****Official World Cup Thread: South Africa 2010**** [Archive]

View Full Version : ****Official World Cup Thread: South Africa 2010****

Pages : [1] 2

Spurologist

05-30-2010, 08:48 PM

Who do you have taking the prize???? Post your bracket here from ESPNsoccernet (http://games.espn.go.com/bpredictor/en-us/frontpage)(need to sign up for free account)

EDIT: there's a thread for that -- World Cup bracket game (http://spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=154255)

http://ekosedaneputra.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/world-cup-trophy-2_6.png

I have many upsets and Argentina as the Champs AND Maradona running naked in the streets of Argentina.

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/6012/picture3lq.png

The_Worlds_finest

05-30-2010, 09:37 PM

How can one claim to like soccer and not go for their country of origin? I am sad to say it only occurs in America

DAF86

05-30-2010, 10:41 PM

How can one claim to like soccer and not go for their country of origin? I am sad to say it only occurs in America

Do you mean pick another one to win or to cheer? I'll root for Argentina but I don't think they'll win it all.

Muser

05-31-2010, 04:42 AM

Can't wait for this, I wish Ireland had got in but we all know why they aren't..

jesterbobman

05-31-2010, 06:15 AM

New Zealand all the way

Not that they'll win, but I can hope for a random goal vs Slovakia, draw with Paraguay, loss to Italy, (Sloavkia and Paraguay draw), then move through and beat Netherlands(Height up front dominates their back, fallon gets a header in) and 1 random goal, Win on a penalty vs Brazil, goad someone into a head butt in the Semi and scrape through with a man up, then dominate the final 7-0 for an unbelieveable cindarella story.

MaNuMaNiAc

05-31-2010, 06:30 AM

I never understood what the fuck people expected Henry to do. Go up to the ref, tell him to void the goal and declare France eliminated? Really?? I'd like you to name one, just one player in any national team who would be willing to do that. Oh, I'm sure there are plenty would say they would, and they are all fucking liars.

Oh and Muser, you hypocrite, as if England doesn't do dirty shit like that.

England vs Trinidad & Tobago - 2006 World Cup

JURU3iFmRxs

Funny, I didn't see a lot of English men moaning about this piece of dirt tactic during 2006 World Cup. I guess that's because it was them doing it...

Muser

05-31-2010, 08:02 AM

I never said England have never been dirty, go through the history of every team and you could find moments like that. And I don't expect Henry to do anything about it, it's not cheating if you don't get caught.

I'm not against what Henry did, he did what he had to do for France to qualify.

sonic21

05-31-2010, 08:54 AM

you could only blame Henry for trying to console irish players after the game. I thought it was classless.

Whisky Dog

05-31-2010, 11:30 AM

La Roja!! We takin this bitch.

Spurologist

05-31-2010, 12:06 PM

How can one claim to like soccer and not go for their country of origin? I am sad to say it only occurs in America

Wanting the USA to win is fair but realistically thinking they'll win is delusional. USA just doesn't have the talent yet. Then again Greece did win the UEFA Euro championship in '04. They were given a 150-1 chance to win.....maybe lesser odds than the USA but I just don't see it happening for USA.

I have more ties to Cameroon than the USA but I don't see Cameroon winning it either. We need our main striker Eto'o to play so Cameroon football (soccer) can be relevant again. They'll probably meet Italy in the second round and even though Italy is better, I have the upset :lol

lefty

05-31-2010, 12:11 PM

Wanting the USA to win is fair but realistically thinking they'll win is delusional. USA just doesn't have the talent yet. Then again Greece did win the UEFA Euro championship in '04. They were given a 150-1 chance to win.....maybe lesser odds than the USA but I just don't see it happening for USA.

I have more ties to Cameroon than the USA but I don't see Cameroon winning it either. We need our main striker Eto'o to play so Cameroon football (soccer) can be relevant again. They'll probably meet Italy in the second round and even though Italy is better, I have the upset :lol
Did Eto recently say that he may not play in the WC?

Or am I wrong?

Spurologist

05-31-2010, 12:19 PM

Did Eto recently say that he may not play in the WC?

Or am I wrong?

no you're right...Eto'o has been upset by criticism from former Cameroon great Roger Milla that he hasn't done for country what he has done for club. Eto'o has threatened to avoid the trip to South Africa.....but the coach Le Guen included him in the final 23.

I'm almost 100% positive Milla did it to motivate Eto'o but Eto'o always takes things the wrong way. He gets into rifts over little things but always give his all when he's on the pitch. That's why he's so respected. I think he'll play.....it will kill his career if he doesn't play in SA IMO

lefty

05-31-2010, 12:23 PM

no you're right...Eto'o has been upset by criticism from former Cameroon great Roger Milla that he hasn't done for country what he has done for club. Eto'o has threatened to avoid the trip to South Africa.....but the coach Le Guen included him in the final 23.

I'm almost 100% positive Milla did it to motivate Eto'o but Eto'o always takes things the wrong way. He gets into rifts over little things but always give his all when he's on the pitch. That's why he's so respected. I think he'll play.....it will kill his career if he doesn't play in SA IMO
Eto WTF

Milla is totally right

Roger is the greatest African player of all time :hat

Whisky Dog

05-31-2010, 12:34 PM

Eto WTF

Milla is totally right

Roger is the greatest African player of all time :hat

How is he right? I wish Spurs players had that same commitment to the team that's actually paying for their lifestyle, and millions of dollars to play a game, over their national team.

SAtown

05-31-2010, 12:49 PM

Whisky Dog

05-31-2010, 12:52 PM

Still can't believe Mexico has the first match of the world cup. I'm so pumped for the actual tournament, but have 0 hopes for Mexico doing anything productive. They won't even get out of the Group Stage,, 1-France, 2-Uruguay. Even if they do (and everything in group B goes according to plan), they must play Argentina again in the last 16. FUCK YOU MAXI RODRIGUEZ (and oswaldo sanchez :pctoss)

That chestie to boot is still one of the sweetest goals I've ever seen in s
a tourney.

Spurologist

05-31-2010, 12:55 PM

Roger is the greatest African player of all time :hat

:smokin

No argument here

DAF86

05-31-2010, 01:18 PM

Still can't believe Mexico has the first match of the world cup. I'm so pumped for the actual tournament, but have 0 hopes for Mexico doing anything productive. They won't even get out of the Group Stage,, 1-France, 2-Uruguay. Even if they do (and everything in group B goes according to plan), they must play Argentina again in the last 16. FUCK YOU MAXI RODRIGUEZ (and oswaldo sanchez :pctoss)

I have France and Uruguay qualifying 1st and 2nd too but after seeing Mexico in these friendlies (pretty good play despite the results) and France against Tunisia, I'm not so sure anymore.

sonic21

05-31-2010, 01:25 PM

I have France and Uruguay qualifying 1st and 2nd too but after seeing Mexico in these friendlies (pretty good play despite the results) and France against Tunisia, I'm not so sure anymore.

i hope you're not thinking friendly games are important to judge a team.

DAF86

05-31-2010, 01:29 PM

i hope you're not thinking friendly games are important to judge a team.

They are somewhat important, do you think players think to themselves: "oh, this is a friendly let's just suck ass 'cause it doesn't matter".

The thing with WC is that usually things even out 'cause everybody plays scared and lots of times luck plays a major part, just ask Italy.

SAtown

05-31-2010, 01:30 PM

That chestie to boot is still one of the sweetest goals I've ever seen in s
a tourney.

I agree, even though the 06 world cup had a ton of amazing goals (almost all of Germany's goals, Rosicky vs USA, etc...) Maxi's still tops the list.

SAtown

05-31-2010, 01:32 PM

sonic21

05-31-2010, 01:32 PM

France doesn't like to have the ball, that's why they always struggles against lesser teams. (i.e 2006).

DAF86

05-31-2010, 01:35 PM

I agree, even though the 06 world cup had a ton of amazing goals (almost all of Germany's goals, Rosicky vs USA, etc...) Maxi's still tops the list.

GTFO, the best goal in 2006 and second best in the history of the WCs is this

6R_iYLca2gc

MaNuMaNiAc

05-31-2010, 01:44 PM

GTFO, the best goal in 2006 and second best in the history of the WCs is this

6R_iYLca2gc

As a team goal, obviously, but as an individual goal, Maxi's goal was un-fucking-believable. Specially since it came when we needed it the most against a tough Mexico team. The Serbia & Montenegro goal was brilliant showing off, Maxi's was legendary clutch. Too bad we had to fuck it up against Germany. I honestly believe had we gotten past Germany, the World Cup was ours to lose.

DAF86

05-31-2010, 02:02 PM

As a team goal, obviously, but as an individual goal, Maxi's goal was un-fucking-believable. Specially since it came when we needed it the most against a tough Mexico team. The Serbia & Montenegro goal was brilliant showing off, Maxi's was legendary clutch. Too bad we had to fuck it up against Germany. I honestly believe had we gotten past Germany, the World Cup was ours to lose.

