View Full Version : Official World Cup Discussion Thread
As the World Cup is now less than a week away, I feel it's time for a new thread to take us through to the end of the tournament, so here it is.
I'm watching for Marvin Andrews: World Cup and Champions League superstar.
Major doubt i hear, he really needs God to be on his side if he's to be fit in time and then to take on the might of Peter Crouch.
Totti is missing the tournement. Broken leg. Shame.
Antihero
05-06-2006, 12:44 PM
Leo Messi may well light up the tournament, i like Riquelme but dont feel he's consistent enough. I fancy Luca Toni to be among the top scorers as well.
They'll all be outshone by one individual.....
STEVEN GERRARD!!!!
I really think he'll be the driving force behind England as they win the World Cup.
The Beltster
05-06-2006, 01:26 PM
I'm hoping to see great performances from Linekar, Platt and Barnes!
Go England!!!
Nicole
05-06-2006, 01:29 PM
I hope they don't interview Stevie G after any of the games, his accent is godawful.
Go england. Woo.
Steven Gerrard's is awful?
You should here Jamie Carragher. ;)
The Beltster
05-06-2006, 01:58 PM
There is no such thing as a nice, or even bearable, Liverpool accent. Its f'n atrocious :lol
It is indeed a horrible accent but not as bad as the Geordie one. Ugh.
'Ere Beltmark calm down lad calm down. :lol
I'm bloody fed up of hearing 1966 already.
No doubt this is the cue for the TWO Flame Club (tm) to jump on me, but to be honest, I'm beyond caring.
I have NO problem with the England team, the English people, or you guys all rooting for your country - just the bloody annoying English Media, specifically the English Broadcasting Corporation, sorry, that should be the BBC, althought they might forget that from time to time.
OK peeps - let's start with the 'sweaty sock' jokes, the 'your team is crap' rants, and just the general character assassination that starts anytime anyone Scottish says anything that doesn't toe the "WE ALL LOVE ENGLAND" party line.
*sigh*
Wolverine
05-06-2006, 03:39 PM
Yeah, but Scotland are crap! WE ALL LOVE ENGLAND! England won the World cup in 1966 ... time to do it again! C'mon England!
You asked for it.
Fidel Cashflow
05-06-2006, 03:44 PM
Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson are going to be huge this year. Donovan is one of the best players in the world that gets no hype because of where he plays.
And Johnson is fast...really fast. What this team lacks in skill they make up for in athletecism. I think they're better than that 4-1 loss to Germany showed.
fine example - BBC Three have been showing an awesome show called Worlc CUp Goals - tons of goals from the World Cup, it's been great to see some classic games and players again - it's broken into comedy top 10s and narrated by a 'comedian'. The show's great, bar one thing... every time a goal is shown against Scotland, this 'comedian' voives over the replay with "byeeeeee". Now, once? it's kinda funny. EVERY SINGLE TIME? Patronising. Grrr.
The thing that I find funny about it, and I say this during every tournament, is that the BBC and ITV either don't know or simply don't care that they're broadcasting to all of Britain, and not just England. There's no denying that the majority of their viewers are English, and I have no problems with them acknowledging that. But does that mean that their coverage should be 100% biased towards the team with the most viewers?
Take the FA Cup Final for example. You don't need to see the ratings to work out that more Liverpool fans were watching than West Ham fans. Liverpool are a bigger club with a huge fanbase across the nation, and I don't think that there was any doubt that the West Ham fans made up a small minority of everyone watching. But still, the focus never went entirely on Liverpool. West Ham were talked about and treated with respect. The commentators remained impartial. However, when it's England playing in the World Cup, it all changes, and the whole match is talked about from an English perspective, about how England are doing, and the commentators will go right ahead and get behind England. Whether John Motson or Clive Tildsley, you'll hear them roaring with delight when England score, or talking like the Queen just died when their team is losing. The lack of impartiality makes a mockery of the British coverage of the World Cup. If you can't control your emotions and realise that more countries than your own are subjected to the whole Pro-England coverage, you're not enough of a profesional to work in the media.
I would love if the BBC or ITV had some balls and forced the presenters/commentators to cut out their over-the-top patriotism on TV, but we'd probably get some moronic campaign from a "newspaper" like The Sun which would protest that they're being subjected to stuff they don't want to listen to. Just like the rest of Britain currently are, I suppose.
Moobs
05-06-2006, 04:15 PM
It is indeed a horrible accent but not as bad as the Geordie one. Ugh.
What the hell is wrong with it?
I'm not really into soccer....uh...I mean 'football' but I'm looking forward to this.
Go USA!
Proudy
05-06-2006, 05:04 PM
I'm bloody fed up of hearing 1966 already.
No doubt this is the cue for the TWO Flame Club (tm) to jump on me, but to be honest, I'm beyond caring.
I have NO problem with the England team, the English people, or you guys all rooting for your country - just the bloody annoying English Media, specifically the English Broadcasting Corporation, sorry, that should be the BBC, althought they might forget that from time to time.
OK peeps - let's start with the 'sweaty sock' jokes, the 'your team is crap' rants, and just the general character assassination that starts anytime anyone Scottish says anything that doesn't toe the "WE ALL LOVE ENGLAND" party line.
*sigh*
TBH Inno I agree with you, Every match I've watched this season has had something like "Lets hope (Enter players name) can do that for England Come June" Its doing my head in! Theres hyping and theres ****ing overhyping! BBC are by far the worst. Im so glad this will be Motsons' last WC.
What the hell is wrong with it?
A Can-ne wayat to 'ere 'im explayan that one!! :P
There's nothing wrong with a geordie accent Moobs. They're amusing, but in a nice way. If I ever met you, i'd probably giggle at everything you said for the first hour, because the geordie accent is so happy and fancy-free.
Keep it up Moobs, and NEVER adopt a broad Yorkshire accent, worst one there is!
The Beltster
05-06-2006, 06:32 PM
Here is the worst part about the media's pro-England coverage of the World Cup/Euro Cup etc, the Scottish people (seemingly) think English people are proud of this and then develop issues with the English public, and thats a shame because I'm sure most of the English fans are embarassed by it.
I know one thing, myself (and my entire family and friends) ALL root for Wales, Ireland and specifically Scotland in international games and the ONLY time they dont is if they are against England which is to be expected.
I'd LOVE to see Scotland win the World or European Cup at some point if England were not in contention/already eliminated, yet the Scottish people take the media's over-the-top bullshit and direct venom towards the England players, always taking the side of ANYBODY who plays against England. Its quite sad really, its not the players/teams fault the English media are ****ers. Its about time the Scottish realised that.
Drake
05-06-2006, 06:48 PM
I really hope Brazil don't dissapoint me, they're the favourites to win the damn thing after all.
I've been a fan of them since 98' where they felt short of the World Cup in their loss against France. Then on 02' they pwned the competition and I'm looking forward to seing that again this time.
But on another side, I've really liked the Italian team (Vieri, Toti) so I'll be rooting for them also. But one thing that SUCKS is that freaking Toti has a borken leg. >.>
BTW Batistuta is retired right?
Gabriel Batistuta has retired yes.
But he didn't play for Italy by the way, he played for Argentina. (You probably knew that though.)
Is there much football in Puerto Rico Drake? I know they have antioanl sie, rated like 200+ in the World, but do they have club football?
The Beltster
05-06-2006, 07:02 PM
I would love to see England knock out Germany in their homeland, it would be almost as sweet as winning the cup itself.
Here is the worst part about the media's pro-England coverage of the World Cup/Euro Cup etc, the Scottish people (seemingly) think English people are proud of this and then develop issues with the English public, and thats a shame because I'm sure most of the English fans are embarassed by it.
I know one thing, myself (and my entire family and friends) ALL root for Wales, Ireland and specifically Scotland in international games and the ONLY time they dont is if they are against England which is to be expected.
I'd LOVE to see Scotland win the World or European Cup at some point if England were not in contention/already eliminated, yet the Scottish people take the media's over-the-top bullshit and direct venom towards the England players, always taking the side of ANYBODY who plays against England. Its quite sad really, its not the players/teams fault the English media are ****ers. Its about time the Scottish realised that.
Have to agree, I always support the home nations when they play, yet anyone I know from Scotland or Wales supports anyone who plays against England. Just don't get it? In mid Wales, there was a riot when England won the Rugby World Cup.
I do hate the media coverage of English sportsman, poor Henman gets destroyed for not winning Wimbledon every year even though he's never going to, same with England not winning the World Cup. Just don't get the hatred involved, it's not our fault, blame idiots like The Sun and Ian Wright, and hate them, not the team. They probably hate it as much as the Scottish and Welsh, for it puts so much more pressure on the team.
Here is the worst part about the media's pro-England coverage of the World Cup/Euro Cup etc, the Scottish people (seemingly) think English people are proud of this and then develop issues with the English public, and thats a shame because I'm sure most of the English fans are embarassed by it.
I know one thing, myself (and my entire family and friends) ALL root for Wales, Ireland and specifically Scotland in international games and the ONLY time they dont is if they are against England which is to be expected.
I'd LOVE to see Scotland win the World or European Cup at some point if England were not in contention/already eliminated, yet the Scottish people take the media's over-the-top bullshit and direct venom towards the England players, always taking the side of ANYBODY who plays against England. Its quite sad really, its not the players/teams fault the English media are ****ers. Its about time the Scottish realised that.
*ahem*
I have NO problem with the England team, the English people, or you guys all rooting for your country - just the bloody annoying English Media, specifically the English Broadcasting Corporation, sorry, that should be the BBC, althought they might forget that from time to time.
