Fifa World Cup thread

[Evil_shah]

discuss the upcoming world cup here

[Ken]

Ireland should be in it. Fuck "France". Spain will win.

[Shylock]

Looks to be a good one this time despite the fact that we were cheated out of a place in it by France and their African football team.

I'm supporting anybody but England or France this time around.

[Errigal]

I'd like Argentina or the Netherlands to win. I like how they play.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Just like in the old Yugo days, I'll be cheering for Germany and Argentina.

[ScottishStalinist1]

I'll be putting money on my usual two adopted football nations when Scotland don't qualify, Germany and the Netherlands.

I already have a few quid on Ballack (now out injured), Jovanovic, and Robben to finish top scorers each way, I'll put some money on Podolski, Di Natale and Villa by Friday. I've placed a bet with my friend that Argentina won't get past the quarter finals, he thinks they will win, so I'm hoping they go out early.

Chile probably play the best football and I wish them well. I would like to see South Africa get past the group stage too. I pray England do shite.

oTJTE7pLD2M

[Ken]

when Scotland don't qualify.....

Ken cries, it's the ONLY event in which Ken cries. :thumbsdown:

Chile probably play the best football and I wish them well. I would like to see South Africa get past the group stage too. I pray England do shite.


Chile has an awful defense. South Africa will be lucky to earn a tie. I also pray that England do shite. :D

[Ahknaton]

Added a poll. There was another thread with a similar poll but it didn't have the correct teams.

[Lone Wolf]

Spain will take the trophy over Brazil. Argentina will take 3rd place over England.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Spain will take the trophy over Brazil. Argentina will take 3rd place over England.

European countries never wins outside of Europe.

[Ken]

European countries never wins outside of Europe.

There's a first time for everything Nic, and I agree with him. You may not like it because they are overwhelmingly Spanish, and not full of immigrants like "France" but Spain will win. Historically they have always had the talent but never the cohesiveness or composure under pressure, discipline lacked... this team shows no signs of that. They have no weaknesses, it's an iron squad and they'll bring their A-game. Watch and see...a truly European team will win in Africa..if not..then almost. :D

Mark Ken's words:

SPAIN WILL WIN.

http://www.myclickonline.com/stream/img/SpainFlag.gif

[President Camacho]

http://www.americanwebmaster.com/images/american-eagle.jpg

[Zander]

Probably Argentina since they hold this year's World Cup :

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7445/usax.png

It's not even a fake, just local news for you.

[Rabs String Vest]

Spain or Argentina.

[WillieBrennan]

USA all the way, baby!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F6_vNlthWwU/SjJ4vBpiNeI/AAAAAAAAA14/7VsZehlhjms/s400/john_wayne_flag.jpg

[Schizo]

I voted for Germany. Intuitively. The germans are always amongst the favorites.

[Ken]

Errr...how was Mexico's header goal called offside when the South African defender was standing on the goal line and the Mexican forward was clearly like 10 feet in front of him? I'm smelling some home cookin' a la South Korea in 2002. :hm: :thumbsdown:

[Liberal Lefty]

good result for South Africa

Mexico are a good team with vela and Dos Santos

[Baron_Corvo]

I think Argentina will do it. Messi is just too good right now, and he heads a group of fine strikers. We've got Wayne Rooney but not a lot else (was Heskley really the best player we could find to partner him up front?).

Otherwise, Spain deserve a good run this time IMO since they were undoubtedly robbed blind by diabolical refereeing in the 2002 Cup. That match (against South Korea) should have been rerun immediately IMO. Spain vs Argentina in the final: you read it here, er, about 200th.

The Dutch could do well also; they're probably the best team who have never won it (they were twice runners up in the 1970s and came close in 1998 too).
I'm a big fan of Brazil and their exuberant style (not that they need my support since they've already won it five times) but I'm told they're below par at the moment, so I'm not backing them to win this time.

[Vessper]

YES!

We won against niggerians :P

But they made us suffer, we didn't won by much. I was hoping it wouldn't be that difficult.

Probably Argentina since they hold this year's World Cup :

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7445/usax.png

It's not even a fake, just local news for you.

lol!

[Ken]

YES!

We won against niggerians :P

But they made us suffer, we didn't won by much. I was hoping it wouldn't be that difficult.




Argentina were clearly the most skilled team of those that have played so far. The only weakness I saw was their finishing, they built up attack after attack beautifully but with the exception of the 1 goal, they just couldn't seem to capitalize as much as they should have.

If they can improve upon that, I see them going very far.

[Vessper]

Argentina were clearly the most skilled team of those that have played so far. The only weakness I saw was their finishing, they built up attack after attack beautifully but with the exception of the 1 goal, they just couldn't seem to capitalize as much as they should have.

If they can improve upon that, I see them going very far.

That's true, we just can't finish our moves. By the way, the ball seems to be too light.

[Ken]

That's true, we just can't finish our moves. By the way, the ball seems to be too light.


I think the English keeper would agree! :D

[Ahknaton]

South Korea did well against Greece, looking forward to the match with Argentina. I think that South Korea and Argentina will probably go through from that group, with Greece and Nigeria getting left behind.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

South Korea did well against Greece, looking forward to the match with Argentina. I think that South Korea and Argentina will probably go through from that group, with Greece and Nigeria getting left behind.

The play of the Nigerian keeper is the only reason why the final result wasn't 5-0 Argentina. Messi looks incredibly dangerous.

The South Koreans played an excellent game, very composed. It will be interesting to see how they cope with the Nigerians' physical presence.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://blog.vanityfair.com/online/fairplay/2010/06/08/460-world-cup-sex.jpg

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00700/Bruntinsert13_700581artw.jpg

[Ace Rimmer]

Bravo USA.

[Farah]

I support Brazil, but I've heard good things about the current teams of the Netherlands, Argentina, and Spain.

The USA played quite well yesterday although I feel sorry for the English goalkeeper, I think that tragic photo will be broadcasted for a long while. :222:

We won against niggerians :P

Why do you have to call them that?

[Ahknaton]

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00700/Bruntinsert13_700581artw.jpg
You must be all at sea over this Niccolo. What to do? How will you gloat over the humilation of the hated Anglos without becoming an unwitting booster for rah-rah American patriotism?

[Jimbo Gomez]

The Netherlands will (finally) win the worldcup. Netherlandic racial superiority (ok, with a few negroids added) will be obvious to the rest of the world.

[Ken]

Ghana v Serbia was the most entertaining, competitive game so far IMO. Albeit rather stupidly played on Serbia's part with the unnecessary fouls and the ridiculously careless handball in the box. :tard2:

[Ken]

The Netherlands will (finally) win the worldcup. Netherlandic racial superiority (ok, with a few negroids added) will be obvious to the rest of the world.

They are actually my second pick to win if Spain doesn't come through. :)

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

http://www.funbumperstickers.com/images/ghana_flag_wave2.jpg

Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana !

[Vessper]

Why do you have to call them that?

Because I'm a racist? (máximos mea culpa)
I happened to realize that "Nigeria" and "nigger" can combine to form a pretty neat word so I wanted to share that with the Phoran realm.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Because I'm a racist? (máximos mea culpa)
I happened to realize that "Nigeria" and "nigger" can combine to form a pretty neat word so I wanted to share that with the Phoran realm.

You're proud of this stupidity?

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://www.funbumperstickers.com/images/ghana_flag_wave2.jpg

Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana ! Ghana !

Roger, do we cheer on Germany or do we cheer for Croatia Jr. aka Australia?

Miroslaw Klose makes it 2-0.

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Roger, do we cheer on Germany or do we cheer for Croatia Jr. aka Australia?

Miroslaw Klose makes it 2-0.

Aussies are cool. But Ill go with Germany this time.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Aussies are cool. But Ill go with Germany this time.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/6/13/1276456361568/Miroslav-Klose-celebrates-004.jpg

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Tim Cahill with a poorly timed challenge gets a straight red card.

That's it for the Aussies.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

4-0 Deutschland.

The Schwartze Cacau pops it in for the Germans only a few minutes after coming on.

[Vessper]

You're proud of this stupidity?

Not proud, why can't I just call a team made up of black people "niggers"?

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Not proud, why can't I just call a team made up of black people "niggers"?

Because it's like telling a fart joke at aged 30.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://i.imgur.com/YDjND.jpg

http://imgur.com/wAoY2.jpg

[Ken]

4-0 Deutschland.

The Schwartze Cacau pops it in for the Germans only a few minutes after coming on.

Hehe, a Brazilian, and the other 3 goals came from a pair of naturalized Poles. All things said, Germany's performance surpassed Argentina. Their goal tally by the time the first round is over could be downright scary!

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Hehe, a Brazilian, and the other 3 goals came from naturalized Poles. All things said, Germany's performance surpassed Argentina. Their goal tally by the time the first round is over could be downright scary!

Schweinsteiger is the lynchpin. I am thorougly impressed by Low's squad and its attacking strategy. This was a complete decimation akin to the Wehrmacht's handling of France in 1940.

[Crowley]

Not proud, why can't I just call a team made up of black people "niggers"?

Calling a spade a spade is excellent use of the English language.

[Ken]

All things racial aside, those damned vuvuzela horns annoy the shit out of me. I like to hear each nation's followers sing their unique chants and play their drumbeats and trumpets,(including multi racial fans like Brazil) it's an integral part of what makes the Cup interesting and the constant dull "Hmmmmm" of these stupid instruments is taking that aspect away. I have seen a handful of followers of non-African squads using these damn things but mostly it's the Africans themselves making all the racket.

If they are going to host a World Cup, they should have more respect for their visitors instead of just drowning them out with their own noise even in matches they attend in which two non-African sides are involved.


Massive usage of the vuvuzela= :thumbsdown:

[Ken]

Calling a spade a spade is excellent use of the English language.

In an event like this, no it's not really.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Massive usage of the vuvuzela= :thumbsdown:

The vuvuzela backlash has begun and is growing louder (pardon the pun).

[Sandee]

I have a hard time following with that bee-like background noise, but hopefully I'll gradually grow immune to it. Germany did great and I am kind of disappointed with England. No comment regarding France as well.

[Crowley]

Ireland should be in it. Fuck "France". Spain will win.


"France"


...........................

