BS: Football World Cup 2006

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:06 PM

that was a sad, tentative performance by the US yesterday. They just didn't seem to have any plan. Maybe that early goal shocked them. On paper, they are a better team than that, but playing in Europe seems to make them nervous. I hope they at least SCORE before this is over.

(and the 2nd goal by the Czechs was a beauty! That would unnerve anyone!)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:59 PM

Brazil open their account with full points, but they didn't really blow away the Croatia team. Still, I think they played in third gear and have lots more to come. Ronaldo may as well have stayed home.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:43 PM

The only boring match I've seen was the French - Switzerland kick-about.    Nil-nil games can actually be exciting, as for example Trinidad & Tobago holding out against Sweden. But this one wasn't.
........................

One thing I'm finding increasingly annoying is commentators who see their role as to gossip meaninglessly throughout the game, without any attempt to say anything useful, or any apprecation that when you have nothing to say, the thing to do is say nothing.

Radio is a bit better, and when there's a simultaneous radio broadcast you can turn down the volume on the TV and turn up the radio. By the nature of the medium radio commentators have to refer at times to what is actually going on, rather than endlessly launch into meaningless statistics about long gone matches, or speculation about players future transfer moves. But even there the TV style of commentating is having its influence.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:53 PM

WE HAVE LANDED !
England fans in Nuremberg for the team's World Cup clash can expect a tougher approach, the head of British police at the World Cup has said.

The residential nature of the city centre will see police use preventative powers to stop trouble, Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas said.

A number of English supporters were arrested in Frankfurt, where England played their first match on Saturday.

But ACC Thomas warned there could be more arrests in Nuremberg.

He said: "The England supporters must understand that we are guests in Nuremberg, and that our behaviour has to be as the guests.

"Unless they behave very well, we may see slightly more arrests here than we did in Frankfurt, because the police are more likely to use their preventative powers here because of the beauty of the town."

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 06:24 PM

Brazil seem to able to beat a good team from Croatia without appearing to try very hard. In fact I am not sure if Ronaldo was even trying at all.

Even so - Brazil do not look unbeatable for any half decent side that really needs to win and is prepared to make the maximum effort and have a real go at them. Brazil are not going to make it easy but I think they can be beaten.

It is quite a prospect to look forward to.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:33 PM

Who ARE these stupid English 'supporters' that we have heard about for so many years now, drinking, fighting and damaging things? I thought they had denied travel to enough known hooligans to limit the problems. This nastiness casts a pall over every series of games on European soil.
   This not sports...it is viciousness for it's own sake. I feel sad for those in England who are trying to just follow the sport and support the team efforts.

Does this go on within England during rivalries?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 07:48 PM

I'd have thought "half decent side that really needs to win and is prepared to make the maximum effort and have a real go at them" would have been a reasonable description for Croatia.

The bottom line is, this World Cup is going to be won either by Brazil, or whoever can beat Brazil.

The traditional way of beating them would be by opponents coming in hard and kicking them to bits. Fortunately it looks as if the referees are determined to knock that kind of play on the head, so their chances of winning are pretty good. However Croatia didn't play that way, and still came surprisingly close to winning tonight, so it can be done.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Noreen
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 09:46 PM

Bill- it would, if steps weren't taken to avoid confrontations.

In all games when there is a large contingent of visiting fans, or trouble is foreseen, the police will keep opposing fans separate, shepherding them from arrival in the town (at train station or motorway exit) to their separate area of the stadium, and vice versa after the match.

As ever, though, it is a tiny minority causing the problem for everyone.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 03:02 AM

I'd have thought "half decent side that really needs to win and is prepared to make the maximum effort and have a real go at them" would have been a reasonable description for Croatia.

Not really - as at this stage Croatia are indeed a half decent side but one that only needed a draw with Brazil and can still progress by results against Australia and Japan.

I think that had Croatia really needed to win that game - they possibly would have been good enough to do so.

