| msu79gt82 |
They are already gossiping about a "juiced" ball:eek:
Rumors are for a high scoring affair:2: |
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| vip9 |
The greatest game in the World comes to its climax on Fri!!!
How do you like the "time difference"??? Games will start at 4:30 am :(:(:(
Any predictions?
I still think France is the team to beat. However, Argentina looks MARVELLOUS! Also, Germany, Brazil and Italy, although struggling in qualifications, are still the powerhouses which should elevate their games.
I do not expect any "major" surprises. I would prefer MY home team to be in Japan/Korea :(, but, in their absense I'll be rooting for European teams, France in particular. |
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| msu79gt82 |
Obviously will have to rely on video. The media (US Media - take it with a grain of salt:rolleyes: ) are predicting some upsets due to unprecidented parity this year.
I hope the US has a good showing; it would be good for the game here. I do not believe that they were the worst team at the games last time:o and I do not think they are this year either. Simply advancing to the next round would be a major feat:cool: |
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| vip9 |
| Holly cow!!! That is a surprise. Although it ain;t over unti it's over :), but this result is BAD! |
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| msu79gt82 |
... there may be more parity than in prior years:cool:
Should make for an exciting (if unpredictable) tournament. |
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| MDXtrous |
I myself was pretty happy with the result:D Spent the first 11 years of my life in Brazil, so I've got my biases. Was very upset with the 98 final when France cremed Brazil. Was worried most if both France and Brazil won their brackets, since they'd meet up in the Quarters. But now France has an uphill battle, with good teams like Uruguay and Denmark.
We'll see what happens. |
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| vip9 |
| What an amazing result vs Portugal!!! |
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| MDXtrous |
| It's been an exciting world cup, and will continue to be so, with Senegal's upset, Korea, then the US today.... |
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| msu79gt82 |
| Wow 3-0 after 36 minutes. My son got up to watch the game (which he taped for me:D ), but I couldn't get up that early:rolleyes: |
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| vip9 |
Well, France seems all but out. Only a miracle can help them get in.
A HUGE miracle!
There goes my $5 :(
I knew I should not count on those French, and I still did!!!! :mad: |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
The media (US Media - take it with a grain of salt:rolleyes: ) are predicting some upsets due to unprecidented parity this year.
Looks like neither France nor Argentina are going to advance into the second round:eek: |
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| vip9 |
Well, France still has a chance.... On paper. :(
Argentina plays Sweden in the last game and, if they win, will qualify.
Without either of these 2 teams, final portion will be somewhat less entertaining.
I don't think this could happen due to some very weird seeding, but, IMO, semi-finals in which Brazil, Argentina, France and Italy meet (regardless of actual pairings) would be the best-of-the best!!!
Due to those seedings, the first 3 teams would have to play each other as early as 1/8- or 1/4-finals. |
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| msu79gt82 |
... all both Sweden and England need are ties.
quote:
Originally posted by vip9
Argentina plays Sweden in the last game and, if they win, will qualify.
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| MDXtrous |
Since I'm rooting for Brazil, it's ok with me for France and Argentina to be out:p
However, I think it will still be entertaining with Brazil, Italy, Spain, and maybe Germany or England.
England looked impressive, especially Michael Owen. Very different style of play than the kick-and-run style of 98. |
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| MDXtrous |
| :2: I'm so happy they lost :2: |
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| vip9 |
Now, it's Argentina! :(
This World Cup is quickly turning into The Best of the Worst tournament :( |
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| MDXtrous |
| Just proves those teams didn't deserve all the hype. You can't be too dissapointed with Brazil, Spain, and Germany still in it. They will put on a good show;) |
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| vip9 |
Well, although I am USUALLY a fan of German soccer, I do not think they "deserve" to win this year - after all they barely qualified for this tournament, and, aside from demolishing Saudi Arabia, did not show anything outstanding so far. Besides, after a "bloodbath" vs Cameroon, I am not even sure who will play for them in the next round. That Spanish referee is a known a**hole, but I think he had outdone even himself. Although, some of the cards were well-deserved, I must admit.
