Curse

I pwnd U · Jun 26, 2006, 11:46 PM // 23:46

We can hope cant we...

The matches today seemed like pretty good ones. Italy winning on a PK kick and Ukraine and Switzerland going to PKs after 2 overtimes. Hopefully tomorrows games will be just as good.

Malice Black · Jun 27, 2006, 12:06 AM // 00:06

yea wright phillips signed for 21mill..been on the bench a few times started maybe 2 games

bent - scored 22 goals..thats more then rooney and owen combined, granted he doest have international experiance but neither does the 18yr old kid

only reason walcott got picked was he signed for arsenal while bent plays for a mid table team...

LordDeArnise · Jun 27, 2006, 12:13 AM // 00:13

Yeah, both games were pretty good. The Socceroos played brilliantly, just had that costly foul in the end which Totti put in. I wasn't that impressed with the Swiss and Ukranians' play in the 2nd half, but that was some impressive saves by the Ukranian GK, combined with some unlucky Swiss bounces, and great kicks by the Ukranians, sealed the deal for them. Italy v. Ukraine should be a nice match as it can go either way.

TUESDAY FINAL ROUND OF 16 MATCH PREDICTIONS

* Brazil beats Ghana by 1 goal - Ghana will play their very best although the hopes of all of the African Nations rest with them now. They should score at least 1 goal against the Brazilians, but I think the Brazilians will step up too. Maybe Ronaldinho gets into the mix and score a goal. Brazil 3, Ghana 2 in extra time?

* Spain beats France by 2 goals - France's scoring woes might continue if none of the Frenchmen other than Thierry Henry and Wiltord step up. Zinedine Zidane might play in this one, but his rusty, injured body may just hurt the French side. Spain is playing on fire going into the game, and that may continue here. Spain 3, France 1?

Malice Black · Jun 27, 2006, 12:21 AM // 00:21

im going with

Brazil 3 Ghana 1 (ghana score first, brazil run riot 2nd half)
Spain 2 France 0 (lets face it the team is based around henry and he isnt up to it)

master_of_puppets · Jun 27, 2006, 01:12 AM // 01:12

After seeing Ukraine get pwned by Spain in their first game did anyone else think that they could make it to the quarter-finals? Its their first time in the WC too... They're extremely lucky though as they were in by far the easiest group.
I think that PK against the Aussies was somewhat harsh. The guy went down to try to deflect the ball or something and the Italian ran forward and tripped over him. So much of this depends on the refereeing seriously.

Malice Black · Jun 27, 2006, 01:17 AM // 01:17

ukraine have played poorly..they rely too much on shevchenko (sp?)

they wont go any further..missed the ukr vs aussie game due to work but hard is was a dodgy penalty

Edge Martinez · Jun 27, 2006, 05:25 AM // 05:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordDeArnise

The Socceroos played brilliantly, just had that costly foul in the end which Totti put in.

That's it? ... Basically, another terrible call decided the outcome of this game. Yes the Aussies played brilliantly, but in the end the ref GAVE the game to Italy. I'm sure the crisis hotlines phones were ringing off the hook after that game, cause 11 Australians were calling to say they'd been raped. Tomorrow I fear it's going to be more 'Wonder what the ref's gonna do today, Charlie?'.

It's hard to deny the game as a whole is incredible, but I have serious doubts about these refs. It's no wonder European teams always win the World Cup in Europe... everyone else is getting hosed. Sure, there's an obligatory red or yellow card here and there for a European team, but when it really counts they've been getting away with murder.

It's not even over and I'm looking forward to South Africa in 2010. Hopefully all the acting schools in Italy stop taking footballers, and the refs find a pry bar or two to get their heads out of their rears.

Malice Black · Jun 27, 2006, 10:47 AM // 10:47

. Hopefully all the acting schools in Italy stop taking footballers, and the refs find a pry bar or two to get their heads out of their rears.[/QUOTE]

gotta agree with you there...too many football players go down wayy to easily now..they should be dealt a straight red for a blatant dive

master_of_puppets · Jun 27, 2006, 04:11 PM // 16:11

Actually the referee is allowed to give a yellow card (and maybe even a red, I'm not sure) to a player who is obviously pretending to have been fouled or took a huge dive that was completely fake. But I have only seen that happen once or twice. I think the referees are too scared to do that even if they can saw it. Theres the pressure of the crowd and then people might talk shit about them later for making that decision. All this not-being-allowed-to-use instant-replay thing makes winning the world cup mean a lot less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge Martinez

It's hard to deny the game as a whole is incredible, but I have serious doubts about these refs. It's no wonder European teams always win the World Cup in Europe... everyone else is getting hosed. Sure, there's an obligatory red or yellow card here and there for a European team, but when it really counts they've been getting away with murder.

People always say that. To them the team/teams they're rooting for always get the worst calls. Half the referees aren't even European and when the European refs are in, its almost always a game between 2 non-euro teams OR 2 euro teams. And being from the same continent doesnt necessarily mean the ref will favor the team from his continent.

