WC soccer

[Agnes]

So far, I've seen some very nice games! My favourite of this moment is Argentina - Côte d'Ivoire, but right now England is playing Trinidad & Tobago and it's a great game!

I was wondering: who's watching the WC? Which teams are your favourites and who do you think is most likely to win the title?

[david uk]

oh agnes, this is where borther and sister differ- I hate soccer!!

:p :p

enjoy the games :)

[Agnes]

Oh, I am, don't you worry! The UK just scored 2 times in the last 5 mins. Trinidad & Tobago scored too, but that goal was cancelled :( Pity, but it was a wonderful game.

[ponytail]

I'm not into sports. I took a lot of abuse as a kid for not being into them, and my attempts to fit in -- particularly a disastrous brief stint on the grammar school basketball team -- were just humiliating. So I actually have a bit of an attitude against sports.

My partner loves soccer and follows it, and we used to have a professional team, The Wildcats, in nearby Hershey. One time we saw two of the players in a local restaurant and he went up to say he'd just seen them play, and all but grovelled. (Actually, seeing them just sitting there, I could have all but grovelled too! I didn't know a thing about the game, but the players definitely had my approval!)

I've only been to one soccer game, in Florida. My best friend's son was playing -- it was a local league. I went to support Jack, but soon found myself getting all caught up in it, catching the player's names and yelling things out to them. I had a great time. I think the thing I liked about it was that I actually understood it and could follow it -- usually a problem for me with virtually any sport.

Soccer these days for me is something I feel I really should investigate, at least as an observer. As for playing -- my bad back doesn't think so. But I'm glad you're enjoying it, Agnes!:D

[NinasSpaceChild]

Oh dear.

I thought we might get away with no mention of the World Cup here. My illusions have been shattered.;)

I really don't like football and haven't done since we were bullied out onto the cold, wet football field at school when we were children.

And as a song we all know says, my name was never called when choosing sides.

[Dee]

Sports. Ugh. Driving people everywhere to riot in the streets.

Let me put it this way:

When I was living with my ex Ken, whenever he had a hockey game on TV, I retreated into the bedroom under headphones. LOL

[Agnes]

Oh dear.

I thought we might get away with no mention of the World Cup here. My illusions have been shattered.;)

Sorry to have put your dreams to the test, NSC :p

My, I seem to have 'awakened' only those who do not like soccer... Sweden's playing Paraguay at the moment (10 mins till half time), so I'll be off again :D

[Eva]

Ehm sorry Agnes... I know the entire Netherlands are upside down because of the soccercraze. But honestly, I am not into it. The only sports that I find interesting are women's gymnastics and snooker. Try the other lesbians... ;)

Eva

[Agnes]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! Please tell me at least YOU know what I'm talking about?! :D

[AceOn6]

I'm following it, as are many in my group at work. Several of our managers are expat Brits, another is Irish by birth. One fellow went home today at 11 to make sure he didn't miss a minute of England/T&T on Univision (the Spanish channel)

It's not as exciting for me this time as last. Hubby and I rooted vigorously for Cameroon. We even came up with a fight song based on the cartooon "Tiny Toon Adventures." It started out "We're tiny, we're toony, we play for Camerooney" and went on from there.

[gisli]

Thank you Agnes for bringing this up, was thinking of doing that yesterday. These are THE GAMES, forget about the Olympics they are nothing compered to these games. Sadly to say then I can´t watch it, lot to do at work and the sun is shining all day long here in Iceland so you can´t see on the tv screen and I don´t have the tv channel that broadcasts from the GAMES. But I read about the games and follow up on the results. My team is England and also Brazil. When the finals begin I will be going to sportbars more often then is considered normal for a working class hero.

Ohhh common you gay guy´s and straight women here on this board, don´t go telling me that you don´t like watching 22 light dressed men in great shape running after one little round thing and trying to put it pass the goalkeeeper. Gees you have got to be kidding me if that is not a part of what could be concidered as heaven.