Maxi's goal was nice and important but very lucky, you can put him 100 more times in that position and he is going to place the ball where he placed it two, three times tops, the other goal was just beatiful.

And about Argentina's chances, that's what I don't like about the WC, we didn't lose a single game and got eliminated in the quarters, I trully bealive that there wasn't a team that played better than Argentina in that tournament, we were just unlucky to draw the home team before the semis (where either team is secure to play 7 games regardless).

resistanze

05-31-2010, 02:15 PM

Essien ruled out of World Cup with knee injury

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=ap-wcup-ghana-essien

May 27, 1:30 pm EDT

ACCRA, Ghana (AP)—Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will miss the World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Essien injured a hamstring while playing for Chelsea against APOEL Nicosia in the European Champions League on Dec. 8.

He returned to play the second half for Ghana against Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations of Jan. 15, then injured his right knee two days later during training. He has not played since.

“An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July,” the association said Thursday on its website.

Ghana opens the World Cup on June 13 against Serbia, then plays Australia on June 18 and Germany on June 23.

Essien helped Ghana reached the second round of the 2006 World Cup in its first appearance at the tournament.

:depressed

Muser

05-31-2010, 02:21 PM

Greatest English goal I have ever seen live.

JaCH65ijzAs

God that was a good day.

What are your favorite goals from your teams?

Spurologist

05-31-2010, 02:44 PM

Greatest English goal I have ever seen live.

JaCH65ijzAs

God that was a good day.

What are your favorite goals from your teams?

ldss7IDQhQ0

Easy.....Biyik header against Argentina that set the stage for us to go all the way to the quarter-finals and with the help of Roger Milla put Cameroon on the world stage

Spurologist

05-31-2010, 02:46 PM

Eto WTF

Milla is totally right

Roger is the greatest African player of all time :hat

Eto'o will be there after crafting this Letter (http://www.afrik11.com/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6346%3Acameroun-la-lettre-detoo-a-roger-milla&catid=292%3Acameroun&Itemid=866&lang=fr) to Milla

lefty

05-31-2010, 02:48 PM

Check my sig... the 2nd Algerian goal

It was amazing because we scored it right after the Germans tied the game :tu

ffadicted

05-31-2010, 07:18 PM

GTFO, the best goal in 2006 and second best in the history of the WCs is this

6R_iYLca2gc

Beautiful.

I still love this one, years later:

z8wVCTJ-2wk

lol I could only find the asian and the annoying ass spanish one... went with the asian

velik_m

06-01-2010, 08:42 AM

No Walcott for England.

lefty

06-01-2010, 08:47 AM

No Walcott for England.
I was hoping for no Rooney

Oh well :depressed

velik_m

06-01-2010, 08:48 AM

Team Slovenia final 23:
GOALKEEPERS
Jasmin Handanovič Mantova (ITA)
Samir Handanovič Udinese (ITA)
Aleksander Šeliga Sparta Rotterdam (NED)

DEFENDERS
Mišo Brečko Köln (GER)
Boštjan Cesar Grenoble (FRA)
Branko Ilič Lokomotiva Moskva (RUS)
Bojan Jokič Chievo (ITA)
Matej Mavrič Rožič Koblenz (GER)
Marko Šuler Gent (BEL)
Elvedin Džinič Maribor (SLO)
Suad Filekovič Maribor (SLO)

MIDFIELDERS
Valter Birsa Auxerre (FRA)
Andraž Kirm Wisla Krakow (POL)
Andrej Komac Maccabi Tel Aviv (ISR)
Robert Koren (c) West Bromwich (ENG)
Rene Krhin Inter (ITA)
Aleksander Radosavljevič Larissa (GRE)
Dalibor Stevanovič Vitesse (NED)

FORWARDS
Zlatko Dedič Bochum (GER)
Zlatan Ljubijankič Gent (BEL)
Milivoje Novakovič Köln (GER)
Nejc Pečnik Nacional (POR)
Tim Matavž Groningen (NED)

COACH
Matjaž Kek

Muser

06-01-2010, 10:06 AM

G Barry
J Carragher
M Carrick
...A Cole
J Cole
P Crouch
J Defoe
R Ferdinand
S Gerrard
R Green
J Hart
E Heskey
D James
G Johnson
L King
F Lampard
A Lennon
J Milner
W Rooney
J Terry
M Upson
S Warnock
S Wright-Phillips

Lol Heskey...Good to see Barry is gonna be fit though.

The_Worlds_finest

06-01-2010, 10:32 AM

lefty

06-01-2010, 10:49 AM

Muser

06-01-2010, 02:16 PM

I'd pick

------------------------Hart

---G Johnson----Terry----Ferdinand---Cole

-----------Lampard---Gerrard---Barry
------------------------Milner
------------------Rooney--Crouch

Or Take Crouch off and play 4-5-1 with Cole/SWP moving into midfield.

Spurstro

06-01-2010, 04:34 PM

No Rossie for Italy...wonder if it crosses his mind if he made a mistake and chose U.S. instead.

Whisky Dog

06-01-2010, 04:39 PM

England has no keeper, Terry always was vastly overrated and now he's vastly overated with a lost step, and Lampard has a tendency to diappear in big moments.

England goes as Rooney goes. If he's having an off tourney look for them to fizz out early.

Muser

06-01-2010, 05:18 PM

Terry vastly overrated? I agree with Lampard, Hart beat out the likes of Reina/Cech/Van Der Sar etc for premiership goalkeeper of the year. I agree with Lampard though, he can't take the pressure.

MannyIsGod

06-01-2010, 05:31 PM

no rossie for italy...wonder if it crosses his mind if he made a mistake and chose u.s. Instead.

hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhah ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahaaahahahahahahahah

MannyIsGod

06-01-2010, 05:38 PM

:lol Dipshit traitor.

Spurologist

06-01-2010, 06:08 PM

No Rossie for Italy...wonder if it crosses his mind if he made a mistake and chose U.S. instead.

:lmao :lmao

We could've been a legitimate world cup thread with him on the squad...sucks to be him

lefty

06-02-2010, 08:15 AM

:lmao :lmao

We could've been a legitimate world cup thread with him on the squad...sucks to be him

Another WTF for Eto

What was that vs Portugal?

If he didnt get tossed, Cameoun would have won

Whisky Dog

06-02-2010, 08:31 PM

Terry vastly overrated? I agree with Lampard, Hart beat out the likes of Reina/Cech/Van Der Sar etc for premiership goalkeeper of the year. I agree with Lampard though, he can't take the pressure.

Hart may be a bit underrated at this point and he is on a streak so I exaggerated a bit there, but Terry has always leeched off of having a stellar backmate to help cover his mistakes and gets a bit lost at times. Ashley Cole is stellar, but Terry has always gotten more of a rep than I ever thought he deserved.

DAF86

06-02-2010, 09:29 PM

Chilean striker Humberto Suazo had a tear on his left leg and would be at least 21 days out. Bielsa kept him on the 23 guys list anyways.

Huge loss for Chile, Suazo is arguably their best player and they have no replacement for him.

lefty

06-02-2010, 09:45 PM

Algeria's 23:

Algeria name World Cup squad

Premier League based duo make final 23

By Richard Bailey (http://www.skysports.com/contactus/0,20299,,00.html) Last updated: 2nd June 2010

Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj and Wolves midfielder Adlane Guedioura have been selected in Algeria's 23-man squad for the World Cup finals.
England's Group C opponents have also picked Benfica midfielder Hassan Yebda who spent last season on loan at Pompey.
Manager Rabah Saadane had to cut seven players from his preliminary squad including goalkeeper Mohamed Zemmamouche, defender Mohamed Meftah, midfielders Khaled Lemmouchia, Mourad Meghni, (http://topics.skysports.com/Mourad+Meghni/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif Lazhar Hadj Aissa and Hocine Metref and striker Chadli Amri.
Saadane has recently voiced concerns that his squad lack a cutting edge therefore it is a surprise that he has only named three recognised strikers meaning much of the creativity and threat will come from Wolfsburg (http://topics.skysports.com/wolfsburg/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif midfielder Karim Ziani. (http://topics.skysports.com/Karim+Ziani/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif
Squad in full
Goalkeepers: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Setif), Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef), Rais M'bohi Ouheb (Slavia Sofia)
Defenders: Laifaoui Abdelkader (ES Setif), Madjid Bougherra (Rangers (http://topics.skysports.com/rangers/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafik Halliche (Nacional Madeira), Anther Yahia (Bochum (http://topics.skysports.com/bochum/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif), Habib Belaid (Boulogne-sur-Mer), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth (http://topics.skysports.com/portsmouth/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce (http://topics.skysports.com/lecce/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif)
Midfielders: Hassan Yebda (Portsmouth), Mehdi Lacen (Santander), Yazid Mansouri (Lorient), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux (http://topics.skysports.com/sochaux/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif), Djamel Abdoun (http://topics.skysports.com/Djamel+Abdoun/?section=football)http://static.lingospot.com/spot/image/spacer.gif (Nantes), Fouad Kadir (Valenciennes), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg) Karim Matmour (Monchengladbach)
Strikers: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Siena), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athens), Rafik Saifi (Istres)

My 0.02 :

- Meghni out of the WC because of an injury; too bad, very very talented player :pctoss

- Lazhar Hadj Aissa didn't make the cut: INSANELY talented, but has attitude problems :bang

DAF86

06-02-2010, 11:47 PM

AiB3683PztQ

Libri

06-02-2010, 11:48 PM

Mexico only has two true strikers, Guillermo Franco and Javier "El Chicharito" Hernandez. Franco is hurt and there's a possibility that Mexico might lose him. Franco is not their best player but he gave Mexico some experience in the front. If they lose Franco, then Aguirre he will have to depend on a very young front line with El Chicharito, Giovani, and Vela. He has also used Alberto Medina as a striker. According to FIFA rules, Mexico might be able to call up another player if Franco can't recover.