Drake
05-06-2006, 07:56 PM
Gabriel Batistuta has retired yes.
But he didn't play for Italy by the way, he played for Argentina. (You probably knew that though.)
Is there much football in Puerto Rico Drake? I know they have antioanl sie, rated like 200+ in the World, but do they have club football?
Yeah Ray, I know that Batistuta played for Argentina and Fiorentina etc...
And there's some football here in Puerto Rico but it's not the main sport. There's a PR football club called the "Puerto Rico Islanders" but I really don't follow them, so I have no idea of they're any good.
The thing that I find funny about it, and I say this during every tournament, is that the BBC and ITV either don't know or simply don't care that they're broadcasting to all of Britain, and not just England. There's no denying that the majority of their viewers are English, and I have no problems with them acknowledging that. But does that mean that their coverage should be 100% biased towards the team with the most viewers?
Take the FA Cup Final for example. You don't need to see the ratings to work out that more Liverpool fans were watching than West Ham fans. Liverpool are a bigger club with a huge fanbase across the nation, and I don't think that there was any doubt that the West Ham fans made up a small minority of everyone watching. But still, the focus never went entirely on Liverpool. West Ham were talked about and treated with respect. The commentators remained impartial. However, when it's England playing in the World Cup, it all changes, and the whole match is talked about from an English perspective, about how England are doing, and the commentators will go right ahead and get behind England. Whether John Motson or Clive Tildsley, you'll hear them roaring with delight when England score, or talking like the Queen just died when their team is losing. The lack of impartiality makes a mockery of the British coverage of the World Cup. If you can't control your emotions and realise that more countries than your own are subjected to the whole Pro-England coverage, you're not enough of a profesional to work in the media.
I would love if the BBC or ITV had some balls and forced the presenters/commentators to cut out their over-the-top patriotism on TV, but we'd probably get some moronic campaign from a "newspaper" like The Sun which would protest that they're being subjected to stuff they don't want to listen to. Just like the rest of Britain currently are, I suppose.
You gotta be kidding Russ, the BBC are so biased towards Liverpool it's laughable. If it's not Hansen it's Lawrenson, one comment during the cup final where Motson read out a statistic that didn't go in Liverpools favour Lawrenson replied "now you've worried me", had me switching to Sky Sports. Then the episode during the Liverpool v United FA Cup match where so many United fans complained about the coberage that Lineker recieved a bollocking.
The papers don't really have any bearing, I believe the different nations get different papers to the English don't they? As for the BBC and ITV, regional variations are there, why not just have seperate coverage of games in different countries?
The Beltster
05-06-2006, 11:32 PM
*ahem*I wasnt talking specifically about you, I was talking about the Scottish attitude in general of "We must all boo England whenever they play, regardless of whether its against Scotland or Malta!" And, of course, you cant deny that fact.
Like I said, its all well and good not liking how the English media portray England and so on, the English media make a mockery of EVERYTHING, not just the national football team, but for Scottish people to specifically root against England because they hate how the English media portray them is pretty sad, actually, its very petty.
What the hell is wrong with it?
It sounds like how English cavemen would have spoken.
I wasnt talking specifically about you, I was talking about the Scottish attitude in general of "We must all boo England whenever they play, regardless of whether its against Scotland or Malta!" And, of course, you cant deny that fact.
Like I said, its all well and good not liking how the English media portray England and so on, the English media make a mockery of EVERYTHING, not just the national football team, but for Scottish people to specifically root against England because they hate how the English media portray them is pretty sad, actually, its very petty.
Try getting it 24/7 every day on various channels... then see how petty it is.
This is one of those "if you're not on the receiving end" things. We know we're pretty much **** at any given sport bar curling - it doesn't bother us - why do you think the Tartan Army STILL go on these hellish away trips time after time? It sure as hell ain't to see another historic victory, it's to have a good time, visit new places. All we want is to be left alone to od it and not have extra-curricular crap rubbed in our faces.
The Beltster
06-06-2006, 12:05 AM
Try getting it 24/7 every day on various channels... then see how petty it is.
This is one of those "if you're not on the receiving end" things. We know we're pretty much **** at any given sport bar curling - it doesn't bother us - why do you think the Tartan Army STILL go on these hellish away trips time after time? It sure as hell ain't to see another historic victory, it's to have a good time, visit new places. All we want is to be left alone to od it and not have extra-curricular crap rubbed in our faces.I understand how annoying it must be, believe me I do. There are lots of things I hate that I am constantly bombarded with by the media but I hold the media accountable and my problem is with them. I really dont know how the Scottish can genuinly hope that England loses and gets knocked out of the World Cup just because the English media are tossers. I'd have thought that the Scottish would cheer on the only British side in the tourney, but thats not the case and it never is, yet if you travel to England and were to be watching Scotland in the World or Euro cup, you would likely be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of support the English fans lavish on your national side, and this is all regardless of the fact that we all know that the Scottish fans are gagging for us to fail in every match.
The thing is, this is the way it is. It stinks, but it wont ever change and as frustrating as it is, you cant let the bellends who are the English media sway your opinion on a football team who, for all intents and purposes are Southern Scotland! :lol
I've never ever been to England and had support lavished on the Scottish side, a Scottish side, or even a Scottish person. My mum is English, so I used to go down all the time.
All we get is patronised, again, not labelling everyone, but the majority. England looks down on Scotland, rightly or wrongly, that's just the way it is. Maybe we deserve it, I don't even care enough to argue about it.
As soon as people heard the accent, that was it, goodnight good time.
At the end of the day, it's just bloody football - does it really merit reams and reams of media coverage as to who our First Minister is hoping to win? Even Beckham has said it doesn't bother him. I don't get the obsession that we have to be good little neighbours and all play jolly hockey sticks. What's wrong with a little rivalry? We have to put up with it all the time, it's only fair it gets reflected.
The Beltster
06-06-2006, 12:31 AM
Well I dunno where you travelled to in England, but speaking for Plymouth where I live, I have never - EVER - seen anybody patronise anybody for being Scottish or rip into the Scottish football team. Now Brummies, thats a different matter altogether, heh. You think England and the English look down on Scotland and the Scottish? In what way? Maybe they do and I'm not picking up on it.
But yeah, everybody I know and the general feeling when Scotland play where I live is support, people wanting Scotland to win, Wales to win, Ireland to win etc...any British teams all get top notch support and always have from my memory.
And I dont worry if we are jolly neighbours etc either, I dont give a **** if the English like me, let alone the Scottish, but I do think its nice for British people to support British teams, that way when they are matched against each other, its special and means something because it would be the rare occasion we are on opposing sides rather than all supporting each other, to me thats pretty cool.
Nowhere south of Yorkshire. Only place in England I've felt genuinely welcome is Newcastle.
Big Slow
06-06-2006, 07:57 AM
Totti is missing the tournement. Broken leg. Shame.
No he isn't, he played in both legs of the Italian Cup Final and appeared in Italys two friendlies against Switzerland and the Ukraine. He will almost definitely play and if he doesn't it's no so bad because we will get to see ADP for one last world cup. Italys injury problems lie in defence and Gattuso looks set to perhaps play at Rightback with De Rossi replacing him as the holding midfield.
Really?
I'm sure he broke his leg. :?
Jimmy Redman
06-06-2006, 10:15 AM
Really?
I'm sure he broke his leg. :?
Yes, he did a while ago, he's healed up I assume.
Fair enough then.
GO TOTTI! :P
Well I dunno where you travelled to in England, but speaking for Plymouth where I live, I have never - EVER - seen anybody patronise anybody for being Scottish or rip into the Scottish football team. Now Brummies, thats a different matter altogether, heh. You think England and the English look down on Scotland and the Scottish? In what way? Maybe they do and I'm not picking up on it.
If Scotland are playing one of the bigger teams in world football, France, Italy etc, I want them to win, when they're playing the likes of the Faroe Islands, I wanna see them lose because it's funny.
Like Inno said, whats wrong with a bit of rivalry, you're probably one of these guys who would have a go at a Spurs fan for rooting for Barcelona in the European Cup Final, the Spurs/Arsenal rivalry has been there for years, just like the England/Scotland rivalry, why should Scottish fans cheer for England and why the hell would we care if they don't?
Drake
06-06-2006, 11:45 PM
Toti is un-human. He has Wolverine like powers, screw a broken leg, he will heal in a matter of weeks. :D
The Beltster
07-06-2006, 01:21 AM
Like Inno said, whats wrong with a bit of rivalry, you're probably one of these guys who would have a go at a Spurs fan for rooting for Barcelona in the European Cup Final, the Spurs/Arsenal rivalry has been there for years, just like the England/Scotland rivalry, why should Scottish fans cheer for England and why the hell would we care if they don't?Hold up..."you're probably one of these guys blah blah blah"...what are you smoking? I'm not one of these guys anything....Spurs? Barcelona? Arsenal? None of what you said holds any meaning to me you see, because I dont give a toss about football in general and think it is a highly overrated pile of shite. I only ever watch it when England are playing in World or Euro championships, so your insinuation that "you're probably this and that" has been denied, sorry.
And why are you getting all worked up, you need to calm yourself before you have a stress induced stroke. I'm not saying anybody SHOULD root for anybody else, and there is nothing wrong with a rivalry, but there is a difference when people take it so far to the point where they despise a certain team who are part of their own landmass just because of the media. Its retarded.
But hey, whatever, I dont care, England are in the World Cup, Scotland arent, if they prefer to spend all their energy hoping we lose rather than enjoying the ride and wishing us well, thats fine with me, but dont bitch, compain, piss and moan if England DO win and the English are extremely arrogant and rub it in the Scottish fans faces. You cant have it both ways.
vicious circle... one end just keeps on feeding the other.
