Official World Cup Thread

[Louis VI the Fat]

I thought England's performance was decent enough. Great crosses by Beckham, a belter by Gerrard.

Any team would've had difficulty breaking TNT's well-organised, defensive opposition. England need to diversify their strategy up front a bit, less long balls at Crouch. But with the return of Rooney that problem looks solved already.

My feeling is that England is gaining momentum. They could definitely go all the way.


Germany is gaining momentum too. They've done it again: when the tournament starts, they're there and they deliver. I've got to respect them for it.

Their mentality puts everybody else to shame. If only we would have even half of their fighting spirit.

[scotchedpommes]

Just because Germany is the best doesn't mean they're undeserving.

If only we would have even half of their fighting spirit.

I hope France can improve. While I think Switzerland might have done enough to
even warrant getting 3 points from that match, it's worrying to see players like
Henry not performing.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I hope France can improve. While I think Switzerland might have done enough to
even warrant getting 3 points from that match, it's worrying to see players like
Henry not performing.

I'll pay ten bucks to any team that takes France out of the cup. It's one less team I see seeded ahead of Germany. And there are 13 teams too many in front. Germany is seeded 19th.

SSNeo: I was messin around. I know they're not the best, but they have a shot and being my team, I have to support them no matter what.

Bastian Schweinsteiger
Michael Ballack
Phillipp Lahm
Lukas Podolski

My Fab4

[Louis VI the Fat]

I'll pay ten bucks to any team that takes France out of the cup.

I'll pay ten bucks to any team that takes France out of the world cup. Get it over and done with.

[scotchedpommes]

I'll pay ten bucks to any team that takes France out of the world cup. Get it over and done with.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Henry and Zadane are overated.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Brazil is going to take the throphy home!

Brazil can suck a ****. I'd rather see ANY team win the world cup than Brazil. DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt.

IF MY GERMANY DOESN'T BEAT THEM, THE CZECH'S WILL!

[Malcolm Big Head]

Why is the team England and not the UK?

(I want a team Missouri)

[AwesomeArcher]

Wow, that was a great game by Trinadad & Tabago, but it was just a matter of time before England scored. I dont think that Henry is overated, he saved England's tail in the first half with that great volley and again later when he ran down a forward on a breakaway. I wasn't too impressed with England for the first 84 minutes or whatever, but they picked it up. I also wasn't impressed with England's goalie he did get megged as bettkicker19.

[scotchedpommes]

Henry and Zadane are overated.

If you see what Henry can do for his club, you might reconsider - unfortunately the
team just doesn't seem to be there to support him at a national level, at least from
what I've seen.

Why is the team England and not the UK?

There are separate teams for each of the UK home nations. They would never
play together.

I dont think that Henry is overated, he saved England's tail in the first half with that great volley and again later when he ran down a forward on a breakaway.

Hm. Henry? As in, Thierry Henry?

[IrishMike]

Man all I know is England scared the everything outta me today. Gotta have better finishing touch. One does have to give credit for T and T, they played a packed, but stout defense.

Does anyone else think that Brazil isn't as good as the pre cup hype. I just didn't see the oozing of greatness out there. Spain had better passing than Brazil in the opening game.

[scotchedpommes]

Brazil were nothing special, but the commentators and pundits still don't fail to
talk them up. [*grumbles*]

[Strike For The South]

Anyone but Go 1. 2. 3. (They better stay in or all the free stuff Im getting will stop) On a side note does any one else look at Ronaldhino and shiver?

[IrishMike]

Anyone but Go 1. 2. 3. (They better stay in or all the free stuff Im getting will stop) On a side note does any one else look at Ronaldhino and shiver?

Man strike thats what makes him good, is that he's so ugly you can't guard the man. Defenders throw up when they see his face.

[barocca]

Braziilian ex-pats living here in Australia are preparing for a big night,
the game starts at 2AM local time !

according to some Brazillians that i know the best thing about Brazil and Australia playing??

no matter who wins THEY GET TO PARTY!!!!

GO THE ROO'S
B.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Man strike thats what makes him good, is that he's so ugly you can't guard the man. Defenders throw up when they see his face.

Tell me if this sounds right to you.

He looks like a horse. Am I right? Look at him and you will deffinetly agree. Rooney isn't a looker himself. I guess if you're good at soccer, you're ugly!

And SFTS: Germany being your number one pick as well as saying anyone but Brasil has made me develop a new view of you.

DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt.

There is a chant for you. NOW SAY IT!

[Ser Clegane]

DEUTSCHLAND ÜBER ALLES

Deutschland, Deutschland über alles, über alles in der Welt.

There is a chant for you. NOW SAY IT!

That chant would have "some" negative connotations and is usualöly frowned upon here in Germany.

Thanks for the support for our team though

[naut]

You know what I hate, UK press!!! Instead of supporting the England team all they do is F*ing critise it! If your not supporting your country of what use are you?!?!

