World Cup

[Bazza]

I'm afraid like it or loathe it, there's no escaping the fever which has gripped most of the world, and will do for the coming months. I just thought I'd create a poll to see who people fancy to bring home the trophies.

And I don't want any Scots moaning just because they didn't qualify!:devil: :rolleyes:

It all kicks off tomorrow, but who will win? Can England do the impossible? France are the defending champions, and Argentina are many experts' favourites, but don't disregard Brazil (four times winners) or Germany (the old enemy). Can Italy or anyone else spring a surprise?

Vote now!

[mammamedley]

:rolleyes:

[lane4]

Queens have no place in the World Cup or football in general.

;)

[Chris]

I have to say that in my esteemed position as Forum Owner (which obviously makes me qualified to comment :rolleyes: ) I think that the Frenchies have it in the bag.

[outside smoker]

In response to Baz.....maybe England CAN do the impossible...........if that means qualify from the group stages that is.......but as for winning the thing - have you been out in the sun Baz?

Well done for pointing out who were the defending champions by the way.

[swimusa]

U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A!!!!!!!!!

I know, we don't have a chance in ***!

[Bazza]

Originally posted by outside smoker
In response to Baz.....maybe England CAN do the impossible...........if that means qualify from the group stages that is....

I thought it was Scotland who'd never done that - and they'll have to wait until 2006! In fact they seem to be going backwards under the German, losing their first four games. Serves them right for trying to copy England and look abroad for a manager!!:rolleyes:

Originally posted by outside smoker
...but as for winning the thing - have you been out in the sun Baz?

What sun? Is it sunny up north?

Originally posted by outside smoker
Well done for pointing out who were the defending champions by the way.

Thanks, I do try!:p

[mammamedley]

dream on!

[Steve]

Originally posted by Chris
I have to say that in my esteemed position as Forum Owner (which obviously makes me qualified to comment :rolleyes: ) I think that the Frenchies have it in the bag.

Must be the garlic driting over that short stretch of channel going to your head....:p

(and I'm being ironic, so we'll have no accusations of xenophobia, stereotyping or worse still, sexism...:devil: )

[lane4]

Originally posted by Chris
I have to say that in my esteemed position as Forum Owner (which obviously makes me qualified to comment :rolleyes: ) I think that the Frenchies have it in the bag.

Ha Ha Ha :D :joker:

Care to revise your prediction Chris!?

It seems the only thing France have in the bag is an early exit from the World Cup!

Their aging football team is in tatters!

[Bazza]

Yeah Chris just said that because he lives in France. I mean near France, near France!:D
Anyway own up you French voters - you got it wrong. Any side who loses to Senegal should automatically be ejected from the competition, defending champions or not. I mean even the USA could beat 'em!!:devil:

[lane4]

I have just heard that Roger Lemerre is already clearing his desk.

[Michael]

Originally posted by bazzaroodoo
...Any side who loses to Senegal should automatically be ejected from the competition...even the USA could beat 'em!!:devil:

Did you watch the match? If England do qualify for the second round the may well face Senegal, and I think that's a toughy!!!

I reckon Spain will do it!!!

[outside smoker]

Anyone who writes off the French does so at their peril. Opening games are notorious for throwing up surprise results....like Brazils cheesy victory over their classier rivals last time round. Argentina lost the opening match in 1990 and went on to make the final. Italy have opened badly on a number of occassions and still done well.
And the French also have Zidane who is the best player in the world by a considerable margin.

I think the problem was that the French - like the rest of the World - seriously under-estimated Senegal, whose players all play in in the French league. (Patrick Viera is from Senegal too.)

And lane4 the French are NOT an aging team - the likes of Zidane, Henri, Thuram, Viera are in their prime.....and Frank the Beef is better than the likes of Keown & they have no-one as old (or BAD) as Seaman.