Bit like this place recently.
Antihero
07-06-2006, 09:27 AM
Well I dunno where you travelled to in England, but speaking for Plymouth where I live, I have never - EVER - seen anybody patronise anybody for being Scottish or rip into the Scottish football team. Now Brummies, thats a different matter altogether, heh. You think England and the English look down on Scotland and the Scottish? In what way? Maybe they do and I'm not picking up on it.
But yeah, everybody I know and the general feeling when Scotland play where I live is support, people wanting Scotland to win, Wales to win, Ireland to win etc...any British teams all get top notch support and always have from my memory.
And I dont worry if we are jolly neighbours etc either, I dont give a **** if the English like me, let alone the Scottish, but I do think its nice for British people to support British teams, that way when they are matched against each other, its special and means something because it would be the rare occasion we are on opposing sides rather than all supporting each other, to me thats pretty cool.
I'm not like that. Both my grandparents are English, my mother is English, im therefore part English, and i DO support all the British teams, and im confident England CAN win the tourney to be honest, and Inno, if you've never felt welcome south of Newcastle, you've never been to Donnie!
But sadly i seem to be an exception, and a lot of my pals are giving me abuse for supoporting England. Which is pretty sad. Im of the opinion its time to get over the press winding everyone up.
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 12:51 PM
Toti is un-human. He has Wolverine like powers, screw a broken leg, he will heal in a matter of weeks. :D
Wolverine-like powers? Screw that, I'd be healed in days, not weeks.
MillionLiraMan
07-06-2006, 02:26 PM
Can I just say something here about the England Scotland situation?
While I won't be supporting England, with their overbearing media, I'd just like to say that we Scots aren't in a position to be taking the moral high ground here. The problem with the media is of course that what's on in England tends to go to the other home nations as well (majority of viewers, no regional programming to save costs). However, though we ought to have regionalised programming for this to settle the arguments, my point is, we are just as bad. Can you imagine if Scotland had won the World Cup forty years ago? Come on, the press would be going on and on about it and jibes about how this year's competition wouldn't matter since Scotland's victory would be the only one that matters, how England are still trying yet Scotland have been there and done it, the gloating there'd be. It'd be really cringeworthy.
Historically, we Scots can't wait to boast about anything we've done no matter who doesn't care. As has been said, we even held a victory parade before the tournament in 1978. When Celtic won the European Cup in 1967, who'd have thought the legacy would be banging on and on and on about it, papering over the cracks of present day matters, to the point where it doesn't even seem special anymore because they've sucked the life out of it by analysing and reanalysing it to bits. Such is the nature of Scottish football - look at the Wembley win in 1967, they still go on and on about that.
Outside of football, in terms of the old battles (bear with me, I'm on about the Scots media/public perception bias here, skip this paragraph if you get the point!), we won at Bannockburn and everyone goes on about great historical figures from that time and the national anthem even harks back to it. This conveniently forgets that it's just about the only battle we actually won, the English trounced Scotland time after time, notably at Culloden, but no-one mentions that in the same way. Also, we paint the English as the bad guys who kept trying to take us over before the union. While there is some truth in that of course, many of the actual battles were started by Scots deciding to march past Berwick and start scraps. James III even got himself killed seeking out a fight with the English for no real reason if I remember my history (think it was James III, around 1488 it might have been).
My point is, we are t***ers just like the English media, in terms of crowing about everything. The difference is, the rest of Britain doesn't have to hear about it when we do it, since programming from Scottish television channels is part of regionalised programming and so as such is not shown to the rest of the UK. Yes, we should have the option of not hearing pro-English tints to everything, because we ought to have Scottish commentaries on the matches, or Welsh or Irish depending on where you are. While in the current climate we have to rely on awful smug gits like Tyldesley and Motson being impartial, which they aren't, what we really ought to do is complain to the BBC for not providing us with our own commentary teams for the tournament. As much as I'm not a fan of Archie MacPherson with his set phrases that he uses in every game ('just past', 'brilliantly saved', 'he lets fly', 'he wants to let fly and he does', 'all the same'), I'd still take him over those smug would be overlords from BBC and ITV. The problem isn't that they are pro-English, many viewers want that and are entitled to that, it's that there's no alternative for those of us who don't. We ought to give up on hopes of their commentary teams being professionally neutral, but we ought not to give up hope of getting our own coverage that for this tournament would be neutral.
Let us Scots remember that that is the problem. It's not that we are better that them - we are every bit as bad. That said, if the telly was all pro-Scotland and aren't we the centre of everything, I'd want an alternative for that as well. However, while that's fair play for a lot of people, I'm just saying that while a lot of Scotland fans are just making their point, there are also a lot of Scots who use this as an excuse to act holier-than-thou, be hypocritical and and to try to mask the fact that they are trumped-up nationalist t***ers every bit as much as the people they claim to object to from England on moral grounds. Our media are every bit as petty, small-minded and parochial as the English. If Eurosport cover the tournament, that might be the answer.
In all honesty though, why should it matter what we think of England at the World Cup? We're not there. Worry about the countries who are there. The problem isn't our First Minister not supporting England, it's the fact that such a big deal is being made of it, with Gordon Brown also trying to score election points by sucking up to England's team. While I think England fans claiming to support Scotland in my experience do patronise then show their true colours by laughing at Scotland getting beaten (though I think people share KJ's view about bigger teams and smaller teams when choosing whether or not to back Scotland), I really don't care if English people want to back Scotland or not. If anything, it creeps me out when someone English starts going OTT for Scotland, it seems forced and can be patronising not least when people doing it don't know who all of our players are (though under Vogts that was understandable!). I'm even more baffled though when someone does that then expects me to do the same when it's England. It's not tit-for-tat supporting, if they want to back Scotland that's their business but that doesn't mean I have to be a little Englander. Then people like that make out I'm the bad guy. If you're English, enjoy your team, but leave me out of it. I think that probably sums up what Inno means about patronising and being looked down on by the English.
Look, if you support England or any of the other teams there, enjoy your World Cup. We Scots will always look for any reasons to moan about anything or boast about anything at least in the press. Just do the usual thing of being oblivious to it, ignoring it or laughing at how pathetic it is, while people in Scotland who've never been to England start getting all worked up about it, with other Scots either praying for them to cool it and the English to stop taking the patronising moral high ground, or just join the more responsible English fans in praying for some sort of sanity to be restored.
Hardcore Holly
07-06-2006, 03:03 PM
Does anyone know how bad Rafael Van Der Vaarts injury is??
Proudy
07-06-2006, 04:21 PM
The squad that will win the World Cup...
Goalkeepers: Roberto Abbondanzieri (Boca Juniors), Leonardo Franco (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Oscar Ustari (Independiente)
Defenders: Fabricio Coloccini (Deportivo Coruna, Spain), Roberto Ayala (Valencia, Spain), Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, England), Juan Pablo Sorin (Villarreal, Spain), Gabriel Milito (Real Zaragoza, Spain), Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan, Italy), Leandro Cufre (AS Roma, Italy)
Midfielders: Lionel Scaloni (West Ham United, England), Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan, Italy), Javier Mascherano (Corinthians, Brazil), Luis Gonzalez (Porto, Portugal), Pablo Aimar (Valencia, Spain), Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Spain), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Forwards: Carlos Tevez (Corinthians, Brazil), Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, England), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Spain), Rodrigo Palacio (Boca Juniors), Javier Saviola (Sevilla, Spain), Julio Cruz (Inter Milan, Italy)
MillionLiraMan
07-06-2006, 04:39 PM
Man, I'm not sure about that.
How the overrated Julio Cruz got in and on-form Diego Milito didn't, I'm sorry but I can't understand that.
I just think Argentina are overrated, their star midfielders who go forward always get overly hyped then don't do it, before it was Ortega, now it seems Riquelme is getting the hype, Aimar would have it if it wasn't Riquelme, Messi is getting enormous pressure put on his performances so he might be prone to Martin Palermo style flops (actually, no-one could be so bad again, I take that back for now), they just haven't what it takes to win. Teams with history, the history doesn't matter, they're still just guys, because you're from Argentina and play the same sort of role as Maradona doesn't make you the new Maradona when you get in the national side.
I don't think they'd beat England.
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 04:44 PM
Cruz was Inter's top scorer this season, so I'd say that he probably deserves his place in the squad. Milito did look superb in the Spanish Cup final though - maybe he should have been included instead of Saviola?
Big Slow
07-06-2006, 04:53 PM
Does anyone know how bad Rafael Van Der Vaarts injury is??
He will start Holland's first game against Serbia after returning to group training today
MillionLiraMan
07-06-2006, 04:57 PM
Cruz was Inter's top scorer this season, so I'd say that he probably deserves his place in the squad. Milito did look superb in the Spanish Cup final though - maybe he should have been included instead of Saviola?
I'm just not a big Cruz fan but I suppose you have a point. I think he's a bit of a weak 'flatter to deceive' sort of player but I suppose Argentina are used to those sorts of players in various positions anyway.
I'd keep Saviola (another such player, arguably) simply because Argentina really need that attacking midfielder role, if Riquelme gets injured and Aimar can't/isn't doing it, Saviola can. I suppose it's between Cruz and Milito, I'd just like to see Milito in there, but if you have to pick Cruz, there's no real solution to get round it so that's just the way it is.
Hold up..."you're probably one of these guys blah blah blah"...what are you smoking? I'm not one of these guys anything....Spurs? Barcelona? Arsenal? None of what you said holds any meaning to me you see, because I dont give a toss about football in general and think it is a highly overrated pile of shite. I only ever watch it when England are playing in World or Euro championships, so your insinuation that "you're probably this and that" has been denied, sorry.
