World Cup 2006 Thread [Archive] - Hockey Station Forums

Madferret

12-06-05, 1:12 PM

POT ONE
Germany (hosts)
Brazil (holders)
Argentina
England
France
Italy
Mexico

POT TWO
Spain
Australia
Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia
Ecuador
Paraguay

POT THREE
Croatia
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland

POT FOUR
Ukraine
Iran
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Costa Rica
Trinidad & Tobago
US

Special pot: Serbia & Montenegro

Friday's draw will work in the following way:

The eight seeded teams will be drawn into eight different groups. Germany have already been allocated Group A and Brazil Group F. Eight unseeded European sides will be drawn into the eight different groups.

The lowest-ranked European side Serbia and Montenegro will be allocated to one of the groups containing either Brazil, Argentina or Mexico to ensure there is no more than two European sides in any group.

A pot of the five African countries, Australia and the two remaining South American sides drawn into eight different groups.

A pot containing the four Asian countries, the USA, Costa Rica and Trinidad drawn into seven different groups. The winners of the World Cup final will earn ?10.75m as part of a total prize pool of ?130m for the tournament.

Fifa announced on Tuesday that the 32 teams taking part will be guaranteed at least ?2.6m each in prize money.

SEEDINGS TABLE
Brazil 64
England 51
Spain 50
Germany 48
Mexico 47
France 46
Argentina 44
Italy 44

I don't know about those 'seedings'...

charlio lemieux

12-07-05, 2:52 AM

I hope England can do better this time.
Although I have to admit my favorite games in the last WC had to be when the host countries where playing. Both the Japanese and South Korean teams gave everything they had against more tallented and much bigger opposition. I remember the Korea/ Germany game. About 4 Koreans got hurt trying to head the ball while some 6'4" german was trying to kick it. Foot meet head. :(
I hope this WC will be as enjoyable.

bluemeanie

12-09-05, 12:39 PM

I don't know about those 'seedings'...

Seedings never seem to be structured perfectly in any sport.

So the draw is today? The orange isn't a top seed.... sooo they could end up in a group with Brazil? Ouch for the two other teams. This is usually televised - anyone know when, where?

Madferret

12-09-05, 12:42 PM

Seedings never seem to be structured perfectly in any sport.

So the draw is today? The orange isn't a top seed.... sooo they could end up in a group with Brazil? Ouch for the two other teams. This is usually televised - anyone know when, where?

SN at 2 pm..
Hey we (Oranje) got the Group of death draw in Euro 2004 and still went through..

Madferret

12-09-05, 12:48 PM

No one wants to go Dutch

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) -- Avoid the Netherlands. And look out for Australia, too. When the World Cup draw is announced on Friday all the seeded teams are hoping to avoid being grouped with Holland.

The draw for the 2006 World Cup will be held Friday, and 31 teams will be hoping they don't wind up in the same group as the unseeded Netherlands.

The Dutch team of talented underachievers, coached by Marco van Basten, was left out of the top eight seeds by FIFA.

Defending champion Brazil and host Germany were automatically seeded, while FIFA handed Argentina, England, France, Italy, Mexico and Spain the other top spots. Those eight teams can't meet each other in the first round of next summer's monthlong tournament.

The Netherlands, runner-up in 1974 and '78 and ranked third by FIFA, is in a pot with seven more European teams: Croatia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

With Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy, Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay and Chelsea's Arjen Robben in the lineup, the Dutch have a strong attacking line. They also have a reliable and experienced goalkeeper in Edwin van der Sar.

"I really don't want to play against the Netherlands again," said Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi, who was on the German team that drew 1-1 with the Dutch at the 2004 European Championship and went out in the first round.

German great Franz Beckenbauer, who led the national team to a World Cup final victory over the Netherlands in 1974, isn't worried.

"Holland has a strong team again -- that has been the case traditionally," he said. "But it is not a disaster if we meet the Dutch in the preliminary round. After all, two teams will progress."

Despite the wealth of talent at his disposal, Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is hoping to avoid tough teams.

"We will hope that not-so-strong adversaries are drawn to Brazil's group," he said. "It would be good to avoid what happened to Argentina and France in 2002."

Two of the leading contenders at that World Cup, both Argentina and defending champion France went out in the first round.

"We cannot allow that to happen again," said Argentine star Lionel Messi, facing up to his first major tournament at age 18. "I am sure Argentina has a very strong team and the players have the will to win the title. We have a team that is really strong. We would like to avoid playing against one of those strong teams in the first round."

The 32 World Cup qualifiers will be split into eight groups of four. They have been separated geographically as well as on the basis of how good they are.

The format sets up the possibility of the Dutch, who have the talent to beat anyone in the world, playing Brazil or Germany in the group phase. Although two teams will advance from each group, whoever is drawn to play against the Dutch could be in danger if they get some tricky teams from the other two pots.

That's why Australia should also be feared.

Although the Australians have not played in the World Cup since 1974, they beat two-time winner Uruguay in a playoff to reach Germany 2006.

They also have several stars from the English Premier League and one of the most respected coaches in the game.

Guus Hiddink, a Dutchman who led the Netherlands to the semifinals in 1998 and South Korea to third place at the last World Cup in 2002, has been in charge of the Australians since July.

Australia is ranked among the outsiders, alongside African qualifiers Angola, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Tunisia, and South America's Ecuador and Paraguay. With talented players such as Middlesbrough's Mark Viduka, Liverpool's Harry Kewell and Everton's Tim Cahill on the roster, however, Australia could provide some of the first-round shocks.

Australia is the only one of the 32 teams in the draw that could face any of the other 31. The others are all limited to a degree because teams from their own confederations are in the draw.

Because of the way the teams have been separated, there's the possibility of a tough group, such as Brazil, Netherlands, Australia and Serbia-Montenegro.

The Serbs, the lowest ranked of the 14 European teams, have been put into a special pot so they will avoid going into a group with two other teams from their confederation. That means Serbia must play against either Brazil, Argentina or Mexico in the first round.

A comparatively easy group would be Mexico, Togo, Switzerland and Saudi Arabia.

