2012/13 Soccer Thread

I might need a little more explanation than that, because I think my original point was correct. I didn't say anything about relative skill levels, but the shape of the game was very similar.

My point was that it was possible for a neutral to enjoy Italy - Spain

Really ? I would have thought that if you had shown both games to someone who wasn't necessarily a big football fan, the England-France game had a bit more interest in it, and certainly more endeavour.

There again, based on the first round of games, and much against my half-time musings, the most exciting game has been Ukraine-Sweden. Most of the other games have seen teams more interested in not losing than in winning.

davet010 wrote:

Really ? I would have thought that if you had shown both games to someone who wasn't necessarily a big football fan, the England-France game had a bit more interest in it, and certainly more endeavour.

There again, based on the first round of games, and much against my half-time musings, the most exciting game has been Ukraine-Sweden. Most of the other games have seen teams more interested in not losing than in winning.

Really? I thought the Ukraine Sweden match was a dog's breakfast. I have to say I reckon England are looking a sh*te sight more assured than Sweden at the moment, and I never thought I'd say that.

I didn't say Ukraine v Sweden was a great game, but it was exciting, because it was much more open than many of the other games and the crowd were obviously up for it, in much the same way that a Sheffield derby can be great and Stoke v Wolves can be dire.

Half time in Czech Republic v Greece. CR are piss-poor, but compared to the Greeks they are Brazil 70. Greece are going for a continuation of their record setting at Euros....the 04 team was undoubtedly the worst team ever to win a major tournament, this looks like the worst team ever to BE at a major tournament.

Here's a chilling thought - the Gallic Gonk is going to invite 8 teams WORSE than these two to Euro 16. That's not promising, really. Still, more money to line his compatriot's wallets.

Cech just made Szczęsny look like a good keeper.

Cech's howler was the only possible way the Greeks were going to score. Samaras puts me in mind of the old joke about boxer Joe Bugner - "he's got the body of a Greek statue, but fewer moves."

C'mon Poland !

H-T : Poland needed to score when they had the run of the play, but it's not over yet. Russia looking good but not great, and I wouldn't want to be relying on that Kerchekov for goals.

F-T : Super goal from Blaszczykowski, Poland definitely on the front foot for most of the half. Russia actually look quite brittle when things aren't going their way. Fancy Poland to beat Czech Republic in the last game, Russia looked happy to settle for a draw because they know they are going to give Greece a doing.

TV watch - ITV 'pundits' Bog-trotter Keane and Scouse Carragher...I'm still trying to find the subtitle button on the remote.

IMAGE(http://i.minus.com/iNPc2GccAbrud.gif)

Brief game analysis: WOOF!

Expanded game analysis: Lewandowski looked really great, very comfortable against Russian defenders and clever with his interplay. Defence recovered well from that stupid goal and if you consider how easily Russians dismantled Czechs, our effort was really admirable. And I've already written about my admiration for Błaszczykowski in Poland preview.
Great night!

Exciting result for Poland. I would bet on them beating the Czech's and advancing.

bigred wrote:

Exciting result for Poland. I would bet on them beating the Czech's and advancing.

Is the game delayed on ESPN in the US? I thought I was watching live, with three minutes left.

Great performance by Poland, a passionate display. But how lame were those Russians? They looked like they had 10 kilo lead in their custom-made Nikes. Against the Czech they were always on their qui-vive, waiting for a chance to break out. Yesterday they played slower than Boris Jeltsin with a hangover.

Flat-track bullies. It'll get them out of the group, but not much further.

That was an amazing goal by Poland. Nice to see them get the tie. Should be some good games later today with Portugal v Denmark and Germany v Netherlands.

(Note classic clueless commentator who thinks it was Piszczek who scored ;])

(edit: Since there is no explanation in English - that's 100k people in center of Warsaw. I've seen the game in slightly smaller crowd but it was equally frantic ;))

How can you tell it's an international tournament ?

The Dutch are arguing with themselves.

Good job that there is only thing a Dutchman hates more than another Dutchman...and that's a German.

Fedaykin98 wrote:
bigred wrote:

Exciting result for Poland. I would bet on them beating the Czech's and advancing.

Is the game delayed on ESPN in the US? I thought I was watching live, with three minutes left.

Games are being played at 12:00 PM and 2:45 PM EST every day. You were probably watching a replay at night.

bigred wrote:
Fedaykin98 wrote:
bigred wrote:

Exciting result for Poland. I would bet on them beating the Czech's and advancing.

Is the game delayed on ESPN in the US? I thought I was watching live, with three minutes left.

