[quote]supermick wrote:
Personally im all about BRAZIL…obviously HH wouldnt want to be part of a soccer crowd though.
[/quote]
What a great picture, you can almost hear her thought process: “Oh shit, my titties just popped out! Oh well, Go Brazil!”
[quote]Headhunter wrote:
UtahLama wrote:
Headhunter wrote:
1-packlondoner wrote:
Erm… From this avatar it looks like some kind of semi-contact points scoring TKD tournament or a kumite.
I’m in awe. That is soo manly.
You didn’t mention when you said you liked kicking to the head that you were wearing headguards at the time.
Wuss.
lol
If that’s your avatar, it looks like you got kicked in the head and forgot your headgear.
Okay, you can have your pathetic little thread back now. I had my laughs.
Soccer… on T-Nation……
Have you not noticed Headboy that you get jumped on every time you hop on a thread and start spewing uninformed drivel.
Do us all a favor and start your own thread that nobody will pay attention to. I went back and looked at some of your posts, they all seem to be lashing out at people that told you to SHUT THE FUCK UP.
Piss off.
Knew as soon as I said I was leaving the little ‘barking dogs’ would come out, yapping with their pitiful little hate message. What’s wrong, boy? Someone questions why soccer (soccer!) is on a bodybuilding site, and you get your panties in a wad?
Hmmm…yapping little dogs like to chase little white balls around. Soccer players…any connection?
[/quote]
Well maybe thats why we are in the “get a life” section mate, im glad you’ve already got one… so no need to post here, go back to your american football thread. Or did that thread get no replies? Because no-one else around the world likes that shitty game…
Don’t get me wrong brother but “soccer” as you like to call it, despite the fact that we actually use our feet; IS the biggest sport in the world.
behind cricket of course 
[quote]boss ball wrote:
croatia will win world cup!!!
best scorer in world cup is going to be ivan puljiz barba!!!
go,croatia,go!!![/quote]
dude, simmer down.
Croatia just got manhandled 2-1 by a lackluster Spain in a friendly and the goal they scored was an own goal by Spanish defender Pablo.
Can’t wait for this thing to get started tomorrow.
Let me reiterate:
This tournament is Brazil’s to lose.
The core of the team has been together since WC 1998 and the new blood is just as good if not better than anything Brazil has ever put on the pitch.
This WC Brazil squad may be an all-time level team. If they play up to their promise, this thing is over.
However, I’m looking for Germany to make a run (stats show that the home countries do well in WC tournaments) and have France, England, Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire and Spain (based on recent friendlies) as dark horse teams.
[quote]UtahLama wrote:
Hey 1-Pac,
Beware of One Ball it is the OG himself BALBOS, back to hit you over the head with pure eastern-bloc stupidity.[/quote]
lol… That’s my favourite kind of stupidity…
[quote]OARSMAN wrote:
Let me reiterate:
This tournament is Brazil’s to lose.
The core of the team has been together since WC 1998 and the new blood is just as good if not better than anything Brazil has ever put on the pitch.
This WC Brazil squad may be an all-time level team. If they play up to their promise, this thing is over.
However, I’m looking for Germany to make a run (stats show that the home countries do well in WC tournaments) and have France, England, Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire and Spain (based on recent friendlies) as dark horse teams. [/quote]
I really don’t think you could call France, Argentina or even England ‘dark horse’ teams as they are 3 of the best ranked teams in the world.
Yeah Brazil is strong but only going forward. They have vulnerabilities just like anyone else. It is most certainly not ‘theirs to lose’. A lot of national teams have improved considerably since Euro 2004 and WC2002 - not least teams like Cote d’Ivoire (not that they were in the lat WC), Spain and yes, even dear old England. Even the US squad looks better, although I would be very surprised if they did as well this time out.
Sure, they are favourites, but only until they get knocked out by Beckham scoring form the half-way line.
Rooney’s fit but not for Saturday. Feel sorry for Defoe but still… Fuck 'im if Wayne’s coming.
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
I really don’t think you could call France, Argentina or even England ‘dark horse’ teams as they are 3 of the best ranked teams in the world.[/quote]
I think we can agree that the world “rankings” mean fuck all come gameday.
France:
I consider France a dark horse b/c they are flying under the radar - and the knock on them this time is that they have an old team on the way out. But damn that lineup is ridiculous, and when you factor in that Zidane may want to go out with a bang and they played like limp-wristed fags in the last WC - that,and a favorable group makes them a dark horse for a big push in my book.
Argentina:
The Argies are dark horses based on recent history - people pump them up based on past pedigree but in the recent WC’s they have not played up to potential. 1/4’s in 1998 - when they should have beaten Holland - and played like absolute garbage in 1994 and 2002. Plus they have a youngish team with many players who have not played at WC level. So yes, they are definitely a dark horse. Hell, given the group they are in they many not get out of the group stage.