And why are you getting all worked up, you need to calm yourself before you have a stress induced stroke. I'm not saying anybody SHOULD root for anybody else, and there is nothing wrong with a rivalry, but there is a difference when people take it so far to the point where they despise a certain team who are part of their own landmass just because of the media. Its retarded.
But hey, whatever, I dont care, England are in the World Cup, Scotland arent, if they prefer to spend all their energy hoping we lose rather than enjoying the ride and wishing us well, thats fine with me, but dont bitch, compain, piss and moan if England DO win and the English are extremely arrogant and rub it in the Scottish fans faces. You cant have it both ways.
Listen mate, if you think my lifes so sad that i'm gonna get worked up over someone on an internet forum i'm afraid your sadly mistaken, if anyones getting worked up around here it's you, I was only making a point, you need to calm down. If you thought I was having a dig at you then i'm sorry because I wasn't. One thing that bothers me about all of your posts is that if football is an overated pile of sh*t in your opinion, why bother posting in football threads (it's a question not a dig).
Drake
07-06-2006, 05:34 PM
Wolverine-like powers? Screw that, I'd be healed in days, not weeks.
Bah, you get my point. :D
The Beltster
07-06-2006, 06:44 PM
Listen mate, if you think my lifes so sad that i'm gonna get worked up over someone on an internet forum i'm afraid your sadly mistaken, if anyones getting worked up around here it's you, I was only making a point, you need to calm down. If you thought I was having a dig at you then i'm sorry because I wasn't. One thing that bothers me about all of your posts is that if football is an overated pile of sh*t in your opinion, why bother posting in football threads (it's a question not a dig).Its not a dig when you say "You are the type of person to...." and then run off at the mouth? Fair enough if you say it wasnt, but it very much seemed like it was. Either way, who cares.
As for why I post in a football thread, because I have opinions just like everybody else, and as I said previously, I enjoy watching England play in the World and European championships. Because I'm not a fan of club football doesnt mean I dont care when England are playing for the most prestegious trophy in the entire world, you would have to have no soul to not get caught up in it and support your national side. Still doesnt change my opinion of football in general being exceptionally overrated, but I'm not telling you or anybody else to agree with that, I only speak for myself.
Its not a dig when you say "You are the type of person to...." and then run off at the mouth? Fair enough if you say it wasnt, but it very much seemed like it was. Either way, who cares.
As for why I post in a football thread, because I have opinions just like everybody else, and as I said previously, I enjoy watching England play in the World and European championships. Because I'm not a fan of club football doesnt mean I dont care when England are playing for the most prestegious trophy in the entire world, you would have to have no soul to not get caught up in it and support your national side. Still doesnt change my opinion of football in general being exceptionally overrated, but I'm not telling you or anybody else to agree with that, I only speak for myself.
"You are probably the type of person......" probably wasn't the best choice of words and I apologise for that, I was just making the point that I dislike the whole "you should support this team and that country because of geographical reasons", I shouldn't have said your the type of person to say that.
The Beltster
07-06-2006, 07:13 PM
KJ, you dont need to appologise to me, mate. Its all good, I dont hold grudges or anything equallty as retarded as that over words on an internet forum. We have different opinions, its cool. Thanks for being a stand up kinda guy though.
On with the thread.
England have been boosted by the news that Wayne Rooney will be fit to play some part in Germany 2006.
The 20-year-old striker will be included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's 23-man squad for the tournament, which begins on June 9.
:)
Proudy
07-06-2006, 08:20 PM
Still dont think theres any need to play him in the group stage. Not with Crouch's form of late!
Popsi
07-06-2006, 08:28 PM
I always wonder what it says about the rest of the squad that its such a big deal about Rooney being injured, surely if England really are the world beaters people keep claiming the squad should be good enough anyway?
And i don't support England, i see it the same way as club football. You wouldn't ask a West Ham fan to support Arsenal, and yet i get abuse from others when i say i wont support England. Why should I? All i ever hear on here is how seperate England is from Wales or Scotland, so why on earth should i support them at the World Cup?
Ill keep on eye on England simply because i won't be able to get away fromt eh damn coverage. Im sick of it already, and its a sad state of affairs when a national newspaper puts Rooneys foot on the cover and has no mention of an earthquake killing thousands anyway within it.
Proudy
07-06-2006, 08:31 PM
I always wonder what it says about the rest of the squad that its such a big deal about Rooney being injured, surely if England really are the world beaters people keep claiming the squad should be good enough anyway?
And i don't support England, i see it the same way as club football. You wouldn't ask a West Ham fan to support Arsenal, and yet i get abuse from others when i say i wont support England. Why should I? All i ever hear on here is how seperate England is from Wales or Scotland, so why on earth should i support them at the World Cup?
Ill keep on eye on England simply because i won't be able to get away fromt eh damn coverage. Im sick of it already, and its a sad state of affairs when a national newspaper puts Rooneys foot on the cover and has no mention of an earthquake killing thousands anyway within it.
Im guessing thats "The Sun", it aint a real Newspaper, full of **** if you ask me.
Popsi
07-06-2006, 08:33 PM
No it wasn't the sun, i don't read that trash. Can't remember what it was but not hte sun or the mirror.
And i don't support England, i see it the same way as club football. You wouldn't ask a West Ham fan to support Arsenal, and yet i get abuse from others when i say i wont support England. Why should I? All i ever hear on here is how seperate England is from Wales or Scotland, so why on earth should i support them at the World Cup?
Yet if you were to ask many non Arsenal English fans who they wanted to win the Champions League final many would of said Arsenal.
But i don't really want to get sucked into the debate as i love England, Wales (apart from Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy) and Scotland.
Another Rooney update according to Sky Sports News his private jet just took off from Manchester to Baden Baden.
Popsi
07-06-2006, 08:38 PM
Yet if you were to ask many non Arsenal English fans who they wanted to win the Champions League final many would of said Arsenal.
But i don't really want to get sucked into the debate as i love England, Wales (apart from Robbie Savage and Craig Bellamy) and Scotland.
Another Rooney update according to Sky Sports News his private jet just took off from Manchester to Baden Baden.
To be honest with you, i did speak to a lot of non arsenal fans before the final and i think i spoke to maybe one who actually wantged them to win.
I won 't support England but i probably won't support any other team either, ill watch it as a total neutral.
Apparantly according to my BBC alert Defoe is being told to go home as Rooney is in the squad. Maybe thats the end of it finally!
No it wasn't the sun, i don't read that trash. Can't remember what it was but not hte sun or the mirror.
The Sport?
Anyway, it's not that the rest of the squad isn't up to it, it's that Rooney is our best player, for me he's the player that can make us potential winners, that's why the big fuss.
Still no official word, but the fact he got on the plane is a very good sign.
The Sport?
The sport usually has a blonde bird with her arse hanging out, i doubt they would of a picture of a blokes foot. The legend that is Tony Livsey edits that fine piece of media!
Popsi
07-06-2006, 08:45 PM
Haha no def not the sport! Thats even worse than the Sun! Coulda been the mail or the express.
I just think that ok Rooney is your best player but if England are a world class team they should be able to win without him. But anyway looks like hes going and that means no more Rooneyfootgate! Fingers crossed!
From BBC Sport
ROONEY GIVEN WORLD CUP GREEN LIGHT
Wayne Rooney has been included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, BBC Sport understands.
Rooney appears to have won the race to prove his fitness after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot while playing for Manchester United in April.
He has left on a flight back to Germany - which is due to land at Karlsruhe near Baden-Baden at about 2200 BST.
He had earlier spent two hours at a Manchester hospital while doctors studied the results of an earlier scan.
Football Association executive director David Davies had a broad grin on his face as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport.
An official announcement has yet to be made by either the Football Association or Manchester United - who announced on their website at 1945 BST that a "decisive" scan result "will be announced this evening".
But it does appear that Rooney has been given the green light by the group that spent those two hours locked in the clinic at Whalley Range - which included United doctor Tony Gill and physio Rob Swire, England team doctor Leif Sward and other specialists.
It is also thought that an independent consultant from Fifa was on hand should there be any conflict between Rooney's club and country - and it was reported that United lawyers were in attendance.
But a decision has apparently been reached to retain Rooney in the squad - and send the unfortunate Jermain Defoe of Tottenham, who had been on standby, back to England.
Looking good.
I just think that ok Rooney is your best player but if England are a world class team they should be able to win without him. But anyway looks like hes going and that means no more Rooneyfootgate! Fingers crossed!
I think it's mainly due to the fact that the media have along with many people on here (apart from Ray) realised that Jermaine Defoe is along way from being a international footballer.
Just think as i type this he's probably over in Germany packing his bags, poor sod feel for him.
From BBC Sport
Cisse has suspected fractured leg
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse could be out of the World Cup after being carried off with a suspected broken leg in France's friendly against China.
The 24-year-old fell awkwardly in a challenge early in the first half of the match in St Etienne.
Cisse, whose future at Anfield is uncertain, broke his left leg while playing for Liverpool in October 2004 and was out for almost six months.
He had been linked with a move to Marseille after the World Cup.
Cisse was chasing the ball down the right flank 10 minutes into the game and was knocked off balance by an opposing defender.
As he fell, his right leg twisted under him and buckled above the ankle. He was stretchered off and replaced by David Trezeguet.
Good news for the French aswell tonight then.
I think it's mainly due to the fact that the media have along with many people on here (apart from Ray) realised that Jermaine Defoe is along way from being a international footballer.
Just think as i type this he's probably over in Germany packing his bags, poor sod feel for him.
