BS: Football World Cup 2006

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 02:15 PM

Now John that's simply not true, truly entertaining match.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:55 PM

That Divis is the perfect definition of Schadenfreude.
G

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:51 PM

Although it is sad to see them lose, I shall be very glad to get back to real news in the papers and on TV for a change.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Divis Sweeney
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:51 PM

Without doubt just watched the most pleasurable game of the World Cup so far. Excellent win for Portugal well done.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:44 PM

He was quite rightly sent off and England's shame is now complete. Well done Portugal!
They beat England with a reserve team.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:33 PM

that cunning portuguese swine - trying to break Rooney's metatarsals with his bollocks!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 01:13 PM

This is unbearable. England are fighting hard, but are frankly being outclassed in passing and movement. No game is ever lost for certain when Steve Gerrard is on the field, but this one really does have "heroic failure" written all over it. Please God don't let it go to penalties...

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 12:29 PM

Rooney off and England now have no striker at all. It looks like they are about to lose to Portugal's reserves. Even if England fluked a win - they would be cannon fodder against Brazil on Wednesday without a proper striker. What a disgraceful end to their World Cup campaign.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Ernest
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 12:16 PM

Walked past an vegetarian indian restaurant today. In the place where they used to have some kind of shrine for some indian god was - guess what - a tv-screen.

So much for monotheism.

Best
Ernest

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 11:59 AM

Half time and no score yet but both teams looking dangerous at times. And pretty poor at others:-(

Please, please, please don't let it go to penalties. Anything but that!

DtG - getting back before they restart.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Big Mick
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 10:27 AM

Germany needs to get 40 virgins, a pot of gold, a spinning wheel that turns straw to gold, a goose that lays a golden egg, and whatever else they can find and give it to their goalkeeper. He was magnificent in that shootout.

Mick, who loves watching the World Cup.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 10:11 AM

Just come back from Asda where they are selling Italian shirts for half price. Think they know something we don't?

England 2 Portugal 1

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 08:37 AM

I only could see the 90 minutes and then had to go.
Argentine was better until they scored a goal. But the statistics of the first half were interesting: Roughly two third ball possession for Argentine but only 1 shot to the goal opposed to 5 by Germany.

Both Argentine and Germany were leading before yesterday in the penalty shootout records with three won both. Italy is worst BTW with all three lost.

But Germany has never beaten Italy yet in any of the four world cup gemes between the two. Earlier this year Italy has beaten Germany 4:1 and that was only because they were lazy in the second half. I see Italy in the final except after a boring 120 minutes 0:0.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,Hans Mueller
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 07:30 AM

Yes!!!!! Predictions just for fun:

England 1 - 2 Portugal
Brazil 2 - 3 France (or 0 - 3)

Germany 2 - 4 Italy
Portugal 0 - 2 France

Italy 1 - 2 France

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 07:00 AM

bit of a wag yourself, sir, if you don't mind me sayin'....

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,Scotland forever
Date: 01 Jul 06 - 04:24 AM

England leave the World Cup today after a easy run playing rubbish teams. Them and their paid hookers, also known as WAGS will leave Germany and look back on their series of dives on the field..

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 08:04 PM

It was a similar pattern as France v Spain. First half was all Argentina. The game was theirs in the second half too, until they made the substitutions.

It was argued that having a strong bench for a manager to pick from was going to be important in the later stages. Perhaps in Argentina's case - there was too many to choose from?

I see the man of the match went to Ballack. I would have chosen Tevez. He was very unfortunate to be on the losing side after making his contribution, but I suppose he is young enough to be on the winning side in future competitions. I do hope so.

The moral of this tale - as often before is - don't get into a penalty shoot-out with Germany.................

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 07:59 PM

As you probably all guessed. I know sod all about football. I'm not much of a fan - I have difficulty in sitting through an entire match.

However - this is the third time I've had some sort of music product in the shops connected with the German team and at the time of a major tournament. So I've watched their build up a couple of times with a sort of detached professional interest.

the apparently low key preparedness, the talking down in interviews of their chances, the uniformity with which that is presented - it all masks a steely determination.

As for which teams will stand in their way. i personally think that 'teamlike' teams like the Italians, and to some extent the Brazilians in a way are easier for them to figure out. In the same way that snooker players like Thorburn and Steve Davies worked out strategies to break the rhythm and concentration of players like Alex Higgins and Jimmy White. I should imagine the set pieces and sequences of highly co-ordinated teams are easier to second guess than teams built around the strengths of talented individuals.

