The Ultimate Football/Soccer Thread (2010/2011 Season)

[Vonners]

2 - 1 to the cloggies...

[SdKfz 186]

Their top 3 players arent even German. I think that tells us all we need to know.

Which 3 players we talking about? Podolski and Klose are Silesians whose families emigrated to Germany on the "Law of Return" by claiming German culture and ancestry, as well as being "ethnic Germans." Neither really ever saw themselves as being Polish. Hell, Podolski has the first line of the German anthem stitched into his shoes. That's more nationalistic than most of the team.

Of course Silesia is kind of a clusterfuck. Most modern Silesians speak Polish, but their unofficial regional anthem is a German song "Schlesierlied - Kehr ich einst..." Same as some other regions there such as Posen or Pomerania. Since no one is really sure if they're Germans or Poles, it's part of the reason the borders were drawn so badly after Versailles and all the drama/tension that built up until in 1939 shit hit the fan. It even continues to this day with most Silesians refusing to put themselves down as "Polish" during census; opting to leave it blank, put in "mixed" or just flat-out writing in "Silesian."

Klose's daddy was a full blow German. I'm not familiar with Podolski's history. and Cacau.... he's got German Papers... If brazil wanted Cacau they could have had him, but they didn't and he's legal to play for Germany, He's a naturalized citizen.

[Risottia]

This evening Italy plays Paraguay, and coach Lippi still has problem with the whole left sectors because of injured players. Pirlo isn't going to recover in time - very likely Montolivo will substitute him, but there are still doubts about the left back and the left forwards.

Damn, it's going to be a lousy match. It's going to be either a goalless draw or a 1-0 if one of the teams gets a lucky shot at goal (then again, Paraguay's forwards will be facing Buffon - who isn't exactly a Green goalie )

[The Archregimancy]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

[Starblaydia]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

At least he's still smiling.

[Juristonia]

<-Me a minute ago.

[The Archregimancy]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

At least he's still smiling.

I must say that the University is very good to supply me with a high-speed internet connection and HD monitor in my office so I can, ummm, carry out research 'n' stuff.

Makes it very handy for, ummm, researching the impact of vuvuzelas on the modern material culture of large-scale sporting events.

Does that sound in any way convincing?

[Nobel Hobos]

NED/DEN

That was a terrible foot-stomp. The World Cup needs video umpires.

[Starblaydia]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

At least he's still smiling.

I must say that the University is very good to supply me with a high-speed internet connection and HD monitor in my office so I can, ummm, carry out research 'n' stuff.

Makes it very handy for, ummm, researching the impact of vuvuzelas on the modern material culture of large-scale sporting events.

Does that sound in any way convincing?

As convincing as me using internet at work to be inspired by the graphic design evident in FIFA and ITV's world cup coverage, as well as advertising hoardings :/

Besides, your research will come up with one thing: Annoying.

[Nobel Hobos]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

At least he's still smiling.

I must say that the University is very good to supply me with a high-speed internet connection and HD monitor in my office so I can, ummm, carry out research 'n' stuff.

Makes it very handy for, ummm, researching the impact of vuvuzelas on the modern material culture of large-scale sporting events.

Does that sound in any way convincing?

Definitely. When you're called up before the Spending Committee, bring some "student advisors" with vuvuzelas.

After twenty minutes, the Vice-Chancellor will rule in your favour. Anything, to stop the hooting noise.

[Sun Aut Ex]

Klose's daddy was a full blow German. I'm not familiar with Podolski's history. and Cacau.... he's got German Papers... If brazil wanted Cacau they could have had him, but they didn't and he's legal to play for Germany, He's a naturalized citizen.

And Oezil is a German-born Turk, which really isn't any different to how Zidane is a French-born Berber who played for France.

[Nobel Hobos]

Seriously. If such a staid game as Test Cricket allows some decisions of the on-field umpire to be advised (or even over-ruled) by an umpire off the field, then why shouldn't Football?

The stakes are higher. A red card is a very severe penalty for the team ... I would say more significant that the loss of a wicket in cricket, for the outcome of the game. A penalty in the goal-box, is a very good chance for a goal in a game which has overall very few goals scored. A delay of up to a minute in these circumstances (to be added to stoppage time) for the off-field umpire who can review the footage WE see, would improve the game.

