The unofficial World Cup Thread,

[Joooray]

Thank you LEN, now I can see the strategy implications in the draws. There must be tie-breakers involved then, like goals scored and/or allowed? Does strength of schedule or seeding come into play for tie-breakers?

According to Wikipedia the tie, tiebreakers are: first is goal difference, then total goals scored, then head-to-head results, and finally drawing of lots (i.e., determining team positions at random).

In regard to the game (ENG-US), I only saw the last 20 minutes or so, and England's performance look absolutely horrible. No inspiration by any means, little to no ambition to actually win the game and some horrible misplaced passes. Also I have to disagree with you, Louis, I thought that the US team was not just trying to preserve the tie, but were playing rather aggressive and seem to believe there was more possible than the tie.

Edit: Oh well, LEN bet me to it.

[Hosakawa Tito]

Nice explanation LEN. A very intricate system indeed, where one bad game, one bad goal, one foolish penalty could cost the team a tie-breaker. Thanks for improving my understanding of the game.

[Hosakawa Tito]

According to Wikipedia the tie, tiebreakers are: first is goal difference, then total goals scored, then head-to-head results, and finally drawing of lots (i.e., determining team positions at random).

In regard to the game (ENG-US), I only saw the last 20 minutes or so, and England's performance look absolutely horrible. No inspiration by any means, little to no ambition to actually win the game and some horrible misplaced passes. Also I have to disagree with you, Louis, I thought that the US team was not just trying to preserve the tie, but were playing rather aggressive and seem to believe there was more possible than the tie.

Edit: Oh well, LEN bet me to it.

Thanks Jooray. I find it odd that head-to-head isn't the first tie-breaker, but then I guess the goal differential & total goals scored gives more weight to the over-all team performance and dampens the one bad game effect.

[tibilicus]

Truly appalling play tonight.

Latest odds for England: Qualify second in the group and then knocked out in the round of 16. USA finish top on goal difference.

[Louis VI the Fat]

What..? And they say Euros lose all sense of perspective over a game of football.


Love that frontpages by the Sun:

[gaelic cowboy]

Best analysis I ever saw of Englands team

[Hosakawa Tito]

[drone]

The US defense was too slow, but generally were able to help each other out. Heskey gave them fits, but couldn't finish. Rooney got shut down for the most part. Howard was strong in goal. I was pleasantly surprised that we could hold the ball for stretches, but apart from the Altidore attempt, I don't think we had the ball inside the box for the whole game. And Green is going to hear about this for a looong time. Can't wait to see the Slovenia-Algeria match tomorrow, be curious to see what we have in front of us.

Of the other matches today. Greece looked absolutely dire, SK cut them apart. Maybe they are distracted by their financial crisis. Argentina-Nigeria was fun, Enyeama made some tremendous saves, but Nigeria did not look very good. I figured the Argies would put in at least 3.

[Pannonian]

Thanks Jooray. I find it odd that head-to-head isn't the first tie-breaker, but then I guess the goal differential & total goals scored gives more weight to the over-all team performance and dampens the one bad game effect.

With so few games being played, if two teams finish level on points, they are quite likely to have also drawn in their inter-match, so head to head isn't a great way of differentiating them.

Have a look at this for famous tiebreakers.

[pevergreen]

I get the feeling that the seeming complacency that we have for our national team is going to fade away pretty fast. I have a bad feeling Australia won't make it past the group stage.

Oh well, I've been barracking for Brazil for 12 years anyway.

[Fragony]

This remains the best WC add ever http://www.dumpert.nl/mediabase/1991...r_g_nther.html

He isn't even German irl, it's worse he's French, pretty sure he's the actor in a French movie called 'White skin' when translated to English. It's about vampires who crave sperm, weird

[LeftEyeNine]

Almost everyone is underestimating the entertainment awating due to the not-so-good reputation both teams have but I assure you that Algeria - Slovenia will be a great one to watch.

[Joooray]

2 - 2
2 - 0
3 - 1

Go, Germany!!

[Romanic]

1 - 2
1 - 0
2 - 0

[Pannonian]

[Pannonian]

Today, I was thinking that "that's what beautiful about football and what not about basketball is. It doesn't have to be a score, you can even get thrilled by a player whirling around himself with an elegant touch in front of his own box or a ball deflected from a goalie". Now I can see that perceptions are what makes preferences so different from one another. Greg gets frustrated over what I can say I would like to live more to see more of it.

