The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Thread

[Madame Adequate]

IMPERIALIST LIES

ALL EMPIRES ARE IN COLLUSION

SPREADING FALSE NEWS OF IMPOSSIBILITY DPRK LOSS

[Aerith's Knight]

So much fail. xD

[charliepanayi]

Dear certain World Cup refs (like the one at the moment) - stop. giving. out. cards. all. the. damn. time.

[Psychotic]

EDIT: CGI TRICKERY FROM CAPITALIST PIG

BEST KOREA WIN 5-0I'm made up for the boys, that was a good result against a tough Portugese side, but of course, they were no match for the might of the best Korea. 5-0, another 3 points in the bag, next round here we come!

Also made up for The Gonz scoring just now. :)

[Aerith's Knight]

You think the best korea will now bomb SA for this betrayal? xD

[Croyles]

Apparently the amount of cards this tournament is nearly half as much as last tournament (what I heard). Strange, since it seemed like there were more.

Wow at Portugal. I saw like 30 minutes of the game where Portugal scored once but NKorea didn't look too shabby and even had a few chances at goal. What the hell happened afterwards?

EDIT: Oh and btw, who is it that overtook me on the EoFF fantasy league?

[Old Manus]

You think the best korea will now bomb SA for this betrayal? xDThis would be on the cards if their crappy ICBMs could reach further south than Seoul before the blu-tack holding them together disintegrates

[Psychotic]

The Mighty Korea does not need to bomb South Africa; Dear Leader can disintegrate it with a mere sneeze.

[champagne supernova]

Okay, just came back from watching the Portugal - Korea game. What a vibe. Seriously, television cannot pick up half of the game. Even though I got really wet, what a match. Ronaldo seemed to stop sulking in the 2nd half and actually start playing. Maybe he can keep it up.

I'll say Spain is going to win the next game. Hurt pride + awesome team = backlash for Honduras.

[Psychotic]

Spain are both breathtaking and infuriating to watch. Yes it's lovely watching them stroke 10 passes around the penalty area, BUT JUST FUCKING TAKE A SHOT ALREADY!

PS: :lol: @ fabregas's beard.

[Cuchulainn]

well that was john terry slapped backin in his place. not one player supported him. hahaha. drop him keep gerrard as captain and get on with plaqying football managed by the managewr not a mouthy cockney punching above his weight.

[charliepanayi]

And so it's time for the final group games from Tuesday-Friday. Tomorrow:

Mexico 1 Uruguay 0 (despite the fact they could play out a draw to get them both through, I suspect Mexico might want to win to avoid Argentina)
France 1 South Africa 0 (even a shambolic France should struggle past SA, though it won't be enough)

Argentina 4 Greece 0 (this won't be pretty)
Nigeria 2 South Korea 2

[champagne supernova]

Spain are both breathtaking and infuriating to watch. Yes it's lovely watching them stroke 10 passes around the penalty area, BUT JUST smurfING TAKE A SHOT ALREADY!

PS: :lol: @ fabregas's beard.

Spain are Arsenal. That basically sums it up.

[Psychotic]

Spain don't have enough loathsome players to be Arsenal!

[charliepanayi]

Too right Spain are Arsenal. Presumably France or England are Liverpool then ;)

[Psychotic]

Arsenal can't be Spain, seeing as Spain can actually win a European Championship. :greenie:

[charliepanayi]

In stark contrast to England certainly.

[Psychotic]

Taking things to national level, are we? Very well!
The Cyprus national football team is the national football team of the island of Cyprus and is controlled by the Cyprus Football Association. They have never reached the finals of either the European Championships or the World Cup.:goofy:

[charliepanayi]

Ah so there are teams who England can do better than!

Cyprus population - 800,000
England population - 50 million+

And I suspect Cyprus would have put in a better shift than England did on Friday.

If England do go further in this World Cup all I ask is they at least play decent for once, this is something like seven mediocre performances in a row now from 2006-2010.

[Cuchulainn]

Cyprus population - 800,000
England population - 50 million+

And I suspect Cyprus would have put in a better shift than England did on Friday.

You destroyed us in the Euro 2008 qualifiers :(

[charliepanayi]

Cyprus population - 800,000
England population - 50 million+

And I suspect Cyprus would have put in a better shift than England did on Friday.

You destroyed us in the Euro 2008 qualifiers :(

Yeah I remember that, I thought it was a joke when I heard the 5-2 scoreline for the game in Cyprus. But we've never been too bad at home in recent years (drew to Germany, almost drew to Italy), it's away where we get thrashed usually. Still, shows the improvement Ireland made between 2008 and 2010. A direct reversal of Scotland really :D

[Psychotic]

Ah so there are teams who England can do better than!

Cyprus population - 800,000
England population - 50 million+List of countries by population - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population)

With an obvious exception, I don't see too many powerhouses of international football near the top of that list.

[champagne supernova]

Holland is 61, with 16.6 million people. And think about the number of great players and sides they've produced. And Portugal only has 10 million people, but look what they did to an average team. I think England has issues.

[charliepanayi]

Ah so there are teams who England can do better than!

Cyprus population - 800,000
England population - 50 million+List of countries by population - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_population)

With an obvious exception, I don't see too many powerhouses of international football near the top of that list.

Funny, I can see all of them bar Holland in the top 30 or so (Portugal is hardly a footballing powerhouse, 1966 aside they've only been much good in the last decade or so).

Nevertheless well done, you've proven the inferiority of Cypriot football to English! Cyprus would of course lose to England, though they'd probably have the lead for about 20 minutes first knowing England's defence sometimes.

[Old Manus]

I've just stepped into EoTW!

[Madame Adequate]

Honestly if you can't find a dozen decent players out of nearly a million people :monster: I mean yes if we are comparing the Vatican to France or something, but there comes a point where "But they have more people to choose from" is just nonsensical.

[Jiro]

The only continents so far that have done well are South America and Oceania!

I'm glad you later removed Australia from this generalisation. We're not a fantastic team, but ffs when you aren't even playing to potential, it becomes a bit embarrassing. If we don't make it through the group stages, football is going to take another dive in popularity and all the kids will go play :bou::bou::bou::bou: sports :nonono:

[Psychotic]

Well Australia aren't Oceanian, technically, you're Asian. But I figured someone out there might not realise that is the case.

Also, severely enjoying this French game.

[Jings]

Haven't seen the French capitulate like this since 1940. Exciting stuff.

[Cuchulainn]

i'm so happy

[Croyles]

Well thats probably it for South Africa unfortunately. Oh well :(

[charliepanayi]

France clearly want to go the whole hog when it comes to making complete prats of themselves in this tournament. Stupid red card decision though.

So it's looking like Mexico v Argentina (just like in 2006) and Uruguay v South Korea/Nigeria. The winner of that latter game could meet England in a QF if England win their group. If England finish second and make the QFs they'd meet the winner of Mexico v Argentina I think.

[Psychotic]

South American teams are looking very very decent. Ignoring the big two, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay have all had very decent World Cups so far. I can't see the trophy going anywhere but to that continent from what I've seen so far.

[Pete for President]

South American teams are looking very very decent. Ignoring the big two, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay have all had very decent World Cups so far. I can't see the trophy going anywhere but to that continent from what I've seen so far.

Agreed!

[charliepanayi]

Greece's main function seems to be to make any team managed by Jose Mourinho look like the 1970 Brazil side.

I've thought of one good side-effect if England turn it round and do well in this World Cup - it will make John Terry look like even more of a prat. Always a good thing.

[sephireland]

Argentina are great to watch as are Spain (who I hope win it) Greece are absolute poison >_<

[Croyles]

OMG Greece you play 1000x more annyoing football than Italy.

[Jings]

I was considering not even watching any other games Greece was involved in if they got through. They were just...... I mean...... I can't..... :frust:

[charliepanayi]

OMG Greece you play 1000x more annyoing football than Italy.

That's because Italy (sometimes) know the art of being defensive and good at the same time. Greece clearly operate from the Bolton/Stoke handbook of football.

England 2 Slovenia 1 (I'll take England to squeeze through)
USA 0 Algeria 0

Ghana 1 Germany 1 (for some reason I see Germany going out)
Serbia 2 Australia 0

[Cuchulainn]

thank god Greece are out. Woeful.

[Croyles]

OMG Greece you play 1000x more annyoing football than Italy.

That's because Italy (sometimes) know the art of being defensive and good at the same time. Greece clearly operate from the Bolton/Stoke handbook of football.

England 2 Slovenia 1 (I'll take England to squeeze through)
USA 0 Algeria 0

Ghana 1 Germany 1 (for some reason I see Germany going out)
Serbia 2 Australia 0

Youve given a draw prediction for every Germany game. :(


thank god Greece are out. Woeful.

