Go on. You know you want to.
England for teh win.
Next!
:o)
Printable View
Go on. You know you want to.
England for teh win.
Next!
:o)
Ooooh I'm so excited!
:cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader:
https://img97.imageshack.us/img97/40...lysees1998.jpg
:cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader: :france: :cheerleader:
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Albiol, Iniesta, David Silva, Xavi, Fabregas, Torres and David Villa have got it in the bag, methinks.
I haven't fancied England's chances in a football tournament since 1998; I'd love it to happen, but I just don't see it.
If I had to make a prediction, I'd say:
Spain - but might collapse under pressure
Brazil - duh
Italy - god forbid
Germany - tournament players par excellence, even when they are bad, they make it to final
England - why not, eh? Capello's got his act together
Serbia - surprise package
France is really just waiting for Blanc to take over. The ref will finish the blues off in the last group match against the home country.
Argentina's players are second to few, but they are coached by the Nose of Coke, El Diego. who managed to not select half of Inter's side.
Portugal and Holland for dangerous outsider.
I'll reserve my statement of Portugal's probability or not to go far, after the next friendly with Cameroon, a few days from now.
USA. And we still won't care. :unitedstates: :mellow:
In all seriousness though, I'd like to see Argentina go far because their coach is apparently legally insane. That'll make for some interesting news fodder. And maybe England, because I feel sorry for them.
For the non-clueless followers of the sport, does Mexico have any shot? Or did they only stomp us last year because the game was in Azteca?
Dunga will win it for Brazil. The man's a tactical and defensive whiz. :yes:
:yes:Quote:
Originally Posted by GeneralHankerchief
I don't think Mexico will make it out of the groups. South Africa will get the calls as the host nation, so Mexico has to beat out France and Uruguay for the other group spot. Not promising. Skill-wise, I'd put Mexico a little behind the US (all other things being equal). Azteca is a huge advantage, at a neutral site they won't intimidate the refs, won't have the altitude, and won't have the battery fire from the stands.
It'll be tight, tight, tight. None of the teams have really impressed. Uruguay and France have both struggled, Mexico play some good stuff but are profligate.Quote:
Originally Posted by drone
We bring a pretty good team, defense is weak but we have plenty of offensive power.
:england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england:
COME ON YOU ENGLAND!
:england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england: :england:
If there is a team I hate more than England it would be Mexico.
Heres to them losing in group.....You bloody wankers
Agreed on Spain but I think England's chances are quite good, too. I positively loathed how English team was hyped by media and fans prior to earlier tournaments, when it was clear to anyone that there is just not enough quality to do anything. This time round, England has a good side overall with a few world-class players and a coach with strong personality who can actually mold them into a team (arguably, that's what England lacked the most). Quite the opposite now, media and fans are cautious and team is actually capable of achieving something big.Quote:
Originally Posted by Secura
Those who want to know......heheQuote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
I get the feeling Australia won't get any further than last time.
Go Brazil. :yes:
Ze predictions of Ze Mitey LEN World Cup '10 will be following shortly after ze actual squads of 23 players are declared by ze 1st of June.
I'll draw up groups, qualifiers, ze finals and ze winner. :smoking:
Edit: Oh I forgot to mention... And it'll happen that way. :smoking:
Spain or Brazil are my favourites, then the likes of England, Italy, Germany and Argentina could pull something out, England seem in the best form out of the 4 but Italy and Germany just excel in tournements (usually) and the Argentinians have some class players despite bad form. Outside of that I see the Portuguese and the French as long shots, im unsure on the dutch they remind me of England slightly seem to usually fall at the later stages. I would be surprised if someone I didn't mention above even made it to the semis so i can't see any of the others as potential winners
We just insist on letting the world know that we can beat everyone.
Only to don't.
Brazil: as always a strong team, yet not such a strong team for being brazil. Surprisingly not one of my favourites. A lot will depend of Kaka and how Robinho will play. Though they are in great form and have done great I think one of the other big powers of football will defeat them.
Italy: They always have a good defence and never leave holes. However for getting all the way they lack attacking power imo. Buffon and De rossi might get them there after all.
Argentina: I'm not convinced by the amount of depth the team has except for the front. They probably have the best offense of the world on paper (Messi, Higuain, Tevez, Aguero and Milito) and that might just do it. Messi can win games on his own sometimes and with the help of Milito, Tevez & co conceding some goals might not be such a problem.
