World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I don't know why you care so much. I'm a Spurs fan, and NBC is always spewing nonsense about them. I just know it is what it is, and I don't bother getting riled up about it.

It's just to get some debate going that's all.

[rubecube]

France lost to China today. Man, I'm really thinking about putting $50 on Uruguay to take that group.

[NBC]

Nonsense? Come on rube, you don't mean that.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by NBC

Nonsense? Come on rube, you don't mean that.

No, not really. I just really hope we don't see the typical French garbage of them squeaking into the knockout stage through a really weak group, and then running through to the finals via sheer luck and really boring football.

[NBC]

That's exactly how I fell about ze Germans (Italy too). Don't know how they do it, but no matter how terrible, they are always in the mix. Undeserving winners in '54, '74 and should not have beat England in the '90 semi. Could have won '86 though ironically. Johan Cruyff said, "Bad tournaments are always won by the Germans." He's probably bitter about 1974, but I don't think he is wrong.

How about the I-ties losing to Mexico? I've never rated the Mexicans. It doesn't take much to beat up on the minnows in CONCACAF. And they've only been to the QF 2x, both times when the tournament was in Mexico. Good enough to make the knockout stages, and that's it. I guess we'll see.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by NBC

That's exactly how I fell about ze Germans (Italy too). Don't know how they do it, but no matter how terrible, they are always in the mix. Undeserving winners in '54, '74 and should not have beat England in the '90 semi. Could have won '86 though ironically. Johan Cruyff said, "Bad tournaments are always won by the Germans." He's probably bitter about 1974, but I don't think he is wrong.

How about the I-ties losing to Mexico? I've never rated the Mexicans. It doesn't take much to beat up on the minnows in CONCACAF. And they've only been to the QF 2x, both times when the tournament was in Mexico. Good enough to make the knockout stages, and that's it. I guess we'll see.

Mexico looked really good against England too. They could be the surprise in that group. I'm still thinking South Africa makes it into the KO stage. There has never been a host country eliminated prior to the KO in World Cup history.

[NBC]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Mexico looked really good against England too. They could be the surprise in that group. I'm still thinking South Africa makes it into the KO stage. There has never been a host country eliminated prior to the KO in World Cup history.

Has there ever been a host country that is as bad as Bafana Bafana is right now (FIFA ranking of 83)? Arguably the US wasn't great in '94, nor was the '02 version of Japan.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by NBC

Has there ever been a host country that is as bad as Bafana Bafana is right now (FIFA ranking of 83)? Arguably the US wasn't great in '94, nor was the '02 version of Japan.

South Korea wasn't great in '02 either.

[NBC]

Yet some how they made the semis. Never could figure that out. But when they beat Italy that was great. Especially when millions of Italy fans logged on to FIFA.com and ended up crashing the website as they thought there was a conspiracy to have Italy lose. Nothing like bitter soccer fans.

[GirlySports]

News is Robben just got hurt in a 6-1 game.

With all these injuries, No wonder the French are just playing to not get hurt and lose 1-0 to China.

Have Brazil even played a friendly? They're probably just relaxing on the beach somewhere.

[FlamingLonghorn]

I would think that Buddle all but shored up the other starting forward spot today in the friendly with Australia. 2 Goals 1 which was all him the other a finish on a beautiful cross by Cherundolo. Somehow though I think Findley might get it because he is more of a Davies (fast, workhorse) type which they need to account for Altidore's laziness sometimes. So really I guess I still don't know who is going to start up front.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Mexico looked really good against England too. They could be the surprise in that group. I'm still thinking South Africa makes it into the KO stage. There has never been a host country eliminated prior to the KO in World Cup history.

Outside of Korea and the US the hosts since 1966 have been

the the hosts since 1966 have been

Germany
France
Italy
Mexico
Spain
Argentina
West Germany
Mexico
England

all those teams would have been expected to make it through the group stages, there has never been a host as bad as RSA. They couldn't even qualify for the African cup of nations this year. I think the host always making it to the KO stages ends this year

[NBC]

Maybe playing these pre-tournament friendlies isn't a good thing after all. I could only imagine how people here would be if they lost Rooney or Gerrard instead of Rio. Madness I tell ya!

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by NBC

Maybe playing these pre-tournament friendlies isn't a good thing after all. I could only imagine how people here would be if they lost Rooney or Gerrard instead of Rio. Madness I tell ya!

at least the country doesn't have to go through losing Becks again, was a national day of mourning in the media

[NBC]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

at least the country doesn't have to go through losing Becks again, was a national day of mourning in the media

Yeah it was so ridiculous that no one even remembers Gerrard missing out in '02 due to a persistent groin problem that he aggravated on the last day of the season. Metatarsals - crazy.

[valo403]

Seems that Ivory Coast still thinks Drogba has a chance to play in the tournament, they won't even rule him out for the opener.

[ipuckedyourmom]

David Bechkam was scouting the USA for England in the game against Australia this morning.

[GirlySports]

Injuries

[valo403]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Injuries

Add Robben to the list

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Robben will have a scan on his hamstring tomorrow (today). His coach said he felt a sharp pain. Great. Just hope like heck he's ok, really stings losing one of your stars late in a 6-1 romp before the WC.