Soccer still sucks

SilentTom · #1 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006

Anyone been watching it? And who are you guys going for?

(I'm cheering for Argentina as my dad used to live there and I have cheered for them in the last two or three...)

There've been some quite exciting matches so far and it only looks to get better with an almost dream quarterfinal (seven soccer powerhouses and Ukraine)

SlickRick1382 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006

I've watched practically every game there was with the exception of the Swiss & Ukraine game and a few 1st round games since there were so many.

Personally I'm going for Portugal since that's where I'm from and my family.

We face England next. Will be a good but tough game.

cashpath · #3 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006

I'm rooting for Monaco

SilentTom · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006

lol Cash...Yeah Slick that'll be a good game though it'll hurt your guys to be missing at least the two red carded guys and possibly Christiano Ronaldo with the injury.

I've only generally seen the later games as I work midnights and sleep through the early ones. Which ones have been your favourites so far?

holyjabroni73 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2006

I only watched a couple games because im always at work it seems when theyve been on.

I did get to see Argetinas 6-0 drubbing though. And they say soccer players cant score hahahah.

I love the atmosphere of the world cup and the fans. NBA could learn something about making their fans this interested in the sport, because the NBA is boring as heck to watch

titansrule · #6 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

I have watched I think literally every game. I support England obviously. Without Deco and Costhina for Portugal, and now Rooney is coming back to fitness this game is gonna be close as hell.

Hey Rick, good job you didnt watch Switzerland Vs Ukraine. That was the most boring game there has been...By a mile.

My favourites...Hmm..Argentina Vs Ivory Coast was great. I liked Czech Republic Vs Ghana, since some of my real good friends are from there I was supporting them. Holland Portugal had some good moments, despite **** reffing. Spain France was decent last night. Spain coasted too much tho, they are the better team but didnt come out with the victory.

What about favourite goals?

Ive liked Lahms opener, Frings in the same game where it swerved from the middle to top corner (I dont care how crazy a ball is, that is hard to do) Joe Cole's dip against Sweden, Beckham's against Ecaudor. Deco's against Iran was pretty sweet. And the 24 pass Argy goal was sexy, so was their winner against Mexico, but the guy has admitted it was fluke.

SilentTom · #7 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

Yeah, the fan atmosphere at the World Cup is amazing...you've got people chanting throughout the game...whole sides of stadiums in their team colour (seas of orange, yellow, blue...)...and people going crazy when their team plays and they're watching on TV at home. I was still in high school for the last World Cup but one of the rooms was playing the games and it was crazy in there. (Huge diversity of Italians, Portugese, and Central Americans...Italy/Korea game last time was crazy in there)

But I think my favourite game so far (like I said have only seen about half) was Australia/Croatia. Though I liked Argentina/Mexico, Argentina/Ivory Coast and Ghana/USA
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------
Oh yeah and I felt the refereeing in the Portugal/Netherlands game was just fine. Most of the calls were deserving (a couple were questionable), but there was also at least one of the early ones that probably could have deserved a red (maybe had that happened the players would have stepped back into line). The first thing I picture from that game is when the Netherlands guy didn't give the ball back to Portugal after the injury and the guy made him pay with a vicious tackle (that isn't the one I thought deserved the red though).

holyjabroni73 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

One play in that game that i didnt understand and I dont know alot about soccer, but the guy trying to kick the ball and kicked the opponent in the shoulder, shouldnt that at least have gotten him a yellow for a high kick?

SlickRick1382 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

I think your talking about the one where it was declared offsides so there was no penalty.

Silent Tom I can't say I agree with you. The reffing was HORRENDOUS in the Portugal vs NEtherlands game. The holland player who caught C. Ronaldo should of gotten a red card because it was a deliberate foul and this would of kept both teams in check.

Stupid **** was for example Deco got a 2nd yellow card for picking up the ball and trying to give it back (it was a yellow card for timewasting) but the guy who grabbed Deco and threw him to the ground to take the ball didn't get a card.

**** like that pisses me off. Also the 1st yellow card Deco got should of been reversed by FIFA. Portugal was in the middle of an attack and had good numbers when they kciekd the ball out of bounds because of an injured player and like someone said above, rather than return the ball (part of the Fair Play Agreement that every team signs) Holland tried to dash down the field and score. Portugal was just standing there and caught off guard by the blatant disrespect they showed and would of suffered a goal most likely had Deco not intentionally fouled to stop the game temporarily and let Portugal recoup. Personally I think he shouldn't of gotten any card despite the obvious tackle from behind because of the cheap and dirty play of Holland players.

