Time for a World Cup Thread already?

[chef]

May as well start it nice and early, only 18 days away.
I find it funny that one of the most popular players in the world, and one the majority of people would know didn't get picked even though he is only 30(Ronaldinho)
I'm quite skeptical about Aus' chances of making out of the group, but with Ballack and out, we may have a chance to get second ahead of Serbia.

If you get Spain at $5.50(close to what i'm getting here) get on it, it will take a nice choke for them not to win it with their quality of players

go city

[bencoateshelmet]

Well Spain have been in fantastic form for the last 2 - 3 years and look like the team to beat.
Brazil always do well, and a dark horse will be Argentina despite Maradona being one of the worst coaches ever.

[TheBostonJay]

I can't wait for this to start.

[BostonTim]

I can't wait for this to start.Before it even gets started:

Please God, make it stop.


Cheers, BostonTim

[anderson]

Spain are notorious choke artists - lightning doesn't strike twice in the same spot.

[Brady's Bunch]

go usa and italy

[CleatMarks]

What's a "World Cup"? Is that some what Europe does when they take the summer off?

[BritPat]

What's a "World Cup"? Is that some what Europe does when they take the summer off?

Actually, it's a tournament where teams from all around the world get chance to play each other and win the trophy.

Unlike the "World Series".

I dream about England winning it, and they have a good chance with Capello in charge, but they'll come unstuck somewhere like they always do. Spain are the team to beat, and a dream to watch.

[Flagg the Wanderer]

Actually, it's a tournament where teams from all around the world get chance to play each other and win the trophy.

Unlike the "World Series".
What, you've never heard of the Toronto Blue Jays? :shake:
Posted via Mobile Device

[CleatMarks]

What, you've never heard of the Toronto Blue Jays? :shake:
Posted via Mobile Device


He just doesn't realize that the US "is" the world and that the U.K. is so 16th Century. ;)

[foley11]

Who's the best African team?


Not sure why the Asian countries continue to show up-Its never pretty.

[harrisonhits]

<<
Who's the best African team?
>>

None they all suck as far as I know. Don't think they stand a chance of any of the teams getting close to the finals.

[harrisonhits]

<<
Not sure why the Asian countries continue to show up-Its never pretty.
>>

Japan and South Korea have both had decent teams.

[harrisonhits]

Bad news for England.

England captain Rio Ferdinand will miss the World Cup after suffering ligmament damage to his left knee in the team's first training session in South Africa.

The 31-year-old has been ruled out for up to six weeks and Tottenham centre-back Michael Dawson is to fly out later on Friday as his replacement.
Steven Gerrard will now take over as England captain for the tournament.
"Everyone with the squad is very disappointed and sorry for Rio," said England manager Fabio Capello.

"It was an accidental injury in training, but had nothing to do with the pitch."
Ferdinand was sent to the Fearncrest Hospital in Rustenburg for a scan after suffering the injury late on in training in a challenge with striker Emile Heskey, described by Capello as "a normal tackle".

Ferdinand's injury represents both a huge personal blow and a severe setback to England

The Manchester United defender was later seen emerging from the hospital on crutches, and a second medical opinion confirmed that he had no chance of featuring in South Africa.

His withdrawal from what would have been his fourth World Cup is a devastating end to an already disappointing season for Ferdinand, who, because of a back injury, had been restricted to only 13 Premier League starts for United and 21 appearances overall.

The centre-back had appeared to have overcome his injury problems when he trained with no setbacks at England's two-week World Cup training camp in Austria. He also came through the recent friendly victories over Mexico and Japan.

Dawson was the only centre-back dropped by Capello when he trimmed his 30-man training squad to the 23 for the tournament.

The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season as Spurs finished in fourth place in the Premier League, but is uncapped at international level.

"It's a crazy game and things can change in a split second," said Dawson.
"One minute I'm trying to arrange my holiday, then I get a call asking if I was on holiday because Rio had pulled out of training.

"I said 'no' and then I was just waiting by the phone before getting a call saying I would be picked up in an hour.

"I'll be going out there still having not yet won a senior cap, so where better place to get one if that was to happen."

He also told Tottenham's website: "For Rio to get injured, there would be no worse feeling for him as a player. To miss the biggest tournament in the world as the captain, I feel for him. "

Dawson will be joining Spurs team-mates Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Ledley King at the England camp.

Capello must now decide whether Dawson, King, Jamie Carragher or Matthew Upson should replace Ferdinand alongside John Terry at the heart of England's defence.

The Italian made Ferdinand captain of England in February, having stripped Terry of the role following allegations that the Chelsea defender had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Ferdinand, who made his England debut back in 1997 as a 19-year-old, has 78 caps and has scored three goals for his country.

Friday had started on a more positive note for England, with the news that midfielder Gareth Barry - who had been a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury towards the end of Manchester City's season - trained with the squad.

"Gareth Barry is improving every day," said Capello.
"In the afternoon he is training in the gym with the physio and in the morning always with the team.

"He is not completely training with the team as we have to be very careful."
Meanwhile, goalkeeper David James sat out the training session after suffering a slight knee problem.

His injury is not thought to be too severe and is related to the 11-hour overnight flight from London to South Africa on Thursday.

England's World Cup campaign begins with their game against the United States in Rustenburg on 12 June.

[harrisonhits]

And bad news for Nigeria.

World Cup 2010: Nigeria's John Mikel Obi ruled out

Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a knee injury.

Mikel joins fellow Chelsea stars Michael Essien and Michael Ballack in missing out through injury, while Didier Drogba is a major doubt.

The 23-year-old underwent minor knee surgery in May and feels he has not recovered sufficiently.

"We have dropped Mikel from the squad after he said he did not want to risk his career," said a Nigeria spokesman.

Nigeria will replace Obi Mikel with the uncapped Brown Ideye, a striker from French club Sochaux.

Mikel has been capped 30 times for his country and was the last player to join up with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Essex.

In South Africa, Mikel cut short his workout with the team on two consecutive days. He also missed the team's two build-up games against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
On Friday he trained with the rest of the squad for the first time since they arrived at their World Cup base in Durban, but later announced he was not fit enough to play in South Africa.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside two-time world champions Argentina, former European Championship winners Greece and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea.

They play a final friendly against North Korea in Johannesburg on Sunday before starting their World Cup campaign against Argentina on 12 June.

[harrisonhits]

Sounds like nobody likes the new super high tech ball very much.

Engineers defend World Cup football amid criticism

By Pallab Ghosh

Dr Andy Harland shows how balls have changed through the years
The engineers who have designed the official football for the 2010 World Cup have hit back at criticism of their ball by some players.

Fabio Capello said his players gave the new ball bad reviews, with some players saying it moves too quickly.

And goalkeepers have claimed the new Jabulani ball is difficult to handle.

But engineers at Loughbrough University claim that their tests show it is the most "consistent" football ever manufactured.

The football that former England international Geoff Hurst belted into the goal in the 1966 World Cup final was made from 18 pieces of leather, stitched together and fastened with laces.

We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine

The new World Cup football is made from just eight pieces of shaped synthetic material glued tightly together.

The result - for the first time in football history, say the manufacturers - is an undistorted, perfectly spherical ball.

But some players say it moves too quickly, and a number of goalkeepers say it is difficult to handle.

The engineers who helped design the ball, called the Jabulani, say it should be the most consistent football ever made.

Dr Andy Harland at Loughborough University used a robot to kick the ball.

His set up is able to reproduce corners, free kicks, passes and shots on goal - even more reliably than David Beckham.

"Fundamentally, what we are trying to achieve is a ball that is very consistent that allows the very best players in the world to express their skills," he says.

"So we're not looking for a ball that behaves unpredictably which would benefit a player that's not skilful. We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine."

His robot tests, which were supported by the ball's manufacturer Adidas, showed that the Jabulani was better than previous World Cup balls. It flew through the air more smoothly and hit its targets more reliably.

Dr Harland's colleagues used a wind tunnel to aerodynamically design the grooves on its surface, which guide the ball as it flies through the air.

In the past, their positions have been determined by the ball's natural seams but the Jabulani doesn't have any seams so, according to Dr Martin Passmore of Loughborough University, engineers can put the grooves where they like.

"What we've tried to do with the inclusion of grooves," he explained, "is to make sure that the ball looks much more symmetrical in flight, so it flies in a much more controlled way and gives the control back to the player to get it to do what they want to do."

