[Fußball] World Cup 2006

[DrLudicrous]

www.fifaworldcup.com/
Broadcast schedule (http://www.soccertv.com/wc-us.cfm)
US Roster (http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_280933.html)

US matches
12-Jun-06 USA:CZE 11:00 AM ESPN2-Univision
17-Jun-06 ITA:USA 2:00 PM ABC-Univision
22-Jun-06 GHA:USA 9:00 AM ESPN-Univision

Mexico matches (for SwoLy-D)
11-Jun-06 MEX:IRN 11:00 AM ABC-Univision
16-Jun-06 MEX:ANG 2:00 PM ESPN-Univision
21-Jun-06 POR:MEX 9:00 AM ESPN-Univision


The teams participating
Group A
Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

Group B
England, Paraguay, Trinidad And Tobago, Sweden

Group C
Argentina, Cote D'Ivoire, Serbia & Montenegro, Netherlands

Group D
Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

Group E
Italy, Ghana, United States, Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan

Group G
France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo

Group H
Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

[A-Train]

http://www.easterncoastcostume.com/Pages/mustache/Fu%20Man%20Chu.jpg

I thought this was going to be a thread about growing a bitchin' fu manchu...

[Oski2005]

Are they reairing them at night for people who work?

[DrLudicrous]

Are they reairing them at night for people who work?

ESPN will be re-airing some on ESPN Classic, I'm not sure which ones though.

Here's Univision's re-airing guide.
Schedule (http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml;jsessionid=3KWSNPXNREMTOCWIAAOCFFQKZAABWIWC?ci d=873137)

[WizzyWig]

How did Saudi get in there...Asia must be weak.

[SwoLy-D]

THank you, DrL. Your thread title should be "[Fútbol] World Cup Germany 2006 official thread"Are they reairing them at night for people who work?YES, on Galavision, and Telefutura.

During the last game's concurrent games (e.g.: USA vs. Ghana at the same time as Czech Republic vs. Italy), you can watch them live on Telefutura and Univision. What's with Univision not having HD? THEY S*CK *SS. :mad:

<commentary>I think I found another reason why most of us Mexicans and other countries do not have the appeal to the U.S.'s team. This week's Sports Illustrated has Landon, Beaz, Convey, and Gooch all pointing at you and saying: "U.S. Soccer Wants you" on the cover. That is beyond GAY... maybe as close as when the U.S. players posed a few years ago on another magazine. You would NEVER see Brazilian, Argentinean, or even Mexican players do this on a national magazine. I think they'd be shot for looking too feminine... SI should have had Landon, Beaz, or Bobby either tackling someone, heading the ball in for a score, or beating defenders, like Donovan is inside the articles. It's just not good for image... makes them look weak... how about that picture of GOOCH staring down Borgetti? Nope, not even close. A much better one is the one I have on my ESPN magazine with Figo, Nistelrooy, Adriano, and Ji-Sung on the cover, which makes them look better than SI.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5355/t1cover06052db.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=t1cover06052db.jpg) vs. http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9350/mag060520061if.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mag060520061if.jpg)
Maybe it was NOT their idea, but they still agree to appear like teddy bears and friendly players in magazines, when they should instill some sense of triumph and fierce competition. I don't want to turn this into a D&D but I thought I would say something that had been bothering me since I saw the cover of SI. :(</commentary>

¡¡¡VAMOS, México!!!
¡VAMOS, Estados Unidos!

[RocketMan Tex]

I love the World Cup. Don't know how much I will get to watch, and I don't think the US team will get too far, but I find it an exciting sports event. I'm certain I will watch the championship game uninterrupted.

[Rocketman95]

Methinks someone put way too much thought and scrutiny into two magazine covers.

[Stack24]

Oh i can't wait....it's going to be a fun week..i have a viewing party here sunday morning for the Iran vs Mexico game...swoly you coming by :P

[oomp]

I love the World Cup. Don't know how much I will get to watch, and I don't think the US team will get too far, but I find it an exciting sports event. I'm certain I will watch the championship game uninterrupted.


Sunday the 9th! I normally take late lunches at work, but I am changing my shedule to be able to see as much of the games as I can. I don't think the US can go very far either, though I'd really like to see them do it. After the US is out, it's Grolsch time.

[RocketForever]

The teams participating
Group A
Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

Group B
England, Paraguay, Trinidad And Tobago, Sweden

Group C
Argentina, Cote D'Ivoire, Serbia & Montenegro, Netherlands

Group D
Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

Group E
Italy, Ghana, United States, Czech Republic

Group F
Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan

Group G
France, Switzerland, South Korea, Togo

Group H
Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

Is it a coincidence that Germany is the host country and they also have the easiest group games? Does the host country have the right to play in the weakest group. IIRC they used a lottery system to decide the groups. I can be wrong though.

[Azadre]

Ey IRAN!

This is going to be an exciting world cup, as I am old enough to truly enjoy it.

[SwoLy-D]

Methinks someone put way too much thought and scrutiny into two magazine covers.So you don't care how they get photographed, huh? Nice. There's the passion we Mexicans don't have :rolleyes:. :D jk.

Stack24, if you know us MEXICANS, we can get rowdy when there's a game, a bunch of us, or beer. Now imagine how rowdy a bunch of us Mexicans can get with all of those THREE together with a World Cup game...! :D I won't make it to Live, but I will surely join you watch the Iran vs. Portugal game next Saturday. Can you get HD by then? I have NEVER ever seen an HD Soccer game and would like to at least once in my life.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

where can I get a US Soccer world cup jersey?

[RocketFan007]

where can I get a US Soccer world cup jersey?

www.ussoccer.com

[DrLudicrous]

where can I get a US Soccer world cup jersey?

Locally the best place is probably Soccer 4 All (http://www.soccer4all.com/soccer4all/), I've also seen some at Academy which are a bit cheaper but slightly different than the authentic ones, they didn't have many in stock though.

Online you can get them at
The Onionbag (http://procart2.evocative.com/onionbag/category.jsp?category=95)
World Soccer Shop (http://www.worldsoccershop.com/shop-by-team-usa-national-team.html)
US Soccer Store (http://www.ussoccerstore.com/)
and a few others

[DrLudicrous]

<commentary>I think I found another reason why most of us Mexicans and other countries do not have the appeal to the U.S.'s team. This week's Sports Illustrated has Landon, Beaz, Convey, and Gooch all pointing at you and saying: "U.S. Soccer Wants you" on the cover. That is beyond GAY... maybe as close as when the U.S. players posed a few years ago on another magazine. You would NEVER see Brazilian, Argentinean, or even Mexican players do this on a national magazine. I think they'd be shot for looking too feminine... SI should have had Landon, Beaz, or Bobby either tackling someone, heading the ball in for a score, or beating defenders, like Donovan is inside the articles. It's just not good for image... makes them look weak... how about that picture of GOOCH staring down Borgetti? Nope, not even close. A much better one is the one I have on my ESPN magazine with Figo, Nistelrooy, Adriano, and Ji-Sung on the cover, which makes them look better than SI.
Maybe it was NOT their idea, but they still agree to appear like teddy bears and friendly players in magazines, when they should instill some sense of triumph and fierce competition. I don't want to turn this into a D&D but I thought I would say something that had been bothering me since I saw the cover of SI. :(</commentary>


The SI cover doesn't seem that bad to me. Certainly not the best photo, but nowhere near as bad as the previous ones that you mentioned.

[leroy]

<commentary>I think I found another reason why most of us Mexicans and other countries do not have the appeal to the U.S.'s team. This week's Sports Illustrated has Landon, Beaz, Convey, and Gooch all pointing at you and saying: "U.S. Soccer Wants you" on the cover. That is beyond GAY... maybe as close as when the U.S. players posed a few years ago on another magazine. You would NEVER see Brazilian, Argentinean, or even Mexican players do this on a national magazine. I think they'd be shot for looking too feminine... SI should have had Landon, Beaz, or Bobby either tackling someone, heading the ball in for a score, or beating defenders, like Donovan is inside the articles. It's just not good for image... makes them look weak... how about that picture of GOOCH staring down Borgetti? Nope, not even close. A much better one is the one I have on my ESPN magazine with Figo, Nistelrooy, Adriano, and Ji-Sung on the cover, which makes them look better than SI.
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5355/t1cover06052db.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=t1cover06052db.jpg) vs. http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/9350/mag060520061if.th.jpg (http://img443.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mag060520061if.jpg)
Maybe it was NOT their idea, but they still agree to appear like teddy bears and friendly players in magazines, when they should instill some sense of triumph and fierce competition. I don't want to turn this into a D&D but I thought I would say something that had been bothering me since I saw the cover of SI. :(</commentary>

¡¡¡VAMOS, México!!!
¡VAMOS, Estados Unidos!

Or they should have shown a pic of McBride's goal against Mexico in 2002.

http://www.kumquatboy.com/wannabe/football/brigoal.jpg

[RocketFan007]

My Predictions:

Group A:

1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Costa Rica
4. Ecuador

Group B:

1. England
2. Sweden
3. Paraguay
4. T & T

Group C

1. Holland
2. Ivory Coast
3. Argentina
4. S & M

Group D

1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola

Group E

1. Italy
2. USA
3. Czech Republic
4. Ghana

Group F

1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. Croatia
4. Japan

Group G

1. France
2. South Korea
3. Switzerland
4. Togo

Group H

1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Sudi Arabia

Quarter-finalists:

Germany, England, Holland, Portugal, Italy, Brazil, Spain, Ukraine

Semi-Finalists

Holland, Italy, England, Brazil

Final Order

1. England (Rooney makes it back for the knock out round and leads them to glory.)
2. Holland
3. Brazil
4. Italy

[RocketForever]

My Predictions: Final Order

1. England (Rooney makes it back for the knock out round and leads them to glory.)
2. Holland
3. Brazil
4. Italy

I still think Brazil will win it. They are on another level than all the other teams. Their team agruably has 4 of the top 15 players in the world. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Adriano, Robeto...These guys together are too much for the other teams to handle.

[xcharged]

This lil' guy was all set to root for his country during the World Championship spelling bee games. Thank you ESPN for ruining it for him

http://images.chron.com/photos/2006/06/02/2208880/image-custom.jpg

[rrj_gamz]

I can't believe its almost here...I wish I was in germany...

[percicles]

Argentina wins it all baby!!!

Regardless of what the Bono "Ivory Coast" comercial makes you feell they're gonna get killed. The Netherlands/Arg. game will be great. Serbia/Montenegro might be a scrappy game.

Mexico is gonna get the ***** kicked out of them by Portugal. Their only solace when they don't advance.... Tis better to have been colonized by Spain instead of Portugal (which is considered an outhouse of Spain).

[DrLudicrous]

Argentina wins it all baby!!!

Regardless of what the Bono "Ivory Coast" comercial makes you feell they're gonna get killed. The Netherlands/Arg. game will be great. Serbia/Montenegro might be a scrappy game.

