World Cup Thread, dating back to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. All official EFK World Cup Fantasy discussions are here as well.
McDonalds EFK World Cup Fantasy Winners:
(http://i.imgur.com/4Mmtzhz.png) -- Cory
(http://i.imgur.com/XFoiiKm.png) - TBA
Groups placed in order of qualifying
Group A Group B Group C Group D
France Argentina ENGLAND Germany
Mexico Nigeria United States Ghana
South Africa South Korea Slovenia Serbia
Uruguay Greece Algeria Australia
Group E Group F Group G Group H
Netherlands Italy Brazil Spain
Denmark Slovakia Ivory Coast Chile
Japan Paraguay Portugal Switzerland
Cameroon New Zealand North Korea Honduras
Round 2
France vs Nigeria
Mexico vs Argentina
England vs Ghana
United States vs Germany
Netherlands vs Slovakia
Italy vs Denmark
Brazil vs Chile
Spain vs Ivory Coast
Quarter Finals
France vs Argentina
England vs Germany
Slovakia vs Italy
Brazil vs Spain
Semi Finals
Argentina vs England
italy vs Spain
Final
Argentina vs Spain
3rd Place Playoff
England vs Italy
We should do a predictions game
or McDonalds Fantasy, which is exactly like the EPL fantasy game going, just WC.
Group A Group B Group C Group D
France Argentina ENGLAND Germany
Mexico Nigeria United States Ghana
South Africa South Korea Slovenia Serbia
Uruguay Greece Algeria Australia
Group E Group F Group G Group H
Netherlands Italy Brazil Spain
Denmark Slovakia Ivory Coast Chile
Japan Paraguay Portugal Switzerland
Cameroon New Zealand North Korea Honduras
Round 2
France vs Greece
Uruguay vs Argentina
England vs Serbia
United States vs Germany
Netherlands vs Slovakia -- UPSET
Italy vs Japan
Brazil vs Switzerland
Spain vs Ivory Coast
Quarter Finals
France vs Argentina
England vs Germany
Slovakia vs Italy
Brazil vs Spain
Semi Finals
Argentina vs Germany
Italy vs Brazil
Final
Germany vs Brazil
I honestly dont know how Slovakia even have a chance against Netherlands.
Netherlands vs Italy in the final, me thinks.
Slovakia is going to be the Russia (Euros) or this years WC I think.
They have a close nit team full of no-names that I bet after the world cup will get big contracts else where (ala Arshavin(Arsenal), Paveleychenko(spurs), Pongrenybeck(Stuttgart), Zhirkov(Chelsea), and Bilenidikov(Everton)...I know awful spelling.
They killed the group stage getting 22 points, even with a reletivly easy group, still impressive with Poland & Czech Republic being tough world cup regulars.
Plus they have Marek HamÅ¡Ãk...who plays in Italy for Napoli, is an absoulte STUD.....hope Solvaks do well. I also think Serbia is going to be a legit darkhorse.
But ultimately Russia were knocked out by Spain, who by the way beat them twice. Arshavin and Progebnyak were bought because of how they played for Zenit Petersburg. And they still never qualified for this World Cup....
Slovakia will honestly do fuck all... I'd put money on Slovakia being knocked out in the first round...
Group A - France & Mexico.
Group B - Argentina & South Korea.
Group C - England & United States.
Group D - Germany & Serbia.
Group E - Netherlands & Cameroon.
Group F - Italy & Paraguay.
Group G - Brazil & Portugal.
Group H - Spain & Honduras.
Round 2
France vs South Korea
Mexico vs
ArgentinaEngland vs Serbia
United States vs Germany
Netherlands vs Paraguay
Italy vs Cameroon
Brazil vs Honduras
Spain vs Portugal
Quarter Finals
France vs
ArgentinaEngland vs United States
Netherlands vs Italy
Brazil vs
SpainSemi Finals
Argentina vs England
Netherlands vs
SpainFinal
Argentina vs
SpainCan't see beyond Spain... their team is amazing.
Casillas
Ramos - Puyol - Pique - Capdevilla
Senna
Iniesta - Xavi
Villa - Torres - Silva
With a bench of Fabregas, Alonso, Bojan, Mata, Albiol
I think the likes of Messi, Tevez, Aguero & Higuain will have the goals to carry them to the final. Also thinking Brazil & Italy will flop this year, Brazil seem alot less creative under Zico and the majority of Italy's players are on their last legs. Germany have a pretty poor squad in comparison to others but always seem to scrape through to the latter stages, i'm hoping they won't and United States proved in the Confeds that they can be successful agianst the top teams.
^
Higuain is absolute garbage.
I also think Japan can do some damage, they have a very good young team. With the likes of CSKA's Honda who can score phenominal goals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-K4wxmD-dM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-K4wxmD-dM)
and Morimotto whose playing phenominally in Italy, I think they can turn a few heads.
El Mundo you got a good point about Spain, that squad is God damn solid and damn good. I think they will have the sheer quality to cause some real damage.
I dont think Spain will be able to defend against the other high powered offences.
Thier attack is incredible, but their backline isn't dominating, and to win the world cup you're going to need a bit of both, which is why I think either Germany or Brazil will win, maybe even England if they get an easy draw.
Puyol is class, Ramos is always out of position, Pique is having a brilliant year, but his first world cup, and Capdevilla is nothing special.
England have a shite defense to be honest.... Ferdinand is the best in the world on his good days, but there is a huge full back problem....
True, but Terry is class, as is Ashley Cole if he can get healthy/in form come WC time.
But yeah, Rio has been poor this season, and if Cole is out, wing backs could be a problem.
Terry has been really mediocre playing for England lately... In fact the whole team were a little bit average against Egypt. Has to improve if they're going to think about a good WC run... It was just really sloppy and all over the place. If they can work together without their heads getting too big to a point where they think they're better than their opponents, then they'll do ok
http://www.worldcup2010fantasyleague.co.uk/default.asp (http://www.worldcup2010fantasyleague.co.uk/default.asp)
For England to win the World Cup we need the following
- To recognize the best choice partner for Rooney is Crouch
- Have faith with Theo on the rightside of midfield
- Accept Gerrard and Lampard cannot play together
- Sort out the man between the sticks
- Stop Terry going to the World Cup and give the nod to Wayne Bridge
Quote from: 'The Lame' Ian Est Credible on March 30, 2010, 02:36:10 PM
For England to win the World Cup we need the following
- To recognize the best choice partner for Rooney is Crouch - Agreed.
- Have faith with Theo on the rightside of midfield - Has terrifying speed, but frustrating technique...Lennon would be better.
- Accept Gerrard and Lampard cannot play together Agreed!
- Sort out the man between the sticks Agreed
- Stop Terry going to the World Cup and give the nod to Wayne Bridge Terry is good in clutch games, wouldn't give him up for Bridge.
For moral and the fact he is completely overrated I'd give up Terry in a heartbeat...as for Theo, you got him all wrong.
I have noticed in the predictions you all made that you have winner A v runner-up B and vice versa for the second round and then meeting each other in the quarters.
This seems very unusual, in previous World Cups it was always arranged that the two teams qualifying out of the first round group cannot meet again until the final.
True.... bollocks
Can't edit post therefore
Groups placed in order of qualifying
Group A Group B Group C Group D
France Argentina ENGLAND Germany
Mexico Nigeria United States Ghana
South Africa South Korea Slovenia Serbia
Uruguay Greece Algeria Australia
Group E Group F Group G Group H
Netherlands Italy Brazil Spain
Denmark Slovakia Ivory Coast Chile
Japan Paraguay Portugal Switzerland
Cameroon New Zealand North Korea Honduras
Round 2
France vs Nigeria
England vs Ghana
Netherlands vs Slovakia
Brazil vs Chile
Mexico vs Argentina
United States vs Germany
Italy vs Denmark
Spain vs Ivory Coast
Quarter Finals
France vs England
Slovakia vs Brazil
Argentina vs Germany
Italy vs Spain
Semi Finals
England vs Brazil
Argentina vs Spain
Final
Spain vs Brazil
3rd Place Playoff
England vs Argentina
I think
You think England have a chance? PFFT!
against a french team who scraped past ireland? Yes!
Quote from: The M.D.Ta-K-er on April 07, 2010, 04:18:23 AM
against a french team who scraped cheated their way past ireland? Yes!
Fixed
^ boom.
I thought we might as well pin this topic seeing as it's not that long to go now.
Time to get the sweep organised at work. Get my wall chart set up at home and book some days off to enjoy the games.
Man, I fucking LOVE the World Cup!!
Peace
Duckman
I have a wall chart as welll.... Blatantly going to be folded up and put with the rest when England get knocked out in the second round...
Yay for being in school. Ill be watching all of the good games.
Yay for being directly in line with SA, all us British folk will be down the pub :P
Michael Ballack is out of the World Cup due to an injury picked up in the FA Cup Final.
Now, I don't like seeing people getting hurt but I had to chuckle at this. Ballack spent most of the FA Cup Final going around fouling anyone that came near him, elbowing guys, standing on their heels and basically being his usual cheating bastard self.
Again, it's not nice to see someone hurt, but this guy has had this kind of karma coming his way for a long time. He really does go out to hurt and cheat his opponents out of games.
Am I being too harsh on him?
Peace
Duckman
nah... hate the german cunt and hopefully that ugly gypsy looking fuckknuckle ribery will be in prison for underage prossie fucking as well!
ahahaha, I dont think he'd be a big part of Germany this year.
His leadership aside, Bastien has taken that 'everything through the middle' role.
Good, so it wasn't just me who found it funny!
I don't know Cory, he was Captain so he'd have been in the team, although I get your point that through his actual play doesn't contribute as much as he used to.
Peace
Duckman
Quote from: Duckman on May 17, 2010, 02:45:33 PM
Michael Ballack is out of the World Cup due to an injury picked up in the FA Cup Final.
Now, I don't like seeing people getting hurt but I had to chuckle at this. Ballack spent most of the FA Cup Final going around fouling anyone that came near him, elbowing guys, standing on their heels and basically being his usual cheating bastard self.
Again, it's not nice to see someone hurt, but this guy has had this kind of karma coming his way for a long time. He really does go out to hurt and cheat his opponents out of games.
Am I being too harsh on him?
Peace
Duckman
Nope he is two vowel changes away from being a bollock
and no personality changes away from being a cock
I set one up on the big World Cup Fantasy.....its exactly the same as the Premier League one (with budget and shit) and you wins prizes, and its more well done that the site KC Picked. Since I figured that only a few people had started to join the other, maybe transfer over onto this site, if yall want too.
Ok, group is created.
Search for:
EFK World Cup
Password: efk
http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/ (http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/)
Yeah, this is the one that i found to be the best aswell. I signed up about a week ago, so will join the league come June 4th
I'm happy to play anywhere to be honest.
Let's get an agreement so we can make an 'official EFK' fantasy world cup game.
Any major objections to playing on this one?
Peace
Duckman
I don't really care to be honest.
This seems more like the Premier League one and I really like the layout there so I'm game.
Thats what I was thinking, its more familair, adn I dont like in the other one how u can only get 1 player per team. Horseshittt
How do you do a fantasy in soccer? Honestly? How would you score anything other than goals/assists/ and the keepers.
thats what it is.
Strikers/Mids get points for goals, assits, minutes player.
Defenders gets more points for goals/assits, clean sheets, and minutes.
GK's get points for clean sheets.
It's a bit more complicated than that but essentially that's what it is.
Jag played our Fantasy Premier League game this year, so it's not completely unapproachable for someone that doesn't know their stuff :P
Besides, USA have a team in this tournament so it would be great to see some of the other guys on the forums join in for this.
I played soccer for years, well into college. Just doesn't seem like a sport you could have fun with like NFL in the fantasy aspect
It is, trust me.
I want at least 10 guys yall, no homo.
I figure all 8 from the fantasy pick em, and maybe get a few who were in the Prem. one.
It only comes once every 4 years.
The Cup is HUUUGE... never did a fantasy soccer. Never thought it could really be done effectively. I'd be interested to see how it works
Ok, less talk more sign ups. Let's get this game going. I'm in.
Peace
Duckman
I joind the league. Is it June 4th yet?
in and yeah june 4th is when the teams rosters are set and then we can start picking players I believe
I'm in.
Under my username for Footie Forums :D The_Bullard
So....I think Ian/Sam maybe plug this on the podcast/get the randoms to join to at least have some solid numbers.
On it mate. Will drum up some more interest.
Peace
Duckman
In
In
As the previous TFWF Fantasy World Cup champion I feel honour bound to defend my title. I'm in.
You can now select your squads.
Get on it lads!
Dunno if this is done every World Cup or not, probably is. But the BBC sport website has a load of 'Top Ten Goals of *insert date* World Cup'. They are a fun watch, and getting me far too excited for it :D
Gotta give the BBC their due, their World Cup site is fucking awesome! Good for helping out with fantasy picks too - their 6 players to watch article was really good!
Peace
Duckman
squad selected
I am going to get my butt kicked lol
I really hope people wasted 10 million on Rooney
I left Rooney alone
Finally back around full time, after a very strange few months, and I'm very much in this.
The injuries are really starting to hit now:
Drogba
Ferdinand
Ballack
You can also add the following to the list of guys either out, or very probably out of the World Cup
Robben
Palacious
Mikel
They're dropping like flies.
Peace
Duckman
England wins by default and dont forget the biggest one for me personally...David Beckham
Michael Essien is out as well. The better of the African nations have all taken big hits injury wise.
I'm in
Nice starting to see some good numbers here. Hopefully a few more late people before Friday.
i'm down like syndrome
Down like it's '66.
Ta ra Nani!
Invested 10 mil on rooney its on bitches
...actually, I got Rooney too.
Hypocrite I guess.
Frei will miss games from Swiss.....not huge, but he's a legit striker.
Pumped for Friday.
After you had picked your main 11/12/13 did anyone else just click "autopick" team..
I did.
i didnt pick rooney fuck that i spent my 10 mills on much better players
and no but i did get some amusing players
I think Rooney's gonna be shit against legit teams, but England got a gimmie group. He's gonna light it up against Algeria and Slovenia.
I have 2 North Koreans and 2 New Zealand players, hopefully my first team wont get injured or left out :-[
I have 2 North Korens, 2 New Zealand, and 2 Houndoras.
Same here, autopick FTW!
Peace
Duckman
1-1 RSA v/s Mexico.
I was impressed with RSA....they bend but didn't break in the 1st, and they dominated the 2nd....that goal was class. Mexico didn't deserve any points in this one.
Really hoping tonights game is as good.
End of day 1....second game wasn't nearly as good as the first. Let's hope for strong games in Argentina/Nigeria, USA/England tommorow.....
Well, being that I live here, I will be shouting for the USA tomorrow.
If only it were as easy to come up with excuses for why I will also be shouting for Algeria and Slovenia ;D
sorry cory but what? Mexico controlled the first half and if it wasn't for Khune they would have been 2 down at half time. RSA missed a sitter in the last minute but a draw was a fair result however you look at it
Quote from: Cory on June 11, 2010, 12:12:59 PM
1-1 RSA v/s Mexico.
I was impressed with RSA....they bend but didn't break in the 1st, and they dominated the 2nd....that goal was class. Mexico didn't deserve any points in this one.
Really hoping tonights game is as good.
Quote from: M.D.K. on June 11, 2010, 07:55:18 PM
sorry cory but what? Mexico controlled the first half and if it wasn't for Khune they would have been 2 down at half time. RSA missed a sitter in the last minute but a draw was a fair result however you look at it
Im so happy im not the first one who questioned that.
Mexico were all over SA in the first half. If they could actually finish the final product they could be a half decent threat to any team. However, they continued the form that cost them the friendly against England, they could not find the back of the net.
interesting game though, and the SA goal was worth it for the celebration.
Well, I didn't say Mexico didn't dominate the 1st, but being the best CONCACAF team and to get dominated by a team that wouldn't have qualified if they were the host nation, you dont deserve 3 points.
Let's not forget that #11 Russia and # 12 world ranked Egypt did not make the World Cup this time. Also looking in are the #23 ranked Ukrainians. So having the North Koreans (#105) and New Zealand (#78) are just part of the fun of having 3 years of qualifying games, cuz who knows what it'll be at the end of it all.
^^
Which made this WC less intresting.
Take out Algeria and Slovenia and put in Egypt and Russia. Suddenly group c is the group of Death, and maybe England isn't going to make it out.
Ignoring Cory Peschisolido somewhat suspect analysis of day one...South Korea and Greece has been by the far the most entertaining football I have seen so far. Albeit its the first 45 minutes, but given the terrible France vs. Forlan game yesterday its not off to an impressive start.
Personally I dont think this will pick up too much till after the first games are over with mostly because teams are playing somewhat nervous right now.
south korea got themselves 3 vital points
watching argies vs nigeria now
god, what if Messi could finish today?
what is Higuaine and Messi weren't playing wank
Never mind Messi's finishing, at least he got most of his efforts on target. Hell, I'm just glad the Argie strategy has been shuffled a bit and Messi's getting a little more license to actually get into the box.
What if Higuain could finish? Or, more appropriately, what if Maradona had been smart and started Milito?
Argies looks lethal going forward, Not every goalkeeper at this World Cup is as good as Enyeama. Hell, very few goalkeepers at this World Cup are as good as Enyeama, expect to see him playing for a team of quality next season.
If Maradona sees sense and starts Milito up front and Burdisso at right back, they are going to be VERY dangerous, because Burdisso would plug a hole in that backline. Gutierrez is a damn good player, but playing him at full back is a joke.
Yeah, whats with these african keepers., 2 african teams played, 2 brilliant performances.
WOW robert green sucks. ahahahaha.
David James?
Firsty opff Robertt Green doesnt fucking suck...it was a howler and a mistake end of discussion get a fucking clue about football first. Davidf James is just as prone to mistakes as well he was called 'Calanmity James' from most heis carrer. England played fgucking shite tonight. Thats it...
LOL drunken pissed off Ian post
ahahaha, that was pretty good.
England were in cruise control until that mistake and it killed them off completely. Where was Rooney last night? And Lampard. And Ashley Cole? That's three huge players for England who just went missing. Also Milner froze big time - although I've heard he had a virus in the lead up to the game so might not have been full fit. Bad move by Capello if that's the case - I'd have started with Joe Cole on the left.
I thought Heskey put in a fantastic performance. As good as I've seen from him. If his finishing was a tenth as good as his link up play England would've won that game.
Gerrard also had a stomer until about 70 minutes and then seemed to fade.
Got to remember, the Yanks are only 2 places behind England in the Fifa rankings a top 10 side in the World. They're no push overs by any means.
Green will get lynched in the press and I could've put money on an England keeper fucking up at some point in the tournament. Hopefully that's they got it out the way early.
It's not the end of the world also with Slov just beating Algeria it makes the group quite interesting. England and USA will still go through I reckon.
Elsewhere France were coma inducing boring in everything they did. Incredibly average.
Mexico deserved a point on their first half performance alone. South Africa showed great spirit and their goal was a cracker.
South Korea have had the best 90 minute performance so far. They looked really sharp and technically very solid.
Argies were ok but again like England just failed to kick on into the next gear. Milito has been injured in the build up so I can see why he didn't start - no point killing him off in the opening game. Still, they look shit at the back and will be exposed by better teams.
Looking forward to Germany vs. Australia tonight - hopefully a shock on the cards, but I doubt it!
Peace
Duckman
algeria vs slovenia was shite - england better qualify from this group...
as for usa duckers they are 14th in the world mate. still a great ranking though
serbia/ghana is a stalemate. lookin like a 0-0 draw is upon us.
ghana being the far mor productive team though
unlucky for Ivanovic, he was the best player in this game for me, but jesus. Serbia has 0 offence.
germanys look unstoppable.
cracking football
sadly, the only german I started on my fantasy team,,,did nothing. Fucking schweinstiger.
Cahill's sending off was an actual joke. But there is no doubt that the Germans were just sensational in that game either way, Uzil and Lahm both amazing playmakers.
Yeah. Cahills tackle in the prem is a fair yellow. The ref was mexican, and mexicans play pussy football, so thats a easy red for the ref to give.
cahill had just been warned. He crashed into players just moments before and the referee took him down and then hacked down two more guys straight away
deserved red. he lost his head
netherlands looked good, yet again, got shit all for fantasy points.
Japan is up 1 nil, not surprised. Honda is a sick player for Japan/CSKA Moscow.
Japan was lucky there, but like I said a few months ago, they're going to be a strong team and a legit darkhorse to make it out of that divison.
I wonder if I can stay awake tonight during the Italy game? Usually boring as hell in the early stages.
Looking forward to tomorrow once Ivory Coast, Portugal and Brazil get going!!
German's did look fucking awesome last night. Never mind the fact they were playing a shit team as you can only beat who is in front of you. I reckon Germany would have turned over most big teams playing like that!
Also, fuck all these people who have been saying the World Cup is boring. It's only been going 4 days you dicks! Spain and Brazil haven't even kicked a ball yet!!
Idiots.
Peace
Duckman
wow, italy down 1-0 at half time.
Great freekick and header for Paraguay. Italy finally turned up in the second half. Another goalkeeper howler! This is getting crazy.
Peace
Duckman
what a clinch, garbage goal, but I mean, De Rossi is an awesome player, I dont know how anyone can't like him.
Still, I see italy struggling with Slovakia.
dont wanna say it, but Ivory Coast/Portugal was boring.
Damn group stage games.
How come Robinho can't play like that for City? What a pass that was for Elano's goal. Great vision.
Kaka looked ropey as hell. Brazil didn't get into top gear but had just enough about them to get the win.
North Korea were awesome. The guy up front who cried during the national anthem was my man of the match. Great performance and they scored a lovely goal.
Not a bad game actually!
Peace
Duckman
I was livid Dani Alves didn't get the start for my fantasy team, but the game wasn't awful, wasn't great.
FANTASTIC showing for the 'worst' team in the world cup. they played better than Italy did.
Korea DPR shower more heart than the entire world cup put together barring maybe South Africa Cracking game onr of the best of the tourney so far but still shite matches the rest of the day
Probably cause Kim is threatening to execute them if they don't win the thing.
it was.......heartwarming to see the dude crying during the anthem. me and my bro were like, Kim Jong Ill probably has his family held captive, if he didn't score, he'd start executing them.
Quote from: Cory on June 15, 2010, 11:12:06 PM
it was.......heartwarming to see the dude crying during the anthem. me and my bro were like, Kim Jong Ill probably has his family held captive, if he didn't score, he'd start executing them.
See, this is why the World Cup is awesome. They probably wouldn't bother doing that for the Olympics :)
Quote from: Cory on June 15, 2010, 11:12:06 PM
it was.......heartwarming to see the dude crying during the anthem. me and my bro were like, Kim Jong Ill probably has his family held captive, if he didn't score, he'd start executing them.
Not the coolest comment you made today. Obviously national pride is important to a lot of these people. For a country tied into so much strife and for him as a man to reach the pinnacle of his sporting career and be overflowed with emotion because of it to me shouldnt be mocked in this fashion to be honest Cory. As a guy who prides himself on being the best and achieving the best according to a lot of what you post mate seems a bit childish comment to make.
I was kiddin around, jeesh guysss.
Anyways, wow. Spain suck.
Brother and I have been debating the Cup for weeks now... and I was right.. Spain choked, as they always have. Spain hasn't made it out of the QF since 1950.
England looked horrible, US as well (who really expects the US to do shit in soccer? Honestly) as he and I talked, every cup England, Holland, Brasil, Italy, Germany and Argentina get all the hype, and every cup Holland and England choke, and Argentina hasn't done anything notworthy since runner up in 1990.
Spain had all kinds of hype, just beat Poland 6-1... and then.. lost to the Swiss. Brasil wasn't flashy or as attractive to watch as years past.
the only team that's looked strong an entire 90 minutes is Germany.
They get hype because they're the best countries in the world...... Hype is earned in football. Spain earned it from winning Euro 2008, Italy from the last world cup, Brazil from the one before and France from the one before (an absence from your list).
France is not a traditional powerhouse in soccer like the others I mentioned, and left them out for that very reason.
When France won the Cup, people didn't expect it. It was a shock and I loved it. I like rooting fo the underdog. However, traditionally, The powerhouses remain the same, England, Brasil, Arg, Germ, Neth, italy.