Yes!

Come on England! Get your :bou::bou::bou::bou: together!

[Croyles]

Goal!

[Old Manus]

Very shaky start from England, but after the goal they're playing more like the players we know they can be. THEY ARE BEGINNING TO BELIEVE.

[Kirobaito]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

[Aerith's Knight]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..

[Kirobaito]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

[Aerith's Knight]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

Let's not get that far ahead. The USA team isn't that great. But they should win this game, I think, I hope at least. It'll give me sooo much point in the poule if they do.

[Kirobaito]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

Let's not get that far ahead. The USA team isn't that great. But they should win this game, I think, I hope at least. It'll give me sooo much point in the poule if they do.
We should have won this group. We beat Slovenia, and it got taken away from us. Though there's still time left, we *did* score against Algeria. If international referees weren't so incredibly incompetent, we would have won this group. I don't see how you can dispute that.

EDIT: And now Dempsey gets a mean punch to the face, yet it goes uncalled. Should be a penalty kick and ten men for Algeria.

[Croyles]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

Let's not get that far ahead. The USA team isn't that great. But they should win this game, I think, I hope at least. It'll give me sooo much point in the poule if they do.
We should have won this group. We beat Slovenia, and it got taken away from us. Though there's still time left, we *did* score against Algeria. If international referees weren't so incredibly incompetent, we would have won this group. I don't see how you can dispute that.

If that is your logic, then all the OTHER games would have been different too, and you STILL would have been out. You still act like USA are the only team that had bad decisions made for them.

The offside this game was ARGUABLE, he was SLIGHTLY in front. The question is was it enough. The rule of thumb for referees this world cup is if in doubt, give it to the defender.
I was rooting for the US to go through, but you're seriously giving me second thoughts.

[Cuchulainn]

And Ireland would be there instead of France...

[Aerith's Knight]

The referee's decisions are part of the game. If you can't take that, then stick to your rugby ripoff.

If one team was really that much better than the other, even a referee's bias wouldn't change much.

[Kirobaito]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

Let's not get that far ahead. The USA team isn't that great. But they should win this game, I think, I hope at least. It'll give me sooo much point in the poule if they do.
We should have won this group. We beat Slovenia, and it got taken away from us. Though there's still time left, we *did* score against Algeria. If international referees weren't so incredibly incompetent, we would have won this group. I don't see how you can dispute that.

If that is your logic, then all the OTHER games would have been different, and you STILL would have been out. You still act like USA are the only team that had bad decisions made for them.
I was rooting for the US to go through, but you're seriously giving me second thoughts.
This isn't just bad decisions. This isn't even sending players off. This is goals legitimately and physically scored taken away, the epitome of screwing a team. This screwing has cost the US 5 points and advancement. There are judgment calls to be made, which can be iffy and go against a team, and DO go against every team. This goes far beyond judgment calls. The US did the work they needed to do, and it got robbed from them.

EDIT: You have it backwards. Dempsey was, at most, even, and when in doubt it's supposed to go the attacking team, unless the commentators for this game made that up.

[Croyles]

Sigh. Yet another wrongly disallowed goal for the US. This is robbery.

It'll be robbery when they lose. Now it's just annoying.

And I kind of feel for the guys. So many good chances, perfect chances and they miss..
Everyone should feel for us. We, without any legitimate dispute, should have won this group, and we may not advance out of this stage.

Let's not get that far ahead. The USA team isn't that great. But they should win this game, I think, I hope at least. It'll give me sooo much point in the poule if they do.
We should have won this group. We beat Slovenia, and it got taken away from us. Though there's still time left, we *did* score against Algeria. If international referees weren't so incredibly incompetent, we would have won this group. I don't see how you can dispute that.

If that is your logic, then all the OTHER games would have been different, and you STILL would have been out. You still act like USA are the only team that had bad decisions made for them.
I was rooting for the US to go through, but you're seriously giving me second thoughts.
This isn't just bad decisions. This isn't even sending players off. This is goals legitimately and physically scored taken away, the epitome of screwing a team. This screwing has cost the US 5 points and advancement. There are judgment calls to be made, which can be iffy and go against a team, and DO go against every team. This goes far beyond judgment calls. The US did the work they needed to do, and it got robbed from them.

EDIT: You have it backwards. Dempsey was, at most, even, and when in doubt it's supposed to go the attacking team, unless the commentators for this game made that up.

Have you watched any of the other games?
Also, the US had so many chances in this game and couldnt score, in a way it was all in their own hands.

[Aerith's Knight]

That pass, that 88 min pass.

That is why you don't belong in this sport.

[Croyles]

Theres your goal, now stop moaning

[PeneloRatsbane]

YAY England didn't completely disgrace themselves this time

[Aerith's Knight]

My two teams made the poule and one game predicted. 24 points, BOOYAH!

[Psychotic]

ENGLAND 1 BONGO BONGOLAND 0

TAKE THAT, JOHNNY FOREIGNER

TRUE LIONS TIME TO BRING FOOTBALL HOME 1966

etc. etc. etc.

Frank Lampard is still :bou::bou::bou::bou: though :monster:

[Old Manus]

Oh my God I almost had a nervous breakdown

[charliepanayi]

USA!

I feel a bit sorry for Slovenia now though :(

But that goal has changed England's fate a bit, they're now one game away from a possible QF with Argentina, and if Germany win tonight they'll probably be playing them on Saturday!

[Croyles]

Why the hell did the fantasy football automatically change my captain????

[Laddy]

*shudders*

Oh fucking god that was amazing. Two minutes of stoppage. STOPPAGE!

[Psychotic]

Glad the Yanks went through instead of Slovenia, even if it meant them topping the group. The Slovenians acted like such whiny babies after losing the Wembley game, so fuck 'em I say.

Looking forward to England's imminent elimination on penalties, anyway! It's just not right to go out any other way.

[The Captain]

What a finish!!!

I still can't believe it. After so many chances, we finally broke through. Knowing our luck, now WE'LL draw Germany in the knockout round. I'll tell you what though, bring them on!

Donovan has really emerged as a world class player.


England should have had at least 3 goals, but they made it through too. Still don't really like them playing a 4-4-2 though.

Take care all.

[Kirobaito]

I get emotionally invested in sports. Sue me. The best team my country's ever produced just nearly got screwed out of advancing in the biggest sporting event in the world. Excuse me for being pissed.

I guess we have to root for Germany, now, to win that group so we draw Serbia or Ghana.

[Psychotic]

Oh hey come on now KB, you've missed the crucial point of this sport: None of the bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: and terrible decisions matter after you snatch a goal at the end and win! You're through, we're through, everyone's happy. Apart from Slovenia. :smug:

Also, didn't you have a team that came 3rd or 4th once?

[charliepanayi]

Yeah USA came 3rd/4th in one World Cup - in 1930!

[Kirobaito]

Oh hey come on now KB, you've missed the crucial point of this sport: None of the bull:bou::bou::bou::bou: and terrible decisions matter after you snatch a goal at the end and win! You're through, we're through, everyone's happy. Apart from Slovenia. :smug:

Also, didn't you have a team that came 3rd or 4th once?
That was 1930 in the first World Cup, so I'm not sure it really counts. Although, it is interesting to note that soccer was the US's biggest spectator sport in the 1920s, but all the teams were run by corporations and factories and the like, so when the market crashed in 1929 the league went under and baseball become America's game.

Really, any association football before the 1990s with the exception of 1950 doesn't really register. And yeah, our 2014 team will be better than this one, but still.

[The Captain]

Which is the last time we won our group too!

The USA actually could have a very good path to the quarterfinals now... if Germany doesn't fluff the line and become runner up.

Take care all.

[charliepanayi]

I can't see Germany being runners-up, the most likely outcomes are either they win the group (by beating Ghana and assuming Serbia don't thrash Australia) or they go out (if they don't beat Ghana they have to rely on Australia getting a draw or win off Serbia, which is possible but not sure it will happen).

[Croyles]

I get emotionally invested in sports. Sue me. The best team my country's ever produced just nearly got screwed out of advancing in the biggest sporting event in the world. Excuse me for being pissed.



Hey I can understand that, and who knows I might be the same before the end of the world cup, but everyone always needs someone to pull them out of that victim mentality. :)


I can't see Germany being runners-up, the most likely outcomes are either they win the group (by beating Ghana and assuming Serbia don't thrash Australia) or they go out (if they don't beat Ghana they have to rely on Australia getting a draw or win off Serbia, which is possible but not sure it will happen).

Same, I see Germany either being on top or failing to qualify.
Come on GERMANY!

[Aerith's Knight]

Yeah USA came 3rd/4th in one World Cup - in 1930!

The rest of the world was too busy either recuperating from WWI, or preparing for the second.

