Now, let's talk some SOCCER!

was a good game, some class play. must admit i thought Brazil would win it though

 

Cocorico!!

 

congrats monsieur, and good luck for wednesday

 

Merci rothko!

It was really a nice match , I don't know anything in football (very far from being my favourite sport), but here we could "see" how the Brazilians obviously felt "upset" by the Frenchs. That's only in the last 10 minuts that they've recovered their "power", but - hopefully - they didn't score..

Finger crossed for the next games!

 

Mwah... it was nice to get distracted from all the filth of this worldcup... and with that I mean the very dissapointing Oranje + the dreadful disgusting Portuguese (shame on the both of you!); the abominable poor level of play in the tournament in general so far (exception only to be the genius Zizou); the amateuristic, party-poopin' & time-delaying card-wavers that call themselves referees (...!!!); the saddening important influence which the FIFA in combination with some multinationals seem to have gathered... need I go on?

I am not a sour loser; this Oranje-team is not ready yet and deserved to get out (we'll be back; older, hopefully wiser, and stronger), but after that game, I really wished they had changed the rules: BOTH TEAMS should have been banned from the rest of the cup! What a disgrace for the beautiful game (notice I haven't even pointed my finger yet at that joker of a referee)
I did foresee such result, and also in this manner -alas...re-read some earlier posting I made-
But I really get sick of the behaviour of certain 'stars', mostly youngsters, and especially by the German and Portugal squad. The first round began promising, with a new rule resulting in yellow cards for players who were begging for one for the opponent; but then when a certain Michael Ballack commited the same offense, suddenly the new rule seemed to have gone totally forgotten.
Yeah, no wonder it get's a lot easier to get to the final 4.... YUK YUK
So I hope and pray for an Italian-French final. (Surely, just to nag me, it will be the Germans against Portugal...)

Ah well, at least one soothing thing did happen: BRASIL IS OUT! YES
My congratulations for the come-back strength of France - not expected.
Zinedine Zidane is a pleasure to watch; what a pity another artist is saying farewell to us all...do it in style, Zizou!
Compliments also for that Ribery fellow.
As for the rest: not much happening on the pitches, the 'stars' were not there at all; Brasil were chained by commercial interests -yuk-, my favourite Argentina had a coward coach, like so many other teams. (Goodbye Sven, and I hope you are not that hesitant with your women.. .)What a shame.
Fair is fair: Germany play pretty decent. But please don't do that to me...not them...not here..not now...not anytime...(remember my bet?) ~Aaaargh


It could have been such a wonderful summer...at least I had a great sunny holiday

Play on...hmm..better yet:
Let's get this over with, quick.
And hope for a better one in 2010...


Pity...pity...pity...

slam

P.S. Are you sure Miroslav Klose has Polish ancestors? His play reveal typical Dutch skills... I like him

 

Good to see u made it back Slammer.

Sorry for the Dutch.

I want Azzurri now, but i have a feeling those Germans are going to prevail....



snowbound

 

Latest:

Torsten Frings suspended for semi-final Germany vs Italy

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) labelled "#1 Enemy of the State in England"

Worldcup Soccer?!

Meanwhile this really is getting into a


"Worldcup FreeFight, Mud-throwing & Treachery" ...




​

Just get as many opponents' players out of the competition and you can come (stay?) home with the cup... it's disgusting.

I say BOOTCAMP for all youngsters; huge CUT DOWN ON SALARIES (only reward AFTER results) , learn the b*stards some values & respect and get back to enjoying the fairplay and beauty of the game (full 90 minutes please)

Play on ?!?
slam

 

Hmm, I suddenly realize I'm not really advertising this 'beautiful game', err?

But hey, don't shoot the messenger! (... and after all this is 'my' thread )

Anyway, we still have 4 more matches to 'look forward' to (?) so perhaps things can still change for the better and we will be presented some truly worldcup-worthy play, at higher level, with (a) real star(s) and breathtaking skills...

(I doubt it)

Au revoir / Arrivederci !

 

Next wednesday we play against France, lets see who wins and go to the final, but for us a litle country it is already a victory going into the semi-finals.
Good luck to both times

 

Tonights' CLASSIC:

Worldcup 2006 Semi-final
Westfalen Stadium, Dortmund
Kick-off at 9:00 pm (GMT+1)

GERMANY vs ITALY
​

This one brings back some fond memories... if only history could repeat itself...

 

I don't watch soccer so I don't know what I'm talking about. Found this interesting news story though about diehard soccor fans.
------------------------

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.j...News&storyID=12687411&src=rss/oddlyEnoughNews

 

hxxp://www.bravo.co.uk/footballitalia/newsdetail.php?n=504&p=1

 

Victory for Italy over Germany 2-0.
They played better so well deserved.

The most amaing thing in this game was the Mexican referee, he did very good.

I wonder how this will be tomorrow with Portugal - France

Gerard

 

[MOVE] [/MOVE]

Bella Italia ~ Ti Amo !​

[MOVE] [/MOVE]

Finally relief, and something to cheer about;
My prayers are -for once- being heard...
Shame about the training effort I put in for my bet (walking to work for 16 miles if Germany would become worldchampion).... NOT!

And what a beautiful goals; and to do it in 'their' manner, a real 'German Sieg', to reach The Final in the closing minutes of the extra time... fabulous.
This match made my tournament.
From the bottom of my heart... or should I say from the soles of my feet:
Grazie Italia

Congrats to all Azzurri, hope you have a 'festa grande' tonight;

Party time!

 

Der Spiegel in a controversial article called all Italians 'parasites', the way they play football and their way of life.

Today it is a great day for all Italians: FORZA AZZURRI!

