I see Germany plays Costa Rica today. That should be a fun match.
On Monday is the big game for me though. USA vs. Czech Republic!
GO USA!!! USA!!
World Cup starting!
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PanzerMeyer
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World Cup starting!
I have learned from experience that a modicum of snuff can be most efficacious - Baron Munchausen
Germany 4:2 Costa Rica
Germany had most of the possession and controlled the match for the most part. They had two beautiful strikes that opened and closed the match as far as results are concerned. But they looked very wayward at the back, even against a shuffled Costa Rica side who did threaten. Far too often I'd have to say. Germany always looked like they should win it, but all credit to Costa Rica who made a game of it, and with a little luck going the other way, could have stolen the game. They shouldn't be written off yet either.
For our cousins across the pond, I'd like to suggest holding the game stats(for all games) with a little tongue-in-cheek. They never really tell the story of any game of football. Having sampled North American sports channel reporting myself, I have seen first-hand how they (the channel operators & reporters) saturate the viewer with stats of who, when, where, how many etc., That to me and many others over here and around the world, never really expresses the games content properly. That requires words and lots of them. Sure, there are games that stats play a vital role. One of them being hockey for example. But even there, stats leave a void in telling the story of how the game played out. just my two cents . . . . enjoy the finals.
Germany had most of the possession and controlled the match for the most part. They had two beautiful strikes that opened and closed the match as far as results are concerned. But they looked very wayward at the back, even against a shuffled Costa Rica side who did threaten. Far too often I'd have to say. Germany always looked like they should win it, but all credit to Costa Rica who made a game of it, and with a little luck going the other way, could have stolen the game. They shouldn't be written off yet either.
For our cousins across the pond, I'd like to suggest holding the game stats(for all games) with a little tongue-in-cheek. They never really tell the story of any game of football. Having sampled North American sports channel reporting myself, I have seen first-hand how they (the channel operators & reporters) saturate the viewer with stats of who, when, where, how many etc., That to me and many others over here and around the world, never really expresses the games content properly. That requires words and lots of them. Sure, there are games that stats play a vital role. One of them being hockey for example. But even there, stats leave a void in telling the story of how the game played out. just my two cents . . . . enjoy the finals.
It is not the technique that wins a fight, but the more furious mind - Kodiak WOF
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
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PanzerMeyer
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Probably one of the best chances they've had in a long time - but they are very unlikely to win IMHO. There are a few other teams which are in a whole class above England - Brasil, Argentina but to name two.
It is not the technique that wins a fight, but the more furious mind - Kodiak WOF
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
Brasil are no doubt the bookies favourite (and i've got them in my house sweepstake...hurrah), but i reckon if Rooney's fit then England are on a par with Argentina. I think like most south american teams Argentina, and in fact Brasil, are shaky at the back, and as long as we take the attitude that attack is the best form of defence then we stand a reasonable chance.
[img]http://www.151recon.org/Mooses%20Sig.gif[/img]
Personally, I feel that England versus Argentina recently was not Argentina's better game we saw. They will be much stronger in their World Cup campaign.
I've just watched the opening England game - not very promising IMHO. Good first half, looked fairly comfortable. But second half :shock:
they really made a meal of it. Even if you stick Rooney in there it won't make that much difference. Second half, England were almost hanging on by the skin of their teeth. And the chances that Paraguay had (they were a little unlucky too), teams will punish with goals in the later stages of the tournament. England's defence is by no means solid looking right now.
Brasil, Argentina, Germany may all be somewhat suspect at the back. But these are teams with such flair and skill that they can more than compensate for that with goals at the other end. And I don't think England quite have enough of that. Other teams seem to be able to pull them out of their game all too easily. I think they'll do well, but they won't make it past the semis mate. Their single biggest problem is the pressure placed on them by the country's expectations. Expectations which far outweigh the team's relative ability amongst the company they keep at World Cup finals. Given the sort of results we've all seen in past competitions, it should be understood without comment that no-one is anyone's whipping boy. I needn't remind you that Poland just got spanked 2-0 by Ecuador last night!
I've just watched the opening England game - not very promising IMHO. Good first half, looked fairly comfortable. But second half :shock:
they really made a meal of it. Even if you stick Rooney in there it won't make that much difference. Second half, England were almost hanging on by the skin of their teeth. And the chances that Paraguay had (they were a little unlucky too), teams will punish with goals in the later stages of the tournament. England's defence is by no means solid looking right now. Brasil, Argentina, Germany may all be somewhat suspect at the back. But these are teams with such flair and skill that they can more than compensate for that with goals at the other end. And I don't think England quite have enough of that. Other teams seem to be able to pull them out of their game all too easily. I think they'll do well, but they won't make it past the semis mate. Their single biggest problem is the pressure placed on them by the country's expectations. Expectations which far outweigh the team's relative ability amongst the company they keep at World Cup finals. Given the sort of results we've all seen in past competitions, it should be understood without comment that no-one is anyone's whipping boy. I needn't remind you that Poland just got spanked 2-0 by Ecuador last night!
It is not the technique that wins a fight, but the more furious mind - Kodiak WOF
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
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PanzerMeyer
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PanzerMeyer
- Posts: 4798
- Joined: 10 Feb 2004, 08:54
- Location: Miami, Florida
Yup! I watched the first half myself, and have to say it was awkward at best. Didn't see how it finished, but doesn't sound like it was up to much. Would have to watch it to determine how' bogus' a call that first red for USA was. Italy's was a definitive red, no question.
Something you must recognise is, that many European teams and a lot of the South American teams play the game in a very unsporting fashion. Taking dives and feigning fouls of one kind or another is commonplace.
