World Cup 2006
Thursday, May 18th, 2006 - 10:02am
For the uninitiated, we're getting ready to enter into a magical time. A period of about a month where it becomes easy to skive off work and drink copious amounts of alcohol while shouting at the TV. When four years of preparation and qualification come to fruition. When nation battles nation for supremacy on the pitch.
Because, ultimately, there can be only one.
Ladies & Gentlemen, raise your glasses and your voices for the FIFA World Cup 2006!
So, Goodjers, the first match is a month from tomorrow! Who are you supporting? Which teams do you think are going to win their groups and get to the knock-out stages? Who crashes & burns and who rises up like a storm? Let's hear it! Even if you don't follow soccer, you should follow this. The ESPN commercials don't lie.
Here's the Group Stage, for your viewing pleasure:
Group A
Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador
Group B
England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden
Group C
Argentina
Côte d'Ivoire
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands
Group D
Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal
Group E
Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic
Group F
Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan
Group G
France
Switzerland
Korea Republic
Togo
Group H
Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
Quintin_Stone wrote:
Hear that, Words? You and Jazzhands can take turns re-enacting scenes from CSI: Miami! Don't you feel great?
To give us all abit more stake in the matches, the Premier League is running a Fantasy World Cup as well. If you would like to give it a shot, PM with your email for a invite.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
Its going to be televised in the states this year?
ThePolypusher
WAR - Dolz
It was last time around in 2002, problem was the games took place at obscene times (2:00 AM) so noone could watch.
Yes, the World Cup is on TV in the states. ABC and ESPN have the rights and will be televising every match, if the ads have it right.
Also, my money's on Italy, even with the scandal hanging over their heads.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
*crisckets chirping*
Actually with the size of that Soccer thread, you'd thing you would have more replies here!
I don't think I've ever said this sentence before, but man would I love to hump that butterfly.-- KrazyTaco
One phone call and you're melting like butter over my kettle pop. -- Edwin to Mex
2005 GWJFFL2 Champion
Yikes, US captain gets his hammy hurt. Hope he is ok in time for this.
I don't think I've ever said this sentence before, but man would I love to hump that butterfly.-- KrazyTaco
One phone call and you're melting like butter over my kettle pop. -- Edwin to Mex
2005 GWJFFL2 Champion
My Togolese friend and I have decided to amicably suspend our friendship until the conclusion of the first round.
This is the internet! In our natural environment, atheists run in packs and have dictionaries! --- JoeBeDurndurn
I'm seriously considering DVR, since most of the matches will be on during the afternoon (aka work) hours.
It was just a strain, evidently, and Reyna should be back in time for everything. Here's hoping the rest does him some good.
Everyone keeps saying its England's year, but I dunno. The USA might be lucky to make it out of the group stage, given the Czechs and the Italians. Italy's going to make a good run, but I don't think they'll win it.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
The best coverage is still on Univiz.
This is the internet! In our natural environment, atheists run in packs and have dictionaries! --- JoeBeDurndurn
No Greece
I will watch as much as I can..hopefully there will be a great deal of HD coverage.. I'm watching more and more soccer these days... well at least Premiership
Aint nothing new about the world order..it's been playing since the day they put George Washington on a quarter
85's face the truth you're too dumb.
http://www.myspace.com/armyofthepharaohs
I think Italy has a much better shot than people give them credit for. If they can build a certain siege mentality around the Serie A scandal, it would do wonders for the squad. Since the Italian FA will certainly not hand out punishments until after the World Cup so the Italian stars aren't distracted, I think they can put something together.
I'm with the crowd that says "No Rooney + Sven = No World Cup" for England. Yes, one player does not constitute a Soccer team, but one player can frequently prove the difference. I think Rooney can do that. Moreover, considering Stevie G has put in over 50 games for his club this year, he'll be out of gas, and he's the next-most game-changing performer England has, if Owen's not 100%.
Also, the U.S. looked particularly lackluster against Morocco, especially in the attacking third. Too many 20+ yard shots, not nearly enough time spent in the box, I wasn't impressed. And what gets me are all the (Generally casual) American Soccer fans who think, because they've heard J.P. Dellacamera or Eric Wynalda erroneously tell them that Landon Donovan is one of the top 10 strikers in the world (which is why he did so well in Europe, obviously) or that Eddie Pope is as good as Alessandro Nesta, that the U.S. is going to smash Ghana and the Czechs, draw Italy and easily make it out of the group stage.
Which is about the dumbest thing i've ever heard. I don't think i'm being the slightest bit pessimistic when I say, our best hope is to lose to Italy, draw with the Czechs, beat Ghana, and slip through.