[RuneX2]

The vuvuzela backlash has begun and is growing louder (pardon the pun).There are some manuals on the new showing how to adjust some TV model sets to eliminate the frequency the vuvuzela noise is on. That'll be a great selling point later on. TV set ready for African shows. Tune out all the rubbish and noise.

[Ken]

I have a hard time following with that bee-like background noise, but hopefully I'll gradually grow immune to it.

I'll never grow immune to it, as it ruins the experience. The crowds are a major part of the whole WC atmosphere and these stupid horns are the equivalent of a ginormous, never ending fart blaring over the loud speaker overwhelming the music at a concert in which you wanted to hear the band.

[Ken]

No chants equals no atmosphere at World Cup


JOHANNESBURG — The constant drone of cheap and tuneless plastic horns is killing the atmosphere at the World Cup.

Where are loud choruses of "Oooohhhs" from enthralled crowds when a shot scorches just wide of the goalpost? And the sharp communal intake of breath, the shrill "Aaahhhhss," when a goalkeeper makes an acrobatic, match-winning save? Or the humorous/moving/offensive football chants and songs?

Mostly, they're being drowned out by the unrelenting water-torture beehive hummmmmmmmmmm of South African vuvuzela trumpets. Damn them. They are stripping World Cup 2010 of football's aural artistry.

Vuvuzela apologists — a few more weeks of this brainless white noise will perhaps change, or melt, their minds — defend the din as simply part of the South African experience. Each country to its own, they say. When in Rome, blah, blah, blah. Get with the par-tee and blow, man.

Which would be fine if this was purely a South African competition. Fans could then legitimately hoot away to their hearts' content while annoying no one other than their immediate neighbors.

But this is the World Cup, a celebration of the 32 nations that qualified and all that did not, but still play and love the game. Hosting planet football brings responsibilities. At the very least, South Africa should ensure that the hundreds of millions of visitors who come in goodwill to its door, both in person and via the magic of television, do not go home with a migraine. How many TV viewers, longing for a more nuanced soundtrack to go with the show, have already concluded that the only way to enjoy this World Cup is by pressing mute on their remote?

In Tweeting, "No offense to the vuvuzela posse but, man, it's a bit much," seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was not alone.

Attending or watching a match should be a feast for the eyes and ears. Those two senses work better together, each augmenting the other.

Sounds should ebb and flow like tides with the fortunes on the field. That adds to the drama. Fans reacting with their voices to action on the pitch, to events in the stadium and to each other's sounds, songs and chants are part of football's theater. Outside of South Africa, they are.

A sudden crowd silence can also tell a story — perhaps of the heartbreak of a late, defeat-inflicting goal or of the shock of seeing a player horribly injured by a bad tackle. Sometimes, you should even be able to hear a coach bark orders from the touchline or players shouting at each other for the ball.

There are stadium sounds other than vuvuzelas at this World Cup — just not enough of them. They are being bullied into submission by the trumpets' never-ending screech.

There were scattered unison chants of "In-ger-land, In-ger-land," a few bars of "God Save the Queen" and the occasional "USA! USA!" when England played the United States on Saturday night. But vuvuzelas ultimately won the battle of the bands. They and the result — a disappointing 1-1 tie — silenced England's fans, who usually are among the best-drilled noisemakers in football.

They take their singing seriously, with chants that are cheeky, taunting and often insulting. But at least they are inventive.

The same cannot be said of vuvuzelas. They are simply mindless. Their pitch doesn't change, only the intensity. Blow hard. Blow soft. The range is from horrifically loud to just annoyingly so.

Please, South Africa, make them stop. Give us a song, instead.

-JOHN LEICESTER




http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jHZhDfWG_Vpk7_fdH4ViWnhoSXJgD9GAHJVG0

My thoughts EXACTLY. :thumbsup:

[Crowley]

...a few more weeks of this brainless white noise ...

Political correctness at its finest.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Political correctness at its finest.

You sound like those NAACP clowns decrying "black holes".

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/06/13/article-1286270-0A041F8A000005DC-830_468x358.jpg

[Zander]

Italy plays today, so here we go again...

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20060728075203/uncyclopedia/images/a/ac/Italian_Caution.JPG

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Go Paraguay, show those cat eating wops how to play football.

[Ace Rimmer]

Football is boring crap.

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Football is boring crap.

Go play basketball you :blackface:

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Football is boring crap.

Jebat cu ti bre kevu, bre!

[Ace Rimmer]

Daj mi recite šta je tu zanimljivo, majke mi? Šta je veći nivo natjecanja to je dosadnije i napornije, odvratno...

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Paraguay Italy 1:0

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Daj mi recite šta je tu zanimljivo, majke mi? Šta je veći nivo natjecanja to je dosadnije i napornije, odvratno...

Nije da sam nesto lud za nogometom ili opcenito za sportovima, ali od svih sportova najmanje dosadan je nogomet. :p

[Ace Rimmer]

Ja ga guštan igrat, ali gledat majko moja , rađe bi gleda maraton puževa.

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

First half is over, Italians will need to practice more.

-4nfuvyBToQ

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Daj mi recite šta je tu zanimljivo, majke mi? Šta je veći nivo natjecanja to je dosadnije i napornije, odvratno...

Zato sto nema nista lipse nego kad neka ekipa stvori pravi gol ili nekih igrac zabija jednu dobru udarac u gol.

[Ace Rimmer]

Zato sto nema nista lipse nego kad neka ekipa stvori pravi gol ili nekih igrac zabija jednu dobru udarac u gol.

Jednom u 90min, gr8.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

http://www.jutarnji.hr/multimedia/archive/00280/nizozemska_danska__280019S0.jpg

http://www.jutarnji.hr/multimedia/archive/00280/paragvaj_italija_a_280103S0.jpg

[DonaldT]

4-0 Deutschland.

The Schwartze Cacau pops it in for the Germans only a few minutes after coming on.

My God, the Germans absolutely annihilated us. :(

I'm not sure whether it was them being really good or us being really bad.

Either way, this week I am embarrassed to call myself Australian. I try not to get caught up in sports and try to control my emotions, but I have to admit I'm absolutely shattered by this result. I had a hard time going to sleep after the match, even though I know deep down it's just a sport.

Absolutely terrible move putting Cahill as the lone-striker by our coach Pim Verbeek. I am absolutely baffled as to why he didn't use our proven strikers: Joshua Kennedy and our best player Harry Kewell.

I'm confident we can bounce back against the negros (Ghana) even without Cahill, but I honestly don't think we deserve it after that performance.

The best thing that happened so far in this world cup for me is that Japan beat Cameroon 1-0.

[DonaldT]

Germany had unfair advantage over Socceroos, says England defender (http://www.theage.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/germany-had-unfair-advantage-over-socceroos-says-england-defender-20100615-yawc.html)

England's Jamie Carragher believes Germany gained a huge World Cup advantage by ensuring their players had four months to get used to the ball they banged into the net four times against Australia.

The controversial Jabulani balls were introduced by Bundesliga clubs sponsored by their German-based manufacturer adidas in February and Carragher believes that has given England's biggest rivals an edge that was apparent in their impressive 4-0 win over the Socceroos in their opening match on Sunday.

"That is exactly what we were saying as we were watching," Carragher said.

"It gives them an advantage anyway. Certainly, that is true. It is obvious. The ball is very different. Every training session we do we always start with a ball between two, passing 30 or 40 yards to each other just for that reason alone. I am sure it has helped them."

Makes me feel slightly better about getting thrashed that badly.

I just hope the Serbians get done as badly as we did so it makes us look better.

[Ahknaton]

My God, the Germans absolutely annihilated us. :(

I'm not sure whether it was them being really good or us being really bad.

Either way, this week I am embarrassed to call myself Australian. I try not to get caught up in sports and try to control my emotions, but I have to admit I'm absolutely shattered by this result. I had a hard time going to sleep after the match, even though I know deep down it's just a sport.

Absolutely terrible move putting Cahill as the lone-striker by our coach Pim Verbeek. I am absolutely baffled as to why he didn't use our proven strikers: Joshua Kennedy and our best player Harry Kewell.

I'm confident we can bounce back against the negros (Ghana) even without Cahill, but I honestly don't think we deserve it after that performance.

The best thing that happened so far in this world cup for me is that Japan beat Cameroon 1-0.
Being a New Zealander, I've already mentally defined "victory" in the World Cup as "New Zealand loses to Italy by a smaller margin than Australia lost to Germany". :D

[Jimbo Gomez]

Makes me feel slightly better about getting thrashed that badly.

I just hope the Serbians get done as badly as we did so it makes us look better.


What's unfair about that? Actually training with the material you'll end up using seems logical to me.

[Lisbeth Salander]

My God, the Germans absolutely annihilated us. :(

I'm not sure whether it was them being really good or us being really bad.

Either way, this week I am embarrassed to call myself Australian. I try not to get caught up in sports and try to control my emotions, but I have to admit I'm absolutely shattered by this result. I had a hard time going to sleep after the match, even though I know deep down it's just a sport.

Absolutely terrible move putting Cahill as the lone-striker by our coach Pim Verbeek. I am absolutely baffled as to why he didn't use our proven strikers: Joshua Kennedy and our best player Harry Kewell.

I'm confident we can bounce back against the negros (Ghana) even without Cahill, but I honestly don't think we deserve it after that performance.

The best thing that happened so far in this world cup for me is that Japan beat Cameroon 1-0.

Don't panic mate, if AUS beat Ghana and draw with Serbia they can still go through right.

Depending on the other results.

But New Zealand face a sterner challenge, it would be an achievement for them to draw any of their games.

[DonaldT]

What's unfair about that? Actually training with the material you'll end up using seems logical to me.

It's not really unfair. Germany were within their rights to use the ball ahead of the World Cup and FIFA have stated that the ball was available for all leagues, and that the critics only have themselves to blame. In all honesty, if Australia were in a similar position, I would want them to do the same.

However...

It's slightly unfair because the Premier League was contracted to use Nike balls and could not make the switch. Also, the English national team was contracted to use Umbro balls for international fixtures. In this sense, the Germans have had an unfair advantage over most teams. I don't think they were contracted to use certain balls therefore they were free to use the South African balls.

I think FIFA should have taken it into consideration (That some leagues were contracted to use other balls whereas others had the advantage of using the crap South African ball), and made the ball available to the teams only a few weeks out of the World Cup, in the name of fairness. FIFA knew that the English League was contracted to use other balls, but they went ahead with their plans anyway.

