FIFA World Cup 2010 starting today.

Who will win, who is your favorite?

[jecasc]

Unbelievable that four years have passed - but here we go again it's football time. The one with the round ball, not this ostrich egg you are using in the US.

So who will win? England? No way, they will probably meet Germany in the round of 16 and loose after penalty shootout. Germany will probably finish third, like last time. Title-holder Italy will loose in the quarter finals against Spain and I think the final will either be Brazil v Spain or Netherlands vs Spain.

[SuzyUK]

I actually thought it [England v Germany] was a really good game, (and yes I agree it was a goal, but am glad the final scoreline took it beyond doubt as I could not have coped with the "We waz robbed" headlines, and the weeks, years!, of endless references).. England's performance, to me, showed that no matter the skill of the individual(s) and/or the coach (and this is the same for the Americans btw) You cannot beat instinct or heart, you have to have spirit/flair/whatever the word is and want to win, besides "defending a nation"

Those "young germans" who the commentators were writing off just a week ago, have showed since the start what spirit/heart and some good skillz can do (yes the z is deliberate I'm ashamed to say, but in my defence I do have 10yo son ;)) They won fair and square. If anything England should have come out fighting in the second half to "prove" the disallowed goal was merely an oversight that they were always gonna win, instead they gave up, that is NOT world class standard play.

I feel sorry for Rooney, that he never got to shine on his larger stage, but I think that's because his heart is in the game and not the stage, he's not a glory seeker. In the same vein I admire the "elders" Cole (A), Terry, Gerrard for sticking by their Coach no matter what. Football is a Team game, you cannot single any player (or coach) out for under or over performing.. they all have to come together AS A TEAM on the day, and that is what didn't happen. they were fragmented no matter who you choose to blame

I'm sure "questions" will now be asked of Fabio, but I admire the fact he stuck to his guns but don't like the fact the players didn't trust him enough to at least try. Coaches don't play the game..

Good Game though.. let me just say I'm enjoying this World Cup partly because of the World class football, but also because of the amount of times it's catching out the "pundits" ;) I'm sure it will be just as good fun from here on in..

as for a favourite, right now it has to be Ghana (I'm a softie and I haven't bet on anyone yet), they're the only African team left and their heart is larger than most, thanks to their "home" advantage - I like it that way, it makes for good football! :)

disclaimer: for those that don't already know, the UK part of my name means I'm Scottish, so I'm trying to be as unbiased as possible, though may not be suceeding

[dreamcatcher]

The England performance was shambolic and the worst of the campaign. Even worse than against Algeria. I like Capello`s thinking in bringing Heskey on when we needed to score goals. He couldn`t score a goal if the net stretched between the corner flags. Johnson should never have been in the team from the start, he was dreadful in all 4 games.

Regardless of what the pundits keep saying, England have no world class players. They are club players and nothing more. We are, always have been, and always will be, a second rate football nation.

Its only a matter of time before goal line technology comes into play. How they disallowed Frank`s goal is amazing. You could see from the halfway line it was in. I don`t think this had any bearing on the result though. England were out classed and out played by a far better team.

dc

[mack]

It was a good game to watch, but the players simply weren't paying as a team. They might have some great talent, but when it comes to linking together it just wasn't happening.

I'm glad the disallowed goal became pretty much academic. It would have been so much worse if it had been that decision that lead to the final result.

Brazil are looking good for this one. I just wish Ronaldinho was playing. It seams very flat without some of the more flamboyant players.

Mack.

[blend27]

Soccer governing body FIFA acted immediately to provide officials Jorge Larrionda and Mauricio Espinosa with armed protection following the highest-profile mistake of this error-strewn World Cup.

All though Germans Rock the Game, things like these should never beezzzz overlooked. I think the vuvuzelaz(whatever that LIKE nasty LIKE thing spelled LIKE, u know) getting to reffs at this point.

Same goes for the ARG VS. Mexico.

Mexico is a young team, and such a *&$(*&% from Reff could of put them off from the get go.

Other than that I still say Final PT vs/or BR.

[engine]

England were shambolic and failed to play as a team throughout most of the game. I cannot see how they could be classed by some as having played a good game. Perhaps they were watching a different match.

Germany won because they were the better team.

That's what the World Cup is about. The best team in the match will win, and the best in the tournament will progress to the final.

Prediction for the final: Argentina vs Brazil

[StoutFiles]

If anyone had to be robbed of a goal, it needed to be England. They have the clout to get replay used for goal line reviews for the future. Sorry FIFA, it's 2010, the world won't settle for human error anymore.

Secondly, they really should review tape for people flopping and faking injuries. When you fake like you got elbowed in the mouth to give someone else a red card, that's just disgraceful. FIFA should be reviewing tapes after games, rescinding cards and dealing out punishments to obvious floppers. The game of soccer needs some cleaning up in that regard.

[Old_Honky]

Dreamcatcher has got it right - we have no world class players.

I was particularly appalled at the "Spud faced nipper" (W.Rooney). His lack of real skill was compounded by his obvious hesitancy in tackling or allowing himself to be tackled. He played like a cissy. Could it be perchance that Sir Alec had a whisper in one of his giant ears and warned him not to come back to united with an injury?

This whole England team should never play for the country again. Wipe the slate clean and start with a new manager(preferably one who speaks the same language as his players) and a new intake of younger players. Don't worry about the European Cup or the next friendly; plan for the future.

PS. I couldn't buy a vuvuzela in time for the England match but I found that a two litre plastic fizzy drink bottle with the bottom cut off makes an acceptable alternative, although the pitch is a tad lower.