Could be because outside of Brasil, Eng, Arg, itally and Germany, only Uruguay (yeaars ago) and France have held the Cup. Holland however, for all the hype Cup in and Cup out, still haven't managed to hoist it. Italy and Brasil are the two that hold more Cup victories than any others (10 total) so they pretty much are the favorites by default, regardless of expectaions. England got the 66 Cup that was held in England and hasnt done jhack since, much Like Holland made runner up and... nothing.
I'd like to see a Spain, or USA, or even Serbia grab the shocking Cup Championship, but if you follow tradition and history, your bets are Brasil/italy... then Germany/Argentina... England/Holland/France.. then Spain, Portugal, etc...
Quote from: Kill Crazy on June 16, 2010, 07:08:55 PM
They get hype because they're the best countries in the world...... Hype is earned in football. Spain earned it from winning Euro 2008, Italy from the last world cup, Brazil from the one before and France from the one before (an absence from your list).
In fairness though it seems to me Sapin always get the hype. I mean Greece and Denmark won European championships too.
And France did follow up their win with the worst record of defending champions ever... three losses, no goal scored.
cracking game last night
u r gay were awesome
Forlan is the only big named player so far to show his true class.
Excellent performance.
To the rest of the points made above - "if your Aunt had bollocks she'd be your Uncle." Fuck all this talk about who did what when. We're talking the here and now for fucks sake!
Onwards to the Argies vs. South Korea!
Peace
Duckman
Cracking game and Higuain redeemed himself this game
Greeks win as Nigerians lost their head - happy days
Two great games. Argies are shocking at the back but easily the strongest team in the competition going forward.
See, I told you this competition would pick up once the first games were done!
Come on Mexico! Put these French fucks out!!
Peace
Duckman
Dont see Mexico getting one past Lloris.
Doesn't matter how good your keeper is if the rest of the team are a pile of old wank!!
Get in!!! 1-0 Mexico!!
Peace
Duckman
Make the 2-0. Played the garlic munchers off the park. And Henry Le Cheat didn't even get on as a sub!
Best match, for hilarity, of the tournament so far!
See ya France...
Peace
Duckman
I genuinely turned on the post-match discussion for the Nigerian/Greece match, saw Adebayor and thought 'why the fuck's Kofi Kingston doing on the world cup?'.
I fail xD
It's fun to do the math at this stage of the tourny. Nobody is 100% guaranteed through or eliminated... but France and RSA have to beat each other by a shit-load of goals and hope that Mexico and Uruguya have a winner.
Argentina are safe all but mathematically due to their goal difference and well... I can't see them losing to the Greeks even if they hold back.
If I was Maradona I would rest anybody witha yellow card and anybody with a niggling potential injury for the Greek game. There is a reason why you need a big squad for the World Cup and by winning the first two the Argies have earned the right to rest all 11 of today's starters if they chose.
I am new to the world cup thing , but I find just like any sporting event , all it takes is for a team to get hot and anything can happen. so what you did in the past had little baring in what can happen in the present . I don't know futbol as well as you guys but all it takes is one or two guys with a hot hand and things change . am I right about that
Meh.. more like a hot foot. Soccer isn't quite the same as say, basketball, where Kobe can get hot and drop 50pts and carry his team.
However, someone can get in a good moment and put in a performance that gives them 2 goals or so..
ok, ok.. you're right.
wow....France DO suck, kinda like Spain.
I guess 1 striker = fail when every team aside from Germany and Argentina look to defend for 90 minutes.
france were shocking. a shadow of 98 and domenech doesnt give a shit.
ha!
Glad that the 104 year old Blanco scored with a 17 miles run up
and DQ, with Adebayour on tv have you noticed how Lineker and Hansen and Shearer just look at him without having a fucking clue what he says
Quote from: M.D.K. on June 18, 2010, 01:37:41 AM
and DQ, with Adebayour on tv have you noticed how Lineker and Hansen and Shearer just look at him without having a fucking clue what he says
I have noted this a lot because his accent is so thick and he speaks quick as fuck.
Well with France underperforming there goes my group winners accumulator, still I'd rather they were out. No spirit in that side and being English I am glad to see a side underperforming more than us. Its 9am, I got to get the beers in here for midday and then prepare for this evenings party.
Ian
Wow....Germany, C'mon MAN!
Update: England still can't play as a team.
England were fucking awful
They didn't care
They had no heart
Capello STILL played 4-4-2
They STILL tried and FAILED with the long ball
Gerrard was wank
Heskey stood around for a rebound like a downs syndrome kid
Lampard was weak
Lennon was one dimensional
Terry was lazy
Carragher - cunt
Cole was rubbish
Johnson was cack
and Rooney, the Shrek lookalike, meat headed, poorly educated, chubby looking, over-rated cunt had the fucking audacity to question the England fans who had traveled across the fucking world to watch these overpaid primadonna cunts who looked as though they were going through the fucking motions against a team we should fucking obliterate because they BOOED them? What do you want you scouse cunt a mug of cocoa and us to rub your head and tell you that you played well? If he could have held onto the ball or at least threaded a pass that worked or done SOMETHING of note all night then I could understand but he was fucking useless.
Last night proved they are there on a jolly and might play some football but don't expect them to play well as this nets them a fraction of their club wage so don't worry about even getting out the group at this stage. Fuck the English football team if you ask me scrap the fucking lot of them and bring in players from lower tiers of football who have the passion heart and drive to play for their country. Sure we will lose our undeserved 7th in the Fifa rankings but at least it won't be such a frustrating enbarrassment to endure 90 minutes of total football abomination.
OK... I live in the only country in the world that does not offer time off when they are playing a world cup match!
Therefore I did not see USA v Slovenia. When I heard the score and the comeback and then the disallowed goal and how everyone was indignant about it I though to myself "it's football... it happens... get the fuck over it... it's their own fault for going two down in the first place"
But then when I got home and SEEN the disallowed goal... I can kind of see their point... there is absolutely NO fathomable reason for it.
I referee kids games myself which is a far cry from the World Cup but I know refs can make mistakes... but there has to be SOMETHING at least some reason to blow in the first place, and I just wonder what it was.
I try to support USA, I really do. I think it is rude to live in a country and not wish them well in sports. I even rooted for England two World Cups ago as my second team (Ireland were in that one), as I was living in Brum at the time.
But damn it's hard to put any emotion into the USA team when the only other people who give a fuck speak Spanish or Polish. People were actually talking about the Celtics v the Lakers yesterday... your country is playing in the world cup and your more interested in bouncy-ball!
Whatever about the team, as a nation we simply do not deserve to win the World Cup (not that we have to worry about that anyway of course). Any other country in the world a comeback like that would result in all night partying, dancing on the street, hugging complete strangers.... over here we get "how about those Laker's last night, huh?"
Even people who don't like football still get into it in other countries, because they still like they're country and recognize the importance of it.
Here it's just some cute lil' competition that fills in the gaps between Olymipcs. Fucking sad :(
A retard has a better first touch than Rooney, at least in that last game.
Why were Ghana playing as if a 1-1 draw with 10 man Australia going into the last game against Germany is a good result?
People have been talking about Ghana as if they are better than they are. They relied on Serbia to fuck-up in the last game and couldn't even capitalize on Australia making the same fuck-up in this game.
I feel bad for Australia to be honest, they actually played for a win and were unlucky not to get it I feel.
I donno, i didn't really care about this game, but tough for the Aussies, 2 straight games being down to 10 men, and they're keep on playhing.
Everything that needs to be said about England was summed up by MDK! Thanks mate, don't think I could have handled going over all that again.
I might be Scottish but my family are all English - so I have English blood if you will. I really do try to support them, especially when Scotland aren't in the tournament (which is all of them since 1998!) but fuck me, they make it hard for me to give a shit with a performance like that! Saw better football in the New Zealand vs. Slovakia game!
USA were robbed - no doubt about it DQ.
Ghana missed a chance to secure that group. The German's will beat them next week.
Dutch are slowly getting going but still nothing special - although Sneider scoring is good for my fantasy team! Yay!
I'm looking forward to Brazil vs. Ivory Coast tomorrow. Hopefully IC turn up, unlike their performance against Portugal.
It's great to see the World Cup coming to life in the last few games but England are a fucking shambles. I'll still be taking a half day on Wed and cheering them on with my Dad but I have little to no hope of them doing much against anyone if they make it to the last 16.
Peace
Duckman
Last night was a low point in my life...
I was thinking, what do you do if you're england? Changes have to be made. Lampard and Gerrard cant play together, neither can heskey or rooney. do you sit one of them to change things up?
I saw we pack up and fuck off home
be really, backline
GK- James.....maybe since you're fucked, give Hart the final game for experience. Hes your future.
Backline: Johnson, Terry, Dawson, Cole.
Midfield: Barry, Lennon, SWP, and Gerrard. Diamond. Barry holding, speed on the wings and Gerrard up top.
Strikers: Rooney and Defoe.
Cracking game between Cameroon and Denmark going on right now (unless you like to watch good defending...lol)
Seeing as I only get to watch on weekends I'm glad it's been entertaining today!
agreed DQ
but Cory fuck SWP you need Joe Cole in there
^or Milner...
and yeah. Best game of the WC so far today IMO. Yeah Bendter!!!!
good win for Denmark....looked better than Italy and England today.
Loved that game. Couple of great goals as well.
What's the betting on not one African team making it out the group stage?
As for England, I'd drop Lampard and Heskey. Put Crouch up top, Rooney just behind, Barry and Gerrard in the middle and Joe Cole on the left with Lennon on the right.
They need to sort Rooney's head out though first. I don't know if he's missing his kid or injured but he's not the same player who won every player of the year award last season and scored 43 goals.
I can not for the life me work out what Lampard brings to the middle of the park that means they have to force Gerrard out to the left.
Heskey works hard but just can't score. Crouch will give you the hold up play plus goals.
I still think England will win on Wednesday and get through, but after that I just don't know.
Peace
Duckman
alll I know,
HOW THE FUCK DO YOU CONCEED IF YOUR ITALY AGAINST FUCKING NEW ZEALAND! I didnt see anything highlights yet
but my fantasy team keeps getting fucked and fucked by the moment.
Quote from: Cory on June 20, 2010, 10:54:20 AM
alll I know,
HOW THE FUCK DO YOU CONCEED IF YOUR ITALY AGAINST FUCKING NEW ZEALAND! I didnt see anything highlights yet
but my fantasy team keeps getting fucked and fucked by the moment.
Because football is the best sport in the world and the World Cup is just fucking magic sometimes. I am jealous of anyone from New Zealand right now, they are on cloud fucking nine in that country right now, doesn't matter what time of day or night it is :)
UP THE ALL WHITES! WHAT A PERFORMANCE! RYAN NELSON STILL A ROCK AT THE BACK!
so, this HAS got to the be the most fucked up world cup in ages.
With the way its going, looks like Korea DPR is gonna beat Portugal 1-0.
big game in half hour, Ivory Coast and Brazil.
Hopefully this will be the first game to live up to the hype....please no all out defending for 80 minutes.
I think to be honest once the first two games are out the way for all we should see teams going for it more in the respect of those who need the points to go through.
grats to the kiwis. Cracking performance from a team of 50% semi professionals
It's games like this one that makes football the greatest sport on the planet.
Fucking awesome result!
Come on Ivory Coast!
Peace
Duckman
Quote from: Duckman on June 20, 2010, 02:06:59 PM
It's games like this one that makes football the greatest sport on the planet.
Fucking awesome result!
Come on Ivory Coast!
Peace
Duckman
QFT.
Shit for my fantasy team, but this is real life.
This World Cup is going to kill pretty much every fantasy team man! Especially those team with European players in them!
Peace
Duckman
Given all these upsets and that almost all of the presumptive favorites at this point have had disappointing outings... dare anyone predict at this point a Cup favorite given the upset flurry? Or is everyone still sticking to their previous picks to bounce back?
what a rocket from Fabiano!
Shit, fuck, balls. Two assists for Kaka and I'm laughing for my fantasy team and then he get's a second yellow for THAT!! Bullshit.
Good game though, Brazil starting to really fire. Ivory Coast again too negative in their tactics. Looked better in the second half right enough.
Peace
Duckman
Quote from: Duckman on June 20, 2010, 04:20:42 PM
Shit, fuck, balls. Two assists for Kaka and I'm laughing for my fantasy team and then he get's a second yellow for THAT!! Bullshit.
Good game though, Brazil starting to really fire. Ivory Coast again too negative in their tactics. Looked better in the second half right enough.
Peace
Duckman
Yet again QFT!!!!
Really was pleased getting 2 helpers with Kaka.....hopefully that red will get over turn or something. what a pussy. Really wish I kept Fabiano on my team as weel, but good performance from brazil. getting the goal count up
Apparently you can't appeal yellow cards in the world cup unless it's a case of mistaken identity! So with him getting 2 yellows it looks like he'll have to serve out the one match ban.
Also, how the fuck did the ref not see Fabiano handle the ball TWICE before his 2nd goal? He was joking with him after he gave the goal! Weird.
Peace
Duckman
7-0? C'mon mannnnnnnn
Spain possibly going out tonight? Get in!
I donno. Switzerland was players, Canada almost beat Houndoras.
Really hope Villa helps my fantasy team out here.
After what we have seen so far can you really base anything off of form?
fuck, you're right.
3-2 Hondouras.
My initial prediciton on the game at work was 2-0 spain but I see Honduras snatch it 2-1
i dont know anyone on hondouras except Palacios and that shitty Suazo guy that played on Inter a few years back.
then again, cant name anyone on slovenia or korea either, and they've shocked people. (well i mean at least against brazil for korea dpr)
wonder goal from Villa.
Fuck that first move splitting the 2 defenders was unreal.
spain came alive in this match but could rue only putting 2 past em...
Villa's penalty ftw
Quote from: M.D.K. on June 21, 2010, 06:32:54 PM
spain came alive in this match but could rue only putting 2 past em...
Villa's penalty ftw
I think if Spain win they go through regardess... they will pass Chile in GD (they could rue it from the point of view of finishing second in stead of first though). Switzerland SHOULD beat Honduras but well... as has been said, who knows the way this WC is going?
Quote from: Duckman on June 20, 2010, 09:05:33 AM
What's the betting on not one African team making it out the group stage?
Pretty fucking good right now! Ghana and Nigeria have the best chances (Nigeria depending on Argentina to beat Greece, which considering the Argies can afford to take this one easy, who knows?)
OAnd this time they have six teams? Really embarrassing for the continent first time they get to host it. The world expects more from them now, they are not underdogs anymore. The continent could be punished by Fifa and lose a place in the next WC (perhaps the extra place for this one was because of hosting?)
Well South Africa are the first host nation to fail to make it out the group stage.
On the bright side, those French twats are out too!! lol.
Argies with a win tonight I reckon they're going to put on a bit of a show if they score early. I might watch Nigeria vs South Korea instead though - can'd decide.
Got my half day off work booked for tomorrow and my large bag of anti-depressants for the England game!
Peace
Duckman
Based on my hattrick last night and a cross bar rattling header from a corner...today I announced I am coming out of International retirement. I originally retired from International football when I was 29. I now plan to be ready to play for England till I am 31.
what a weak red for gourcuff tho. refs suck now a days. they need to bring back that bald itallian fuck.
but yeah, like how henry still didn't get the start, what a fucking idiot for a team that shouldnt have even been there in the first place.
And they cost me the group winners accumulator
Domenech added to reasons why hes a cunt today not shaking hands. Cunt
Ireland would have contributed a lot more to the World Cup than those cunts.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not one of those whiners who petitioned for a repaly or for Ireland to be let in as en extra team or even for video replays in future... referees and their decisions are a part of the game, and we have to accept that.
BUT.... if you ARE going to cheat to get to the World Cup, at least DO something when you are there! Whatever happened to the pride of wearing your national colors, standing while they play your anthem and going out and doing the best you can for your country?
The French team should be ashamed of themselves. But they probably aren't.
Its 9am I am doing one visit today to a customer who spends 30k a month. Then I am off to get fucking pissed for my birthday and the England game!
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 22, 2010, 05:13:57 PM
Ireland would have contributed a lot more to the World Cup than those cunts.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not one of those whiners who petitioned for a repaly or for Ireland to be let in as en extra team or even for video replays in future... referees and their decisions are a part of the game, and we have to accept that.
BUT.... if you ARE going to cheat to get to the World Cup, at least DO something when you are there! Whatever happened to the pride of wearing your national colors, standing while they play your anthem and going out and doing the best you can for your country?
The French team should be ashamed of themselves. But they probably aren't.
QFT. Shocking behaviour by a bunch of arrogant pussy ass bitches.
Nice to see South Korea go through last night, although I don't fancy their chances much against Uruguay.
Oh and COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!
Peace
Duckman
Great performance by England. They could have had at least 4 goals today if not for the Slov keeper pulling off some amazing saves. The team really clicked today and it was a massive improvement on the other night! Excellent stuff.
Well done to USA as well, great work in qualifying top of the group and hope to see you lot in the final!
Damn that was one intense afternoon!
Peace
Duckman
I guess England played better than they have, but for me they still weren't playing to their quality (will they ever?) and its fucking slovenia. Im sure Terry and Rooney get paid more then their entire team. If England wanted to be impressive, they would have got 3-4 goals. It was just enough today I felt.
USA, jesus. I havent seen it, but a dramatic goal in 90' to but them thought, USA are playing the most entertaining football in this world cup.
it was all round exicting game . in the frist half it look like US team may gotten screw again after goal was disallowed for what you clearly see that the us man was on side. after shot after shot after shot that keep getting close it look like it going to end in dispointment this year. then the goall in the 90th min. we seen some reall starts come out in that game
I look foward to the next round if things play right a chance to get to the next one after that .
In fairness that's with the benefit of a freeze frame and slow motion. The linesman was a distance away (in line though, it seemed) It was VERY close. I mean, I think personally that it was the wrong decision, but for all that, I can't really criticise the officials. It certainly wasn't 'clear'.
Here's me hoping that Serbia win and Ghana/Germany draw.
That means England play Serbia on Saturday and the Germans are eliminated!!! What a way to round my day up.
Quote from: Duckman on June 23, 2010, 11:58:55 AM
Well done to USA as well, great work in qualifying top of the group and hope to see you lot in the final!
Damn that was one intense afternoon!
Peace
Duckman
Way to make me feel guilty for the cheeky comment I left in your facebook dude :P
Damn though, the relief in work after that goal, indescribable! That's the magic of the World Cup, and I am glad USA are getting more than their share of drama, perhaps it will give the people here a better idea of why it's the best sport and the best sporting event in the world!
And yay, Africa's embarrasment has been reduced ever so marginally... thanks to Australia!
So glad Germany made it out, but I would wished they would have pumped 3-4 against Ghana.
So it looks like Germany then the Argies for England...
Lol, that's the 'we're world class again' attitude I've been getting slagged off for up here. One of the main reasons people hate England, 75% good performance and they're talking about quater finals again, lol.
Italy are out!!! Now that's a headline! First defending Champs to be knocked out in the group stage since 1958 I think. Great game too, apart from all the diving and faking injury from both sides.
This tournament is really starting to heat up now! Looking forward to Portugal v Brazil tomorrow - hopefully they both go for it!
Peace
Duckman
Quote from: Duckman on June 24, 2010, 11:59:37 AM
Lol, that's the 'we're world class again' attitude I've been getting slagged off for up here. One of the main reasons people hate England, 75% good performance and they're talking about quater finals again, lol.
Italy are out!!! Now that's a headline! First defending Champs to be knocked out in the group stage since 1958 I think. Great game too, apart from all the diving and faking injury from both sides.
This tournament is really starting to heat up now! Looking forward to Portugal v Brazil tomorrow - hopefully they both go for it!
Peace
Duckman
No, France did even worse as defending champs as recently as 2002. If memory serves me correct they lost all three games and failed to score a goal. From memory, one of the teams that beat them was Senegal, can't remember the other two.
But Italy should still hang their heads in shame nontheless.
Another stat:
Every group that has had a team from the Americas in it has been topped by a team from the Americas. Hoping Brazil and Chile can continue and complete the trend tomorrow.
Oh... and here's a thought....
USA... Ghana... South Korea... Uruguay...
one of those four teams is going to be in the World Cup Semi Finals! That will be fucking HUGE for whichever of them, even Uruguay seeing as they ain't done shit since they last won it 60 years ago!
it certainly is an unbalanced draw now. Out of those for DQ mentioned they look to face brazil.
Glad Italy are out. Purveyors of dull football
I donno, I doubt brazil will play many starters tommorow, they have progression clinched, but I mean placing could be in order.
I feel like someone stole my life with Brazil and Portugal
Quote from: Ian on June 25, 2010, 12:18:53 PM
I feel like someone stole my life with Brazil and Portugal
yeeeeeep. wow, that was exciting game.
The Spain match should hopefully be good tonight though.
lets go Villa & Pique for my fantasy teams sake.
Glad I missed the Brazil match to be frank.
Chile are looking good tonight!
Heres to an awesome weekend of sport!
what a poor finish to the chile/spain game.
Great goal by Villa though. Chilie were brutal in the first half - haven't seen intense hacking like that since the last Old Firm game! The end was a bit of a joke - so was Portugal vs. Brazil - glad I didn't take time off work for that!
Anyway, the real competition is on now, straight knock out all the way - so no more fucking around or playing for a draw!
Peace
Duckman
But there will be sam. Playin for penalties
Great game taking place right now... Korea worked so hard to pull it back... Now Uruguay are remembering they are supposed to be the stronger team and attacking again... 15 mins... could see it losing steam now and going to extra time... hope not... exciting stuff though... hope the rest of the knockout games are like this
That was the best goal of the World Cup so far. Great strike by Suarez. That boy is going to be a big name in years to come. 49 goals this season for Ajax but I reckon he could do it at the highest level...actually he just has! Possible outside chance for top scorer?
Peace
Duckman
After that I am so psyched for the USA v Ghana. Nervous as hell I think it's going to be a close one. If we win we face Uruguay who have shown that they know how to get the job done but who South Korea have exposed as not being inpenetrable.
COME ON USA!
Great game from Uruguay, but I think they have the easiest path to the big stage. They pulled Korea in this round, and they get the winner of USA/Ghana......they should get to the semis.
Quote from: Cory on June 26, 2010, 12:00:39 PM
Great game from Uruguay, but I think they have the easiest path to the big stage. They pulled Korea in this round, and they get the winner of USA/Ghana......they should get to the semis.
They should but they were close enough to not doing so. It's to dangerous letting a team have as much pocession as Korea did... only for Korea had such a lousy last touch with so many attacks Uruguay would have been in big trouble. Ghana or USA might not fluff so many chances.
That being said though, you are right, nobody in that whole section can complain about the draw they got, especially Uruguay.
so USA beats Ghana and then has a legit shot of getting to the Semi-finals facing Uruguay . who Uruguay plays it going to be a tough game ...truth all the games are going to be tough for now on. can not take anything for ganted .
I am sad and disappointed... but happy at the impact this World Cup appears to have had over here and I hope the momentum continues.
I truly wonder if any American who watched the USA's progress can point out ANYthing from MLB, NFL,NHA, NBA or the likes that even has a fraction of the emotion that World Cup soccer has?
Even if you get a really close baseball game, it's still just one part of America beating another... this is something where we can truly come together as a nation and hopefuolly that part will finally sink in.... people were rooting for the same team in Kansas, Texas, New Jersy, Alaska, Hawaii, the troops abroad...
or maybe it will sink into oblivion for another four years :/
tough loss, but I respect the americans for not being divers, unlike Ghana.
I loved the fighting spirit of the USA in this tournament. They came from behind so many times and like Cory said didn't resort to diving or faking injury to get the other teams players sent off. They just lacked that killer touch in the final third to finish the chances they created.
Still, hell of a performance and you also topped your group which is no mean feat.
Lot of respect for that team and here's hoping England can go one better this afternoon against Ze Germans!
Peace
Duckman
Shite goal
Rooney again playinmg like a bell end
sulking at no supply
then having a touch of a spastic
total shite
Quote from: Duckman on June 27, 2010, 08:33:33 AM
I loved the fighting spirit of the USA in this tournament. They came from behind so many times and like Cory said didn't resort to diving or faking injury to get the other teams players sent off. They just lacked that killer touch in the final third to finish the chances they created.
Still, hell of a performance and you also topped your group which is no mean feat.
Lot of respect for that team and here's hoping England can go one better this afternoon against Ze Germans!
Peace
Duckman
One thing I noticed Sam, we kept putting in high crosses. Rumours were that the Ghana keeper was weak at them, but the Ghana defense beat us in the air every time. I feel that if we kept it on the ground more, the law of averages would have given us a goal... all our best chances came on the ground with nice short passes.
