BS: World Cup 2010

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Acorn4
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 04:19 PM

A few years back I wrote a song called "Why are we Crap at Cricket?" - a couple of weeks after I finished it we won the Ashes, and I had to bury the song for two years.

I'm hoping this song can win England the World Cup by a kind of "reverse psychology":-


Rose Scented Glasses

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 12:32 PM

We have certainly seen worse starts from an England team. The 1982 World Cup, which made Gary Lineker famous, began disastrously with defeat against Portugal and a dismal 1-1 draw against Iran, I believe. Italy played three awful draws in 1982 and then won it! The Brazilians of 1982 looked like sweeping all before them, with Zico, Socrates and Oscar all in their pomp. They went the way of many favourites.
At the moment Germany, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil are all looking good. I agree with Wolfgang that the German defence may be vulnerable to technically superior sides, who pass the ball too quickly for them. However, I am glad Joachim Löw has stuck to his guns and played Podolski and Klose together. They were both second choices for their club sides this season and they scored five goals between them. However, I do not believe Germany has a better striking pair at the moment and they certainly looked up to the job on Sunday. I think Germany will easily beat England in the second round (if England make it) but that their quarter final opponents may know too much for them.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 11:27 AM

Wolfgang - thanks for your post above. I'm sure you knew that I intended no offence, and that my comments were a leg-pull of the kind that go on between sportsmen and supporters in changing-rooms and clubs' bars the world over. If, when I was a local league football and squash-player and competitive rower, I'd taken 'offence' every time someone took the piss, I'd have spent my entire life 'offended' in one way or another. But you and I both know how these things go and we are both big enough, mature enough, and good-looking enough to take a bit of ribbing without blubbering like a big daft kid.   :-) :-)

Thanks for your good-hearted response, Wolfgang, and good luck to your team in the competition - may the best team win.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Roberto
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 10:34 AM

Arnie: "I still recall the name Pak Do Ik from the 1966 World Cup - don't know why but this name has just stuck in my memory since then!!".

The same happens to me, but I do know why. He was not a professional football player. None in the N. Korea team were, at least in 1966. He was a dentist. He scored the goal in the game against Italy: N.Corea 1-Italy 0. Italy was eliminated. I'm italian, and I was 11 in 1966. Of course I remember Pak Do Ik.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 10:13 AM

hi

With all of the first round of games played it now appears that the England performance against the USA was not too disappointing.

Teams like France,Italy and Spain struggled and did not perform to their ability either.

The only major side that appeared to play better than expected was Germany. And let's face it Australia are not yet a World side. Also they had to play for a long period with only ten men -without Cahill their best player.

The next games will be played differently - no playing to avoid losing - they all must play to win.

I don't know what team or tactics Capello will adopt but surely one must be one that allows Rooney to be brought into the game and not starved for long periods as happened last week.

Another problem was that England gave away possession too easily. In part this is due to the fact that Heskey is played up front with Rooney. Because of this England seemed be stuck in a mind set of knocking a long ball up to Heskey. While Heskey did not let England down, most of this play resulted in England losing possession. We have to play a passing game and bring Rooney's undoubted class into the equation. He should be in the middle trying to score, not taking throw ins on the halfway line !!

We have to win both games if only to shut Beckenbauer up.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arnie
Date: 17 Jun 10 - 06:04 AM

After last night, it looks like South Africa could be the first host nation team to go out at the group stage. That 3-0 defeat even shut up the vuvuzelas for a time. I read today that rioting has already broken out and various organisations in SA are starting to ask why some S Africans are still living on the street or in slums when billions of rand has been spent on the tournament. It has also not gone unnoticed in SA that FIFA are making millions out of this World Cup - it would be nice if they donated a good chunk of it to SA charities. Many tickets remain unsold for various reasons and it will be interesting to see what the support is like once SA are dumped out of the tournament.