England/Spain:
No offense, dude, but other than WC 1990 - England has done fuck all in recent WC’s, and Spain of course either choke or get fucked over by the ref.
In the US, European soccer coverage is very Anglo-centric so they build this myth of England as this juggernaut world-soccer power, but in my book they are like Spain - tons of potential, but with the lack of recent results to show for it. So, until proven otherwise, they have to be considered dark horses in my book.
[quote]OARSMAN wrote:
1-packlondoner wrote:
I really don’t think you could call France, Argentina or even England ‘dark horse’ teams as they are 3 of the best ranked teams in the world.
I think we can agree that the world “rankings” mean fuck all come gameday.
France:
I consider France a dark horse b/c they are flying under the radar - and the knock on them this time is that they have an old team on the way out. But damn that lineup is ridiculous, and when you factor in that Zidane may want to go out with a bang and they played like limp-wristed fags in the last WC - that,and a favorable group makes them a dark horse for a big push in my book.
Argentina:
The Argies are dark horses based on recent history - people pump them up based on past pedigree but in the recent WC’s they have not played up to potential. 1/4’s in 1998 - when they should have beaten Holland - and played like absolute garbage in 1994 and 2002. Plus they have a youngish team with many players who have not played at WC level. So yes, they are definitely a dark horse. Hell, given the group they are in they many not get out of the group stage.
England/Spain:
No offense, dude, but other than WC 1990 - England has done fuck all in recent WC’s, and Spain of course either choke or get fucked over by the ref.
In the US, European soccer coverage is very Anglo-centric so they build this myth of England as this juggernaut world-soccer power, but in my book they are like Spain - tons of potential, but with the lack of recent results to show for it. So, until proven otherwise, they have to be considered dark horses in my book.[/quote]
Fair enough, but just because they are dark horses in your book it doesn’t mean they’re dark horses in anyone else’s.
France won WC98 and Euro 2000, had a crap last couple of tournaments but just because they have some old players you shouldn’t discount they have some of the best players in the world.
As for us, err… Look at our record in competitive games under Sven. I think you’ll find it is a record any national team would be proud of.
As for doing fuck-all since 1990, we were in the Quarter finals in WC2002, Semi Finals in Euro 96, Quarter Finals in Euro 2004. So we’ve been there or thereabouts for nigh-on a decade.
Best teams… as in quality of players in order…
France - They have one of the greatest players of all time in Zidane, and the current greatest in henry, no way is Ronaldinho better… They also have a player who was one of the greatest center mids of all time in viera, plus they have trezeguet silvestre, thuram, giuly, pires.
And that is their problem and why they wont win it, as it is mostly still the same team that one WC98. If all these players were playing at their peak it would be frances WC.
As it is I think they are too old, but overall still have the most talent in their squad.
England - The two best attackin CM in the world in lamps and gerrard, one of the most potent strikers in fotball in owen, a wonderkid in rooney, one of the best left back in the world in cole, the two best center backs in the world, the ever steady neville, and one of europe’s upcoming keepers, and Real madrids best player last season in beckham. This really could be our year.
Spain - Very similar to england, have quality in middle of park in Xavi and Alonso, strong in defence, del horno, puyol, marquez, cassilas, lacking firepower up front though, torres not in same bracket as rooney, and raul is too old.
Italy - simply not good enough, totti is over-rated, and they look weak on the flanks + aging defence this is NOT their year.
Germany - a one man team in ballack, outside chance just becasue they are hosts and traditionally do well in WC’s
Argentina - Crespo is over-rated as is riquelme, the rest of the team is nothing special, for god sake they play the reserve west ham right back in scalterri or whatever he is called
Holland - team of premaddonas in nistelrooy, robben, e.t.c
Brazil- for me second favourites behind england. Best in tournament going forward, but they are just not solid enough at the back, we nearly beat them last time with no rooney, no joe cole, no lampard, no robinson, no neville, I think we will do them in next time…
Czech - outside chance, if rosicky and nedved were fit but both are injured, baros is shit and koller is slow.
So ranked in order of favourites
- England, Brazil
- Spain, Portugal, France
- Argentina, Germany,
- Holland, Ivory Coast,
- Czech Rep
Ivory Coast- definately a good outsiders bet, I also think Iran can make it past the group stage.
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
Fair enough, but just because they are dark horses in your book it doesn’t mean they’re dark horses in anyone else’s.[/quote]
What I’m saying is that they shouldn’t be considered “automatic locks” based on the nation’s soccer pedigree. Going by recent results you would have to consider Brazil and Germany as co-favorites. Brazil b/c they are the most talent rich nation and can rise to the occasion and the Germans a) b/c they just seem to know how to win and have a habit of going deep in the important tournaments and b) they’re playing on home soil - which is going to be huge this time around b/c they are coming into this tournament with one of the weakest national squads in recent memory.
