[quote]Schwarzfahrer wrote:
Three words:
Schwarz
Rot
Gold[/quote]
She is awesome!
Before anyone beats me to it - I just realised I’m a dick and that the WINNER of our match will get to play Ecuador.
[quote]electric_eales wrote:
Schwarzfahrer wrote:
electric_eales wrote:
Schwarzfahrer wrote:
electric_eales wrote:
… I think Equador will win their group…
Ha!
We’re gonna totally OWN Ecuador. Germany will score nine points.
'Nuff said
How do you score 9 points?
Anyway maybe you have not watched Equador play yet, judging by their last 2 games played Equador should beat Germany with ease.
Ahm…winning three times in a row, beating every other team in your group gives you like nine points?
You can’t score 9 points though can you? You can score 9 goals though, but I really do not see that happening agaisny Equador, fancy a little bet on the game?
[/quote]
Hopefully you took this bet
Damn, Equador received a hiding from the Germans - nice one guys.
And in other news, Poland seemed to have redeemed themselves, too little too late, with a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica…now go home you faders.
I’m all warmed up for the England v Sweden Game now - it should be good.
COME ON ENGLAND! 
[quote]Schwarzfahrer wrote:
Three words:
Schwarz
Rot
Gold[/quote]
Ive decided German woman are my flavour of the month.
Schwarz, sort me out with one mate.
Thanks.
[quote]Schwarzfahrer wrote:
Three words:
Schwarz
Rot
Gold[/quote]
Where are you finding all these pictures, they have been sublime so far!
What a goal!!
C’mon England!
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
What a goal!!
C’mon England![/quote]
C’mon Sweden…I don’t want the Ecuadorians to have to face England in the round of 16, rather have the Germans battle them.
[quote]Shakey D wrote:
1-packlondoner wrote:
What a goal!!
C’mon England!
C’mon Sweden…I don’t want the Ecuadorians to have to face England in the round of 16, rather have the Germans battle them.[/quote]
There goes that idea, oh well, bring on the Brits!
England v. Sweden over 2-2
Wow. That was a great match.
I’m still not convinced about England - they have yet to fire on all cylinders and seeing as how some of the other teams in the tournament are playing - they have to pull it together (and quickly) in order to make it past the quarterfinal stage.
I think they’ll handle Ecuador - but as to the quarters - we’ll see.
However, when England is on - it’s a beautiful sight to see - that sequence that resulted in the Gerrard header in the 85th minute was inspired football - some of the best I’ve seen in this tournament. The first goal by Joe Cole wasn’t too shabby either! Now, if only the 3 Lions can play like that for 90 minutes then they will be truly formidable indeed.
The other side of course, is that England has yet to gel as a unit and they are developing a troubling tendency to get caught with their pants down at the most inopportune times. That second Swedish goal was inexcusable. That has to be frustrating.
All in all a solid effort and a teaser of what England is capable of - let’s see if Sven can iron out the kinks and we can finally see the real England.
[quote]Shakey D wrote:
Shakey D wrote:
1-packlondoner wrote:
What a goal!!
C’mon England!
C’mon Sweden…I don’t want the Ecuadorians to have to face England in the round of 16, rather have the Germans battle them.
There goes that idea, oh well, bring on the Brits![/quote]
English. Bring on the English.
Good game.
Typical premiership-style match that. Good tempo. Good chances at both ends. And they didn’t cause us too many problems except at bloody set pieces!
Larsson is still a quality player even at age 90! He seems to be the bain of my life, especially after the Champions league final too… Git
Campbell is finished though. His decision-making process seesm to have deserted him in the last 6 months. His dithering led to the 2nd goal. I’ll be happy if we get him off the payroll at Arsenal and let him go to Fenerbache. Watching this former collosus is to me as sad as watching Ronaldo.
All in all good - shame about Owen though - That looked seriously painful.
Anyway, bring on the mighty Ecuador.
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
Never said there was no quality. More that it was predictable and there wasn’t enough variety until finally Joaquin and Fabregas got into the game, at which point it opened up considerably.[/quote]
Hey 1-pack:
I never implied you said that. At least that was not my intent. I was shocked at how many media people made remarks similar to yours - and completely ignored the tactical game Lemerre decided to play once Tunisia went up 1-0.
You could clearly see in the replays that he basically conceded all but the final 25m of the pitch to Spain and was basically playing a very packed 5-5-0 formation until Raul scored the equalizer.
I think it would be very difficult even for the best passing team to consistently find open passing lanes in such a condensed, cluttered area.
Personally, I think Aragones realized that they were butting their heads against the wall in the first half and brought in Joaquin who is much better getting the ball in the air with the crosses. I guess you could say he’s the closest thing Spain has to a Beckham type crosser. (Although he is light years from Beckham’s crossing ability).
But yes, you are absolutely correct - Joaquin was most definitely the spark.
