2010 FIFA World Cup

[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.

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.

Lippi might have had reservations about Cassano, but great manager must know how to manage big egos.

I don't agree about the extra help. Sure some big teams get the extra call here and there, but FIFA is not like NBA. The problem with the WC refs is that many of them come from countries in witch football is not as developed and they don't have the same level of experience the european refs have from champions league.

In 2002 for example, Italy got absolutely killed by  Byron Moreno from Ecuador.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4iW8pDnft8

[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.

Lippi might have had reservations about Cassano, but great manager must know how to manage big egos.

I don't agree about the extra help. Sure some big teams get the extra call here and there, but FIFA is not like NBA. The problem with the WC refs is that many of them come from countries in witch football is not as developed and they don't have the same level of experience the european refs have from champions league.

In 2002 for example, Italy got absolutely killed by  Byron Moreno from Ecuador.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4iW8pDnft8

In 2002 Spain was killed by Al Gandhour versus Korea, as you see in the video. This was because of the FIFA wanted the soccer market expanding more to Asia, but in the history of the WC that's not the trend.

In 1994 Spain was killed vs. Italy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdm0QBmUfLs

Back in 1934, WC quarterfinals, spanish team was literally beaten vs. Italy, like the Celtics in game 5 vs. Orlando. 7 spanish players were injured, including their goalkeeper, Ricardo Zamora, with 2 broken ribs. They repeated the game after finishing 1-1, and the ref invalidated two spanish goals in order to guarantee an italian win, 1-0. After that, Italy went to win their first WC.

Anyway, italian teams are big in competition, and you can find similar examples for Germany, Brazil, Argentina. These are the big contenders, and it's not a coincidence. Only Uruguay and France have managed to beat them, and also England in 1966, althought that was the biggest scandal in WC history.

I expect one of the big contenders to take the WC. Out of them, only Spain or England could win, but their chances don't seem very good 

[misha]

Anyway, italian teams are big in competition, and you can find similar examples for Germany, Brazil, Argentina. These are the big contenders, and it's not a coincidence. Only Uruguay and France have managed to beat them, and also England in 1966, althought that was the biggest scandal in WC history.

I expect one of the big contenders to take the WC. Out of them, only Spain or England could win, but their chances don't seem very good 

Still, I don't buy the conspiracy thing. What FIFA have to gain from helping Italy, Germany, Braziland  Argentina? Sure, those are the teams that won the most world cups but it would be a big exaggeration to say that it is because they had the extra help. They usually had the better players and the tradition of winning mentality. Is that how in Spain is explained that despite having a very good teams over the years, you only made it once to the semis so far?

Despite the loss in the first game, I still think that Spain is the best team in the world and would take the WC.

[aporel#18]

Anyway, italian teams are big in competition, and you can find similar examples for Germany, Brazil, Argentina. These are the big contenders, and it's not a coincidence. Only Uruguay and France have managed to beat them, and also England in 1966, althought that was the biggest scandal in WC history.

I expect one of the big contenders to take the WC. Out of them, only Spain or England could win, but their chances don't seem very good 

Still, I don't buy the conspiracy thing. What FIFA have to gain from helping Italy, Germany, Braziland  Argentina? Sure, those are the teams that won the most world cups but it would be a big exaggeration to say that it is because they had the extra help. They usually had the better players and the tradition of winning mentality. Is that how in Spain is explained that despite having a very good teams over the years, you only made it once to the semis so far?

Despite the loss in the first game, I still think that Spain is the best team in the world and would take the WC.

I'm not saying its a direct cause-effect thing. I guess it goes both ways. They had their help at their home championships (but it didn't work for Brazil). In fact, Brazil is different from the other 3, they get the calls because they're good and when they were helped (Mexico 86 i.e.) they didn't take the cup. They also were somehow robbed (England 66 i.e.) when they were the best. But just because they are the most successful teams, they got the more respect from the refs. In soccer it happens a lot, in domestic leagues.

And while I agree that Spain has played the best football in the last 2 years, I don't think they will win it all. You have historic examples (Hungary 1938 and 1954, Holland 1974 and 1978, Brazil 1982) of teams that played great, but never won. But I'm hoping for better play and more beautiful goals.