Games are being played at 12:00 PM and 2:45 PM EST every day. You were probably watching a replay at night.

Yeah, amazingly it was shown on the flagship ESPN station. I guess they figured most of their audience was watching the NBA Finals on another channel anyway. I wish it had been more clearly marked as a replay, but there wasn't anything else on that I wanted to see anyway.

Disappointing result for the US Men last night, tying Guatemala in the second game of World Cup 2014 qualifying. Now it appears that the men are on a break until the Olympics.

Anyone interested in meeting up for the US/Jamaica game in Columbus on Sept 11th?

Fedaykin98 wrote:

Disappointing result for the US Men last night, tying Guatemala in the second game of World Cup 2014 qualifying. Now it appears that the men are on a break until the Olympics.

A tie on the road in Central America (incredibly hostile environments where the US has never really been comfortable playing) is not disappointing but actually pretty respectable in my book. The USMNT still don't look comfortable playing Klinsmann's attack minded style after decades of playing very boring and conservative football.

The actual USMNT is on break until September. The U-23s didn't qualify for the Olympics.

maxox wrote:

The USMNT still don't look comfortable playing Klinsmann's attack minded style after decades of playing very boring and conservative football.

This, to me, is the biggest disappointment of Klinsmann's stewardship. I'd love for us to play a more attacking, flowing game.

Step one: get rid of Altidore. He's completely unsuitable as a lone striker, from everything I've seen. Either he needs someone else up front, or we need a fresh face.

Unrelatedly: really thought Denmark was going to pull out a 2-2 draw. Superb fightback after being down by two, but not having any offensive options other than Bendtner is a huge problem.

Dimmerswitch wrote:
maxox wrote:

The USMNT still don't look comfortable playing Klinsmann's attack minded style after decades of playing very boring and conservative football.

This, to me, is the biggest disappointment of Klinsmann's stewardship. I'd love for us to play a more attacking, flowing game.

Step one: get rid of Altidore. He's completely unsuitable as a lone striker, from everything I've seen. Either he needs someone else up front, or we need a fresh face.

Unrelatedly: really thought Denmark was going to pull out a 2-2 draw. Superb fightback after being down by two, but not having any offensive options other than Bendtner is a huge problem.

I think it's an unrealistic expectation to think Klinsmann can turn around centuries of boring soccer into a more attacking, flowing game. He's been at the helm for a year. Give him some more time. The US team is starting to show small, subtle signs that it's sticking.

Agreed on Altidore. I would love to see Terrence Boyd get some more time at the top. I don't think Agudelo is ready yet and I'm not sure if Chris Wondolowski has anything to offer. Remember Charlie Davies? Pre-car accident he was looking like a menace on the wings for the USMNT. I know he's had a struggle returning to form (understandable) but is he anywhere on Klinnsman's radar?

maxox - I hear your point, but the US Men have never lost to Guatemala, and won about twice as often as tied. From that perspective, I find a tie disappointing.

I hope they find their form during the Olympics. I really look forward to them, second only to the World Cup.

Fedaykin98 wrote:

maxox - I hear your point, but the US Men have never lost to Guatemala, and won about twice as often as tied. From that perspective, I find a tie disappointing.

I hope they find their form during the Olympics. I really look forward to them, second only to the World Cup.

I have some bad news. US Men didn't make the Olympics...

bigred wrote:
Fedaykin98 wrote:

maxox - I hear your point, but the US Men have never lost to Guatemala, and won about twice as often as tied. From that perspective, I find a tie disappointing.

I hope they find their form during the Olympics. I really look forward to them, second only to the World Cup.

I have some bad news. US Men didn't make the Olympics...

Holy f*ck. I think I knew that at one point, and blocked it out. Shows how tuned out I've been since the Gold Cup ended.

What a freaking bummer.

Yeah. It was just our youth team so I'm not completely devastated but I love watching US soccer regardless of age or sex. Guess we'll have to only watch the women's games.

I'm confused. Does the "true" US Men's team not play in the Olympics? Is there an age cutoff? I knew there were some age minimums in the Olympics, but not maximums.

Jaysus why is Willems still on the pitch?

Fedaykin98 wrote:

I'm confused. Does the "true" US Men's team not play in the Olympics? Is there an age cutoff? I knew there were some age minimums in the Olympics, but not maximums.

maxox wrote:

The actual USMNT is on break until September. The U-23s didn't qualify for the Olympics.

The actual Olympic soccer teams are mostly players under 23 save for 3 select players over 23. The Olympic qualifiers are for the under 23s.

The women's soccer side of the Olympics has no age restrictions.