It's world-championship football time. No, not american throw-egg. I'm talking about the football involving an actual ball, actually being played with -go figure- the feet actually. To you it might be something involving moms, or you'd wish the sport wasn't spoiled by the thoroughly corrupt FIFA, or you'd agree with me that Brazill needs food more than it does a football tournament, but the worldcup is here... and MAN did it get off on a spectacular start.
The current european champion, and reigning worldchampion, Spain got schooled by the dutch 1-5.
Nobody saw this coming from hollands currently underwhelming lineup. (the forwards are worldclass seasoned tournament veterans. Robben, Van Persie. But the rest is quite wet behind the ears.) Especially not playing a very defensive and thus un-dutch 5-4-3 system. Pessimism magicly transformed into euphoric confidence here in the lowlands,
and the pubs were orange and jolly.
dutch commentary. the magic starts one minute inHolland plays in blue.
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/netherlands-exact-revenge-defeats-defending-world-cup-champion-spain-061314
I saw the second half... that was a beautiful game from the =Oranje, hate them as I may... expecially VP's Flying Dutchman header and Robben just absolutely embarrassing Iker and the defense.
Italy and Brasil are still my two favourites to win it (biased, heavily)... but the Dutch looked really great today. Espana is dead.
I'm watching it. Though I must admit that I don't believe Italy will make it very far, so I'm not that enthused about this world cup. Saw Australia Vs Chile yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised that the the game was quite exciting actually. Today, I'll be glued to the TV watching Italy Vs England.
Forza Italia.
Great start tae the world cup apart fae the referee in the 1st game who was obviously a homer'', wonder how much he was paid eh...anyhow Brazil were not as gd as the brazil of old, all the old flair just wasnt there an they were lucky in the end up, an gd tae see that wee divin fk naymar livin uptae his rep.. :fU:
Unlucky Croatia in that game.
An talkin about the officials, the linesman in the Mexico game needs his fkn eye's tested, 2 perfectly gd goals for mexico called offside, sack th bstrd''. an mexico only win 1 . 0 v Cameroon but it shda been 3.
Best game so far has been Spain v Netherlands , spain absolutely humped an humiliated by the dutch 5 . 1 bloody brilliant.
Chile v Australia was another gd game with the ozzies well an truly pumped 3 . 1
Enjoyin it so far an lookin forward tae the ''big game th nite, Cmon Italy.......... :pidu: :dance: :clap: :popcorn:
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Saw the Dutch-Spanish match last night half-and-half at a party.
The Dutch are like the Lannisters now, after losing the to Spain last time; they always pay their debts.
But still, if I'm going to support any team. It's Belgium.
And you should too:
(http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg)
They are a perfect symbol for us atheists XD
Go Red Devils!
link: http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg
(http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg)
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 14, 2014, 10:52:10 AM
Saw the Dutch-Spanish match last night half-and-half at a party.
The Dutch are like the Lannisters now, after losing the to Spain last time; they always pay their debts.
But still, if I'm going to support any team. It's Belgium.
And you should too:
(http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg)
They are a perfect symbol for us atheists XD
Go Red Devils!
link: http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg
(http://static2.demorgen.be/static/photo/2012/17/13/1/20120828145945/media_xl_5115976.jpg)
Oh yeah, Italy has the pope on their side... oh wait, he's from Argentine... :wall:
Italia man... I love how my friends are like, "But... but... England deserves respect, they played good!".
No, no they didn't... Italy played good, beautiful at times with great teamwork, movement and ambition.
England played, "Let's spam the ball to a fast person and hope he can score" counter-attack. It works, okay whatever... but to say it was on the same level that Italy played today? Fuck that.
Also; that Pirlo freekick... if that had gone in, goal of the tournament, even over "The Flying Dutchman". But I am very biased...
Forza Italia :D!
Quote from: Shiranu on June 14, 2014, 08:00:05 PM
Italia man... I love how my friends are like, "But... but... England deserves respect, they played good!".
No, no they didn't... Italy played good, beautiful at times with great teamwork, movement and ambition.
England played, "Let's spam the ball to a fast person and hope he can score" counter-attack. It works, okay whatever... but to say it was on the same level that Italy played today? Fuck that.
Also; that Pirlo freekick... if that had gone in, goal of the tournament, even over "The Flying Dutchman". But I am very biased...
Forza Italia :D!
They played slightly better in the final third of the pitch but their defence was weak and exploitable and the game was about even in the midfield.
Sadly, you're right, England mostly used fast runners which although effective a lot of the time I feel as though good, linked together passes would have been very effective at creating big gaps as Italy's back four was often displaced by one person making a run wide and drawing half of their back line across the pitch.
Italy did play well coming forwards, certainly better than England did, but I would hardly say they played exceptionally and overall they won because of clever attacking passing but they certainly did not control the game, neither team did.
They will have to play a lot better than that to win the world cup, but then maybe they will. I think they could win the group for sure.
Quote from: SilentFutility on June 15, 2014, 05:25:45 AM
They played slightly better in the final third of the pitch but their defence was weak and exploitable and the game was about even in the midfield.
Sadly, you're right, England mostly used fast runners which although effective a lot of the time I feel as though good, linked together passes would have been very effective at creating big gaps as Italy's back four was often displaced by one person making a run wide and drawing half of their back line across the pitch.
Italy did play well coming forwards, certainly better than England did, but I would hardly say they played exceptionally and overall they won because of clever attacking passing but they certainly did not control the game, neither team did.