[Dee]

22 light dressed men in great shape running after one little round thing and trying to put it pass the goalkeeeper

Speaking only for myself of course, zzzzz. LOL :p

I can appreciate that others enjoy that sort of thing, but it just never interested me ... at all.

[Agnes]

Ohhh common you gay guy´s and straight women here on this board, don´t go telling me that you don´t like watching 22 light dressed men in great shape running after one little round thing and trying to put it pass the goalkeeeper. Gees you have got to be kidding me if that is not a part of what could be concidered as heaven.

Errr, I brought this up because I like the GAME, Gísli! If I'd only pay attention to the physical shape these guys are in I'd be bored in 5 minutes!

[ponytail]

I'd like it a lot more if they played shirtless and in speedos.

But seriously, folks -- last night at dinner I discussed this with my partner (who loves soccer) and he told me something interesting. In the cafeteria where he works -- which is a huge place with hundreds of employees -- they have various TV screens around the room. On one of them the World Cup was playing. A lot of the employees have come from other countries -- Brits, Swedes, various Asians -- and the only people sitting in front of this screen, watching, were all the immigrants. Dave, my partner, was the only native American watching. (I left the n lower case because he's not Native American).

The rest of the world loves soccer. (I hope I didn't word the above in a way that offends anyone).

[Dar]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaar! Please tell me at least YOU know what I'm talking about?! :D


Agnes.....sorry to tell you this, but I don't follow men's soccer....
actually I'm not much of a sport watcher...I'd rather play.

I do pay peripheral attention to my home town baseball team...GO CUBS when they are doing well, which as most folks know is not very often....

and occassionally I'll attend a women's basketball game, pro or college, mostly because.........well, they are young athletic women running back and forth in tank tops and shorts, what's not to like? :D

Peggy on the other hand is GLUED to the tube whenever a professional bike race is televised.....I'm pretty much a widow during the Tour de France.
She can name almost every rider AND the team they play I mean ride for.
I just admire the pretty colored jerseys and bikes. :o

Several of my gay male friends are hooked on Australian Rules Football.....something about the shorts?

[Dee]

It's a freakin' plague I tell ya. They even had it on a flat screen wall TV where Jimmy and I had pizza for lunch. Only noticed two people watching tho, and neither one of them was us. ;)

[david uk]

Oh dear.

I thought we might get away with no mention of the World Cup here. My illusions have been shattered.;)

I really don't like football and haven't done since we were bullied out onto the cold, wet football field at school when we were children.

And as a song we all know says, my name was never called when choosing sides.

Oh Dylan, you have just told the story of my life as a teenager at school lol

ditto everything you said

[marjan]

Never mind what you'll think about the WC Soccer Game 2006 ...


WE WON WITH 2-1

[Agnes]

WE WON WITH 2-1

LOL, 'we' did, but didn't that second half SUCK?!

Dar? :( I know watching isn't half the fun of playing, but still... Boohoo, oh shattered dreams... I thought there'd be at least you who'd understand :p But hey, Marjan does :D

[gisli]

Errr, I brought this up because I like the GAME, Gísli! If I'd only pay attention to the physical shape these guys are in I'd be bored in 5 minutes!

Sorry for that Agnes and others, it is a bad joke from my part I admit that.

Great that Holland won. Argentina won 6-0, they seem to be on the road to the finals.

[marjan]

Gisli, gisli, gisli ....
That is only because they didn't play against the Netherlands yet!
But who cares ... Argentina and Holland made it to the next round whatever the score between the two will be :D

[gisli]

Yeah I know. But I would think that Netherlands should make it to the finals of the 8 best easily whatever the outcome of the game with Argentina will be. It seems you will be playing against either Mexico or Portugal and I think Netherland has a better team than both those nations, as long as they just stay focused.

Is Van Nistelroy in the team now? and who is your coach right now?