Young boys at the Kingston-Upon-Thames Little League say the new ball is "awesome".

But it's too expensive for their coach and one of the league's organisers, Andrew Standford.

His practice footballs cost £5 and match balls retail for £15. By comparison, the Jabulani costs more than £60.

For Mr Standford, the production of a new ball is as much about marketing as it is about improving the quality of footballs.

"Every new World Cup, there's a new football out and each time it seems a little bit more expensive. It does feel good and it does play well but it is expensive for what's just a football."

But researchers at Loughborough University say the ball is well worth the price. The gripes by some players, he says, are possibly a result of some of the World Cup venues being located at high altitudes in South Africa, rather than any problem with the ball.

At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and so the ball moves faster. Dr Passmore thinks that the players will soon get used to the conditions. So has he helped to create the perfect ball?

"I don't know if there's such a thing as a perfect ball. And I don't think it's entirely clear what you'd want from a perfect ball. Maybe a perfect ball would be one that I could use to score the winning goal in the World Cup."

[harrisonhits]

Wow just on warmup games and SA security is off to a horrendous start controlling the crowds. 16 people hurt in a crush of fans.

World Cup 2010: 16 people injured in stadium crush

Fans were attempting to get in to see the Nigerians play North Korea

Sixteen people, including two policemen, have been injured after a crush outside a South African ground hosting a World Cup warm-up game.

Several fans fell under a rush of people outside the Makhulong Stadium in the Johannesburg suburb of Tembisa.

Entry to the friendly between Nigeria and North Korea was free, and many more than the 10,000 capacity turned up.

Football's world governing body Fifa has said it was not involved in any "operational" aspect of the fixture.

A Fifa statement added that "contrary to some media reports, Fifa had nothing to do with the ticketing of this game".

One fan, Japhta Mombelo, described the moment he was caught up in the chaos.
"The crowd overpowered me and I went down," he said. "I fell down and people just fell over me."

The first crowd surge came when the stadium gates were opened to allow fans entry.
Police soon closed the gates, but when they were re-opened, a second rush occurred, with more people falling over.

"When we were coming in, they were just stepping on us," another fan, Princess Mbali, who was wearing a South Africa shirt, said.

"I thought I was dying. I was at the bottom."

The incidents have provided the wrong sort of build-up to the World Cup that the South African authorities would have wanted

One policeman was seriously hurt after reportedly being crushed against a gate. He remains in a stable condition, according to the South African Police Services

The crowd was mainly made up of local South African and travelling Nigerian fans.
Police said that hundreds of them were also holding photocopies of tickets and tried to break down the gates after the match had started and police had closed them.

In a separate incident the game was then stopped for five minutes in the second half when a railing collapsed inside the stadium.

The incidents have provided the wrong sort of build-up to the World Cup that the South African authorities would have wanted, the BBC's Piers Edwards, outside the stadium, says.

The venue is not a World Cup venue, but the incident is likely to heighten security even further ahead of the World Cup opener between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City on Friday, our correspondent says.

The game itself finished 3-1 to Nigeria, with Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Victor Obinna Nsofor and Obafemi Martins scoring for the Super Eagles, while Jong Hyok Cha was on target for North Korea.

[anderson]

Who's the best African team?


Not sure why the Asian countries continue to show up-Its never pretty.

Traditionally speaking Nigeria and Cameroon have had the best results. Neither team is amazing right now, though.

[harrisonhits]

Corruption in a stadium bid process with several possible cover up murders.

Stink of scandal from South Africa's 'giraffe stadium'

By Hugh Sykes
BBC News, Nelspruit

Mbombela Stadium is more commonly known as "giraffe stadium"
When Lassy Chiwayo, the South African mayor of Mbombela municipality, received a text message on his mobile phone, it told him to keep his evidence to himself, warning "or you will go to your place in a coffin".

Mbombela is a local government district that includes the busy town of Nelspruit near the Kruger game park in eastern South Africa, close to the Mozambique border.

His evidence relates to an allegedly corrupt tender process for constructing parts of the new World Cup stadium near Nelspruit, where holders Italy are to play their second match.

We have taken certain measures... but there are 24 hours in a day

The former speaker of Mbombela municipality, Jimmy Mohlala, also said he had evidence that tenders for the stadium had been improperly awarded.

Mr Mohlala is now dead.

At least three other men have been killed in connection with this affair, and another three have died strangely - possibly after being poisoned.

It is believed there is one killer - and that he lives across the border in Mozambique.

Police, however, say none of the murders are linked to World Cup tenders.

The stadium has been built and it is striking.

It has been designed to reflect one of the "big five" wild animals that visitors flock to Kruger game park to see.

The gantries and buttresses that hold up the roof and the stands look like giant giraffes.

Local people love it. Even those who live in shacks in Matsafeni village right next to it love their new "giraffe stadium".

But they would also like to have mains water and electricity - and proper housing. And a tar road.

Despite the controversy the stadium is well loved by local residents
That is the other scandal associated with the new World Cup venue near Nelspruit.

Mbombela council promised the people of Matsafeni that the building of the stadium would be matched by improvements to the village. But nothing happened.

MATSAFENI TRADITIONAL HEALER

My home is one of the closest ones to the new stadium. It is so close to it that when there is a match there I feel like I am also inside the stadium.

I was happy when I heard that they were going to build a World Cup stadium here, but it has not brought me the "change" promised. The main source of water here is a mucky dam, a breeding ground for bacteria. The water is smelly but we use it to cook and clean. Today my home is in no condition to receive sick people. It is falling apart. It could collapse any day now.

At night I am blinded by hundreds of lights from the stadium and yet I use candles to light up my own home, how can this be fair?

We are a community that loves football so and I go to the matches when I have money to buy the tickets and really enjoy it. It's a bitter-sweet feeling though.

Magwaza Msimango's full testimony

Two young men, Roni Slatchayo and Thulane Kosa, told me that the water they do have - from a public tank - is not even clean.

Two cheerful young women stop me to chat.

"Life is good," they say in unison.

But rain gets through the roof of their shack. And dust penetrates their belongings.

There is a smart new road leading up to Mbombela Stadium, but it stops dead at the entrance to Matsafeni.

The construction traffic uses Matsafeni's main street to access the back of the stadium. No-one thought to tar the street first, to keep the dust down.

At the Good Hope Centre, the co-ordinator Ntombifuti Nyoni watches over 100 children in her toddlers' creche as construction lorries and graders send clouds of dust into the playground.

Ms Nyoni admires the stadium too, and recognises that it has provided urgently needed short-term jobs - but she does not think it will do the community much good once the World Cup has come to an end.

In his office, Mayor Chiwayo immediately acknowledged all these complaints - and said Matsafeni would now get water, electricity, decent housing and a proper road.

He suggested I come back in three months to see for myself.

He told me the fault lay with his predecessors, who had been far too focussed on the riches they could gain from the building of the stadium, and had neglected the urgent needs of the village.

He told me that this failure "could be likened to a crime against humanity".

And the death threat Mr Chiwayo has received? Is he properly protected? He pauses before he responds.

"We have taken certain measures," he said, "but there are 24 hours in a day."

[Costanza]

Just found this in a totally unrelated search.

Figured it went here.

Also, when I right clicked to save, it was called Soccer_boner_confusion

ROFL

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/jvnheavner/Soccer_boner_confusion.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[babalu87]

People already getting trampled ROFL

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/the-worlds-game/south-african-preparations-called-into-question-after-15-injured-in-stampede/article1594384/

Ignored and alone, a soccer fan sat slumped on the ground, his head wrapped in bandages, his clothes covered in blood, as police milled around him.

The bloodied fan was one of the 15 people injured on Sunday in a chaotic stampede at a World Cup tune-up match between Nigeria and North Korea, sparking questions about organizational fiascos in the final days before the global soccer tournament.


This thread calls for Led Zeppelin

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[tehrick67]

Sounds like nobody likes the new super high tech ball very much.

Engineers defend World Cup football amid criticism

By Pallab Ghosh

Dr Andy Harland shows how balls have changed through the years
The engineers who have designed the official football for the 2010 World Cup have hit back at criticism of their ball by some players.

Fabio Capello said his players gave the new ball bad reviews, with some players saying it moves too quickly.

And goalkeepers have claimed the new Jabulani ball is difficult to handle.

But engineers at Loughbrough University claim that their tests show it is the most "consistent" football ever manufactured.