My 2nd favourites are usually Italy, and, after watching a superb game Italy-Croatia, I truly hope that Italy qualifies (together with Croats) at Mexico's expense. I just hope that referees do not f*ck it up for Italy again, as they did against Croatia.
My vision of the final has been Italy - France, then Italy - Argentina.
I am willing to settle for Italy - Brazil (with Europeans winning, sorry, MDXtrous)
Spanish have finally 'awakened' and I would like to see them go far, although I doubt they can go all the way.
With the way things look now, I would not be surprised if Japan plays South Korea for the Cup. :( |
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| MDXtrous |
In my World Cup challenge bracket, I had Brazil, Argentina, Italy (beating Germany), and Spain (beating Portugal) in the Semis.
Spain always chokes, so I picked Italy, and obviously Brazil over Argentina.
My only difference with you, is I have Brazil over Italy. If Italy gets there act together and beats Mexico, I could see all of that happening. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| Parity has overtaken World Cup Soccer. No longer can just a few teams continually dominate; other countries have made great strides over the past years. This is good for the game, but makes predictions all the tougher. |
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| vip9 |
MDXtrous, congrats on Brazil advancing. Were there any doubts???
I guess their group is the only 1 so far w/o any surprises (at least for me) I had Brazil and Turkey advance since the moment I saw the draw.
A nailbiter for Italy!!! At least this Last of the Mohicans did not let me down. Sorry for Croatia. Very good team....
Msu:
I do not think it's "parity" - I am sure there are more reasonable explanations for France and Argentina ousting. I truly hope you do not think that Turkey or Ireland or a few other teams are on the same level as those 2 pillars of world soccer. Sh*t happens! :( |
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| MDXtrous |
I'd say it's a combination of teams playing poorly and the fact that a lot of the players now play in the same leagues. The whole skill of level of soccer has been elevated.
Just look at Mexico and the US, they were nowhere in 86 or even 90, but now are decent teams.
But Italy, can you believe that, that's 4 goals called back because of offsides!!
Hopefully they'll make it through past Germany to the finals, so I can try to win a free team jersey and a ball from ESPN:2:
But Brazil's attack seems to be geling/peaking at the right time. So much for the naysayers. My only concern is their defense, as usual, was just horrendous:mad: |
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| msu79gt82 |
| That recalled goal at the 4 minute mark was a horrible call by the Chinese official. |
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| vip9 |
what's up with htis picture?!?!?!?!?!?
Poland scores on 1st 2 possessions?!?!? Then Friedel saves the penalty ?!?!?!:confused:
Korea wins ?!?! Portugal is out after having 2 guys red-carded....
Good thing to know USA can count on its allies :)
Japan wins AGAIN! And Russia is OUT
Parity alright!
What is the world coming to anyway???? |
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| MDXtrous |
If you watched the Korea game against Portugal, Korea totally outplayed Portugal (at least in the first half that I watched) !! I think whoever plays them next will have a tough time. Those guys can run!!
The level of play for some of these teams have definitely been raised since the last few years. I think the Dutch coach has turned the team around. |
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| MDXtrous |
Yup, wow is right for the US. They also have a good chance against Germany. Germany looked very weak against Paraguay.
I think the Brazil vs. England winner will take the cup... England looks sharp, but Brazil looked a little sluggish today:mad: |
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| vip9 |
Holly sh*t!!!!
Korea knocked Italy out?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Well, if USA kicks German butt, then Brazil are the champs :)
Otherwise, Germans may give them the run for their money :)
Maybe even Spain can have a chance :) |
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| MDXtrous |
| I think the US has a good chance against Germany. I think it will be close. Germany looked horrible against Paraguay. Korea looks pretty amazing. Watching a big part of the first half and hearing that they dominated in overtime, they could very possibly get passed Spain, which I think will mean they are going to the final. So I think the Brazil vs. England, and Korea vs. Spain are the games to determine the finalists. Wow, who would of thought, 4 European, 1 South American, 1 North American, 1 African, and 1 Asian country. Makes a great WORLD cup!! |
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| MDXtheFIXX |
| Amazingly I actually think we have a chance against the Germans. Arena is going to load the field with speed (Beasley, Donovan, Hejduk, etc) and try to run circles around the big Germans. Look up the word "Gnat" in the dictionary - thats what we'll try to impersonate - I'm actually starting to convice myself that it might work!!?? Have I lost my mind! |
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| vip9 |
A great run...