[Eva]

Ponytail, I have noticed that more often. I guess baseball and basketball are the big sports in Canada and the US? The rest of the world goes for (men's) soccer. I don't know what the big sports in Asia are...

Or is it a generalisation? Don't know...

Eva

[Agnes]

Yeah I know. But I would think that Netherlands should make it to the finals of the 8 best easily whatever the outcome of the game with Argentina will be. It seems you will be playing against either Mexico or Portugal and I think Netherland has a better team than both those nations, as long as they just stay focused.

Is Van Nistelroy in the team now? and who is your coach right now?

Yes, Van Nistelrooy is on the team, but imo he didn't play too well. Marco van Basten (our coach) seems to know how to get these guys to stay focused, though he wasn't too pleased with the second half of yesterday's game. This guy is amazing, I do have the utmost respect for him :)

Thanks for the compliment, but I think we'll have big trouble when we have to play Portugal. And did you know Mexico is no 6 on the FIFA list? But them we can take, I think. Portugal however, has always been a problem for the Netherlands with their salsa-like soccer, and is becoming a bit of an Angstgegner. Should be a very nice game to watch, though :D And maybe San Marco figured something out how to take them down with fair play... I'd LOVE to see that!

[Dee]

I guess baseball and basketball are the big sports in Canada and the US?

I would say the top sports here in Canada are hockey, curling, Canadian football, and then baseball Eva. Also popular are fishing and golf. Golf is painfully dull to watch, especially on TV. zzzzz

As a kid, I actually did play baseball, and "touch" football, in a popular field with other neighbourhood kids. None of this crashing into your opponents tho, and none of it led to drunken riots. :p

[AceOn6]

Ponytail, I have noticed that more often. I guess baseball and basketball are the big sports in Canada and the US? The rest of the world goes for (men's) soccer. I don't know what the big sports in Asia are...

Or is it a generalisation? Don't know...

Eva

Eva, according to folks who track the statistics, the most popular spectator team sports in the US are American football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer in that order.

Among folks who participate in team sport, soccer is #1, followed by basketball, baseball/softball, hockey, rugby, then American football.

[gisli]

And did you know Mexico is no 6 on the FIFA list? But them we can take, I think. Portugal however, has always been a problem for the Netherlands with their salsa-like soccer, and is becoming a bit of an Angstgegner. Should be a very nice game to watch, though :D And maybe San Marco figured something out how to take them down with fair play... I'd LOVE to see that!

I will be roaring for you, van Basten is a very respected and good coash he will get you to the final 8´s, at least for starters. As of Mexico I had no idea that they have become this good, but playing salsa soccer needs a lot of energy so there are games that you just become to tired to finish them. Just hope that since you have made it to the next round that your team will play sensably since in fact it doesn´t matter, so to speak, and not put to much energy in the game with Argentina without going to sleep though.

Can´t believe I am talking to women, (you are my hero´s:) ) about soccer, here I only talk to men about that sport, but you guy´s really know your game. It is a game of great strategy and there is nothing as much fun as watching a good strategic game of soccer.

[Des]

It's coming home
It's coming home
It's coming....
Footballs coming home!

3 lions on my shirt lalalalala....
A George Cross tattoed on my arse lalalala....
ROOOOOOOOOONEY!!!!!
:D :D :D :D

[Eva]

Can´t believe I am talking to women, (you are my hero´s:) ) about soccer, here I only talk to men about that sport, but you guy´s really know your game.