[swimusa]

Originally posted by bazzaroodoo
Yeah Chris just said that because he lives in France. I mean near France, near France!:D
Anyway own up you French voters - you got it wrong. Any side who loses to Senegal should automatically be ejected from the competition, defending champions or not. I mean even the USA could beat 'em!!:devil:

Ha Ha Ha

[lane4]

Originally posted by outside smoker
Anyone who writes off the French does so at their peril. Opening games are notorious for throwing up surprise results....like Brazils cheesy victory over their classier rivals last time round. Argentina lost the opening match in 1990 and went on to make the final. Italy have opened badly on a number of occassions and still done well.


No one has ever lost their first game in a World Cup and gone on to win it.

[stella]

Can't there be a first time or is that not allowed?

[lane4]

Originally posted by outside smoker
And lane4 the French are NOT an aging team - the likes of Zidane, Henri, Thuram, Viera are in their prime

7 of the team that played Senegal were over the age of 30.

[outside smoker]

Is 30/31 past it? I dont think so, but dont let logic get in the way of a discussion.

[swimusa]

I know Britain is a soccer/football nation, and thus the dirtball tournament that is Roland Garros might not make your radar screen, but if you got a chance to see a picture of Serena Williams' getup, it was based on her support for Cameroon, who she thinks might take it all. Yes, we are all naive Americans.


http://www.rolandgarros.com/images/pics/large/bv_09_004.jpg

[Bazza]

Yeah that was in the paper. Why does everyone like Cameroon? Their biggest moment was still 1990, which (needless to say) gets further away by the day.

As for France, they've basically the same team as four years ago. Can you imagine if USA or AUS took the same team to Athens as that from Sydney? What makes France think football doesn't move on either? They are past their peak this side, and if they're not careful, Zidane might only play one game.

OS - Scotland would love to have had Seaman and Keown (plus about 21 other players currently in the far east) at their disposal.

I was impressed with the Argies this morning, we'll need to be careful on Friday.

Anyway, I better go and get the:beer:in before the England game:cheers:

[outside smoker]

Baz you know less about football than you do about swimming : Seaman and Keown would not get into Scotland`s squad. Not even one of the experimental ones Vogts has been picking in the friendlies.

Seaman is passed it.........as shown by his inability to stop a shot hit virtually straight at him. Scotland have plenty goalies better than him..........as do England. He has earned his reputation on the back of an excellent Arsenal defence. Remember Nahim?

[rogant stard]

'experimental' squads?!
I'd call them more 'hopeful' or 'desperation' squads.

And there's no way he wouldn't pick Keown or Seaman if he had the chance - though I'm not saying they're the best by any means.

I agree with you that Baz knows FA about swimming though - it will be good for him to get some valuable experience and knowledge up here in a couple of weeks time ;)

[outside smoker]

Never in a million years would either Seaman or Keown get into a Scotland squad. Neither should they be on the England squad. Seaman`s missed save at the goal proved that to all but the most myopic spectators.

I feel it would be pointless to try and describe the reasons behind Vogts selections to anyone so lacking in the most basic football knowledge.

Hopefully you will pick up some during the World Cup - keep watching and some of it may rub off.

[Bazza]

Originally posted by outside smoker
Never in a million years would either Seaman or Keown get into a Scotland squad

Of course not (unless the eligibility rules are changed quick-smart!) Anyway the bottom line is they helped us reach the finals, whereas the Scottish equivalents failed, so that surely makes them superior? Seaman may not be as good as he was, but he's still the best keeper in the country, and yes I remember Nayim, he used to play for Spurs in the early 90's, alongside the likes of Vinny Samways and other such legends.

As for swimming, I may not have known about Moorhouse (please bear in mind I was 3!), but I wouldn't quite describe my knowledge as existing of FA!:mad:http://216.40.249.192/mysmilies/otn/happy/thebirdman.gif

[swimleeds]

Re Kournikova and her Cameroon kit.

Another publicity stunt from the lass on behalf of her sponsors PUMA.
They were pushing the sales of the Cameroon kit which is made by, wait for it, PUMA.

[lane4]

Originally posted by swimleeds
Re Kournikova and her Cameroon kit.

??????????????????????

The picture was of Serena Williams wearing the Cameroon kit. Anna got knocked out before the World Cup started.

[Steve]

Originally posted by swimleeds
Re Kournikova and her Cameroon kit.