Uruguay: A good squad that might surprise some other teams, with Forlan and Suarez they have two great and natural goalgetters. Second place in group A is something I can see them pull off. Who knows with a bit of luck they can even win a game after the groupfase.
Paraguay: Not a bad team, but I'd be surprised if they really get far. Probably a battle with Slovakia for second place in group F.
VS: For some reason a team that always gets underrated. Now I'd be surprised if they'd won the final, but I see them getting second place in their group and even possibly with some luck steal Englands 'logical' first place. They have a great goalkeeper some great rising talents (Torres, Altidore and Bradley) However their defense seems rather weak to me and will have to rely heavily on a perfect organisation, as they are lacking great players there. Key to defence I expect should be Onyewu, though he lacks much match practice after his lenghty injury. Donovan will be their keyplayer I'd expect.
France: Don't have any weak spots/players but are in a very long weak form. Barely made it and morally didn't even deserve it. Their main problem I think will be a lack in motivation, a too old and not too convincing attack. I wouldn't put having Domenech as the manager with the positive points. However the individual class of the players is big, Ribery is always a pain to play against and Anelka and Henry though not as fast as they used to be remain great forwards. Key here will be the motivation and a will to attack and counter agressively.
Germany: The ultimate tournament team and with Germans it doesn't matter how big your lead is, you're not sure you've won untill the final wistle is blown. Good overall team, though they miss that one true great player. Keymen will be Lahm and Gomez I'd say. I'm very curious to see Kroos and Müller which are some big talents on the rise.
England: They have some great players, a great midfield and except for one sport a good defense as well. However if you need to play teams like Spain, Brazil and Argentina everything has to work back there. And I have the feeling England will be able to cope such offensive powers. Their offense is mainly one man, Rooney, and while he's a great forward. But can he rather on his own he can prove to be enough to score enough goals to get really far?
Portugal: There are some really big guns in the team but a lot of it is mediocore. If they can football as a team they might pull it off and someone like Ronaldo can even get past the best defenses yet I think they will not get to play nor win the final.
Spain: If there's something that will keep them from winning this it'd mental or motivational problems, injuries but mainly hybris. The team almost soley consist out of stars. And we all remember the last big tournament.
Netherlands: talking about the last great tournament, if there's one team that amazed us and played very nice footbal except for Spain, it was the Netherlands. Sadly they didn't came far. They still have the same strengths a formidable attacking force (if you can leave people like van nisterooy at home...) but a weak to mediocore defense. The Netherlands remind me a bit of the Arsenal of the last years. Always beautifull football, great offensive players, but just not enough to take the big prizes in the end. Keyman will be Sneijder with van Persie as a good substitution for his inter teammate milito.
Greece and Denmark: might surprise if they can form a strong, motivated and organised collective. Having survived the European qualification groups they are always something to watch out for.
Slovakia, Slovenia and Serbia: Eastern Europe is steadily growing for years now in the footbal world. They might surprise like Croatia has done in the past.
Ivory Coast: Africa has some great footballers but most countries lack a full squad of great footballers who play in strong clubs from strong competitions. Thier actions and dribbling can amaze the most sceptical of men and inspire the smallest of children. Yet organisation, concentration and teamplay is smething they often seem to lack. Ivory coast might be the exception when it comes to this. They have a great selection of players who are have enough experience on such a high level. Ofcourse having Drogba as a foward doesn't hurt your chances either.
South Korea & Japan: They have proven it in the past, while they don't have teams full of stars they can surprise stronger teams and can form a good team that can go further than one would think at first. It'd surprise me a lot though if none of European or South American giants can kick their but out of their favourite tournament.
Australia: Kangeroos have big feet.
Japanese fans has no doubt the team will lose all three games... Our manager havn't been sacked despite the poor performance in the last few games (actually from the very start).
But we'll still support them. Its once every four years...
For the sake of Asians, I support the Socceroos and South Koreans. I hope they do well, but my moneys on England, Spain, Brazil and.... Netherlands. One of those four should get it.
That post makes me feel sad.
