Football World Cup 2006 in Germany

[martinovic]

Yeah, the 1st and 2nd red cards were just ridiciolous attempts at removing people from the game, using your elbows to hit the A tackle from behind that was more aimed at the legs then at the ball. Since Pope already had a yellow card he would have been sent off even if that action had just cost him a yellow card.
That was the case.

Zaccardo ... oh Zaccardo, Zaccardo.. *shakes head*, how many millions are these players worth again?

[klavan]

Zaccardo ... oh Zaccardo, Zaccardo.. *shakes head*, how many millions are these players worth again?
Millions of laughs! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
Klavan

[Thunderbird]

France - South Korea tonight (9:00 PM Paris/Berlin time).
The match that shouldn't be missed at any cost.
Hope we would do better than the last time, I bet France will win 2-0...
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

Regards
Thunderbird84

[Cozza]

Australia Vs Brazil tonight. About 1:30 in the moring http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif Any case we're gonna lose http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif I really hope Australia get to Round 2 but with Croatia next week it might not happen http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

[Acecombat]

nvm.

[Thunderbird]

Quote[/b] ]Any case we're gonna lose
Not that sure, everyone was expecting that Ghana will lose against the powerful czech team (2nd Best team of the world according to FIFA's ranking system), but they won, not with 1 but with 2 goals, and they even allowed themselves to miss a Penalty...


It's sure that the brazilian team isn't the czech one (:-p), but Aussies showed how good they can be.
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif


Regards
Thunderbird84

[Cozza]

guess ur right. Anything can happen in Football. Just a couple of good kicks and we could get goal http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Shashman]

Just goes to show how flawed the FIFA ranking system is. What was Ghana? 48th? And Czech Rep.? 2nd? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

"Let's organise a friendly against the Federation of Micronesia, followed by Luxemburg, Liechtenstein and Fiji to cap it off... BRING ON THE RANKINGS!"

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

[kavoven]

I missed the damn USA-Italy match and had only live reporting over SMS with my mobil, because I was the whole day in the middle of nowhere in Denmark...
Would have really liked to watch it, my family said it was the most spectacular game of the whole cup http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

*finally looks at his predictions*
Mhm... last again... why always me? XD

[raedor]

guess ur right. Anything can happen in Football. Just a couple of good kicks and we could get goal http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif
We're all for the Aussies today! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif

[denoir]

Australia Vs Brazil tonight. About 1:30 in the moring  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif  Any case we're gonna lose  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif  I really hope Australia get to Round 2 but with Croatia next week it might not happen  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif
Don't be so sure. The crappy game they just played against Japan (*I want the 90 minutes of my life back!*) would indicate that an Australian win is possible.

Still, most likely Brazil will win the group, followed by Croatia.

[raedor]

The Aussies are doing quite well so far, 0-0 after 45 minutes.

[JdB]

Go BRASIIIIIL!!! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

Another 3 points for me http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[raedor]

Blah, a draw would have been more appropriate. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[scary]

Just goes to show how flawed the FIFA ranking system is. What was Ghana? 48th? And Czech Rep.? 2nd?  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

"Let's organise a friendly against the Federation of Micronesia, followed by Luxemburg, Liechtenstein and Fiji to cap it off... BRING ON THE RANKINGS!"

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif
FIFA's ranking system is a joke. They should adopt a modified version of the IRB's excellent system.


Anyway, back to Brazil v Australia
Oz were unlucky... unlucky to have spawned that lame donkey Kewell. That miss of his was up there with Diana Ross' '94. Saying that, Brazil have got their own livestock problems with hippo-in-boots Ronaldo.

Good performance from the rest of Australia, though. If they play like that on Thursday, they should beat Croatia and qualify for round 2. I think they're good enough to beat any potential qualifier from Group E in that game too.

It really pains me to say it but, Argentina look the best team so far http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[raedor]

It really pains me to say it but, Argentina look the best team so far http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif
Wait for Spain tomorrow, they rocked last time... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Espectro]

Just goes to show how flawed the FIFA ranking system is. What was Ghana? 48th? And Czech Rep.? 2nd? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

"Let's organise a friendly against the Federation of Micronesia, followed by Luxemburg, Liechtenstein and Fiji to cap it off... BRING ON THE RANKINGS!"

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif
FIFA's ranking system is a joke. They should adopt a modified version of the IRB's excellent system.


Anyway, back to Brazil v Australia
Oz were unlucky... unlucky to have spawned that lame donkey Kewell. That miss of his was up there with Diana Ross' '94. Saying that, Brazil have got their own livestock problems with hippo-in-boots Ronaldo.

Good performance from the rest of Australia, though. If they play like that on Thursday, they should beat Croatia and qualify for round 2. I think they're good enough to beat any potential qualifier from Group E in that game too.

It really pains me to say it but, Argentina look the best team so far http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif
yep, and they only need a draw for it http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[scary]

Wait for Spain tomorrow, they rocked last time... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif
Spain were good - and much preferable to Argentina - but Argentina beat a much better team in the Ivory Coast than Spain did in Ukraine, and then went on to slaughter Country-that-no-longer-exists. They're not far apart but I give it 55% Argentina - 45% Spain on current performance.


yep, and they only need a draw for it

Ssshhh! I don't want them getting too excited, their egos are big enough as it is. They're going to do far too well in the real World Cup next year, they don't need any further encouragement  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[denoir]

Good performance from the rest of Australia, though. If they play like that on Thursday, they should beat Croatia and qualify for round 2. I think they're good enough to beat any potential qualifier from Group E in that game too.
Unlikely they will win, at least not if Croatia doesn't screw up badly. A draw is possible if Croatia continues with their streak of half-assed end shots.

Australia even if very energetic in its offense plays in a relatively simple, almost naive way (Viduka being the exception). This worked against Japan, who play as naive defence and it had a chance against Brazil who didn't want to play defence.

Croatia on the other hand is a completely different story. They have perhaps the best defence in the world - they played through the qualifications for the world cup without losing a single match. So, at least in theory, Australia should be pretty much toast.

But, this is football, so anything can happen http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[scary]

Some breaking news. Togo are to have a meeting discussing whether they are going to play Switzerland tomorrow. They want more money. Greedy buggers  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

My opinion is, if they refuse to play, ban them from the next World Cup and all internationals in 2006/2007, while they're not busy they can learn the meaning of sportsmanship.

[PrivateNoob]

France - South Korea tonight (9:00 PM Paris/Berlin time).
The match that shouldn't be missed at any cost.
Hope we would do better than the last time, I bet France will win 2-0...
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

Regards
Thunderbird84

Nope it ended 1-1.
I wanted to the see the game but thunder has messed up
TV broadcasts here, dam it! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

[Sanctuary]

That was a logical draw, France walked over South Korea in the 1st half , and South Korea walked over France in the 2nd one.

I had some hope about the "wake up" of the french team in the 1st half, but they went back to their "hibernating mode" and lack of fighting spirit in the 2nd half.
There was an obvious need of fresher players during the 2nd half as it seemed most of them were unable to run correctly, but the blind trainer just noticed 4/5 minutes before the end ....

Playing like this, France really does not deserve to be present in the 2nd turn of the world cup, what a disapointment for me, i hoped the WC 2002 lesson was learned.

[CsonkaPityu]

What's wrong with the european teams, ffs, yesterday Italy ties with the horrible US team and Checz Rep. gets wiped by Ghana and now THIS... France ties South Korea ... oh brother, somethings wrong.

A lot of people are probably losing a lot of money on this WC.

[raedor]

At least France shot their first WC goal since 1998, that was a pause of 8 years now... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[JdB]

Some breaking news. Togo are to have a meeting discussing whether they are going to play Switzerland tomorrow. They want more money. Greedy buggers http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

My opinion is, if they refuse to play, ban them from the next World Cup and all internationals in 2006/2007, while they're not busy they can learn the meaning of sportsmanship.
I think you should do more reading before you actually judge people. They refused to play because all other teams arrange their payments before the tournament. The Togo football association however was still ignoring them. They don't get paid, they don't play. A very simple method of forcing someone to pay you.

Playing for your country doesn't automatically make it a charity event.

[Daddl]

Jupp, especially after in the Africa Cup they didn't get paid completely either!

[Sanctuary]

At least France shot their first WC goal since 1998, that was a pause of 8 years now... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
So the french trainer was right in the after match interview, after the draw with South Korea when he said "there is some progress" http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[scary]

I do plenty of reading, thanks. They refused to play because they weren't being paid enough. This is the second time today that they have threatened to not play, the issue was apparently solved after their payment was guaranteed by FIFA after they lowered their initial demand to an undisclosed sum. They have since changed their minds about this reduced amount.

Wanting $196,300 each plus $38,000 for a win and $19,000 for a draw from a country with a GDP of $1,700 per capita is a long way from playing for charity. Besides which, they are getting the priceless advertising of their own skills in the largest sporting event in the world. Play well and, no doubt, they will soon be offered 5, 6 or even 7 figure contracts with European club sides.

They have been involved in this dispute since before the World Cup started, if they had any ideas of not playing then they should have withdrawn and allowed another team to take their place.

[Shashman]

Hmmm I thought the Togo dispute had been resolved http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/huh.gif

I read earlier on the BBC site that it had anyway http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[Postduifje]

Wow, Togo vs Switzerland, now there's a match I've been waiting for for months... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif. Then again, it's most likely much better than any France or Italy match.

[raedor]

Bah, that second goal was absolutely unnecessary.

[Postduifje]

Bah, that second goal was absolutely unnecessary.
hehe, I agree completely, we could use some help http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Postduifje]

Ah, damn you Raedor, don't leave me alone down here! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif

[raedor]

Ah, damn you Raedor, don't leave me alone down here! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif (/edit: I know, I'd get killed for that on CiA, but I decided to leave you behind...)