The United States, playing in the World Cup for the fifth time in a row and a quarter-finalist three years ago, will be kept apart from CONCACAF neighbours Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago and also can't be drawn to face seeded Mexico. Also in the U.S. pot are the four Asian teams -- Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

Bruce Arena's American team could also wind up against the Brazilians, Dutch and Serbs.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/images/sportsnet_story_images/soccer/vannistelrooy240.jpg

bluemeanie

12-09-05, 12:52 PM

SN at 2 pm..
cheers.

Hey we (Oranje) got the Group of death draw in Euro 2004 and still went through..

No question that they'll go though. The group could be Brazil, Netherlands, Spain and US.... somebody with high-ish expectations is gonna be cryin' earlier then expected. But hey... that's what the beautiful game's all about, right? =]

Madferret

12-09-05, 12:59 PM

No question that they'll go though. The group could be Brazil, Netherlands, Spain and US.... somebody with high-ish expectations is gonna be cryin' earlier then expected. But hey... that's what the beautiful game's all about, right? =]

Brazil always gets a 'friendly' draw.
There is more teams in the WC as opposed to Euro so I don't think you'll see any groups stacked like that, but who knows eh. Can't wait..

Madferret

12-09-05, 3:10 PM

You watching BM?

J.R.

12-09-05, 3:41 PM

You watching BM?I am.

It's taken them nearly two hours of dancing and magic tricks before drawing the first ball.

Come on, already!

If you're not near a TV, follow along at http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/fd/index.html.
(Click "Launch The Final Draw".)

J.R.

12-09-05, 3:43 PM

England is first out (B1)!

Hopefully that's a good sign. :D

EDIT - Their first match will be against Paraguay.

Madferret

12-09-05, 3:57 PM

England's group is looking good.
Holland and Argentina..bah. I hope the 4th team in is some soft touch country.
Look at Brazil's draw so far, unbelievable..

Madferret

12-09-05, 4:00 PM

Great draw for Holland.

Group C
Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands

Beauty!

Madferret

12-09-05, 4:07 PM

Group E looks like the 'group of death' to me..

Group E
Italy
Ghana
United States
Czech Rep.

J.R.

12-09-05, 4:10 PM

Not bad.

Group B
B1) England
B2) Paraguay
B3) Trinidad & Tobego
B4) Sweden

Interesting that SGE will face his home country in their third match.

Max Power

12-09-05, 4:40 PM

Here you go guys
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/surreal48/WorldCup.jpg

Iced Tea

12-09-05, 6:43 PM

I am.

It's taken them nearly two hours of dancing and magic tricks before drawing the first ball.

Come on, already!

If you're not near a TV, follow along at http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/fd/index.html.
(Click "Launch The Final Draw".)Hey man, some of us like magic tricks and dancing. They could have taken 10 hours to draw the first ball as long as Heidi Klum kept appearing on the tv. :nod: :D

By the way, I don't see Canada in this event, we boycotting for political reasons?

Madferret

12-09-05, 6:52 PM

By the way, I don't see Canada in this event, we boycotting for political reasons?

Yes. We're boycotting by playing bad football.

a4l

12-10-05, 11:56 AM

I can't wait. *a4l starts tuning her voice:

It's coming home, it's coming home
it's coming,
football's coming home !

Everyone seems to know the score,
They've seen it all before
They Just know,
They 're so sure,
That's England's going to
throw it away,
Gonna blow it away
But I know they can play,
'Cos I remember..........

Three lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
30 years of hurt,
Never stoped me dreaming!

So many jokes ,so many sneers
But all thoes oh-so-nears
Wear you down
Through the years
But I still see the tackle by Moore
And when Lineker scored,
Bobby belting the ball
And Nobby dancing

I know that was then
But it could be again　

It's coming home,
It's coming home,
It's coming,
Football's coming home ......

or the 1998 version

We stil believe,
we still belive,
we still belive

Tears for heroes dressed in grey
No plan for final day
Stay in bed,
drift away
It could been all
Songs in the street
It was nearly comlete
It was nearly so sweet
And now I'm singing

Three lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
No more years of hurt
No more need for dreaming!

Talk about football coming home
And then one night in Rome
We were strong,
we had grown
And now I see Ince ready for war
Gazza good as before
Shearer ready to score
And Psycho screaming

We can dance Nobby's dance
We could dance in France

It's coming home,
It's coming home,
It's coming,
Football's coming home.....

Madferret

12-10-05, 11:58 AM

Gazza...lol
He was arrested the other day.

a4l

12-10-05, 12:05 PM

He's retired anyway so who cares. Ingland, Ingerland.

Madferret

12-19-05, 6:23 PM

FIFA Rankings: Brazil first, Canada 84th
Canadian Press
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP-CP)

Brazil has been named the world's best soccer team by FIFA for the fourth straight year.

The Czech Republic finished the year second in FIFA's world rankings, followed by the Netherlands, Argentina and Mexico. Spain, France, the United States, England and Portugal rounded out the top 10.

Brazil, FIFA's top-ranked team for all of 2005, won the Confederations Cup in June and topped the South American qualifying group for next year's World Cup. The five-time world champions are strong favourites to win the World Cup again in Germany.

Canada finished the year 84th in the FIFA rankings, sandwiched between No. 82 Albania and North Korea and No. 85 United Arab Emirates.

The Canadians ranked 87th last month and 90th a year ago. Canada's highest ranking in 2005 was 83rd in May.

Frank Yallop's team ranks 10th among countries in CONCACAF, which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

Brazil was 10-4-2 this year, losing only to Argentina and Mexico. Three weeks after losing to Argentina in a qualifying match, Brazil beat its South American rival 4-1 in the Confederations Cup final.

Ghana, which qualified for its first World Cup, was named "best mover" after moving up 27 places from its January ranking to finish the year ranked No. 50.

Czechs 2?
Holland 3?
FIFA!

bluemeanie

12-20-05, 9:23 AM

Czechs 2?
Holland 3?
FIFA!

The full rankings (http://www.fifa.com/en/mens/statistics/index/0,2548,All-Dec-2005,00.html) for any of you that are interested.

a4l

12-27-05, 7:59 PM

The USA is still ranked far too high.

