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0 Subject: 2006 World Cup Action!!!

Posted by: THK
- [2510332316] Fri, Jun 09, 2006, 12:37

The host, Germany, is looking pretty strong right now vs. Costa Rica other than than the one defensive lapse. Although they are easily favored in the game...looking pretty good. They are applying a lot of pressure on the CRican D. I wasn't really sure what home field advantage would be like for Germany but it will definitely be helpful moving forward.

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359Swish City
      Dude
      ID: 0931275
      Sat, Jul 01, 2006, 14:06
Man, Ricardo has screwed England in 2 major tourneys in a row now. Portugal showed nothing and i must give England credit for the rearguard action, but will they ever learn to win a shootoout?
360Seattle Zen
      ID: 46315247
      Sat, Jul 01, 2006, 17:26
Viva La FRANCE!
361xpdurmind
      ID: 365571222
      Sat, Jul 01, 2006, 21:28
Les Bleus!...

If the Portugal/France game comes down to PK as it should since both defenses are solid, I'll take Portugal to advance. Their keeper was able to read the English players so well today!
362swami
      ID: 27230818
      Sun, Jul 02, 2006, 00:15
Well now I have no idea who to root for:

Italy - got lucky with a crap ref vs the US.
Portugal - knocked out my other team AGAIN!
France - well, they're the French!
Germany - not gonna happen.
363Species
      ID: 295302411
      Sun, Jul 02, 2006, 03:39
Again, a soccer novice, but even I could tell that France kicked Brazil's ass. As I was watching I thought of a hockey reference. It looked like France was the aggressive, checking and forechecking team while Brazil looked like the Russian Army team trying to make the spectacular play and set of perfect passes vs. keeping the pressure on.
364JCS
      ID: 4154912
      Sun, Jul 02, 2006, 06:00
It was party all night long yesterday in Paris, not that you had any hope of sleeping with the car horns screaming until early morning. I was watching the game with 15000 other people in the Charlety Stadium on a giant screen. Incredible to see how this team is reborn after having played so crappy since 2002 and in the first round. Looks like they only needed confidence, and now that they have it, frankly I don't see them losing to anyone in this tournament.
365StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Sun, Jul 02, 2006, 11:19
France will shut down Portugal's attack and win again.
366barilko6
      ID: 16529229
      Sun, Jul 02, 2006, 11:37
Well..

To help me with my soccer pool, I am now a huge Portugal fan!
367youngroman
      ID: 43441182
      Mon, Jul 03, 2006, 14:29
Virtual Replay of all goals scored
368Razor
      ID: 323142521
      Mon, Jul 03, 2006, 15:13
I agree that France should beat Portugal. The question is not how did France get this far, it's how did they ever play so poorly earlier? Zidane still has some magic left and was a huge key in their victory over Brazil. Henry, Makelele, Sagnol...France is loaded.
369Mike D
      Leader
      ID: 041831612
      Mon, Jul 03, 2006, 15:44
Rooney said to want to 'split Ronaldo in two'

Associated Press
Posted: 3 hours ago

LONDON (AP) - Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, criticized for his role in Wayne Rooney's sending off at the World Cup, won't be back at Manchester United and can expect payback from the star England striker in the future, according to a report.
Quoting an unnamed source, The Sun newspaper reported Monday that Rooney threatened to "split him in two" when the two next meet.

Ronaldo may be wearing a different uniform when that happens. The British tabloid says United will show Ronaldo the door "because of his World Cup shame."

Ronaldo, who has spoken of moving to Real Madrid, infuriated England players for his actions in United teammate Rooney's ejection Saturday. After Rooney stamped on defender Ricardo Carvalho's groin, Ronaldo rushed to the Argentina referee to complain. When Rooney was shown the red card, moments after shoving Ronaldo, cameras caught Ronaldo winking - apparently at the Portugal bench.