[Taurus]

Henry isn't overratted, he's the best striker in the world at the moment. But he does play a lot better for his club than his country, but that's down to who he's playing with and when he was playing against Switzerland he was alone up front.

But yeah it was a good fight that Trinidad and Tobago put up but it was inevitable that England would score at least one. Terry was man of the match for me though, he played very well, saved us from about 2 goals and well he was just second to none.

[naut]

Henry isn't overratted, he's the best striker in the world at the moment. But he does play a lot better for his club than his country, but that's down to who he's playing with and when he was playing against Switzerland he was alone up front.

But yeah it was a good fight that Trinidad and Tobago put up but it was inevitable that England would score at least one. Terry was man of the match for me though, he played very well, saved us from about 2 goals and well he was just second to none.

Agreed.

Henry is awesome, and being an Arsenal fan I would have to say yes it does come down to who's supporting him up front. Terry played well, hell infact the entire defense played well!!!

[Ironside]

There are several criticisms that could have been made of the team, but the bottom line is England have won two games, are through to the second round, and haven't conceded a goal yet.

Now when we finally have scored a goal, we can correct that

[DukeofSerbia]

Sweden – Paraguay 1 – 0

Zlatan Ibrahimović again played without motivation like he played second part of season for Juventus. Allbäck played good and he have to start match against England.

Note about referee: Luboš is the best referee by now in World Cup.

@BKB

I don’t care if we lost against Argentina. Only rare in Serbia believe that we can win and I also believe that we can do nothing. I bet on Argentinean win.

Just listen when “national anthem” of Serbia and Montenegro come on turn in today game. Serbian fans will whistle on “national anthem”. You know why is that? In every competition anthem “Hey Slavs” (or in Serbian „Hej Sloveni“) is whistled in last 10 years. Red Star’s fans even boycott matches of national team (Red Star Belgrade is the largest and most popular Serbian football club, second is Partizan Belgrade) because of flag, coat of arms and national anthem.

[DukeofSerbia]

Argentina – Serbia and Montenegro

Expected Serbian starting team (couch Petković said on conference that will be one surprise, Ljuboja is confirmed in starting team, he replaced Kežman; expected formation 4-1-3-2):

3. Dragutinović
10. Stanković 9. Milošević
20. Krstajić
1.Jevrić 17. Nađ 11. P. Đorđević
6. Garvrančić
7. Koroman 21. Ljuboja
4. Duljaj


Confirmed Argentinean starting team (by Pekerman yesterday, expected formation 4-3-1-2):

3. Sorin
18. Rodriguez 7. Saviola
6. Haince
1. Abondancieri 8. Maskerano 10. Riquelme
2. Ayala
22. Gonzales 9. Crespo
21. Burdioso


What to say – Argentina is clear favorite. Serbian couch Petković on yesterday meeting with press: „Argentinians play nice and modern football. First rule is that we don’t receive (?) goal, however I don’t prohibite players to attack. No runing, we have to be pacient. You know against we play?“
Serbian journalists speculate that Nikola Žigić could be in starting team as secret weapon, but I don’t believe in that. Most likely again “bunker” tactics. No Vidić in team because of injury is great loss. Dejan Stanković is out of form and he never played well for national team. I will add that on media conference mood was bad obvios.

Pekerman announced offensive from start. Cambiasso is replaced with more offensive player Gonzales. Lionel Messi is fit for today match.

[Dutch_guy]

I thought Stankovic played ok against Holland last saturday, and he surely is the best player ot have on that position - or is there some other talented player that can play there also, who I missed ?

Hope Serbia can inflict some damage on Argentina, but I doubt it.

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Argentina team play and build up are something to behold. The second goal was a fantastic team goal. They look a very tasty team indeed. They don't rush on scoring goals but hit you on the counter attack and dismantle you. Very good stuff but Serbia were actaully playing some nice football till the second goal

[cegorach]

Just listen when “national anthem” of Serbia and Montenegro come on turn in today game. Serbian fans will whistle on “national anthem”. You know why is that? In every competition anthem “Hey Slavs” (or in Serbian „Hej Sloveni“) is whistled in last 10 years. Red Star’s fans even boycott matches of national team (Red Star Belgrade is the largest and most popular Serbian football club, second is Partizan Belgrade) because of flag, coat of arms and national anthem.

Good there was no match between Serbia and Poland... our anthems have the same melody for some reason, jeez this would be weird...

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Not looking good for Serbia. It seems only one mistake will cost them a goal. Three and you're down 3-0.

LOSE ARGENTINA!

Soulforged: Who ya goin for?

[Dutch_guy]

Impressive show Argentina !

The second goal is a beauty, the ball was passed around 25 times before they scored, impressive really !

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Impressive show Argentina !

The second goal is a beauty, the ball was passed around 25 times before they scored, impressive really !

Netherlands are gonna win!

[Dutch_guy]

Netherlands are gonna win!

I do hope so !

Hope Germany and Holland 'll meet in the quarter finals by the way, now that would be interesting !