World Cup 2010

Are all the games going to be broadcast on ESPN?

Yes, either ESPN or ABC in the US. Here's the full schedule with details: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/fixtures?cc=5901&ver=us

Polliwog wrote:
Are all the games going to be broadcast on ESPN?

Yes, either ESPN or ABC in the US. Here's the full schedule with details: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/fixtures?cc=5901&ver=us

Sweet! I should be able to get ESPN through my phone, and I have ABC HD on tv at home.

already answered

WORRIED NOW

Does anyone have any good (possibly simple) office pool ideas that involves the first group rounds rather than just the elimination?

Prederick wrote:

WORRIED NOW

That he's injured, or that he's not injured enough ?

In other WC news, it's now being reported that Didier Drogba has injured (or maybe even broken) his elbow.

And for the other cloggies amongst us. 99% Of the games will be broadcasted on www.nos.nl as well. With stats and all that.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...

Injury update

Rio Ferdinand out of World Cup with a torn knee ligament.

Didier Drogba questionable with a fractured arm. He is having an emergency operation today in an attempt to save his chances of participating in the World Cup.

Drogba, Ballack, Essien, John Obi Mikel... SEE THE PATTERN? EH? EH?

Yeah, they are all objectionable toads - with the exception of Essien, I guess.

Handy tip for England players not wanting to get put out of the tournament by Emile Heskey.

Disguise yourself as a set of goals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/mobile/...
I look forward to all major players getting injured and Nike/Adidas running ads with exactly these guys for whole tournament.
(Oh wait, Nike ad has RONALDONHO (and WALCOTT if I recall it correctly) in it... guess they're safe then.)

At this rate, we're looking at the Substitute's WorldCup. Robben is apparently out as well.

TempestBlayze wrote:

Does anyone have any good (possibly simple) office pool ideas that involves the first group rounds rather than just the elimination?

ESPN.com has a "predict the outcome of each game" competition: win, lose or tie. That might be something you are loooking for.

If Drogba is somehow able to play with a broken army after surgery...wow. Having broken an arm before (that also required surgery to fix), the only effect I would have on the pitch is to flail the cast around to bludgeon other players. Which would promptly cause me to pass out in pain, as my arm would still be broken.

I imagine the Ivory Coast is trying to keep hope alive and worry the rest of the group. Drogba's body is probably a bit more robust than mine, so maybe he'll heal quicker...

More domestic ticketing disasters.

People are starting to get very bitter about this whole debacle.

Anybody else ready to make their predictions? Or should I just embarrass myself alone?

I think ESPN has a pick 'em game or something. We should do a GWJ group, like we did with college basketball March Madness.

EDIT: ESPN Soccer Pick 'em

Or there's also one at Yahoo! If I remember, the Yahoo basketball group had a much better turnout, more people have yahoo IDs or something?

World Soccer 2010

Gamers with Futbol created on Yahoo Groups

http://y.ahoo.it/jHiiu0u8

Password is: goodjerstan

Group ID is #27490

I had a moderately ambitious plan for the US v England game on Saturday, which was unfortunately usurped by a family illness. Gonna have to look into ways of streaming ABC to my laptop or iPad.

Tanglebones wrote:

Gamers with Futbol created on Yahoo Groups

http://y.ahoo.it/jHiiu0u8

Password is: goodjerstan

Group ID is #27490

Joined!

Yahoo it is then.

Looks like picks only have to be in 5 min before game time. So we can still sign up through Friday at 9:50am eastern and not have missed anything.

Joined

I'm in

I'm in, though I only follow Futbol once every 4 years.

Let the best guesser win.

(Is there I time limit on joining? I don't even have time to check this out until weekend)

Pred: Chile, USA and Serbia to go to quarter-finals. France or Italy to make semis. Holland to make final or at least semis but totally collapse and get undone by another attacking team. Robin Persie to look like a best striker in the world for two games and then lose one of his limbs and die in pool of blood, knowing his luck.
Beat that, my friend!

UCRC wrote:

(Is there I time limit on joining? I don't even have time to check this out until weekend)

!

You might need to click the link above and join the group before Friday. But picks you can make anytime up to 5 minutes before the match.

So just pick Fri-Sat games real quick. Or skip the first couple and show us how awesome you are by still winning with less possible points. :p

I'm in and here's my detailed prediction for USA:

Group Stage
USA 3 England 2
USA 1 Slovakia 1
USA 3 Algeria 1
USA wins Group C with England finishing 2nd

Round of 16
USA 2 Serbia 1

Quarterfinals

USA 2 France 2 (PK 5-3)

Semifinals

Brazil 2 USA 0

I think we have a reasonable path to the semis as long as we win the group and that makes the first game against England extremely crucial. If we finish 2nd, then we'll likely get smashed by Germany and be taking an early flight home. Overall I think they'll have a great tournament and I think fans will be pleasantly suprised at how well the team does.

Minase wrote:

I'm in, though I only follow Futbol once every 4 years.

Same, in anyway.

Went for a drive last night to see some of the setup. I was unconvinced by Soccer City's design, but it is magnificent close up, and it looks strangely dainty at light.