Meh, unless you're born in Brazil, Italy or Germany, you are not ensured you will your team win it sooner or later. Even in medium powers, you probably just get to see it once in your lifetime. Spain has never been world champion. A world cup is very much a closed shop.
It's not true that there is one winner and 31 disappointed countries. That's too negative. With some luck, your team playes a few good games and then goes out against somebody whio's simply stronger. That is a good tournament. Plus you get to watch all the other teams, share in the excitement, pick some favourites.
It's all exciting, who cares if you win or not, or go out after three games or not. As long as you're not too rubbish, you'll live.
Now I've seen everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rhyfelwyr
England always do well, just not well enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Secura
Now I need to take a lie down to recover from Rhy's outburst.
Last time a family tragedy of one of the players took out the joy, they absolutely destroyed Italy earlier. Enjoy your cup, had we let Romania win they would have been finito. We have a more offensive team then ever, if we get to dictate the pace down=you
:bow:Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
Japan vs England test match friendly
1-2
Bad day for England. They suffered a early goal against and the two goals they managed to take was own goal.
I still love you England :kiss:
And pretty good effort by Japan. Just do what you did tonight and you might make it through :bow:
Today's friendly is another reason to be concerned in my book. Considering the calibre of some of our defenders it really is inexcusable that in today's game and in the various qualifiers leading up to the world cup our defence has been simply embarrassing. Players failing to mark their man and a lack of basic coordination is just the tip of it.
Personally I don't think we have the players or the form to go that far. If we make the semi-finals I'll consider it a good tournament. After all, this team isn't as good as the one from 2002 or even 2006. Our strike force is basically Rooney and lets not kid ourselves; whilst Crouch is arguably a good performer in the international game, he isn't exactly a Messi is he? After all, you only need to look at his league form to see this.
The fact Charragher has been brought out of retirement (considering his and Liverpool's form this season) and Capelo even wanted to bring Scholes back, who was always awful for England, it seems to be were not even capable of filling a squad full of players worth their ridiculous premiership pay checks for the World Cup.
Then again, maybe I'm just a pessimist..
Haha, I always supported England to lose. But we were talking about this issue in my history class, and the lecturer pointed out that English fans supported Scotland when England didn't make it to the WC in the 70's, so I've decided to support England, mostly to troll my parents that are Scottish nationalists...Quote:
Originally Posted by Philipvs Vallindervs Calicvla
It's true, in 1978 I supported Scotland. I should have known better! They lose to Iran in the first game. :embarassed: :laugh4:
Yes, I was wondering what was up with some Scot rooting for 'the enemy'.
'ere you go, mate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOO42jHw3-Y
That's all nice and well if you actually can play in the tournament. Oh well with the rising talent Belgium has we might surprise next time. Now let's hope Lukaku will become as good as they say.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fragony
Qualifying helps ;)
Oh then that's what me must be doing wrong!Quote:
Originally Posted by Fragony
I said next time... If Lukaku (16 years old and already scoring in the Europa League - where we got quite a bit further than the Dutch teams - and being topscorer Belgium) and the two brothers Hazard (With Eden being only 19 and already chosen to be the second best player of League 1 and winning twice in a row best/most promising player of the league 1) keep growing and Dembele (Ti ta tovenaar!) picks up where he left the previous season we've got quite an attack. With Vermaelen (selected in the Premier league dream team and the revelation of Arsenal this year), Kompany (Man City) and Fellaini (Everton) who are still growing and getting better we'll have quite a good central defence of Premier League level with some very good subs that are still getting better each year as well (Jan Verthongen, Lombaerts, Alderweireld,...) . In front of that Defour (Why did he leave Genk :( ?), Witsel and possibly De Bruyne (fingers crossed). And there are many more talents on their way who seem to be of great caliber: Benteke, Boyata (Man City), Ritchie de laet (Man Utd with two other Belgians), Carcela, Mats Rits (16 year old GBA striker), Raman, Dennis de Praet,...
Perhaps Vandenborre actually get his act together by then (so much potential just a lack of will or something), remember the tight game against Spain which we sadly lost with 1-2 in the end, he was phenomenal. If he always played like that Real Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona would be fighting each other over him. Okay that's perhaps a bit much, but really if he just used the talent he has...
Either way we'll see in 4 years time.