The German national team are not at fault here, it's FIFA. First it was Blatter doing everything he could to ensure France got into the World Cup last year, and now this. FIFA are a pretty corrupt organization.

[DonaldT]

Being a New Zealander, I've already mentally defined "victory" in the World Cup as "New Zealand loses to Italy by a smaller margin than Australia lost to Germany". :D

Man, you guys have 'victory' in the bag then.

[DonaldT]

Don't panic mate, if AUS beat Ghana and draw with Serbia they can still go through right.

Depending on the other results.

But New Zealand face a sterner challenge, it would be an achievement for them to draw any of their games.

Australia have a good record against Ghana, but Ghana will be full of confidence after beating Serbia. They also have the advantage of playing their previous game at altitude, whereas Australia had their Germany game at sea level.

I would have been confident against Ghana if Cahill hadn't been red-carded. As hard as it is for me to admit as a racist, that arrogant Pacific Islander cross-breed is vital to our attack. Our attack is damn weak now that he's not playing.

Australia can't rely on drawing with Serbia now, because we wouldn't get through the groups on goal difference now (We conceeded 4(!)), so we need to win both games (Unless Ghana is killed by 5 goals by Germany). I'm hoping Serbia aren't going to be trying that hard in their last game, because at this point their World Cup may already be over having lost their opening two matches against Ghana and Germany.

[Jimbo Gomez]

It's not really unfair. Germany were within their rights to use the ball ahead of the World Cup and FIFA have stated that the ball was available for all leagues, and that the critics only have themselves to blame. In all honesty, if Australia were in a similar position, I would want them to do the same.

However...

It's slightly unfair because the Premier League was contracted to use Nike balls and could not make the switch. Also, the English national team was contracted to use Umbro balls for international fixtures. In this sense, the Germans have had an unfair advantage over most teams. I don't think they were contracted to use certain balls therefore they were free to use the South African balls.

I think FIFA should have taken it into consideration (That some leagues were contracted to use other balls whereas others had the advantage of using the crap South African ball), and made the ball available to the teams only a few weeks out of the World Cup, in the name of fairness. FIFA knew that the English League was contracted to use other balls, but they went ahead with their plans anyway.

The German national team are not at fault here, it's FIFA. First it was Blatter doing everything he could to ensure France got into the World Cup last year, and now this. FIFA are a pretty corrupt organization.

Those contracts force them to play games with the specific balls. The English teams could still have trained with whatever ball they want.

Also, such contracts generate extra money for the English teams which the German teams don't receive. The Germans could reply to that that if the English don't want them to train with the WC ball in advance, part of that sponsorship money should go to Germany in compensation. If you start whining like that there's no end to nonsense like this. The English teams have all sorts of sponsorship contracts which make their league the richest in the world. But sometimes those contracts come back to bite them in the ass.

[Cadavre Exquis]

Australia have a good record against Ghana, but Ghana will be full of confidence after beating Serbia. They also have the advantage of playing their previous game at altitude, whereas Australia had their Germany game at sea level.

I would have been confident against Ghana if Cahill hadn't been red-carded. As hard as it is for me to admit as a racist, that arrogant Pacific Islander cross-breed is vital to our attack. Our attack is damn weak now that he's not playing.

Australia can't rely on drawing with Serbia now, because we wouldn't get through the groups on goal difference now (We conceeded 4(!)), so we need to win both games (Unless Ghana is killed by 5 goals by Germany). I'm hoping Serbia aren't going to be trying that hard in their last game, because at this point their World Cup may already be over having lost their opening two matches against Ghana and Germany.
Serbia have yet to play Germany.

I was less embarrassed by the result than I was the hubris with which the Australian team and fans went into the game. People were seriously predicting that Australia would beat the Germans.

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

The last time I watched a football match was two years ago during the Euro Cup. I'm firmly decided not only not to watch any World Cup match, but to ignore all news about it.

[DonaldT]

Serbia have yet to play Germany.

I was less embarrassed by the result than I was the hubris with which the Australian team and fans went into the game. People were seriously predicting that Australia would beat the Germans.

I don't think many serious socceroo fans thought that we'd win. The best most were hoping for was a tie. I said on various forums that my heart was saying a draw, but my head was saying Germany 3-0 Australia.

This game wouldn't have been so disappointing if the greasy Mexican referee wouldn't have produced the red card so quickly. I expected to lose, but I didn't expect to lose one of our best players for the games we realistically have a chance of winning.


Yes, Serbia haven't played Germany yet, but I don't give them much chance after that rout by Germany. I can't see anyone beating Germany until at least the semis. Like I said though, perhaps it was only Australia playing crap and not so much Germany playing good.

[Lisbeth Salander]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/15/new-zealand-slovakia-world-cup

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2010/6/15/1276610448273/Winston-Reid-celebrates-h-005.jpg

Winston Reid celebrates his late equaliser for New Zealand against Slovakia.

The World Cup may not have seen a great game yet, but the tournament has been startled. Winston Reid's header from a Shane Smeltz cross in stoppage time brought New Zealand, 78th in the Fifa rankings, their first point ever at the finals of this tournament.

There is romance enough in the outcome but the scorer's own tale adds to it. He lives in Denmark and had taken out citizenship in a country whose team he represented up to Under-21 level. In March of this year, though, he opted to play for the country of his birth.

Slovakia should blame themselves for his jubilation. They had been attempting to win the match as unobtrusively as possible. The superiority was taken for granted until the moment Reid presented New Zealand with a draw.

The doggedness was a credit to Ricki Herbert's squad who did not succumb even after the second-half opener from Robert Vittek. The ending rehabilitated an otherwise tiresome match.

Nobody could have kidded themselves that this would be the fixture to set the World Cup alight at last. It might as well have been clad in asbestos for most of the time. New Zealand can consider themselves absolved of blame.

The intent to attack was apparent in the use of three forwards and there is no shame in Herbert's team making few chances. His men's excitement before the interval was confined to a shot from Smeltz into the side netting after a pass from Rory Fallon.

Slovakia had been blunt in their finishing as well and there was a certain strain as they struggled then to live up to their reputation. The manager, Vladimir Weiss, has a squad that flourished to such a degree in the qualifiers that the away wins included a victory in the Czech Republic as his men took their place in the finals without any need of a play-off. Such effectiveness was not recovered in Rustenburg.

Polish and movement were apparent, but early openings were wasted after Stanislav Sestak twice failed to capitalise from service by the manager's son Vladimir Weiss, once in open play and then from a corner.

The monotony ended five minutes after the interval. New Zealand, as is often the case with the disadvantaged, enjoyed no mercy at all from the officials who could conceivably have ruled out the goal since Vittek may have been a fraction offside as Sestak aimed the cross which the striker headed home.

Herbert's men continued to be engaging for the spirit that ensured there would be no collapse, and the reward was handsome.

NZ Power!

[Ambrosio Spinola]

Portugal vs Ivory Coast

http://estaticos02.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/15/1276608777_extras_portada_3.jpg

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

Portugal vs Ivory Coast

http://estaticos02.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/15/1276608777_extras_portada_3.jpg

Who is who?

[Morgan]

Brazil now to play North Korea....

Poor Koreans, they're gonna get slaughtered :viking:

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Brazil now to play North Korea....

Poor Koreans, they're gonna get slaughtered :viking:

North Korea is there to celebrate Globalism and Multiculturalism.

[Gaear Grimsrud]

The DPRK side will win a glorious victory in honor of the Great Leader, Kim Il-Sung through their heroic dedication to the Juche idea.

[Morgan]

North Korea is there to celebrate Globalism and Multiculturalism.


I bet the North Koreans team coach and the support staff are "specially picked" to make sure the team actually goes home after the World Cup.

[Ambrosio Spinola]

The best part is the NK publicum flown in there. I have also been able to see the NK players actually crying when their athem was played :D

[Errigal]

North Korea is there to celebrate Globalism and Multiculturalism.

Too dumb to discriminate between the North Korean team and the advertising and media coverage of the World Cup eh? Can't understand the difference? Who is the one in need of puppets?

[ScottishStalinist1]

I placed a drunken bet on a draw between Korea DPR and Brazil at 7-1, I'm beginning to think it was actually a good bet.

[Ken]

Great games all around today! :beerchug:

[Ken]

Portugal vs Ivory Coast

http://estaticos02.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/15/1276608777_extras_portada_3.jpg

Who is who?

The one on the far left is your mom, that metrosexual in the middle is the one who knocked her up last night. The one on the immediate right is your obviously (and justifiably) upset father. Get over it, you'll all be OK. (yoda)

[Nemesis]

How come Brazil is doing so poorly in this poll? Aren't they usually the favorites?

[Rabs String Vest]

The commentator on ITV said that the North Korea fans were rumoured to be Chinese actors paid to support the Korean team.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

How come Brazil is doing so poorly in this poll? Aren't they usually the favorites?

Brazil's won 5 times but aside from joke votes like NK, other people voted for their own country or for Argentina or Spain because they're whiter than Brazil....

Argentina had a tough time qualifying I don't think they will win...

Kaka is a god!!! Brazil must win.

In this compilation his first goal is vs. Argentina!

DNJQwHN9lyw

He is also very hot and loved by billions of women!!!!!!
lolzzozzlozl

http://men-haircuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Kaka-Football-Player-Cool-Men-Haircuts-2010.jpg

[Ahknaton]

FIFA rankings for each team, by group:

France 9
Mexico 17
South Africa 83
Uruguay 16

Argentina 7
Greece 13
Republic of Korea 47
Nigeria 21

Algeria 30
England 8
Slovenia 25
United States of America 14

Australia 20
Germany 6
Ghana 32
Serbia 15

Cameroon 19
Denmark 36
Japan 45
The Netherlands 4

Italy 5
New Zealand 78
Paraguay 31
Slovakia 34

Brazil 1
Côte d'Ivoire 27
Democratic People's Republic of Korea 105
Portugal 3

Chile 18
Honduras 38
Spain 2
Switzerland 24

[Ahknaton]

FIFA rankings (http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=0&rank=193), sorted:

Brazil 1
Spain 2
Portugal 3
The Netherlands 4
Italy 5
Germany 6
Argentina 7
England 8
France 9
Greece 13
United States of America 14
Serbia 15
Uruguay 16
Mexico 17
Chile 18
Cameroon 19
Australia 20
Nigeria 21
Switzerland 24
Slovenia 25
Côte d'Ivoire 27
Algeria 30
Paraguay 31
Ghana 32
Slovakia 34
Denmark 36
Honduras 38
Japan 45
Republic of Korea 47
New Zealand 78
South Africa 83
Democratic People's Republic of Korea 105

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/sports/soccer/08iht-spain.html?scp=2&sq=spain&st=cse

Spain Hopes a Cup Will Ease Its Malaise
By RAPHAEL MINDER
Published: June 7, 2010


MADRID — Ever since ancient Rome, emperors and kings have relied on bread and games to keep their people content.