That said, the match against Morocco was a friendly. It was a World Cup warmup, but a friendly. Meaningless, but a warmup, and very unconvincing.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
US 1-0 Latvia - We looked pretty sharp in this spell against the Latvians. Granted, its Latvia and we're not going to have that kind of space against say... the Italians... But the passing was sharp, we were using the wings well, and the defense was strong. Our finishing left something to be desired, but Latvia was playing very cautious football.
On another note, Dave O'Brien wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be. But there were times... Let's just say its not scintillating play-by-play analysis of the match.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
Wow, only found this thread through the other one in Everything else (shamed).
I thought everyone says Brasil is going to win... again? I'm rooting for the Dutch, if only to piss off my Netherlands-hating buddies. They're supposed to be our arrogant rivals, but I find the haterade poured over our neighbours a bit much, so I've sided with them. And they're gonna kick all your asses
Roo: "Just to cheer you up if any of the above made you sad: Boobies."
Koning_Floris, on my online 'skills': "Stinking is a skill too!"
My Dad is currently working in Bangladesh in Dhaka and he says they close school the day the World Cup is shown. He also said that there is a city wide demand for uninterupted electricity and cable television that day under the fear of riots in the streets.
Letters to the Internet
For the WC in 2002, Belgian public tv had a program Cup Mondial where they followed soccer fans from all over the world. In Kameroon, they had to create electricity with a diesel engine. They would save it up for the Kameroon matches, where the entire village would gather round a small tv cheering and dancing. The other matches they would follow on the radio. Only football makes people this crazy
Roo: "Just to cheer you up if any of the above made you sad: Boobies."
Koning_Floris, on my online 'skills': "Stinking is a skill too!"
Great story, Dejans. It means so much to even those who have so little.
On the opposite end of the economic spectrum, during the 2002 World Cup, I had two friends at university who watched every game. They were up a ridiculous hours of the night and morning, generally drunk and always shouting. The Brits love them some football, too.
I'm contemplating signing up for Comcast's DVR service so I can record the matches that are on while I'm at work. What's another $10.00/month?
I was at the DCU game last night and they gave a really nice send-off to Ben Olsen, who's off to join the US squad. Good luck to him. He's a hard worker.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
I'm going to try to be watching as much as possible, although i'm sure work will make that difficult, what with all the morning and afternoon games.
I remember staying up until god-knows-what time of night in 2002, to watch games. Watching that 3-2 victory over Portugal is one of my favorite memories from the past decade of watching sports. I'd watch at a local pub/bar, but I don't think any of the ones around here will actually be showing a single game. *Sigh*.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
Anyone else see the ESPN commercial talking about how the Ivory Coast suspended it's Civil War for the World Cup? That's good advertising.
The World Cup kicks off this Friday at 11:55 AM EST with the hosts, Germany, against Costa Rica. It'll be on ESPN2 for all of us Statside, since ESPN's more concerned with the 2006 College World Series Road to Omaha with the College of Charleston v. Georgia Tech.
I do wonder sometimes, if we'll ever really take the sport seriously. I swear, if i'm watching Sportscenter and (as much as I usually enjoy the show) if I have to endure the retarded titters of the SC anchors about "that weird sport all the Europeans and poor brown people play", i'm going to drive to Bristol and punch someone right in the testicles.
That crap aside, I present to you, "Pred's Mock World Cup" in which I will incorrectly predict the World Cup winners. Everyone Ready? Got your betting slips prepared to do the opposite of what I say? Perfect.
Group A:
1.) Costa Rica
2.) Germany
3.) Poland
4.) Ecuador
Group B:
1.) Sweden
2.) England
3.) Paraguay
4.) Trinidad & Tobago
Group C:
1.) Argentina
2.) Netherlands
3.) Ivory Coast
4.) Serbia & Montenegro
(Really, this group's just a wild guess.)
Group D:
1.) Portugal
2.) Iran
3.) Mexico
4.) Angola
Group E:
1.) Italy
2.) Czech Republic
3.) United States
4.) Ghana
(I'm hoping for hte best, but I just don't think it's in the cards.)
Group F:
1.) Brazil
2.) Australia
3.) Japan
4.) Croatia
Group G:
1.) France
2.) Switzerland
3.) Togo
4.) South Korea
Group H:
1,) Spain
2.) Ukraine
3.) Saudi Arabia
4.) Tunisia
The Knockout Stages.... (Winners In Bold)
Round of 16:
Costa Rica v. England
Argentina v. Iran
Italy v. Australia
France v. Ukraine
Sweden v. Germany
Portugal v. Netherlands
Brazil v. Czech Republic
Spain v. Switzerland
Quarter-Finals:
England v. Argentina
Italy v. Ukraine
Sweden v. Netherlands
Brazil v. Spain
Semi-Finals:
Argentina v. Italy
Brazil v. Netherlands
Finals:
Argentina v. Brazil
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XBL Tag: Prederick
Oh F**k You Guys
Also, as a gift to you all, I present The Times's big database of World Cup Goals for you to peruse.