Citing a top Football Association source, The Sun reported Rooney's rant came one day after the penalty shootout loss to Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals. Rubbing salt in the wound, Ronaldo converted the penalty kick that sealed the Portuguese win.

"At breakfast in the hotel this morning, Wayne said he would split him in two and smack him in the head. Who can blame him?" the source told The Sun. "He is determined to settle the score in his own way and there is nothing anyone can do about it."

The newspaper also said Ronaldo had apparently joked before the game with Rooney that he would get him sent off.

The Sun has joined the anti-Ronaldo bandwagon, printing a mock dartboard with a picture of Ronaldo winking.

"Here's every England fan's chance to get revenge on the world's biggest winker," the paper said.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has denied asking the referee for a red card and said he was "very sorry" for Rooney.

"The English press say the referee gave a red card because I spoke (to him), but this is not true," Ronaldo is quoted as saying on Manchester United's official Web site. "I said 'ref this is foul' but I did not say 'red card' because Wayne is my friend and I play at the same team as him."

Still the flashy Portuguese winger can apparently expect a torrid reception from other England players.

"I saw what Ronaldo did," said Steven Gerrard, according to English reports. "I saw him going over to the referee and giving him the card and I think he was bang out of order. If he were one of my teammates I would be absolutely disgusted with him.

"After Wayne was sent off he (Ronaldo) winked at his bench and his teammates and that just about sums him up as a person. If I were playing against a teammate from Liverpool and they were involved in a situation like that I would never try to get them sent off."

Added fellow midfielder Frank Lampard, "He's supposed to be a teammate of Wayne's at Manchester United and he does something like that. It's not nice, is it? A lot has been made of trying to promote fair play in this tournament and that was certainly not fair play. Unfortunately that's the way it is with some players. We were told that anyone who tried to get someone else a yellow or red card would get a yellow but it just hasn't happened."

Defender John Terry was reportedly upset at the behavior of other members of the Portuguese squad, including Chelsea teammate Carvalho. "It's really disappointing seeing that - players playing in the Premiership too. Teammates as well. It's disappointing to see them coming over doing that."

In other news, the Daily Mirror reported manager Sven-Goran Eriksson burst into tears in the England dressing room as he thanked his players for their service. Eriksson is stepping down as England boss.
370StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Mon, Jul 03, 2006, 18:12
Thanks for posting this article; I heard about this on Sky Sports. But stuff like this is never anything new. It is the World Cup, and it's always competative, one way or another. At this point, screw Rooney and screw England. Sounds like someone needs to rebuild.
371Mike D
      Leader
      ID: 041831612
      Mon, Jul 03, 2006, 22:59
Indeed, very competitive. Enough to end friendships in some cases.

Not exactly shocking when considering some club teammates aren't best of friends to begin with. They are brought in by owners or coaches who want them and given high praise. A lot of ego involved.
372Swish City
      Dude
      ID: 0931275
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 13:05
I imagine there might be a few interesting conversations at Chelsea at pre-season training also, given that Maniche (loan?), Ferreria, Carvalho are all Portugese and Lampard, Terry and Joe Cole represented England. Not as inflamatory as the Ronaldo v Rooney situation, i'm sure.

I'll keep my predictions short this time for the semis, since i severly screwed up the last lot.

Germany 1 (Ballack) Italy 0
France 2 (Henry, Ribery) Portugal 1 (Maniche)

Watch me get it totally wrong again now!
373Dec
      ID: 200262011
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 14:06
Wish you're not wrong Swish.

I'm afraid for the French, cause Portugal will be a much better challange on defense than Spain or Brazil and they are pretty dangerous on counter-attack.

Anyway, hope fair play will prevail and we will have a France-Germany on Fox.

374barilko6
      ID: 16529229
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 14:49
Go Portugal!!!!!
375StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 16:04
I think that the Portugal/France match is basically the final (if it wasn't France and Brazil). By all odds, including career matchups (something to the tune of 15-5-1 with France winning the last 7 against Portugal) France is the favorite and I think they'll take Portugal out.