Course we can all come up with a million theories as to where we went wrong, it's part of the fun and consolation of going out :)
I usually root for African teams, but this year they completely fgailed to impress me, and I can't seem to get behind Ghana because they are not playing with that same sort of spirit that Cameroon did in 90 or Senegal in 02 to reach the quarters.
Asia are much preferable underdog continent this year, felt bad for Korea, might as well shout for Japan now. Paraguay are strong, but not Argentina type strong.
Well... in fairness until the last 25 minutes England/Germany was an exciting game that was still there to play for. The knockout stages have provided good entertainment so far. Only three games in but hopefully it sets the trend for the rest of the tourny.
Now that a lot of us on the board have no set team to cheer for, hopefully we will at least get entertaining football.
PODOLSKI!!!!!!
I just hope the FA Get their arse into gear after this.
The only bright side for England is that the second half goals utterly invalidate any excuse (in my mind, anyway), over Lampard's goal. The fact is, for 75 minutes of that game, the Germans outplayed England. There are a lot of problems that HAVE to be sorted out at club level in England, and it would be more tragic for those cracks to be papered over because England shouts "we were robbed and unlucky" than the result itself was.
The same was said of the Italians 4 years ago when they won the tournament, the Italians ignored it. Look what happened to them.
I just hope England show a better response than they did.
You get what you deserve in sport and in life. England got what they deserved. One of the most consistantly abject peformers of the whole tournament.
Completely outclassed, technically, tatcially, passion wise and intensity.
Horrible world cup for England all round.
Peace
Duckman
That was shite. I'm going to Berlin next week, I'll have to start perfecting a different accent.
Shame. At least New Zealand would have put in the effort today.
I think North Korea would probably have put on a better performance than England today. I haven't seen a team give up like that since Liverpool gifted Chelski the league title.
holy offside tevez
I just think it's awesome that the tech guys fucked up and showed the replay on the big screens for all the Mexican players to see.
Hilarious.
That was one hell of a strike for Tevez's second. Great goal.
Fifa are bunch of useless cunts. They're premier tournament is proving they should bring technology in but they won't bother their arses because they're run by political climbers and people who don't actually give a fuck about football!
Still, Argentina looking great, my £50 in the work sweep is looking good!
Peace
Duckman
Already can't wait for Argentina v. Germany.
Two of the most potent attacks at the WC, and both teams have been accused of questionable defending for the entire tournament.
I'm betting Argies on penalties after a dour 0-0, just because the buildup seems too good to be true.
They blame cost but tennis cricket and rugby all u
se technology to great enhancement of the game and all make far less money
Arg vs Germany... classic "rivalry" of sorts regarding the Cup
messi kinda whored my fantasy team, dropped Tevez for him, and fuck me.
Let's go Villa and Fabiano!
My take is simple. That goal not happening didnt stop one of the worst defensive performances I have seen as an Englishman by my country men, though the fact we pissed away three group games this world cup. None of those cunts gave a shit about winning this tournament. Wayne Rooney as a United fan was a fucking disgrace. Your football players paid millions to play top football and again the excuses come out about moral, formations, fucking facilities, wanky Italian managers...how does that excuse not being able to sweep our group matches.
To be honest we need to bin a lot of these lads off. They just dont have the pride or passion to play for our great nation. As for Fabio...the major thing that has pissed me off about him and this is pre world cup is his comments about taking players on form. He made offers to guys like Carragher and Scholes to be in the squad. Took guys like Heskey who cant get in the Villa side and ignored guys like Walcott, Adam Johnson to name but two. Why Michael Dawson wasnt in the squad from the beginning is beyond me and why he refused when our back was against the wall to play Peter Crouch.
Germany wanted it more than us. It meant something to them to go out there and beat us. They were fitter, quicker and went there to win. Our pre match analysis was centered around penalty losses, not how England could win the game alone.
I could bitch here about modern day technology but I wont because regardless thats the breaks in football at the moment. We should have never been in this situation in the first place and all those lads who pulled on an England shirt can suck my right nut. David Beckham...you sir are a fucking legend and tahnk you for turning up on the sidelines and showing the grit and determination of a true person worthy enough to pull on the three lions shirts. I wanna see England fuck these wankers off from here on in...and find the players like Becks who are passionate to play for our nation.
We have only ourselves to blame and well played those Germans to be honest.
Yours
An embarrassed and slightly drunk person who loves his fucking country and is ashamed to to have watched that fucking match.
^^
Anyone think he's a wee bit pisseD?
Ian is entirely justified, the team was a crock of shit.
I agree... they played like shit. So did the US against Ghana. A lot of teams didnt look as strong as I expected.With germany there is little consistency, and Spain as well.
Argentina and Brasil looked as fit as I expected them to look.
Im saying Germany/Japan final
ahahahaha
Quote from: Ian on June 27, 2010, 05:18:30 PM
I wanna see England fuck these wankers off from here on in...and find the players like Becks who are passionate to play for our nation.
I believe this is the best analysis I've heard all summer about England in the WC.
Quote from: Maddox Nosnam on June 27, 2010, 08:49:27 PM
I agree... they played like shit. So did the US against Ghana. A lot of teams didnt look as strong as I expected.With germany there is little consistency, and Spain as well.
Argentina and Brasil looked as fit as I expected them to look.
Seriously dude, don't even compare USA's performance to England's. That's pretty insulting. Ian summed up England's performance perfectly. You cannot say the same things about the USA. They were disappointing, but England were disgusting. Not to mention USA, whilst no longer the underdogs they once were, are not up to the same level as teams like Germany and Argentina, a level that England so often self-claims to be at.
Now... about video technology... the day we can afford to implement video technology in an under-12s inter-school match in central Africa or in places like Haiti is the day that video technology should become a part of the game.
If it is not available to the kids on the streets then it should not be available to the overpaid crybabies in the English, Italian and Spanish leagues.
We teach our kids to play to the whistle and to respect the referees decision... and now we want to give players the right to question it?
Football survived just fine without video technology up to now. It is a game for working class people who as long as they have something round and reletively soft to kick around, can throw down shirts for goalposts and play in the park.
Fuck video technology. If people made more of an effort in their games, they would be dominant enough that no referee could fuck them over.
Also, referees the world over need to go back to the days where they give a red card if a player even approaches them.
can't remember if I said it her or on FB but to be honest we should say fuck our fifa ranking and drop the whole squad. These so called world class footballers are simply world class choke artists.
I still don't get why the media jizzed their pants about England's chances when we beat the smallest country in the tournament in our ONLY win of the tournament.
Even my dad who is one of the most empassioned England fans I know last night who I argued with after the Slovenia game about my lack of patriotism after saying Germany would win, conceded we were fucking awful.
lampard, Gerrard, Terry, Rooney... virtually the whole squad showed nothing. I personally didn't want them in the knock out stages as they didn't appear to want it even then.
Play a team of lower tier players who actually want to play. Bring in Roy Hodgson who actually knows how to teach the basics. The whole fucking team were so poor. Passing, defence, positioning... the lot. At least the US tried. We relied on referees seeing a goal and any cunt to blame the disallowed goal can suck my left nut.
If I hadn't fucked my leg up when i was 17 I would more than likely be playing footballl at least semi-professionally and from comments I got back then I could have played for an actual club. More than likely lower tier but fuck it it would have been a club. I would give my right arm to play for England as would most football fans and to see 11 overpaid buttfuckers doing that sickens me.
To watch Mexico and Argentina play their arses off last night shows the passion that England lack. The only player who would have fitted into the England team for his apathy in the match was Messi who just looks bored at the world cup; the only time he really shouldn't. Javier Hernandez looks to be a prospect.
Considering we lost 4-1 the only player I can't really fault was David James. :(
Also why the fuck do we continually blame the manager? How many managers can we go through and blame them when the same players each and every time just don't do the job? Sure I don't want Capello as manager as I want to see an English manager; one who cares about winning for the country as opposed to winning for money or for egotistical reasons. Case in point you can truly see how much Maradona loves his players and his squad.
A sad day indeed in English football.
Anybody noticing most of the hyped players not delivering? Kaka, Messi, Rooney have all been shit.
Could we call this the curse of Nike this year? CR7, Rooney and Ribery all played shite thus far. Ronaldinho not even picked.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 28, 2010, 12:24:51 AM
Football survived just fine without video technology up to now. It is a game for working class people who as long as they have something round and reletively soft to kick around, can throw down shirts for goalposts and play in the park.
That is one of the primary reasons the national team is so piss-poor and why cricket/rugby players have enjoyed more success in recent years. They have more athletes to pick from, not just the working class.
All video technology needs is a bloke sitting there with a radio watching a little screen that can go to the ref 'Yeah that went in', or 'Nah that wasn't a goal'. It's not rocket science. I'm not saying that the result would have been much different if the goal had been given, but SURELY the game in 2010 is at a level where we should be able to say whether it was a goal or not?
I don't know, it just doesn't seem like that hard a thing to do.
Pfft, nobody gives a fuck about the video tech argument until it would benefit them.
Maybe if everyone who spends five minutes wanting it actually campaigned for it consistently, it might be there. Of course dinosaurs like Blatter wave it off, they don't want it, and they know the average campaign that lands on their doorstep lasts about five minutes before people see something else shiny that takes their mind off it.
BTW, I'm glad to see some perspective here, personally, I still think Fabio is the right man for the job, and I'll keep that opinion until I see the first squad selected for the '12 qualifiers. If it's much the same as this one, THEN I'll want to see him sacked.
I can't help it, I'm sick of seeing the endless blame attached to a foreign manager...
Seriously, show me an English manager since Sir Bobby that's really done all that much better? Taylor and McLaren failed to QUALIFY for major tournaments, Keegan's ALWAYS been a hack with a bigger mouth than a brain that tries to play suicidal football, and Venables was alright, but not really remarkably better results wise than Sven was, or Fabio prior to the tournament.
With this so called "golden generation", three different coaches, same under-achievement. Call me crazy, but I'm not seeing this as being a tactical problem anymore.
I agree with most of the comments here. I don't agree with technology being brought in (I think the refs should be fined for fuckups like that). I do agree that the whole team should be binned and that we should start again with youth players. I'd drop Rooney for a few games as well to bring him down a few pegs. You could put every single England player into a large bag and hit it with a cricket bat and any player you hit would deserve it.
Quote from: M.D.K. on June 28, 2010, 02:02:15 AM
Anybody noticing most of the hyped players not delivering? Kaka, Messi, Rooney have all been shit.
Could we call this the curse of Nike this year? CR7, Rooney and Ribery all played shite thus far. Ronaldinho not even picked.
I agree with everything you said, but Messi's been fucking brilliant for Argentina this WC.
Goal line technology at the highest level should be brought it. Given the amount of money involved it's almost criminally negligent of Fifa not to bring this in. There's too much at stake not too.
Also, it was the English media who coined this 'golden generation' phrase. I doubt anyone really believed it and if they still do they're insane.
England are in the same situation Italy where in the mid 90s. A non existent youth system. The top league full of over paid players from over seas. A media that constantly perpetuates the myth that the league is the best in the world and that the national team should and will win every game they play. That ended up with some of the worst corruption ever seen in modern football. Then again it also helped bring the national team closer together to win the World Cup in 2006!!
Around 15 years ago Spain completely changed how they coach youth football. From grass roots through all the levels of professional football. They looked at the system and they realised where the problem was. Kids of 8 years old playing games on full sized pitches. An over reliance on running above technique. A lack of dedicated coaches. A lack of understanding of what skills should be taught from a young age to bring children on to the professional level. A youth system that actually brings these kids through the first team of major clubs.
They now have over 850 coaches in Spain with the top level UEFA coaching qualification. England barely has 100.
Spain now have around 6-8 of the best technical players in Europe who have come through the youth ranks of their clubs and gone onto greatness. They weren't bought. They were trained. Xavi, Sergio Ramos, Casilles, Iniesta, Villa, Besquets, etc etc. Hell, even add Torres, Xavi Alonso and Puyol to that list.
Sacking the national team manager is the most short sighted thing that England could do at this stage.
They need to get to the root cause of these issues and rebuild youth football in a way that will benefit in 10-15 years time. Anything else is just putting a band aid over a broken arm.
Peace
Duckman
Oh and if you don't believe me, name me a 11 players who England could call up to get them into the next European Championships and then the World Cup and perform well in those tournament that aren't already in the squad or have been part of it.
This generation were a let down. The lack of the next generation is what's really scary.
Peace
Duckman
To be fair, I don't think the next generation is ALL doom and gloom for England.
Capello failed abysmally in team selection, but then, would even HE want to be the guy that dropped Terry, Lampard, and others and then got beat after doing so?
If you think the red tops are ready to crucify him now, imagine the backlash if the wonder-boys HADN'T played.
I personally don't think that Gerrard playing on the left was a bad thing, which is one of Fabio's heaviest criticisms so far. Truthfully, playing Gerrard just off Rooney is what McClaren did, most notably in the loss to Croatia, and Capello tried the same prior to the WC, only to see fairly disappointing results also.
It's also worth noting that I personally find the failure to be Gerrard's more than Capello's. The best game England played (against Slovenia) was the one game where the players actually adhered to Capello's supposedly boring and too rigid system. Against everyone else Gerrard drifted inside CONSTANTLY, nullifying the width and balance, against Slovenia, he held his position, and England looked more dangerous by far for his doing so.
As for the next generation, Joe Hart is going to be soon, and should already be IMO, the English no. 1. Rob Green, howler aside, is still worth a place in the squad. Kirkland would probably be worth a call-up too.
As for the outfield.... Shawcross, Wheater, Gary Cahill, Cattermole, Huddlestone, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Wilshere, Darren Bent, Walcott (hopefully he's learned from the leadup to this tournament)
The likes of Ashley Cole, Rio, Dawson (how he didn't get a game is beyond me), Crouch, Defoe, Milner, and obviously Rooney STILL have something to offer, and could offer a certain level of guidance. Barry as well, perhaps, he's rightly taken a lot of stick, but he was blatantly unfit and rushed back too soon in order to play.
It's not a terrible group of players, the trick will actually be having the balls to cut the current group to bits in order to help these guys forge into a team.
That, as far as I'm concerned, is what the Euro's should be looked at. A practice run for 2014, a place to give the younger group experience so that they can go to the next WC forged into a unit. A unit like, perhaps, Greece circa '04, or Denmark in 1992, or the current major Asian sides who look so fit, sharp, organised AND technically sound.
If there's one thing this current group of pampered prima-donnas have NEVER been, it's a unit.
Quote from: Smash INC on June 28, 2010, 05:33:25 AM
That is one of the primary reasons the national team is so piss-poor and why cricket/rugby players have enjoyed more success in recent years. They have more athletes to pick from, not just the working class.
OK, you will need to explain this because it makes absolutely zero sense to me. Where does it say that football is EXCLUSIVELY for the working class? Is there some sort of ban on the wealthy playing the game now that I am not aware of? I'm trying not to be a douche here, but I have no idea where you are going with this? Is this in relation to video technology or just another issue that my post reminded you of? When I was growing up football was a lot more accessable to everyone than cricket or rugby. Granted, it could be different now, I don't know.
Quote from: Duckman on June 28, 2010, 01:58:37 PM
Oh and if you don't believe me, name me a 11 players who England could call up to get them into the next European Championships and then the World Cup and perform well in those tournament that aren't already in the squad or have been part of it.
This generation were a let down. The lack of the next generation is what's really scary.
Peace
Duckman
I give you the England under 21 squad who got to the euro final...
And sorry Cory, compared to his hype, he has not been spectacular. A decent playmaker but nothing special
I saw ESPN trying to compare Messi with Maradona... and I don't know if that's the right thing to do. Maradona was in 3 Cups... and this is Messi's first. But then again, anytime a player shows greatness, they will be compared.
Pele-Romario-Ronaldo
Maradona-Messi
Van Bastien - Persi
Wynalda-Donnovan.. (yes, this was for humor laddies)
The Messi-Maradona compariison can't be made until...
A: Messi decimates top teams single handedly in the deep end of major tournaments
B: Messi becomes a prolific WC goalscorer
C: Argentina win a WC with him the obvious star of the show
D: The year 2018 when all the above has already happened
That said, this is Messi's second WC, he was in the squaf and got some playing time (though not as a starter) in Germany.
He also needs to start working his way through piles of coke and hookers while doing all that. If he's really the new Maradonna.
Peace
Duckman
van rampage too.
I still would put Messi on my WC team, aside from filling the net, he's embarassed teams, UNLIKE Ronaldo and Rooney. Messi's had a very good world cup, not amazing, but he's easily a top XI player for the tournament so far, but I still wanna see him against germany.
Top world cup team:
GK- Kawashima (japan). Dont care what anyone says, his plays been brilliant.
Backline - Brazil, maybe Da Silva (Paraguay)
Midfield- Messi, Sneidjer, Honda (japan), Ozil
Striking- Villa/Tevez
On that note...
Anyone seen any players at the WC so far that the hadn't really known much about beforehand, but have impressed them so far?
As far as I'm concerned, the best full back at the tournament has been a guy I didn't know much about before it, Portugal's Contreao. Guy's been class throughout, easily their best player by far.
Also, Any World Cup XI at this stage for me would HAVE to have Vittek of Slovakia up front, big, strong guy, composed in front of goal, and gave a lot of defenders fits with the way he led the line. I was almost kinda sorry to see them go out today.
I donno, I mean he was quiet today against a legit team, and only got a penalty. He's got power, and probably could see a move, but I donno if hes done better than Villa....and Tevez is only there because hes the only player I've seen work 100% the enitre game on one of these 'powerhouse teams'. Tevez has been scoring, and laying some sick tackles.
As far as the 'surprise players' Kawashima, Japans keeper has been sick. Ill give the nod to that COntrao or w/e guy on Portugal
True enough on today, he WAS pretty quiet, but I blame that more on the service.
That said, even with a pen, 4 WC goals says a lot, mainly against quality opposition (say what you will about Italy, but he was still up against Chiellini, who's hardly weak).
I concede the point on Tevez, certainly, if there's a harder working forward in top flight football, I've missed a memo.
Especially for Slovakia, and a poor WC from their 'talisman' Hamsik. Vittek stepped up. Their keeper was impressive today too.
also, add Muller for Germany for me. heard of him, buts he playing really well.
weak match, but penalties are always exciting.
Shame for Japan - they played some quality football in this tournament.
Man, how cool were they all with the pens? Only one guy looked nervous for Paraguay - felt sorry for the Jap that missed.
Getting ready for the greasy dive-a-thon that will be Spain vs. Portugal.
Peace
Duckman
VILLA = Fantasy Hero.
dirty diver capdevila (sp)
otherwise a fairly entertaining affair
I can't believe we're at the quarter-final stage already... seems like it only started yesterday. Kind of feel that melancholic "end of the summer hols" feeling.
Anyone share my expectancy of a Brazil v Argentina final? Or will Germany and/or Holland throw a spanner in the works?
Three teams in the last eight must be an all-time low for UEFA. Though it is in proportion with the 13/32 teams they had in the tourny. They still gotta be feeling disappointed though. This is South America's tournament so far and I am expecting 3 of the 4 to be in the semis.
Asia, Oceania and Concacaf have to be pleased overall, though Africa must be almost as disappointed as Europe.
I called Brazil/Germany in the beginning and im sticking with it.
Its hard trying to stay pumped for the WC, as I work 9-5 friday, and I'm gonna miss Brazil/Netherlands, but Id rather that game then Nazis/Argentina
Quote from: Cory on July 01, 2010, 12:36:06 AM
I called Brazil/Germany in the beginning and im sticking with it.
Its hard trying to stay pumped for the WC, as I work 9-5 friday, and I'm gonna miss Brazil/Netherlands, but Id rather that game then Nazis/Argentina
Well... in four years time it will be in our time zone so make sure your not working a night shift job then ;)
in 4 years, I wanna at least be starting my career, and be able to write off tickets/weekend in brazilia as a 'business expense'
Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Spain - I think that's a safe shout for the semi finals.
Got the afternoon off work tomorrow so hopefully Brazil and Holland put on a good show!
Peace
Duckman
OK... is Vince Russo booking the Ghana v Uruguay match or what?
What. A. Game.
Sickener for Ghana, especially poor Gyan, props to him for having the balls to step up first in the shootout after that.
Also, the fact that Suarez only misses one game for that red card is BS. Uruguay ended up winning the game as a direct result of him deliberately cheating. It was worse that Henry v. Ireland.
As far as I'm concerned, his ban should be long enough to see him out of the playoff, or final, whichever game Uruguay have to play after the semis.
Quote from: Kenfucius on July 02, 2010, 05:39:49 PM
Sickener for Ghana, especially poor Gyan, props to him for having the balls to step up first in the shootout after that.
Also, the fact that Suarez only misses one game for that red card is BS. Uruguay ended up winning the game as a direct result of him deliberately cheating. It was worse that Henry v. Ireland.
As far as I'm concerned, his ban should be long enough to see him out of the playoff, or final, whichever game Uruguay have to play after the semis.
Agree with you about Gyan... I was so relieved that he put his away in the shoot-out.
Don't agree so much about Suarez. I mean, I see where your coming from and your reaction is certainly understandable, but a red card is a red card, all deliberate fouls in the box carry the same punishment. His was just way more obvious and the timing was way more crucial to directly impact the game, then say a deliberate tackle from behind in the first half.
Over-all I was rooting for Uruguay because Ghana have not impressed me in the group stages of this tournament. I guess they played better in the knockout stages when they beat USA but I was to invested in that game to judge impartially. I caught the 30 minutes of extra time in this game and it was certainly the best I have seen Ghana play. Uruguay I only seen in action against South Korea and they impressed me more in that game. But I work with and live with a lot of South Amercian people and it's more of a party atmoshere for everyone when they do well ;D
I personally thought what Suarez did was intelligent. Cheating, but a very smart move that paid off.
There's such a thing as sportsmanship. I can't possibly condone anybody who'd do something like that deliberately. Like, maybe it's 'smart', but it's still disgusting.
Oh, I feel you there. If I liked Ghana, I'd be outraged, but since I look at this as a "meh" game.
For what it was, its was cheating in the highest magnitude, but if he didn't do that, Uruguay would be heading home.
Quote from: Speedy on July 02, 2010, 06:18:43 PM
There's such a thing as sportsmanship. I can't possibly condone anybody who'd do something like that deliberately. Like, maybe it's 'smart', but it's still disgusting.
Kinda agree... but it is the the World Cup... and you have to do whatever it takes. Suarez doing what he did by all purposes, should have cost Uruguay the game. yet bad luck was on the side of the Black Stars as Gyan choked and botched the kick that would have won them the game as time was pretty much run out.
Same thing in basketball... the intentional foul that gives the free throw.
I donno if itll even matter. Uruguay is now missing Suarez and possibly Lugano, 2 of their stars against a healthy Netherlands who hasn't choked.
Nothing is for granted in this tournament, but I donno. I always looked at the Uruguay/Ghana game as the next Holland feasts on in the next round.
Holland v Germany... classic 1974.. rematch
Best posssible game remaining.
I dont wanna see Spain in the finals.
Quote from: Cory on July 02, 2010, 08:32:24 PM
I donno if itll even matter. Uruguay is now missing Suarez and possibly Lugano, 2 of their stars against a healthy Netherlands who hasn't choked.
Nothing is for granted in this tournament, but I donno. I always looked at the Uruguay/Ghana game as the next Holland feasts on in the next round.
Matter? The difference in saying your country reached the quarter-finals and saying they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup to a Uruguayan who probably wasn't alive the last time it happened or an African who has never seen a team from his continent get there is HUGE. If Uruguay lose to Holland they can still say they reached the last four. Ghana cannot. It already matters.
Having said that... Suarez committed a deliberate foul... big deal... as so did every forward who took a dive, every defender who tackled from behind, every player who pulled an opponents shirt.... unless your gonna come on here and declaim practically every player in the tournament, please stop the kneejerkery and highhorsery about Suarez. Just because his cheating had a more successful and direct result does not make it any worse than any other piece of cheating done in this tournament (in fact I'd argue it makes it better)
Though Cory... at the same time I would not call the man a genius... I doubt it was all some sort of masterplan... he was in tears after it happened until the penalty was missed. I would say it was instinct, gut reaction and nine times out of ten it would not have worked.
