OT: World Cup 2010

[Raellus]

So, am I the only one here excited for the World Cup?

I'm going to be pulling for the U.S.A. and Uruguay (I lived there for a few years as a teenager), of course, but I also love watching Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Holland. Of those, I think Spain has the best chance to win it this year. Brazil is less creative and more defensive oriented than they normally are which is not necessarily a bad thing but they're not quite as fun to watch as they've been in years past. Argentina has tons of talent but a buffoon (Maradonna) at the helm. The U.S. and Uruguay just aren't deep enough to go all the way. If the U.S. loses Donovan or Dempsey, it's over for them.

If I had to pick a winner today, I might go out on a limb and pick Holland as my darkhorse. They have tons of firepower. Three of their midfielders were starters in the recent Champions League final and their fowards are no slouches when it comes to scoring goals. If their defense was better, they'd be my front runner. Otherwise, Spain is the safe bet.

Who's your pick and why? What teams or games are you most looking forward to watching?

[Mahatatain]

Now how come you didn't mention England?:D

According to the British newspapers (or rather the English versions of them) England are one of the potential favourites. In reality the newspapers in this country always talk up England's chances and we have an outside chance at best - if we make it to the semi finals we'll be doing well!

I'll be cheering them along but, like many England fans, I'll be expecting disappointment at some point!

[Raellus]

Now how come you didn't mention England?:D

According to the British newspapers (or rather the English versions of them) England are one of the potential favourites. In reality the newspapers in this country always talk up England's chances and we have an outside chance at best - if we make it to the semi finals we'll be doing well!

I'll be cheering them along but, like many England fans, I'll be expecting disappointment at some point!

Well, I like England too. I watch the EPL all the time so I know their players quite well and I wouldn't mind a bit if they won it. They're good, but they have some weaknesses that I think will prevent them from going all the way. For example, there's not a lot of variety in midfield. Gerrard and Lampard both play very similar roles on their club teams. They haven't worked well together when they're on the pitch at the same time. They both like to attack, leaving a big hole in the middle. Lampard really shines for Chelsea but doesn't do much for the national side. England doesn't have the best defensive midfielders to cover for them either, IMHO. And Garreth Barry might be done, too.

Up front, Rooney is one of the best in the world, but he doesn't have the best strike partners. I mean Crouch, DeFoe, and Bent are all good but none have really gelled with Rooney and Heskey is too slow.

I don't know. I wish them the best of luck.

[cavtroop]

Soccer (football to most people :) ) isn't too big here in the USA. I'm excited for the world cup, but I have to admit I couldn't name a single player that's playing.

I'll catch a few games, especially if the US does well though. I like soccer, it just doesn't get much exposure here.

[Targan]

I just hope Italy does poorly. Cheating bastards.

[Mahatatain]

Well, I like England too. I watch the EPL all the time so I know their players quite well and I wouldn't mind a bit if they won it. They're good, but they have some weaknesses that I think will prevent them from going all the way. For example, there's not a lot of variety in midfield. Gerrard and Lampard both play very similar roles on their club teams. They haven't worked well together when they're on the pitch at the same time. They both like to attack, leaving a big hole in the middle. Lampard really shines for Chelsea but doesn't do much for the national side. England doesn't have the best defensive midfielders to cover for them either, IMHO. And Garreth Barry might be done, too.

Up front, Rooney is one of the best in the world, but he doesn't have the best strike partners. I mean Crouch, DeFoe, and Bent are all good but none have really gelled with Rooney and Heskey is too slow.

I don't know. I wish them the best of luck.

Well Crouch is an interesting one - he's actually scored 21 goals in 38 appearances for England.

One of the suggestions is actually to play Gerrard up front with Rooney and to have Lampard in the centre of midflield behind them. That relies on Barry being fit and a defensive midfield player instead of Barry could turn out to be England's biggest weakness.

I'll be watching all of the England games and quite a few other matches but in the end football is the wrong shaped ball for me :D - my favourite sport is rugby union!

[Fusilier]

Soccer (football to most people :) ) isn't too big here in the USA.

