FIFA WORLD CUP 2010

[strayvector]

loved the commentator's mention of germany's record. "they've made the 1/4 finals every time, except once, when they might have other things on their mind".

apparently that once was 1938.

Martin Tyler is simply the best commentator ever.

[frenchkiwi]

one thought, if you go back to the first minutes of the tournament, if the dud in the english goal doesn't make that monumental stuff up, england would have been up against ghana and then uruguay to get through to the semi's. by then, you'd have hoped that they had found some form. who knows what might have happened. just thought i'd mention it.

Which form? Apart from gerrard/lampard/rooney they had a bunch of players that weren't up to world standards. Would any of the other players make the Argentinian, Spanish or Brazilian squad? No. Every world cup, their own Huge press machine builds them up, so they can then tear them apart when they exit. The weight of unrealistic expectations only contribute further to undermining their performance.

If people in the english-speaking world finally realised that they have a 2nd tier national squad, who knows, they might start supporting them unconditionally and the team might perform above potential and make the 1/4s or maybe even the semis before being honourably dispatched by a footballing world power.

Look at those lumbering old central defenders! - the only reason they made it of their group was because it was an easy one.

[Ken Gargett]

their own Huge press machine builds them up, so they can then tear them apart when they exit. The weight of unrealistic expectations only contribute further to undermining their performance.

they do it to every team or sportsman they have. it was one of the things i most enjoyed when i lived over there.

[khomeinist]

Well said Kiwi... though I think Lennon, Defoe, and a couple of others can play at the international level.

Overall though, there is clearly a difference between looking good against Swindon or Crystal Palace in the FA Cup versus even a second tier international side. The Algeria game said it all.

Ghana would have beat England too.

Oranje!

[partagasd4]

As much as I love the Germans, I don't think they can take on Argentina. Anybody else think we'll be seeing a Brazil-Argentina final?

[Nino]

Perfect analysis nino. Particularly I dislike Dunga's regiment. This is not how Brazil won 5 World Cups... And I'm a little skeptical about this World Cup.

Holland has always been a tough adversary. I just hope Kaka start playing well because the only midfielder that was actually doing something was Ramires who won't play, and the horrible Felipe Melo will come back.

PS: "Carioca" stands for someone from the city of Rio de Janeiro. If a person is from Rio (city) he is "carioca" if he or she is from the state of Rio de Janeiro but not from the city, he is "fluminense". I'm pretty sure who taught you that Brazilian soccer is "carioca" style is from Rio himself!

Muito obrigado Gerson for the correction, you are right !!

I've met more cariocas than paulistas and was quick confusing & making "a canarinha" carioca - disculpe.

Don't think that many even outside Brazil like Dunga's style, too cold, too rational, it goes against their nature ( maybe the only one liking the new system is Lucio from his Munich days ... ) - and it has been shaky as well at the start, so they may trip, but I don't think so.

Maicon is great.

Brazil should march on and is a candidate for the final.

The funny thing is : If Spain beats Portugal & Paraguay and Germany beats Argentina, we'll have a re-play of the 2008 Euro Cup final before the final..........

[thechenman]

Tragic miss for Japan...would have loved to see them move on to the final round.

[micahzeff]

Overjoyed Albirroja is moving on to the next round. Wish I could be in Paraguay celebrating with all my friends.

[Alberto_Magnus]

Germany is an amazing team. Watching them play football makes me feel better at the horrible performance of Italy. And of course, as a SSC Napoli supporter, my heart goes with Diego and his amazing Argentina!

[mazolaman]

Well done to Spain,I can't understand why Portugal played so negatively.Spain won with intelligence in every aspect of their play.

Since before the cup started,Brazil have been my pick for winner(leaving aside ridiculous patriotic hopes)and I can't see anyone else doing it.

[Nino]

Well done to Spain,I can't understand why Portugal played so negatively.Spain won with intelligence in every aspect of their play.

Once again, the Spanish team has made me suffer - the first 10 minutes were superb, in the second half it should have been 2 or 3-0 for Spain, but still, as I see it, they wanted to carry the ball "gift wrapped" into the adversary's box.

But they played well and scored.

We enjoyed the match in the pharmacy's courtyard to Portuguese Sagres beer - and the cigars were not bad either, Tatuajes, HdM Diadema and Trinidad EL 2010 Short Robusto Piggy tails ( expensive at 16 € apiece ) .......

PS : We have received a "World Cup" selection of International beers that we will "review" in July to some good cigars - 3 bottles of beer from all the participating countries ..... well, the seriously brewing ones

Nino

[jquest63]

Great Pics! Congratulations to Spain! Although they are the team I feel will win the Cup, their lack of capitalizing on scoring opportunities was concerning. Cant wait for the next matches. It's been a great Cup so far.

Once again, the Spanish team has made me suffer - the first 10 minutes were superb, in the second half it should have been 2 or 3-0 for Spain, but still, as I see it, they wanted to carry the ball "gift wrapped" into the adversary's box.

But they played well and scored.

We enjoyed the match in the pharmacy's courtyard to Portuguese Sagres beer - and the cigars were not bad either, Tatuajes, HdM Diadema and Trinidad EL 2010 Short Robusto Piggy tails ( expensive at 16 € apiece ) .......