Kyosuke · Jun 27, 2006, 06:28 PM // 18:28

did someone mention Football.
Dallas Cowboys should have a good season this year.

Gotta love it when Europeans get all disgruntled about Americans changing things up a bit. Don't worry, soon enough it'll be soccer all over hte world and "football" will be just as it is for the NFL

In all reality though I'm pulling for Italy or Brazil.. DUnno if they can do it though :/

LordDeArnise · Jun 27, 2006, 10:59 PM // 22:59

Brazil 3, Ghana 0; France 3, Spain 1

Guess my latter prediction went the other way. The French sure found their offense to Spain's dismay, even Zidane scored a goal late to seal the deal and give them a date with the Brazilians. Ghana had plenty of chances to score themselves, but some unlucky bounces and placements kept them scoreless. That late goal by Ze Roberto was a real beauty and well timed.

THE QUARTERFINALS - PREDICTIONS ON THURSDAY

Germany v. Argentina in Berlin - Friday Afternoon; should be very good and pivotal to who may reach the final.
Italy v. Ukraine in Hamburg - Friday Evening; The Ukraine is playing solidly, but Italy looks superior on paper.

England v. Portugal in Gelsenkirchen - This could bring the house down for whoever wins this clash. This one can go either way, although the Portugese side looks to be the favorite.
Brazil v. France in Frankfurt - A rematch between two countries that met in the 1998 World Cup Final, a match the French won in fantastic fashion to set the country into a frenzy. This one may go to PK's to find a winner.

I pwnd U · Jun 27, 2006, 11:12 PM // 23:12

Brazil played a good game, Ghana did outplay them though. Brazil was just too skilled for the young inexprienced Ghana team. Ronaldos goal was a great run thanks to a beautiful pass. His scissors kick at the end really fooled the goalie and helped him to get a open net, he is slower though as a Ghana defender caught him right after he shot the ball.

France shocked me. I mean just complete shocked me. Where did this offense come from? 3 goals in one game from the French in this World Cup? Unheard of! They played a great game and i have no idea where Spain was. Spain played alright but it wasnt good enough to beat the inspired French.

Predictions:

Germany v. Argentina- Germany, they are just looking too strong for the Argentinas

Italy v. Ukraine- Italy by a goal. Italy is in top form beating everyone in their group except for the US in a bloody game.

England v. Portugal- Portugal, England is not playing well enough to even be near Portugal, though not having Deco may hurt them.

Brazil v. France- Brazil. Brazil should beat France easily. They are just too skilled and as long as they shut down Henry they should get through this game easily.

Malice Black · Jun 28, 2006, 12:13 AM // 00:13

france finally pulled their finger out..was rooting for spain to win if england get knocked out

Germany 1 Argentina 2 - klose is a top player but everything is based around him, mark him tightly germans are doomed

Italy 1 Ukraine 0 - wont be a thriller imo neither side looks like they can score more then 1 goal

Brazil 2 France 0 -flair vs OAP's

England Vs Portugal - no prediction..im praying england win, midfield needs to buck up or we are screwed

Sir Skullcrasher · Jun 28, 2006, 12:18 AM // 00:18

something tells me that Brazil will repeat and become the champ this year. Althought if they have to face either Germany or Argentina in the final than it might be a different story.

I pwnd U · Jun 29, 2006, 01:49 AM // 01:49

Germany is Brazils only real threat imo.

Malice Black · Jun 29, 2006, 02:12 AM // 02:12

nah germany are better then they have been in ages but argentina shall pwn them

poor defense ftw

I pwnd U · Jun 29, 2006, 02:15 AM // 02:15

I just dont see Argentina beating them. I just think the Germans will run right through them.

LordDeArnise · Jun 29, 2006, 03:19 AM // 03:19

I'm not so sure about Germany running through Argentina. This will be a dogfight till the final whistle.

metal hurlant · Jun 29, 2006, 07:41 AM // 07:41

hello all,

just my 2 cents about why french players just seem to have woke up during the last match :
- (some) spanish supporters whistle during our national hymn, that's not especially clever

- Aragones tells about Henry "he's just a negro, nothing more", hum...

french team was sooo angry, they found again what make them good

france - brazil, I don't know, brazil seems invincible, but france can be terrible and awesome in the same day so...

remember that's It's the last match of zidane career too...

sorry for this crappy english !

LordDeArnise · Jun 30, 2006, 05:08 AM // 05:08

FRIDAY QUARTERFINAL MATCH PREDICTIONS

* Germany v. Argentina - To me, this could be a dogfight in scoring chances and such. Both sides' defenders and GK's will be heavily pressured here. The X-factor here, then, could be the midfield and whether the Argentines can quiet a likely Pro-German crowd in Berlin. Prediction: Germany 3, Argentina 2 in extra time.

* Italy v. Ukraine. On paper, Italy looks to overpower the Ukranians and Shevchenko(sp?), although there is that possibility of Italy underestimating the Ukranian side's capabilities, and of course, that sense of unpredictability in World Soccer. Still, my prediction stands as follows: Italy 3, Ukraine 1.