Sorry DQ can't argree with you there. He stopped a sure goal by cheating in the final minute of extra time in a World Cup quarter final. He shouldn't play in the tournament again, professional foul that changed the result of a game - 3 match ban for me. There's no comparison between that and say Robben's constant diving 50 yards from goal when anyone comes near him from behind.
Still, great game. Ghana getting to the semis would have been the poetic moment this World Cup has been crying out for. On the balance of play it would also have been the right result. Still, that's rarely the case and at the end of the day Uruguay made it.
Germany vs. Argies this afternoon!! Woo hoo! Come on Argies, got £50 if they win the tournament in the work sweep!!
Peace
Duckman
What a dummy Sam.
I called 3-0 Germany, too bad I was one off.
4-0 Bitches.
If Ghana had scored the penalty there would not even be a conversation about the handball. And now FIFA are actually pandering to the knee-jerk reaction and "studying the incident" to decide how long Suarez will be banned for.
Anyway, Germany look so impresive, their passing in front of goal is a beautiful thing to watch. Even after the second goal which killed the game as a competition it was still worth watching because of this.
You know what makes this all scary.
The same core of Germany players (minus Friedrich & Klose) will be together for 2 more world cups.
I smell a dynasty.
They didn't though, that's the point DQ. Uruguay obtained an unfair advantage thanks to a professional and cynical foul. The little shit should not get to play in the World Cup final if they make it past the Dutch. Simple as. Ghana should have scored the pen but it doesn't take away the fact he cheated and knowingly at that to stop the opposition scoring. Professional foul, three game ban.
As for Germany they look better with each game. Holland vs. Germany final anyone? That'll be a beast of a game because the Dutch hate Germany with a serious passion.
And I didn't get to pick the Argies Cory, it was a sweep (draw out of a hat). If I had the chance to pick a team to win it, I'd have gone with Spain.
Peace
Duckman
Spain to win?
What are you, Persian?
I disagree with all the demands for a multiple match ban.
I disagree with changing the rules on the fly like that. It sets precedent that can't be gone back on. It's not the first time that's happened, it's not going to be the last time that's happened.
Suarez almost cost his team the game, but also saved his team and allows his team and his country to have another day in the sunlight. He also sits out a match and loses a fair amount of pay, and his name becomes one of legend in many ways.
Sure, Ghana and the people will probably turn the name "Suarez" into "Tanquichiota", er.. "Tan devil", but to Uruguay and millions of South Americans, he becomes a hero.
And the handball heard around Africa still isn't as insulting as the level of dives the player take. I played froma ge 5 through college, and even at the college level here in the states, we didn't dive like the international players do CONSTANTLY.
To me, that's the biggest insult to the sport... the whining, the pussy ass fake dives and all the acting.
^^
I agree and disagree.
I agree with everything said about Suarez and us North American players towards diving, but He does deserve a multiple match ban. I was the first to say it was an intellegent play, but he did fucking whore Ghana in the highest degree. Diving always happens, and usually its a free kick, and the rare time a PK, but he stopped a teams chances (well....the cross bar did eventually) of going to the finals but blatently cheating, as opposed to getting hit barely and diving (yet still, getting "hit" for what its worth). Heads up play that payed off hugely, but he should get 3 games.
Spain's match was shite. I see the German's mauling them.
Lets say he DID get a 3 game suspension... then what separates his actions from say... a blatant foul from behind? Or blatantly launching the ball over the in line repeatedly to stall the game time?
Red cards are 1 game suspensions, it applies to everyone.
Once you start changing that based on an incident by incident situation, you open the door for MORE human erro and judgement calls to suspend (perhaps improperly) other guys for multiple games.
Look at Mueller's handball and yellow card. A TOTAL bullshit card and now he misses the SF's against Spain... for what? BAD JUDGEMENT of an offical. Imagine what would happen if FIFA decided "oh, thats not a harsh enough punishment" and sent him off for two games, where he'd miss the final or 3rd place game?
The less you give to make MORE room for human judgement error, the better. We're an ignorant speicies, bro. And does anyone REALLY trust FIFA these days to be honest and legit on making judgements?
Sorry Maddox but you're talking rubbish. There is scope for a 3 game ban in all forms of football if the foul is deemed professional and cynical. There's nothing to say it has to be one game. Each situation needs to be looked at individually for fairness across the board.
The Spain game was crap until the penalty hoo ha. Then it woke up. David Villa is looking every inch a £35 million player.
Peace
Duckman
Difference with Mueller is, his suspension is based on cumulative yellow cards throughout multiple matches, that's a set it stone one game ban, everywhere.
In the case of any offence where a straight red card is issued without a yellow, there is a LOT of scope for extending bans. Players are routinely banned for three games, and occasionally more than that, if the ruling disciplinary council deems it worth doing so.
It would have been quite feasibly within the rules to give him an extended ban based on the situation, and that's the way it's been for years.
What Sambo and Kenny said. The one game ban for the red card is mandatory, but it's entirely possible and usually the case that they get extended.
I think Holland takes the game today 2-0
goal of the tournament for Von Bronkhorst?
Jesus that was amazing.
Nice strike from Forlan too.
Impressive win for the Dutch, maybe this was the year they lose the "choke artist" tag.
Sad to see Diego Forlan go, but I don't care for the rest of the team. Very much a one-man band, and not in the Netherlands' class. I still don't think the Netherlands have played very well yet. Van Persie is showing signs of his class but still isn't as central to the team as he is to the way Arsenal play. Robben is infuriating and Van der Vaart is irrelevant. Sneijder is carrying them at the moment, and it's weird to think they've got to the final without yet hitting the high notes.
Aside from Forlans goal today, their keeper has played very well, and made IMO save of the tournament against Brazil.
Their backline has been very good throughout, but I agree with Vaart not being too big coming off the bench, and Van Persie hasn't got in a rhythm with the rest of the team. I do think that Robben was played very well, and score a tough goal today, heading the ball back while away from goal, and his flank play causes problems, and Sneijder has been unreal.
Wishes he would have bet on Holland to win it all @ the stupid odds when I thought they were worth a cheeky bet...FUCKING ANNOYING AS HELL.
Me too Ian, me too.
Suarez only got a 1 match ban BTW, he'll play in the 3rd place game.
Wow.
- No wing play, constant playing up the middle which never works for Germany.
- Subbing on Gomez, who is the worst striker in Europe.
- Everyone on Germanys first touch was awful.
-Mertersaker was still player of the game, but fucking spain.
Yeah, I was disappointed in Germany, they were crying out for the pace down the wings that destroyed England and Argentina. They lost me a load of money tonight too >:(
........lets go Holland!
I was surprised to hear this is the first World Cup meeting between the two teams. It's an awesome final though as in my opinion, it's the two biggest underachieving nations in the final together, it should be interesting.
So, predictions for tonight and tomorrow?
I'm going with Germany tonight and Spain tomorrow. I don't think Uruguay will be up for this game and I don't think the Dutch will get enough of the ball to win the final.
Peace
Duckman
Im going to say:
Germany 3 Uruguary 0
-- Germany is too strong, they wont play as defensivly as they did against Spain, they'll have Muller, and Klose will break the record today.
Tommorow:
Netherlands 2 Spain 1
-- I think Spain might win, but I hate Spain, so thats the scoreline if the Dutch win. 1 goal by Kuyt, and 1 by Sneidjer.
spain deserved to win after Robben missed twice, but Inestia is a diving cunt bag. I would have been fine with Spains win, they played well, but that was greasy shit. 2 dives on the outside of the box for dangerous free kicks late, and then getting heitenga sent off for a terrible dive. Plus that free kick that went off the spain wall for a goal kick, that game went from Spain winning and me excepting it, to a total shit show.
Sorry, Cory, you are talking such rubbish it's almost painful. Anyone complaining about how Spain played tonight after that shocking display of hacking and diving by the Dutch needs their head checked.
Inesita is the best midfield player in the world and proved it tonight, he got better and better as that game went on. So many great passes. So many great touches.
No one should complain about the referee given what the Dutch did tonight. They almost made it impossible for him to referee the game.
The Dutch were a disgrace, played anti football and should have had 2 even 3 red cards. Hetinga already had a yellow card and then pulled on his shoulder as he was clean through - second yellow and off. There was no dive there. Never mind the stamps from Van Bommell throughout and that shocking kick on Alonso from De Jong. Disgusting behaviour.
The right team won and the Dutch should be ashamed for playing like that...and I was supporting them!
Peace
Duckman
Dutch tried to chop the Spainish off the park.
fuck the Dutch trying to blame one decision on their loss
Robben missed two sitters
they hacked their way through the match
they did not play to win
they tried to contain Spain and when that failed tried to break legs.
Van Bommel is a dirty cunt who kicked the ball in I think it was Xavi's face when he was on the floor
Spain didn't actually dive
Cory is clearly under dutch influence while watching this match
I hate the Spanish but was delighted that they won,
Robben is a lying cheating dirty cunt
The entire Dutch team were scared and looking to cheat.
Viva Espana!
not under dutch influence, just hate spain.
Ok I understand your not Framiliar with Spanish Fairy Dust football Howard Webb, but when Barcelona, I mean Spain continues to take stupid dives in the second half of overtime in the World Cup final, you have no right to be throwing around red cards. That being said if Robben gets a clear break he has got to finish! Can't say im looking forward to 4 years of Spanish bandwagon banter..feeling pretty bitter right now
That being said, i already said spain deserved to win that game.
And Spain deserved to crash to the ground when you have De Jong pretending to be Jackie fucking Chan
that was just a tempo setter
The final League Standings:
http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/M/table.mc?id=46032 (http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/M/table.mc?id=46032)
Congrats to Cory, Dazz and Johnny Briggs who joined me in the final four.
Cory and myself got through the semi finals with Cory eventually winning 67 points to 33.
So well played Cory and congrats on your win.
I get the feeling a few folks gave up at the end though.
Still, good game even though none of the stars we all picked originally actually fired in the tourny, bar David Villa!
Same time in 2014?
Peace
Duckman
I win.....AGAIN
Treble this year.
World Cup, NFL, and EPL.
The Draw is Today ...Who will the USA draw? Will they be in the Group of Death ... Who will be in the Group of Death
Nobody gives a fuck about Team USA...
Fuck you, we do. :)
I'll be at work, but update this with results BD.
Dammit Ian stop giving me justification for cheering three teams in England's group :P
thank you for Fernanda Lima for the host, god damn.
My predictions:
Group A: Brazil, Algeria, Australia, Greece
Group B: Argentina, Ivory Coast, Costa Rica, Bosnia Herzegovina
Group C: Colombia, Ghana, South Korea, England
Group D: Switzerland, Ecuador, Japan, Russia
Group E: Germany, Chile, Mexico, Netherlands
Group F: Uruguay, Cameroon, Croatia, Portugal
Group G: Spain, Nigeria, Honduras, France
Group H: Belgium, Iran, United States, Italy
England: Last 8 losing to Brazil.
USA: Out of group stage in 3rd place
ugh, these musical performance sound like chickens clucking
Fuck the armadillo...
Check out that blondies side boob
What channel you watching this on MDK? I've been watching SSNews since 4pm, boring the tits off of me.
BBC website
POT X
lol.
Group E already is the who cares group. Ecuador, Switzerland
Its the group England will want
it the group us wants also
looking like USA might get Group E
missed it by that much
USA gets Group G
first group of death is group b
Oh balls
Group G group of death 2
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group C: Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Scrap That
England out at group stage along with USA
Last 16:
Brazil vs Netherlands
Spain vs Mexico
Columbia vs Italy
Uruguay vs Japan
France vs Nigeria
Argentina vs Switzerland
Germany vs Russia
Belgium vs Portugal
Football gods ... got us back with a vengeance
Well we are underdogs... might as well play our hearts out
Ugh, yeah definitely not pretty for USA. Or England! My Colombian workmates are happy though.
Early predictions, may be some slight bias towards European clubs:
Second Round
Netherlands beat Brazil
Spain beat Croatia
Italy beat Ivory Coast
England beat Colombia
Switzerland beat Nigeria
Argentina beat France
Germany beat Russia
Portugal beat Belgium
Quarter Finals
Netherlands beat Italy
Spain beat England
Germany beat Switzerland
Argentina beat Portugal
Semi Finals
Germany beat Netherlands
Spain beat Argentina
Final
Spain beat Germany
G&B Groups of death me thinks.
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Group B: Spain, Netherlands, Chile, Australia
Group C: Columbia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
I think Uruguay over Italy in group D, if Suarez stays healthy, he's the edge over Italys hot/cold Balotelli.
Second Round
Brazil over Netherlands
Spain over Mexico
Uruguay over Ivory Coast
Colombia over England
Switzerland over Bosnia
Argentina over France
Germany over Russia
Belgium over Portugal
Quarter Finals
Brazil over Uruguay
Spain over Colombia
Germany over Switzerland
Argentina over Belgium
Semi Finals
Germany over Brazil
Argentina over Spain
Final
Germany over Argentina
Not looking good for the USA.
Everyone in USA and England complaining, look at it from costa ricas point of view. Out of the 200+ nations in the world only eight have ever won the world cup.... And they have been matched up against three of them, lol.
My Prediction...Nobody in Scotland knows what a World Cup is...
Mexico in the host Group again ... This will not be easy
Aye, tough draw for Mexico and the US. Personally can't see either team getting through their groups on current form.
Really looking forward to seeing how Group B plays out, could it be possible the champions don't even make it out of their group?
I'd be an incredible thing to see but I wouldn't bet against Spain.
Man I wish I had the money and the balls to go to Brazil ...
Forgot to make a topic on this.
What did everyone think about it? Anyone in particular you'd have liked to take/leave behind? What's your starting 11?
I'm gutted for the likes of Walcott who I think could have done really well. Few players with niggles is slightly concerning.
Rooney is the awkward one for me when picking the team. You can't really leave him out but I'm not clear where I want him to play. I guess behind the striker and hope he drops in enough in a 4-2-3-1 when we don't have the ball. I think my 2 might be Gerrard with Milner though. I think Milner is underrated and is probably the fittest player we have.
I was absolutely devastated when Jay Rod got injured as I thought he would've gone, he was in-form English striker in the Premier League at the time. He's young enough to get into the next one though!
I'm glad Luke Shaw got the call up as well, I'm not a closet Southampton fan or anything but they have done a lot to develop English talents and it is about time teams like that were rewarded. With Liverpool and Southampton having success with fielding English talents, it'll hopefully have a positive impact on the league and in turn our international prospects which our general quite dour.
I'm hoping for a line-up of:
Hart
Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Henderson - Gerrard
Sterling - Barkley - Lallana
Sturridge
It is more likely that Rooney will play in behind Sturridge, but in my opinion this is a team built around momentum, guys like Barkley and Lallana are playing the best they've ever played, the backbone of a title-challenging Liverpool team will give the side unity whilst the combination of Cahill/Jagielka/Baines has proven to be solid. Guys like Rooney, Wilshere and Oxlade are talented guys but they have not played well this season, two of them are coming back from injuries, and Rooney has been the standout player in a season to forget for United.
I'd even go as far as to say that Lambert and Sturridge should be our go to guys up front, with Milners work ethic stabilising games when needed and Jones versatility plugging in gaps. It's a solid team, we don't need the occasional brilliance of Rooney, we need consistency. Barkley, Lallana and Sterling will run all game long, they'll track back, they're great with the ball at their feet and will run at players as well look to play the ball around them. If Rooney were to fit in anywhere, it would be up front, but he is too prone to being drawn out of position in order to get into the game.
Who knows though, I'm always wrong about this stuff haha
I am going to be biased and say Joel Ward should've got a call up. He was statistically the best defensive full back in top flight Europe this season with Palace, better than Baines, Johnson, Zabaletta, Alves, Shaw, Cole and more. I'm baffled as to how players like Stones and Flannagan have done enough to be back-ups. The rest is ok though.
Liked the young guys, nice to see the Southhampton bunch getting rewarded.... but in nets I like Forster over Hart.
Forster
Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Gerrard - Henderson
Ox - Rooney - Lallana
Sturridge
Cole should have gone instead of Baines. Otherwise, I have no complaints about the squad.I wouldn't start Rooney.
Cole over Baines? That makes no sense.
Cole is a better defender than Baines. He might not have played as much this season, but he's shown his quality when he has. Baines isn't the best left back now and I don't think he'll be the best left back at the next tournament, so I don't see the point in taking him. Cole is still the best player in that position and Shaw is likely to be his long-term replacement. I would have taken the two of them and left Baines at home.
I can see the reasoning, but regardless of talent you need someone who has been competing at a certain level all season to go on and play in the World Cup. I agree that Shaw is the talent we need to be looking to work into that starting spot, but if you don't take Baines, you've got a leftback who has been playing against reserve teams all season and another that is near enough untested in the fully fledged international scene. Cole might be more defensively sound, but Baines is a much better player going forward and distributing the ball, better delivery, better in deadball plays, will score goals, and has just come off the back of a great season. It was one of the more obvious choices going into the world cup in my opinion, and that was reflected in Cole's retirement from international duty, he knew it was coming and what he was going to do when it happened.
Again, Forster > Hart. Forster stands on his head for Celtic....when Hart usually has a lot of head scratching moments.
Quote from: Cory on May 21, 2014, 05:02:44 PM
Again, Forster > Hart. Forster stands on his head for Celtic....when Hart usually has a lot of head scratching moments.
English Football > Scottish Pub Kick About
#belgiumforthemoney
Forster stands on his head in Champions league, where as Hart is a moment away from pulling a Robert Green.
I too like Belgium, and will be placing some cash on them, Chile will be a decent sleeper too.
Quote from: Flins. on May 20, 2014, 01:05:25 PM
I'm hoping for a line-up of:
Hart
Johnson - Cahill - Jagielka - Baines
Henderson - Gerrard
Sterling - Barkley - Lallana
Sturridge
I like that team a lot. I'd play Milner instead of Henderson and I guess Rooney would be instead of Barkley.
I think Cole was extremely unlucky not to go. He's been class for England for years and I'm quite happy for our back four just to be defensively solid and let the wingers do the attacking tbh.
Quote from: Cory on May 21, 2014, 05:02:44 PM
Again, Forster > Hart. Forster stands on his head for Celtic....when Hart usually has a lot of head scratching moments.
No.
A goalie that only plays against 2-3 good teams per season is not a better bet than the goalie of the champions of England.
Squad is good. Not taking Baines would be crazy. He can defend despite the strange notion that he can't. Johnson is the weak link in the back four. Baines is not the best defensive full back in the world but his forward play is 20x that of Johnson whp is terrible with defensive positioning. We can keep Baines but should have a more solid right full back - not Smalling or Jones, who are centre halves all day (Smalling a lucky one to be going).
Flanagan is more solid than Johnson.
Johnson is my worry, I'm hoping playing in a line up with several team mates will aid his performance. His defensive positioning though is worrying, the amount of times I have seen him fail to hold a line and get pulled out of position. Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward are both players who could have a future at that spot, but can't blame Hodgson too much for going with the more defensive, versatile and proven options in Jones.
Not sure what Smalling is doing in the squad though, I'd be surprised if he played a game.
Taking two players in Smalling and Jones who SHOULD be United utility players (even though we rely too much on them) ala Phil Neville just screams how shite the back four will be at the World Cup.
Quote from: Flins. on May 22, 2014, 07:01:55 PM
Johnson is my worry, I'm hoping playing in a line up with several team mates will aid his performance. His defensive positioning though is worrying, the amount of times I have seen him fail to hold a line and get pulled out of position. Nathaniel Clyne and Joel Ward are both players who could have a future at that spot, but can't blame Hodgson too much for going with the more defensive, versatile and proven options in Jones.
Not sure what Smalling is doing in the squad though, I'd be surprised if he played a game.
I'd say that Ward is a much better defensive player than Phil Jones to be honest. Had a look on Squawka and he's a better all round defensive player and has played more games than Jones this season.
Jones and Smalling are in the squad because they can cover multiple positions.
Ward played 5 different positions for us this season :P RB, CB, LB, DM, CM..
Quote from: Kirk on May 25, 2014, 11:30:48 AM
Jones and Smalling are in the squad because they can cover multiple positions.
Shittly
I didn't say they should have been taken, but I understand why they were. It might not be right, but playing multiple positions for Man Utd (even when we're shit) gets you more attention than doing it for Palace. If Ward keeps his performances up and Jones and Smalling fail to progress, he'll be in the squad. He'll get there quicker if he moves to a more fashionable team.
They've also been to a tournament with the U21's so they're more on England's radar
I would have taken Jones, particularly with the lack of holding midfielders in the squad, but I wouldn't have picked Smalling.
Keep all the WC talk in here.
Belgium is my cheeky bet gents...bearing in mind I did go Lesnar at Mania!
On June 6th the Fantasy World Cup thing opens and Ill make one for EFK....will post in this thread the details. For now,
Group Stage PREDICTIONS:
Group A:
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
Group B
Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia
Group C
Colombia
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan
Group D
Uruguay
Costa Rico
England
Italy
Group E
Switzerland
Ecuador
France
Honduras
Group F
Argentina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria
Group G
Germany
Portugal
USA
Ghana
Group H
Belgium
Algeria
Russia
South Korea
Group A:
Brazil - I think Brazil will underperform once again, but will make it out.
Croatia - Tough call between them and Mexico, but Rakatic & Modric are on fire, and Mandzukic is class.
Mexico
Cameroon
Group B
Spain - IMO the weakest Spain team, their getting old, but win the group.
Netherlands
Chile - Netherlands backline is horrendous, Chile upset and surprise. Vidal is world class, as too is Sanchez.
Australia
Group C
Colombia - Another underrated team, is Falcao comes back they will be a serious sleeper.
Greece
Ivory Coast - 2nd place is tough to call, but Ivory Coast has the most firepower up front + YAYA
Japan
Group D
Uruguay - Is Suarez is out, then Ill move it to England.
Costa Rico
England
Italy - Best Italy team since 2006.
Group E
Switzerland - Great young team, a poor mans Belgium.
Ecuador
France - God why did France have to be awarded the gimmie group?
Honduras
Group F
Argentina - I think this will be the year Messi shows up...Messi/Aguero/Di Mira/Lavezzi is scary.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Dzeko will carry the team, very defensively sound as well.
Iran
Nigeria
Group G
Germany - My pick to win it all.
Portugal - They will go as far as Ronaldo takes them.
USA
Ghana
Group H
Belgium - Agree with Ian, would put money on them for darkhorse. Weaker without Benteke, but still.
Algeria
Russia - Could see South Korea surprise, but Russia has more talent.
South Korea
I'm leaning more towards a South American team winning it, after the first couple of games the conditions are going to take an effect, it is only natural. From what I saw of Chile in their game against England, they've got the quality there but perhaps not the depth. Uruguay with Suarez could be a serious threat, I just can't see Suarez recovering in time though. So it falls to either Brazil or Argentina, and I like the look of Brazil's team, and Argentina haven't performed on the world stage for quite awhile, despite the talent they possess. Brazil to win it for me at the moment, but we'll wait and see how everything kicks off.
Uruguay look good, if bucktooth plays
RUMO AO HEXA, BRASIL!
Ahem...I mean, let's go Brasil!
I think Brazil will win it, but France are looking good this year and should push them close.
Germany has the strongest team top to bottom, including the best backline/keeper. My money is on them.
USA! USA!
....anyone?
Nobody
Mexico lost Luis Montes for the World Cup due to a leg injury.
Group A:
Brazil - My pick to win it, they have a great team in my opinion and not a lot of people are taking them seriously.
Croatia
Mexico - I think they will nick second place
Cameroon
Group B
Spain - I see them at best semi-finalists don't think they will retain it.
Netherlands - Just depends what Holland turn up.
Chile
Australia
Group C
Colombia - To win the group think this will be the closest group.
Greece
Ivory Coast
Japan - Just to snatch it at the end
Group D
Uruguay - Will win the group and I think will win all their games possible finalists depending who they go up against.
Costa Rico
England - I really didn't want to pick England but I dont believe Italy are as good as a few people think.
Italy
Group E
Switzerland - Possible group winners and the surprise package of the tournament
Ecuador - I know people would say France but I think it will be another 2002 World Cup for them and Ecuador will take second place.
France
Honduras
Group F
Argentina - Always a major let down in tournaments in my mind for a long time but they should do well, hopefully Messi will show he is still as good without Xavi and Iniesta.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iran
Nigeria - Scotland made them look weak going into this world cup but I still think they will progress.
Group G
Germany
Portugal - It is a toss up between them and Germany but I think Germany will be a let down this year with France, its more hope than anything but I want Portugal to go through.
