FIFA WORLD CUP - Official thread!

[theory of knowledge]

brazil 3-0 ghana, brazil is gonna win again...

france 3-1 spain, big surprise

the quarter-finals will definitely be very interesting, brazil-france, germany-argentina, are must sees.

 

[CLOONEY]

With Zidane, Viera, Henry, Dubury (playing very well), and Trezeguet (if they fukcing put him on the park at all), can beat any team on the face of the planet. They have the creativity, finishing ability, and all round team work to get them another cup IMHO. Although Brazil will be a HUGE test. Some of the biggest names in world football playing eachother, and even more interesting as its the rematch from France 98. Maybe Zidane can pull another miracle! Or will Ronaldo shine this time.....like he was meant to all those years ago!? A lot of questions to be answered in this matchup.

Although I personally think the Germany V Argentina will be more entertaining, I am looking forward to Brazil V France more.

 

[Nexxus]

lol, I was about to say the exact same thing as you in basically every word being the same except you just said it for me

 

[Adone]

DAMN! That was a BAD penalty! I have watched practically every match at this world cup, and although the refs are clamping down, WTF was that! I was so damn angry and still am! I have seen MUCH worse things happening in the penalty area this world cup and no penalty! And not to mention, the timing of it was horrible! If it was in the 50th minute or something, at least Australia would have the chance to all out attack, but they didnt even get the chance to do that! Italy has a GREAT defence, I will give them that, but they did not deserve the win against Australia!

Obviously, you are entitled not to take my word for this, since I am an italian supporter, but I'll tell you what:

1. Penalty wasn't the right choice, I admit it. Anyway, there was a foul, which rules say is to be penalized with an indirect free-kick inside the area. Free-kick from 2 meters = goal anyway.

2. Timing doesn't mean anything. That guy was crazy to tackle an opponent 10 seconds before the end of the match. The referee has to punish fouls in EVERY moment of the match, the end too.

3. What about 2002? We went out of the World Cup because of far greater injustices.

4. Mistakes have always happened in soccer and, frankly, Italy has been suffering for them a lot of times now. This is the first time in years that we are advantaged by a mistake from the referee.

 

[Holland]

That was no tackle.
That pathetic Italian player just thought: "mmm look, I see a defender lying on the ground, I might as well trip over him"

 

[Alittude]

It's true it was a dive Neil tucked in and the striker fell over the back wasn't anywhere near his legs so it wasn't a penalty. The ref was probally paid by the Italians we all know they they are capable of it (Serie A anyone?).

 

[mahon83050]

Just a curious observation:

Why are only approximately 20% of the French Players ethnic French? It seems all of their players are of African descent. Now I do know..France has a higher % of immigrants that other European counties...but geesh..the French already made the habit of letting others do the fighting for them in WWII...does soccer have to be the same? haha

 

[manbearpig]

Uh, thats kind of ignorant. A Black Frenchman is just as "French" as a white one. France prides itself on assimilating it's immigrants into their culture(which is why many French people are bothered by the Algerians' lack of assimilation, but thats a whole other topic).

*back ontopic*

I think a Brazil vs. Argentina final match could be explosive.

 

[mahon83050]

Uh, thats kind of ignorant. A Black Frenchman is just as "French" as a white one. France prides itself on assimilating it's immigrants into their culture(which is why many French people are bothered by the Algerians' lack of assimilation, but thats a whole other topic).

*back ontopic*

I think a Brazil vs. Argentina final match could be explosive.

Whatever.

I am not a fan of the anti-American French and I hope Brazil pounds on them!!

 

[manbearpig]

"Whatever"

You sound like a whiney adolescent. Don't get pissy with me because you made an ignorant remark and I called you on it.

 

[mahon83050]

"Whatever"

You sound like a whiney adolescent. Don't get pissy with me because you made an ignorant remark and I called you on it.

No, I am a 29 year old intellectual.

What are you, some 16 year old from Europe?

How did I make an ignorant comment? I just found it bizarre that they are the ONLY country in this tournament whose team majority does not have ethnic ties to that country.

Oh, I see...you are trying to label me as a bigot aren't you?

 

[AudiTy]

LADIES! Let's end that there and carry on the with the Football talk eh? Good...

It's true England haven't performed anywhere near their best up until now, but we havn't had much strong opposition. I believe that when we play bigger teams like Portugal and (hopefully!) Brazil we'll shift gears and start to show are true potential.

When we won the 'Jules Rimet' at the '66 World Cup, England didn't start performing until the semi-final. Regardless, people were giving them shyt from the word go, all the way up until the final. Just like the team now is getting critisised by everyone. Just like before, they'll be eating a nice big fat slice of humble pie when England deliver the goods.

 

[mahon83050]

LADIES! Let's end that there and carry on the with the Football talk eh? Good...

It's true England haven't performed anywhere near their best up until now, but we havn't had much strong opposition. I believe that when we play bigger teams like Portugal and (hopefully!) Brazil we'll shift gears and start to show are true potential.