I lost complete and total respect for them as a nation and refuse to go to Amsterdam now (out next vacation). FIFA makes all teams sign the Fair Play Agreement but then does nothing when a team doesn't abide by them. WTF kinda of **** is that?

Titans.... C. Ronaldo will play. Players play through injuries and its obvious how important this game is. There is no way he misses it. Just like a Jordan, Wade, etc won't miss the game if they can play.

Losing Deco is the hardest. Personally Costinha can sit out the rest of the tourney. He's not that great and is overrated. I rather have Ricardo Carvalho back there and Miguel has been the best defender in the whole tournament. Losing Deco though hurts because the offense flows through him. Figo is too old to play his position and only Simao can try to fill his shoes.

Should be a great game though.

SilentTom · #10 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

The tackle on C. Ronaldo is the card I was talking about and I agree it should've been a red and would have kept the game in line. I think you have some good points...I was actually wondering when it happened why that other guy (the timewasting incident) didn't get a yellow card, but I chalked it up to a retaliation to another foul/incident...kind of like what Deco did on the injury play.

TheBillster · #11 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

The world cup in Germany is turning out as the biggest sports show on planet earth history. Iam in Frankfurt every day and it is amazing to see these guys from all over the world celebrating their teams in the german cities.

Sad that Germany will knocked out of the competition on Fryday by Argentina. They are simply too good, even when they didnt showed it against the team of Speedy Gonzalez...
Yeah, Argentina will win the Worldchampionchip.

SlickRick1382 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-28-2006

I don't think so. I think Germany has a shot to dethrown them if not they still have to beat Italy a good defensive team in order to get to the Finals where they will face one of the best times like Brazil, France or maybe even a sleeper like England or Portugal.

SilentTom · #13 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006

I see the semi-finals being Argentina vs Italy and Brazil vs Portugal/England...I will say England since that is the final four I had picked for various pools before the whole thing began. Brazil and Argentina are very talented and I think will outplay Germany and France...I think Switzerland's defensive style would have given Italy troubles, but Ukraine will be simply overmatched. England/Portugal is really really close, and its really a toss up.

SlickRick1382 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-29-2006

Italy obviously has the most favorable matchup, but like I said I wouldn't give Argentina the victory like that. Although I had Argentina pegged as one of the potential winners for the World Cup before it started, Germany is a tough team to beat especially at home.

Brasil isn't a lock to win especially against a strong team like France. France isn't an underdog by much in this game. They are a real strong team.

As for the England vs Portgual game I obviously have to go with Portugal since I'm from there and I like the veteran team we have with Scolari as our coach. He's a genius when it comes to the game and is a great chess player when it comes to tactics.

titansrule · #15 (**permalink**) 06-30-2006

Hey Billster, are you not proud of your country's defensive improvement? Against Costa Rica they were shocking defensively. They have looked great going forward, and the addition of Huth helps them out a lot. Painful tho it is for me to say, as you well know, with the rivalry we (Eng and Ger) have had down the years, I am rooting for you guys. As is like 40% of the English public...I think its just cos we hate the argies more

I disagree Rick. I think Brazil have the potential to trounce France. Spain should be there, but instead stuck it in cruise control, with the much overrated Torres not helping matters...Nor did Raul. France are a team of past its...Zidane cannot keep pace I dont believe anymore, Thuram has gone majorly downhill..And that Ribery doesnt know how/when to distribute the ball.

As regards our game Rick..I never doubted he woud play. Costhina however is a bigger loss than you believe, playing the holding Midfield role..Without him there, Gerrard and Lampard, two of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world, can get forward.

Not like I need anymore of an incentive to bite my nails throughout the game, do you wanna bet on it?

As regards Scolari...Amazing. He is truely a class act, but I feel that Wayne could really get into this game, and Frank Lampard is due to score...

If Portugal were to win, it would be through him, and the fact that Sven is the most incompetant national coach I have ever seen.