They will have to play a lot better than that to win the world cup, but then maybe they will. I think they could win the group for sure.
Agree with your assessment. I was delighted by Italy's performance as in the past they often do terrible in the first round - the one in 2010, they were so bad,they got eliminated. So this one goes against tradition. LOL. I was also delighted that they kept their strength on defence, the hallmark of every Italian teams in the past, and this time around, they showed some creativity in launching certain offenses. And kudos to England for its bold move in using young players - Sterling and Sturridge were a feast to watch. Rooney performed well, but I think there's too much expectation on him, though I believe he can deliver. Gerrard was too hard on himself in an interview after the match, his performance was no shame. I can't wait for Friday, Italy's next game.
Been a great tournament so far i think wi gd victories for Germany, France, Belgium, an the Usa beatin Ghana 2 . 1 , Brazil drawing their 2nd game v Mexico but the mexicans pld well an deserved to win it. best result so far Italy 2 . England 1 :clap: :clap: just started is Netherlands v Australia , shd be an easy win for the dutch if they keep up the form fae the 1st game ....an later its Spain v Chile, Spain need to play better in this 1 but Chile a gd team, an Cameroon v Croatia, think it'l be a win for the croats........ :pidu:
As it turned out, NL-AUS wasn't an easy win, but a win nonetheless. 3-2
Kudos to the scocceroos; that first australian goal was a gem.
Ochoa yesterday... I have always been a fan of his, even when he was with América (more of a Monterrey person [yes, I kinda keep track of the Mexican League...])... sure, he sometimes has a flair for the dramatics with his saves that he could easily save... but fuck, that's what makes him fun to watch. The fact that Corona had been being picked over him is a complete joke.
Brasil disappointed me at the front (get it together, Fred...), and being pretty much the only person who was rooting for Brasil (with packs of Mexicans around me cheering for Mexico)... it was pretty intense. Well deserved draw from Mexico, but Brasil really needs to sharpen up infront of goal if they want to win this tourny.
Also; Brazil needs a true striker... I know they are less common, but it's fucking Brasil man... you can surely produce ONE good striker.
Yeah, just forget FIFA is possibly the most corrupt organization in the world or damned close. In fact just empty your bank account and give it to FIFA. Fuck FIFA.
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on June 18, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
Yeah, just forget FIFA is possibly the most corrupt organization in the world or damned close. In fact just empty your bank account and give it to FIFA. Fuck FIFA.
K.
I caught a bit of the World Cup at Applebee's Restaurant. I guess you'd call it a sports bar. Apparently, European football is played with regular people, rather than genetically altered humans.
Deutschland man!
And US of course
We'll see if Italy has the right stuff when it meets Costa Rica tomorrow - both won their first game. The Italian players know what the Spanish players are going through, themselves being eliminated in the first round in 2010. Hope the Italians will use that to get their mojo together.
Forza Italia.
Uruguay beats England. Two beautiful goals by Suarez.
What the fuck, Italy.
Fucking insane..soccer in tropical rain forests.. WTF are they thinking? I hope several die from heat stroke just to teach a lesson that won't be learned.
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on June 20, 2014, 03:20:17 PM
Fucking insane..soccer in tropical rain forests.. WTF are they thinking? I hope several die from heat stroke just to teach a lesson that won't be learned.
Because they have NEVER played football in Brasil until the World Cup arrived.
Quote from: Shiranu on June 20, 2014, 02:54:30 PM
What the fuck, Italy.
Yeah, their gameplan of long balls to their strikers either needs a re-thinking or better execution. Kudos to Costa Rica for putting a good defence in the second half.
Well i watched a gd game the day between Costa rica an Italy an all i can say is England haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa .. italy pld shite compared to when they pld the english but well happy wi that result which means england go out in the first round for the 1st time in a long time after losin last nite to Uruguay...so well done the Costa ricans.... :clap: :clap: :clap:
An well done Australia even tho they lost 3 . 2 to the dutch, they scored 2 gd goals which is more than the Spanish could do, Holland are lookin good so they are....
Anyway 5 . 2 France v Switzerland an thats what u call a Humpin.....what a great game, 7goals an a missed penalty, end to end stuff so well done both teams....... :pidu:
Observation: Japan plays the ball around neatly... very tidy combination play... but they keep doing so until the entire opposing team is blocking the goal. As a dutch sportscaster put it: Japan never comes barging in, but always politely knocks first.
The player that impressed me the most so far is France's Benzema. Not particularly for his individual skills - there are some who are far more gifted - but the smartness in his playing. He knows not only when to feed a pass but usually it's a pass that puts the receiver in an open position to deliver the ball behind the goalkeeper. France is definitely a dark horse in this competition, though Germany will give France stiff competition for that title.
Mother Russia has fallen!
Will read USA's score tomorrowmorning, bed calls.
Hope our team goes head to head with you guys's. Good luck!
Portugal... you are some injury prone mofos...
ffs what a great game usa, i thought u had it but a great cross by ronaldo for the equalising goal in the 94th minute an its 2 . 2 ffs so germany and the us both on 4pts so if they draw in the last game they both go through....
An a gd game earlier Algeria v South korea, algeria 3 . 0 up in the 1st half but better play by the koreans in the 2nd scoring 2 but the algerians got a 4th to take it 4 . 2 gd game.......................
Quote from: 10 Green Bottles..... on June 22, 2014, 08:02:02 PM
ffs what a great game usa, i thought u had it but a great cross by ronaldo for the equalising goal in the 94th minute an its 2 . 2 ffs so germany and the us both on 4pts so if they draw in the last game they both go through....