Edit:
Just to back up my words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zai4r5dU9kQ
Sure would be fun to see Belgium kick some butt, enough quality. They think too much, most teams have developed a style of their own everybody knows his place. Good as individual talent may such teams will tear you apart. Italy is a good example it's a perfectly oiled machine. Sadly.
I don't know if any of you are aware of Zonal Marking, the football tactics blog, but recently they've been running pieces on the national sides involved in the world cup. Very informative.
Marca has an excellent World Cup Calendar. :yes:
Talking of finishing off, wasn't one of your captains shot for treason after France flopped in a World Cup?Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
Bump.
Seems every tournament the ball gets criticised, but this year's ball seems to have substance behind the criticism.
Quote:
I got my first look at the 2010 World Cup ball this morning as I watched the USA play against Australia in the Colonial Bowl and I have to say, it’s weird, it’s unpredictable, it dips faster than I’m used to, and it’s only going to benefit the weaker teams.
FIFA recently launched a scathing rebuttal of Brazil coach Dunga’s criticizm of the ball when their general secretary Jerome Valke said that Brazil was basically making excuses for their failure:
Quote:
"And is it Brazil that says that because they are afraid that they will not make it and it will be due to the ball."
But it’s not just Brazil who have complained, other technically adept sides like Spain have also said that the ball is going to be a problem. These teams are used to hitting the ball a certain way and generating a certain spin, dip, and knuckle. With the new ball, this is reportedly easier to do. Clint Dempsey said he likes the new ball because you don’t have to hit it very well or even very hard to make it knuckle. Of course, he also said that any overcooked passes made the player look foolish because of their unpredictability.
In today’s game all three keepers looked unsure of how to deal with crosses and it’s not like they are amateurs. Marcus Hanneman was the best keeper in the Premier League in the second half of last season, Tim Howard played every league game for Everton, and Mark Scwarzer is a vastly experienced keeper at 38 years old yet none of them were able to deal with crosses which seemingly dipped and swerved erratically.
I’m thinking this new ball is going to be a huge advantage for teams with less adept players because an unpredictable ball is an advantage. We’ll probably see plenty of long range efforts that seriously test the keepers this Summer and you should bank on several weird upsets owing to the unpredictability of the ball.
It’s going to be a wild ride I suspect.
So apparently they are only showing 10 games on network tv here...only one of the USA group games, half of the quarterfinal games, and neither of the semifinal games.
********.
You can probably stream them from the internet if you look around.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sasaki Kojiro
Edit: France lost from China, Italy dissapoints again. Not that surprised though. It looks like they might end up the same way as two years ago.
Sure, we may have lost to China B, but we managed a 2-1 win over costa Rica!! And we kept Tunisia to a draw!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Moros
Gah! Dissaray days before a World Cup is tradition for the French team. But this time, I do not see how the tide can be turned. There's no Zizou (pbuh) who can take charge, or Platini, no sense of group spirit, no sense of higher purpose as in 1984 or 1998. The games are getting progressively worse.
Spirits have been broken since the game against Ireland, and everybody is waiting for the end of Domenech's reign. As a result of both, there is no enthusiasm, no sense of destiny and purpose.
What should've happened, what could work, is the injustice having been done to France, or anger in the team over being underestimated by the fans. Or some such. You know, something to rally spirits around. That could work. But it is not there.
Desailly openly predicts that South Africa and Uruguay will progress to the next round. He might be right too.
I thought Domenech was done for in 2006. How the hell has he lasted this long, when he plainly doesn't have a clue?Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
Houllier back as coach, with Ginola as his assistant?
Blanc, the greatest living coach in Europe.
You didn't bite.
You still didn't answer the first question though, which was serious. How the hell has Domenech lasted this long when he looked patently clueless in 2006, and hasn't looked any better since?
Despite wicked foreign rumours to the contrary, Houllier has never been the coach of France before. After Michel, Jacquet took over, taking us directly from the glory days of the eighties to the dream team of the late nineties.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pannonian
Domenech has managed on his handsome looks, courtesy of his Spanish ancestry:
https://img48.imageshack.us/img48/7098/domenech1wa9.jpg
I would love for England to do well this year but I'm not confident they will. I think the first game will go USA's way, we`ll finish 2nd in the group then get knocked out by Germany in the second round. :( I'm still hoping to be pleasantly surprised though...