USA
Ghana - This group wont be as easy as it looks and I think Ghana will take top spot, like a few have said the heat and air conditions will be a factor at first and I think Ghana will be better prepared at the start.
Group H
Belgium - They will win the group I have no doubt about that.
Algeria
Russia - I think they will be too strong for Algeria and Korea
South Korea
My pick to win it is Brazil, I think Argentina and France won't be as strong as people believe and I think Germany will struggle to progress, Brazil have a lot to prove to people and I would love Uruguay to be there or there abouts.
Wonder what the odds are on a Brazil vs. Spain final, with Diego Costa scoring the winning goal? It'd make for a helluva story. Still not sure how he is allowed to play for them, or why the 'best national' team in the world would need to.
He was granted citizenship then asked to be declared for Spain, I actually thought he was playing for Brazil as he was capped twice for them. That would be a controversial finish to the world cup if that happened. Brazil vs Spain is around 12/1 for them to face in the final no clue what it would be with Costa scoring.
Aye, its the caps for Brazil that baffled me about it all, but apparently only competitive fixtures count. Still sounds dodgy to me, but eh, he's not the first Brazilian to play for Spain.
Plus Spain needed him, Torres is shit and Villa is 100. Costa is a top 5 striker in the world, a huge pick up for the aging Spaniards
But do Brazil need him, if Brazil go with a neymar, pato, hulk forward line I think they could prove they dont need costa plus spain have played without a striker at the euros and still won it.
Quote from: BoardwalkWrestlingsPR on June 02, 2014, 04:41:22 PM
But do Brazil need him, if Brazil go with a neymar, pato, hulk forward line I think they could prove they dont need costa plus spain have played without a striker at the euros and still won it.
Pato didnt make the squad, It'll most likely be Fred up top, Neymar/Hulk on the wings...maybe even Hulk at Striker.
I keep forgetting the squads are out. Fred has been great for Brazil but he is getting on a bit they could go with Hulk up front and Willian on the wing they also have Oscar their weakest part seems like in goal to me, I love their defence.
Yeah, if the caps are friendlies it does not matter, it's always been that way. Competitive caps count though at any level. Noel whelan could not play for republic of Ireland because he had played a uefa under 21s game for England. Once you wear the shirt of a nation in any level of continental or world championship, you're stuck with them for life.
Quote from: GM Franchise on May 31, 2014, 06:54:12 PM
Mexico lost Luis Montes for the World Cup due to a leg injury.
Horrible injury but he was replaced with Javier Aquino who I think will pair fantastically with Gio Dos Santos.
Got my England replica shirt today.
Sports Direct are selling retro shirts for those of you in the UK, take a look, there's a Euro 96 one, the World Cup 66 one and a few others... I think the WC 90 one was there too. Was very tempted to get one, only £25 and seem to be the same material as they make most shirts today.
So you know that promising English player tonight? The Ox? Yeah him. He's potentially torn his knee ligaments.
The injuries are starting to pile up. Reus has gone down for Germany, Ox for England, Falcao/Ribery never made it for Colombia/France, Ronaldo/Suarez are hurt as well. I believe Lukaku picked up a knock too in the dying minutes of their final prep game.
Always a shame not to see the best in the world on display.
*Bump,
seems there are some hangups on the game, it was supposed to go live today...will be making the league soon to defend my title....info will follow shortly.
On my ESPN bracket my finals is Spain and Italy. With Spain taking the cup.
Ok, group is created.
Search for:
EFK World Cup
Password: efk
http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/ (http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/)
Joined
I'll be joining later on today.
Nice to see 5 of you in already, keep it coming!
Fuck me! 23 players!!!
Much preferred the layout if it when I did the euros with this one.
Just picked the team I've picked in another league and I was left with 7 million for 10 plaYers. This is going to take some thinking.
Quote from: Blade on June 09, 2014, 01:36:30 PM
Fuck me! 23 players!!!
Much preferred the layout if it when I did the euros with this one.
Just picked the team I've picked in another league and I was left with 7 million for 10 plaYers. This is going to take some thinking.
Yeah, picked like 10 cheapest guys, my starting XI and 2 serviceable backups. Not a fan of this format either.
Yeah the amount of shit players you pick just to get a full roster.
I just signed up.
Quote from: BoardwalkWrestlingsPR on June 09, 2014, 04:01:00 PM
Yeah the amount of shit players you pick just to get a full roster.
And yes, this is accurate lol.
I joined in.
I don't think my team would win one game if they played together in an actual world cup.
I got a not too bad team I think at least.
I like my starting 11...
And then auto pick came in handy
I know virtually nothing about this, but figured I needed a reason to watch since it's a big deal here at work.
Let me know how much my team sucks please
Looks like Arturo Vidal will miss Chile's game against Australia....dammit another superstar down.
Not the worst game to miss.
Argentina will win. That's all.
Quote from: JustinP on June 11, 2014, 07:51:27 PM
Argentina will win. That's all.
They have a terribly average keeper and Messi has always fallen short. I do think they'll go to semis/finals but for as strong as their offense is, their defense is weak.
Quote from: Cory on June 11, 2014, 07:52:48 PM
They have a terribly average keeper and Messi has always fallen short. I do think they'll go to semis/finals but for as strong as their offense is, their defense is weak.
I know absolutely nothing about soccer, but that's who I predicted to win on the ESPN fantasy game.
Quote from: JustinP on June 11, 2014, 07:55:36 PM
I know absolutely nothing about soccer, but that's who I predicted to win on the ESPN fantasy game.
Not a terrible pick, if Messi, who is arguably the greatest player of all time, goes off....they'll outscore teams and win the cup.
I went with Brazil over Spain in the Finals.
Germany over Argentina/Belgium
Argentina don't just have Messi. Their forwards are terrifying (Aguero, Di Maria, Higuain) and their defense is really not that bad. The keeper is the weak link, but that would be more of a problem over a longer time period. They've got an easy group and should go far. They've got to be one of the favourites.
Quote from: Kirk on June 11, 2014, 09:48:05 PM
Argentina don't just have Messi. Their forwards are terrifying (Aguero, Di Maria, Higuain) and their defense is really not that bad. The keeper is the weak link, but that would be more of a problem over a longer time period. They've got an easy group and should go far. They've got to be one of the favourites.
That is my reason my Argentina isn't going far.
Quote from: Kirk on June 11, 2014, 09:48:05 PM
Argentina don't just have Messi. Their forwards are terrifying (Aguero, Di Maria, Higuain) and their defense is really not that bad. The keeper is the weak link, but that would be more of a problem over a longer time period. They've got an easy group and should go far. They've got to be one of the favourites.
Argentina always seems to not show up for the big games down the stretch ... though to point out my hypocrisy I have Argentina in my final losing to Brazil.
LET'S GET IT ON
They'd go further if they had taken Julian Speroni with them
Messi has always been woefully average when facing national sides that matter. My pick to exceed all expectations is Belgium who are very good all round and Ivory Coast.
Man that was a weak goal to let in for Neymar....but were seeing why Brazil wont win. Marcelo/Luiz/Alves are always gonna get exposed on the counter attack....thats why Id have Dante in over Luiz. need stability back there with two pressing wing backs.
Been a good game so far, I think they underestimated Croatia. Neymar was lucky with that booking, it could've been a red. Glad it wasn't though.
Brazil's offense has been all over the place- absolutely beautiful movement at some points and missed some really great opportunities at others.
Quote from: Flins. on June 12, 2014, 05:06:24 PM
Been a good game so far, I think they underestimated Croatia. Neymar was lucky with that booking, it could've been a red. Glad it wasn't though.
Croatia if they had Mandzukic I woulda took them on the upset...with him their a very solid team...and I agree with the Neymar foul.
This has been entertaining to watch. Brazil's offense has not been consistent, I agree. Oscar has been playing well today.
that.was.horrendous
Terrible decision which looks like it will decide what has been a good game. Come on Croatia!
Yeah that's disappointing to say the least.
That call reminded me of the NBA, lol.
Kinda regretting taking Neymar off my fantasy team.
Quote from: Cory on June 12, 2014, 05:40:07 PM
Kinda regretting taking Neymar off my fantasy team.
He's on mine and my captain! WOOO!
another brutal call for Croatia...how wasnt that a foul in the middle of the park on the Oscar goal. Excellent game, but poor officiating.
That was a pretty smooth goal there by Oscar.
That's the World Cup...
You score one.. Brazil will score 2.' Or 3 or more.
A sub par start with 3 goals and 3 points. PerformaNce doesn't matter at this stage
Plus Rakatic severely underperformed today. Modric did his part, but without Mandzukic they needed both their remaining superstars to perform.
The goalkeeper cost Croatia the match. He should have done better with the last two goals. The penalty wasn't hit very hard so you have to blame his weak hands for that and his little hop before diving for the last goal stopped him saving that one. I take back what I said about goalkeepers not making that much of a difference in a short tournament format.
You've got to pissed off if you're a Mexico fan right now, two wrongfully disallowed goals. The officials continue to shine.
Quote from: Flins. on June 13, 2014, 12:35:44 PM
You've got to pissed off if you're a Mexico fan right now, two wrongfully disallowed goals. The officials continue to shine.
I'm sharpening that shank as quick as I can and buying a plane ticket ... THOSE WERE BS CALLS - the 2nd was a 50/50 but the 1st NO CHANCE that should have been disallowed.
Mexico deserved that goal.
ITS ABOUT TIME .... GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
Good stuff, I managed to miss the goal going to get a drink but man do they deserve that!
We deserved the other two as well ... and I DESERVE MORE POINTS FROM GIOVANNI DOS SANTOS
Quote from: PapaPancho on June 13, 2014, 01:23:30 PM
ITS ABOUT TIME .... GOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
What is a gol?
Mexico looked pretty good against Cameroon. I pegged a tie on my bets because I figured Mexico would get rag dolled in the middle and wings by the freakishly strong MBia/Song/Nounkeu on Cameroon....I like to go against Mexico because their usually full of divers but they deserved that win, fuck the refs.
Ugh this Spain team are scary. A little weak up front but still...
Netherlands is playing them pretty good so far.
Amazing header by Van Persie to tie the game.
Certain club decisions make it impossible for me to cheer for Van Pursestrings but what a spectacular goal.
GOAL! Netherlands has the lead over Spain now. Robbin with another great goal in this game.
And now the Netherlands is up 3-1. Unreal. Spain is going to have to go into overdrive to comeback in this game at the rate things are going.
Score is 5-1 now. Netherlands is doing whatever they want now. Spain's defense is crumbling in this game.
I'm in shock.
That was awesome, Spain plays the worst style of football.
Blind was man of the match for me, fuck what a game. Two assists, including that perfect ball to RVP and that last second block on Torres miss.
Apparently Pulis is scouting Blind. :P
Great game there, Colombia are going to be legit even without Falcao
They were playing Greece though. I think they would be easier to predict once they start playing some tougher competition.
Campbell was immense when Costa Rica upset Uruguay....between him and Vela returning Arsenal are looking fantastic next year. Solid win for Italy too...good game.
Quote from: Cory on June 14, 2014, 08:13:33 PM
Campbell was immense when Costa Rica upset Uruguay....between him and Vela returning Arsenal are looking fantastic next year. Solid win for Italy too...good game.
Strike and I can both back each other up ... THAT was no upset. #CalledIT
England injury update: the physio dislocated his ankle while celebrating the goal. His tournament is over. Only Arsenal's physio could find a way to injure himself on the sidelines.
SWISS!!!
Had Rodriguez on my fantasy + bets riding on that game. 13pts and $100...good start to the day...now lets go Germany/Nigeria/USA to double my return.
Big time game, lets go Germany!
utter domination over Portugal. Shut Ronaldo down.
WHY DID I DROP MULLER ON MY FANTASY!?!
....had him as my captain until I went to a quantity over quality mentality for my squad....luckily I still had Benzema who got me 28pts, but still. FFS.
The Germans can suck my sweaty left but! Don't care how good they are.
Quote from: Blade on June 16, 2014, 01:39:36 PM
The Germans can suck my sweaty left but! Don't care how good they are.
Lol, well they keep my $200 bet on. 3 down (Ivory Coast, Swizterland, Germany) need Nigeria, USA and Russia to pull through.
The Germans made that look easy.
That moment when your teacher puts you in a group that can't play...
Nigerias finishing has been horrendous
(http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/51211745.jpg)
Thats 2 bets down the drain thanks to an African team...they're fucking me like a fat white chick. Fuck Cameroon and Nigeria.
You think you were unlucky?
^ Was that you?
Quote from: Cory on June 16, 2014, 05:26:20 PM
^ Was that you?
No.
I'm still unsure if it's photoshopped or not, was took off the LAD bible.
If it was real and they didn't cash out before the game kicked off, they are kicking themselves now.
In the uk I thought the only ones that you could cash out on was betfred? I know there is one that does it, I didn't think hey all did which is why I think it's fake
Let's go Team USA.
Dempsey set a record for fastest goal scored in U.S. World Cup history. Unreal.
Cash out is on Betfair
USA! USA! USA!
Quote from: Rob on June 16, 2014, 06:12:03 PM
Cash out is on Betfair
That's the one. Have William hill started it, or do that have fake written all over it?
USA is getting some bad luck with injuries so far.
Altidore is most likely done for the rest of the world cup. Tough blow.
USA! USA! USA! 2-1 over Ghana. This is awesome. 8)
YES! YES! YES!
USA USA USA
LOL beating Ghana =/= winning the World Cup.
As far as I know it's only a Betfair thing. It's the reason I only use them
We went into this World Cup thinking we wern't even going to get a win. Ghana has had our number the last two World Cups. It was a nice win and put us in a position where we can optimistically advance through group stage.
Quote from: Rob on June 17, 2014, 04:33:29 AM
LOL beating Ghana =/= winning the World Cup.
As far as I know it's only a Betfair thing. It's the reason I only use them
This.
I really do enjoy the way USA plays, I was cheering for them (well everyone but Dempsey, hes a fucking cunt), Michael Bradley is one of my favorite players, but for winning a game most logical people had them winning....people are REALLY overreacting, like they beat the other two giants in their division.
They dont stand a chance against Germany, but if they can get a positive result against Portugal Twitter is going to explode.
Anyways, really excited to see how Belgium look, & Mexico/Brazil should be a great game...I hope the Mexicans dont ruin the game with diving.
Quote from: Jon on June 17, 2014, 09:46:41 AM
We went into this World Cup thinking we wern't even going to get a win. Ghana has had our number the last two World Cups. It was a nice win and put us in a position where we can optimistically advance through group stage.
This is accurate. With Portugal getting dominated now we have a shot at advancing. Germany will advance easily. The other three teams are fighting for second place.
Quote from: Cory on June 17, 2014, 11:25:20 AM
This.
I really do enjoy the way USA plays, I was cheering for them (well everyone but Dempsey, hes a fucking cunt), Michael Bradley is one of my favorite players, but for winning a game most logical people had them winning....people are REALLY overreacting, like they beat the other two giants in their division.
They dont stand a chance against Germany, but if they can get a positive result against Portugal Twitter is going to explode.
Anyways, really excited to see how Belgium look, & Mexico/Brazil should be a great game...I hope the Mexicans dont ruin the game with diving.
Go fuck yourself. Mexico bitches!!!!
Belgium is on fire right now.
Belgium coach had a terrible starting midfield...how Dembele/Chadli made it is beyond me, Mertens/Fellaini were the right choices from the beginning, and showing it now.
Brazil/Mexico was a fun game. Ochoa the goalkeeper for Mexico was amazing. He's the main reason it was a 0-0 tie.
Ochoa was fantastic.
Ochoa completely shut down every shot thrown his way. It was unbelievable especially the one handed save.
Right at the end, that trailer missed a golden opportunity for Mexico. Goalie blocked it right back at him.
Oh gosh the way the US plays is really terrible. It's all about pushing the ball forward! forward! forward! without any regards to possession or anything. Counter-attacks are great, but we let Ghana handle the ball way too much cause the defense would pass it to the mid who'd pass it to the forward who'd lose the ball and everyone runs back to defense, rinse repeat ad naseum. That's no way to win a game. I'm glad we won, but we shouldn't have.
Mexico was lucky to escape with a tie ... except when chicharito entered the game they never pressured once. We are almost useless on corners offensively and dangerously bad to defend them
I thought they deserved the draw, they didn't need to pressure too far up the pitch with their back five in position. The three centre backs were awesome as well as Ochoa, and Vasquez put himself about well. Brazil looked threatening at times but they still look pretty beatable to me.
Alright, bet against Spain with Chile today....lets hope my $300 bet card can work out. Got Chile over Spain, Croatia over Cameroon, Colombia over Ivory Coast, Uruguay over England, Japan over Greece and Bosnia over Nigeria.
I hope you didn't put much money on that one. Rooney is going to score a hat-trick and England are going to look like world beaters for once, mark my words.
On another fantasy note, I don't like the Fifa fantasy football at all. You can't transfer players for the next round until the "rest days," you can't see how you're doing in your league or how your opponents are doing and the player values are ridiculous. Was it like this last time? I don't mean to criticise the person who selected this league as I set one up for my friends on the same website. I'm just surprised at how hard it is to use. It's not like they didn't know the world cup was coming.
Quote from: Kirk on June 18, 2014, 10:52:42 AM
On another fantasy note, I don't like the Fifa fantasy football at all. You can't transfer players for the next round until the "rest days," you can't see how you're doing in your league or how your opponents are doing and the player values are ridiculous. Was it like this last time? I don't mean to criticise the person who selected this league as I set one up for my friends on the same website. I'm just surprised at how hard it is to use. It's not like they didn't know the world cup was coming.
Yeah, its been pretty bad. their updating the league stats now, have about half of our league updated....but its brutal. Switching formations during the week will just automatically remove "the furthest right player on your squad" rather than giving you the option and the transfers thing is stupid too.
I doubt I'll use the McDicks fantasy for the next Euro if they stay with the same fantasy engine...the EFK Fantasy we had for Euro 2012 worked pretty well and it was McDonalds sponsored too....this game tho...sweet jesus. Just model yourself after the EPL Fantasy game, its not really that hard.
The only thing I like on it is the scoring system, seems more in depth than others out there. Found it funny that Ramos scored more points than Robben in the last round, he was my captain though.
Quote from: Flins. on June 18, 2014, 11:05:41 AM
The only thing I like on it is the scoring system, seems more in depth than others out there. Found it funny that Ramos scored more points than Robben in the last round, he was my captain though.
Yeah its stupid IMO....they over reward defensive stats. I had a pretty good round with 96pts, but when I have a guy who gets an assist and wins 2-1 and a poor defender who had like 2 blocks in a 3-0 loss gets more points, your scoring is stupid.
Bloody hell, this World Cup is exciting.
The Aussies are playing well today.
Almost Australia, almost! Cahill's goal was a cracker though, not quite as iconic as RVP's against Spain, but equally as good. Another great game.
Take a bow Tim Cahill, what a send off for one of the great world cup performers of this generation...and shows the old farts that go to the MLS to die still have some left in their tank.
EXCUSE ME? Uruguay over England? WELL, SCREW YOU TOO.
I have Altidore on my squad. With him hurt how do I change that?
Should be an option to transfer him out or switch him with your bench
Genuinely gutted that Aussies couldn't beat Netherlands purely because the goal from Jedinak marks the first time a Crystal Palace player has ever scored in the World Cup.
Have to say I don't watch futbol on a regular basis, but these game have been really good.
Quote from: Rob on June 18, 2014, 02:06:03 PM
EXCUSE ME? Uruguay over England? WELL, SCREW YOU TOO.
I took the odds....not great ones for the second games...Uruguay was giving good odds against England...and I figured with a healthy Suarez and a chip on their shoulder from getting embarrassed its gonna be a good game. I'd say personally id lean towards England winning, but Suarez is angry. He's either going to net a hattrick or bite someones face off.
I've watched Suarez get angry all season, trust me, when his temper is flared he's useless. All Cahill and Jagielka need to do is stay focused. There's no troublesome midfield for England to worry about. And hopefully with Rooney in the correct position and Oxlade-Chamberlain featuring, we should play a lot better than we did vs Italy.
Quote from: Domingo on June 18, 2014, 02:09:11 PM
Have to say I don't watch futbol on a regular basis, but these game have been really good.
Same here. I'm definitely going to watch it regularly now after this.
Guys if you want to follow a team....
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo.svg/150px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo.svg.png)
Quote from: Rob on June 18, 2014, 02:39:46 PM
Guys if you want to follow a team....
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0c/Crystal_Palace_FC_logo.svg/150px-Crystal_Palace_FC_logo.svg.png)
Bwahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahah
Chile is going all out, 3-4-3
Chile Team World Cup 2014 - Miners Propaganda (English) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZHwdI3bh9Q#ws)
Isn't one of the Aussie players on Palace?
Spain is really falling apart this World Cup. They need to get something going against Chile otherwise they're in big trouble.
Spain is unraveling right now. Chile scores again and lead 2-0.
Quote from: GM Franchise on June 18, 2014, 03:03:30 PM
Isn't one of the Aussie players on Palace?
Quote from: Rob on June 18, 2014, 02:08:36 PM
Should be an option to transfer him out or switch him with your bench
Genuinely gutted that Aussies couldn't beat Netherlands purely because the goal from Jedinak marks the first time a Crystal Palace player has ever scored in the World Cup.
Why is that funny Pancho? You don't know enough about football to say anything
For some reason the chanting during the games makes me think of this.
India singing to the sky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAL2Dm-Bcv0#)
I think of these
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYEM2nXSzCA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYEM2nXSzCA#ws)
Palace at Arsenal's ground. Can you hear the Arsenal sing?
Quote from: Rob on June 18, 2014, 04:38:34 PM
Why is that funny Pancho? You don't know enough about football to say anything
Even if your premise was true i would know enough to not get suckered into rooting for Palace.
There go the first victims of the World Cup, Australia and Spain. Australia, you fought like champions... Spain, well uhm, better luck next time.
I haste palace Well not really hate..
But after last season, I expect then to push forward. Even when in the championship, their cup runs we're awesome.
And as for the World Cup, Spain were embarrassed. Nothing more, nothing less.
U R Gay should be beaten by England, I hope but am torn. If we finish 2nd in the group, I will have to leave my own wedding reception to watch the game. Am sure my wife will understand!
That guy
You could do a lot worse than supporting Palace who actually had a great season this year.
This is a world cup thread gentlemen... Support who you want Pancho
There's a video on WWE.com where Barrett talks about the week in World Cup. I watched half of it till they got to the bit about England and put up a Union Jack.
Fuck WWE.
Man I cant wait to see Mandzukic wearing an Arsenal jersey this coming season.
May have seen this....
https://vine.co/v/MThWFXJXBt0
Dudes father died 2 hrs before kickoff...what a warrior. #respect
Luis Suarez with the nail in the coffin.
Only need Japan and Bosnia to win now for $350 on a $2 betline.
England should have gone youth at the back on got rid of chokers.
GK- Forster
LB- Shaw
CB- Caulker
CB- Cahill
RB- Baines
Baines at RB...
It's frustrating, but you know, toughest group in the tournament, it was always going to be difficult. We were on top in both defeats, but individual errors have killed us. That and missed chances.
Referee didn't help, not the worst performance but Godin should've been sent off.
It's highly unlikely we will make it out of the group but I'd say I am more satisfied with our performance this time around compared to the last World Cup.
Cory that backline would've been about 7-1 to Uruguay.
No passion, no heart... No help from a ref who really favored the South Americans...
There are 4 English players that you could argue are world class: Rooney, Gerrard, Terry & Cole (I'm being generous by keeping Steven "Hollywood Pass" Gerrard in that list). We chose to leave two of them at home. What other country would leave half their world class players at home and expect to win?
Fuck Japan. For my bet Chile could beat Spain, Uruguay beat England but you couldn't beat a 10 man Greece for 55 minutes?! Bullshit.
..only thing good was for fantasy I captain Manolas, got me 26pts.
It doesn't look like many of you give a damn about the US squad, but maybe someone could answer a question for me...
Why the hell are people here freaking out that Jozy Altidore isn't playing vs. Portugal?
Guy plays striker, and has 2 goals in his last 27 or 28 international appearances... why is that a big loss?
Quote from: Gravedigger on June 19, 2014, 11:03:03 PM
It doesn't look like many of you give a damn about the US squad, but maybe someone could answer a question for me...
Why the hell are people here freaking out that Jozy Altidore isn't playing vs. Portugal?