[quote]
France won WC98 and Euro 2000, had a crap last couple of tournaments but just because they have some old players you shouldn’t discount they have some of the best players in the world.[/quote]
Quite the opposite. I am not discounting them. I am saying that many commentators are discounting them for the very same reasons you just mentioned. I, for one, would not be surprised if they make a push deep into the tourney.
[quote]
As for us, err… Look at our record in competitive games under Sven. I think you’ll find it is a record any national team would be proud of. [/quote]
The same could have been said for Spain under Clemente or Camacho. I’m not saying England or Spain suck, but with the talent pool at their disposal - they should have been in a Final at least once already.
[quote]
As for doing fuck-all since 1990, we were in the Quarter finals in WC2002, Semi Finals in Euro 96, Quarter Finals in Euro 2004. So we’ve been there or thereabouts for nigh-on a decade.[/quote]
So has Spain (1/4s in '94, crashed out in 98 on super choke, '02 - both games robbed by bad ref calls, and 1/4’s in Euro 96, 00, and crashed out in group in 2004 on garbage performance). Again, for the two countries with arguably two fo the top three domestic leagues in the world - they should have more to show for it than a handful of quarters and semis - one of these countries should at least have made a final.
That’s my point, and why I feel that both the English and Spanish press put unrealistic expectations on the national sides that may in a way indirectly affect performance on the pitch. Just a thought.
It’ll be interesting to see how they fare this time around.
Quick question for the England fans.
Rooney is healthy according to his most recent MRI. But, the Doc’s are not giving their blessing until the Knockout stages.
Will Sven and the Tri-Lions be able to keep him out of a must win game 3 of pool play?
Or will the collective “here we go again” attitude of England demand that he play.
Seriously I have never seen a country more negative than England. The most important thing other than Rooney was “Oh my God, who will be our NEXT coach”
Um don’t you have one already?
I personally think that any team in the world has to be happy to have gotten to the quarter finals (bar Brazil) and anything after that is in the lap of the footballing Gods.
We all know the best team doesn’t always win it - Greece in Euro 2004 being a recent example.
Also, I think there is a massive disparity between what the media prints and what the respective nation’s fans feel/expect.
This year I feel is different for England because even the fans think this is our best chance in a long long time.
[quote]alstan90 wrote:
Best teams… as in quality of players in order…
France - They have one of the greatest players of all time in Zidane, and the current greatest in henry, no way is Ronaldinho better… They also have a player who was one of the greatest center mids of all time in viera, plus they have trezeguet silvestre, thuram, giuly, pires.
And that is their problem and why they wont win it, as it is mostly still the same team that one WC98. If all these players were playing at their peak it would be frances WC.
As it is I think they are too old, but overall still have the most talent in their squad.
[/quote]
Your kidding, right? Have you seen any recent game of them. Fuck the great players, their game is ridiculous at the moment, and this is a team sport!!!
Agreed
I am not so sure about that…
Seen the Confed Cup?
???
This is what I call a world-class team!
They play like shit right now! Seriously!
[quote]
So ranked in order of favourites
- England, Brazil
- Spain, Portugal, France
- Argentina, Germany,
- Holland, Ivory Coast,
- Czech Rep
Ivory Coast- definately a good outsiders bet, I also think Iran can make it past the group stage.[/quote]
[quote]UtahLama wrote:
Quick question for the England fans.
Rooney is healthy according to his most recent MRI. But, the Doc’s are not giving their blessing until the Knockout stages.
Will Sven and the Tri-Lions be able to keep him out of a must win game 3 of pool play?
Or will the collective “here we go again” attitude of England demand that he play.
Seriously I have never seen a country more negative than England. The most important thing other than Rooney was “Oh my God, who will be our NEXT coach”
Um don’t you have one already?[/quote]
The docs are just covering their backs.
Rooney will be there when he’s ready - only a chance of him being rushed if it’s a ‘must win’ group game - dependent of previous results.
Sven’s replacement couldn’t hold down a job managing Tescos, let alone the England team. His own ‘relegation-battling’ club were going to sack him at Christmas.
Absurd appointment made by people who do not have a clue.
[quote]UtahLama wrote:
Seriously I have never seen a country more negative than England. The most important thing other than Rooney was “Oh my God, who will be our NEXT coach”
Um don’t you have one already?[/quote]
English fans (like Spanish fans)have a penchant toward illusion tempered by negativity because they have been disappointed/heartbroken by their national side so many times in the recent past.