An a gd game earlier Algeria v South korea, algeria 3 . 0 up in the 1st half but better play by the koreans in the 2nd scoring 2 but the algerians got a 4th to take it 4 . 2 gd game.......................
I don't know much about futbol, gut the last 9 minutes us just laid down and kept giving them the ball. No attack, hell right before the goal they had the ball on the endline and elected to fuck it off, wtf?
Quote from: aitm on June 22, 2014, 08:05:16 PM
I don't know much about futbol, gut the last 9 minutes us just laid down and kept giving them the ball. No attack, hell right before the goal they had the ball on the endline and elected to fuck it off, wtf?
Considering this was late in the match, it could've been a fatigue problem, where they didn't pace themselves well enough to keep up with the opposition in the end. I do think the USA are getting that little bit better with each tournament.
On a different note, I think we need to watch the fuck out for Algeria. They may have the potential to throw in a monkeywrench and knock one of the favorites out of the game.
to pass time in between matches:
http://www.footballorporn.cc/
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on June 18, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
Yeah, just forget FIFA is possibly the most corrupt organization in the world or damned close. In fact just empty your bank account and give it to FIFA. Fuck FIFA.
How can you possibly like a sport where the owners are racist billionaires who just want to make money off ahtletes? Oh wait. I just described pro basketball. and pro football. And pro baseball. Never mind.
Quote from: Jutter on June 22, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
I do think the USA are getting that little bit better with each tournament.
Yeah, we had David Beckham for a little while... as if that explains it, :laugh:
QuoteOn a different note, I think we need to watch the fuck out for Algeria. They may have the potential to throw in a monkeywrench and knock one of the favorites out of the game.
The Algerians are fucking gazelles. If the US ever meets Algeria in the other rounds, well, we have the NRA on our side. :twisted:
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 23, 2014, 08:49:07 AM
Yeah, we had David Beckham for a little while... as if that explains it, :laugh:
The Algerians are fucking gazelles. If the US ever meets Algeria in the other rounds, well, we have the NRA on our side. :twisted:
If you see a line of guys at a sporting event with NRA apparel and suspicious bulges in their coats, make it a point to stand behind them. Word to the wise.
Quote from: Jutter on June 22, 2014, 08:43:31 PM
On a different note, I think we need to watch the fuck out for Algeria. They may have the potential to throw in a monkeywrench and knock one of the favorites out of the game.
Algeria is going to lose to Russia, I think. It's going to be Belgium and Russia from our pool to continue to the next.
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 23, 2014, 09:30:48 AM
Algeria is going to lose to Russia, I think. It's going to be Belgium and Russia from our pool to continue to the next.
Perhaps, but how bad the Russians would look if they got eliminated in the first round, especially they are hosting World Cup 2018? Heads would roll and here's a one-way ticket to Siberia! I'm still going to root for the Algerian gazelles. If Belgium wins or draws over Korea, Algeria only needs a draw against Russia. The Russians have their back against the walls. And without vodka, they can't take the pressure well. :madu:
Quote from: stromboli on June 23, 2014, 08:52:14 AM
If you see a line of guys at a sporting event with NRA apparel and suspicious bulges in their coats, make it a point to stand behind them. Word to the wise.
(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff277/josephpalazzo/lapierre_happy.jpg) (http://s243.photobucket.com/user/josephpalazzo/media/lapierre_happy.jpg.html)
I'd rather take South-Korea or Algeria with us to the next round. So I'll be voting for Algeria too. Perhaps it'd even be wise to let Korea win this one hard if only we knew in advance if Algeria were to tie with Russia. But, I'm a realist and while I'll be hoping for an Algerian victory or a tie, I would put my money on Russia.
Quote from: josephpalazzo on June 23, 2014, 08:49:07 AM
Yeah, we had David Beckham for a little while... as if that explains it, :laugh:
The Algerians are fucking gazelles. If the US ever meets Algeria in the other rounds, well, we have the NRA on our side. :twisted:
I think the US have pld well in this tourney but i dont think they have any chance of winnin it , or gettin anywhere near the qtrs or semis simply because its not their game really, ok some of their players have a bit of skill , like dempsey for instance but when it comes to th l;ater rounds of big tourneys they got no chance really, sorry america but thats just ma opinion...
So gettin bk to tonite's games an Brazil had a nice win 4 . 1 v Cameroon but i still think they will collapse when faced with a gd team like Netherlands or Germany or even Argentina cos they are just not like brazil teams of old.no real flair in the team except for naymar but all his diving puts me off him...i counted 3 dives in tonite's game ....
So Mexico came close to topping the group but had to settle for 2nd after a 3 . 1 win v Croatia who have been disappointin this world cup, again not the team of old .......
so tomorrow its Englands third game an they will be desperate for a win to finish this disappointing world cup campaign but Costa rica have beat both italy and uruguay so it cd be 3 defeats in a row for them, hope so, but thats just my bias shining through........ :pidu:
Brasil! Brasil! Brasil!
They finally looked liked they belong in the Yellow, even if it was against Cameroon.
Aye its the best they've pld even tho it was against the worst team in the group, lets see how they do v a quality team, the defence is definitely suspect if ye ask me.....
It's do-or-die for Italy, needing a draw with Uruguay that is seeking a win to stay alive. Can we dub this game as Balotelli Vs Suarez?!?Whatever, looking forward to a very good match.
The only part of the game that interests me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaCVyCRvCTY
Italy is gone but who would have thought Uruguay had a vampire on its squad?!??
