The Gang of Five
Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => The Fridge => Topic started by: Dima02 on June 09, 2010, 09:00:40 PM
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I can't believe that there hasn't been a topic on this yet. It's gonna start soon, and I'm sure that I won't be the only one watching.
What are your expectations and predictions?
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Hello:
Well, due to my classes at the university, I will not be able to see the inauguration ceremonies, but I'll try and do my best to keep up with the games my country's selection will play... well, after been classified just 1 point under brazil, Chile may give a surprise.... well, I can always dream :DD .
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As much as I'd love my home nation to win, it's highly unlikely considering our last friendly against Japan before the world cup, we won 2-1 WITHOUT scoring any goals ourselves. :bang :lol That's right! We won coz Japan scored 2 own goals. Doesn't exactly invoke faith in the strength of your team when you receive news like this :DD :p Anyways, I can see one of the Latino countries winning it be it Portugal, Spain, Brazil etc. I'd say Brazil since they have the best track record and some of the best players in the world. I'm just saying... :smile
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^ Yeah, I'd vote for Brazil too. I missed the inaugural ceremony because of school, but I'm gonna watch that US vs. UK match tomorrow. It's gonna be epic!
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Just like I expected...
The US vs UK match results in a 1-1 tie. It was still pretty epic, nonetheless.
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USA! USA! USA! I'm not much into soccer (or futball, depending on where you are I suppose) but I can't resist good international competition. I've been watching ever match I can.
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My bet goes to Spain. Why? About a week ago, I read an article online that the makers of some video game based on this sport ran a simulation of the World Cup in an attempt to predict what will happen. The result: Spain will win the final against Brazil, England and Germany will make it to the semifinals, and USA will only make it to the top 16 (I forget the name of that group, but it's not the quarterfinals, that's the top 8)
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^ Yeah, Spain does have an awesome goalie.
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I've never liked soccer..at all..but I've watched a game a day for the past few days. From what I've seen so far, Germany has outclassed the other teams.
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Now here's a rather surprising outcome, Spain lost its first match against Switzerland, 0-1.
If I could change my vote in this poll, I would be doing that right now.
Edit: Why is Uruguay not on this poll? They just beat South Africa, 3-0.
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^ ran out of space. I'm really surprised that Brazil only beat North Korea 2-1.
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Hello:
The bad news about Spain loosing it's match is that they will try to defeat my country's selection this monday. But that will not be easy task, hehehe. We came from our first victory and I know we'll make a good match.
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Today, the match between USA and Slovenia ended in a tie, 2-2. I only managed to watch the last couple minutes of it, but I did hear that at halftime Slovenia was winning 2-0, so the U.S. made a great comeback. Also, the U.S. could have had a third goal, but the referee wouldn't allow it, a call that even the commentators who watched the replay disagreed with.
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I want to kill that dam ref! The US got robbed! :anger :anger :anger :anger :anger
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The good news for the U.S. team is that the match between England and Algeria ended in a tie, 0-0. The match between USA and Algeria is on Wednesday, and the U.S. seems to be in a good position to move on to the next round. The way I see it, only two outcomes can stop the U.S. from advancing: they lose the match with Algeria, or England wins their next match with Slovenia (I'm doubtful that either will happen). Even if both games tie, the U.S. will still advance.
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Apparently, the calls that ref made are seen as so bad, that the ref's hometown has lost so much respect for him, he's practically "Public Enemy #1" there.
Ouch! On top of this, whoever is in charge of the World Cup just might make sure the ref at hand is NEVER allowed to ref Soccer EVER again. (Even for little kids.)
Well, nice knowing ya, ref! (Not!!)
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I decided to watch the last 30 minutes of the match between USA and Algeria, and I'm so glad I did. The score was tied 0-0 for nearly the entire game, then during the additional 4 minutes to the 90 minute game, USA scored a goal! I heard there was an earlier goal that wasn't counted, but that doesn't matter anymore. This also means that England beating Slovenia isn't something to worry about anymore, USA and England will be moving on to the Round of 16.
I just found out that, as the winner of Group C, USA's next match will be against Ghana on Saturday. I'm not sure how they'll do, but if they do win, they will likely be against Uruguay in the quarter-finals. The way I see it, I doubt USA will make it as far as the semi-finals, but I won't call it impossible.