Guy plays striker, and has 2 goals in his last 27 or 28 international appearances... why is that a big loss?
10 goals in his last 19 games, by far their best forward, a good hold up guy too, now its the un tested Aron Johannsson
Yeah, I just looked that up. I'd heard that 2 goal stat on ESPN. Don't know where they got that from.
Looks like he's more important that I was led to believe.
Quote from: Kirk on June 19, 2014, 09:24:52 PM
There are 4 English players that you could argue are world class: Rooney, Gerrard, Terry & Cole (I'm being generous by keeping Steven "Hollywood Pass" Gerrard in that list). We chose to leave two of them at home. What other country would leave half their world class players at home and expect to win?
And the two they did bring did fuck all
Honestly I fucking hate supporting England...its like watching your 7 year old kid in some school play...you wanna believe he is the next Leo DiCaprio, but when he forgets his lines, shits his pants in front of everyone and then falls of stage you pretend he isn't yours and ask him to meet you in the carpark outside when he is done...
Rooney hasn't been great, but he did set up one goal and score the other. What exactly has Gerard done? Rooney gets all of the criticism, but there were plenty of players worse than him (Baines for example).
Gerrard is getting flak because his mistake lead to the goal. Fact is, our ball retention in both games has been very high, our pass completion is great, Gerrard, Rooney, Henderson and Johnson all play keys parts in that. If England want to find a scapegoat there are plenty of them, but in both matches we were simply beaten by the better team, they took their chances, we didn't. That's all. There seems to be this impetus with English fans that there must be a reason we are losing, whether it is the number of English players in the Premier League, or the youth system, or the wages their paid and so on and so on. The truth is we've never been an elite team, we won the world cup once, nearly fifty years ago and not come close since. Of course people have to be optimistic, and they have the right to be disappointed, but they shouldn't kid themselves, we played to our level.
Pass completion last night was woeful... Very, VERY sloppy.
It might've looked sloppy, but in the second half we were bordering 90%
wow Italy
Me and Strike might have known Costa Rica were a darkhorse but hot damn!!
I don't understand the fascination Woy has with Welbeck and Henderson. Should've played Lallana and Barkley from the beginning I think. It's a shame but I think it mostly comes down to Oxlade-Chamberlain's injury. He was intense in the friendly he got injured in and it just didn't work having central players playing on the wing.
Shoulda... Woulda.. Coulda.....
We should NEVER have been in that situation where there were so many WHAT IF's.
We simply weren't good enough. Bad Management? Bad Tactics? Bad players?
NEver put your fate in someone elses hands
I have to say I'm very happy for costa rica. I had no expectations for concacaf in general this year, least of all costa rica because of the group they were drawn in. Only eight nations have won the world cup and they were placed against three of them and have qualified from the group. Amazing stuff.
Mexico and USA have both already done better than I expected, whether they qualify or not. I guess the state of football is better in this region than I imagined.
France is making a very solid Suisse team look like shit.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 20, 2014, 03:46:45 PM
I have to say I'm very happy for costa rica. I had no expectations for concacaf in general this year, least of all costa rica because of the group they were drawn in. Only eight nations have won the world cup and they were placed against three of them and have qualified from the group. Amazing stuff.
Mexico and USA have both already done better than I expected, whether they qualify or not. I guess the state of football is better in this region than I imagined.
Id like to think that the reason Mexico took such a hard road to qualify was the increase in the level of competition. Glad to see some of it bearing fruit in thw international play
Is their a mercy rule?
Anyone good with userbars? Would like to make one for the last world cup fantasy (2010) and for this years world cup....I tried but the images looked like garbage when I scaled them down to userbar size.
Just something like 'EFK World Cup 2010/14 Winner'
Loving that Costa Rica is making some noise. Also damn France put on a clinic earlier today.
Quote from: Cory on June 20, 2014, 04:46:38 PM
Anyone good with userbars? Would like to make one for the last world cup fantasy (2010) and for this years world cup....I tried but the images looked like garbage when I scaled them down to userbar size.
Just something like 'EFK World Cup 2010/14 Winner'
http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/freeuserbars/ (http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/freeuserbars/)
Quote from: PapaPancho on June 20, 2014, 03:58:41 PM
Id like to think that the reason Mexico took such a hard road to qualify was the increase in the level of competition. Glad to see some of it bearing fruit in thw international play
Yeah, it's funny, I saw that as a deterioration of USA and big time for Mexico. It just never even occurred to me that maybe the central American and Caribbean teams have improved a lot. Glad to be wrong about that, even if it is the end of guaranteed qualification in the future haha.
I bet that defender was crushed as he just stood there and watched the ball sail past him.
Messi saved Argentina today with that goal.
Argentina were probably through regardless as nobody else had won a game in that group till then but still, wow. Fair play to Iran they battled defiantly and they aren't out YET. They nullified Messi for nearly a whole game except for 5 seconds and he proves just how incredibly he is with that tiny window
Wow Ghana
Ghana is putting on a show right now.
And now Germany ties it. This game has been fun to watch.
Klose....what a legend.
Also, winner of this years WC fantasy gets a slick banner
(http://i.imgur.com/XFoiiKm.png)
Looks very nice. :)
That was an exciting game to watch. Both teams played very well.
Klose ties with Ronaldo for most goals in World Cup history. Fair to say he's likely eclipsing the mark.
What a player.
horrible call there on Dzeko
Damnit Cory why are you so good at these leagues?
Algeria is steamrolling over South Korea right now.
Nice game here from two shit teams.
I was watching Planes with my girls, getting ready for the USA game.
Quote from: Cory on June 22, 2014, 04:30:36 PM
Nice game here from two shit teams.
Bit harsh mate, Algeria have been impressive in both games so far. Feghouli, Brahimi and Bentaleb is a talented midfield.
They could be better if Adelene Guedioura was there with them.
Dempseys looking hungry out there. What a giveaway so early to Portugal though!
Dempsey is just itching to score a goal. Portugal did to the US what the US did to Ghana with the early goal. It's like the roles have reversed this game.
Dempsys not a natural striker, let alone playing lone striker....I think its going to be very tough for USA to score tonight,.
What a strike, and that Tim Howard save earlier was very nice.
Jones perfectly angled the ball on that goal.
HELL YEAH! Let's go Team USA. That was an awesome goal by Clint Dempsey.
Sigh...
What a bummer...
The USA Heat they should be called with all the bandwagoners. Dempseys goal was average...went off his dick and in, BUT I will say USA deserved 3pts there...they out hustled Portugal, Howard was excellent.
Fuck off Corey.
I've watched the world cup in three different countries and it's the same in England and Ireland. People who don't normally watch soccer get excited about their national team playing in the biggest sport in the world.
My biggest complaint about the country I'm in now is the amount of people who DON'T care, so give the ones who do a break.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 22, 2014, 08:29:47 PM
Fuck off Corey.
I've watched the world cup in three different countries and it's the same in England and Ireland. People who don't normally watch soccer get excited about their national team playing in the biggest sport in the world.
My biggest complaint about the country I'm in now is the amount of people who DON'T care, so give the ones who do a break.
+1
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 22, 2014, 08:29:47 PM
Fuck off Corey.
I've watched the world cup in three different countries and it's the same in England and Ireland. People who don't normally watch soccer get excited about their national team playing in the biggest sport in the world.
My biggest complaint about the country I'm in now is the amount of people who DON'T care, so give the ones who do a break.
Congratulations.
Take this broccoli and many more broccolis to come.
Quote from: Strike on June 22, 2014, 08:33:44 PM
Congratulations.
Take this broccoli and many more broccolis to come.
Here, Here. +1's for all of you.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 22, 2014, 08:29:47 PM
Fuck off Corey.
I've watched the world cup in three different countries and it's the same in England and Ireland. People who don't normally watch soccer get excited about their national team playing in the biggest sport in the world.
My biggest complaint about the country I'm in now is the amount of people who DON'T care, so give the ones who do a break.
+1 for this awesomeness
Nope, doesn't change my opinion on the topic, you Americans REALLY like band-wagoning on ANYTHING huh, from sports to forum posts. And I didn't once say anything about you guys on EFK, I know what ones know soccer and what ones dont so dont be a fucking cunt about it. Take a quick glance on Twitter and its ridiculous.
Where is this passion for this sport for the MLS?
Where is this passion for this sport during CONCACAF qualifying?
As a footy fan 24/7, all of the US bandwagon fans that are here once every 4 years, but dont support the MLS, dont support the team in building to the World Cup is crazy, and I feel perfectly fine calling them out. Bandwagon fans are one of the worst things in sports, and this year it just happens to be moronic Americans on social media that are annoying me.
Quote from: Cory on June 22, 2014, 08:42:57 PM
Nope, doesn't change my opinion on the topic, you Americans REALLY like band-wagoning on ANYTHING huh, from sports to forum posts. And I didn't once say anything about you guys on EFK, I know what ones know soccer and what ones dont so dont be a fucking cunt about it. Take a quick glance on Twitter and its ridiculous.
Where is this passion for this sport for the MLS?
Where is this passion for this sport during CONCACAF qualifying?
As a footy fan 24/7, all of the US bandwagon fans that are here once every 4 years, but dont support the MLS, dont support the team in building to the World Cup is crazy, and I feel perfectly fine calling them out. Bandwagon fans are one of the worst things in sports, and this year it just happens to be moronic Americans on social media that are annoying me.
Hey, asshole, get off the high horse, just because you enjoy watching a sport all the time doesn't mean you can determine when someone can take pride in their nation whenever.
Almost every old person in Ireland has a picture of John f Kennedy, the pope, and jack charlton on their mantelpiece ever since he guided them towards qualifying for their first ever European championships, and after that their first world cup. Most of them probably can't name everyone in the Irish squad. Some of them even held soccer as a taboo before that, a threat to the national Gaelic games.
In England people were celebrating in the streets and the bars during the 2002 world cup, some of them having never watched a premiership game in their lives.
The point your missing (and that unfortunately most Americans miss) is that the world cup is not about whether you like soccer or not, but getting behind your country as they take on the best nations in the world at the most popular game in the world.
This is actually the only country I've lived in that factories don't offer people time off for the national team being in a world cup game.
Of course people should watch the qualifiers, or at least take an interest in them, I agree with that point, but don't make out that that only happens in the USA.
And no, again I state, it's about getting behind your country, so the mls, the premiership, the bundisliga, the serie a, the champions league are completely irrelevant to this point. None of those competitions involve getting behind your country, they involve cheering for billion dollar businesses and watching people do something they get paid absurd amounts of money for. I don't watch club football myself anymore as I have no interest in which corporations are winning whatever league they are in.
Take your +1 DQ. Fact is, we've been suffering for a long time in International Soccer. People haven't just started watching cause we're doing well, they've been watching all along.
I've got to stick up for the Americans here. It happens all over the world and it's one of the good things about World Cups. The people who watch football all the time get to analyse the games and tell everyone what the manager should be doing while everyone else just enjoys the ride. The World Cup is like a national party and people shouldn't be barred from enjoying it just because they don't watch League 2 football on a wet Tuesday evening in the winter.
I get what DQ is saying 100%, and to him and everyone else I'll bring you to my last point in being
QuoteBandwagon fans are one of the worst things in sports, and this year it just happens to be moronic Americans on social media that are annoying me.
So whether your a US bandwagon fan and I ruffled your panties, deal with it. Its a grievance I have in all sports, beyond national pride. National pride is one thing, and I would never argue that about the World Cup... but where my ENTIRE point was US fans on social media, the level of cockiness these bandwagoners have is on Ibrahimovic levels, a man who the majority of said group have no idea who he is.
I haven't once said "Americans shouldnt watch the world cup" not sure where that's coming from at all, but pride is one thing, a beautiful thing that embodies what the World Cup is about. Then you have whats going on now, cocky bandwagoners in the seeming majority, but certainty not the whole.
That annoys me. Thats my point. kthx
Do you say the same about the Olympics? No one watches those sports, yet everyone shows national pride...
Cory's point is clear. If you don't watch Short Track Speed Skating year-round you're a dirty bandwagoner when you cheer on Apollo.
Im so sorry guys,
America fuck yeah-team america (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnUgAaea4M#)
That's better.
------------
The problem is you're complaining about something ALL PEOPLE do and equating it to AMERICANS because...? I know it's cool and edgy to bash Americans, but give it a break. We bash ourselves all the time, we certainly don't need help doing it from Canadians.
Canada is a bandwagon country, you guys wanted independence from Britian after we fought for ours.
Just focus your anger into national pride for your country in the cup...oh yeah.
Quote from: T-Flower on June 22, 2014, 10:07:02 PM
That's better.
------------
The problem is you're complaining about something ALL PEOPLE do and equating it to AMERICANS because...? I know it's cool and edgy to bash Americans, but give it a break. We bash ourselves all the time, we certainly don't need help doing it from Canadians.
...because I lightly vented something that was annoying ME, from MY life. When I go on social media, all the Americans I follow/friends are now cockily cheering for a team they care about for the first time in 4 years. I razz you guys in this thread and then boom, panties in a bunch.
Next time I decide to step between a person on the internet and 'Murica, I'll tread lightly.
MURICA MURICA MURICA.
Good luck against Germany.
Quote from: The Soul of Philly on June 22, 2014, 10:18:46 PM
Canada is a bandwagon country, you guys wanted independence from Britian after we fought for ours.
???
Sick post bro, relevant.
(http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/97/97f1c86e4fb1a8dac9b38354b77c8c17d08f04d64ad2bc45bb334dc4d64b1bc8.jpg)
I've just got one question as a bandwagoner that doesn't follow soccer ever; why wasn't that fucker in Ronaldo's shorts for the last five minutes. He was the only one you had to be worried about? And why didn't they just ice the goddamn ball as opposed to getting cute? Maybe my enlightened Canadian brethren can enlighten me ...
PS: Ibrahamivic is Swedish ... I know that one.
#AROOO
Because they decided to get cute. UGH I don't know why everyone was so far up when we were protecting a lead.
In all honesty, I have no right to complain because they have way exceeded my expectations, but damn, guaranteed qualification, with a draw allowing us to top the group, taken (given) away in that last minute.... Now we need a tie to be certain. If Ghana beat Portugal by more than a goal, or we lose to Germany by more than a goal Ghana take second place in the group. (Portugal obviously not as big a threat as they have five goal difference to make up).
Looking at everything that's happened so far, there is no reason not to expect Ghana to beat Portugal (who really have nothing to play for) so we've gone from automatic qualification to needing a tie against Germany who will want to make certain of topping the group. (even though a draw will put Germany on top, I highly doubt they will be content with that)
Portugal are still alive, they just need to absolutely demolish Ghana to do it. So they have plenty to play for and in theory are capable.
Hopefully they share your optimism.
Portugal beating Ghana by only 1 goal is the best case scenario for the US.
Quote from: T-Flower on June 22, 2014, 11:59:21 PM
Portugal beating Ghana by only 1 goal is the best case scenario for the US.
That's what I think will happen.
At least none of you are Scottish
Escalated far too much...lets all just enjoy the World Cup and find ways to laugh at England's excuses.
Quote from: Ian "Wolfie" Trumps on June 23, 2014, 10:21:27 AM
Escalated far too much...lets all just enjoy the World Cup and find ways to laugh at England's excuses.
And USA's eventual let down, haha.
Todays game between Mexico and Croatia is going to be massive, who do you guys got?
I think skill wise their on par, but with Mandzukic back Croatia get that edge for me, but if it comes down to whose in nets, Ochoa is head and shoulders better than Croatias keeper.
Cant wait.
Quote from: Cory on June 23, 2014, 10:43:47 AM
Todays game between Mexico and Croatia is going to be massive, who do you guys got?
I think skill wise their on par, but with Mandzukic back Croatia get that edge for me, but if it comes down to whose in nets, Ochoa is head and shoulders better than Croatias keeper.
Cant wait.
Though clearly biased I believe Mexico has the momentum on their side. I hope that Herrera doesn't just press for the tie though and actually allows them to attack. Chicharito needs to be starting IMO. But if Mexico loses you can expect the coach to go full ....
well ....
Super Saiyan
(http://espngrantland.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/fuk9dum.gif?w=576&h=325)
Mexico. All South and North American sides are playing well at the moment.
I'm going with Croatia, Olic & Perisic will cause problems for Mexico's defense, and the combo of Rakitic and Modric should boss the midfield. Dos Santos could play a key role though, as I'm not entirely convinced by Croatia's defense, bar Lovren.
Quote from: Flins. on June 23, 2014, 01:23:57 PM
I'm going with Croatia, Olic & Perisic will cause problems for Mexico's defense, and the combo of Rakitic and Modric should boss the midfield. Dos Santos could play a key role though, as I'm not entirely convinced by Croatia's defense, bar Lovren.
I agree, but you forgot...
Mandzukic.
As long as they dont leave him out
Aye Mandzukic is a great player, but with Mexico setting up with three centrebacks, the best guess would be that Croatia have more success in the game on the flanks. Who knows though, my predictions for the majority of this World Cup have been poor haha.
On a fantasy game note, if I make changes to my team now, it won't take effect until the next round, right?
Quote from: Flins. on June 23, 2014, 01:31:34 PM
Aye Mandzukic is a great player, but with Mexico setting up with three centrebacks, the best guess would be that Croatia have more success in the game on the flanks. Who knows though, my predictions for the majority of this World Cup have been poor haha.
On a fantasy game note, if I make changes to my team now, it won't take effect until the next round, right?
I would guess so, but the whole thing is fucked up so who knows?
Mexicos CB are short are they not tho? Moreno their star is like 5'11, crosses into Mandzukic are going to be terribly difficult to defend.
Also, yay to Holland for starting my bet card off on the right foot....for now. still 5 mins left. Fer is one hell of a talent, wouldnt mind him in Arsenals midfield next season.
What a talent Depay is, only 20yrs old....perfect style of play for the Prem....wouldnt be surprised if Van Gaal brings him over.
Netherlands is looking really good so far.
Hernandez has had a very inconsistent club season and proved more than ever he's a super sub with about 15-20 minutes to go. I'd say the same for his role in the national side.
stupid double games at the same time, they should have done what they did the 1st saturday of the WC and have games at 2, 4, 7, 10
Quote from: Cory on June 23, 2014, 04:00:42 PM
stupid double games at the same time, they should have done what they did the 1st saturday of the WC and have games at 2, 4, 7, 10
Why?
They proved in Korea that games with late kick offs affect game play. When the Koreans? Kept the ball to themselves for 15 minutes. It's fair play meaNs that the games mean something if more than one can qualify
Herrera was so close ....
Quote from: Blade on June 23, 2014, 04:16:30 PM
Why?
They proved in Korea that games with late kick offs affect game play. When the Koreans? Kept the ball to themselves for 15 minutes. It's fair play meaNs that the games mean something if more than one can qualify
Yeah I suppose I wasnt thinking about that aspect. I GUESS that overweighs me being able to see every game live on my days off haha
Pretty close first half, could easily be 1-1
Fuck these refs. Fuck this bs ...
Gooooooooooooooooooollllll
They are doing simultaneous games in order to prevent the results of one game affecting what the teams in the other game too. Like if a team needed someone to lose in the other match to clinch top seed and they do...what's to play for? They can just play autopilot.
Chcharito subs in and the entire pace of the game changed.
Mexico has been a wall in the back, excellent defensive tactics all group stage.
One more goal and their 1st in the group.
Bring on the dutch!!
Hello Chile, old friend...
Mexico manager was as entertaining as the match. Happy for Mexico, glad they've proven me wrong, always had a soft spot for them. Croatia were poor, but Mexico should get all the credit for that. Brazil game was what it was, Cameroon did well initially, but they are so poor defensively they never really stood a chance. Looking forward to both games in the next round, Chile to beat Brasil, Mexico to beat Netherlands!
They had a situation a few decades ago when West Germany and Austria were playing each other, the game from their group had already happened earlier in the day and it ensured both Germany and Austria would qualify if Germany won 1-0. They scored an early goal and for the rest of the game they just passed it about. The games have to start at the same time to stop this sort of shit happening.
Quote from: Flins. on June 23, 2014, 06:17:27 PM
Mexico manager was as entertaining as the match. Happy for Mexico, glad they've proven me wrong, always had a soft spot for them. Croatia were poor, but Mexico should get all the credit for that. Brazil game was what it was, Cameroon did well initially, but they are so poor defensively they never really stood a chance. Looking forward to both games in the next round, Chile to beat Brasil, Mexico to beat Netherlands!
Agree, with only Netherlands beating Mexico.
But man, Modric and Rakitic both had poor tournaments IMO and didnt contribute nearly enough offensively as they should have, and Mandzukic was basically invisible out there today. Moreno is one of the more impressive backs in La Liga and Marquez you gotta love it.
2 or 3 great players can't carry the slack for 8 or 9 poor ones.
Quote from: Rob on June 23, 2014, 06:31:43 PM
2 or 3 great players can't carry the slack for 8 or 9 poor ones.
Well, Croatias backline has been pretty decent, Srna/Lovren/Corluka and the other dude who had a great game against Brazil weren't poor, bad marking on a Marquez corner tonight and then all out attack, but for the tournament as a whole pretty solid defending.
Without Mandzukic in the 1st game against Brazil, Modric/Rakatic, arguably both top 10 central midfielders from last season did nothing. Perisic was Croatias star player on the wing, and he carried the slack the entire tournament from a creativity perspective where Modric/Rakatic were lacking.
I would say it was 2 stars failing to shine, rather than them carrying the slack.
EDIT: Croatias keeper too was pretty poor, a weak link.
Full marks to Mexico though, for being pretty much a "no name" team in regards to big domestic euro club players and shutting down some of the games best. Herrera, Moreno, Layun have all been class.
Only caught a little of the action today. Saw about 15 mins of Mexico game. Think I caught all 3 goals. They have a good D and can obviously score quickly. Round of 16 game should be a good one.
And with the whole Messi/Ronaldo debate always going on.... is Neymar better than both of them?
No.
Quote from: Flins. on June 24, 2014, 03:40:14 AM
No.
Neymar has been poor throughout this tournament for the most part, but somehow has got 4 goals with all of the pressure, Ronaldo hasnt been too good either. A few moments of brilliance from both, but more shit than not, be it all the pressure for Neymar and Ronaldos injury.
Messi has been very good thus far, by far his best World Cup to date, but head and shoulders the top player in this tournament has been Robben. Man of the match in every game he's played, and putting on some once in a lifetime performances.
A lot of fouls happening in the games this morning.
looks like a classic italy 0-0 game
Quote from: GM Franchise on June 24, 2014, 01:02:32 PM
A lot of fouls happening in the games this morning.
Are they carding them or they letting them play? I haven't been able to watch because I just got some work done and I have some to do other stuff.
Quote from: Krazy on June 24, 2014, 01:27:28 PM
Are they carding them or they letting them play? I haven't been able to watch because I just got some work done and I have some to do other stuff.
Cards, a straight red to Italy, a few yellows too I know Balotelli got one before being subbed off at half.
...and Suarez bites another player. What a cunt.
Quote from: Cory on June 24, 2014, 01:39:09 PM
...and Suarez bites another player. What a cunt.
They are poor sports enough said.
Hash calls, I dont think that was a straight red and Suarez is a dirty cunt who should have got a red, but end of the day Italy was playing for the 0-0 tie and deserved to get burned for it.
Diego Godin is a top 5 center back for me right now in the world, technically elite and scores incredibly clutch goals.
Quote from: Cory on June 24, 2014, 01:58:21 PM
Hash calls, I dont think that was a straight red and Suarez is a dirty cunt who should have got a red, but end of the day Italy was playing for the 0-0 tie and deserved to get burned for it.
Diego Godin is a top 5 center back for me right now in the world, technically elite and scores incredibly clutch goals.
They are showing some of his biting he has done. If it was me I would of stop playing and beat the holy hell out of him. I wouldn't care getting kicked out I would feel justified for some dirty bitch for biting me.
Quote from: Cory on June 24, 2014, 01:39:09 PM
...and Suarez bites another player. What a cunt.
Luis Suarez is a scumbag. He's done this in the past. I wish he'd do that someone and then they just beat the shit out of him right after so he learns his lesson.
Quote from: GM Franchise on June 24, 2014, 02:03:33 PM
Luis Suarez is a scumbag. He's done this in the past. I wish he'd do that someone and then they just beat the shit out of him right after so he learns his lesson.
I agree, then he pussy flopped after the biting.