The football that former England international Geoff Hurst belted into the goal in the 1966 World Cup final was made from 18 pieces of leather, stitched together and fastened with laces.

We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine

The new World Cup football is made from just eight pieces of shaped synthetic material glued tightly together.

The result - for the first time in football history, say the manufacturers - is an undistorted, perfectly spherical ball.

But some players say it moves too quickly, and a number of goalkeepers say it is difficult to handle.

The engineers who helped design the ball, called the Jabulani, say it should be the most consistent football ever made.

Dr Andy Harland at Loughborough University used a robot to kick the ball.

His set up is able to reproduce corners, free kicks, passes and shots on goal - even more reliably than David Beckham.

"Fundamentally, what we are trying to achieve is a ball that is very consistent that allows the very best players in the world to express their skills," he says.

"So we're not looking for a ball that behaves unpredictably which would benefit a player that's not skilful. We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine."

His robot tests, which were supported by the ball's manufacturer Adidas, showed that the Jabulani was better than previous World Cup balls. It flew through the air more smoothly and hit its targets more reliably.

Dr Harland's colleagues used a wind tunnel to aerodynamically design the grooves on its surface, which guide the ball as it flies through the air.

In the past, their positions have been determined by the ball's natural seams but the Jabulani doesn't have any seams so, according to Dr Martin Passmore of Loughborough University, engineers can put the grooves where they like.

"What we've tried to do with the inclusion of grooves," he explained, "is to make sure that the ball looks much more symmetrical in flight, so it flies in a much more controlled way and gives the control back to the player to get it to do what they want to do."

Young boys at the Kingston-Upon-Thames Little League say the new ball is "awesome".

But it's too expensive for their coach and one of the league's organisers, Andrew Standford.

His practice footballs cost £5 and match balls retail for £15. By comparison, the Jabulani costs more than £60.

For Mr Standford, the production of a new ball is as much about marketing as it is about improving the quality of footballs.

"Every new World Cup, there's a new football out and each time it seems a little bit more expensive. It does feel good and it does play well but it is expensive for what's just a football."

But researchers at Loughborough University say the ball is well worth the price. The gripes by some players, he says, are possibly a result of some of the World Cup venues being located at high altitudes in South Africa, rather than any problem with the ball.

At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and so the ball moves faster. Dr Passmore thinks that the players will soon get used to the conditions. So has he helped to create the perfect ball?

"I don't know if there's such a thing as a perfect ball. And I don't think it's entirely clear what you'd want from a perfect ball. Maybe a perfect ball would be one that I could use to score the winning goal in the World Cup."

How hard is it to make a good soccer ball:shrug:

[anderson]

Every World Cup the teams complain about the ball for as long as I can remember. The Adidas one that Roberto Carlos scored one of the most stunning free kick goals with (EVER!) was deemed too light and flimsy to play with, too.

[Costanza]

Wait.

Hold the phone.

There is a team from South Africa called the "All-Whites"?

WTF?

[SkiptoMyLou]

Three more days! Hoo rah!

[TheBostonJay]

Three more days! Hoo rah!

I'm pumped and jacked.

[harrisonhits]

<<
I'm pumped and jacked.
>>

Pete Carroll I didn't know you still cared enough about the Pats to post on a New England MB......

[DarrylStingley]

What is this "World Cup" you speak of?

[Costanza]

What is this "World Cup" you speak of?

It sounds big.

[tehrick67]

It sounds big.

The world cup of hockey hanst been played since 2004:shrug:

[chef]

Drogba has to play.
He's 32, and he's the face of Ivory Coast and African soccer in general. Without him they won't come close to getting out of their group. It's a broken arm, i'm sure he can man up and play with a cast.
Robben is expected to be back before the end of group stages, with him, i think the Netherlands can be a really semi-darkhorse. I rate them as the second or third best team.

Got on Van Persie, Rooney and Villa to top goalscoring for their teams, paying a nice 12-1, which i'm not to disappointed with

[anderson]

Boring affair so far.

[tehrick67]

Boring affair so far.

Let me guess, no score:coffee:

[anderson]

Let me guess, no score:coffee:

Yeah 0-0 at half time, but the last 10 minutes were great. Lots of tempo and lots of action.

[Number Cruncher]

should be 1 - Nil...

Horrible call...

[anderson]

Nice goal for the home team! What a finish!

[TheBostonJay]

One hell of a goal.

[harrisonhits]

Mexico pulls out the draw though.

[harrisonhits]

Didn't realize this but Univision will carry every game live.

Schedule is here -

http://www.worldcup.cbssports.com/page/NewsDetailLocal/0,,13041~2068599,00.html

South Africa is 6 hours ahead of US eastern time zone. Times listed on site I believe are US eastern zone.

[SkiptoMyLou]

What a shitty, disappointing game. I expected way more from Mexico.

[harrisonhits]

I hope the fans get over blowing those f'ing stinking horns after the first few days. Gets very obnoxious listening to them.

[anderson]

France is a less entertaining side without Zidane, Barthez, etc.

[harrisonhits]

France is damn lucky they had a draw and didn't lose to Uraguay. They outplayed France especially at the end when they were down to 10 players.

[Number Cruncher]

France is damn lucky they got past Ireland to even have a slot in South Africa.

[harrisonhits]

Korea is taking Greece apart. 2-0 with 35 min left but Greece is lucky it isn't more like 4-0 as Korea missed a couple of really good chances.

And I've noticed while the Korean team is playing very cleanly that the Greeks are making a lot of dirty little plays. Hits in the back, kicks to the Korean's legs that at least twice were blatant and should have resulted in penalty kicks but were not called, one of which was inside the box and within about 5 feet of the net.

Greece won't make it out of the first round of play.

[anderson]

On paper this is gonna be one hell of a match

[anderson]

Wobbly defense. Great header!

And what a beast Messi is

[chef]

How did Messi not score?
His 3rd show or so was a cracker.

Very soft draw from the U.S.A, incredibly lucky to get out of their with any points.

[anderson]

Heh, another huge drop by a goalie

[gomezcat]

Idiotic red card of the tournament so far goes to the Algerian sub, who gets a yellow for a foul within a minute or so of getting on. Then he does the most blatant handball ever in front in his opponents' goal (jumps for a header, handles it at head height). The ref had no choice but to send him off.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Ze Germans are pwning Australia.

[harrisonhits]

<<
Then he does the most blatant handball ever in front in his opponents' goal
>>

Stupidity marches onwards. Can't even imagine what the guy was thinking. Doubt his coach lets him play the rest of the tournament however short it may be for that team.

[chef]

Ze Germans are pwning Australia.

We were never going to win, but 4-0?
the worst part was Cahill's shocking red. They need to appeal it, it was barely a yellow.

[anderson]

We were never going to win, but 4-0?
the worst part was Cahill's shocking red. They need to appeal it, it was barely a yellow.

When I noticed the ref being very eager with the whistle, I managed to get a bet in on a red card in the match through a friend in the UK. It was obvious he was gonna dish one out.

[harrisonhits]

WOO HOO GO JAPAN !!!!!!!

Great save by the goalie in last minute of stoppage time. Cameroon had a brilliant pass up and shot and could easily have gotten a tie in the last seconds of the game.

[anderson]

WOO HOO GO JAPAN !!!!!!!

Great save by the goalie in last minute of stoppage time. Cameroon had a brilliant pass up and shot and could easily have gotten a tie in the last seconds of the game.

1-1 would have been a more fair result. Cameroon had a cracker on the top bar within the last 5 minutes, too.

[OSUBuckeye]

1-1 would have been a more fair result. Cameroon had a cracker on the top bar within the last 5 minutes, too.

What was a white dude doing on the top bar?

[anderson]

What was a white dude doing on the top bar?

South African hooligans

[harrisonhits]

<<
1-1 would have been a more fair result. Cameroon had a cracker on the top bar within the last 5 minutes, too.
>>

Maybe but it has to go in to count. That was a great chance for Cameroon as was the shot in the closing seconds.

And to be fair Japan played well and earned the win as an underdog.

[SkiptoMyLou]

The stadium was depressingly empty. Never seen a World Cup match with so many empty seats. I fell asleep on the second half, not a great sign...

[harrisonhits]

<<
The stadium was depressingly empty. Never seen a World Cup match with so many empty seats.
>>

That's what happens when you hold the tourney in a crime and aids ridden country that a lot of people hesitate to go to, and where the average income is about $4200 a year. The locals can't afford to go to many games and the international community hesitates to go there = low attendance.

