The Official Fifa World Cup 2010 Thread

[calgaryballer]

Matt, that certainly wouldn't surprise me. And I'd love for Australia to make it. One of my best memories (well, how much I remember of it is debatable) is watching the Italy/Aussie match in Valenia with 9 Aussies. We were loaded before and during the match, but the drinking that commenced after that loss probably ruined my liver. So, a bit of good luck their way can't hurt.

Anyways, last two groups.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Everyone is heralding this as the group of death, but I think its much more clear cut. Brazil, save for an epic collapse, is going through. Korea, unless Kim Jong threatens nuclear war, isn't advancing. That leaves the match between Ivory Coast and Portugal as the most important of the group. And I have to think that the Ivory Coast, mainly Drogba, can win that game. If Pepe isn't playing, Carvalho can't do it alone. Didier Zokora has found himself in Seville, and the Toure brothers are great at what they do. Even Eboue seems to find it within himself for the Elephants.

Prediction - Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, N Korea

Group H - Spain, Swiss, Honduras, Chile
Well, I think we can pencil Spain in. They dumped their international failure label at the Euros, and while I still wouldn't be surprised to see them choke, it won't be at the group stage. David Villa has been in torrid form for Valenica, and the defence is good enough to allow the attackers to do what they do. Casillas has been a bit shaky this season, but he is still the worlds best IMO, so that can not be a bad thing.

Chile would be my favourites to advance, but I'm not going to discount the other two. Matias Fernandez has found himself again, and the rest of the attacking force can break with speed. Defence, like most S American sides, could be their undoing. Switzerland had a good start to the Euro's (for them) until Alexander Frei blew his knee and ruined their chances. A team with only one real weapon is my choice for fourth.

Honduras will rely heavily on two players. Wilson Palacios and David Suazo will be counted on to marshal the team and provide an attacking threat. As fun as they were to watch in Concacaf qualifying, I think the run ends here with a spirited third place finish.

Prediction - Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland

 

[calgaryballer]

My quick playoff breakdown. Can't really do anything detailed. I'd love some African teams to go deep, but with how I've predicted everything, and the way it comes out, I don't see to many upsets. Thought about putting Nigeria over France, but France just has so much quality. England to the semis was tough, but I think they can beat France

 

[davie]

Thought about putting Nigeria over France, but France just has so much quality.

Who do you think is quality for France?

 

[calgaryballer]

Who do you think is quality for France?

In defence, Gallas, Evra and Mexes could walk into most club sides in the world, while Clichy, Abidal and Sagny certainly wouldn't be turned away.

The midfield has Ribery, when fit a world class player. Gourcuff, who orchestrates the team that broke Lyon's hold on Ligue 1 and dominated their CL group. Lass Diarra has been playing well for Madrid. Toulalon has had a lot of top sides look at him. Nasri is still well regarded, if oft injured.

Up front, Anelka is having one of his best ever seasons. Benzema hasn't been awe inspiring with Madrid, and can struggle with Les Blues, but has quality. Henry is still Henry if he is fit. I am a big homer for Gomis too, I'd love to see him get more chances.

I think a squad of

Lloris
Sagna - Gallas - Mexes - Evra
Govou - Gourcuff - Diarra - Ribery
Henry - Anelka

Is a Quarter Final team, at worst, on paper. Whether or not Domenech gets their head straight is another question. So Nigeria could be France, and I wouldn't be surprised at all. Would I wager on it happening? Not right now

 

[Boss AZ]

Matt, that certainly wouldn't surprise me. And I'd love for Australia to make it. One of my best memories (well, how much I remember of it is debatable) is watching the Italy/Aussie match in Valenia with 9 Aussies. We were loaded before and during the match, but the drinking that commenced after that loss probably ruined my liver. So, a bit of good luck their way can't hurt.

Anyways, last two groups.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Everyone is heralding this as the group of death, but I think its much more clear cut. Brazil, save for an epic collapse, is going through. Korea, unless Kim Jong threatens nuclear war, isn't advancing. That leaves the match between Ivory Coast and Portugal as the most important of the group. And I have to think that the Ivory Coast, mainly Drogba, can win that game. If Alex isn't playing, Carvalho can't do it alone. Didier Zokora has found himself in Seville, and the Toure brothers are great at what they do. Even Eboue seems to find it within himself for the Elephants.

