FIFA WORLD CUP - Official thread!

[seanchai]

How do you explain all the recent riots by the majority immigrant population?

Just because they let immigrants into the country with open arms, does not mean they treat them well.

I didn't say they did. I said that France has - at least nominally - a civic form of nationalism that is opposed to the ethnic variant you seem to espouse. Being black or born in Africa does not disqualify you from being French.

Furthermore, it is a bit ignorant to say the French had others do their fighting for them in the Second World War, and it's insulting to not only everyone who died in the Free French Army but the millions of French who died in the First World War, giving an entire generation a sense of hopelessness and lack of fathers and thus decimated manpower.

 

[CLOONEY]

It's amazing how many teams have won as the hosting nation. Euro 2004 springs to mind...

GREECE! FFS! GREECE WHO THE F**K ARE GREECE???

England won at home, Argentina too I think, Germany? Brazil? Italy? I'm guessing here, help me out guys

-AudiTy =o

Yeah man, home ground advantage means HEAPS! Even Uraguay. France.

On some other points, I think Germany will beat Argentina, although both are the most impressive teams in the tournament so far, without a doubt!

France played VERY well against Spain! If they can play so well against Brazil, they might just knock the reigning champions out of the running!

 

[CLOONEY]

I think it's a shame that Ronaldinho doesn't get to shine this WC, at least hasn't so far. I'd love to see his tricks and moves with the ball.

Yeah, it is a shame. He has had a couple of opportunities, but his teammates have gone for individual glory!

Not to mention Pereirra (however you spell his name), the coach, has him playing deeper. Meaning he is more the general, controlling the match (Requelme, Frings etc). This way, he doesnt get the chance to score many goals, just has to control the pace, and the direction of play. He is doing a VERY good job of this also I think, providing some great through balls for the strikers also. Although for some reason he is being overlooked, due to the fact that most expected him to do some kind of magic in the WC. Either way, he has been one of the players of the tournament for me. Ronaldiho, Nedved, Robben, Joe Cole, Beckham, Viera, Klose, Riquelme, Tevez, Messi, Lahm, Van Der Sar, are just a few of the guys who have stood out in the tournament for me so far. Im sure there are many more, but these are the ones that just come to mind at the moment.

Have to say though, that Arsenal and Chelsea will be very hard to beat in the premier league next season I think. With Risoscky (Czech player), Lahm, Van Persie, Henry, and even Walcott, among their other top notch players, I expect a far better showing from Arsenal this season! Chelsea with Ballack and Schevchenko, LOL, what a team! Just wonder where they are both going to slot in! Especially Schevcheko, since Chelsea usually plays Crespo as a loan striker, no? Plus Ruud is leaving Man U I heard. Should be a very interesting season this one, also considering Messi will step up for Barca more this season! Champions league should go off with a bang!

 

[TheoTiger]

Arsenal is going to have a hell of a team next season, although Rosicky is imo kind of overrated. He certainly has his qualities but I've seen way too many bad games from him (been a Borussia Dortmund supporter). In the Bundesliga he was actually labeled the most productive unproductive midfield player.
Anyway, he definately has a nice shooting technique.

Today, Germany vs Argentina!
I hardly can wait to see the game. Actually I'm kind of surprised how well the German team is doing. Klinsmann really taught them how to play "fun football". He was critizised a lot for bringing psychologists and fitness coaches from the US with him. But it is always the same old story: first they criticise him to death and now that success is showing everybody loves him...oh well!

anyway, my tip:
Germany - Argentina 2:1


P.S. the English team reminds how the German team used to play years ago. It's really boring to watch but damn sure, they are very effective. Also I'm kind of wondering where this Peter Crouch guy comes from. He surely doesn't look like the usual football player, being all skinny and that.

 

[Adone]

I think manbearpig got it right. France prides itself on its civic nationalism... believe in the ideals of France and you are a Frenchman. I imagine it doesn't seem odd to them. Plus it would be a shame for them to NOT play Henry, Makelele, Thuram, etc.

... Vieira, Zidane, Trezeguet...

 

[Adone]

It's amazing how many teams have won as the hosting nation. Euro 2004 springs to mind...

GREECE! FFS! GREECE WHO THE F**K ARE GREECE???

England won at home, Argentina too I think, Germany? Brazil? Italy? I'm guessing here, help me out guys

-AudiTy =o

If you are speaking about "recent" competitions, no. Argentina won in Italy (1990), Germany won in Mexico (1986), Brazil won in USA (1994) and Japan/Korea (2002) and Italy won in Spain (1982)... Good luck next time

 

[Adone]

Yeah man, home ground advantage means HEAPS! Even Uraguay. France.

Uruguay won 50 years ago when they had one of the strongest national teams in the world. France won in 1998, but also won 2 years later, which means it was not just the home ground advantage.

Note: I'm not saying that home ground advantage doesn't mean anything, I'm just saying that it's not enough. Greece in 2004 and Korea in 2002 got so far mostly because of referee's advantages.

 

[Adone]

He Dived, he should have been booked for cheating then the game would have gone into extra time -who would have won? Who Knows?

Also - a foul in the Box is a Penalty. The only way a indirect free kick can be given is by passback or unsporting behaviour - a foul is a foul.

Sarge On...

1. He dived after the opponent player had already committed a foul which in Italian is called "dangerous game", don't know how they call it over there. He couldn't be booked if the foul was already there, anyway.

2. A foul in the box is not always a penalty. Indirect free kick can be given also for "dangerous game".

I know we've been extremely lucky this time, but remember how we've been penalized by referees in the last world cup.

