Ronaldo opens the scoring and mercifully removes the WC scoring record from a German Was not a bad goal to take the record on, and 18 yard step over to walk round the keeper and slot into an empty net AwEsOmE
Five minutes is not a bad time to score it either!
3-0 Brasil, good effort, as expected by Ghana, but didn't have the quality on the field or in the manager's chair in the end. They play with their hearts on their sleeves tho and for that I think they're he darlings of the WC, everyone seems appreciative of their efforts. Well done Ghana.
I'm fairly certain Parreira is the reason Brasil are not giving everyone the incredible circus act that they want and if that's the case I fancy them to make it to the final. Case in point is Ronaldinho, he is on a leash big time. It's good that he's obeying as well, a team of their talents that are untied under their manager's orders, given a good manager of course, are a team to be feared. THe announcers and a lot of fans are saying they "should fear so-and-so if they play like that"... they won't play "like that". Parreira prepares his team to face and beat the team they are coming up against, you can't say anything about their next performance based on their last in this World Cup.
I'm actually kind of suprised to see the powers that I picked at the beginning of the tournament living up to my expectations, very strange, I'm usually veeery wrong with early Euro/WC predictions I'm beginning to wish I'd been a betting man
I've heard that Fabregas may start over Senna, this makes me happy. I hear Raul may start over Garcia, this does not make me happy.
I'll try not to scream too loud when DummYech puts Zidane in and strands Henry giving France no hope.
I fancy Spain for the win as well but this could be another nail biting snooze fest like Ukraine/Switzerland if the manager's field the right players (or wrong players depending on your pov )
That was Spain choking out yet again, same as ever. Dunno why I picked them to go semis at least.
DummYech played the beatable team, Aragones and go choked every step of the way.
The only bright point of the game for me was Zidane getting on the scoresheet easy at it was at that point. Hopefully he can show some sparkle again before he retires
From: Happy Hunting Grounds... Insane since: Mar 2001
posted 07-01-2006 01:32
Well, Germany squeeks by Argentina, and Italy blows the Ukraine off the map!
I have always disliked Penalty Shootouts to decide a match.
Germany gets by with a 1 - 1 with a win on Penalty Goals.
Wow.
Looks like the Gods of Luck were fickle with the Ukraine - they were pretty hot at the beginning of the 2nd half, but failed to realize the Golden Rule - to win, you must score goals. Enormous pressure was put on Italy, but the Keeper came up with some great winners, and of course the Goal Bar helped!
Of course, it didn't take long for Italy to capitalize on the fustration of the Ukrainians - goal!
3 - 0.
Ouch.
I am really looking forward to the Brazil vs France game!
GOOOOO Renaldo!
WebShaman | The keenest sorrow (and greatest truth) is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.
- Sophocles
I went into England Portugal wanting Portugal to win. By the time the game ended I had completely swapped, the Portuguese have accumulated to many diving crying whingy girl points withme and I now hate them with a passion normally reserved for positive things. I hope they lose bady and the sooner the better. They bring the game into direpute.
Zidane is getting his second wind, very happy to see that!
i don't feel that strongly about them but i totally understand JK. they do have a certain south american flair to their dives that doesnt sit well with me at all. also curious to see if cristiano ronaldo's move to real goes thru as he's probably not too popular in England at the moment
I admit i was happy to see France knock off Brazil, i think Brazil thought they could just coast through and Zidane showed up and played fantastically. I'd love to see him retire with another WC title though i don't know that it'll happen.
my money, whatever that's worth, is on the Germans, they're just playing the most solid football right now. we shall see...
The World Cup? The Euro (- Argentina - Brazil) Cup, more precisely Boring...
It should be a rule to have at least one non-European team in the semi finals!
I would be squarely in the underdog Potugal's camp as well if that hadn't made me physically ill with their unsporting behaviour during this tournament! Even Figo has lost his shine
quote: binary said:
DAMNNNNNN....now wat r we supposed to watch since the WC is now coming to a closure.
c'mon! there's a deadspot every year, we just have to suck it up and muddle through, get some yard work done
Germany/Italy is a DAMN GOOD game here at minute 28!
edit:
FORZA ITALIA!
Woooooooooooooooo!
