The unofficial World Cup Thread,

[InsaneApache]

Thanks for not reading this.

I read it mate, I read it.

[Louis VI the Fat]

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.

[Ser Clegane]

'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment.

I am looking forward to another press conference where he ... uhm ... asks journalists for sexual favours.

Actually I think I would pay money to see the reactions if our coach did a press conference like that...

[Joooray]

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.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Does anyone know from where I could get the schedule of the matches?

[Louis VI the Fat]

Marca has an excellent World Cup Calendar.

[Pannonian]

Serbia will be this tournaments surprise package.

Serbia surprised me last time round, especially against Argentina.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

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..

[LeftEyeNine]

I read it mate, I read it.

He read it and he'is richer than you now.

First prediction is bullseye. Let's see what's next in the group.

Whom to single out:

Tshabalala, Gaxa, Mphela, Dos Santos, Blanco

[Marshal Murat]

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 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.

[Secura]

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.

[johnhughthom]

Day one scores:
Louis: 4
Joooray: 0
LittleGrizzly: 1
Afonso I of Portugal: 0
Insane Apache: 3
Ser Clegane: 3
Jolt: 4
LEN: 4

[LeftEyeNine]

2 out of 2 with scores spot on. Inkredibilz.

[Joooray]

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.

[gaelic cowboy]

I'm going to remain silent on the Hand of Frog's handball claim tonight


On a lighter note yea South Africa pity about the equaliser who left those two men inside.

[Louis VI the Fat]

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!


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 Greece 0 - 0

Argentina Nigeria 1 - 0

Teh biggie:

England United States 2 - 1

[LittleGrizzly]

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!

[naut]

Typical British media tries to bring the national team down by highlighting the worst moments, and then wonders why they never do well? >.<

They're just preparing you for the inevitable moment when Rooney skies it.

[naut]

Was away yesterday...

Korea Republic 1 - 1 Greece

Argentina 1 - 1 Nigeria

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.

[Sarmatian]

Serbia surprised me last time round, especially against Argentina.

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.

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

[InsaneApache]

2 0

2 0

2 0

[Secura]

1 0

2 0

2 0

[Ser Clegane]

Saturday
South Korea - Greece 0:1
Argentina - Nigeria 2:2
England - USA 3:1

Sunday
Algeria - Slovenia 1:1
Serbia - Ghana 2:2
Germany - Australia 3:1

[Romanic]

1 1

2 0

3 1


Blargh, I thought predictions were only made in the other thread. I'm starting 4 points behind, I'll have to my way up.

************
Edit:

Is it too late to fill those?

Pre Tournament Predictions Bonus Points:
10 bonus points for tournament top scorer. Robinho
5 bonus points for predicting at which stage England goes out on penalties. Quarters
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which, FIFA will help South Africa progress in their final group game. Disallowed goals, penalty awarded or not given, etc. Are you as imaginative as the ref? Not calling an obvious offside leading to a goal
5 bonus points for predicting the manner in which the Dutch will collapse psychologically. 0-3 vs Brazil in Quarters
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? Two
'Dear oh dear' 3 point bonus: predict a Maradona 'dear oh dear' moment. Telling reporters to XXX his XXX? Cocaine abuse? Red card? Gah!

[Joooray]

Well, I'm to late for South Korea vs. Greece, but for completions sake I else where predicted a 1-0.

Anyway, for the other two games, I'd say:

2 - 1
3 - 1

[Rhyfelwyr]

Looks like Enyeama spolied things for all those predicting for Argentina to get a few...

As for tonight, I'll go with...

3 0

[Sasaki Kojiro]

2 1

[LeftEyeNine]

Jeez, should England fail to beat Yankees, I'll turn into a tomato paste godling.

I missed about 50 mins of S. Korea - Greece match but watched the rest. Oh boy, what an awful sight to behold is Greece's teamplay. Even Carpathian clubs with semi-amateur players do not play such a "baloon the ball into the area and let the chances speak" kind of play. Great win for the most experienced and ever-improving Asians of the tournament.

Singling out names for Argentina - Nigeria: Enyeama for his incredible positioning and cold nerves, Haruna for being a powerhouse in the midfield and Kalu for his stunning flair. Oh, and Gutierrez for being so plain and Maradona for playing a left winger as a right back having left out Zanetti.

[LeftEyeNine]

Dempsey !

Dempsey !

Dempsey !

Dempsey !

Dempsey !

Dempsey !

I could never imagine that one day I'd scream "GOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL !!! RRRRAAAAWWWRR !!!" for USA. Yeah, it's some Green effect that led to this but DEMPSEY ANYWAY !

[GeneralHankerchief]

W00t, tie score! The people calling the game, at least in the USA, were all over Green for that goal. They didn't give Dempsey any credit at all. Said something to the effect of "schoolboys don't make that mistake".

I don't care, I'll take it.