Right now however, this Italy and Germany game has the potential to become a one sided slug fest, in favor for the home team. It's remarkable that Italy has 58% of ball posession at the half, but it definitely does not seem like it. Germany's running the ball down their throats but they are just missing on finishing it. The taller and bigger German midfielders are also winning the 'air' game or so to speak, and they seem to be lightning-esque right about now.

All it's going to take is one Italian mistake, and one German goal to open up the flood gates. (Stay Tuned).
376StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 16:16
Totti deserves an academy award for his great acting. What a piece of sh*t.
377StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 16:32
In the last 15 minutes, it seems like the German offense has slowed down (almost by choice??), very odd. Like they're trying to run out the clock....like they're playing for extra time.
378StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 16:58
Holy crap, off the post twice in the first two minutes for Italy. Talk about destiny...
379The Beezer
      Leader
      ID: 191202817
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 17:31
Unbelievable finish!
380barilko6
      ID: 16529229
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 17:41
The second goal was beautiful, albeit the Germans had to be pushing the offense hard to make up for the first goal, so there weren't too many guys back.
381StomoDotCom
      ID: 365521515
      Tue, Jul 04, 2006, 17:41
There you have it. Tough loss for Germany but Italy hung around just long enough to win it.
382xpdurmind
      ID: 365571222
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 00:59
#375, I'm not sure what game you were watching, but Italy played their style beautifully and even improved on it by keeping possession. I've been following Italy in the world cup since 1976 and this game is an evolution of classic Italian Football.
In any case, Germany still hasn't beaten Italy in World cup competition. And yes, the Germans slowed down being content to go to PK's and rely on Lehman to save the day. That was their major mistake!

The bad news for my Italians is that Portugal will beat them in the final!
383barilko6
      ID: 16529229
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 01:10
I agree XP. Italy hasn't allowed a goal to be scored on them by their opponents yet in this World Cup. They are looking verrrry strong.
384Razor
      ID: 47525714
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 09:56
Should be expected of them. Italy is a traditional defensive powerhouse, and they have two world class defenders on their backline as well as possibly the best keeper in the world.

I'm rooting for France to advance, but this should be a heck of a ballgame today.
386StomoDotCom@Work
      ID: 1163959
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 10:45
Edited 385**

The first half of the game was a disaster waiting to happen for Italy. Besides the number of corners, they were put against the wall by the constant push of the Germans. And even with the corners Lehman literally shut that down every time.

But it doesn't matter. To me, the final is basically the match played today between France and Portugal; winner of that will take it all.
387Razor
      ID: 47525714
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 11:12
Perhaps you haven't noticed that no one has scored on Italy. Not Czech Republic with Nedved, not Germany with Klose, not Ghana with Essien, not Ukraine with Schevchenko... Italy has by far the best defense and goalkeeping of the three remaining teams, and you know what they say about defense winning championships.
388Dec
      ID: 200262011
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 11:19
Well deserved win for Italy. I'm really impressed by the way they play this game. They put a lot of pressure on the ball carrier and they cause a lot of turnovers.

I don't know what happens to the Germans, maybe they feel the extra time against Argentina while Italy had pretty a free ride so far.

Portugal-France: The fatigue factor favors the French. A lot of key players from the two teams are one yellow card away to not playing the finals. Maybe the offense could take advantage.

Anyway, another good reason to skip work this afternoon.
389barilko6
      ID: 16529229
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 12:35
re 387...read post 382. They heard it from me! lol
390Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 15:05
I expect a lot of goals today...
Hope this one can live up to expectations, i expect a great match
391Dec
      ID: 49652516
      Wed, Jul 05, 2006, 17:52
Generous penalty kick, good result, boring game.
392JCS
      Leader
      ID: 020102934
      Thu, Jul 06, 2006, 03:07
Euro 2000 all over again... France beats Portugal in the first Semi while Italy beats the home team in the other Semi. If we can get the same thrilling final, I'll be... well, thrilled.