Another publicity stunt from the lass on behalf of her sponsors PUMA.
They were pushing the sales of the Cameroon kit which is made by, wait for it, PUMA.

Besides, Kournikova is sponsored by adidas :p

[swimleeds]

Oops, wrong athlete

[swimleeds]

Well done Team USA.

USA (team) 3 Portugal (group of talented individuals) 2

Tremendous match, USA deserved the luck on the 2nd goal.
Their best World Cup result since 1950 when they beat England 1-0 in Brazil.

[Bazza]

Thanks for reminding us!
I nearly fell off my chair when it was 1-0, let alone 3-0!! (Well I would have done if I wasn't still in bed!;) )
There have been quite a few surprises so far in this world cup, and Senegal got another draw today, proving last week's result was no fluke.

Bazza (keeping his fingers crossed for a Uruguay win later on)

[swimusa]

The World Cup is inconsequential when the STanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals bombard our airwaves. This is not like the women winning in 2000.

[lane4]

Rather that the World Cup is inconsequential to Americans when the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals are on but to everyone else the Stanley Cup finals and NBA finals are inconsequential whether the World Cup is on or not.

[stella]

What are the Stanley Cup Finals?

Actually, I don't care. The World Cup is on don't you know!!! :D :p

[swimusa]

The Stanley Cup is the cup given to the champion professional hockey team in the National Hockey League involving teams from both America and Canada. Detroit Red Wings v. Carolina Hurricanes.

[stella]

Thanks

[Bazza]

Originally posted by swimusa
The Stanley Cup is the cup given to the champion professional hockey team in the National Hockey League involving teams from both America and Canada. Detroit Red Wings v. Carolina Hurricanes.

And the Red Wings are gonna bring it home!

One thing I've always wondered - can you tell me why in baseball they have a world series involving USA and Canada? I know they are the only two countries where baseball is played to any kind of standard, but surely it's not a world series?:confused:

[lane4]

Swimusa will correct me but it is something to do with the original format of the 'world series' being named after a newspaper. Think it was a New York paper called the Daily World or something along those lines and the baseball match to decide who was best took its name from that. And it stuck ever since. That's what I heard anyway.

It is certainly nothing to do with America thinking they are the World.

[Bazza]

Of course not. Who would imply such a thing!:rolleyes:

Anyway a list of high profile nations who will be returning home come the end of the week:

France
Argentina
Italy

[swimusa]

You also have to remember that the NBA (National Basketball Association, ie Michael Jordan and company) champion is considered World Champion and they involve only teams from America and Canada, and the NFL (National Football League, the American kind, not the European kind) Super Bowl Champion is the World Champion, and they are only American teams. I think it is a ridiculous idea to crown the title World Champion to such teams.

[Bazza]

I think 'US' sports are really growing in popularity elsewhere. Ice Hockey was the first, with the Scandinavian teams particularly competitive. I think there are some European nations where basketball is improving fast, England included. There is also a European gridiron league (why it's called that is anyone's guess), though baseball seems to be bigger in the far east than anywhere else.

PS: Add Portugal to the list above!

[swimusa]

So in some years time we may get to actually crown a legitimate world champion?

[Bazza]

Who knows?:confused:

It looks like another 20 years and we could see USA dominating football as well. There's no doubt they've improved alot since '94!:(

[lane4]

Originally posted by outside smoker
Anyone who writes off the French does so at their peril. Opening games are notorious for throwing up surprise results. And the French also have Zidane who is the best player in the world by a considerable margin.
And lane4 the French are NOT an aging team - the likes of Zidane, Henri, Thuram, Viera are in their prime.....and Frank the Beef is better than the likes of Keown & they have no-one as old (or BAD) as Seaman.

Looks like you have perished Mr Smoker!

France losing to Senegal a surprise result was it!? Zidane or no Zidane they still couldn't win!

If the players you refer to are in their prime how come they could not manage to muster 1 goal in 3 games!?

Best news of the World Cup so far - France's aged team is down and out.