Ukr was not as weak as in the first match,they'll at least reach the next roung, and that after the 4:0 against Spain... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wow_o.gif

[kavoven]

I'm no longer last *dances* http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif
Right result of the Switzerland-Togo game wueyy http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif


I watched the first 20 min of Ukraine vs Saudi Arabia and they were quiet promising. Too bad I didn't see the other goals http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Postduifje]

Well, that figures, one goal too much is the trend of today http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[raedor]

Well, that figures, one goal too much is the trend of today http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif
Both Ukraine and Spain seemed to have forgotten their match, but at least Spain remembered it in the later minutes... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif

[Placebo]

I didn't watch a single game yesterday, decided non of the matches interested me all that much and an evening playing Hot Shots Golf Fore with the lady of the house seemed a more entertaining prospect http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

Tonight of course is different, I'll watch England v Sweden live then watch the Germany match later from video http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Albert Schweitzer]

I didn't watch a single game yesterday, decided non of the matches interested me all that much and an evening playing Hot Shots Golf Fore with the lady of the house seemed a more entertaining prospect http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

Tonight of course is different, I'll watch England v Sweden live then watch the Germany match later from video http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif
Yep, yesterdays matches were average, but it was nice to see how smooth spain is currently playing. Right now they definetly could beat brasil!

[JdB]

3 guys from the Netherlands in the lead in the mini league. Shows we really are the biggest experts in football http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif

I'm watching T&T vs Paraguay, as I can already predict that England vs Sweden will end in a draw (with which both teams quality). Teams that go for the draw on purpose should be thrown out of the tournament.

[Albert Schweitzer]

3 guys from the Netherlands in the lead in the mini league. Shows we really are the biggest experts in football http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif

I'm watching T&T vs Paraguay, as I can already predict that England vs Sweden will end in a draw (with which both teams quality). Teams that go for the draw on purpose should be thrown out of the tournament.
Pah jpb. you were often right about the scores, but not always about the winner! So watch out! http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[GoOB]

I think Sweden will lose tonight - After 38 (or was it 32?) years of England not beating us, they will do it tonight. I smell disaster for the Swedish WC effort this year http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Placebo]

Since 1968, at which time Sven was playing 3rd division football in Sweden http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[colossus]

It's a shame if Sweden loses, but I have a feeling they will. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/huh.gif

[VictorTroska]

Nice game between Gremany and Ecuador,especially goal from Podolski (he finally score)-sure hope so he leaves Köln and move to Bayern.

And congrats to Poland for nice victory and 3rd place-they earned it,although they should be on Ecuador place-real shame

And game England:Sweden is pure draw or maybe Swe win if Ibrahimovic finally come together with support of Ljungberg,Alexson,Isakson...,but England is very strong and tie is fair-but we will see..... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

[VictorTroska]

Doh ,not good start for England,bad luck for Owen....now is different style of playing,Crouch and his head shots are very dangerous,and now Crouch could risk yellow card and bye to next match......its all open now

[somebloke]

It'll be 1-1 or 2-1 to england my betting is.

[deanosbeano]

just had to come in and say getttttttt in!!!!!!!!!!!

england 1 -0 sweden
joe cole 33mins

[Pathy]

God bless Joe Coles right foot. Cracking goal.

[EddyBoy]

Stunner, best goal i've seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif

[VictorTroska]

Joe Cole on England side and Lucic on Swed's side are the best players of 1st half

[Placebo]

Goal of the tournament so far from Cole, cracking shot.

Pretty good performance by England so far, I thought first 20-25 mins was pretty even but we outplayed Sweden towards the end of the first half. Hargreaves is playing well, did I hear England fans chanting his name at the start of the game? Nice to hear if so.

IMO Lampard should be replaced at half time for Lennon with Lennon taking Beckham's position and Beckham moving to the centre, other than shooting whenever he's remotely close to the goal (and one good moment of closing down right towards the end of the 1st half) Lampard's done nothing of note. Cole is completely owning the left side, Lennon on the right would really help ease us through to a nice 9 points from 3 games.

[VictorTroska]

Stunner, best goal i've seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
Nice goal but im sure he didnt mean to,he kicked the ball and it was pure luck,even he was surprised.

[kavoven]

Very good game of England until now and best goal I've seen so far http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[denoir]

Bleh, pathetic game from Sweden so far. We're basically screwed without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Henke Larsson is the only player in the team that seems to have some balls. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

Although I would really enjoy England losing (always fun as the English take their football a bit too seriously), but honestly they are playing a far better and more elegant game.

Sweden really needs to get its shit together the next half or the result will be far worse than 1-0.

[Placebo]

Stunner, best goal i've seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
Nice goal but im sure he didnt mean to,he kicked the ball and it was pure luck,even he was surprised.
Every time an attacking player shoots on goal he means to score, so of course he meant it, if a Croatian player scored that goal would you say "pure luck"? Methinks not http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Marss911]

Stunner, best goal i've seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
Nice goal but im sure he didnt mean to,he kicked the ball and it was pure luck,even he was surprised.
Every time an attacking player shoots on goal he means to score, so of course he meant it, if a Croatian player scored that goal would you say "pure luck"? Methinks not http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif
Just pure luck, bloody english basterds!
No just kidding.. Loved the goal even though they are british!

One little thing, Holland will win the wordcups, everybody knows that... *cough*

[VictorTroska]

Stunner, best goal i've seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
Nice goal but im sure he didnt mean to,he kicked the ball and it was pure luck,even he was surprised.
Every time an attacking player shoots on goal he means to score, so of course he meant it, if a Croatian player scored that goal would you say "pure luck"? Methinks not http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif
Yeah u are right, it doesnt metter if it was luck or not ,its important that u win, but nobody and even  Eriksson thought that  he'd scored.

But nice goal, and to England 'break the leg'
Joking http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/nener.gif

[GoOB]

Bleh, pathetic game from Sweden so far. We're basically screwed without Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Have you seen him play the other games? He hasn't played good at all. I'd rather have another player giving his all on the pitch, not Zlatan underperforming. He is good otherwise though, just not this time around it seems.

Anyways - After the first half I'm almost rooting for the only Swede who I feel have a chance of winning this game. Sven, Sven Göran Eriksson.

EDIT: Kickass goal by Joe Cole, bloody fantastic.
EDIT2: w00t, 1-1 Allbäck = <3

[VictorTroska]

Yesss, its payback time, i can see draw or victory for sweden,and goOB where&#39;s your optimism,even we in croatia believe you gona win.... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

And dont criticise Ibrahimovic,because he&#39;s half croat and we can never be angry on ours players&#33;http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif
Joking,yes he&#39;s not in good shape i agree with u .

[deanosbeano]

i am asbsolutely dreading the last ten mins, we gonna sit back and absorb, its gonna be real bad.:(. (if its still 1-1).

Quote[/b] ]IMO Lampard should be replaced at half time for Lennon with Lennon taking Beckham&#39;s position and Beckham moving to the centre,
good call would have like to have seen that too. but not gonna happen, it makes to much sense.
altho lol maybe gerrard on > he might head a goal?
lol joke. Get in&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;

[colossus]

LLOOOOLLL&#33;&#33;

2-2&#33;

[denoir]

Great second half http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif Sweden really improved its game.

I&#39;ll grant that the English goals were better, but we did play well in the second half.


Quote[/b] ] I&#39;d rather have another player giving his all on the pitch, not Zlatan underperforming. He is good otherwise though, just not this time around it seems.

Indeed he hasn&#39;t been performing well recently. But he seldom suffers from what the rest of the players did during the first half: acute timidness. It&#39;s a psychological thing.

[Pathy]

That last goal had me pissing myself with laughter.

Ideal result for me, i predicted 2-2, and England still win the group. Perfect.

[Placebo]

What the hell was that second half from England? I can&#39;t believe the collapse, shocking, abysmal performance, Sweden should have been 3-1 up by 60 minutes, first half we defend really well, second half we can&#39;t even defend a corner? The most basic fundamental thing you learn to defend? Crazy. I&#39;ve seen England play bad before but not almost dominate one half then be completely dominated the second, Shocking.

[PrivateNoob]

Dam it, we should have won&#33; Now we have to face germany next match, omg.

Still though; GO SWEDEN&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[EddyBoy]

Shouldn&#39;t have let in either of those Goal. The local under 12 team who play near me are better against set-pieces. What the hell was Sol Campbell doing on the 2nd goal? It bounced about 3 times before it reached him and it still flew over that incompetant head of his. Grrrrrrrrrrr. Joe Cole was superb, didn&#39;t get as much of the ball in the 2nd half but definatly MOM.

[kavoven]

Fair ending in my opinion http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[PainDealer]

England was lucky to get a draw there. Sweden was so much better out there in general.

[GoOB]

And dont criticise Ibrahimovic,because he&#39;s half croat and we can never be angry on ours players&#33;http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif
I love Zlatan, I think he&#39;s the best thing to come out of Sweden, and indeed Croatia, since dynamite (slight exaggeration). I dearly hope he will be back in tiptop shape for the game against Germany, althought it&#39;s not likely http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

A good game with a right fair result all in all. I was pissed with Sweden in the first half, but in the second half they played really well... But I agree with Placebo, England lost some "punch" both in the defensive and the offensive side in the second half. Now for us to face Germany, yay....


I love Larsson by the way, the pure energy after that second goal... I just want to squeeze him. Can&#39;t wait to see him play live against "my" club later this year http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[VictorTroska]

Reason why England didnt win is in Rooney (did do nothing ,and he even got angry when he was replaced,dont understand he&#39;s behaviour)  and in weak Beckham (he&#39;s just make up to the team) .Hargreaves should come to place of Beckham.  
And Sweden deserves whole 3 points.
Nice birthday gift to Lampard. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/nener.gif

[Placebo]

But I agree with Placebo, England lost some "punch" both in the defensive and the offensive side in the second half.
Lost some punch? That&#39;s being kind. We completely collapsed, I&#39;m glad we didn&#39;t somehow sneak a win, that way they might think "well we won, we did ok", you didn&#39;t do ok, you should have lost.

[da12thMonkey]

Reason why England didnt win is in Rooney (did do nothing ,and he even got angry when he was replaced,dont understand he&#39;s behaviour)
Fella&#39;s still recovering from his broken foot. Before the tournament we didn&#39;t even expect to have him playing by this stage. The very fact that we were considering it had Man. Utd. *cough*scum*cough* up in arms.

His fitness is probably way down so no wonder he&#39;s not performing amazingly. Give the lad a break. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif He may have been angry at the fact that he can&#39;t play as well as he&#39;d like to, rather than because he was subbed.