Dinamita

06-03-2010, 12:14 AM

Muser

06-03-2010, 03:52 AM

John Terry's dad escaped prison after supplying Cocaine to an undercover reporter. You fucking retard! Great to do shit like this just before England start playing, really motivational!

quentin_compson

06-03-2010, 05:46 AM

No Walcott for England.

That's a bad thing IMO. Sure, he didn't have a great season with all his injuries and stuff, but he still has the potential to change a game. I would have liked to see him as a joker.

Muser

06-03-2010, 07:01 AM

Walcott sucks IMO.

lefty

06-03-2010, 08:20 AM

John Terry's dad escaped prison after supplying Cocaine to an undercover reporter. You fucking retard! Great to do shit like this just before England start playing, really motivational!
Man that's fucked up

I hope Terry will be able to focus

urunobili

06-03-2010, 10:31 AM

CROFL Terry
CROFL Walcott

US 2-0 on the opener!

Spurologist

06-03-2010, 10:33 AM

Walcott sucks IMO.

:tu there's still speed on the roster.....except for your backline. That's my biggest issue with England.

Another WTF for Eto

What was that vs Portugal?

If he didnt get tossed, Cameoun would have won

Shit happens. As long as he's focused on the bigger picture and shows it in SA, I'm good. We have one more friendly against Serbia in Belgrade before flying to South Africa. I hope we can get a win there to build some confidence.

John Terry's dad escaped prison after supplying Cocaine to an undercover reporter. You fucking retard! Great to do shit like this just before England start playing, really motivational!

Great role models out of the Terry household

TDMVPDPOY

06-03-2010, 11:38 AM

aus v usa friendly, we know whose better

lefty

06-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Shit

I was hoping England would underestimate us.

But, no, Capello had to send someone to spie on us :pctoss

RCLfg8gbaZc

Whisky Dog

06-03-2010, 12:44 PM

Jozi Altidore is hospitalized with a sprained ankle, huge blow to US if he cant go.

Sense

06-03-2010, 12:46 PM

Jozi Altidore is hospitalized with a sprained ankle, huge blow to US if he cant go.

lol

symple19

06-03-2010, 01:13 PM

Jozi Altidore is hospitalized with a sprained ankle, huge blow to US if he cant go.

just a mild sprain, but even those can hinder a soccer player badly. He's listed as day to day, so hopefully the 9 days left will be enough to get him back into proper playing shape

MannyIsGod

06-03-2010, 01:32 PM

Fml

Whisky Dog

06-03-2010, 01:45 PM

just a mild sprain, but even those can hinder a soccer player badly. He's listed as day to day, so hopefully the 9 days left will be enough to get him back into proper playing shape

Yeah, any leg injury is critical to players who mainly use their legs. With the Italian traitor not around the US has a severe lack of strikers, and Altidore is the only guy who has the chops at that position for them. They're going to have to win with suffocating defense and keeper play and have someone or someones up front step up big like a Findley.

MannyIsGod

06-03-2010, 01:53 PM

Dempsy can slide into a forward spot if needed and Gomez is pretty good if inexperienced so its not the end of the world but yeah. Not good.

urunobili

06-03-2010, 02:26 PM

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5244060/ce/us/2010-world-cup-clint-dempsey-star-overseas-in-united-states?cc=3888&ver=global

This article appears in the June 14, 2010, issue of ESPN The Magazine. Get the full issue -- the World Cup preview -- by clicking here.

Visit Craven Cottage, home of the Fulham Football Club in London, and this is what you'll hear on game day:
"He scores with his left,
He scores with his riiiiight,
That boy Clint Dempsey,
Makes Drogba look shite!"

Now, visit almost any website or blog that deals with the subject of the U.S. soccer team. With just a bit of poking around on the topic of Dempsey, you'll likely find comments like this one: "He's lazy. He doesn't track back on defense and his effort is lacking in most all games. So what if the guy plays well on the club level, he doesn't do very well (more often than not) for the U.S."

Meet Clint Dempsey, American soccer's human Rorschach test. No question, he's made a mark on the game. Just what that mark looks like, though, often depends on the eye of the beholder.

When the U.S. faces England in its World Cup opener on June 12, few players on the field will inspire more conflicting observations than the 27-year-old Texan. While Dempsey is well-known to the soccer faithful in both countries, he's thoroughly appreciated in one land and routinely overlooked in the other. But here's the kicker: The red-white-and-blue-flagged nation where he commands the most respect is the United Kingdom, not the United States.
Net Effect

To see visual representations of how the U.S. will try to attack opposing defenses, click here.

The situation befuddles Dempsey, as it no doubt would any red-blooded, "Star-Spangled Banner"-singing, steak-loving American. Still, he tries his best to be diplomatic. "I don't want to get into how I'm perceived there versus here in the U.S.," he says. "But I'm respected in Europe for what I do week in and week out on the highest level." As for how he performs for the national team, fans need only look at his statistics. He scores at a far higher rate for the U.S. team than for Fulham, and he's the second-leading Yanks scorer behind Landon Donovan over the past four years, including three marquee goals at last year's Confederations Cup. "In big games," he says, "I always come through."

That Dempsey is caught in the club-versus-country crossfire probably says something about his ability. Truth be told, the conflict confronts the best of them. Lionel Messi earned 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year honors based on his magnificent club outings for FC Barcelona. When he suits up for Argentina, though, fans and media there grumble when he doesn't score at will. A common complaint about the English national team is that its well-compensated Premier League stars have little interest in giving their all for the Three Lions. "If you're a good player, a lot is expected, whether it's for your club or your national team," says U.S. coach Bob Bradley. "At the end of every game, there will be all sorts of thoughts about how well you played. You have to be above all that."

True, but there are real tensions between the two worlds. Clubs demand most of a player's time, often 40-plus weeks a year, and supply the bulk of a player's earnings (though superstars earn a fair amount of cash from endorsements as well). National-team compensation, by comparison, is a relative pittance. In 2006, U.S. players earned about $37,500 for making the final World Cup roster, plus $3,500 for each match. While a player's time commitment to his country might be shorter -- roughly 15 matches during a qualifying year -- it often comes at a bad time on the calendar. In May, at the end of a grueling club season that includes high-octane tournaments like the Champions League, there's precious little opportunity to refill the tank before the World Cup.

Still, "the players have to get 28 days rest, or they'll collapse," says Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "The intensity of the English game is so great that it makes it more difficult for those players to perform well in the World Cup." He's talking, of course, about England stars such as striker Wayne Rooney, but he could just as easily have been describing the circumstances faced by any player in a top European league. Within weeks of arriving at their World Cup camps, players from far-flung clubs are supposed to integrate into a cohesive national team, often taking on different roles and playing a vastly different-style game. Think about what that means. Messi, who excels in FC Barcelona's flowing, possession-based, short-passing game, must suddenly thrive under manager Diego Maradona's defend-and-counter tactics.

Against Brazil in the Confederations Cup final, Dempsey scored on a stylish, sliding finish worthy of his opponents.

But this schizophrenic state of affairs didn't always exist. Before soccer became completely globalized in the 1990s -- spurred on by the relaxation of work regulations in the European Union -- national teams drew a large majority of players from domestic leagues and often formed a core of stars from one or two elite clubs. Germany relied on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund; the Netherlands drew from Ajax and Feyenoord; Brazil looked to Santos and Flamengo; Argentina had River Plate and Boca Juniors. That's rarely the case anymore. For proof, just look at the U.S. roster, which features players from English, Italian, German, French, Scottish, Danish, Norwegian, Spanish, Mexican and MLS clubs.