Hours away now. Huzzah!
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XBL Tag: Prederick
DVR is a go. Set for the Germany game today.
Other than that... 'ere we go, 'ere we go, 'ere we go.
Quintin_Stone wrote:
[channelling Paleocon]
A sport that inspires peace and unity? No wonder it doesn't do that well in the US.
[/channelling]
"Men like sex, thus boobies! Oogaba!" - dejanzie
"If ads put your sanity to the test
come on down to Rat Boy's nest!
light up a stogie, and soon you'll see
how rock can be commercial-free!
'I'd hit it!'" - HP Lovesauce
You folks think I don't notice when someone uses my name in vain. Prepare to be smited.
This is the internet! In our natural environment, atheists run in packs and have dictionaries! --- JoeBeDurndurn
I know any picks I make, have no chance in hell of coming true, so I will simply give you my hopes, for the two teams I will be rooting for. The USA makes it at least to the Quater-Finals, and Portugal makes it to the final.
Best of luck to everyone and their teams!
Except the Mexicans.... and the French.... oh and the English.... and how can I forget the Italians. OK I think that covers it. J/K
Seriously though, good luck and enjoy the tourney all. It's gonna be a great month!
*Sits on couch, changes channel to ESPN, and pops open a Pilsner-Urquel*
LiquidMantis wrote:
I just watch it for the riots. A World Cup in Germany, where all of Europe can get to easily and the fans are rabid. The police better have gotten their shots.
Playing WoW as: Vilius (70 NE Druid)
“The only function of economic forecasting is to make astrology look respectable.” John K Galbraith
Don't forget the Neo Nazis!
"Men like sex, thus boobies! Oogaba!" - dejanzie
"If ads put your sanity to the test
come on down to Rat Boy's nest!
light up a stogie, and soon you'll see
how rock can be commercial-free!
'I'd hit it!'" - HP Lovesauce
So, 4-2 Germany over Costa Rica yesterday, and Ecuador plunked two past Poland to win 2-0.
So far today, England just dragged to a rather unconvincing, but still valuable 1-0 win over Paraguay thanks to an own goal. Not a great match to watch, and the loss of Rooney really seems even more important, as the only England player really worth a fig on the park was Joe Cole.
Trinidad & Tobago v. Sweden at Noon, then today's real highlight, Argentina v. Ivory Coast at 3.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
An ugly win is better than a pretty loss, so sayeth Felipe Alou.
"Men like sex, thus boobies! Oogaba!" - dejanzie
"If ads put your sanity to the test
come on down to Rat Boy's nest!
light up a stogie, and soon you'll see
how rock can be commercial-free!
'I'd hit it!'" - HP Lovesauce
You're probably going to be dissapointed. The stereotype of Heysel and hooliganism that is so rampant on this side of the pond is not the same as it was in the late 80's, especially at the sport's showpiece event. If this were just a Roma-Lazio game you'd get it and the Nazi flags, but notsomuch here.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
Trinidad & Tobago 0-0 Sweden.
This will probably be one of my favorites of the tournament. Given that Sweden should've won 3-0 today, that Trinidad played the 2nd half with 10 men, and just watching the growing looks of incredulity and horror on the faces of Sweden fans as their team just couldn't get anything into the net, it was fantastic. 90 minutes of good football, some great saves, and a great result for Trinidad, who are great to watch because they really are just happy to be there.
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XBL Tag: Prederick
Woohoo! The Dutch are off to rippin' start! Arjen Robben scores the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory. Orange is the color of the day.
"I like to hear people talking when they're not talking to me," I said. "It's soothing to know that I don't have to listen." -- Bill Harris describing a truism.
1 - 1 at the half in the Iranian-Mexican game. Part of me's rooting for Iran out of spite after hearing that John McCain introduced a bill in the US Senate to call on FIFA to ban the Iranians from competition. That's just as stupid as banning Cuba from the World Baseball Classic.
"Men like sex, thus boobies! Oogaba!" - dejanzie
"If ads put your sanity to the test
come on down to Rat Boy's nest!
light up a stogie, and soon you'll see
how rock can be commercial-free!
'I'd hit it!'" - HP Lovesauce