World Cup: Luis Suarez takes a bite out of Giorgio Chiellini - and here's the world's hilarious reaction
http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/news/article/2014/06/24/world-cup-luis-suarez-takes-bite-out-giorgio-chiellini-and-heres-worlds-hila?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=WorldCup&utm_campaign=Unpaid (http://www.mlssoccer.com/worldcup/2014/news/article/2014/06/24/world-cup-luis-suarez-takes-bite-out-giorgio-chiellini-and-heres-worlds-hila?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=WorldCup&utm_campaign=Unpaid)
This is hilarious. Here are some of the highlights:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6i-V_CAAAi84F.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6tm2ICQAAGKBZ.png)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6jbQ0CcAAMFYF.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6fd4lIIAAi2Ny.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq61wB3IEAAMB4M.jpg)
Quote from: Cory on June 24, 2014, 01:58:21 PM
Hash calls, I dont think that was a straight red and Suarez is a dirty cunt who should have got a red, but end of the day Italy was playing for the 0-0 tie and deserved to get burned for it.
Diego Godin is a top 5 center back for me right now in the world, technically elite and scores incredibly clutch goals.
Yeah playing for a draw is ridiculous in these conditions especially. Get a fucking lead, THEN defend.... If they score then you still have the draw you need!
Question.... As a manager who is already qualified after two games, how do you approach the third?
A) 100% best team to guarantee 1st place and a theoretically easier game in the next round.
B) rest anyone with any niggling soreness or injury and bench anyone carrying a yellow card.
Personally I would play it safe and rest the players, again especially in These conditions. Besides which, the groups are so tight that finishing first is no guarantee whatsoever of having an easier game.
I did not getto pay attention to the Dutch and chile, how did they approach it?
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 24, 2014, 05:10:02 PM
Yeah playing for a draw is ridiculous in these conditions especially. Get a fucking lead, THEN defend.... If they score then you still have the draw you need!
Question.... As a manager who is already qualified after two games, how do you approach the third?
A) 100% best team to guarantee 1st place and a theoretically easier game in the next round.
B) rest anyone with any niggling soreness or injury and bench anyone carrying a yellow card.
Personally I would play it safe and rest the players, again especially in These conditions. Besides which, the groups are so tight that finishing first is no guarantee whatsoever of having an easier game.
I did not getto pay attention to the Dutch and chile, how did they approach it?
I agree 100% with the playing for a draw, especially with this being one of the highest scoring world cups, Italy or not...always play for the win.
And Chile/Netherlands looked like they took option B, I remember Vidal (Chiles star) didnt play, and Netherlands treated it like a NFL pre-season game, started with mostly their stars and then used their 3 subs early to spread the playing time around....which IMO is the way to do it. If you have it locked up you want to avoid injury and get young guys some amazing experience, but you dont want to completly kill off a players form/momentum, kinda why Robben played all 90.
Colombia is also kinda taking that approach, but their depth is amazing, Jackson Martinez (Portugal league leading scorer), Fredy Guarin and Adrian Ramos (16 goals in German league) getting minutes, and their star James Rodrigues getting 45, with their backline being mixed of super young guys and guy who have started all games.
Holland took the stance and broke a record...
280+ game streak gone...
They didn't play anyone with van in their name. Disgraceful!
Man that penalty was harsh!
AMAZING ending to the Greece/Ivory Coast game. Penalty in stoppage time and Greece scored to win it. Unreal.
Quote from: GM Franchise on June 24, 2014, 05:55:22 PM
AMAZING ending to the Greece/Ivory Coast game. Penalty in stoppage time and Greece scored to win it. Unreal.
Replace Amazing with a "Robbery" and you're right.
Quote from: Cory on June 24, 2014, 06:18:45 PM
Replace Amazing with a "Robbery" and you're right.
What are you talking about? There was a penalty and they scored on the kick afterwards. Cut and dry from how it appeared at least to me.
I really doubt I would have given it.the contact looked really minimal to me.... Although there seemed to be very minimal protesting from the ivory coast players.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 24, 2014, 09:14:38 PM
I really doubt I would have given it.the contact looked really minimal to me.... Although there seemed to be very minimal protesting from the ivory coast players.
That's why I don't think it's that big of a deal. If it was a bad call they'd be going off about it after it got called.
Looked like he kicked his own foot and fell to me, with very minimal contact from the IC player.
What a game between Nigeria and Argentina so far, 3-2 in the 55th minute....and the more you watch Messi plays the more you have to think if he can lead Argentina to a world cup and continues to fill the net, he's going to be the greatest of all time.
Looks like there's a shoot out going on right now.
Shaqiri is on fire right now.
The Hulkster motivates the USA soccer team.
Hulk Hogan Pumps up US Soccer team (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGeZxgatmRs#ws)
I think right now there will be a surprise in the semi-finals. One of the big teams ala Brazil, Germany, Argentina are going to be knocked out by a surprise team.
I finally caught you up Cory! And I've still got a couple of players to play, just need to remember to make some transfers tomorrow. If any of you have players that have been eliminated, you've only got a short window to transfer, which is tomorrows rest day. I say tomorrow, it opens in 17 hours.
This fantasy football game sucks so hard. That's right, I'm blaming the format for my pathetic display so far.
It is a strange system, my two highest scorers this week have been Godin and Shaqiri, which makes sense. But Ramos has been my highest scorer every week though...
Quote from: Flins. on June 26, 2014, 07:46:56 AM
It is a strange system, my two highest scorers this week have been Godin and Shaqiri, which makes sense. But Ramos has been my highest scorer every week though...
I still got my captain + 4 to play this week :)
I like playing 3 up front, but with Altidore going down had to change it up to try and get some points elsewhere.
Quote from: Cory on June 26, 2014, 10:20:24 AM
I still got my captain + 4 to play this week :)
You got a team full of Germans?!
Suarez banned for four months and 9 international games, will miss the rest of the world cup and the start of Liverpool's season. Uruguay will appeal, but I can't see it being overturned or lessened.
Looks like the United States is moving to the next round. GO TEAM USA! :D
USA! USA! USA!!!!!!!
Great finish from Mueller. USA vs. Belgium in the second round should be fun.
I did seen some yellow cards on Germany however they were not called. USA got lucky that they made it to the next round.
Quote from: Krazy on June 26, 2014, 01:59:26 PM
I did seen some yellow cards on Germany however they were not called. USA got lucky that they made it to the next round.
Luck?
It was luck that didn't have us advance sooner.
Just getting out of the group of death is lucky. This goes for it every year if this is a gimmick in the world cup they need to stop it because its BS.
Quote from: Krazy on June 26, 2014, 02:10:46 PM
Just getting out of the group of death is lucky. This goes for it every year if this is a gimmick in the world cup they need to stop it because its BS.
Stop what exactly?
The group of death in the draw.
Quote from: Krazy on June 26, 2014, 02:26:24 PM
The group of death in the draw.
It's all by chance. There is always going to be a Group of Death, in this case, this World Cup had two of them.
We just got unlucky is all.
Doesn't matter though, we're through. When all the experts thought we'd have no chance.
USA! USA! USA!
Quote from: Krazy on June 26, 2014, 02:26:24 PM
The group of death in the draw.
It wasn't as bad a group as the media portrayed it. Whilst Portugal are always a threat with Ronaldo in their team, anyone who paid attention to their qualifying campaign will know they have been performing poorly. Ghana, whilst strong individually, are one of the more inconsistent power teams in Africa. And Germany, well, they are always strong, but there have been questions about their defense for a long time. Still, Germany are one of the favorites and it was a tough group, just not as difficult as it was sold. Spain/Netherlands/Chile was the 'group of death' if there was one. All three were strong in qualifying and performing well heading into the tournament.
The Belgium game will be interesting tonight, lets see if they finally live up to their potential and give the USA some jitters going into the second round.
Quote from: Flins. on June 26, 2014, 03:45:57 PM
It wasn't as bad a group as the media portrayed it. Whilst Portugal are always a threat with Ronaldo in their team, anyone who paid attention to their qualifying campaign will know they have been performing poorly. Ghana, whilst strong individually, are one of the more inconsistent power teams in Africa. And Germany, well, they are always strong, but there have been questions about their defense for a long time. Still, Germany are one of the favorites and it was a tough group, just not as difficult as it was sold. Spain/Netherlands/Chile was the 'group of death' if there was one. All three were strong in qualifying and performing well heading into the tournament.
The Belgium game will be interesting tonight, lets see if they finally live up to their potential and give the USA some jitters going into the second round.
You can't say Group of Death and leave out the 4th team. Australia was a gimme game for those other 3 teams. While the Aussies played hard, the skill difference was apparent in each game they played.
IMO, you can't have a Group of Death when one of your teams isn't all that great. But thats just me.
That group had three of the strongest national teams in the world, the USA group had one. I understand what you're saying. and I would agree it was the most competitive group. In terms of world rankings though, you would have to say England had the 'group of death' considering there were three teams from the top 10 rankings. w/ Costa Rica 28th. But we all know England don't really deserve that high a ranking.
I would say cost rica had the group of death. Again, England are never as good as they are made out to be, but costa rica had to face three world cup winners nonetheless.
And USA were lucky to get out of the group. I think they played better than Portugal, but not Ghana and especially not Germany. At the end of the day it doesn't matter, they did what they had to do and finished second in the group, but I don't think we should act all indignant about someone accusing us of being lucky.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 26, 2014, 04:36:52 PM
I would say cost rica had the group of death. Again, England are never as good as they are made out to be, but costa rica had to face three world cup winners nonetheless.
And USA were lucky to get out of the group. I think they played better than Portugal, but not Ghana and especially not Germany. At the end of the day it doesn't matter, they did what they had to do and finished second in the group, but I don't think we should act all indignant about someone accusing us of being lucky.
I don't see where luck had anything to do with it.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 26, 2014, 04:36:52 PM
I would say cost rica had the group of death. Again, England are never as good as they are made out to be, but costa rica had to face three world cup winners nonetheless.
I agree with this. That was the Group of Death in my opinion.
It might not be the most impressive sweep of a group, but Belgium are probably the more defensively solid team in the last 16. It might see them go far.
Quote from: Flins. on June 26, 2014, 05:42:38 PM
It might not be the most impressive sweep of a group, but Belgium are probably the more defensively solid team in the last 16. It might see them go far.
I think so too even with them being in kind of a meh group.
Quote from: Flins. on June 26, 2014, 11:06:12 AM
You got a team full of Germans?!
Nope, 3 belgians and 1 Algeria..., Captained Vertongen, annnd 30pts :)
Damn, haha, I was wondering what had happened! For some reason I didn't move Bentaleb off the bench, Paulinho has been a big disappointment so far, will defo be getting dropped alongside some of my eliminated players.
Quote from: Jon on June 26, 2014, 04:43:16 PM
I don't see where luck had anything to do with it.
I think the media was to blame for the USA being super underdogs in that group. USA last world cup got to the round of 16, its not like they have had a bad past in recent world cups. On Paper IMO, USA is stronger than Ghana and with a 60% Christiano Ronaldo, USA is on par with Portugal. Germany was always the strongest, but I had USA coming 2nd in that group ever since Ronaldos health was made public.
But American media needs the underdog story to promote soccer, whatever it takes to get it over I suppose.
I actually moved up spots that round in the fantasy game, lol. That surprises me.
Quote from: Flins. on June 26, 2014, 06:23:42 PM
Damn, haha, I was wondering what had happened! For some reason I didn't move Bentaleb off the bench, Paulinho has been a big disappointment so far, will defo be getting dropped alongside some of my eliminated players.
My attacking front has been garbage (Benzema has been good, Higuian/Benteke have been GARBAGE, only 1 assist between 'em, I've ended up just killing with a back 5)
My team needs some restructuring when the transfer window opens...im curious as with epl fantasy if player values are going to rise or not....Robben/Messi are looking pretty juicy for Benteke/Higuian + my $$ in the bank.
I've scored evenly throughout, with Ramos/Mertesacker/Godin at the back, Robben/Sanchez up front and Mertens/Paulinho/Pogba/Pjanic/Shaqiri. Now I understand the scoring system a little better, I am hoping I can approve a bit. I'd imagine value will increase, what I want to know is what kind of penalties there will be for making trades.
So Suarez has been banned for 9 international games and can't take part in any football activities for 4 months. That means he won't be available for Liverpool (or Barcelona) until October and won't be fit until long after then (he's not even allowed to train). Any Liverpool fans want to say why that's too harsh? I think he's lucky. The incident itself was more funny than dangerous, but it's his 3rd time. He clearly thinks that he hasn't done anything wrong (just like he doesn't think his racist remarks to Evra were wrong) so I think this is too soft.
I'm not sure how you ban someone from training....
So... say he goes to the gym by himself, will FIFA deem that illegal?
As for group of deaths and whatnot, there are 2 groups that would be deemed easier but the rest are all really difficult groups. Just the nature of world football now. I don't think USA had a harder group than England... on paper it was probably about the same, the individuals in that USA team just wanted it a lot, LOT more. I have a feeling they might progress against Belgium who have been comparatively poor.
I assume that he's allowed to go to the gym, but he can't go to training sessions with the rest of the team. He might be physically fit to play at the end of his ban, but he won't be "match fit."
Fantasy transfers have been made, might as well call it a wrap follks ;)
Altidore is reportedly practicing again. Maybe he'll be ready for Belgium. That would be great. i think Belgium is a winnable game for the US if we play like we did against Portugal.
Quote from: T-Flower on June 27, 2014, 01:36:04 PM
Altidore is reportedly practicing again. Maybe he'll be ready for Belgium. That would be great. i think Belgium is a winnable game for the US if we play like we did against Portugal.
I think he'll be ready to go, from the sounds of the reports I'm hearing. He'd defintely give our offense a much needed boost.
Belgium has world class defense and I'm expecting it to be a battle, but it's a very winnable game for us.
My question is how USA is gonna deal with the pace of Hazard, if Fabian Johnson is up to it.
(http://www.iflscience.com/sites/www.iflscience.com/files/styles/ifls_large/public/blog/%5Bnid%5D/Luis_Su%C3%A1rez_vs._Netherlands_%28cropped%29.jpg?itok=xChq97wb)
You Have A Higher Chance Of Being Bitten By Uruguay's Luis Suarez Than By A Shark
http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/you-have-higher-chance-being-bitten-uruguay%E2%80%99s-luis-suarez-shark (http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/you-have-higher-chance-being-bitten-uruguay%E2%80%99s-luis-suarez-shark)
QuoteWhen Uruguay takes the pitch this weekend against Colombia in the World Cup, they will do it without star forward Luis Suarez. Why? Because FIFA banned him for four months from so much as stepping foot inside a stadium for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. On purpose. While playing soccer. Seriously. To make matters worse, this wasn't even his first offense. This wasn't even his second offense. This is seriously the third time that Suarez, who also plays for Liverpool, has bit an opponent during a match.
Ian Steadman from New Statesmen got curious about the sheer odds of the danger an opponent has of being bitten by Suarez, and how it compares, say, to the odds of getting bitten by a shark.
Since 2005, Suarez has played in 441 senior matches for Uruguay's national team and various clubs. Assuming 11 starting players and 3 substitutions per game, 6,160 players have gone up against Suarez and have been at risk of getting bit. That puts the odds Suarez biting an opponent right around 1 in 2,000. The odds of getting killed by a shark while swimming in the ocean? 1 in 3.7 million.
However, the numbers get a little closer if you consider the odds of getting bitten by a shark, even just nipped at. At New Smyrna Beach, Florida, regarded as the shark attack capital of the world, the odds of getting nibbled by a shark if the 22,464 residents go swimming just once per year are 1 in 2,808 on a slow year or 1 in 800 during a record year. Overall, it averages out about 1 in 2,000, just like Suarez. Realistically, the odds may be lower as many people likely go swimming more than once per year.
Even still, the odds of getting bitten by Suarez during a match are still higher than being struck by lightning (1 in 10,000), getting in an plane crash (1 in 11 million), or getting murdered in the Americas (1 in 6,100). However, Suarez isn't nearly as dangerous as Mike Tyson. The odds of getting bit during a boxing match against Iron Mike is 1 in 50.
Read more at http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/you-have-higher-chance-being-bitten-uruguay%E2%80%99s-luis-suarez-shark#Pg1UDrT2zawyg7O8.99 (http://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/you-have-higher-chance-being-bitten-uruguay%E2%80%99s-luis-suarez-shark#Pg1UDrT2zawyg7O8.99)
Colombia might be my second choice to root for in this tournament. I work with and play soccer with a lot of colombians and the atmosphere in work has been great when they play.
If Mexico can cause an upset tomorrow, and costa rica keep up their form over Greece there would be an all concacaf quarter final, ie a guaranteed semi final spot which would be something....
Woo, lost my train of thought because gooooooollll Chile.... Should be interesting now!
Great first half, Brazil have come to play!
Looking like this game is going into extra minutes. Been a fun game to watch.
I like Brazil because they have a player named Hulk on their team.
Chile came SO CLOSE to winning this game. Penalty kicks to decide it now.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrPOdqSIcAER3XF.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrPPDRUIcAA7oFi.jpg)
Quote from: GM Franchise on June 28, 2014, 02:45:21 PM
Chile came SO CLOSE to winning this game. Penalty kicks to decide it now.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrPOdqSIcAER3XF.jpg)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BrPPDRUIcAA7oFi.jpg)
That was brutal...
26 points so far from two players.
Brazil wins! That was a fun game to watch. The penalty shootout was amazing.
Damn shame as I felt Chile were the better side in normal play.
Quote from: Rob on June 28, 2014, 03:02:17 PM
Damn shame as I felt Chile were the better side in normal play.
I agree rob, but in extra time it's like they stopped trying to win. Despite the obvious excitement and drama of penalties, it's not something I like to see to much of in a tournament, if a team can't win in two hours, then to bad, they both kind of deserve to go home. Brazil celebrate today but Colombia will destroy them if they play like that.
I was rooting for chile in the first 90, but was hoping they'd get punished in extra time.
And the English should be proud of that referees, he did not let that crowd get to him in the slightest.
Fucking good job he finally learned how to do that, he is a shite ref, I hate him, he can go polish his obscenely bald, shiny head in Old Trafford or the Emirates, depending who he favors.
Vidal was sublime for Chile. I feel it was a mistake bringing him off. As for Brazil, they have played average and got through all tournament, I don't see them winning if they continue to stumble their way through games
Chile were knackered in extra time, they weren't playing to not win, they were playing to survive and almost won it. A lot of heart shown by everyone out there but Chile really did run themselves into the ground. Felt for Sanchez, he was by far the best player on the pitch, but that was an exhausted penalty if I ever saw one. To be denied twice by the woodwork though, I'd imagine there are some broken hearts in Chile right now.
Hames Rodriquez baby...goal of the tournament for me.
Quote from: Rob on June 28, 2014, 03:11:45 PM
Fucking good job he finally learned how to do that, he is a shite ref, I hate him, he can go polish his obscenely bald, shiny head in Old Trafford or the Emirates, depending who he favors.
Vidal was sublime for Chile. I feel it was a mistake bringing him off. As for Brazil, they have played average and got through all tournament, I don't see them winning if they continue to stumble their way through games
Best ref we have mate. Less mistakes than most and doesn't take crap from players. Classic 'small club' thinking.
Damn, I've already got 47 points this round, lol. Although I've had most of my team play but still that's good compared to how I started off. :)
Quote from: Cory on June 28, 2014, 05:34:25 PM
28 from one :)
That's pretty good, wish any one of my defenders would have done that.
Quote from: Cory on June 28, 2014, 05:55:01 PM
Hames Rodriquez baby...goal of the tournament for me.
The first one for the individual... Amazing... But what about the teamwork for the second... It looked like a volleyball team setti up for a spike! Beautiful!
My only concern is they need to be able to shut down better against brazil than they did in the last half hour today. The goalkeeper played far better than he should have had to. Made me glad for them that Suarez wasn't there.
Go concacaf tomorrow ;D
I was hoping Uruguay would find a way out of that one, but expected Colombia nonetheless.
Going to be a tough quarterfinal match-up for us...Brazil's got to come out swinging all 90 minutes and actually play to the potential that we all know they can do, otherwise, I think Colombia's the team able to upset them. They've got some good talent and Rodríguez has been one of the best players in this tournament thus far.
Too bad I missed all the games, but I had Brazil and Columbia going through, so that's good.
Quote from: Dorling on June 28, 2014, 05:55:42 PM
Best ref we have mate. Less mistakes than most and doesn't take crap from players. Classic 'small club' thinking.
He legitimately made mistake after mistake in our away fixture vs Man United. He awarded a penalty for a blatant dive outside the box.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 02:54:29 AM
He legitimately made mistake after mistake in our away fixture vs Man United. He awarded a penalty for a blatant dive outside the box.
All refs make mistakes or have bad games, but on the whole Webb is pretty good. You have to remember, particularly with diving incidents, that the ref only sees it once at full speed from one angle. It's easy to criticise those decisions when you've seen it 20 times from every angle in super slow motion, with club bias.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 02:54:29 AM
He legitimately made mistake after mistake in our away fixture vs Man United. He awarded a penalty for a blatant dive outside the box.
You can't base your opinion of a ref's entire career from one bad match that coincidentally happened to be against your team dude.
In real time most dives look pretty real. It's not till the show the replay in slow motion that the viewers can usually pick up on it.
It was a blatant dive, I called it in real time. Ashley Young is a known diver too. Besides, I base my opinion on him off what I see in all matches where he favors the bigger teams and that my friends share the same opinion.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 05:27:34 AM
It was a blatant dive, I called it in real time. Ashley Young is a known diver too. Besides, I base my opinion on him off what I see in all matches where he favors the bigger teams and that my friends share the same opinion.
A lot of people probably did, but we have a much better camera angle to watch it on than the referees. Again, a lot of people that support clubs outside of the big four say the same thing about Webb, but look up some statistics - he awards penalties more often against Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City than a lot of other referees do, and awards them pens equal to or less than other refs.
Watching a lot of Norwich as well as Arsenal I've seen no bias from him towards bigger teams. All the 'Howard Webb supports Man U' stuff and the statistics that surround it can be explained fairly simply - Man U were the TOP team in England for 10-15 years. As such they were in a lot of big televised games, so the best refs get appointed to them. They also spent a majority of their time attacking the opposition so are far more likely to force a penalty situation.
Yes, some players dive, like Ashley Young, but Palace, Norwich and Fulham players dive too.
Typical of "big" club fans thinking it's small club mentality when decision after decision goes in favor of other teams. We had decision after decision go against us for the opening games of the season. There were decisions vs Spurs in the opening game which were baffling, such as a ball to arm penalty against a player who held his arms in the air as he was falling to hold his balance. I'm sure the big decisions favor the likes of City, Chelsea and United against small teams like Arsenal.
I watch just as much Norwich as Arsenal Rob.
I seem to remember an Arsenal player getting sent of for a supposedly professional foul on the half way line at Selhurst. All teams are subject to good and bad decisions that favour or hurt them. Fact.
I don't think in terms of big and small clubs, clearly you do.
Well, it was you who bought up this big and small club thing in the first place, so...
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 08:55:58 AM
Well, it was you who bought up this big and small club thing in the first place, so...
I put it in inverted commas to signify my lack of belief in the concept. The real big club bias comes off the pitch when teams like Barca can be sentenced to a transfer ban yet still buy players...
Anyway, lets get this back on world cup talk.
Quote from: Dorling on June 29, 2014, 09:27:24 AM
Anyway, lets get this back on world cup talk.
USA! USA! USA!
Why do some teams have two days more rest than others in the later stages?
The tournament has used the same 32 team formula since 1994 and it has been arranged in a way that there has never been more than one days difference between the two teams playing? I can't understand why anyone had to mess about with this. What purpose does it serve... Other than favoring the home team perhaps? (sorry if is is a "small nation mentality" :P ) but yeah seriously can anyone shed any light on this?
Probably scheduling. You want teams to play at a time that is convenient for their country to watch on TV. (as best as is able to)
Anyone here dutch? Fuck you!! Viva México! !!
Quote from: T-Flower on June 29, 2014, 11:32:58 AM
Probably scheduling. You want teams to play at a time that is convenient for their country to watch on TV. (as best as is able to)
I don't really buy that. First off they had no idea (allegedly) which teams would be in which fixture, aside from brazil. So no, that reason doesn't wash.
What's the story with holland using a sub in the first ten minutes? Did the player have an injury going into the game? If so then playing him really backfired. These games can go 120 minutes now, that's a huge blow IMO.