Nowadays, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, the prime minister of Spain, is having a hard time satisfying the public’s economic demands as he struggles to reduce a mountain of debt and unemployment that has soared to 20 percent.

So he is putting his hopes in the World Cup that begins in South Africa this week, where Spain is one of the two favorites to win.

Spain has never won the World Cup before. But with essentially the same team that cruised to victory in the European championships two years ago and a nearly undefeated record since, the soccer-loving Spanish will be deeply disappointed if they come home with anything less than the trophy.

“There is a lot of eagerness to get out of this crisis and the government would want to emphasize anything that is good news, so a good World Cup is certainly important,” said Jordi Sevilla, one of Mr Zapatero’s former ministers.

Politics and sports have long been linked, particularly in tightly controlled societies where dictators have used soccer and success in the Olympics to strengthen their grip on power.

Francisco Franco, who ruled Spain for four decades, turned Real Madrid into his regime’s official football team, benefiting from its success both domestically and abroad during a long spell of Spanish diplomatic isolationism.

In 1964, when Spain hosted the European championships and won its first international title, defeating the Soviet Union in the final was also hailed as a victory over Communism.

When Mr. Zapatero recently announced that he would present a controversial plan to overhaul labor rules on June 16, the headlines of ABC and some other national newspapers focused on the fact that Mr. Zapatero’s presentation of economic overhauls would coincide with Spain’s opening World Cup match against Switzerland.

“Football has probably been used by politicians here more than in most other countries to cover other problems and I think politicians are continuing to do that,” said Sandalio Gómez, the director in Madrid of the center for sport business management at IESE, a leading business school. “The government will use this World Cup to get some breathing room in this very difficult situation.”

And given how passionate Spaniards are about the game, it could well succeed. “However bad the economy,” he said, “football remains above this crisis.”

On recent form, Spain’s co-favorite status for the World Cup alongside Brazil is hard to dispute. FIFA, soccer’s governing body, recently pushed Spain to No.2 behind Brazil in its world rankings, but that has not diminished the expectations here. Since winning the European championship in 2008, the only glitch on Spain’s resume has been a defeat against the United States in last year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa, a tournament that was essentially a litmus test for the World Cup.

In March, in its most recent match against another European heavyweight, Spain managed its first away win against France since 1968 in style, scoring twice in the opening 45 minutes before turning the second half into a walk in the park. Given all its success, Spain’s national coach, Vicente del Bosque, has tried hard to deflate World Cup expectations.

“Everybody in Spain thinks that anything except winning the World Cup is a failure,” Mr. del Bosque said in March. “I think that’s nonsense and a form of extremism but, in the times we live in, it seems that extremism sells.”

Mr. del Bosque has also faced a challenge in getting his players ready for the event. In recent weeks, many of them have been focused more on events off the pitch, including deciding whether to pack their bags for another city.

Indeed, as soon as Barcelona won another national Liga title on May 16, the country’s biggest clubs began the expensive game of musical chairs known as the transfer season. Trying to steal a march on its rivals, Barcelona agreed three days later to pay Valencia €40 million for David Villa, who will spearhead Spain’s World Cup attack.

Barcelona is also trying — so far unsuccessfully — to sign Cesc Fábregas from Arsenal, where he has matured into a team captain and one of the world’s best midfielders. That Mr. Fábregas happens to be Catalan is also a bonus for which Barcelona’s directors are probably willing to pay an extra few million euros.

Spain also has a long history of underperforming at World Cups, including shocking defeats against inexperienced teams like Northern Ireland and Nigeria. Still, this Spanish squad has so much talent that any of its substitutes would probably waltz into the starting line-up of Switzerland, Chile and Honduras — the three nations in Spain’s World Cup group. Certainly nobody here could imagine an early return from South Africa, an optimism that is translating into strong sales of World Cup-related paraphernalia.

Juan Antonio González Lorca, a bar owner and former marketing director of Atlético de Madrid, one of Spain’s leading clubs, noted that many employees would receive a bonus payment of an additional monthly wage later in June, under the terms of Spain’s collective bargaining agreements.

“A World Cup is the best present that a government could get in a time of crisis,” he said. “There will be no additional household savings this month, and that extra money will surely go on a soccer shirt for a kid or just having a good time outside the house.”

Two years ago, the final of the European championships was watched by an estimated 14.5 million people in the country, out of a population of 46 million, a Spanish record for a soccer match that is expected to be surpassed in South Africa. “Businesses are doing their best to create a real buzz around this World Cup,” said Mr. Gómez, the sports management professor. “If Spain achieves nothing in South Africa, this would, however, be a total commercial disaster.”

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: June 8, 2010

An earlier version of this article stated that Spain hosted and won the European championships in 1962. It was in 1964.

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

http://otros.conaf.cl/shop_image/CFFCN/Convenios%203/Fotos/bandera%20suiza.gif

[Ambrosio Spinola]

http://estaticos01.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/16/1276691429_extras_portada_4.jpg

So, now Spain is not only pissed about the miserable show of its team but can now also focus its rage on the labour reform. :D

Juan Antonio González Lorca, a bar owner and former marketing director of Atlético de Madrid, one of Spain’s leading clubs, noted that many employees would receive a bonus payment of an additional monthly wage later in June, under the terms of Spain’s collective bargaining agreements.

No idea what this would have to do with the game though. Spain has had for ages 14 yearly wages, one for Christmas and one in July (not June) that heads back to General Franco celebrating its raise again the bolsheviks at July 18th.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Great game. Even though they lost, Spain look incredibly dangerous.

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

Good job, team.

http://i45.tinypic.com/futmwo.gif

[DonaldT]

FIFA rankings (http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=0&rank=193), sorted:

Brazil 1
Spain 2
Portugal 3
The Netherlands 4
Italy 5
Germany 6
Argentina 7
England 8
France 9
Greece 13
United States of America 14
Serbia 15
Uruguay 16
Mexico 17
Chile 18
Cameroon 19
Australia 20
Nigeria 21
Switzerland 24
Slovenia 25
Côte d'Ivoire 27
Algeria 30
Paraguay 31
Ghana 32
Slovakia 34
Denmark 36
Honduras 38
Japan 45
Republic of Korea 47
New Zealand 78
South Africa 83
Democratic People's Republic of Korea 105

FIFA rankings are a joke.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Go Uruguay!

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Go Uruguay!

Uruguay wins over SA, all-white team beats all-black team, white power!
3-0 good job Uruguay
Fuck the vuvuzuela!

[Ahknaton]

FIFA rankings are a joke.
I was quite surprised to see that the USA is ranked 14th. Not that they are particularly bad, but why was it regarded as such a huge upset for them to tie with England? If the 14th best team plays the 8th it's not a huge upset to manage a draw.

That the 105th best can even manage to score a goal against the number 1 ranked team is crazy too.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Uruguay wins over SA, all-white team beats all-black team, white power!
3-0 good job Uruguay
Fuck the vuvuzuela!

This will probably curse them, but after their awesome performance against Bafana Bafana today I will be cheering on Uruguay.

Forlan FTW.

[Ahknaton]

SK play Argentina tonight. 한국 파이팅!

[Man of Ash]

SK play Argentina tonight. 한국 파이팅!
Does that say "paiting"? As in "fighting"? LOL.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

SK play Argentina tonight. 한국 파이팅!

Are you watching this game?

[cerberus]

I drew Germany in a works draw so I am not rooting for the "Fatherland"
Forwading line now consists of Manstein , Kurt Meyer , Joch. Peiper and Adolf Galland.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

4-1!

They're still shaky at the back but their attacking is a menace.

[Delmac]

4-1!

They're still shaky at the back but their attacking is a menace.

Am certainly glad to have Messi in my fantasy team. I wonder if anyone else here is doing the FIFA/McDonalds one? A phora mini-league might be amusing..

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Am certainly glad to have Messi in my fantasy team. I wonder if anyone else here is doing the FIFA/McDonalds one? A phora mini-league might be amusing..

I'm still not convinced of Maradona's quality as a gaffer. South Korea opened up their defence a few times today.

[Delmac]

I'm still not convinced of Maradona's quality as a gaffer. South Korea opened up their defence a few times today.

It's a cliche, but nonetheless I believe that prodigiously talented players rarely make great managers unless their career hopes were severely frustrated in some way; I suppose the paradigmatic English example is Dalglish versus Clough.

[Larrikin]

It's a cliche, but nonetheless I believe that prodigiously talented players rarely make great managers unless their career hopes were severely frustrated in some way; I suppose the paradigmatic English example is Dalglish versus Clough.
Zagallo and Beckenbauer won the World Cup both as players and manager. Dunga is a great manager for Brazil and has the chance the achieve the same along with Maradona.

But you're right, it is certianly rare that the greatest players are among the best managers.

[Delmac]

It's a cliche, but nonetheless I believe that prodigiously talented players rarely make great managers unless their career hopes were severely frustrated in some way; I suppose the paradigmatic English example is Dalglish versus Clough.

NB please note I don't really think Dalglish is English !!

[ScottishStalinist1]

Do you mean Dalglish wasn't a good manager or am I misunderstanding? Dalglish was a great manager, being the last manager to win the Premiership outwith the great English clubs with Blackburn Rovers.

Out of the last 10 Champions League winners there have been many great players turned managers. Rijkaard and Guardiola without a doubt were two of the finest players ever, Del Bosque for many years played with Real Madrid and Spain, Alex Ferguson was a prolific goalscorer in Scotland when the Scottish league was one of the best in the world and broke the Scottish transfer record when he signed for Rangers, and Ancelotti played for one of the best AC Milan teams ever. Hitzfeld, Mourinho, and Benitez had medicore playing careers however.