[anderson]

Shocker in the Italy game

[PatsFan09]

GOAL ITALY! Sweet corner kick!

[SkiptoMyLou]

Pretty good game. I was expecting a snooze-fest to follow the tourneys trend so far.

[harrisonhits]

Go Portugal ! Not playing very well so far, they should be burying Ivory Coast and its still 0-0 going into the 2nd half.

[anderson]

Go Portugal ! Not playing very well so far, they should be burying Ivory Coast and its still 0-0 going into the 2nd half.

Ivory Coast has a great team, even without Drogba. Arguably the best African team today.

Edit: Portugal still ought to win, but I wouldn't say it's a huge upset if it ends a draw or with an Ivory Coast victory.

P.S. Ronaldo is awful.

[harrisonhits]

Well that was disappointing, I expected Portugal to win by 2 or 3. Guess you're right about Ivory Coast having a good team.

[sonsofkraftybob]

<<
The stadium was depressingly empty. Never seen a World Cup match with so many empty seats.
>>

That's what happens when you hold the tourney in a crime and aids ridden country that a lot of people hesitate to go to, and where the average income is about $4200 a year. The locals can't afford to go to many games and the international community hesitates to go there = low attendance.

That country has gone to shit since Apartheid ended.

Not saying, just saying.

[anderson]

Well that was disappointing, I expected Portugal to win by 2 or 3. Guess you're right about Ivory Coast having a good team.

Looking forward to seeing their Iberian cousins play. That should be interesting - and hopefully there will be lots of goals in the Brazil/North Korea game today!

[harrisonhits]

<<
That country has gone to shit since Apartheid ended.
>>

I don't know, it was pretty lousy then too, and a living hell if you were black. But that's a political discussion and I don't want to go there.

What I do now is right now it has one of the singular highest crime rates in the world especially regarding assault and murder, and that it has I believe the highest rate of aids in the world.

They were unable to complete some of the stadiums on time without and extra 80 mil that FIFA tossed their way out of desperation to see the event come off without being a total embarrassment.

Already reporters covering the event have been robbed, players from I think the Dutch team were robbed. The bad guys are heavily targeting the fans and people working as they know most of them will never come back to South Africa again, so once they leave the country there is no one to testify against them.

[harrisonhits]

<<
hopefully there will be lots of goals in the Brazil/North Korea game today!
>>

Brazil should pound the living crap out of North Korea. That one could be a 4 or 5 to nothing fiasco.

[HomelessJoe]

That country has gone to shit since Apartheid ended.

Not saying, just saying.

as if it wasnt already shit during apartheid?

[anderson]

<<
hopefully there will be lots of goals in the Brazil/North Korea game today!
>>

Brazil should pound the living crap out of North Korea. That one could be a 4 or 5 to nothing fiasco.

From what I understand, the score in North Korea right now is 3-0 KDPR.

Kim Jong Il has scored a hattrick.

[sonsofkraftybob]

as if it wasnt already shit during apartheid?I don't want to make this political but the fact that after apartheid, white farmers had to give up the farms and raches to black farmers/ranchers. 7 of 10 of those are now closed due to poor management. That is alot of crops not getting to markets and a lot of workers not working.

The tradeoff for ending apartheid was murder/robbery rates rising and food shortages and healthcare disasters.

Problem is that there was no planning, training or measures set up to teach people how to run businesses, engage in trade, grow crops ect.

Just...here you go...good luck!

[harrisonhits]

<<
From what I understand, the score in North Korea right now is 3-0 KDPR.
>>

ROFL you're killin' me ROFL

Great goal by Brasil, not sure how he made the ball curve back into the goal the way he did when he was kicking it the other way but WOW what a shot !!!

[anderson]

<<
From what I understand, the score in North Korea right now is 3-0 KDPR.
>>

ROFL you're killin' me ROFL

Great goal by Brasil, not sure how he made the ball curve back into the goal the way he did when he was kicking it the other way but WOW what a shot !!!

Reminded me a lot of this goal by Roberto Carlos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZkRziiLq8I&feature=related

Glad to see some life in the Brazilian team too.

[HomelessJoe]

I don't want to make this political but the fact that after apartheid, white farmers had to give up the farms and raches to black farmers/ranchers. 7 of 10 of those are now closed due to poor management. That is alot of crops not getting to markets and a lot of workers not working.

The tradeoff for ending apartheid was murder/robbery rates rising and food shortages and healthcare disasters.

Problem is that there was no planning, training or measures set up to teach people how to run businesses, engage in trade, grow crops ect.

Just...here you go...good luck!

no doubt the country is in hell...but that was inevitable because of apartheid. when 90% of your population are blacks with a second-rate education, youre not going anywhere but down

[anderson]

Man, Switzerland close to THE biggest upset of the World Cup so far. Hell, might be the biggest one in the last one, too.

[harrisonhits]

Swiss team is looking damn good. If they win this one they'll be in tears all over Spain.

Spain has come really close on a number of shots but don't seem to have any good luck with them today.

[harrisonhits]

Switzerland wins !!! Major upset.

One thing I've noticed the last couple days are some of the things the players were complaining about the ball. Sometimes on corners it just seems to die and drop far sooner than you would expect, and other times it seems to take a floater and go much higher and farther than the older balls would have done.

[anderson]

Swiss team is looking damn good. If they win this one they'll be in tears all over Spain.

Spain has come really close on a number of shots but don't seem to have any good luck with them today.

Not particular happy with that result as I hate seeing overly defensive teams come away with wins - but Spain didn't have the last bit of "it" today. One hell of a shot from Xabi off the crossbar, though. Was a beauty to watch.

[babalu87]

Spain BLOWS
Cant even score ONE GOAL?

[babalu87]

Almost half of these games have ended in ties (12)
4 of those in 0-0 ties

ROFL

Wikid Exciting

[Dwight Schrute]

Almost half of these games have ended in ties (12)
4 of those in 0-0 ties

ROFL

Wikid Exciting


Nil- nil to you!

Man, that gives me a boner!!!

[babalu87]

Nil Nil

Because it sounds so much better than

Nuttin Nuttin

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NV7nEkt2ySI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NV7nEkt2ySI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[patsload]

http://i.imgur.com/m9rLj.gif

[SkiptoMyLou]

Switzerland wins !!! Major upset.

One thing I've noticed the last couple days are some of the things the players were complaining about the ball. Sometimes on corners it just seems to die and drop far sooner than you would expect, and other times it seems to take a floater and go much higher and farther than the older balls would have done.



Apparently the Jabulani and high altitude don't mix.

[chef]

Apparently the Jabulani and high altitude don't mix.

Not all the stadiums are high altitude though. The game we played in the commentators where taking about we have trained in altitude at jo-burg all week before coming down to sea level to play the game.
Not trying to make any exucse, we where dominated by Germany, but apparently they've been using a Jabulani for months while everybody else only got the ball when they arrived in S.A.
If true that's a massive advantage, they've shots where gold, and they wern't firing them all high as the likes of Van Perice and Tevez did

[German_Patriot]

Not all the stadiums are high altitude though. The game we played in the commentators where taking about we have trained in altitude at jo-burg all week before coming down to sea level to play the game.
Not trying to make any exucse, we where dominated by Germany, but apparently they've been using a Jabulani for months while everybody else only got the ball when they arrived in S.A.
If true that's a massive advantage, they've shots where gold, and they wern't firing them all high as the likes of Van Perice and Tevez did

The ball was also used as the match ball of 2009 FIFA Club World Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_FIFA_Club_World_Cup) in the United Arab Emirates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates), and a special version of the ball, the Jabulani Angola, was the match ball of the 2010 African Cup of Nations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_African_Cup_of_Nations). This ball was also used in the 2010 Clausura Tournament (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_Primera_Divisi%C3%B3n_Argentina#To rneo_Clausura) of Argentina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina) as well as the 2010 MLS season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_MLS_season) in the USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) in the league's colours of blue and green.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Jabulani

Buy it, use it. :shrug:

[SteelerFan87]

Great game between Hellas and Nigeria! Thank you stupid Nigerian guy for trying to kick a dude and putting your team down a man for over half the game. Could have easily been 4-0 with all the chances Greece had, and Nigeria should not have scored.

[SkiptoMyLou]

**** the French! :thumb:

[gomezcat]

http://sperone.free.fr/images/extraz/PICS15/hahaha.jpg

[gomezcat]

Great result- made my day.