On the subject of N.Korea - I still recall the name Pak Do Ik from the 1966 World Cup - don't know why but this name has just stuck in my memory since then!!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 03:48 PM

Lox,

outside of football I might take offence, but football lives (not only but a bit) from national cliches. These comments are very mild compared to what e.g. a Dutchman might say or what we might say about Dutch football.
An example: What is one of the really good things about global warming? Answer: The football WC will always be played without Holland.
Not too nice as well, but we'd be on their side if it was (or will be) a real threat.

My personal favourite is Spain. They have a very good team. After today, I think whether I have to change that prediction. Not yet, I still think they can beat each other team.

I don't see Germany as winner. They have a truly good attack, but a weak defense and that will show against stronger teams (especially if they play quick passes, like e.g. Spain does). We have sent the youngest team since the 1930s and more than half of our players have less than 10 nominations.

In addition to that one could expect the German team to have a goalie of extraclass since at least 1970 as sure as one could expect England to nominate a weak goalie since after the great Gordon Banks. But this time we come with the goalie who would have been considered number 4 some months ago. But suicide and injury have made him the present number 1. He is too young and good for a greater blunder in one of two or three games.

However I expect that one German record will stand. Germany is the only team that has never been eliminated in the first round of a WC. Even the mostly beter than Germany Brazil has been eliminated in the first round once, in England in 1966.

My before the start prediction for Germany was that they'll fly home after the fourth game. I'm not yet ready to change this.

Some German commentaries say that Ballack's injury is the deeper reason why the team did play so well in the first game. If only we could convince the coach to leave out Klose as well...

BTW, a mathematical "proof", that Germany will win: Germany won in 1954, 1974, 1990. 1990 + 1974 - 1954 = 2010. There you are!
Well, last time, the formula was '54x'74-1990 = 2006. And of course, for the next time, if math does fail this time, the unbeatable formula is 1974 plus the digit sums of 1954 and 1990. 1974+19+21 = 2014. Convincing, isn't it? Given enough spare time, one could find a formula for each team's success.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 03:23 PM

Well... THAT shut the damn horns up for a tad.

As far as "going mad"... it's a sport. Too bad you were never allowed the thrill of succeeding at physical prowess or being part of a team the did.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 02:02 PM

"... grown men kicking a ball about..."

Perhaps so the grown men will have an excuse to kick each other about before & after the match. (well...'some' countries)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: romanyman
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 01:36 PM

dont understand how the world can go mad over twenty two so called grown men kicking a ball about, and getting paid huge amounts for the pleasure of it,

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 01:19 PM

RATS!!! I couldn't watch it! I would have dearly loved to see it!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 01:16 PM

Spain never took the Swiss seriously til it was over.....and maybe not even then! That team acted as if they were "owed" a win simply because they are Spain and they showed up. I love it when an underdog kicks ass in any sport and this was a great example!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 11:56 AM

The upset of the competition so far.

Spain 0 Switzerland 1

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 04:40 AM

Leeds versus Lincoln in the Carling Cup

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 16 Jun 10 - 03:16 AM

Great performance by the N. Koreans, and how refreshing to see the game played by them as it's meant to be - clean, no noticeable diving, no screaming and spitting in the officials' faces, eleven men playing as a cohesive unit. Shame their little legs started to fail as the second half wore on.

Excellent stuff. I hope they do well in the competition.

And once they got their act together, the Brazilians were pretty good too.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 06:09 PM

Yes, nice to se PRK score. I wanted to see them win, but never to be. Both BRA goals were picture perfect and a joy to watch.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 04:26 PM

I liked the Koreans' discipline and they are one of the most sportsmanlike sides I have seen. The Brazilians had a bit too much for them in the end, but it was good to see the Koreans get on the score sheet and give their opponents a real game. All credit to them.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 03:43 PM

It seems like the BRAs have managed to score.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 03:22 PM

Great defense by PRK. And they look fit enough to keep it up. But, can they deny BRA for the second half?... and take the play to BRA?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arnie
Date: 15 Jun 10 - 05:36 AM