J.R.

3-31-06, 11:55 PM

Only a couple months away now.

What kind of pool are we (likely Ferret) going to be running? Let's throw out some ideas now, so we have lots of time to "prepare".

Madferret

4-01-06, 1:32 AM

Well there will be a player pool one a la the one we're already in with the EPL & Channel 4. I'm assuming YAHOO will have one, and then I'll make one for us here exclusively where we will be picking each group games etc etc. Still going through my ideas for that one.

a4l

4-06-06, 9:59 AM

I can't wait. I have collected all of my England shirts, flags, scarves, etc.

Bring on the pool I'm ready.

Madferret

5-14-06, 2:37 PM

Channel 4's Pool (http://channel4.fantasyleague.com/Article.aspx?id=120) for the World Cup

a4l

5-14-06, 2:54 PM

Are you going to set up a friends league? Or should I do it?

Only 26 days to go!!! :boogie:

J.R.

5-14-06, 8:40 PM

I think England has a shot at this World Cup, that is if they have Rooney. If he's at least 80% when the elimination round begins, they should play him. I'm not too worried about missing him in their group play matches.

Beckham warns against rushing Rooney back

Associated Press
5/14/2006 11:14:59 AM

LONDON (AP) - England captain David Beckham said he doesn't want Wayne Rooney to be rushed back from injury in order to play at the World Cup.

Rooney broke his right foot on May 6 while playing for Manchester United against Chelsea in an English Premier League match, but was still named in England's World Cup squad.

On Saturday, England team doctor Lief Sward said Rooney's progress was ''very, very positive'' after he was seen cycling around United's training ground.

Beckham had a similar injury two months before the start of the 2002 World Cup. He played in every England game, but he wasn't 100 per cent.

''If he's not right, then he has to look after himself,'' Beckham was quoted as saying in The News of the World on Sunday. ''He can't take risks or rush it. He's got a huge future.''

Beckham said he was looking forward to playing an international tournament fully fit for the first time since the 1998 World Cup.

''I feel great,'' Beckham said. ''The most important thing for me is to be right physically, then I can perform. I have no injuries, touch wood, so I'll be going into the competition fully fit.''

England opens its World Cup campaign against Paraguay on June 10, and later plays Trinidad and Tobago and Sweden in Group B. Rooney is unlikely to play in any of England's group games. http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20040621/rooney_60123.jpg

a4l

5-15-06, 5:33 PM

I find that article to be rather ironic. Four years ago Beckham rushed back from a broken foot to play in the World Cup. I think he is a little concerned that Rooney will steal his thunder if he plays in the World Cup.

Just my anti-Becks opinion.

Madferret

5-16-06, 12:44 PM

England is cooked without Rooney.
It'd be like Holland without RVN.

See Ballack's off to Stamford Bridge?

a4l

5-17-06, 12:02 AM

Hopefully Rooney has recovered sufficiently for him to play. There are always miracles and I'm praying for one. :thumb:

J.R.

5-17-06, 11:34 AM

Hopefully Rooney has recovered sufficiently for him to play. There are always miracles and I'm praying for one. :thumb:
Like I said before, I'm not too worried if he has to sit out the group stage. I mean the toughest match will likely be against Sweden and as long as England finishes in the top two of four, they advance. I think by then Rooney will be back for the round of 16 to show us more of his English magic.

J.R.

5-22-06, 5:49 PM

This is good news. Rooney may in fact be ready in 18 days.

Eriksson backs Rooney to be ready

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson says he is confident that injured striker Wayne Rooney will recover in time for the FIFA World Cup™.

Eriksson, who said the 20-year-old Manchester United forward also believes he will be fit for the finals, is waiting for the results of a scan on Rooney's broken foot on Thursday.

"On Friday, we will know much better how the situation is," Eriksson told reporters on Monday. "But I've always been very positive - maybe more with my heart than my head.

"I'm quite sure that at some stage during the World Cup Wayne Rooney will be ready, I strongly believe that.

"We are in regular contact with him and of course the doctors and we know he works very, very hard - doing everything possible and it's not a surprise.

"Rooney is desperate to play the World Cup. I spoke to him last week... and he thinks he will be OK." http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060522/7/6v23.html

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/xp/20060522/i/848289434.jpg

Madferret

5-22-06, 8:33 PM

Nice hair SGE you tart..

J.R.

5-22-06, 8:48 PM

Nice hair SGE you tart..
I thought I should share that pic. *L*

Only two more months of his reign...

Amoroq

6-08-06, 8:52 PM

Its all starts tomorrow

My Top 5:

England (probably the best midfield in this world cup)
Brazil (Its Brazil, nothing else needs to be said)
Netherlands (I like windmills)
Argentina (Messi, the next Maradona)
Germany (Home field)

a4l

6-08-06, 11:50 PM

I'm all ready for it.

My top teams:

England ... we invented the game
Netherlands ... it's about time they won something
France ...Henry is on the team
Brazil ... what can I say

Last Place:

Lying Cheating Argentina.

bluemeanie

6-09-06, 9:12 AM

England ... we invented the game

actually...

football history 101 (http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2464&PN=1)

a4l

6-09-06, 3:05 PM

What the Chinese invented was not football. It's my story and I'm sticking to it.

J.R.

6-09-06, 5:20 PM

A bunch of goals and a big upset on day one.

Germany 4 - 2 Costa Rica
Poland 0 - 2 Ecuador

England kicks off tommorow morning at 8:30 ET vs. Paraguay. C'MON THREE LIONS!!!

The forty year drought is long enough.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/jrthesportsczar/England2.gif

Leafs_Fa_Life

6-09-06, 6:38 PM

Trinidad makes their World Cup debut tomorrow. Hopefully my fellow West Indian brothers don't get blown out too bad :)

a4l

6-10-06, 12:01 AM

I will be watching both matches tomorrow with a friend from Trinidad. He's all excited to see his team in the World Cup.

The England/Trinidad match on the 15th will be interesting.

Go England. Make me proud again.

J.R.

