BS: World Cup 2010

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arnie
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 08:26 AM

I tend to favour Holland as champions, but am waiting to see what Paul the octopus selects. That's if the Germans haven't turned him into calamares after last night's defeat.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: olddude
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 07:45 AM

Spain all the way this year I think

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 08 Jul 10 - 06:47 AM

I wonder what kind of bagpipe Paul the Octopus would pick?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 10:42 PM

There should have been a penalty awarded to Germany in the final minutes of the first half. Ozil was clearly fouled in the box. Germany was robbed!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 06:59 PM

Here's Paul the Octopus picking Spain to beat Germany.

Thank you Paul. He couldn't have been going by form, because Spain hadn't played as well as that in any of the previous matches.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:24 PM

Me too, but Spain really took it the Germans and never let up. The Germans seemed tentative and defensive, rather than "letting fly" with their explosive offense.

Well done, Spain.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: bobad
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:23 PM

The octopus calls it again.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:21 PM

Well done Spain.

I would have preferred Netherlands v Duitsland

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 04:01 PM

Great goal by Spain

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 03:31 PM

Hmmmmm... quite a cat and mouse game so far. Perhaps a strategy by the Germans to try to tire Spain? Or a Spanish strategy to keep Germany contained? Possesion by Spain has fallen steadily from 65% aften 15 minutes.

I know "anything" can happen, but strategy attempts to influence that, right?

Anyway... it's still exciting.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 01:54 PM

I heard that the Spanish coach said Spain would have to step it up because at their level of play lately, even a team like Canada could beat them. (My mother... so I didn't search it out.)

GO GERMANY!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 06:17 AM

By the way, whoever wins the last two games, it will remain that no nation has won the World Cup with a foreign manager - as I say above, let's hope that FIFA change the rule before the next one, such that it never happens.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 07 Jul 10 - 06:06 AM

hi

Here is my 2nd attempt as my first effort disappeared down the Mudcat Triangle.

Holland deserved to win in a good game to watch. Two outstanding goals.

How Forlan has improved since leaving Manchester United !!!!
He didn't score many goals in his four years at Old Trafford when ( I think undeservedly ) he was tagged with the nickname of Forlorn.
I always liked him and although he didn't score many goals he always ran his socks off and was a great clubman. I always liked him.

Because of my Spanish connections I will be shouting for Spain. I don't think they have shown their true form yet. They will have to find it to beat Germany but I think they will do it.

So we will have an all Europe Final. Either way it will be a great game.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 07:20 PM

Very interesting now.

I don't think Spain could beat Holland. I think Holland are too strong and control the Game well with a combinatiion of physicality and good possession of the ball.

I Think Germany could beat Holland as they have the physicality in midfield, but also the X factor in attack.

But I also think Spain could beat Germany - so we may never know how Germany v Holland would pan out.

Its a triangle of evenly matched teams in an elaborate game of Stone Paper Scissors that Holland may be destined to win.

I'll be cheering for Germany against Spain though - then we'll see an exciting and phydical final that the Afrikaaners will enjoy but the rest of us may find a bit rough.

The ref would face a challenge.

Maybe I want Spain to win after all ...

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 05:00 PM

They was "robbed"?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 04:54 PM

Enjoyed a couple of great strikes, and what a powerful header.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 04:52 PM

Was that last card for a handball?

I was glad tu see URU get that second goal after the idiot foul and card taken. WHY would he do that???? Yer up 3-1 and there are minutes left... WHY???

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 04:31 PM

Well done Holland. Now to hopefully beat the Germans in the final

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:39 PM

this is a class act game so far

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:33 PM

The passing of URU is so sharp... a treasure to watch.

I thought NED would keep up the press they mounted after their goal but it seemed to fizzle quickly.

I expect some fast and furious action as soon as the second half starts... no time for cat and mouse stuff now.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:25 PM

Yes ,,, hat's off to Forlan.

smooth, very smooth

GO URUGUAY ! ! !

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:18 PM

Oh dear, Forlan makes it 1 - 1 :-(

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:03 PM

Wondered what you were going on about Gnu :-)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:01 PM

Oh my.... I was looking at the match page and did not realize the Germany-Spainn game is tomorrow. I am stinkin up the place with brain farts.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 03:01 PM

What a Stonker of a goal from van Bronkhorst.

Oranje Boven

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 02:38 PM

Força Uruguay ! ! !


biLL

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 02:28 PM

GO NED!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 01:18 PM

Big day today. The CBC is airing the Germany-Spain game 3.5 hours after the other game airs live. So, I shall have to shut the doors and windows and keep the radio and TV off as soon as the whistle ends the first game.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 10:01 AM

hi wav

My understanding of Southgate'e demise at Middlesbrough was that he had been given the resources to enable him to make the team into a viable contender for European Champions League. Eg to finish in the top 4 in the Premier League.

At first they did quite well but best finish was 8th. Then they were relegated to the 2nd level and Southgate's career was being questioned by the fans.

He was sacked with Middlesbrough lying fourth but doubts existed that they would be promoted. He was surprisingly sacked but it was to make way for "a more experienced manager " Gordon Strachan.

The team did not do well at first under the new manager but this was expected as he was changing the whole squad around.

One other point against his qualification for managership of England is that Southgate does not possess the necessary coaching qualifications to coach in the Premier League never mind England.
He is apparently studying for these and no doubt this will enable to progress as his undoubted abilities suggest.