You have to think that in two of the most soccer-mad nations in the world boasting of the perhaps the two best domestic leagues on the planet would warrant better performances from their national sides.
However, as they say, hope springs eternal, that is of course, until the soccer gods find a way to continue the agony.
It’s sort of like the Red Sox in the MLB until they finally won their World Series. England and Spain have been waiting a long time for a major national team title.
One of these tournaments they’ll make that run. This is the hope of most of the fans in these two countries - and this also accounts for much of the paranoia and negativity. Especially (in the case of the English) when it’s your main star on the slab, so to speak.
As to Sven, it’s rumored that he is talks with Real Madrid pending the outcome of their presidential elections. One of the candidates has promised to bring Sven over as coach if he is elected by the shareholders.
[quote]1-packlondoner wrote:
I personally think that any team in the world has to be happy to have gotten to the quarter finals (bar Brazil) and anything after that is in the lap of the footballing Gods.[quote]
You raise an interesting point. Is it really luck or skill or is that intangible that some teams have (like the Germans and Italians for instance) and some teams don’t (like the Spanish, for example) that they can pull out a game even when they are outclassed on the pitch?
I have wondered that many times - for example look at Germany’s run to the final in the last WC. They played rather uninspired football - very mechanical, very, well, German - and yet they found a way to win game after game until they met the steamroller that is Brazil.
Or how about the penalty shootout against England in the Euro’96 semis? England wiped the floor with the Germans in the midfield - and yet could not score the finisher - at the penalty kick stage - against England at Wembley - and to eke out the win? that is hardcore - the odds would favor the home team in a situation like that.
There are many instances like this - in both sides - but I bring that up because the England v. Spain, England v. Germany of Euro 96 are two of the greatest games I’ve ever seen - I can only hope this WC rises to such quality.
Brazil v. Holland (WC 1998 semis - was pretty bad ass as well
[quote]OARSMAN wrote:
UtahLama wrote:
Seriously I have never seen a country more negative than England. The most important thing other than Rooney was “Oh my God, who will be our NEXT coach”
Um don’t you have one already?
English fans (like Spanish fans)have a penchant toward illusion tempered by negativity because they have been disappointed/heartbroken by their national side so many times in the recent past.
You have to think that in two of the most soccer-mad nations in the world boasting of the perhaps the two best domestic leagues on the planet would warrant better performances from their national sides.
However, as they say, hope springs eternal, that is of course, until the soccer gods find a way to continue the agony.
It’s sort of like the Red Sox in the MLB until they finally won their World Series. England and Spain have been waiting a long time for a major national team title.
One of these tournaments they’ll make that run. This is the hope of most of the fans in these two countries - and this also accounts for much of the paranoia and negativity. Especially (in the case of the English) when it’s your main star on the slab, so to speak.
As to Sven, it’s rumored that he is talks with Real Madrid pending the outcome of their presidential elections. One of the candidates has promised to bring Sven over as coach if he is elected by the shareholders.
[/quote]
Utter bollocks. Forget what the press says - Most England fans I know (and baring in mind I’m English) expect us to play well and hopefully get to the quarters of any major tournament. Neither negative nor wildly optimistic in my opinion.
Fact is this time around for the first time ever we have a squad where the majority of the players would be termed ‘world class’ by any knowledgable fan. Subsequently our hopes, if perhaps not our expectations, are higher this year.
[quote]OARSMAN wrote:
1-packlondoner wrote:
I personally think that any team in the world has to be happy to have gotten to the quarter finals (bar Brazil) and anything after that is in the lap of the footballing Gods.
You raise an interesting point. Is it really luck or skill or is that intangible that some teams have (like the Germans and Italians for instance) and some teams don’t (like the Spanish, for example) that they can pull out a game even when they are outclassed on the pitch?
I have wondered that many times - for example look at Germany’s run to the final in the last WC. They played rather uninspired football - very mechanical, very, well, German - and yet they found a way to win game after game until they met the steamroller that is Brazil.
Or how about the penalty shootout against England in the Euro’96 semis? England wiped the floor with the Germans in the midfield - and yet could not score the finisher - at the penalty kick stage - against England at Wembley - and to eke out the win? that is hardcore - the odds would favor the home team in a situation like that.
There are many instances like this - in both sides - but I bring that up because the England v. Spain, England v. Germany of Euro 96 are two of the greatest games I’ve ever seen - I can only hope this WC rises to such quality.
Brazil v. Holland (WC 1998 semis - was pretty bad ass as well[/quote]
If you are talking Euro 96, then it’s all about England Vs Holland! Shearer and Sheringham - The OTHER SAS…
Today is the day!!
I am excited about it!
Offcourse I 'll be rooting for Holland!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2777832177584571503&q=bergkamp
Too bad Bergkamp isn’t there!!