SilentTom · #16 (**permalink**) 06-30-2006

Well Germany won in penalty kicks...it was an exciting game both ways. Those blasted Germans and their penalty kicks...they are automatic from the spot. It was a real shame when the Argentine goalie went down and I question the other subs they made when they went up 1-0. They should have kept doing what they were doing with the possession game. I guess I'll have to wait another four years....

titansrule · #17 (**permalink**) 07-01-2006

He took of Riquelme, one of the best players on the planet...And didnt put on Messi...Simple as. Argentina are the better team, but made bad substitutions and began a passive game..Their only bright spark being Tevez and their Captain down the left...

Oh and the goal from the corner was a fantastic header..

SilentTom · #18 (**permalink**) 07-01-2006

Yeah the sub of Riquelme was costly not only because once they were tied the Argentines and very little firepower on the field...but they just sat back too much and lacked the possession game they had played up to the point of the subsitituions.

titansrule · #19 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006

Im not even gonna get into our game. England played better..Got a red card for pushing Ronaldo, who winked after his play acting, and got beat on penalties.. again.

Sven sucks...England played their heart out...Scolari who is a great man didnt make great subs.. England deserved to win, and that's not just being biased. The Portugese played as really bad sports, throughout the game. And I know Rick will deny it but meh. Im just so pissed.

I know Ronaldo lives close to me, cos I live in Manchester. I think Im gonna go round and knock him out...The biggest dick in football.

cashpath · #20 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006

Please call it soccer here... thanks...

titansrule · #21 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006

I normally do here. Sorry I forgot in my fit of rage

Short · #22 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006

According to Newsday, my local newspaper, England won the game. Shows how much we Americans care about soccer

.

SilentTom · #23 (**permalink**) 07-02-2006

Lol Short...well congratulations to me for going one for four in my predictions. Lol

titansrule · #24 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006

Haha Short, seriously? Well we won it morally

TheBillster · #25 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006

Crazy world championship so far. No, world championship is wrong. In the semi-finals it turned out to be a european championship with 4 teams of Europe remaining in the tournament. There you can see that the experts were right as they said that south amorino teams never succeed in tournaments which were played in Europe. They win the titles when the competition is in south america and somewhere else in the world, but never in Europe.
Homefield advantage is working great in these kind of tournaments. Germany knocks out a team which is 2 classes better in Argentina. I know what iam speaking of. The class of a national team can be seen on the percentage of the players who are playing in the elite european leagues. And since the german league is only the 4th or 5th best league in Europe, most of the german players should play in forgein leagues like italy, spain, england, but i think only 1 of players is playing outside of Germany, and that is their Goalkeeper. Yeah, thje Germans are a good, but not great team. Homefield advantage and team spirit can do wonders.
But especially iam disappointed of the Brazilians. They played without passion and vision. And dont say they are an aging team. They lost to the french team with an 33 or 34 year old Zidane and a 35 year old Thuram and many more old players.
South american teams suck when they have to play in Europe. Plain and simple.
It is crazy that a team like Germany could have a shoot for the title. That looked almost impossible before the start of the championship, but as long other nations refuse to play soccer outside of their continent it is obviously possible. Congrats Germany !!!
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBillster

Crazy world championship so far. No, world championship is wrong. In the semi-finals it turned out to be a european championship with 4 teams of Europe remaining in the tournament. There you can see that the experts were right as they said that south amorino teams never succeed in tournaments which were played in Europe. They win the titles when the competition is in south america and somewhere else in the world, but never in Europe.

Dunno why the spell check made AMORNIO out of AMERICAN...

Speaking of south american teams, not south amorino teams or whatever...
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------
I see now that the spell check isnt working for me...

titansrule · #26 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006

Yeah, congrats to Germany. They have seriously improved. I dont want Portugal to win after knocking us out. And I definately dont want France to win. So whoever wins between you and Italy I will be rooting for.

One thing I can say. Germany have held a great World Cup. Put on a real show.

SilentTom · #27 (**permalink**) 07-03-2006

I'm with Titans and will be cheering for the winner of Italy/Germany. I'm not sure what it is about France I don't like...I just don't...but no offense to Slick, but the Portugese guys I know are probably the cockiest people I know and I don't think I could stand them if they won.

TheBillster · #28 (**permalink**) 07-05-2006

The party is over for Germany. They lost in an unlucky game against Italy. Sad.
I personally think that France will win the title.