That's going to be a great group to watch. Ivory Coast is probably the best (at least on paper) of the African teams going, I could see them upsetting an opponent or two.

[RocketFan007]

I still think Brazil will win it. They are on another level than all the other teams. Their team agruably has 4 of the top 15 players in the world. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Adriano, Robeto...These guys together are too much for the other teams to handle.

Robeto? Do you mean Roberto Carlos? He's nowhere near the best players in the world, and hasn't been for a few years now. Brazil are by far the best attacking team in the tournament, but they're not near as good defensively. A well organized team can beat them, and if England get Rooney back, they have enough midfield and defensive strength to do it.

[univac hal]

I still think Brazil will win it. They are on another level than all the other teams. Their team agruably has 4 of the top 15 players in the world. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Adriano, Robeto...These guys together are too much for the other teams to handle.

No doubt.. it's not just their players too, it's the way they play? Inimitable attacking style, the only other place I've seen anything even vaguely similar is at the Bernabeu a few years ago, BEFORE Real jumped the shark. Brazil have to be favourites as usual, but I always say there's a half-chance they'll crumble under the weight of expectation, a la '98.

I'm not Spanish, but that's who I'm backing. Law of averages says they have to come good sooner or later :D Nobody can doubt that they have the quality to win it, you can't possibly have the best league in the world and a lousy national team. I am also looking forward to the choke job by media darlings England :cool:

[RocketForever]

Robeto? Do you mean Roberto Carlos? He's nowhere near the best players in the world, and hasn't been for a few years now. Brazil are by far the best attacking team in the tournament, but they're not near as good defensively. A well organized team can beat them, and if England get Rooney back, they have enough midfield and defensive strength to do it.

No..I meant Robinho, the youngster who is now playing for real madrid.

[RocketFan007]

Argentina wins it all baby!!!

Their defense isn't good enough.

Mexico is gonna get the ***** kicked out of them by Portugal. Their only solace when they don't advance.... Tis better to have been colonized by Spain instead of Portugal (which is considered an outhouse of Spain).

You think that Iran or Angola will finish ahead of them?

[leroy]

Here's what I've got...

Group A:

1. Germany
2. Poland
3. Ecuador
4. Costa Rica

Group B:

1. England
2. Sweden
3. Paraguay
4. T & T

Group C

1. Holland
2. Argentina
3. Ivory Coast
4. S & M

Group D

1. Portugal
2. Mexico
3. Iran
4. Angola

Group E

1. USA
2. Italy
3. Czech Republic
4. Ghana

Group F

1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Japan
4. Australia

Group G

1. France
2. South Korea
3. Switzerland
4. Togo

Group H

1. Spain
2. Ukraine
3. Tunisia
4. Sudi Arabia

Quarter-finalists:

Germany, England, Holland, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Spain, France

Semi-Finalists

Germany, France, England, Brazil

Final Order

1. Brazil
2. England
3. Germany
4. France[/QUOTE]

[SamFisher]

Argentina wins it all baby!!!

Regardless of what the Bono "Ivory Coast" comercial makes you feell they're gonna get killed. The Netherlands/Arg. game will be great. Serbia/Montenegro might be a scrappy game.

Mexico is gonna get the ***** kicked out of them by Portugal. Their only solace when they don't advance.... Tis better to have been colonized by Spain instead of Portugal (which is considered an outhouse of Spain).

Mexico can get killed by Portugal (a heavily favored Portuguese team vs. a CONCACAF team, hmmmm), but their solace will be advancing over Iran and Angola.

[CreepyFloyd]

portugal has habit of choking in the world cup and disappointing its fans despite a plethora of a talent

mexico is good, but they couldn't even beat holland's b team yesterday

iran is a much better team than people give them credit for

i can definitely see them competing and possibly beating both portugal and mexico...iran has international soccer's all-time leading scorer, ali daei and ali karimi of bayern munich is one of the best play makers in all of soccer

i don't know too much about angola, but they beat out nigeria to make it to the world cup in qualifying, which is no easy task and they will be fired-up to play against the country that colonized them, protugal

germany's group is ridiculously easy

[KaiSeR SoZe]

I wish we were in another group!

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Locally the best place is probably Soccer 4 All (http://www.soccer4all.com/soccer4all/), I've also seen some at Academy which are a bit cheaper but slightly different than the authentic ones, they didn't have many in stock though.

Online you can get them at
The Onionbag (http://procart2.evocative.com/onionbag/category.jsp?category=95)
World Soccer Shop (http://www.worldsoccershop.com/shop-by-team-usa-national-team.html)
US Soccer Store (http://www.ussoccerstore.com/)
and a few others
Thanks! I'll check out Soccer4All

[Stack24]

Ey IRAN!

This is going to be an exciting world cup, as I am old enough to truly enjoy it.


Doot doot de dooot doot IRAN!!!!!!!!

Hey im having a viewing party for the first game against mexico at live...got a bunch of the students from U of H and just a good group coming if you can make it.

SWOLY...yeah i know you get rowdy but so do we....definitly would be a crazy mix in there if we got enough of each side in there lol...

[rezdawg]

IRAN...NUMBER ONE...IRAN...NUMBER ONE

[RocketFan007]

During the last game's concurrent games (e.g.: USA vs. Ghana at the same time as Czech Republic vs. Italy), you can watch them live on Telefutura and Univision. What's with Univision not having HD? THEY S*CK *SS. :mad:

Or you could watch the games in HD on ESPN and ESPN2.

[Luckyazn]

Where can I look to see the TV SCHELUDES?


When are ABC showing the games? I'll be at work with no cable :(

[RocketFan007]

Where can I look to see the TV SCHELUDES?


When are ABC showing the games? I'll be at work with no cable :(

As I told you in another thread, ABC will show games on weekends. Here's the schedule:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/fixtures?&lpos=wcnav&lid=gn_sn_WC+fixtures&cc=5901

[My Lund]

Sunday the 9th! I normally take late lunches at work, but I am changing my shedule to be able to see as much of the games as I can. I don't think the US can go very far either, though I'd really like to see them do it. After the US is out, it's Grolsch time.


The US team made the quarterfinals(That is best 8 in the world) last time and along the way they beat very good teams in Portugal and Mexico. I think they are going to put up a good effort. :)

[plcmts17]

Here's what I've got...
Group E

1. USA
2. Italy
3. Czech Republic
4. Ghana
Quarter-finalists:

Germany, England, Holland, Argentina, USA, Brazil, Spain, France

Semi-Finalists

Germany, France, England, Brazil

Final Order

1. Brazil
2. England
3. Germany
4. France[/QUOTE]

I think the U.S. can make it out of the group as well, but I'm not blind to the fact that the U.S. has never won a WC game on European soil. They have to finish their chances!!!!!!!! The problem is that the USA has to finish number one in their group so that they don't have to face Brasil who will most likely top their group.
I still have Brasil winning it all though. England is the closest team to them as far as talent goes, but what you have on paper and what you play on the pitch are two different things.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

I checked Soccer4All in Missouri City but they ran out of jerseys so I just got a t-shirt..

whatever

GO USA!!

[RocketForever]

I still have Brasil winning it all though. England is the closest team to them as far as talent goes, but what you have on paper and what you play on the pitch are two different things.


I agree. It would be an excellent WC final match between Brazil and England if Rooney is not injuried. What a pity.

[RocketFan007]

I think the U.S. can make it out of the group as well, but I'm not blind to the fact that the U.S. has never won a WC game on European soil. .

And I'm not blind to the fact that no U.S. team has even come close to the talent on this squad. Bringing up history when it comes to U.S. soccer is pointless.

[RocketFan007]

I agree. It would be an excellent WC final match between Brazil and England if Rooney is not injuried. What a pity.

It will be a semifinal match, not a final.

[plcmts17]

And I'm not blind to the fact that no U.S. team has even come close to the talent on this squad. Bringing up history when it comes to U.S. soccer is pointless.
Conveniently you left out the next sentence. They have to finish their scoring chances!!!!!!! In 6 European WC matches they have been outscored 13-3. They have never led in a European WC match.
Granted you don't play the games on history or by the potential of your players, but on the pitch.
The World Cup though is a tournament were history is important. And that history lingers on in the psyche of countries for generations like the Maracanazo(1950) and more recently the US victory over Mexico(2002).
Here is an interesting bit of WC history.
starting in 1982 : WC winner Italy
1978: Argentina 1986: Argentina
1974:W. Germany 1990: Germany
1970: Brasil 1994: Brasil
1966: England* 1998: France*
1962: Brasil 2002: Brasil
1958: Brasil 2006:
* both England & France won as host
This has been brought up many many times in more than one futbol periodical. Now if Brasil win, does this mean that the next WC winner can be predicted??? I don't know, but it is strange. And why start in 1982??? Well Holland '74 and Hungary '54 not withstanding, the Brasil team of 1982 were the best team never to win. They outscored their opponents 15-6 and lost to Italy who had only scored 4 goals util their Classic match with Brasil. The Italians scored 8 in their last 3 matches (6 by Rossi).
Even though History can be a bitch, I still believe that one day the U.S. will win the World Cup. The country has too much as far as talent base and other resources not to win it all. I'm just hoping it will come while I'm still living.

[RocketFan007]

Conveniently you left out the next sentence. They have to finish their scoring chances!!!!!!! In 6 European WC matches they have been outscored 13-3. They have never led in a European WC match.
Granted you don't play the games on history or by the potential of your players, but on the pitch.


I left out the last sentence beacuse I agree with it. But hell you can say that about all 32 teams in the World Cup, Brazil won't win a game if they don't finish their chances.

As I said, bringing up US soccer history is pointless. The teams that got killed in 1990 and 1998 were not even close to being as talented as this team.

[RocketFan007]

Wayne Rooney has had his cast removed and has started to kick balls around at training. Great news for England's chances.

[CreepyFloyd]

the only place the us team is going is back here to america

[bigtexxx]

the only place the us team is going is back here to america

lol...you honestly hate America. sad.

[RocketFan007]

the only place the us team is going is back here to america

You still want to make that bet that the U.S. won't earn a single point?

[CreepyFloyd]

lol...you honestly hate America. sad.

no redneck...i just know that the us men's soccer team has no talent and will play 3 games in germany and after that they will be eliminated and will be on the first plane back to the states...now the us women's soccer team is very talented and attractive as well

You still want to make that bet that the U.S. won't earn a single point?

what is your prediction?

[leroy]

The reason I have the US winning their group is because of 2 reasons.

1) The Czechs are having some injury issues...Smicer is out. Koller is jsut now coming back from a bad knee injury. Rosicky has a thigh injury. They will still be very tough to beat because they are so well coached.

2) Italy also is dealing with injuries...Totti is not fit after an ankle injury and Zambrotta is out. That, along with the huge cloud of suspicion hanging over the team and all of Italian football. If they don't get a good result in their first match against Ghana, they could fall apart.

3) I just think the US is better than Ghana and tends to match up well against opponents of their type of game. I believe that the Caribbean nations play a very similar style (not nearly as well).