A real footballing treat due later today - both Brazil and Portugal make their debut in SA. I've just realised that I have a bit of a diary clash coming up. Friday night is folk club night. It's also England v Algeria night. Fortunately the club is held in a room over a bar, and the bar will be showing the footie. So whilst my wife is upstairs listening to folk, I'll be downstairs watching the footie - and conveniently next to the bar. After the match, I'll be able to catch the second half of the folk club. Perfect night really, providing England win of course.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Den
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 02:46 PM

Fine performance by the Germans even with Klose missing the chance of the match. They will be difficult to beat if they can keep playing at this level. Have to agree with Wolfgang's assessment, a very unGerman way of playing, very attack minded with a lot of youthful enthusiasm. People said they would miss Michael Ballack. Michael who?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 10:06 AM

I see Paul Gascoigne is in hospital after car crash in Newcastle

Ex-footballer Paul Gascoigne is in a "serious but not life-threatening" condition in hospital after a car crash in Newcastle upon Tyne.

The incident, involving a Vauxhall Astra, happened on Sunday at 2145 BST at Sandhill, on the city's Quayside, police said.

The car, in which Mr Gascoigne was a passenger, is thought to have left the road and hit a signpost.

A 36-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving.

Info taken from BBC News

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Lox
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 09:50 AM

Backwoodsman,

I know you don't mean any offense, but I would urge you to consider how Wolfgang feels when he reads comments like the ones you have posted above.

He is a modest guy and unlikely to say anything, but it doesn't mean he likes being stereotyped.

The ball is in your court.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 09:42 AM

Well Holland did enough to win. Denmark unlucky with the own goal, but Holland did not play that well, but then they didn't need to. Touches of class from Holland at times. However they are excellent at holding the ball instead of kick and rush.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:29 AM

And now to watch my better half's team.

Come on Holland who stand as good a chance of anybody to win the World Cup 2010. Now we will see some quality football.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:26 AM

Yawohl, Herr Major!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Alan Day
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 06:54 AM

Mit precision !!
Al

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 06:51 AM

Ve haff vays off makink you dance..........

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Alan Day
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 04:23 AM

I remember when we were teaching English Country Dancing in Leipzig
there were about 150 dancers learning fairly complicated dance moves .I have never seen dancing of such perfection from all the groups in such a short space of time. The same dance in England would have couples going in the wrong direction, turning left instead of right etc. This ability of the German people for organisation is what makes them favourites for any group sport activity. I just wish they would cut out the diving aspect of their football.It was good to see the referee jump on it straight away yesterday.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Lox
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 09:07 PM

Ireland (as you may remember) are out.

So I turned my Irish flag around and I'm supporting the Ivory Coast.


I also have a big soft spot for their eastern neighbours, who won by a goal today.

Time to set sail on the black star liner ...

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 07:04 PM

Alan... I thought they had field vision and real time strategy. They seemed to be baiting the Aussies into running around in a game of "keep-away" immediately after the first goal. Cunning, to say the least. And, IF that was the case, it paid off big time.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Alan Day
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 06:07 PM

Well the German team looked pretty impressive. It is such a shame that German Footballers are like vases that have bases too small for their size !
Al

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 04:53 PM

I've seen a most un-German game by a German team. Somehow, Miroslaw Klose (born in Poland), Marco Marin (a Bosnian Serb), Mehsud Oezil (from Turkey), Cacau (from Brazil), Khedira (Tunisian father) and Podolski (born in Poland) have misunderstood the German idea of football as hard work and have treated it as a play instead. They even seemed to have fun. Very curious.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 04:21 PM

"the Aussies are going to play out of their skin to beat em."

They got skinned... drawn and quartered.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 01:55 PM

Definately agree with you there BWM :-)

However, the Aussies are going to play out of their skin to beat em.

Took my daughter to Gainsborough Swimming Pool last Sunday and today. Pain in the arse blocking up the road from the main Gainsborough - Market Rasen road. They didn't look as though they were doing much.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 01:43 PM

Hope they shove it up the Krauts.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 01:39 PM

How will the Aussies fair on the day?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 12:35 PM

Well I wouldn't want Calamity in the team. Hasn't he already said that he is having problems with new type ball. Maybe it's his eyes - he's getting to the age when he might need bi-focals.