Well, there goes all one of my European teams :/.
So, sorry England go home early with 1 pt from 3games after 2 defeats and a goalless draw v Costa rica, their worst world cup for a long time,, still laffin :pidu:
Costa rica win the group and Uruguay are 2nd after their 1 . 0 win v Italy who were fkn disappointin at this tourney, thot they wd do better but ah well, fk thum...
An goin by TV evidence it looks like Saurez the fkn vampire has been at it again, he has got previous for this shit dont forget, once when playin for Liverpool and before that in Holland while playin for Ajax, he should be banned right away , no doubt about it.... :pall: :pall: :pall:
While I think he deserves a suspension, I think what he needs first and foremost is a mental evaluation.
Quote from: Shiranu on June 24, 2014, 05:20:05 PM
While I think he deserves a suspension, I think what he needs first and foremost is a mental evaluation.
Aye u could be rite, but mibbe he needs they fkn teeth knocked out, take away the temptation to fkn bite anyone else...
How about if US would beat Germany? Especially with Klinsmann as coach, it would be fucking sweet...
The Algerian gazelles are in. Take that, Putin.
I stand corrected; Go Algeria. :p
Also; Belgium vs the US. This will be... interesting.
OOO, now were gettin down to the nitty gritty, Portugal 2 Ghana 1 an ronaldo do gets his 1st goal in this world cup but he's still a
(http://i58.tinypic.com/9jd7yb.jpg)
An well done the US gettin through to the knockout stages even after losin 1 . 0 tae the Germans who also qualified.. so Portugal an Ghana say bye bye tae Brazil......
In tonights games Korea 0 Belgium 1... and Russia 1 Algeria 1, so belgium win the group and russia 2nd, korea and algeria go home ...... :pall: :pall: :pall:
Actually, Russia went home I think 10 green bottles, Algeria was 2nd.
Rooting for the Germans and the US, so todays game was awkward
what is it with the intro where every player must turn to face the camera and cross their arms like they are some kinda bad ass? Whose fucking stoopid idea is that?
A fun World Cup so far. CONCACAF is resembling an actual confederation. 3 teams through out of difficult groups. 3 African teams through as well (Algeria, Nigeria and France). Still thinking a South American side will win this. Columbia has looked the most impressive so far.
The first and last time I will ever cheer a Renaldo goal was today.
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on June 26, 2014, 07:48:53 PM
Actually, Russia went home I think 10 green bottles, Algeria was 2nd.
Your right mr O, my mistook, im blaming the beer........ :pidu:
There is no better excuse, cheers :pidu:
Brazil in, Chile out. Best game of the tournament so far. The Chileans put out a brilliant performance against the mighty Brazillians, but in the end, the Chileans lost to a crossbar in regular time, and a pole in the shootout.
My heart stopped when Chile hit the bar... that was very unpleasant.
Howard Webb got tired of people saying the refs favour Brasil I think, because he did not show ANY sort of generosity towards several actual fouls on Hulk nor allowed that goal. It WAS a handball, but shit it was about as close as you could get imo to the border of what is or isn't.
Finally, Brasil really lost their pace that second half... if they could have just stayed as aggressive I think the game wouldn't have come down to the wire as it did.
Oh, and Julio Cesar... mah man :D.
Via Brasil!, since no more Forza Italia :\.
Edit; I take that back, one more think... I really want to like Fred, but god him and Jo are terrible. I almost support the idea of moving Hulk to middle with Bernard taking his place on the wing. Hulk has been pretty quiet this tourney, but if he can keep his form like he had this game and improve on it... I can see Brasil's offense really starting to work again. Hulk on form is scary with both his size and technique.
And Paulinho will be back in the lineup... it's time for him to step up after a disappointing tourney and a poor end of the season with Tottenham. Luis Gustavo has been great in midfield and Brasil is really going to miss him bringing some form of defensive cohesion to the middle.
Bye bye Urugay. Holland plays Mexico tomorrow.
I don't promote gambling. But looking at the odds might be interresting.
http://www.oddschecker.com/football/world-cup/netherlands-v-mexico/winner
The dutch are clearly the favorite.
Netherlands-Mexico 2-1 Olé olé oléééé! MAN! what a nailbiter that was.
Mexico started strong with a great opener, but after Louis van Gaal changed who played where, confusing the mexican defense, orange gained the upper hand creating corner after dangerous corner. Still no equalizer though, and Mexico remained dangerous on the counter. But then Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Holland's hidden ace up the sleeve, glued to the bench for too long, got his chance to shine with a head-assist to Sneyder who rammed it in. Later on Robben did what any forward would do in his situation, and that's squeeze a penalty out of an opportune moment. Huntelaar kicked orange to the quarter finals. Respect for Mexico who fought like lions and went down in glorious flames. They were fun to see in action.
Observation: while other countries have grown more towards a style like the dutch used toplay, the dutch are now playing the kind of football they used to lose against.
Will it pay off in the end?
I thought Brazil were a bit lucky there to survive , if that shot by chile had just been a cpla inches lower....but thats how it goes, once it goes to penalties its just a lottery , unlucky Chile tho who pld really well i thought. so Brazil scrape throo but the crowd right behind them all the way which was gd to see....
And also Columbia in the next round they're playin really well and Uruguay an Chile say bye bye.....