I see the US going 2-0-1, tying Czech Republic and beating Italy & Ghana.

The US needs to believe that they are still underdogs and no one wants them to do well outside of their own country.

[RocketFan007]

what is your prediction?

You're on record as saying that the U.S. won't get a point, I think they will.

[RocketFan007]

leroy, Galasek is a doubt, and Rosicky is hurting for the Czechs. Also, I don't think Zambrotta is out quite yet. I think the best case scenario for us is W-D-W, which would likely still be enough to win the group.

[bigtexxx]

no redneck...

redneck? Is that an insult? Is that supposed to hurt me? That simply exposes your inferiority complex.

[CreepyFloyd]

You're on record as saying that the U.S. won't get a point, I think they will.

i think i said the us would be lucky if they win a game or get a point

could you look up the exact quote? my search capabilities are limited

we can go from there

[RocketFan007]

Here's the quote:

Nothing personal, but as I said, the US will be lucky if they get 1 point, because they're in the group of death

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=112337&page=2&pp=20

[across110thstreet]

www.standupspeakup.com

[CreepyFloyd]

Here's the quote:



http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=112337&page=2&pp=20

thanks for looking it up

so i didn't say the us won't get a point, which is what you said i said

i said they will be lucky if they do...they could very well get lucky

[RocketFan007]

so i didn't say the us won't get a point, which is what you said i said

i said they will be lucky if they do...they could very well get lucky

Whatever, you don't think they're good enough to earn a point. Bet or not?

[across110thstreet]

"all Im saying is that I said more than what you said I said"

"Made"

[CreepyFloyd]

Whatever, you don't think they're good enough to earn a point. Bet or not?

what would u like to bet?

[RocketFan007]

what would u like to bet?

Name your Tipjar price.

[RocketFan007]

Looks like we may be catching the Czechs at the right time, they have quite a few knocks right now:

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros has joined the injury list for the world's second-ranked team.

The Aston Villa hitman had to be substituted in the first half of the last Czech friendly in Prague against Trinidad & Tobago after feeling a prickling sensation in his foot.

Team doctors have ordered the 24-year-old - who was top scorer in Euro 2004 - to rest for two days and he joins midfielders Tomas Rosicky and Tomas Galasek on the treatment table.

The Czechs will travel to Germany on Tuesday and their first World Cup match is scheduled on June 12 against USA in Gelsenkirchen.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370039&cc=5901

[Kam]

I think we can take care of the italians. it's the czechs i am worried about.

[DaDakota]

In our group the USA will be:

Significant underdogs in one match : Czech Republic
Slight underdogs in another : Italy
Significant favorites in one match: Ghana

Personally, I think the USA is capable of winning all 3, but is also capable of losing all 3.

I think they will beat Ghana, draw with Italy, and lose to the Czechs for a 1-1-1 record and 4 points, and that MAY be good enough to get through.

I would be thrilled for a 1-0-2 mark and 5 points with draws against the both the Czechs and the Italians.

DD

[Stack24]

US has a decent chance with all the injuries to the Czechs and Italians. I had them going at best 1-1-1

[Kam]

I'm seeing 1-0-2, and getting five points to get out of this round.

[RocketFan007]

In our group the USA will be:

Significant underdogs in one match : Czech Republic
Slight underdogs in another : Italy
Significant favorites in one match: Ghana

Personally, I think the USA is capable of winning all 3, but is also capable of losing all 3.

I think they will beat Ghana, draw with Italy, and lose to the Czechs for a 1-1-1 record and 4 points, and that MAY be good enough to get through.

I would be thrilled for a 1-0-2 mark and 5 points with draws against the both the Czechs and the Italians.

DD

I think you need to switch the Czechs and Italians. The Czech defenders aren't very fast, and I think we're going to be able to capitalise on some quick counter attacks, with Lewis and Cherundolo at full back. I could see Italy murdering us 3-0.

[DrLudicrous]

I think we can take care of the italians. it's the czechs i am worried about.

I think we can take the Czechs, they're having injury problems right now and I think our speed could give them problems. We could have Donovan, Beasley, Convey, and Johnson on the field which would make for a very fast line up, watching the Czech vs Saudi Arabia game the Saudis where able to create some good chances with their speed when they had the ball. The biggest problem will be moving the ball through midfield to get it into the attacking 3rd.


Personally, I think the USA is capable of winning all 3, but is also capable of losing all 3.

I think they will beat Ghana, draw with Italy, and lose to the Czechs for a 1-1-1 record and 4 points, and that MAY be good enough to get through.

I would be thrilled for a 1-0-2 mark and 5 points with draws against the both the Czechs and the Italians.

DD

This is very true, the US is going to have to finish their chances a lot better than they did in their warm up games.

At the end I think all the teams are going to have about the same number of points (3-5), I don't really see any team dominating the group and goal differential will most likely be what determines the 2nd place team.





Here's a video made by Nike about Onweyu, there's some good footage of him and his rag doll.
Gooch (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XBcG7FJWcxM&search=onyewu)

[RocketFan007]

It looks like Onyewu will be yet another American playing in the Premiership next season. The British press claims Onyewu to Middlesboro is all but a done deal.

[leroy]

It looks like Onyewu will be yet another American playing in the Premiership next season. The British press claims Onyewu to Middlesboro is all but a done deal.

I think we'll be seeing a few more Americans making the move after this WC. While Donovan should, he's not going anywhere. It makes you wonder what he could be if he would just take that step. He doesn't have to go back to Germany. Go to England. Go to Holland. Go somewhere better than the MLS. He's going to peak at 24 when he could be so much more.

I could see also see Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey move if they have good showings.

[SamFisher]

I think we'll be seeing a few more Americans making the move after this WC. While Donovan should, he's not going anywhere. It makes you wonder what he could be if he would just take that step. He doesn't have to go back to Germany. Go to England. Go to Holland. Go somewhere better than the MLS. He's going to peak at 24 when he could be so much more.

I could see also see Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey move if they have good showings.

Honestly, if Donovan doesn't have the motivation to go to Europe then he's just mentally not capable of being a superior player. I don't care if he's a homebody - grow up man. If you wanted to stay in the US, then you should have taken up baseball.

[leroy]

Honestly, if Donovan doesn't have the motivation to go to Europe then he's just mentally not capable of being a superior player. I don't care if he's a homebody - grow up man. If you wanted to stay in the US, then you should have taken up baseball.

I agree totally. If he doesn't like Germany, fine. If he doesn't plan on playing in 2010, fine. If he wants to be the best player the USA has ever produced, get the hell out of here and go do it.

In the immortal words of Mr. Mackey, "Don't be such a P***Y!"

[ChrisBosh]

Italy is the only lock from this group. The rest of the teams all have a shot. Ghana has played really well together in their friendlies(for the first time...since they always had someone injured...if they do lose someone to injury again! then that team is gone...they are not very deep...as of right now though they have the best mid-field in the group.) With the Czech you don't know what you are going to get...they have some older star players...depends on if they show up to play.

[SwoLy-D]

www.standupspeakup.com
http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/en/home.jsp?page=home Where are the BROWN bands and the YELLOW bands? No fair, man... they're only standing up for the blacks and the whites... :( What about us browns and yellows?? :mad:

jk.

I've said it before. Mexico had what you guys are calling a tough draw for the Americans now in the 94 and managed to be on top with goal difference after being 1-1-1 with THREE European teams. The Americans will have a tough time. I saw that tall dude from the Czech republic (tallest at 2.02meters in the tournament)... booOooy he looks TOUGH. :(

[RocketFan007]

The Americans will have a tough time. I saw that tall dude from the Czech republic (tallest at 2.02meters in the tournament)... booOooy he looks TOUGH. :(

The game very well may come down to how Gooch defends Koller.

[MadMax]

reading through this, i'm even more excited. i love that the US is an underdog in this draw. i love it. can't wait for it to start up!

[Kam]

k, Cool.

Is that the new "it" thing?

I want one or six.

I didn't jump on those sooo coool Livestrong ones quick enough.

I'm buying me ten.

[jello77]

i think the us is very underrated and WILL make it through the first round, and i think we will beat the czechs. i just think the czechs are a lil overrated.

speaking of underrated though, i may be a homer, but serbia/montenegro finished first in their qualifying group which included spain. they got an awful draw, but they are being discounted as last place in the group right off the bat. what exactly has ivory coast done to make them favorites over serbia and in some cases argentina? theyre very athletic but they do not play to their potential sometimes. i think serbias got a great chance to upset and come out of that group.

[Kam]

didn't serbia and montenegro split?


how will this affect it's national teams?

[bigtexxx]

http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/en/home.jsp?page=home Where are the BROWN bands and the YELLOW bands? No fair, man... they're only standing up for the blacks and the whites... :( What about us browns and yellows?? :mad:

jk.(

Hispanics are counted as Caucasians in the US census. Sorry, cracker, no brown bands for you. ;)

[RocketFan007]

didn't serbia and montenegro split?


how will this affect it's national teams?


Yes they split, but it won't be effective until after the World Cup. Serbia will be good, Montenegro will be terrible.

[CreepyFloyd]

Name your Tipjar price.

whoooaaa, tipjar price...slow down man....how about a sig bet?

...

nothing you've said in this thread is relevant to soccer

[jello77]

Yes they split, but it won't be effective until after the World Cup. Serbia will be good, Montenegro will be terrible.

yeah its going to be a little strange, but most of the athletes are from the serbian part anyway. theres only like 500,000 citizens in montenegro, and a very good amount of them actually consider themselves serbian. its going to be a messed up situation in the future, but theyre staying together for the cup.

i cant wait. and the games wont be in the morning hours like when they played in japan.

[SmeggySmeg]

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OIH OIH OIH
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OIH OIH OIH
AUSSIE
OIH
AUSSIE
OIH
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE
OIH OIH OIH

[arno_ed]

The dutch will play good, And go a long way, they are actually lucky with the teams they have to face IMHO

I hope the aussies will do good(with such a coach they have to)

I think the USA will be able to beat Italy, but i think czechs will be more difficult. But they should get into the second round

[SwoLy-D]

ALL (especially RocketMan95 ;) ): the Chronicle has let me down once more this past Sunday. I am speaking from a U.S. Fan's perspective. What? Oh, I guess you don't buy or receive the Sunday paper? THe front picture of the World Cup preview supplement has MEXICO's Borgetti. WTF? Why not add Landon and Beaz pointing at us? ;) Still, news coverage on soccer SUCKS. I hope they shape up for the daily report... ******rs... :mad:

CreepyFloyd and RocketFan007... can you just complete this bet, please? I hate this bickering... get it done before the cup starts!!!!

arno_ed, I meant to look for you here, but hadn't seen you around here... great game against Mexico, you Netherlands dudes... our A team against your B team? :(

[leroy]

The dutch will play good, And go a long way, they are actually lucky with the teams they have to face IMHO

I hope the aussies will do good(with such a coach they have to)

I think the USA will be able to beat Italy, but i think czechs will be more difficult. But they should get into the second round

You guys have a tough tough group to get through. I see 1 of 2 things happening. The group is so tough that it saps Holland and Argentina for the 2nd round OR vice versa. It makes them tougher and the both meet up again.