Prediction - Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, N Korea

Group H - Spain, Swiss, Honduras, Chile
Well, I think we can pencil Spain in. They dumped their international failure label at the Euros, and while I still wouldn't be surprised to see them choke, it won't be at the group stage. David Villa has been in torrid form for Valenica, and the defence is good enough to allow the attackers to do what they do. Casillas has been a bit shaky this season, but he is still the worlds best IMO, so that can not be a bad thing.

Chile would be my favourites to advance, but I'm not going to discount the other two. Matias Fernandez has found himself again, and the rest of the attacking force can break with speed. Defence, like most S American sides, could be their undoing. Switzerland had a good start to the Euro's (for them) until Alexander Frei blew his knee and ruined their chances. A team with only one real weapon is my choice for fourth.

Honduras will rely heavily on two players. Wilson Palacios and David Suazo will be counted on to marshal the team and provide an attacking threat. As fun as they were to watch in Concacaf qualifying, I think the run ends here with a spirited third place finish.

Prediction - Spain, Chile, Honduras, Switzerland

I'm sure Carvalho will be fine without Alex as I don't even know who Alex is. :shifty:

Chile are my dark horse team and I think a lot of people are underrating them. I see them making some noise.

 

[calgaryballer]

I'm sure Carvalho will be fine without Alex as I don't even know who Alex is. :shifty:

Chile are my dark horse team and I think a lot of people are underrating them. I see them making some noise.

Whoops, meant Pepe.

 

[davie]

In defence, Gallas, Evra and Mexes could walk into most club sides in the world, while Clichy, Abidal and Sagny certainly wouldn't be turned away.

The midfield has Ribery, when fit a world class player. Gourcuff, who orchestrates the team that broke Lyon's hold on Ligue 1 and dominated their CL group. Lass Diarra has been playing well for Madrid. Toulalon has had a lot of top sides look at him. Nasri is still well regarded, if oft injured.

Up front, Anelka is having one of his best ever seasons. Benzema hasn't been awe inspiring with Madrid, and can struggle with Les Blues, but has quality. Henry is still Henry if he is fit. I am a big homer for Gomis too, I'd love to see him get more chances.

I think a squad of

Lloris
Sagna - Gallas - Mexes - Evra
Govou - Gourcuff - Diarra - Ribery
Henry - Anelka

Is a Quarter Final team, at worst, on paper. Whether or not Domenech gets their head straight is another question. So Nigeria could be France, and I wouldn't be surprised at all. Would I wager on it happening? Not right now

Anelka - very good. Ribery - very good.

After that it's hard to see the quality. Evra, I can understand you being misled with him being in the FIFA team of the year (he's not even a better left back than Ashley 'phone in the rectum' Cole), is the French Micah Richards with the whole "he makes mistakes, but has pace to make up for them." That doesn't work at the highest level.

If you really believe that Gallas could walk into any side in the world then I am wasting my time typing this. He and Sagna are jokes, I shouldn't have to say this - just wait 6 months and watch them fuck up.

Henry is finished. Not that Arsenal ever did well in Europe while he was "at his best." The exception being the season they reached the final vs. Barcelona (2006) because Arsene Wenger actually grew a pair and played 4-5-1 in Europe.

Lloris and Govou play in an above average team in a shitbag league that I can't be expected to care about since it's mostly talentless Africans who are "French". Same for Gourcuff - as for dominating vs. a bum CL team, Bayern under Retard Van Gaal and about to be sacked Ciro Ferrara's Juve then congratulations on finishing in a 6 game group ahead of 2 huge name, hugely underperforming (by their standard) teams.

For a team with all that quality to only reach the Quarter Final? To finish top of a bad group and then only have to win one game. Don't stick your neck out too far. By the way, Wayne Rooney is better than anyone in the France team.

 

[zack54attack]

Dempsey out for World Cup??

Clint Dempsey faces a long layoff after injuring a knee during Fulham's 2-0 loss at Blackburn on Sunday, the latest blow to American preparations for the World Cup.

The U.S. forward sat on the field in the 61st minute of the Premier League game after falling, then pointed at his right knee before a trainer came out and examined him. Dempsey limped off and was replaced.

"Clint will be scanned tomorrow, but we feel it might be a posterior cruciate knee ligament, which would be very bad for us and he would be out for a while," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said. "It's a concern up front because Clint Dempsey is very useful for us."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...sec=us&cc=5901


BIG loss for the USA if he cant play...

 

[calgaryballer]

Dempsey out for World Cup??



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...sec=us&cc=5901


BIG loss for the USA if he cant play...

Scan came back as minor, he should be able to resume play for Fulham by the end of the year