 

[Taviii]

Frank De Bleeckere will be the referee for tonight's game between italy and Ukraine.

This guy is known for being Juventus's man in the Uefa Champions League, so if the score will be tight I expect italy to win by a referee "mistake" again.

 

[doctoroxygen]

I think it's funny that an ethnic Pole saved Germany today.

 

[mahon83050]

I think it's funny that an ethnic Pole saved Germany today.

Podolski and Klose are both traitors!!! especially Podolski...atleast Klose is half German. The Polish National Soccer team could use those two.

 

[mahon83050]

1. He dived after the opponent player had already committed a foul which in Italian is called "dangerous game", don't know how they call it over there. He couldn't be booked if the foul was already there, anyway.

2. A foul in the box is not always a penalty. Indirect free kick can be given also for "dangerous game".

I know we've been extremely lucky this time, but remember how we've been penalized by referees in the last world cup.

Being half Italian-American myself...I cannot say I am a fan of Italian soccer.

They over dramatize everything, take ridiculous dives (did you see Totti today?) and cry when nothing goes there way.

If Ukraine won today, I am sure the Italian players, fans and media would of blamed if on the referree.

When the South Korean (who played club ball in Italy) knocked the Italians out of the 2002 World Cup...some Italian big-wig (I think he was President of soccer club in Italy) cried that that man (the one who scored the goal) would never be allowed to play soccer in Italy again.

THEY WHINE TOO MUCH!

 

[mahon83050]

And here it is:

qbert06-19-02, 12:15 PM
http://msn.espn.go.com/soccer/news/2002/0619/1396579.html

Angry Italian club owner cuts Ahn

[ESPN.com news services]

ROME -- Italian soccer club Perugia has cut ties with South Korea's Ahn Jung-hwan after he scored the overtime goal that knocked Italy out of the World Cup, Perugia's chairman said in media reports Wednesday.

"That gentleman will never set foot in Perugia again," Luciano Gaucci told sports' daily La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Italy has been furious about Tuesday's 2-1 loss to South Korea, accusing the referee and soccer's ruling body FIFA of fixing the match.

Back home, the Italian media were livid.

"Thieves -- the killer referee hounds the Azzurri out of the World Cup," the Rome-daily Corriere dello Sport said on its front-page.

"Shame! The scandalous Ecuadorean referee -- Italy is out of the World Cup," said the country's top-selling sports daily, Milan's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Ahn, who missed a penalty earlier in the match, was hailed as a national hero when he headed home the golden goal winner in the 116th minute.

But his goal was viewed in a different light at Perugia in central Italy, where he has been viewed as an underachiever during his stay with the club.

"He was a phenomenon only when he played against Italy. I am a nationalist and I regard such behavior not only as an affront to Italian pride but also an offense to a country which two years ago opened its doors to him," Gaucci was quoted as saying.

"I have no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian soccer."

Ahn joined Perugia on loan from the South Korean team Pusan I.cons in the summer of 2000. He scored five goals in 29 appearances.

A Perugia spokesman said Wednesday the club had virtually decided to release Ahn even before the World Cup tie.



now that's just f-ed up ... benchwarmer, starter, waterboy - whatever he was on that team, there's no reason to do something like that. what's he supposed to do? lay down and throw the game for his italian team?

i guess though that it may be for the best - i doubt he would've received any sort of a warm welcome anyhow ... still though, a classless act by this italian team.

 

[DrMetallica]

I think it's funny that an ethnic Pole saved Germany today.

Klose is ethnically German.

 

[mahon83050]

Klose is ethnically German.

His mother is Polish and his father is German. He was born in Poland and moved to Germany when he was 8. Since he was BORN in Poland...I say he is more Polish than German.

 

[CLOONEY]

Uruguay won 50 years ago when they had one of the strongest national teams in the world. France won in 1998, but also won 2 years later, which means it was not just the home ground advantage.

Note: I'm not saying that home ground advantage doesn't mean anything, I'm just saying that it's not enough. Greece in 2004 and Korea in 2002 got so far mostly because of referee's advantages.

Tomorrow I am going to post just how effective home ground advantage has been over the years. Not just to win the world cup, but for teams to perform also. The number of hosts that have made at least the semis and won the final since the beginning of the world cup is incredible. Nobody can deny home ground advantage (and biased calls are part of that advantage).

A foul in the box, can either be let go, or given as a direct free kick. Never heard of a fowl in the box being given indirect in my life.............

What is with this German or Polish junk? There were 3 Croatians on their team who grew up in Australia, not to mention, several of the Australians have Croatian ties. Viera was bought up in Australia and played for Italy. Deco was bought up in Brazil, no? Oh and Alessandro Santos sounds Japanese for me also. Messi was asked to play for Spain, as he grew up there for his teenage years, should he be playing for Argentina? Man, the player chooses who he plays for, dont get why people are debating such irrelevant points.

 

[Taviii]

England out!

 

[doctoroxygen]

Germany and Poland have an interesting history together, that's all. It is ironic that Klose (Polish name, born in Poland, etc.) saves Germany, that's all.

ROONEY!!! :cuss:

Ronaldo is a ****y little sh!t. I hate Rooney after this, but if I was him, after I was sent off, I would've put my boot in Ronaldo's ugly little face.

 

[seanchai]

That little sh¡t Ronaldo needs to get his face beat in with a crowbar.

 

[doctoroxygen]

Argh..how do you do that to your own club teammate? I hope things are very uncomfortable for him back at ManU.

EDIT: I mean to say Ronaldo ratting out Rooney.