What a horrid mistake at the end of the half ... SHOULD have been a penalty for the dutch but i'll take it! Otherwise solid performance from Mexico ... but again I say ... BRING IN CHICHARITO!!
Quote from: PapaPancho on June 29, 2014, 12:51:17 PM
What a horrid mistake at the end of the half ... SHOULD have been a penalty for the dutch but i'll take it! Otherwise solid performance from Mexico ... but again I say ... BRING IN CHICHARITO!!
Referee mistakes work for you sometimes and against you sometimes... Gotta count your blessing when it's the former... But yeah, the biggest issue is the defensive error.... That shit can knock you out of the tournament dammit!
I interrupt what I was saying to yell goooooooooaaaaaaaaaalllllllll!
WHAT A SAVE BY OCHOA .... I shall my first born after him
:'(
Lo siento mi amigo :(
What a horrible way to go out for Mexico. Never in a million years was that a penalty.
Quote from: Sarge on June 29, 2014, 01:56:18 PM
What a horrible way to go out for Mexico. Never in a million years was that a penalty.
They were late in the tackle so many times throughout the game that they cannot blame the ref. they gave the Dutch opportunities to fall over in the box, and eventually the ref is going to give one. He SHOULD have given the one in the first half.
Quote from: Drama Queen on June 29, 2014, 01:58:45 PM
They were late in the tackle so many times throughout the game that they cannot blame the ref. they gave the Dutch opportunities to fall over in the box, and eventually the ref is going to give one. He SHOULD have given the one in the first half.
Mexico should have had one too in the first half, but that doesn't mean a dive deserves a penalty.
You get some calls and some don't go your way ... we played too far back and never attacked in that second half.
My god does my heart hurt so much right now.
Quote from: Sarge on June 29, 2014, 01:56:18 PM
What a horrible way to go out for Mexico. Never in a million years was that a penalty.
Dont be an idiot, that was a horrible tackle from such a vet like Marquez, plus Robben went out of his way twice late in the game to stay on his feet when he rushed into the box, he was fouled, clear as day.
Ochoa had maybe the greatest GK performances Ive seen in a world cup in my life time and I hope he gets signed to a big European club because he was magnificent....that off-side save was incredible and even though that was a clear penalty I was hoping for him to save it. Thank you Ochoa for some of the most exciting moments in world cup history, all during one fantastic Mexico run.
Quote from: PapaPancho on June 29, 2014, 12:51:17 PM
What a horrid mistake at the end of the half ... SHOULD have been a penalty for the dutch but i'll take it! Otherwise solid performance from Mexico ... but again I say ... BRING IN CHICHARITO!!
I think this is one of the major mistakes for Mexico. They should have brought some energy in to the second half and kept on attacking.
I agree with that. I think they should've kept the heat on the Netherlands in the second half.
Sorry to Pancho but COME ON NETHERLANDS! I have money riding on them to win the cup and so far so good, 100% record :D
The Dutxh excel at playing on the counter, with the pace of Robben and co. Pushing on a lead would've been way too risky, but Mexico went the completely opposite route, rather than retaining possession and seeing out the game, the longer the game went on the further they dropped back to retain their defensive shape. It almost worked, but they were let down by a poor set piece and a sloppy tackle. I really do feel for them as they have had a great World Cup after a tough qualifying run.
Quote from: Flins. on June 29, 2014, 02:26:27 PM
The Dutxh excel at playing on the counter, with the pace of Robben and co. Pushing on a lead would've been way too risky, but Mexico went the completely opposite route, rather than retaining possession and seeing out the game, the longer the game went on the further they dropped back to retain their defensive shape. It almost worked, but they were let down by a poor set piece and a sloppy tackle. I really do feel for them as they have had a great World Cup after a tough qualifying run.
THIS
To be fair Pancho, the Dutch won and they might go on and win it. No shame losing to the eventual winners. I think if Mexico had drawn Costa Rica or Germany they would've had a very real chance of going through.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 02:30:10 PM
To be fair Pancho, the Dutch won and they might go on and win it. No shame losing to the eventual winners. I think if Mexico had drawn Costa Rica or Germany they would've had a very real chance of going through.
Oh I'm not discrediting the dutch ... this might have been the best game Mexico played for 88 minutes. I'm not going to bitch about the calls or anything because they were mistakes on our end. It just doesn't stop hurting though.
(http://www.tuvez.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/1george_lopez_sad.jpeg)
My expression when the penalty is called.
(https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/10487584_10152514183896100_6415786592174340077_n.jpg)
This is the pain football brings. It really does hurt at the best of times xD
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 02:38:32 PM
This is the pain football brings. It really does hurt at the best of times xD
That's sports in general.
THE GREEKS ARE STILL ALIVE!
Just a general question as we have a Mexican and a few American's watching this World Cup. Would you say your country's success has made you more interested in watching football on a domestic level?
Costa Rica wins! The game was kinda meh other than the late Greek goal in regulation but the shootout was fun to watch.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 06:53:51 PM
Just a general question as we have a Mexican and a few American's watching this World Cup. Would you say your country's success has made you more interested in watching football on a domestic level?
I watch MLS. But thats about it.
And by MLS... I pretty much mean just Portland Timbers games.
I'm hoping the Dutch win it so that Utd have a world cup winning manager next season.
Quote from: Rob on June 29, 2014, 06:53:51 PM
Just a general question as we have a Mexican and a few American's watching this World Cup. Would you say your country's success has made you more interested in watching football on a domestic level?
I keep an eye on La Liga MX
I'm more interested in the Premiere League than the MLS at this point. MLS games never seem to be on TV, while I can reliably see EPL games, since NBCSports airs a lot of it. They air the games live and then do multiple replays throughout the major match days.
Quote from: Kirk on June 29, 2014, 07:57:47 PM
I'm hoping the Dutch win it so that Utd have a world cup winning manager next season.
I want them to win for £120
Jozy Altidore is available to play for the US tomorrow against Belgium.
Enyema was excellent today aside from that corner, him, Ochoa and Navas have been amazing in nets this tournament, but France deserved to win that game.
Algeria has no fear of Germany right now. They've been on the attack since the game started and have almost scored more than once already.
I just want to confirm this from the international fans here. Whistling is booing in football?
It is in a similar vein yes.
Ok, I understand some of it just not all. I blame being American.
Crowd interaction in football doesn't vary too much from other sports. It might seem different, given most American sports don't have the same flow to the game but even then, the fans are just as passionate.
Germany have finally switched Lahm into a fullback position, crazy that they kept him in his central midfield role when then they are short on defensive options. Game is still tight!
It has to be me but its sounds like the crowd is saying:
S A W F T.....SAWFT!
Tough luck for Algeria, they give it their all. Deserved their goal. France vs. Germany should be a cracking quarter final.
Also looks like Cory has run away with the fantasy league, not sure when his 20pt lead went to a 60pt lead, but congrats man! haha You must've made some great changes.
Algeria did very well in a losing effort. France/Germany is one game I'm really looking forward to seeing.
man I suck at fantasy
haha still have 4 to play, including Messi.
http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/1926228/forward-jozy-altidore-wont-start-for-us-vs-belgium (http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/story/1926228/forward-jozy-altidore-wont-start-for-us-vs-belgium)
Won't start, but could sub in later in the game when the Belgium defenders are hopefully tired
Belgium should win this. But I'd like to see USA go further.
Let's go Team USA!
That was not a pretty 45 for the states :(
Tim Howard has been superb so far.
Wish he didn't have to be!
He's been in Beast Mode since the start of the game. 10 saves so far.
Heartbreaker there. USA is dog tired.
USA has been on defense WAY too much. We need to go on the attack.
I've lost 35 points on fantasy by playing the more expensive players rather than the few cheaper ones on the bench.
Welp, that's it for the US. Great run- but completely shut down by Belgium's defense.
That's all she wrote.
Tim Howard was magnificent though.
Little bit of hope now...
And Howard is a beast.
It's not over yet! :D
Team USA loses but it was a really hard fought performance by them. They came and battled back to make a game of it but it was not to be. Tim Howard made 16 saves too which is unreal. However the 1 minute of stoppage time seemed a bit short to me though.
Well it was exciting at least, but yeah the far better team won. Maybe if we played the first 90 like we played the last fifteen I'd say otherwise.
Agree, Belgium deserved to win but kudos to US, great heart. Howard, Yedlin, and Bradley were excellent...Green was nice goal...Dempsey was shit.
Yep, better team won. It was a great effort to say the least.
So now looking at the final 8, what do you guys got?
I called before the tournament started Belgium/Germany final, with Colombia being a dark horse (with everyone jumping off their wagon when Falcao didnt make the team) and Im looking decent there...I think Colombia deserves to win it all, the most exciting team by a mile thats left.
Netherlands.
Pet peeve in sports using the word deserved ...
Despite them looking unspectacular throughout the tournament everything seems to falling Brazil's way. I still believe a South American team will win it and thus put my support fully behind them.
(http://www.33ff.com/flags/XL_flags/Netherlands_flag.gif)
Brazil really stepped up against Chile, looked a lot more impressive in that draw than they did in any of the group games. If Hulk plays like he did against Chile, and Neymar recovers enough to have more of an influence, they will be test for anyone left.
I'm going to go with a left field choice though, and say France. Talented team throughout and not shown any clear weaknesses, unlike most of the the other teams.
Netherlands and Germany are the two teams I think have the best chance of winning it.
France has had the easiest matchups this tournament...sadly Germanys fastest defender is Mertesacker so France should dominate
You might have a point there. I'm thinking Netherlands plays the winner of that game in the finals.
Quote from: Cory on July 02, 2014, 05:26:55 PM
France has had the easiest matchups this tournament...sadly Germanys fastest defender is Mertesacker so France should dominate
I disagree, Switzerland proved against Argentina that they are a strong team, and France annihilated them. Then again, no one has a particular easy route to where they are. Brazil had the weakest team in the competition in their group - Cameroon. The France/Germany game could be decided by where Germany play Lahm. Play him in midfield, and they will lose.
I backed France at the start and I'm still backing them now. They've had an easy ride so far but their team has quality from front to back and I think they have more than enough to see off the Germans, who have looked sluggish in most of their games so far. Argentina are the other team I think are the most likely to win it. Brazil have struggled to get this far and will find beating Colombia a tough task. The Netherlands have looked good so far, but that's down to the manager and Robben. The squad lacks quality and will struggle against any of the other big teams. Belgium have had it easy and will lose to the first good team they face.
The best squad will win the World Cup. For me, that means France or Argentina.
So that I can't be accused of sitting on the fence: France will win the World Cup.
and Germany get it done, Hummels played the perfect game.
what a strike from Luiz
Exciting game, though somewhat ruined by the referee completely losing control of the game.
Aye, Brazil are deservedly leading but the biased officiating is slightly marring the game.
here we go.....
I'm not even sure it's biased... Just generally bad and lacking any conviction. Players ignoring the shaving foam line, taking water breaks when they feel like... Even those little things let players know eh can get away with the other stuff like fouls and diving.
It's not overly biased, but there are Brazilian players on the pitch that have a high volume of fouls and have not been carded - Rodriguez makes one foul and he is carded. Also, Cesar should've seen red. It is not as bad as the first game but if I were a Colombian fan I'd feel aggrieved.
Game on though for the next 10 mins, come on Colombia!
Quote from: Flins. on July 04, 2014, 05:46:28 PM
It's not overly biased, but there are Brazilian players on the pitch that have a high volume of fouls and have not been carded - Rodriguez makes one foul and he is carded. Also, Cesar should've seen red. It is not as bad as the first game but if I were a Colombian fan I'd feel aggrieved.
Game on though for the next 10 mins, come on Colombia!
QFT
The officiating was horrible in that game. The players were getting away with murder especially for Brazil and I'm shocked only Thiago Silva is missing the next game. Major props to David Luiz for both his score and his showing of respect for James Rodriguez after the game.
Bad officiating != biased officating
Neymar Ruled Out of 2014 World Cup After Fracturing Vertebrae vs. Colombia
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2119825-neymar-ruled-out-of-2014-world-cup-after-fracturing-vertebrae-vs-colombia?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2119825-neymar-ruled-out-of-2014-world-cup-after-fracturing-vertebrae-vs-colombia?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national)
Love seeing people bitch about Zuniga for laying some lumber, but its a part of the game. For every part Neymar trying to do eleven-hundred stepovers to beat a defender, in turn, there is a guy whose job it is to knock his feminine frame to the ground at every chance. Its a part of the game.
Shame to see one of the worlds best out, but hey, gives Germany just that much more of a chance. So Klose to 16.
Netherlands will win not Germany or Brazil.
I see my World Cup predictions are just as good as my Premier League ones.
Argentina advances but the best part was the Argentina Manager Alejandro Sabella''s antics on the sidelines.
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/CF0D28B0571097263850459394048_12a45eaaf4d.3.2.mp4?versionId=WJ4XpsHBI1iCf4qjGx7m.y70MFQF.AoT (https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/CF0D28B0571097263850459394048_12a45eaaf4d.3.2.mp4?versionId=WJ4XpsHBI1iCf4qjGx7m.y70MFQF.AoT)
Did the big teams all get together and decide not to play good until the quarters?
And hey does anyone think we can avoid an anticlimactic final for the first time since Mexico 86? I hope so, it's been a great tournament so far.
Costa Rica is playing the Netherlands tough right now.
Come on concacaf. Even though I admit holland are the better team.
Penalty shoot out time. Let's go Costa Rica!
That was Krul.
In fairness though the best team did go through all in all.
I agree. Overall great showing by Costa Rica though.
Am I the only one who has found the knockout rounds pretty boring? The pragmatic teams have defended themselves into the next roundsand there hasn't been a single surprise result. As usual, the group stage was fantastic but we're heading towards an anti-climax with the usual suspects.
Quote from: Kirk on July 06, 2014, 01:02:41 AM
Am I the only one who has found the knockout rounds pretty boring? The pragmatic teams have defended themselves into the next roundsand there hasn't been a single surprise result. As usual, the group stage was fantastic but we're heading towards an anti-climax with the usual suspects.
The results maybe, but the football itself has been quite enjoyable for me. I would have considered costa rica getting to the quarter finals an upset in itself, though not the fact that they got past Greece to do so.
I do like to see an odd surprise here, but not to many in one tournament. There is an elitism to the world cup that should be very hard to penetrate. I would have liked Colombia to be the team that did it this year, but oh well.
After the group stages I expected upsets to be plentiful. I agree, it's been pretty dull since and I've given up watching most of the games except for the ones that particularly interest me like last night, and even then I switched off before full time. I'm glad Netherlands went through to keep my bet alive, (they just need to get to the final now for me to get a return), but honestly I don't give much of a toss.
The games are on at midnight or 4am for me. I stayed up happily for a lot of the group matches but I've regretted.staying up for most of the games since.
Better for the tournament that CR is done. I love the CONCACAF and the upset story, but they play an incredibly boring style to be able to compete, and aside from Navas standing on his head, they didnt offer up much excitement. The best 4 teams get to play off, and lets hope for exciting games.
Lets go GERMANY, added Klose to my fantasy team, because he makes history tonight!
Game time. Looking forward to this one.
Muller strikes early.
2-0 and Miroslav Klose makes history!
EDIT: 3-0!!
Germany... wowowowowowowow
Germany is dominating right now. Klose now has a World Cup record 16 goals now.
4-0 now LOLOLOL
FOUR NOTHING! WOW!
Little embarrassing this, what are they playing at?
Brazil has no defense at all. 5-0 now! lol
SOMEBODY STOP THE DAMN MATCH! BRAZIL HAS A FAMILY!!
Poor Strike....
I haven't seen a slaughter this ugly since Hostel came out in theaters.
Haha, nice to have Kroos on my fantasy team...what a beautiful game.
Quote from: Jon on July 08, 2014, 04:33:07 PM
Poor Strike....
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
It's 7-0 now...
I figured Brazil might have a harder time without Silva and Neymar...but this....
This is like a scrimmage practice for Germany.
Silva was a much bigger loss than Neymar and it showed today. No leadership, no organization and thats what Silva brought. Not saying the result would have been MUCH different, but there is a reason why many regard Silva as the best center back in the world.
They just collapsed, 4 goals in 6 minutes is ridiculous.
That defensive display was one of the worst I have ever seen in my life. That could've been Hartlepool United vs Germany for all I care it was so fucking dreadful. I didn't even find it remotely entertaining after 4-0, I found it to be embarrassing. David Luiz, Fred and Marcelo are potentially the worst players to ever put a Brazilian shirt on. They are apparently worth many, many millions so the absence of Thiago Silva and Neymar should not have this impact. I've always said David Luiz is not a good footballer and it's proven here, he was at fault for all 7 goals.
On the other hand like Alan Shearer said, Germany have to win the competition now. This game is meaningless if they don't win the cup. They didn't even play amazing football, they just benefited from Brazil having no defense.
Bo Dallas has a message for Brazil.
https://vine.co/v/MPHqw7DhvLV (https://vine.co/v/MPHqw7DhvLV)
I'm glad I stayed up for that one. David Luiz is not a CB. Rafa was right when he played him as a defensive midfielder so I can't understand why anyone plays him anywhere else. He's a bit like Phil Jones. They're both OK defensively and have a lot of energy but make far too many mistakes to play in defense. If they make those mistakes further up the field, it's not so bad. All of the Brazilian defenders were at fault, though. A school team wouldn't have defended as badly as Brazil did in that first half.
Donno, have a gut feeling todays game is gonna be a boring one.
Extra time in the Netherlands/Argentina game. Good game so far, just kind of meh as Cory predicted earlier.
Penalty kicks to decide who faces Germany.
This has been the worst game of the world cup, considering the teams playing.
Germany has this locked up.
Greece vs. Japan was the worst game. This has been a good tactical battle, but just a case of two good two teams cancelling each other out.
Can't believe Vlaar took the first penalty. Crazy.
ARGENTINA WINS!
Argentina going to the finals! They dominated the penalty shoot out.
Messi is getting closer to that World Cup win he needs to make his claim for 'GOAT'
I guess I made a deal with the devil for fantasy.
How many points are you on Cory? Want to compare you with a mate of mine who always runs away with fantasy football haha.
And Germany better bloody win now. As bad as it would be for them to win...I can't support Argentina......
I bet PSG is wondering if they can get a refund for Luiz.
Brazil needs a lot of work on defense
I missed today's game so I have a question...
Usually nobody gives a shit about the third place play off. It's treated like a friendly, used to give players a game that never got off the bench, test out future line ups, new formations etc.
However it appears to me that never in the history of the world cup did anybody find themselves in a position of having to redeem themselves so badly as brazil in their home country.
So what happened? Did they take the game seriously? We're they just simply outclassed? What approach did they take?
Brazil started bright and then thiago silva thought it was a good idea to tug down robben in the vicinity of the penalty area. Early Dutch penalty blew any momentum out of Brazil. Second goal was pathetic. David Luis was clueless again and the rest of the defence allowed Daley Blind 2 touches of the ball to control it before smashing it home. Not a single defender closed him down.
Second half Brazil were brighter. Still couldn't score. Hulk was terrible when he came on. Holland got a late third.
Overall an ok match. Brazil need a major overhaul though
I think this sums up Luiz's defensive contributions in the last two games.
(https://theclemreport.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/td4d592_sideshow-bob-steps-on-rakes-o.gif)
Brazil's best game waas against the other South Americans, the guys they've played countless times. Croatia and Mexico showed how average the team was. Four goals in six minutes, I mean, it was just ridiculous, they were never going to be in the right place mentally for last nights pointless game.
Yeah, the 3rd place game needs to be eliminated.
Quote from: Cory on July 13, 2014, 09:24:23 AM
Yeah, the 3rd place game needs to be eliminated.
Why?
May aswell get rid of the bronze medal from all sporting competitions then
Do they get anything for the third place game in the World Cup? If it's just for bragging rights, then there may not be a point. If they actually get a "bronze trophy" of sorts, then maybe there's an actual point.
Quote from: Blade on July 13, 2014, 10:49:23 AM
Why?
May aswell get rid of the bronze medal from all sporting competitions then
Doesn't follow. An Olympic medal means something, even a bronze. Third place in the world cup is completely meaningless, I can remember all of the winners, most of the finalists, and even a lot of the semi finalists because getting to the last four is a big deal.... But the distinction between third and fourth means absolutely zero.
Well it means something in the FIFA rankings, so yeah I wouldnt say it was pointless.
It does actually mean something, so if having it means you can get a better seed at a future tournament, why not?
vs. Brazil
Quote(G)Cillessen
(D)D. Kuyt
(D)S. De Vrij
(D)R. Vlaar
(D)B. Martins
(D)D. Blind
M)Georginio
(M)de Guzmán
(M)J. Clasie
(F)Van Persie
(F)A. Robben
vs Spain
Quote(G)Cillessen
(D)D. Janmaat
(D)S. De Vrij
(D)R. Vlaar
(D)B. Martins
(D)D. Blind
(M)de Guzmán
(M)Sneijder
(M)N. De Jong
(F)Van Persie
(F)A. Robben
Holland made what, 3 changes? from the team that started the tournament and one of those was because Sneijder hurt his hamstring. They could have piut out a whole differen team and and didnt, I think finishing 3rd meant something to them
De Jong's change was enforced through injury as well.
I actually like them. Normally plenty of goals as teams just play.
Quote from: Blade on July 13, 2014, 11:43:07 AM
Well it means something in the FIFA rankings, so yeah I wouldnt say it was pointless.
It does actually mean something, so if having it means you can get a better seed at a future tournament, why not?
vs. Brazil
vs Spain
Holland made what, 3 changes? from the team that started the tournament and one of those was because Sneijder hurt his hamstring. They could have piut out a whole differen team and and didnt, I think finishing 3rd meant something to them
About as relevant as a friendly then. I'm not saying they shouldn't have it, those are Cory's words. I am pointing out that your argument that we might as well eliminate all third place playoffs in every sport is illogical. An olympic bronze is way more relevant than third place in the world cup.
Years from now brazil and holland will both have semi final appearances in their statistics, and nobody will care who finished third and fourth.
People WILL probably remember the 7-1 annihilation because that was historical in itself, but that's another matter.
Come to think of it... To counter my own argument alas.... Doesnt the Olympics give bronze to both semi finalist these days? Or is that only in certain sports?
Quote from: C.J. Gates on July 13, 2014, 11:10:28 AM
Do they get anything for the third place game in the World Cup? If it's just for bragging rights, then there may not be a point. If they actually get a "bronze trophy" of sorts, then maybe there's an actual point.
No trophy. But IMO, getting to represent your country, albeit in a game that may not mean much, is still something in itself.
It's real to me dammit!
I'm still. Bitter that England finished 4th at italia 90! 3rd place is everything!
Germany scores! Four minutes until they win the World Cup.
Great way to end the World Cup!
Quote from: Drama Queen on July 13, 2014, 12:25:05 PM
Come to think of it... To counter my own argument alas.... Doesnt the Olympics give bronze to both semi finalist these days? Or is that only in certain sports?
I believe Olympic hockey only gives bronze to the winner of the Bronze Medal game.
BOOOOOOO! I smelled a rigged game. Just because front runner is gone doesn't mean you rig the games to have an international power to win. Look at their wins just saying.
Quote from: Krazy on July 13, 2014, 06:44:53 PM
BOOOOOOO! I smelled a rigged game. Just because front runner is gone doesn't mean you rig the games to have an international power to win. Look at their wins just saying.
Someone has to say it.
What the fuck are you talking about?
Germany was the best team in the tournament and deserved to win. They overall played the best team game. Reminded me of the Spurs in the NBA Finals especially against Brazil in the semi finals.
Quote from: Krazy on July 13, 2014, 06:44:53 PM
BOOOOOOO! I smelled a rigged game. Just because front runner is gone doesn't mean you rig the games to have an international power to win. Look at their wins just saying.
Front runner? Brazil were pish. Germany proved they were the best when they demolished them. Unfortunately both teams cancelled each other out in the game but Germany's defense nullified Argentina's attack completely. Hummels was an absolute beast. The best team in the world won this.
Bo Dallas strikes again
https://vine.co/v/MxjnYLrF05w (https://vine.co/v/MxjnYLrF05w)
Third placed team receives a medal. So yeah, they do something
Quote from: Krazy on July 13, 2014, 06:44:53 PM
BOOOOOOO! I smelled a rigged game. Just because front runner is gone doesn't mean you rig the games to have an international power to win. Look at their wins just saying.
That's ridiculous, FIFA ran this tournament with a lot of integrity.
Let's here it for messi, best player of the tournament :P