Regards

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arnie
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 09:59 AM

So now we know why Wayne Rooney performed so badly in all four England World Cup matches. Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Man Utd and Wayne's boss, today blamed the 'weight of expectation' for Rooney's failure to put in a half-decent performance. So whenever Wayne lost the ball, or passed it to an opposing player, which happened almost every touch, it wasn't his lack of footballing skill or focus, it was the 'weight of expectation' on his slender shoulders. Must remember that as an excuse at work. Yes boss, I made a major error that has cost the company a lot of money, but you see it was the weight of expectation that made me do it!Is Alex F taking the piss or what????

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 06:04 AM

Mike - I thought Southgate left Middlesbrough in not such a bad position, and things went down a lot thereafter..?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: michaelr
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 04:33 PM

Thanks for explaining that, lox. Makes sense.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 11:57 AM

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse - PM
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 04:55 PM

""To Mike: I don't follow our club football very closely these days (I like the way it was, too - i.e., mostly locals in MEANINGFUL competition), but whenever I hear Gareth Southgate interviewed he seems to me a good football manager..?""

Hi wav

I think I would have agreed with you had he managed Middlesbrough more successfully. He was given every chance there with one of the most patient and understanding chairmen in the game. But in the end though he didn't want to get rid of Southgate the bad results and the fans staying away forced his hand.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 06:40 PM

Michaelr

What CET is talking about is something comparable to a penalty try in rugby, where it is determined by the ref that in the absence of the foul, there would have been no other hindrance to points being scored, hence the try is given instead of a free kick or penalty.

A penalty goal therefore would be a goal which was awarded without a penalty kick being necessary. In this case the ref would see that if Soarez hadn't handled the ball it would definitely have gone into the goal, therefore a goal would be awarded.

I am in two minds about this approach. I can see the justification for it, but unlike the issue of goal line technology this would be a significant change to the rules and character of the game of football.

Tricky ...

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 04:55 PM

To Mike: I don't follow our club football very closely these days (I like the way it was, too - i.e., mostly locals in MEANINGFUL competition), but whenever I hear Gareth Southgate interviewed he seems to me a good football manager..?

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: michaelr
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 04:53 PM

"there are no penalty goals in soccer"

?????

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: CET
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 03:35 PM

As an occasional soccer fan (once every four years), perhaps someone can enlighten me on why there are no penalty goals in soccer. A columnist in today's paper was opining that penalty goals (such as in other sports, like rugby and hockey) are not the way to go in soccer because the modern game is too fast and the referee has too much to keep track of. I have a hard time buying that. If the referee was close enough to award a red card and a penalty kick against Uruguay in the dying seconds of the match against Ghana, he was close enough to award a penalty goal. As it was, blatant cheating got Uruguay a reprieve. Admittedly, Ghana had their chance to make it good with a penalty shot, but it should never have come to that.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 03:05 PM

If the knockout round of sixteen were replaced by one made up of four groups of four, that would mean an additional sixteen games, ie an extra week of the finals.

Not at all impossible, and it would reduce the likelihood of teams getting knocked out by perverse results, such as that which did for Ghana in the game with Uruguay.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 02:00 PM

"Maradona would like to see that, also"

Hahahahaaaa!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 01:54 PM

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse - PM
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 11:26 AM

""Yes, Mike, but "we" included an Italian paid a fortune to tell as how to play our favourite sport - unthinkable at the turn of the Millennium, and for all those decades before.""

Hi walkabout

I know but life changes. We are to all intents and purposes in Europe and we exchange jobs in both directions. Also it is not that new we also paid a Swede a fortune too !!!

We are not well blessed with potential England managers either....I can only think of two that might be entrusted with the job. Harry Rednapp or Sam Allerdice.

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 11:31 AM

Someone will 'win', but single elimination in this round never proves who was the better team, especially with officiating mistakes and penalty shoot-outs.

I would love to see a longer format where every team in the round of 16 played each other 3 times. (Yes, I know it would take weeks, and it will never happen....but.)(Oh...I'll bet that right now, Maradona would like to see that, also)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 11:26 AM

Yes, Mike, but "we" included an Italian paid a fortune to tell as how to play our favourite sport - unthinkable at the turn of the Millennium, and for all those decades before.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 10:37 AM

hi

After the demise of England I believed that Spain would win the World Cup.
However after watching last night's game I think I may be on another loser. Spain were quite ordinary and could easily have lost.

Germany's performance against Argentina was outstanding and if they can keep reproducing that form they should win - but beware nothing is certain !!!

One thing we English can take is that maybe our performance against Germany was not so bad as we first thought. After all we did manage to score two goals against Germany when the much vaunted Argentinian attack was blunted and their defence was ripped even more wide open the England's.

We have to be grateful for small mercies...lol

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 06:48 PM

Well, it's that new ball... what crap!

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: WalkaboutsVerse
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 05:24 PM

From the bits I've seen, the German attackers tend to calmly pass in front of goal to maximise their chances, where others are taking longer shots.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 03:57 PM

Wolfgang
Lets hope you are shaking your head in dismay if Holland beat you in the final :-)

It's about time.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: GUEST,Wolfgang
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 03:33 PM

After the match I sat 10 more minutes on the sofa shaking my head in amazed disbelief.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: gnu
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 12:48 PM

Wow.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Lox
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 12:20 PM

Germany were indeed masterful.

Capello can breathe a sigh of relief that the pressure is off him a little.

I'm not convinced that a Holland Germany final would be that entertaining.

I fear it could be a grim physical affair with some injuries and some resentment.

I hope not ...

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup 2010
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 12:07 PM

Germany were masterful.

My hope is still that Holland play Germany in the final and that Holland win.