I remember running round the living room - punching the air with excitement when Rummenigge's goal went in against Argentina in '86. I'm saving myself up for that reaction when Ballack sticks one in this time. I hope he hasn't hurt himself too badly.

best wishes to all.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: ard mhacha
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 02:42 PM

If ever a team deserved to lose it was Argentina, retreating into defence to defend a one goal lead, and the taking off there only playmaker Riquleme, gutless in the extreme.
Well done Germany you deserved your victory.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 02:35 PM

That was a spirited fightback and excellent win over a vastly more talented team. The Germans simply wanted it more and they stepped up a gear after they had fallen behind. I doubt if you will get very long odds against a Brazil Germany final now. Maybe WLD is right. He obviously did not see the Germans six weeks ago, when they did not like beating anyone. Today they stepped up a class and of all the remaining sides, only Brazil look remotely capable of beating them.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 02:16 PM

WooHoo - My prediction is still on-track then:-)

Trouble is now Germany have now used up the score I predict in the final against England.

:D (tG)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 01:31 PM

I predict that Germany v Argentina will go to penalties.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 30 Jun 06 - 06:56 AM

And some confirmed.

The Spanish team always promise more than they deliver.

Never write-off any German team.

The African teams can do everything but score goals.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Folkiedave
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 07:01 PM

Some World Cup Myths Dispelled

David Beckham contributes nothing, he's not even any good at dead-ball striking now.

It's referees from nations who aren't much good at football being "given a go" at the World Cup who ruin matches (thanks to a Mr Poll for that particular bit of chop busting),

Ronaldo is overweight, past it, and couldn't score in a seedy metaphor.

Mexico are rubbish and make a mockery of the FIFA world rankings.

Portugal versus Holland; that should be a game for the purists.

Germany have their worst team ever; only Ballack's any good, they'll be lucky to make the second round.

Say what you like about the USA, I think they might just ruffle a few feathers on their way to the semis.

Argentina will destroy everone.

If only England played like the Czech Republic...

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

In view of the. "Boot it up in the air and chase it," style of football favoured when Peter Crouch is in the team, I should think that his name is the one which the Portuguese would most like to see on the team sheet. Some will laugh, some will yawn, but very few will fear him at this level!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 03:15 AM

FIFA's thinking behind this appointment is as follows

England have a chance to win
With Rooney, Crouch and Beckham
We can't have that
We'll knock them flat
An Argentinian ref will wreck 'em

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 02:44 AM

That was in in honour of the Argentinian refree set to take the England v Portugal match - who (unlike me) is a poet.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 02:04 AM

Agentina has the Tango
Brazil lets the Samba rip
They lead us all a merry dance
England have got to get a Grip

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:26 PM

Well, anything could be better than tatooed, beer bellied wallies growling out of tune (or even in tune) "God Save The Queen". Bring on the Swedish folk music!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:04 PM

England's secret weapon - is Swedish folk music?

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 03:56 PM

And here's a picture of him playing.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 03:15 PM

...As the tension mounts before Saturday, perhaps England's players can take
solace in a familiar soothing sound to ease those nerves. Namely the
accordion skills of assistant manager, Tord Grip. Apparently Tord is very
accomplished, his nimble fingers getting many a good tune out of an old
accordion. And a Swedish journalist told me Tord has already got his hands
on one for the tournament. So picture this, Wayne Rooney listening intently
to the strains of "Ack Värmeland du sköna", or maybe the Yuletide melody
"Hej, tomtegubbar". My own personal favourite is "Johan på Snippen" -
although I dread to think what it's about.

reposted from the 'net... Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online chief football
writer    28 Jun 06, 03:55 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:57 PM

I'll go along with what you say about Germany Wolfgang. It all seems to have come together in the past few weeks. They are much better to watch and they are playing like a team and to their strengths.
If Argentina play to their full potential on Saturday, they will win. No one is taking that for certain though. I also think the Germans are quite fair enough to support Jurgen Klinsmann if they give Argentina a good game. They are proud of the effort and morale of this side. The DFB will not find it easy to sack him.
On the whole, I think this tournament has been a lot better than the previous one. The French and the Argentines barely turned up last time. No one can say that now. The quarter finalists all look like possible winners, with the exception of the Ukraine. I think they will prove cannon fodder for Argentina in the unlikely event that they make it to the semi final.
Brazil still look like the best bet, because they can win comfortably without even playing well. I don't expect the French to do them any favours though, and given a little luck...

