World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread - Page 26 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SebC · 06-06-2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

They open against Portugal, which is the key game for them to get out of that group (if you assume Brazil goes 3-0). If they don't have him for that one they might as well not have him for the other two either.

Ziggy Lidstrom · 06-06-2010, 05:08 PM

riots and stampedes in SA during a free entry friendly between Nigeria and SKorea.
Apparently people found out late and then stormed the stadium.

It's on espn and the main page...the video is interesting as anticipations are starting to swell to fever pitch.

GirlySports · 06-06-2010, 05:18 PM

What a stupid idea to have free entry. Haven't they learned anything from past experiences of overcrowding?

GirlySports · 06-06-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

They open against Portugal, which is the key game for them to get out of that group (if you assume Brazil goes 3-0). If they don't have him for that one they might as well not have him for the other two either.

A Drogba-less team could still fight out a possible draw against Portugal. If that match is a draw then it would turn into a goal difference competition. Using your assumption of Brazil going 3-0 then second place in the group will depend on who pounds North Korea by more goals and Drogba would come in handy for that.

VANFLAMESFAN · 06-06-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

A Drogba-less team could still fight out a possible draw against Portugal. If that match is a draw then it would turn into a goal difference competition. Using your assumption of Brazil going 3-0 then second place in the group will depend on who pounds North Korea by more goals and Drogba would come in handy for that.

Call me crazy, but I'm not convinced Brazil is going to get full points. Portugal or Ivory Coast could hold them to a draw. You never know. I'm just not ready to give Brazil all 9 points.

Portugal v Ivory Coast will easily be the match of the tournament in the first set of matches for each team. Nervous, but excited.

KootenayFlamesFan · 06-06-2010, 10:49 PM

Doesn't sound like Robben's injury is too serious. Thank goodness.

Quote:

After an examination Sunday, doctors said the injury isn't as serious as originally feared and Robben is expected to join his teammates in South Africa sometime this week. The Netherlands opens group play June 14 against Denmark.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,2724894.story

ipuckedyourmom · 06-06-2010, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Doesn't sound like Robben's injury is too serious. Thank goodness.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...,2724894.story

Good to hear. The Netherlands looked real impressive in that friendly as well, they were up 6-1 and could have easily scored 10. Here's to hoping they don't "choke" like usual come the World Cup because they definitely do play an entertaining style that would be awesome to see rewarded by them going all the way.

If not the Dutch:
Im pulling for the African Teams along with the powerhouses Spain and Brazil.

4 DAYS!

3 Justin 3 · 06-07-2010, 05:38 AM

Go Germany! I don't follow soccer, is Germany a decent team this year, or are we going to get knocked out early?

NBC · 06-07-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Go Germany! I don't follow soccer, is Germany a decent team this year, or are we going to get knocked out early?

No matter how poor of a side they have, ze Germans never get knocked out early - Euro 2000 & 2004 notwithstanding.

Cactus Jack · 06-07-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

Doesn't every good Chilean player play for Colo Colo?

Colo-Colo has won a combined total of 46 titles, encompassing 4 amateur titles, 39 national tournaments in the professional era and 3 international championships. Since the creation of the Primera División of Chile in 1933, Colo-Colo is the only club to have played in every season never having been relegated.[3] The club has won a record 29 Primera División de Chile championships.[4] The club was ranked among the top 30 football clubs in the IFFHS in 2007 All-Time Club World Ranking.[5]

Pretty much. They're like the Yankees of the Chilean league. Everyone hates them. Remarkably though, Chile's top 3 players of all time never played for the evil empire until their final year before retirement (Ivan Zamorano - Cobreandina) (Marcelo Salas - La Universidad de Chile) (Elias Figueroa - Santaigo Wanderers). VAMOS CHILE!

Locke · 06-07-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GirlySports

A Drogba-less team could still fight out a possible draw against Portugal. If that match is a draw then it would turn into a goal difference competition. Using your assumption of Brazil going 3-0 then second place in the group will depend on who pounds North Korea by more goals and Drogba would come in handy for that.