Shearer wasn't happy with any of the goalkeepers. 2 because they seem to have problems with the ball and the other becuase he is fresh to the International scene.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Alan Day
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 11:09 AM

Be fair Arnie, Heskey set up the only goal we scored with a brilliant pass to Gerrard. Apart from the miss that he created by being in the right place, I thought he had a good game.
At this point in time I have complete faith in our manager, He knows what he is doing,it will only be the players that let him down.
Al

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Les from Hull
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 10:17 AM

It seems we have one glaring goalkeeping error every World Cup, maybe we should be glad this one's out of the way early!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 09:52 AM

"Alan Shearer was very harsh on Green."

Didn't see it, Arthur, but didn't our pundits (especially as they're ex-players) ought to be building the team up, not knocking them down. Every time one of them slags Green off it undermines him with our future opponents and, should he play again, Shearer et al will have given a psychological advantage to the opposition.

And I've no more confidence in Calamity James than I have in Green - short memories some people have.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 08:56 AM

Just wasting my time watching Algeria v Slovenia and it is pretty bad. I would be very surprised if we don't beat them.

Alan Shearer was very harsh on Green.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Stu
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 08:47 AM

I have to say it concerns me this habit England have of playing deep. Rooney was industrious and constantly harangued the USA's back four but there were times when he was more like a centre-forward than a striker. Straight after the goal they sat back a little and let the USA come forward rather than hammering home the advantage, especially as the US defence was all at sea when anyone ran at them.

As for Heskey - he hold the ball up well and Rooney loves playing with him but missing a sitter like that - bloody hell. He's scored nowt for Villa and he's doing the same for England.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arnie
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 08:41 AM

Green did partly redeem himself with a great save in the second half, pushing the shot onto the post. However, I wouldn't like to see him starting next week - just hope James is match fit. I also do not want to see Heskey in the starting line-up. He's a nice bloke with a lot of physical presence, but cannot score goals and if Rooney goes AWOL on the pitch again then we don't have a true striker. It was amusing before the match when a tv interviewer asked a selection of US fans outside the Rustenburg stadium, to name members of the US squad. One or two fans could name Howard and Dempsey but quite a few couldn't name any of the US squad at all. If this was a selection of fans who'd stayed in the USA to watch the match on tv then I could understand their lack of knowledge. But surely fans who travel all the way to South Africa and buy match tickets would know at least some of the US squad? Maybe they were on safari or something and had just dropped by.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 07:37 AM

Erm striker = forward???

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 07:32 AM

We made the standard England mistakes - gave the ball away much too often, let the opposition get too close to our goal, didn't deal with situations (which was at least 50% of the true cause of the goal - WTF was our defence doing letting the bugger get a shot away anyway? Why isn't anyone blaming them for not closing him down, or Gerrard for not challenging strongly enough?).

Rooney didn't even turn up for the game, Lampard ineffectual. But let's not let truth get in the way of giving a rookie keeper, who otherwise had a good game, a bloody good kicking for his one error.

But we were still by far and away the better team, had the balance of possession, looked far superior to the USA. Shame our forwards don't know where the goal is.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Stu
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 07:06 AM

"The USA played well as a team although the Brits have more star caliber players"

ENGLISH not brits.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 06:12 AM

BWM :-)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 05:13 AM

"The English goalkeeper cost England the match."

Not strictly true, Arfa.
His error helped, but our bungling forwards who couldn't score aaginst a team of dustbins didn't help either.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 05:05 AM

As it happens Alan, that has gone through my head too. England have rarely looked good in the group stages. Last time round we were very lucky to win the first match - and against Trinidad and Tobago, England's first "goal" was actually a shocking foul by Peter Crouch, which should have got him sent off!
Both teams should be able to reach the second round, but it would be unwise to take anything for granted. With all respect to the USA, who played well last night, I will be very surprised if either of those sides survives the looming encounter with Germany on the 26th or 27th.