I'm happy again after that performance. I've been a little indifferent since the US exited and I've got back into the daily busy busy life but now that we're getting to the quality stuff and my 2nd team just triumphed over the homers in Dortmund, and Alex gets a stunner for a cherry on it, well, I'm a little excited again!!! FANTASTIC game from both teams and frankly I expected nothing less! Congrats to Klinsmann and co on a job very well done and shutting the haters up over there.
2 last minutes goals in extra time period #2. heartstopping stuff for me
From: Happy Hunting Grounds... Insane since: Mar 2001
posted 07-05-2006 06:57
Woooohooooo!
I am the happiest person in Germany right now!
First of all, what a game! It had almost everything!
The Italian plan was masterful and worked brilliantly. Germany was confused, fustrated, and had nothing to bring against it except for their up to this point undominable will.
That was not enough.
For once in this WC, Germany is goal-less in regular time. An incredible feat by the Italian defence! The fustration among the Germans showed, as they began to rack up yellowcards in the 1st half. The normally very dominant offense of the Germans turned into a push-shove-type of physical game.
And the Italians didn't blink.
A totally different Italian team in this game. They played very fair (for the Italians ) - and only received 1 yellowcard for the whole game (is that a record?).
And then came the extended play, and Italy turned up the heat! WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!
It could have easily have been 4-0! But luck helped, and the Italians remained scoreless as well until deep into the 2nd extention of play.
Then the Germans faltered. Perhaps it was the pressure, the incredible expectations from the crowd (and the entire country on the German team), or perhaps they were already mentally in the Penalty Goal shootout (which is what I think, after hearing several remarks from various German players after the match). Irregardless, a last-ditch effort by the Italians to avoid the Penalty Shootout. With the clock ticking, forwards...and what a Goal!
It was a deadly thrust, sinking straight into the hearts of every German watching! 1-0!
And then came the mercy shot, putting an end to the death-throes!
2-0!
Finally, I can go to work, without having to be constantly subject to the incredible hubris and arrogance of my co-workers! Thank you, Italy! No more "Wir fahren nach Berlin!" calls, no more "The US can't play soccer, we will beat the Italians easily, unlike your team!" no more "why don't you follow your team home?" and other such irritations.
No more self-pontifications, no more "we are the best on the planet" attitudes.
I expect the situation to slowly relax at work now.
What a relief.
Onwards!
France vs Portugal!
My heart is with France and Zidane! But Portugal will not be handing tickets to the final game out to the french, they will have to earn them!
Personally, I want to see Italian vs France in the WC final! Two colossal Titans clash!
It doesn't get any better than that!
Or will it be the WC newcomer, Portugal?
Tonight promises to be another thrilling evening!
~On a side note : At least the US actually scored a goal against the Italians, the only team do have done so!
WebShaman | The keenest sorrow (and greatest truth) is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.
- Sophocles
you sound like a man relieved, go on then, tell us how you really feel
How's the German media treating Klinsmann after the bounce? I'm kinda hoping they'll turn on him so the US can snatch him up, but after what he's done with them and how well they've played, he should well be a national hero and get an extension through the next Euro at least.
How's the German media treating Klinsmann after the bounce? I'm kinda hoping they'll turn on him so the US can snatch him up
This wount help the USA team at all
Soccer/Football starts at the grassroots....the US as a country must first love the BEST GAME in the world....let the children play the game as a hobby rather palying Baseball......and when this children grow up...and only then would the USA team ever have a chance of reaching the QUARTER FINALS.....am hoping u r not thinking that they might one day win the WC ..mayb my grandson's son will c that
Guess who has been following the last stages of the world cup by radio! Just wanted to check in while I get the chance, I'm in a library at the moment getting some online goodness after a couple of weeks away. I'm in the back of beyond trying to get some conservation work done and I have had no choice but to go for the work now . So my World Cup binge has taken a bit of a dive, much like the England team's tournament, shower of plant pots,
I'm hoping to be home or at least near a TV for the final. The Germany v Italy game sounded great, I listened to it on Five Live and really enjoyed the commentary next time, if I get the chance, I plan to watch the game but listen to five live at the same time.
Jumping johosophat, I'm nearly out of computer time and I have a queue of bods waiting for me to finish so I'll bid you adieu.
