The World Cup Soccer Thread

[Robert]

Perhaps we can keep all the world cup soccer talk to this thread.

The first game I've watched so for was Germany - Australia yesterday. The Germans were effective and won with 4-0. It will be interesting to see how Germany fares in this tournament; they sure look incredibly strong right now.

 

[Tig]

Watched a bit of the opener with Mexico and S. Africa, and all of the US vs England game. Plenty of great plays and passion so far. Missed Germany's mega game.

Hopefully I'll get to watch a few more since I have the next 5 days off.

 

[marnold]

Ole, ole, ole, ole!

I've only been able to watch bits of some games. Nice hands by the English keeper. I picked Germany as the favorite, in no small part because I'm of German descent (great reason, I know). I've seen some flashes of brilliance, but the first game tends to be more of a feeling-out process. Hopefully these second games will be more exciting.

 

[Jimi75]

Watched every game so far, 'cause I am a huge soccer fan!
Australia was pretty lame, but Germany's offense was also perfectly strong. We will see how far the defense can stand the better teams. We have a great team this year and the 4-0 was the strongest appearance of all teams so far. Tonight Italy's going to play, unfortunately I can't watch because I am about toe go to band rehearsal...this breaks my heart...Italia, forza azzuri, vai!!!

 

[Tig]

Tonight Italy's going to play, unfortunately I can't watch because I am about toe go to band rehearsal...this breaks my heart...Italia, forza azzuri, vai!!!

I'm watching it for you right now. oke :tongue:

I'll predict Mexico to possibly do good this year.

 

[markb]

In line with the Tebbit test I'm supporting New Zealand and anyone playing against Australia

 

[Mike S.]

Ole, ole, ole, ole!

I picked Germany as the favorite, in no small part because I'm of German descent (great reason, I know).

Ditto. Don't worry, I've seen decades of loyalty to a team fostered over far less logical reasons than that.

It helps that Germany typically fields a better than average team too.:thumbsup

 

[Lev]

I support anyone but France because Ireland should really be there in their place (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=13602) :nope

Seriously though what's with those horns in the crowd?.. the Vuvuzelas? They're giving me a headache and you can't hear the crowd noise. I know they are part of the African tradition but I think it takes away from the atmosphere of the game.

For me Argentina have the most talented players but their manager (Diego Maradona) is one of the most unstable people in soccer, can he hold it together to guide them through?

 

[Jimi75]

NOT AGAIN :spank

But honestly, I would prefer some good old Irish soccer over the French senior playing....

I support anyone but France because Ireland should really be there in their place (http://www.thefret.net/showthread.php?t=13602) :nope

Seriously though what's with those horns in the crowd?.. the Vuvuzelas? They're giving me a headache and you can't hear the crowd noise. I know they are part of the African tradition but I think it takes away from the atmosphere of the game.

For me Argentina have the most talented players but their manager (Diego Maradona) is one of the most unstable people in soccer, can he hold it together to guide them through?

 

[markb]

NZ 1 - Slovakia 1

:happy We didn't lose!! Best ever result!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8741924.stm

 

[Robert]

Congrats Mark!

 

[markb]

Congrats Mark!

I wasn't playing, you understand. I'm using "we" in this manner

 

[Jimi75]

:happy We didn't lose!! Best ever result!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8741924.stm

Your team destroyed my bet quote in the office!

That was really a last minute draw. Congratz!

 

[markb]

Your team destroyed my bet quote in the office!

That was really a last minute draw. Congratz!

Yeah and I can always switch my allegiance to the "old country" if it all goes pear shaped :thumbsup

Congrats to your lot for thrashing the Aussies, Jimi (or the West Islanders as we like to call them).

 

[Jimi75]

Yeah and I can always switch my allegiance to the "old country" if it all goes pear shaped :thumbsup

Congrats to your lot for thrashing the Aussies, Jimi (or the West Islanders as we like to call them).

Thanks, I think Germany had the best performance so far. Hopefully they keep up

 

[gitch]

England were rubbish, to many pre-madonnas, I cannot see us going through bar a miracle. Germany had the best start so far, with Brazil last nite. But there is a long way to go and see who is standing at the end. May the best team win.

 

[deeaa]

I'm so glad I never had to watch a soccer game in its entirety. Rather watch paint dry.

 

[Robert]

So Spain lost against Switzerland - what an upset!

 

[Jimi75]

So Spain lost against Switzerland - what an upset!

That was a big surprise, but Switzerland has a new coach, the German Otmar Hitzfeld, during his time in Germany he was called "Der General"...so this explains a lot I think...

 

[Robert]

Der General... haha - sounds like a stern man!

 

[Tig]

A fun World Cup commercial (ignore the nasty brand of beer):

 

[Jimi75]

I am totally pissed after the German match. The referees cut the game with their cards and so every form of bodycontact is blocked! This has nothing to do with soccer, rather with Basketball. 9 yellow cards plus one red card in such a fair game as the one I just watched.....it's a joke really. The referess totally destroy the sport if they go on like this!

 

[Mike S.]

I am totally pissed after the German match. The referees cut the game with their cards and so every form of bodycontact is blocked! This has nothing to do with soccer, rather with Basketball. 9 yellow cards plus one red card in such a fair game as the one I just watched.....it's a joke really. The referess totally destroy the sport if they go on like this!

I completely agree. The Spanish referee threw the game, especially in the case of Klose, who did NOT deserve either yellow card, much less the second one that led to the red card.

Serbia won their one goal fairly, however Germany was unfairly handicapped from a victory by that poor excuse for a referee Undiano Mallenco.

 

[Tig]

While not nearly as bad as the Germany / Serbia game yellow cards, the officials eff'ed up the call on USA's 3rd goal in the USA / Slovenia game today. :flamemad:

 

[markb]

While not nearly as bad as the Germany / Serbia game yellow cards, the officials eff'ed up the call on USA's 3rd goal in the USA / Slovenia game today. :flamemad:

It is traditional to chant a little mantra at times like that.

It goes: Who's the b@stard in the black? (repeat ad nauseum)

 

[pes_laul]

I'm so glad I never had to watch a soccer game in its entirety. Rather watch paint dry.

:thankyou

 

[Mike S.]

While not nearly as bad as the Germany / Serbia game yellow cards, the officials eff'ed up the call on USA's 3rd goal in the USA / Slovenia game today. :flamemad:

Yes, a complete outrage. He was absolutely lost throughout that entire game. That makes two incompetent referees in the same day. :thwap

 

[piebaldpython]

Yes, a complete outrage. He was absolutely lost throughout that entire game. That makes two incompetent referees in the same day. :thwap

What's so shocking about that???? Happens in baseball all the time....as any drunken myopic doofus sitting in the 700 level will be more than glad to tell you.
:thumbsup

 

[Tig]

What's so shocking about that???? Happens in baseball all the time....as any drunken myopic doofus sitting in the 700 level will be more than glad to tell you.
:thumbsup

Which brings up my favorite taunt to officials:
"Hey Ref, one more eye and you'd be a cyclops!" :reallymad:
This is best said in a clear, loud voice for the full effect.

 

[Mike S.]

What's so shocking about that???? Happens in baseball all the time....as any drunken myopic doofus sitting in the 700 level will be more than glad to tell you.
:thumbsup

Well, the difference in this instance is that I'm an ardent supporter of the German team and feel jaded.:mad

The comparison is not lost on me nonetheless.:socool