Holland has always been my 2nd favorite behind the US.

[arno_ed]

SwoLy-D: i have been in South afrika for 4 months (in the middle of the bush, without electricity), so i haven't seen many (or any) soccer games.

leroy420: i think it is a good thing that the dutch have a difficult group, because with this group of players the dutch seem to struggle against the lesser teams, and play good against better teams.

I'm not really impressed by ivory coast, for some reason i do not see them as a good team, they have some good offensive players, but their defense is not all that.

[HayesStreet]

I saw an interview with Donovan where he said something like 'could i be a better player if i went to the EPL or another European League? yes, but i'm enjoying playing in the MLS.' i don't care for that attitude.

don't underestimate the ivory coast with the toure's, eboue, drogba and some others they can hurt someone.

i think the US gets out of their group and england wins it all.

[halfbreed]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11086/Czech-Republic-Wins-the-EA-SPORTS-2006-FIFA-World-Cup/

EA has simmed the WC and ... the Czech Republic beats Brazil 2-1 in the final. Bummer ... :( .

On a brighter note, the US beat Italy and Ghana and tied CR only to lose to Brazil in the round of 16.

[DrLudicrous]

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/11086/Czech-Republic-Wins-the-EA-SPORTS-2006-FIFA-World-Cup/

EA has simmed the WC and ... the Czech Republic beats Brazil 2-1 in the final. Bummer ... :( .

On a brighter note, the US beat Italy and Ghana and tied CR only to lose to Brazil in the round of 16.

Except there's no way for them to play in the final, a semi-final is the latest they could meet.

[SwoLy-D]

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/playlists/sportsradio610/sportsradio610KILTAM.asx
:mad: ******n *ssh*l* 610 dudes dissin' my sport. :mad: P(*$&tos.

Ya'll know more English than me and can articulate better on the radio... someone PLEASE call in and answer their *ss. :mad:

[RocketFan007]

Except there's no way for them to play in the final, a semi-final is the latest they could meet.

No, if they both win their groups, they could only meet in the final. They'd be on opposite sides of the bracket.

[DrLudicrous]

No, if they both win their groups, they could only meet in the final. They'd be on opposite sides of the bracket.

You're right, I thought they still stayed on the same side of the bracket regardless of how they finished.

[RocketFan007]

CreepyFloyd and RocketFan007... can you just complete this bet, please? I hate this bickering... get it done before the cup starts!!!!

I didn't realize there had been bickering. Anyway, he doesn't want to make a tip jar bet, and I'm not interested in a sig bet, so there will be no bet.

[CreepyFloyd]

I didn't realize there had been bickering. Anyway, he doesn't want to make a tip jar bet, and I'm not interested in a sig bet, so there will be no bet.

no bickering at all and it seems like there will be no bet...i'm glad to see knowledgeable soccer fans on here who are passionate about the teams they support

[SwoLy-D]

RocketFan007 and CreepyFloyd... you two should lay an egg, you CHICKENs :p .

leroy420... wanna show'em how? :D

SOMEONE PLEASE call into the 610 sports show... they're dissin' on the ties... they may have a point on the soccer racism thing, but on the ties situations, I guess they want a "shootout" type game like they had in MLS a while back... :rolleyes: they can't stand ties...

[plcmts17]

just for the record, here are my U.S. group stage predictions : US vs. Czech Rep 2-1, US vs. Italy 1-1, US vs. Ghana 1-0.
Mexico vs. Iran.........well who cares :p

[Stack24]

just for the record, here are my U.S. group stage predictions : US vs. Czech Rep 2-1, US vs. Italy 1-1, US vs. Ghana 1-0.
Mexico vs. Iran.........well who cares :p


I for one care...and im sure Swoly will too...definitly gonna be a good game between Iran and Mexico

[RocketFan007]

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) -- Brian McBride scored as the United States beat Angola 1-0 Monday night in a closed-door practice game played without fans or media.

U.S. players didn't wear uniform numbers for the game, which did not count as an official international and allowed free substitutions. U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman said McBride scored but provided no other details.

Angola team spokesman Arlindo Macedo said U.S. captain Claudio Reyna was impressive for the Americans, though Kammarman declined to say if Reyna played or not.

Reyna has not been out since straining his right hamstring on May 23 against Morocco.

"They didn't wear numbers, and the United States didn't want to give names of players," Angola coach Luis Oliviera Goncalves said.

Angola played with 10 men for much of the match after Loco got his second yellow card in about the 30th minute.

"In the second half we dominated most of the game, but in general it was very balanced," Goncalves said.

The Angolans also said the U.S. used backup goalkeeper Tim Howard later in the match.

The Americans face Italy, the Czech Republic and Ghana in group E at the World Cup, while Angola will play Portugal, Mexico and Iran in Group D.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370143&cc=5901

[Stack24]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370143&cc=5901


Would have figured you could beat Angola a lot better even with reserves on your team and them playing with 10 players....

[SwoLy-D]

1-0?? That should have been 5-0 with one more man. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370143&cc=5901
What, they could sub in after subbing out? NO FAIR. :mad:

[RocketFan007]

What, they could sub in after subbing out? NO FAIR. :mad:

What?

[Stack24]

What?

In the article it says the team was allowed free substitutions.

[RocketFan007]

In the article it says the team was allowed free substitutions.

Wow, I missed that even the second time I read the article.

[Stack24]

Wow, I missed that even the second time I read the article.

Yeah i didn't notice that the first time i read it. Like Swoly Said you guys should have beyond dominated them.

[RocketFan007]

I'm not really impressed by ivory coast, for some reason i do not see them as a good team, they have some good offensive players, but their defense is not all that.

They actually have a pretty solid defense. Both Toure and Eboue have proven themselves in the Premiership and the Champion's League and Zokora is an excellent defensive midfielder.

[RocketFan007]

Yeah i didn't notice that the first time i read it. Like Swoly Said you guys should have beyond dominated them.

I'm not worried. I'll take 1-0 wins the entire World Cup.

[RocketFan007]

Damn double post.

[halfbreed]

Yeah, I guess I missed the part of soccer 101 that says 1-0 isn't a victory.

[dockerland]

Really looking forward to the World Cup from an Australia perspective and even though it will be a challenge seeing the side progress to the 2nd phase the improvements already seen under Guus have been worth every penny.

Very good friendly a few days back against the dutch and managed to keep them scoreless in the final 30 minutes with 10 men. The match against Japan first up is the most important in Soccer history in Australia and will show just how much a chance Australia have of moving on.

[jisangNY1]

Really looking forward to the World Cup from an Australia perspective and even though it will be a challenge seeing the side progress to the 2nd phase the improvements already seen under Guus have been worth every penny.

Very good friendly a few days back against the dutch and managed to keep them scoreless in the final 30 minutes with 10 men. The match against Japan first up is the most important in Soccer history in Australia and will show just how much a chance Australia have of moving on.

Guus is a great coach that will do wonders for Australia. He single handedly improved the soccer development of South Korea the time he was their coach. Australia has never done very well in the World Cup but I think that could change with Guus at the helm. Hopefully, he does to Australia what he did the South Korean side in 02....

[B-BallGuy]

Im rooting for argentina and the US.

I'm from an argentine family and have grown up with that culture even though i was the first one in my family tree born in the US.

I'm really excited and look foward to some very exciting games.

[halfbreed]

I root for USA first and then I'll probably pull for the other CONCACAF teams.

After that, we'll see.

[percicles]

A-R-G-E-N-T-I-N-A!!!! A-R-G-E-N-T-I-N-A!!!!!

U-S-A!!!!! U-S-A!!!!!

Always find myself rooting for those cinderella third world countries... ooops I mean "developing nations."

yes I know Arg. is considered by some a develoiong nation. But the UN has upgraded them to Developing Economy.

[RocketFan007]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8zrYaTUQqI

"There Is a God." You've got to love the British press.

[tigermission1]

I am somewhat pessimistic about USA chances in this WC. My prediction is 0-1-2 or 0-2-1. I think people are underestimating Ghana, I watched the African teams and Ghana are a solid squad, and African teams are always underestimated. I think one African team will perform similar to what Senegal did in the last WC, there are a lot of good teams in Africa; Tunisia is a good team as well.

[SwoLy-D]

Yeah, I guess I missed the part of soccer 101 that says 1-0 isn't a victory.I'm not worried. I'll take 1-0 wins the entire World Cup.1-0 is a win, but it won't help you if two other teams beat each other 1-0...OK, sorry, dudes... make sure every team you want to beat 1-0 has 10 men for most of the match, then:
Angola played with 10 men for much of the match after Loco got his second yellow card in about the 30th minute.
against 10 men and only a 1-0 win, huh? Nice, yeah, I will take my 4th place FIFA ranked win. :rolleyes:
Stack24, how about I join you at the viewing parties for the other games Iran plays...? I'd like to check them out at Live.

[RocketFan007]

1-0 is a win, but it won't help you if two other teams beat each other 1-0...OK, sorry, dudes... make sure every team you want to beat 1-0 has 10 men for most of the match, then:
against 10 men and only a 1-0 win, huh? Nice, yeah, I will take my 4th place FIFA ranked win. :rolleyes:

Wait, I have a better idea, let's make a huge f**king deal about a SCRIMMAGE, not even a friendly, that we won.

[Stack24]

Wait, I have a better idea, let's make a huge f**king deal about a SCRIMMAGE, not even a friendly, that we won.

I think you guys are taking it in a negative way. I'm just saying even in a scrimmage against that team you should have done a bit better...i perosnally would be dissapointed if my team went 1-0 against a 10 man angola team...i would want them to destroy that team so we have momentum and look good.

Of course it is a win if you win 1-0 but to win 1-0 against a very weak team that is a man down doesn't boad well when you have to play the czechs and Italy. That's all i was trying to say....trust me like i said if my team payed that weak against a team i would be bitching. That's all.

Swoly, ill definitly enjoy you coming by to watch a game over there...would be nice if you were there for the first game but you would be a bit outnumbered at my place for game 1 lol....

[RocketFan007]

I wouldn't be bitching about a scrimmage if we had lost. It means nothing in the long run, it's practice. You are also forgeting about the free substitutions, which would greatly decrease the effect of playing down a man, since Angola could continue to rotate defenders in order to keep them fresh. The way teams typically score when they have an extra man is by wearing down the defense. Although we would still have an extra attacker, they'd be putting 10 men behind the ball at all times, so I'm not worried that we only scored a single goal.

[david_rocket]

MEXICO!! MEXICO!! MEXICO!!

im one of the few mexicans who doesnt like soccer, but I'll watch the games.

[arno_ed]

They actually have a pretty solid defense. Both Toure and Eboue have proven themselves in the Premiership and the Champion's League and Zokora is an excellent defensive midfielder.

