FIFA World Cup 2006 [R]

Kickass game this (Portugal:Angola). Fast moving as hell, lotsa action, goal within 5 mins, great entertainment!

The weirdest thing was to see (Mexican goalkeeper) Oswaldo's family bring his father's ashes to the stadium, wrapped in a banner, and with the man's photograph on top.
You can tell Don Felipe Sánchez really wanted to be at his son's game in the World Cup.

And a great goal it was too, Figo literally just outrunning the Angolan defender ball-to-foot, passing it on and bang.

(Still 50-60 people in this neighbourhood tent thingie for this game, most all Hungarians, tho that's including some kids running around and an old drunk on my bench who's fallen asleep head on table)

I only saw the second half of the Holland:Serbia game (yes I know, shame on me, failed the patriotism test)... oy. We squeaked through there, we had a lot of luck. Serbia was good.

Holland was fair enough too, but the forte of Holland's game has always been the perfectly tuned passing to and fro, playing the field without a pause. But now there were so many balls they just gave away to the Serbs, or where they missed each other and had to run back to fetch it, misunderstandings ...

Then again, weve often been the team to generally be lauded as one of the best or at least most beautifully playing one - but then failing in the crucial finishing it off. Beauty before result, almost. OK with me if this time we turned it around and got the points that count, even if it was (at least in the second half) a little undeserved..

Portugal-Angola 1:0 it is. Portugal was really good.

You didn't even react to the provocations by the Germans in this thread. Not a bit of pride in this Käsekopf.

I did, I went pphhhrrttt ...

Oh wait - look what still-open compose window I found ...


Yes, alarming that. Cause he played really good, truly saved us a coupla times there.

(And Thomas & Walter, ppphhhrrrttttt...)

That's how they are and what can ...

That wasn't luck, that was a suck-ass Iranian defense. That last goal they left two guys just hanging out in the box with nobody on them. Either one of them could have scored. The first goal was the same thing -- a guy just sitting there unmarked. But Mexico did play well and deserved to win.

lunctime here in Oz. I am keyed up, cant wait to see our boys steam rolling the nippon. It will be like 10 pin bowling..........

Steady my son.
Musn't peak too early.

Time to see how the americans fare. This match shall be interesting...

If the Czech Republic carry on playing at their present level, they will run rings round the USA (no offence meant).

I think the USA will surprise a lot of people this year, and will be a force to be reckoned with in 5 - 10 years, but their present team up against the Czechs? Nah.....

Prediction: Czech Republic 3 - 1 USA.

I wonder if our fans will behave themselves in Nuremberg, a town I know well.
They were quite good in Frankfurt, so some elements will be getting a bit edgy by now.

I hope they do, McT.

The Germans are taking the right approach though, keeping the emphasis on fun and good times. I think these games have been run brilliantly so far, and I really hope that nothing spoils it.

The one concern I have is with the Polish supporters. I've read quiite a few different articles now, comparing them to the type of hooligan that the rest of Europe had back in the 70's.

Oh well, think positive.

Yeah, I slept 'til lunch so I'd be fresh for the game tonight. Not a soccer follower, but this gamed has piqued my interest.

Freeduck wrote re Mexico vs Iran


And a little good coaching. After losing his best player and having to make his last substitute at the 55 minute mark, you would have thought Mexico would have held back, saving something for the last ten minutes, but instead they pressed in as hard as they could waiting for the mistake.

For fifteen minutes nothing much happened for either side, the Iranians didn't seem all that interested in being near the Mexican goal and the forward movement of the Mexicans was lackluster.
Then the Iranian goalie did what hundreds of Saturday Men's League goalies do every year, he didn't clear the ball far enough from his goal, putting right on Bravo's foot. Bing bang. 2-1.

The now aroused Iranians tried to heat up their end, but they applied Freeduck's suckass defense in their own box and got wacked again right away.

Sometimes that "let's go get'em even though we're hurt'' plan works. Sometimes the mistake never comes and you end up with your players bent over in exhaustion with seven minutes to go.

Joe(Americans play today during my lunch)Nation

I love the Budweiser ads that are on Brit TV before and after the various matches.

Hilarious!

It takes the theme of two American newscasters, chatting to each other about football (soccer) using all the wrong terminology.

"Hey Brad" says Dan, looking down at the monitor "Those rookies look like they're just out of Kindergarten"

"No Dan, they're the mascots" replies Brad.

.......................................

Yes, while we Yanks having been playing at this game badly for only a hundred years, you Brits have been playing badly much much longer.


Joe(pass the chips. No, not those homefries!)Nation

Why do they take all these children onto the field? When did that all start? It used to be just two, one for each team. Then, four, usually a boy and a girl each. Now, many.

Why do they do that? Is it a good thing?

I am really happy for Mexico - they deserved to win.

Now I am looking forward to the USA game....(not so interested in
others)