Haplo on 17/6/2010 at 23:54
BHAMO Argentina!
ercles on 18/6/2010 at 09:24
Quote Posted by SD
That's actually not true; a large number of tickets for each match goes to neutrals, corporate sponsors and locals. Only a minority allocation goes to fans of the nations actually competing in a particular match. Every match you've seen so far is going to have several thousand South Africans in attendance at the very least.
I didn't mean that the foreigners made up some huge portion of the crowd, but I've seen plenty of footage of people who seem to have flown in for the match playing vuvuzelas.
Brian The Dog on 18/6/2010 at 09:53
Me personally, I'm happy to hear the vuvuzelas - it's part of the footballing culture of the host nation. I love the World Cup for showcasing football from around the world, partly for smaller nations to upset the bigger ones who can be complacent about winning (e.g. France yesterday), but also for seeing how different societies choose to hold the Games in their country. Korea was different, USA was different, and now South Africa is different.
If I wanted to see a load of over-rated European players in identical stadiums, then I'd watch the Champions League group games. At least this gives variety. The only problem with the Games in SA is that their team is pretty poor and wouldn't have qualified normally, so I'm a bit worried the SA fans will just lose interest after the first round ends.
thefonz on 18/6/2010 at 10:18
The horns dont bother me tbh. I have a mate over at the games at the moment and he's been bitching that they are ruining the chants and its taking away from the football experience.
Given the choice however I'd much rather hear a few thousand angry kazoo's fighting with bee's than the English 'Barmy Army' screaming abuse at the rival fans.
Tonight's game should be interesting though - curious how quickly the media will turn on Capello if England don't win by at least 3 goals. This is certainly shaping up to be an unusual world cup where the 'bigger' teams arent doing as well as the so-called minnows. Perhaps the sheer number of games played in a season is an effect?
Scots Taffer on 18/6/2010 at 10:45
Jesus Geebs, that's like the best meme revival in recent memory.
Matthew on 18/6/2010 at 11:00
Quote Posted by Brian The Dog
If I wanted to see a load of over-rated European players in identical stadiums, then I'd watch the Champions League group games.
Or Liverpool versus Man City.
(I kid, I kid)
Brian The Dog on 18/6/2010 at 11:09
Made me laugh, anyway :)
Fonz, I agree - I'd rather see how the locals choose to celebrate the game of football rather than have European supporters be exactly the same as at home. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they shouldn't support their team, just that they shouldn't complain when the locals choose to enjoy the game in a way that is alien to them.
As to why the "traditionally big" teams aren't doing well, one reason is undoubtedly fatigue after long European seasons, but another is that teams are a lot harder to break down. Essentially they've learned from Greece in 2004 that if you have a well-organised defence and midfield, then your team will be very difficult to beat. Hard to do in a full-length football season, but you can do it for about 7 games when you motivate yourself that this only comes around every 4 years and is the top competition in the world.
thefonz on 18/6/2010 at 11:32
Thats certainly true but Spain is a perfect example of being full to the brim of top-class players in the top clubs and leagues but get beaten by the Swiss - who sport only one player I can name (Senderos).
I agree that since Greece, the whole thing has been blown wide open which is why I honestly think the final is going to see one of the minnows (i'm betting either Chile or Ghana) against one of the bigger boys - probably Brazil. I'd lean away from Argentina since while they've been doing well I honestly cannot see any definite organisation from Maradona other than "get out there and play football."
D'Juhn Keep on 18/6/2010 at 11:56
Spain are the Arsenal of the world
SD on 18/6/2010 at 12:42
Quote Posted by D'Juhn Keep
Spain are the Arsenal of the world
Except Arsenal have never been European Champions :p
Spain are still my tip for the World Cup, they battered Switzerland, had 22 shots to 5 and 75% possession. An on-song Spain is better than any team in this tournament.
