2010 FIFA World Cup

[pmchugh]

Will Netherlands v. Slovakia be worth watching? Who's the underdog? I'm just going to root for every underdog team in every match from here on out.

I hate to admit it, but I've really lost interest now that the USA has been knocked out.

It should be an ok game, mainly netherlands on the attack i hope they can get a good few goals.

The world cup is just hotting up, yesterday had 2 great games and with the likes of Brazil v Chile, Spain v Portugal and Germany v Argentina on the horizon its just gonna get better

[Timminz]

Will Netherlands v. Slovakia be worth watching? Who's the underdog? I'm just going to root for every underdog team in every match from here on out.

I hate to admit it, but I've really lost interest now that the USA has been knocked out.

It should be an ok game, mainly netherlands on the attack i hope they can get a good few goals.

The world cup is just hotting up, yesterday had 2 great games and with the likes of Brazil v Chile, Spain v Portugal and Germany v Argentina on the horizon its just gonna get better

Yup.

Dave, if you're looking for the underdogs, you will want to cheer for Slovakia, Chile, Portugal (even though they're a bunch of greasy fuckwits), and Japan.

[sonicsteve]

Is it about time for AOG to run a new vote?

Now that all the one-eyed fools (myself included) who voted for England and the USA have had those options removed, would be interesting to see what the current opinion is.

[pimpdave]

Yeah, I figured Chile would be underdogs to Brazil, and Japan definitely seems like underdogs, given what I saw of the other games they've been in. I wasn't sure about Portugal v. Spain, but I know there's all kinds of hype over the Spanish team. (Should be a good rivalry, anyway)

Thanks for the intel. I'll be bugging you for more down the line.

[ga7]

holland-slovenia

3-1 if robben starts, if robben substitutes, it will only be a 2-1

My money is on this It should be a good test for the dutch defense. Cheering for Chile today even though a Netherlands-Brazil would sound pretty good in quarters.

[Night Strike]

So FIFA decided to run and hide from their controversial calls by not showing them on the stadium screens. Cowards. If you're going to insist that keeping the human error is good for the sport, then show it so the rest of us can continue to stack up the proof of how wrong you are.

[pimpdave]

So FIFA decided to run and hide from their controversial calls by not showing them on the stadium screens. Cowards. If you're going to insist that keeping the human error is good for the sport, then show it so the rest of us can continue to stack up the proof of how wrong you are.

I'm impressed to see you write that. You of all people. Maybe things have changed with you.

[Night Strike]

So FIFA decided to run and hide from their controversial calls by not showing them on the stadium screens. Cowards. If you're going to insist that keeping the human error is good for the sport, then show it so the rest of us can continue to stack up the proof of how wrong you are.

I'm impressed to see you write that. You of all people. Maybe things have changed with you.

Why? I've denounced all the horrible calls in this tournament, not just the ones against the US.

[nagerous]

Wow, I'm agreeing with Night Strike about something

Put money on Van Persie scoring in the first half, looks like that won't pay out

[pmchugh]

So FIFA decided to run and hide from their controversial calls by not showing them on the stadium screens. Cowards. If you're going to insist that keeping the human error is good for the sport, then show it so the rest of us can continue to stack up the proof of how wrong you are.

Really? You seen what happened when they saw the replay on the big screen everyone went nuts. Imagine at big derby match this being showed on the big screen, if this happened at a Celtic v Rangers game everyone would go f-in mental.

[jaimito101]

holland-slovenia

3-1 if robben starts, if robben substitutes, it will only be a 2-1

My money is on this It should be a good test for the dutch defense. Cheering for Chile today even though a Netherlands-Brazil would sound pretty good in quarters.

well wasn't the best of games, seemed like they were happy with the 1-0. not liking that mindset with slovakia getting some good changes to equalize, but hey, why complain were through!

[Night Strike]

So FIFA decided to run and hide from their controversial calls by not showing them on the stadium screens. Cowards. If you're going to insist that keeping the human error is good for the sport, then show it so the rest of us can continue to stack up the proof of how wrong you are.

Really? You seen what happened when they saw the replay on the big screen everyone went nuts. Imagine at big derby match this being showed on the big screen, if this happened at a Celtic v Rangers game everyone would go f-in mental.

Because it was a horrible call. FIFA should learn how upset they make fans and players when they allow nonsense like this to continue.

[parker4s]

Yep.

[Mr Changsha]

The last genuinely decent England team was the 1995-2002 model. It made the Euro 96 semis, managed France 98's 2nd round, (losing quite unfortunately to a good Argentinian side) and the fag end of it made the Japan/Korea quarter finals. It played well again there and, unlike the 2006 side, actually looked like it deserved to be there, as it outplayed the Brazilians in the first half before, rather predictably, wilting in the maddening heat of a Far Eastern summer.

It included Alan Shearer (a world record costing striker), Teddy Sheringham (a genuinely effective replacement for Eric Cantona at Manchester United), Steve Mcmanaman (who graced Real Madrid for a few seasons), Michael Owen (he of the France 98 fame), Peter Beardsley (England's most creative playmaker?), Paul Gasgoine (the best English player since Bobby Charlton), David Beckham (brilliant from about 97 to 2001), Paul Scholes (touch like a Brazilian) and Paul Ince (who bossed Manchester United before doing the same for Inter Milan.)