[Croyles]

Wars and Facists are also bad for sports I guess. :p

For some reason the FIFA website has automatically made Robinho my captain, even though I had it on Lahm, and I didnt substitute him or anything!

[Psychotic]

The really cool kids didn't even enter that World Cup. :monster:

[Aerith's Knight]

Not really, the 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany. That's about three years before they invaded, mind you.

They did have some good Strudel, you gotta give them that one.

[Croyles]

Hey Psy, are the Best Korea team still alive? Kim won't be happy.


Not really, the 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany. That's about three years before they invaded, mind you.

They did have some good Strudel, you gotta give them that one.

Horrible Olympics that was.

Im hoping for a Germany v Holland final. One that isnt ugly. We don't want spit flying into peoples hair.

[Psychotic]

Hey Psy, are the Best Korea team still alive? Kim won't be happy.for the record, Dear Leader would beat the :bou::bou::bou::bou: out of Andrea Merkel in a fist fight :colbert:

[Croyles]

I don't think he would bother to get away from his 1500 sex slaves to even pick up a knife.

[Croyles]

Fuck the english commentators. I hate them!

[Jings]

They might as well just come out and say that they hope the German's get hammered.

[charliepanayi]

Same as it ever was really, 2006 apart the English commentators and pundits are usually loath to ever give Germany credit for anything in a major tournament (but then that's the traditional rivalry for you!).

[Kirobaito]

smurf the english commentators. I hate them!
Just know they're disparaging Germany and hoping they lose because they don't want to have to play them.

[charliepanayi]

Very open game so far, Gyan looks dangerous for Ghana.

[Psychotic]

smurf the english commentators. I hate them!
Just know they're disparaging Germany and hoping they lose because they don't want to have to play them.One of them's Welsh! And tbh they've actually been pretty fair to the Germans. Said it would be unfair to send Lahm off for his handball just because it would ruin the spectacle.

Been entertaining football so far, although I've noticed both Ghana and Germany like to dive and play up any physical contact, and if either of them end up playing (and subsequently beating, as seems likely) England, you can bet they will be absolutely villified in the English press for it.

[charliepanayi]

Yeah but if England go out the English press are going to find a scapegoat anyway, whether it's Capello, one of their own players, the officials or an evil cheating foreigner(s).

[Psychotic]

Probably all four.

But of course, half the fun of England in tournaments is finding out who the new Beckham/Sven/Random Swiss referee/Ronaldo will be.

[Old Manus]

England can beat Germany no problem. I remember watching that friendly against them in 2008 where a 2-1 victory sold the English performance far too short. They were all over the Germans.

[charliepanayi]

England can beat Germany no problem. I remember watching that friendly against them in 2008 where a 2-1 victory sold the English performance far too short. They were all over the Germans.

Using a friendly (from two years ago) as the main basis for saying that Team X can beat Team Y doesn't make much sense to me. The teams may have changed since then, it's a tournament game and not a friendly etc. And they might not even play Germany.

[Jings]

Germany v England here we go! :D

[Kirobaito]

Go Australia. I'd like a re-match with the Ghanans.

[Cuchulainn]

Not really, the 1936 Olympics were held in Berlin, Germany. That's about three years before they invaded, mind you.

They did have some good Strudel, you gotta give them that one.

True Story. Did you know that story about Hitler refusing to shake his hand after he won & being mad was completely fabricated by the Allies during the war?

[Psychotic]

Germany v England here we go! :DI wonder which of these events will happen the most:

English press mentioning 1966, or that tool Franz Beckenbauer saying words to the effect of "England are :bou::bou::bou::bou:"? :lol:

[Croyles]

Germany v England here we go! :DI wonder which of these events will happen the most:

English press mentioning 1966, or that tool Franz Beckenbauer saying words to the effect of "England are :bou::bou::bou::bou:"? :lol:

Equal amounts, with maybe english press mentioning 66 slightly more often.

Beckenbauer is definitely a tool btw, and in Germany we all know that.

Good game. Ghana played well and had their fair share of chances too.
Germany played very well forwards both halves. First half they were quite shaky defensively though.
Even though it was only 1-0, Germany were passing the ball very comfortably second half, showing that they can defend as well, which is what I was worrying about with this very young squad.

Commentators seemed to get words in their ears about not piling too much :bou::bou::bou::bou: on Germany, which they improved second half despite mentioning the first and second world war lol.

Looking forward to Germany v England!!!

[Psychotic]

You better get used to that, as sadly I think you're going have a whole week of English people saying offensive :bou::bou::bou::bou: about the World Wars. I apologise on behalf of my country. I also apologise in advance for Emile Heskey scoring 5 goals against you. :tongue:

[charliepanayi]

Landon Donovan, you may have given the World Cup both England v Germany and England v Argentina - well done to you ;)

If Capello beats Germany and Argentina he'll probably be made King, Prime Minister and Archbishop of Canterbury all at once.

One of USA/Ghana/Uruguay/South Korea will make the semis, I think we've found this year's oddball semi-finalist contenders!

[Croyles]

You better get used to that, as sadly I think you're going have a whole week of English people saying offensive :bou::bou::bou::bou: about the World Wars. I apologise on behalf of my country. I also apologise in advance for Emile Heskey scoring 5 goals against you. :tongue:

Lol no problem. Remember that I have been living in England for more than 10 years. I apologise for that idiot Beckenbauer, and I apologise in advance for Özil, Podolski, Lahm, Klose and Khedira scoring and then beating you at penalties! ;)

[The Captain]

Gotta say.. I wasn't impressed by Germany. After the Ozil goal, they sort of just sat around and their defense looked very suspect at points. England have a real chance in that match.

Ghana could be very dangerous to the USA. Seeing as they may be the only African team left, they'll have the home field advantage, though the USA has really shown how much fire they have, so I still think they'll get through.


I was glued to the epic tennis match for a while, so I couldn't really tell you much about the Australia -Serbia match.

Take care all.

[Croyles]

Gotta say.. I wasn't impressed by Germany. After the Ozil goal, they sort of just sat around and their defense looked very suspect at points. England have a real chance in that match.

Ghana could be very dangerous to the USA. Seeing as they may be the only African team left, they'll have the home field advantage, though the USA has really shown how much fire they have, so I still think they'll get through.


I was glued to the epic tennis match for a while, so I couldn't really tell you much about the Australia -Serbia match.

Take care all.

I think Germany passed the ball around very well in the midfield, but they were very cautious after their goal and still a little shaky at the back, but overall pretty comfortable I think.
I think it will be a close match.

[Cuchulainn]

i can't see past a germany win. England always seem to bottle it.

[charliepanayi]

They could always bottle it in the quarter-finals, that's their usual glass ceiling.

[Jings]

Make fun all you like, but it just wouldn't be the World Cup without the obligatory mentioning of 1966 at least 5 times during a game, regardless of who's playing.

[Mo-Nercy]

Well, that was fun!

Being Australian, I no longer have any interest in football now that we're officially out. I feel that we went out on a pretty good note though. We weren't the favourites in any of our group matches, so to come away with a loss, a draw and a win isn't too bad at all.

Off to watch Wimbledon! Gonna check if that Mahut vs. Isner fifth set is STILL going. It was 53-52 when I left it. (edit: play stopped due to bad light. It's going to be a match played over at least 3 days with over 10 hours of on-court time.. wow)

'Football' returns to being 'soccer' in 3...2...1...

[Croyles]

Oh there you go. MOTD is showing the 66 win! :)

[black orb]

>>> The Germany vs England match is going to be interesting :), England better watch out of Mesut Özil or else they will get owned..:luca:

[charliepanayi]

That Italy game went crazy in the last 20 minutes or so - great game in the end, but Italy have been very disappointing in this tournament, they only seemed to come to life when it was too late. They really didn't deserve to go through that's for sure. New Zealand can probably be pleased with how they did - unbeaten!

And Japan 2-0 up! Two nice free kicks from them. For a team who was meant to have had an awful build up to the tournament, they haven't looked bad at all here. And poor Sorensen, having a nightmare.

[Psychotic]

Fuck yes Martin Skrtel fuck yes Slovakia, out you go Italy. :D Just a shame the Slovakians tarnished the win a bit by play acting at the end.

Also well fucking done to New Zealand for going the entire World Cup unbeaten. Major props.

Some sick free kicks from the Japanese.

[Aerith's Knight]

Worst Dutch game yet. It's so like our country to rock the preliminaries and to cop out on the stuff that matters.

[charliepanayi]

Worst Dutch game yet. It's so like our country to rock the preliminaries and to cop out on the stuff that matters.

It's pretty much a dead rubber game, aren't you being a little harsh on them? They're going through top of the group probably, a winnable second round game ahead, at least they're not Italy or France.