Hargreaves played alright the first half I though but should he bollocks take Beckham&#39;s place.

Like the rest of the England camp here have said, our performance in the second half was a collapse. I don&#39;t think the Swedes outclassed us on their own merit at any point so I don&#39;t think they deserved a win. The fact that they scored at all was our mistake.

[deanosbeano]

first halfhttp://img502.imageshack.us/img502/672/stretcher0pi.gif second halfhttp://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3728/englandvtrinidad2iv.gif

[stainer]

Very scrappy goals by Sweden...
IMO England outplayed the Swedish everywhere but in our own box and I&#39;m disappointed that we didn&#39;t come away with the 3 points.

[VictorTroska]

@<hidden> happy birthday ,i guess this good game is also one of the reasons u should celebrate today ; Cheers and enjoy&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif

[GoOB]

IMO England outplayed the Swedish everywhere but in our own box and I&#39;m disappointed that we didn&#39;t come away with the 3 points.
Did you watch the same second half as I did? The majority of the ballkicking was done on Englands part of the pitch http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[whisper]

IMO England outplayed the Swedish everywhere but in our own box and I&#39;m disappointed that we didn&#39;t come away with the 3 points.
Did you watch the same second half as I did? The majority of the ballkicking was done on Englands part of the pitch http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif
2nd half... england outclassed, big time. They perhaps scored on their one and only occasion.
Swedes have hit post twice, Gerrard made a goal line save.
That&#39;s FAR from swedes being outplayed http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[EddyBoy]

For once as an English fan I don&#39;t need to say "We woz robbed". I think "We stitched them right up" is a more accurate term http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif.

[scary]

Well that was confusing.

Brilliant first half from England, played to their true potential. Cole&#39;s goal was simply stunning, I&#39;d be surprised if we see a better goal on the rest of the tournament.

Second half was just embarrassing. England probably have the best defence in football - usually - but I&#39;ve seen school boys defend better against set pieces. Both of Sweden&#39;s goals - and the near misses - were gifted by England. Shocking half.

Down to two forwards (and one just out of nappies, that Sven doesn&#39;t seem to want to play anyway) isn&#39;t promising for the rest of the tournament. Do you think anyone would notice if Defoe went on in Wallcot&#39;s shirt?

[whisper]

Second half was just embarrassing. England probably have the best defence in football - usually - but I&#39;ve seen school boys defend better against set pieces. Both of Sweden&#39;s goals - and the near misses - were gifted by England. Shocking half.
Nah, the corner kick is clearly something worked for hours by swedes, Wenger comenting here for french TV immediatly recognised swedes were up to something when he saw swedes placement.
The strange thing is the lack of adaptation by england defense on the corner right after the goal one, exact same thing and still no one covering 1st post swede guy. They waited for the 3rd corner attempt to overrun 1st post, just to see the ball being sent 2nd post, hilarious http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif Nice thinking by the swede corner kicker http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Placebo]

Rooney (did do nothing ,and he even got angry when he was replaced,dont understand he&#39;s behaviour)
Rooney&#39;s a born winner, he wants to win and he wants to fight for the cause, he&#39;d play with a broken toe if they let him, reason he was angry is because despite just coming back from a broken toe and lacking match fitness he expects himself to last the 90 minutes, he expects himself to score goals, no matter how fit he is he has high demands for himself, give me 11 players with that mental attitude and I&#39;d have a team that would destroy any team, including Brazil.

[JdB]

give me 11 players with that mental attitude and I&#39;d have a team that would destroy any team, including Brazil.
Isn&#39;t that called "Die Mannschaft"? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

[Blackblood]

Quote[/b] ]The fact that they scored at all was our mistake..

That old remark just gotta go...Heard it one too many times.

England were the better team, first half. I give you that.
Sweden have not been able to produce that much yet in this WC.
But believe it or not; It&#39;s humans vs humans - no bots, no AI.
If thing&#39;s are going bad, chances are the opposing team atleast put a reasonable amount of effort in it. Regardless of nation or ranking.

[Mr Burns]

Watched the Eng-Swe match in cologne as planned..
almost no police visible and the funniest thing, we only met two english fans (on the way back home) during the whole time http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif
But the feeling is great, public viewing all the way from now on http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Albert Schweitzer]

Stunner, best goal i&#39;ve seen so far. Not that my decision will be biased http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
even if you are biased, it was the best goal I saw so far in this tournament&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif

[quicKsanD]

Seeing England-Sweeden had a remarkable deja-vu feeling(except for the fact in ended out a draw) back to the Romania-England games in World Cup `98 And Euro 2000.Each time England started out good,had the better odds on their side and the better names,but in the second half was out matched by an opposing team that needs 45 minutes to realise Englands weaknesses and speculate on them.

I am really surprised that England is a third favourite at bookies to win the World Cup(then again,ragardless of performances-England has always been a bookies favourite),in my opinion it doesn`t stand a chance to reach the final.I`ll share my thoughts on who will be the winner after Argentina-Netherlands.

[somebloke]

I&#39;d reckon it&#39;ll be Argentina. England will have a hard game against ecuador.

[KEVBAZ]

check out the bbc&#39;s virtual world cup replays its bloomin great

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5062160.stm

[VictorTroska]

Argentina will beat Netherlands,and i can see them in the final with Brazil,hmmm England will have hard game with Ecuador->doub that,England will smash them but after that match they have no chance further,Germany vs Sweden-very open game but Germany is stronger and they will pass but dont see them in the final also,although on 3rd place sure. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

[kavoven]

Argentina will beat Netherlands,and i can see them in the final with Brazil,hmmm England will have hard game with Ecuador->doub that,England will smash them but after that match they have no chance further,Germany vs Sweden-very open game but Germany is stronger and they will pass but dont see them in the final also,although on 3rd place sure. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif
Ahem...

Germany will play against Argentinia in quarter final, so only one of them will reach next round http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[[ZG]BUZZARD]

3 Games 3 Victories...

VIVA PORTUGAL&#33;&#33;&#33;

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[blackjack[VS]]

we had some luck today, but without luck there&#39;s no champions right? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif
3rd victory in a row and only 1 goal against...and 5 key players didnt played today so i guess we&#39;r good enough for the next stage.
FORÇA PORTUGAL&#33;&#33;

[EddyBoy]

Have fun against Holland/Argentina http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Acecombat]

So any one putting some stock in that vague Nostradamus prediction which states that Spain will win the 2006 world cup? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif

Just saw the prediction on ESPN , yet couldnt find it on the web. Anyone know about it?

[PainDealer]

Argentina will beat Netherlands
wouldn&#39;t be so sure about that one. argentina is on fire atm but are they going to risk themselves in a "meaningless" match? I sense a low scoring kickers match maybe even 0 - 0 http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif of course I wish both teams will put the best effort in it cos this clash has potential.

[kavoven]

Damn, this is a deadly boring game... (Argentinia vs Netherlands)
I fall asleep... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[EddyBoy]

Yeh, was looking forward to this one since the draw was made. Both sides resting players, rather tedious atm.

[Albert Schweitzer]

so far the realistic price of a ticket for that game should be 20 Euro&#33; Whoever paid more on the black market should have visited the local fishing museum instead, or what about a public poetry reading? both are definetly more exciting&#33;

Argentine vs Netherlands = waste of money&#33;

[kavoven]

Worst game of the tournament... Poor fans... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

[EddyBoy]

Dullest game of the tournament? Wish i&#39;d watched Ivory Coast now. Oh well, least the english dont have to play the argentinians in the quarters. Assuming we beat Ecuador http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/band.gif Did the dutch actually get a shot on target?

[PainDealer]

hate to say this but... I told ya http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[JdB]

Interesting match (defence/position/tactics wise), of course it was a boring match for most people as they expected Holland to get slaughtered like S&M (who were letting themselves get slaughtered as they didn&#39;t do much to oppose Argentina after the first goal). Argentina isn&#39;t as strong as everyone thinks. Destroying a collection of ego&#39;s that are constantly fighting with eachother ever since the first match is easier then beating a team that at least has understood the meaning of the word "team".

Spain was bad in their 2nd match as well, so for now it seems the German&#39;s despite having a "terrible squad" and only "one really good player" have performed the most consistant.

Overall the quality of the matches has been dissappointing (although you can&#39;t expect miracles from players that have already played 60+ matches last season), and it seems some of the smaller teams like Ghana, Iran, Ivory Coast and Ecuador play the better football in comparison to all of the European and South American teams full of top players (although Ivory Coast has plenty of stars too).

[Albert Schweitzer]

Quote[/b] ]as they expected Holland to get slaughtered like S&M

how are you getting all your points if you thought Holland would be "slaughtered" by Argentine? That would have been totally irrealistic considering the power of the dutch team.

[JdB]

Quote[/b] ]as they expected Holland to get slaughtered like S&M

how are you getting all your points if you thought Holland would be "slaughtered" by Argentine? That would have been totally irrealistic considering the power of the dutch team.

Quote[/b] ]of course it was a boring match for most people as they expected Holland to get slaughtered like S&M

I didn&#39;t, others did. Read the last few pages of this thread. Most people were expecting Argentina to win by a large difference. I predicted a draw http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[PainDealer]

Quote[/b] ]as they expected Holland to get slaughtered like S&M

how are you getting all your points if you thought Holland would be "slaughtered" by Argentine? That would have been totally irrealistic considering the power of the dutch team.
who knows what would have happened if they had played for real.

[VictorTroska]

Match of the day CROATIA:Australia;
Put your money on Croatia because we are on fire today,and we gonna blow &#39;em up.
I bet it will be 1:0 for Croatia or maybe 2:1 but god damn we are going to win 4 sure&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

Go-go-go-go <<HRVATSKA>> http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[Pathy]

In that case, go Australia&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[Cozza]

GO AUSTRALIA http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif Just a draw is all I&#39;m asking http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Postduifje]

Congratulations Ghana&#33;

Sorry to see Czech Republic go, they made quite an impression in their first match, but their other two matches were just too poor. Damn, I really liked to see Czech Republic and Ghana proceed, much more attractive football...