Good game earlier between Holland an Mexico, it looked like th mexicans mite do it after bein 1 . 0 ahead up until a cpla mins before the end when th dutch equalised, then robben goes down in the box ah thot it was a bit of a dive cos th contact was minimal but th ref gave it an holland stole the game, really unlucky Mexico.... :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall:
That was a gd game there. Costa rica goin down to 10 men but hangin on into injury time an then penalties and its anybody's game, then Greece missed their 4th an costa rica scored their 5th to go through, unlucky greece was a gd effort by both teams...... :pall:
Yes! go Costa Rica!
I'm not a great fan of football, but occasionally I watch some matches, and that was one good to boot, it's the first time that Costa Rica advances to the quarters.
I'm happy :D , I hope that they keep up the good work. :)
Nigeria and Algeria out. France will be playing Germany in the quarters.
USA - Belgium
That was a close match if I ever saw one. Well played on both sides and either one could have won. Nearly thought I'd have a heart-attack at multiple times.
P.S. Seriously though; how many misses can we pull in one match?!
I was hoping the Americans could pull through, but they ended up doing the same thing that my Rangers did in the Stanley cup, if you turtle up you won't score and its only a matter of time until the opponent breaks through.
Oh well, now I'm rooting for the Germans
Edit; just realized this is getting really long... just skip this if you want :P.
Okay, so here is my dilemma...
I want to like Germany. I really do. I even have a German national shirt that I have had for a few years... but... I just don't like them. I was raised by a second generation German American dad, in a heavily German community, in a German (and Czech/Polish) region of Texas... but...
I just cant get behind them. They just don't click with me. I watch them and I feel nothing. Memut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan are the only players I really care about, and they are both Turkish (and Gundogan is out).
Likewise Italy... they are my team, I have always been "proud" (for lack of a better word) of my Italian heritage... but... the current team just doesn't click with me either. Balotelli annoys me because I really, really want to like him but he pulls stupid shit and risks harming opponents in frustration, which is unacceptable. I want to like Marchisio but he never really impresses me when he plays. Insigne is one of my favourite players and is out of Napoli with Mertens from Belgium, but he was shit-tier in the World Cup when he was called up. Cheillini could be so good if he wasn't such a little bitch.
Pretty much the only Italians I like are Pirlo and Buffon, the remainders from when Italy won the world cup. Pirlo is the one who really made me appreciate just how beautiful soccer could be and Buffon gave me a love for the art of goal keeping. But as for the rest of the team they feel like a cheap knock-off of what a true Italian team should be.
I do like Belgium though, Felleini is the only one who really annoys me on the team. Courtois is an absolute beast in goal, Kompany is cool and I like Hazard and the striking crews (and of course Mertens since he plays for my main Italian team). Vertoghen pisses me off (even if he plays for my English club Tottenham), but I can deal with that. But there is no cultural reason for me to support Belgium.
Finally in Europe we have France. I am part French, so I have reason to support them. I love most of the players; Pogba is a cool raising talent, Hugo Lloris is one of my favourite keepers, Benzema I think is a striker has received alot more shit than he is necessarily do, Griezmann is cool, Giroud is okay from time to time... and I like how multi-ethnic they are. But with Italy being my "main" team generally, I feel like a traitor rooting for France. But at the same time I am French as well so I have every right to root for them from a cultural standpoint.
I don't know... I might root for France until they meet Brasil. But I still feel a bit of obligation to support Germany simply because of my background, even if they just don't click with me and feel again a bit like a traitor rooting for France over them.
Bah, being a mutt is hard work on deciding which country to support.
I actually don't think the USA vs BEL game was close. US played terribly. Howard seemed like the only one to show up. The defense was shit and the offense could not stand up to the BEL defense. A goal scored didn't make it a close game to me. BEL was the superior team, and they were going to win the whole time.
Quote from: Notthesun on July 01, 2014, 10:43:53 PM
I actually don't think the USA vs BEL game was close. US played terribly. Howard seemed like the only one to show up. The defense was shit and the offense could not stand up to the BEL defense. A goal scored didn't make it a close game to me. BEL was the superior team, and they were going to win the whole time.
Agreed. Belgium had like... 33 or some shots to the U.S.'s 6.
That said, the USA had a brilliant chance to steal it in the last minute of the game that went over... that failure to capitalize on one of their few great chances ultimately is what cost them. The defense could have won them the game if the offense would have just been a hair sharper.
I assure you, from our end it looked like close match. Sure, Amerika didn't strike back often but when they did it lead to some pretty close situations (quality over quantity). And sure we had more attempts but a lot of our shots were straight up misses and those that weren't were met by the greatest goalie-performance I've personally ever seen. And I was convinced the USA would tie in the last 12 minutes of overtime; they fought like lions after Greener gave them hope. I agree that for the most part of the match Belgium was 'in control'. But it still got them nowhere for a long, long time.
Well i thought it was a great game an the US were unlucky not to take it to penalties, anything could've happened then.
Belgium were the better team but only just, an if it wasnt for Howard it would have been worse, he pulled aff some great saves but couldnt do much about the goals, a great effort fae both teams tho an well done Belgium in the end....
If the US can get 1-2 players that can control the midfield and actually get any sort of offense going rather than counter-attack every time, and 1 really good defender to keep our next goalkeeper from having to make 16 saves... I think they could realistically make it to the finals. The one thing America had more than any other team in the WC (imo) was a hunger to make a name for themselves. And they succeeded, they gained the respect of fans around the world who say, "Fuck, we wish our team would have shown as much heart and class as the Americans did"... as well as proved that the United States is, to an extent, a soccer (or becoming one) nation.