[Croyles]

Come on Japan! Also excellent game between Italy and Slovakia!

[Breine]

That Italy game went crazy in the last 20 minutes or so - great game in the end, but Italy have been very disappointing in this tournament, they only seemed to come to life when it was too late. They really didn't deserve to go through that's for sure.

Yeah, that Italy vs. Slovakia game was pretty mad in the end. Quite exciting actually.




Some sick free kicks from the Japanese.


And Japan 2-0 up! Two nice free kicks from them. For a team who was meant to have had an awful build up to the tournament, they haven't looked bad at all here. And poor Sorensen, having a nightmare

Yup, some pretty sick free kicks. And yeah, I feel pretty sorry for Sørensen too.

[Aerith's Knight]

Worst Dutch game yet. It's so like our country to rock the preliminaries and to cop out on the stuff that matters.

It's pretty much a dead rubber game, aren't you being a little harsh on them? They're going through top of the group probably, a winnable second round game ahead, at least they're not Italy or France.

Well, at least Robben shows his worth. If we wouldn't have won this, I'd have been pissed.

[Croyles]

Nice goal from Japan!!

[Breine]

Japan are doing a good job. They deserve to go to the next round, and Denmark deserve to go home. Like, really.

[Croyles]

Yeah its a shame really. Was kind of rooting for Denmark before the world cup but they didn't play very well and Japan definitely deserve it. Nice to see Tomasson get his goal though.

[Psychotic]

Yup I wanted Denmark to win at the start of the game, but it looked like only Agger and Rommedahl gave a toss whereas the Japanese fought like, well, Samurai. Will be a tasty game, Paraguay v Japan.

[Cuchulainn]

some dive by Agger for the pen.

10 points.

[Croyles]

I cant believe we finally get a Germany v England again after 20 years! Its gonna be a match of the decade!

[Dreddz]

I've waited for a Germany Vs England match for ages. Will definitely make the effort to go to the pub for this (an especially grotty one too, to get the best atmosphere).

We'll lose. But it'll be fun nonetheless.

[champagne supernova]

I don't know if England will lose. Yes, the German side destroyed Australia, but the Aussie defence that day was a shambles. And then they lost to Serbia next. I don't know if England's defence is as solid as Serbia (Ivanovic & Vidic, need anymore be said), but they are classier than the Germans. As long as people track the runs that the Germans make, then they should be able to contain them.

But Portugal - Brazil tomorrow should be a cracker. Then to the knock-out round. The World Cup is warming up.

[Pete for President]

Japan are doing a good job. They deserve to go to the next round, and Denmark deserve to go home. Like, really.

Word!

Dutch game was allright IMO. A little better than last 2 matches but still, I think there are some serious underdogs to look out for this tournament.

[charliepanayi]

North Korea 0 Ivory Coast 2
Brazil 2 Portugal 1
Spain 1 Chile 1
Honduras 0 Switzerland 0

[Croyles]

This game is going to get ugly...

[Psychotic]

Bit of a :bou::bou::bou::bou:ty game. Which is disappointing, really, all of the final matches I've watched so far have been good.

ALSO FUCK YOU IVORY COAST. Seriously it is p. embarassing to have Solomon Kalou score against you...

[Cuchulainn]

More acting by players, this time its the ladyboy Torres getting a Chhilean sent off & killing the game.

Truely sick of these pussys destroying my sport.

[Psychotic]

I don't know, you know, Fernando Torres does have an injury record worse than Darren Anderton. It wouldn't surprise me if a sneeze somehow popped one of his hamstrings.

Still, I do like the kickin' 'em style of Chile. Wish they had France in their group, but we can't have everything I s'pose.

[champagne supernova]

Don't think Torres dived. Torres wasn't aware there was a guy behind him, and then his heels got clipped. It's like people getting ankle-tapped in rugby. If you're not expecting it, you're going to go down like a sack of potatoes.

But wasn't a yellow card either.

[charliepanayi]

I wish I could get into a state over diving etc like everyone else seems to.

Ponce should have gone just before HT for a rather nasty tackle, that was deserving of a red card.

[Psychotic]

Hey charlie, I reckon Ponce should play for Arsenal. He'd fit right in there. HAR HAR HAR. :hahaha:

(you knew it was coming :aimkiss:)

[charliepanayi]

Laugh all you want, it's your player who's the latest one going down like a sack of spuds ;)

[Cuchulainn]

Don't think Torres dived. Torres wasn't aware there was a guy behind him, and then his heels got clipped. It's like people getting ankle-tapped in rugby. If you're not expecting it, you're going to go down like a sack of potatoes.

But wasn't a yellow card either.

He did'nt dive, he was accidentally tripped. But him staying motionless on the ground for 5 fucking minutes as if he'd been given heroin was where he was the bitch getting an innocent man sent off.

[charliepanayi]

I think the ref was going to send him off anyway, he'd already let off Estrada once.

[Cuchulainn]

I just noticed the world champions Italy were not listed on the poll. That was either amazing foresight or a stupid fucking oversight.

[charliepanayi]

Probably just because everyone bar me hates Italy =P

[Psychotic]

They were on the poll. I've been removing teams that had 0 votes for teams that made it through.

[charliepanayi]

Maybe set up a new poll now that we're in the knockout stages?

[Psychotic]

Sadly each thread can only have one poll attached to it, as far as I know. And polls, once added, can only be closed for voting rather than all out removed. We'll make do.

[champagne supernova]

Torres was down and not moving from the moment it happened, so don't think he was trying to get the guy sent off. Talking about Arsenal players: Fabregas beard = epic fail.

But according to Lord Triessman, Spain have bribed all the refs, so obviously that's why the guy got sent off. I reckon Lord Loudmouth, Sepp Blatter, Max Moseley, Prince Philip & Franz Beckenbauer should form an organisation.

EDIT: Fabregas = epic fail

[charliepanayi]

Fabregas is never epic fail (yes yes he won't be playing for us next season anyway etc)!

So the First Round is complete, and we're down to:

Uruguay v South Korea
USA v Ghana

Netherlands v Slovakia
Brazil v Chile


England v Germany
Argentina v Mexico

Paraguay v Japan
Spain v Portugal

[champagne supernova]

So the First Round is complete, and we're down to:

Uruguay v South Korea
USA v Ghana

Netherlands v Slovakia
Brazil v Chile


England v Germany
Argentina v Mexico

Paraguay v Japan
Spain v Portugal

So we could get a Brazil - Argentina final, right? Currently supporting the Portuguese, because I generally end up supporting them come crunch-time at a tournament, so hopefully they can beat the Spanish. Should be quite a good match because Portugal are much more direct than the Spanish.

[charliepanayi]

We could get Brazil v Argentina yeah, I've set it out into the four quarters/two halves of the draw. England could have to face Germany, Argentina and Spain/Portugal if they want to make the final.

[Cortez]

Funny that one of the Uruguay-South Korea-Ghana-USA teams will be in semi final.

As for me, I expect the Dutch in the final. They failed in the European Cup in 2008, but now they're more experienced and motivated, and they played the best football during the group stage. I also welcome the Asian teams among the best 16, both South Korea and Japan played very well, although they have no chance against the traditional football nations.

Spain disappointed me a little. They're my second fav team, but they don't find their gamestyle on the field, not to mention Torres's incapacity to score a goal. Villa is in a great form, but he can have a bad play during the finals and that will hurt Spain.

[Iceglow]

I feel that this weekend could be quite interesting. I'm seeing a german girl at a party full of germans tonight we play tomorrow xD

[charliepanayi]

Uruguay 2 South Korea 0
USA 1 Ghana 1 (Ghana win on penalties)

[Croyles]

Im amazed The Sun didn't say anything about Nazi's but rather showed a picture of the german team on safari looking at 3 lions with the heading "germany afraid of 3 lions".
Have they gotten bored? :)

[Psychotic]

You'll be pleased to know the Daily Mail showed a photo from 38 when England played the Germans and had to deliver a nazi salute. Although that was kind of in an "England v Germany through the ages" piece, so I don't think it really counts.

In other news: YouTube - NIKE FOOTBALL WRITE THE FUTURE - FULL LENGTH VERSION (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE) hahaha Nike jinxed everyone. Drogba, Cannavaro and Ribery all out in the group stages, Rooney's had a :bou::bou::bou::bou: World Cup and Ronaldo has hardly set the world alight. And as for Ronaldinho...

Incidentally, click the little football icon on the bottom right of the video for that authentic experience.

[champagne supernova]

Incidentally, click the little football icon on the bottom right of the video for that authentic experience.

I heard about that. So cool.

[Psychotic]

So long, Worst Korea! :)

Uruguay looking increasingly powerful.

