World Cup 2010 (Soccer) thread

[Feuer Frei!]

Anyone follow soccer? (Football).
Your thoughts on who's going to win?
Let's get a thread going for us soccer fanatics (like me).

[Skybird]

Not a football fanatic myself, but during European and World Championchips I become an interested part-time fan of limited longevity.

And I am sceptical of the Germans being able to repeat the show of 2006. But as the old football wisdom says: never count out the Germans in big tournaments, so - I'm open to positive surprises.

[Feuer Frei!]

Agreed! It so happens, as with all international fixtures, i will be supporting the Germans, since it's my place of birth.
Well, have to say, if the numbers are on their side they might just do it this time 'round, 3rd in Germany, 2nd in the Euro's and...2010......well here's hoping.

[OneToughHerring]

Will most likely be following the world cup, Finns didn't make it so I don't really support any team. Hoping some underdog team will succeed well.

[Feuer Frei!]

My "favourites" for the title:
Spain, Brazil (of course), Italy, Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands.

Can't wait for this to kick off.

great link to keep uptodate with all the latest news:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/index.html

:salute:

[Fish]

My "favourites" for the title:
Spain, Brazil (of course), Italy, Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands.


:salute:
Plus Ghana. :up:

[Jimbuna]

I'm putting all my money on England doing what they have always led the rest of the football world at:

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory :smug:

[TarJak]

I think the best Australia can hope for is a Quarter final berth and anything beyond that is a bonus IMO.

[Onkel Neal]

USA! USA! USA!

:) yes, I will be watching World Cup.

[Skybird]

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory :smug:

Phrase stored in memory for later use. :DL

[Jimbuna]

Phrase stored in memory for later use. :DL


http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2772/thumbsupgv0.gif

[Dan D]

I have already ordered my Pickelhaube, the tropical version in white:

http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/8995/490o.jpg


@Jimbuna

We have an "I don't have a German eagle tattooed on my butt like you guys"-Engländer in our hobby football team. On our last meeting of members it was decided by an overwhelming majority to add a clause to our articles of association that -in order to improve our chances of winning- makes it "verboten" for him to participate in penalty shoot-outs unless it is for the other team.

[Jimbuna]

@Jimbuna

We have an "I don't have a German eagle tattooed on my butt like you guys"-Engländer in our hobby football team. On our last meeting of members it was decided by an overwhelming majority to add a clause to our articles of association that -in order to improve our chances of winning- makes it "verboten" for him to participate in penalty shoot-outs unless it is for the other team.

Sorry mate but that's gone clean over my head...can you explain please? :hmmm:

[Dan D]

I hope I can. IMO:

the English team had great players already during the last world cup. In fact, I had already predicted for a couple of years that they could make it to the final. But they failed. And I even put some money on them. Reasons imo: England traditionally lacks good goal-keepers (no Trautmann) and has a penalty shoot-out national trauma.

Just think of Beckham during the last European Championship (was it, was not it?) when he slipped and incidentally kicked the ball out of the stadium or the former captain of the English team, John Terry, in the semi-final of the Champions League, who slipped and missed to put the ball in goal, which should not be that difficult, when you shoot from an 11 meters distance against a goal that is 7 meters wide, otherwhise Chelsea would have been in the final. He was heartbroken, at least that was my impression, because as being the captain for the English team as well, which he used to be, before he decided to screw his team-mates wife, it would have been good to score and to make the overall English football fans feel better about those bloody, annoying penalty shoot-outs.

You can imagine that the English shoot-out misery does not come unnoticed by German football fans who will mock the English supporters.

But there is no use of crying over spilled milk. I'd say, if the English team makes it to the quarter-final, they could as well win the cup.

Just make sure to decide the match during regular time.

Best thing would be, you win the world cup and then you host the Olympics in London 2012.

This would boost the economy and raise the birth rate and make our friend Steed happy.

[Jimbuna]

Ah right...I understand now :yep:

Gotta agree with you on the points raised....apart from one.

I doubt anything will ever make STEED happy :O:

[nikimcbee]

Brasil uber alles.

I guess I'll cheer for Newcastle:woot:.

[TarJak]

Brasil uber alles.

I guess I'll cheer for Newcastle:woot:.

http://www.strangesports.com/images/content/5383.jpg
Brasilia! Brasilia! Bra-zilla

[nikimcbee]

http://www.strangesports.com/images/content/5383.jpg
Brasilia! Brasilia! Bra-zilla

:woot::woot::woot::woot:

[Jimbuna]

http://www.strangesports.com/images/content/5383.jpg

Bra :o Bra :o Bra :o....ah forget it http://www.btsmods.com/Smileys/classic/Ah_fooey.gif

[Feuer Frei!]