I don't see that drive to win and over-achieve going away any time soon. If there is one thing Americans are very good at is having the heart and attitude to really prove themselves at an international stage, because until we have a Pele, Ronaldo, Messi, something I don't see happening any time soon, we will always be the underdogs. And even if many American's only really start watching soccer when the USMNT is playing, is that really a big deal? Why do they need to be "true" soccer fans who watch every club game, every year and why do we feel the need to call them "bandwagonners" for supporting their home team? It's not like the U.S. was dominating, or even particularly winning that well compared to other teams... so I don't get this sarcasm and kinda trash talk towards people who just started watching the WC this year. Treating new fans like trash and acting all elitist is not the way to build a soccer fan base in the states.
All in all, even as someone who was not rooting for the USMNT, I am sad to see them go. The fact that I could go to class and everyday someone would say, "Did you see the game?" and people wearing patriotic shirts and asking me questions about why this or that happened or my thoughts on the team and their chances or style or play was great. This is a good form of patriotism unlike most that is pushed on us, and I am sad that I will probably be graduated before it comes around again.
Say what you want, but the World Cup (like the Olympics) is one of, if not, the most important events in human culture today in my opinion. It's a time where we put our differences aside and just enjoy rooting for our country, our culture or even someone else's with out that meaning "support the war" or "fuck immigrants" or what have you. And you can try to poo-poo that all you want for what ever reason you want to, but at the end of the day the World Cup is one of the very few times people just put aside their differences, forget about their conditions in life and just enjoy friendly competition with each other. To me there is little more important than that to me.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/why-its-time-for-the-u-s-to-go-dutch-1404325468
Who to root for now? The dutch of course.
"For starters, our flags have the same colors,"
"Our historic bonds run deep. After all, the Mayflower departed for the new continent fromâ€"you guessed itâ€"the Netherlands."
"Just for your convenience, many Dutch soccer players come pre-packaged with easy-to-remember names like "Wesley," "Nigel," "Daley" and, of course, "Memphis."
"the word "Yankee" very likely derived from Dutch: Some say the word stems from "Janke," or little Jan, once a common name in the Netherlands and in New Amsterdam. Others say it derived from "Jan-Kees," a common first name. Either way, if you're a Yankee, you're practically Dutch already."
Fuck the Dutch.
(Sorry, I like you Dutch people, I just cant stand your football team).
France had their chances but they just didnt try hard enough, the Germans are the best at holding on to a 1.0 lead an so it proved, unlucky frenchies but u just werent good enough, an well done germany..
As far as Brazil are concerned i thought they were lucky th nite , an they had the ref on their side as well, i counted at least 4 dives by neymar alone an other fouls by Brazil that werent given, so they scraped through but Columbia pld well an deserved more from this game an they can hold their heads up high, im thinking it will be Germany v Argentina in the final but we'll see...
Fuck Colombia. I know I said that about the Dutch in a light hearted manner, but seriously fuck Colombia.
http://www.sbnation.com/2014/7/4/5871803/neymar-injury-vertebra-brazil-world-cup-2014
Neymar is out with a broken vertebra.
Before today, I wanted to like Colombia from how they preformed... but they proved they are a bunch of classless thugs and whiney little bitches through their play today. I didn't see an ounce of class come from their worthless side, and they didn't deserve a win in the least; they were going into tackle after tackle dirty because they knew that spineless ref was going to let anything go for both sides without consequence.
And that fucking Rodriquez kid? No class what so-ever. You are going to talk about Neymar flopping, then put Colombia in the same breath? Going down without being touched, rolling around like he just had his leg snapped off... looks at ref, sees he's not even looking, slams his hands on the ground then JUMPS UP AND STARTS RUNNING AT THE REF AND YELLING AT HIM. But he makes a dirty tackle? Nope, still going to yell at the ref, because how DARE that ref even blow a whistle when you swing at someone. Fuck off, Rodriquez, you're just a spoiled little bitch... guess being the son of a drug lord who got murdered didn't teach you an ounce of respect or humility, probably just gave you a nice chance to inherit all his wealth.
And finally that foul that broke Neymar's back... I will be lenient on Colombia for this one, I think that one mostly goes down to the ref for being a coward assfuck that didn't enforce the rules all game. But since when can you go with your knee into the back of another player while the ball is on the other side of them and say, "Oh, no, I was going for the ball!"?
All in all, fuck Colombia. Fuck. Them. They managed to show off everything wrong with football in one game and tainted what has been a great cup so far.
And you are shitting me... ref on the side of Brasil? You must have accidentally watched the Croatia game, because the Colombia game the ref was on no one's side other than Team, "I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing".
You are right Shiranu, Columbia were guilty of diving as much as the brazilians and i didnt really acknowledge this cos i was wanting Columbia to win, and as much as i dislike neymar i wouldnt wish his injury on anyone, a shame that he's out now cos he has been their best player in this tourney, and yes it was a bad tackle and should have been a sending off.
That ref was bad i agree just like a few of the others we've seen and i think the standard has been dismal for a top football tourney but thats down to the football authorities to sort out when ever they can be fkn bothered, which is not often...... :pall: :pall: :pall:
It wasn't really aimed at you minus that last bit, I was just legitimately passed off at Colombia :/. I wanted to like them.
Oh my goodness. Switching to the penalty-stopping equivalent of a pinch-hitter... never in my live have I seen such a thing happen in a cup match. But it worked!! Coach Louis Van Gaal is doing a splendid job, and almost like a twelfth man on the pitch.