Any predictions for what sort of Spainish team is going to turn up this time?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 04:42 AM

McGrath of Harlow- you were talking about radio commentary being better than t.v commentary ha! in Ghana if you listen to radio commentary you will definitely end up the in the hospital with a heart attack,during the Ghana-Italy one woman died because of that. radio commentary is dangerous and this incident is not even the only one or first, there has been countless. the commentators comment like school kids seeing a live-snake for the first time.

I think the french team is just a collection of stars. Its best name will be French national stars.

That was a good game by croatia,too bad they couldn't score. this world cup will be won by long-range shots and set-pieces rather than working the ball through the defence into the net.so it means that if your team can't shoot then you are out.

I hate voilence in football but somehow I am intrigued by the English fans courage to travel to any part of the world and give the police headaches.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 06:42 AM

If you view in the UK via the interactive option - you can watch but now choose to listen to the BBC Radio 2 commentary rather than have to listen to John Motson 'whittering' on.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:27 AM

Any predictions for what sort of Spainish team is going to turn up this time?

On this showing - a very formidable one.

However, the (so-called) penalty award, the red card and the timing of it - did spoil what was up to then a really good game. Ukraine with all 11 players were having enough problems trying to deal with a moble Spanish side and with only 10 - they had no chance.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 11:56 AM

Perhaps people are looking at football hooliganism the wrong way round.

One way of looking at it is to see it as an attempt by fans to get back to the original form of football, out of which the present codes were invented back in the 19th century. The sort where rival villages or parishes would battle each other on the streets with a ball providing a kind of structure for the proceedings - described as "�a devilish pastime � more a bloody murdering practice than a sport�.

The current adverts for Carling Black Label imagine a modern version of this traditional game. Maybe it is due for a revival in real life.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:08 PM

Perhaps so....but if the fans were out in the streets with a ball, PLAYING each other, I'd at least comprehend it. Does testosterone really require hate and violence against arbitrary opposing groups, when a game is involved? *sigh*...I guess maybe I should follow badminton.

(I see they have also had to chase & arrest some Polish hooligans....I do realize it is not limited to the English...they are just the most famous.)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:15 PM

I have just watched Germany outclass Poland and I am going to have to wonder out aloud whether WLD might have it right. They stopped Poland from having a real shot and in the last half hour they looked brilliant. They passed at speed, varied the length and tempo of their passing, supported the man on the ball all the time (England take note) and brought on three superb substitutes. When I saw them before the tournament, I would have backed Plymouth Argyle against them. They suddenly look a very different proposition. On the form of last weekend, they will sweep England aside in ten days time - if England even make it that far. They have good players rather than great ones, but this could become a mighty team. In front of their own fans, they will take some stopping.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:26 PM

We have seen all the teams play now and on their showing so far - Spain (and possibly Argentina) looked to be the only team that could beat Brazil.

The German team have now played twice and made heavy weather of both games. So perhaps comparisons with England's one performance should wait until after tomorrow's match against T&T?

Poland tonight were only really interested in trying not to lose and did not place the German defence under anywhere near the sort of pressure that even Cosa Rica managed in the first game.

Even so - the Poles came close to scoring and the German team only managed to score their single goal in the 91st minute and against 10 men.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:26 PM

Poland was saved from complete destruction by their goalkeeper, who made some amazing saves....but those German substitutes were so very good!

That red card was a foolish penalty for Poland...they barely touched the ball after that.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 05:52 PM

The match seemed to consist of incredible escapes by Poland, sometimes because of brilliant defending, remarkable goalkeeping or sheer luck. And then they'd instantly give the ball back to the Germans to launch another attack. Even from throw ins.