Moreso for the Aussie members, but, how do you guys think the Germany v Australia Group D opener will go?
What result do you predict? (Realistically speaking)?
Me?
Germany 2 Australia 0.

[Jimbuna]

I'd go for a bore draw 0-0 or 1-1

[Feuer Frei!]

Rather interesting that the pundits have Australia to finish last in group d, behind Serbia and Ghana.
I would have thought that Australia were a better side than either of the other two.

[Dan D]

Brazil, no. Not this time. It is to cold for samba football (jet-leg). It is winter in South-Africa when the games take place. I’d say, a team from the European continent wins the cup, or from the 6th continent “British Isles” repesented by England, or Argentina with Messi, they have Patagonia, there it is cold, too.

[Matt86]

Brazil, no. Not this time. It is to cold for samba football (jet-leg). It is winter in South-Africa when the games take place. I’d say, a team from the European continent wins the cup, or from the 6th continent “British Isles” repesented by England, or Argentina with Messi, they have Patagonia, there it is cold, too.

Its not that cold here :rotfl2:
Depending on where the game is played of course...

[Onkel Neal]

When does the Cup start? Soon?

[Jimbuna]

When does the Cup start? Soon?

It starts on June 11th and ends July 11th.

[Dan D]

Its not that cold here :rotfl2:
Depending on where the game is played of course...

Hello to South Africa.

That is why I was talking about my Pickelhaube in tropical white version and not my Pickelhabue with winter camouflage.

But I do read on the Internet e.g. that [South African] "Winters (June to August) can get quite cold especially at night with temperatures averaging around 50 Fahrenheit (10 C)."

That is more like temperatures in London, Paris, Frankfurt and less than in Rio de Janiero.

I guess, Wayne Rooney (England) will keep his gloves on.

And I think the matches are mostly scheduled in the evenings.

Concering the weather conditions I see a little advantage for the teams from Europe.

But this also means that the female football fans from Brasil will wear more clothes than usually, unfortunately.

[Feuer Frei!]

Those of you who follow Germany...
Kevin Kuranyi in our out?
A lot of pressure being put on Loew and staff to include him in squad. Considering he's currently in super form in the Bundesliga (top scorer) and the incident of him walking out on the Russia game back in 2008, water over the bridge?
I think he should go....
Would be interesting to see what the current Mannschaft players think about him?

[OneToughHerring]

Haven't really followed the Bundesliga although I've heard that atmosphere-wise it's maybe the best league at the moment in Europe. Kuranyi would most likely do a good job for the ol' Mannschaft. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_football_team) I've always been pretty impressed by Klose, don't care what others think of him but he just somehow manages to find the net pretty consistently. Together with Podolski the "Polish connection" has worked very well for Germany.

[Jimbuna]

Haven't really followed the Bundesliga although I've heard that atmosphere-wise it's maybe the best league at the moment in Europe. Kuranyi would most likely do a good job for the ol' Mannschaft. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany_national_football_team) I've always been pretty impressed by Klose, don't care what others think of him but he just somehow manages to find the net pretty consistently. Together with Podolski the "Polish connection" has worked very well for Germany.

You've obviously never heard of the English Premier League :O:

[OneToughHerring]

You've obviously never heard of the English Premier League :O:

Well actually the virtues of the Bundesliga were brought to my knowledge by ardent English followers of the Prem. Not that the Prem or even the Championship are bad, just that, from what I've heard, the atmosphere isn't what it used to. Was some time ago I heard this so could be that things have changed since.

As for England in the world cup, will be interesting. They are the team that always brings that extra bit of interest, the team everyone both fears and wants to beat. :)

[Jimbuna]

Well actually the virtues of the Bundesliga were brought to my knowledge by ardent English followers of the Prem. Not that the Prem or even the Championship are bad, just that, from what I've heard, the atmosphere isn't what it used to. Was some time ago I heard this so could be that things have changed since.

As for England in the world cup, will be interesting. They are the team that always brings that extra bit of interest, the team everyone both fears and wants to beat. :)

The team that always manages to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory...unfortunately :doh:

[Dan D]

Those of you who follow Germany...
Kevin Kuranyi in our out?
A lot of pressure being put on Loew and staff to include him in squad. Considering he's currently in super form in the Bundesliga (top scorer) and the incident of him walking out on the Russia game back in 2008, water over the bridge?
I think he should go....
Would be interesting to see what the current Mannschaft players think about him?

As forwards Klose, Podolski, Gomez, Kuranyi, Kießling, Cacau and Müller come to mind.

