Official Football Thread
- Thread starter national acrobat
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Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
With Norway not participating, I get my World Cup thrill from handing out sympathies and antipathies. And of course from great attacking moves like South Africa's 1-0 goal today, and defensive bloopers like Mexico's equalizer 
OH CRAP. Uruguay's Lodeiro sent off after two bookings - and he came on as a sub in the 66th minute!
OH CRAP. Uruguay's Lodeiro sent off after two bookings - and he came on as a sub in the 66th minute!
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Against other teams than Mexico, I would expect RSA to take advantage of the match being played at 1700 moh, but Mexico usually play their games in Mexico City, right? And that is also a city located well above sea level - even higher than Johannesburg.
By the way, there goes the final whistle and we have the World Cup's first goalless draw.
By the way, there goes the final whistle and we have the World Cup's first goalless draw.
Two very good games today! I found myself cheering for South Africa over Mexico, and I am very pleased they got a tie. I was hoping Uruguay would pull out a win, but they should be happy with a draw as well.
I thought that France played a decent possession game and there was tons of drama too.
national acrobat
Ancient Mariner
If Mexico had had someone like Forlan up-front then they'd have scored 3 or 4, but a draw was the fair result for both matches I thought. France looked very average and unadventurous.
Did you see Henry try to claim a hand-ball penatly against Uruguay? Shameless!Eddies Wingman said:
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Will-I-Am said:Yeah I thought about it. Very unlike to see this awesome south-American final. My predictions are more what I want to happen.
I'm a sentimental guy
My alternative one is following your rule, though :
Merde alors!
What ?? Nush made a prediction ?? *not forget to check*
You ?? Modified the prediction ?? *as above*
My modification was before before the World Cup started so that's 100% in order. You also changed something on time, but to me it sounded like you added something. Namely, you said "alternative". Which can mean: I have 2 different predictions, the 2nd not replacing the other. What I meant was, you have to keep one of them.
Is it the last one?
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
LooseCannon said:
Personally, I found that France/Uruguay game quite interesting. I thought Uruguay defended really well - but just faded somewhat in the last third. On occasion, they made some good moves going forward but rarely had enough people in the box to meet their mediocre crosses. And as Nush said, France were average.Jonszat said:
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Today three matches!
I am hoping for some African, Asian and North American spectacle (victory), even if that's in some cases not according my poll. Let me explain.
I have to admit something. I like some countries -which according to my predictions would go to the next round- less than countries which I didn't say would go through. In most cases I am always content: Either I deserve points (on my work I have the same predictions), either I am happy if some of those countries bite the dust.
Why do you think I let Spain win the final? Because if that happens, the only positive thing left in the world is this bunch of points.
I am hoping for some African, Asian and North American spectacle (victory), even if that's in some cases not according my poll. Let me explain.
I have to admit something. I like some countries -which according to my predictions would go to the next round- less than countries which I didn't say would go through. In most cases I am always content: Either I deserve points (on my work I have the same predictions), either I am happy if some of those countries bite the dust.
Why do you think I let Spain win the final? Because if that happens, the only positive thing left in the world is this bunch of points.
Albie
Keeping an open eye on the Weeping Angels.
Hmm, OK. There was I willing to cheer on the Dutch. 
Any way, three simple words.....
[glow=white,2,300]COM[/glow][glow=red,2,300]E[/glow][glow=white,2,300] ON[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300] [/glow]
[glow=white,2,300]ENG[/glow][glow=red,2,300]L[/glow][glow=white,2,300]AND[/glow]
Any way, three simple words.....
[glow=white,2,300]COM[/glow][glow=red,2,300]E[/glow][glow=white,2,300] ON[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300] [/glow]
[glow=white,2,300]ENG[/glow][glow=red,2,300]L[/glow][glow=white,2,300]AND[/glow]
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Hehe. This group is one of the exceptions. I'd like both England and USA to go through.
But my guess is that USA will end first, and England second. Both will beat the crap out of their opponents in the next round.
Seriously, the US have done some great performances, also lately.
edit:
I admit that I said England will have an easy group but that was before I noticed some of the last prep-matches of the USA.
