The unofficial World Cup Thread,

[drone]

Ronaldo got booked for diving, which was nice. He'll have to be careful about his flailing in the next game. I thought it was hilarious when the Germans ate two yellows for diving, of course they went to the non-Germans Cacua and Ozil, but still, why did they think diving would be necessary against Australia? Divers are a plague on the game.

someone told me today if you turn off the bass and treble in your tv it makes a bit easier to listen to I cant tell the differ but what the hell

http://www.newscientist.com/article/...-annoying.html
The base frequency of the vuvuzela is around 235 Hz. If your TV has an equalizer, supposedly you can lower the channel volume around that freq range and mute it somewhat.

[Pannonian]

The leg breakers? no, please GOD, not them!

Portugal got a few in too, like Deco scything down that Dutchie after they refused to give the ball back, and later a Portuguese defender taking out Robben with a flying kick to the chest.

[LeftEyeNine]

At last some points for Brazil...and me.

Brazil is just as I expected. Their lack of motivation due to the fragile-at-sight opponent was almost costing them dear but N. Korea, despite having flown higher over what I've expected out of them definitely, lacks tournament experience and organization. Just have a look at Japan in 2002 and what has become of them today.

Brazil is Brazil no matter what. Whether it is their most humble eleven or not, they are the reason for football.

Congrats go to N. Koreans on surprising determination and late strike.

Tomorrow's predictions are as follows:

Honduras 2-3 Chile
Spain 1-0 Switzerland
South Africa 0-2 Uruguay

[Jolt]

Portugal got a few in too, like Deco scything down that Dutchie after they refused to give the ball back, and later a Portuguese defender taking out Robben with a flying kick to the chest.

Deco's tackle was awesome. He should have broken Sneijder's leg for the scum he was.

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Deco's tackle was awesome. He should have broken Sneijder's leg for the scum he was.

Yeah...and see them taste their own medicine...after all, they started that battle!

[Rhyfelwyr]

Now, predictions...

I was so close to getting my first three points today, then in the last moment the Kiwis took them from me! At least my tally has doubled from 1 to 2.

As for tomorrow:

1 - 2
2 - 0
1 - 0

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Zero points but at least I was the only one predicting a goal for North Korea ... Kim Jong Il's gonna love me for that. :D

Predictions for tomorrow:

1 - 3

4 - 0

0 - 1

Chileans are the Germans of South America and they played a good qualification. Spain will simply own the Swiss and Uruguay will win over South Africa with a lucky goal after another boring match.

[Ronin]

I prefer Portugal vs the Netherlands. One of the most entertaining World Cup matches I've ever seen.

ohhh yeah....full-contact football....
I´d tune in to see that one again.

[Marshal Murat]

1 - 1
2 - 0
1 - 0

I'm a Bafana fan, so obviously something there. I favor Spain, but not too much. Not too sure about Honduras or Chile, so I'm favoring a defensive low-scoring game. So be sure to watch that game because it'll be a high-scoring drama if my luck holds.

[Louis VI the Fat]

0 - 2

2 - 0

0 - 1




This probably belongs in The Arena, but I'm currently playing the great fps Call of Duty 5: Ronaldo.

[Afonso I of Portugal]

0 - 2

2 - 0

0 - 1




This probably belongs in The Arena, but I'm currently playing the great fps Call of Duty 5: Ronaldo.

And i would love to play Call of Duty 6: Stupid videos about football director's

Thats a stupid video because mixed up divings and real fouls...

[johnhughthom]

Update:

Louis: +2 = 13
Little Grizzly: 2
Psycho: +2 = 5
Sarmatian: 2
Insane Apache: +2 = 13
Secura: 2
Ser Clegane: +1 = 9
Romanic: +1 = 7
Joooray: +1 = 4
Rhyfelwyr: +1 = 2
Sasaki: 0
LEN: +1 = 6
Moros: 2
Marshall Murat: +2 = 3
Craterus: 3
Crazed Rabbit: 2
Beefy: +1 = 2
Centurio Nixalsverdus: 0
Ronin: 1

I counted Psycho's change but from now on please try to keep all your predictions for the day in the same post(which means getting them in before the first match kicks off), it's easy to miss one prediction as I'm skimming through the thread looking for them.

Louis and LEN shooting ahead, while a few people I expected to be up there are dropping behind in the early stages.

[||Lz3||]

Can I still join? It's too probably too late, but just for the thrill of it. eh?

Honduras 0 - 1 Chile

Spain 3 - 1 Switzerland

SA 0 - 1 Ur



It seems that our TV broadcast company has lowered the ambient sound altogether. I could barely hear any buzz.

Not having a lot of ambient sound isn't too bad, our commentators are talking all the time.

[johnhughthom]

Never too late to join. Well, maybe after the final...