The beauty of international football, that the US is only beginning to wake up to, is the opportunity to play out historical rivalries and conflicts on the sporting field with much banter but little fallout. This is especially true for England, as we've been warring with most of the world at one point or another. Germany is another favourite opponent for many countries, especially in the Euro Championships. Simon Kuiper writes about the Dutch anguish at being knocked out by Germany in Euro 92, which turned to joy when Germany were beaten in the final by Denmark, another of the countries they'd occupied in WW2.

There was another story about a match between Niger and Botswana. One team was technically excellent, but their players fell to the ground at the slightest contact. The other team was robust, but relied on crude long ball tactics. Watching this, Kuiper noted that one could tell which used to be a French colony and which used to be a British colony.

[johnhughthom]

Scores:

Louis: 7
Insane Apache: 7
Jolt: 4
LEN: 4
Ser Clegane: 3
Little Grizzly: 2
Secura: 2
Sarmatian: 1
Romanic: 1
Joooray: 1
Psycho: 0
Sasaki: 0
Rhyfelwyr: 0
Afonso: 0

[InsaneApache]

Damn I missed the KO. bugger.

Wont count but Algeria 1 Slovenia 2

Serbia 2 Ghana 0

Germany 3 Oz 0.

Note to self: Don't take so much time over luncheon in future.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Condolences to the UK fans. While I'm happy to take a draw, I am sure the "how" of the draw was disappointing to the UK'ers.

Note: PLEASE do not react to that goalie's mis-cue like some Colombians did.

[Sarmatian]

I'm also of the opinion that both Serbia and Germany will win.

Serbia Ghana 2:1
Germany Australia 2:0

[naut]

Serbia 1 - 2 Ghana
Germany 2 - 0 Australia

[Pannonian]

Condolences to the UK fans. While I'm happy to take a draw, I am sure the "how" of the draw was disappointing to the UK'ers.

Note: PLEASE do not react to that goalie's mis-cue like some Colombians did.

We don't blame English goalkeepers for embarrassing blunders. We just wonder why the sadistic gods have inflicted Paul Robinson, Scott Carson and Robert Green on us. The goalkeeper we thought would be first choice is David James, who is nicknamed "Calamity" for his habit of screwing up under pressure.

[naut]

Almost everyone is underestimating the entertainment awating due to the not-so-good reputation both teams have but I assure you that Algeria - Slovenia will be a great one to watch.

Ugh, seems you are wrong on that call so far. Eye-bleedingly boring stuff in the first 45.

[Romanic]

A draw against USA isn't so bad, England will advance if they beat Slovenia and Algeria. I hope Capello will keep Green on the starting 11, give the man a chance to redeem himself.

[LeftEyeNine]

I agree I have been wrong so far. :/

Let's hope the second half will evolve into something watchable at least.

[Pannonian]

Ugh, seems you are wrong on that call so far. Eye-bleedingly boring stuff in the first 45.

From the Guardian MBM commentary:

28 min: "This is the longest pre-game warm up I've ever seen," yawns Dale Ward, as Rafik Djebbour chases gamely after an overhit cross.

GOAL! A GOAL! A REAL, ACTUAL GOAL! NOT JUST A SHOT BUT A GOAL! A GOAL! Algeria 0 Slovenia 1 (Koren, 79min) Koren shoots from 20 yards and the goalkeeper absolutely RobertGreens it into the net.

[Romanic]

That goal should have been saved, that was poor goalkeeping by the Algerian GK.

[Ronin]

for Christ's sake....can´t someone make those things stop???

[Gregoshi]

for Christ's sake....can´t someone make those things stop???

I gather these were the things making the constant, annoying drone (no offense drone) during the UK/USA game yesterday? I can understand sounding them off if something good or exciting happens, but constantly?!

[gaelic cowboy]

The vuvuwhatyeamcallit's should be banned there taking away from the atmosphere of the games.

Where are the songs the brass bands the beating of the drums the chants are all drowned under the DRONE.

I predict twill be the last world cup in Africa for a long time after this lark.