

Not enough fans travelled to South Africa. What little atmosphere they wish to create is frustrated by those vuvu******zelas. And what little we hear of this little atmposphere I can't hear because I turn down the volume of that awful monotenous noise.
Imagine what Saturday's game would've been like with a sing-off between God Save the Queen and the Star Spangled Banner. The players would've fought twice as hard.

The ball is a disaster. Players are looking for long distance shots, and defenses are kept tight to block attempts. Once again, Fifa managed the opposite of what it intended with some weird supermarket beachvolleyball - rather than more goals, we see fewer, of lower quality, with less of a passing and attacking game.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

One would almost think the lack of atmosphere is standard. Not so. Here's what a football game should be like, for atmosphere, audience participation, sounds, oohs and ahs, anthem sing-offs, taunts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7NJyNwLlCg

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Agreed! did you record that video Louis? Euro 2004 was in fact a great tournament...too bad we lost in the final. I remember the greeks saying terrible things about the ball...in the end they won. :sweatdrop:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Afonso I of Portugal

Agreed! did you record that video Louis? Euro 2004 was in fact a great tournament...too bad we lost in the final. I remember the greeks saying terrible things about the ball...in the end they won. :sweatdrop:

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I wish I took it! I just grabbed that video of the internet. Was just looking for some football atmosphere. I was beginning to wonder whether I was imagining things, or maybe suffering from nostalgia, or whether there really is a slight lack of (Euro / South American?) atmosphere in this tournament.

Needless to say, I was rooting for Portugal in the final. I was perfectly happy for the Greeks to have their party, but not with that team.
Euro 2004 was a great tournament. Germany's World Cup was fantastic too, as was Euro 2008. We really should just invite Brazil and Argentina over to the EC in Poland in 2012. Cheap beers, fun girls, lots of fans everywhere - it'll be great.



Ah well, 'nuff of this complaining. The tournament will kick up a notch when the pressure is on in the deciding group matches, certainly in the knock-out phase - which is really what football was meant to be. One game, two teams, best on the day takes all.


I thought Drogba would be fit for tomorrow....if not, I might regret predicting 1-1.

I don´t think we'll beat Ivory Coast.....

New Zealand :newzealand: 0 - 1 :slovakia: Slovakia

Ivory Coast :ivorycoast: 0 - 1 :portugal: Portugal

Brazil :brazil: 4 - 0 :northkorea: North Korea

New Zealand 0 - 1 Slovakia
Ivory Coast 2 - 1 Portugal
Brazil 3 - 0 North Korea

I want Cote d'Ivoire to win, but I wanted Cameroon to win as well, but this tournament is unpredictable. I would just like to see a good, fast-paced game between two attacking teams. With Brazil, I just want to watch them play and have fun.

:newzealand: 0 - 1 :slovakia:

:cotedivoire: 0 - 2 :portugal:

:brazil: 3 - 0 :northkorea:

Just watched the Italy-Paraguay match on the DVR. Not exactly the prettiest display, but quite fun. Man of the match = Benito Tellez, the referee. Fairly physical, but mostly clean, and the ref let them play without too much interference and kept it under control. Bodies flying everywhere, heads and feet in dangerous proximity to each other, but the maliciousness was kept to a minimum and everyone was trying hard. Probably the first Italy match I've watched that I enjoyed in years. The work rate from Paraguay was impressive, and it appears they like to slide around in the rain. :yes: It's a shame De Rossi scored the equalizer, I would have preferred he contracted a potent and debilitating venereal disease during qualifying.