[solomeo_paredes]

goooo croatia&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif regarding our team its not ego its MOTIVATION they are willing to win we have the football in our blood and in our souls. ok?
and now we are going for mexico http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[kavoven]

Mhm... After the Germany vs Japan game in the week before the WC I thought Japan would be a strong team... But they need a 0:0 draw of Croatia-Australia and a 3:0 win against Brasil to proceed...

I think this is definatly not possible http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

Anyway, I&#39;m hoping for some good games http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[VictorTroska]

..........and thats gooooooooooooal&#33;

Dario Srna scored and we are one step closer to go to next round......
We will crush them...... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

[VictorTroska]

..........omg ,cant believe that we play so bad ,whats wrong with our players -like they forgot how to run....... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

1st half was discrase for us,we are losing the game by australians.....jesus save us

[VictorTroska]

...and goooooooooooooal...

nice goal from Kovac...... and we are back on the horse.....

Gooooooooooooooo Croatia&#33;&#33;&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif

[Postduifje]

haha, what a match&#33; Australia got one penalty, but should have got 3 or 4. 3 red cards, of which one consisting of 3 (&#33http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif loose yellow cards, the last one after the final whistle... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

[Chris Death]

I&#39;d like to bet all my money on who&#39;s for sure not gonna
be the ref&#39; in the final http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

Croatians were scared from winning the game, cause all
they would have needed is keep the Soccaruh&#39;s busy
in their half - skills of croatian should enable this.

However - though played Aussie&#39;s - even if the deciding goal
was offside - congrats from Austria (note: no Kanguruhs in Austria) to Australia. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

~S~ CD

[VictorTroska]

What a nightmare.......we lost by Australia,what a lame match...
What Australia know about football-they know shit (go and play football with kangaroos)
Luck,pure luck...... bloody hell http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

[VictorTroska]

I&#39;d like to bet all my money on who&#39;s for sure not gonna
be the ref&#39; in the final  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

Croatians were scared from winning the game, cause all
they would have needed is keep the Soccaruh&#39;s busy
in their half - skills of croatian should enable this.

However - though played Aussie&#39;s - even if the deciding goal
was offside - congrats from Austria (note: no Kanguruhs in Austria) to Australia.  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

~S~ CD
..yes it was clean offside,but all that Australians have is luck nothing more nothing less..

[Postduifje]

Actually, I think the victory was well deserved. Australia has a decent team, maybe a but too tough. The keeper was really poor though. But most of all, they have the magic maker Hiddink (will he reach the semi-final for the third time in a row with 3 different teams?).

The ref on the other hand lost total control of the match, what a horrible performance of that man. He missed 2 hands balls in the box, gave 3 yellow cards to one person and gave the fouls to the wrong side time after time...

[-Grenadier-]

Damn... every match today went the way I didn&#39;t want it to go. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

Bye-bye U.S., Czech Republic, Japan, and Croatia.

[-Grenadier-]

Quote[/b] ]gave 3 yellow cards to one person

Could the referee have just realized or been told that a red card should have been given to Simunic so he held up the yellow card again before giving the red card to show that that&#39;s how Simunic got the red card?

[Makivelli]

What a nightmare.......we lost by Australia,what a lame match...
What Australia know about football-they know shit (go and play football with kangaroos)
Luck,pure luck...... bloody hell  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif
Wow talk about sore loser and the problem is you didn&#39;t even lose.  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif

There were plenty of calls that went your way that should have gone ours, it was the performance before this match that made the difference, get over it.

[Postduifje]

Quote[/b] ]gave 3 yellow cards to one person

Could the referee have just realized or been told that a red card should have been given to Simunic so he held up the yellow card again before giving the red card to show that that&#39;s how Simunic got the red card?
Maybe, but it didn&#39;t look like it. Is seemed like he gave him a third yellow for heavy protesting. Nonetheless, he left a man on the field for a couple of minutes who should have been showering already.

All in all I think the Croatians where more lucky (had more advantage by the poor referee) than the Australians.

[VictorTroska]

What a nightmare.......we lost by Australia,what a lame match...
What Australia know about football-they know shit (go and play football with kangaroos)
Luck,pure luck...... bloody hell  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif
Wow talk about sore loser and the problem is you didn&#39;t even lose.  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif

There were plenty of calls that went your way that should have gone ours, it was the performance before this match that made the difference, get over it.
....i know that we didnt lose but i feel like that......
..but if u want i can say ..lame we didnt pass...

[Makivelli]

I am more relieved for the Australian keeper more than anything, if Australia didn&#39;t level bahaha I can&#39;t imagine how he would have felt.

[denoir]

Croatia, as has been the case in recent years, is always very promising: the skill is there, but coupled with a lousy mindset. They only bother to play when they lag behind. Given the quality of the team, they should have easily beaten Japan and Australia, but they screwed it up.

What the Aussies lack in skill on the other hand, they make up in enthusiasm and energy. And frankly, that&#39;s a far more likable quality.

I really did want Croatia to advance but ultimately the Aussies deserved it more and Brazil and Australia advancing is fair.

[Necromancer-]

Actually, I think the victory was well deserved. Australia has a decent team, maybe a but too tough. The keeper was really poor though. But most of all, they have the magic maker Hiddink (will he reach the semi-final for the third time in a row with 3 different teams?).

The ref on the other hand lost total control of the match, what a horrible performance of that man. He missed 2 hands balls in the box, gave 3 yellow cards to one person and gave the fouls to the wrong side time after time...
Yep.. Hiddink all the way&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif
He really made the Australian team well skilled. I have much respect for Hiddink and the Australian team. The Aussie&#39;s were indeed very tough, they have the strength of a Rugby team combined with sharp football skills. Rarely I saw a tackled Aussie whining, rolling and yelling for pain. He just stands up and continues playing the match.
For that I even have more sympathy for the Aussie&#39;s.
I found the Kroatians very unsporty during the match.

That referee is a disaster.. however it made the match quite hilarious. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

[ozanzac]

<span id='ME'><center>ozanzac starts playing Yello&#39;s &#39;Oh Yeah&#33;&#39;</center></span>

Ha ha ha, just got home from a big morning of celebrations&#33;

Hiddnik should have chosen Schwarzer for goal, and Poll, certainly did not have his best game as a ref...

Three yellow cards for one player, what a joke.... what&#39;s the point of the earpieces if the fourth official isn&#39;t scrutenising the game enough to pick up, such a blatant mistake&#33;

However, a Superb result for a country, of 20 million, where two other games, dominate the winter sporting scene.

Italy..... your next&#33;

Time for some sleep. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[_Aragon_]

That referee is a disaster.. however it made the match quite hilarious. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif
Argh the torment that Referee put me through&#33;

The Croatian team were amazing straight off the bat, I thought Australia might concede more then the one goal in the first few minutes. But they did taper off and their original speed, which eventually only came in short bursts later in the game.

Why wasn’t Schwarzer in goals? I heard that he might be injured atm?

Possessions and shots at goals were dominated by the Aussies, and it seems we mostly played in their half. I’m relieved that it was a draw. Continuing our good run in our first World Cup since 74.

[Cozza]

HAHA Australia ya bloody beuty. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif Lets Dance http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[Postduifje]

Damn, can&#39;t we just pick a third team from poule C or E and let only Spain proceed from poule H? The others do not deserve to proceed any further with what they are showing today...

[Ironsight]

Switzerland - South-Korea sucked. Bad referee, the second goal shouldn&#39;t have counted, which totally ruined the game http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

Can&#39;t say I was very charmed of the French team either....

[kavoven]

The referee in that France-Togo match wasn&#39;t much better http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Ironsight]

The referee in that France-Togo match wasn&#39;t much better http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
US - Ghana referee was lousy, todays were bad, but the Croatia - Australia was the worst. How can they let these people judge a game http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif

[EddyBoy]

Yeh, I&#39;m sure if Mr. Poll was making decisions against the english he&#39;d soon have his address printed by the Sun so everyone can send him death threats as is the tradition now.

Thank you France and swiss getting through, some much needed points.

[Sanctuary]

Not the match of the year for the french team , as they made a lot of mistakes, but for the 1st time in +/- a year of this team macthes it was a pleasant one to watch for me.

Overall, i am satisfied from what i saw, but i hope France will continue to play like this , "wanting to win" instead of "wanting to not lose" like it was unfortunately the case before.

But they must improve a lot in some sectors of the game if they want to continue to play more turns in this world cup, they made too many mistakes.

What impressed me the most is the fairplay of the Togo players, i have not seen them "cheating" like most of the other countries have done so far with their "comedians".
And i have not noticed any real intentional fault destined to hurt a player instead of playing the game, unlike what i saw in the other matches in which too many players were taking advantage of the lack of vision from the referees that are incredibly weak in this world cup.

The Togo goalkeeper was awesome and for me was the best player of the match , as if it was not for him, France would have easily scored at least 6 goals instead of the 2 in the whole game.

[raedor]

The first 15, 20 minutes of the French match were really interesting, lots of shots etc. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

But where&#39;s Zidane been? Why didn&#39;t he play?

[EddyBoy]

He was suspended for picking up 2 yellows in the previous games. He&#39;ll be back in the next game.

[Chris Death]

Not the match of the year for the french team , as they made a lot of mistakes, but for the 1st time in +/- a year of this team macthes it was a pleasant one to watch for me.

Overall, i am satisfied from what i saw, but i hope France will continue to play like this , "wanting to win" instead of "wanting to not lose" like it was unfortunately the case before.

But they must improve a lot in some sectors of the game if they want to continue to play more turns in this world cup, they made too many mistakes.

What impressed me the most is the fairplay of the Togo players, i have not seen them "cheating" like most of the other countries have done so far with their "comedians".
And i have not noticed any real intentional fault destined to hurt a player instead of playing the game, unlike what i saw in the other matches in which too many players were taking advantage of the lack of vision from the referees that are incredibly weak in this world cup.

The Togo goalkeeper was awesome and for me was the best player of the match , as if it was not for him, France would have easily scored at least 6 goals instead of the 2 in the whole game.
Well said Sanctu, but to be honestly, i haven&#39;t seen that
from the french team either - in any game http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

Well plaid french - about the mistakes - it must be clear
that if you are playing against a 2:0 must result that you
have a ghost in your head waiting to let you make mistakes
followed by mistakes.

