Why do we not have a thread about this? Plenty to discuss if you ask me. Examples:

Why does Germany win the first match with impressive play, then lose the second?
Why does England suck overall?
Why does France suck overall?
How could Spain lose?
Did the North Korean players really run away?
Portugal win 7-0 and I fucking miss it?


Your turn.


To all yanks, were talking football here:

Thought about starting a thread for this the other day, what with group play almost over.

Germany is a very impressive squad, and their loss was definitely an off day, I think. They played with 10 men for a long time (less Klose, as well), which never bodes well for success. But they missed a PK, which is more distressing. I hope to see them move forward and get back in it, so to speak, because their style of play (when they do it well) is phenomenal.

England and France suck in mostly the same way. They're lethargic and disjointed. The French are a bit whinier about it, but both teams are made of good players who don't do the whole teamwork thing so well. It's not that they can't--they just aren't playing as teams and it's their downfall, as I see it.

I think Spain lost because they're just not as impressive as the hype (or their win 2 years ago) suggests. They're not Brazil, Germany, Argentina, or the Netherlands (who are all playing well and like they have something to prove)--I expected them to do well this Cup, but once I started watching their match with the Swiss, I thought a lot less of them. I assume they'll step it up today and destroy Honduras, much like Portugal did with North Korea, after their surprising tie to Ivory Coast (maybe Portugal learned from that game that playing with the ball is more effective than falling every time they get it).

And the US team has done acceptably so far. They're relying on comebacks, which is sort of unsettling, but so far it hasn't hurt them too much. I still have no idea why the would-be-winning goal against Slovenia was disallowed, and I think that referee was pretty pitiful overall. I think it would be nice to see a solid win from them and have them go forward, even if their match in the 2nd round could be a lot tougher.

Anyway, even as a yank, I agree: this is football.

[EphelDuath666]

the refs are a freakin joke for this world cup. And I'm not saying this because I think the Spanish ref ruined the game between Germany and Serbia. But there's other examples too. The US team was completely ripped off in their last game. Their 3rd goal was clearly legitimate. No offside, no nothing. The ref cheated them out of the win. And today again...Chile vs. Switzerland. The ref did an atrocious job. It's just not fun to watch a game anymore when players get a yellow card for just about anything. Last week you could really see that the Germans were afraid to do anything anymore because they didn't want to risk receiving another card. And the red card for Switzerland today, just like the red card for Germany's Klose, was a complete joke. And of course a lot of players take advantage of it and deliver an Oscar worthy performance when another player just touches them. So many players in quite a few teams have to be very cautious now due to all this BS because if they get another yellow card they sit out on the bench in the following game. So yeah, this WC has been a farce so far.

edit: but yeah...it's been a bit of fun too. The German team has done well in its first game, that was fun to watch. US vs. Slovenia was actually fun to watch too, especially when the US team had its comeback and just pushed forward and got things accomplished, even if they eventually were ripped off. Yeah, Portugal crushed NK today but come on...that was like watching a grizzly bear crush a mouse. I don't think NK had much of a chance in the first place. I'm sort of disappointed that most of the favorites have not really performed well at all so far but I'm kind of sure that they'll do much better once the finals begin. I suppose the french team will watch the finals at home though. And I'm not sure if England's gonna make it but they still got a pretty good chance and I think eventually they'll make it into the finals.

chile's kickin arse so far

Why do England and Wales and all those have their own teams instead of a UK team?

mayhap they prefer to suck independently and separately

New Zealand is doing well. For New Zealand, that is. Two 1-1 draws so far - first against Slovakia, and now against Italy!

Italy must have shat their pants, I swear. New Zealand's ranked 78th in the world, I mean come on...

Next match is Paraguay!

the refs are a freakin joke for this world cup. And I'm not saying this because I think the Spanish ref ruined the game between Germany and Serbia. But there's other examples too. The US team was completely ripped off in their last game. Their 3rd goal was clearly legitimate. No offside, no nothing. The ref cheated them out of the win. And today again...Chile vs. Switzerland. The ref did an atrocious job. It's just not fun to watch a game anymore when players get a yellow card for just about anything. Last week you could really see that the Germans were afraid to do anything anymore because they didn't want to risk receiving another card. And the red card for Switzerland today, just like the red card for Germany's Klose, was a complete joke. And of course a lot of players take advantage of it and deliver an Oscar worthy performance when another player just touches them. So many players in quite a few teams have to be very cautious now due to all this BS because if they get another yellow card they sit out on the bench in the following game. So yeah, this WC has been a farce so far.