[anderson]

So who wants to chance it and give their guess as to who follows Argentina to the knock out stages?

My pick is Korea - they've been the livelier team and I don't think 4-1 reflected the true strength of the two teams today

[SkiptoMyLou]

Definitely Korea... they were toe to toe with Argentina, just caught bad breaks. Also Nigeria lost their chance against the Greeks, so they are most likely demoralized.

[PatsFan09]

ROFL

http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/129209328504419918.png

[chef]

The ball was also used as the match ball of 2009 FIFA Club World Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_FIFA_Club_World_Cup) in the United Arab Emirates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates), and a special version of the ball, the Jabulani Angola, was the match ball of the 2010 African Cup of Nations (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_African_Cup_of_Nations). This ball was also used in the 2010 Clausura Tournament (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_Primera_Divisi%C3%B3n_Argentina#To rneo_Clausura) of Argentina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina) as well as the 2010 MLS season (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_MLS_season) in the USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) in the league's colours of blue and green.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Jabulani

Buy it, use it. :shrug:

haha, sounds like my information was quite wrong.
Germany seem to have coped a great re, Klose was unlucky to get either card. That might hurt us, we desperately need a German win over Ghana.
Hopefully a couple serbs can cop a red

[Dwight Schrute]

Any more nil - nil's?

[SkiptoMyLou]

Down go the Germans.



Unpredictable so far...

[mikiemo83]

1-nil Slovenia

Birsa scores

[foley11]

espn stream is very choppy, anyone got a better one?

[mikiemo83]

2-nil now

[harrisonhits]

2-0 now. Could be at least 2-1 but the US players seem more intent on passing when they get near the goal than taking the shots.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Ouch.

[harrisonhits]

2-1 and figures I missed the goal by the US while I was on work call.

[babalu87]

HOLYFECKlNSHITDONOVANSCOREDAGOALINANIMPORTANTGAMEO MGWTFBBQZOMBIES

[SkiptoMyLou]

http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/randoms-great-22.jpg

[babalu87]

U
S
A

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALa

[TheBostonJay]

yeessss.

[babalu87]

how the hell can I watch the stream?

[TheBostonJay]

f.m.l.

[harrisonhits]

Holy fu*k goal disallowed that ref sucks there was no reason for that.

[TheBostonJay]

still don't see the offsides.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Talk about ****ed over.

[HomelessJoe]

**** THa REF. USA WON 3-2.

[mikiemo83]

Holy fu*k goal disallowed that ref sucks there was no reason for that.maybe he is trying to one up last nights NBA officials :shrug:

[PatsFan09]

There was no offsides. THREE US players were held during the kick, and no call on that.

****ing bullshit.

[patsload]

http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/www.patriotsplanet.com/BB/forumdisplay.php?f=21

[anderson]

Denmark/Cameroon sure had enough chances. What a wild game

[SkiptoMyLou]

Good thing the last game was great, cause both morning games were torturous to watch.

[CopenhagenPatsfan]

Denmark-Cameroun sure was a great game if you weren't cheering for one of the teams, otherwise it was very nerve wracking here in Denmark.

Glad the Danes won.

[BritPat]

Paraguay have been terrific so far, you can see why they've beaten Brazil and Argentina in the last year. Should have beaten Italy too. Slovakia are poor, but it was a hugely comprehensive result even if the scoreline didn't reflect it.

Italy struggling like mad to beat the worst team in the tournament.

[TheBostonJay]

ROFL Italy.

[BritPat]

Everybody's favourite second team (unless your Argie) v Ivory Coast and Didier Drogba on now.

[BritPat]

World Class finish from a World Class player.

[harrisonhits]

Wow Portugal destroys North Korea 7-0 !!!

[anderson]

Wow Portugal destroys North Korea 7-0 !!!

Western lies!

[PatsAddict]

Wow Portugal destroys North Korea 7-0 !!!

There will be one less member of each Korean player's family when they back to the promise land. Kim Jong does not like to lose.

[tehrick67]

There will be one less member of each Korean player's family when they back to the promise land. Kim Jong does not like to lose.

So a North korean will become the world cups first victim:coffee:

[harrisonhits]

<<
So a North korean will become the world cups first victim
>>

Nope, been quite a few deaths over the years related to the World Cup. I think it was maybe in 2000 that 3 or 4 members of either Brazil or Argentina's team were murdered after they got back home for poor play and losing games they were supposed to win.

Quite a few other examples like that over the years I believe.

[anderson]

<<
So a North korean will become the world cups first victim
>>

Nope, been quite a few deaths over the years related to the World Cup. I think it was maybe in 2000 that 3 or 4 members of either Brazil or Argentina's team were murdered after they got back home for poor play and losing games they were supposed to win.

Quite a few other examples like that over the years I believe.

Escobar of Colombia got assassinated in a bar after he scored an own goal in the 1994 World Cup. I think that's the most high profile killing due to a World Cup effort.

[tehrick67]

<<
So a North korean will become the world cups first victim
>>

Nope, been quite a few deaths over the years related to the World Cup. I think it was maybe in 2000 that 3 or 4 members of either Brazil or Argentina's team were murdered after they got back home for poor play and losing games they were supposed to win.

Quite a few other examples like that over the years I believe.

Sorry, I was refering to this world cup.

[anderson]

Sorry, I was refering to this world cup.

I think you're wrong though. I don't see why the North Korean squad would get executed when they won the World Cup and the trophy was renamed Kim Jong Il Comrade Soccer Trophy :shrug:

[harrisonhits]

<<
Escobar of Colombia got assassinated in a bar after he scored an own goal in the 1994 World Cup. I think that's the most high profile killing due to a World Cup effort.
>>

Maybe that's the one I was thinking of. I thought there was one more recently than that though.

Ronaldo's goal today was sweet. Nice play.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Villa's goal for goal of the tourney so far.

[harrisonhits]

LOLZ @ France, they are having their worst cup tourney in history and its all their own fault.

[tehrick67]

LOLZ @ France, they are having their worst cup tourney in history and its all their own fault.

Did they surrender yet:coffee:

[anderson]

LOLZ @ France, they are having their worst cup tourney in history and its all their own fault.

It's actually so awful I'm starting to feel bad for them. Then again, I worked for a French company for a number of years, so the implosion doesn't surprise me THAT much!

[anderson]

Nigeria miss of the tournament so far. I think my wife would have put that away.

[SteelerFan87]

Nigeria miss of the tournament so far. I think my wife would have put that away.

I wanted to kill that guy. First Nigeria blows a 1-0 lead, then they can't even hold onto the tie, then they miss that easy goal...

The day started so well, Greece holding Argentina off the board, and Nigeria taking the lead. Then Nigeria started Fing it up and Greece couldn't hold on. Really sucked not having Torosidis, Salpingidis, or Gekas when we needed a goal. Samaras missing a great opportunity sucked too. :banghead:

[anderson]

I wanted to kill that guy. First Nigeria blows a 1-0 lead, then they can't even hold onto the tie, then they miss that easy goal...

The day started so well, Greece holding Argentina off the board, and Nigeria taking the lead. Then Nigeria started Fing it up and Greece couldn't hold on. Really sucked not having Torosidis, Salpingidis, or Gekas when we needed a goal. Samaras missing a great opportunity sucked too. :banghead:

You missed the part about how Greece is just not a very good team despite the Euro Cup fluke.

[SteelerFan87]

You missed the part about how Greece is just not a very good team despite the Euro Cup fluke.

Fluke? When you beat defending champions France, and hosts Portugal twice, that's a fluke?

[anderson]

Fluke? When you beat defending champions France, and hosts Portugal twice, that's a fluke?

Yeah, it was a fluke that Greece won the European Cup. Just like when Denmark did it in 1992.

If memory serves me right, Greece scored a total of 3 goals in the last three games of the European cup in 2004 - and I remember watching the semi finals versus the Czech republic where Greece couldn't have been more lucky to weather that storm.
Then when Greece had to defend the Euro cup in 2008, they didn't win a single game.

[SteelerFan87]

Yeah, it was a fluke that Greece won the European Cup. Just like when Denmark did it in 1992.

If memory serves me right, Greece scored a total of 3 goals in the last three games of the European cup in 2004 - and I remember watching the semi finals versus the Czech republic where Greece couldn't have been more lucky to weather that storm.
Then when Greece had to defend the Euro cup in 2008, they didn't win a single game.