~S~ CD

[Sanctuary]

What impressed me the most is the fairplay of the Togo players, i have not seen them "cheating" like most of the other countries have done so far with their "comedians".
And i have not noticed any real intentional fault destined to hurt a player instead of playing the game, unlike what i saw in the other matches in which too many players were taking advantage of the lack of vision from the referees that are incredibly weak in this world cup.
Well said Sanctu, but to be honestly, i haven&#39;t seen that
from the french team either - in any game http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif
That&#39;s exactly why i mentionned only the Togo near the word fairplay http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Chris Death]

hmm - seems u misunderstood me Sanctu http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

I meant that i haven&#39;t seen the french cheating or trying
to get a decision for them by simulating.

~S~ CD

[kavoven]

2:0 and we have still 45 min for two more goals http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Berghoff]

Where was that yellow card for just yet :/ such big smile on referee and german player with shoulder pat LOL. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[VictorTroska]

.....waht a sad game from Sweden.
1st half was disaster ,and Ljungberg was invisible
2nd half -wow ,what a miss from Larsson.....
......i was sure that this gonna be very tight game but .... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[kavoven]

2nd half is very weak of Germany and good swedish defence&#33;

And the swedish keeper is really good&#33;

EDIT

Deserved victory for GERMANY http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[denoir]

And the swedish keeper is really good&#33;
Yeah, but that&#39;s basically it. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

Congrats to Germany, you deserved the win.

[Ex-RoNiN]

Very disappointing match.

[Placebo]

2nd yellow for Lucic was a joke IMO.

[raedor]

Very disappointing match.
Yep. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

@<hidden>: The laugh of the referee was quite repugnant, especially as the second yellow card was... rather hard.

If Larsson had scored it would have been interesting again, but so it was a deserved and quite boring win.

Hopefully the Argentina match is gonna be better or tomorrow&#39;s NL vs Portugal&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[kavoven]

2nd yellow for Lucic was a joke IMO.
Well, just imagine how Klose would have sprintet for the next goal. This was a so called "Notbremse" (Emergency break) and Lehmann received for this the red card in the championsleague final for example.

In addition, he did this just after he already received one a few minuts before... I really think it was justified&#33;

[kavoven]

Sry for one post after another, but did you take a look at the predictions list? There is one player for example, who received 4 points, because he predicted the USA would reach the the next round. But they didn&#39;t. So why did he get 4 points? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif
Another strange this is this:

<Actual qualifiers are Brazil, so PLAYERNAME gets 0 points>

Seems to me, as if this system doesn&#39;t work

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif

[EddyBoy]

Good game, shame Mexico lost but they were completly shagged. Joe Coles goal was better :P

[raedor]

What the hell, that was a goal&#33;&#33;&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif (Damn, I didn&#39;t see Cole&#39;s, any videos online?)

Again a very good 1st half, the 2nd one was not sooo interesting, but it was worth to wait for that goal. All in all Argentina deserved the next round, they shot an "offside goal", which was onside... Mexico was fighting good, but they had no good idea, their crosses never reached Borgetti.

/edit: @<hidden>:
Quote[/b] ]raedor gets 4 points for each of Paraguay, England, Argentina, Holland, Italy, Czech Rep., France and Switzerland who reach the quarter-finals

Actual qualifiers are Holland, so raedor gets 0 points http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

[Ex-RoNiN]

Vamos a ganar, Argentina http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif


Sorry Germany, the fun ends here http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[Pathy]

For Raedor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....%20Goal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eVqjjPfSZY&search=Joe%20Cole%20England%20Goal)

[Ti0n3r]

Wtf Sweden? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/huh.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[raedor]

For Raedor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....%20Goal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eVqjjPfSZY&search=Joe%20Cole%20England%20Goal)
Thanks a bunch... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wow_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[karantan]

Sorry Germany, the fun ends here  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

Hehehe, yeah.

Mexico can go home with their heads proudly rised up.

[raedor]

Sorry Germany, the fun ends here http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

Hehehe, yeah.
Let&#39;s hope the better team wins. When Arg plays on the same level they did against Mexico, Germany has a chance; if they play on the level they did in the three matches before, German hardly has a chance. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[karantan]

When they will play I just hope both of teams will give and show the best they can &#39;offer&#39; (as I can see both teams are in great form, and it&#39;s rising - particulary those of Germany), then there&#39;s a prospect of a great, spectacular game infront, some kind of a &#39;Final Game before the Final Game&#39;. And that&#39;s in fact all I need and want from them so yes, let&#39;s hope the better team wins. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[blackjack[VS]]

congrats to argentina and awsome goal in the extra time. didnt see germany match so no much to say except congrats to&#33;
so tomorrow is my team big match against holand.the statistic is on our side.in the history of portugalXholand matches we won 4,draw 5 and lost only once. but i dont buy statistics so we really need to give all we have on those 90min (hope we solve the game without ExtraTime). wish me luck and my prediction is 2-1 for portugal on the 90min...
FORÇA PORTUGAL&#33;&#33;

[solomeo_paredes]

ex-ronin vamos paisano&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;
now lets go for germany&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;

[The-Architect]

Imagine my popularity living in England when I picked Germany to win the world cup.

Well, they seem to be a good pick right now.

[Balschoiw]

What a party &#33;
Although first half was very much more active than 2nd I have to say that germany rocked.
The penalty for sweden was not justified imo and Ibrahimovic did us the favour of shooting it into the sky.
The atmosphere in the stadium was fantastic and after the match I had to drink from a swedish cowhorn http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif
You have some really nice ladies in Sweden, thx for sending them here http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Postduifje]

It&#39;s a bit confusing to watch Germany cause we don&#39;t know what they are fully capable of, because they have yet to face a proper opponent. I mean the group phase was a laugh, and the already unimpressive Swedes with only 10 on the pitch (red card wasn&#39;t necessary) isn&#39;t that much of a resistance either. I&#39;m sure we will know much more after the Germany-Argentina game. All in all a good first 20 minutes or so, after that the match was decided. Their defence remains the weakest link though, and you can&#39;t have that against Argentina http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[kavoven]

Just a note:
The prediction system seems to work correctly now http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif

[Ex-RoNiN]

ex-ronin vamos paisano&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;
now lets go for germany&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;
Lol, no es paisano&#33; Soy de Grecia http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif pero yo gusto mucho la Espana y Argentina, y las mujeres de Espana y Argentina http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/inlove.gif Yo hablo poco Espanol, pero apprendaro Espanol con las amigas http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif y con las libras y con internet. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif


I hope that made sense http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

News update: the Germans and their press are saying "after yesterday, we don&#39;t fear Argentina" and "argentina showed they are beatable" and, the best comment, Lahm saying "we don&#39;t need to raise our game to beat Argentina" http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

Liebe Leute, Konfuzius selbst sagte schon: Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall&#33;

I would order some humble pie if I was you http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

What are the bets for today? I have a feeling Ecuador will do a Greece and knock England out, though it might be wishful thinking, simple to get the tacky car-flags off the streets http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif 4-5-1 will make it very difficult for those two Ecuadorian wingers to do their mazy runs though...

As for Holland - Portugal - I anticipate a great match and a cricket score, I would probably put my money on Holland though...

[Balschoiw]

I guess germany won´t survive against argentina, but from what has been said about the german team before the world-cup I am quite happy that they came that far. Keeping in mind that most of the secret favourites already have their ticket back home.
England vs Germany would be nice as I´m pretty sure germany would beat them, as the british team really plays lousy this year.
Argentina will be a hurdle we can hardly take.
Btw, the fans who act worse on the streets are the british ones. Shame.

[JdB]

I guess germany won´t survive against argentina, but from what has been said about the german team before the world-cup I am quite happy that they came that far. Keeping in mind that most of the secret favourites already have their ticket back home.
England vs Germany would be nice as I´m pretty sure germany would beat them, as the british team really plays lousy this year.
Argentina will be a hurdle we can hardly take.
Btw, the fans who act worse on the streets are the british ones. Shame.
So the "slight problems" after Germany vs Poland were caused by English fans?

I&#39;ve read 3 cases of large problems with german fans and 2 involving english fans, regardless of the total number, fans from the organising country starting the first riots after Germany vs Poland is a disgrace.

Germany could well beat Argentina. The german team looked like crap in 1996 too, and they won. Germans are always underrated, every tournament people see that they were once again wrong about the germans, and still they act exactly the same around the start of the next tournament "oh, look at those stupid germans and their pathetic team, they ain&#39;t getting far this year", only to see the germans reach the semi finals or worse...

Edit: no words about the english team, it&#39;s not worth being mentioned... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[Pathy]

As an Englishman, i&#39;m hoping England get soundly thrashed to put them in thier place http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[raedor]

NL and Ecuador come through today, NL has an easier quarter then&#33;

@<hidden> Leute...: I don&#39;t know whether Konfuzius said that, but the reporter of the Argentina match yesterday always said "diese Argentinier können wir schlagen", it was quite annoying. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif Let&#39;s see what happens, I suggest Argentina to start with eleven defenders... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Messiah]

As an Englishman, i&#39;m hoping England get soundly thrashed to put them in thier place http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
hear hear... finally an end to those tabloids who truely believe this is england&#39;s year... as it was in 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998...

[Balschoiw]

Quote[/b] ]So the "slight problems" after Germany vs Poland were caused by English fans?
Over the weekend over 480 british "fans" have been arrested after they have attacked bypassers with chairs, glasses, etc.
In Stuttgart 375 british fans have been banned from the inner city
and the other 117 british hools have been imprisoned. They will be released on 26th of June.

[Messiah]

arent you avoiding the question though? Yes the british &#39;fans&#39; have earned their reputation as some of the worst football hooligans around, but they&#39;re not the only ones fighting in the streets - it takes two to tango so to speak, and in the case of german vs poland, i&#39;d be hard pushed to believe there was a single brit amonst it.

every nation has its hooligans, some more than others, and many nations try to ban and clamp down on hooligans traveling to football matches - how successful this operation is in each country is anyones guess and to everyones own intepretation

its a shame to have to discuss this in a thread dedicated to what&#39;s supposed to be &#39;the beautiful game&#39;, no?