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 02:26 PM

All teams retreat, everything is tactical and pre-exercised, nothing's vibrating. Germany is the exception. I wish Brazil would play like Germany (Tostao, from the Brazilian winning team of 1970)

That is too much of a praise, but I know what he means. Brazil was fed up with having an individually brilliant team and not winning the championship after 1970 for more than two decades. Then the public pressure decided if they couldn't have both at the same time, the title and the Samba, they'd go for the title instead.

Since then Brazil has been in all three finals but their play has lost the easiness and the Samba. They are still individually brilliant but it shows that the majority of their players now play in European teams. They have learned to play efficiently, with very low risk. and they have become more boring than before the 90s. With the exception of some rare incidents of individual brilliance they play much more like the other teams than at Pele's time. Sometimes for several minutes you can't tell they are Brazil and not some other team, except that their ball control is better than let's say Germany, but not really better than Mexico or Italy or France.

Germany had a team which was a pleasure to watch in the 60s and in part of the 70s. After then some individually great players left and they started to play like bureaucrats or exercising soldiers for more than two decades. They were successful but very boring to watch. They could destroy a game but they couldn't really play.

The present team plays a different style. Since more than two decades I have never had so much fun watching them as now. They are a bit young and the individual class is missing in some players but the way they play as a team is a welcome change from 20 years of what we call civil-servant-football.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 01:25 PM

We made a mistake not stopping (Frank) Ribery with a tactical foul before he scored-

Perhaps something was lost in translation - which may have also been the case in the racist remarks this coach was supposed to have said to the French players about Arsenal's Henry, a while back.

After the free kick which resulted in the 2nd French goal - I would to hate the think what he is saying (in private) about Henry now. I sure Henry thinks that justice was done......

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 12:32 PM

"Professional foul" is the term generally used in English football. I don't know why. That kind of thing is not exactly unknown in the amateur game...

I've never understood how home advantage works. I'd have thought that having a hostile crowd baying for your blood would be just the thing to make players more determined. Leaving aside the situation where there is a genuine possibility of a pitch invasion.

Anyway if there's a home continent advantage that should help Ghana next time, even though it's nearly as far from there to Cape Town as it is to Berlin. Better luck next time - Ghana could well have scored a couple against Brazil with a bit better finishing. (Though I suspect that if that had happened Brazil woudl have lifted their game and scored a couple more.)

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Wolfgang
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 12:00 PM

I'm really surprised what the coach has made within the time of six weeks with the German team. Some of them don't even play regularly in their clubs. The defense still looks quite vulnerable but the attacking part of the team is unusually good. With Klose the team has one more player of international class than I had thought.

Also, the style they play is somewhat new to me. Where is the old safety first, no risk no fun, boring play we were used to? This team may lose against Argentine and we'll still love them more than many of the old teams.

Argentine is a tough task, they have played well, so far. I would have preferred Mexico but the majority of the team say they prefer Argentine. Last time Germany has beaten Argentine was in 1990, so I don't know what makes them prefer Argentine.

Summary of the groups:
5 teams from Africa played, one reached the last sixteen (eliminated now)
4 teams from Asia played, none reached the next round
14 teams from Europe played, 10 made the next round (6 still in)
4 teams from South America played, all four came through (2 still in)
4 teams from North America played, 1 made the next round and was eliminated then.
Australia is the missing team, but I don't know where to put them.

Well, for a world cup it is always a good idea to have teams from many parts of the world, but quite a few European and South American teams who had to stay home would have been stronger than many of the other teams. I see no reason to give the other parts of the world more places as they sometimes demand.

Last time it looked as if the former "weak" teams had their breakthrough but this time the quarter finals look like we were used to see them: 6 from Europe, 2 from South America.
1998: 6 Europe, 2 (the same two of course) South America
1994: 7 Europe 1 South America
1990: 6 Europe, 1 South America, 1 Africa
1986: 5 Europe, 2 South America and the host (Mexico)
1982: no quarter finals, of the last 12 10 were from Europe and usual 2 from South America
1978: no quarter finals but of the last 8 5 were from Europe, 3 from South America
1974: no quarter finals, but of the last eight it was 6/2 once more
1970: 4 Europe, 3 South America and Mexico (host)
1966: I stopped there

