I agree. As much as I would like to see an Aussie upset against Germany, I fear we will get done by them and then rely on beating Ghana & Serbia for a slot in the next round.

It will be a tough fight in Group D but that is how I see it playing out.

Well I'm putting England down for a 1/4 final slot and nothing more.

Of course, anything better would be a welcome bonus :DL

Klose and Gomez fantastic seasons? Lol...

When I say fantastic seasons I mean they enjoyed a fantastic season with Bayern in the team. They both scored crucial goals at times. Goals were low but as a team things worked out rather nicely and as you know in Germany it's all about team work and not dancing around trying to look pretty :yeah:

I see what you mean...
You know, i follow Bayern, as i was born in Munich...
must say though that a great team will always make the mediocre or out of form players look good, as in the case of Gomez and Klose.
Gomez isn't one of my faves...surprised he's still there actually.
Even Löw has yesterday conceded that Klose will find it hard to revisit and indeed get his form back in the tournament.
I for one will find it fascinationg how this team will fare.
How the 20-year olds will "hopefully" step up and play their hearts out.
Los geht's, Deutschand!!!:rock:

Netherlands, Ghana.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvXepcWU4NI

You were lucky :O:

Yeah i was really excited about Gomez after him having a good season but he just hasn't clicked at Bayern. Klose misses Toni, They to were lethal upfront and scored a good quantity of goals. Mueller is looking promising though, lets hope we have another Der Bomber on our hands :DL We have a fantastic squad and I am delighted Ribery has extended his stay. Next season the team will be more mature and you never know we might have a few additions to the squad. (apparantly Robben has said that Van Der Vaart would like to join) which would of course be a big bonus.

Back too Klose. The World Cup is his tournament, he loves it. Regardless of his form he will score plenty of goals which he has shown in the 2002 and 2006 world cup. We really are spoiled for choice, Klose, Gomes, Podolski and Cacau.

England.

Only when you've won it can you be sure :03:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW-zR5LtaGs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QIAv2EoIP0

http://www.welt.de/wissenschaft/arti...WM-Finale.html

Scientific study (!!!!) proves it: Germany and Brazil reach the final, Germany loosing to Brazil.

So says a professor at the university in the German city of Thübingen. He said his calculations base not only on aspects of sports, but economics, religion and geography as well. His team claims the probability for this prediction coming true is 75%.

Yeah. That's what he said.

Geography and economics.

[fingers-go-tip-tip-tip-tip]

And religion.

[tip-tip-tip-tip]

I say: if it happens that way I change my name to Meier for the rest of summer.

On religion, a quarter of the black-white team refuses to sing the German anthem, but recitates Quran verses, they say. I wonder if that is what that professor means. :DL

Translation:
Also religion plays a role. Becasue Cathlics, in Schmidt's opinion, play better football than protestants, because when the stakes are high they also dare to risk a foul more easily. "At church they just can confess it afterwards, but protestants need get along with that sin all by themselves."[/quote]

Haste Töne! Very bright, these professor-type of guys!

You don't have to win to be the best. Even the best can have bad luck sometimes.

The Dutch are the best. That's beyond doubt.:yep:

Usually I listen to metal and nothing but metal. But for the occasion I'll share these songs with you:

André Hazes - Wij Houden van Oranje
Wolter Kroes - Viva Hollandia (why does the original (Viva Colonia) have to be German of all possible countries?!:damn:)
Hup Holland Hup

Something that's even more certain than us being the best, is that the Dutch are the best partygoers and the most enthousiastic fans:D

We zijn er weer en bij en dat is priiiiima
Viiiiiiivaaaaa Hollandiaaa!
We houden van het leven,
de liefde en de lust
We feesten door tot 's avonds laat
nog lang niet uitgeblust!

Well I'm fully expecting nothing from England this world cup but I also think Sky and yourself may well end up disappointed also.

Brazil still haven't gotten over their debacle of four years ago and will possibly battle out the final with either italy or Spain (I haven't checked the draw/permutations though).

Mind you....I've been known to be wrong many times before in the past :DL

Tell me about it - an Irishman living with two Frenchies for the World Cup summer ;) At least I'm on relatively neutral ground (Luxembourg), and not France itself!

That said, I'm not so angry about us being sent home. The ref missed it, it would be more unfair to try to retroactively spot the handball. It sucks, and I can tell you I was not of this opinion when it happened, but cest la guerre...