I think Germany is likely to have quite a lot of trouble from Ecuador.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:29 AM

I can see much improvement by the German side and that is typical of them.the Gerrmans are so good at not making the same mistake twice.

the substitutes were just brillant.but I was wondering if the Odonkor guy is a Ghanaian? the guy changed eveything for the Germans. the Polish defence failed to recognize the fact that his runs on the flanks was going to give them problems.

all the same big-up to Jurgen Klinsman.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Noreen
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:58 AM

Odonkor .... The son of a Ghanaian father and a German mother

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 07:41 AM

Yes, he did look pretty quick and he is very popular in Dortmund, where he plays his club football.
It is still very hot in Germany. So unless a thunderstorm comes to England's assistance, we could be heading for one of the most humiliating shocks of England's World Cup history tonight. In normal times, England should win comfortably. They should really win tonight, but they have no fully fit international class striker. They don't like the heat either, do they? They know they must win tonight, because they are not going to win in Köln on Tuesday. Let's hope they don't cock it up. If they play again like they did on Saturday, I think they will be on the plane next Wednesday morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Arnie
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 04:23 PM

Well, England didn't lose did they? Despite all the gloom and doom merchants, England are currently leading group B with 6 points in the bag. And if Sweden v Paraguay ends in a goalless draw then England will be group leaders whatever the result against Sweden next week. Crouch may look like a daddy-long-legs but he seems to have this knack of finding the back of the net (eventually!). Owen is definitely not match sharp and I'd use him off the bench next match with Rooney of course starting. Come on England!!! Bet a few of the new Trinidad & Tobago fans north of Hadrian's Wall are as sick as parrots tonight!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 05:40 PM

I wonder whether England would have scored at all without the foul play enabling the first goal. There are forty cameras in the stadium and one can see it in the super slomo. If you have asked yourself why the T&T player didn't jump to head the ball away before Crouch, the poor guy couldn't because Crouch pulled him down by his hair. The referee couldn't see it from his angle.

But perhaps it was the hand of God and not Crouch's one can see pulling the hair.

Wolfgang,.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jun 06 - 06:40 PM

That's right Wolfgang. Crouch should have been sent off for the foul. No complaints about Steve Gerrards's goal though, were there?
To get on in the tournament, you need luck as well as skill. In the past, the luck has gone with the Germans. Maybe England will get to earn their luck in future games. The fact remains that although they have only scored two goals in three hours of football, they are still on target to come second in their group. In fact, with a draw, they could even come top.
I think the game against Sweden will be a stinker. England will probably rest players for the second round and give some other players a game. Let's hope we are up for it when the Germany game comes!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 03:12 AM

It is just before the England v Brazil match.

Ronaldinho goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his teammates looking a bit glum.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game. We know it's important but it's only England. They're rubbish and we can't be bothered".

Ronaldinho looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat them by myself, you lads go down the pub."

So Ronaldinho goes out to play England by himself and the rest of the Brazilian team go off for a few jars.

After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the landlord to put the teletext on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads "Brazil 1 - England 0 (Ronaldinho 10minutes)". He is beating England all by himself!

Anyway, a few pints later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put the teletext on.

"Result from the Stadium "Brazil 1 (Ronaldinho 10 minutes) - England 1 (Lampard 89 minutes)".

They can't believe it; he has single handedly got a draw against England!!

They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldinho. They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, sitting with his head in his hands.

He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down."

"Don't be daft! You got a draw against England, all by yourself. And they only scored at the very, very end!"

"No, No, I have! I've let you down...........I got sent off after 12 minutes"

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 06:12 AM

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: ard mhacha
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 08:18 AM

England v Sweden could be a very important game for both countries, if Germany beat Ecuador and top their section, I would think that neither country would fancy meeting the host nation in the nect round. On the other hand if Ecuador go top then we might see both England and Sweden in a dilemma,the booby prize to the winners!, could be interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 09:33 AM

We can't influence it but we still can wish: Trinidad and Tobago?

OK, I understand, not granted. The remaining two are both tough. I'd say our chances are minimally better against England than against Sweden.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 10:04 AM

thanks Noreen for the info.

