Fifa Fever!!!

BRAHMA · Jun 1, 2006

Don't correct my english... I choose to spell words differently, and before you go off about it you quote me on " 'illierate' " and don't even know how to spell.

I just don't understand why people who are across sea's can sit there and think that since were from the USA we obviously don't know **** since it's not from our country.

I'll stop it there.

Yeah I'll be watching majority games..I'm going to record a few for the one's I have work.. Some of them come on anywhere from 5 - 6 a.m. Which would be 10 - 11 am Germany time.

I have to see that goal.. that is the craziest thing I've ever heard.

mr_afk · Jun 1, 2006

BRAHMA said:
Yeah I'll be watching majority games..I'm going to record a few for the one's I have work.. Some of them come on anywhere from 5 - 6 a.m. Which would be 10 - 11 am Germany time.

I have to see that goal.. that is the craziest thing I've ever heard.

I am pretty sure that none of the games start before 3pm Germany time.. usually they're at 3, 6 or 9pm, sometimes also at 4pm.

Oh yeah, please chill out guys, there's no point in this argument. So let's all be friends again, aye?

Moonbeam3 · Jun 1, 2006

Yeah, I felt bad for the keeper, it doesn't happent too often but it was a great kick.

France looks good right now, Zidane is not injured and Henry is at his prime, they should do better than last time around-they were the defending champions and they did not score a single goal (I think so don't quote me-my memory fails me sometimes lol)

The Mexico/Denmark game will be televised in Spanish (Telemundo) at 2 p.m. pacific standard time (I believe it will be live). That's what I love about that station, even if you don't understand it, the announcers are very animated--the whole GGGOOOOOOOOOOLLL thing! I love that LOL

Here is the schedule...it's in Spanish but you can get that pacifico=pacific and este=eastern:

Moonbeam3 · Jun 1, 2006

mr_afk said:
I can't believe that there are so many games ahead of the world cup already.. has it been like this in the past? I can't remember!

Yes, they usually match you up with countries who play similarly or from the same region to the countries in your group...to get you prepared

chrissmith921 · Jun 1, 2006

Yes as said above, they play fixtures against countries with similar styles

For example, Trinidad and Tobago have warmed up for their match with England by playing Wales, whilst England will be preparing for the same fixture on Saturday against Jamaica.

Every World Cup brings a suprise with a team flying through that nobody expects - don't be suprised to see Poland there or there abouts - quarter finals a possibility;

Its certainly interesting watching sides go through the gears for the World Cup - England look very rusty with a very poor first half performance against Hungary, and of course losing to Belarus - dont be fooled by the rubbish that it was a "B" team - Crouch and Owen started the game, as did Carragher and Cole - who are all expected to play the first fixture.

France are looking tasty - played some lovely football and look like they're hitting that gear just on time.

Holland leading 2-1 at time of writing over Mexico

Switzerland setting their stalls out by showing they're going in studs up against teams - recently the Italians.

I think the World Cup coming up is going to be one of the strongest yet, but I will be surprised (sorry Australia and America fans!) if there is a non-European or South American side in the Quarter finals - they just don't look strong enough.

Moonbeam3 · Jun 1, 2006

chrissmith921 said:
...England look very rusty with a very poor first half performance against Hungary, and of course losing to Belarus - dont be fooled by the rubbish that it was a "B" team - Crouch and Owen started the game, as did Carragher and Cole - who are all expected to play the first fixture.

My thoughts exactly, I kept it to myself though because you never know where the English fans are lurking LOL, they're pretty hardcore...

Yeah, I just saw I had the time wrong for the Mexico game, it's almost over. Mexico, to me is the big fish in the little pond (used to be anyway-though the rest are catching up) they do well in CONCACAF but don't fare the same abroad. Plus it's their stadium which helps immensly with the high altitude-teams just choke there...

I think the surprise team this year will be either Serbia and Montenegro or Iran...I don't know why but I have a feeling about Iran, mabye it's their Germany based players...but you never know...

mr_afk · Jun 2, 2006

I like Brazils style of preparing for the world cup

Oh yeah, who are you guys cheering for? All appreciation of good football aside, there has to be a little bias towards some side(s)

Moonbeam3 · Jun 2, 2006

mmm. well since my country of birth is NOT in it (I will keep that to myself) I would't mind if Argentina and the Czech republic got far.

I've always liked Jurgen Klinsman so I hope Germany doesn't disappoint, being the host is added pressure for them. And of course the USA which have been pleasantly embracing soccer more and more and not doing bad while at it!

Also I tend to be partial to the African teams

chrissmith921 · Jun 2, 2006

I'm backing the Czech Republic this summer.

I'd be suprised to see Iran in the last 16 - they've never ever impressed me as a team and have never ever looked a threat.

I saw Serbia-Montenegro play a few years back (2003) and they look solid in defence and pretty decent going forward too. However they suffer from internal player rows a lot and when the pressure grows the ugly head of that will probably reappear.

Italy 0-0 Ukraine today - and thats a Ukraine without Shevchenko - thats a good result for them there;

Sweden 1-1 Chile - poor result for Sweden who should have been firing all guns in that one, but they start with Trinidad so thats a confidence booster for them.