[Croyles]

The english are confident, the germans are confident, hopefully it will get interesting! :)

[Psychotic]

I'm confident...that we'll lose.

Although it's a daytime match and England only go out on penalties at night, so I fear we might not get to that point.

[Croyles]

I'm confident...that we'll lose.

Although it's a daytime match and England only go out on penalties at night, so I fear we might not get to that point.

I think your underestimating yourself. You could very well win this match. Im hoping not though :p
I think its a 50:50
It just depends who's day it is really.

[Cuchulainn]

Wow! Where was this Ghana team hiding in the groups? They're all over America.

[Del Murder]

Koreaaaaaaa!

[charliepanayi]

Uruguay almost paid for trying to sit back and defend their 1-0 lead. Nice winning goal though.

And Ghana looking much improved from the group stages.

[Psychotic]

In many ways I am glad that's not England out there.

[Cuchulainn]

Dear Mick Jagger,

You are aware that you are actually ENGLISH arn't you?


Yours Faithfully,

Cuch

[charliepanayi]

Maybe he assumed they'd win their group and got tickets for this game.

[Psychotic]

Imagine what the US would be like if they actually gave a fuck about the first half of games too!

Donovan will probably get all the attention but for me, their star man is by far and away Clint Dempsey.

[Kirobaito]

Imagine what the US would be like if they actually gave a smurf about the first half of games too!

Donovan will probably get all the attention but for me, their star man is by far and away Clint Dempsey.
Dempsey hustles but at times it just looks like he's flopping over and over again. He rarely ever converts but shoots like a maniac.

This is where we should have gotten. We're from the 9-16 range in world rankings, so going out in the first round of elimination is what was pretty much to be expected. We can still come back, but our guys are pretty much gassed. Defense just does too many stupid things to win at this level of competition.

[Cuchulainn]

Bad bag goala given away by America I was rooting for them too. Sick of this condescending pathetiv support for anything African by the TV here. If they're a good team I'll like them through, if they are not & play :bou::bou::bou::bou: football I want em out. Until today Ghana played awful football. Not sure what happened but they were ok. Still would have preferred the US through.

America will be back, they're getting rather good at this sport.


England Vs Germany next. I don't really mind either team but would prefer to see Germany. I think England will win though.

[Jings]

A real shame to see the US go out. I agree with Cuch about the annoying African support by the commentators/pundits. Ghana is not South Africa. This is not Ghana's World Cup.

Tomorrow should be exciting though!

[Psychotic]

Uruguay will probably slaughter Ghana anyway. Didn't look like they were up to much, and now they have a few suspensions and possibly their best player (Boateng) out injured, they're fucked.

[charliepanayi]

No way, my prediction of Ghana for the semi-finals will come true, damn you all!

[Old Manus]

bawww we don't care about sawkker anyway it's a pussy divegrass sport for morons

[Madame Adequate]

YOU ESS AY
YOU ESS AY

Might have lost the soccer but we can bomb your :bou::bou::bou::bou: back to the stone age :smug:

[Old Manus]

Ooh, an englishman supporting Germany. EDGY.

[Cuchulainn]

and it's absolutely completely NOT just to get attention.

[black orb]

>>> Poor USA :(. Well, at least they did pass the first thing..:luca:

[eestlinc]

Uruguay has been my favorite team to watch so far, although Argentina is probably the best team. or should I say "side"?

Too bad about the US losing to Ghana, but it was probably inevitable. Two days rest off the emotional win over Algeria, and our inability to actually finish opportunities was eventually going to cost us. Plus Ghana has the whole Africa thing going for them.

[Croyles]

Lol Im so fuckng drunk rigt now i hope the nexrt game is aweome! Goood luckk!

[charliepanayi]

England 2 Germany 0 or England 1 Germany 1 and England win on penalties - stop laughing (followed by wave of over-optimism in the media that is then crushed in the quarters or semis)
Argentina 3 Mexico 1

[Old Manus]

England win on penaltieshttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/oldmanus/b875491f.jpg

[Psychotic]

Ooh, an englishman supporting Germany. EDGY.MILF's actually Irish. Go figure.

Anyway England winning on penalties is not so unlikely and here is why. I have been playing the games on PES (it is better than FIFA, no, shut up, anyone who disagrees is 1000000000% wrong forever, the end) and so far as Uruguay I beat the Koreans with a late Suarez goal, and as the Yanks I got jammed by Ghana, so it's been pretty fucking accurate so far.

So here is a lovely tale of what happened in my exciting football computer game!



Fat Wayne takes the lead for England early on after a sick Glen Johnson cross, and England were cruising for the rest of the half. Right up until Mr. Johnson fucked up with a clearance which fell right to Klose who made it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

England looked like they didn't know what the fuck after that, with the Germans pressuring hard and David James making a sick save from Schweinsteiger with his fingertips. He was then further called into action when Kiessling (on as a sub) was in a one on one situation with him, and actually rounded Jamo but hit the post. England struck back with Stevie G and Lampard having fierce shots saved, and in the very last minute, Wayne Rooney danced through the German defence and hit the bar, with Heskey spooning the rebound.

Germany stupidly left sub Aaron Lennon in miles of space, and he capitalised by running right into their box and setting up Fat Frank to put England ahead. England carried on hammering the Germans and Emile Heskey had a nice shot saved by Neuer. Unfortunately England were hit on the break, with John Terry hacking down Podolski, and Schweinsteiger nailed the free kick (and I fucking knew he would) with 3 mins to go. Heskey responds by dicking some guy called Trochowski who is crippled, but can't go off because Germany have made all three subs.

Penalties are happening right now, and I will type up my thoughts as they happen! (yes I had to write this all down on my PC for people who don't care) Emile Heskey hates taking penalties and thus will be last on England's list. He is too beautiful for that.

Rooney - scores
Klose - James got a foot to it but it bounced in.
Terry - puts it coolly to the left.
Trochowski - again, James got a foot to it but it went in. Surprised this dude even took one seeing as how he is injured.
Gerrard - nails it
Podolski - fuck that was a nice pen - no-one has missed so far.
Ashley Cole - thank fuck he scored.
Kiessling - PUTS IT WIDE FUCK YEAH
Fat Frank to win the game holy :bou::bou::bou::bou:....he's done it!

Somehow England have beaten Germany on penalties I am fucking made up. Fat Fucking Lampard scoring a goal AND a penalty, bloody hell.

And that is how the real game will go down. :colbert:

[Jiro]

England better win. I hope it goes to penalties too, that's always great nail biting action.

[champagne supernova]

Cheers England. Maybe this German side can beat Argentina.

EDIT: Perhaps I spoke too soon. England are actually stringing some passes together. And that should've been a goal.

[Cuchulainn]

Oh dear....yet more woeful officiating.

[Psychotic]

That ref has no idea what the fuck he has just unleashed. May god have mercy upon his soul!

Dodgy decisions aside, come the fuck on, England, stop with this long ball :bou::bou::bou::bou:. We're playing Rooney and Defoe up front. They are not giants. Play it to feet. How fucking hard is it? And what the fuck is going on down the left at the back? The Germans are tearing us apart. Was going to suggest Upson off as he is clearly not up to the occasion but hopefully his goal has boosted him. Keep playing like we did after the first goal and we can score, take them to penalties and lose on them! ...provided we stop letting them in at the back, fucking hell.

[Chris]

I feel so bad for Lampard. Just not his luck today! :(

[Cuchulainn]

germany have completely owned england. I mean totally outclassed them.

[champagne supernova]

Damn, I really wanted Messi to destroy Johnson to prove my point. England, I dislike you.

[Psychotic]

Fuck me with a rake.

I knew England would never be able to beat Germany, but I had no idea it would be such a brutal and violent rape.

No hyperbole, worst England team ever.

...at least we did better than the French. :shobon:

[Loony BoB]

http://www.znanje.org/i/i25/05iv03/05iv031021/New_zealand_flag_300.png
New Zealand
Unbeaten at the 2010 World Cup. How about you?

But seriously, I dunno. Germany were the better team for the majority of the game but England still may have done a lot better if things had gone their way. Momentum is a lovely thing and the goal-that-wasn't would have changed that. Either way, they seem incapable of defending against counterattacks and I think that's what did it. I wonder what England would be like if they switched strategy to become a running counter attacking team instead of a slow playing possession team?

Going for Mexico (I know, it won't happen) and Spain now.

[Pete for President]

I think England was doing pretty well out there for the first 60 minutes or so, but Germany was relentless. I hope it's gonna be Germany vs. Argentina next round. That would be really interesting.

[Rye]

smurf me with a rake.

I knew England would never be able to beat Germany, but I had no idea it would be such a brutal and violent rape.

No hyperbole, worst England team ever.

