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Woo, Football! (That's proper football, or soccer for my colonial friends)
Anyway, the draw for the group stage has been done, and the teams line up as so.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Excellent group for England, and we should win that group. Group D and G look well tough though.
Oh sweet mother of god! We are in the same division with England?
*Hangs head and whimpers off.*
I understand the Netherlands are looking tough this year.
Group F looks kinda weak.
Italy slacking this year?
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Italy's OK, but the other teams in the group are weak (having said that, they did qualify for the WC, so there are obviously far worse teams out there). Slovakia is probably the weakest European qualifier, and New Zealand is one of the teams that are physicaly strong and well organised, but lack high-end talent. I'm realy curious about Paraguay - they have good players, but have struggled on the big stage. If they get it right, they can beat anyone, and should be the group's #2.
New Zealand is one of the teams that are physicaly strong and well organised, but lack high-end talent.
In past years, that is exactly how I would have classified the US. In fact, I have not seen the US team, so my impression is still largely that. I have seen some MRS play. In my opinion, it still does not come close to the finesse play of European leagues.
From what I have seen, the US relies too heavily on speed and break aways. There is no build up. No patient maneuvering. Just hoping you can get a nice through ball to the fastest guy on your team and hoping he can beat the goal keeper.
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Agreed. I always found it rather amusing that Landon Donovan, who's supposedly the best US player ever, was a total washout in the Bundesliga (the Germans just called him Primadonnavan). MLS stars don't seem to do well elsewhere (unless they are goalies).
Does anyone know anything about the North Korean team? Beyond them, that group looks really strong. And I don't even want to make a prediction for Groups A, B or D.
Ah soccer, the red headed stepchild of American sports.
But King around the world.
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Ah soccer, the red headed stepchild of American sports.But King around the world.
I always wondered why soccer never turned into a big deal in America, we all play it at some point in school or in town leagues when we're young (at last most people I know did) and yet, the vast majority of Americans don't care. Even when the World Cup is on and even most of my friends and family who played it through college.
Maybe it's too boring... who knows.
Oh sweet mother of god! We are in the same division with England?
*Hangs head and whimpers off.*
Don't worry...Mwhahahaha.
My theory is that it is too low scoring and/or not violent enough.
Hockey is essentially soccer on ice, but people watch it for the fights.
My theory is that it is too low scoring and/or not violent enough.
Hockey is essentially soccer on ice, but people watch it for the fights.
Not violent enough?!
I was looking forward to riots, smashing storefronts, turning over cars, and general mayhem after the game. If that's not violent enough, I guess I could step it up a notch or two. :)
It is also non-amenable to commercials and timeouts.
Ah, yes. Avery good point.
However, sponsors are going to have to figure something out. DVR's must be killing marketing.
It is also non-amenable to commercials and timeouts.Ah, yes. Avery good point.
However, sponsors are going to have to figure something out. DVR's must be killing marketing.
Some television providers can already block commercial skipping.
I like soccer in theory, but it's the people pretending to be hurt, to draw a foul, that really puts me off. Like, you know that these guys are super tough, but some one brushes their arm and they're rolling around n the ground screaming.
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Diving in football is essentially a momentum-breaker, much like fouling a guy in basketball to stop a fastbreak. I don't mind a bit of artfully staged dives every once in a while, but it must be done at the right time as gets old really quickly. Some sides dive far too much - Serbia and Portugal are particularly egregious offenders, with the Greeks right behind (as if watching them actually play wasn't awful enough). The Italians get it right, which is yet another reason why they are so hard to beat (and one more reason why they are so widely hated).
Thankfully, good referees see diving for what it is and just ignores it (they can also award cards for particulaly annoying floppers), and certain players have such a reputation for being whiners and divers that they, as a result, are awarded fewer penalties than they probably should (I'm looking at you, Christiano Ronaldo). Also, there is usually less play-acting in international games than in league play.
Also, there is usually less play-acting in international games than in league play.
And more head-butts.
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One more thing - why is everyone so excited about the US-England match? They haven't met in WC competition in 50 years - no matter what ESPN or Sports Illustrated say, that doesn't make this a "rivalry". England's solid, but hardly world-beaters, and the US side is nothing spectacular. The hype surrounding this game is already beginning to annoy me. Myself, I'm looking forward to Nigeria-South Korea (all offense, all the time) match, as well as Honduras-Spain (the Hondurans can't play defense to save their lives, but can play offense with the best of them). Early pick for worst match: Italy-New Zealand.
There was this event back in 1775…
I have not watched any of the qualifying matches, so I really do not know what the actual teams look like. I know the English Premiere League has some real talent, although, a lot of it is borrowed from other countries.
Still, I think England takes this one. The hype is probably just trying to get the US interested in soccer again. Let's face it, America loves winners. When was the last time you saw the country so ga-ga over swimming? Swimming!?
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Group "G" has apparently been designated this year's "Group of Death" which is regrettable for Cote d'Ivoire.
Unfortunately the U.S. team looks a bit less than competent this go-round. Their occasional flashes of brilliance will not be able to defeat a solid, consistent team (i.e. most other teams in the Cup) and advance. I will certainly be rooting for England!