Any Brits who missed it can catch World Cup's Most Shocking Moments on BBC iPlayer here. Was pretty funny to watch, though Peter Crouch has all the charisma of a piece of wood.
For the non-Brits, the top 10 were:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Typical British media tries to bring the national team down by highlighting the worst moments, and then wonders why they never do well? >.<
Two great links, Psycho. Much appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychonaut
Though I'm not normally very patriotic, I will be looking forward to the performance of the German team. 'We' have suffered quite a bit of bad luck, injury wise, but the result is that we have a quite young team now which could play out both ways: they can do fantastic or they can be utterly defeated. I'm very optimistic that we will prevail in the group phase but when we are up against the likes of Argentina or Spain, I'm not sure how it will go.
A lot of drama is assured though and I hope my heart will survive, as there was a recent study in Germany that during the the 2006 world cup, heart attacks sky-rocketed. But than again, I'm still young. :wink:
In your dreams :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Joooray
I have one word for you: Turniermannschaft! :smug:Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarmatian
Now, beg for mercy and face your inevitable defeat! :laugh4:
Serbia will be this tournaments surprise package. Provided, of course, they do not succumb to complacency about lack of in-fighting. ~;p
We need to get our bets in for the in-tournament game!! The pre-tournamnet bracket game decides who is the most knowledgable of all about world football. The in-game game decides who's got the best analytical skills, best intuitive sense of team psychology, best feel for the flow of a tournament.
The winner then gets to brag for two years, and gets to annoy lesser posters with his superior footy knowledge. Needless to say, this person is going to be me, and you will not hear the end of it after my inevitable victory.
First Day predictions:
South Africa https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Africa.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Mexico.svg.png Mexico 1 - 1
Uruguay https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ruguay.svg.png
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...France.svg.png France 1 - 1
I still think thios group is the most open of all. It is anybody's for the taking. Odds of a boring and cowarldy nil - nil for Uru - Fra are just as high as the river plate wizards up front putting four past the world's most posh goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris
Alright, Louis, I see your First Day predictions and I raise you:
South Africa :southafrica: 2 - 1 Mexico :mexico:
Uruguay :uruguay: 0 - 2 France :france:
I think SA will use the euphoria in the country to at least win the first match. Who knows, maybe Zuma had a tête-à-tête with the SA-captain and they will after all go on to win this thing, for the unity of the country. :wink:
Anyway, I dunno much about Uruguay, but I'll give France this one victory.
And two 1-1 on the first day? That'd be lame! :no:
The winner then gets to brag for two years, and gets to annoy lesser posters with his superior footy knowledge. Needless to say, this person is going to be me, and you will not hear the end of it after my inevitable victory.
As I see it this person is still me until the final (when it becomes me again) so until then I shall be the Mourinho, Lippi, Ferguson, Hiddink and you can be.... Domenech ? ~;)
South Africa 1 - 2 Mexico
Uruguay 2-2 France
South Africa are going to be 0 pointers I feel, France possibly too good for Uruguay even disorganised and shambles, either draw or a france win not sure.
Such indeed is the prerogative of one who has displayed superior football knowledge.Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyGrizzly
I demand to be henceforth quoted as 'Domenech VI', until such time as somebody has managed to dethrone Grizzly. This winner then gets to decide my new football thread name.
South Africa 1 - Mexico 2
Mexico is far better and should be not too hard for them as the African side will try perform well...
France 0 - Uruguay 1
Diego Forlan will score...
:southafrica: 0 :mexico: 1
:france: 0 :uruguay: 0
:balloon2:
South Africa - Mexico 1:1
Uruguay - France 1:2
South Africa - Mexico 1 - 1
Uruguay - France 1 - 1
Im going to keep track of this, points system:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
I guess I'll drop my match result predictions here. Here we go:
RSA 1 - 1 MEX
URU 1 - 1 FRA
And tomorrow:
ARG 0 - 0 NGA
KOR 1 - 1 GRE
ENG 3 - 2 USA
South Africa, having some prolific and experienced striker such as Benny McCarthy left out, would like to press on as much as they could being hosts and playing the opening match. However, as athletic as they may be on the flanks and creative in the center of the park, they lack as much when it comes to finishing chances. I say they could find the net on mental rush they'll be piled by the supporters yet the 23 from North America are no underdogs and Vela is one to watch especially in this tournament.