Angola 2-3 Turkey - Showing that the African nations again are likely to struggle unfortunately.

I'd also give Australia a "maybe" tag for being one of the surprise packages - Brazil aside, thats a lightweight group and Australia can easily make the next round - and as they've done before, they can beat the big guns (Greece and Uruguay recently) so why not a quarter final place for the Socceroos?

Moonbeam3 · Jun 3, 2006

chrissmith921 said:
Angola 2-3 Turkey - Showing that the African nations again are likely to struggle unfortunately.

I know, I mainly like them for their positive attitude. They always seem so happy to get to where they and they give it their all (but so does everyone else...)

mr_afk · Jun 3, 2006

Neither country of birth nor present home country take part at the world cup. There are a few teams I sympathize with, mainly those playing nice free flowing attacking football/soccer like the South Americans, the Czechs, Spain etc.
However, I support Spain the most. It's so ridiculous- if you take a look at the squad you'd have to count them in as favourites. If you look at their history.. well. Never ever advanced further than the quarters despite of having an enviable squad each tournament. No turn-off for the fans though, they usually ooze of confidence. Spains problem is their mentality no doubt.. they get so easily offended if things don't work out initially. They're one of the best when they're having fun playing, and one of the worst when losing.
Their current team has a stable defence, a dominating midfield but problems with finishing. I'm excited how they'll do.

chrissmith921 · Jun 4, 2006

Agreed, Spain always have the makings of a very good side, its just if they can put it all together and move onwards - Torres and Raul as a pair up front with the midfield riches they have, means Spain will be a major threat - Joaquin on the right of midfield will cause teams problems, if they can keep their players happy it should bode well for them.

mr_afk · Jun 4, 2006

They have lots of potential - each position is covered by one or more world class players. Their coach, Luis Aragones, seems a bit crazy though. Apart from him being racist he seems to have no clue about football and tactics. If anything's gonna happen it will be down to the players.

Moonbeam3 · Jun 10, 2006

Didn't I tell you guys that Ecuador was going to wreak havoc?! If Poland doesnt buckle up, it will be Costa Rica and Ecuador going for second place in the group. Germany looked so strong this morning...

It'll be interesting to see how they fare with stronger (than Costa Rica) teams...what did you guys think?

chrissmith921 · Jun 10, 2006

I think if Germany sort their defending out - they'll be a good bet to win this competition - very good going forward, and to get better when Ballack returns, as well as the ability to dominate games as well as the home soil factor - they could be a real danger.

Ecuador looked very good to be fair to them - great result

ChrisJG · Jun 10, 2006

COMMENT ON THE ENGLAND GAME

We sucked!! I was embarrassed frankly. I have no doubt momentum will pick up as the games progress but, much as I'm pained to do it, I'm beginning to agree with el_argumetative - Monsieur le chrissmith

mr_afk · Jun 10, 2006

Yeah England pretty much sucked.. Owen was not sharp, A. Cole made some weird mistakes he'd usually never do, Crouch tried but was not effective. The referee seemed to have a go at him, though. I liked Beckham and Downing.
The defence made mistakes (full backs), the midfield lacked creativity (high towards Crouch.. high towards Crouch.. high..) and the attack was ineffective. I bet Rooney would have made a difference. Also I would have brought that young runabout Walcott around the 80th minute.

The Sweden game is on since 25 minutes and TnT do decently!

chrissmith921 · Jun 11, 2006

Could you see that England side living with the likes of Argentina that we saw earlier?

No chance.

England are good enough to escape the group, but when they play a decent side they'll be on the next plane home.

Moonbeam3 · Jun 11, 2006

ChrisJG said:
We sucked!! I was embarrassed frankly. I have no doubt momentum will pick up as the games progress but, much as I'm pained to do it, I'm beginning to agree with el_argumetative - Monsieur le chrissmith

He'll love to hear that! Yup, England definitely need improving if they want to advance. The only goal of the match was an own goal by Paraguay! Granted it was from an awesome free kick by Bekham but they left room for doubt.

Argentina looks strong. And what about lowly T&T? Not so lowly after all? With a man down for half the match they were still able to draw 0/0. A win in their eyes I'm sure.

Tormorrow promises more good games. Any predictions?

Serbia-win?
Mexico-tie?
Portugal-win?

mr_afk · Jun 11, 2006

chrissmith921 said:
Could you see that England side living with the likes of Argentina that we saw earlier?

No chance.

England are good enough to escape the group, but when they play a decent side they'll be on the next plane home.

You're probably right, and I agree with you that their formation is crap.. they try to include both Lampard and Gerrard at all cost, albeit they both play rather similar. Maybe play Carrick?

Moonbeam3 said:
Argentina looks strong. And what about lowly T&T? Not so lowly after all? With a man down for half the match they were still able to draw 0/0. A win in their eyes I'm sure.

Tormorrow promises more good games. Any predictions?

Fully agree. I think Serbia and Netherlands will draw (although I'd love to see Netherlands beat them since I prefer attacking football) and both Mexico and Portugal will win.

To be more precise:
Serbia 1 : 1 Netherlands
Mexico 2 : 1 Iran
Angola 0 : 2 Portugal