...to illustrate further.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noOHdTQd6H8

[cavtroop]

...to illustrate further.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noOHdTQd6H8

LOL, hadn't seen that, good one :)

The part with the american announcer becoming bored, while the foreign one gets excited about the action was dead on :)

[Rainbow Six]

I'm looking forward to it, even although yet again Scotland failed to qualify.

I do think Spain are the favourites, although they could potentially come up against Ivory Coast or Portugal early on (assuming both Spain and Brazil win their groups), which could be quite an interesting match up.

The USA should manage to get past the group stages OK, but assuming they finish second in their group (behind England) they'd then expect to play Germany in the next round, and Germany would be the big favourites in that one, so realistically the last 16 is as far as I'd expect the US to go this time round.

Rae, I'd agree with you about England - whilst they have a number of talented individuals, in my opinion they sometimes seem to struggle to play well together as a team. That said I do think that they have a good draw, and this year is probably their best chance of actually winning the World Cup since 1990 (and as a Scotsman it pained me to type that...:). Mind you, looking at it the Dutch also have a good draw.

It will be interesting to see how the South Africans do as well...historically the hosts have usually done quite well, e.g. South Korea getting to the Semi Finals in 2002

Anyways, not long to go now...bring it on...

[Mahatatain]

Rae, I'd agree with you about England - whilst they have a number of talented individuals, in my opinion they sometimes seem to struggle to play well together as a team. That said I do think that they have a good draw, and this year is probably their best chance of actually winning the World Cup since 1990 (and as a Scotsman it pained me to type that...:). Mind you, looking at it the Dutch also have a good draw.

As an Englishman (well three quarters English and one quarter Irish) I won't mention 1990, Scotland and Costa Rica..... :D

I'd say that England's biggest problem is an over reliance on a couple of star players and it is almost inevitable that one of them will get injured or sent off in a crucial game....

[Rainbow Six]

As an Englishman (well three quarters English and one quarter Irish) I won't mention 1990, Scotland and Costa Rica..... :D

LOL...the list of Scottish World Cup disasters is endless...Iran in 1978...Morocco in 1998...Russia in 1982 (sheer class...two of our own players running into one another...)...;)

[Raellus]

I just hope Italy does poorly. Cheating bastards.

Don't worry, Targ, I don't think they'll get far this year. They're old and lack the firepower.

@Mahahatain: I like Crouch. He needs to bring back his robot dance. At 6'7", he makes me look graceful on the pitch (I'm a skinny 6'4"). I think he and Rooney would work well together. He could play target man and let Rooney play a little deeper or drift around.

@Rainbow: I like how this U.S. team matches up against this year's German team. I think we could take them (if we stay healthy).

[Raellus]

For those of you who haven't seen it, check out this commercial. It's pretty funny. It won't make much sense to you, though, if you don't know soccer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J19-ROSfwY8

[Caradhras]

Here in England it is pretty intense already, all over the media...one of my local pubs has painted it's whole frontage as a giant England flag :P

I will be cheering for England ofc, but inevitably we seem to slip up somewhere (things like penalties and/or Germany), we do have a decent chance though.

Many teams have the potential to win it, Spain being probably the best team in the World atm however in these competitions anything can happen - Holland/Germany/Brazil/Argentina/Portugal and even aging Italy all have a shout.

I saw South Africa play ina a couple of their warm-up games and they were pretty poor, but as has been said, hosts always seem to get that bit further than they should.

Worth watching for the non-football/soccar fans imo, if only a team you follow.

Cmon England! :)

[Rainbow Six]

I just hope Italy does poorly. Cheating bastards.

So Targan, did you enjoy the New Zealand - Italy game? :D

[TiggerCCW UK]

Anyone want to speculate on the fate of the North Korean team when they get home? Pretty spectacular result today.....

[Rainbow Six]

Anyone want to speculate on the fate of the North Korean team when they get home? Pretty spectacular result today.....

If they go home...:)

[Fusilier]

Anyone want to speculate on the fate of the North Korean team when they get home? Pretty spectacular result today.....

A year of hard labor working in a coal mine, then 2 years probation spent polishing Kim statutes.

Their families have probably already been transported to a detention camp as well (keeping in custom with NK blood justice).

...or return as World Cup champions after the game footage has been altered.

