2010 FIFA World Cup

[ederson]

Pizza Hut in Ireland offers 350 for each goal scored against France !!! 


http://www.wfmz.com/2010-world-cup/23961239/detail.html

[nickagneta]

The Italians aren't who they thought they were.

World champs gonna struggle to make the Sweet Sixteen!!! WOW!!!

[jdpapa3]

Italy lucky to even get a draw out of this game...the penalty kick on a soft penalty and flop was their only score.

New Zealand fans were awesome to watch.

[ederson]

I disagree

The Italians are exaclty the way they`ve always been in the group stage.  

Seriously , i don`t think they realy had high hopes.

New Zealand fans were awesome to watch.

I`d be much happier if i could hear them too

[ederson]

http://freddos.yooblog.gr/files/2010/06/zizou.gif

[RebusRankin]

Yay Kiwis.

[Who]

Italy are a poor side. They have no chance in this tournament.

Hopefully they'll be knocked out at the group stage.

[ederson]

Just to be fair the penalty was a flop but NZ`s goal was offside

[Who]

Brazil are by far the best team I have seen so far.

Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo are pretty ugly to watch. Functional though.

[misha]

http://www.vuvuzela-time.co.uk/forums.celticsblog.com/index.php

[aporel#18]

Italy and Brasil will be in the Elite Eight. Italy always starts poorly. In 1982 they won the WC and deserved to be eliminated in the first stage. They always get the "extra help" from referees. Just like Brasil, Germany, and Argentina. Anyone has doubts of why are the winningnest teams? They are great competitors, and they have the benefit of the FIFA.

Look at Brasil today, they were worlds ahead Ivory Coast and they still got help with Luis Fabiano's double hand ball in second goal. Ericsson is a "turrible" coach, with so many quality players they have put together a miserable team play. They deserved to loose by 5. Then, after the referee make laughs with Luis Fabiano about his hand ball, he starts allowing Ivory Coast to play off limits and injure Elano. Make up calls... just "turrible".


The better game display I've seen in South Africa was Germany's first game. They didn't do well against Serbia (congrats Ederson) but I put them over Italy and Brasil to reach the final game. Argentina, Spain and England will be also in the Elite Eight, unless Spain and Brasil have to play in the last 16 game.

Uruguay and Holland will be tough to beat. Hopefully the quality of the games improve in the elimination games.

[wiley]

I'm happy for ACF, but I'm sad that Cameroon got eliminated.  They play beautifully, fluid, great passing, ball control, they don't commit nasty fouls like Ivory Coast or Slovakia, but they're out....they hit the post, they hit the fingertips, and they barely missed plenty of other times....nice team to watch Cameroon!

[misha]

Italy and Brasil will be in the Elite Eight. Italy always starts poorly. In 1982 they won the WC and deserved to be eliminated in the first stage. They always get the "extra help" from referees. Just like Brasil, Germany, and Argentina. Anyone has doubts of why are the winningnest teams? They are great competitors, and they have the benefit of the FIFA.

I agree that Italy usually starts poorly and plays better later, but I think this time would be different. This team is just don't have what it takes. The lost of Pirlo was huge as he's their only real playmaker, Canavaro went from being the best defender in the last WC to one of the worst in this one (you need to know when it's time to quit), the strikers are too mediocre and lacking a spark (where is Totti? even Toni would have been better than big time choker Gilardino) and now they lost Buffon too. Italy might be able to squeeze to the next round but not beyond that.

[aporel#18]

Italy and Brasil will be in the Elite Eight. Italy always starts poorly. In 1982 they won the WC and deserved to be eliminated in the first stage. They always get the "extra help" from referees. Just like Brasil, Germany, and Argentina. Anyone has doubts of why are the winningnest teams? They are great competitors, and they have the benefit of the FIFA.

I agree that Italy usually starts poorly and plays better later, but I think this time would be different. This team is just don't have what it takes. The lost of Pirlo was huge as he's their only real playmaker, Canavaro went from being the best defender in the last WC to one of the worst in this one (you need to know when it's time to quit), the strikers are too mediocre and lacking a spark (where is Totti? even Toni would have been better than big time choker Gilardino) and now they lost Buffon too. Italy might be able to squeeze to the next round but not beyond that.

TP for your points, Misha... you could add that Lippi left Cassano out. He's a game-changer, a real soccer genius, but Lippi doesn't seem to like creative players.

But still, I don't know how, they'll be in the quarterfinals or even in the semis. They are Italy, they are great when the going gets tough... and they will have that "extra help" from FIFA.

[Celtics18]

Thanks. Yeah great win. We now have the opportunity to go through on our own accord. Sweet.

I just noticed this thread today, but Danmark has already helped me get the nasty taste of game 7 out of my mouth.

I wasn't too pumped on them after the Holland game, but they sure changed my mind against Cameroon.  Japan will be scary, though.  They can play for the draw, which means they'll be able to do what they do best, just sit back and defend, and then take advantage of openings for counter attacks.

DANMARK, DANMARK!!!!!!