You have to feel for Defoe, he should be there instead of Walcott.
Popsi
07-06-2006, 08:55 PM
On a side note, how is Trezequet playing these days? I remember a few years ago him being touted as the next big thing and now not so much.
Christof
07-06-2006, 08:57 PM
Rooney gets World Cup green light
Wayne Rooney Wayne Rooney has been included in Sven-Goran Eriksson's World Cup squad, BBC Sport understands.
Rooney appears to have won the race to prove his fitness after breaking a metatarsal in his right foot while playing for Manchester United in April.
He has left on a flight back to Germany - which is due to land at Karlsruhe near Baden-Baden at about 2200 BST.
He had earlier spent two hours at a Manchester clinic while doctors studied the results of Wednesday's scan.
Football Association executive director David Davies had a broad grin on his face as he left hospital with Rooney before they drove to Manchester Airport.
An official announcement has yet to be made by either the Football Association or Manchester United - who announced on their website at 1945 BST that a "decisive" scan result "will be announced this evening".
Good news for England
And Bad News for French / Liverpool fans;
Cisse has suspected fractured leg
France striker Djibril Cisse Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse could be out of the World Cup after being carried off with a suspected broken leg in France's friendly against China.
The 24-year-old fell awkwardly in a challenge early in the first half of the match in St Etienne.
Cisse, whose future at Anfield is uncertain, broke his left leg while playing for Liverpool in October 2004 and was out for almost six months.
He had been linked with a move to Marseille after the World Cup.
Cisse was chasing the ball down the right flank 10 minutes into the game and was knocked off balance by an opposing defender.
As he fell, his right leg twisted under him and buckled above the ankle. He was stretchered off and replaced by David Trezeguet.
Read the thread before posting Christof. :oops
And Bad News for French / Liverpool fans;
Are you meaning bad for Liverpool fans as this could mess up any move back to France?
Are you meaning bad for Liverppol fans as this could mess up any move back to France?
That must be what he meant, can't understand why i's bad for French fans. :?
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 09:05 PM
The French will have to call up someone considered to be worse than Cisse now, that's why.
As for Trezeguet, he's a fantastic goalscorer. He's a bit like Ruud as in he contributes absolutely nothing else to the team, but he certainly knows where the back of the net is.
Christof
07-06-2006, 09:06 PM
Are you meaning bad for Liverppol fans as this could mess up any move back to France?
Exactly James, exactly. Now there is no way he's going to Lyon!
Exactly James, exactly. Now there is no way he's going to Lyon!
Exactly because he's going to Marseille
Marseille president Pape Diouf will meet Liverpool officials on
Wednesday to discuss the transfer of Djibril Cisse.
Diouf is hoping to finalise an agreement with the FA Cup winners to take Cisse to Marseille on loan, with the option of a permanent transfer.
Cisse has already expressed a wish to link up with the French giants and Diouf confirmed talks are scheduled with Liverpool.
"For Cisse, it is going in a very good way," Diouf told AFP.
"I will be in Liverpool on Wednesday to meet the English officials."
France international striker Cisse has also been linked with Lyon, although the Ligue 1 champions played down an interest earlier in the week.
Diouf is aware Lyon have the capacity to outmuscle other clubs in the transfer market and insists Marseille will not become embroiled in an auction for Cisse.
He added: "We know when a player is playing overseas, especially in England, we're often talking about a lot of money.
"But there is also some competition for his signature and, once again, it's called (Lyon president) Jean-Michel Aulas.
"I don't know exactly what he's offering, but I categorically refuse to get into a bidding war because I don't believe in paying more than market value for any player.
"Just because there's some competition - and long live competition - we won't lose our heads and go way over the player's value.
"Djibril would love to wear the colours of Marseille. He has said it publicly and revealed his sentiments for this club."
Trezeguet scored against China tonight
The Beltster
07-06-2006, 09:14 PM
I just think that ok Rooney is your best player but if England are a world class team they should be able to win without him.The tabloids just like to stir it all up and say "Oh no, England are screwed without Rooney!" that way, if Rooney doesnt play and we lose, they have a weak excuse that England were thrown off by the missing Rooney and not simply because we were beaten by a better team on the night :lol
OMAR DAYS
07-06-2006, 09:16 PM
Who the Hell are SERBIA from Group C, where are they from and who is in there team.
Popsi
07-06-2006, 09:17 PM
Yeah that sounds about right, its the same for any sport though! Its why Wales didn't win the Grand Slam this year - not that they were crap oh no certainly not!
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 09:18 PM
Who the Hell are SERBIA from Group C, where are they from and who is in there team.
They come from Serbia, funnily enough. And Montenegro.
Formerly known as Yugoslavia.
Proudy
07-06-2006, 09:46 PM
And they're a really good team who'll finish 3rd in there group behind Argentina and Holland...Aint that right Wolverine :lol
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 09:49 PM
Not quite.
And they're a really good team who'll finish 3rd in there group behind Argentina and Holland...Aint that right Wolverine :lol
:sleep
The constant Drogba haters on here trying to get arise out of The Wolverine makes me want to support The Ivory Coast.
Proudy
07-06-2006, 10:04 PM
:sleep
The constant Drogba haters on here trying to get arise out of The Wolverine makes me want to support The Ivory Coast.
Dude...joke! We need teams like The Ivory Coast to cause some upsets, just like Senegal, Japan, S.Korea & Turkey last WC. And there's quite afew players I like for Ivory Coast, and one a dont.
I got the joke, but the constant jokes are forcing me to do things i don't want to do. :(
I really don't want to watch any of the games from that group.
Never really had any time for the Dutch, Argentina well i'm bred to dislike them and i'm not a huge fan of african football. I think i'll tidy my room where there games are on. :terminato
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 10:10 PM
I predict that Group C will produce the best games of the entire tournament. It is one of only two groups which contains four strong teams, and it's also the most unpredictable group.
Proudy
07-06-2006, 10:12 PM
I predict that Group C will produce the best games of the entire tournament. It is one of only two groups which contains four strong teams, and it's also the most unpredictable group.
It will have the best matches by far and it'll be a close finish on points aswell.
Does it go to goal diff in WC if teams are tied on points?
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 10:15 PM
Yes.
1. Goal difference
2. Goals scored
3. Head-to-head result
What if every result in the group is 0-0, does it then go on alphabetical order?
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 10:17 PM
I think that they draw lots. That would be a rather crap way to be knocked out of the World Cup, wouldn't it?
Christof
07-06-2006, 10:32 PM
What if every result in the group is 0-0, does it then go on alphabetical order?
Rock paper scissors.
If still drawn it goes down to which association has bribed Sepp Blatter the most.
Rock paper scissors.
If still drawn it goes down to which association has bribed Sepp Blatter the most.
Italy won't have any problems then ;)
Drake
07-06-2006, 11:16 PM
Is Oliver Khan gonna play for Germany?
Wolverine
07-06-2006, 11:17 PM
Probably not.
and whats more Jens Lehmann is being very big headed.
Just how do we manage with one World Cup every 4 years?
As he should be, he won the war!
The war between Lehmann and Kahn is nothing compared to that between Coupet and Barthez!
I wonder what Barthez does for Domenech to stay number one.
Jaymzy
07-06-2006, 11:44 PM
If Barthez is being considered as Keeper for France then they are in some serious trouble......:lol :lol
I know he is in the Squad but will he be first choice???
Been told that he will be first choice apparantly.
Coupet is not a happy bunny
Drake
07-06-2006, 11:49 PM
Probably not.
Aww, that sucks. He ruled during the 02' WC.
Jaymzy
07-06-2006, 11:57 PM
Been told that he will be first choice apparantly.
Coupet is not a happy bunny
Can't say I blame him!!! :lol :lol
lawrence619
08-06-2006, 08:41 AM
:thumbsup I always wonder what it says about the rest of the squad that its such a big deal about Rooney being injured, surely if England really are the world beaters people keep claiming the squad should be good enough anyway?
And i don't support England, i see it the same way as club football. You wouldn't ask a West Ham fan to support Arsenal, and yet i get abuse from others when i say i wont support England. Why should I? All i ever hear on here is how seperate England is from Wales or Scotland, so why on earth should i support them at the World Cup?
Ill keep on eye on England simply because i won't be able to get away fromt eh damn coverage. Im sick of it already, and its a sad state of affairs when a national newspaper puts Rooneys foot on the cover and has no mention of an earthquake killing thousands anyway within it.
If all the Brithish sides had qualified you could have supported them all, but they haven't. Why not support the ones that have i.e England!!
Also i think it's the Welsh and Scottish that talk about how seperate they are from England.... all the time!!![I dont think the English are really that bothered about them] In Scotland they've taken more bets on paraguay to beat England that in Paraguay. It wouldn't surprise me if more Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden shirts were being sold in Scotland and Wales than in the aforementioned countries. If Scotland and Wales were in the tournament most English fans would probably get behind them. I think the fact that a lot of Scottish and Welsh fans want us to lose say's more about them than it does about England!!!
Cme on England!!!!!!!!:thumbsup
OMAR DAYS
08-06-2006, 09:56 AM
Tomorrow i'am having a WORLD CUP PARTY!!! The only people con=ming so far is me and my cat :(
Don'cha think that's gonna be a little bit too wild there OMAR. :roll
Jimmy Redman
08-06-2006, 11:19 AM
On a similar note, my football coach is having a housewarming on July 1st, Quarter Finals~~! Sounds good.
Hardcore Holly
08-06-2006, 02:24 PM
England shirts are supposedly selling like hotcakes in Rep.Ireland :eek
Hardcore Holly
08-06-2006, 02:59 PM
France call on Lyon striker Govou
Sidney Govou has been called up as a replacement for the injured Djibril Cisse in France's World Cup squad.