I'm just not that impressed with those players, also not with their goalkeeper. When i saw them play some games in the african nation cups, they just didn't impress me att all. But who know's maybe i'm wrong(lets hope not:D)

I think australia can get to the second round, Guus is an amazing coach(also what he did to PSV the last couple of years). However i do not think they get as far as south korea(they had their home court advantage).

As for the chances of the USA. I think that they will make it in the second round, however they do have a verry difficult group, Ghana is not that good(however their is always an african team that surprises everyone). The czech are very good(however they did not beat the Dutch in the qualifying stage). I'm also not that impressed by Italy. My gues is:
1Czech
2USA
3Italia
4 Ghana

[SwoLy-D]

Wait, I have a better idea, let's make a huge f**king deal about a SCRIMMAGE, not even a friendly, that we won.:mad: My last comment on what you're calling a MeAnInGLeSs GaMe in which your team didn't intend to score at all and was happy with 1-0... When you reported the scrimmage, you didn't say a word. I would have preferred for you to say something about how your team did, but you just reported it... whatever happened to at least saying that you should have done better? No, huh? I thought so. You know that if Brazil had scrimmaged Mexico, and Mexico had 11 against Brazil's 10, you would have said something. Admit it. BUT, I would have preferred to have been on your side and saying, "damn, yo, I wished the U.S. had scored more, but that's cool." I started asking why because you dudes said NOTHING. I will let it rest. The guy who was sent off was Crazy, anyway. I meant "no fair" about the substitutions because that's not like a real game... it wasn't anything against either team, but I would not like to have that advantage, since that's not how a real game is played.
...im one of the few mexicans who doesnt like soccer, but I'll watch the games.:mad: then why don't you just move to the United States? They don't like soccer here!!! :mad:

I am just keeeedin'... keedin'... :D

Predictions on the groups which interest me D, E:
CZE 2-1-0, U.S.A. 1-1-1, ITALY 1-1-1, GHANA 0-2-1 (U.S. beats Italy, ties Czech, loses to Ghana)
MEX 1-1-1, IRA 1-1-1, POR 1-1-1, ANG 1-1-1 (Mex and Ira tear ANG a new one, IRA 2nd in goal difference against POR)

[DaDakota]

Predictions on the groups which interest me D, E:
CZE 2-1-0, U.S.A. 1-1-1, ITALY 1-1-1, GHANA 0-2-1 (U.S. beats Italy, ties Czech, loses to Ghana)
MEX 1-1-1, IRA 1-1-1, POR 1-1-1, ANG 1-1-1 (Mex and Ira tear ANG a new one, IRA 2nd in goal difference against POR)

Ummm...if the US losees to Ghana, how is their record 0-2-1?

:D

[MadMax]

Swoly-D --

I'm sorry..but the Mexican/Irish Alliance is on real shaky ground if you're not rooting for the US in the World Cup.

Of course, the shaky ground may have more to do with tequila and whiskey than anything real substantial. But still. I'm sure I'll still eat enchiladas and petition for the introduction of the siesta in the American work day schedule....but, still.

USA! USA!!! USA!!!!!

If I can change. And you can change. Then everyone can change!!!!!

[DrLudicrous]

If anybody had actually seen the Angola scrimmage to know how things went then it would make sense to worry about the result, but as it is we know almost nothing about it. All we know is there was one goal, one player sent off, Reyna was able to play, and they had unlimited subs. There are even rumors that the coaches were allowed one "timeout" per half. Basically this wasn't anything close to a real game but a chance to try out new tactics.

For all we know the US scored 5 minutes after their player was sent off and spent the rest of the game trying to move the ball around without letting it touch the ground. Or decided to let Keller play forward for a bit and put Wolff in as the keeper.

[RocketFan007]

If anybody had actually seen the Angola scrimmage to know how things went then it would make sense to worry about the result, but as it is we know almost nothing about it. All we know is there was one goal, one player sent off, Reyna was able to play, and they had unlimited subs. There are even rumors that the coaches were allowed one "timeout" per half. Basically this wasn't anything close to a real game but a chance to try out new tactics.

For all we know the US scored 5 minutes after their player was sent off and spent the rest of the game trying to move the ball around without letting it touch the ground. Or decided to let Keller play forward for a bit and put Wolff in as the keeper.

Great post.

[plcmts17]

Geeez!!! the real thing hasn't even started yet and things are already getting heated. Come on, this is one of the few times when nations and different races are supposed to come together and unite in sport...................Oh, who am I kidding. I want the USA dominate in the World Cup so we can piss off the rest of the world............Again ;)

[SwoLy-D]

DrLudicrous... are you MaD or just LuDiCrOuS? Keller as a forward? C'mon, now that's TOO much.
Swoly-D --

I'm sorry..but the Mexican/Irish Alliance is on real shaky ground if you're not rooting for the US in the World Cup.

If I can change. And you can change. Then everyone can change!!!!!I can't believe that you, as a founder, don't root for one of the countries of the alliance which was able to make it against a weak CONCACAF. :(

I root for USA. I also question if we're that good. Heck, I'll even question if MY MEXICO is any good.

[RocketFan007]

Straight from the horse's mouth:

"The Angola game was just practice," Arena said. "We don't even concern ourselves with the result. Both teams played about 20 players. I don't know how you walk away and make a whole lot out of that."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=370180&root=worldcup&cc=5901

[tigermission1]

If I can change. And you can change. Then everyone can change!!!!!

One of the greatest, and cheesiest, movie lines ever!

BTW, is Ireland in the WC?

Anyways...USA! USA! USA!

[Stack24]

One of the greatest, and cheesiest, movie lines ever!

BTW, is Ireland in the WC?

Anyways...USA! USA! USA!

No Ireland didn't make it to the world cup this time.

[SwoLy-D]

I have been trying to do this all week, but now I found someone who has done that. :eek:

Import the complete World Cup schedule to your Outlook Calendar or Palm (http://www.mapilab.com/about/news/worldcup2006.html)

[wnes]

Because of my own peculiar sentiment I wouldn't underestimate Squadra Azzura.

The 1982 World Cup IMO is the most exciting in recent memory. The Italians weren't considered a top title contender like Brazil, West Germany, or even Argentina, and they didn't convince doubters with their mediocre performance in group plays. However, after they barely squeezed into the elimination round, they were on a tear, beating the aforementioned 3 top teams to win their 3rd World Cup title, tying for the most titles with the perennial powerhouse Brazil. I am still upset to this date to see my two favorite teams, namely Brazil and West Germany, lost to Italy. Strangely enough, I think the 1982 World Cup is the best one as far as I am concerned.

[CreepyFloyd]

i think it's also important to note that no european team has ever won a world cup held in the americas and no south american team has ever won a world cup held in europe with the exception of brazil when they beat sweden in sweden in 1958 if my memory serves me correctly

[david_rocket]

[QUOTE=SwoLy-D:mad: then why don't you just move to the United States? They don't like soccer here!!! :mad:

I am just keeeedin'... keedin'... :D[/QUOTE]

Sometimes I wish I live in Houston, only to see all the Rockets game, but no, I like living here.

[ChrisBosh]

My Prediction for team USA:

Will win against the Czech.
Tie with Italy.
And then lose to Ghana (Who i think will go to the second round along with Italy...But then again I am a fan of Ghana's so I might be biased)

[JuLiO-R-]

I didn't want to start a new thread on this so I'll post it here.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/144094/polish_goalkeeper_before_world_cup/

^Check out that goal by the goalie. :eek:

[SwoLy-D]

Because of my own peculiar sentiment I wouldn't underestimate Squadra Azzura.
... 1982... Dude, you're THAT old? :) Me too. I remember being in the states on a summer vacation, and seeing Paolo Rossi score beautiful goals in the semis. Michel Platini was also a big star in that '82 tournament.

I am trying to put the TV schedules into the ics file I posted above... more later...

Does anybody else get National Geographic? This month's supplement is a Soccer map of the countries playing and the countries who play it domestically. In stores now! Cover Story: The World's Game (http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0606/feature1/)

[MadMax]

One of the greatest, and cheesiest, movie lines ever!

BTW, is Ireland in the WC?

Anyways...USA! USA! USA!

no...lost to France in qualifiers.

[RocketFan007]

DUISBURG, Germany, June 7 (Reuters) - Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso has been ruled out of the Azzurri's opening World Cup game against Ghana with a thigh injury and faces a race to be fit for the second match.

'Gattuso will miss one or two games,' Italy team doctor Enrico Castellacci told Gazzetta dello Sport's website on Wednesday.

Castellacci said Gattuso would need 15 days to recover from the muscle strain that puts him at risk of missing Italy's second game in the group against the United States on June 17.

'I'm disappointed, missing two games is a lot for me,' said Gattuso, 'I'm not superstitious but I think someone has put a curse on me'.

'But I'm going to the World Cup even if I have to tie myself with a rope to the team bus,' he said.

Italy, who are due to arrive at their base in Germany later on Wednesday, have already ruled out fullback Gianluca Zambrotta for their opening Group E match on Monday with a thigh strain.

Fitness problems are already mounting for coach Marcello Lippi who also has concerns over central defender Alessandro Nesta after he aggravated an old adductor muscle injury.

Forward Francesco Totti has recovered from a serious ankle injury but is yet to gain full form after three months out.

Lippi said he had no plans to draft in a replacement for AC Milan's Gattuso who has been a regular in his side throughout the qualification campaign.

'I will replace him only on the field not in the squad. Gattuso stays with us and I hope he will recover as soon as possible,' said Lippi who has the option of using either Roma's Daniele De Rossi or Simone Perrotta to cover in midfield.

Italy also face Czech Republic in the group stage of the finals, which kick off on Friday.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370270&cc=5901

Both the Czech and the Italians have alot of injuries right now. You won't hear me complaining.

[DrLudicrous]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=370270&cc=5901

Both the Czech and the Italians have alot of injuries right now. You won't hear me complaining.

Zambrotta, Gattuso, and Nesta could all miss the first game and Totti still isn't 100%, I could see Ghana giving them some trouble. I guess the big question for us is if the Italians don't do well in that game will they implode or play harder? On top of the injuries they've already got the gambling stuff going on and all the press talking about that.

[DrLudicrous]

Czech's Baros doubtful against US. (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Ai68rUoE7qOHfgwhdzZ89C0mw7YF?slug=afp-fblwc2006czebaros&prov=afp&type=lgns)

It could just be smokescreen by the Czechs, but not having Baros and Smicer would be a big blow to their chances.

[the futants]

I didn't want to start a new thread on this so I'll post it here.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/144094/polish_goalkeeper_before_world_cup/

^Check out that goal by the goalie. :eek:
that's just awesome.

[arno_ed]

To bad the Dutch also have a lot of injuries, the entire midfield in injured (sneijder, van der vaart, Cocu, van Bronckhorst). We even have 2 players stand by (nigel de Jong, and stein schaars(Stein schaars was the captain of the dutch Under 21 team that become European champions last week).

I find it a pitty that Huntelaar isn't selected, he is amazing, maybe better then Van the Man.