Uruguay, with one of the best upfront some national dream could ever dream of, are one of my shocker picks for WC '10. France is no more a team that sets up instant triangles to penetrate through the defences orchestrated by a genius like Zizou anymore and heavily supported by their solid centre backs, that's how they were the bulldozers of the new millennium. Domenech will have to handle more and more pressure which he already feels a lot and any slight mistake he or his team could make even during a match will end up with Les Bleus losing concentration. Yet first matches are rarely open to surprises when almost equal powers clash and I see this a draw with some fine spectacle.
Argentina is coached by a living proof of greatest-players-don't-make-great-coaches rule. I'm still amazed at the "ability" to leave out Cambiasso and Zanetti. The tournaments are run on a time constraint and it's quite probable that you may run into a series of injuries. I don't know if Zanetti ever played as a striker or a keeper what I'm sure of is that he can cover up any other area on the pitch like that mortar that Hagia Sophia owes its standing for centuries. Also Messi's cloak in white-sky blue jersey that has been hard to recognize so far is another question Argentina has to deal with. He is a tiny black hole that can suck up any hopes of any team and his level of performances will be a direct hit upwards if he ever manages it. Nigeria, on the other hand, this time, has a better upfront which is likely to change the impression "if he's African, he lacks technique". Their tandem of the defence looks prone to the exploitation of the swift and the agile. Still, Argentina, trying not to be criticized at the very first match and Nigeria looking to hold out La Albiceleste which would strengthen the chances for qualification from the group may end up with a draw if you ask me.
I can say South Korea is a better team with a lot of European competitiveness and experienced injected in, compared to their previous squads challenged in such tournaments. Such valuable features are concentrated particularly in the midfield and a midfield is what it takes to be the winners. Greece is the same old Greece with the "too-old"s having retired such as Dellas. You also can't expect any substantial change in the mentality since the Euro 2006 winner coach Otto Rehhagel is still in the director's seat. The choice of players strongly resembles their classic tactical approach to the game as well. "Smother, endure, float and head it".
My first most footy-fruitful prediction is yielded from the match-up of England versus USA. Rio Ferdinand is a great miss whereas I wouldn't want to take Dawson, Carragher and King lightly. The best may not be there but England squad is adequate enough to soothe the wound with better-than-the-most kind of center backs. But still coordination and harmonization among two center backs is like no other and I predict such first-time to cause a score like 3-2 thanks to USA seemingly learned FOOTBALL to a considerable extent. I'd like to see Jermaine Jones on the field running and biting around like Gattuso or Jing Su Park and I'd like to know if he's injured or something. Anyway, Dempsey is my favorite with some unlikely technique coming from across the ocean. Donovan is a #10 cut for such tournaments: gifted and experienced. USA lacks finishers yet the rest of the team is able to provide fruitful results that may allow football come into our minds along with basketball or baseball, when someone mentions the country.
Thanks for not reading this. :smoking:
I read it mate, I read it. :smash:Quote:
Thanks for not reading this.
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer.
David Villa
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties.
Quarterfinals.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game.
Red card and free kick just outside the penalty box for SA, in the 70th minute.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically.
Racist infighting.
The Ronaldo game: predict his number of goals.
One measly field goal. And one penalty.
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.
A tired and overused Messi will be used in a role that requires him running and working for the team, thereby neutralising the world's most gifted player.
I am looking forward to another press conference where he ... uhm ... asks journalists for sexual favours.Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
Actually I think I would pay money to see the reactions if our coach did a press conference like that...
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer.
Van Persie
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties.
Quarterfinals.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game.
Off-side goal given.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically.
Bitch-fight.
The Ronaldo game: predict his number of goals. You get ten points in advance. Two points will be deducted for every goal he scores less, or more, than your prediction. Will he be quite as good or as bad as you think he is?
3 cocky ones.
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.
Send off the field in quarter-final against Germany for behaving like a maniac inside the coaching zone.
Does anyone know from where I could get the schedule of the matches?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psychonaut
https://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5486/59842973.jpg
Serbia surprised me last time round, especially against Argentina.Quote:
Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat
Thank you Louis.
This means I can't watch any of the matches from June 14th to June 18th. Also, I'll miss the first quarterfinals as well. I hope nothing interesting happens during those games.