North and South American stars face another burden, shuttling across the Atlantic between their European clubs and their World Cup regional qualifiers in the two years leading up to the main event. If top U.S. players on overseas clubs, such as Dempsey, keeper Tim Howard (Everton), captain Carlos Bocanegra (France's Rennes) and Michael Bradley (Germany's Borussia Mönchengladbach) happen to look flat during the occasional CONCACAF match held before a hostile crowd in Central America, they probably have an excuse.

What's strange in Dempsey's case is that observers across the pond think he has absolutely nothing to answer for. British fans, coaches and media -- indeed soccer experts across Europe -- hold him in high regard. That's even more true after last year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, when Dempsey was named the tournament's third-best player, behind Brazilian superstars Kaká and Luís Fabiano.

Dempsey's stock kept soaring this past March. Just a week after returning from a two-month layoff to rehab a knee injury, he scored a wonder goal that propelled Fulham past legendary Italian club Juventus and into the quarterfinal of the Europa League, part of a run to the final that capped the greatest season in the Cottagers' 131-year history.

It may have been the greatest goal ever scored by an American in Europe. Funny thing is, it was Dempsey's second-most-important score for the club since he joined in 2007. His first Premiership goal, in a 1-0 victory in the season finale against Liverpool, saved Fulham's spot in the top league and earned the club some $60 million. "It was good for my first goal to mean so much," says Dempsey, who came to Fulham from MLS' New England Revolution on a $5 million transfer. "I paid back the club for my transfer fee. I wasn't in debt to them."
Country Clubbers

The U.S. roster features a world of experience.

Herculez Gomez F Cool Herc turned red hot when he bolted MLS for Puebla in January. His 10 goals (in just 17 games) earned him the Mexican League scoring title.

Edson Buddle F The MLS journeyman parlayed a brilliant start for the Galaxy (nine goals in LA's first six games) into a World Cup roster spot.

Jozy Altidore F He scored just twice for Hull City, but the 20-year-old earned valuable Premier League experience.

DaMarcus Beasley M Idle status with Glasgow Rangers for much of the season nearly cost him a third Cup trip, but a strong training camp helped him make the cut.

Landon Donovan M Doubts about his ability and ambition were answered when he helped Everton beat Chelsea and Man United during a 10-week loan from the Galaxy.

Ricardo Clark M Injury delayed the former Houston Dynamo's Eintracht Frankfurt debut, but he ended the season as a starter, a role he hopes to reprise this summer.

Steve Cherundolo D The veteran right back overcame injury to help grieving Hannover -- starting keeper Robert Enke committed suicide midseason -- narrowly avoid relegation from the German Bundesliga.

Jay Demerit D A nasty eye infection threatened the Watford captain's career last fall. Now that he's healed, does he see MLS in his future?

Jonathan Spector D Much like his club, the West Ham man survived a tough 2009-10 season. Lots of reps at left back could help fill one of the Yanks' weakest spots.

Marcus Hahnemann G Wolverhampton's backup backstop took over the starting gig in November. The 37-year-old's timely saves kept Wolves in the Premier League and earned him a one-year extension.
-Doug McIntyre

Come to think of it, Dempsey's almost always been money, whether playing for his club or his country. He was the only U.S. goal-scorer in the 2006 World Cup. In the Confederations Cup, he scored the crucial final goal in a 3-0 victory over Egypt that put the U.S. through to the semifinal. The next match, against Spain, a shocking 2-0 victory over the then-No. 1 team in the world, saw Dempsey assisting on Jozy Altidore's opening goal. Then he netted the backbreaking second goal, sneaking around noted defender Sergio Ramos, leaving the Real Madrid star in disbelief and the Spaniards' record-tying 35-match unbeaten streak in tatters. In the final against Brazil, Dempsey scored on a stylish sliding finish worthy of his opponents in the 3-2 loss.

His remarkable run didn't end in South Africa.Last September, during a tough World Cup qualifying stretch for the U.S., Dempsey scored a crucial equalizer in a 2-1 win against El Salvador, then helped set up Ricardo Clark's goal in a 1-0 road victory over Trinidad and Tobago. "I pride myself," he says, "on stepping up on big occasions."

And yet, a consistent chorus of media and fans continues to dress him down. In that Trinidad match, ESPN analyst John Harkes said Dempsey looked tired, even sick. Dempsey heard similar critiques during the Confederations Cup, especially after the U.S. lost its first two matches, to Italy and Brazil, and he hadn't scored in either. "People who aren't educated about the game are going to take whatever a commentator has to say as the complete truth," he says. "And that's not always the case. That's just their opinion."

But while Americans were busy lambasting him, the FIFA Technical Study Group, a selection of noted coaches and statistical analysts who critiqued every player in the Confederations Cup, lauded Dempsey's play -- singling out his effort by rewarding him with the Bronze Ball trophy. The irony is not lost on the player. "I was top three in the whole tournament in distance covered," he says. "You can question my effectiveness, but you can't question my heart and my effort."

Still, he manages to get past the attacks and welcomes fault-finding -- when it's backed by fact. "I'm respected by my teammates," he says. "And I'm respected by my coaches. That's why they keep me on the field. The criticism comes with the money we get paid."

His salary -- $3 million -- might mean more to Dempsey than to most in the Premier League. He likes working in England, but truthfully, he'd rather live in the States. "Off the pitch, the best thing about it is more money in your account," he says. "You go to Europe for the competition, for the soccer and for more financial stability for your family."

Dempsey had little financial security growing up in Nacogdoches, Texas. ("I'm from nowhere, man," he says.) His family lived in a trailer on his grandmother's property, while his dad worked on the railroad and his mom worked as a nurse.

In East Texas, soccer took a backseat to football and baseball. And in the Dempsey family, Clint took a backseat to his sister, Jennifer. Clint, four years younger, had shown enough promise to make a top youth soccer travel team in Dallas, three hours away. But Jennifer was a budding tennis star, winning tournaments around the region. Despite family sacrifices -- selling off a boat, forgoing vacations, skimping on new clothes -- the Dempseys couldn't afford to support both kids' sports dreams.

So Clint dropped out of the travel team so that Jennifer could pursue her tennis career. On the day before Thanksgiving, in 1995, the Dempseys' world changed forever. At 16, Jennifer collapsed and died of a brain aneurysm. "It was like a nightmare," Dempsey says. "Every day you'd wake up and say, 'Did that really happen?' "

The terrible saga explains a lot about Dempsey, and his fierce determination to fight his way up from Nacogdoches to a soccer scholarship at Furman, through MLS, to a spot on the national team and to success in England. It took about a year for him to get past the grief, but the loss helped him recommit himself to the game. Now, every time he scores a goal, he thinks of Jennifer and points upward. "I know no matter how bad things get, things could always be worse," he says. "And no matter how great they can go, they can always be better. That keeps you grounded."
Nadav Kander for ESPN The MagazineTo Dempsey's teammates, he's in like Clint.

Those words also fuel his robust appreciation for life. He's a hip-hop fanatic, whose freestyle rapping to a British TV host is a YouTube hit; a bottom-line businessman who in 2007 basically forced the Revolution to sell him a year before his contract was up so he could take a shot at making more money in England; a dyed-in-the-wool Lone Star Stater who, when back in the U.S., jumps at the chance to go out for Mexican food with teammates like Jose Torres and Clark; and a fierce family man who spends most of his downtime in London with his wife, Bethany, and his one-year-old daughter, Elyse.

His never-give-in approach to life perhaps explains the perpetual hangdog expression he wears on the playing field -- a look that Americans might interpret as dejection but which Europeans view as a reflection of his focus. George Bernard Shaw once famously said that England and America are two countries separated by a common language. He might have had a good laugh over how differently the two groups of faithful describe Dempsey.

While his U.S. fans and detractors alike call him Clintinho, for his ability to create and do tricks with the ball, foreign analysts laud his fundamentals, like the way he set up, and fooled the Spanish back line for his clinching goal.

There's truth to both views. As a kid, Dempsey fell in love with the South American style, he says, "where the ball is your friend and not your enemy." His older brother, Ryan, had a tape called Hero, about the 1986 World Cup, and Clint spent hours watching it, focusing on the magic of Maradona. Then he'd spend hours in his yard trying to re-create the legend's moves.

But Dempsey also responded to more-traditional coaching, surviving two managerial changes at Fulham and one with the national team, allowing himself to be deployed both at forward and in the midfield for Bradley. "I feel like I'm effective," he says, "no matter where I am on the field." That said, he prefers to play on the right or left in the midfield, especially when paired with Donovan in the U.S. 4-4-2. Although they're outside midfielders in the formation, the two aren't traditional out-and-out wings. ("We float inside and become almost attacking midfielders," Dempsey says.) He's partial to getting the ball on a half-turn and running at defenders, relishing a chance to show some of that East Texas flair. At the same time, he says, "I enjoy playing up top, because the closer you are to goal, the more chances you're going to get, and one of my favorite parts of the game is scoring goals."

