Valo, I don't think any Leaf supporters think they are going to win the whole thing either.
I generally don't read other forums, but when I have there are always a slew of Leaf fans talking about how they're legit contenders. That hasn't been as bad the last two years, but even when they were a team that was going to be lucky to scrape into the post-season there were parade routes planned. English fans on the other hand expect their team to lose, even if they are one of the top 8 or so sides. Heck, they'd expect a loss if they were sporting a roster that topped Spain and Brazil combined.
I agree with that. Holland and spain are probably the two best football nations yet to win the World Cup. There seems to be a bit of luck involved in winning this tourney as well, with all the variables of weather,officiating, hands of god etc.
It can't be luck when the same teams make it to the final.
Only 5 teams have played in the last 7 World Cup finals.
It takes some other intangible to make go all the way, something Spain, Holland and England don't have.
Talent is one thing, but Italy and Germany and sometimes even Brazil can make finals without the most skill. Write them off at your peril!
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
With Uruguay not winning since 1950 and really not considered a world power anymore, only 6 teams have won the World Cup in the modern era. (Say 1962 onwards).
Besides luck, there is dodgy officiating and a dodgy seeding system that favors the old elites.
I think that's an overgeneralization. Many teams have made the semifinal in the last 7 World Cups other than the BIG 5 I always mention. Once you get to the 16s the seeding system is thrown out the window.
Teams such as Belgium, Turkey, Korea, Holland, Croatia, Bulgaria, Sweden, England have made semifinals but couldn't go thar extra step.
Did any of these teams not make the final because of a controversial referee's decision? Not that I can recall.
With Uruguay not winning since 1950 and really not considered a world power anymore, only 6 teams have won the World Cup in the modern era. (Say 1962 onwards).
Not World Cup winners, World Cup finalists. The last 7 World Cups, only 5 teams have made the final.
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My BIG 5 against the field challenge is still on.
I think the field is leading 7-2
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Last edited by GirlySports; 06-09-2010 at 12:20 PM.
Yeah, it's tough putting my anti-Manc & Chelski sentiments away at times like these but somehow I manage to.....a bit.
Besides Stevie, there is also Fat Frank and our boy Crouchie who can put the ball in the net too. I like Defoe too. Good player. Not expecting too much from old Emile though. Never have, never will.
Yeah, it's tough putting my anti-Manc & Chelski sentiments away at times like these but somehow I manage to.....a bit.
Besides Stevie, there is also Fat Frank and our boy Crouchie who can put the ball in the net too. I like Defoe too. Good player. Not expecting too much from old Emile though. Never have, never will.
Yeah, but you see, you're British, so you have some incentive to see old St. George win, even if it comes associated with glory for the Mancs and Chelski's.
I personally dont care if England win or not, although I'd prefer they didnt because the British media is insufferable, much like the Toronto media, all you need is England to beat Brazil or Germany and it doesnt even matter how they do the rest of the tournament.
Fattie Frank may be alright, but I certainly expect Terrible Terry to get victimized ruthlessly by pacy opposition. And I highly doubt Defoe or Crouch get much more than the occasional cursory runout unless Rooney gets tossed or injured, and then Capello realizes that Emile Heskey is 6+ feet of useless and plays them. This might be the best scenario for England quite honestly, with Rooney being annointed sole saviour and hope quality international teams will just cover the hell out of him, frustrate him and effectively neuter England. Play Crouch and Defoe and you actually have some depth.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
Yeah, it's tough putting my anti-Manc & Chelski sentiments away at times like these but somehow I manage to.....a bit.
Besides Stevie, there is also Fat Frank and our boy Crouchie who can put the ball in the net too. I like Defoe too. Good player. Not expecting too much from old Emile though. Never have, never will.
Terry and Ashley Cole are the hardest for me to cheer for, I can't ever remember 2 other England players in my lifetime who I have had a tougher time supporting
Did any of these teams not make the final because of a controversial referee's decision? Not that I can recall. Gimme a clear example.
Everyone dives.
It's not just the calls made, but the non-calls too (diving is a good example, and some teams do it far more than others). I wouldn't expect any breaks in the final four if I wasn't one of the old guard. I don't think it is deliberate on the part of FIFA, but it's human nature for refs to be intimidated by the big powers.
"Hand of God" is not a good example, because I would consider England one of the historical elites.
You want me to name a team - pick any that Italy played last time. If the dives were called properly, Italy would not have advanced over those other teams.