Cisse, the Liverpool striker, was ruled out of the tournament after breaking his leg in Les Bleus' warm-up game against China on Wednesday night.
Govou, 26, who plays for French champions Lyon, will fly to Germany with the rest of the squad on Thursday.
Cisse suffered a fractured right tibia after 11 minutes of Wednesday night's friendly win in St Etienne following an innocuous challenge from China captain Zhi Zheng.
Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech confirmed afterwards the 24-year-old had been rushed to hospital to undergo surgery and would not take part in Germany.
Govou's call-up comes as something of a surprise as one of either Fenerbahce's Nicolas Anelka or Barcelona's Ludovic Giuly had been expected to get the nod, despite criticising Domenech following their original omission.
Govou has won 19 caps for France, scoring three goals.
His last national-team appearance came on November 9, 2005 against Costa Rica.
He was also the beneficiary of an injury ahead of Euro 2004 and was included for the trip to Portugal following an injury to Giuly.
From teamtalk.com
So a striker was picked ahead of Ludovic Guily again.......
Edit - Ha I wonder what Anelka is thinking now??
The Beltster
08-06-2006, 03:04 PM
England shirts are supposedly selling like hotcakes in Rep.Ireland :eekOn a related note, the England shirts are cheaper this year than I EVER remember! White shirts are only £11.99 and if you want names/numbers, they are £14.99, and the red ones are £22.99, thats unreal! I remember a few years back they were £40!
I grabbed a white one XXL and its more comfortable than any other England shirt I have owned aswell, it felt like I was talking around topless! :thumbsup
Hardcore Holly
08-06-2006, 03:06 PM
They must cost about 0 Euros in Rep.Ireland then :D
OMAR DAYS
08-06-2006, 04:04 PM
I too got a England shirt very cheap form Soccer World. It was only £12.99 and has Owen 10 on the back. On another note, i saw a older England shirt with Heskey on the back question how much that cost?
£3.99, any size you want with Heskey on the back, I Laughed soo hard it was unbeleive a England shirt with Heskey on the back only £3.99, i Bought one and washed the car with it.
Y2James
08-06-2006, 04:07 PM
How come Saha didnt play against China? I heard he was being considered for the first 11.
It wouldn't surprise me if more Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden shirts were being sold in Scotland and Wales than in the aforementioned countries.
The Trinidad shirt is sold out the world over. adidas are having problems stocking suppliers with them.
Granted, Trinidad shirts with SCOTLAND 06 on the back in honour of Jason Scotland are selling well up here, and Larsson Sweden shirts are always a top seller for one half of Scotland anyway...
Popsi
08-06-2006, 08:22 PM
:thumbsup
If all the Brithish sides had qualified you could have supported them all, but they haven't. Why not support the ones that have i.e England!!
Also i think it's the Welsh and Scottish that talk about how seperate they are from England.... all the time!!![I dont think the English are really that bothered about them] In Scotland they've taken more bets on paraguay to beat England that in Paraguay. It wouldn't surprise me if more Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden shirts were being sold in Scotland and Wales than in the aforementioned countries. If Scotland and Wales were in the tournament most English fans would probably get behind them. I think the fact that a lot of Scottish and Welsh fans want us to lose say's more about them than it does about England!!!
Cme on England!!!!!!!!:thumbsup
You really believe thats the case? I think its complete tosh, i cant tell you the amount of English people i've spoken to who have told me how much they hate Wales and wish they weren't linked to england. Maybe you may not be that bothered, but time and again on here especially i've read about how people are English before British and don't want to be associated with the other nations. And
I never said at any point i want them to lose, *** i don't. I just don't particularly care either way.
And i highly highly doubt more of those shirts have been sold than england shirts. Not everyone in Wales is Welsh, and ive seen about a thousand St Georges Cross flags around my way already.
Popsi
08-06-2006, 08:23 PM
Are the England Shirts cheaper this year after that crackdown that happened by the Consumer bods?
OMAR DAYS
08-06-2006, 08:39 PM
The England Shirt's are bloody cheap. The most I have seen one for is
£22.99. that is actually chaep for a football shirt
:thumbsup
If all the Brithish sides had qualified you could have supported them all, but they haven't. Why not support the ones that have i.e England!!
Because most countries in the world do no not like England eg Scotland,Wales,Ireland,Germany,Argentina,Iraq and Australia etc at the end of the day it isn`t because of media etc ,and no one will admitt it but it`s because England tried to force there rule over these countries in years gone by that we don`t like England.I know i`m going to get it`s all in the past and why hold a grudge and then people saying we don`t hate England because of this but at the end of the day this is what it all boils down to,why don`t Scotland hate Wales or any other British country? because they never tried to enforce their will on us hundreds of years ago.
Big Slow
09-06-2006, 07:36 AM
Who the Hell are SERBIA from Group C, where are they from and who is in there team.
A team with a rock hard defence that qualified top of their group ahead of Spain and only conceding 1 goal in all 10 games. If they were in any other group I'd tip them as an option to be dark horses.
Serbia have some pretty decent players actually.
Mateja Kezman, Dejan Stankovic...
I think there'll be quite a few surprise teams for this year, and I wouldn't be surprised id this lot was one of them.
Serbia & Trinidad in the final.
They both have two teams.
BWAH hahaha!
Trinidad should play Tobago and Serbia play Montenegro.
Would that be possible?
Jimmy Redman
09-06-2006, 10:04 AM
Trinidad should play Tobago and Serbia play Montenegro.
Would that be possible?
Soon, yes. They recently voted to separate.
Just teams or two seperate countries altogether?
If so, I wonder if Kezman and Stankovic will be split up too...
Jimmy Redman
09-06-2006, 10:15 AM
Just teams or two seperate countries altogether?
If so, I wonder if Kezman and Stankovic will be split up too...
As countries, I was assuming that that means as football teams as well, eventually.
Cooooooool. I hadn't heard anything of that, very interesting. :)
Steve O
09-06-2006, 01:10 PM
There is a shop closing down in my town called Gilesports in Bishop's Stortford and it is selling the current England Home Shirt for £11.99
Antihero
09-06-2006, 04:22 PM
That opening ceremony is completely chicken oriental~! I love the utter pointlessness and sheer spectacle of it!
5 minutes in - 1-0 to the Germans... whattgoal!
Antihero
09-06-2006, 05:16 PM
1-1! Get in! Great start!
The Crippler
09-06-2006, 05:18 PM
Heh, not a bad start to the tournament.
Drake
09-06-2006, 06:54 PM
Wanchope is one sneaky *******.
And what a BEAUTIFUL goal by Fings, just pure beauty with the spin.
Wolverine
09-06-2006, 07:11 PM
Lahm's goal was better. The World Cup ball swerves far too much for my liking.
Obviously, Costa Rica are quite crap, although Wanchope took his goals well. Germany really need to work on their offside trap, or any quality side with pacy strikers will slaughter them. Friedrich is rubbish. Frings isn't much better (despite the goal) and the Mertesacker/Metzelder defensive combo isn't exactly solid. Podolski was quite disappointing too.
On the bright side, Germany looked decent going forward, even when the opposition had eight or more men behind the ball. Of course, you have to temper that statement by acknowledging that Costa Rica have one of the worst defences in the tournament. Unless they improve, Germany are going out in the second round.
Oh yeah, I loved Kahn's smirk when the second Costa Rican goal went in. That was class.
The way they played, I can't see the Germans getting passed the second round unless they toughen up at the back. They are fine going forward, but thats against a very poor side. In the second round, they'll probably get either England or Sweden, and not to be patriotic, but both are much better sides than Germany. The likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Owen, Ibrahimovic or Larsson would tear through their defence.
Great opening game though, hopefully Poland/Ecuador will be alright too.
Drake
09-06-2006, 07:41 PM
Oh yeah, I loved Kahn's smirk when the second Costa Rican goal went in. That was class.
Pardon my noobness but why isn't Khan playing. Injured? Retired? Or the starting goal keeper is just better than him?
Wolverine
09-06-2006, 07:42 PM
Lehmann's currently better than him.
The Crippler
09-06-2006, 08:08 PM
Yeah, Kahn is pretty crap nowadays. He's far too prone to errors.
Wolverine
09-06-2006, 10:15 PM
Poland are crap. They gave possession away far too cheaply, they were far too negative and they failed to create a chance for 85 minutes despite have the majority of possession. Their complete lack of cutting edge is amazing. Also, their manager's a nutcase who hasn't picked the correct players in the squad (i.e. leaving out his top scorer in qualifying) and they've very little chance of progressing to the next round. In short, they suck badly.
The Altituders impressed me tonight. I was sceptical of their ability to perform well at sea level, but they were quite good. They were very well organised at the back, with Espinoza and Hurtado in particular in outstanding form. They've a lot of pace in the side and will work hard for the entire duration of the match. Despite having the handicap of having de la Cruz in the team, Ecuador are better than I thought. Their keeper's a legend too.
Jimmy Redman
10-06-2006, 11:20 AM
I was filthy at myself last night. I went to sleep a minute before the Opening Ceremony, and woke up just as Poland and Ecuador were shaking hands. :(
Oh well, England and Argentina tonight.
Watching the England - Paraguay buildup: Freddie Flintoff is drunk.
Popsi
10-06-2006, 01:26 PM
What time does it kick off? Normally the buildup is quite lengthy so i imagine they kick off a week next tuesday?
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 01:33 PM
2 o'clock.