[SWTsig]

just for the record, here are my U.S. group stage predictions : US vs. Czech Rep 2-1, US vs. Italy 1-1, US vs. Ghana 1-0.
Mexico vs. Iran.........well who cares :p

i do.

they're my mom's and dad's home countries, respectively. always fun in my house when those two teams go at it.

:p

[CreepyFloyd]

less than 2 days left until kickoff

1 day 23 hrs and 52 mins to go to be exact

cant wait

[Stack24]

I can't wait on one hand..on the other hand i am not looking forward at being at Live at 7:30 in the morning to open at 8 for the early games...mannnnnnn....oh well at least it will be exciting.

[MadMax]

less than 2 days left until kickoff

1 day 23 hrs and 52 mins to go to be exact

cant wait

is there a website that has a good schedule of the games???

[CreepyFloyd]

is there a website that has a good schedule of the games???

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/fixtures?cc=5901

http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/fwc061.pdf

I prefer the first

[MadMax]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/fixtures?cc=5901

http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/eu/fifa/fwc061.pdf

I prefer the first

thanks, man. appreciate it!

[Stack24]

is there a website that has a good schedule of the games???


Worldcup.com is pretty nice and extensive as well.

[leroy]

I didn't want to start a new thread on this so I'll post it here.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/144094/polish_goalkeeper_before_world_cup/

^Check out that goal by the goalie. :eek:

IIRC, that should not have been a goal. Unless the goalie does a drop kick (ball hits the ground first before he kicks it) then it is consided an indirect kick. The ball would have had to have been touched by any other player before it went in the net. The other keeper didn't appear to touch it. A huge punt...but no goal.

[univac hal]

I didn't want to start a new thread on this so I'll post it here.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/144094/polish_goalkeeper_before_world_cup/

^Check out that goal by the goalie. :eek:

Thanks for the link, read about it on Soccernet but hadn't seen the goal till now. Simply hilarious, he had it covered but inexplicably pulled his hands away at the last moment :confused:

Leave Dudek off the squad, eh? That'll teach Pawel Janas

[arno_ed]

IIRC, that should not have been a goal. Unless the goalie does a drop kick (ball hits the ground first before he kicks it) then it is consided an indirect kick. The ball would have had to have been touched by any other player before it went in the net. The other keeper didn't appear to touch it. A huge punt...but no goal.

I thought the same thing, but maybe the keeper did touch it.

I once went to a game of my hometown team, and one guy threw the ball in(after it went out of bound, i do not know the english word for it), and he threw it so far it went for the goal, and the keeper tried to push him over, but failed and the ball went in:D. Untill this day i do not understand why the keeper wanted to push it over, because if he didn't touch the ball, it would not have been a goal, but a goalkick.

[SamFisher]

Off topic, but Arno_ed, are you doing another one of those wildlife study projects like you did with the snow leopards? If so what and how is it?

[arno_ed]

Off topic, but Arno_ed, are you doing another one of those wildlife study projects like you did with the snow leopards? If so what and how is it?

I actually am, I wanted to start a thread about my experiences(because they were amazing), but i haven't found the time to do it. I will probably do it tomorow. I am doing research on Elephants and Impala. And for the fieldwork i stayed in Africa for 4 months. I will tell more in the thread i will start.
(i'm amazed you remember the snowleopards:D)

[univac hal]

IIRC, that should not have been a goal. Unless the goalie does a drop kick (ball hits the ground first before he kicks it) then it is consided an indirect kick. The ball would have had to have been touched by any other player before it went in the net. The other keeper didn't appear to touch it. A huge punt...but no goal.

Actually I'm pretty sure goals can be scored directly from a goalkeeper's drop kick, punt or even throw :eek: The whole direct/indirect thing only applies to free kicks, which the Colombian goalie wasn't taking

[leroy]

Actually I'm pretty sure goals can be scored directly from a goalkeeper's drop kick, punt or even throw :eek: The whole direct/indirect thing only applies to free kicks, which the Colombian goalie wasn't taking

A keeper definitely cannot throw the ball in to the opposing team's net for a goal without someone touching the ball first. I know they can score off a drop kick. I'm 99% sure they can't score from a punt unless touched by another player. I couldn't find anything in the FIFA Laws of the Game that specifically mentions it.

[SamFisher]

I actually am, I wanted to start a thread about my experiences(because they were amazing), but i haven't found the time to do it. I will probably do it tomorow. I am doing research on Elephants and Impala. And for the fieldwork i stayed in Africa for 4 months. I will tell more in the thread i will start.
(i'm amazed you remember the snowleopards:D)


Please do start a thread, and post pictures if you can!

[bnb]

I couldn't find anything in the FIFA Laws of the Game that specifically mentions it.

Here's the USSF's interpretation (http://www.drix.net/jim/past051.html)

They say it's a goal.


USSF answer (February 16, 2005):
When in doubt, go to the beginning of all soccer knowledge, the Laws of the Game. Law 10, Method of Scoring, tells us: "A goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed previously by the team scoring the goal."

Note that there is no reference there to whether or not the scorer is a goalkeeper or a field player. Nowhere in the Laws of the Game does it say that a goalkeeper may not score a goal directly by any legal means‹and punting is a legal means.


And I second Sam's request for an Elephant thread.

[Buck Turgidson]

Please do start a thread, and post pictures if you can!
Agreed, beegtime. Sounds amazing, arno.

[DrLudicrous]

Here's a video of one of Italy's training sessions, I'm a bit more worried about them after seeing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDyp2aRRCg

[Stack24]

Here's a video of one of Italy's training sessions, I'm a bit more worried about them after seeing this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccDyp2aRRCg

LOL that's every soccer teams training.

[univac hal]

A keeper definitely cannot throw the ball in to the opposing team's net for a goal without someone touching the ball first. I know they can score off a drop kick. I'm 99% sure they can't score from a punt unless touched by another player. I couldn't find anything in the FIFA Laws of the Game that specifically mentions it.

You're most probably thinking about throw-ins, which you can't score directly from, so yeah, someone has to get a touch. But a keeper's throw (or a punt, or a drop kick) is a different thing altogether, it's made while the ball is in play. For a goal kick, on the other hand, the ball is considered out of play - but the rules specifically state you can also score from a goal kick, so that's not a problem

I looked through the Laws of the Game too and you're right, there's nothing explicit in there.. my reasoning for that is as stated above. Ball in play + no infringement of rules = legit goal. The Laws are rather liberal when it comes to goals - the ball could deflect off a low-flying bird, go in, and the goal would stand (read about this happening somewhere). Hell, even the referee can score a goal if he so chooses, or if he happens to be on Juve's payroll :D

[SwoLy-D]

IIRC, that should not have been a goal. Unless the goalie does a drop kick (ball hits the ground first before he kicks it) then it is consided an indirect kick. The ball would have had to have been touched by any other player before it went in the net. The other keeper didn't appear to touch it. A huge punt...but no goal.We COULD take this to another thread, but it was not a RESTART off the smaller boxed area, it was a PUNT that derived from a play, so it's legal. What you're talking about, maybe is the rule where it must get out of the larger box touch a player and get out of the larger area in order for the game to go on. Note that the referee did NOT have his hand UP, meaning it's a DIRECT play, or "not indirect". I think these laws apply: http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws16_01.htm, and http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws13_01.htm, and maybe you and I both are wrong because of: http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws16_01.htm . I think that can explain everything. :cool:

PRE-GAME on Univision's channel (45 in Houston) starts at 10 a.m. on Friday morning. There is also a pre-game celebration on 57 (TV Azteca).

[leroy]

We COULD take this to another thread, but it was not a RESTART off the smaller boxed area, it was a PUNT that derived from a play, so it's legal. What you're talking about, maybe is the rule where it must get out of the larger box touch a player and get out of the larger area in order for the game to go on. Note that the referee did NOT have his hand UP, meaning it's a DIRECT play, or "not indirect". I think these laws apply: http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws16_01.htm, and http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws13_01.htm, and maybe you and I both are wrong because of: http://www.fifa.com/en/laws/Laws16_01.htm . I think that can explain everything. :cool:

PRE-GAME on Univision's channel (45 in Houston) starts at 10 a.m. on Friday morning. There is also a pre-game celebration on 57 (TV Azteca).

Well, I'm heading out to my indoor game shortly. I'm going to ask around because this now officially bugs the hell out of me.

[SwoLy-D]

Well, I'm heading out to my indoor game shortly. I'm going to ask around because this now officially bugs the hell out of me.Think about it this way. The ball goes out of bounds on your goalie's side. You have to do a restart. The ball is placed on the right corner of the smaller box, and the ref's hand is up. The hand up means someone has to touch it in play outside the penalty area (excluding the penalty arc semi-circle) in order for the game to continue. Play resumes when someone outside the area touches it, and the ref puts his hand down. Same thing when there's an offside. Someone has to touch it before it is in play after the initial restart.

In the situation above, none of the above happened. They don't show it, but there must have been a play OUTSIDE the penalty area before the goalie touched it, either by an opponent or by deflection of the defenders. Once the goalie has it in his hands, play continues. He can score on his own goal, or he can put it down on the floor and score anywhere without anyone else touching it. Ask OSWALDO Sanchez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oTaOARsKlE&search=oswaldo%20).

[SwoLy-D]

:(
Father of Mexico's Sanchez dies; keeper's status for World Cup uncertain (http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=Alcx8W3ZP_4p2n059wWapowmw7YF?slug=ap-wcup--mexicangoalkeeper&prov=ap&type=lgns)
By STEVE BRISENDINE, AP Sports Writer
AP - Jun 7, 6:02 pm EDT

GOETTINGEN, Germany (AP) -- The father of Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez died Wednesday of a heart attack, leaving his son's status for the World Cup uncertain.

Felipe Sanchez died in the family's hometown of Guadalajara, where Oswaldo Sanchez plays for Chivas, team spokesman Juan Jose Kochen said. The younger Sanchez was notified of his father's death around midnight German time, or mid-afternoon in Guadalajara.

Team and federation officials met early Thursday morning at their hotel to determine whether Sanchez would be available for Mexico's World Cup opener Sunday against Iran in Nuremberg, or whether he would return for his father's funeral.

Guillermo Cantu, the national team coordinator, said at a chaotic news conference outside the hotel that Sanchez was still in Goettingen and no decision would be announced until later Thursday.

"Tomorrow, we will have more details," Cantu said through an interpreter. "Now, at this moment, I am asking the press for privacy for the entire family and for Oswaldo."

Cantu said the Mexican federation had notified FIFA, soccer's international governing body, of the goalkeeper's situation.

The younger Sanchez, 32, had been coach Ricardo Lavolpe's clear choice to start after being a reserve for Mexico in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups.

Lavolpe has two other keepers on his roster, Jesus Corona and Guillermo Ochoa, but neither has much international experience.

Cantu had already been scheduled to hold an early afternoon news conference at the team's training ground in Goettingen, following the team's closed practice session on Thursday.
Thanks, david_rocket, for reporting this to me.