:rocket:

[swimmer]

yeh they looked really bad when playin, lol it was so funny when that defender fell flat on his face! chuckle chuckle !:p

[swimusa]

Soccer is now where as near as big in the United States as American Football, Basketball or Baseball. Our Major League Soccer is hardly publicized (I have seen more ads for your Premier League) and in the first few years faced threats of bankruptcy. In 1994, we made it to the 2nd round of the World Cup, largely because of the partisan crowd support, and that didn't do much. I doubt we'll dominate like Brazil, Argentina (until you did away with them, good job!) Britain, and Germany.

[ggtent]

this might cheer a few of you up: http://www.adoptagerman.com/

very amusing site, particularly if you are lucky enough to be going to germany and need advice on where to go.

[Vincent]

Ha Ha Ha :D :joker:

Care to revise your prediction Chris!?

It seems the only thing France have in the bag is an early exit from the World Cup!

Their aging football team is in tatters!

Oh yeah...? Say that again...:)

[Steve]

Oh yeah...? Say that again...:)
Well, he was talking about 2002....

[Vincent]

Well, he was talking about 2002....

Oh of course...:banghead:
This thread is really old then.

[CGorman]

Anyway a list of high profile nations who will be returning home come the end of the week:

France
Argentina
Italy

Well there go Argentina - god call... now hopefully a miracle can rid us of Italy by 9.45pm tonight! Come on Ukraine!

[Spidey]

Well there go Argentina - god call... now hopefully a miracle can rid us of Italy by 9.45pm tonight! Come on Ukraine!

If France beat Brazil, it will be an all European Semi Final and of course Final. Will it be renamed back to the European Cup then !?

[CGorman]

As much as i'd like to see Henry & co knock the Brazilians out, I don't think it's going to happen. I'll be content anyways if Portugal win tonight (not a good think to say on an predominantly English message board!... but i've wanted Portugal to do well since the start of the tournament).

[Phil Tanner]

Let's call it on which of the quarter/semi-finalists has the best shirts.

Portugal by a mile.

[Gina]

I reckon Germany will again make the finals and so will France, although I would like Ronaldo and co to make it.

[Thespud111]

Italy all the way!!:king:

[Gina]

Italy all the way!!:king:

Who knows?! With the consistancy of the Germans and all that's been going on back in Italy, it'll be tough for them. Maybe it will spur them on.

They are like England in the fact that 95-100% of the team is made up of home grown talent. Should English players be shipped out to Spain, Italy etc to get used to that type of football???

[CGorman]

Italy are lucky even to be in the semi's. The fact that it took a penalty against Australia in the 95th minute to go through says alot about the squad. Germany are riding a massive wave of support since they are at home - but this might just place even more pressure on the players. As was said above - perhaps the Italians will seek to prove themselves due to the scandal at home.

To be honest nobody knows how it's going to go... except that it should be one hell of a match to watch! I've booked the couch and TV for this evening well in advance!

[Spidey]

Italy are lucky even to be in the semi's. The !

Well, they are now in the Final - against France please.

[Phil Tanner]

One of the best World Cup games ever and THE best refereeing performance I have seen at any level.

[ruthcp]

One of the best World Cup games ever and THE best refereeing performance I have seen at any level.

It was a fantastic game, and even when the commentators said 'it's a shame someone has to lose' I agreed with them!
And I agree with you about the ref - very refreshing after some absolute howlers!
Probably a final v France, if they can play like they did in the last game!
I hope it's as good a match as this one was! :)

(Forza Italia!!!!! :fingers: )

[CGorman]

Yeah, absolutely superb game; so so sorry for Germany. I hope tonights game can replicate the quality of football.

[Spidey]

Well, they are now in the Final - against France please.
Could I have placed a bet on that, and Italy winning in the Final?

[GettingFaster]

That Portuguese Ronaldo should be given a pair of Speedos, he did so much diving last night. What a berk. Did you notice all the French fans booing every time he got the ball? I was sitting on the sofa booing along with them.

[Vincent]

I did notice!
I am 50/50 on Henry's penalty, but it is probably fair France won in the way Portugal would have liked to win...if you follow me...
Right, this is the final...:)

[Odie]

Did you notice all the French fans booing every time he got the ball? I was sitting on the sofa booing along with them.

