Zidane's Headbutt Discussion and also some stuff on that FIFA World Cup 2006 thing

[Cz]

I have to say, that goal looked like it had been coming from a Swedish Set Piece. However, why the arse was 3'7" midget Ashley Cole covering the back post?

Because he is awesome and much sexier than you.

Disappointed that we didn't get the win, but aside from our weakness at set pieces we didn't do that badly. Gerrard's inclusion worried me at first, and I was hoping he'd stay out of trouble rather than risk getting a yellow card. Instead, he got right into the thick of it and saved us, twice. Joe Cole did an excellent job to play him in for the goal, and between them I think they've been our players of the tournament so far. We're still not good enough to win it, but we'll do for now.

Oh, and Sol Campbell makes me sad.

[Psychotic]

Oh hello, my name is Frank Lampard! I'll blast from 20 yards out and miss, and then contribute absolutely sod all to the team! As Clive Tyldsley or Jon Champion or Peter Drury (all the ITV commentators sound the same) said, he has had more shots than anyone else in the tournament, and 0 goals. Frank, knock it off.

Joe Cole is England's player of the tournament so far, and would be even if he hadn't scored that.

Oh god, Sol Campbell. I don't care how the commentator started orgasming over a block for a minute. He played terribly against Hungary and Jamaica, and was at fault for the second goal with his air kick. Rio, I know I've said bad things about you, but come back. Oh, if only Ledley King hadn't got injured.

To be honest, it wasn't as bad as people will try to make out. We looked solid at the back except for at set-pieces - that was the only way they cracked us open - and Owen Hargreaves did alright. Not to mention the fact that all three of our substitutions were injury/fitness related, as normally we'd throw on Downing and Lennon, who can help push us on.

Quite why we fell apart at set pieces when we have Terry, Ferdinand/Campbell, Carra and Crouch I don't know.

As I said, I hope Rio's injury isn't serious. We all know what happened when Terry-Campbell were played in Euro 2004. We defended too deeply, and Portugal and France spanked us for it. Rio pushes the defensive line forwards.

Drop Lampard for Hargreaves/Carrick, Sven. Please. I won't ask you again.

I have to say, that goal looked like it had been coming from a Swedish Set Piece. However, why the arse was 3'7" midget Ashley Cole covering the back post?

Because he is awesome and much sexier than you.

Correction, WAS awesome. Undoubtedly the best left back in WC 2002 and Euro 2004, he doesn't look as sharp in this World Cup.

[Cz]

I have to say, that goal looked like it had been coming from a Swedish Set Piece. However, why the arse was 3'7" midget Ashley Cole covering the back post?

Because he is awesome and much sexier than you.

Correction, WAS awesome. Undoubtedly the best left back in WC 2002 and Euro 2004, he doesn't look as sharp in this World Cup.

He'd have to pretty bloody spectacular to match his career-defining showing against Portugal in 2004, so I suppose you're technically correct. I thought he did a good job today though. Joe Cole's tendency to cut inside and shoot means he doesn't get as much of the ball in the final third as he used to, but he's still solid in defence. He did a better job than Carragher, who really should have been moved into the centre of defence where he's at his best, instead of bringing on Campbell and leaving Jamie out of place on the right. I'm glad we're agreed that Ashley is sexier than Dan, though.

P.S. You'd better have just been watching University Challenge.

[jrgen]

A good game with a somewhat fair outcome. England was the better team in the first half and Sweden played a really good second half. Joe Cole's goal was amazing, but Allbäcks goal wasn't a bad one either.

[Psychotic]

He's still our best left-back, even if Sven does have a bizarre infatuation with Wayne Bridge. He's improved with each game in this tournament, so I still have hope he'll climb those heights once again, but I won't hold my breath. Yeah, Carra does look awkward at right back, but with the Neviller injured, he's all we've got, and I'd take him over Luke Young and Owen Hargreaves. When the Neviller retires, we're going to have a huge hole at right back that will need filling. (Oh my god, I typed "Philling". Freudian slip...and oh dear god please no)

One has Loony BoB and the other has Cheryl Tweedy. C'mon.

P.S. ...why?

[DK]

Drop Lampard for Hargreaves/Carrick

Carrick Carrick Carrick Carrick I don't care if Hargreaves played better than usual his mere presence in the team is surely enough to lower the whole teams game by at least three notches.

Plus I'm sexier than Psy so it doesn't matter that he thinks. :D

[Croyles]

One of the best goals so far, by Joe Cole, not THE best, I'd say second place behind Torsten Frings
Well done to England for getting to the top of the group.

[Cz]

P.S. ...why?

A question came up about a certain final involving a certain red team, and there was cheering involved. I thought you might've enjoyed it, since I think I overheard you say that you watched that match on TV or something. (A question just came up about Dennis Bergkamp too, oddly enough. Honestly, the standard of television these days!)