SlickRick1382 · #29 (**permalink**) 07-05-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

Hey Billster, are you not proud of your country's defensive improvement? Against Costa Rica they were shocking defensively. They have looked great going forward, and the addition of Huth helps them out a lot. Painful tho it is for me to say, as you well know, with the rivalry we (Eng and Ger) have had down the years, I am rooting for you guys. As is like 40% of the English public...I think its just cos we hate the argies more

I disagree Rick. I think Brazil have the potential to trounce France. Spain should be there, but instead stuck it in cruise control, with the much overrated Torres not helping matters...Nor did Raul. France are a team of past its...Zidane cannot keep pace I dont believe anymore, Thuram has gone majorly downhill..And that Ribery doesnt know how/when to distribute the ball.

As regards our game Rick..I never doubted he woud play. Costhina however is a bigger loss than you believe, playing the holding Midfield role..Without him there, Gerrard and Lampard, two of the most dangerous attacking midfielders in the world, can get forward.

Not like I need anymore of an incentive to bite my nails throughout the game, do you wanna bet on it?

As regards Scolari...Amazing. He is truely a class act, but I feel that Wayne could really get into this game, and Frank Lampard is due to score...

If Portugal were to win, it would be through him, and the fact that Sven is the most incompetant national coach I have ever seen.

Your so lucky I had a family emergency in Canada and had to go away as I was right on everything form Portugal winning to France taking Brasil back to Germany over Argentina. =)
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

Im not even gonna get into our game. England played better..Got a red card for pushing Ronaldo, who winked after his play acting, and got beat on penalties.. again.

Sven sucks...England played their heart out...Scolari who is a great man didnt make great subs.. England deserved to win, and that's not just being biased. The Portugese played as really bad sports, throughout the game. And I know Rick will deny it but meh. Im just so pissed.

I know Ronaldo lives close to me, cos I live in Manchester. I think Im gonna go round and knock him out...The biggest dick in football.

Thats BULLOCKS.

England did not play better or they would of won. Secondly ROONEY GOT THE RED CARD FOR THE KICK ON CARVALHO. He DID NOT get carded for pushing Ronoldo at all so go take your frustration out on a pin up doll.

The penalties thing sucked but you can't deny how good Ricardo our goalie was in the shoot-outs. He blocked 3 of 4 and got his hand on the one that went in.

How did the Portuguese play as bad sports? Please do explain. And why is Ronoldo the biggest dick? He didn't get Rooney red carded, Rooney got himself red carded by kicking Carvalho in the groin area.

Please do explain those as I am curious to know.

Personally I think you are being a bad sport about the whole thing. Portugal won despite a bad performance but England didnt play any better so they also didn't deserve to win. Mind you we were without two of our starters especially Deco who we rely on heavily.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentTom

I'm with Titans and will be cheering for the winner of Italy/Germany. I'm not sure what it is about France I don't like...I just don't...but no offense to Slick, but the Portugese guys I know are probably the cockiest people I know and I don't think I could stand them if they won.

That a bunch of bull**** and you know it. So Portuguese people are cockier than the ITALIANS? How about the ****ING FRENCH? and never mind the SPANISH WHO ARE ARROGANTS ****S just like the FRENCH.

Lets not forget the ENGLISH who ****ing talked MADD **** int he columns before the game vs Portugal even started. HECK they even posted up a FAKE interview with on of our players that never happened. NO THEY AREN"T COCKY... BLOODY EHHH

HMMM ... lets see who else. Oh thats right ... the AMERICANS..... NO Americans aren't cocky and arrogant at all. We just think we run everything, are the best at everything and should be handed every ****ing title.

I just lost some respect for you with that comment considering that THERE ARE A DOZEN OR MORE NATIONS COCKIER than the Portuguese. Not to mention this can be considered being proud and not cocky.

BULL**** I TELL YOU.

WAIT... I FORGOT THE BRAZILIANS WHO PARADE AROUND THE TOWNS and wear their flags and colors all the ****ing time. For example during the PORTUGUESE DAY PARADE (before the WOLRD CUP) they invaded our parade with their flags. Yeah that's not being a cocky bunch not to mention disrespectful ****s.

titansrule · #30 (**permalink**) 07-05-2006

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