Did not actually see the game (yet) - had to be at work early. Was following live comments on Fifa - was there a goal or at least a penalty in the mid-2nd half for USA which went "unnoticed" by the referees?
It's a shame that we lost to the best of the worst. :(
Incredible how bad the refereeing has been on the highest possible level!!! :mad: |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by vip9
A great run...
Did not actually see the game (yet) - had to be at work early. Was following live comments on Fifa - was there a goal or at least a penalty in the mid-2nd half for USA which went "unnoticed" by the referees?
It's a shame that we lost to the best of the worst. :(
Incredible how bad the refereeing has been on the highest possible level!!! :mad:
The US deserved to win. They complety outplayed the Germans. Germany only had two chances, one a goal and one on the goalpost.
Yes, the US should have been rewarded a penalty, when the German used his hand to block the goal. The commentators were wrong, it should have been a penalty.
Refereeing has been terrible, today against the US and also against Brazil. No way should Ronaldinho been sent off. It was even a questionable yellow... |
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| msu79gt82 |
| I got to see the game and the commentators were wrong. It was a deliberate handball. A defender does not stand on the goal line with his arms outstretched for no other purpose than to stop a shot at all costs.:3: |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
I got to see the game and the commentators were wrong. It was a deliberate handball. A defender does not stand on the goal line with his arms outstretched for no other purpose than to stop a shot at all costs.:3:
As a matter of fact, in the penalty box, any contact with the hand is automatic handball regardless if it's deliberate or not. The US was robbed, but so was Spain, but at least Korea dominated the overtime. US plainly dominated the whole game... |
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| MDXtheFIXX |
I don't like their politics but I do like their chances against Brazil. I'm calling the upset right now. Their first encounter with Brazil was one of the most entertaining games of the cup - a game they should have won. Sas has been the best player so far - watch for him Wednesday.
Side note - Korea is out of gas...Look for the Germans to beat Turkey in the final. Which would suck because Germany hosts in 2006 and the chances of them repeating would be worthy of one of those "bet the house" bets - (just not your MDX!). Too bad I don't even like the Germans - I find rooting for them impossible.
And one more thing - Its great to see you'all talkin' soccer - if anyone wants to keep it going during the English Premier League - you got a friend in me. |
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| vip9 |
The luck HAD to run out. I think Korea had the MOST goals against disallowed (with at least half of them - legit)!
Refereeing SUCKS!
Anyway - IMO, the least deserving team has so far qualified. Usually, I would be quite happy for Germans, but not this time. They simply did NOT deserve to be where they are. Although World Cup is often more about luck than skills, any one of the semi-finalists was just LUCKY enough NOT to lose :(
None of the 4 (or, remaining 3 for now) DESERVE to win. |
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| MDXtrous |
vip9,
Even Brazil? They scored 13 goals in order to be where they're at... 2 against a tough England side...
I would have to say no other team has played as consistently at a high level as has Brazil.
Germany has been consistent, but US should have won that one. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtheFIXX
I don't like their politics but I do like their chances against Brazil. I'm calling the upset right now. Their first encounter with Brazil was one of the most entertaining games of the cup - a game they should have won. Sas has been the best player so far - watch for him Wednesday.
I would respectfully disagree that Turkey should have won the first game. They had only about 3 chances on goal, one of them which they scored on.
The penalty kick was certainly a bad call, but I would say Brazil outplayed them.
However, it should be a good game tomorrow... |
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| vip9 |
Sorry, dude, I know your preferences, but, IMO, Brazil is among the best of the worst ths year as well :(
The only TRUE victory they got was against England, and, mostly because England collapsed in the 2nd half.
If Turkey has any pride they will try to rip Brazilians a new ......... for the dubious and heavily referee-affected game during qualifications phase.
Then, again, having Turkey in the final is like having NJ Nets sweep LA Lakers :)
If it comes down to Ger-Bra, I will "root" for Germans not to lose. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by vip9
Sorry, dude, I know your preferences, but, IMO, Brazil is among the best of the worst ths year as well :(
The only TRUE victory they got was against England, and, mostly because England collapsed in the 2nd half.