[headquarters]

So Targan, did you enjoy the New Zealand - Italy game? :D

Thats what you gotta love about the world cup - "small " nations ( football wise ) face their Goliath and come out with unexpected results . I thought US -England was such a match also ( for ONCE the US was an underdog- gotta jump at the chance to cheer them on ;) )

Havent seen Mohohender here in a while - though he might not respond in this thread :D

seriously - it must be hard for fans and not to mention the millions of kids that have been looking forward to the games to see their side behave like the French have these past days.Loosing is one thing -quitting quite another imho .

I would be pissed off.

[Targan]

So Targan, did you enjoy the New Zealand - Italy game? :D

Did I ever! I watched it with a mate who is a Kiwi like me, we were going nuts right up to the last second of the game. Very happy with the result. Matter of fact if an Italian player hadn't taken a dive (and received a penalty he didn't deserve) New Zealand would have won the match 1-0.

[Rainbow Six]

Well, that's the French out...and the that way they have played they didn't deserve to go any further...I'm sure there'll be a few happy faces in Ireland tonight...

Things have certainly been interesting so far...can't believe we're nearly two weeks in. This has to be one of the worst World Cups for years for the major European teams...I think the only ones who are assured qualification for the next round at this stage are the Dutch and (probably) the Portugese?...so a few crunch matches coming up in the next couple of days...and we could be looking at Spain vs Brazil in the next round...

[Raellus]

Man, I feel sorry for the French fans. I also feel badly for the Irish fans/team. They were effectively robbed of a place in the finals by a team that apparently doesn't even want to be there. This French team is a major embarrassment. To think that many of them played in the championship game four years ago. It seems like a lot of the Euro squads have great inidvidual talent but very little team chemistry (I'm looking at you Three Lions). Capello and Domenech are making Maradona look like a genius.

Uruguay wins their group! I was living in Montevideo during the '90 World Cup so I have a soft spot for the Uruguayos.

Big game for the U.S. team tomorrow. They'd better not blow it. I don't want to hear any crying about how we were robbed during the Slovenia game if we fail to advance tomorrow.

[boogiedowndonovan]

Dae han min guk!

(ok, I'm not rooting for South Korea and that pic is from the 2002 world cup, kato, any idea who she is?)

[kato13]

Dae han min guk!

(ok, I'm not rooting for South Korea and that pic is from the 2002 world cup, kato, any idea who she is?)


Shim Mina

[Webstral]

Dae han min guk!

(ok, I'm not rooting for South Korea and that pic is from the 2002 world cup, kato, any idea who she is?)

Whoa.

[Caradhras]

It's the big day for England and the US - hopefully decided on the pitch and not names out of a hat which is a potential scenario (if we both draw with same number of goals scored in total).

France were an embarassment, Italy look shaky, Germany convincing then unconvincing, Argentina will be found out by a good side imo, Brazil dont look as good as expected nor do Portugal, Uruguay or Paraguay maybe dark horses..

It has been poor footy in the main - I am hoping once these awkward group stages are over the cream of the crop playing each other in one off games will make for better viewing.

Play Crouchie for the win!

[Ironside]

I shall be glad when the damn thing is over and I don't have more drunks than usual wandering outside my house :mad:

[mikeo80]

I shall be glad when the damn thing is over and I don't have more drunks than usual wandering outside my house :mad:

I'll be glad as well. I am a steriotypical American. If it Ain't football (our version), baseball, or basketball, I am not really interested. :grumble:

[Raellus]

What a game. In the 90th minute, it looked like the US wouldn't even qualify. In the 91st, we scored, went on to win the game- and the group! Wow!

[Jason]

Unreal, I was watching this game in class, and yelled out 'goal!' as we scored right when class ended. Great game by the Algerians, but the U.S. pulls it out!

[pmulcahy11b]

I see that Portugal trounced the North Koreans 7-0. Looks like there may be some new inmates at the re-education camps...

[boogiedowndonovan]

wow, I turned the TV off and went to work too early. I thought that Team USA's world cup was over.

I'm no soccer fan, but you gotta root for your country.

anyways, did some more digging and found a few more Korean fans and Dutch fans. The Dutch fans got in a bit of trouble because they were at the game to advertise for a Dutch brewer. Apparently South Africa has laws against "ambush marketing".