I was especially waiting those Swiss games.. Oh well.. :shrug:
He read it and he'is richer than you now. :smoking:Quote:
Originally Posted by InsaneApache
First prediction is bullseye. Let's see what's next in the group.
Whom to single out:
Tshabalala, Gaxa, Mphela, Dos Santos, Blanco
I'm going to give a thumbs up for South Africa. I'm currently extremely biased (I've had the Koolaid to put it simply). A lucky call, they got a goal, they kept it close with a team that is far-and-above them. Had Madiba been there it would've worked out with at least a 10-1 game :idea2: with Matt Damon suddenly appearing on the field. Hopefully they'll keep it up and get to the quarter finals on a wing-and-a-prayer.
I'm not too sure about Uruguay vs. France. I'm hoping that Uruguay will give France the "what-for" but we'll see what happens. Now I will leave and begin to throw all my tea-bags into the sink to get ready for the US-England game.
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer.
Fernando Torres
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties.
They won't; narrow loss against the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game.
South Africa won't progress, a World Cup first.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically.
The pressure will get to them in the end.
The Ronaldo game: predict his number of goals.
Group of Death, potential Ro16 game against Spain... I'd say he'll score two in total.
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.
Maradona goes mental to the cameras, is tested positive for drugs and shipped off home, just like USA '94. :laugh4:
Day one scores:
Louis: 4
Joooray: 0
LittleGrizzly: 1
Afonso I of Portugal: 0
Insane Apache: 3
Ser Clegane: 3
Jolt: 4
LEN: 4
2 out of 2 with scores spot on. Inkredibilz. :smoking:
Okay, that was awful, both my performance this round, as well as the game between URU and France. What a waste of time.
Anyway, I was quite pleased with the performance of RSA. If they keep that up, they might just make it to the finals. But then again, with France being in a position that they'll have to win the next games not to fall off grace entirely and Uruguay being strengthen by holding up to France, it still gonna be difficult for South Africa.
But it seems Louis' prediction will come true and this group is going to be a close one.
I'm going to remain silent on the Hand of Frog's handball claim :stare: tonight
On a lighter note yea South Africa pity about the equaliser who left those two men inside.
That was the worst handball I've ever seen! Clear penalty there.
I was sooo hoping for Henry to make a complete stink out of it! :laugh4:
Other than that, a waste of time. Pity there were less than ten minutes left after that chap was sedn off. Could've made a goal there if given more time.
I see my two draw predictions - shamelessly copy-paste by lesser Gods such as as LEN - were spot on.
Tomorrow:
Korea Republic https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped..._Korea.svg.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...Greece.svg.png Greece 0 - 0
Argentina https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...entina.svg.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...igeria.svg.png Nigeria 1 - 0
Teh biggie:
England https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...ngland.svg.png https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...States.svg.png United States 2 - 1
Korea 0 - 0 Greece
Argentina 2-1 Nigeria
England 3-0 USA
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer.
Rooney
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties.
They won't
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game.
South Africa will go out on 1 point
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically.
Tense game against a team of similar skill in extra time or penaltys
The Ronaldo game: predict his number of goals.
3
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.
umm...
He will copy robbie fowlers snorting the line trick!
They're just preparing you for the inevitable moment when Rooney skies it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Secura
Was away yesterday...
Korea Republic :southkorea: 1 - 1 :greece: Greece
Argentina :argentina: 1 - 1 :nigeria: Nigeria
England :england: 3 - 1 :usa: United States
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer.
Luis Fabiano
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties.
Semi-Finals
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game.
FIFA will ensure that France draws with Mexico, allowing South Africa to steal the second spot in the group.
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically.
Against Brazil. Brazil will score 2 quick counter-attacking goals (ala Mourinho style play)
The Ronaldo game: predict his number of goals.
A big 1.
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.
Willie Gallas sent off against South Africa, allowing them to score an equalising penalty.
That was Serbia and Montenegro and it is a general consensus in Serbia that it was in fact Montenegro that conceded 6 goals while Serbia managed to secure a 0:0 draw :D.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pannonian
Demands of an enormous sex life stopped me from posting yesterday but for today:
Korea - Greece 0:0
Argentina Nigeria 3:1
England - USA 2:0