BS: World Cup Final

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Wolfgang
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 11:15 AM

It is so secret that your link is inaccessible for me.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: mooman
Date: 27 Jun 02 - 11:13 AM

My intelligence operatives have, with great difficulty, discovered Rui Voller's probable starting lineup for Sunday's big match.

With apologies in advance to Wolfgang!

Germany 's Starting Line for the World Cup Final

Best regards,

mooman

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Wolfgang
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 02:10 PM

Let's not forget 1950 when there was a final round and Brazil, in the last game of the tournament, only needed a draw to be champion and lost at home against Uruguay.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 02:01 PM

Brazil ALWAYS wins, except that French fluke, so I'm torn - I'd normally root for the underdog but can't bring myself to root for the Germans! Yikes! (Where is Senegal when you need them?)

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 01:02 PM

Astute observation there Spaw and as I see it one of two things will happen. Scenario one the players will let the occasion get to them and will be extremely cautious with their approach play. Resulting in a tedious game of keep ball at all costs. Noone will try to break the other down and will rely on their front players to chase on the end of long raking passes. Scenario two the players will let the occasion get to them and play open attack minded football. The Brazilians will sweep forward with that beautiful fluid passing movement and the Germans will counter using their flank men to get crosses into the Brazilian penalty area. However I have the sinking feeling that the first scenario will be closer to the mark. Still Brazil by three. Ever the opptimist Den.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 12:20 PM

I'm American and don't know jack and haven't had nearly as much experience watching world class soccer as the rest of you, but watching the semi-finals and several other matches from both teams before, my wild-ass guess is that it's going to be a bit uninspiring as both of these teams pretty much seem to play only up to the level of competition in that particular game. Maybe Brazil by one.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: GUEST,Mike Strobel
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 11:59 AM

Final : Brazil 2 Germany 1 Just a guess................................and I'm German

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 06:45 AM

Broadcasting of action replays to the crowd have certainly transformed the mood at cricket matches, where the umpiring (refereering) decisions can be much more difficult. Contrary to what I feared, this has not been for the worse, and the umpirese seem to have broad enough shoulders to live with their mistakes being publicly dissected.

I remember the England v South Africa test a couple of years ago when a replay showed Atherton had not only been fairly caught out of Donald's bowling but also must have known. He chose to stand his ground and go with the umpire's mistake, which is what sport is reduced to these days. Donald spent the next hour or so trying to kill Atherton with truly venomous bowling - a dual all the more appreciated because everyone knew what it was all about.

In my view Rivaldo should have been banned from the competition for deceitfully getting someone red-carded. The fine clearly didn't bother him, because he did the same thing again against England - clutching his face when his face hadn't been touched. I put this sort of stunt in a different league from Maradona's hand-of-God trick and football needs to crack down on it.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 06:05 AM

With the fans in the stadia seeing replays on huge screens whilst play is stopped, but the referee being unable to change his decision brings the game into disrepute. Either the big screens should show only the state of play (not the replays & different camera angles being broadcast), or the 4th official should have the discretion to use the replay facility to advise the 1st official (main ref.) to revise his decision.
This is now being used in international Rugby Union, and allows the ref. to review a seen where he was unsighted, or where his concentration was on another incident.
'Taking a dive' following a fair tackle would become much less prevalent if the offender knew that the ref. would stop play and review the incident before deciding where to award the free kick/ yellow card. IMHO

Nigel

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 05:55 AM

Yea - but the same people who are complaining would keep very quiet if a dodgy decision went their way! One of the issues facing any sport that relies on a referees or umpires decision is that all parties are bound by the same rules. And by the referees decision. Until such a time as all parties agree to instant TV replays etc. there is no point in whinging about how or when you loose.

For what it is worth my prediction is that Germany will play Brazil but due to a previously unknown virus the referee, and both his assistants, will turn blue, stand on their heads singing 'I've got a luverly bunch of coconuts' and award the match, by a points decision, to Wales. The decision will stand because a replay showing that Wales were not in fact playing will be inadmissible...

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 05:44 AM

"It's a pity that certain teams who lost did not have the grace to accept defeat."

When the defeat is the result of referees wrongly disallowing goals and so forth, and the evidence is there on film, it's expecting rather a lot for people no to register their disagreement and even suspicion of the officials, in some cases.

Of course, there was a time when it was considered unsportsmanlike even to attempt to save a penalty, when a referee awarded it. Maybe they should try to get back to that as well. But I can't see it happening myself.

Subject: RE: BS: World Cup Final
From: Bluebeard
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:50 PM

Actually, I am hoping that Turkey beat the over-rated Brasilians. They have played some very entertaining football. Germany 2 Turkey 1 ? ( My wife is German !) Been a great experience, so much soccer to see. There are always a few questionable decisions. It's a pity that certain teams who lost did not have the grace to accept defeat. On with the music !

Subject: World Cup Final
From: michaelr
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 10:18 PM

At this time, I'm predicting that Germany will beat Brazil in overtime. Any takers?

Cheers,
Michael