PS : We have received a "World Cup" selection of International beers that we will "review" in July to some good cigars - 3 bottles of beer from all the participating countries ..... well, the seriously brewing ones

Nino

[frenchkiwi]

Once again, the Spanish team has made me suffer - the first 10 minutes were superb, in the second half it should have been 2 or 3-0 for Spain, but still, as I see it, they wanted to carry the ball "gift wrapped" into the adversary's box.

Heartily agree with that - the spanish might ruin their own party if their front men don't start running hard off the ball and into space. They all seem to want the ball delivered at their feet, standing still in the penalty box, and then attempt something miraculous with 5 defenders in front of them. The goal was a case in point - 9 times out of 10 those through balls in a crowded box won't get through. Although kudos to them for persisting to attempt the delivery 9 times earlier ;-)

Now Torres is getting back on track they should launch quicker from deeper and use his pace or Sergio Ramos to get in behind the defences. It's a lot easier to score goals from there!

[OZCUBAN]

Tragic miss for Japan...would have loved to see them move on to the final round.

It's always a shame when a game comes down to a penalty shootout ,i would have loved to see JApan progress ,but having said that good luck to Paraguay their first trip to the 1/4's

Cheers OZ

[mazolaman]

Heartily agree with that - the spanish might ruin their own party if their front men don't start running hard off the ball and into space. They all seem to want the ball delivered at their feet, standing still in the penalty box, and then attempt something miraculous with 5 defenders in front of them. The goal was a case in point - 9 times out of 10 those through balls in a crowded box won't get through. Although kudos to them for persisting to attempt the delivery 9 times earlier ;-)

Now Torres is getting back on track they should launch quicker from deeper and use his pace or Sergio Ramos to get in behind the defences. It's a lot easier to score goals from there!

I feel it has more to do with the Portuguese teams total negativity.

There were 3,4,5,players on Torres etc at any one time.They had been set up entirely to defend,and when they had to chase the game,they didn't have a clue.Didn't see Ronaldo.

Agree re Ramos,he's having a great tournament.

[khomeinist]

Yesterday's matches were fairly brutal for a neutral observer. I really like all the quarterfinals matchups (except for Spain/Paraguay).

I fancy Uruguay and Spain. Have no idea about the other two matches. My heart wants NED and Germany to advance but my head (based on input from my eyes) is telling me otherwise.

I love the Dutch side. The game against Slovakia wasn't a true test. I think the Dunga system might be too much to overcome. The Brazilian demolition of Chile was merciless.

[mazolaman]

Yup,it isn't the beauty of the play that has convinced me,it is the effectiveness of the system.

The two holding midfielders dropping back to protect the defence,and the pace and skill of the remaining attack.

it certainly isn't the Samba football,but great for the way modern football is played.

For beautifull football,I would rather watch Chile.

PS what odds for another handsome win at the Oval today?!!

[Nino]

As much as I love the Germans, I don't think they can take on Argentina. Anybody else think we'll be seeing a Brazil-Argentina final?

Getting into the serious phase now - OK, this is where I change track.

I also dare to predict that Argentina will march on and will be betting 4 custom rolled Canonazos with a friend who favours Germany.

Guess I can better digest the loss of the cigars than all the beer after a German victory ......

[Habanos2000]

I'm not changing track, Germany all the way! I just think they have a certain intangible quality about themselves at this point that can carry them through.

[jquest63]

Picks for next round:

Brazil

Ghana

Argentina

Spain

[frenchkiwi]

I feel it has more to do with the Portuguese teams total negativity.

There were 3,4,5,players on Torres etc at any one time.They had been set up entirely to defend,and when they had to chase the game,they didn't have a clue.Didn't see Ronaldo.

Agree re Ramos,he's having a great tournament.

you're right Portugal put in place a very negative setup that frustrated Spain with its tendency towards slow deliberate (no-one running off the ball!) build-ups. In saying that, I thought that from a portuguese perspective, as long as it was 0-0 it was the right thing to do - let the spaniards play static possession football and cut through them on the break with the pace of ronaldo et al. But at 0-1 they needed to change tactics and didn't until the last 5-10 mn - too late. As CR said after game when asked why they couldn't score: "ask the coach"... bitchy but probably true?

[khomeinist]

Hey Nino,

Any thoughts on the Trinidad LE and the HdM Diadema? Both are intriguing. I agree that the price point on the Trinidad is a bit shocking. Looks tasty though!

[khomeinist]

Wow. Didn't think the Oranje could do it. Bit of a meltdown from Brazil. Robben was quite the instigator. Van Persie was typically invisible. But the bulldog from Inter? Best man on the pitch. Saw it in a bar with 100 Brazilians. Very somber at the final whistle. Is Dunga gone?

Rooting for NED/Germany at this point. We shall see.

[Habanos2000]

I'm happy to see Holland progress. I'm a Bayern fan, so I'm rooting for Van Bommel and Robben. While I can't stand Robben's incessant diving and rolling around on the ground, he sure managed to get under Brazil's skin and caused the mental breakdown they had in the 2nd half.

Looking forward to Die Mannschaft sending Maradona home tomorrow.

My picks for the last 4:

Holland v. Ghana

Germany v. Spain

[mazolaman]

Just shows ya,what do I know?

At the end of the day,it's a game of two halfs,and whoever scores the most goals wins.Brazil will be sick as a parrot.

Would love to see the Orange win it.

The main thing is,Argentina don't win it.

Addendum.

I hate cheats,and uruguay just cheated their way through.Gutted for Ghana,who deserved the win.They were robbed.