The unofficial World Cup Thread,

[Jolt]

1 - 0


Great clash between Spain and Portugal coming up. Always rivals, and this time both teams are strong. Good luck Ronin, Afonso and Jolt!

Teehee, thanks. My prediction:

0 - 1

[Romanic]

2 - 0

2 - 1

[naut]

Paraguay 3 - 2 Japan

Spain 2 - 2 Portugal

[Rhyfelwyr]

Portugal have a ridiculously good defensive record (something like 18 clean sheets in their last 24 games). Plus Torres isn't looking match fit for Spain...

2 - 1
0 - 1

[drone]

Sepp Blatter can take his apology and it.

Has he ever been seen in the same room with Samaranch or Rogge?

[Ronin]

Portugal have a ridiculously good defensive record (something like 18 clean sheets in their last 24 games). Plus Torres isn't looking match fit for Spain...

Portugal also has a record of playing some extremely crappy teams amongst those last 24 games.

I say Spain 3 - 1 Portugal

[LeftEyeNine]

Ronin +1.

Edit: My prediction has accomplished Phase I. On to the penalties in less than 3 minutes.

[naut]

Ugh. Why did I watch that game.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Penalties suck. There has to be a better way.

[LeftEyeNine]

Do NOTHING throughout the match and win on penalties.

Football. :/

[naut]

Do NOTHING throughout the match and win on penalties.

Football. :/

Well Japan also did sweet all. Both sides seemed content to test their luck at penalties.

[Louis VI the Fat]

What a boring game. I do feel a bit sorry for that one Japanese missing that penalty. But then, not as sorry as I feel for myself for having to sit through 120 minutes of that rubbish.

Does this mean he has to commit harakiri now though?



Paraguay was weak. In essence, tonight's game means a place in the semis.

Even if I like the Spanish team much more than the Portugal one, I'm going to root for my Lusitanian friends, real life and the .org. Força Portugal! Allez allez!


Como uma força, Como uma força
Como uma força que ninguém pode parar
Como uma força, Como uma força
Como uma fome que ninguém pode matar

[Louis VI the Fat]

Penalties suck. There has to be a better way.

Well, one has had 120 minutes to have done something about it. Teams shouldn't cry too much for losing on penalties. Even if fortuna does claim her role, it is not all a matter of (bad) luck, neither for ending up with penalties, nor for losing them.

I must say that as a neutral, or even as invested party, I rather like penalties. It's very tense and dramatic.

[LeftEyeNine]

Well Japan also did sweet all. Both sides seemed content to test their luck at penalties.

Well I have to admit that I've been EMOtional there yet any glimpses of excitement through the game was Japanese, no ?

Edit: Oh and despite my fandom, I agree on the necessity of penalties. They say "this is it until there is a better one" and shooting out is so.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Well, one has had 120 minutes to have done something about it. Teams shouldn't cry too much for losing on penalties. Even if fortuna does claim her role, it is not all a matter of (bad) luck, neither for ending up with penalties, nor for losing them.

I must that that as a neutral, or even as invested party, I rather like penalties. It's very tense and dramatic.

Give each team 15 minutes of half court with 10 attackers vs 8 defenders. Whoever scores more wins. This can replace the extra time.

[TinCow]

Give each team 15 minutes of half court with 10 attackers vs 8 defenders. Whoever scores more wins. This can replace the extra time.

I say 11 man teams, but with a hungry lion on the field.

[InsaneApache]

You could go the whole hog and have the goalposts from corner flag to corner flag. They'd score then.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

You could go the whole hog and have the goalposts from corner flag to corner flag. They'd score then.

...or you could put the ball right in front of the goal, and have it 1 on 1 striker vs goalie. They'd score then

[Louis VI the Fat]

You could go the whole hog and have the goalposts from corner flag to corner flag. They'd score then.

Not those two teams this afternoon they wouldn't.

...or you could put the ball right in front of the goal, and have it 1 on 1 striker vs goalie. They'd score then

You mean, like a penalty?

[naut]

Why does del Bosque insist on using the useless Biscuits over Sex Cesc?

[Secura]

I'd play Silva - Xavi - Cesc - Iniesta in midfield, personally.

I think Fabregas is miles better than Xabi Alonso, and Busquets doesn't come into the equation whatsoever for me. :3

[gaelic cowboy]

Good man villa my fantasy football league is back on track

[johnhughthom]

Why does del Bosque insist on using the useless Biscuits over Sex Cesc?

Because Cesc isn't a holding midfielder?

[Ronin]

Very poor Portuguese team...waaaay too defensive....who would have said that the team that had Figo and Rui Costa pressing the attack just a few years ago would be playing almost with the team bus in front of the goal?
once the first goal got through they had to open up and give more space and the difference between the 2 teams became even more apparent.

no big surprise here.

I was surprised Spain didn´t press more for a second goal...they seem to lack a bit of killer instinct.

anyway..man of the match for me is Eduardo...if it wasn´t for him it would have been 2 - 0 or 3 - 0.

[Beefy187]

We did our best, and Paraguay deserved the win at the end
We'll be back for more on 2014

[Rhyfelwyr]

Ronaldo was looking very frustrated, he's had a bit of a shocker of the tournament.

One thing I've noticed is some of the star players are getting ridiculous with going for glory. Ronaldo was going for goal from 40+ yards out and his shots were either tame or widly off target. He's not the only one, Honda could have played another guy straight through on goal and would have gave Japan their best chance, but he shot from outside the box instead. I also remember others doing this, Boateng for Ghana was guilty of it, as was Rooney at times when he got frustrated.

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Villa is offside...and Fifa forbid replays...but Spain deserved to win and they have clear path to the semis as Paraguay will be piece of cake!

Queiroz to be hanged! never liked him anyway...good second coach and youth prospector but thats all!!! he should return to Man Utd and leave us. Why did he removed Almeida when he was putting pressure on Spanish defence? wrong move as Spain grew even more and score, bye bye Queiroz!

Now we will know the Nani's "problem" and why he was sent home even before the game with Ivory Coast and also why Deco was removed from starting eleven...indiscipline?

[Ronin]

Villa is offside...and Fifa forbid replays...but Spain deserved to win and they have clear path to the semis as Paraguay will be piece of cake!

Villa is maybe...maybe...a couple of centimetres offside and that is after seeing the replay.....and the rules say in case of doubt you benefit the attacking player...good call from the referee.

[Myrddraal]

I saw the highlights of the Japan Paraguay game and it seemed to me there was plenty of action and chances from both sides, I can't say I found it boring. I know it was only the highlights, but there were enough highlights to make for a good watch.

[Afonso I of Portugal]

Villa is maybe...maybe...a couple of centimetres offside and that is after seeing the replay.....and the rules say in case of doubt you benefit the attacking player...good call from the referee.

According to Brasilian broadcasting TV Globo, Villa is 22 cm offside but it's impossible for the referee to see it. It doesn't matter, the game is over and Spain deserved to win!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zK88yl6Dk0