6-10-06, 12:50 PM

An awesome long free kick by David Beckham (too bad Gammara was credited with the own goal) in the third minute was all England needed to beat Paraguay 1-0 this morning. They dominated the whole match, but weren't able to capitalize on many of their chances in the box, so it was only the one goal spread. One down, six to go. :thumb:

TnT's goalkeeper is doing his best impression of an NHL goaltender during the playoffs who is able to simply steal games. He's made a bunch of spectacular saves in this first half or it could easily be 3-0 for Sweden. On the other end of the field I'm surprised that they're making some chances for themselves. 0-0 at the half -- good on the Trinidadians and Tobegans! They could be a dangerous team if they get the lead.

J.R.

6-10-06, 2:21 PM

Brilliant, TnT. Just brilliant.

Helps England out too. See you in five.

Leafs_Fa_Life

6-10-06, 6:19 PM

Shaka is the man!

I was on the edge of my seat for most of the second half with TnT down a man. Hislop made some big saves though, and Glen almost got the Soca Warriors the lead, but hit the crossbar :(

Can't wait till the England game.

a4l

6-11-06, 12:55 AM

Two great games today, three if you count Edmonton.

Soca Warriors did an amazing job for a team that wasn't supposed to win a match. I was watching with my "Trinny" friend and he was extatic.

THE HACK

6-11-06, 7:01 PM

So far so good,the World Cup has been awesome and England looks good in their division!:thumb: Portugal won the same way today by a score of 1-0 with a very early goal in the game.

Big suprise so far had to have been T"n"T's tie against Sweden yesterday being down to 10 men with 40 mins left to play and not surrendering a goal,just good played defense and goaltending.

I thought the Argentina vs Ivory Coast game was pretty good except for the outcome!

Cheers

Amoroq

6-12-06, 12:18 PM

Aussie Aussie OI OI OI!!! What a great finish 3 goals, 84th, 89th, and 1 in extra time.

This was a must game for both teams as it is assumed that Brazil will win the group so Japan, Australia and Croatia are fighting for that 2nd spot. This win sets up a great matches later on. Croatia VS Japan and Croatia VS Australia.

a4l

6-12-06, 4:42 PM

Was anybody shocked that the USA lost?

J.R.

6-12-06, 5:12 PM

Was anybody shocked that the USA lost?
No. I was expecting a blowout as well.

:thumb:

Amoroq

6-12-06, 6:21 PM

Was anybody shocked that the USA lost?I was expecting it to be a close game with a slight edge to the USA. So yea, I was shocked.

Madferret

6-12-06, 11:09 PM

Was anybody shocked that the USA lost?

Nyet. They are an over-rated squad which pads its stats playing CONCACEF teams all year. The Czechs really put the screws to them today. The US don't have enough size and you'll see bigger teams like Czechs lean on them all tourney.

Robben was a fire-cracker on Sunday.
Oranje ve komen!

Amoroq

6-15-06, 10:02 AM

Sometimes they get a little too friendly in soccer :eyebug:

http://images.fantasyleague.com/fast/wc2006/c4/homepage_13.06.06.jpg

J.R.

6-15-06, 10:24 AM

Sometimes they get a little too friendly in soccer :eyebug:

http://images.fantasyleague.com/fast/wc2006/c4/homepage_13.06.06.jpg
I've seen worse, which includes cock-biting on the pitch.

ENGLAND vs Trinidad & Tobago kicks off in just over an hour and a half.

Come On England. All Together Now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/jrthesportsczar/England.gif

J.R.

6-15-06, 2:01 PM

I thought Greece didn't qualify for the World Cup, but it sure was good to see England beat them today, hopefully eliminating them.

They lacked finish for the first 82 minutes. England dominated in almost every fascet of the match but the closer they got to scoring, the further away they would kick the ball.

Then finally my boy Peter Crouch headed in a brilliant David Beckham cross. Steven Gerrard added another in added time. Two goals in nine minutes after being shut-out for so long.

ENGLAND is officially off to the round of 16! :D

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa//fi/up/20060615/1150394440.jpg

Amoroq

6-15-06, 2:26 PM

They play this way VS Brazil or one of the other top teams, they can pack their bags and head off home.

Leafs_Fa_Life

6-15-06, 5:26 PM

Well Trinidad is still mathematically in it :) Tough loss today. Stern John had a goal, but Terry saved the day with his bicycle kick. Hopefully TnT can beat a Paraguay team they've faced a couple times in the past (I think they've tied in their meetings), and England can put the BEATDOWN on Sweden next Tuesday.

I also think Glen should start the next game for TnT. This team needs some offense, and he gives them a guy who can create some stuff on the offense end. It's hard to do anything in the first half when 3 or 4 guys are on John because he's the only guy down field.

a4l

6-15-06, 7:08 PM

Sometimes they get a little too friendly in soccer :eyebug:

http://images.fantasyleague.com/fast/wc2006/c4/homepage_13.06.06.jpg

They got really friendly with Dwight Yorke to-day. The poor guy was writhing in pain and most of those around him were trying to stifle their laughter.

England better pick up the pace on Tuesday. Luckily Lampard won't be playing, he was useless this afternoon.

Leafs_Fa_Life

6-15-06, 7:23 PM

They got really friendly with Dwight Yorke to-day. The poor guy was writhing in pain and most of those around him were trying to stifle their laughter.

England better pick up the pace on Tuesday. Luckily Lampard won't be playing, he was useless this afternoon.

It was funny watching him empty his water bottle down his pants as he left the field.

Madferret

6-15-06, 8:35 PM

Good show England. Now get it together before the Swedes..

Madferret

6-17-06, 5:20 PM

J.R.

6-17-06, 11:06 PM

What a chippy game between the US & Italy. I gotta give props to the US they played liked they belonged on the pitch this game, great intensity. Bruce Arena should be proud of the effort his team gave today. Well done US!
Yeah, no kidding. Playing nine-on-ten for most of the second half, they still created a few chances and even put one in the net -- questionable offside call. We'll see how they do against Ghana, who shocked the Czechs 2-nil today.

Madferret

6-18-06, 1:11 PM

Damn you Adriano..

J.R.

6-19-06, 4:58 PM

Fernando Pisani + Raffi Torres = Fernando Torres (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/player/183864_TORRES_Fernando.html).