Costa Rica were guessing they might get through with penalties, after bricking the goal up for 120 minutes... they guessed wrong. Orange just made the top four. Man of the match imho Tim Krul... goalkeepers named Tim are really making a mark this tournament. There were some ugly things done on both sides, as can unfortunately happen as the stakes raise, but in the end the team that played anti-football lost, so justice porn.
The beauty of it is, that every match the Netherlands has to play from here on, is against a nation we have a football-score or two to settle with. Argentina... Brazil... Germany... epic clashes in the making.
I've adopted Holland now that CONCACAF has made it's exit. A great World Cup for Los Ticos. Next World Cup qualifying, when you see that Mexico or USA lost a game in San Jose, you will know why.
I would like to see Brazil in the final. A World Cup in Brazil would just seem incomplete without Brazil in the final.
Yeah, the Dutch are my second choice after Brasil get knocked out. I cant stand them, but I respect the talent of alot of their players, and some of their youngers like Alderweideld (sp?), Lens, and a few others I have no problem with. Really it's just Robben and that piece of shit De Jong that have made me dislike the Dutch... Robben for being such an amazing player who ruins it by being one of the worst floppers in the game, and De Jong for being a hitman who is out to injure anyone and everyone.
No respect at all for players like De Jong.
Alderweireld is belgian. And I agree about de jong.
Quote from: Bibliofagus on July 06, 2014, 05:35:45 AM
Alderweireld is belgian. And I agree about de jong.
Derp, yes he is. Remember him from when he was with Ajax and therefore just associated him with Dutch.
Ihave to disagree about Robben, aye he's went down easily it seems a cpla times but no way as much as a lot of others in the world cup, in the Costa rica game he could.ve went down a lot more than he did but he tried to stay on his feet for the most part an was the most attack minded player in the dutch team. But de jong is another matter an i agree with you on that 1 Shiranu, i think most players would dive if they thought they would get the foul or penalty out of it an this tourney proves it.
Difficult to pick a winner out of the 4 teams left but im going for a Germany v Argentina final.
De Jong was already knocked out of the tournament by a leg-injury a while ago. Just sayin'. Players take dives all across the tournament. A lot of it are exagerated theatrics after a genuine foul to ensure the referee catches what happened from afar (those probably shouldn't even count as a full-fledged "schwalbe)". Sometimes it's a desperate attempt to hit the emergency brake during a dangerous attack. Or to slow the game down. Sometimes it's a dirty attempt to get a player suspended (such players make a card-requesting gesture to the ref. afterwards; blech).
None fess up to it. Robben was the only one to publicly 'man up' and apologize for taking a dive earlier in a match (with an aftermath insignificant to the match), and the foreign press took that out of context as though it referred to a pinacle moment (penalty...victory) at the very end of that match.
I'm willing to cut him some slack. As THE striker of the tournament, the man is a prime target of sometimes very dirty tackles (because with a fast guy like Robben the emergency brake is often all there's left for the other team)... but risking life and limb he still gives goes full throttle for the team.
The thing is all I have ever seen Robben do is dive throughout his career... it's not like he just started diving this WC.
For better or worse, Americans have developed a hatred for diving. I would put it at the number one reason most Americans hate the sport. If Clint Dempsey started diving Americans would turn on him quickly. I'm willing to be indifferent on the issue. If the Netherlands-Argentina match comes down to a dive, so be it. Just don't complain after the match because the other side got away with it.
Considering one of my top 2 favourite players is Neymar, it is a bit hypocritical for me to judge divers.
That was perhaps the most emotionally painful half of football i have ever watched.
I feel sorry for Brazil... :P
I'm going to be honest, I teared up a bit in that first half.
:wtff:
I was rooting for Germany, sorry shiranu
So you're the reason they lost... I will remember this...
I was always rooting for the Germans and the Americans man
My german boyfriend was quite happy about this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLZUKqpXYzU
Sorry Shiranu but....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOoST8MJvWE
You mad Brazil?
That was the worst brazilian team iv'e ever seen an ah hate to say it, always rooted for them in the past except when their playin Scotland but they didnt deserve anything from that game.
Germany were just too strong and even if neymar and Silva had been playin i think they would still have lost it tho not by as many ffs, but congrats to the germans for a great display of how the game should be pld.
Ive tipped a Germany Argentina final from the start so see how th nite's game goes but anything could happen... :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall:
The Netherlands are the best playing nation never to have won the worldcup. I'd like that curse to be broken this tournament. Due to five years of nazi occupation during WW2, Holland- Germany still has a bit of an edge to it, and dramaticly it's the dreamfinal to me.
But Mesi VS Robben will also be an epic showdown.
Quote from: Jutter on July 09, 2014, 02:51:42 PM
The Netherlands are the best playing nation never to have won the worldcup. I'd like that curse to be broken this tournament. Due to five years of nazi occupation during WW2, Holland- Germany still has a bit of an edge to it, and dramaticly it's the dreamfinal to me.
But Mesi VS Robben will also be an epic showdown.
I don't know if the Netherlands will face Germany this year, but if they do refer to my post regarding Brazil during the game.
Quote from: 10 Green Bottles..... on July 09, 2014, 12:11:56 PM
That was the worst brazilian team iv'e ever seen an ah hate to say it, always rooted for them in the past except when their playin Scotland but they didnt deserve anything from that game.
Germany were just too strong and even if neymar and Silva had been playin i think they would still have lost it tho not by as many ffs, but congrats to the germans for a great display of how the game should be pld.
