FIFA World Cup 2014

[Feuer Frei!]

I'm happy, great result. The Squadra Azzura.

Pirlo great game, Claudio Marchisio, great opening goal from 18 metres out, England bought the biggest dummy ever by Pirlo.

Super Mario the Lions Killer.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Oberon

I expect a lot of talk about that early goal that wasn't though

? Which goal? By Claudio Marchisio?

[Oberon]

I think most of the public opinion is swinging behind dropping Rooney, perhaps put him on the naughty stool until he's learnt his lesson.
But yeah, I can't disagree, drop Rooney, preferably on his head.

[Feuer Frei!]

Well, to be fair to Rooney, most of England's attacks came from the right. He did supply Sturridge a great ball for the 1:1.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

? Which goal? By Claudio Marchisio?

Errr, not 100% sure, I came in around ten-fifteen minutes in, so missed it (like the referee apparently) Let me just check.

Ah, no, it wasn't the referee, it was one from the side by Sterling that most of the commentators (and graphics operators) thought went in but didn't.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

Well, to be fair to Rooney, most of England's attacks came from the right. He did supply Sturridge a great ball for the 1:1.

One of the commentators reckoned that he'd do better in center. I guess we'll see what Roy chooses for the next line-up.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Feuer,
I just do not care much for what has been 2006, or even one year ago. The qualification, past years mean nothing anymore, its dead, past, history

The point i was trying to make is that Germany as a football nation has had a re-invention in sorts, all starting in 2006 under Klinsmann. Der wahr der Katalysator.
And in saying that, i have much more confidence in the team now than i did back then.
You fight fire with fire, an attacking team like Portugal, with their Konterspiel is a danger but Germany aren't a amateurish team with an amateurish Bundestrainer and management team.
If they need to sit deep in defense to counter Portugal they will do so, in particular to shut down Ronaldo and Co, but they will also push up and counter very quickly and always looking to score goals. Unlike before 2006, where their playing style matched that of Italys'.
That gives me more confidence than what you are suggesting, that they aren't convincing enough, through their qualifiers and friendlies leading up to the 2014 Cup.
The team has a good mix of youth (new generation) and experience.
Pace out wide, cool heads, technically gifted, will power, experince in playing in pressure situations...
I won't go on, you are a defector, no patriotism at all, i know where i stand with you

What has been in the past 2-4 months is much closer to the status right now. And that was such that it was deflating. Not bad, not a weak team - but none to be counted as one of the top favourites. I think there are several teams that simply are better, by a bigger margin than 4 years ago

i think i addressed it in regards to Germany up top, but to suggest that on the basis of a very few minor changes in the German camp from qualifiers and friendlies 2 to 4 mths ago is unfair and unrealistic.
Look at Spain, look at Italy, look at England, look at Argentina, look at the Oranje, none of them had better qualifying rounds, that you would class as outstanding, or brilliant.
And those countries are all favourites, with Argentina at least by some as the clear favourite.
Point here is you cannot judge a countrie's chances of winning at a major tourney by their deflating, as you put it (but wrong analogy) qualifiers, lead-up games and friendlies 2 to 4 mths out from said tourney.
If you did that then you would have Brazil as clear favourite, simply because aforementioned teams didn't have a convincing or brilliant or outstanding qualifying stage either.
Solid, yes, brilliant? No, far from it.
I will add that i agree with you in relation to teams having improved in the last 4 years. That is certainly nothing new, look at USA, Uruguya, Chile, Belgium, etc etc.
Of course not to mention the big names.
They have also re-invented themselves to an extent, look at England, youth and pace, fast attacking style, which was much needed in my opinion.
They are a real danger now. They exposed Italy many a time and were unlucky to not win or to at least get a draw.
And Germany played a lot like Italy before 2006, sitting deep in defense, looking to grind out the time leading score board. Boring to watch.
Effective tactically, sure, but to only protect your lead can lead to trouble too.
Germany has changed, and with that comes many advantages.

But, i could be hypocritical here and say: It doesn't matter so much about how you won but that you won.
Protecting a lead at a wc is one thing, but to protect and attack and score more goals is better.
Germany has that capability.

And by sympathy, I am with the Dutch this time

Du must Auswandern, so schaut's aus

Anyway, you know where my allegiance lies, always will.

[CaptainMattJ.]

Meanwhile, in japan

[Feuer Frei!]

Well it seems the 2 on the left already knew that Japan would lose it's opening match. A fake air punch to make it seem less negative.

[BossMark]

Well I didnt think we deserved to lose, a draw would have been a fair result, the only shock is that I aint got too much of a hangover.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

Strip poker?

[STEED]

As I knew, we lost.

Sack the bloody lot of them!

[Jimbuna]

Not a bad performance overall when you consider the options Roy had. I'm no fan of his but he has at least had the danglies to do what no other England manager has done since 66...introduced new young blood in great numbers and looking to build for the future instead of taking pensioners on tour like so many have done in the past.

Rooney IMO is already beginning to look like he will have another world cup disaster, one pass that makes a goal and all else will be forgotten.

Jordan Henderson is not an international level player, nor is Jagielka.

Pity we don't have younger replacements for Gerrard and Lampard for that matter...two of the old boys who seldom impressed over the years at this level and are only there to give the youngsters 'experience' and take a penalty if it comes along.

Looking at the results in the group thus far, if we don't beat Uruguay we could well experience the ignominity of ending up at the bottom of the group.

I expect more from my country when you consider the football infrastructure we have but right now I'm simply pleased my three lions tattoo is that of the ECB.

GO ENGLAND

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by STEED

As I knew, we lost.

Sack the bloody lot of them!

Look at it as a sort of learning curve for the younger players in future tournaments.

[STEED]

Drop that little grunting pig rooney for the next game please.