I think it is largely a myth that excellent footballers usually do not become excellent managers.

[Delmac]

Do you mean Dalglish wasn't a good manager or am I misunderstanding? Dalglish was a great manager, being the last manager to win the Premiership outwith the great English clubs with Blackburn Rovers.

Out of the last 10 Champions League winners there have been many great players turned managers. Rijkaard and Guardiola without a doubt were two of the finest players ever, Del Bosque for many years played with Real Madrid and Spain, Alex Ferguson was a prolific goalscorer in Scotland when the Scottish league was one of the best in the world and broke the Scottish transfer record when he signed for Rangers, and Ancelotti played for one of the best AC Milan teams ever. Hitzfeld, Mourinho, and Benitez had medicore playing careers however.

I think it is largely a myth that excellent footballers usually do not become excellent managers.

I honestly would characterize Dalglish as a good rather than a great manager; the latter description I would reserve for men like Shankly, Clough and (whisper it) Ferguson, who built up consistent winners of domestic and European trophies from mediocrity or obscurity.

Arguably, Ferguson's top-flight playing career ended unsatisfactorily, so I don't think he's an exception to the alleged "rule".

Most of the received wisdom in English football punditry is nonsense, but I do think there's something in this idea.

Have you come across the blog "minus-the-shooting" (http://minus-the-shooting.blogspot.com/) ?

You may find it unacceptably Trotskyite, but there is good stuff there..

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

Next match: Germany vs Serbia. Tomorrow at 13:30.

I'm hoping for another blitzkrieg. :D

[Larrikin]

Next match: Germany vs Serbia. Tomorrow at 13:30.

I'm hoping for another blitzkrieg. :D

My bet is 3:1 in favor of Germany.

Goals by Özil, Podolski, Cacau. Pantelic for Serbia.

:)

[ScottishStalinist1]

I hope Podolski and Jovanovic score two or three each tomorrow.

[Ahknaton]

Are you watching this game?
Yeah, I watched it. Disappointing result, but on the plus side Greece bet Nigeria, so if Korea can also beat Nigeria and Argentina beats Greece then South Korea can still go through.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Yeah, I watched it. Disappointing result, but on the plus side Greece bet Nigeria, so if Korea can also beat Nigeria and Argentina beats Greece then South Korea can still go through.

Why would you side with Korea over Argentina?

[Ahknaton]

Why would you side with Korea over Argentina?
Because the Falklands belong to Britain.

[Greenberg]

LOL @ France and Italy. Italy thought they could just use most of the same players from the last cup. France meanwhile plundered Africa of some players and still couldn't manage to put together a decent team from all of France and her former colonies. Time for Holland to shine!

[DonaldT]

I was quite surprised to see that the USA is ranked 14th. Not that they are particularly bad, but why was it regarded as such a huge upset for them to tie with England? If the 14th best team plays the 8th it's not a huge upset to manage a draw.

That the 105th best can even manage to score a goal against the number 1 ranked team is crazy too.

Yeah, North Korea scoring against Brazil just goes to show how ineffective the rankings are.

(But I think the USA are actually a pretty good team from what I have seen from them so far. They just have a label attached to them that they're a bad team and FIFA is always giving them a leg-up in attempts to make the game popular in the world's most powerful nation)

FIFA ranking calculation method. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifa_rankings#Current_calculation_method)

[DonaldT]

The Argentina v South Korea result has made me feel a lot better about the Germany result. At least we aren't the only ones that got our asses handed to us.

The Afri... ahem... 'France' result was particularly pleasing to see.

[Greenberg]

This is the only sport where I find myself cheering the Yanks, mostly for the fact they seem to play like men, and don't fake injuries and roll around like pansies. Most of the African and east Asian teams are more manly than the Europeans and South Americans. I find Holland and Germany not nearly as bad as Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, etc. in this regard.

[Errigal]

This is the only sport where I find myself cheering the Yanks, mostly for the fact they seem to play like men, and don't fake injuries and roll around like pansies. Most of the African and east Asian teams are more manly than the Europeans and South Americans. I find Holland and Germany not nearly as bad as Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, etc. in this regard.

That's one of the things that annoys me most about the sport.

[Helios Panoptes]

LOL @ France and Italy. Italy thought they could just use most of the same players from the last cup. France meanwhile plundered Africa of some players and still couldn't manage to put together a decent team from all of France and her former colonies. Time for Holland to shine!

I'm surrounded by people who care about the WC, so I've heard enough about it and I can proffer by 2 cents, although, I don't care about it personally (I'll be glad when it's over). France is done, but Italy is still in good shape to win its group. They tied in their first match last time as well. See how it plays out. If they win the next few games as they should they'll advance. You shouldn't make too much out of one game, which they controlled for the most part anyway, despite being lackluster.

[DonaldT]

Italy still have a really good chance of making the round of 16. France just almost completely erased their chances with their loss against Mexico.

[Rakhmetov]

The French team has been playing horribly. Their match with Uruguay was one of the most boring I've ever watched. Mexico outplayed France in every aspect.

So far, Germany, Holland, and Argentina are looking brilliant.

[Rakhmetov]

This is the only sport where I find myself cheering the Yanks,
The Yanks have a decent team. I hope they advance.

[Larrikin]

France meanwhile plundered Africa of some players and still couldn't manage to put together a decent team from all of France and her former colonies. Time for Holland to shine!
...who does not not plunder Africa, but the Carribean tradtionally... ;)

[Rakhmetov]

France meanwhile plundered Africa of some players and still couldn't manage to put together a decent team from all of France and her former colonies. Time for Holland to shine!
That is not the case about France. It has a lot of black players because of the sport's popularity in the ghettos. Recall how well the team has done over the years, such as reaching the final game in the 2006 World Cup.

You mention Holland, but the country has more than its fair share of foreigners on its team.

http://www.fifa.com/imgml/tournament/worldcup2010/players/xl/291415.png

http://www.fifa.com/imgml/tournament/worldcup2010/players/xl/216964.png

http://www.fifa.com/imgml/tournament/worldcup2010/players/xl/155679.png

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

CnFaEQPvN2o

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff276/generalni/maradona.jpg

[Ken]

WTF is wrong with Germany?! :mad:

[Ace Rimmer]

WTF is wrong with Germany?! :mad:

They play against SERBIA !!!

[Triglav]

Klose is such an idiot. German fans (on forums) even said he's too keen to do well, minutes before he got the red card.

[ScottishStalinist1]

Fuck off.

Podolski should've scored. I've got both Jovanovic and Podolski top-scorer of the tournament each way.

[Ambrosio Spinola]

I suddenly feel less bad about the poor show of Spain the other day :p

http://estaticos03.cache.el-mundo.net/elmundo/imagenes/2010/06/18/1276798314_extras_portada_0.jpg

[Triglav]

Neither is Serbia Australia, nor were the Germans the same they were some days ago.

[Ken]

Neither is Serbia Australia, nor were the Germans today the same they were some days ago.

No they weren't at all. I've never seen a German team with such a lack of discipline. :thumbsdown:

[Ken]

The only broadcast I had was in Spanish so I'm kinda in the dark here....can somebody please explain to me why in the Hell the late goal by the U.S. was disallowed?!?! :cuss: :confused:

[Rogerius Josephus Boscovich]

The only broadcast I had was in Spanish so I'm kinda in the dark here....can somebody please explain to me why in the Hell the late goal by the U.S. was disallowed?!?! :cuss: :confused:

I don't think it was an offside. Somebody from the American team made a foul apparently. Though I didn't see it. The commentator was confused as well, he couldn't explain it either.

[Hakluyt]

This is the only sport where I find myself cheering the Yanks, mostly for the fact they seem to play like men, and don't fake injuries and roll around like pansies. Most of the African and east Asian teams are more manly than the Europeans and South Americans. I find Holland and Germany not nearly as bad as Italy, Portugal, Argentina, Spain, etc. in this regard.
I noticed this while Watching the US-Slovenia game, and even though I was hoping they would lose, they get respect for not doing the facepalm/roll on the ground routine. There is something to be said for good old North American masculinity.

[Larrikin]

No they weren't at all. I've never seen a German team with such a lack of discipline. :thumbsdown:

They weren't actually playing bad. The referee made it virtually impossible to play their aggressive forechecking, by handing out yellow cards for standard tackles. Not that Klose was a great loss though, he has no business being in the starting 11 anyway. The good thing about this is that he won't play again in the cup...

But 10 Germans put much pressure on a complete Serbian team and had good chances. If Podolski wasn't such a total blackout today, they'd still have won the game with one man down for more than half the time..

It's a complete mystery to me what Löw was thinking with the substitues he made.

Not bringing Aogo or Janssen for the completly outclassed Badstuber?
Playing half an hour without a striker?
Keeping Podolski in the match, who was absolutely destroyed after missing the penalty (and the big chances he had before)?
Calling playmaker Özil off just when he started to perform well with just 20 minutes to go?

How ist a young team supposed to win that way, if the most experienced palyer (Klose) loses his head and the coach has no clue what to do next, but sticks to his plan no matter what come?

[Ken]

I suppose that analysis is actually pretty accurate. However, from the replays I saw, many of those fouls were hardly "standard tackles". They caught very little ball and a whole lot of leg in most cases.

[DonaldT]

Well let me just say thanks a frickin lot for making our job a lot tougher by losing tonight, Germany. :cuss:

Not only does Australia need to beat Ghana tomorrow, but as a bonus we need to beat Serbia too.

Thanks a lot for single-handedly ruining my four years of hope, Germany. :cuss:

[Ken]

I don't think it was an offside. Somebody from the American team made a foul apparently. Though I didn't see it. The commentator was confused as well, he couldn't explain it either.


Meh, he was definitely onside and I didn't see any foul either. Oh well, I'll still be pulling for Slovenia against England in a few days. :D

[Larrikin]

I suppose that analysis is actually pretty accurate. However, from the replays I saw, many of those fouls were hardly "standard tackles". They caught very little ball and a whole lot of leg in most cases.
If referees started handing out yellow cards for most of those situations (not only an the German side, but on the Serbian as well) in Premier League, most matches would end with 7 against 7...

[Ace Rimmer]

USA's goal was regular, the ref took away deserved win from them.