Ive tipped a Germany Argentina final from the start so see how th nite's game goes but anything could happen... :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall: :pall:
This team was a disgrace to the historical teams of Brasil. Did you hear about Cafu going to the locker room after the game, and the staff telling him, "Who are you? We do not want strange people coming into the locker room, we are going to have to ask you to leave."
Absolute no respect for their legends. Scollari cares nothing for o jogo bonito and rather play "winning", defensive football rather than the flowing and styling game that made Brasil a legend in football. He left out many great players for the trash that is Fred, Jo, Hulk (who at least had potential to be good)... where was Kaka? Pato? Lucas? Coutinho over Paulinho who had a very weak club performance and then WC performance? Even Ronaldinho is still preforming well.
I think the whole national team staff need to be overhauled, because it's clear neither Scollari or the staff have respect for what makes Brasil... Brasil.
Edit; ANNNND De Jong is playing for the Dutch again, so apparently he wasn't knocked out. I was going to root for the Dutch, but not now... let's go Argentina, kick that piece of shit's ass!
I have Argentina and Germany in the finals, but I kind of like the Dutch more than Argentina
Sorry Shir
I don't want either team to win, I dislike them both.
Take De Jong out of the line-up and I will root for the Dutch. If he gets subbed out I will root for them. Really De Jong is the only real problem I have with the Dutch, but he is the type of player that I will hate an entire organization just because they have him.
Doesn't help that was one of the most boring first halves I have seen in a long time though.
Edit; I don't know though, I kinda like the mystique of no European team having ever won a cup in South America... I would like to see that go on for a hundred years or more just to really have this superstition around it...
Germany and Argentina in te final, come on Germany! Bring the cup home to Europe where it belongs!
Perfect penalty taking by the argies there, an the 2 teams iv'e tipped from the start in the final. unlucky the dutch tho was a great effort but once it goes into the penalty shootout its anyone's game.
If the germans play anywhere like they did v brazil then its their cup but u know wee messi only needs a wee sniff of the goal an he's rite in there so could be interestin, as long as its an open final wi both teams goin for it from the start then ill say cmon the winner..... :pidu: :pall: :pidu: :pall:
As a part Latino, part German American... this final is going to be really awkward for me to decide on who I want to win...
I bet the argentinians are shitting themselves after watching last night's game...
Quote from: GrinningYMIR on July 09, 2014, 06:46:00 PM
Germany and Argentina in te final, come on Germany! Bring the cup home to Europe where it belongs!
Tried to like this post, like button is potato. That said let's go Deutschland!
Meh... at the end of the day, it's still 22 overpaid tossers chasing a ball. Give each of them their own ball and get over it.
*ducking for cover*
My great grandfather was American, my great great grandfather wasn't. He moved here after WWI.
And my great great great great great uncle stayed in Germany and died fighting the Russians during WWII
I don't have anything against the Germans, nor the Argentinians as nations or people. But they are the two teams I least wanted to see as the winner of the cup. The Germans because everyone I knew was convinced they'd win from the start. And if there is not personal investment I tend to root for the underdog. But I dislike Argentinië because they played home Belgium. I don't know who I'm rooting for in the finals. :/
May the best team win.
I want to see Germany win, but it was nice seeing the US do well, they didn't even give up in that last game, they fought to the last second. So I'm proud of them
My no.3 was the Dutch, and we know how that game went
I just hope its a good game wi both teams going for it and none of this defensive shite, i think it will be close with one goal in it, im saying 3 . 2 Germany................ :pall:
Quote from: drunkenshoe on July 11, 2014, 07:41:25 AM
Add that all Americans in this thread are guilty of treason. I bet none of your great grandfather is American. :snooty:
Dad's side of the family moved here a bit before WW1 from Germany. Mom's side has been here since before the civil war. Depending on what lineage you go by I'm either 5th generation German/Norwegian or a 8th or so generation Irish/Englishman and 4th generation Cherokee.
Tl;dr: I'm American as fuck!
(http://i.imgur.com/Nogij9e.jpg)
Brazil comes in fourth, with the German-Argentina game tomorrow
DEUTSCHLAND, DEUTSCHLAND, UBER ALLES
Quote from: Mr.Obvious on July 11, 2014, 06:08:47 PM
I don't have anything against the Germans, nor the Argentinians as nations or people. But they are the two teams I least wanted to see as the winner of the cup. The Germans because everyone I knew was convinced they'd win from the start. And if there is not personal investment I tend to root for the underdog. But I dislike Argentinië because they played home Belgium. I don't know who I'm rooting for in the finals. :/
May the best team win.
If anyone besides my main teams were to win, I was rooting for either Belgium or Mexico. Mexico got cheated imo.
The third place game usually is more entertaining than the final. Too much at stake to make the game entertaining. Germany and Argentina are great at not taking any risks. Maybe a late goal wins it or perhaps more penalty kicks.
After the disappointment comes the long wait to Euro 2016 but we get an added bonus that summer with Copa America Centenario USA.
Sadly I'll be working during the game,
Fucking work
Congratz Germany, also congrats to the cutie Gotze. :D
Interesting story about Argentina and its blacks..or lack thereof:
http://www.theroot.com/articles/history/2014/07/argentina_s_black_population_where_did_it_go.html
Kudos to "der manschaft". Argentina played well, but Messi was in insufficient shape to make his mark. I'm glad this didn't escalate into a penaltravisty.
Congratulations to orange with their bronze. I hope their preformance during this tournament managed to wash away some of the ugly of 2010's disgracefull final.
I hope you will also tune in for the european championship two years from now, to see if we can get that Netherlands-Germany final after all. ;-)