"You can question my effectiveness, but you can't question my heart."

In South Africa, it better be. Charlie Davies has been out of the lineup since his near-fatal car wreck in October, and the Yanks haven't found anyone to replace his speed and verve at forward. And so the traditionally goal-deficient U.S. attack will need a huge boost from a proven scorer like Dempsey.

Good thing he feels up to the task.

What's more, he's convinced his team can once again shock the world. And why not? It's happened twice in the last year. "You start to think that fate's on your side," he says. "There's a chance to do something unbelievable."

Beyond advancing in the Cup, the personal rewards for pulling off another big win could be huge. Dempsey's success this past year has landed him on giant Nike billboards in Manhattan and in magazine ads all over the world. But he bristles when told he could be the face of the U.S. game. "You can be the face or not be the face," he says. "You get only so many opportunities in major competitions, and you've got to take advantage of them. I gotta stand up and be counted in this World Cup."

For Clint Dempsey, the world's biggest sporting event is another chance to make his mark.

For America, it's one more Rorschach test.

lefty

06-03-2010, 03:43 PM

I like Dempsey

He has overcome a lot of things, especially after his sister passed away at age 16

ElNono

06-03-2010, 09:37 PM

I can't wait for this thing to start!!!!!
Been anxious for a week already.

I see Dish added Univision HD right on time to catch all the games live in HD.

I see as favorites the usual suspects: Brazil, Italy, Germany
A slot below, but can make a run and have a shot: Argentina, England, Spain
Dark horses: Netherlands, Portugal, Chile

Some other teams I expect to have good world cups. USA should advance the group stage. Paraguay has good chances in his group also. Mexico and Uruguay will be fighting for a spot.

Libri

06-03-2010, 11:04 PM

Dempsy can slide into a forward spot if needed and Gomez is pretty good if inexperienced so its not the end of the world but yeah. Not good.

Dempsey is strong and tough and can definitely play as a striker. I still have doubts about Buddle.

Whisky Dog

06-04-2010, 12:32 AM

ElNono

06-04-2010, 01:08 AM

Spain is playing the best futbol in the world the last 2 years and are definitely higher than Italy and Germany going in.
It's Spain/Brazil as the top two and everyone else after.

Spain needs to show they finally can overcome their world cup demons. The Euro championship was nice and all, but they never finished better than 4th in a World Cup, and that was 60 years ago. I love their players, I think Xavi is a monster, but this is the stage where you prove who you are. So, we'll see how they do.

I'm also taking into consideration that Euro teams normally don't perform as well outside of Europe. In 18 editions no Euro team has won a world cup outside of Europe. Will this edition be the exception? I can't wait to find out. :D

MannyIsGod

06-04-2010, 03:15 AM

I don't follow many US Soccer sites on the internet, but I'm amazed that anyone would have anything but good things to say about Dempsey.

VBNgMR3ZWS8

MannyIsGod

06-04-2010, 03:39 AM

Man, US Soccer has come so far in the past 16 years.

If you look at the 2002 squad and how many players were playing overseas it was maybe a third of the team and our best players were our goal keepers.

Now, you have guys who have made huge marks on in the best leagues such as Donovan and Dempsey and most of the team plays overseas. The future is bright.

symple19

06-04-2010, 05:58 AM

Muser

06-04-2010, 07:22 AM

1 Week today, gonna be epic.

urunobili

06-04-2010, 10:04 AM

lol Chile ElNono

Muser

06-04-2010, 10:08 AM

England captain Rio Ferdinand had been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in their first training session since the squad arrived in South Africa.

Fuck you Heskey you fat motherfucker.

lefty

06-04-2010, 10:29 AM

MaNuMaNiAc

06-04-2010, 12:27 PM

IronMexican

06-04-2010, 12:29 PM

1 more week.

urunobili

06-04-2010, 12:41 PM

hmm not that I disagree US soccer has come a long way in the last few years but where exactly has Donovan made huge marks other than the MLS?

He played half season on an English team and he was key to save them to going down tot he B division... he was the game changer :)

MLS players have call out clauses on their contracts when they get chances to play in Europe...

MaNuMaNiAc

06-04-2010, 12:45 PM

He played half season on an English team and he was key to save them to going down tot he B division... he was the game changer :)

MLS players have call out clauses on their contracts when they get chances to play in Europe...

I guess you could call that a mark. I've always thought Donovan as way overrated though. Dempsey I can see, Donovan not so much.

robino2001

06-04-2010, 01:04 PM

Any concern from the frenchy's over a 1-0 loss to china today? I didn't watch the game - only kept up with live stats online.

urunobili

06-04-2010, 01:10 PM

I guess you could call that a mark. I've always thought Donovan as way overrated though. Dempsey I can see, Donovan not so much.

I have loved Donovan since he was interviewed in Spanish by ESPN deportes with a perfect Argentinean accent... asked about why he speaks Spanish so well he said something like this: "In order for me to become a great soccer player I knew i had to be able to communicate on the court with the ones that play it best..."

MaNuMaNiAc

06-04-2010, 02:36 PM

I have loved Donovan since he was interviewed in Spanish by ESPN deportes with a perfect Argentinean accent... asked about why he speaks Spanish so well he said something like this: "In order for me to become a great soccer player I knew i had to be able to communicate on the court with the ones that play it best..."

I've heard Donovan speak spanish. His accent is nowhere near an Argentinean accent. What interview was this?

MannyIsGod

06-04-2010, 03:11 PM

hmm not that I disagree US soccer has come a long way in the last few years but where exactly has Donovan made huge marks other than the MLS?

Donovan tore it up for Everton. He'd continue to do so but the Galaxy want him to come back and aren't willing to listen otherwise. I know its not huge in the sense that overall the soccer world doesn't care too much but I promise you Everton felt what he did for them.

Dempsy have obviously had more Premier league success but I think had Donovan had the same playing time over there that Dempsy has had then I think he would have done even more.

I love Dempsy, but for me the face of US Soccer is and will be for quite some time Landon Donovan.

Spurstro

06-04-2010, 03:34 PM

He played half season on an English team and he was key to save them to going down tot he B division... he was the game changer :)

Hold up... He played great for them while he was there, but they were never in danger of being relegated.

His time there also coincided with several other key players returning from injury too. Not trying to diminish his performance over there, just saying he didn't keep them from going down.

ElNono

06-04-2010, 03:36 PM

lol Chile ElNono

Bielsa knows... :stirpot:

ElNono

06-04-2010, 03:38 PM

Any concern from the frenchy's over a 1-0 loss to china today? I didn't watch the game - only kept up with live stats online.

It wouldn't surprise me if both Uruguay and Mexico advance. France has basically Ribery and a Henry getting up there in age.

This is not Zidane's team anymore

:hat

Muser

06-04-2010, 03:48 PM

Zidane cost me a new laptop :bang

sonic21

06-04-2010, 04:06 PM

France will finish 2nd behind Uruguay with only 1 win (against South Africa).

And yes France sucks right now.

quentin_compson

06-04-2010, 06:12 PM

England captain Rio Ferdinand had been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering a knee injury in their first training session since the squad arrived in South Africa.

So who's going to replace him alongside Terry? King (has bad knees, hasn't he)? Carragher would be a good option, I guess.

Spurologist

06-04-2010, 08:55 PM

France will finish 2nd behind Uruguay with only 1 win (against South Africa).

And yes France sucks right now.

so Mexico out? hmmmmm

Sense

06-05-2010, 02:33 AM

France will finish 2nd behind Uruguay with only 1 win (against South Africa).

And yes France sucks right now.

hmmmmmmmmmm

TDMVPDPOY

06-05-2010, 03:00 AM

USA V AUS FRIENDLY, someone will be expose

velik_m

06-05-2010, 03:38 AM

Slovenia beat New Zealand 3-1 at home in their only friendly before South Africa. The win against the mighty NZ squad is clearly a sign we'll be dominating at the world cup. It's between us and Brasil. :smokin

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 04:04 AM

Drogba broke his arm and cant play anymore. That sucks for him.

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 04:20 AM

MISS WORLD CUP 2010

9vxUCCVSuuI

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20100604/0022190dec450d72edb135.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20100604/0022190dec450d72edf836.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__10_.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20100604/0022190dec450d72eda334.jpg

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20100604/0022190dec450d72ee0f37.jpg

http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/PICTURES/sport/2010/06/2010-06-03-miss-world-cup-sexy-candidates-32-crowned/miss-world-cup-1-16381997__MBQF,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bi ld,height=349.jpg

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/getty/1e/fullj.997cb193f9861ef8942f549ae5c9bb7d/997cb193f9861ef8942f549ae5c9bb7d-getty-germany-fbl-wc2010-miss.jpg?x=660&y=440&xc=1&yc=1&wc=660&hc=440&q=100&sig=9TDy_2SQaNrEix_XNI_udg--
Miss Greece, Miss Argentina, Miss Netherlands

http://www.da-imnetz.de/bilder/2010/06/05/792751/36959492-19062898www.9.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__31_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__25_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__12_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__24_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__17_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__27_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__34_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__29_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__06_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__04_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__03_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__07_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__05_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__20_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__21_.jpghttp://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__40_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__51_.jpg

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 04:21 AM

Sense

06-05-2010, 05:29 AM

Who picked those girls?