I doubt Brazil goes 3-0, they tend to start off slow, I dont think its going to matter though, I'll be shocked if they win that group, but knowing Brazil, I doubt they care, they'll almost certainly be in the next round.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

Go Germany! I don't follow soccer, is Germany a decent team this year, or are we going to get knocked out early?

Its a bit of a weaker team due to some pretty serious injuries, the most notable is the Captain, Mikael Ballack. Ballack's International form is second to none, so he is a huge loss.

GirlySports · 06-07-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Call me crazy, but I'm not convinced Brazil is going to get full points. Portugal or Ivory Coast could hold them to a draw. You never know. I'm just not ready to give Brazil all 9 points.

Portugal v Ivory Coast will easily be the match of the tournament in the first set of matches for each team. Nervous, but excited.

Either way having Drogba for even just one match is important.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I doubt Brazil goes 3-0, they tend to start off slow, I dont think its going to matter though, I'll be shocked if they win that group, but knowing Brazil, I doubt they care, they'll almost certainly be in the next round.

I can't remember Brazil ever starting slow. They usually get 9 points and top the group. Of course they usually get piss-poor easy groups like both Australia and Japan in 2006 or both China and Costa Rica in 2002.

I can't recall Brazil not finishing first in their group. Might have to go all the way back to 1966 when Pele got kicked to shreds.

Unlike Italy who often lose a game and get into the 2nd round on goal difference or something.

Sample00 · 06-07-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Locke

I doubt Brazil goes 3-0, they tend to start off slow, I dont think its going to matter though, I'll be shocked if they win that group, but knowing Brazil, I doubt they care, they'll almost certainly be in the next round.

Its a bit of a weaker team due to some pretty serious injuries, the most notable is the Captain, Mikael Ballack. Ballack's International form is second to none, so he is a huge loss.

Did Deutschland not lose their star goalkeeper recently as well?
Suicide if I recall, no/yes?

Locke · 06-07-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sample00

Did Deutschland not lose their star goalkeeper recently as well?
Suicide if I recall, no/yes?

Yeah, Robert Enke committed suicide, and the preferred backup, Rene Adler sufferred a rib injury ruling him out of the World Cup so they're using their 3rd choice which is wide open between Butt, Wiese and Neuer.

Also lost a couple of defenders and midfielders, but the German depth at defence and midfield is good enough. I'm surprised that they left Frings off the team after all these injuries.

North East Goon · 06-07-2010, 11:25 AM

What's everyone's prediction for the England vs. USA match this Saturday? Is this a prime candidate to call a tie?

rubecube · 06-07-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North East Goon

What's everyone's prediction for the England vs. USA match this Saturday? Is this a prime candidate to call a tie?

No way. England should roll. I'm guessing 2-0 or 3-1, depending on how England's back end performs.

EDIT: I should add that I'm an England fan, but I don't even think the Americans are the second best team in that group.

GirlySports · 06-07-2010, 11:39 AM

England should win but the US speed and energy could give the English some trouble.
Who's going to be in goal for England? Green? That could be a problem too.

A tie isn't a bad bet. Or USA + half a ball.
England will be nervous.

Locke · 06-07-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

No way. England should roll. I'm guessing 2-0 or 3-1, depending on how England's back end performs.

EDIT: I should add that I'm an England fan, but I don't even think the Americans are the second best team in that group.

I think England will have more trouble than you think. The defense is spotty at best and their goalkeeping, well, lets just say that British goalkeeping has been pretty horrible at best.

wpgflamesfan · 06-07-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

I should add that I'm an England fan, but I don't even think the Americans are the second best team in that group.

Yeah I don't have the Americans going through either. Who do you have advancing?

Poison · 06-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

No way. England should roll. I'm guessing 2-0 or 3-1, depending on how England's back end performs.

EDIT: I should add that I'm an England fan, but I don't even think the Americans are the second best team in that group.

Im guessing then youre backing my boys, Slovenia, to go through with England? If so, very good call!