Cricket dealt with the problem of the viewers KNOWING that the on-field umpire got it wrong, by giving the on-field umpire the benefit of what the TV viewers have. The off-field ref might still get it wrong, under time-pressure, but at least they aren't ignorant of information which is given away free to the audience. The cameras don't cover everything (offences off the ball for instance) and the video evidence is not always decisive.

But it does no good for the game to see a yellow card upgraded to a red for "dissent", when the viewers can plainly see that the ref got it wrong. If there is doubt after seeing it from every angle, then the initial decision of the referee stands. This would enhance not diminish the authority of referees.

[Nobel Hobos]

Ooops.

First own goal of the tournament. Poor Denmark....

The header wouldn't have gone in without hitting another player in the back. That's a true accident.

[Nobel Hobos]

And this, England, is how you should play when you know you're better. Keep trying to score, don't just sit on 1:0.

[Starblaydia]

And this, England, is how you should play when you know you're better. Keep trying to score, don't just sit on 1:0.

Which... is what they did, plenty of opportunities in the match, mostly went England's way.

[Cirona]

Oh well... the own-goaler was calm...

Go Dutchies

[Vonners]

oh well I was nearly right...ends 2 - 0

Regarding England.

I really don't know why England are so highly regarded to be considered possible victors. England as a team have one thing going for them...they are resolute. Technically they are on the same level as the rest of the 2nd rate nations. However every so often a great player does crop up (Rooney, Gerrard).

Why are England crap? Well our development of young players is a joke and of course the influx of foreign players has not aided things. Add to that the unwillingness or loathing of big clubs to get really involved in the national team has created a situation where young talent is not developed.

Then we come to the press. Need anything be said about these vipers? Lower than scum. One minute they set unrealistic expectations and the next are tearing players a new arsehole.

hrmph!

[Hogusholand]

The Netherlands defeated Denmark with 2-0, first goal an own goal from Poulsen, as he headed an assist clear but hit Agger in the process, directing the ball in his own goal,

second goal Elia passes two defenders and hits the post but Kuyt is alert and shoots it in via the rebound,

NEDERLAND OOOH NEDERLAND, JIJ BENT EEN KAMPIOEN !

[Dehn]

oh well I was nearly right...ends 2 - 0

Regarding England.

I really don't know why England are so highly regarded to be considered possible victors. !

They "invented" the game, and clearly it is their turn to win the tournament... duh

[Nobel Hobos]

<snip>

Today's predictions (not that I'm proving to be very good at this, mind):

Netherlands 2 - 1 Denmark [I like the Dutch, but suspect the Danes won't roll over]

Ah well.

Japan 0 - 2 Cameroon [Japan have been poor in their warm-up matches after an indifferent qualifying campaign; Cameroon are having their usual disorganised run-in, but look too strong for the Japanese]

Italy 0 - 0 Paraguay [Neither are attack-oriented; Italy are aging fast, and Paraguay lost their leading scorer from qualification when he was shot in the head in January; I fully expect this to be a dour encounter, and a draw suits both teams]

I like a guessing competition.

Japan 2 - 2 Cameroon (yes a draw! I like Japan, who knows why.)

Italy 1 - 0 Paraguay. (Italy defending the cup, they know it's a long road. They will play better than form, go to semis.)

(I have to get one right eventually, dammit)

Well, less wrong than me, probably.

[Nobel Hobos]

And this, England, is how you should play when you know you're better. Keep trying to score, don't just sit on 1:0.

Which... is what they did, plenty of opportunities in the match, mostly went England's way.

I've seen it twice now. They didn't shut up shop, but they weren't very ambitious either.

3-1 is a better result than 2-0. If I understand the group system.

[Sel Appa]

Go Cameroon!

[Nobel Hobos]

Go Cameroon!

Go JAPAN!

15 minutes in and no goal. This isn't going the way you expected, is it?

[Nobel Hobos]

Even if you're a goalie, grubbing around on the ground for the ball, I don't think you should be permitted to shove your head between the legs of another player ... and then stand up. That looks foul to me.

[Vonners]

this can go either way but it will not end in a draw...