This kid is the Wayne Rooney of this major tournament. He could have had four goals today, but settles with two and leads all strikers with three total. What a star in the making at only 22. This Spaniard will be in the EPL very soon.

Madferret

6-20-06, 12:56 AM

This kid is the Wayne Rooney of this major tournament. He could have had four goals today, but settles with two and leads all strikers with three total. What a star in the making at only 22. This Spaniard will be in the EPL very soon.

Watching him at the last Euro I can remember the commentators mentioning that F Torres was the next Raul for Spain...looks like the were accurate.

Junes he'll likely stay in La Liga...but move to a bigger club. I love the EPL but La Liga is probably the top league in the world..

Madferret

6-21-06, 2:55 PM

Holland vs Argentina (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/#)

KNVB scarf...check.
KNVB jersey...check.

See your fat ass on T.V. Maradona...

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa//fi/up/20060621/1150914785.jpg

Madferret

6-21-06, 5:24 PM

That was basically a friendly...lol
If MVB didn't seem to be worried about drawing Portugal in the 16 team knockout stage, then I will be.

Holland vs Portugal..time to get some redemption for Euro '04.

Amoroq

6-22-06, 7:29 AM

Auzzie Auzzie OI OI!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/Amoroq/image001.jpg

Madferret

6-23-06, 7:09 AM

One last group match day and then we're left with the 16 best Nations in the world. FIFA should base their rankings on this and not use their current zone point system that is total garbage. As soon as we get our 16 I'll put up both...

Amoroq

6-23-06, 9:29 AM

An England VS Netherlands match is a real possibility. Oh Boy!

Madferret

6-23-06, 9:32 AM

An England VS Netherlands match is a real possibility. Oh Boy!

A Portugal vs Equador match is also..lol
Holland better get it right on Sunday.

Madferret

6-23-06, 9:35 AM

BTW...Brazil looked very scary yesterday. Every goal was a cracker..

Madferret

6-23-06, 11:20 AM

Our friend E.J. / Craven Moorehead / Crazy Joe Devola is at the Ukraine vs. Tunisia game right now in Berlin. What a bastard eh?!

Madferret

6-24-06, 5:59 PM

What a crack by M. Rodriguez..

Amoroq

6-24-06, 9:26 PM

What a crack by M. Rodriguez..That was one hell of a goal. Mexico played a great game, just not enough in the tank in the end.

Madferret

6-25-06, 1:38 PM

Well England you've slugged into the quarters and will finally play a Top tier team. Not convincing at all today..

THE HACK

6-25-06, 3:00 PM

Well England you've slugged into the quarters and will finally play a Top tier team. Not convincing at all today..

They played like crap but what a crazy goal by Beckham,F-in sweet!:thumb:

2 mins till gametime Portugal vs Netherlands,should be the best game.Got the beer on ice,time to go!

Cheers

Madferret

6-25-06, 4:58 PM

sob, robbed by the refs again..

Madferret

6-25-06, 5:03 PM

Well England is going to play a depleted Portugal team. Knock those cheap bastards out. How does Figo headbut a guy and get away with it?

THE HACK

6-25-06, 5:28 PM

Hopefully Figgo gets suspended for that headbutt!:nod:

What a crazy game though with a total of 16 cards handed out which is more than I've seen at some birthday party's! Its not the way football should be played.Hopefully Christian Ronaldo will be healthy enough to play vs England but either way I can't wait till Saturdays game.

Go England!

Cheers

Madferret

6-25-06, 5:33 PM

Madferret

6-25-06, 5:43 PM

Hopefully Figgo gets suspended for that headbutt

He will. Make no mistake about it.

THE HACK

6-25-06, 5:57 PM

20 cards Hack..

I'm a bit miffed that MVB left RVN on the bench, but I think his hand was forced with the way the ref decided to call the game. That was rubbish. Don't expect to ever see that ref on a WC pitch again..
Anyways, if that was RVN and not Kuiyt the balls in the net..

20 cards,my mistake!:o

I can't beleive Ruud never got to play and this was his last World Cup:( .You would have thought he was back with Man Utd not playing,total disrespect to one of the best strikers.

Cheers

a4l

6-26-06, 12:25 PM

Well England is going to play a depleted Portugal team. Knock those cheap bastards out. How does Figo headbut a guy and get away with it?

You guys were robbed. Figo is a cheat and we all know it. He head butts a guy and gets away with it and then a couple of plays later he winges about a supposed knock to the head, has ice on it for 2 seconds, until the culprit gets carded, and then plays on as if nothing happened. :shrug: From now on he will be known as the Portuguese Maradona.:curse::curse:

England will take care of them for you. :box::wicked:

Madferret

6-26-06, 1:08 PM

Italy dives into the quarters..

Madferret

6-26-06, 1:21 PM

FIFA will not be disciplining Figo further. Unbelievable.

Canucklehead

6-26-06, 1:33 PM

Italy dives into the quarters..

That was disgusting. Not only do I like Australia and hate the Italians, I also bet on the game going to extra time. A little bit of my love for the World Cup just died.

Canucklehead

6-26-06, 1:35 PM

FIFA will not be disciplining Figo further. Unbelievable.

A little bit more just died. I can't believe I'm forced to cheer for England.

THE HACK

6-26-06, 1:39 PM

That was a heartbreaking loss by Australia but the ref had no choice but to call a penalty kick.Full marks to Italy though for winning by being a man down for about 60 mins.Nice kick by Totti with no chance of saving it by the goaltender,perfect shot!

Can't beleive no suspension to Figo,what a joke!:burning:

Cheers

Canucklehead

6-26-06, 1:44 PM

That was a heartbreaking loss by Australia but the ref had no choice but to call a penalty kick.

Huh?

What was the Australian player to do in that situation? Vanish into thin air? He was already on the ground and the Italian player just tripped over him.

Madferret

6-26-06, 1:45 PM

Yup.
Fair Play my ass FIFA. These last 2 days have really soured what had been a great WC. But then again, this kind of thing always happens in soccer...the politics get involved. Imagine if it was Australia who was awarded that spot kick? The Italians would be screaming bloody murder until the next Euro..