[Ken]

If referees started handing out yellow cards for most of those situations (not only an the German side, but on the Serbian as well) in Premier League, most matches would end with 7 against 7...


Many of them were standard fouls (maybe not deserving of yellow cards). Standard (as in clean) tackles however, they most certainly were not.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

I just had an idea for a winning strategy. When a guy has the ball his teammates--4 or 5--should form a ring around him by holding hands. This way he can keep possession of the ball and basically WALK into the opposing goal!!

Why not? What rules would this break? NONE!!! I have designed winning soccer strategy lol

[Niccolo and Donkey]

lol england lol

[Ken]

lol england lol


You beat me to it! :D

[Farah]

^That's right :222: I don't mean to gloat but there's some really arrogant England/Germany fans out there, it's so great to watch their reactions after the matches with Algeria and Serbia. :vuvu:

[Errigal]

Algeria: 0 England: 0

Wow, how exiting!

[ScottishStalinist1]

I just wish England did not have a very easy group as they certainly would not have made the last 16. England can only blame ther manager as England should be beat USA and Algeria with conviction with Rooney, Gerrard, and Lampard in their team.

Argentina, after Germany's poor finishing, now look like the team to beat. I hope Holland play a lot better and that Robben comes back and scores 2 or 3 against the Japs. Still think Germany and Holland have a good chance of winning it outside of Argentina - Italy, England, and Brazil aren't looking too impressive. I hope Brazil and Italy go quite far for I have money on Robinho and Di Natale.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

^That's right :222: I don't mean to gloat but there's some really arrogant England/Germany fans out there, it's so great to watch their reactions after the matches with Algeria and Serbia. :vuvu:

They're no more arrogant than Argentina or Brazil, you just don't like North Europeans.

[Farah]

They're no more arrogant than Argentina or Brazil, you just don't like North Europeans.

That's not true, I said ~some~ England/Germany fans, and for sure, there's some arrogant Argentina/Brazil fans, but i'm not fans of those fans either.

[Hakluyt]

Fans of the Northern Euro teams tend to be the most dignified in defeat, because they're more emotionally stable people, while Meds and South Americans tend to nurse a grudge. It's funny how every team in the world seems to have a grudge with England, but the only opponent England really cares about is Germany, whose Northern Euroness precludes them from returning the favour. :p

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Fans of the Northern Euro teams tend to be the most dignified in defeat, because they're more emotionally stable people, while Meds and South Americans tend to nurse a grudge. It's funny how every team in the world seems to have a grudge with England, but the only opponent England really cares about is Germany, whose Northern Euroness precludes them from returning the favour. :p

Didn't El Salvador wage war on Honduras over a soccer defeat?

[Hakluyt]

Had to googo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

Then there are the stories about fans and players committing suicide after losing matches back in the 60s and 70s (Argentina, Uruguay, or Brazil, can't remember).

[ScottishStalinist1]

Fans of the Northern Euro teams tend to be the most dignified in defeat, because they're more emotionally stable people, while Meds and South Americans tend to nurse a grudge. It's funny how every team in the world seems to have a grudge with England, but the only opponent England really cares about is Germany, whose Northern Euroness precludes them from returning the favour. :p

The rivarly between Argentina and England is entirely mutual. English fans went crazy after their result against Argentina during World Cup 2002.

England's rivarly with Turkey as a result of two English football fans of Leeds United being stabbed in Turkey in 2001 IIRC, was quite intense a few years ago, but now has all but died down.

[Ken]

They're no more arrogant than Argentina or Brazil, you just don't like North Europeans.

FYI. Brazil fans aren't arrogant at all, they're actually pretty happy go lucky. You are drawing conclusions about something which I feel you quite frankly know nothing about.

[Ken]

Fans of the Northern Euro teams tend to be the most dignified in defeat.

GTFO. How on Earth can you possibly explain this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_hooliganism#United_Kingdom) (yes it says "UK" but it's mostly England) then?

Good grief man, get a grip and quit talking out of your ass. :rolleyes:

[Hakluyt]

GTFO. How on Earth can you possibly explain this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_hooliganism#United_Kingdom) (yes it says "UK" but it's mostly England) then?

Good grief man, get a grip and quit talking out of your ass. :rolleyes:
Hooligans don't count. I'm talking about normal people of all ages. England has a unique subculture of violent youth that behave the same way in everything they participate in, sport, music, drinking/drugs, etc.

[DonaldT]

Had to googo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_War

Then there are the stories about fans and players committing suicide after losing matches back in the 60s and 70s (Argentina, Uruguay, or Brazil, can't remember).

My god, what nutjobs. :p

Obviously people that take sport that seriously have absolutely nothing to live for.

[Ahknaton]

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Two-North-Korean-players-try-to-flee,-perhaps-punished-18713.html

lol...

Coach Kim also said that he gets "regular tactical advice during matches" from Jong-il himself, "using mobile phones that are not visible to the naked eye,” which the ‘Dear Leader’ “developed himself”.

North Korea’s dictator is known for his inspired ideas, usually presented in great pomp and ceremony to North Korea’s press and nation. The last one dates back to 2004, when during an official dinner for party leaders and army generals, his kitchen staff served one of his great culinary concoctions, later described as “sublime” by those present, namely hamburgers.

[DonaldT]

Coach Kim also said that he gets "regular tactical advice during matches" from Jong-il himself, "using mobile phones that are not visible to the naked eye,” which the ‘Dear Leader’ “developed himself”.

North Korea’s dictator is known for his inspired ideas,

Kim: "Kick a goal, or your wife and kids are fucked."

[harjit]

My god, what nutjobs. :p

Obviously people that take sport that seriously have absolutely nothing to live for.
On the other hand you can say they at least have something to live and die passionately over, compared to most of us who are just working and consuming.

[Ahknaton]

Do or die for Australia!

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1250282/index.html#boateng+this

Australia captain Lucas Neill has described the clash as the biggest in his career. The former Blackburn, West Ham and Everton defender, who now plays for Galatasaray, said: "It's the biggest in my career, especially because I am the leader of this group. I'm the captain of Australia and I don't want to be a guy who looks back on his career as somebody who led Australia to a World Cup and failed to get Australia out of the group. I have that responsibility, but it's a shared responsibility."

And Neill disclosed how the thought of failure had driven him and his team-mates. He added: "We all don't want failure and we're driven by failure. We're driven by fear of not getting out of the group, not winning a game and that's all we need at the moment. I've played in big games before and I'm sure everyone in our team has. But as it stands, this is the biggest game in Australia's history anyway.

:vuvu:

[DonaldT]

My TV after tonights game against the negro stars.

http://www.tvscoop.tv/SMASHED-TV-.jpg

[Bronze Age Pervert]

My TV after tonights game against the negro stars.

http://www.tvscoop.tv/SMASHED-TV-.jpg

Denmark beat Cameroon 2-1 but it didn't look like Denmark was trying.
White power.

[Rakhmetov]

Denmark beat Cameroon 2-1 but it didn't look like Denmark was trying.
Both teams had weak defense. Cameroon nearly got the equalizer with a shot that went off the cross-bar.

Some of the African teams have fine players like Etoo, but they don't work well together as a cohesive unit.

[Nemesis]

My TV after tonights game against the negro stars.

http://www.tvscoop.tv/SMASHED-TV-.jpg

Damn, do you keep a sledgehammer near you at all times?

[DonaldT]

Denmark beat Cameroon 2-1 but it didn't look like Denmark was trying.
White power.

I'm not referring to the Denmark game.

[Lisbeth Salander]

HARRY Kewell's 2010 World Cup contribution looms as a paltry 25 minutes after the Socceroos star was sent off in 10-man Australia's gutsy 1-1 draw with Ghana at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

To guarantee themselves a spot in the second round, the Socceroos must beat Serbia in Nelspruit on Thursday morning, Australian time, and rely on Ghana beating Germany, or the Germans defeating the Ghanians by a solid margin, in a match to be played at the same time.

Come on Socceroos! :vuvu:

[DonaldT]

Come on Socceroos! :vuvu:

Our best chance is if Ghana defeat Germany. Then all we need to do is simply beat Serbia and we qualify for the round of 16.

The second best thing to happen is if Germany absolutely smash Ghana by four goals.

The absolute worst scenario is that it's a draw. In that case, Australia need to win by about 7 goals to make up the goal difference.

Either way, I think Australia will come out with an extremely aggressive and attacking attitude in the Serbia game.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

lol italy lol

[Lisbeth Salander]

Great result for New Zealand! NZ carves out a place on the world footballing scene!

Italy 1 New Zealand 1 :vuvu:

Hopefully both AUS and NZ will progress to the next stage.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Fabiano rips one into the top right corner to give the Brazilians a 1-0 lead over the Ivory Coast.

Other than the Ghanians, the African teams in this tourney have been disappointing.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Can't believe Kaka was given that red card, Ivory Coast are complete niggers...they were doing fouls every minute and that black pussy fell to the ground grabbing his face, what a joke.

Kaka is a god.

[Farah]

Brazil didn't deserve its 2nd goal, the player clearly used his arms to manipulate the ball! It's strange the referee didn't notice that.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Brazil didn't deserve its 2nd goal, the player clearly used his arms to manipulate the ball! It's strange the referee didn't notice that.

You hate Brazil and Kaka because he's a Christian.

[Farah]

You hate Brazil and Kaka because he's a Christian.

Yes actually, I hate Brazilians because they're too racially mixed, and I hate Northern Europeans because they're too pale! :p

[Larrikin]

Brazil didn't deserve its 2nd goal, the player clearly used his arms to manipulate the ball! It's strange the referee didn't notice that.
I haven't seen a more obvious use of one's hand in football since Maradona's "la mano de dios" and maybe when Henry cheated the Irish for the World Cup.

If this game had the referee of Germany vs. Serbia, Ivory Coast would have lost 4 players and Brazil at least two.

[Ahknaton]

Great result for New Zealand! NZ carves out a place on the world footballing scene!

Italy 1 New Zealand 1 :vuvu:
Great match. Shame about the penalty kick that resulted in Italy's goal, but the fact that was the only way they could find the back of the net makes the result even sweeter. Imagine if NZ had held its lead and the #78 team beat the world champions? It's almost too good to be true as it is.