Serbia back up!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 10:34 AM

I think Ecuador are good for a game against anyone. They have beaten both Brazil and Argentina. England have indeed been atrocious up to now. However, you do not need to get worried if you play badly and win. It is when you are playing well but losing that you really have got problems.
It will be interesting to see what Eriksson does. I think he may well gamble, especially as he does not have to win on Tuesday. He has two main problems. Firstly, his side is not playing with any cohesion. They are not supporting the man on the ball properly so they are not passing the ball quickly enough to unlock determined defences. The other problem is that both of his quality strikers are recovering from injury. This means he will either have to gamble on Theo Walcott - and give him a run on Tuesday, or else drop either Owen or Crouch. In any event, it looks likely there will be surprises in the team selection. Either Germany or Ecuador will be formidable opponents, so players may be rested in advance.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 11:39 AM

The latest Argentina performance looked formidable.

The second (of their 6) goals was 24 passes and just about as good as football gets. Wonderful stuff.

The fact that goal scorers Tevez and Messi were only thought good enough to come on as substitutes - is a bit worrying to all the other sides.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 02:28 PM

Ivory Coast is definitely the best team of all those who are eliminated in the first round. In most other groups they would have reached easily the next round.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 02:38 PM

However, you do not need to get worried if you play badly and win.

This has certainly never appeared to worry the German team.

Their motto in full is - you do not need to get worried if you play badly and win - on penalties.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 02:44 PM

Wow... them lads can play. Even in their loss, they were exciting to watch in the second half. I think they could have gone much further with some better coaching and strategic planning.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Escamillo
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 06:08 PM

In fact, coach Pekerman sent Tevez and Messi only in the last minutes because the match was already won, and the idea of a Tevez or Messi hurt in the field panicks him. Rather than being substitutes, they are considered his treasure chest.

Andrés in Buenos Aires, today is June 16 6-0 !

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 16 Jun 06 - 08:30 PM

I'd reckon England's chances against Germany as better than their chances against Ecuador.

I'm looking forward to seeing Brazil and the Argentine meet. The rest of the games are basically warm-ups. Entertaining enough, but...

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:49 AM

We may quibble but if you asked the Ecuador or German teams who they would like to play next, out of England or Sweden - I think they would feel their chances from a meeting with Sweden were a lot better than those from a meeting with this England team and if they could, would prefer to avoid England at this stage.

And if you can't get a good manager - the next best thing is to get a lucky one. The situation is that England have already qualified, have won their first two games and have 6 points from those matches. I can think of a few other managers who would settle for that at this stage..........Even if this is more by luck than judgement.

On reflection - it was not all bad. It just looked and felt like it for 90% of the time. Watching world-class players like Gerrard playing like he has never seen a football before and does not know what to do with it other than put it high into the crowd-or give it to the other team - is frustrating to say the least........Then he finally shows us all that he has remembered and all is forgiven.

But earlier the Swedes had the same trouble with the same team, who did not even try to win. And unlike the Swedes, England did (eventually) manage to score two good goals against them. And with John Terry's fantastic defending - we managed also to stop them from scoring (just).

At least when England play Ecuador or Germany - they will have to try and place some of their team in front of the ball. I can still see us winning the whole thing with lucky old Sven.

Sven's substitutions (to a starting line-up that most of us armchair managers would have chosen) did work. Rooney was able to play and will be all the better for the run out and the hype and expectation of his entry will now subside a little. Young Arron Lennon looked just the ticket for occasions when we have to chase to get a goal. And no one else got injured or suspended. All of that will no doubt now happen in the Sweden game........................

The Ivory Coast did look good but they have now lost both of their matches (against two good teams admittedly). Angola (with 10 men) managed a draw with (FIFA's 4th best team in the world ranking) Mexico. And I am looking forward to watching Ghana play their second game today.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:51 AM

In fact, coach Pekerman sent Tevez and Messi only in the last minutes because the match was already won, and the idea of a Tevez or Messi hurt in the field panicks him. Rather than being substitutes, they are considered his treasure chest.

