Official 2010 World Cup

[GermanDunk]

Roberto Vittek for the win

[GermanDunk]

Lippi just quit

[Maringa]

Chances are looking better for the Cup remaining on this side of the Ocean...Spain and Portugal are the only remaining favorites for Europe. Germany and England look weak, but still are breathing.

I have a hard time seeing Korea or Japan making it through...Ghana may have a chance against the US, but not much beyond that. I would be thrilled to see the US punch through to the quarter finals, but I don't think they can get past that. I am a little suspect of their defense and giving up early goals. They can't start giving up early goals in the second round, or they will be toast.

Brazil, Argentina, or Uruguay are looking like favorites to win the whole thing.

[Dirkenstien]

Originally Posted by mavspwnage

lol. The fact that Donovan said he was aiming for his head on this shot makes it that much better.


Things are definitely looking promising for the US' chances at finally getting past the quarters. Can't wait for the game Saturday.

[Windmill360]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4-Fn...ature=youtu.be

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by Maringa

Chances are looking better for the Cup remaining on this side of the Ocean...Spain and Portugal are the only remaining favorites for Europe. Germany and England look weak, but still are breathing.

I have a hard time seeing Korea or Japan making it through...Ghana may have a chance against the US, but not much beyond that. I would be thrilled to see the US punch through to the quarter finals, but I don't think they can get past that. I am a little suspect of their defense and giving up early goals. They can't start giving up early goals in the second round, or they will be toast.

Brazil, Argentina, or Uruguay are looking like favorites to win the whole thing.

If Ghana had used one or two of their 100% chances, Germany would be on the plane back home, now. So, US boys have to watch out.

[rabbitproof]

Karma police in the world cup! Haha, Henry! Haha, Italy!


Soccer/football: the final frontier for America..

[Fidel]

Originally Posted by Maringa

Chances are looking better for the Cup remaining on this side of the Ocean...Spain and Portugal are the only remaining favorites for Europe. Germany and England look weak, but still are breathing.

I have a hard time seeing Korea or Japan making it through...Ghana may have a chance against the US, but not much beyond that. I would be thrilled to see the US punch through to the quarter finals, but I don't think they can get past that. I am a little suspect of their defense and giving up early goals. They can't start giving up early goals in the second round, or they will be toast.

Brazil, Argentina, or Uruguay are looking like favorites to win the whole thing.

You forgot about the Netherlands. No one is talking about them, which in their case is good. Usually they are all the rage in the group stage and later implode. This time they somehow stayed under the radar despite winning all three matches. It also seems there is no problem between white and black players this year, which usually is one of their downfalls.

[bernardos70]

With Brazil winning the group, the implications are:

Next round, Brazil plays Spain or Chile in all likelihood (that was the case even if they finished 2nd).

Then possible opponents are: Netherlands, Slovakia, Uruguay, South Korea, USA, or Ghana all the way up to the final.

Had we lost the game and gone second, we'd still play Spain or Chile, but then we'd play Paraguay, Japan, England, Germany, Argentina, or Mexico.

So that should make our Road to the final easier (theoretically really.... cause you can't control what the World Cup ball do. Crazy man, y'all hilarious)!

[Flacolaco]

So...forgive me for asking, I am just curious....You're from Brazil?

[DirkFTW]

Man. Spain is something else. Villa is something else.

[GermanDunk]

Awesome and very colorful game. Switzerland - Honduras should be more interesting at the moment.

[bernardos70]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

So...forgive me for asking, I am just curious....You're from Brazil?

Lol, yes, yes I am.

[GermanDunk]

Paul, the Octopus does world cup pick ´em.

For the german games vs. Australia, Ghana and Serbia he had picked the mussel from the right box.
Source: Süddeutsche Zeitung, München

[bernardos70]

Brazil Vs Chile Monday, 2PM EST :P.

Watch out as the USA's first knockout match is tomorrow at 2PM EST also.

[Flacolaco]

After watching that game, I cringe at the thought of the American defense against the counter attack of Uruguay.

[bernardos70]

Can you feel the pressure?

[Zaknaf3in]

Doesn't look too good, the US boys don't seem to find their game.
And the German scores - Ghana looks quite good, actually.

[bernardos70]

The USA came back a completely different team in the 2nd half and deserved the tie, if not the win. Let's see if they can pull through in the overtime periods or if this will be a penalty shootout (in which I still give the USA the edge because of Tim Howard).

[Male30Dan]

What a game so far - what a 2nd half by the USA.

Now score USA and hold them off...

[Flacolaco]

Hard to congratulate that sorriness. Absolutely sorry in the extra time. I can't even believe how sorry.

F you Ghana. That ain't sportsmanship. And if that's just "how it's done" in soccer then I don't much care for it.

[FINtastic]

Originally Posted by Flacolaco

Hard to congratulate that sorriness. Absolutely sorry in the extra time. I can't even believe how sorry.

F you Ghana. That ain't sportsmanship. And if that's just "how it's done" in soccer then I don't much care for it.

Exactly. The claim that "it's just the way the game is played" doesn't hold much water with me.

And is it just me or does soccer reffing kind of blow as well? Maybe it's not the refs' fault that these players get away with these stalling tactics, but it's bullcrap either way. Is it that hard to put a rule in place that stops the clock when it should be stopped instead of letting the clock run indefinitely? I know they tack on those extra minutes at the end, but it's not exactly transparent...