In the end I think it was their poor shooting that lost the Italians their chance at winning the match, they pretty much dominated NZ midfield and had plenty of corner kicks but kept going wide of the net over and over and over.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Here it is:

http://imgur.com/hGOzG.gif

[Errigal]

Here it is:

http://imgur.com/hGOzG.gif

All these dives are one of the more annoying things about soccer. Not so beautiful. The very woggy post goal celebrations annoy me too: all that ring kissing, teammate kissing, ground kissing, air punching, genuflecting, sky pointing, back-flipping, shirt-lifting and so on. Very woggy.

[Niccolo and Donkey]

All these dives are one of the more annoying things about soccer. Not so beautiful. The very woggy post goal celebrations annoy me too: all that ring kissing, teammate kissing, ground kissing, air punching, genuflecting, sky pointing, back-flipping, shirt-lifting and so on. Very woggy.

Considering that goals are quite difficult to come by in soccer and that scoring a goal is often worth a million dollars, I can't blame some of the players for doing backflips since most people would do the same if the reward was that high.

[Errigal]

Considering that goals are quite difficult to come by in soccer and that scoring a goal is often worth a million dollars, I can't blame some of the players for doing backflips since most people would do the same if the reward was that high.
This seems to be a low scoring tournament so far.

[Ken]

lol italy lol

Italy is garbage. This will be epic, like France in '02. Not that I mind, seeing that I've never thought very highly of their attitude(cough....*style*) (Italy) :rofl:

[Ken]

Here it is:

http://imgur.com/hGOzG.gif

That was a complete and utter bullshit red card. :thumbsdown:

[Ahknaton]

It's been said a million times before, but when is FIFA going to crack down on all these bullshit dives and Hollywood falls? Last night Italy was doing it non-stop. The NZ coach was even miming diving into a swimming pool in response, lol. There was one case where an Italian player was on the ground clutching his stomach pretending to be winded, then the camera caught him pausing his act for a second and looking around to see if anyone was paying attention, then returning to his fake agony (he eventually just gave up and carried on playing like nothing happened). Why don't they get yellow carded for this kind of bullshit? It's flat out cheating. The penalty that resulted in Italy's goal rankles a bit too. There were multiple fouls against NZ that were worse than that (even resulting in one NZ player having to leave the pitch for treatment) that didn't result in serious penalties. I guess if you don't writhe on the ground in fake agony the refs don't pay attention any more.

[Ken]

It's been said a million times before, but when is FIFA going to crack down on all these bullshit dives and Hollywood falls? Last night Italy was doing it non-stop. There was one case where an Italian player was on the ground clutching his stomach pretending to be winded, then the camera caught him pausing his act for a second and looking around to see if anyone was paying attention, then returning to his fake agony (he eventually just gave up and carried on playing like nothing happened). Why don't they get yellow carded for this kind of bullshit? It's flat out cheating. Then penalty that resulted in Italy's goal rankles a bit too. There were multiple fouls against NZ that were worse than that (even resulting in one NZ player having to leave the pitch for treatment) that didn't result in serious penalties. I guess if you don't writhe on the ground in fake agony the refs don't pay attention any more.

It's Italy man, are you honestly surprised?! I swear, it seems they teach them to do that shit from childhood over in 'The Boot. :thumbsdown:

[Niccolo and Donkey]

It's Italy man, are you honestly surprised?! I swear, it seems they teach them to do that shit from childhood over in 'The Boot. :thumbsdown:

Both Italian teams I grew up playing against were notorious for this stuff. They teach it to them at a very young age.

[Ken]

Both Italian teams I grew up playing against were notorious for this stuff. They teach it to them at a very young age.

I don't doubt that for a second. Italy has always been the World's best(worst?) at that crap. I'd like nothing more than to see them (and England,France) make an early exit. There's some European squads I just can't bring myself to root for...

[Errigal]

Both Italian teams I grew up playing against were notorious for this stuff. They teach it to them at a very young age.

I think it's a cultural thing. They don't find pulling a scam in this way shameful.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

I think it's a cultural thing. They don't find pulling a scam in this way shameful.

How about that for real cultural insight? You should pen ethnographic memoirs.

It's not a matter of scam though, it's a matter of Italian momma's boy syndrome!

[Ahknaton]

It's Italy man, are you honestly surprised?! I swear, it seems they teach them to do that shit from childhood over in 'The Boot. :thumbsdown:
Yeah, I guess we need to dust off those old joke JPEGs with Italian players holding Oscars from 2006 and start posting them again.

What gets me is the shamelessness of it. It's like they think they're being sneaky or something as long as they can put one over the ref and the linesmen, never mind the tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium, and millions at home catching them in the act from multiple camera angles. Surely if you were an Italian fan and your national team managed to eek a victory out of such antics the win would feel a little hollow?

[Niccolo and Donkey]

Yeah, I guess we need to dust off those old joke JPEGs with Italian players holding Oscars from 2006 and start posting them again.

What gets me is the shamelessness of it. It's like they think they're being sneaky or something as long as they can put one over the ref and the linesmen, never mind the tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium, and millions at home catching them in the act from multiple camera angles. Surely if you were an Italian fan and your national team managed to eek a victory out of such antics the win would feel a little hollow?

It sounds like you didn't grow up amongst Italians, Ahk.

[Errigal]

Yeah, I guess we need to dust off those old joke JPEGs with Italian players holding Oscars from 2006 and start posting them again.

What gets me is the shamelessness of it. It's like they think they're being sneaky or something as long as they can put one over the ref and the linesmen, never mind the tens of thousands of spectators in the stadium, and millions at home catching them in the act from multiple camera angles. Surely if you were an Italian fan and your national team managed to eek a victory out of such antics the win would feel a little hollow?

No I think it is the opposite, a win gained via a scam or fraud is even sweeter for them.

[Rakhmetov]

Anelka was in a row with Domenach during which he told the coach, "go fuck yourself, you son of a bitch". He's been kicked off the team by the French managers. The rest of the squad protested this decision by not showing up to practice. What a disastrous run for the French. And they deserve it.

http://www.socceropi.com/pics/Nicolas-Anelka.jpg

[Ken]

Anelka was in a row with Domenach during which he told the coach, "go fuck yourself, you son of a bitch". He's been kicked off the team by the French managers. The rest of the squad protested this decision by not showing up to practice. What a disastrous run for the French. And they deserve it.

http://www.socceropi.com/pics/Nicolas-Anelka.jpg

QFT. The Irish should have been in their place, and I think they'd have done right well in this particular group.

[Rakhmetov]

The French squad didn't look very strong. Henry is washed up, Anelka has never been that good, and Ribery and Gourcuff played like shit. That the squad is refusing to play because of Anelka is ridiculous and childish.

[DonaldT]

Italy deserve to get knocked out of this World Cup. Or maybe I'm just extremely bitter about the last World Cup.

[Larrikin]

Italy is garbage. This will be epic, like France in '02. Not that I mind, seeing that I've never thought very highly of their attitude(cough....*style*) (Italy) :rofl:

Don't underestimate the Italians... In 1982 they also barely survived the first group phase (it was two then) drawing with Poland, Peru and Cameroon, scoring only two goals in 3 mathes. They then went on to win the Cup by beating Argentina, Brazil, Poland and Germany, scoring 10 goals on the way.

I hate them.

[Helios Panoptes]

Great match. Shame about the penalty kick that resulted in Italy's goal, but the fact that was the only way they could find the back of the net makes the result even sweeter. Imagine if NZ had held its lead and the #78 team beat the world champions? It's almost too good to be true as it is.

In the end I think it was their poor shooting that lost the Italians their chance at winning the match, they pretty much dominated NZ midfield and had plenty of corner kicks but kept going wide of the net over and over and over.

New Zealand was offside on their goal. It shouldn't have counted.

[Ace Rimmer]

That was a complete and utter bullshit red card. :thumbsdown:

It was actually a yellow, second one.
I think it was deserved.
Also prior to the incident Ivory Cost should have 2 players sent off directy for vicious tackles.

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

http://www.hdic.jmu.edu/journal/5.2/pictures/hondurasflag.JPG

[Farah]

I just read Portugal scored 7 goals against North Korea :eek: I feel so sorry for the North Korean players, I hope they're not gonna get tortured in an underground cell in Pyongyang upon their return.

[DonaldT]

I just read Portugal scored 7 goals against North Korea :eek: I feel so sorry for the North Korean players, I hope they're not gonna get tortured in an underground cell in Pyongyang upon their return.

I feel sorry for the coach. The players aren't easily 'replaceable.' The coach is.

[Ambrosio Spinola]

http://estaticos01.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/21/1277140140_extras_portada_2.jpg

Go get them!!!

Chile already toke care of the Swiss, this can only be good.

[Ambrosio Spinola]

http://estaticos01.cache.el-mundo.net/mundial/2010/imagenes/2010/06/21/1277140140_extras_portada_5.jpg

To few goals for so much artys footbal. Spain was clearly supperior but lost to much chances to stupid art. That lost penalty was hair pulling!

Should have been a 5-0

[Ken]

I just read Portugal scored 7 goals against North Korea :eek: I feel so sorry for the North Korean players, I hope they're not gonna get tortured in an underground cell in Pyongyang upon their return.


I've been thinking the exact same thing. They got thoroughly embarrassed on the world's biggest stage and I have a feeling they may get punished for it...:(

[Ken]

To few goals for so much artys footbal. Spain was clearly supperior but lost to much chances to stupid art. That lost penalty was hair pulling!

Should have been a 5-0


You guys looked incredibly skilled and dangerous. Despite the freak upset against Switzerland, I'm still sticking with Spain to take the Cup. I like them, they are entertaining to watch and they don't pull all that diving, crybaby bullshit. :thumbsup: :beerchug:

[Ahknaton]

New Zealand was offside on their goal. It shouldn't have counted.
Maybe so, but the penalty kick awarded to Italy that resulted in the equalizer wasn't a good call either, and the ref was constantly rewarding Italian dives with yellow cards against NZ players, so it evens out. In any case, if a match between the #78 team and the defending champions comes down to being decided by a single dodgy offside ruling that's a pretty big upset in the first place. Italy should have been able to convincingly smash New Zealand in which case a ball call here or there would be irrelevant.

[Ahknaton]

Contentious article...