...at least we did better than the French. :shobon:

Huxley predicted you would say exactly that.

[The Captain]

In the end, the USA and England were just not good enough.

I actually like our chances going into the next World Cup better then England's, whose players looked painfully old and slow, almost Italian-like by the end of the game.

I was very worried that we'd still be on a high from the last game and when Ghana scored early, my fears were realized. However, this cup has given a lot of the players great experience. Mike Bradley looks like he could develop into a very good holding midfielder and if Altidore could just learn to aim better, well, things might be different. Donovan had a great clutch tournament, though I think his influence will be on the downside come the next World Cup. Dempsey was dangerous as always but the man needs to bulk up if he wants to take that next step. He was easily pushed off the ball at times and while he is so clever, that extra bit of strength could go a long way. Howard remains a world class goalkeeper, but we need to find faster, stronger defensive players. We were too easily opened up. I look to this as a learning experience for the USA and expect much better things in the coming years. Winning the group was great, the come from behind victory was nirvana, and now I just hope we continue to take steps forward and not feel like we've accomplished enough.

As for England:

Everyone was so high on Capello, but I wonder if he was the right man in the end. Sports teams tend to thrive on a motivator, not a dictator, and when you have a team that is as high-strung as England, you NEED someone who can ease the pressure, lighten the mood and make the players relax. Capello, arms crossed throughout the tournament, has looked like a principal watching his students in detention and I think the players as a result were scared to make a mistake. In the end, it comes down to this, the defense was too slow, the midfield couldn't hold the ball and the forwards were just not good enough. Rooney had a miserable tournament, not all his fault but, he looked increasingly sulky. Terry really played awful all tournament long. I've never understood the appeal in him frankly. Yes he's vocal, yes he can be brave, but his instincts always seem to let him down and as a center back, you can't do that. England need new youthful blood at center. I'm a bit shocked really that Mike Dawson didn't at least get a look.

Ironically, after all the talk of how he never performs, I thought Gerrard was England's best player this tournament, but he probably won't be around in 2014. Gerrard isn't a winger, he never will be a winger. Lampard isn't a holding player, he never will be a holding player. If Gerrard is still around in 2014 and no other striker has made the leap, play him off Rooney, and play actual wingers and holding midfielders because in the end, the team was basically isolated from itself. The defense was left on its own and couldn't deal with pace. The forwards were starved of service and as has been pointed out, aren't tall, so high crosses in aren't going to work. Trying to put all the "stars" together is the problem. England need to re-embrace a team mentality and not try and just put the best names on the field. Don't worry about egos, seriously. If you want to win, put the best team on the field. If a player bitches about not playing, then they don't deserve to represent their country.

The first half of the England-Germany game was a classic and while the Lampard goal would have changed the tide, in the end, the better team won. This isn't supposed to be Germany's year yet, but you know what, an Argentina - Germany quarter would be EPIC and based on how both teams have looked, I think one of them may be our champion. I'd still enjoy seeing an outsider like Spain or Netherlands win their first Cup, but I think we may have to settle for the old guard, who are anything BUT old.

Take care all.

[Loony BoB]

I think the biggest problem with Cappello is that he found a strategy that worked for England and then he changed it back to the same old strategy for the World Cup that causes them to cock up every tournament.

[The Captain]

I agree with that.

I think the team thought they would breeze on through and as such, had no real passion to play, no focus, and let their egos (Including Capello) dictate everything.


Take care all.

[Croyles]

What a game!

Referee was a complete dumb ass and it should have been a goal, but Germany still would have won in the end because England were really poor defensively, and those long balls really killed it for England.

I was hoping for a 5-1 or 6-1 as that would have stopped the dumb ass 5-1 comments.
Its still revenge.

English media and commentators are still ridiculously stupid. All that talk about Germany being poor to average at best and them showing all the mistakes the german defense have made and showing all the successes of the english attack while leaving everything else out in the pre-match discussion.

Well, Germany still have Beckenbauer, who is like the biggest dumb-ass of them all.
It does hurt to see England play like that though, I was hoping for a much closer game.

Also, I was watching it in a bar with 5 friends of mine, 3 of which support Germany, 1 doesn't care and the other for England. We were thouroughly outnumbered in support and we were in quite a bit of danger from a few roudy people. One twat kept screaming at the english players to "break those fucking kraut legs" and "slit their throats!"
He told us to fuck off whenever we celebrated (while we were also happily chatting to some fair open minded england supporters) and he probably would have tried to beat the crap out of me after the game if the bouncers hadnt come and kicked the idiot out.
Ugh, why does football have to be like this here?
I know there are a lot of england supporters who aren't cocks, unfortunately the cocks are always the ones who surface and it really brings me down.

It was quite sad to see all the faces of the people in town today, so I couldn't celebrate cause I felt bad. I need to let off some steam somewhere though, otherwise im gonna implode!

Neuer was the worst german player on the pitch until the last 10 minutes or so.

[Old Manus]

I was watching it in a Swansea bar, so as you can expect it was full of less-than-intelligent 'Germany' supporters. Both teams' defences were absolute horror shows, it was just that Germany had the cutting edge up front, while England didn't and stupidly relied on Matthew 'missile long ball' Upson to kick horrendous balls forward to the (very lacking in the height department) Defoe and Rooney. This never worked over the entire game.

In summary, Capello got it all wrong in this tournament. Secondly, I'm just going to throw this out there, but HARRY REDKNAPP FOR NEXT ENGLAND MANAGER.

[Cuchulainn]

Özil is one of the greatest talents I've seen. I'd love him at Old Trafford.

[charliepanayi]

England - the Newcastle United of international football?

Terrible decision aside for the Lampard goal (and to the BBC's credit after the game they didn't use it as an excuse, even juxtaposing it with England's third goal in 1966 at the end - considering the petulance of the pundits in 2004 and 2006 after England's exits this was a pleasant surprise), England were awful. I think Germany might not get past Argentina if they face them but they were great today, and made a mockery of the ' they're not all that' comments in the English press which Croyles mentioned. Aside from 60 minutes or so against Slovenia England haven't performed yet again, and you wonder if anything will ever get done about it.

I hope Capello stays anyway, the idea of Redknapp ever being England manager is hilarious (and not in a good way).

[Psychotic]

England - the Newcastle United of international football?Okay, now I'm depressed.

[Croyles]

I was watching it in a Swansea bar, so as you can expect it was full of less-than-intelligent 'Germany' supporters. Both teams' defences were absolute horror shows, it was just that Germany had the cutting edge up front, while England didn't and stupidly relied on Matthew 'missile long ball' Upson to kick horrendous balls forward to the (very lacking in the height department) Defoe and Rooney. This never worked over the entire game.

In summary, Capello got it all wrong in this tournament. Secondly, I'm just going to throw this out there, but HARRY REDKNAPP FOR NEXT ENGLAND MANAGER.

Your right about both teams' defensive efforts. Germany was poor in that department too. It is what happens when you take a team that played boring football for 50 years and turn it into flare, you will have great attacking football but your defense usually suffers because of it.

Brazil are sometimes in the exception where they can be both extremely good defensively AND on the attack.

[champagne supernova]

I hope Capello stays anyway, the idea of Redknapp ever being England manager is hilarious (and not in a good way).

I don't think so. Redknapp has done well at every single club he's been at. People accused him of not being able to deal with a big club, but look how well Tottenham are doing.

Not saying that he's the ideal choice, but not a bad one. Him & Hodgson are the best English managers around. I think Hodgson should give it a go. I mean, he's been linked with Liverpool, so England can't be worse.

[charliepanayi]

Almost every club Redknapp has left has been a complete basketcase after he left it. Plus Spurs a big club? Very funny!

[Psychotic]

Not saying that he's the ideal choice, but not a bad one. Him & Hodgson are the best English managers around. I think Hodgson should give it a go. I mean, he's been linked with Liverpool, so England can't be worse.Liverpool: Britain's most successful club.
England: Britain's most successful nation.
Both: Have made me want to commit suicide this year.

How can Roy possibly choose?!? It's like DIAMONDS or MORE DIAMONDS!!!

[Dreddz]

Those Germans sure could run. They had no trouble pacing right past the England players most of the time. I remember people saying the German team being young was a good thing for England before the match. Obviously not.

[champagne supernova]

Almost every club Redknapp has left has been a complete basketcase after he left it. Plus Spurs a big club? Very funny!

I meant that people said he could do well at small clubs fighting against relegations, but not a club with high expectations. And he came in, sorted out a team that has under-performed, and got them into the Champions League. So, fairly impressive.

[Croyles]

I am both surprised and happy at BBC's reaction to the match. I think someone higher up had a clear hand in saying that they should not put ALL the focus on that disallowed goal, which yes, may have changed the tide of the match but was the least of Englands worries.

