World Cup

[lisztisforkids]

Randomly watching Germany vs Costa Rica, great game. Who do you think is gonna win the cup?

 "The whole world stops for 30 days"...

[nicco]

Germany won 4-2

amazing goals

[lisztisforkids]

Uggg... I am so upset. Costa Rica was playing pretty well for the first 20 minuets, and then Germany dominated the rest of the game. Costa Rica did have a chance to tie, but they blew it. 

[thalbergmad]

I don't care who wins, as long as it is not Germany or Argentina.

England have no chance.

Me gets the feeling it will be Brazil again.

Thal

[mig]

I live in Costa Rica!! Actually, they did much, much better than any of the pre-WC friendly matches...

[gruffalo]

i reckon Brazil. anyone know whats up with the French team? looking at their players in club games they seem like they got a good chance. england got no hope.

[gilad]

Wow, Poland where devilishly unlucky tonight, they could have won that game 3-2. The germany game broke the record for the highest scoring opening WC match. Great football.
If today is anything to go by my mouth is watering.
Brazil for me always are deserving of winning, they provide footbal with so much, and as a result get out so much.
Germany could win. With Messi Argentina could too. I could keep guessing.
but i've chosen the ukraine as my dark horse.

[gonzalo]

I don't care who wins, as long as it is not Germany or Argentina.

England have no chance.

Me gets the feeling it will be Brazil again.

Thal

ARGENTINA will win 

[gyzzzmo]

Holland Holland!!!!!!!!!!!

[nicco]

but i've chosen the ukraine as my dark horse.

The Ivory Coast are my underdogs 

[gilad]

The Ivory Coast are my underdogs 

they may do very well, you right. from africa i think ghana also strong.
they prevented us from qualifying.
AND THE NEXT WC IS HERE!!! MY god im so happy i can say that.

[lisztisforkids]

they may do very well, you right. from africa i think ghana also strong.
they prevented us from qualifying.
AND THE NEXT WC IS HERE!!! MY god im so happy i can say that.

 Ghana is in a tough boat. Theyll be playing against Czechslovokia, Italy, and last (hopefully not least) USA.

[gilad]

Ghana is in a tough boat. Theyll be playing against Czechslovokia, Italy, and last (hopefully not least) USA.

you're right, absalutely tough boat. it will be interesting to see what happens.

[lisztisforkids]

you're right, absalutely tough boat. it will be interesting to see what happens.

 

   I would like to see Ghana and the US advance while Czech and Itlay stay behind... That would be cool.

[prometheus]

Polls show that people think that Ivory Coast is the african country with the most chance to reach the second rounds. But polls also show people think that poule C, Arg, Hol, IC and S&M is crystal clear; 2/3rd think that Holland and Argentine will go to the second round.


So while Ivory Coast is the strongest African team people don't really except any African country to do well. So either Ivory Coast will suprise by knocking out Arg or Hol or another African country will suprise.

About poule C. Servia&Montenegro are very strong. They shared the qualification pool with Spain and ended number one of the pool, forcing Spain to qualify though the backdoor playoffs. S&M are undefeated. So there can be a lot of fireworks in group C. There is also a big chance poule C will produce a finalist and any of the four can be that country.


About todays matches. While they were entertaining the quality was quite low. Costa Rica are very unimpressive, as expected. Everyone agrees that Germany has a very weak team, the weakest one in decades, but the ease at which Costa Rica sliced through the german defence should be very worring. Klinsman tries to play a more modern style of defence, one new to the german team. This caused problems that were awefully clear with the first goal where ofside failed due to poor organisation. With the second goal the german central duo stepped towards the ball together. Big mistake, big miscommunication betwee the two players that have the most crucial connection on the pitch. They just left the Rician striker totally free, unobstructed. I don't think one could say Costa Rica had a chance. Not even agains the weak german defence and their medicore midfield and attackers.

I guess the rest of the german team looked actually suprisingly well without Ballack, the only guy, maybe together with Schweinsteiger, that can actually play.

Germany just has the easiest poule one can imagine. The problem with germany is that they are very strong in elimination matches. So they got lucky with a free ticket to the second round. In the second round their weak players will be less significant.