The poor referees have only been a recent development in the tournament. The first few games saw some absolutely excellent officiating. However as the tournament wears on the more experienced referees are being used up, and the more inexperienced referees from smaller nations are coming to the forefront, and I think the sense of occasion may be getting to many of them, particularly for most of the things you mentioned above. The USA not being awarded that goal was probably the biggest travesty of the tournament thus far.

As for Biert's questions... The Serbian team are not a bad side. Ghana caught them on a complete off day last week but the Serbia from the qualification process was largely back for the game against Germany. I fancy the two of them to get out of the group, though Ghana may sneak in there.

The French... Well they're a complete joke really. Everyone hates the manager, players refusing to train, Anelka being sent home and quitting international football. It's like a bad soap opera with them this year. I really, really hope Mexico and Uruguay get out of that group. I obviously have a little something extra to hate the French about but their performance at the tournament so far this year has been totally laughable.

England are being England, typically overhyped and underperforming. I hope, I so so so so hope Slovenia can punish them on Wednesday and they go out at the group stage. Maybe then in future the hype will die down and it'll be realised that this team just do not work well together. They failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and now they're failing at World Cup 2010. They have some of the best players in the world, no doubt, but lack cohesion and a solid Number 1 to stand between the pipes.

Spain lost because the Swiss were incredibly disciplined at the back. They held Chile (and I agree with Dunkel that they're impressive so far, but it'll be interesting to see how they handle Spain) for nearly the entire game today as well but just made one slip up. They'll probably batter Honduras in the game that's on now and go through along with Chile from that group. Chile are favourites to top that group, in my eyes.

New Zealand were unbelievable against Italy. I was so hoping that shot from Chris Wood snuck in the far post. Italy are shocking this tournament, and if they do go through will probably struggle in the later stages without Gianluigi Buffon. That replacement isn't anywhere near the standards needed, I think.

I fucking love the World Cup.

Why do England and Wales and all those have their own teams instead of a UK team?

Because they all suck except England.

Well, maybe including England.

England are being England, typically overhyped and underperforming.

Princes William & Harry looked awfully uncomfortable on the news, watching England the other day. I lol'd.

I'm happy with the way things are going, drew the Netherlands in the company sweepstake.

England are being England, typically overhyped and underperforming.

Princes William & Harry looked awfully uncomfortable on the news, watching England the other day. I lol'd.

I'd be feeling fairly poorly as well if I were an English football fan after seeing that Algeria game! I mean even Ireland strolled past them 3-0 before the tournament...

the outcome of the incoming match with spain causes me some concern, chile's playing decently, almost good, but if the guys still bear the mentality of former chilean teams, they will lose (i love being negative).

but if chile does win, i will invite you all to a beer!

also, WE HAVE SOME FUCKIN' SASS

the outcome of the incoming match with spain causes me some concern, chile's playing decently, almost good, but if the guys still bear the mentality of former chilean teams, they will lose (i love being negative).

but if chile does win, i will invite you all to a beer!

also, WE HAVE SOME FUCKIN' SASS

Most times I'd think that Chile couldn't beat Spain but the Spanish seem to be lacking goals in this tournament. They probably have the best all-around team in the World Cup but... I dunno. They really seem to be struggling. They absolutely raped the Swiss defence raw in the last game, and are currently bombarding Honduras as well, but so far they've only managed the one goal in the 130 minutes they've played thus far.

The quarter finals for that section of the tournament are gonna be interesting. From Group G, Brazil and Portugal look most likely, and Spain and Chile from Group H... They're gonna be some cracking games. The tournament'll be worse off for the two teams that go out from those matches.

between you and me

spain is a bit overrated

damn spics

(im chilean, so its ok for me to use derogatory terms

JUST IN F'N CASE )