[twinbree]

I can't believe Portugal scored 6! in a half. Didn't see that final score coming when the 1st half ended.

[Celtics18]

I can't believe Portugal scored 6! in a half. Didn't see that final score coming when the 1st half ended.

Effectively ending the Ivory Coast's chances of advancing.  It's a real shame about the African nations' showing in this World Cup.  It's looking like there's a very good possibility that they won't get any countries through to the elimination rounds.

I'll be pulling for the young Ghanaians to get some kind of result against a German side that's bound to be feeling quite surly.  Won't be easy. 

[Amonkey]

I can't believe Portugal scored 6! in a half. Didn't see that final score coming when the 1st half ended.

Effectively ending the Ivory Coast's chances of advancing.  It's a real shame about the African nations' showing in this World Cup.  It's looking like there's a very good possibility that they won't get any countries through to the elimination rounds.

I'll be pulling for the young Ghanaians to get some kind of result against a German side that's bound to be feeling quite surly.  Won't be easy. 

That's too bad.  I have been rooting for the African countries to do well, but on the other hand, my South American countries are doing great.  I don't think they have a single loss yet, meanwhile the Europeans are suffering upsets over upsets.

[Scott]

I can't believe Portugal scored 6! in a half. Didn't see that final score coming when the 1st half ended.

Impressive to say the least.  North Korea played well in the first half but when Simao scored the second for Portugal the floodgates opened.

I am really looking forward to see Spain and Honduras match later today.

[twinbree]

I can't believe Portugal scored 6! in a half. Didn't see that final score coming when the 1st half ended.

Effectively ending the Ivory Coast's chances of advancing.  It's a real shame about the African nations' showing in this World Cup.  It's looking like there's a very good possibility that they won't get any countries through to the elimination rounds.

I'll be pulling for the young Ghanaians to get some kind of result against a German side that's bound to be feeling quite surly.  Won't be easy. 

That's too bad.  I have been rooting for the African countries to do well, but on the other hand, my South American countries are doing great.  I don't think they have a single loss yet, meanwhile the Europeans are suffering upsets over upsets.

Yeah it's a pity. I guess there's nothing like homecontinent advantage. Don't have much hope for Ghana who haven't scored a regular goal yet and need to beat Germany. I wonder who their coach secretly prefers to advance in that group - job or country?

Which South American country are you from?

[nickagneta]

Spain looked strong today. I don't know what ball control time was but they seemed to be in control of the ball all game and missed 4-5 golden opportunities. The score is not even close to being indicative of how lopsided the game was.

[ederson]

The opponent was pretty weak too. But i agree that Spain looks good (not as good as i expect them though)

It`s sad that Torres is completely off form and can`t produce anything. Hope he picks it up.

I didn`t like Navas too. Compared to Sevilla`s Navas this one is a different player. Possibly he still doesn`t feel good. Till recently he wasn`t able to stay away from Sevilla for long and he suffered from panic attacks.

[nickagneta]

Tomorrow is USA wins, are they guaranteed to move on? Just wondering.

[Fafnir]

Tomorrow is USA wins, are they guaranteed to move on? Just wondering.

Yes they are.

Slovenia has 4 points
UK has 2 points
US has 2 points
Algeria has 1 point

If the US wins it'll have five points and thus will be at least second in the point total no matter the result of the other match. Now depending on the other result they could win the group or come in second however.

[pbak63]

Yes they are.

Slovenia has 4 points
UK has 2 points
US has 2 points
Algeria has 1 point


Let me know how well this UK team are playing when you see them.

I've been watching England.

The UK would include Eire, Wales, Scotland too.

[Fafnir]

Yes they are.

Slovenia has 4 points
UK has 2 points
US has 2 points
Algeria has 1 point


Let me know how well this UK team are playing when you see them.

I've been watching England.

The UK would include Eire, Wales, Scotland too.

Fair enough, I always forget that the UK refuses to field a team that uses all of their talent.

It is a shame.