Oh wait, France v Portugal, who am I up for? Well I don't really mind but I think I'll go gallic and shout for Le Bleu.
quote: binary said:
This wount help the USA team at all Soccer/Football starts at the grassroots....the US as a country must first love the BEST GAME in the world....let the children play the game as a hobby rather palying Baseball......and when this children grow up...and only then would the USA team ever have a chance of reaching the QUARTER FINALS.....am hoping u r not thinking that they might one day win the WC ..mayb my grandson's son will c that Go Portugal GO~Sig coming soon~
I can't tell if you're just taking the piss, bashing US Soccer in place of politics, or being honest but there are some serious gaps in your knowledge base regarding soccer in the US:
the US as a country must first love the BEST GAME in the world
As a country? That's purely your opinion, the people that play it love it as much as the next person of some other nation. The brotherhood of players and fans is as tight as any other nation's.
let the children play the game as a hobby rather palying Baseball
It's the most popular children's sport going here for the last several years running. I've been playing for over 30 years, since I was 5 or 6, I had a lot of teammates and leagues to play in. Tons of kids play here, and more every year.
I've seen figures as high as 18 million soccer players in the US. 18m as a percentage of some cup winning nations' populations:
Germany - 22%
Italy - 31%
England - 30%
Brasil - 10%
Argentina - 45%
Statistically speaking 18m players is an enviable number, especially when you consider a WC roster is only 23 deep. We have reason to be hopeful with that number of players. This number says nothing of the FANS of the sport.
18 million as a percentage of some other populations:
Netherlands - 55%
Ukraine - 84%
Romania - 179%
Sweden - 443%
Bulgvaria - 536%
Denmark - 735%
Numerically speaking we appear to be at the starting line at least wouldn't you say?
and only then would the USA team ever have a chance of reaching the QUARTER FINALS
We in fact reached the quarters in the '02 World Cup
In fact, played Germany and made them quite nervous, I thought Kahn was gonna sh*t his heart out. Ask any of the German team that faced the US that day 4 years ago if they're a game side. They certainly had no problem expressing their relief at getting out that game alive in the press conferences directly after the match
Were it not for the undetected handball of Torsten Frings clearing a US goal off the line, the outcome may have been much different, the US dominated the play in most of that match but the Germans leave 1-0 off of a set piece. Thems the breaks
So what did we do this tournament besides crash out at the group stage (from the REAL group oif death)?
Lessee, we were the only team of the tournament to face a full strength Czech side that many pundits were tipping to make it to the final. We played gutless in that game and we deserved the loss but 3-0 wasn't a measure of the gulf in quality, more a measure of the tactical hole the US dug themselves by giving up a goal in the first five minutes against a team that were uniquely equipped to protect such a lead and hit on counters. By the time they lost Koller the damage was done for the US, but his loss crippled the potential of the Czech side and made 3-0 look ever worse after the Czechs exited at the group stage as well.
US vs Italy was a good matchup tactically speaking, I expected to get something out of this match and we did. With 9 men against 10. Itlay is in the final now with only one goal scored against them and the US are responsible for that one. The Germans exit at the hands of a team that we match up quite well with.
Ghana was a great side! 2-1 to Ghana. Anyone on the planet think that goal #2 for Ghana, the game winner, the penalty... was a penalty?! No one but the ref that awarded it. Ghana was content to sit back and counter as well, you've got to hand it to their coach, he'd studied and prepared well for the US. We lacked seriously in our ability to create (and finish to some degree)a lot of quality chances, especially against a bunker type defensive setup.
Our group stage analysis is not to brag, how could I? We lost out big time! It's just to illustrate the point that the line between glory and heartbreak in football is very fine. It's also to illustrate that the world noticed that the US is up and coming. Every team we played this time around altered their usual tactics to defaet the US. It's ok if the fans around the world have no respect for the US game, but the managers whose paychecks and reputations depend on winning no longer take the US for granted.