Andres I am desparately hoping that Argentina have hit peak form too soon - do you think they may have?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:59 AM

I am watching the games in Spain and certainly the Spanish are feeling very confident at the moment.

As far as England is concerned - we struggled for 80 minutes against a team of championship and lower league players one of whom couldn´t even get into the first team at Falkirk. We then scored a goal which would have been disallowed if the referee had seen the hair pulling. Granted Gerrard´s goal was a good one, but would he have done that if we had still have been at 0-0?

We have some great players all of whom seem intent in proving they can accurately kick a ball sixty yards. Cut out the Hollywood passes England.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 03:22 AM

Exactly!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 11:15 AM

Come On Aussie, Come On...

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 11:46 AM

It is interesting how few surprising results have come up so far. As it looks now, in the next round there'll be only West European and Latin-American teams playing plus perhaps one single outsider.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 11:59 AM

Shambles, I wonder which German team you are talking about when you speak about playing bad and winning. It looks to me as if you'd regurgitate past experiences seasoned with a good dose of prejudice.

This year's team I can rather see playing well and loosing disastrously to a team profiting from their bad and unexpwerienced defense play. In my opinion, the present German team is much more entertaining than the last four or five; worse perhaps from the success angle but they play quicker and with more risk than the years before.

Some of the old teams were not received well even when coming home with a second place, for their play was awful (last time in Mexico, for instance). This team can loose in the next round and will be cheered nonetheless. The fans have a good feeling for that.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 12:53 PM

Czech, 1,2,3... Czech 1,2,3... is this thing on? Wow! Ghana is playing some good football, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:00 PM

It is interesting how few surprising results have come up so far.

It is not over until the - etc etc. It may turn out to be tempting fate to state the half-time score where Ghana are currently one goal up against one of the fancied European teams and well deserve to be. If that is the result - it will open up a group that looked set to be a two horse race between Italy and the Czech Republic.

I will stick my neck out and predict that Ghana will win - if they manage to keep all 11 players on the pitch. Michael Essian is everywhere and playing like 3 men.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:03 PM

Actually Wolfgang, looking at how much this side has improved since the tournament started, I think you can have some optimism about the Germans. They are showing terrific spirit and cohesion at the moment. I also thought their defence looked a lot more competent on Wednesday. Poland never really got a sniff at goal. Sometimes teams emerge in the course of a tournament. I don't think Germany has any world class players at the moment. That needn't stop them becoming a world class team though. With the crowd behind them and a bit of confidence, they could well be in it.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 01:12 PM

the Germans have won two games now. not in a sort of nail bitingly awful English way, but evrybody is still saying, well they aren't that good......

after they win the next one, things will change subtly to - oh shit we've got to play them....!

round about that time, 'the unstoppable victory machine that is Germany' starts to infiltrate into pub conversations....much as 'Danny Blanchflower, the architect of the modern game' cliche afflicted an earlier generation.

trust me, I know about these things.....I watch a lot of television.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:01 PM

Well Ghana did managed to keep all of their players on the pitch. And they did go one to a well deserved 2-0 victory. It was the other team who went down to 10 men and the score could have been even more convincing but for some fine goalkeeping.

Well done Ghana.   

trust me, I know about these things.....I watch a lot of television.

No you are just prejudiced and have an active imagination. *Smiles*.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:10 PM

Well done Ghana. A great day for you Quarcoo!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 17 Jun 06 - 02:37 PM

And let´s hear it for the referees.

I know some of them have got things wrong (Crouch´s hairpull anyone?)and I know there have been one or two bad decisions.

But there has been hardly any groups of players stood abusing the refs like we get in the English game. There has been acceptance of the ref´s decsions and little foul-mouthed abuse. And there seems to be little diving now.

Which goes to show IMHO - the players don´t need to do it and can refrain from doing it when they wish.

And well done Ghana.