The Mexican chick looks like a man from the neck up

DAF86

06-05-2010, 05:37 AM

Who picked those girls?

The Mexican chick looks like a man from the neck up

Yeah, awful picks. There are at least 20 hotter girls in my class than that Argie representative.

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 06:01 AM

yup, definitely not the most beautiful girls haha. Argentina won anyway, she is only 17 y/o .

The Dutch girl looks the best imo

Muser

06-05-2010, 06:58 AM

So who's going to replace him alongside Terry? King (has bad knees, hasn't he)? Carragher would be a good option, I guess.

Carragher definitely, Rio is a good player but tbh his heart isn't fully in it. Not a huge loss.

Muser

06-05-2010, 07:01 AM

Lefty can you hook me up with that Algerian chick? ;)

scott

06-05-2010, 08:31 AM

What's up with everyone from Chelsea getting hurt?

TDMVPDPOY

06-05-2010, 10:59 AM

i doubt they are hurt man, i rather stay at home then go south africa....i still question their security measures...

lefty

06-05-2010, 11:44 AM

And a special one for Lefty

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_2-1/medium/WM-2010-Tag2__18_.jpg

http://www.missgermany.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pictures/MGC_International/Miss_WM_2010/Tagebuch/Tag_1/medium/WM-2010-Tag1__05_.jpg

:toast

Shit

That's the best they could get?

Are they fucking kidding me?

Every time I go downthere, I see girls who are 100000 times better looking

:bang:bang:bang:bang:bang

DAF86

06-05-2010, 11:49 AM

yup, definitely not the most beautiful girls haha. Argentina won anyway, she is only 17 y/o .

The Dutch girl looks the best imo

WTF? She's one the ugliest of the bunch. I like Ghana but they are all kind of meh.

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 12:53 PM

Here some more; http://www.missgermany.de/WM-Teilnehmerinnen.697.0.html

Libri

06-05-2010, 02:53 PM

Get ready to hear this for the next few weeks. :bang

wCbP-iZb0D8&feature=related

lefty

06-05-2010, 03:16 PM

Get ready to hear this for the next few weeks. :bang

wCbP-iZb0D8&feature=related
:lol

I dont care

Algeria had been out of the WC for so long that it will be sweet music to my ears

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 03:28 PM

Get ready to hear this for the next few weeks. :bang

wCbP-iZb0D8&feature=related

Lool the freakin annoying vuvuzela's :bang God, I hate them. :lol

They were thinking about banning them from football games, sucks that the ban didnt came thru.

Spurologist

06-05-2010, 04:10 PM

Get ready to hear this for the next few weeks. :bang

wCbP-iZb0D8&feature=related

I seem to be the only one that loves them.

robino2001

06-05-2010, 05:11 PM

I thought they were banned for WC10?

Bukefal

06-05-2010, 05:49 PM

I thought they were banned for WC10?

No, they were looking at the possibility to ban them, but they didnt. :depressed

velik_m

06-06-2010, 01:06 AM

Algeria - Slovenia will be reffed by Chilean trio Pablo Pozo, Patricio Basualto in Francisco Mondria. Are they any good? They say Pozo has a high red card average, so i guess our team just has to keep calm nerves and wait for Algeria to lose their's.

ElNono

06-06-2010, 11:16 AM

Here's a fairly decent video of today's Argentina open-practice:

http://www.tn.com.ar/2010/06/06/deportes/02201891.html

They're not going to play any friendlies until the opener, so this is a nice peek...

DAF86

06-06-2010, 03:14 PM

Argentina's starters beat the subs 4-0 (3 from Higuain and one from Messi) and Maradona put this team toghether:

Romero

J.Gutierrez Demichellis Samuel Heinze

Veron Mascherano Di Maria

Messi Higuain Tevez

Supposedly this will be the team to play against Nigeria in the debut, if that's true, I like it. The only change made compared to the team that was initially thought to play the opener is Tevez instead of Otamendi (defender), it's only one change but it makes a huge difference. Let's hope it works out.

ElNono

06-06-2010, 03:47 PM

Just came back from Soccerpost...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2w6ck9d.jpg

I'm ready... :hungry:

lefty

06-06-2010, 03:49 PM

Man, the Algerian jerseys are fugly

Fuck Puma :flipoff

Adidas rules

Muser

06-06-2010, 06:10 PM

Football games EVERY night, man I can't wait.

lefty

06-06-2010, 06:16 PM

Algeria-Slovenia will br at 7:30 a.m here

Uuuugh

Bukefal

06-06-2010, 06:18 PM

Just came back from Soccerpost...

http://i46.tinypic.com/2w6ck9d.jpg

I'm ready... :hungry:

Nice :toast

lefty

06-06-2010, 06:33 PM

Capello may want to keep an eye on this player

He has only 2 international caps (the last 2 friendlies), but he is already comfy.

39QHxH9pP-8

urunobili

06-07-2010, 01:02 PM

lol Brazil scorched Tanzania on a friendly match though the African's played a violent type of game... fun to watch all those kicks flying all over!

Texas_Ranger

06-07-2010, 02:20 PM

DAF86

06-07-2010, 02:27 PM

No Milito. Nice.
I just hope Maradona will be fired after this WC.

I'm fine with that, any of those three attackers is better than Milito IMO, however if Tevez or Higuain don't play well in the first game we could see Milito starting in the second.

Brazil

06-07-2010, 02:36 PM

lol Raymond
lol Henry
lol Anelka
lol Zahia
lol Laurent Blanc
lol Tunisia
lol China
lol worst french generation ever

TDMVPDPOY

06-07-2010, 02:39 PM

elnino that authentic kit?

ElNono

06-07-2010, 03:09 PM

elnino that authentic kit?

Official replica... You know, with the embroidered NT badge and adidas logo...
I think that's all you can get. This is basically it: link (http://store-na.fifa.com/detail.php?p=111257&v=fifa_national-teams_argentina)

Hat is also nice, embroidered logo on the front. Here's a link (http://store-na.fifa.com/detail.php?p=111206&v=fifa_national-teams_argentina_accessories) for that.

The hat was actually cheaper on Soccerpost than online...

DAF86

06-07-2010, 03:16 PM

lol Raymond
lol Henry
lol Anelka
lol Zahia
lol Laurent Blanc
lol Tunisia
lol China
lol worst french generation ever

Early 90s?

lefty

06-07-2010, 03:42 PM

lol england

3-0 over a club

The_Worlds_finest

06-07-2010, 03:59 PM

3-0 over club. I wish it meant something but it doesn't, could be the english just playing mind games with their group mates. How come you and I can have a civil conversation when the rest of the teams fans are all belligerent idiots?

Muser

06-07-2010, 04:17 PM

First half England were going through the motions, if Heskey wasn't a complete waste of space it could of been at least 5. Second half when Rooney came on was the difference, he was a beast.

MannyIsGod

06-07-2010, 04:37 PM

I love the American kit. I agree that Adidas makes the best but I always like what Nike does for the US.

DAF86

06-07-2010, 04:47 PM

I usually prefer Nike over Adidas but I've always liked the Argie kits, I don't know if it is 'cause I'm biased but I just love them. I think it is because of the colours.

sonic21

06-07-2010, 05:28 PM

lol Raymond
lol Henry
lol Anelka
lol Zahia
lol Laurent Blanc
lol Tunisia
lol China
lol worst french generation ever

lol Gourcuff

I'm starting to think he will not be a crack, he's just a good player.

Brazil

06-07-2010, 06:09 PM

Early 90s?

:nope early 90's would have destroyed this team, really. We had serious troubles with classification phase (mainly mental french stuff) but it was a quite solid generation.

This 2010 team is simply awful: no talent, no coach, no consistency, no heart... nothing. Compared to Raymond "la science", Diego Armando Maradona is Sir Fergusson.:depressed

I will support them and I'd love to eat a damn fat crow but I see the word FAIL coming early for us...

I will jump on the Argentinan bandwagon !

DAF86

06-07-2010, 06:45 PM

:nope early 90's would have destroyed this team, really. We had serious troubles with classification phase (mainly mental french stuff) but it was a quite solid generation.

This 2010 team is simply awful: no talent, no coach, no consistency, no heart... nothing. Compared to Raymond "la science", Diego Armando Maradona is Sir Fergusson.:depressed

I will support them and I'd love to eat a damn fat crow but I see the word FAIL coming early for us...

I will jump on the Argentinan bandwagon !