+ Mr. Sanchez. ¡VAMOS, MEXICO!

[david_rocket]

:(
Thanks, david_rocket, for reporting this to me.

+ Mr. Sanchez. ¡VAMOS, MEXICO!

You welcome, and I will pray for him and for his family

:( :(

[matpio]

Djibril Cisse, the french striker, will miss the world cup. Why ? Well, look at this and you will probably understand..... :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vedBUj4Wao

Poor guy, that's the second time he got his leg broken on a soccer field. The only "good" thing is that last time, it was the other leg...

[Stack24]

Djibril Cisse, the french striker, will miss the world cup. Why ? Well, look at this and you will probably understand..... :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vedBUj4Wao

Poor guy, that's the second time he got his leg broken on a soccer field. The only "good" thing is that last time, it was the other leg...

dang that sucks

[CreepyFloyd]

Djibril Cisse, the french striker, will miss the world cup. Why ? Well, look at this and you will probably understand..... :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vedBUj4Wao

Poor guy, that's the second time he got his leg broken on a soccer field. The only "good" thing is that last time, it was the other leg...

wow that sucks and looked painful too...i wonder who's gonna replace him on the french squad

[Kam]

is it theisman esque?

[MoBalls]

GO BRAZIL!

[CreepyFloyd]

is it theisman esque?

not as bad and not as graphic, but still pretty bad...lol

[DaDakota]

Hey maybe Iran has a chance now to score against Mexico?

Nah....probably not...

;)

[CreepyFloyd]

Hey maybe Iran has a chance now to score against Mexico?

Nah....probably not...

;)

DD I have no idea what you're talking about, but remember Ali Daei, the captain of the Iranian side, holds the world record for international goals.

Anyways, here is Cisse's replacement, a surprise to me, I thought they would go with somebody with more experience like Anelka:

http://worldcup.itv.com/News/Story_Page/0,15843,6842_1269960,00.html

[DaDakota]

DD I have no idea what you're talking about, but remember Ali Daei, the captain of the Iranian side, holds the world record for international goals.

Don't play coy with me, boy !

We know where your heart lies, and it ain't in the ole stars and stripes.

So, stand proud & shout loud !

I-R-A-N !!!

and, I ran....I ran so far away....couldn't get away......

:D

DD testing sarcasm and humor meters across the world's borders.

[CreepyFloyd]

Don't play coy with me, boy !

We know where your heart lies, and it ain't in the ole stars and stripes.

So, stand proud & shout loud !

I-R-A-N !!!

and, I ran....I ran so far away....couldn't get away......

:D

DD testing sarcasm and humor meters across the world's borders.

haha...i wish i would've seen the reaction on this board when iran beat the us in the 1998 world cup... :)

[DaDakota]

haha...i wish i would've seen the reaction on this board when iran beat the us in the 1998 world cup... :)

Propaganda !

[leroy]

Think about it this way. The ball goes out of bounds on your goalie's side. You have to do a restart. The ball is placed on the right corner of the smaller box, and the ref's hand is up. The hand up means someone has to touch it in play outside the penalty area (excluding the penalty arc semi-circle) in order for the game to continue. Play resumes when someone outside the area touches it, and the ref puts his hand down. Same thing when there's an offside. Someone has to touch it before it is in play after the initial restart.

In the situation above, none of the above happened. They don't show it, but there must have been a play OUTSIDE the penalty area before the goalie touched it, either by an opponent or by deflection of the defenders. Once the goalie has it in his hands, play continues. He can score on his own goal, or he can put it down on the floor and score anywhere without anyone else touching it. Ask OSWALDO Sanchez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oTaOARsKlE&search=oswaldo%20).


Well, Glenn Davis from the Chronicle has proven me to be wrong. Damn him and damn you!

;)

[Diaw]

wow that sucks and looked painful too...i wonder who's gonna replace him on the french squad
Sydney Govou :rolleyes: :mad: ... and here's the pic of the day
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6039/getattachment4uf.jpg
sorry

[Stevierebel]

Take two aspirin and a boatload of pain killers Cissi and you should be fine. ;)

[DaDakota]

Take that pic down please........Man !! his bone is coming out under his socks.....he will be out a LONG time with that injury....

DD

[CreepyFloyd]

Sydney Govou :rolleyes: :mad: ... and here's the pic of the day
http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6039/getattachment4uf.jpg
sorry

omg...i take it back...that's just as bad if not worse than joe theisman...ouch...i hope he makes a speedy recovery...he's a great player to watch...i was surprised with govou...i thought they would go with somebody with more experience like nicolas anleka

[Stack24]

Come on now DD....you should know better than to think Iran can't score a goal against mexico...

[Diaw]

i thought they would go with somebody with more experience like nicolas anleka
everybody thought anelka was the man ... but domenech is a http://www.xboxusersgroup.com/forums/images/smilies/censor.gif

[rage]

If I may add to the discussion about the Law of the Game. I am a certified ref. If you have a question regarding the Law of the Game, ask and I can try to answer or you can go to asktheref.com, search their archive or post your own question. In a couple days, you’ll get an answer from an expert.

1) Can a keeper score from a punt, like the one in the video? Yes, absolutely.
You can also view the answer here:
http://www.asktheref.com/Soccer%20Rules/Question/12917/
In fact, a keeper can score even if he’d thrown the ball. Those are legal actions for a keeper. There is also nothing special or treated differently about a drop kick by a keeper either, he can release a live ball anyway he wants. Remember this is NOT a restart like a free-kick, indirect-free-kick or throw in.

While we are on the subject of scoring goal, a goal can also be scored DIRECTLY from a kick-off, goal-kick, corner-kick and free-kicks resulted from fouls, in fact they all are different types of Direct FK.

There are only 3 instances, that I can think off the top of my head, where a goal is not valid: throw-in (from the touch line/ the side line) , indirect-free-kick and interference from an outside agent (birds, dogs, spectators, coaches, bench players …) A ref is NOT an outside agent.

2) A referee raises his arm straight in the air to signal an IDFK. He lowers his arm once the ball touches a second player, signifying a goal can then be scored. Goal-kick is a DFK, no arm raised. The confusion comes in when you talk about a goal-kick having to leave the penalty area (the big box) before other players can play it. That law that applies to all FK taken by the defense from inside their own penalty area.

[SwoLy-D]

a big time OUCH on that French player... :( He gave us fits during that 0-1 friendly, but I didn't wish THAT BAD a luck on him...

Anyway, I captured last night's David Letterman's Late Show Top 10: Top 10 signs you have World Cup Fever... you will LOVE the #1 sign... :D
http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/top_ten/archive/ls_topten_archive2006/ls_topten_archive_20060607.shtml

I will post the video capture if anybody wants it... it's a 40mb WMV or a 100MB dvr-ms.

[RocketForever]

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6039/getattachment4uf.jpg
sorry

This is the worse twisted leg picture I have ever seen...and it happened in a friendly match just before the World Cup. :(

[leroy]

If I may add to the discussion about the Law of the Game. I am a certified ref. If you have a question regarding the Law of the Game, ask and I can try to answer or you can go to asktheref.com, search their archive or post your own question. In a couple days, you’ll get an answer from an expert.

1) Can a keeper score from a punt, like the one in the video? Yes, absolutely.
You can also view the answer here:
http://www.asktheref.com/Soccer%20Rules/Question/12917/
In fact, a keeper can score even if he’d thrown the ball. Those are legal actions for a keeper. There is also nothing special or treated differently about a drop kick by a keeper either, he can release a live ball anyway he wants. Remember this is NOT a restart like a free-kick, indirect-free-kick or throw in.

While we are on the subject of scoring goal, a goal can also be scored DIRECTLY from a kick-off, goal-kick, corner-kick and free-kicks resulted from fouls, in fact they all are different types of Direct FK.

There are only 3 instances, that I can think off the top of my head, where a goal is not valid: throw-in (from the touch line/ the side line) , indirect-free-kick and interference from an outside agent (birds, dogs, spectators, coaches, bench players …) A ref is NOT an outside agent.

2) A referee raises his arm straight in the air to signal an IDFK. He lowers his arm once the ball touches a second player, signifying a goal can then be scored. Goal-kick is a DFK, no arm raised. The confusion comes in when you talk about a goal-kick having to leave the penalty area (the big box) before other players can play it. That law that applies to all FK taken by the defense from inside their own penalty area.

This is just your first post...so I call BULLS***. :p

I just could have sworn that the ball in the keepers hands was considered dead. I now know that I am wrong and will instruct my keeper to punt the s*** out of the ball next time. He's got a hell of an arm, too.

[leroy]

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/6039/getattachment4uf.jpg
sorry

I just recently broke broke my ankle while playing in a tournament in SA. I will thank G-d every day that it wasn't nearly this bad.

[rage]

This is just your first post...so I call BULLS***. :p

I just could have sworn that the ball in the keepers hands was considered dead. I now know that I am wrong and will instruct my keeper to punt the s*** out of the ball next time. He's got a hell of an arm, too.
:) I think you mixed the term dead ball. A dead ball is when play is stopped / ball out of play, i.e. out of the touch line or goal line ...

Play is not stopped when the ball in the hands of the keeper but you are not allowed to take it from him. He is allowed to release it without being harrassed and he must release it within 6 secs.

Now that I have 2 posts, am I an expert now?

[leroy]

:) I think you mixed the term dead ball. A dead ball is when play is stopped / ball out of play, i.e. out of the touch line or goal line ...

Play is not stopped when the ball in the hands of the keeper but you are not allowed to take it from him. He is allowed to release it without being harrassed and he must release it within 6 secs.

Now that I have 2 posts, am I an expert now?

Shut up, rookie.

;)

[RocketForever]

Shut up, rookie.

;)

I smell a thread with the name "How do we educate the rookie soccer fans?" coming. :D

[arno_ed]

Diaw why in the world did you post that pic, i will not be able to sleep now :mad:

I really hate those kind of pics, they just hurt.

[SwoLy-D]

Shut up, rookie.

;)I am with you, leroy... I think he joined today (see profile) just to answer your question... someone in this thread (not me) must have gone back to him and asked him: "Hey, you're a certified ref... and I also know you're blind... so tell me, what does FIFA say about..."

[CreepyFloyd]

.

welcome to the site, don't let some of these rude jackasses get to you

[SwoLy-D]

Hey, leroy420, it was SleepyFloyd who told rage about your question :p :
welcome to the site, don't let some of these rude jackasses get to you

[arno_ed]

You do not see that often that someone on this board has his first two posts in a soccer thread :D

Welcome to the site Rage.

[leroy]

welcome to the site, don't let some of these rude jackasses get to you

It's called sarcasm...

What did you think the ;) was for? Get a grip.

[leroy]

Great article about Clint Dempsey (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=370300&root=worldcup&cc=5901)

[CreepyFloyd]

It's called sarcasm...