[quote]
It’s a similar issue that England have had in their last two games. ie keep doing one thing over and over again and wait for the opposition to make a mistake. Which they did. And which Spain’s opposition did too.[/quote]
Yes, most definitely. But given the tactics LeMerre decided to employ did Spain have any other alternative? I guess I may not have the most creative football mind - because if I was Aragones - I’d do what he did yesterday. I guess we can debate that one for awhile.
Most definitely.
England v. Ecuador and Germany v. Sweden are very, very intriguing matchups. Sweden’s offense for the most part, has been rather silent in this WC.
Zlatan, for all the hype, has been a major bust.
Has England ever faced Ecuador? Just curious…
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
Larsson is still a quality player even at age 90! He seems to be the bain of my life, especially after the Champions league final too… Git [/quote]
ha ! Yeah Larsson does seem to be in the right place at the right time doesn’t he?
[quote]
Campbell is finished though. His decision-making process seesm to have deserted him in the last 6 months. His dithering led to the 2nd goal. [/quote]
I don’t know if all the blame should go to Campbell. Robinson also has to share the blame - he totally misjudged that ball and was consequently caught out of position. An inexcusable mistake for a keeper at that level.
What the fuck is up with Ronaldo? It’s like he’s lost a step. or two. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sit him in favor of Robinho.
[quote]OARSMAN wrote:
I don’t know if all the blame should go to Campbell. Robinson also has to share the blame - he totally misjudged that ball and was consequently caught out of position. An inexcusable mistake for a keeper at that level.
[/quote]
True, but as an Arsenal fan I’ve seen a fair bit of Campbell since he walked out on the team after being subbed earlier in the year and he hasn’t been the same ever since. Hence my eagerness to lay all blame at his big gay ?100,000 a week-earning feet. lol
Don’t think that’s gonna happen. It’s Ronaldo’s last major tournament. They’ll stick with him like France will stick with the shadow of his former self that is Zidane.
Robinho definitely needs to bulk up as he’s very lightweight. Maybe he could borrow some of Ronaldo’s Weightgain 4000 to get Beefcake!
Damn we were pretty poor again tonight, Sweeden had more of the chances, well played Joe Cole though great game fantastic goal, he kinda reminds me of me.
Actually these guys remind me of me:
[quote]electric_eales wrote:
Damn we were pretty poor again tonight, Sweeden had more of the chances, well played Joe Cole though great game fantastic goal, he kinda reminds me of me.
Actually these guys remind me of me:
Excellent. Never get bored of watching the ref falling over as he tries to backheels. ha ha
What game were you watching exactly? I thought it was pretty boring again. The first half was ok because we were creating chances, but the second half was pretty boring. There were a few chances but nothing particularly open apart from the goals. Both England goals were excellent, and a great header from a good cross for Sweden. Defensive questions but that was really a quality set piece.
We should have had it in the bag, but mistakes from campbell, hargreaves and ashley cole let in that lame goal, not the keeper’s fault really whoever said that. Watching replays you could see how campbell clearly had it covered until he thought Terry had it and moved (which you should never do as a defender, purely lack of game sharpness for him), then hargreaves completely left his man and ashley cole tried to cover the middle of the net rather than the post for no apparent reason. Crap defending, not really the keepers fault because he couldn’t have come to claim it. Even so, we’re through with 2 wins and a draw.
There will undoubtedly be an improvement and we will all be waiting with baited breath for it. Shame about Owen, I can almost guarantee that he’s out for the rest of the tournament but he wasn’t really doing anything for the team at all anyway.
Roll on Sunday!
[quote]adguig wrote:
What game were you watching exactly? I thought it was pretty boring again. [/quote]
It was hard fought and got very interesting at the end. It was a very entertaining match - at least by my standards. But then again, I like to watch the tactical chess match type games as well as goal-fests.
Of course, you are free to disagree.
[quote]
We should have had it in the bag, but mistakes from campbell, hargreaves and ashley cole let in that lame goal, not the keeper’s fault really whoever said that. Watching replays you could see how campbell clearly had it covered until he thought Terry had it and moved (which you should never do as a defender, purely lack of game sharpness for him), then hargreaves completely left his man and ashley cole tried to cover the middle of the net rather than the post for no apparent reason. Crap defending, not really the keepers fault because he couldn’t have come to claim it. Even so, we’re through with 2 wins and a draw. [/quote]
All good points, but the keeper still looked out of position to me. It seems obvious he was anticipating one of the defenders getting to the ball, but when they didn’t he was quite literally caught with his pants down. My argument is that a keeper at that level has to be ready for most any eventuality - one of which has to be coverage for the defender directly in front of him. On that point, I have to give the keeper some of the blame. It was just a freaky play. Happens sometimes.
[quote]
There will undoubtedly be an improvement and we will all be waiting with baited breath for it.[/quote]
Damn straight! All you English boys talking smack about your squad before the tourney started- well, I want to see it too… LOL
[quote]
Shame about Owen, I can almost guarantee that he’s out for the rest of the tournament but he wasn’t really doing anything for the team at all anyway.
Roll on Sunday![/quote]
Yup. Should be a good match.
Who would we be playing once we’ve crushed Ecuador?
The winners of which other 2nd group or is it another draw then?