Jimmy Redman
10-06-2006, 01:34 PM
What time does it kick off? Normally the buildup is quite lengthy so i imagine they kick off a week next tuesday?
:D
Seriously, it kicks off in about half an hour.
Antihero
10-06-2006, 01:43 PM
Watching the England - Paraguay buildup: Freddie Flintoff is drunk.
And thats a BAD thing?:D
Popsi
10-06-2006, 02:05 PM
1-0 to England, good free kick from Beckham, but chalk it up to an own goal.
Dave7g
10-06-2006, 02:22 PM
Lets go Paraguay *clap clap clap*
Antihero
10-06-2006, 02:31 PM
Owen's on steroids! (injoke!)
Drake
10-06-2006, 02:53 PM
Man Crouch is so crap. I mean dude you're 6'7, you don't have to elbow anyone, just jump and you'll win most headers.
And I also really hate the blonde punk guy from Paraguay (Forgot his name) that keeps doing hard fouls and on the last Paraguay he faked the injury.
BTW if Rooney comes back is he gonna come in for Crouch? (I really hope so)
Moobs
10-06-2006, 02:56 PM
Yeah, Rooney will take Crouch's place.
Christof
10-06-2006, 02:58 PM
Well, England need the second goal that's a given. The referee seems to be too eager to please FIFA. Whoever designed the stadium should not have included a studium four way big screen at the top. Camera angles and general production have been pretty shoddy as well.
The game is that good that I've alredy had to stop myself from falling asleep!
Antihero
10-06-2006, 03:07 PM
Well, England need the second goal that's a given. The referee seems to be too eager to please FIFA. Whoever designed the stadium should not have included a studium four way big screen at the top. Camera angles and general production have been pretty shoddy as well.
The game is that good that I've alredy had to stop myself from falling asleep!
The result is ALL that matters basically.
Well it's just finished.
I thought the referee was rather poor to bge honest, and i'd even say slightly biased.
The result was all that mattered, and thankfully England got it, but I did get bored towards the end.
Also, did anyone else think that the camera view was too far out? :?
Snakeman
10-06-2006, 03:55 PM
Very Very lucky, that was the worst performance by England in a long time,and why the hell put a knob like Hargreaves on.
Antihero
10-06-2006, 03:59 PM
If you play badly and win, thats usually a good omen to be honest.
Snakeman
10-06-2006, 04:03 PM
Well lets hope so.
and why the hell put a knob like Hargreaves on.
I don't get why people pick at Hargreaves, he's a player who comes on to calm things down and play thing simple. Calling him a "knob" is just childish.
Antihero
10-06-2006, 04:04 PM
Carrick is a far better player than Hargreaves though.
Nightfox
10-06-2006, 04:06 PM
Good news about the win, but a terrible performance by England. Not even capable of getting a decent goal without it being an Own Goal, crap performance and an undeserved win, were very lucky we got the points, very lucky. Overall, boring match.
Carrick is a far better player than Hargreaves though.
He is, but I still feel that people unfailry critisice Hargreaves.
Snakeman
10-06-2006, 04:07 PM
Their are much better player's than Hargreave's imo
I realise this, but people still unfailry have a go at him.
He's asked to do a job by Erikkson, and he does it no fuss no muss, but if he makes one teeny tiny mistake, people jump at him and call him crap etc.
The.Icon
10-06-2006, 04:14 PM
No offence to Englanders, um English that is but your team sucked today.
Not that mine was any better at least you made it to the main stage.
The Crippler
10-06-2006, 04:20 PM
I think people are already getting a bit hyperbolic about the game. The BBC pundits were a bit over the top. England weren't as good in the first half as they suggested and they weren't as bad in the second half as they suggested. They obviously weren't as good second half but there are certain factors for that. They got the 1-0 and whilst it hasn't sent out a message to the rest of the world that England are a team to fear, that could be a good thing and might take pressure off them in a strange way.
Antihero
10-06-2006, 04:21 PM
I think people are already getting a bit hyperbolic about the game. The BBC pundits were a bit over the top. England weren't as good in the first half as they suggested and they weren't as bad in the second half as they suggested. They obviously weren't as good second half but there are certain factors for that. They got the 1-0 and whilst it hasn't sent out a message to the rest of the world that England are a team to fear, that could be a good thing and might take pressure off them in a strange way.
He speaks the truth. Hype always seems to count against England, maybe a low key, lets-get-on-a-roll start will be more beneficial.
Slim Jim
10-06-2006, 04:24 PM
It aint wrestling. A win is a win, don't matter how good we looked. The ref was pretty awful though, me thinks the grease in his hair was clouding his judgement.
What the hell did England turn up at the match for they would have done better to stay at their hotel and sunbathe. I am in total disbelief of how badly they played.
If thats how we are gonna play then we dont deserve to be there. Thank god I have my hopes pinned on another team to win.
xXx
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 04:32 PM
You're all forgetting that England were very, very good in the first half. The performance only started to decline when Owen went off and a 4-4-1-1 formation was adopted. Hopefully, Sven's now realised that 4-4-2 is the way to go from now on. 'Twas a really boring match though and the referee was abysmal.
Antihero
10-06-2006, 04:34 PM
The ref was crap. I thought Paraguay were cynical at best and downright dirty at worst, and as for clamping down on diving, i think not.
Not a great game to watch, and I don't expect Paraguay to finish second. Disapointed to see that they failed to find an equilizer in the second half when they seemed to come onto their game a bit more. The referee was hilarious and was the only source of entertainment, I wish he could take charge of every England game.
Tactically, England looked inept. They're certainly there for the taking should a team like Brazil or Italy play to at their best. It looks like Sweden is my only real hope for displacing England from the top of their group, so fingers crossed they get the job done against a Big Marv-less Trinidad, do what Sven's team couldn't and hump Paraguay, then at least hold the English to a draw.
'Mon the Swedes.
Right I'm getting goosebumps waiting for Trinidad And Tobago to go head to head with Sweden now. I don't expect us to win, but I'm just damn proud that we're here.
Moobs
10-06-2006, 05:01 PM
Lets hope you can do something that we can't, beat Sweden!
Are you from Trinidad & Tobago Good2Go, or do you just support them?
My Parents were born there and I've got family living in small cities called Manzanilla and San Fernando in Trinidad. I did live there as well for just over a year.
That's interesting.
Is it a nice place?
Trinidad is a beautiful country, with splendid scenery and a very laid back atmoshere. Tobago is awesome as well, and more aimed at tourists.
Sounds like a nice place. :)
The referee was hilarious and was the only source of entertainment
You're forgetting a certain Mr Freddie Flintoff. ;)
He was quite...merry...when they interviewed him. :D
It's 0-0 at Half Time, and the Soca Warriors have done extremely well to shut out Sweden in the First Half. More of the same in the 2nd Half please.
The Crippler
10-06-2006, 06:35 PM
The referee in the England game was a good laugh. He had a full tub of Brylcreem in his hair.
Christof
10-06-2006, 06:35 PM
Well, I've just woken up! The England match was tht dire that it put me to sleep for 2 hours. It's not the friendlies anymore, Sven needs to stop experimenting.
The Crippler
10-06-2006, 06:39 PM
With T&T holding Sweden at the 80 minute mark, I'm worried Big Marv isn't going to get a game in this tournament. :(
Sweden 0-0 Trinidad And Tobago
Amazing, absolutely amazing. The Soca Warriors have done me proud today, with heroic defending and with 10 men for very nearly all of the 2nd Half.
Roll on England.
Christof
10-06-2006, 06:55 PM
Great back to the walls job from T&T. Sweden would have been banking on three points making Thursday's games even more important. If England win they'll have even more daylight on the rest of the group where as now Sweden have a fight on their hands to qualify.
I'm thinking T&T can even qualify from this group. We've got a good a chance as Sweden and Paraguay now.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 07:35 PM
:D
That is what the World Cup is all about.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 07:56 PM
Oh, and not to encourage double posting or anything, but what is potentially be the game of the tournament kicks off in five minutes. C'mon the Cote d'Ivoire!
Drake
10-06-2006, 08:16 PM
You crazy Wolverine. Argentina for the win. :)
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 08:48 PM
Yeah, it looks like it. It's been a brilliant match though, easily the best of the tournament so far.
Drake
10-06-2006, 08:57 PM
Ivory Coast were close to scoring quite a few times, the header had me jumping out of my seat (I didn't want it to go in.:D).
Argentina are just playing brilliantly, the pass from Riquelme to Saviola was just perfect timing.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 09:01 PM
I thought the second goal was offside. Argentina should have had a goal when Tizie dropped the ball over the line though, so it balances out. I think that the scoreline is a little harsh on the Ivory Coast as they're playing really well, it's just that Argentina are absolutely fantastic (particularly Riquelme). It's a super match.
Christof
10-06-2006, 09:21 PM
Strangely I agree with Wolfy! The scoreline betrays the standard of performance in the match. To use ITV's buzz word, the only difference is clinical finishing. Rightfully it should be 3 - 0 though (Ayala's effort crossed the line & Saviola was onside) but saying that the Ivory Coast have also been very very entertaining, the left back and the number 5 especially.
Christof
10-06-2006, 09:40 PM
This match just got even more interesting.....
Never thought i'd say this, but after watching 90 minutes of the Ivory Coast vs Arginatin a game....I think I like Drogba!!!!! :lol
Oh my what am I saying surely not!?
But yes, I thought he was awsome, and the Ivory Coast look like a damn good threat.
Maybe Wolverine knew what he was talking about all along...
What a game, really confident that Ivory Coast are going to get through with that performance, they were brilliant today.
Christof
10-06-2006, 09:57 PM
Maybe Wolverine knew what he was talking about all along...