We've qualified for every WC since 90 and are now a top dominant force in our Confederation on a regular basis. We'll likely be there ever 4 years, improving all the time. We know that we're way behind the top sides of Europe and South America and are taking steps to improve the level of competition we face in the 47 months between World Cups. I don't think we'll take many steps backwards from here.
quote:
It's the most popular children's sport going here for the last several years running. I've been playing for over 30 years, since I was 5 or 6, I had a lot of teammates and leagues to play in. Tons of kids play here, and more every year.
do u guys have soccer Academies......do parents really consider soccer as a career/profession or is it just part of the child's physical education....what am trying to drive is that soccer is not taken as a serious sport by the US public....
and B4 the US soccer team can be a force to reckon with....soccer by its self in the US must rise from it current position and compete with the other sports such Baseball, Basket Ball,Football(not so soccer) and the rest.
All the cup winning nations....soccer is the number one sport in their countries
even POLITICIANS take a break...( can u picture BUSH watching a soccer
match....i dont thnk SO)
From: Happy Hunting Grounds... Insane since: Mar 2001
posted 07-06-2006 10:01
Sooo...
Enough US this, US that.
Only time and results will tell.
Onwards!
France vs Portugal
An incredible defence, France! Wow. They really shut Portugal down. Portugal threw everything they had at France, and came up short.
France gets by to the final with a 1-0.
Portugal has the inevitable task of playing Germany for 3rd place.
So, only two matches left!
Germany vs Portugal.
I predict Germany to win.
Then comes the game of the WC - FINAL!
And I have to say, I have no idea who will win. Italy is looking good, has an incredibly good and talented team. But then, so does France. It could go either way.
I pick France
WebShaman | The keenest sorrow (and greatest truth) is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.
- Sophocles
binary, where are you from? You clearly have an outsiders view of soccer in the US. We do have Academies, well one that I'm aware of I understand everything you're saying but some of your facts are wrong and I just don't agree with your position of what it takes to make a successful team. I really am interested in your location however, that would help me understand where you're coming from with your point of view
quote: WebShaman said:
Sooo...Enough US this, US that.Only time and results will tell.
Ok mom
I forgot there's a third place match, they still play those the "I'd rather be on the beach right now" match. Hope Germany wins as the Portguguese have cemented their place in my mind as diving whininh cheating scum. I do hope Miguel's injury was not severe, he was Portugal's best player throughout, really impressive.
I've been an Italy supporter for a long time, gotta go with them. Let's win it for Pessotto! Forza Azzuri!
I'm from the US with my poor understanding of football and what not...
But I think to say the US was responsible for the only goal against Italy is kind of laughable. It was nothing more than a fluke...could have happened against any team.
-Chesta
(all my teams are out, I guess I'll be rooting for Italy, but I'd still be happy for Zidane if he went out with a flourish)
own goals come from pressure and the US putr Italy under a fair amount of pressure in that game, it wasn't rough justice that we shared the points, Lippi agrees
From: Happy Hunting Grounds... Insane since: Mar 2001
posted 07-07-2006 06:33
Any team can score a goal against any other with luck.
Sure.
However, that goal was not really luck, but an enormous amount of offensive pressure that resulted in such a situation and occurance.
A team has to first GET themselves into such a position, and as Italy has shown (it only has that one goal from the US scored against it in the WC), it is very good at preventing opposing teams from scoring (in fact, they prevented the Germans from doing so, something no-one else managed to do!).
WebShaman | The keenest sorrow (and greatest truth) is to recognize ourselves as the sole cause of all our adversities.
- Sophocles
Today's the day
After a month and 62 games the Final is now here, to be played at the Olympiastadion in Berlin at 7:00 GMT.
I've made it back (to my comfy chair, TV, and net connection) just in time. I must admit that I don't think I fancied either France or Italy at the start of the competition, but that's Football for you. These are the expected line-ups:
The main thing I am hoping for this final, is to watch a great open game and judging by how the ref's have relaxed their seemingly pathological need to blow the whistle and wave little red or yellow cards, it may just happen.
I wonder what the odds are for Zinedine Zidane scoring the winning goal? That is one dream like ending that could happen.
Righto, I'm off to look at the stats, and perhaps even check out the Wimbledon final too Federer v Nadal. I won't give the score so far in case it spoils someone else watching later.
posted 06-27-2006 17:09
This wount help the USA team at all 
..mayb my grandson's son will c that 
::cell::