All’s Fair in Love and Soccer

Cheating and working the refs are part of what make the beautiful game fun to watch

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/18/all_s_fair_in_love_and_soccer

[Farah]

The French coach is so rude, he refused to shake hands with the South Africa coach after he personally approached him, not much of a sportive spirit :nuts:

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

That's ridiculous, you can't catch AIDS with a mere handshake.

[Ace Rimmer]

That's ridiculous, you can't catch AIDS with a mere handshake.

SA coach is white.

[Lisbeth Salander]

http://www.thebody.com/content/art9070.html

Although many white South Africans feel "insulated" from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the population's HIV prevalence is higher than the prevalence among "any other white population in the world," the South China Morning Post reports. A recent study by the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Human Sciences Research Council showed that at least 6% of South Africa's white population is HIV-positive, compared with less than 1% of the white population in Australia and Britain and 10% of South Africa's black population.

"These figures came as a surprise to everyone except medical professionals working with patients," Dr. Lynne Webber, a clinical virologist and HIV expert, said, adding, "We see wealthy, middle-class white people every day who are infected." However, many white people continue to feel that the epidemic is "restricted" to South Africa's black population, according to the Morning Post. Dirk Hermann, a spokesperson for Solidarity -- a trade union for mineworkers that primarily represents white workers -- said, "The fact is that whites are just as much part of the pandemic as other groups in South Africa"

[Ace Rimmer]

He is also a Brazilian.

[Nemesis]

A Brazilian's more than a million, right?

[Larrikin]

The US really earned to survive the group stage, especially since they had two correct goals disallowed.

Unfortunately that means that if Germany beats Ghana tonight (and I'm sure about that) they'll face England next...

[Bronze Age Pervert]

The US really earned to survive the group stage, especially since they had two correct goals disallowed.

Unfortunately that means that if Germany beats Ghana tonight (and I'm sure about that) they'll face England next...

...
This is very bad. The guys who promote soccer in the US are the worst kind of twat cunts...this will only encourage them. I wish Slovenia and Algeria had qualified instead.

Slovenia should have won world cup.

[Ken]

Unfortunately that means that if Germany beats Ghana tonight (and I'm sure about that) they'll face England next...

Go Germany!!! :beerchug:

http://www.mystfx.ca/academic/modern-languages/German/GermanyFlag.gif

[Farah]

Too bad Algeria, I was hoping it would qualify for the next round as it's the only Arab team in the WC, it would have been nice to see it go a little further, oh well....I was wondering now that the USA [surprisingly] made it, are Americans in the USA gonna hit streets and celebrate their victory, or is this a not-so-popular event like in other countries?

[Errigal]

Too bad Algeria, I was hoping it would qualify for the next round as it's the only Arab team in the WC, it would have been nice to see it go a little further, oh well....I was wondering now that the USA [surprisingly] made it, are Americans in the USA gonna hit streets and celebrate their victory, or is this a not-so-popular event like in other countries?

I think a lot of the hipsters who watch soccer would feel yucky and weird waving the US flag. The suburban kids who play soccer will likely get into it though.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2010/06/01/133-the-world-cup/

[Farah]

I think a lot of the hipsters who watch soccer would feel yucky and weird waving the US flag. The suburban kids who play soccer will likely get into it though.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2010/06/01/133-the-world-cup/

Soccer, what a weird word :222: The American crowd during the USA-Algeria match put up a very patriotic display, I don't know if all of them were Americans, but nearly all of them wore their flag colour, had their faces painted, stars stars and stripes everywhere

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Soccer, what a weird word :222: The American crowd during the USA-Algeria match put up a very patriotic display, I don't know if all of them were Americans, but nearly all of them wore their flag colour, had their faces painted, stars stars and stripes everywhere

Why do Lebanese like Algerians?? :confused:

I've heard Algerians are disliked in the Levant, many Algerian mercenaries were behind the Iraq insurgency.

[Farah]

Why do Lebanese like Algerians?? :confused:

I've heard Algerians are disliked in the Levant, many Algerian mercenaries were behind the Iraq insurgency.

Hmm, I don't think North Africans in particular are disliked in the Levant, I've never met any Levantine who dislikes Algerians due to their ethnic background. North Africans though are very different to Levantines, in their language, looks, culture, food..etc, but in the end there's no hard feelings. I wouldn't be surprised if there were Algerians involved in Iraqi insurgency groups, Algeria is known to have strong fundamentalist Islamic elements in its population..

On a sidenote, I was waiting for your 'You just hate Americans' :222:

[Errigal]

Soccer, what a weird word :222: The American crowd during the USA-Algeria match put up a very patriotic display, I don't know if all of them were Americans, but nearly all of them wore their flag colour, had their faces painted, stars stars and stripes everywhere

I read that US tourists form the largest national group at the World Cup. 1st or 2nd largest at least.

[Bronze Age Pervert]

Hmm, I don't think North Africans in particular are disliked in the Levant, I've never met any Levantine who dislikes Algerians due to their ethnic background. North Africans though are very different to Levantines, in their language, looks, culture, food..etc, but in the end there's no hard feelings. I wouldn't be surprised if there were Algerians involved in Iraqi insurgency groups, Algeria is known to have strong fundamentalist Islamic elements in its population..

On a sidenote, I was waiting for your 'You just hate Americans' :222:

Do you concede the superiority of Moroccan food? :P

[Farah]

I read that US tourists form the largest national group at the World Cup. 1st or 2nd largest at least.

Oh interesting! I didn't know that. Then how come we get the impression that football/soccer is disliked in the USA, or that Americans don't get excited for it like other sports in America (Basketball, baseball?)

[Farah]

Do you concede the superiority of Moroccan food? :P

Why not :222: I have not had the opportunity to encounter Moroccan food, believe it or not, but I get the impression it's very liked outside the Middle East & North Africa and is considered exotic, so it does seem to be more appealing than Levantine food, for others.

[DonaldT]

The US really earned to survive the group stage, especially since they had two correct goals disallowed.

Unfortunately that means that if Germany beats Ghana tonight (and I'm sure about that) they'll face England next...

Then do yourself a favour and lose then. Australia will happily take your place after we hopefully defeat Serbia tonight. :)

If Germany lose, I don't think I'll ever be happier seeing a bunch of nig nogs defeat a European team.

Saying that though, I would much rather see Germany spank Ghana 5-0.

[DonaldT]

Oh interesting! I didn't know that. Then how come we get the impression that football/soccer is disliked in the USA, or that Americans don't get excited for it like other sports in America (Basketball, baseball?)

Australia is the third largest group behind America and England. Soccer is actually not well-liked in Australia either and is looked down upon a little similar to that of the USA.

The reason the USA has so many travelling fans is that:
A) They're wealthier than the average peasant from other countries.
B) They're more outgoing and have a sense of adventure and freedom. And you'll need a lot of it to go to a country like South Africa.:vuvu:
C) The USA is a rather large country. 300 million people is nothing to sneeze at.
D) The trip to South Africa is cheap for people in the USA and England due to the power of the dollar and pound.

That's just the general impression I get, anyway. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, America posters.

I guess many Australian fans are going to South Africa because Australians just use any excuse to get off that island in the middle of nowhere, we are relatively wealthy, we have leisure time, we enjoy sport a lot, we have two large organizations (Green and Gold army, Fanatics) that organize large contingents of fans to travel to wherever Australia is playing in any sport.

[Errigal]

.....

The reason the USA has so many travelling fans is that:
A) They're wealthier than the average peasant from other countries.
B) They're more outgoing and have a sense of adventure and freedom. And you'll need a lot of it to go to a country like South Africa.:vuvu:
C) The USA is a rather large country. 300 million people is nothing to sneeze at.
D) The trip to South Africa is cheap for people in the USA and England due to the power of the dollar and pound.

.....

And also soccer is much more of a middle class and upper middle class sport in the US than it is in Europe. The fans have more money


I guess many Australian fans are going to South Africa because Australians just use any excuse to get off that island in the middle of nowhere, we are relatively wealthy, we have leisure time, we enjoy sport a lot, we have two large organizations (Green and Gold army, Fanatics) that organize large contingents of fans to travel to wherever Australia is playing in any sport.

The Wallabies were playing the Springboks too recently; a lot of fans likely got a package deal.

[Larrikin]

Oh interesting! I didn't know that. Then how come we get the impression that football/soccer is disliked in the USA, or that Americans don't get excited for it like other sports in America (Basketball, baseball?)
I think it's it's not that there are exceptionally many Americans in SA, but rather that there's awful few of all other major crowds.

The Americans for sure weren't the biggest group in the 2006 World Cup.

[Ice Cream Aficionado]

@ Larrikin:

What team were you supporting in the Ghana vs Germany match?

[harjit]

Do you concede the superiority of Moroccan food? :P
Lebanese food is pretty awesome too.

Shawarmas :thumbsup:

[Ken]

Lol, bye bye Italy! Funny how that guy took a dive after their goal to try and force a red card on Slovakia and ended up getting a yellow for himself. Freakin' Italian BS artists. :rofl:

[Farah]

I read that US tourists form the largest national group at the World Cup. 1st or 2nd largest at least.

Australia is the third largest group behind America and England. Soccer is actually not well-liked in Australia either and is looked down upon a little similar to that of the USA.

The reason the USA has so many travelling fans is that:
A) They're wealthier than the average peasant from other countries.
B) They're more outgoing and have a sense of adventure and freedom. And you'll need a lot of it to go to a country like South Africa.:vuvu:
C) The USA is a rather large country. 300 million people is nothing to sneeze at.
D) The trip to South Africa is cheap for people in the USA and England due to the power of the dollar and pound.

That's just the general impression I get, anyway. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, America posters.

I guess many Australian fans are going to South Africa because Australians just use any excuse to get off that island in the middle of nowhere, we are relatively wealthy, we have leisure time, we enjoy sport a lot, we have two large organizations (Green and Gold army, Fanatics) that organize large contingents of fans to travel to wherever Australia is playing in any sport.

I think it's it's not that there are exceptionally many Americans in SA, but rather that there's awful few of all other major crowds.

The Americans for sure weren't the biggest group in the 2006 World Cup.

What you guys are saying makes sense, I expect Algerian, Slovakian, Paraguayan (sp) crowds for example to be much smaller because the average citizen in those populations likely doesn't afford coming all the way to South Africa.