Now I have to take Monday morning off.
393Twarpy
      ID: 374582911
      Thu, Jul 06, 2006, 13:58
Sums Up What I think of Italy
394Ref
      Donor
      ID: 539581218
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 16:29
WTF was Zidane thinking getting kicked out of his final game in OT?
395R9
      Leader
      ID: 02624472
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 17:21
I'm only a casual fan, but how can hardcore soccer fans like the shootout? Seems like a crappy and random way to end the game. The Italian keeper wasnt even close to guessing right on any of the shots, and one slight crossbar miss decides the whole thing?

How about they make the shootout nets smaller? Or go with continuous OT? I'd love to see that game end with a real goal...
396Great One
      ID: 523121411
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 17:37
I think most would agree Golden Goal sudden death would be more exciting... look at hockey, I've sat through some 5 hour games and I loved every minute of it! lol... it leaves you on the edge of your seat.

We've probably all heard it - but seriously, its like playing one OT of the NBA Finals and then sending players to the line for a "Free Throw Shootout"
397The Beezer
      Leader
      ID: 191202817
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 17:39
As a hardcore soccer fan, I can say that I despise penalty kick shootouts with a passion for exactly the reason you give. The problem is that there aren't many good options for resolving matches in a timely manner that don't fundamentally change the game. There just isn't enough scoring in soccer to make options that work for other sports work well here.
398Myboyjack
      Dude
      ID: 014826271
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 18:04
Why not, at least, just move the PK out another 10 or 20 yards.
399Swish City
      Dude
      ID: 0931275
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 18:18
Zizou, what were you thinking? JCS, you must be raging. Even i was rooting for the French, but Zidane forever tarnished his astonishing reputation with that unnecessary act of folly.

Just out of curiosity, if you move a penalty 10 or 20 yards back, how can it still be a penalty? You would be waiting there forever and a day for a player to score a freekick from that distance after 120 minutes.

As far as i am concerned, silver goal was a good solution, and forced teams to go for a winner. This "tactic" of sitting back and waiting for a shoot out has become a far too easy and commonly used tactic in this competition. The teams should play to a finish. Penalties are a farcical way to decide the World Cup final.
400THK
      ID: 2510332316
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 18:48
What about just continued overtime with unlimited subs? Not sure it makes much sense because the bests players would be off the field while the game was decided. I mean really what can you do?

What about a 2 man attack vs 1 defender and the keeper? I mean who knows...

Pens are exciting like a showdown kinda but deciding a game like that doesnt make much sense.
401J
      ID: 13443921
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 20:30
turn it into a hockey game...5 on 5!
402StomoDotCom
      ID: 363091
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 20:41
The good Zidane giveth, and the good Zidane taketh away. (Or should I say Trezeguet giveth and taketh away). Trezeguet, the same man that sent France through with his goal in 2000 botched a penalty kick. What a game.

It was a good game with plenty of chances for both teams. I know that Italy was the favorite for most people/experts/fans including the last betting lines I saw that had France at 2.90 where as a tie was a 2.60 (There was a better chance to them of France tieing than winning the match). They beat favorites Brazil, threw out a tough opponent in Spain, and took out Portugal, so to me they were favorites. As for the match itself, things seemed very odd.

Italy's defense got the job done, even though I don't think they had their best game (defensively that is). Unlike Italy, France couldn't afford to go to PKs; besides missing Zidane and Henry (im not sure that Ribery or Vieira would've shot), Barthez was the smallest guy on the field. All it took was top shelfers to beat him. Buffon, on the other hand, who happens to be my favorite player in the world, is a monster. He had a great game though, up to the penalties; but hey they won so it really didn't matter.

France fought and had lots of chances that they couldn't finish. The penalty France scored btw was not a penalty, but I guess the "No-Call" later on at one point when Malouda I believe it was again went down hard in the box, made up for it. These things happen.