Quick Ray, the edit button before he reads it!
Drogba was indeed impressive today. I've often thought him a talented player, just a flawed sportsman.
It's good to see everything being played in good spirits thus far.
Proudy
10-06-2006, 10:08 PM
I have to give it to them...CIV played ace but Argentina were just that bit to good for them. Yaya and Zokora(sp) are easily good enough to play in the prem and I could imagine Yaya playing for Arse along with his bro. Whos that number 3 he really impressed me, good at getting forward and a pretty good defender.
Edit: I still rate Crespo more then Drogba, Just alot better at finishing.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 10:23 PM
I did tell you they were that good. Honestly, I feel sorry for the four teams in Group C because they'd all qualify with ease from certain other groups. Holland vs Ivory Coast should be amazing.
I can say that Drogba was immense without a hint of bias. Yaya Toure and Zokora dominated the midfield completely for the last twenty minutes and Kolo was inspirational in defence. Dindane was very impressive when he came on (he should have started instead of Kalou), while Akale and Boka (the number 3, Proudy) were awesome on the left-hand side. They could have defended a bit better, should have taken more of their chances and they have a goalkeeper who is dodgier than Massimo Taibi, Roy Carroll and Fabien Barthez all rolled into one. Nevertheless, it was a very good Ivory Coast performance against one of the best sides in the tournament and an incredible football match.
Now I can't wait for Holland vs Serbia tomorrow.
Christof
10-06-2006, 10:28 PM
One thing I wasn't expecting out of the match was to be saying I was very impressed with the Argentine defensive unit. The keeper, back four and the two holding midfielders were very effective in minimalising the opportunities available to Drogba and co.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 10:33 PM
Ayala is still one of the five best centre-backs in the world and he was incredible tonight. Cambiasso is also really good, as is Heinze, so I wasn't that surprised by their performance either. Mascherano didn't overly impress me. Argentina's keeper was more confident than I thought he would be - he had a better game than I thought he would have.
Proudy
10-06-2006, 10:43 PM
Ayala is still one of the five best centre-backs in the world and he was incredible tonight. Cambiasso is also really good, as is Heinze, so I wasn't that surprised by their performance either. Mascherano didn't overly impress me. Argentina's keeper was more confident than I thought he would be - he had a better game than I thought he would have.
Hes more of a gets the job done without being noticed player.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 10:44 PM
So is Cambiasso. Cambiasso > Mascherano.
Proudy
10-06-2006, 11:44 PM
Drogba also gained a bit of respect from me tonight, something I thought I'd never say, shame he's a ***** when he wears the Chelsea shirt.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 11:46 PM
It's down to Mourinho's influence on him, I think. Drogba never had a reputation for diving or being unsportsmanlike when he was playing for Marseille.
Mourinho's behind it all eh?
Wouldn't surprise me, he's always seemed somewhat shifty.
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 11:51 PM
Yeah, I'm sure you've noticed the amount of divers in Mourinho's Porto and Chelsea teams. I've got a feeling that he actively encourages his players to dive.
Proudy
10-06-2006, 11:53 PM
Yeah, I'm sure you've noticed the amount of divers in Mourinho's Porto and Chelsea teams. I've got a feeling that he actively encourages his players to dive.
I can still picture the UEFA Cup final, Porto V Celtic...Cheating *******s!
Anyway, the most sexy football boot at the World Cup, as worn by Riquelme.
adidas Predator Absolute TRX SG Met Gold Pro Pack
http://soccer1.prodirectmedia.com//zoom/pds002001567.jpg
Wolverine
10-06-2006, 11:57 PM
Yeah, but Celtic really kicked the crap out of them in that match. Lennon should have been sent off on at least three separate occasions. I was quite happy to see Porto win that one.
Proudy
11-06-2006, 12:04 AM
Anyway back on-topic, I cant wait for Serbia vs The Netherlands tomorrow (well later on today :D) It should be a really good game, does anyone know if the injury worries the Dutch had, will be ok? Shame I'll have to tape it and watch it after work :(
Wolverine
11-06-2006, 12:10 AM
Work. :D
I'm delaying any search for a job until the World Cup is over. I have to revise for teh AS exams though, so I'll only watch Holland/Serbia tomorrow.
I think that van der Vaart is the only important Holland player injured.
The Crippler
11-06-2006, 02:12 AM
I can still picture the UEFA Cup final, Porto V Celtic...Cheating *******s!
Anyway, the most sexy football boot at the World Cup, as worn by Riquelme.
adidas Predator Absolute TRX SG Met Gold Pro Pack
http://soccer1.prodirectmedia.com//zoom/pds002001567.jpg
Haha, the whining from Celtic Park was great after that match. Apparently Porto were cheats and that is why Celtic didn't win the UEFA Cup that year. Also, Celtic were really tired from trying to beat those cheats from Porto and that is why Rangers won the Treble that year. Once again everyone was ganging up on the Bhoys. It's just not fair!
The Crippler
11-06-2006, 02:23 AM
From BBC Sport:
Violent confrontations involving up to 200 people that left 16 people injured have marred a screening of England's opening World Cup game in London.
Several arrests were also made at a showing in Liverpool after what was described as a "mini riot" broke out.
As a result police shut down the transmission, on big screens in Clayton Square, Liverpool and Canary Wharf.
Six people were taken to hospital in London, but police in Liverpool said the disorder resulted in no injuries.
Police said 2,000 people had turned out to see the match in Clayton Square. Up to 6,000 attended the outdoor screening at Canary Wharf.
Fans began hurling bottles, cans and other missiles at the screen, the crowd and officers during the second half of the match in Liverpool city centre.
Stores surrounding the screen locked their doors as police attempted to restore order.
Officers said there were "small pockets of violence" as people were dispersed and further incidents were swiftly dealt with.
Supt Andy Fisher, of Merseyside Police, said: "In the most part, it was good-natured, however a minority of people decided to spoil the event for everyone else by throwing missiles.
"This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and individuals can expect to be arrested if they are involved in violence and aggressive behaviour."
John Rowland, who works in a shop in the area, said a number of people had sought refuge on the premises.
"Everything just kicked off into a riot and so we had to put the shutters down on the shop," he said.
"It is an absolute disgrace. This is the start of the World Cup - is this what we've got to look forward to? People were terrified."
Police said they were continuing to monitor the area and promised to crack down on any drunken violence.
Lame.
The Beltster
11-06-2006, 07:49 AM
200 people out of the amount of people who were out, as in tens of thousands, isnt as bad as it could have been. I'm sure there are more fights on any given Saturday night anywhere in Britain.
The few thugs that like to make ****s of themselves dont do the reputation of football any good, though.
Big Slow
11-06-2006, 10:14 AM
Work. :D
I'm delaying any search for a job until the World Cup is over. I have to revise for teh AS exams though, so I'll only watch Holland/Serbia tomorrow.
I think that van der Vaart is the only important Holland player injured.
Van der Vaart is likely to start
Wolverine
11-06-2006, 11:24 AM
Ah, that's good news. Vidic is out for Serbia though. :cry
Big Slow
11-06-2006, 11:55 AM
Ah, that's good news. Vidic is out for Serbia though. :cry
I've substitued Van der Saar into my dream team to get some points for a clean sheet hopefully and van nistelrooy lookign for goals and Deco and C.Ronaldo looking for goals/assists. All should generate me at least 4 appearance points so that's not bad
I'll go back to what I wrote here after the Northern Ireland match, which was England have the players to win the World Cup, but unfortunately don't have the coach. Erikssons decisions in yesterdays game were perplexing and could have cost us the three points, the idea of playing Couch up front on his own was laughable, what was he expecting to achieve from that. Crouch has his uses, lone striker is not one of them. We were just giving the ball straight back to them when we got forward. The fact that this guy is the highest paid coach in the world is ridiculolus, I just live in the hope that perhaps he can prove me wrong.
The referee was terrible in the England game, I thought Sepp Blatter said that they had the best referees in the world for this tournament, i've seen better refs of the local park on a Sunday morning. Why he was stopping players from taking on drinks in +30 degree heat is nothing short of lunacy not to mention unsafe. Why we have to put up with refs from Mexico is beyond me, the refs should be the best referees from the world over regardless of where they come from, idiots like this guy from Mexico take away from peoples enjoyment of the matches, and that can't be a good thing.
Anyway, great performance from Trinidad & Tobago which will be one of the moments of the tournament, very pleased for Dwight Yorke and Gillinghams Brent Sancho who was outstanding along with Shaka Hislop, also a great result for England of course.
Jimmy Redman
11-06-2006, 02:56 PM
Holland 1 - Serbia & Montenegro 0 at half time.
There's actually not much in it between the two teams. But Arjen Robben is fantastic.
Is Mateja Kezman playing?
Nicole
11-06-2006, 03:40 PM
Kezmans playing yeah.
Jimmy Redman
11-06-2006, 03:54 PM
And 1-0 fulltime. Great effort by S&M, but not quite enough.
Burakiosaurus
11-06-2006, 04:14 PM
Ruud was non-existent, probably low on water and needed a feed bag around his snout !
Wolverine
11-06-2006, 04:19 PM
Well, it would have helped if Ruud had actually received some service.
Burakiosaurus
11-06-2006, 04:29 PM
great strikers make their own service, he was just off the pace due to lack of matches at Utd, and i think he'll come good in their next 2 matches. it's all about Mexico - Iran though ! game of the day for me
Drake
11-06-2006, 08:10 PM
Portugal is gonna have a field day with Angola. Pauleta almost scored on the first 10 seconds of the game.
BTW on what club does Cristia