But my guess is that USA will end first, and England second. Both will beat the crap out of their opponents in the next round.
Seriously, the US have done some great performances, also lately.
edit:
I admit that I said England will have an easy group but that was before I noticed some of the last prep-matches of the USA.
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
national acrobat said:
The recent Forlán, yes. The Forlán of the Man United years, no way
Still, he made the scousers cry once, and for that he is loved.national acrobat said:
I had a good laugh at that one
Speaking of hand-balls, we were playing football this morning, indoor five-a-side. I was the last man, with the ball, and wanted to clear it away since I was under pressure. The guy who was coming at me, got in the way of my clearance - stopping it with a boxer's guard. To be fair to him, he would've been hit in the face if he didn't take his hands up. But anyway: With his forearms, he got the ball in his feet and scored. I was of course appealing for a free kick (we didn't have a ref, so such decisions are usually made by furious discussion) - and we kept on discussing this topic once we finished playing. What do you folks think? Should a free kick be given if you use your hands to prevent the ball from hitting your face?
(Personally I think the only part of the body one should be allowed to protect that way is the family jewels)
____no5
Free Man
Forostar said:My modification was before before the World Cup started so that's 100% in order. You also changed something on time, but to me it sounded like you added something. Namely, you said "alternative". Which can mean: I have 2 different predictions, the 2nd not replacing the other. What I meant was, you have to keep one of them.
Is it the last one?
If you're ok with it I may make a final brand new one this night,
but if you think that is against our (unwritten yet moral) rules and /or unreliable, then I'll keep the first one
Round of 16 :
France, South Africa, Argentina, Nigeria, England, US, Germany, Serbia, Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Paraguay, Brazil, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland
Quarter-finals :
France vs England
Netherlands vs Brazil
Argentina vs Germany
Italy vs Spain
Semi-finals :
France vs Brazil
Argentina vs Italy
Final :
Brazil vs Argentina
Winner :
Argentina
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Eh sure, but you have been influenced by yesterday's matches. 
No, it's fine with me of course.
So, South Korea is leading already. 1-0 ahead vs Greece.
Rehhagel took out the captain who was complaining constantly on the field. In number 3, a defender. Later he took out the 2nd captain, so Greece had 3 captains in one match. Unheard of on this level.
Greece lacked will power. Their defense didn't have any coordination. And they started the match too late.
The match really started at 13.30 CET, not at 15.00 CET.
No, it's fine with me of course.
So, South Korea is leading already. 1-0 ahead vs Greece.
Rehhagel took out the captain who was complaining constantly on the field. In number 3, a defender. Later he took out the 2nd captain, so Greece had 3 captains in one match. Unheard of on this level.
Greece lacked will power. Their defense didn't have any coordination. And they started the match too late.
The match really started at 13.30 CET, not at 15.00 CET.
The term you're looking for, in English, Foro, is goosebumps. Yes, the goal by the South African side was incredible! Both for its technical beauty and for the history of it - the first goal scored in an African-hosted World Cup by the World Cup Host. The crowd must have gone insane!
I only saw the second half, but I thought South Korea was incredibly disciplined and played a very good game. I like their style of attack first instead of be fancy, and it paid off for them both with a very good goal and several decent chances (including the one in the closing minutes). Greece also had some good chances but Korea's keeper was decent. I thought it was a good match and glad to see the South Koreans win one.
Any predictions for Argentina vs. Nigeria?
I only saw the second half, but I thought South Korea was incredibly disciplined and played a very good game. I like their style of attack first instead of be fancy, and it paid off for them both with a very good goal and several decent chances (including the one in the closing minutes). Greece also had some good chances but Korea's keeper was decent. I thought it was a good match and glad to see the South Koreans win one.
Any predictions for Argentina vs. Nigeria?
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
LooseCannon said:
That's it! Ah well, you learned a Dutch proverb.
I thought that the Greek players were lazy really. Only near the end they tried hard.
2-0 for Argentina, though I hope that Nigeria wins or at least a draw.
Until now my scores went wrong so don't pay too much attention.