So preventing an opponent from scoring has nothing to do with skill? Winning a low scoring game means you suck? Wow, then most of the world sucks, if every soccer game I've ever seen is any indication. Argentina must suck, since they only scored 2 goals against terrible Greece, and were shut out for all but the last few minutes. Odd, because in most sports, shutting out your opponents is seen as an accomplishment. :shrug:

And I thought France was seen as an elite team in soccer? But they didn't win any games this year, so clearly all their wins in the past are a fluke.

[anderson]

So preventing an opponent from scoring has nothing to do with skill? Winning a low scoring game means you suck? Wow, then most of the world sucks, if every soccer game I've ever seen is any indication. Argentina must suck, since they only scored 2 goals against terrible Greece, and were shut out for all but the last few minutes. Odd, because in most sports, shutting out your opponents is seen as an accomplishment. :shrug:

And I thought France was seen as an elite team in soccer? But they didn't win any games this year, so clearly all their wins in the past are a fluke.

When the other team has plenty of chances to score but are unlucky not to, then yes it is a fluke.

When you fail to qualify for the World Cup two years after you win the European Cup (in part because of losing to Albania and Turkey), then manage to qualify to the European Cup again but lose all 3 opening games, then yes it is a fluke.

You have to be Greek to think the Greek team is anything but mediocre (or bad).

[SteelerFan87]

When the other team has plenty of chances to score but are unlucky not to, then yes it is a fluke.

When you fail to qualify for the World Cup two years after you win the European Cup (in part because of losing to Albania and Turkey), then manage to qualify to the European Cup again but lose all 3 opening games, then yes it is a fluke.

You have to be Greek to think the Greek team is anything but mediocre (or bad).

Luck can only carry you so far. Luck doesn't beat a very good Portugal team, with one of the best players in the world, in their home country, twice. You don't get out of group play, then advance though 3 rounds against some of the best teams on the continent, beating the defending champs and the hosts (for the 2nd time) in the process, based solely on luck.

So inconsistency means your wins are all flukes? Why isn't the failure to qualify for the World Cup the fluke? Since Greece qualified for Euro 04, Euro 08, and World Cup 10, and only missed World Cup 06, it would seem that is the fluke.

If Rehagel hadn't put loyalty to his Euro 04 heroes ahead of good sense in the first game against South Korea, and if Greece had played to their abilities in that game, it would be Argentina and Greece advancing right now.

I'm not saying Greece is the best team in the world, or that they would have won the World Cup, or even that they would have made it out of the next round. But there's quite a bit of room between "elite team" and "bad team". Greece is a pretty good team.

What are your 2 favorite teams? Lets see how good they are.

[chef]

It's actually so awful I'm starting to feel bad for them. Then again, I worked for a French company for a number of years, so the implosion doesn't surprise me THAT much!

Hand of frog.
Don't feel bad for them at all, they have no right to be in the finals.

Amazingly with a Ghana and Aus win tonight, we qualify over the Germans, who beat us 4-0 two weeks ago.
Big ask, and don't expect it to happen, but anything can happen.

[anderson]

Luck can only carry you so far. Luck doesn't beat a very good Portugal team, with one of the best players in the world, in their home country, twice. You don't get out of group play, then advance though 3 rounds against some of the best teams on the continent, beating the defending champs and the hosts (for the 2nd time) in the process, based solely on luck.

So inconsistency means your wins are all flukes? Why isn't the failure to qualify for the World Cup the fluke? Since Greece qualified for Euro 04, Euro 08, and World Cup 10, and only missed World Cup 06, it would seem that is the fluke.

If Rehagel hadn't put loyalty to his Euro 04 heroes ahead of good sense in the first game against South Korea, and if Greece had played to their abilities in that game, it would be Argentina and Greece advancing right now.

I'm not saying Greece is the best team in the world, or that they would have won the World Cup, or even that they would have made it out of the next round. But there's quite a bit of room between "elite team" and "bad team". Greece is a pretty good team.

What are your 2 favorite teams? Lets see how good they are.

You're not a pretty good team when you fail to qualify for the World Cup. You're not a pretty good team when you don't win a single game trying to defend your European Championship. You're not a good team when you exit the World Cup in the opening round.
The Greek win was a fluke - because the Greek team is bad. I don't have any agenda saying that, so it doesn't matter what my favorite teams are. Like I said, you have to be Greek to think the Greek team is any good. This is third competition in a row Greece doesn't make it out of the group stage or fail to qualify for the tournament in the first place.

[Dwight Schrute]

Nil-nil.

[37Harrison]

U.S. Scenarios (for those who aren't informed)

1. Win and their in.
2. Tie w/Algeria and England beats Slovenia
3. Tie w/Algeria and England ties Slovenia. IF and only IF England doesn't outscore the U.S. by 2 or more goals.

U.S.A!! U.S.A!! U.S.A!! Anyone else psyched for this match?!
http://www.bargainbarnfurniture.net/images/homeimages/animated_us_flag.gif

[Dwight Schrute]

U.S. Scenarios (for those who aren't informed)

1. Win and their in.
2. Tie w/Algeria and England beats Slovenia
3. Tie w/Algeria and England ties Slovenia. IF and only IF England doesn't outscore the U.S. by 2 or more goals.

U.S.A!! U.S.A!! U.S.A!! Anyone else psyched for this match?!
http://www.bargainbarnfurniture.net/images/homeimages/animated_us_flag.gif

My office vevuzala can't stop humming.:coffee:

[37Harrison]

My office vevuzala can't stop humming.:coffee:

WTF?

:clap:

[anderson]

I am pretty psyched. Hoping that England fails again, too!

[harrisonhits]

<<
My office vevuzala can't stop humming
>>

Which no doubt makes you the most hated person in your office. And if i was in a nearby cubicle you would find it inserted in your rear end after the first few seconds of you blowing on it ROFL

US should have a decent chance of getting the win today. Absent any more ref shenanigans.

[Dwight Schrute]

<<
My office vevuzala can't stop humming
>>

Which no doubt makes you the most hated person in your office. And if i was in a nearby cubicle you would find it inserted in your rear end after the first few seconds of you blowing on it ROFL

US should have a decent chance of getting the win today. Absent any more ref shenanigans.

No love for the sound of swarming insects?

[babalu87]

Go USA
Go UK

[PatsFan09]

<<
My office vevuzala can't stop humming
>>

Which no doubt makes you the most hated person in your office. And if i was in a nearby cubicle you would find it inserted in your rear end after the first few seconds of you blowing on it ROFL

US should have a decent chance of getting the win today. Absent any more ref shenanigans.

Got screwed again.

[anderson]

Got screwed again.

Yep. It's dismal to watch these refs.
Especially when you top it off with 4000 missed chances.

[babalu87]

If the net was smaller would there be more scoring?

[babalu87]

U.S. Scenarios (for those who aren't informed)

1. Win and their in.
2. Tie w/Algeria and England beats Slovenia
3. Tie w/Algeria and England ties Slovenia. IF and only IF England doesn't outscore the U.S. by 2 or more goals.

U.S.A!! U.S.A!! U.S.A!! Anyone else psyched for this match?!
http://www.bargainbarnfurniture.net/images/homeimages/animated_us_flag.gif

I think 2 is wrong

[harrisonhits]

<<
No love for the sound of swarming insects?
>>

May they cover every inch of your body and devour you alive. That enough love for you ?

Fuk'n 'ell can't believe we haven't scored.

EDIT WOOO FU*KING HOOOO 10 seconds after i posted this we score in stoppage time !!!!!

[HomelessJoe]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK yEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[tehrick67]

so who's worse, NBA ref's or soccer ref's?

[mikiemo83]

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK yEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

stop watching P0Rn while posting

[anderson]

Insanity!

[TheBostonJay]

Team U-S-A.

(Despite the refs best attempts to screw them)

EFF YEAH.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS SSSSSSSSSSSS!

[37Harrison]

I think 2 is wrong

No, 2 was right but that doesn't even matter now.


U!S!A!!! U!S!A!!! U!S!A!!!


woohoo:jclap:woohoo:jclap:woohoo:jclap::dance:


The second round will be interesting... who do they face, Germany or Ghana? Both teams have ended the U.S.'s hopes in the last two World Cups (Germany ousted them in the Quarter Finals in '02 and Ghana ensured they didn't get out of the group in '06).