The goals from Grosso and Delpiero were superb, and once again Italy has shown that a good defense is the most important element in a team's strategy (see what happened to the over rated Brazilians).

They now certainly have the possibility to win their 4th World Cup. I believe in it.

 

Justice is done.
Portugal sent home by Zinedine Zidane & co:
France beat Portugal 1-0 in the second semi-final, by a penalty taken by the master himself.
And so, a mediocre tournament gets a decent final after all.

The filthy Portugueze were a disgrace throughout the whole tournament; it's such a shame to see a full generation of such talented players (like C.Ronaldo, Figo, Pauleta, Postiga) waste their chances, capabilities, and the support of the (neutral) fans by those disgusting tactics: begging for cards, diving in extreme,time-delaying theatre, and in total complete unsportsmen-like behaviour.
They could have won the cup - if only they had concentrated on playing football!

Thankfully: "You harvest what you sow..."

Read further overhere.

Worldcup 2006 FINAL, next Sunday:

ITALY vs FRANCE​

I tend to go for the Italians to win. So far they have only conceived one goal in the entire competition, and this was an own goal!
They play attacking as never before, technically very skilled, beautiful goals. Good organisation, cool & collective. Razorsharp counter-attacks. I think they'll have the slight edge.
France also play very well organized, and have the brilliance of a few old champs, they really came out of the dungeons and grew in the tournament with boosting confidence by every step,but overall they seem a little hesitant when it comes to making the game.
It will be tight - and anyone's title to grab.

But I'm in favor of the glory of the game; so no more diving, less fouls, more realtime play, a good ref, hopefully a few more goals, please no penalty shoot out! -and a winner that deserves it.
I'm betting for a close, exciting match, full of suspense.
Decisive could well be the quality of the goalkeepers: on the Italian side you have one of the best (Buffon); the French will have to hope for a good day from an often insecure Fabian Barthez.
You want a prediction? Okay fair enough. Slammer says: 2-1 for Italy

Let's have a great final!

PLAY ON,
slam

 

Yo....I finally made it back home! I agree w/most of the comments made. Portugal had the horses to win the race...but they blew it! Good!! Italy has surprised me as Totti has been invisible but they squeaked thru a couple of matches and......here they are. France was one of my probables and after being duds in their first two matches they have been exceptional.

I have to go w/France in the final because there is only one "Zizou" and he has been at the top of his game....that is...if Barthez dosen't do anything silly!

Play on, big ed

Ps...if it goes to the dreaded penalty kicks....flip a coin!

 

Hey Ed,
Maybe there's hope for that most dreaded worldranking list:
FIFA has acknowledged it has been too complicated and will be trying out a simplified calculation method.

Read further overhere.

Perhaps things will make sense in the future. I doubt it though...

Play on,
slam

 

Aaah...slammer,

Always the eternal optomist! I can't wait to see FIFA's new comedy sketch. Better yet...I can't wait to see C. Ronaldo's reception by the fans at his next match in the Premiership....that is if he isn't traded to some club in Siberia.

I was dissapointed that Van Persie was not nominated for the "Best Young Player" Award. Podolski was a good choice though!

As for the officiating....never was perfect! Never will be!! The Refs are given the new "Laws" interpretations shortly before the "Games" begin and are told "you MUST do this and that". When they do it....the "Suits" run and hide....the Refs are villified! Sounds fair to me!!

But....we will play on, big ed

 

Tonight, 9:00 pm (GMT+1), Stuttgart:

The race for third place


GERMANY vs PORTUGAL

Edit 9th July: Fulltime result GERMANY 3 - 1 PORTUGAL

For the bronze medal of the WorldCup, I hope to see the host nation will be rewarded for their attacking aspirations.They deserve it.
Let's score a few more nice goals to add up to your topscore, Miroslav klose, and sent those "Bandidos" home with nothing!
Never in my life I thought I'd be rooting for our neighbour-rivals but tonight I am:

[MOVE]GO GERMANY
[/MOVE]

Tomorrow the final, and then it's cold turkey for all soccer-fans...
Goodluck with it, and

Play on,
slam
​

 

The scale of World Cup 2006 bad behaviour

http://www.therecord.com/NASApp/cs/...5&call_pageid=1024322085460&col=1024322199505

Paraguayans tops for bad behaviour


BERLIN (Jul 8, 2006)

Who's the baddest World Cup team of them all? A software company says Paraguay ranks at the bottom when it comes to misbehaviour at the global soccer tournament.

Staff at the British office of Information Builders (IBI) tracked a string of alternative statistics during Germany 2006, including dives, feigned injuries, referee intimidation and tantrums -- even players who didn't sing their national anthem.

According to their findings from watching TV broadcasts of the games, Italy leads in dives (32), France in tantrums (27), Paraguay in fake injuries (12), and Serbia and Montenegro in players not singing the anthem (31).

Croatia, France, Italy and Portugal are tied in bullying the referee incidents with five, although Croatia played half the games (three) than the others did.



snowbound

 

I am an Italy fan, so lets go Italy,
I foretell for tomorrow :
Italy 2 - France 0
Totti x 2

But this has been one of the worst world cups I have seen, the best one: México 86: La Pelusa (Maradona) and all the Argentina team played beatiful, and Italia 1990 because of the Costa Rica participation ( Won over Sweden 2-1, Scotland 1-0, and lose against Brazil 1-0) Good times that will never repeat , specially this World Cup (2006)

 

Ummmm...just curious....did they happen to find a category to stick the English team into?

Play on, big ed

 

Ironic eh......




snowbound

 

Just when I thought I had heard and seen it all!!

I would pay many gold pieces for a picture of little "slammer" waving a teenie German flag! Remind me to never pi55 you off big guy!

France is gonna do it tomorrow!!

Play on, big ed