Swish I agree with your opinion of the Silver Goal. No question it works, because it will really force teams to be on their toes.

But Swish, you say Zidane forever tarnished his astonishing reputation with that unnecessary act of folly. My only problem with that is did Zidane have a great reputation to begin with? I happen to love Zidane and think he is the greatest player of his generation. But he has a history of losing his cool a bit, especially when verbally provoked. Like in 98 when he stomped on the Saudi guy and got a 2 match ban for it. Or in some other isolated instances in the Primera where he's lost his cool (he is no Francesco Totti however). But even so, I don't think this would tarnish his career. It's not the best note that someone may have ended his career on, but I hardly think Zizou will be the Bill Buckner of soccer in my opinion. But a shame in anycase. I still love Zidane.

I hate to see the masters of deceptive slipping and sliding win the world cup. Maybe they'll all be part time pinch runners in the major leagues some day. But their defense did enough to win so nothing else to say.

Maybe in 2010 my Greece will be back. Hah.


403The Beezer
      Leader
      ID: 191202817
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 21:22
The problem with unlimited subs is that it would take most of the current offense that exists out of the game, which is why substitutions are limited in the first place (and didn't even exist in the WC prior to 1970). You're more likely to see goals from tired defenders being on the field than from fresh offensive players IMO.

IMO, a fair resolution of a game should involve the whole team, be based on the same measurement that's used to decide the game (namely, goals), provide a relatively quick result, and not fundamentally change how the game is played.

To that end, I've thought of something that might work - I'm sure it's been proposed somewhere before but I haven't seen it. Have the teams alternate not penalty kicks, but corner kicks instead. Each team takes a corner which ends either with a goal, a goal kick, or the ball going past the line marking the edge of the 18 farthest from the goalie. Go until one team converts and the other one doesn't.

You'd probably get a result within a half-dozen tries or so, it's a part of the game, you'd see more goals, every player is involved (send-offs would still have an impact), and you'd just have to switch the goalies in between so it could go pretty quick. Am I missing something here or would this work?
404THK
      ID: 2510332316
      Sun, Jul 09, 2006, 23:03
I don't think that really works...

Corner kicks are normally taken where 10 or 11 players are in the mix trying to score. That would just be an odd way...I don't know.

It doesn't matter, it won't change lol. i would like to see them at least change from PKs to end of the game kicks...from the 18. that would at least give the keepers more of a chance. i mean, i would love to see the conversion rate of PKs that are on net (not counting misses or crossbars, etc). 18 would at least give keepers more of a chance. of course, with how hard these guys can hit it the keeper would still have to guess probably, but more likely hood of missing the target i guess? eh whatever..lol...great world cup though, good ratings in america...GO US in 2010!
405Perm Dude
      ID: 5622108
      Tue, Jul 11, 2006, 01:24
Funny UK newspaper "correction"
406THK
      ID: 2510332316
      Wed, Jul 12, 2006, 21:46
Klinsman to the US! Yea yea I know what he says. I don't believe it. 51% he takes us to 2010!
407Twarpy
      Leader
      ID: 386242821
      Wed, Jul 12, 2006, 23:31
Matterazi

For those who don't get to see much Serie A (Not that those who watch normally will this year) this shows Matterazi at his greatest.
408biliruben
      ID: 535193010
      Thu, Jul 13, 2006, 11:29

(Incidentally, the devil taboo does not mean that mother insults are unknown in Scandinavian countries: in Finland, for example, there is an expression "Äitisi nai poroja!" which means "Your mother copulates with reindeer!" Sweet!)
Unravelling culture and insults.

Warning: article not for the tender-eyed.
409Motley Crue
      Dude
      ID: 439372011
      Tue, Aug 01, 2006, 13:27
Coup de Boule

Zidane, the "hit man" inspires a jingle. #1 in France. Yay.
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