You'd think the referees would actually be wise to it, but they seem so, so gullible you find yourself wanting to show the ref a red card as well.
Something you must recognise is, that many European teams and a lot of the South American teams play the game in a very unsporting fashion. Taking dives and feigning fouls of one kind or another is commonplace.
You'd think the referees would actually be wise to it, but they seem so, so gullible you find yourself wanting to show the ref a red card as well.
It is not the technique that wins a fight, but the more furious mind - Kodiak WOF
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
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PanzerMeyer
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Yeah, but not necessarily how it will end. Sweden are a strong team, and even though they are having to soak-up a lot of pressure at the moment, just wait for the second half! It'll change around, I reckon.
Not to mention England's goalkeeper hasn't been thoroughly tested yet, that'll happen soon enough when they meet Ecuador, if not in the 2nd half of this game. Don't forget, England have re-shuffled to accomodate Owen's injury, and that seems to be working for them because they already have used that set-up. Sweden haven't yet counteracted that properly, they may find a formula in the dressingroom, as often happens in this game.
Not to mention England's goalkeeper hasn't been thoroughly tested yet, that'll happen soon enough when they meet Ecuador, if not in the 2nd half of this game. Don't forget, England have re-shuffled to accomodate Owen's injury, and that seems to be working for them because they already have used that set-up. Sweden haven't yet counteracted that properly, they may find a formula in the dressingroom, as often happens in this game.
It is not the technique that wins a fight, but the more furious mind - Kodiak WOF
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
You are stuck on stupid. I'm not going to answer that question! - Gen Honore, New Orleans Sep 05
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Buffalo Six
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/rant on
ok, I have admitted that I just dont get this sport. It's cool, I bet most Europeans dont get baseball, and I can accept that and am fine with it. heh
But you want to know one of the main reasons that we in the US dont really pay much attention to soccer here, other than when our 8 year olds are pack running around a field chasing a multi colored ball? WE SUCK AT IT!
Here in the states the buzz started months ago. US team ranked #5 in the WC standings, best team in 50 years, yada yada. US companies put up insane jack (money) to sponcer it, ESPN/ABC is showing all the games live. which due to time zones is pretty much when most of us are at work, but the hype was insane.
Now Ghana has scoreboard on the US. Great.... 0 and freaking 3 (tie = loss in our minds). Ghana. Are you freaking kidding me? Aren't they starving or something? Dont they have a civil war to take care of? Ghana?
Prediction....US soccer fades into complete obscurity for another 50 years.
I feel for ESPN/ABC because now, their ratings will plunge, and the only people who will continue watchign are transplanted Europeans (whos teams are still in) and the 8 billion illegals here in the US. lol, I wonder how happy Budweiser is right now? Yes I agree with you that Bud sucks, you get no argument on that from me, just leave my Coors (pronounced "Currs" here in flyover country) out of it.
Anyway, hope your teams do better. Good luck to all.
Ghana....un freaking believeable
/rant off
ok, I have admitted that I just dont get this sport. It's cool, I bet most Europeans dont get baseball, and I can accept that and am fine with it. heh
But you want to know one of the main reasons that we in the US dont really pay much attention to soccer here, other than when our 8 year olds are pack running around a field chasing a multi colored ball? WE SUCK AT IT!
Here in the states the buzz started months ago. US team ranked #5 in the WC standings, best team in 50 years, yada yada. US companies put up insane jack (money) to sponcer it, ESPN/ABC is showing all the games live. which due to time zones is pretty much when most of us are at work, but the hype was insane.
Now Ghana has scoreboard on the US. Great.... 0 and freaking 3 (tie = loss in our minds). Ghana. Are you freaking kidding me? Aren't they starving or something? Dont they have a civil war to take care of? Ghana?
Prediction....US soccer fades into complete obscurity for another 50 years.
I feel for ESPN/ABC because now, their ratings will plunge, and the only people who will continue watchign are transplanted Europeans (whos teams are still in) and the 8 billion illegals here in the US. lol, I wonder how happy Budweiser is right now? Yes I agree with you that Bud sucks, you get no argument on that from me, just leave my Coors (pronounced "Currs" here in flyover country) out of it.
Anyway, hope your teams do better. Good luck to all.
Ghana....un freaking believeable
/rant off
yeah well...
actually the US had agreat team about, maybe, 10 years ago that aqitted itself quite well in the world cup. anyone remember that one? not sure exactly when it was...
personally i like soccer, MUCH more than baseball. maybe because i have played...considering looking for a local league. just not sure about the time commitment it will require.
actually the US had agreat team about, maybe, 10 years ago that aqitted itself quite well in the world cup. anyone remember that one? not sure exactly when it was...
personally i like soccer, MUCH more than baseball. maybe because i have played...considering looking for a local league. just not sure about the time commitment it will require.
Helmut
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PanzerMeyer
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The US team played against Germany in the semi-finals back in 2002. They lost 1-0 against a very tough German team so yes, they were much better a few years ago.Steel wrote:yeah well...
actually the US had agreat team about, maybe, 10 years ago that aqitted itself quite well in the world cup. anyone remember that one? not sure exactly when it was...
Last edited by PanzerMeyer on 22 Jun 2006, 13:27, edited 1 time in total.
I have learned from experience that a modicum of snuff can be most efficacious - Baron Munchausen
Plus the rankings are based on teams played, and the USA has played mostly weaker international sides, hence being boosted up the rankings. If you look at the rankings atm (i think) you'll find that other than Brazil at the top, the usual suspects (Argentina et al) are missing
[img]http://www.151recon.org/Mooses%20Sig.gif[/img]