World Cup 2010

goman wrote:

FAIL
IMAGE(http://chicagoist.com/attachments/Marcus%20Gilmer/2010_05_13_WGN_oops.jpg)

O.O

Americans really do need a war to teach them geography.

Well, I think USA vs England will be the first grudge match of the tournament. Will be interesting to see how it turns out. Our guys are tackling Australia first. Hoping for some good games right there.

Any predictions for the first match, South Africa vs Mexico?

I've picked SA to win on the group, but it is going to be a tough game, Mexico are probably one of the best sides in the tournament right now. I just hope for home ground advantage to come into play.

Anyone besides Pienaar to watch out for?

A few highlights.

Aaron Mokoena and Matthew Booth are pretty solid defenders and the goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is a real talent, despite the usual African stereotypes.

Don't expect any flash or fire though, especially in this opening game. Everyone is going to focus on the basics.

*edit*

Some sad news came thorough this morning. Nelson Mandela's great grand-daughter died in a car accident on the way home from the big concert last night. His presence at the opening was in doubt because he's essentially a million years old, now I doubt he will drag himself out.

I understand the guy is our mascot, but I saw him in public nearly 4 years ago. He was in such bad shape then that I'm amazed he's still alive.

Zaque wrote:

I wouldn't read too much into beating Denmark as I still can't figure out how they made it through their qualifying group in first place (well ok I can as they got really really lucky at the start and were barely able to hang on). On the other hand, I could see you coming in second as all those other teams have had decent questions during their qualifying runs.

Bugger - I've just drawn Denmark in our office WC sweep.

davet010 wrote:

Bugger - I've just drawn Denmark in our office WC sweep.

You think you got a bad draw?

IMAGE(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/98/North_Korea_FA.png)

I see your point.

I think I'm going to support Italy, for pure cathartic experience (and some fine diving and drama). I predict them to be crap and make semis, the way they always do.

Excitement is palpable here. Just walked home, all the cars are hooting, pedestrians and vehicle passengers are blowing their vuvuzelas.

Wish those bastards hadn't stolen my car, I would be on my way to Soweto or Newtown right now.

That opening ceremony was very quaint. And half empty thanks to an overturned truck on the highway.

Teams I'm rooting for are Germany, US and Portugal. Very excited to watch World Cup games again!

If South Africa manage to score the first goal, I think they win over Mexico.

I kind of hope they score first - it's always nice when then host country can score the first goal of a World Cup.

The England vs US game should be interesting.

I'm expecting the US to show up at 19:41 and claim victory.

whispa wrote:

Teams I'm rooting for are Germany, US and Portugal. Very excited to watch World Cup games again!

At least for Germany, the best outcome would be a well deserved second or third place. If we fail before semi-finals, there will be a huge public outrage and the coach will get booted yet again (there is a saying that Germany has 80 million coaches of the national team - guess how many inhabitants we have). This will put an end to the fresh blood era the team has entered since the last world cup. Too many bitter old soccer demigods of the olden days have a vote in matters like this, so anything lower than fourth place will be a disrace and cause a nation-wide meltdown. Same goes for the title. While it's about time they get a follow-up to the last one (1990), it would also cause our tabloids and other media be full of soccer related BS for the whole summer. Which would be bad, because if you look at the last decade of german politics, the most harsh (and in restrospect {ableist slur}ly fatal) political decisions were always made during the world cup or european cup, when everyone was in a soccer frenzy and wouldn't notice the political mismanagement, that was going on. Right now the country is at a crossroads regarding the future of our political, economical and social system and should they receive a nice distraction by a successful performance in the world cup, I fear for our country.

I'd really like to see a fresh champion, some country that has never won the cup before. As long as Brazil doesn't get to increase their lead and Italy doesn't get rewarded yet again after their disgraceful and undeserved 2006 title, I am fine with it.

I'm rooting for:
US and Ghana - I'd love to see the US advance, and I think they've got a decent shot, though I think making it to the semis is unlikely. I loved watching Ghana in the last Cup.

Rooting for The Netherlands of course Am sure that the supporters are going to make lots of noice!
The real winner? Not sure, not Germany I hope lol

Anyone have a live stream that works?

And that's kickoff.

Good luck everyone!

TempestBlayze wrote:

Anyone have a live stream that works?

Try http://www.zattoo.com - they have live streams to almost every major sport event. Currently, I am at http://www.p2poo.net/ch1.html though.

Espn3.com is working for me right now

Edit: Thank god the game doesn't have American announcers..

Nerve racking first half. Mexico has had way more of the possession, thank all the gods for Khune in goal. We are looking pretty good when we have the ball, but seem to be struggling to get it.

And the players are floating the ball when kicking at goal, thanks to the altitude.

MrDeVil909 wrote:

Nerve racking first half. Mexico has had way more of the possession, thank all the gods for Khune in goal. We are looking pretty good when we have the ball, but seem to be struggling to get it.

And the players are floating the ball when kicking at goal, thanks to the altitude.

Seems to be difficult for players to control their long passing as well. Great first half for someone without a horse in the game

Looks pretty balanced so far with a slight tilt to the mexican side. Let's hope the second half will reward both teams with at least one goal.

Are those live streams working for you guys still? P2poo is blocked at work as well as zattoo. Espn3 just keeps bringing up errors.

Not a bad first half, and a brilliant call by the assistant referee on the offside off the corner kick. South Africa's leftback has been pretty terrible as he's had trouble with inverted wingers as well as pace down the right flank. If Mexico can actually connect those long balls to their fullback down the right South Africa will be in for a world of hurt.

First goal goes to South Africa.

Concerning streams, also try http://livetv.ru/

MrDeVil909 wrote:

thank all the gods for Khune in goal

I'm really impressed with him - he looks super-young, but has pulled off some spectacular saves so far.

All tied up now. Botched trap left 1 SA defender against 3 Mexicans.

Great game! Exciting end with Mphela's breakaway, and a couple of opportunities by Mexico.

That Jabulani is surely a bouncy ball, I've never seen a football rebound as unpredictable as this one.

Good game, Mexico missed a lot of chances early on, but deserved to tie.

I'm also 3 points in the LEAD on the Yahoo group, though it's not keeping score yet, which is weird.