Madferret

6-26-06, 1:46 PM

THE HACK

6-26-06, 2:41 PM

No way that's a penalty Hackster. Especially in the 95th.

Neill didn't have to go down the way he did but he did and stopped the player from going to the net as he did but up a bit of his elbow.Its a difficult call and I hate to see a call like this considering I was rooting for Australia but I feel it was the right one.

Cheers

bluemeanie

6-26-06, 3:30 PM

Italy dives into the quarters..

lol. There's news for ya.

I think the ref was made aware that his earlier Materazzi carding was harsh, and he played the advantage card. Poor timeing though. However the ref was right there and probably called it the way he would have called it had it happened midfield. Just unforunate for the Soccerroos that it was in the penalty area. In a perfect world it would have gone to et, but this is the world of football, and it's all about 'what if's'.

THE HACK

6-26-06, 6:46 PM

Ukraine beat the Swiss in a shootout with the Swiss not even being able to get a goal.Very dissapointing for the Swiss who never even gave up a goal the whole World Cup but find themselves being knocked out due to the shootout loss.I think this is the first time this has ever happened in the World Cup.

Cheers

a4l

6-26-06, 8:11 PM

A little bit more just died. I can't believe I'm forced to cheer for England.

There are worse things in life than cheering for England. :rolleyes:

I can't believe that Figo isn't getting any discipline for the head butt. :burning::curse:
I just hope that Rooney can keep his mouth shut and temper under control when we play the cheaters.

Canucklehead

6-26-06, 8:28 PM

There are worse things in life than cheering for England. :rolleyes:

You mean like cheering for Arsenal? ;)

J/K a4l, England have played with more class than most teams in this tourney so I'll enjoy cheering for them against the Portugese.
I can't believe that Figo isn't getting any discipline for the head butt. :burning::curse:
I just hope that Rooney can keep his mouth shut and temper under control when we play the cheaters.

Agreed.

If the game disintegrates like the Dutch/Portugal match, Rooney will have a lot of trouble controlling himself.

Amoroq

6-26-06, 11:53 PM

I picked the Italians but was rooting for the Aussies, I am still trying to wrap my head around that call in the 95th min.

KB in Kelowna

6-26-06, 11:55 PM

I picked the Italians but was rooting for the Aussies, I am still trying to wrap my head around that call in the 95th min.

I saw the highlites, how was that a foul and the Portugal-Holland game was a kickboxing demo?

Madferret

6-26-06, 11:57 PM

snip

Love the Avatar. Look at the little bitch..

Madferret

6-26-06, 11:59 PM

I saw the highlites, how was that a foul and the Portugal-Holland game was a kickboxing demo?

Obviously the Italians are very good at what they do, fix matches.

KB in Kelowna

6-27-06, 12:06 AM

Obviously the Italians are very good at what they do, fix matches.:eek: surly you aren't suggesting the influence of a faternal businessman's organization?:laughing:

Madferret

6-27-06, 12:13 AM

:eek: surly you aren't suggesting the influence of a faternal businessman's organization?:laughing:

5 of the big clubs in Italy <Series A> are going to court after the WC to face match fixing charges.

Madferret

6-27-06, 12:51 AM

Alright, two things here. First, take a look at this (http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2006270516,00.html).

Second, where do I get on? Before you guys break my balls about bandwagoning my pops is from England which gives me limey blood, making me always in some sort of small way, an England fan. That's the last I'll ever speak of this moment again.

I'm telling you right now though I can't handle watching another loss to Portugal right now so let's get things tidy SGE.

GO WANKERS GO!!

http://www.mrflag.com/data/devon_flag.jpg

Madferret

6-27-06, 5:23 PM

France and Brazil in the quarters. Now that is going to be a game.

Man.Utd

6-27-06, 5:57 PM

Indeed. Can't wait.

I'll predict another Brazil / Germany final. Same outcome as in '02. Hopefully my Germans change that proclamation by taking the WC on home soil. :thumb:

THE HACK

6-28-06, 9:03 PM

France and Brazil in the quarters. Now that is going to be a game.

I can't wait for Saturday,first England vs Portugal then France vs Brazil then hopefully a very drunk hollering HACK staggering around celebrating victories by England and France!:boogie:

I have France in my World Cup Pool so they better win!

Cheers

Leafs_Fa_Life

6-28-06, 9:34 PM

Amoroq

6-28-06, 9:54 PM

In major Canadian cities this weekend, there'll probably be more English, Portuguese, and Italian flags being waved around than Canadian ones:laughing:

Hopefully Portugal and Italy lose. Not fond of either team.I saw more then a few rainbow flags today. I'm going to have to check the list of conventions that are going on in town ;)

a4l

6-28-06, 11:31 PM

I saw more then a few rainbow flags today. I'm going to have to check the list of conventions that are going on in town ;)

:rollover:

a4l

6-28-06, 11:41 PM

In major Canadian cities this weekend, there'll probably be more English, Portuguese, and Italian flags being waved around than Canadian ones:laughing:

MY neighbour gave me proper shite for having the English flag flying from my car. :burning:
Some people just don't appreciate the World Cup. :shrug:

THE HACK

7-01-06, 2:10 PM

Jeez I'm pissed right now(in more ways than one) that we lost in a shootiout to Portugal.England played a heck of a game with Rooney being his usual ass and getting red careded we had to kill 55 mins of time,thanks wayne!:rolleyes: Ricard was awesome for the Portuguese in the shootout stopping 3 shots and getting a hand on Hargreaves only English goal.I', proud of the way the nglish played but I'm choked at Rooney and Lampard who did dick all!Well there's my rant and screw you Portugal,you're going down next round!:nod:

Cheers

a4l

7-02-06, 12:40 PM

I have lept on the French bandwagon. Go Henry, Vieira, and Zidane.

THE HACK

7-02-06, 1:13 PM

I have lept on the French bandwagon. Go Henry, Vieira, and Zidane.

What a game that was against Brazil,simply well played!

France won me $739 with this victory so I'm extremely happy and I also have them in my World Cup Pool and since they're in the Top 4 now I'm guaranteed more money coming my way so I'm on the bandwagon too!