I think many of them were English Fans supporting the French having already bought the tickets! ;)

[Vincent]

I think many of them were English Fans supporting the French having already bought the tickets! ;)

It is not every often this happens, it must be noticed!

[Gina]

That Portuguese Ronaldo should be given a pair of Speedos, he did so much diving last night. What a berk. Did you notice all the French fans booing every time he got the ball? I was sitting on the sofa booing along with them.

I think diving was the main theme of the world cup. Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't the only player to dive, but he unfortunately didn't get anything for it. I can't believe Henry. He rambles on about other players diving and over playing tackles day in day out in the EPL, but he dived and made the most of quite a few challenges and got away with it. GO ITALY!!! (they did some diving too against Australia)

[H2o]

Received this today:


It's alleged that one of the Portuguese football players failed a drugs
and alcohol test after the match. If this is confirmed as positive,
under World Football Federation rules, paragraph 6 sub section 2e,
Portugal will forfeit the quarter final match and England will play
France in the Semi Final which will be postponed till tomorrow.

See below for the full transcript of this report.

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Carlsberg do not send emails, but if they did they would probably be the

best emails in the world.

[GettingFaster]

Roflmao! :D

[Chris]

GO ITALY!!! (they did some diving too against Australia)

Wash your mouth out :D

France for the Cup!!!

I shall be truly devastated if the Italians pick up that trophy ... not in the slightest bit deserving of it.

[Dunc]

Wash your mouth out :D

France for the Cup!!!

I shall be truly devastated if the Italians pick up that trophy ... not in the slightest bit deserving of it.

In the French spirit of things GF should exchange that Roflmao acronym for a MdR-pmc.
Allez les bleus

[GettingFaster]

In the French spirit of things GF should exchange that Roflmao acronym for a MdR-pmc.
Allez les bleus

Sorry, you've completely lost me there, old bean. Care to explain what I'm supposed to be doing when I MdR-pmc? (Oh dear, I know I'm going to regret asking...)

[Dunc]

Sorry, you've completely lost me there, old bean. Care to explain what I'm supposed to be doing when I MdR-pmc? (Oh dear, I know I'm going to regret asking...)

Regret away. People who lives in glass houses shouldn't throw acronyms....
I had to use an acronym finder for Roflmao so retorted with one in French.
It's a straight acronym swop for yours in the language of the next world cup winners!
MdR (Mort de rire aka Rofl...) and pmc (par mon cul aka ...mao)

Old bean & has been

[GettingFaster]

Ace, I'll have to remember that one! :joker:
Vincent, you'll be able to confirm that that's the accurate expression, or did Dunc translate it with google's language tools? I've found some great hilarities when people use automatic translators, like the translation for "crotins de chevre" (some kind of goat cheese) which came out as "goat droppings"! Fancy any of that on toast?

[Dunc]

Ace, I'll have to remember that one!
Vincent, you'll be able to confirm that that's the accurate expression, or did Dunc translate it with google's language tools? I've found some great hilarities when people use automatic translators, like the translation for "crotins de chevre" (some kind of goat cheese) which came out as "goat droppings"! Fancy any of that on toast?

I don't know how fluent Vincent is - but while you're waiting: crottins de chevre (the most famous being the Crottin de Chavignol) has two t's. They should not be confused with crottes or crotins, why they don't even taste the same :aarrgghh:

Les crottes/crotins are turds.
Crotte is the feminine form, while crotin is the masculine diminutive form (e.g. turdette in English)

[Steve]

I don't know how fluent Vincent is...

He's French (so probably in mourning :( ) and therefore quite fluent :)

[GettingFaster]

...crottins de chevre (the most famous being the Crottin de Chavignol) has two t's. They should not be confused with crottes or crotins, why they don't even taste the same :aarrgghh:
... which just goes to show, restaurateurs (and I did check the spelling of that particular word) the world over DON'T KNOW HOW TO SPELL! No wonder that particular restaurant serves goat poo! :joker: