The "OMG, Football World Championship in Germany!!!!" - thread

[Dinny]

Originally Posted by Sewer Bull

Yes, but you ain't gonna win Group A, so you're going to meet England anyway.



*is overfilled with patriotism*

I was very disappointed by Poland's performance. As an England supporter, I have seen Poland play well in the qualifying rounds but you just didn't seem to know what to do against Ecuador until it was too late. I think you'll easily beat Costs Rica and you may (dare i say it?) beat Germany.

[Sewer Bull]

Originally Posted by Dinny

I was very disappointed by Poland's performance. As an England supporter, I have seen Poland play well in the qualifying rounds but you just didn't seem to know what to do against Ecuador until it was too late. I think you'll easily beat Costs Rica and you may (dare i say it?) beat Germany.

I think the Poles have really underestimated their Friday's rival. That might have been caused by the fact we sparred Ecuador in a friendly match last autumn and we beat them pretty easily (3-0), before acknowledging they were going to be our group rival. And hence our shameful performance.

And my word - what a bombastic ending of Australia - Japan match. Three goals pulled out in the last six minutes. The Aussies might be heading straight for the second round as I think they should defeat Croatia as well, with that style.

[Anarky]

Originally Posted by Sewer Bull

And my word - what a bombastic ending of Australia - Japan match. Three goals pulled out in the last six minutes. The Aussies might be heading straight for the second round as I think they should defeat Croatia as well, with that style.

What the heck? Don't tell me I missed something. The first day I don't watch because of utter boredom and this happens. Sh*t!

[Dinny]

Originally Posted by Anarky

What the heck? Don't tell me I missed something. The first day I don't watch because of utter boredom and this happens. Sh*t!

Japan went ahead in the 25th minute after a contraversial goal. 2 goals from Cahill and one from Aloisi in the last six minutes stole the match for Australia. The first half of this match was great.

[Sewer Bull]

Oh yes you did. The Japs were leading until the 84th minute, then two substitute Aussies scored three goals within six minutes. The Japs were devastated.

[Sewer Bull]

The Czechs completely devastated the US - and it was clearly visible that they weren't playing at their full potential. Nice and clever team-working combined with the football genius of such wonderful players like Rosicky, Nedved and Poborsky - I was very pleased to watch it all.

<-- still experiences the soccer orgasm

I'm worried about Koller's injury and so many yellow cards shown in this match. This may well weaken the Czech team later on in the tournament. With such a beautiful game played, they have a big chance to reach the semi-finals at least.

But I must admit that the showdown was "surprisingly" uneven if you know that both teams are the world's TOP 5, according to the FIFA rankings. And the US didn't show it deserves such a high position at all. They were ambitious yet terribly ineffective. Beating the crap outta Italians and promoting themselves further is going to be quite a challenge for them now.

Or maybe the Americans just have major difficulties with playing against the Slavs in general - four years ago in Korea, weak Poland beat them 3-1 in the final group match. By contrast, the US managed to defeat Portugal earlier on, so maybe they are not that bad after all.

[Anarky]

Well, F***. Sounds like I missed something today. But hey, I can watch the sports news tomorrow, they're reporting about the championship nonstop these days.

Anyways, my guesses for tomorrow:

South Korea - Togo: My money'd be on South Korea, because I think the lack of a trainer on Togo's side will make itself visible. Sure, they might have a backup trainer, but they're still getting used to each other. Also, South Korea's way better than Togo.

Switzerland - France: Hahahaha, the first game and Switzerland will be completely annihilated. Okay, they'll beat Togo lateron, but this game will make a huge dent in their confidence. Don't get me wrong, Switzerland has some good players and some good teams and in the matches here, you get to see some really good football from time to time, but they just can't compete internationally. If they win, it's sheer luck paired with the other team having a bad day. It's a shame, really. Also, the new uniforms suck. They're uglier than any of its precedessors ever were.

Brazil - Croatia: You gotta be kidding me. Another one of those joke-games? I mean, who's doubting that Brazil will win?

[Sewer Bull]

Italy - Ghana - it wasn't the most splendid match ever. In fact, it was very similar to Portugal vs. Angola. Does it mean all those European-African encounters are going to be so much alike? Then most probably I have to skip some of them.

[Dinny]

Originally Posted by Anarky

Switzerland - France: Hahahaha, the first game and Switzerland will be completely annihilated. Okay, they'll beat Togo lateron, but this game will make a huge dent in their confidence. Don't get me wrong, Switzerland has some good players and some good teams and in the matches here, you get to see some really good football from time to time, but they just can't compete internationally. If they win, it's sheer luck paired with the other team having a bad day. It's a shame, really. Also, the new uniforms suck. They're uglier than any of its precedessors ever were.

I really hope Switzerland can beat the French. France are still unfairly seen as one of the best teams in Europe. I was really annoyed by the way the European press spoke about a weak German team this time round,and never even mentioned the French who are old, past their prime, and not even French!

And Croatia - Brazil? Maybe Croatia stood a chance in France '98, but not this time. Although I still don't think Brazil will win it. You can quote me on that!

[Barkworm]

I honestly don't see Brazil losing anything but I'd be glad if I was wrong.

[Dinny]

I can see Argentina winning this one, sure they didn't play that well against Ivory Coast, but for the first time in 3 world cups they honestly look like they can win.

If Argentina don't win it, Trinidad & Tobago will. You know it to be true.

[Sewer Bull]

Originally Posted by Dinny

France are still unfairly seen as one of the best teams in Europe. I was really annoyed by the way the European press spoke about a weak German team this time round,and never even mentioned the French who are old, past their prime, and not even French!

France ARE still one of the best teams in Europe. Not that I approve of that fact or something but that is true.

And my types for the final winner are: Germany (they may repeat the French scenario from 1998 ), The Netherlands (wonderful team and stuff yet not as strong as it could be - where's damn Makaay?), Brazil (no need to explain). Maybe Argentina, not sure about England or the Czechs - both teams are very strong and probably they will reach the quater-finals stage but they'd have to struggle very hard to reach the semi-finals.

... and Poland, of course. They're going to pwn everyone, starting from tomorrow's evening.

[Anarky]

Originally Posted by Dinny

I really hope Switzerland can beat the French. France are still unfairly seen as one of the best teams in Europe. I was really annoyed by the way the European press spoke about a weak German team this time round,and never even mentioned the French who are old, past their prime, and not even French!

The Swiss won't win, trust me on this one. I mean, sure, we have some good players like Barnetta and Vogel, but they just aren't world-cup-good. And that's the big trouble of swiss football. They are good, but they just can't compete with the bigger teams.

France is, face the facts, one of europe's top teams. And now you put a team which is mediocre at best against a top team... the result is pretty clear. Also, the Swiss are probably way intimidated by the French, despite the media going "Today we're going to beat France!"

[Dinny]

Originally Posted by Anarky

France is, face the facts, one of europe's top teams. And now you put a team which is mediocre at best against a top team... the result is pretty clear.

Not necessarily, look at Greece in Euro 2004, Denmark in Euro 92 and Trinidad against Sweden. Also consider the fact that France have been very disappointing since Euro 2000.

And by France "not being one of the best teams in Europe" I mean that I wouldn't place them in my list of top 5 European teams which would include (in no order) England, Czech Rep, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy. I would place France in the top 10 along with these teams and Spain, Germany, Greece and either Poland or Ukraine (I would have put Turkey in, but I was quite disgusted by the events of the play-offs, not to mention all the other times they have crossed the line).

[Sewer Bull]

Originally Posted by Dinny

And by France "not being one of the best teams in Europe" I mean that I wouldn't place them in my list of top 5 European teams which would include (in no order) England, Czech Rep, Portugal, Netherlands and Italy. I would place France in the top 10 along with these teams and Spain, Germany, Greece and either Poland or Ukraine (I would have put Turkey in, but I was quite disgusted by the events of the play-offs, not to mention all the other times they have crossed the line).

Hah, if you put it that way with France, then it's fine for me. I'm not their big supporter or something but I think they definitely belong to the TOP 10.

And funny you mention Poland or Ukraine and not Sweden. The Swedish team is packed with stars playing for the best European clubs, like Freddie Ljungberg, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Henrik Larsson. The Ukrainians have the goddamn Sheva but no one else. The same with us, apart from Jerzy Dudek of F.C. Liverpool (who is not present in Germany unfortunately) none of the Poles plays for the top European clubs.

About South Korea - Togo - it was a funny match. Togo surprisingly dominated for the first half but the game has utterly changed after they received a red card. And then the Koreans scored two nice goals. The End.

[Dinny]

S. Korea's second goal was super sweet. I'll be honest with you... I forgot about Sweden! However recently they seem very ordinary.
I put Ukraine in because they are in fantastic form. They qualified for the tournament by winning the group of death. A great team isn't just about the stars you have on your team.

[Anarky]

Okay, half time. So Switzerland is playing dirty (two yellow cards is ridiculous. I mean, who are they trying to convince that they actually want to play fair?) and France is kinda chilling. Also, the Swiss strategy is to play for a draw. They don't even intend to win. They're trying to go for a 0-0, which is really poor.

And that so was hands with the one Swiss guy.

[Sewer Bull]

France - Switzerland - no goals, helluva lot of ridiculous yellow cards. I have nothing more to comment on this poor match. The French managed not to score a goal in the fourth consecutive WorldCup match - the last time they did score something was eight years ago, during the final match against Brazil. Quite a streak, maybe they won't score anything against South Korea and Togo as well and will drown in the group phase, consumed by their own shame and grief. I wouldn't be unhappy with that.

[Anarky]

Okay, that was really, really, really boring. I mean, there was ninety minutes of nothing. And that's a lot of nothing. The only player that did well, according to me, was Barthez. He had the sun in his face and yet managed to get that one where he bumped his head. But other than that, the Swiss were weak, the French were weak and the Swiss comment-person said that Switzerland was aiming at a 0-0 which is, considering their way of playing, not only plausible but probably true. If you ask me, that's not football, that's procrastinating. But the final result of Group G is now painfully obvious. Switzerland and France will get into the next round and Togo as well as Korea drop out.

There were some kickass possibilities though... on both sides.

Also, I'd like to say that, whatever you do, do not watch the games on a German channel. Not only do they only babble nonsense (especially Beni Turnheer of Switzerland) but they also manage to make you fall asleep. The Austrian channels are unbearable because of the hardcore-austrian language they use and the Germans are just idiots, mispronouncing names like Ronaldinho ("Ronaleeno" instead of "Ronaldinyo") and Gygax ("Guuugayx" instead of "Geegahx"). So I ended up watching the game on a french channel, where there were two guys making fun of the game and calling everyone stupid as well as being bored out of their skulls. So that was quite enjoyable.

[Sewer Bull]

Originally Posted by Anarky

So I ended up watching the game on a french channel, where there were two guys making fun of the game and calling everyone stupid as well as being bored out of their skulls. So that was quite enjoyable.

Was that M6? I watched South Korea - Togo on that channel and I must admit, those two guys were hilarious. Maybe I'll watch Germany-Poland on M6 as well. It might be less painful for my soul.