Czechslovokia split up long ago, though. Czechia has an ok team and a smart coach. But most of their players are over the hill. Italy is very tough, as always. They will probably draw against Czech and beat either USA or Ghana, drawing the other. I don't think Ghana and the US will have good chances. But of course this is a tournament. Strange things will happen. Maybe in their poule, who knows. Of course everyone hopes that Italy will be eliminated.

[thalbergmad]

Of course everyone hopes that Italy will be eliminated.

One can only pray.

If this was the referee mobbing or decision disputing World Championships, they would do very well.

The Germans would do better if it was Olympic diving and judging by the tackling ability of the Argentinians, they would be better suited to Ice Hockey.

England would excel in the body art and hairdressing World Championships.

The World Asylum Seeking Championships would be a tough one to call. A few players will be seen at Calais waiting for the next dingy. Better than going home and getting shot i suppose.

Anyway, I like the World cup as the shops and roads are empty most Saturday afternoons and I won't have to queue up at Tesco's. My mother on the other hand hates it as Emmerdale Farm will be put on much later than usual. She feels this infringes her Human Rights and in England, this is probably true.

It's way past my bedtime, I should not be up.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Thal

[pianistimo]

emmerdale farm?  what is emmerdale farm (not trying to change the subject, really!)?

[nicco]

What you guys think of todays matches? Some real treats with england, sweden and, a preview of the coming final, argentina - ivory coast.

[prometheus]

I am going to watch a piano recital during Argentina - Ivory Coast. I kind of hate that since I am also dutch.

[thalbergmad]

emmerdale farm?  what is emmerdale farm (not trying to change the subject, really!)?

I assure you that you are better off NOT knowing.

ThalX

[gyzzzmo]

Though i dont really think Holland is actually going to reach the semi or even quarter finals   

[thalbergmad]

Though i dont really think Holland is actually going to reach the semi or even quarter finals   

They are at a disadvantage as they use wooden boots.

[gyzzzmo]

Maybe because we smell like tulips we destract our opponends...

[alejo_90]

- Peru !! Peru !! ...
- ... Wait a minute ...
- ... Oh sheet my crappy country didn't classify again !!!

- ... ... ... ... ...

- Germany !! Germany !!

[galonia]

Why has no one said Australia?  Oh yeah, that's right, we're crap!

I'm not into football, I'm a rugby girl, but I will still be happy if the Socceroos do well.

haha.

[pianolearner]

Why has no one said Australia?  Oh yeah, that's right, we're crap!

I'm not into football, I'm a rugby girl, but I will still be happy if the Socceroos do well.

haha.

Maybe they are crap, but they have Brazil in their group

I am supporting 3 countries:

1st England- My country of residence
2nd Australia- Where I was born and raised
3rd Italy- My heritage

[lisztisforkids]

 I am kinda looking forward to what happens if the Iran president attends, but so far everyone is happy.

[gilad]

i was amazed at australia today, tim cahill in the house. great showing for the socceroos.
TONIGHT I Go out on a whim when i say that i think ghana are going to beat italy. i think they are strong enough. they are a powerful team and will beat italy. there i said it.hehe.

[prometheus]

They will beat Italy? No way.

Australia showed their lack of playing quality. They didn't play very well. If Japan got their penalty Cahill would have been send off too. Then the match would have been very different.

Japan dominated the midfield thoughout the first 80 minutes. They failed to finish a desperate Australia off.
Then Australia was just lucky. Japan played bad the last 10 minutes. But a 3 to 1 is a very deceptive.

Koller with a torn hamstring?

[gilad]

yes australia were lucky, it's obvious the result isnt a fair picture of the game. and yeah, koller with an injury is bad news. hope he recovers.
and yes i think ghana will beat italy.
i know the odds are stacked against them, but thats in their advantage, because they're better than people think.