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My predictions.
Group A: France is clearly the best team in the group. Given how they play under Domenech, though, you never know. After France, the group is fairly even. Advantage to South Africa for playing at home.
Group B: Argentina are favourites, but have played badly under Maradona. Also, I think this is one of the two strongest groups in the 2 through 4 seeds. I'd call Nigeria second favorites and S. Korea third. Greece's defense is still good enough that they could take crucial points from the others.
Group C: England are clearly better than the other teams and should take all nine points. The US should be thrilled; if they play as well as they can, they should take second place.
Group D: Serbia has an outside chance, but Germany and Ghana are favourites.
Group E: Strong group top-to-bottom. I have Netherlands, then Cameroon, Denmark and Japan. Having said that, Cameroon and Denmark going through wouldn't be a complete shock.
Group F: Cakewalk for Italy. New Zealand is probably the weakest team in the tournament and Slovakia is the weakest European team. Paraguay is good, but they won't beat Italy.
Group G: The proverbial "Group of death". Dunga has finally made Brazil fearsome, and I have a hard time seeing them stumbling. I also think Cote D'Ivoire will take advantage of being a home-continent team. That leaves Portugal out.
Group F: Spain should take all nine points. I like the Hondurans, but they won't get through. Chile's probably better than the Swiss, but Switzerland defends better and I think they'll go through on goal differential.
My theory is that it is too low scoring and/or not violent enough.
Hockey is essentially soccer on ice, but people watch it for the fights.
Not violent enough?!
I was looking forward to riots, smashing storefronts, turning over cars, and general mayhem after the game. If that's not violent enough, I guess I could step it up a notch or two. :)
I think he meant violent enough IN the game. What goes on OUTSIDE is a separate issue. ;-p
One more thing - why is everyone so excited about the US-England match? They haven't met in WC competition in 50 years - no matter what ESPN or Sports Illustrated say, that doesn't make this a "rivalry". England's solid, but hardly world-beaters, and the US side is nothing spectacular. The hype surrounding this game is already beginning to annoy me. Myself, I'm looking forward to Nigeria-South Korea (all offense, all the time) match, as well as Honduras-Spain (the Hondurans can't play defense to save their lives, but can play offense with the best of them). Early pick for worst match: Italy-New Zealand.
It would probably be nastier if it were a combined UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) team rather than just England. Also back in November 07 I was in London around the time England was playing (and lost to) Croatia and you could see security tightening up a bit in anticipation of possible trouble.
I'm rooting for Cote D'Ivoire in the Group of Death,
their game with Argentina was my #1 favorite game from the last cup in Germany.
I just don't think I can root for France this cup. :-/
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I'm rooting for Cote D'Ivoire in the Group of Death,
their game with Argentina was my #1 favorite game from the last cup in Germany.I just don't think I can root for France this cup. :-/
I am definitely rooting for Cote d'Ivoire! I'd like to see an Ivoirian-France match up. That might even give Court Fool the violence he is looking for...
Does the New Zealand team open with the Haka as their Rugby counterparts do? That would be something to watch.
I'm rooting for Cote D'Ivoire in the Group of Death,
their game with Argentina was my #1 favorite game from the last cup in Germany.I just don't think I can root for France this cup. :-/
I am definitely rooting for Cote d'Ivoire! I'd like to see an Ivoirian-France match up. That might even give Court Fool the violence he is looking for...
Does the New Zealand team open with the Haka as their Rugby counterparts do? That would be something to watch.
They usually do but it lacks the impact of the Rugby guys - Kapa O Pango Haka
Tips when facing the Haka - dont step up close and get in their faces it makes them angry, don't turn your back on the Haka it makes them very very angry.
The thing I found very funny about the 2006 world cup, was the American coach writing off the Australian team and then watching the US team play so badly.
I don't think Australia will do as well this time around though.
Most Australians are put off by the dives and a perceived bias towards the Euro & South American teams by officials and referees.
The Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in 2011 is more important to me.
Soccer is not king in Australia or NZ. Cricket (Test, 1 day and 20-20 versions of the game), Australian Rules Football, and Both Rugby Codes all out rate soccer.
it's a fix...England gets an afternoon stroll through the group stages ...again.At least we can look forward to them going out on penalties in the quarter finals as usual
In case you hadn't guessed...I'm Scottish..and support two teams when it comes to Internationals..Scotland..and anyone playing against England
And as for the suggestion that we have a UK team...where's my Claymore.
it's a fix...England gets an afternoon stroll through the group stages ...again.At least we can look forward to them going out on penalties in the quarter finals as usual
In case you hadn't guessed...I'm Scottish..and support two teams when it comes to Internationals..Scotland..and anyone playing against England
And as for the suggestion that we have a UK team...where's my Claymore.
Well played against the Wallabys
Yeh that was a pleasant surprise...now if only the Fitba' team could pull the same rabbit of the hat
That might even give Court Fool the violence he is looking for...
When did I become pro-violence?
That might even give Court Fool the violence he is looking for...When did I become pro-violence?
It's a side-effect of constant exposure to un-civil discussions.
...and the Jacks.