It is know that there seems to be an advantage for the home team, but did you know that there is an even stronger advantage for the home continent?
The finals were 7 times in America. Each time an American team did win.
The finals were 9 times in Europe: 8 times a European team did win. Only once, in 1958, the Brazilean dream team with Didi, Vava, Pele, Garrincha could win in Europe.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 06:44 AM

Saying, "We should have committed a tactical foul," is effectively saying, "I wish we had cheated". I am not sad to see that sides who think like that are on the plane home.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Escamillo
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:39 AM

Excuse my ignorance, Mr. Aragonés, what is a "Tactical foul" ?? Oh, I see, it is an intentional foul against one player who approaches too fast to the area. A Strategical Foul is when all the 11 players attack the other team with baseball bats !

If Argentina reaches the semi-finals I invite six Mudcatters (air ticket not included) for a dinner in Buenos Aires where they will taste the best beef in the world. And attend a tango concert too.

Un abrazo - Andrés

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 05:10 AM

Luis ARAGONES (ESP)
It was a very even game. We had more possession in the first half and created more opportunities. We made a mistake not stopping (Frank) Ribery with a tactical foul before he scored, and I didn't think there was a foul for the second goal. Even so, we weren't able to stop their player in time.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:56 AM

It was the same old Spainish teams as of old. Promising much but delivering little.

What happened to them? The first half was one of the best games of this tournament and despite conceeding a goal - Spain had the better of it. The second half they never looked like winning and even in the time left, after France's second goal, they didn't seem to want to know.

Talk about a game of two halfs - or is that halves?

I must admit my predictions for the quarter finals were not very accurate - but I did get Brazil, England, Portugal and Argentina right.

I confidently predict that the semi finals will be Agentina v Italy and England v Brazil.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Kweku
Date: 28 Jun 06 - 04:21 AM

Yeah its the score that counts. Now all we have to do is, learn our lessons quickly,get better goal scorers and keep the team together. Ghana played the qualifier with 80 players and 5 coaches,that is to tell you that we have loads of players but the problem is getting the right team.

But I am very proud of our teanm,in the end we lost to an experienced side. But there is always a next time. Watch out for Ghana in 2010.

GHANAAAA! NEVER SAY DIE.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,saulgoldie
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:54 PM

Bra-zil! Bra-zil!

Well, they outscored Ghana, but Ghana definitely outplayed Brazil. But it's the score that counts, you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: GUEST,s
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 08:53 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 07:52 PM

Not the only one, Escamillo - I'm hoping and expecting to see Argentina beat Germany on Friday, and then go on to beat Italy in the semi and Brazil in the final.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 06:37 PM

Yes.... Ronaldo... congrats for scoring the record breaker and the only (real) goal of the game.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 02:29 PM

Sorry to see Ghana go home. They provided a lot more skill and entertainment than many teams who remain. They played well against Brazil and had a real go at them - but Brazil still mangaged to win 3 - 0 and without appearing to really break sweat.............

Congratulations also to Ronaldo who with his fine goal in today's game became the highest individual goal scorer in World Cup Finals. He is some player and is still able to do things that his critics can only dream about. It is delight and a privilige to see him play so well, at the highest level and under the most incredible pressure.

What he does may look lazy to some but that is because he does what he does so well that it appears to be easy. More to come.

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 04:09 AM

I have always been fond of saying that in football, even the better side requires luck to win. That is why it is so hard to predict anything.
As to the quarter finals, Argentina against Germany looks like a cracker. Argentina have more natural individual skill and at times have also blended majestically. This team looks more like the football artists of 1978 than the - erm - less attractive side of 1990... Germany have less natural talent, but they have found form and a rhythm at just the right time. They will also have the crowd behind them. I am making no predictions, but it could well be the best game in the tournament. I won't miss it!

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: The Shambles
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 02:45 AM

I think we can safely say that either team out of Germany v Argentina will most probably go on to feature in the final.

We can say with more certainty that one of them will not.

Which one will it be?

The best team of the two is Argentina who have been the outstanding team of the competition so far - so it is bound to be them who go out (probably after a penalty shoot-out).

Subject: RE: BS: Football World Cup 2006
From: Escamillo
Date: 27 Jun 06 - 01:59 AM

I feel here like a lonely fan waving an Argentine flag in the stadium, but.. ok, all are friends after all, and we Argies are still on the way ! And nobody has made a reservation for a ticket to Buenos Aires next Friday. Wolfgang, would you bet for a virtual beer ?

Un abrazo - Andrés