2010 FIFA World Cup

[celticmaestro]

Mesut Ozil, remember the name.

TP for your knowledge, great player at only 22

Thanks, back atcha.

Ozil is a supreme talent. I actually hate Bremen but I hope they keep their core of Ozil/Marin together and don't settle for a small fee if they sell.

[misha]

Mesut Ozil, remember the name.

TP for your knowledge, great player at only 22

Thanks, back atcha.

Ozil is a supreme talent. I actually hate Bremen but I hope they keep their core of Ozil/Marin together and don't settle for a small fee if they sell.

Yep, they were a joy to watch in the bundesliga this past season.

The best thing is how young our team is. The whole creative department is 20-22.
Lahm, Schweinsteiger and Podolski are all in their mid-20´s, and have 70-80 caps already.

I'm curious, how in Germany is explained that Padolski was absolutely awful for his clubs in recent years (Bayern and Keln), but plays very well for Germany national team?

[ederson]

How do you feel about the tournament so far? I know it`s early but still we`ve seen 10 games already. I`m already feeling tired and bored! The awful noise is getting to my nerves but the quality is also very low.

I think we should return  to the 24teams format.


S.Africa was also a poor selection for host. FIFA has messed it up this time

[muddy02]

what has SA done to prove to be a poor selection?

[ederson]

The fact that almost every team has been robbed isn`t an issue and the huge crime rate?

The many empty spaces in the stands?

The riot last night after germany`s game?

[muddy02]

didn't hear about the robberies or the riot.  Those stadiums are so huge, you can't complain about empty seats. those are usually filled by travelling fans anyway, can't really blame that on SA.

[Who]

S.Africa was also a poor selection for host. FIFA has messed it up this time

I think it was a good idea. It was time that an African nation was awarded the tournament. It's a pity South Africa is such a weak team, that hurts the competition, but I think it's the right move,

I doubt FIFA had much wiggle room in choosing their host once they decided on Africa. South Africa is by far the largest economy in the continent and it would have been difficult for other nations to challenge their bid. Maybe Nigeria or Egypt could have ... but I would imagine they had limited options.

[Who]

How do you feel about the tournament so far? I know it`s early but still we`ve seen 10 games already. I`m already feeling tired and bored! The awful noise is getting to my nerves but the quality is also very low.

I think we should return  to the 24teams format.

Yeah, the quality of play has been fairly poor. I've struggled to watch the last two days of competition.

Not wowed by any of the contenders either. It's more "who is the least flawed" than "that team is incredible".

I'm wondering if all the money in club football nowadays has soured my interest in international play. The strength of the clubs from that Champions League money versus the strength of the International teams ... I find myself more disappointed with each passing tournament when it comes to top teams in International play. Not enough quality.

[ederson]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5282826/ce/us/riot-police-clash-protesters-durban-south-africa-germany-australia-match&cc=5739?ver=global

http://newsolio.com/world-cup-reporters-robbed-at-nutbush-boma-lodge-south-africa,10601

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5xF5XyPsjZFQR9UaAjioceztv8QD9G8DJ100

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-06/11/c_13344310.htm

I'm wondering if all the money in club football nowadays has soured my interest in international play. The strength of the clubs from that Champions League money versus the strength of the International teams ... I find myself more disappointed with each passing tournament when it comes to top teams in International play. Not enough quality.

i think it`s more than obvious that the season in europe is too long and too hard for top players. It`s normal to be tired physicaly and mentaly after 50-60 games. French league, EPL , bundesleague will start mid august. Their internationals will go from S.A. to training camps direclty. I don`t think that the players (in most cases) don`t give their 100% for the NTs and play just because they have to.

[Redz]

Pretty excellent Lego highlights of US vs England

http://deadspin.com/5563011/usa%20england-tie-given-the-lego-treatment

[Who]

Ledley King is out for the rest of the tournament. That's a shame, King has played wonderfully alongside Jason Terry in the past. A big blow to the English. Jamie Carragher will start in his place. Good player.

Not wild about their backups though, Michael Dawson (solid defender) and Matthew Upson (not international class). So England lack depth on their backline now following the injuries to Rio and King. Carragher was doubling up as their reserve right back too so they have suspect depth there also.

Their first choice four at the back (Johnson - Terry - Carragher - Cole) is still very strong. 

[Casperian]

I'm curious, how in Germany is explained that Padolski was absolutely awful for his clubs in recent years (Bayern and Keln), but plays very well for Germany national team?

It´s not only Podolski, Klose plays also rejuvenated in the national team.

The official reason is "trust".
The issue was not the quality of these two, it was the situations they were in. Köln is an incredibly dysfunctional team, on and off the court, and Klose had injuries which slowed him down when Bayern tried to find a new personality under van Gaal early in the season.
Simply put, unlike in their respective clubs, they are the key players on offense in the national team, and everybody on the team trusts them and wants them to do well.

[Casperian]

How do you feel about the tournament so far? I know it`s early but still we`ve seen 10 games already. I`m already feeling tired and bored! The awful noise is getting to my nerves but the quality is also very low.

I think we should return  to the 24teams format.


S.Africa was also a poor selection for host. FIFA has messed it up this time

Maybe the noise has something to do with the low quality on the field? The french players complained that there was no communication possible during their match because of the Vuvuzela´s.

I agree that South Africa was a poor choice. I don´t care if Africa was due for a WC, if they can´t organize such an event properly or can´t guarantee for the safety of the players, then they simply don´t qualify as a WC host, imo.

[Yugocelt]

I'm a huge Bundesliga fan, and I have to say that this league is VERY underrated.  Most people tend to focus on Serie A, the EPL, or La Liga and not even give a second look to the BuLi.  The Bundesliga is incredibly competative and it's incredible that they have so much success in Europe considering they don't have the luxury of resting their core players some weeks because of the stiff competition in the league.  Every match is a battle.

[Amonkey]

I think South Africa has been doing a great job so far.  The people are really pumped up and that makes me pumped up.  Also, the African pride is really high right now.  I remember the WC in Germany where people would basically go to games or go to pub.  It wasn't that much different than any other tournament.  However in South Africa, people are blowing their vuvuzuelas (as annoying as they are) for the entire 90 minutes and you can see people dancing in the streets.  I think Brazil really has to step up in the energy level for WC '14.