Looking forward to the Argentina v Mexico match!

[Old Manus]

I'll be suprised if Capello is still England manager next week. He has shown in this tournament his extreme stubbornness in changing anything in the team that he hasn't thought of himself, even when both players, previous players, fans and pundits are screaming at him to switch things around after two woeful displays (USA and Algeria) and play 4-4-1-1 with Gerrard just behind Rooney. Instead he continues with the archaic 4-4-2 which has served England so well (!) over the past 40 years and refuses to hear anything against it. Secondly, this guy is Italian. In all honesty he's probably more gutted that Italy crashed out in the first round than England not turning up.

[Psychotic]

I do think England could do with a manager who actually has a lot of experience managing in England itself - regardless of nationality. Whether that is someone who is a TRUE LION like Spurs's JAMIE REDKNAPP!!!!! or someone like Wenger, just someone who actually knows the English style and what we're capable of and what our weaknesses are would be a good start.

[charliepanayi]

So because he's foreign he doesn't care much when the team he manages goes out? What a load of rubbish.

Psychotic is right though, someone with experience of the English game might help, though it's not like that's helped England before. I sense a Ferguson-Wenger-Mourinho Three Stooges style partnership! :)

[Psychotic]

Actually, can we bring Rafa in?

He can't fuck it up by signing random :bou::bou::bou::bou: Spaniards for £15m, and he isn't actually bad in cup tournaments! Plus he managed to get Djimi Traore a Champions League winners' medal, which is basically the domestic version of getting Gareth Barry a World Cup winners' medal.

[champagne supernova]

He can't smurf it up by signing random :bou::bou::bou::bou: Spaniards for £15m, and he isn't actually bad in cup tournaments!

Don't forget Italians for 20 mil.

[Psychotic]

Now now, we all know that if Italy had called up stars like Aquilani and Dossena to their squad, they would still be in this tournament.

[charliepanayi]

More controversy!

[eestlinc]

wow, Argentina is really lucky. But Higuain is impressive.

[Iceglow]

Based on I don't watch premiership football and have no idea as to what Fabio has done in the past. If this is the best he can get from a squad of England's best footballers when he has pretty much the entire premier league (obviously with the exception of Chelsea because even I know the team is so foreign it might as well be barred from playing in a british league :P) to pick from heck as I think it was New Zealand proved, one of their players doesn't even play professional football he took time off from work to play in the world cup! So the best footballers England has to offer full stop. He deserves to be sacked over that because well we played abysmally and sure we can blame the players yes. But more to the point we need to blame the team managers and coaches first before we move down eventually it goes Captain of the squad because he should have told them what to do, where to be on the field, then it comes down to individual players.

[charliepanayi]

(obviously with the exception of Chelsea because even I know the team is so foreign it might as well be barred from playing in a british league :P)

Arsenal are even worse, but then we don't like shelling out for overpriced English players ever since Jeffers and Walcott ;)

[champagne supernova]

It's not like the Spanish clubs don't have foreigners in them. But their players are just good enough to get into the teams, unlike the British players. This must come down to the organisation of the respective football associations.

[Psychotic]

WELP LOOK OUT SEPP BLATTER

[Croyles]

What was the deal with that first goal for Argentina? I didnt see it...

[eestlinc]

Tevez was two feet offside.

[Psychotic]

And then the stadium big screen showed the replay of it (strictly against the rules!), and the officials saw. But their hands were tied so the goal stood.

[charliepanayi]

It's a shame about these two incidents today, as they're overshadowing the fact that the knockout stage has been great so far, 15 goals in 4 games already, hope this carries on. Without the really big mistakes by officials anyway!

[eestlinc]

Argentina's keeper sucks, though.

[tailz]

Argentina's keeper sucks, though.

please do explain, One of the few argentinean players i had nothing to say about today,

overall this argentina will probably not make it any further, todays matchs, as all before this was terible

[charliepanayi]

Argentina's keeper sucks, though.

please do explain, One of the few argentinean players i had nothing to say about today,

overall this argentina will probably not make it any further, todays matchs, as all before this was terible

Eh? Argentina have been great so far, as has the knockout phase.

[Cuchulainn]

I'm just ewaiting to August for the English morons to start booing Rooney when he gets the ball the same way they did other scapegoats from past tournaments (Beckham, Ronaldo etc).

Rooney's not fit. Rooney has not been fit since his injury in March. Rooney is England's last hope and if the fans turn on him now it'll be their biggest mistake. He just hasn't been right since that night in Munich when his ankle went.

If English fansa don't want him in the team anymore, I don't mind as he'll be fresher in a Red shirt with a devil on his chest but it'll be a huge mistake.




Argentina's keeper sucks, though.

please do explain, One of the few argentinean players i had nothing to say about today,

overall this argentina will probably not make it any further, todays matchs, as all before this was terible

What on EARTH are you talking about you confused little human? They have been the outstanding team so far. Have a word with yourself.


PS: ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA!

[seiferalmasy2]

Goal line tech, any time FIFA?

[Madame Adequate]

Heh. :smug:

[charliepanayi]

Goal line tech, any time FIFA?

If you're lucky it'll be introduced for the 2022 World Cup or thereabouts.

[Croyles]

It won't happen because we bribed Sepp to not introduce it knowing before hand that it will happen during the England match.

[Cuchulainn]

Does anyone else feel sorry for Rooney?

He is being made the scapegoat by every english fan i see (Teamtalk Forums) despite there being 22 other members in the squad.

What part of 'recovering from an injury' do these idiots not get? He was crowbarred in by the English as they see him as the great white hope. Not only does he have to play not fully fit but he has to carry the weight of 50 million peoples expectations on his back while doing it.

They couldn't beat USA or Algeria, managed to scrape a win against the smallest nation at the Finals and are SHOCKED at getting beat by a proven class act that is Germany?

Rooney carried United by himself from August to March last season scoring 34. He scored 6 in qualifyers for England, he is usually the biggest heart on that field.

If all the England fanas dont want him picked ever again then smurf them. I'm only too glad to see him rested for United during international week. He's nothing to prove to any moron who would boo him.

[tailz]

I'm just ewaiting to August for the English morons to start booing Rooney when he gets the ball the same way they did other scapegoats from past tournaments (Beckham, Ronaldo etc).

Rooney's not fit. Rooney has not been fit since his injury in March. Rooney is England's last hope and if the fans turn on him now it'll be their biggest mistake. He just hasn't been right since that night in Munich when his ankle went.

If English fansa don't want him in the team anymore, I don't mind as he'll be fresher in a Red shirt with a devil on his chest but it'll be a huge mistake.




Argentina's keeper sucks, though.

please do explain, One of the few argentinean players i had nothing to say about today,

overall this argentina will probably not make it any further, todays matchs, as all before this was terible

What on EARTH are you talking about you confused little human? They have been the outstanding team so far. Have a word with yourself.


PS: ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA!



no not confused just demanding, as everyone in my country is.

holland as the first team to qualify for the knock out phase have had nothing but terrible games yet. we (the dutch crowd) expect to se great games, football on a high level, championsleague level if you will. so far the only team that has been able to satisfy me with their play was germany, and even they can't hold that level every game.

so no argentina has not been outstanding as of yet, they have had no challenge to prove they are worthy of winning this.

having expected the level of play from '98 i must say so far i am verry dissapointed with this wc

[charliepanayi]

Holland have won all their games so far and might well reach the quarter-finals today, frankly I wouldn't be complaining if I supported them (especially in light of Italy, France and England's demises so far). And if you don't think Argentina have been good so far you're watching a different World Cup.

Holland 1 Slovakia 0
Brazil 3 Chile 1

[Aerith's Knight]

Finally a good Dutch game, although the goals are lacking.

What the hell was that? The dude hooks himself on a keeper and gets a penalty? What a bunch of prissies. Jeesh, Stekelenburg doesn't deserve that.

[Pete for President]

Nice going! Holland's through, but I fear the worst for next game. Chances are they're facing Brazil. :choc:

[The Captain]

Here's an interesting article for ya:

TheGame - Times Online - WBLG: It's time to appoint Paul Gascoigne as Fabio Capello's successor (http://timesonline.typepad.com/thegame/2010/06/george-caulkin-durban-diary-day-22.html)


Something important to keep in mind with Rooney: United are a much better TEAM then England. The fact of the matter is, England are a collective group of stars, but they have no unifying force on their squad. They barely train together and they look like they're out there because their agents told them they should do it.

Contrast that with Germany, who, and this is another interesting point, allow their young players to cut their teeth in their league games as opposed to the Premiership, where instead of young English talents getting a call up, would rather import talent. Granted, every league is out to do this because it drives TV sales and revenue, but England's prospects moving forward are bleak because they have no young Ozil or Mueller who can be playing first team World Cup matches right out of the gate. Instead, they are blocked from ever getting a chance.