I think you nominate 5 forwards for a world Cup.

Problem for the German team is that Gomez, Klose, Podolski did not play much and they did not play well this season.

All of them scored only something like 3 goals each which is nothing.

So there is a big question mark whether the German Offence will be good enough this time.

Top scorers are Kuranyi and Kießling. Kuranyi was sacked from the national team. Now the press puts pressure on the coach to nominate him again. I dunno. He is not the brightest bulp on the porch, that is for sure. I rate Gomez higher even though he spent most of the time sitting on the bench.

I would nominate Klose, Podolski, Gomez, Müller and Kießling.

Müller is good. I would like to see Müller play.

[Feuer Frei!]

Well, with Kuranyi we will know by end of this month, a decision will be made by the staff.
As for Germany and their forwards, in particular Klose and Gomez not being in good form etc, the Germans, as we all know of course are, to the leadup to big tournaments always a bit "slow" to start...
I have no doubt that they will once again feature in the final 8...
Concerns over the forwards aren't as worrying as the goal-keeping situation...
Sure Renee Adler seems more than competent between the sticks and has had some very good matches for the Germans, but this will be the first big tournament where the side is not able to field at least 1 "seasoned" keeper, eg. Lehmann, Khan, Koepke etc.
That, really is my concern.
The forwards will fire, with Klose and Kuranyi doing their thing,
the midfield will do the job, led by Ballack, with the rear once again showing that Lahm is a gem of a player.
I'm a huge fan of Lahm, speed, skill, fair, versatile and a heck of a strike when he hits the round ball.

[Feuer Frei!]

For the Germany followers:
Kevin Kuranyi will not be in the World Cup 2010 squad.

For anyone that is interested:
FIFA World Points Ranking system (http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/r&a-wr/52/00/97/fs-590_10e_worldrankingpointcalculation.pdf)

37 days to go!

[Skybird]

Löw, Kuranyi: outcome as expected. I am no big fan of Löw, although I respect his work. But I am also no fan of Kuranyi. When Löw says he does not fit into the tactical concept, there is little to criticise in that, although I am sure that personal animosities also played a role. I take it that both played a role. However, as a trainer, I would not have picked Kuranyi, too. Team goes first - always.

I expect the Germans being unable to repeat their great show from last time. Quarterfinals sees their end, I guess.

Löw and DFB probably have decided to separate afterwards anyway. I could live with Löw. But why there is Bierhoff and what exactly he is doing when not using the national team to promote his personal business deals, I have not understood so far. Keep Löw, at least he is a good tactical trainer. But fire Bierhoff, I beg you. He is a red rag for me.

[Feuer Frei!]

Löw, Kuranyi: outcome as expected. I am no big fan of Löw, although I respect his work. But I am also no fan of Kuranyi. When Löw says he does not fit into the tactical concept, there is little to criticise in that, although I am sure that personal animosities also played a role. I take it that both played a role. However, as a trainer, I would not have picked Kuranyi, too. Team goes first - always.

I expect the Germans being unable to repeat their great show from last time. Quarterfinals sees their end, I guess.

Löw and DFB probably have decided to separate afterwards anyway. I could live with Löw. But why there is Bierhoff and what exactly he is doing when not using the national team to promote his personal business deals, I have not understood so far. Keep Löw, at least he is a good tactical trainer. But fire Bierhoff, I beg you. He is a red rag for me.
Totally agree with all you said.
I think it also would have had something to do with player input.
I dare say Löw possibly also consulted certain players and what they thought.
Reason for that is mostly to do with team unity, no way would he want to upset the harmony in the Mannschaft.
Wise move indeed.
Quarter finals eh?
Gee i hope you are wrong, notoriously slow starters, will be interesting to see who they meet if they top the group. I know if the Germans come second in their group and the English win theirs, then the two will meet in the second round!
Mouthwatering indeed.
Deutschland wird Welt Meister. I am optimistic :03:
EDIT: Just seen that Rene Adler is out! Dam, that's not good.

[Jimbuna]

Some of the latest odds on the eventual winners....I can't believe how short a price England and Argentina are:

http://www.justbookies.com/Articles/world_cup_betting.htm

[Feuer Frei!]

Surprised Spain is still top, considering they got knocked off the top spot in the FIFA World Rankings just yesterday.
I'm surprised where Argentina is, Italy should be better odds than what they are.
I'll put some money on Germany, good odds.
Very interested to see why they've got England at such good odds.
Notorious chokers of big tournaments.

[Snestorm]

Danmark! Danmark! Danmark!

[Jimbuna]

Italy are an extremely good bet at those odds....I wouldn't waste a bean on Brazil, England, or Argentina.