In the WC you never know, how many times teams that looked like shit before the tournament ended up doing well? That's one of the few reasons why I still have some hope of seeing Argentina winning it all.

Duff McCartney

06-07-2010, 07:26 PM

In the WC you never know, how many times teams that looked like shit before the tournament ended up doing well? That's one of the few reasons why I still have some hope of seeing Argentina winning it all.

I saw on ESPN or something that there was a bunch of teams that looked terrible during qualifiers and matches leading up to the WC, but when the WC started, they went on a tear. Brazil in 2002 is one I remember them putting on there. They were sub-par during qualifiers but they ended up winning it all.

Brazil

06-07-2010, 07:56 PM

I saw on ESPN or something that there was a bunch of teams that looked terrible during qualifiers and matches leading up to the WC, but when the WC started, they went on a tear. Brazil in 2002 is one I remember them putting on there. They were sub-par during qualifiers but they ended up winning it all.

We can make a case for instance for France in 98 but we played at home and defense was already very solid see the Euro 96. This year it would be a miracle to see this french team doing well during this WC.

urunobili

06-07-2010, 09:59 PM

lol France
lol Mexico

ElNono

06-08-2010, 12:23 AM

Sense

06-08-2010, 02:14 AM

lol France
lol Mexico

More crow to eat

MaNuMaNiAc

06-08-2010, 06:08 AM

Sad we're making the news and it's not Maradona, Messi or the team... I'm glad those hooligans got deported and they should really get rid of about a 100 more, or the shit can really hit the fan... I don't think the SA police really knows what they're dealing with...

Anybody want to venture a guess into how a convicted murderer was allowed to travel when there was a judicial ban on him leaving the country?? or how a bunch of worthless pieces of shit who make less than most honest hard working people in this country got enough money to pay for this little one month trip??

I swear to fucking god, I don't think we even qualify for third world status anymore. The corruption and impunity with which our government and their lackeys carry themselves is simply un-fucking-believable.

Make no mistake about this, as an avid football fan one might want Argentina to make it to the finals and win, but the best thing for Argentina as a country right now, is to lose in the first round.

Texas_Ranger

06-08-2010, 08:21 AM

Another injury. Nani is out. :(

lefty

06-08-2010, 01:00 PM

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/worldcup2010/3003686/Get-over-Rio-KO-say-Algerians.html

ENGLAND'S Group C rivals Algeria have told the Three Lions to stop feeling sorry for themselves over Rio Ferdinand's injury.

Fabio Capello was dealt a major blow as he saw his skipper ruled out with a knee injury last week. But the Desert Foxes also lost one of their top stars to a similar problem when Lazio midfield ace Mourad Meghni failed to recover from his knee trouble and went under the knife last week.
Team-mate Madjid Bougherra admits it was a major blow but insists the Algerians still jetted in to South Africa last night full of hope.
The Rangers centre-back, 27, said: "My Algeria team-mate Mourad Meghni found out last week that he wouldn't be fit for the World Cup.
"He plays for Lazio in Serie A and would have been a certain starter for the Desert Foxes. But instead of boarding the plane with us in Germany, he was undergoing knee surgery.
"It's awful that one injury can wreck everything. It's the most horrible moment of a player's career.
"He is very upset. Like the rest of us, he'd have done anything to play at the World Cup."
Algeria will struggle to fill the gap left by Meghni but Bougherra points out the Three Lions have ready-made replacements for Ferdinand.
The former Charlton defender does not expect it to make much difference when the two nations clash in their second group fixture on Friday week.
He said: "I feel sorry for Ferdinand but I'm not too sure we can afford to underestimate England just because they've lost one player.
"They have great players like Ledley King and Jamie Carragher who can replace him."
Bougherra admitted there was a real buzz around Rabah Saadane's squad as they settled into their new headquarters on the Dolphin Coast.
And he says the squad is united despite reports of a rift over the bonus money the Algerian players are entitled to.
He added: "So many of the worries will fade and so much of the excitement will now intensify.

Advertisement

http://content.yieldmanager.com/ak/q.gifhttp://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-e4m3Yko6bFYVc.gif?labels=NewsAndReference,Entertai nmentNews
"It's a journey of hope and the adventure of a lifetime.
"We are staying at Zimbali Lodge, a tropical coastal resort estate on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. It's known as the Dolphin Coast.
"It's the ideal place to prepare for these big games.
"And nothing will get in the way of our preparations for the opening game against Slovenia on Sunday.
"I know there have been stories about a bonus row but they are well wide of the mark.
"I can speak for every member of the squad when I say we don't care about money.
"We are here to play for the flag as we all love our country.
"We haven't even spoken about money."

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/worldcup2010/3003686/Get-over-Rio-KO-say-Algerians.html#ixzz0qHmHdURL

Muser

06-08-2010, 01:55 PM

Ferdinand is a loss, but he wasn't a huge key to the teams chances. Carragher can easily fill in for him.

urunobili

06-08-2010, 01:59 PM

More crow to eat

Sig bet for the duration of the world cup maybe? :stirpot:

Bukefal

06-08-2010, 03:48 PM

I love the American kit. I agree that Adidas makes the best but I always like what Nike does for the US.

The USA jersey is indeed pretty awesome. I also like the red Serbian jersey with the cross, reminds a bit of the inter cross jersey and I like the French, Argentine and Slovenian jersey with the Triglav mountain.

Puma jerseys suck this time though.

lefty

06-08-2010, 03:56 PM

The USA jersey is indeed pretty awesome. I also like the red Serbian jersey with the cross, reminds a bit of the inter cross jersey and I like the French, Argentine and Slovenian jersey with the Triglav mountain.

Puma jerseys suck this time though.
I agree 200%

The Algeria jersey is by Puma, and i hate it :bang

Bukefal

06-08-2010, 04:01 PM

Yeah, me 2. I liked the Puma jerseys of some years ago, but now they suck. Macedonia has Puma too :depressed

Nike and Adidas are just the best :king

ffadicted

06-09-2010, 06:33 AM

Nike has come up with some questionable kits for brasil before, but they always seem to pull through for the WC, no different here, I love the simplicity

Sense

06-09-2010, 07:45 AM

Sig bet for the duration of the world cup maybe? :stirpot:

I'd take you up on it if I knew how to make Sigs

lefty

06-09-2010, 09:11 AM

Yeah, me 2. I liked the Puma jerseys of some years ago, but now they suck. Macedonia has Puma too :depressed

Nike and Adidas are just the best :king
Adidas rules

lefty

06-09-2010, 09:12 AM

:nope early 90's would have destroyed this team, really. We had serious troubles with classification phase (mainly mental french stuff) but it was a quite solid generation.

This 2010 team is simply awful: no talent, no coach, no consistency, no heart... nothing. Compared to Raymond "la science", Diego Armando Maradona is Sir Fergusson.:depressed

I will support them and I'd love to eat a damn fat crow but I see the word FAIL coming early for us...

I will jump on the Argentinan bandwagon !
I remember the WC qualifiers for 1994

France had 2 games left, both at home

They just needed 1 point to qualify.

Lost both games at home to Bulgaria and Israel

WTF was that.

lefty

06-09-2010, 10:57 AM

Algeria-Slovenia gets substitute ref

JOHANNESBURG -- Referees also are getting hurt ahead of the World Cup.

Pablo Pozo of Chile is injured, FIFA said Tuesday, and will be replaced by Carlos Batres of Guatemala for Sunday's game between Algeria and Slovenia in Group C.

Pozo's assistants will be Leonel Leal of Costa Rica and Carlos Pastrana of Honduras.

The fourth official will be Martin Hansson of Sweden, the referee who missed Thierry Henry's handball and allowed France to qualify for the World Cup in a playoff against Ireland.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

:pctoss FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK FIFA

urunobili

06-09-2010, 12:17 PM

lefty don't worry... most likely that match will end 0-0 :stirpot:

lefty

06-09-2010, 01:35 PM

lefty don't worry... most likely that match will end 0-0 :stirpot:
:lol Didnt we beat you in friendly earlier this year ? :D

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-09-2010, 01:57 PM

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/germans-write-off-socceroos-chances-of-opener-upset/story-fn4l4sfy-1225877516626

Germans write off Socceroos' chances of upset David Lewis in Johannesburg From: News Limited newspapers June 09, 2010 2:50PM

FIRST it was injured Germany skipper Michael Ballack ridiculing Harry Kewell for being an inconsistent under-achiever in a dismissive interview with Alpha magazine.
Now the German media has emerged en masse to pour scorn on the Socceroos with key defender Per Mertesaker also chipping in by damning Pim Verbeek's men with faint praise ahead of Monday morning's World Cup kick-off for the men in green and gold.

In what amounted to a huge collective snub to the Socceroos, the level of ambivalence shown towards Australia by the three-times World Cup-winning nation left little to the imagination in Germany's first press conference since arriving in South Africa on Monday.