[letters]

i think the chzech republic are ones to watch out for.... shame about the injury today. england hype themselves up so much but were crap!! we played badly against paraguay and we'll probably lose against sweden but we might do ok seeing as they drew 0-0 with trinidad and tobago. We will probably end up facing argentina in the quarter finals if we are runners up in our group, and if we win our group if we get to the semi final it is v likely we face brazil. in either situation, we're fudged!!
i decided to support equador randomly and look they're doing well! beaten poland. lets see if they can go all the way

[thalbergmad]

i think the chzech republic are ones to watch out for

ohhh arrrrrr, oy think you av spelt that wrong me darlin.

Too much ciderrrr.

[gilad]

i am highly dissappointed, i have edited what i said, at no stage did i ever say ghana would win . thats what happens when you let emotions get to your head. it was a great game. the ghanains showed that they can play football, the Azzurri showed they can win at it as per usual.
wow, im loving this WC, been great so far.
lots of potential winners, which is making for lots of good football.

[da jake]

I'm Canadian, and have no Dutch ancestry. But I've been a fan of Netherlands since I was 10 when I witnessed Bergkamp's wonder-goal against Argentina on TV that secured the Dutch their place in the semis of France '98. Bergkamp retired in 2000, but they still have some great skill in their team. I think that along with Brazil, ORANJE play some of the most exciting football.

I hope the Dutch face either the Germans, Brazilians, or Argentines in the final. 

[prometheus]

The 'experts' know that the Czech team is one of the strongest from Europe. Very probable a final 4 candidate.

Bergkamp has actually said he wanted to go to this WC but no one though he was willing since he quit the national team a few years back.
Also, too bad that he didn't get the play time he deserved at Arsenal. There are so much top player keeping benches warm on a weekly basis because those clubs decided to go into absurd depth because of hoarding top players. And then somehow they are able to survive financially.

[xire]

I'm Dutch, so obviously, I hope Holland is gonna win. 

[lisztisforkids]

America... You have embaresed your country once again.n

[Tash]

i was woken up at around 1am last night by the party of people 2 houses down doing a massive cheer, at first i was like what and then realised australia had just won the soccer, and went back to sleep. so whether they played well or not i'm too patriotic to care (that's why you don't let your guard down at the end of a game silly japan), go australia!!

[nicco]

today its time for brazil 

now we'll see how soccer is supposed to be played

[Waldszenen]

The last eight minutes of the Australia vs Japan game were the most exciting in the history of the game.


And for everyone who says Australia played poorly - well, even Brazil's coach was greatly impressed with their performance.

[prometheus]

You mean suprised? I meant that their team is very limited. They executed their battle plan very well but they didn't dominate the match. Japan could have won if they had more luck.

Japan is not a strong opponent. They need to beat Kroatia.

[gilad]

samba time, can croatia dance the dance? lets see tonight.
some say the WC only starts when brazil play their first game.

[paris]

samba time, can croatia dance the dance? lets see tonight.
some say the WC only starts when brazil play their first game.

proud croatian here..lets samba weeee

maybe not so optimistic fact is that brasil has never lost first game on WC for 72 years, but we certainly know how to samba 

gooooshhh less than 4 hours till game starts

oh and hello all again, i've somehow lost the track with postings heh 

[thalbergmad]

i was woken up at around 1am last night by the party of people 2 houses down doing a massive cheer, at first i was like what and then realised australia had just won the soccer.

I would not worry, your sleep is unlikely to be disturbed again.

Thalzzzzzzzz

[henrah]

today its time for brazil

now we'll see how soccer is supposed to be played

OH CRAP did I miss it??

[hiline]

OH CRAP did I miss it??

I 'm afraid you did.
I hope Italy and Argentina will get qualified to the next round ...

[Tash]

I would not worry, your sleep is unlikely to be disturbed again.

Thalzzzzzzzz

i'm keeping my hopes up! we'll kick croatia's butt!!

[Waldszenen]

i'm keeping my hopes up! we'll kick croatia's butt!!

Yes we will

(But not before getting sorely flattened by Brazil, I'm afraid)

[prometheus]

The total lack of effort last night of Ronaldo was shocking. No matter how good you play, if you do not even try you are quite useless.

[avetma]

i'm keeping my hopes up! we'll kick croatia's butt!!

Highly doubt for that