On a sad note the England loss still hurts this morning and David Beckham has stepped down as Captain with John Terry probably being his replacement!

Cheers

Canucklehead

7-02-06, 2:58 PM

Bah, I can't believe Portugal squeaked through again. Ronaldo claims he didn't appeal to the ref to give Rooney a red card. That's such bullsh!t. If he didn't want to get Rooney sent off, why did he wink after it happened? Ronaldo's Man U career is now definitely over.

a4l

7-02-06, 10:14 PM

Ronaldo's Man U career is now definitely over.

If it's not over he will certainly have a difficult time living in England, as unpopular as he is now.:burning:

KB in Kelowna

7-02-06, 11:14 PM

From what I have read they are viscious about this team and this result in "Old Blighty" right now: http://wc2006.telegraph.co.uk/Document.aspx?id=381B8FF3-AB91-4983-9783-9DE1DBD30F85

and:http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/65122.html

THE HACK

7-03-06, 2:04 PM

Canucklehead

7-03-06, 2:37 PM

Ronaldo being blamed is such horsecrap,Rooneys the idiot in this one as always the case.Reports being thrown out right now are also baloney as one says Rooney wants to beat up Ronaldo and another saying they've patched things up.If this does affect Man .Utd then I'd want Rooney gone over Ronaldo!

Cheers

Yeah, Rooney was a moron as usual but he won't be the one to leave Man U. From what I understand, some thought Ronaldo may have wanted to leave for Real Madrid even before all of England began hating him. Besides, I'd take Rooney on my team over Wah-naldo (*crickets*) any day.

Man.Utd

7-03-06, 3:19 PM

http://tsn.ca/tsn/news_story.asp?id=170404

Frings has been suspended for the semi-final. A huge blow to my Germans. :burning: I'm pretty pissed now, after they let that Figo head-but go unpunished. Frings "guilty of violent conduct". Screw FIFA and their doube-standards. I expect nothing less from Argentina causing a stirr after a defeat. Look no further than Maradona to see their antics.

I hate the Italians. They always seem to get luck (penalty call in the Aussi game), dealt a good hand (Ukraine), and just plain play dirty (diving, shameful elbow in the game against the USA). Not to mention the match-fixing that goes on with them. When Germany sends them home tomorrow it'll be that much sweeter.

a4l

7-03-06, 8:01 PM

KB in Kelowna

7-03-06, 11:31 PM

I see you have retaped your ankles with le Blue/Blanc/Rouge :laughing:

Amoroq

7-03-06, 11:43 PM

Madferret

7-03-06, 11:47 PM

SOMEONE, ANYONE, BEAT PORTUGAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KB in Kelowna

7-03-06, 11:56 PM

England vs Portugal, exhibit A as to why the shootout should never be adopted in the Stanley Cup playoffs!

a4l

7-04-06, 6:20 AM

I see you have retaped your ankles with le Blue/Blanc/Rouge :laughing:

At least the colour scheme is familiar. :gulppint:

Madferret

7-04-06, 5:35 PM

Wow. What a finish.
Italy vs France / Portugal in the finals? Blah..

leaferfan87

7-04-06, 5:43 PM

What an inspired last minute of extra time. That was amazing, the German defender did seem out of position on the first goal.

Man.Utd

7-04-06, 9:57 PM

What a game and what a sad way to lose. I just know in my heart that if Germany could have made it to penalties, they would have been off to the finals. :(

Still, it was a great game. The team left it all out there today. One thing I can proudly say as a German football fan is that you are never left wanting more from your players, which is a welcome change from being a Sens supporter. Efficient, well organized, cool under pressure, and determined is what sums of the way that nation plays. Add some skill and pride into the mix and you have an outline for success. The German national team, despite often not being the best on paper, always finds a way to attain just that. This year was another example of that, coming so close to a 2nd finals appearance in as many tournaments .

I'll guess be cheering for France now, other than for that 3rd place tilt involving the Germans. I hate Portugal and this WC has only cemented those feelings. Likewise, I have never liked the Italians at all to say the least. After today I dislike them even more. Come to think of it, I am just plain against Mediterranean football. Many people loved watching Greece's miracle run in the last Euro tournament but I for one wasn't at all thrilled with their success.

I don't know what I'd do with a Portugal / Italy final...... :hair:

bluemeanie

7-05-06, 9:21 AM

The Italians have Germany's number, no doubt. Although I too wanted to see the game go to a penalty shoot out to see two of the greatest tenders in action, I'm now a little glad that it didn't. Both teams played great and the game was very even, but in extra time, Italy showed just a little more want and a little more creativity - the age difference of the two teams showed here. In the end the Italians disserved the win, and going out to the luck of PSO would have been ugly... but enjoyable. =]

I think it was Vic Rauter that suggested the format of the shoot out should be changed to the North American style - where the ball is placed at the 35' mark and the striker has 7 seconds to take his shot and the net minder can come out of his net to challenge the player. I also think this is a good idea. It's the way we played when I was still strapping on the cleats, and it was every bit as dramatic, with a lot less of a roulette flare to it.

Madferret

7-05-06, 10:34 AM

I think it was Vic Rauter that suggested the format of the shoot out should be changed to the North American style - where the ball is placed at the 35' mark and the striker has 7 seconds to take his shot and the net minder can come out of his net to challenge the player. I also think this is a good idea. It's the way we played when I was still strapping on the cleats, and it was every bit as dramatic, with a lot less of a roulette flare to it.

You liked that format Blue?

bluemeanie

7-05-06, 10:57 AM

You liked that format Blue?

It has it's pros and cons. As a German Football fan, I like it the way it is. But, the way it is now is 90% luck - I imagine that it makes it hard to be on the losing end of one of those. It also gives the shooter a chance to be creative as well... but what I really like best about it is when the Football babes jump up and down.

http://www.anthemamerica.com/New%20Jpegs/German_soccer_fan%5B1%5D.jpg

Madferret

7-05-06, 11:04 AM

It has it's pros and cons. As a German Football fan, I like it the way it is. But, the way it is now is 90% luck - I imagine that it makes it hard to be on the losing end of one of those. It also gives the shooter a chance to be creative as well... but what I really like best about it is when the Football babes jump up and down.

http://www.anthemamerica.com/New%20Jpegs/German_soccer_fan%5B1%5D.jpg

Hmmm, football babes.