REVENGE!!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[dropKickMurphy]

No, 2 was right but that doesn't even matter now.


Babalu was right; 2 was wrong.

U.S. Scenarios (for those who aren't informed)

1. Win and their in.
2. Tie w/Algeria and England beats Slovenia
3. Tie w/Algeria and England ties Slovenia. IF and only IF England doesn't outscore the U.S. by 2 or more goals.

[HomelessJoe]

2. Tie w/Algeria and England beats Slovenia


this was about to happen and usa would have finished third, i think you meant if usa-algeria tied and slovenia beat england; that would leave slovenia with 7pts, usa with 3, and england /algeria with 2.

[babalu87]

ROFL

Where is the OEM pic of that avatar

I gotta send that to a co-worker

[dropKickMurphy]

ROFL

Where is the OEM pic of that avatar

I gotta send that to a co-worker

Mine?

http://randomfunnypicture.com/funny-pictures-tv/priceless-wheel-of-fortune-screenshot/

[babalu87]

Mine?

http://randomfunnypicture.com/funny-pictures-tv/priceless-wheel-of-fortune-screenshot/

No the one with Landon Donovan crossing the Delaware

[TheBostonJay]

http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/USA.jpg

[babalu87]

Thanks!

[chevss454]

Way to go Donovan. (Even though I don't watch soccer I'm glad for the US team)

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/37872387/ns/sports-world_cup/

[harrisonhits]

We play the runner up in Group D next, so we'll know who it is in about 40 minutes. If both games draw with no scores it will be Germany who isn't looking that good against Ghana. The look entirely beatable by the US team.

[anderson]

USA v Ghana - one of the best draws anyone could hope for, I think!

Also, one of the biggest rivalries in soccer, England vs Germany!

[HomelessJoe]

USA v Ghana - one of the best draws anyone could hope for, I think!

Also, one of the biggest rivalries in soccer, England vs Germany!

if usa wins they'll play the winner of Uruguay and South Korea. there's a great chance to make the semifinals

[king of kings]

The refs are starting to really tick me off. This is the second time they disallowed a US goal on a BS off sides Penalty. IMO first time is a Mistake second time is a pattern , Third time is a FIX.

[harrisonhits]

<<
if usa wins they'll play the winner of Uruguay and South Korea. there's a great chance to make the semifinals
>>

Much as much friends in Korea will disagree, i think Uruguay will bury the Korean team and they will be very tough for the US to beat. If Korea somehow pulls off a miracle I think we have a better chance against them.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Great draw for the US. Ghana are playing like shit, and haven't scored a goal that wasn't a penalty. They just got very lucky to get out of that group.

I think Uruguay is very strong, though. They have a very solid back four and defensive minded midfielders, so they abuse the hell out of the counter attacks. But they can get away with it with Suarez and Forlan up front. It's very boring to watch, but it's effective.

England vs. Germany game should be awesome. I'm definitely looking forward to it.

[SteelerFan87]

I don't have any agenda saying that, so it doesn't matter what my favorite teams are.

I'm not accusing you of bias, I just want to know what teams you like. Since I evidently I made a bad choice of teams to like, I'm interested which are your favorites?

[anderson]

I'm not accusing you of bias, I just want to know what teams you like. Since I evidently I made a bad choice of teams to like, I'm interested which are your favorites?

I think Chile plays some of the most refreshing soccer at this world cup. And just because a team is bad doesn't mean it's bad rooting for it. I'm a lifelong Liverpool fan and Liverpool FC went a long time without winning anything and are now back to sucking - such is life - you gotta root for the sucky team if it's your sucky team.

[harrisonhits]

World Cup 2010: Saifi 'slapped female journalist'

The incident allegedly follows a year-long feud between the pair

A female journalist has claimed Algeria footballer Rafik Saifi slapped her in the face after his side were knocked out of the World Cup.

"I was waiting for the Algerian players. When Saifi came I just moved away. I felt a hit," Asma Halimi told BBC World Service.

The journalist, who works for Algerian newspaper Competition, said she had a disagreement with Saifi a year ago.

"I will make [a] complaint with Fifa and the police," she added.

The BBC World Service's Richard Connelly witnessed the incident in the mixed zone - an area where journalists and players congregate - after the match.

"Rafik Saifi slapped the face of journalist Asma Halifi," said Connelly.

"She hit him back as a reflex. He then threw a bottle of sports drink which missed and had to be restrained from attacking her again."

The BBC understands the altercation comes after a year of bad feelings between the pair.
Halifi told Connelly that Saifi had taken exception to an interview that she translated and published in her newspaper.

An Algerian federation spokesman said he had no information about the incident and so could not comment.

Fifa spokesman Nicolas Maingot said that he had not yet heard about the incident, but was also yet to receive an official report.

He declined to comment on the incident but said: "It's clear the values of fair play apply not only on the pitch, but off the pitch as well."

The Algerians had just been knocked out of the World Cup after losing to an injury-time goal by Landon Donovan of the United States.

[harrisonhits]

Just turned on the Slovakia - Italy game well into it. Announcers were talking like there had been another disallowed goal that should have counted. At least the refs are sucking throughout and not just for the US games.

[anderson]

Just turned on the Slovakia - Italy game well into it. Announcers were talking like there had been another disallowed goal that should have counted. At least the refs are sucking throughout and not just for the US games.

Yeah Italy had a ball saved just behind the line, but the refs didn't make the goal count.

[harrisonhits]

And another disallowed goal 85 minutes in that would have tied it for Italy. Again for being offsides and again a questionable call.

Edit: Finally they give us a slo mo replay and the guy was legitimately offsides.

[Dwight Schrute]

If this game is the greatest thing since sliced bread and the most popular game in the world then why does it have the most inept officiating this side of the NBA, particularly when the amount of games being played at the same time is so few?

[harrisonhits]

Slovakia scores again, they advance, Italy is finished.

[anderson]

3-2 now

[harrisonhits]

Italy came close to pulling off the tie but too late for the surge to be effective enough. At least they did get one more to make it a good finish for the game.

[anderson]

Italy out after a crazy finish, a last second missed chance and a disallowed goal that should have stood.

What a game!

[babalu87]

Italy out after a crazy finish, a last second missed chance and a disallowed goal that should have stood.

What a game!

Really?

So they got cheated out of a goal but it was a good game?
I wonder how the Eyetalians feel about that?

The North End is gonna blow up

[anderson]

Really?

So they got cheated out of a goal but it was a good game?
I wonder how the Eyetalians feel about that?

The North End is gonna blow up
Yeah, it was a terrific game. Heartbreaking for the eye-ties, sure enough, though. But it had all the drama and intensity of a good world cup game.

[babalu87]

Yeah, it was a terrific game. Heartbreaking for the eye-ties, sure enough, though. But it had all the drama and intensity of a good world cup game.

Including the refs taking away a goal.

Replay, that sport needs it

[anderson]

Replay, that sport needs it

Disagree. I love the element of subjectivity, although I think goal line cam-review would be fine, I don't want to have reviews of offsides, penalties, etc.

[babalu87]

Disagree. I love the element of subjectivity, although I think goal line cam-review would be fine, I don't want to have reviews of offsides, penalties, etc.

You cant have subjectivity on a goal in a sport where goals are fairly rare.

[tehrick67]

You cant have subjectivity on a goal in a sport where goals are fairly rare.

I think some of those ref's are rejects from the NBA.

[anderson]

You cant have subjectivity on a goal in a sport where goals are fairly rare.

It's worked out OK the last 80 years of World Cups, tbh.

[babalu87]

It's worked out OK the last 80 years of World Cups, tbh.

Because its the only sport these half assed third world countries have

[harrisonhits]

<<
You cant have subjectivity on a goal in a sport where goals are fairly rare.
>>

Yup, futbol really needs a goal line cam and penalty box cam. They don't need to review everything, only disallowed or questionable goals.

[babalu87]

<<
You cant have subjectivity on a goal in a sport where goals are fairly rare.
>>

Yup, futbol really needs a goal line cam and penalty box cam. They don't need to review everything, only disallowed or questionable goals.

Just like baseball with home runs

ONLY

It should take seconds and be done by someone in a booth

Two way microphone to tell the official he fvcked up and game on

[TheBostonJay]

Italy, so sad to see you go..

Ok, not.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l281/ShadyMorelli/italy.gif

[Dwight Schrute]

Personally, I think it's pathetic. To have this many completely botched calls at the highest stage of this sport is inexcusable.