[drone]

Finished watching the Group G games off the DVR. My notes:

• Brazil's individual skill is amazing, as usual. Against the other two teams they will score often, Jabulani be damned.
• The North Korean defense is coordinated and very solid. After watching the steaming pile that was the Portugal-Ivory Coast match, I'm not sure either of them are capable of breaking down the Koreans, much less progressing. Portugal will only beat NK on a Ronaldo dive and subsequent free kick combo. And the karma from that will be devastating.
• On that note, someone really needs to break Ronaldo's leg. I can't believe refs give him any calls given the multitude of YouTube diving videos available. The crybaby goes to ground more than a terrier. If Portugal had any self-respect, they would man up and drop him from the international squad. What a disgrace.
• North Korea actually has a nice two-touch through the midfield. Didn't see it much since Brazil held the ball so much, but it's not bad. I had NK as the Wooden Spoon winners, and losing this match at least 3-0, now I think they might very well get to the round of 16.
• Apparently ESPN has hired Martin Tyler and Ally McCoist to do the premier games. Excellent job with Brazil-NK, they did the Germany-Oz match as well. Ally, Ally , Ally!

[naut]

• Brazil's individual skill is amazing, as usual. Against the other two teams they will score often, Jabulani be damned.
• The North Korean defense is coordinated and very solid. After watching the steaming pile that was the Portugal-Ivory Coast match, I'm not sure either of them are capable of breaking down the Koreans, much less progressing. Portugal will only beat NK on a Ronaldo dive and subsequent free kick combo. And the karma from that will be devastating.

Brazil also has a tactical and defensive whiz as a manager, but they won't thrash anyone though, that's not Dunga's style, either as a player or a coach. My mistake was thinking that they'd trash NKDPR. I won't be surprised if Brazil just hold the ball, soak up any pressure and score at 60+ minutes in both the other group games. NKDPR have every chance to get draws in the next 2 games. I don't think they's score against Portugal, but they have a chance against Cote d'Ivoire. And defending for a solid 90 minutes is a big ask, it will work if they can mentally frustrate their opponents as well.

[edyzmedieval]

My full respect for North Korea after the Brazil game. Ladies and gentlemen, that is how you defend. Robinho couldn't do anything, Kaka nothing, it took Maicon's lucky goal to score.

North Korea for the win against Portugal, and draw with Cote D'Ivoire.

[Fragony]

Kinda sad for the NK team there weren't any North Koreans to cheer for them, the great leader flew in Chinese.

[Ser Clegane]

Honduras - Chile 1:1
Spain - Switzerland 1:0
South Africa - Uruguay 1:1

[Pannonian]

Kinda sad for the NK team there weren't any North Koreans to cheer for them, the great leader flew in Chinese.

When China were thrashed 4-0 by Brazil in 2002, 10,000 Chinese supporters cheered their side on, simply for reaching the finals and getting the chance to play the great Brazil in a competitive game.

[Fragony]

When China were thrashed 4-0 by Brazil in 2002, 10,000 Chinese supporters cheered their side on, simply for reaching the finals and getting the chance to play the great Brazil in a competitive game.

How very moving, shame the NK team who lost from Portugal wasn't there to see these Chinese cheering for them, as they are still in a working camp for shaming the great leader by not winning the bloody world championship.

[Joooray]

1 - 2
2 - 0
2 - 1

I watched the game between Brazil and North Korea in a outside pub and it was kinda funny to see everybody go ecstatic after NK scored the 2-1. But well, they deserved it. NK is going to be a though nut to crack.
I hate Ronaldo, that's all I have to say about that game.
I'm wondering what was going on with Jong Tae Se, though, for one, why did he cry like a baby during the national anthem, and second why do you choose to join the North Korean team when you were born in Japan and also have South Korean passport.

[Pannonian]

How very moving, shame the NK team who lost from Portugal wasn't there to see these Chinese cheering for them, as they are still in a working camp for shaming the great leader by not winning the bloody world championship.

From what I read, the Chinese supporters in 2002 were the first wave of a middle class that had excess money and the leisure to spend it. A similar social phenomenon as our Barmy Army, which uses overseas cricket tours as an excuse to go on extended holidays in Australia, West Indies, etc.

[Romanic]

0 - 2
1 - 0
1 - 1

[InsaneApache]

Honduras 0 - 2 Chile

Spain 2 - 0 Switzerland

SA 0 - 1 Uruguay

[naut]

Honduras 0 - 1 Chile

Spain 3 - 0 Swiss

South Africa 1 - 0 Uruguay

[Afonso I of Portugal]

[*]On that note, someone really needs to break Ronaldo's leg. I can't believe refs give him any calls given the multitude of YouTube diving videos available. The crybaby goes to ground more than a terrier. If Portugal had any self-respect, they would man up and drop him from the international squad. What a disgrace.

I have no time for youtube's videos about everything, craps and ****, including dozens against or supporting him!
I'm sure our opponents want him out of the pitch, i can understand that as his the best player in the world...

I want to see the best players in the pitch and i'm glad Drogba make it even with a broken arm. If you remove the best players all that you have are hammers! I hate hammers...

[Fragony]

Let's face it, if Portugese women had a similar talent for gravity as your national my last trip to Lisbon could have been fun.

[naut]

75% of possession and they lose....

[drone]

Let's face it, if Portugese women had a similar talent for gravity as your national my last trip to Lisbon could have been fun.

Got to give Ronaldo credit though. He has made an industry of step-overs, getting near the box, falling down in dramatic fashion, and scoring on the resulting free-kicks. It pays well, you only have to turn in your dignity.

We have our first true upset of the tournament. Way to go Switzerland!