[Placebo]

Well back to the football......

Hmm yes pick an unfit Rooney to play up front on his own, pack the midfield, then instead of playing short crisp passing through the midfield knock it long to the head of Rooney, genius&#33; I think we should bring Crouch on in the 2nd half, play him on the right wing to take advantage of his pace.....

In all seriousness though the answer is the same obvious one as last time, Lennon for Lampard, move Beckham to the middle, Lennon on the right (although if Hargreaves doesn&#39;t recover we should do the Beckham RWB & Lennon RWF system that worked well against Trinidad and Tobago).

[deanosbeano]

And about time too Get In &#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/9827/espectrod7cn.gif
curved like a Banana

[kavoven]

Damn, this is a deadly boring game... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

I hope Netherlands-Portugal will be better

[Postduifje]

Well, that wasn&#39;t very impressive... again. It&#39;s really a shame a team with that many great individual players adds up to such poor play. If this really is Englands year, we have a boring tournament ahead of us http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[EddyBoy]

Frank Lampard, 2nd best footballer in the world my a**e. Disappointing, but who knows, we gott have a good game at some point http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/smile_o.gif. English optimism, the worlds worst attribute.

[raedor]

I hope Netherlands-Portugal will be better
Same here. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[karantan]

A shear anti - propaganda of football, this England : Equador game, not worthed of any comment. But one thing is certain; football is NOT comming home, even if England by some chance will became the World Champions, but I really, sencirely hope not; I hope England will receive a lesson from Portugal or The Netherland in their next game.

*edit* And the Pop Star has scored. Bljack&#33;

[Ex-RoNiN]

What a load of rubbish, Lampard had a shocker.....AGAIN, Terry (man of the match - wtf http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif ) looked like a Conference defender facing a Premiership side, Robinson had a few howlers, and once again, wtf is up with the substitutions Sven??

Holland/Portugal, please do everyone a favour and bomb that excuse of a team out of the tournament. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif I want my 90 mins back, that was woeful.

[FriketMonkey]

I think England doesn&#39;t stand a chance in the next round.

Now Holland vs Portugal, that could be exciting. Hope the Dutchies will win, because my money is on them.
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif
&#33;&#33;&#33;Hup Holland Hup&#33;&#33;&#33;

[4 IN 1]

if england still day dreaming on the next match like today i am sure that they are not going to win the next one

not really a big fan of David Beckham but he should have been the man of the match as he is the only awake player on the field today http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

no idea Placebo, but seems like Beckham are doing one man army on the right(running back and forth for 85 mins some time even have to care about the crap happened in the middle? WTF was that?&#33; it is amazing that he didnt suddently lay dead on the ground)

[EddyBoy]

Quote from JT


Quote[/b] ]"It&#39;s encouraging and very positive to get into the quarters. We are not firing on all cylinders yet so that&#39;s pleasing."

So I wonder how many times we&#39;re going here that excuse. No it isn&#39;t encouring sir it is scary. You&#39;ve scrapped past Ecuador and Paraguay. It is scary not ruddy encouraging. Not firing on all cyclinders so its pleasing...what a load of eyeball.

[deanosbeano]

I hope Netherlands-Portugal will be better
Same here. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif
well you got your wish , this is the best ever amatuer dramatics film i ever saw so far, i believe its there version of Das Boat Dive Dive Dive http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif.
bloody cheaters , get em offhttp://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6043/redcard1jf.gif

[kavoven]

Good game in my opinion, although the Dutch deserved are goal, because of some miss judgements of the referee&#33;

[deanosbeano]

you must be joking its a farce, only one way to describe this shambles.

http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/4731/handbag5hr.gif<<<<<40 paces>>>>>>>>http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/4731/handbag5hr.gif

[Thunderbird]

I can&#39;t believe that such skilled players allow themselves to play like that, probably one of the worst match played thus far because of the huge lack of &#39;fairplay&#39; from Holland and Portugal, there are at least 10 cards for both sides (including 3 red cards)... shame because both teams play very well.


Regards
Thunderbird84

[Berghoff]

close to 20 cards now a I thought 4 red cards? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[kavoven]

Oh wow, this was such an entertaining match... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

15 yellow cards, 4 reds... Great... Very bad football, though, but I had many good laughs http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

Portugal deserved the victory, because I never saw such a cunning teams as the Dutch&#39;s one... Especially this Kuyt or how he was called... Such a disgusting player http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/band.gif

[Berghoff]

Your post is enterntaining too with so many smileys (And what do you mean "disgusting player"?), both teams played very hard to win but referee was on a card giving spree http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif then in 2nd there was a moment of only giving cards instead of football + some acting http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[FriketMonkey]

To bad for us... Holland exit. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif
Lack of fairplay, almost an riot on the field... not nice.

@<hidden>
I&#39;d rather be called kuyt then Zweinsteiger&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif

[Postduifje]

Damn, what a match... can&#39;t we just scratch this one and let England proceed to the semi-finals? A combination of foul play, extreme diving and a horrible ref (although many of the calls were pretty justified, he totally lost control) made this one a thriller we won&#39;t forget soon.

edit: Indeed k@<hidden>, what do you mean? He may be butt ugly, but I didn&#39;t see him do anything wrong. I thought the dive by Figo was the most disgusting act on the field.

Did anyone keep track of how many minutes they actually played in the second half? Must be somewhere around 20-30 or so http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[kavoven]

I didn&#39;t mean his look, but his way of playing... He used every chance he got to tackle other players... When he rushed into Ricardo he even positioned his feet more to the right, to hit Ricardo&#39;s leg better... That&#39;s pretty unfair.

Edit
@<hidden>

I dind&#39;t mean his name, too http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif just couldn&#39;t remember it.

[Berghoff]

Did anyone keep track of how many minutes they actually played in the second half? Must be somewhere around 20-30 or so http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif
Yea only 6 minutes were added, then someone was lying on side (and something happened with keeper) when those 6 min were started :/ don&#39;t add any minutes then.

[raedor]

IMHO an extra time was deserved, at least. Portugal had hardly shots on NLs goal besides their scoring shot, NL wasn&#39;t very "dangerous" also, even though they had their chances...

But this match was... weird. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/crazy_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[kavoven]

Did anyone keep track of how many minutes they actually played in the second half? Must be somewhere around 20-30 or so http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif
Yea only 6 minutes were added, then someone was lying on side (and something happened with keeper) when those 6 min were started :/ don&#39;t add any minutes then.
I expected more, too

[Postduifje]

That situation with Kuyt sliding was indeed pretty nasty, but I don&#39;t think he did anything on purpose. It was a big chance so he went for it. Ricardo had to do a save so he went for it. They naturally bumped into each other, and Kuyt went in feet first because he wanted to hit the ball. I didn&#39;t see any foul there, of course in slow motion everything looks much worse and on purpose.

[raedor]

The situation when Van der Sar was kicked at the head wasn&#39;t too nice either, it was Simao afair... Kuyt reached the ball before Ricardo, Simao was too late, Van der Sar already had the ball.

[kavoven]

The situation when Van der Sar was kicked at the head wasn&#39;t too nice either, it was Simao afair... Kuyt reached the ball before Ricardo, Simao was too late, Van der Sar already had the ball.
As a keeper, you know that the other player will rush into you in this situation, but that&#39;s not my point.
In my opinion, Kuyt placed his leg AFTER he recognized he would hit the ball anymore...
But that&#39;s my point of view and I&#39;m sure you think otherwise http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[karantan]

Well, in the second stage this Championship is becomming a real farse. I just hope the next day(s) and games will bring something better, otherwise ,,,  http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[Trueman]

congratulations england
Nice ball of beckham(s) again&#33;&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
http://home.iae.nl/users/borgkov/victoria.jpg

[karantan]

How something false can be nice? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[Ex-RoNiN]

What a disgrace of a match, chuck that ref out of Fifa.

So much promise, ruined by a crap ref http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif


Ah well, based on todays performances, Portugal to win 2-0.

[JdB]

This is what you get when you appoint a ref that gives a yellow card for every foul, whatever the nature of the foul. Mister Blatter said that the ref should have gotten a yellow or red card himself. By FIFA&#39;s logic, and the fact that the Russian Federation is not present in the tournament, he will probably get to ref the final http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/help.gif

Of course, this is a good opportunity for a ref to gain fame and score a big sponsercontract http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/goodnight.gif

[Messiah]

just watched the highlights and am totally lost for words with the ref and general sportsman ship shown in the match...

on a lighter note, portugal are looking very formidable, and with englands current &#39;form&#39;, they&#39;ll sweep past us into the semi&#39;s

[GoOB]

A bit late, but:

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/3589/conanswedensucks7um.jpg

Luckily I didn&#39;t watch the game... I heard it on the radio and switched it off after four minutes.

[JdB]

21 Babel
3 Boulahrouz
8 Cocu
<s>15 De Cler</s>
14 Heitinga
<s>2 Jaliens
12 Kromkamp</s>
7 Kuijt
6 Landzaat
<s>16 Maduro
4 Mathijsen</s>
13 Ooijer
11 Robben
20 Sneijder
23 Stekelenburg
22 Timmer
18 Van Bommel
5 Van Bronckhorst
1 Van der Sar
10 Van der Vaart
<s>9 Van Nistelrooy</s>
17 Van Persie
<s>19 Vennegoor of Hesselink</s>

The Dutch squad and the people that should have stayed at home, to avoid people yelling "are you insane, "Van the Man" rocks my world", he scores alot, but that is about it, he doesn&#39;t fit into the kind of play that we want to be playing. When he even stops doing what he does best, scoring, he is completely useless = early vacation http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/band.gif

Holland is just missing pure quality and experience. Good thing that the aim set 2 years ago was Euro 2008, so we wouldn&#39;t look like total asses because of what happened yesterday http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/whistle.gif

[whisper]

What does Kuijt that Ruddie doesn&#39;t? I&#39;m afraid Rudie may have scored things Kuijt missed. And he (Kuijt) brought zero to defense.
So, I don&#39;t really see, if Kuijt "fits in", why Ruud doesn&#39;t?