Now, I'm sure most of us are confident of an England victory over Ecuador, but what does everyone make of a Germany vs. Sweden matchup? I'd go for the Germans personally, but it should be one of the closer second round matches.

[Psychotic]

Plus I'm sexier than Psy so it doesn't matter that he thinks. :<b></b>D

Only by one vote.

P.S. ...why?

A question came up about a certain final involving a certain red team, and there was cheering involved. I thought you might've enjoyed it, since I think I overheard you say that you watched that match on TV or something. (A question just came up about Dennis Bergkamp too, oddly enough. Honestly, the standard of television these days!)

Which match? I actually thought it might've been because my university, Leicester, were on it. If they are, I hope they fail miserably for not inviting me onto their team.

Now, I'm sure most of us are confident of an England victory over Ecuador, but what does everyone make of a Germany vs. Sweden matchup? I'd go for the Germans personally, but it should be one of the closer second round matches.

The Germans have really got their act together since that shaky start, and the Swedes have only looked threatening from high balls into the box, something which the Germans don't seem to have any problem with. With Klose scoring the way he is, and Podolski getting a goal to boost his confidence, I'm going to agree that the Germans are the most likely to claim a win.

[Loony BoB]

Oh, I forgot.

5) Rooney's football today: 8 or 9 out of 10. Rooney's sulking today: 10/10.

[Croyles]

The Germans have really got their act together since that shaky start, and the Swedes have only looked threatening from high balls into the box, something which the Germans don't seem to have any problem with. With Klose scoring the way he is, and Podolski getting a goal to boost his confidence, I'm going to agree that the Germans are the most likely to claim a win.

(Tears of joy)
Thank you so much! l0l
Of course, it will still be a hard match, Germany cant and will not (Im sure) make the mistake of growing complacent.
I was SOOOOOO glad that Lukas Podolski scored, I was mored glad for him than I would have been if Klose scored a hat trick. Its kind of like the situation with Frank Lampard, except Podolski is new and really needed that goal so maybe he can start finding his rythm!

[amratis]

Oh, I forgot.

5) Rooney's football today: 8 or 9 out of 10. Rooney's sulking today: 10/10.

I did laugh at the look on Rooney's face when he came off. 'Petulant 10 year old' springs to mind. Can hardly blame them though, least he lasted for longer this time. Fingers crossed for 90 mins next match.

[Croyles]

Lol yeah, Rooney was quite funny. I can understand why he must be so annoyed though.

I noticed a while ago that Lahm has a really funny run. He's short, and he runs with his arms bent forwards

Apparently Torsten Frings stole the football from the first game lol. He had to give it back but he managed to steal it again :rolleyes2
Some bbc reporter said this:

"The England squad have just arrived here and I have rarely seen them quite so angry. Remember 40 years ago when they ran off with the ball, well they are up to it again. What a scandal. Torsten Frings has dissapeared with the match ball, and I think, this tells you everything you need to know about the nature of the german team."

Well done, you well and truly managed to show that the German team is truly evil for this scandalous deed. No words about the brazlinians stealing the ball too though... Hmmmmm fishy.

l0l I just found it funny.

Here is one of the many links, the video is in german but has the bbc reporter talking in english at the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhSsE...rch=summertime

Oh and Russielloyd, I am now in front of you in fantasy football, even though I only started on Sunday!

[The Captain]

This has been quite an entertaining World Cup thus far, with more than a few surprises and lackluster performances to even it all out.

I think Argentina seems the favorite thus far as they look so in sync with one another and seem to be gaining momentum. It remains to be seen how they play their last game of the opening round, but from what I've seen, they look good. Boy, are they deep too.

France, England and Brazil have all been sort of underwhelming to me. They need to pick up their play if they want to really do damage in this tournament, France especially since they won't have Zidane for the final game of their opening round.

Germany has played well, but I don't think I'm ready to declare them a title favorite yet. Klose has been wonderful, but as others mentioned, the match today was a sort of mirage since they were facing a team that wasn't fielding its best lineup.

Still, what's important right now is just getting to the knock-out phase, so all the teams that have done so should at least be pleased by that result.


I'm crossing my fingers about the USA. They played a very good match against Italy, good enough to win in my opinion and came away with a respectable draw. However, they need to move forward from this, not think that they've figured it all out. Ghana, even without their two best goal scorers for the upcoming game, has played inspired as well and can't be taken lightly. I'd like to see more Eddie Johnson and O'Brien in this game as well as Dempsey as those three are fast and creative and the USA MUST, MUST actually score a goal.

Take care all.

[Doomie]

Owen is "injured" and Rooney isn't on form. Ouch.

P.S. Go Italy.