Gisli, my ex girlfriend used to watch soccer all the time. (and play it, if she had the chance. As a teenager she had played in a soccer team) She and my ex boyfriend (relationship before her) were good friends and used to watch soccer together. You can imagine how bored I was. As someone who is not interested in soccer at all. But she usually invited some friends to watch together. I did 'catering' and they said 'oooo' and 'aaaa' over all the treats I made them. This way, everybody was happy... :)

Eva

[ponytail]

Sorry I couldn't answer your question, Eva, but I had no idea what the answer was. I know nothing about sports or their popularity. But I bet I would have been raving about the treats too! And hoping for good reviews of my own (I make a wicked cracker dip from shredded chicken, cream cheese and ranch dressing...yum. Think I'll whip some up now!:D

[Agnes]

Can´t believe I am talking to women, (you are my hero´s:) ) about soccer, here I only talk to men about that sport, but you guy´s really know your game.

Well, most Dutch men (and women, for that matter) look quite surprised too, Gísli. Soccer's been *my* sport since I was a 5 year old :) Got to play it a few years too, but my body's become too injury-prone. Still love to watch, especially a game like Ghana put on! Dude, these guys have some spirit! I'd love it if they made it to the next round :D

[gisli]

Exsitement is in the air.....both England and Netherlands are playing today. Hope both of them win and get to the final 8, hate to have to find another country to roar for.:mad: :mad:

[Eva]

I have German acquintances who live in the Netherlands. They are in a state of permanent excitement for weeks now. They travel up and down to Germany to be at as many German matches as possible. They sent around pictures of themselves having a great time in the stadiums, on the streets, etc. With all their enthousiasm they have 'infected' me too a bit. Not so much for soccer as a game, but all the celebrations around it and all. I guess my second choice for a winner after The Netherlands would be Germany now. I like these two women a lot and like to see them happy.

Eva

[lucille]

If you need another country, you can roar for us Gisli. It is a first for our little country of soccer players. We play Italy next.

[gisli]

Yes Lucille you are so right Australia is now a team that I will most surdenly roar for, Italy will be difficult to beat but......win them with style, go made go.

Eva it is a celebration a landslide of happy feelings all around, Germany have never been my favorites, they play to much "organized" game, but they do what is needed.....win the game.

......and for those who are not quite sure what soccer is about, here is a hint: http://gras.is/videos

[Agnes]

Lucille, I've pooled the socceroos beating catanaccio soccer 2-1 :D How's that?!

Chauvinism wanted me to predict the Dutch winning their game against Portugal, but I think they'll go down 2-1 in the extra time...


Gísli, what do you think the Brits will do in their game against Ecuador? England is definitely improving, but how will they cope with the loss of goalgetter Owen? (and they miss Gary Neville too) Ecuador, on the other hand, played a lousy game against Germany, but now has full use of its selection. I honestly don't know, but I think Eriksson has told the guys how NOT to play like the game against Sweden... :rolleyes:

[gisli]

Agnes I think that your intuvision on the game of England is right, they have been unlucky with injury of the players. For them is to get there head straight and built up confidence, they have enough good replaysment players. I hope they will win they deserve it but I am afraid that they have not left the game with Sweden behind and in this case have to relay on a bad game from Ecuador, they Ecuador, I feel will come into this came full of confidence and fighting spirit. It will be difficult for England 2-0 ther for Ecuador.

The Netherlands on the other hand seems to have enough confidence, they have the spark of wanting to win, minus the game with Argentina, one I think was played strategy well, that is to give the key players a bit of a rest and give others a from the bench a chance. Netherlands will win for sure. 3-1 there for Netherland, get ready to partyyyy.:D

[AceOn6]

I've been watching the golf this morning. It's being played in Scotland and there are many Ecuador flags on display. The announcers commented on it and said that many could not locate Ecuador on the map if their lives depended on it. Seems that "anyone but England" is still alive and well amongst the Scots, Welsh and Irish in attendance.

I'm pulling for Italia as my husband is of southern Italian heritage. Go, BLUE!!!

[Agnes]

"minus the game with Argentina"

Really, Gísli? I thought that was the best game they played... I hope they'll play with the same drive and frivolity tonight!

England will play 4-5-1 today - UGH! That'll be ugly. Carrick will get his first WC minutes, Hargreaves will play defense (?! the guy's a midfielder!) and Rooney will be pretty lonely...