And fantastic vid clip BostonJay. LMFAO!

[harrisonhits]

WOOO HOOO Japan up 2-0 but just 30 min in so a lot of time left.

[gomezcat]

I remembered yesterday just why I'm not an England fan. I swear, you would have thought they'd won the F***ing thing, rather than qualify from a pretty easy group in second. All the morons were out in the streets in their replica shirts and drinking cheap fizzy shite.

They've got Germany on Sunday. That should be a right barrel of laughs if they lose- rioting and all that shit. :mad:

Re Italy- LMFAO.

[SkiptoMyLou]

**** Italy. That made my day.


Too bad I missed it, it would've been sweeter to watch their collapse live.

[chef]

I remembered yesterday just why I'm not an England fan. I swear, you would have thought they'd won the F***ing thing, rather than qualify from a pretty easy group in second. All the morons were out in the streets in their replica shirts and drinking cheap fizzy shite.

They've got Germany on Sunday. That should be a right barrel of laughs if they lose- rioting and all that shit. :mad:

Re Italy- LMFAO.

Before the world cup started New Zealand where considered a joke around here, constant comments that they won't score a goal and all this.
I really lold when they finished ontop of Italy.

[Dwight Schrute]

Got a fresh hot nil-nil for ya's...

[babalu87]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/history.feb5/images/robert-parish.jpg

[Dwight Schrute]

Wrong thread bro.


Ahhhhh nevermind. He wore 00.


Who knew he was a soccer fan?

[babalu87]

http://www.jbsitedesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Nilla-Wafers.jpg

[Dwight Schrute]

The creativity astounds.....

[harrisonhits]

Portugal - Brasil in a few minutes. Should be a great game, maybe one of the best couple so far. GO PORTUGAL !!!

[mikiemo83]

Portugal - Brasil in a few minutes. Should be a great game, maybe one of the best couple so far. GO PORTUGAL !!!tough pick here HH

both teams have smoking hot fans

[chef]

Portugal - Brasil in a few minutes. Should be a great game, maybe one of the best couple so far. GO PORTUGAL !!!

few, as in 60? :p
Should be a great match, hopefully Brazil get up.
Followed by Spain v Chille for first place in the group. If Spain don't win they are a strong chance of going home :o If Spain and Portugal win, we'll have the two pre-cup favourites playing against each other in the round of 16!

[Dwight Schrute]

tough pick here HH

both teams have smoking hot fans

Pics of fans might be just what this thread needs to counter all the nil-nil.

[chef]

tough pick here HH

both teams have smoking hot fans

Have to go with the Portuguese

[babalu87]

http://www.pulledmygroin.com/images/brazil_butt.jpg

http://www.strangesports.com/images/content/101344.jpg

http://www.strangesports.com/images/content/142438.jpg

[babalu87]

http://www.soccermusic.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sexy-soccer-fans.jpg

http://www.soccer-training-info.com/images/portugal_girl.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/thaicreate/my%20website/franceportugal.png

[Dwight Schrute]

Face on the guy with the drum = LMFAOOMFGLOOKATTHATBUM!!!!!

[Dwight Schrute]

Offficial judge Schrute based on bab's posted pics = win Brazil.:coffee:

[mikiemo83]

Brazil win my loyalty

thanks babs

[harrisonhits]

<<
based on bab's posted pics = win Brazil
>>

You guys realize the Brazilian chicks of almost all of Portuguese descent don't you ?

[37Harrison]

For anyone who doesn't think that US soccer isn't big here is a YouTube clip taht shows otherwise. A MUST SEE!!

Gave me tha goosebumps!
<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbn3rOPmR9w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jbn3rOPmR9w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[mikiemo83]

<<
based on bab's posted pics = win Brazil
>>

You guys realize the Brazilian chicks of almost all of Portuguese descent don't you ?win win


:D

[mikiemo83]

world cup is Olympic soccer

[babalu87]

Stoughton is going to go nuts today one way or the other

[mikiemo83]

Stoughtugal is going to go nuts today one way or the other

little fix

[Dwight Schrute]

<<
based on bab's posted pics = win Brazil
>>

You guys realize the Brazilian chicks of almost all of Portuguese descent don't you ?

You do realize then most USA chicks are of English/Irish/Italian/pick your nationality decent then, right?

Generations removed bro.

You honestly think they're spawning in Portugal and migrating down to Brazil?

[harrisonhits]

<<
Stoughton is going to go nuts today one way or the other
>>

A lot of this area is has a heavy Portuguese population. Much of RI, New Bedford, many towns around here.

<<
Generations removed bro.
>>

Not that much and there is a strong homogenous population there of direct Portuguese descent.

Tough game so far. Both sides being very careful and both blowing there 1 big break.

[harrisonhits]

Wow Chile got screwed on the red card. Guy didn't even touch the Spanish player that went down.

Spain has this one in the bag unless they get reduced to 10 men too.

[Dwight Schrute]

Just what the sport needed.

Highlight match of the tournament results in....you guessed it.....


Nil-nil!




Riveting!:coffee:

[harrisonhits]

<<
Riveting
>>

Portugal played for the draw since that was as good as a win for advancing them to the next round.

And I was really disappointed in Ronaldo's play. What a lazy lazy player. Great when he touches the ball close to the net, but rarely made the slightest effort when Brasil had the ball.

[anderson]

Ronaldo is terrible. What a diving twit.

[gomezcat]

<<
Riveting
>>

Portugal played for the draw since that was as good as a win for advancing them to the next round.

And I was really disappointed in Ronaldo's play. What a lazy lazy player. Great when he touches the ball close to the net, but rarely made the slightest effort when Brasil had the ball.

He is the only United player I have ever disliked. He is a diver, arrogant as hell and, as you said, he lets his team mates do all the work. I was glad when we sold him because he is a total t***.

[harrisonhits]

Disappointing today we had so many chances to bury Ghana and they just wouldn't go in. Right away 2 of my 4 teams that made it to the 2nd round are out. Still have Portugal and Japan but only Portugal stands a real chance of advancing I think. But the Japanese played really well in the last game, if they keep that up they might make it through to the next round. They'll need a huge game from Honda to do it.

[SkiptoMyLou]

Can't wait for tomorrow's games. As sleep deprived as I've been, I'm making sure I wake up to watch the England v. Germany game. I hope it lives up to the hype. It looks like an epic match on paper.

Then Argentina v. Mexico Part II. Argentina looks improved, but so does Mexico. I think it'll be just as close as last World Cup. Part of me wants Argentina to just completely lay an egg as it was their trademark move ever so often in qualifying, but so far they've been the usual, dominating and talented Argentina.

[BritPat]

Come on England!

We've beaten Germany on the last two occasions we've met - 2-1 in Berlin a couple of years ago in a friendly (with half a side out too), and 5-1 on that legendary night in Munich 9 years ago.

Rooney has ben utterly appalling so far, so it would be like him to come out of his shell and perform just when we need him most. Looking forwards to seeing Gerrard against Schweinsteiger.

[harrisonhits]

England down 2-0 gets one score and then gets a disallowed goal that was clearly good on the replay. 2-1 but should be tied almost halftime. Another major major fu*k up by the refs.

[HomelessJoe]

this sport desperately needs video replay. or at least more refs

[SkiptoMyLou]

Huge **** up by the refs.

[anderson]

Officially a rout.

[harrisonhits]

4-1 now cya later England.

[SkiptoMyLou]

The Germans are so dangerous on the counters. Ozil just zipped past Barry on the fourth goal.

[BizarroAnnihilus]

.






<---------------win.


http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0902/history.feb5/images/robert-parish.jpg

[HomelessJoe]

this sport desperately needs video replay. or at least more refs

qft

[gomezcat]

Thank f*** for that. The England bandwagon had reached its usual hysterical pitch and I grew bored of it about twenty years ago. I don't hate them, but it's a relief when they get knocked out.

I missed the game cos I was doing stats for the Kent Exiles (full contact Football, in the second tier of the British American Football Association). We lost 45-13. :shake:

[SkiptoMyLou]

Mexico was also ****ed over then ****ed themselves over.

To say refs influenced today's games is an understatement.

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm sending a letter to FIFA in regards to the next World Cup.

In light of the recent display of officiating, I'm filing an official request to require the officials to wear clown suits during the match. Complete with big shoes and all.

Then when they wave off a goal they can look directly into the camera, smile, and squeeze their squirting flower.