If Turkey has any pride they will try to rip Brazilians a new ......... for the dubious and heavily referee-affected game during qualifications phase.
Then, again, having Turkey in the final is like having NJ Nets sweep LA Lakers :)
If it comes down to Ger-Bra, I will "root" for Germans not to lose.
Maybe it would be more interesting if Spain or Italy were playing against Germany, or even Brazil in the finals, however in following Brazil, they are a much better team than they were in 94, and much better than the 98 team that went to the finals. I would dare to say that, not counting the defense, they probably have one of their best teams ever in this cup...
Since the NBAs have been brought up, everyone knows that Michael Jordan and the Bulls in their hey day always got the calls. Does that diminish their greatness, not at all. Brazil has gotten some favorable calls, but it doesn't diminish the fact that they have played well and have been the only consistent team of the traditional "greats". A really bad call went against them when Ronaldinho was sent off, but they still clamped down on England with just 10 men the whole second half.
Regardless, there will always be naysayers, but there is a reason why Germany has 3 stars on their jerseys, and Brazil has 4.
Well, let's see tomorrow. I hope they don't disappoint me or it will be difficult to come back this thread;) |
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| msu79gt82 |
| ... and the fact of the matter is that Germany has given up but one goal in 6 games now. Even allowing for poor calls (e.g. USA handball) Germany's defense has been impressive. |
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| MDXtrous |
quote:
Originally posted by msu79gt82
... and the fact of the matter is that Germany has given up but one goal in 6 games now. Even allowing for poor calls (e.g. USA handball) Germany's defense has been impressive.
Especially Kahn, he had another spectacular save against Korea today, just like the one he defended against Donovan in the US game. |
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| msu79gt82 |
| A German victory would add a little additional luster to the US performance in these games.:cool: |
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| MDXtrous |
Should be an interesting final.
Both teams are in their 7th final, Brazil going for their 5th win, Germany for their 4th.
Neither team has played each other EVER in the World Cup, even though Brazil's been there 17 times and Germany 16.
Germany has the best aerial attack, Brazil best attack on the ground. Two exceptional goalies. We'll see... |
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| MDXtrous |
| I think Brazil played well in a pretty good final. Germany played better than any of the other matches, but thanks to Ronaldo and Rivaldo, Brazil came through with a 5th!! |
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| vip9 |
MDXtrous, congrats!
It was a relatively good final, but not the best I've seen. Too many misplayed passes, bad touches, etc. I still think that just like the entire tournament, the final had the best of the worst compete for the cup.
The only good thing was there weren't penalty shootouts!!!
As far as "Collina jinx" against Germany - it's all bull! Bayern lost to Manchester United in 1999 due to the same reasons Khan let the ball go for the first Ronaldo's goal - bad stamina, small cojones, overconfidence, etc.
Refereing was very good in the final. I think Collina should referee ALL matches!!! :D
What's up with Ronaldo's do? ;)
Him tying Pele with 12 goals is amazing! If he did not melt down last WC, he'd be THE BEST!!!. |
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| MDXtrous |
The doo is pretty bad, but 8 goals!! Wow, against any team that awesome in 7 games, but in the world cup, wow!!
As to the last cup, Ronaldo supposedly had a convulsive fit the night before. The coach should never have started him.
But he has 1 or 2 more cups to break the all-time record of 14 goals by one player in cups, and to prove that he's one of the best all-time.
Maybe the next cup, some of the traditional teams will not be so cocky and pick up their play. Argentina, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Holland. Let's see what they do. Brazil did their part... |
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| msu79gt82 |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXtrous
Maybe the next cup, some of the traditional teams will not be so cocky and pick up their play. Argentina, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Holland. Let's see what they do. Brazil did their part...
New for 2006 will be the elimination of the automatic entry for the defending champion. Not that Brazil shouldn't be able to qualify, but they must qualify like everyone else.
I look forward to continued improvement by the USA (Germany was fortunate to get by the US!). Guys like Landon Donavon are young and should only get better.:D |
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