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England are singing praises after chanting hatred over the nation's performance the last couple of days. The 0-0 draw with Algeria saw the team booed off the pitch and players falling out with the manager. Even our star striker Wayne Rooney made a snidey comment to one of the cameras about "fan support" as they were jeered after that disappointing match. The 1-0 win over Slovenia has seen us through to the next round but lo and behold, our greatest rivals are in line with us for Sunday's game (like we never saw this one coming). Will be an interesting game for sure...I'm just glad I'm not working it this bloody time! :lol
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I hope the British press will spare us the Stahlhelme (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stahlhelm) this time. Sadly there had been some rather ugly scenes between Great Britain and Germany and their soccer fans because of what is supposed to be a game. I'm probably not enough of a soccer fan to understand the animosity between fans of different teams, but I do know that it is not a necessity. Some years ago (I think back then I even posted here about it because I was so impressed) there was a soccer game between the national teams of Germany and Scotland in my home town of Dortmund. Some 15000 Scotish fans came to watch it. It was one of the most beautiful examples of international understanding I have ever seen in my life. Before and after the game (which Scotland lost by 1:0 I think) fans from both teams were celebrating and fraternizing in the streets. They were singing together (no matter whether they knew the lyrics or not), sharing drinks, exchanging fan scarfs (Borrussia Dortmund scarfs for scarfs of the Glasgow Rangers or Celtic Glasgow), and just having an awesome time. The attitude after the game too was one of great sportsmanship. The Scots regretted they hadn't won of course but it didn't stop them from celebrating with the German fans many of whom said that they would not have begrudged such great guests for a victory. There was no vandalism, no rioting, nobody getting hurt... with the sheer number of fans I must say this really impressed me a lot.
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I want to kill that dam ref! The US got robbed! :anger :anger :anger :anger :anger
Hello:
Same with a referee we want to kill that robbed our victory against Italy in France '98.
Today is Chile's third match, this time against Spain.
VAMOS CHILE, QUE SE PUEDE!!!!!!!
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Just watched the USA vs Ghana game. :( I want to be mad at the Ghanaians for stalling so badly, and at the referee for letting them, but I know America would have done the same thing if we were in the lead.
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No need to be upset by the fact that the US just lost. I thought it was a fair and honest game. (unlike that USA vs Slovenia game <_< ) The US has greatly improved in the last few World Cups, but they're just not capable of being champions just yet. I'm sure they'll win someday.
With the US out this year, I'm going back to my original bet, and that's Spain. I still can't believe they managed to beat Chile 2-1.
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England is postively seething at the 4-1 defeat against Germany on Sunday. Not with the fact that it was against Germany (which most fans would have rallied up and chanted about) but the England squad's performance was utterly appalling. Weak and pot-holed defence by our back men was embarrassing. Germany ran circles round our defence and played them like chumps. Germany were easily the better team in that match coz our guys couldn't tell their arse from their elbow. Everyone ranted and jeered the ref for Lampard's disallowed goal (which on replay was blatently in since it crossed the goal line) and rightly so. But at the end of the 90mins, Germany trounced us. They were the stronger, more organised side. Looks like England's dream of a 1966 repeat will have to wait another 4 years. Never mind eh lads? Head on back to your WAGs, fast cars and mansions on your £20m a year pay packets and we'll plan ahead for the next big competition. :lol :p :rolleyes
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Everyone ranted and jeered the ref for Lampard's disallowed goal (which on replay was blatently in since it crossed the goal line) and rightly so.
Aye, that one was definitely a goal and everyone here acknowledges so. Perhaps it really would be a good idea to really allow for cameras to verify such cases rather than just the inattentive referees. However there are also some who think about this with some malicious joy remembering the third goal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Goal) of 1966.
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I don't follow soccer very closely, but I know enough to say that a 4-1 win is a total blowout. :blink: Dang. Whoever the German coach is, he must have done a very good job.
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I just heard about the Netherlands/Brazil match. I am legitimately surprised. I didn't know much about the Netherlands team, though upon some basic research they're apparently a highly-ranked team. Funny that they didn't even make Dima's poll, though, and they're now the farthest team in the World Cup.
Brazil must be really pissed though. To lose like that in the quarterfinals...
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Brazil has the right to be upset about losing to Netherlands. I didn't watch the match, but based on what I've read, I suppose you could put the blame on Felipe Melo. Netherlands won against Brazil 2-1, and the first of the two points for Netherlands came from an own-goal by Melo early in the second half. Then, later in the second half, Melo got a red card for intentionally stepping on another player's leg.
Brazil's coach has admitted responsibility for the defeat and will leave his position as coach, but honestly, Melo should be ashamed for what he did in this match.
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I watched both of the semi-finals. Netherlands and Spain are moving on to the final match, and neither of them have ever won the World Cup. I honestly can't wait to see what happens on Sunday. I'm hoping to see Spain win. :D
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I'm quite surprised by the lack of replies to this topic at this time.
Anyway, I watched the final yesterday and, for those of you who didn't, Spain won, 1-0. That winning goal was made near the end of extra time, so it was a very close game. Also, the way I saw it, the Dutch team played a rather dirty game. 14 yellow cards were given (which I heard is now the most in any World Cup final match), 9 of them went to Dutch players. One of them I remember in particular is when one Dutch player kicked a Spanish player in the chest, which I think should have been enough for a red card.