:eyebug:

Madferret

7-05-06, 5:18 PM

Portu-GONE!!!
Well done Zizo..

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20060705/zz_60421.jpg

Amoroq

7-05-06, 7:28 PM

All thats left of this lousy world cup is for France to destroy Italy, FIFA pisses me off!!

KB in Kelowna

7-05-06, 8:25 PM

Vive le France!

THE HACK

7-05-06, 10:36 PM

Portu-GONE!!!
Well done Zizo..

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20060705/zz_60421.jpg

ALL HAIL ZIZO!:thumb:

Cheers

Madferret

7-09-06, 7:39 PM

What a head butt by Zizo.
Too funny...

Amoroq

7-09-06, 10:26 PM

What a head butt by Zizo.
Too funny...Materazzi either said something along the lines of something about Z's mama or Juventis paid the boy off. Just freeking bizzare!!

THE HACK

7-10-06, 1:30 PM

Materazzi either said something along the lines of something about Z's mama or Juventis paid the boy off. Just freeking bizzare!!

Zidane had to keep his cool but it doesn't suprise me that the player he hit was Materazzi who's the biggest piece of crap to play football!I just wish Zizu would have torpedoed that idiot in his face,mouth to be precise and broken his jaw because he has it coming and when it does I'll be all smiles!

Congrats to the Italian players,except Materazzi,on winning the World Cup,they played one hell of a defensive tournament letting up only 2 goals(1 own goal and 1 penalty kick).The game itself was a good one and all 5 kicks by the Italians were perfect shots while Trezegauts crossbar kick was the blemish that cost France.

I hope the Italian players enjoy this one because today is d-day for some Italian teams and some of these players are going to be without a team and are going to have their lives turned upside down for the next few months.I feel bad for these players who did nothing wrong but because of some corrupt people are now going to have to sit and wait and wonder "What's next"?

Cheers

Canucklehead

7-10-06, 10:51 PM

Zidane had to keep his cool but it doesn't suprise me that the player he hit was Materazzi who's the biggest piece of crap to play football!I just wish Zizu would have torpedoed that idiot in his face,mouth to be precise and broken his jaw because he has it coming and when it does I'll be all smiles!
Cheers

:thumb:

Rumours are flying around about what Materazzi actually said to Zidane. Right now it sounds like he might have called Zidane a 'dirty terrorist'. I don't think we'll ever know exactly what he said.

I quite like this article.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AonHTJH1xKKFc9vGvX_4A4ZDubYF?slug=cnnsi-enoughisenough&prov=cnnsi&type=lgns

Enough is enough
Picture this. Michael Strahan is tired of offensive linemen grabbing him, strangling him, chopping at his legs, talking never-ending trash, generally messing with him in fringe illegal methods and getting away with it. So he head-butts someone.

Will he get thrown out of the game? Probably not. He'll get a flag. But put him in the context of World Cup Football and the ridiculous grand opera tragedy it has become and he would not only get thrown out but a lifetime of greatness would be ruined -- at least for now.

Zinedine Zidane is not a flopper or a whiner or a moaner. I have never seen him pull one of those scenes from the last act of La Boheme, enacting his death tableau on the field after the merest brush of contact. I haven't seen him lying there at death's door while they go through with the most ridiculous of all dramas, the entry of the stretcher.

Imagine if the NFL were like that. Half a dozen stretchers called for during the course of the game, whereupon the nearly deceased leaps off it, shakes off the very fingers of the Evil One and trots back onto the field. Maybe Zidane was tired of all this, of this travesty, which rewards all the things that we were once taught were cowardly, but can be used to great advantage in this game.

So Zidane slammed a guy. He lost it. Writers all over the world are competing with themselves to heap scorn on France's greatest player. You know something? I don't blame him for getting sore. Almost every time I could find him on the screen, he had someone tugging at his shirt, tripping him or messing with him in some sneaky way.

The problem is he doesn't hit the canvas as the rest of those prima donnas do. So the ref must figure nothing is happening. Sure, he should have held off on the head butt, but to put the defeat of his team on his shoulders is a reach.

They say his magic foot would have provided the penalty kick France so desperately needed at the end. Did you see the one he scored in the first half? Guys like ABC announcer Marcelo Balboa were gushing about what a clever little shot it was, but hey, it hit the bar on top and landed three inches away from not being a goal. The one that France missed at the end was the same kick, only this one bounced just outside the line.

I'll tell you another thing. I just about had a bellyful of this Balboa guy. First he complains about all the flopping. Then, when France gets away with one to set up Zidane's penalty kick in the first half, he tells us that the guy "did a great job of selling it." Yeah, a great acting job. Accent on great.

It's like hearing Balboa congratulate a pickpocket for the deft way he lifted a guy's wallet. I love World Cup Soccer. I hated this game. I feel sorry for Zidane, who has a temper, just as I do. Or couldn't you tell?

PS - Zidane won the Golden Ball. :D

a4l

7-11-06, 12:14 AM

Great article.

I like Materazzi's claim that he didn't call Zizou a dirty terrorist. The quote says it all:
"It is absolutely not true," he was quoted as saying by an Italian news agency. "I did not call him a terrorist. I'm ignorant. I don't even know what the word means. The whole world saw what happened on live TV."
link (http://wc2006.telegraph.co.uk/Document.aspx?id=5CA2D8F2-D45D-4C69-AA6E-3848AC3D5D87)

The Times has a slightly different version of what he said:
The Times enlisted the help of an expert lip reader, Jessica Rees, to determine the precise nature of the dialogue that caused Zidane to react in such a manner.

After an exhaustive study of the match video, and with the help of an Italian translator, Rees claimed that Materazzi called Zidane “the son of a terrorist whore” before adding “so just f*** off” for good measure, supporting the natural assumption that the Frenchman must have been grievously insulted.
link (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,28749-2263995,00.html)