Enjoy the games! :D

[gisli]

Ughh England 1 Ecuador 0. I must be the greatest prophet since Nostradamus. Hope I am more right in the second game.
So the game with Argentina was your best yet......hmmmm the sportcritics in our newspaper seem to think otherwise, a well played game they said but not the best.

[Agnes]

And a butt-ugly game it was. Ecuador was playing better imo, but well, England made it to the final 8. Could be a very nice game when they're to play the Netherlands. ("We" played terrible against Servia and the game against Côte d'Ivoire was fun to watch, but of a horrible quality as far as I'm concerned.)

Game's on in 10 mins, off to watch! :D

[gisli]

Oh dear, just read that Portugal has scored 1 goal against Netherlands and one player from Netherland had a red card, so it doesn´t look good for the Netherlands. Really bad judge, they say. Well there is still time, like 15 min. of the game. Things can still change....

[Agnes]

But they haven't... We're out. :(

16 yellow cards
4 red cards

Official was Ivanov, so we knew it'd be tough, but he did well actually. Lousy game. Exciting, but lousy. And I still can't stand Figo.

[gisli]

I hate it when this happens, that is ones national team looses, but it is only a game (yeah like that helps) and there will be another tornament later...maybe then....maybe then. But I never expected Portugal to win, I swear. What a great predictor I am.

So now there is England, Brasil and.......Australia left to roar for.

[Eva]

Sorry to hear that, Agnes.

Eva

[marjan]

Pwew, I'm glad this maddness is over.
Now we all in Holland can get ritt of all that orange stuff :(
Just kidding, I think we now have no choice but to stand as one behind Guus and cheer for Australia :D

[AceOn6]

Official was Ivanov, so we knew it'd be tough, but he did well actually. Lousy game. Exciting, but lousy. And I still can't stand Figo.

My husband agrees that the official did fairly well considering as the players were after each other from the first minute. I was rooting for the Orange to get through. Sad.

[Rika]

As a basketball coach (i was at a high level) and an old soccer lover, i can say i know something about teamplay. What irritates me the most of Dutch soccer is that most player are standing (almost)stil. Some fine shots from strong side to weak side(sorry this is baketball) and the players misses them over and over, because they anticipate too late! Sorry Agnes, this game was a waste of time.:mad:

[Agnes]

I don't think it was a waste of time, saw some beautiful moments of Van Persie, Cocu and Kuyt for instance. But there was hardly any fair play and that makes me sad. What terribly annoyed me is the drama Van Bommel, Deco and Figo put on - PTUY! :mad: Usually on the Dutch team only Robben does that, but he was smart enough to stop after 2 schwalbes.

Anyway, it's over now. And tonight Italy will play Australia - could be a nice game. As stated, I pouled 1-2, Australia winning.

Guess I was wrong; Italia won 1-0

[Agnes]

Brazil is playing Ghana. The game is only 10 minutes old and it's already 1-0 (goal Ronaldo in the 5th minute) - off to watch.

[Eva]

And Ghana is out of the competition... Pity. Because I kind of liked them.

Eva

[gisli]

And France is still in the competition.

Pity about Astralia, there is a lot of talk here about how referees damage some games, one of them is Australia versus Italy, there should not have been a penalty.....at all.

Next round will be very interesting no way to predict the outcome though I think England should have the "eaciest" game to play, if one can call any tem easy that have made it to the top 8.

[Agnes]

Yes, it's a pity Ghana went down, they played fairly well.
France is still in, but - ouch - that game was hardly any fun to watch.

Italy against the Ukraine could be an interesting one as well, Gísli. I think Italy will experience quite some trouble with that defense...

[gisli]

Now I am depressed. All of my teames have fallen out of the competition:mad: Guess my team now will be France, it would be great if Zidane could end his career as a WC champion, something he deserves.