So... no World Cup thread yet? (also featuring TTLG fantasy world cup game) - by D'Arcy
D'Arcy on 10/6/2006 at 00:01
Quote Posted by Paz
I wish there was a "just crowd noise" option.
You know, that's a recurrent theme of discussion here. TV commentaries are awful here too, and a lot of people I know (myself included) keep wishing that there was such an option available. Since football here in Portugal is shown on a subscribed digital channel, available via cable, they could actually do that very easily (if they can show me the four Champions League's games simultaneously, they could also provide different sound tracks). I guess they don't want to find out that half their staff could be sacked, because people in general don't care about their 'expert' opinions :p
bukary on 10/6/2006 at 06:57
Yes, 4-5-1 was the main Janas' mistake. And it was all because few days ago we won with Croatia with 4-5-1. :( When they started to play 4-4-2, it was like different team (three good shots within 5 mins?)... But it was also too late.
It's a pity to see that Smolarek, Krzynowek and Zurawski wasn't able to play what they like and can... I hope Jelen and Brozek will play with Germany from the beginning. Not all is lots, but... well, we'll see.
Naartjie on 10/6/2006 at 09:56
I only saw up to the first goal in yesterday's later game, but Poland looked disorganised and disinterested, especially Zurawski who was a bit of a spectator. Gotta say I wasn't too impressed with Germany either. Great goals from Frings and Lahm, but the defence looked vulnerable and at times Wanchope was just taking the piss. Lehmann also was a little weak - I might have expected him to do more about the two goals he conceded and there was a dropped cross later on in the game. All in all a good game though, and very refreshing to see both teams attacking in the opening match of a major tournament!
Shevers on 10/6/2006 at 10:08
Regarding ITV's punditry, oh god it's horrible and manages to get me particularly annoyed. Condescending bastards :mad:
"Well, I think it's safe to say we haven't saw the winners in this match today, AHAHAHA"
As for Zurawski being a spectator, I can't argue. His style of play at Celtic has always had him making runs which no one has picked up, and yesterday's game compounded that by having him pretty much on his own a lot and surrounded by a compact defence. He was doing more running but having less of a chance to make decisive attacking runs. He can do well in this World Cup, but he may not get the chance. I'll look forward to Gemany vs. Poland for the kind of shambolic defending that Zurawski may capitalise on. I think Poland have more quality than they've showed, and Germany might be the team to prove it against.
Having said that, I can't see any hope for England losing to Germany or Poland. I would actually like to see them play Poland because I get the feeling there's less of a chance of a spectacularly England-sided scoreline, plus there'd be less boasting about beating the hosts. I'm only thinking about the horrors I'll have to endure in Rome on holiday.
I also have 3 players of my fantasy team playing today, the drama!
And finally my bet's on. £10 on Argentina winning the cup, at 8/1. Will make it that much more exciting when the Argies dump England out in the quarter finals on penalties.
Naartjie on 10/6/2006 at 10:21
I have a part in a sweepstake with some guys at work. Everyone puts in a fiver and draws two teams with a grand prize of about £100. You can probably tell from the smug tone that I got #1 and 2 in the world respectively :p
~s:a:n:i:t:y~ on 10/6/2006 at 10:50
hate football :nono:
qualifying at Silverstone is being half an hour late because of the Cup :devil:
Ajare on 10/6/2006 at 11:19
Browsing youtube, I found this completely bizarre video about (
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ynNuuh6l7iU) Michael Owen. It seems to be taking the piss, but I can't quite tell why.
It sounds like some posh guy's reading some poor translation from Spanish, then there's this crazy drum'n'bass section at the end. I dunno, it just cracks me up.
SD on 10/6/2006 at 13:57
Quote Posted by ~s:a:n:i:t:y~
qualifying at Silverstone is being half an hour late because of the Cup :devil:
[spoiler]the guy in the fastest car ends up on pole[/spoiler]
Back to real sport, and we have our first LOL FOREIGN REFEREE of the tournament in the England-Paraguay match. So far he's managed to book Steven Gerrard for nothing and penalise the Paraguayan keeper for taking too long to release the ball. Most amusing/bemusing are his attempts to stop players from taking water during stoppages in the game. Evidently a comedy sending off is on the cards for the second half.
Shevers on 10/6/2006 at 15:01
Ahh, Ian Wright back on the frontline of BBC comentary - is there anything more soul destroying?
As for the game, while Paraguay were generally awful, especially when passing, I couldn't help but notice the amount of space that England left between the midfield and defence. Not being a team which closes down attacking midfield play well could come back to haunt England when they play some Good Teams.
Morte on 10/6/2006 at 15:14
England were lucky they weren't playing against a team good enough to take them up on their offer to give away the game. That second half was pretty appalling.