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/dutch-and-south-africans-in-minidress-marketing-row-2002631.html

they can advertise at my football games anytime they want.

[Raellus]

The Australia v Serbia game was intense. Both had a chance to go through there at the end.

[pmulcahy11b]

anyways, did some more digging and found a few more Korean fans and Dutch fans.

Well, they're WAY too hot to be North Korean fans...

[Rainbow Six]

Well, that's Italy out...

[boogiedowndonovan]

Well, they're WAY too hot to be North Korean fans...

those are the Chinese actors hired to cheer for the North Koreans since no one from DPRK could go.

just kidding, those are two South Korean actresses showing their World Cup pride. (ROK also made it to the world cup and is advancing to the next round).

Paul, you were in ROK for awhile right?

North Korea lost again and is out. Its got me wondering, maybe Dear Leader made a deal during the six party talks and said, "Get my team in the World Cup and you can have your captured journalists, missionaries, nukes, etc."

[pmulcahy11b]

North Korea lost again and is out. Its got me wondering, maybe Dear Leader made a deal during the six party talks and said, "Get my team in the World Cup and you can have your captured journalists, missionaries, nukes, etc."

Kind of Machiavellian.

Here's an interesting counterpoint to the nuclear question:

We don't want the North to give up their nukes. Not really. One, it soaks up a lot of their defense budget. Two, it makes them international pariahs. And three, most importantly, it dampens down their national sense of paranoia. While they have even their relatively-abortive nuclear program, they feel reasonably safe from invasion, and may not feel the need for a preemptive invasion of the South.

It's just an idea, and I'll admit that it is contingent upon the North's nuclear program continuing to be reasonably-abortive. And to be able to keep a clamp on proliferation. But their nuclear program, as it is now, may actually work for us.

Feel free to comment -- I'll admit that it is a screwy idea.

[pmulcahy11b]

just kidding, those are two South Korean actresses showing their World Cup pride.

Paul, you were in ROK for awhile right?

Yes, and they were showing their...pride...quite nicely.

I was stationed in Korea from 1988-1990. And hot chicks like those don't live around US military bases.

[Webstral]

Kind of Machiavellian.

Here's an interesting counterpoint to the nuclear question:

It's just an idea, and I'll admit that it is contingent upon the North's nuclear program continuing to be reasonably-abortive. And to be able to keep a clamp on proliferation. But their nuclear program, as it is now, may actually work for us.

Feel free to comment -- I'll admit that it is a screwy idea.


The idea is unorthodox, but I appreciate that you're looking at the situation as it is instead of the way we'd like it to be. It's all well and good to have a desired end state (such as a nuke-free North Korea, or even a North Korea that has been opened to the outside world), but there's never a guarantee that a feasible means of getting there from here exists. Some problems just can't be solved the way we want with the means at hand.

Webstral

[Raellus]

Well, no more ROK in the Cup. Now that the U.S. is out (it was quite an emotional run)...

GO Uruguay!

[Caradhras]

What can I say re England?! Any military parallels seeing as it was vs Germany are kind of politically incorrect.

We were poor, inept defending and naive attacking leaving us open to the counter.

Cant see the Germans getting past Argentina, although tactical nous may swing it for em over actually skills. I would prefer Uruguay, Holland or Spain than either of these two rivals as a Brit.

[Ironside]

Oh schadenfreude, how I do love thee :firedevil

[Rainbow Six]

I wouldn't write off the Germans...unless I'm mistaken their half of the draw avoids Brazil / Holland (yes, I know it includes Argentina and Spain, but there are a few teams who have still to be really tested and the Germans might just be one of the dark horses along with Uruguay). I also think Japan might have a chance of getting past Paraguay and into the Quarter Finals.

Certainly one of the strangest World Cups I can recall from a European perspective, firstly for some of the teams that didn't qualify in the first place(Sweden, Russia, and the Republic of Ireland all spring to mind) and secondly for the teams that have gone home early (France and Italy obviously, and now England as well).

[boogiedowndonovan]

Well, no more ROK in the Cup. Now that the U.S. is out (it was quite an emotional run)...

GO Uruguay!

well, after the US loss, my world cup interest is fading. I think I will have to scour the internet and find some more pictures of hot female world cup fans to figure out if I will be rooting for another country.

good run by the US, but there was one come back too many.

regarding the England vs. Germany match, during the highlights ESPN showed two English fans dressed up as WWII RAF (the blue uniforms with neckties). Was the English media trying to do parallels to WWII?

[TiggerCCW UK]

regarding the England vs. Germany match, during the highlights ESPN showed two English fans dressed up as WWII RAF (the blue uniforms with neckties). Was the English media trying to do parallels to WWII?

I think it was the Daily Mail that ran a headline along the lines of "If we'd defended that badly in the Battle of Britain we'd have lost the war".

And people wonder why there is so much anti England football feeling!

[Targan]

I think I will have to scour the internet and find some more pictures of hot female world cup fans to figure out if I will be rooting for another country.

LOL!!! This quote is really funny when read by an Australian - down under the term "rooting" means "having intercourse with". Hilarious!

[Caradhras]

regarding the England vs. Germany match, during the highlights ESPN showed two English fans dressed up as WWII RAF (the blue uniforms with neckties). Was the English media trying to do parallels to WWII?

The English media are scum tbh (imo) - but the fans outfits are meant to be humerous not controversial. They try to find something quintessentially English (in their opinion), like the St George/Crusader...which could be taken badly if we played an Arab nation.

I am still enjoying the WC, and although not completely writing off the Germans, the Dutch, Argies, Brazil and Spanish (who have to get past tough Portugal today) are another level when it comes to on the ball skills. Some great games coming up, after some dire group games, this is when the WC comes to life.

[boogiedowndonovan]

LOL!!! This quote is really funny when read by an Australian - down under the term "rooting" means "having intercourse with". Hilarious!

lol, learn something new every day!

speaking of which:

Hot soccer babes:

http://gnews.com/hot-soccer-strip-babes-stoke-world-cup-fever-07201010063510/

and has anyone heard of this Paraguayan fan?

http://www.theblogismine.com/2010/06/30/world-cup-2010-hottest-fan-larissa-riquelme-will-run-naked-if-paraguay-wins-title/

better pics (NSFW)
http://www.nerve.com/scanner/2010/06/30/go-paraguay-larissa-riquelme-supports-her-team-with-topless-photos

uhh, go Paraguay?

[pmulcahy11b]

LOL!!! This quote is really funny when read by an Australian - down under the term "rooting" means "having intercourse with". Hilarious!

You make it sound like this comedian in the US who asks, "Do you think your parents had nice sex or pig sex?"

[Raellus]

Sorry to drag this threat off topic but, putting soccer babes aside for a minute, did any of you see the Uruguay vs. Ghana game today? That had to be one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup quarterfinals history (if not overall tournament history). I'm still trying to catch my breath.

Go Uruguay!

[cavtroop]

Sorry to drag this threat off topic but, putting soccer babes aside for a minute, did any of you see the Uruguay vs. Ghana game today? That had to be one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup quarterfinals history (if not overall tournament history). I'm still trying to catch my breath.

Go Uruguay!

AUGH! I heard about it - I've seen almost every game of this WC so far, but work pulled me away today, and I missed the best game yet! Grrrrr.

[boogiedowndonovan]

Sorry to drag this threat off topic but, putting soccer babes aside for a minute, did any of you see the Uruguay vs. Ghana game today? That had to be one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup quarterfinals history (if not overall tournament history). I'm still trying to catch my breath.

Go Uruguay!

sorry, I missed it also. too busy looking at soccer babe pics. The only thing I saw was the last Ghana penalty kick.

(btw, if anyone is offended, let me know and I'll stop posting pics, lol):D

[pmulcahy11b]

(btw, if anyone is offended, let me know and I'll stop posting pics, lol):D

More soccer babes drill sergeant,
More soccer babes drill sergeant!
We like it! We love it! We want more of it!:D

[Rainbow Six]

Sorry to drag this threat off topic but, putting soccer babes aside for a minute, did any of you see the Uruguay vs. Ghana game today? That had to be one of the most dramatic finishes in World Cup quarterfinals history (if not overall tournament history). I'm still trying to catch my breath.

Go Uruguay!

Yep, I saw it...definitely one of the most exciting finales I've seen...

(Going slightly off topic, the most dramatic conclusion I think I've seen in any game was the Champions League Final in 1999 if anyone remembers that one...Bayern Munich leading Manchester United 1 - 0 with minutes to go and Man U came out 2 - 1 winners...)

[Caradhras]

So... the German Football machine marches on, against all the odds. The Dutch too, are punching above their weight. Cant see Uruguay having the quality to get any further, especially as their main striker is suspended for the next game. This leaves Spain, the pre-tourney favourite but they are not really playing to their potential.

Anyone (but Uruguay) can win it now, but I favour the Dutch. They have the easiest semi-final, and seem to know how to get a result.

I like the pics btw!

[Rainbow Six]

Anyone (but Uruguay) can win it now, but I favour the Dutch. They have the easiest semi-final, and seem to know how to get a result.

I like the pics btw!

Germany for me...

[Mohoender]

Havent seen Mohohender here in a while - though he might not respond in this thread :D



Yes I haven't been around in months, too much to do lately and that's not going to slow down. RPGs and Twilight are back on their shelves for a while. However when I saw you asking HQ, I couldn't resist:D

I don't felt it to be that hard. Nobody was really excited anyway while fans and kids (almost all) supported South Africa during the last game. It's a biggest issue for our politicians.

The only thing is that the French team was a perfect image of what France is at the moment (hope it doesn't last). At least they achieved something collectively: failure.

Sorry to all our american friends, however, as during their match against Ghana I was supporting Ghana. The image I will remember is that of both coaches hugging each other. I was supporting Ghana but, for the first time in decades I had watch a nice game. Players taking risks and playing to the end. Nice game from both US and Ghana, sincerely.:)

Too bad Ghana is out now.

Bye everyone, back to work!

[Muti]

Looks like I'm the only Italian here and I read some "nice" comments...

Anyway I don't care about World Cup 2010 simply because I'm not a soccer fan. I've got a sympathy for Germany.

[headquarters]

Looks like I'm the only Italian here and I read some "nice" comments...

Anyway I don't care about World Cup 2010 simply because I'm not a soccer fan. I've got a sympathy for Germany.

Yes,you are right -a lot of these comments were not really nice .I apologize for mine if they were regarded as anti-italian in any way .They were more an expression of frustration over general trends in the game that I find are negative .

( I was sure you were from Finland or Northern Sweden ???)

Italy has amazing players,a strong history and many triumphs to boast about.
Slamming Italy is not alright .Critizising their team is - as long as it is not groundless.
It is a fact that "filming" is universal and not only Italian.

Some fans may not understand some aspects of Italian football culture though .

Full respect to Italy and Italians alike.

[headquarters]

ok - if you check out this you are adding to the guys view counter -but I just had to...he is just so...weird.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBkbj_S3etY&feature=player_embedded

hehe.

what a card.

:rolleyes:

[headquarters]

Yes I haven't been around in months, too much to do lately and that's not going to slow down. RPGs and Twilight are back on their shelves for a while. However when I saw you asking HQ, I couldn't resist:D

I don't felt it to be that hard. Nobody was really excited anyway while fans and kids (almost all) supported South Africa during the last game. It's a biggest issue for our politicians.

The only thing is that the French team was a perfect image of what France is at the moment (hope it doesn't last). At least they achieved something collectively: failure.

Sorry to all our american friends, however, as during their match against Ghana I was supporting Ghana. The image I will remember is that of both coaches hugging each other. I was supporting Ghana but, for the first time in decades I had watch a nice game. Players taking risks and playing to the end. Nice game from both US and Ghana, sincerely.:)

Too bad Ghana is out now.

Bye everyone, back to work!

Just a little friendly stab Mo.
Glad to hear that you take it all with ease.

France will rise again on the soccer field and become a side to have pride in again .

I agree on the Ghana match .It was a shame that Uruguay managed to steal advancement from them the way they did .Glad the Dutch knocked them out .

See you later -and as you said -back to work

:mad:

[Raellus]

I agree on the Ghana match .It was a shame that Uruguay managed to steal advancement from them the way they did .Glad the Dutch knocked them out .


Uruguay didn't "steal" the match from Ghana. Suarez did what every other player in the World Cup would have done under the same circumstances- protect his goal in a crucial game-deciding situation by any means necessary. He was punished for it and the Ghaneans received a clear-cut chance to win (the penalty). They botched it and Uruguay finished them in the shoot out. To demonize a player and a team for the actions of one player is not fair. The Ghaneans had two more opportunties to win after the red card. They controlled their own destiny and they couldn't pull it off.

Suarez is taking a lot of heat for his actions but, like I said before, any player in his right mind would have done the same thing. He saved his team from elimination. He was just doing his job. If he hadn't, he would have been a villain to his teammates, coach, fans, and countrymen. I guess, in some ways, it all comes down to perspective.

As for the Dutch, they were my darkhorse pick to win the whole tournament and I wouldn't mind seeing them do it. They, however, dive and play act a lot. Most of the Dutch players are guilty of doing it too. In the case of the Dutch, I think it's fair to characterize the whole team as blatant floppers. They go down easily at even the hint of a foul, presumably to con the ref into giving their opponents cards. A lot of players on a lot of teams do this and it is shameful. But to see a whole team doing it on a regular basis... that's embarrassing. It could come back to haunt them in the final.

[Muti]

Yes,you are right -a lot of these comments were not really nice .I apologize for mine if they were regarded as anti-italian in any way .They were more an expression of frustration over general trends in the game that I find are negative .

( I was sure you were from Finland or Northern Sweden ???)

Italy has amazing players,a strong history and many triumphs to boast about.
Slamming Italy is not alright .Critizising their team is - as long as it is not groundless.
It is a fact that "filming" is universal and not only Italian.

Some fans may not understand some aspects of Italian football culture though .

Full respect to Italy and Italians alike.

Thank you! Don't worry about your comment, only Targan said that Italians are cheating bastards :D But as I said before, I don't care.

[Raellus]

If I had to pick a winner today, I might go out on a limb and pick Holland as my darkhorse. They have tons of firepower. Three of their midfielders were starters in the recent Champions League final and their fowards are no slouches when it comes to scoring goals. If their defense was better, they'd be my front runner. Otherwise, Spain is the safe bet.


Not bad for a Yank, eh?

Not sure yet who to pick to win it. Either way, there will be a first time Cup winner and that's pretty cool.

[Targan]

Thank you! Don't worry about your comment, only Targan said that Italians are cheating bastards :D But as I said before, I don't care.

Oops :o I did say that, didn't I? Well to clarify, not ALL Italians are cheaters, just certain members of their national football team.

[headquarters]

Uruguay didn't "steal" the match from Ghana. Suarez did what every other player in the World Cup would have done under the same circumstances- protect his goal in a crucial game-deciding situation by any means necessary. He was punished for it and the Ghaneans received a clear-cut chance to win (the penalty). They botched it and Uruguay finished them in the shoot out. To demonize a player and a team for the actions of one player is not fair. The Ghaneans had two more opportunties to win after the red card. They controlled their own destiny and they couldn't pull it off.

Suarez is taking a lot of heat for his actions but, like I said before, any player in his right mind would have done the same thing. He saved his team from elimination. He was just doing his job. If he hadn't, he would have been a villain to his teammates, coach, fans, and countrymen. I guess, in some ways, it all comes down to perspective.

As for the Dutch, they were my darkhorse pick to win the whole tournament and I wouldn't mind seeing them do it. They, however, dive and play act a lot. Most of the Dutch players are guilty of doing it too. In the case of the Dutch, I think it's fair to characterize the whole team as blatant floppers. They go down easily at even the hint of a foul, presumably to con the ref into giving their opponents cards. A lot of players on a lot of teams do this and it is shameful. But to see a whole team doing it on a regular basis... that's embarrassing. It could come back to haunt them in the final.

:cool:

lets go! had this been in a bar beermugs would be shattering around our ears and fisticuffs andoutbreaks like "BOLLOCKS!!" would have rung out .

nah- just kidding . But I do feel you are dead wrong mate !

you have some feeling for the República Oriental del Uruguay- and I like that.I was cheering for them as well right up to the last few seconds of the match when they shamed themselves by showing a disregard for the sport .I might disapprove and articulate my feeling of displeasure towards the Uruguyan side ,but to say that I demonize them or the player in question is a bit harsh .To demonize them in a discussion like this I would have to say they were the inventors of all things bad in football - "the acting like hit by a foul tackle" " the mortally wounded didnt get a penalty so up and about 5 seconds later act",the "involuntary-voluntary hands","the shirt pull", " the hand of God","The take out the oppositions most valuable player tackle to the lower knee and then feign innocense tackle","the elbow to the chest when the ref isnt looking elbow" and so on and so on ..Uruguay didnt invent or capitalize on these in any conspicious manner-indeed they fought valiantly and skillfully -to an extent - even against the mighty Dutch I grudgingly must admit .

(To call the Dutch "actors " seems unfair bythe way .)

But Uruguay did commit what in my opinion is a shameful foul.

Firstly - breaking the rules is cheating - we call it a foul ,and not an option you can speculate in on a cost-efficiency basis like happened in said match .

This is what I -and many with me - regard as the true spirit of the game .


If you cheat you get penalized -true - but thats a consequence from the cheating or foul and not a cost you deliberately factor in to your advantage .

To see you write that any player in his right mind would have used his hands in a similar manner given the situation is to broad a statement and one I feel cannot be valid.
Any player in his right mind would act out of ambition to win and sportsmanship spirit and try to stop the ball using any other part of his body than his hands !

Thats the point of the game and a rule that shouldnt be broken even though ambition has gotten the better of sportsmanship !

Stopping a clear cut goal with your hands is a foul- but its not only a common foul - its the the stereotype foul that one and all agree is cheating .

And cheating is -in fact - still considered to be BAD -even if the game seems to move more and more into grey areas regarding this.Sadly.

The only one more clear cut a blatant disregard for the spirit of the game is the defenders dirty tackle from behind of the player with the ball who is alone with the keeper.

Now, I am sure that the oriental republic of uruguay will rise again on the field and achieve honourable triumph.I will maybe go back to cheering for them agains as I was always a sucker for the underdog -Denmark,Uruguay,USA,NZ,South Africa,Japan ,Australia etc

Parting words ( in this half ;) ) :

all in my semi humble opinion and in the spirit of a friendly game!

[boogiedowndonovan]

ok, I'm not saying I condone what this Holland soccer fan is offering, but...

if anyone is interested a Dutch porn star is offering her 'services' to her Twitter fans if Holland wins the World Cup.

Apparently she is being joined by a few more porn stars who are also fans of Holland. Would this be a proper use of the Aussie term "rooting"?

the link has pics, haven't checked them, so I can't say if it is work safe or not.

link (http://globalgrind.com/channel/gossip/content/1675982/bobbi-eden-netherlands-porn-star-promises-world-cup-fans-oral-sex-photos/)

just throwing it out for y'all.

[Targan]

Would this be a proper use of the Aussie term "rooting"?

Yes. Yes it would. And bless her cotton socks.

[headquarters]

Yes. Yes it would. And bless her cotton socks.

Fair reason to support them I guess.

[TiggerCCW UK]

Found my team :D

[Mohoender]

Oops :o I did say that, didn't I? Well to clarify, not ALL Italians are cheaters, just certain members of their national football team.

I really like Italians. You are always welcome in Italy. Just use two words in Italian and they will do their best to help you out. Best when you are french, we are almost talking the same language, it's only a question of pronounciation. They also have the best women (I'm sure, my wife is of Italian descent) and worse mother and step mother (my step mother is also italian and a pain). They come only second to Jewish mothers.:D

By the way, Italians are not cheaters, they are simply natural survivalist.;) It simply happens that they survive best in urban environments and shopping malls.:p

[pmulcahy11b]

There's a Canadian comedian who does a joke about how Italian-Americans are not really Italians, they just have the attitude...

[kato13]

I see that Portugal trounced the North Koreans 7-0. Looks like there may be some new inmates at the re-education camps...


Not Quite but close,

North Korean Soccer Team Punished for World Cup Failure (http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/30/north-korean-soccer-team-punished-for-world-cup-exit.html)