That's just the forwards and midfielders...there was also a world class goalkeeper (or three) and a solid, Arsenal inspired, defence.

Now take a look at the 2010 squad. The only players that would get near the 1996-98 team are Rooney (though not in this form), Gerrard and Ashley Cole. And even then Rooney over Shearer? Really? Maybe they could play together, but hands up if you think Wayne Rooney has been more effective than Michael Owen at major international tournaments? I'd play Shearer and Owen without question.

Anyone that thought they would do better than blag it through an easy group and then beat Ghana, if they played out of their skins, was living in a dream world.

An Englishman just has to realise that as a country we are not always capapable of producing genuinely decent teams. When we do they are brilliant (hence England is still ranked a top football power) but we simply don't have the consistancy of Germany or Italy. I'm not sure this can be changed.

I expect the 2014 team to be much better. At least on the mend, anyway.

[Gypsys Kiss]

The last genuinely decent England team was the 1995-2002 model. It made the Euro 96 semis, managed France 98's 2nd round, (losing quite unfortunately to a good Argentinian side) and the fag end of it made the Japan/Korea quarter finals. It played well again there and, unlike the 2006 side, actually looked like it deserved to be there, as it outplayed the Brazilians in the first half before, rather predictably, wilting in the maddening heat of a Far Eastern summer.

It included Alan Shearer (a world record costing striker), Teddy Sheringham (a genuinely effective replacement for Eric Cantona at Manchester United), Steve Mcmanaman (who graced Real Madrid for a few seasons), Michael Owen (he of the France 98 fame), Peter Beardsley (England's most creative playmaker?), Paul Gasgoine (the best English player since Bobby Charlton), David Beckham (brilliant from about 97 to 2001), Paul Scholes (touch like a Brazilian) and Paul Ince (who bossed Manchester United before doing the same for Inter Milan.)

That's just the forwards and midfielders...there was also a world class goalkeeper (or three) and a solid, Arsenal inspired, defence.

Now take a look at the 2010 squad. The only players that would get near the 1996-98 team are Rooney (though not in this form), Gerrard and Ashley Cole. And even then Rooney over Shearer? Really? Maybe they could play together, but hands up if you think Wayne Rooney has been more effective than Michael Owen at major international tournaments? I'd play Shearer and Owen without question.

Anyone that thought they would do better than blag it through an easy group and then beat Ghana, if they played out of their skins, was living in a dream world.

An Englishman just has to realise that as a country we are not always capapable of producing genuinely decent teams. When we do they are brilliant (hence England is still ranked a top football power) but we simply don't have the consistancy of Germany or Italy. I'm not sure this can be changed.

I expect the 2014 team to be much better. At least on the mend, anyway.

I find it hard to disagree with any of that.......welcome back Mr C

And at least there is one Englishman having a good World Cup

[Pedronicus]

Will Netherlands v. Slovakia be worth watching? Who's the underdog? I'm just going to root for every underdog team in every match from here on out.

I hate to admit it, but I've really lost interest now that the USA has been knocked out.

[/quote]

Dave

Take some advice from a guy who loves football but who's home team is a steaming heap of cowshit covered in flies.

Learn to love Brazil as your second team. You might as well cheer on a team that plays some beautiful football instead of backing an underdog that's gonna fail. Backing the underdog in the world cup will only make you less likely to embrace football.

I would suggest Argentina, but they can be a bit unpredictable. Brazil always deliver a watchable game.
Dig out a yellow T shirt and some blue shorts. No one will have a go at you for supporting Brazil.

[tonbomorphew]

.....

[the.killing.44]

No kidding.

Is this bigger than Serbia beating Germany, or Switzerland beating Spain?

I bet the Kiwis would say so.

I'd agree with the Kiwis. Excepting N. Korea or Honduras, would you pick New Zealand to beat anyone in the competition? Serbia and Switzerland are at least known for being strong defensive teams.

U are stupid they did beat spain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes they did. Playing defensively. Spain had 20 shots on goal to the Swiss's 7 IIRC.

[nietzsche]

As I promised, I shaved my head.

BTW I apologize for all who saw the foul language. I was pissed off.

[Snorri1234]

Learn to love Brazil as your second team. You might as well cheer on a team that plays some beautiful football instead of backing an underdog that's gonna fail. Backing the underdog in the world cup will only make you less likely to embrace football.

Brazil plays beautiful football?

Like...now?

[grifftron]

Who is cheering for who tonight for the Port vs Spain game?

I really want Portugal to win obviously.

-griff

[Timminz]

Who is cheering for who tonight for the Port vs Spain game?

I hope Spain beats Portugal so embarrassingly that christiano ronaldo cries like a little bitch.

Also, if Pepe gets snapped like the filthy little, dried out piece of shit he is, the sport would be better for it.

[parker4s]

As I promised, I shaved my head.

BTW I apologize for all who saw the foul language. I was pissed off.

We all get a little mad haha its all good

[InkL0sed]

I think I'm gonna root for the Netherlands. I like Brazil too though. Brazilians are cool people.

[The Bison King]

I think I'm going to cheer on Germany. Just Because.

But I think it would be the coolest if Japan won and made everyone go:

"wait.. what?"