Take care all.

[Loony BoB]

I still think that they lost the moment they decided that SWP was better than Walcott and Johnson. In all honesty, England, while being one of the top teams in the world, still got beaten 2-0 at the height of even Rooney's showings in England colours. But put that aside and they haven't proved themselves yet. They haven't played the best teams in the world. In 2009, they beat Belarus, Croatia, Slovenia, Andorra, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Slovakia. They couldn't beat Holland, Spain, Ukraine (second game) or Brazil. The last time they beat a top team was Germany (2-1) in 2008. Mexico was a good result - 3-1 - but even then, not an established powerhouse in the world. Until they can beat Germany, France (yes, they lost to them in their last game, too), Argentina, Spain, Italy, Portugal et al on a regular basis, they won't be winning World Cups. They're definitely a good side in that you will expect them to qualify for the knockout stage. But they aren't to the point that you would put money on them winning (unless you read English newspapers/sites and don't gamble often, in which case, I'm sorry for your loss :p).

Why don't they win? To me that doesn't matter, but I don't think it's about the Premier League, personally, I think it's about the decisions of the manager not to pick, motivate and play the correct team. That, and the quality of players. Fabregas is not sitting on the bench like he is for Spain. Nor is Aguero like he is for Argentina. But one would question why Heskey is brought on when they want to score goals. I don't know. Basically I just don't think England are good enough and I don't believe they really get the "do or die" mentality that they have for their clubs.

It might not help being booed by your fans when they should be trying to lift you, nor having the media swamp you and slam you at every opportunity, either, but that's England.

[champagne supernova]

You can't blame Premiership managers from signing sixteen year olds from overseas if they feel that there aren't any sixteen year olds of suitable quality within their academies. The question is: why aren't there any quality English sixteen year olds in the game?

And that comes down to the English FA. Cristiano Ronaldo played amateur football when he was 8, moved to a more prominent team when he was 10 and was in Lisbon's academy at 12. If the English FA isn't promoting football at these young ages, then the top clubs will either import talent at youth or higher level, and the English national team will deteriorate.

By curbing the number of foreigners in the English game, one is only deteriorating the league to a level where English players are good enough to compete, rather than trying to raise the level of English players so they are good enough to compete in the Premier League.

Look at the Spanish team. 6 of the players come from Barcelona. David Villa has obviously just been signed, but the remaining 5 (Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, Puyol & Pique) all came through the Barcelona academy (yes, Pique went to Manchester United for a few years, but he's still a product of Barca). And in Spain, there are more coaches, the FA is more organised, and there is a focus on identifying and developing young talent. That is the problem with England.

[Psychotic]

To be fair, the England fans were really and absolutely behind the team until the fourth goal went in. They were fired up and furious about the goal. And then they just started singing "England's going home" rather than booing :lol:

[Loony BoB]

The main reason that PL teams sign young talent from around the world is because they can. What they can't do is sign young talent from around England (or is it the UK? I forget). There is a restriction saying you have to live within a certain distance of your team or something like that, and SAF always goes on about it being the reason all clubs sign overseas talent in masses.

Now, if you consider the geographic locations of the PL clubs at the moment, look at the amount of space there is which is not covered by the top league...

2010–11 Premier League - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_Premier_League)

Basically, if you don't live close to Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham or London then you're going to a lower level club. Is this fair? To the clubs, maybe. To the young players, I'm not so sure.

[Cuchulainn]

i's the english coaching style from youth to professional. You are discouraged from being a flair player. you are trained in the physical gameway above skills training. Too many cones to run around and not enough ball play.

You look at Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Argentina. Anyone in those teams can take on a player. You even look at South Americas smaller nations, half sometime three quarters the size of England and they pass and move with their eyes closed.

England's problem is its social culture and football culture and until that changes it will be a cold day in hell before they win things.

Regarding their nect coach, the fact remains there is nort an English coach good enough. I'd get in a foreign flair coach to build the essentials and basics with a youngf english coach beside him to learn & then take over.

If you appoint Redknapp or Hodgeson you will end up on the same :bou::bou::bou::bou:heap.

[Psychotic]

Moving away from teams that aren't complete bollocks, how about them Brazilians then? It's bloody impressive seeing them put down a decent side like Chile like that.

[charliepanayi]

Even pragmatic Brazil have the ability to blow teams away it seems. Will be interesting to see if Holland and Germany can handle Brazil and Argentina.

[Old Manus]

I think Chile played pretty well today and would have given many teams a run for their money, it just appears Brazil managed to pull their world class form out of the bag this evening. Chile never really looked close to scoring.

[champagne supernova]

The main reason that PL teams sign young talent from around the world is because they can. What they can't do is sign young talent from around England (or is it the UK? I forget). There is a restriction saying you have to live within a certain distance of your team or something like that, and SAF always goes on about it being the reason all clubs sign overseas talent in masses.


I forgot about that rule. And obviously the top clubs have better academies to train the youth, so it's another failure of the system.

Another strange thing about British players is that a lot of the talented ones seem to fade away. Micah Richards for example. Michael Johnson (although, to be fair, he has had a lot of injury problems). Walcott. Lennon. Shaun Wright-Phillips. Whatever happened to them between 18/19 and now?

[Cuchulainn]

Listen.

United have TRIED English only players. Our 2004-2006 academy was 80% english with such players as Ritchie Jones, Kieron Lee, Ryan Shawcross, Tom Heaton, Luke Steele, David Jones etc etc. They were bollox.

Our Academy now is probably 70% English, most of whom will be sold to lower league clubs. You can make all the rules you want but the talent is just not there in abundance. You also have this insane rule in England that academy players must live within a certain distance to the ground.

[charliepanayi]

Paraguay 2 Japan 0
Spain 1 Portugal 1 (Portugal win on penalties)

[champagne supernova]

David Jones

David Jones was a legend haha. He was even a major character in the 2nd & 3rd Pirates of the Caribbean movies ;)

[Rocket Edge]

Phew, internet was broken there for over a week. Missed this thread.

I'll just make a comment on England going out. I agree with Cuchulainn on this. It's both they aren't thought at youth level to beat players and use their skill, & that they aren't born with the anatomy of an elastic band like the Portuguese for example. The English seem so stoic on the ball while the flair players of the big nations seem to have a bag of tricks. Ultimately, England's greatest downfall in the end was that they couldn't hurt teams with their possession in the final third. For what it's worth, I thought they gave everything, albeit they were probably nervous with pressure. Gareth Barry was easily England's worst player of the tournament, but he should never have been playing while carrying a slight injury.

As for Lampard's disallowed goal, it was a disgrace. Germany were the much better team and deserved to go through, but in the end the result is what counts, and it could have been a different game at 2-2. Blatter should be ashamed of himself, and the blame should solely rest on him after the Ireland - France game.

Brazil have to be favorites after last nights game. I just can't see a team left to both break them down and keep their attack at bay for 90 minutes.

Prediction for today. (Japan - Paraguay game is already being played)

Spain 1 - 0 Portugal

[Old Manus]

lol what now weeaboos

[Psychotic]

I don't think Wapaneses care about football. Just animes.

What a dire game, fell asleep repeatedly during it and woke up during the shootout.

[Cuchulainn]

horrible game. Can't believed I risked an aofficial warning in work to watch it. Even the penalties were shat.

[Croyles]

I hope Spain destroy Portugal today!

[Aerith's Knight]

What a dire game, fell asleep repeatedly during it and woke up during the shootout.

Me too. :)

I liked the nap better, tbh.

[charliepanayi]

It was dull, but there's been worse at this World Cup and previous. I suspect the prospect of a first quarter-finals gave both teams stage fright. And I thought the penalties were pretty good, very well taken for the most part, I think England would have lost to either side in a shootout :D

[Psychotic]

It's like watching Arsenal (Spain) vs Bolton (Portugal) on a Winter night at the Reebok. Fucking hell. :|

Don't know if Ronaldo or Torres has been a bigger let down in this World Cup. Both have been poor. Well at least Ronaldo is entertaining me with his looks of pure outrage whenever the referee ignores his dives. :D

Casillas looking like the weak link in the Spain side. I say weak link, they have two more world class keepers on the bench. I feel sorry for Reina especially, as he was the only Liverpool player who wasn't pure and utter wank last season (hell, I would rather Torres or Gerrard left Anfield than Reina, that is how highly I rate him!)

[Cuchulainn]

Well at least Ronaldo is entertaining me with his looks of pure outrage whenever the referee ignores his dives. :D

I too am a fan of these

[charliepanayi]

Pah, it's nothing like us playing at the Reebok, we actually beat Bolton these days.