[JdB]

What does Kuijt that Ruddie doesn&#39;t? I&#39;m afraid Rudie may have scored things Kuijt missed. And he (Kuijt) brought zero to defense.
So, I don&#39;t really see, if Kuijt "fits in", why Ruud doesn&#39;t?
Kuijt can control a ball that is played to him, and keep it with him until others can catch up. "Ruud" can&#39;t, every ball that is played towards him that is not played horizontally ----- is lost to the other team, as the ball often jumps 1 or more meters away from his feet while he tries to control it.

Robben for example had some excellent examples of how to control a ball that is coming from the other side of the pitch at a high angle. Sure Robben was far from his best ever performance, but at least he did that ok.

Kuijt is a more complete player instead of the pure striker that van Nistelrooij is.

Don&#39;t know if anyone can recall him, but our system is best served with a player like Kluivert (ex AFC Ajax, Barcelona and currently Valencia). Needs to have good technique, and needs to be able to score a goal, but more importantly to pave the way for others to score and always be free to receive the ball. Defending is not the task of a striker/targetman anyway, unless your team is planning to have 10 defenders + the goalkeeper.

Van Nistelrooij rarely ventured off his "island" during the first two matches, and only rarely fell back to receive the ball during the 3rd match. That is why he was substituded (along with not scoring more then once of course).

Going to qualifying matching against midget teams like Cyprus and see them being crushed - €50
Hotel to stay while in Germany - several million €&#39;s
Seeing a team being knocked out of the tournament trying to play the famed style of AFC Ajax (4-3-3) with low quality players from AZ, Feyenoord and PSV that have never played in that style before - Priceless http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/rofl.gif

Of course this style was partially abandoned as we were playing the style that we so claim to hate, leaning on defence with fast counters.

Too bad besides not being able to play the 4-3-3 system properly, they are also incapable of solid defense (letting players run unchecked through your own penaltyzone is a Dutch trademark, like the Portuguese goal), nor can they do any effective counters, as Robben is the "I&#39;m going in, Rambo type", van Nistelrooij couldn&#39;t even deliver an assist if his life had depended on it, and van Persie was not constant enough, and not decisive enough in his actions.

[blackjack[VS]]

i gota confess that this was one of the hardest games i saw with my team.last day my prediction was 2-1 for portugal. i wasnt very far, but i could never imagine the game it became...
i have to say that holand REALLY disapointed me in the most basic sense like FAIRPLAY. it all started with the 1milion euros price of "who can knock out cristiano ronaldo?". he got 2 yellow cards from holand left wing,in the first 7minuts of game...the agression he suffered today and that caused him an (unknow so far)injurie isnt for yellow card&#33; so after that beating and some others offered by holand its natural that portuguese nerves start to pop up&#33;
then if u remember the game a holand player went down to the ground and portugal kick the ball out for assistance. then after assistance was done, holand didnt pass the ball to us (most basic fairplay atitude a nation team should have even if losing).
so all the shit that happened after started by a simple lack of fairplay.
congrats to maniche (a medium portuguese player that never stops to surprise me with his instinct shots) and his good goal. same goes to all the team. someone mentioned simao kicking vander sar, but after what holand striker did to ricardo, that was a kind of payback(understandable).
couldnt see england playing, but by your critics it wasnt convincing. 2 years ago i saw the most beautifull soccer match of my life. portugalxengland at euro2004. penalty kick outs with ricard defending beckam shot without gloves, and then he scored himself a penalty kick. shame the dam greeks after tho..

so i really predict another dramatic match between us and england. portugal has 2 players out. costinha isnt a problem because petit will substitute him. now deco isnt replacable, so no idea what scolari will do. and ronaldo status is unknow so far, and that is a big lack to. but they are 22 called players for a reason right? they are all enough good to wear my nation shirt.

so for saturday match i hope to see figo,maniche and probably nuno gomes kicking goals to england net. if we cant win, at least make mourinho&#39;s chelsea players score. just would hate to see spice beckam scoring a single goal on us... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/pistols.gif
good luck all teams and cya next round&#33;
again my predict portugal 2 x england 1

[-HUNTER-]

Strange that I thought portugal lacks sportsman ship.

Figo is a dirty bastard who should be kicked off the field instead of Ronaldo. Something maybee England can still do. I hated that moment which started a real drama in the second half. Also the portugese coach should have sad down and STFU&#33; He was also somebody who really deserved getting a yellow card&#33;

Coming all the way over to the dutch coach and yelling at him, must have lost his mind.

We could have won the second half, but thanks to mister I dont know what the hell im doing so Ill draw a yellow we didnt.

Its a shame that a country which upholds football so highly. Has played a dirty lowlife match like they did.

But if anyone is to blaim its FIFA for hiring such an incompetent moron to ref these matches. Its just a utter discrace to the whole of FIFA.

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif Too bad Figo can still walk...

[[MP-OFP]CRICON]

Portugal got many red cards,England is now happying.

[Heatseeker]

Strange that I thought portugal lacks sportsman ship.

Figo is a dirty bastard who should be kicked off the field instead of Ronaldo. Something maybee England can still do. I hated that moment which started a real drama in the second half. Also the portugese coach should have sad down and STFU&#33; He was also somebody who really deserved getting a yellow card&#33;

Coming all the way over to the dutch coach and yelling at him, must have lost his mind.

We could have won the second half, but thanks to mister I dont know what the hell im doing so Ill draw a yellow we didnt.

Its a shame that a country which upholds football so highly. Has played a dirty lowlife match like they did.

But if anyone is to blaim its FIFA for hiring such an incompetent moron to ref these matches. Its just a utter discrace to the whole of FIFA.

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/banghead.gif Too bad Figo can still walk...
Portugal started a straight good match, Netherlands "tactic" to try and win this match was there for all to see, they were so desperate and scared that not only they played "chickenshit" football but were responsible for the disgrace that the match turned into http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif .

Other teams must be real happy that they wont have to face such bunch of sore loosers, good ridance i say.

I think the Dutch should be sad not because of being out of the WC but for having their country represented by a bunch of brain dead idiots http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif .

Figo can walk, dont know how well Ronaldo can...

[Ex-RoNiN]

Quote[/b] ]shame the dam greeks after tho..

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif

[Sanctuary]

While it does not always surprise me to see some kids acting like spoiled brats, supposedly grown up adults playing football like that is addnig more disgrace to football.

Too bad teams like Togo were removed, i need to see more pleasant football in this overall boring world cup, not those cheap cheating spoiled idiots that are plaguing the international football that are annoying me.

Who can i sue to get back all those 90 minutes of my time totally wasted in watching nonsense ?

[Postduifje]

I don&#39;t know if it was deliberate tactic of the dutch to punch out Ronaldo or play unfair overall, (even though that act from Boulahrouz was unforgivable), but the Portuguese (especially Figo and that coach) did also influence the match too much by diving, acting unfair and screaming yellow cards out of the ref, which actually gave them... both teams deserve to be disqualified, especially since the match was never played out the fully 90 minutes; after the card spree nobody could play football anymore.

[Placebo]

The Portuguese team are a bunch of cheats and divers, they did the same all the way through Euro 2004, such a waste that a team of skillful, talented players have to resort to cheating. I felt no sympathy for Ronaldo crying his way out of the game injured, does he feel sympathy for the crying fans of other teams they cheat to win over? Somehow I think not.

Holland should have won the game, played against 10 men for a large part of it, they knew early on the ref would give yellows for farting and also making strange decisions so they should have adapted accordingly.

Hopefully we&#39;ll sort them out next Saturday, I still want revenge from Euro 2004, we lost on penalties but they cheated their way through that match, Figo and Ronaldo as usual the two worst, at one point Ronaldo mistimed his dive so much he dived when he was completely alone, not a single England player near him, he looked somewhat embarrassed, unsurprisingly.

[Berghoff]

Jeez holland unfair? Look at what that player did to Van Der Sar he just put his foot into his face while he got the ball.. not to mention some good acting and screaming for cards. Hope they don&#39;t even make next match.

[whisper]

Quote[/b] ]Too bad teams like Togo were removed, i need to see more pleasant football in this overall boring world cup, not those cheap cheating spoiled idiots that are plaguing the international football that are annoying me.
Ghana&#39;s match may be worth a watch, then. Only saw the Ghan / CZ one, but I like how they play, very pleasant.
If Brazil is in good form (and with Juninho on the field, ofc http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif ), coudl be a very nice match. Powerfull midfield vs fast&tricky offense http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[Postduifje]

Damn, now I don&#39;t know who to cheer for in the Portugal-England match. It would be an embarrassment for the quality of the tournament to have this English team in the semi-finals, but I hope the great actors of Portugal get send home as soon as possible too. Well, let&#39;s just hope Brazil or Spain send whoever survives home. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[Albert Schweitzer]

What a disgrace of a match, chuck that ref out of Fifa.

So much promise, ruined by a crap ref http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif


Ah well, based on todays performances, Portugal to win 2-0.
you are blaming the ref for the ruined match? Holy Moly thats funny cause I didnt see the ref fouling, head butting and diving...

No, both teams are to blame. The ref was trying to be consistent and the players had enough time to adapt to it. How stupid has a player to be not to see that this wasnt leading nowhere.

To blame the ref is, as always, the cheapest solution&#33; Colina would have behaved in the same way and even handed out more yellow and red cards&#33; Both teams totally screwed their reputation world wide.

[Messiah]

Figo&#39;s appearance against england is still hanging by a thread, assuming FIFA will investigate his headbut on the dutch player... could mean a very weakened portugal team vs england - deservadly so after their awful excuse for football (refering to the diving, the acting, the tap to the face that makes a player fall down for 5 minutes screaming)

i still remember the 2004 match against portugal, as placebo said - one long game of diving, over reacting show boating... at least it was an incredible match though - extra time had be so tense it was unbelievable, especially when portugal scored, and then lampard equalized - great stuff... shame about the penalties (as always)

[Ironsight]

What an absolute disgrace. I am not a bad loser but I don&#39;t want to loose in this way. As for the Dutch playing unfair, we just adapted to the situation.
The referee didn&#39;t had the match under control anymore. And while we were getting so many cards we could have at least kicked Figo in the balls for one card. Seriously if I was I player and would have played against Portugal....
I hope England will humiliate the Portugese team...