When we won the 'Jules Rimet' at the '66 World Cup, England didn't start performing until the semi-final. Regardless, people were giving them shyt from the word go, all the way up until the final. Just like the team now is getting critisised by everyone. Just like before, they'll be eating a nice big fat slice of humble pie when England deliver the goods.

Well, I sure hope so. Who else should an American root for? England our cousin of course!!

 

[CLOONEY]

Obviously, you are entitled not to take my word for this, since I am an italian supporter, but I'll tell you what:

1. Penalty wasn't the right choice, I admit it. Anyway, there was a foul, which rules say is to be penalized with an indirect free-kick inside the area. Free-kick from 2 meters = goal anyway.

2. Timing doesn't mean anything. That guy was crazy to tackle an opponent 10 seconds before the end of the match. The referee has to punish fouls in EVERY moment of the match, the end too.

3. What about 2002? We went out of the World Cup because of far greater injustices.

4. Mistakes have always happened in soccer and, frankly, Italy has been suffering for them a lot of times now. This is the first time in years that we are advantaged by a mistake from the referee.

Timing doesnt mean anything, a foul is a foul. But I am stating that it was the worst possibly time for Australia, didnt even give them a chance.

But in the box, penalties are given a lot less than out on the field. Robben got yellowed for simulation for a foul of similar intent in one of the Dutch matches. I definately dont think it should have been a penalty.

And Australia copped VERY harsh refing this WC. The ref gave Japan a goal on a foul (something he admitted was wrong and apologised afterwards), Crotia had a man given 2 yellows and was not sent off, and the Brazilains were given a penalty every time an Australia player even touched a Brazilian. Then they top it off with that penalty. 4 shocking referees! I think the Australians rough housing image came a lot from their game with Holland before the cup (where they did play very dirty), but the refs were biased because of it and every coach calling the Australian team dirty before their matchup with Australia.

But oh well, whats done is done.

 

[CLOONEY]

It's true it was a dive Neil tucked in and the striker fell over the back wasn't anywhere near his legs so it wasn't a penalty. The ref was probally paid by the Italians we all know they they are capable of it (Serie A anyone?).

haha.

Yeah, a match fixing scandal is not out of the question. Paid off the ref! I doubt it, but who knows with the Italians. Serie A prooved that for us.

 

[CLOONEY]

Well, I sure hope so. Who else should an American root for? England our cousin of course!!

Man, you sure take yourself and your country seriously. Whats with all this American patriotism?

When I was over there watching a mighty ducks game, the Anthem came on and they all stood up, hand on chest, singing to it. Never seen that happen in about 30 other countries I have been to when it is the Americans playing themselves in a sporting event.

I have some good mates in the States, but I do see now where this imagine of "arrogant" Americans comes from.

And you pay out France about not doing their own fighting, you are serious? Look at the US, using its strong trade to coerce other countries to help them in their wars. A bit of a contradiction, no?

Back to the soccer.

 

[seanchai]

Just a curious observation:

Why are only approximately 20% of the French Players ethnic French? It seems all of their players are of African descent. Now I do know..France has a higher % of immigrants that other European counties...but geesh..the French already made the habit of letting others do the fighting for them in WWII...does soccer have to be the same? haha

I think manbearpig got it right. France prides itself on its civic nationalism... believe in the ideals of France and you are a Frenchman. I imagine it doesn't seem odd to them. Plus it would be a shame for them to NOT play Henry, Makelele, Thuram, etc.

 

[mahon83050]

I think manbearpig got it right. France prides itself on its civic nationalism... believe in the ideals of France and you are a Frenchman. I imagine it doesn't seem odd to them. Plus it would be a shame for them to NOT play Henry, Makelele, Thuram, etc.

How do you explain all the recent riots by the majority immigrant population?

Just because they let immigrants into the country with open arms, does not mean they treat them well.

 

[mahon83050]

Man, you sure take yourself and your country seriously. Whats with all this American patriotism?

When I was over there watching a mighty ducks game, the Anthem came on and they all stood up, hand on chest, singing to it. Never seen that happen in about 30 other countries I have been to when it is the Americans playing themselves in a sporting event.

I have some good mates in the States, but I do see now where this imagine of "arrogant" Americans comes from.

And you pay out France about not doing their own fighting, you are serious? Look at the US, using its strong trade to coerce other countries to help them in their wars. A bit of a contradiction, no?

Back to the soccer.

So people who stand up for their national anthem are arrogant?

I root for England because they have been a strong US ally the past 150 years..nothing wrong with that. They appreciate the US contribution to the Allied Victories over the forces of evil...unlike some other countries (need I mention them?)

 

[AudiTy]

It's amazing how many teams have won as the hosting nation. Euro 2004 springs to mind...

GREECE! FFS! GREECE WHO THE F**K ARE GREECE???

England won at home, Argentina too I think, Germany? Brazil? Italy? I'm guessing here, help me out guys

-AudiTy =o