The World Cup Thread

[AMc]

Quite enjoyed Brazil vs. North Korea but was once again irritated by the commentary team completely ignoring one side when they played well. The Korean goal was really entertaining for just that reason.
I'm also baffled how Brazil can get away with so much diving and never get called out by eith4r the ref team or the commentators - there were some oscar worthy performances!

 

[Gareth Hughes]

What is the world cup?

I understand it's a form of sporting competition which is broadcast when the rugby and cricket are broken.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol:

I must not be disparaging
I must not be disparaging
I must not be disparaging
I must not be disparaging
I must not be disparaging


Very glad to hear some of you are enjoying this fine traditional game.

 

[Pford75]

Some??

The World Cup is the most watched TV event ever! After leaving San Francisco, I visited Saratov in Russia and then Malawi and was able to watch all of the games in both countries. Everywhere I go, people talk about the World Cup (impressive given that Russia didn't even qualify). I enjoy both Rugby and Cricket, but they have somewhat restricted appeal given that only a handful of countries play them.

Anyway, Spain losing to Switzerland :shock:

 

[AMc]

Felt for South Africa last night, I didn't think the 3-0 result reflected the game and the keeper sending off was to the rule but still seemed very harsh for barely a toe contact. Still if RSA are going to get through the group they need to find a way into the penalty box - stuffing it at the keeper from near the half way line isn't going to get them there!

And a note on the vuvuzela - it sounded like the BBC were either filtering it out last night as it was a bit less like watching a match in a beehive

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Well, England were abysmal tonight. Totally outplayed by those footballing giants, Algeria. Not a single player put in a creditable performance. There is no spark or fizz about them. I think Capello is way too strict and perfunctory.

 

[middi]

Just remember. Historically England play much better when they backs are against the wall and nowhere to run. It may be a ploy to throw the likes of Argentina, Brazil, etc. off guard and in a false sense of security. It must be something like that as there is no way England can play as bad as they have unless they planned it. ( :wink: ).

( Actually the England players were so bad that even the vuvuzela's were playing better than they were)

 

[AMc]

England were flippin' terrible. I watched Cameroon vs. Denmark and either team could have wiped the floor with us - which is very worrying given Cameroon are now out of the tournament.

I appreciate the backs to the wall thing but there seems to be no interest in changing failing strategies from the manager and no commitment from the team. Gerrard (?) after the match said they lacked courage in the final third and that sums it up. You have to try and score not get it to the penalty area then wait outside for an invitation.

Fingers crossed for Wednesday.

 

[LadyArowana]

I really don't understand why everyone is so disappointed ( His Lordship is very very mopey about it ). Every time there is a world cup England are about to do brilliantly, and every time they are rubbish. So I figured ahead of time that we would likely be rubbish, at worst my view is confirmed and if I am wrong I get a pleasant surprise. Much like the lottery really! :lol:

 

[AMc]

I really don't understand why everyone is so disappointed ( His Lordship is very very mopey about it ). Every time there is a world cup England are about to do brilliantly, and every time they are rubbish. So I figured ahead of time that we would likely be rubbish, at worst my view is confirmed and if I am wrong I get a pleasant surprise. Much like the lottery really! :lol:

The joy and pain of supporting the English football team is based entirely on that dichotomy - on statistics from the various club teams they play for, we should have a world class team including arguably the best striker in the world. But when these mighty talents are assembled they regularly conspire to disappoint with a performance you'd be embarrassed to see on Hackney Marshes.
So the pain of watching England is that we expect them to disappoint and they so frequently do, the joy is when they pessimism is thwarted by a flash of the team they should be.

A pessimist is never disappointed, but that's no recipe for life in my experience.

 

[Ushy M]

I think Capello is way too strict and perfunctory.

Is it just me, or does Fabio Capello look exactly like Postman Pat?

PS. Q: What do you call Postman Pat since he was made redundant? (presumably following this afternoon's Budget)


A: Pat

 

[philpjuk100]

Job seeker Pat! (and his black and white big issue!)

 

[FamilyWiggs]

So it looks like it's England vs the traditional foe of the Germans - who bets it goes to penalties? :shock:

The other game is between 2 of our former colonies who seem to be picking up the game rather quickly (USA vs Australia) 8)

Just think, if we'd played anything like today in the first two games, we'd have topped the group and would be meeting the mighty Australia in our next game... :roll:

 

[AMc]

Having watched some of the German match last night I'm reasonably cheerful about our next match. I'd sooner meet Germany on the back of a win that got us out of the groups against the worst predictions than later on in the semi or final. At then end of the day if you're going to win you've got to be up to beating all comers and an "easy qualification group" was no help at all.
Hoping Shrek is match fit though as he looked awful when he was pulled off to make way for the Hesklump yesterday.

A friend pointed out that Fabio Capello bears a striking resemblance to Carl Fredricksen, the old man in Pixar's "Up!" check out this trailer - it's the same attitude too
http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/up/

 

[LadyArowana]

I really don't understand why everyone is so disappointed ( His Lordship is very very mopey about it ). Every time there is a world cup England are about to do brilliantly, and every time they are rubbish. So I figured ahead of time that we would likely be rubbish, at worst my view is confirmed and if I am wrong I get a pleasant surprise. Much like the lottery really! :lol:

The joy and pain of supporting the English football team is based entirely on that dichotomy - on statistics from the various club teams they play for, we should have a world class team including arguably the best striker in the world. But when these mighty talents are assembled they regularly conspire to disappoint with a performance you'd be embarrassed to see on Hackney Marshes.
So the pain of watching England is that we expect them to disappoint and they so frequently do, the joy is when they pessimism is thwarted by a flash of the team they should be.

A pessimist is never disappointed, but that's no recipe for life in my experience.

I shall now put away my crystal ball for another 4 years.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Shall we just ask Simon to delete this whole thread?

:roll: :roll: :roll:

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh, poor boys. ((((((((())))))))))

 

[Nigel Watts]

I saw lots of very delighted, very sweet kids wrapped in black yellow and red flags as I arrived here in Heidelberg yesterday evening. I couldn't help feeling happy for them.

 

[Pford75]

Re: The World Cup Thread
by Nigel Watts on Mon 28th Jun, 2010 6:41

I saw lots of very delighted, very sweet kids wrapped in black yellow and red flags as I arrived here in Heidelberg yesterday evening.

And that is a good summation of the point of the World Cup or football in general. I don't know of any other sport or hobby which can inspire such extreme emotions in so many people.

England were trul terrible (but not surprising given what I see at youth football level where my children play - too much emphasis on big, strong lads vs. skill and control)

 

[FamilyWiggs]

I saw lots of very delighted, very sweet kids wrapped in black yellow and red flags as I arrived here in Heidelberg yesterday evening. I couldn't help feeling happy for them.

Steady on Nigel! We can only take such frippery so far!

Anyway, why were the kids supporting, Belgium, East Timor or Uganda? They're not even in the finals!