Quote[/b] ]you are blaming the ref for the ruined match?
Yes just like they did with most matches. Most referee&#39;s of this tournament are just a fuckin&#39; disgrace.

Anyway at least I got drunk http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif

[Albert Schweitzer]

What an absolute disgrace. I am not a bad loser but I don&#39;t want to loose in this way. As for the Dutch playing unfair, we just adapted to the situation.
The referee didn&#39;t had the match under control anymore. And while we were getting so many cards we could have at least kicked Figo in the balls for one card. Seriously if I was I player and would have played against Portugal....
I hope England will humiliate the Portugese team...


Quote[/b] ]you are blaming the ref for the ruined match?
Yes just like they did with most matches. Most referee&#39;s of this tournament are just a fuckin&#39; disgrace.

Anyway at least I got drunk http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif
It is very simple. The ref is not supposed to be paedagogical. These FIFA rules are in place since many years and the players know that refs are allowed to be kean and strict. And once they are, the players should be able to change their level of agressivity. But as it seems these two teams werent. This was kindergarden and the ref had to deal with a bunch of ill-mannered children. Sorry to say this but it is not his job to teach them that, he is there to punish. Of course after so many cards even a strong ref might loose confidence in his own doings. So he looked a bit confused once in a while and did not punish all fouls. But those he punished were absolutely correct by the rules.

And yes, you are right. Most of the loosing teams always blame the refs. But not all&#33; And I think, for the sake of those teams that proceed, it is unfair to discredit the entire worldcup. In the end there will be 31 teams that lost and 1 that won. If all those 31 just whine and poison the athmosphere then this could ruin a lot. For the sake of the competition, dont be bad loosers. I promise I wont be either&#33;

[Placebo]

The refereeing in this world cup is still deeply flawed by inconsistency, supposedly they had big seminars prior to the world cup to agree on what action to take with regard which offence and still they cannot get it right, even for the most basic and clear-cut of offences (as I posted about previously).

Waving an imaginary yellow card to say that an opponent should be booked = a yellow card for the person doing it. How many times has this been completely ignored by a referee?

Even Beckham (I&#39;m deeply shamed to say) did it against Ecuador yesterday and didn&#39;t get booked for it.


http://www.student.io.tudelft.nl/io1192736/ivanov.jpg

Ryan Stiles in "Whose Yellow Card is it Anyway" - New improv comedy series on NBC.

[Messiah]

should play rugby - referee&#39;s word is law - you argue, you get sent off - simple as. Now i remember why i enjoyed playing it so much more than football http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif

[Cozza]

That one thing I hate about soccer. The Acting. Just touch a guy on the leg and he&#39;ll go down.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vQzgwfFRbqs&search=AFL
Now thats contact sport.

Australia V Italy tonight. beer + Chips + Mates new Wide screen Plasma TV = Fuckin good night

[EddyBoy]

Vid (http://www.collegehumor.com/movies/1696536/)

They should get lessons from this guy. Sublime work http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/notworthy.gif

[Messiah]

isnt that portugal&#39;s next goalkeeper? http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[blackjack[VS]]

well i&#39;m kinda of surprised that we gathered such a united group of "enemys", coming from nations that we (coincidence maybe) beated in the last 6 years. portugal didnt lose against holand since 91 or earlyer, england since euro2000 i guess. i gota disagree about figo coments, since he was the best player in field at least in 2 of 3 matches of group stages.he&#39;s playing superb this wc thank god... about ronaldo crying? yes he&#39;s a kid and i dont die for love with him. funny that everyone usualy likes portugal style until we start to threat "big" teams reputations...that&#39;s very ugly i gota say. i reall try not to be factious in sports. sames goes to my team (boavista) when i discuss soccer with my friends that usually win everything (porto,benfica,sporting). so my comment on yesterday&#39;s match mantains. i think all the crap started for the anti fair play showed by holand team when we kick the ball out for player to be assisted (actually was meira no holland player to be assisted, like i said). and u gota be kiding me if u think the most fair result would be a holand win. if u say a draw i could agree with u. can only remember 1 goal chance( shot on the bar by coco). the other chances were normal goal chances wasted by AMATEURS.
so i can understand all the rage sparking over here,from holand to england. that&#39;s typical from recent LOSERS.
having that said, i wish best luck to england and portugal. hope portugal wins, (if we lose i&#39;m happy to), and that figo scores at least 1 goal on them. and i hope that we wear the black/dark shirt/shorts equipment, so that the referee can easily identify the divers team&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/biggrin_o.gif
u should be shame for such bad sportism.enough say&#33;cya saturday

[Ironsight]

@<hidden> June 26 2006,15:05)]so i can understand all the rage sparking over here,from holand to england. that&#39;s typical from recent LOSERS.
We weren&#39;t the losers. Portugal was the only loser in this night, they won in an absolute pathetic way. Nobody would want to win like this.


Quote[/b] ]u should be shame for such bad sportism.enough say&#33;cya saturday
Ohh please http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif

Seriously, I hope England will humiliate the Portugese team. Go England http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/thumbs-up.gif

[Stelios]

Figo, how much of an asshat can a man become?
The most undeserved loss in ages, Dutch side was better. One Portuguese lucky chance, a million Dutch chances. Offcourse if you don&#39;t score you don&#39;t win. There was a lot of bad luck involved. The ref was a total idiot. Some of the Portuguese players deserved a direct red card while some of the yellows were BS. The second yellow for Boulahrouz and Deco were exaggerated. No more than a foul or warning.
The diving, stalling and overall theatre of the Portuguese was nonetheless embarrasing. How can they be proud of a such a display of hatred towards the game.

[whisper]

putting aside ref and fairplay issues, globally, Holland was building their play better but were worst in the goal zone, so they had many more "opportunities", even if not too dangerous ones, while Portugal was better in the final moves and strikes, making them dangerous each of the few times they could come near the goal.

Portugal seemed to show a more united front, and some of their players seemed more involved and willing to play than Netherlands one (see Portugal right back, Miguel, what a match&#33; ). Van Persie was trying, but was angry at his teammates each time he didn&#39;t have the ball, etc... That&#39;s probably what gave them the match, more than ref, tbh.

[Vectum]

Holland played better. Portugal was smarter and more experienced.

Portugal won , I was mad. The referee was pathetic.

With a little bit of luck Holland would&#39;ve won though , if that ball in the 1st minute would&#39;ve went in , or the ball from Cocu on the crossbar..

But well , it&#39;s over , now I can really enjoy the WC2006, it&#39;s easier when your own team is out http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/wink_o.gif

[karantan]

Well, for any further discussing of the next matches we all should understand this; the footballers have only one brain cell working (as they say in my country; they have all in the legs), and when they step on the field even that brain cell takes a holiday. And the refs are of course not much better regarding this.

Now, let&#39;s see what this day have to offer ...

[kavoven]

I can&#39;t understand all these frustrated Holland fans. The referee was in my opinion very good, because he had to deal with a real chaos. Both teams where behaving stupid. You do not knock somebody in his face with an ellbow and you don&#39;t hit him with your head.. Both teams did these stupid fouls, so why are you complaining?

Portugal was smarter than Holland and used their chance... Take it as it is http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/huh.gif

[Postduifje]

You do not knock somebody in his face with an ellbow...
I hope you are not referring to the incident with Boulahrouz and Figo, if so you have been fooled by a first class actor. I really have no problem losing because the team is outclassed by a better opponent, but last nights match leaves a strange feeling of anger and disappointment at the behavior of our own team, but moreover the behavior of the Portuguese and the ref. I agree with Albert that blaming the ref is not a good way of trying to solve your disappointment, but I can&#39;t help wondering what might have happened if he didn&#39;t stick his head up Figo&#39;s ass right at the moment the match was on a turning point.

[Postduifje]

Well... that&#39;s what I call an anti-climax. Italy goes on, totally undeserved because of a dubious penalty far in extra time. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif

[klavan]

With a totally undeserved red card that had left us in 10 men. Obviuosly the ref was drunk.
Anyway:
http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/yay.gif
Klavan

PS
My god&#33; I forgot for a moment that I don&#39;t support Italy&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/tounge2.gif

[Makivelli]

90minutes for that, FIFA owes me 90minutes of my god damn life. http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

[Cozza]

WTF was that penelty for?

What the fuck was the ref watchin. Fuckin ref have been terrible in WC

Aghh

[PainDealer]

Italy - Australia... DISGUSTING http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/band.gif&#33; Every player in that match deserves a slow and painful death. I can&#39;t believe neither of the teams actually showed any interest towards winning the match and it&#39;s the World Cup ffs&#33; There&#39;s no way I could describe my anger any further but it was 90 minutes of wasted life for me.

[Ironsight]

Unbelievable. The decision to give a penalty is a big fucking disgrace.

[Mr Burns]

Would´ve loved to see Aussies advance, now we need someone else to smash italy http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/sad_o.gif

@<hidden>: Havent seen it from the beginning but if they played from the start like they did in the 70th minute i´ll guess they were just exhausted. Todays weather is´nt hot but the humidity really get´s you, every move is too much..

[klavan]

Seriously, I agree with those who say that both the teams played an horrible match, but after all the whole quality of this Championship is below the lowest expected level.
I&#39;m surprised the aussies didn&#39;t force their attacks against Italy when in numerical superiority, they didn&#39;t do so much to win the match....... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/huh.gif

For the rest, another time Italy pass this turn with luck, but don&#39;t fear, they will get what they really deserves in a time not so far from here.

Klavan

[der bastler]

BESCHISS&#33;

http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/band.gif

Only 10 secs left and then: penalty&#33; Because someone stumbled over his own feet.

Ich glaub&#39; es hakt&#33;

"My game ist fair play"? Stick it to where the sun never shines&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/mad_o.gif

[raedor]

Some "f***s" less wouldn&#39;t be that bad... http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/icon_rolleyes.gif

But yes, that penalty wasn&#39;t deserved, also the Aussies had deserved to go on... but who wants to see further 40 minutes of that match?&#33; http://forums.bistudio.com/oldsmileys/confused_o.gif