[ytswy]

Trying to look on the bright side, a couple of things:

At least it does seem that England has collectively decided to crucify the team, rather than blame it on the disallowed goal. We lost 4 - 1, better just to accept we're crap than spend the next twenty years trying to convince everyone we woz robbed.

And the travelling England fans. South African police report no arrests of England fans at all at Bloemfontein. Whether this just means the thugs couldn't afford the trip, or if there has been a real improvement I guess we'll have to wait for Euro 2012. But not seeing hundreds of drunks with England flags rioting in South African cities is a major plus.

[dreamcatcher]

Great shame for the fans. The attitude of the players sucked as well.

I said before the world cup that Rooney was the key to England doing well. I`m not a fan of him, but on his day he can make things happen and he can score great goals. He was never at the races at this world cup, he looked tired, lethargic and out of shape. A total shambles.

This whole England team should never play for the country again. Wipe the slate clean and start with a new manager(preferably one who speaks the same language as his players) and a new intake of younger players. Don't worry about the European Cup or the next friendly; plan for the future.

Totally agree. Lets get rid of all this dead wood.

dc

[RonPK]

It's quiet here, did something happen to England? ;)

Big match today: Holland vs. Brazil, #ned - #bra . They've met 3 times before at the World Cup. Holland won in 1974 but lost in 1994 and 1998. Brazil looks impressive this year. I hope Holland can improve their game - they'll have to, if they want to win. Much depends on Robben and Van Persie.

(The match in 1994 was the one where Bebeto introduced the baby-swaying dance [bbc.co.uk] after scoring the winning goal for Brazil. Still gives me mixed feelings.)

[blend27]

Brasil is OUT, wow....

[weeks]

Brazil is OUT, wow....

Whoa! First USA, now Brazil!
Hahahahaha, just kidding folks. Just stopping by to cause trouble...

[jecasc]

Wow - Argentina received a decent beating from the German Team.

Germany - Argentina 4:0.

At least England scored once (some non Urugayans even say twice) against Germany.

Only shame is the yellow card against Müller, now he will miss the semi-final.

[weeks]

This is what the Internet and search engines has done to news and sports reporting.

By Nick Reeves (AFP)
PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa - Africa mourned Ghana's World Cup loss on Saturday, as socialite Paris Hilton's marijuana arrest gave a celebrity drama twist to the quarter-finals.
[google.com...]

I'd ask Mr. Reeves to gimme a break, but this is what the world is interested in if you look at what people are searching on now.

[blend27]

gave a celebrity drama twist to the quarter-finals

Ye, but later:

....she played down the incident and said she still loved South Africa.

Selebs acting up like that should be placed in closed spaces, given a Vuvuzela and be required to perform a national song on it, but anyway the game is still on...

[Lexur]

.

the game is still on...

...and Spain is still there up.
I'm not sure who will win but I think the next Spain-Germany will be one of the best matches of the championship, with two teams which want to win, not just players who don't want to lose.

[RonPK]

And Holland are in the final! First time since the glorious 1970's. Epic.

[ytswy]

Well I have just managed to get 11/5 odds on Germany to win the tournament, with a bookmaker that matched my £50 bet with £50 of their own.

Go Deutschland!

<edit>I've just realised I forgot about that damn octopus</edit>

[jecasc]

<edit>I've just realised I forgot about that damn octopus</edit>

I guess the octopus knows that one of the most best german players - Müller - misses the match because of two yellow cards. He scored the importan first goal after two minutes against Argentina.

[ytswy]

I guess the octopus knows that one of the most best german players - Müller - misses the match because of two yellow cards. He scored the importan first goal after two minutes against Argentina.

I see you subscribe to the view that Paul is not psychic, but is simply sneaking out at night and grabbing a look at the sports pages and then making and educated guess :)

My own belief is somewhat darker. It isn't that Paul is predicting the results, he is actually controlling them. He sits in the centre of his web like an overweight, underwater spider, playing with the emotions of his captors for his own amusement. So for the sake of my bet, I hope he is just yanking their chain in regards to the Spain result...

[jecasc]

I just found out that Paul predicted in 2008 that Germany would win the EURO 2008 final against Spain - Which was wrong! So there is only one possible explanation. He knows that Germany will win this time but is rigging the bets by making false predictions.

[ytswy]

I'm with you all the way on that jecasc. Funny how a bit of money on the line can completely erase any memories of a humiliating 4-1 defeat... I'll be cheering on Germany as loudly as any in a few hours :)

In other news, the ultimate question of this world cup has been asked and answered. The Vuvuzela: Will it blend? [youtube.com]

[blend27]

And It's On! The Flags are UP! and everybody singing!

Go Germany! Go Spain! ... Dutch are waiting...

[ytswy]

BBC commentators are unanimous in favour of Spain.. What do they and a stupid octopus know about anything?

[blend27]

Now, that was a 45 minuts of Pure Futbol!

[ytswy]

Agreed, Spain started out very dangerous, but then the Germans worked their way back into it. One of the best 45 minutes without a goal I've seen :)

[blend27]

GoooooaaaallllllllllllllL!

[blend27]

This was 100% SPAIN!

[ytswy]

Well, there you go :(

:)

Good game, Spain deserved it, but it is funny that they got the goal from a headed corner. More like English Division 2 than World Cup semi final.. great header though!

So, Spain or The Netherlands. I may wait for the omniscient octopus'(octopus's/octopuses?) decision, and then have a little flutter on his choice.

[edited by: ytswy at 8:35 pm (utc) on Jul 7, 2010]

[jecasc]

Damned octopus.

German team was too afraid of Spain. If they had played the whole match like they did in the last five minutes they might have had a chance. Congratulations Spain and Netherlands.