:newzealand: 0 - 2 :slovakia:
:cotedivoire: 1 - 2 :portugal:
:brazil: 3 - 0 :northkorea:

New Zealand 0-2 Slovakia
Cote d'Ivoire 3-2 Portugal
Brazil 2-0 Korea DPR

New Zealand - Slovakia 0:2
Cote d'Ivoire - Portugal 1:3
Brazil - North Korea 2:0

Update:


Louis: +3 = 11
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +1 = 3
Sarmatian: 2
Insane Apache: +3 = 11
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +4 = 8
Romanic: +3 = 6
Joooray: +1 = 3
Rhyfelwyr: +1 = 1
Sasaki: 0
LEN: 5
Moros: 2
Marshall Murat: 1
Craterus: 3
Crazed Rabbit: 2
Beefy: 1

:newzealand: 0 :serbia: 1

:cotedivoire: 1 :portugal: 1

:brazil: 3 :northkorea: 0

:balloon2:

Hmmm. Dogbreath will play for Cote d'Ivoire. Any chance I can change my prediction to a 1 all draw?

No. :laugh4:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

It's not the most exciting tournament evar, is it?

Very few goals. Too many matches decided by some defensive howler. Boring, weak teams.

Not enough fans travelled to South Africa. What little atmosphere they wish to create is frustrated by those vuvu******zelas. And what little we hear of this little atmposphere I can't hear because I turn down the volume of that awful monotenous noise.
Imagine what Saturday's game would've been like with a sing-off between God Save the Queen and the Star Spangled Banner. The players would've fought twice as hard.

The ball is a disaster. Players are looking for long distance shots, and defenses are kept tight to block attempts. Once again, Fifa managed the opposite of what it intended with some weird supermarket beachvolleyball - rather than more goals, we see fewer, of lower quality, with less of a passing and attacking game.

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The groups are not too interesting either, come on. The only one worth watching from beginning to end is Brazil's group, with Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea which will put up a serious fight. Most of the teams are boring too, the game is too tactical. Netherlands - Denmark. I expected some high flying attacks from the Dutch with Sneijder, Van Persie and Co...

Right... Very boring game. The best part was Poulsen's own goal.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by InsaneApache

No. :laugh4:

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~;p

Note to self. Don't post predictions until the very last minute.

As far as I'm concerned, as long as the prediction is made before the KO then all's well. Bit like bookie rules.

I'm sure the others in the prediction thingy feel the same.

Come on, Slowakia, make that second goal!

Why oh why did I predict 0-2, when all the sane people here have understood this tournament is all about 0-1, and predicted as such!? :bigcry:



Edit: it's johnhughthom's game. As far as I'm concerned, predictions can be made until one minute to kick-off, so long as one does not make a complete circus of it - bear in mind the host must keep track.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

Why oh why did I predict 0-2, when all the sane people here have understood this tournament is all about 0-1, and predicted as such!? :bigcry:

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I guess that point is moot now...

Ooh! Well done All-Whites!!

Serves the Slovaks right for not pushing for that second goal. This is what the tournament needs, some cool team brutally punishing a team for boring the world with another 1-0.

I proclaim NZ the Supreme Ruler of all the Pacific, the Kiwis the superior master race in Oceania (that includes Oceanic countries playing in Asian qualification matches). :newzealand:

New Zealanders with a last minute goal. Don't think anyone predicted that result.

Ok, I'm torn. Portugal has kept 15 clean sheets in the last 20. But, Dogbreath is playing. Yet, Portugal score on average 1.5 goals a game and concede 0.5 a goal. And Ivory Coast score almost 2 goals a game and concede 1. So. I think I'll throw all that data out the window. And go with:

Revision:

Ivory Coast :cotedivoire: 1 - 1 :portugal: Portugal

there are things the stats don´t show....the Portuguese team might have won the last few games...but they were generally bad performances....
I say we don´t win today...and given a first game slip up we might even lose.....

i´m sticking to my initial gut feeling....2-1 Ivory Coast

Ronaldo dives twice in 10 minutes. Awesome..... :wink2:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Psychonaut

Ronaldo dives twice in 10 minutes. Awesome..... :wink2:

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come on....go easy on the kid....it's just the first game...he'll pick up the pace.