It's just hard to get into this sport.

[Kirobaito]

The ref has the ability to give a yellow card for stalling or diving, and both have been given in other matches. The ref just didn't in this case.

In the end, I think the defense just makes too many mistakes. Howard gets hung out to dry way too often.

This was pretty much where we were supposed to end up. We're 14th in the world-ish, and going out here is for teams 9-16. Bright future for the USA team, though. Not sure what we'll do at keeper, though, when Howard hangs them up.

[mavspwnage]

I'm hoping for a Dutch-Argentina final.

[GermanDunk]

Yes, seems the refs quit on pulling cards too early. From my standpoint reffing in this match was OK. 3+ minutes added to the 2nd extra leg were too many. 1 or 2, maybe two would have been OK.

[Zaknaf3in]

Originally Posted by GermanDunk

Yes, seems the refs quit on pulling cards too early. From my standpoint reffing in this match was OK. 3+ minutes added to the 2nd extra leg were too many. 1 or 2, maybe two would have been OK.

I thought he should have put on more, as the ghanaians were (faking) injured left right and center.

[rabbitproof]

Oops. The US seemed to have played better overall but didn't have the best individual plays.

Unfortunate.

If we were gonna lose, atleast it was to the only African team standing... I'm interested in Brazil first and then England now, who have the marquee matchup tomorrow with Germany.

[bernardos70]

Obviously it has no bearing on what the game will be like Monday but.......... since Dunga has been the coach for Brazil, we played Chile a total of 5 times, won all 5 games, and scored a total of 20 goals for an average of 4 per match. Chile is by far the team against whom he has had the most success as coach. This fact makes me confident, but at the same time, somehow, worries me. It's almost like they're due to beat Brazil.

Can't wait to see the England/Germany game. I'll be rooting for Germany since I've got so many German friends here. That, and the fact Dirk is German.

[Dirkenstien]

Tough game and tough loss today for our boys. That early goal was such a heart breaker. It's something you know they've discussed endlessly and for that to happen had to hurt. We came back and played a hell of a second half. Give Ghana credit they played very well for most of the game, but I didn't appreciate the antics after they scored the goal in OT.

Anyhow, it was a good run. The remainder of the tournament should be entertaining all the way through.

[41mvp]

Today is the best match in this World Cup.England-Germany.Let's go Podolski.Germany must win this match and all tournament!!!

[GermanDunk]

[bernardos70]

Laughable display by England. Amazing counter attacking by Germany (How fast is Ozil)? 4-1 without breaking a sweat it seems.

Another question: Who the hell does Steven Gerrard think he is? David Beckham? Awfulness; if after the 5th try to hit it from outside you can't even get it on target, just stop. They deserve to get beaten by more.

[LetsGoMavs]

mod edit

Germany tearing England apart...

Thomas Mueller = Fußballgott!

[LetsGoMavs]

Seriously guys, that scoreline is nothing to be surprised about.
The English, or even the British are renowned for producing overrated athletes that choke in the biggest occasions. The football team had been useless for over 5 decades, and also shite in cricket, rugby, tennis, etc. Considering Britain has a population of 62million, i would struggle to find a single success story from all sports in recent memory.

England have been proper bitch slapped.
Next question: Will England be boood off?

[41mvp]

England-Germany 1-4 This was one team show!!!

[LonghornDub]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

Not sure what we'll do at keeper, though, when Howard hangs them up.

Guzan is a very solid keeper.

[Dirkenstien]

Impressive win by the Germans. Man oh man, that English counter attack defense was pitiful.

[Big Boy Laroux]

Who knows if it would have changed the outcome (teams might have played differently tied), but man that was atrocious of the refs missing that goal. If fifa doesnt want replay, so be it (although would be good for goals only). But it amazes me that soccer has used 3 refs with all that field to cover. Why not have 2 more refs standing behind the goal, watching for made goals and maybe penalties in the box?

I'm actually glad they didn't call it a goal (germany is my #2 team), but it's really just an overall travesty.

[Fidel]

GO GERMANY!

That said Fifa is such a joke. On their website they don´t even mention the two huge blunders by the refs today. They act like the Chinese governement.

Here´s what they had to say about Tevez 1-0, that was offsides by a mile:

"Carlos Tevez might have thought his chance had gone when Perez raced out to block bravely at his feet, but Messi was quick-witted enough to return the ball towards goal, where the Manchester City striker was waiting to head home. Breaking the deadlock enabled Argentina to take a firm grip on proceedings, and within seven minutes that hold was strengthened as Mexico reached for the self-destruct button."


And here´s the part of their Germany-England summary where they "forget" to mention that Lampard actually scored the 2-2 (and I´m posting this despite being german and a huge fan of our national team):

"England pulled a goal back in the 37th minute when a short Lampard corner from the right was played to Gerrard who crossed into the box. Upson, atoning for his earlier error, rose highest above the Germany defence and with Neuer stranded, powered a header into the net. Meetings between these two sides often provide talking points and this one's came 60 seconds later when Lampard's shot from the edge of the box struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down, with the referee ruling the ball had not crossed the goalline (they just put that last sentence in while I made the post, it wasn´t there 5 minutes ago, and they still can´t admit it was a mistake, they just say "it bounced down", what a joke).

England started the second half strongly with Gerrard hitting a right foot shot just wide in the opening minutes and Lampard rattling the crossbar with a free-kick 30 yards from goal."

[GermanDunk]

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