What did you think the ;) was for? Get a grip.

sorry man i post in the d&d and they're not very tolerant there and i'm still trying to get over that cisse pic

[leroy]

sorry man i post in the d&d and they're not very tolerant there and i'm still trying to get over that cisse pic

no problem

[JuLiO-R-]

Great article about Clint Dempsey (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=370300&root=worldcup&cc=5901)

That was a good article.

Here's the video they talk about.

Clint "Duece" Dempsey - Don't Tread Ft. Big Hawk(RIP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FSzk8wS0M

[SwoLy-D]

DrLudicrous, WTF kind of encoding was the title in? I see F, U, Beta, b,a,l,l inside the brackets... What did you mean to write? Fútbol?

Anyway, get accustomed to the WORLD CUP Jerseys: [NSFW] http://www.megaupload.com/?d=14IG84MG - re-upload if you download... be a soccer friend!

[DrLudicrous]

DrLudicrous, WTF kind of encoding was the title in? I see F, U, Beta, b,a,l,l inside the brackets... What did you mean to write? Fútbol?


It's German. Here's a picture with the word.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v300/drludicrous/fussball-heyne-spiele.jpg

[DaDakota]

welcome to the site, don't let some of these rude jackasses get to you


Creepy, you are WAY WAY WAY too sensitive, most of us are just horsing around with you........calling people around here rude names is not going to endear you much.

dd

[CreepyFloyd]

Creepy, you are WAY WAY WAY too sensitive, most of us are just horsing around with you........calling people around here rude names is not going to endear you much.

dd

i apologized

[CreepyFloyd]

DrLudicrous, WTF kind of encoding was the title in? I see F, U, Beta, b,a,l,l inside the brackets... What did you mean to write? Fútbol?

Anyway, get accustomed to the WORLD CUP Jerseys: [NSFW] http://www.megaupload.com/?d=14IG84MG - re-upload if you download... be a soccer friend!

thanks man...i like sweden the best... :D

[stonegate_archer]

Just watched a documentary on ESPN about racism in the world of soccer. I coun't believe some of things they do:

chants of "Monkey", whenever a black player touches the ball
throw bananas at black players
Nazi signs and chants

So ugly, can't believe it.

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Nike has a campaign about racism in soccer

http://www.nike.com/standupspeakup/index.jsp

[Samar]

That was a good article.

Here's the video they talk about.

Clint "Duece" Dempsey - Don't Tread Ft. Big Hawk(RIP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FSzk8wS0M

Not a great song, but still got me hyped up for the games

[CreepyFloyd]

That was a good article.

Here's the video they talk about.

Clint "Duece" Dempsey - Don't Tread Ft. Big Hawk(RIP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FSzk8wS0M

lol...dempsey has about as much street cred as jason terry in his rap video:

http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?p=2348900#post2348900

the only redeeming quality is big hawk (rip)

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Costa Rica vs Germany...11AM tommorow?

[david_rocket]

Costa Rica vs Germany...11AM tommorow?

Yes, thats the first game of the WC, and sunday at 11AM Mexico vs Iran :D

MEXICO! MEXICO!

[Rivaldo2181]

Just 10 hours left and I can't wait!!! I have to work so that sucks big time but I'll be coming home to watch the tape. I feel like a kid on Chrismas eve! Anyways, I have a strong feeling this is going to be England's tournament. Rooney is now back and should be playing in their 2nd match. Next to Brazil, they're the most loaded team with talent. (Check out my blog for my picks: BLOG (http://fugis.blogspot.com/) )

I hate to say this but I don't think the US will make it out group stage. I hope they do, but I don't see it. It's a shame b/c they have probably their best team ever on paper.

[Rivaldo2181]

Yes, thats the first game of the WC, and sunday at 11AM Mexico vs Iran :D

MEXICO! MEXICO!

I am half Iranian so I gotta root for Iran...I think Iran will upset Mexico since the Mexican players are going into the match over confident and arrogant. I have Mexico advancing though along with Portugal.

[Rivaldo2181]

Just watched a documentary on ESPN about racism in the world of soccer. I coun't believe some of things they do:

chants of "Monkey", whenever a black player touches the ball
throw bananas at black players
Nazi signs and chants

So ugly, can't believe it.

I saw that and it hurt my heart to see people acting like that. Racism is unacceptable under any circumstances!!! The problem I have with the American media bringing up these stories is the fact they take a few isolated situations and make it out to be like it is common in every soccer match. Blatant racism is a huge problem in Europe and around the world (it is not covert) but to say it is a "soccer problem" is B.S. The American media never gives soccer its props. They never cover the beautiful game for the great game it is. They just dwell on the negative and this is just one negative they chose to dwell on this time b/c the "soccer is boring" rant is old and untrue. I am so sick of listening to all these dudes on sports talk ramble on like they know what goes on around the world by watching one 5 minute snippet on ESPN. I've wached the world cup since 1990 and 1,000s of other soccer matches from around the world and have never seen the rampant racism that occurred in Spain and Italy to Eto, Henry and the other dude from the Ivory Coast. I am glad ESPN is trying to bring to light the saddening situation, but don't make it seem as though this is what soccer is all about and that it occurs every day in every match. Hate soccer b/c you don't get it, but don't smear it by over-generalizing.

By the way, those fans who act like that should be arrested and thrown in jail and placed on a watch list to where they can never attend matches ever again. FIFA and the regional associations are part of the problem as well. THey need to start fining and taking serious action against these teams' for fans behavior.

[Uprising]

Racism is a big problem in proffesional soccer. FIFA council just had a meeting to try to fix this problem.

I can't wait for the WC to start! I'm so pumped!

Let's Go USA! FIFA world ranked #5 team!

[Stack24]

Can't wait till tomorrow and especially Sunday..that is going to be a great game. For both Iran and Mexico it will set the tone of what they are going to do this World cup...it's a big match for both of them...i have a pretty big viewing party here for the game and im really excited to feel the enthusiasm and watch these matches.

[Kam]

what time is live open, and are you going to be there?

the games are in the morning, and i may stop by with some coworkers.
i guess when mexico plays.

[Stack24]

We are opening up early for all the world cup games. Tomorrows game is at 11 when we open up but the rest of the time when the games are at 8 am we are opening up early for people to come and watch. I will be here tomorrow...but a bit later maybe around 2 or so because i am still here at live since we have parties on thursdays i won't ge tout till like 4 am then ill go rest and try to get back here in time for the second game.

[arno_ed]

Racism is a problem, however it is not soccers problem. The people who are doing those sort of thing(just as trashing the place) are idiots, who would do those sort of things just because they think it is fun, it has NOTHING to do with soccer. Those people are no soccer fans.(there has been a lot of insulting people from Those idiots, and a lot of it is not Racial).

I hate it when people blame soccer for those idiots. I love soccer, it is a great game. And the Hooligans have nothing to do with it. That being said, the Fifa and other soccer organisations should do more about it. And make real stands against it(not as they do now, when those things happen, stop the match for 10 minutes, and then continue. you either stop the match perminently or you just ignore those idiots IMHO).

I so looking forward to this afternoon(european afternoon).

[Miguel]

USA
USA
USA

[Kam]

who should i bet on?

im stopping by the store to buy batteries for my tv.

[SwoLy-D]

... I've wached the world cup since 1990...:D LOL... rookie... :D I've watched since 1978... I remember the sea of confetti on the stadium when the game started AND when it ended... I was only three but I still remember it vividly...

Stack24, good luck, yo. I will probably come over to check a game out, and would like to greet some more bbsers while you're there. I will probably be there also for Iran's game on the 17th, since Mexico plays the day before.

3 hours until kickoff, *****ers. :)

Kam, bet on Germany... :( I wished Costa Rica would surprise...
Vamos, Bala... vamos Medford... vamos WANCHOPE!!!"

[arno_ed]

:D LOL... rookie... :D I've watched since 1978... I remember the sea of confetti on the stadium when the game started AND when it ended... I was only three but I still remember it vividly...

Stack24, good luck, yo. I will probably come over to check a game out, and would like to greet some more bbsers while you're there. I will probably be there also for Iran's game on the 17th, since Mexico plays the day before.

3 hours until kickoff, *****ers. :)

Kam, bet on Germany... :( I wished Costa Rica would surprise...
Vamos, Bala... vamos Medford... vamos WANCHOPE!!!"

Can you please not talk about 1978 :(
Some games still hurt :(

my first soccer memories are from 1988 :D the European championships in germany, i was 6 at the time.

[SwoLy-D]

Can you please not talk about 1978 :(
Some games still hurt :(
Heck you think THAT hurt? http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/pwc/mr_2350.html . :( ENOUGH SAID. No wins, either, by MEXICO.

I went to the Bulgaria Argentina game in 1994. Maradona was tested positive the Friday before... :mad:

[Buck Turgidson]

3 hours until kickoff, *****ers. :)

I wished Costa Rica would surprise...
Vamos los ticos!

Polska! Polska! Polska!

Ole Ole Ole Ole
Nie da my cze
Nie da my cze

[Rivaldo2181]

:D LOL... rookie... :D I've watched since 1978... I remember the sea of confetti on the stadium when the game started AND when it ended... I was only three but I still remember it vividly...

Ummmm...I was not born in until '81, so I couldn't start in '78 ;)

Man, I haven't been this pumped since the Rox went up 2-0 on the Mavs 2 last May. I couldn't sleep last night :D

[DrLudicrous]

1 hour to go!

[leroy]

I have the dvr set for today's matches. I'm debating whether it's worth trying to avoid seeing the scores before I get home from work.

[Mr. Brightside]

chanting has begun over here.

[DaDakota]

Is the pregame on TV anywhere? I see ESPN 2 doesn't join until 5 minutes before game time.

I mean...Mike and Mike need to be shown, right?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[SwoLy-D]

Is the pregame on TV anywhere? I see ESPN 2 doesn't join until 5 minutes before game time.

I mean...Mike and Mike need to be shown, right?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:WELCOME TO AMERICA! Put it on UNIVISION 30 minutes before the game... (wherever you are) BEST Pre-games show ever... you can do CC2 for ENGLISH... you'll enjoy the SCENERY (Las Senadoras)

[oomp]

Is the pregame on TV anywhere? I see ESPN 2 doesn't join until 5 minutes before game time.

I mean...Mike and Mike need to be shown, right?

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I've been reading the ESPN Gamecast coverage of the opening.

Pele led the former winning sides out. Ceremony over, pitch clear.

[a-rock]

who needs this pregame stuff anyway? i just want to see the germans getting trashed...

btw: italy will win it all!

[Mr. Brightside]

impressive!

[Buck Turgidson]

VAMOS LOS TICOS!!!!!!

[Chilly_Pete]

Great Goal!

[Chilly_Pete]

This is a good match!

[DaDakota]

Yes it is......Is it on HDTV anywhere?

DD

[tigermission1]

Damn those Germans are good!

[tigermission1]

Yes it is......Is it on HDTV anywhere?

DD

ESPNHD, I believe.

[DaDakota]

ESPNHD, I believe.

Nope that is college baseball.

DD