World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Even had the Italians advanced I think they would have been slaughtered by the Dutch.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Even had the Italians advanced I think they would have been slaughtered by the Dutch.

The thing is they usually defend so well and often look content to play for penalties. I love the way the Netherlands are playing right now but with all due respect to Slovakia they would probably rather that matchup if they cared at all.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I think England can win the game against the Germans.

Germany did not look all that confident in the back (Outside of Lamb who is the best right back in the world), and Ghana had a lot of missed chances on the counter.

Germany's young midfield has not faced a real solid test yet and I think England is a good match for them this time around.

Rooney looked like he was finally starting to wake up in the game this morning and I think England wins the game with him finally scoring a goal in this tourney.

I would just add that missing the red carded player from the atrocious reffing the game before probably played a big part in Germany looking average vs Ghana.

[North East Goon]

poorza azzurri!

[Sylvanfan]

Well as a casual observer of soccer, I'm happy to see the French and the Italians both gone this early. Although it will be tough to pick a team I want to see gone in the next round.

[Thunderball]

Well, sometimes you have to fail hard to realize its time for change. Italy was obsessed with going back to the 2006 glory days. They thought 15 mins of effort would get them first place and trip to the knockouts. Sometimes that gamble works, this time it failed miserably.

The good news is Lippi is done. His Sutter style favortism to his favorite washouts and hasbeens lead him to some embarassing new stats for the old resume: worst Italian finish since 1974, only Italian manager in history to lead a team to the World Cup and win zero games, longest winless streak (no wins in qualifying, friendlies or WC in 2010) in 50 years.

He wears it well. Hero to Zero in 6 months.

Its also good that after this massacre, you can bet almost no player over 29 on this roster will be picked for the Euro Cup, save Buffon, and possibly Pirlo if he doesn't get any worse. The new manager, Prandelli, is not blind, and will hopefully select a German style roster, predominantly under 27, with only a few overagers for experience.

I'm also thankful that I will never see Gattuso, Cannavaro, Iaquinta, and Marchetti in the Azzurri again. De Rossi was a total goat, but he's too young still to boot. Di Natale is too much of a relegation club man to be of any future use for Italy, only good for timely goals when the game is over. Same with Gilardino.

The only true disaster is if they don't learn from this embarassment.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Well as a casual observer of soccer, I'm happy to see the French and the Italians both gone this early. Although it will be tough to pick a team I want to see gone in the next round.

I think Argentina and Portugal are next in line for greasiness.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by troutman

I don't think this tournament proves very much about who is the best team. ITA was not the best team in the World in 2006, and they are still a top ten team in 2010 despite going out in the first round.

Does any tournament? Tournaments are for tv and money

[troutman]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Does any tournament? Tournaments are for tv and money

Champions League comes close.

[d_phaneuf]

ya the best way to find the "best" team is the way the European leagues do it with a season where you play everybody home and away

[GirlySports]

Yes absolutely but that's a league.

Tournaments are always a crapshoot. Champions League does come close but some would argue the Barcelona is by far the best team in the world and have only one it once recently because other teams play ugly football to beat them.

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I think Argentina and Portugal are next in line for greasiness.

As an Englishman I have every reason in the world to really dislike the Argentines. I just don't though. They're an entertaining team, albeit a little greasy still.

Don't get me wrong I would absolutely love the opportunity for England to knock them out in the quarters. They will be a tough tough team to beat however. Germany is a huge obstacle in the way in any case.

Portugal, I'll give you in spades.

[Hades]

De Jong and Van Persie starting for Holland with yellow cards, Robben on the bench. Understand Van Persie probably could use some more playing time as he hasn't looked very good thus far. De Jong I don't understand as much; he plays pretty aggressively on defense and could be booked (missing the next match). Though I guess it wouldn't be so bad (don't mean to underestimate Slovakia) as we really need him vs Portugal/Brazil (whomever finishes first in that group).
I hope they play Robben for the last 30 odd minutes (if he's good to go).

It's crazy how tough the Germany/England/Mexico/Argentina braket is, especially compared to the American one. Both brakets fairly even, just one A LOT stronger!

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I couldn't be prouder of the Kiwis, wow did they ever impress with a stifling defense (and a bit of luck) . . . There were ONE goal away from qualifying to the Group of 16.

If you're a New Zealander right now, you should be dancing in your boots at the team's performance in this tournament. Tying Italy and Paraguay is a feat in itself.

Who on earth would have thought that the Kiwis would come through the tournament unbeaten? I had them, in my predictions, losing every match.

For a country without a professional football league to come to an event like the World Cup and perform like they did deserves the highest praise possible.

They should be, and probably will be, national hero's back home.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Yes absolutely but that's a league.

Tournaments are always a crapshoot. Champions League does come close but some would argue the Barcelona is by far the best team in the world and have only one it once recently because other teams play ugly football to beat them.

the Champions League though has its problems in matchups

for example there is no way Arsenal were beating Barca, they both play the same style Barca does it better. But Arsenal could have beaten Inter Milan

[Locke]

I cant decide which game to watch so I'm streaming them both. A surefire method of missing the best of both matches.

BBBBzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

[Ironhorse]

Come on Oranje, lets get this done!

[Ozy_Flame]

Gambatte, Samurai Blue!!

[Ark2]

Well, that was an utter disgrace of a performance by the Italians. Full props to the Slovakians, they played a good game (I actually missed the last 20 minutes of the match due to a laser eye surgery consultation) and deserve to be through.

[Locke]

1-0 Japan!