Centre-back Per Mertesacker, of Werder Bremen, couldn't even countenance the possibility of losing to a Socceroos side who pushed Germany hard in their own back yard in a Confederations Cup clash back in 2005 before succumbing 4-3, a game in which he scored a headed goal.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
Australia v GermanyAustralia v Germany - who will win? Australia Germany Draw Vote now .Related CoverageONE GOAL: Comprehensive World Cup coverage Germany doubles pressure on Cahill The Australian, 4 hours agoGrella tips trio to rip into Germany The Australian, 13 hours agoLittbarksi wants Socceroos coaching job The Australian, 1 day agoOur secret World Cup weapon Daily Telegraph, 7 days agoKewell must start against Germans Fox Sports, 9 days ago.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Asked if anything other than a win would be a disaster, he replied: "It's not something we are expecting to have to face. Needless to say it would be a very bad result for us not to take all three points because we know have the capacity to beat Australia.

"We have a lot of power in our squad but also Australia are a team that cannot be easily discounted."

Defenders Mertsaker and Arne Friedrich barely fielded a question from German media about the threat posed by the Socceroos and when they were asked to comment offered only grudging praise, with Tim Cahill the sole exception.

A bizarre 40-minute tete-a-tete with 110 media types produced just four questions out of a total of 23 that bore even a passing relation to the opening match against a side most Germans believe to be as threatening as a team of lame kangaroos.

Two of those four questions came from the only two Australians in the room as an all-German love-in that centered on almost anything - the altitude, the weather, the facilities at their secluded digs, mobile phone connections, South African food and hospitality - other than the matter at hand; Australia versus the three-time world champions.

Before the players said their piece, the media held court with this gem from Klaus Berhman, of DPA news agency: "If Josh Kennedy is the hope for Australia up front, I would be very surprised and disappointed for Australia. Harry Kewell would be a much better choice."

Erik Alexander, of the cable TV channel RTV, extended that concept of disdain further, saying: "Of course we will beat Australia, does anybody doubt it?

"They certainly don't in Germany. We are a big tournament team and Australia are one of the minnows in the group.

"I think Australia will struggle to qualify for the knock-out phase, while we will probably reach the semi-finals at the very least."

Lieske Mattins of the Berlin Zeitung newspaper didn't offer much solace to the Socceroos either, insisting that a Germany side, which cruised past Bosnia 3-1 in its final warm-up, will be impervious to anything Australia can throw at it.

"Even though we are without Michel Ballack for the tournament, it won't matter against teams like Australia because we are too strong. We have the experience and the depth in our squad, whereas Australia are an emerging nation who has a lot to learn on the world stage," he said.

Ludwig Everts, of ARD TV, said: "The German public expects only one thing against teams like Australia and that is a win for us.

"We are country with big players and big ambition and Australia won't be able to resist Germany for a whole 90 minutes. They saw that they lost 3-1 to USA in a warm-up and they instantly feel we will beat them also.

"We are far more worried about Serbia in our second game than we are against Australia."

Screw the Germans.

urunobili

06-09-2010, 01:57 PM

:lol Didnt we beat you in friendly earlier this year ? :D

Puma family friendly... we were being nice to the local team... Switzerland didn't have the same luck since it was our last important test :P

they paired you guys (Puma) with the African designs and us with the horrible European ones... I like yours better if it makes you feel good... did you buy one already? :)

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-09-2010, 01:59 PM

Of course it would take a miracle for the Aussies to snatch a win, let alone draw vs the Germans, but man it would awesome to knock those chumps off. I hate how arrogant the Germans always are.

lefty

06-09-2010, 02:01 PM

Puma family friendly... we were being nice to the local team... Switzerland didn't have the same luck since it was our last important test :P

they paired you guys (Puma) with the African designs and us with the horrible European ones... I like yours better if it makes you feel good... did you buy one already? :)
:lol:toast

I didnt buy the Puma and I dont intend to

Im gonna wear the one we had during the WC qualifiers (Coq Sportif)

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-09-2010, 02:08 PM

South Africa security issues are already beginning, no surprise :lol

Journalists getting robbed at gun point. It will be at least daily occurence during the World Cup. When i was in Jo'burg, someone got killed during a carjack about 1hr before we arrived at the same desitination they were

I wonder how many of the crimes committed will catch international media attention during the world cup. Of course SA Government will try and cover them up as much as possible.

That is one country that i both love and hate. Never been to a country that has so much to offer but yet so many issues.

lefty

06-09-2010, 02:54 PM

MannyIsGod

06-09-2010, 03:02 PM

lefty

06-09-2010, 03:07 PM

considering what they've come from i am impressed with how far they've come. Its a process.
+1

lefty

06-09-2010, 03:37 PM

http://www.elthamtownreserves.co.uk/resources/Fabio+Capello1.jpg

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-09-2010, 03:49 PM

Considering what they've come from I am impressed with how far they've come. Its a process.

True, but Zuma has only just come into power. That country will go backwards and fast.

Any country is in trouble that votes in a party headed by someone who disbands the anti-corruption police, gets off on 100+ corruption charges, rapes a girl and says he wouldn't get aids coz he had a shower afterwards. Plus he has multiple wives/mistresses in a country ravished by aids etc etc

I don't even want to think what will happen when Mandela dies. It is like he is the glue holding that country together.

Texas_Ranger

06-09-2010, 04:41 PM

Argies crying cause Messi is tired.

It like other players did not play this season. Fucking primadonnas.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/09/1967548/world-cup-2010-argentina-fitness-coach-fernando-signorini-blasts-

Brazil

06-09-2010, 05:11 PM

I remember the WC qualifiers for 1994

France had 2 games left, both at home

They just needed 1 point to qualify.

Lost both games at home to Bulgaria and Israel

WTF was that.

a huge choking job.

Now in terms of talents 94 France >>>>>> 2010 France

lefty

06-09-2010, 08:38 PM

a huge choking job.

Now in terms of talents 94 France >>>>>> 2010 France
And this is why you shouldnt be worried

Talent is not everything; at least 2010 FR is going to the WC

ElNono

06-09-2010, 10:36 PM

Well, I just finished EA's FIFA World Cup 2010 in Legendary mode... this shit better start soon... :lol

MannyIsGod

06-09-2010, 11:31 PM

36 hours or so!

Texas_Ranger

06-09-2010, 11:40 PM

1 day, 9 hours, 19 minutes, 1 sec till start!!

lefty

06-09-2010, 11:43 PM

wOOOGHOOOOO

It`s soon bitches

ElNono

06-09-2010, 11:49 PM

I've been scrapping for news the last couple of days and noticed the vitriolic criticism of the UK press on Maradona. It's almost comical. You would think that after 24 years they would get over their butthurtness.

He might suck as a coach and even a person, but every fucking article is about how he's going to ruin it all and it gets boring pretty quickly, especially when you're looking about actual news on the team.

Sense

06-10-2010, 12:56 AM

And this is why you shouldnt be worried

Talent is not everything; at least 2010 FR is going to the WC

http://noumauricien.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/thierry-henry-hand_1526268c.jpg
:rolleyes

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-10-2010, 04:11 AM

WORLD CUP STARTS TOMORROW!!!

Got my final exam on Monday and then ill be glued to a tv for at least a few weeks....

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE

OI OI OI

AUSSIE

OI

AUSSIE

OI

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE

OI OI OI

Muser

06-10-2010, 04:30 AM

http://www.elthamtownreserves.co.uk/resources/Fabio+Capello1.jpg

:lmao

lefty

06-10-2010, 08:01 AM

http://noumauricien.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/thierry-henry-hand_1526268c.jpg
:rolleyes

:rolleyes

At least 2010 France got to play a playoff game

1994 France didn't even get there

resistanze

06-10-2010, 08:18 AM

I'm so hyped. This WC couldn't have happened at a busier month for me, but I'm still gonna watch as much as possible.

Muser

06-10-2010, 08:21 AM

Tomorrow :hungry:

lefty

06-10-2010, 08:34 AM

I'm so hyped. This WC couldn't have happened at a busier month for me, but I'm still gonna watch as much as possible.
Are you a 9 to 5er like me? :depressed

Whisky Dog

06-10-2010, 08:39 AM

MannyIsGod

06-10-2010, 08:41 AM

24 hours til the Mexicans tap that SA ass and start this WC off.

Gonna have to pay the $10 for mobile tv cause this shit has to go on during my time working. Maybe get the telemundo feed on my laptop then listen and occassionally glance in while I work.

I'm going to try to stream the games on my laptop at work. We'll see how that works out. I'm not sure if I can get espn3 at work like I can at home but if I can then its on.

Sportstudi

06-10-2010, 08:46 AM

Of course it would take a miracle for the Aussies to snatch a win, let alone draw vs the Germans, but man it would awesome to knock those chumps off. I hate how arrogant the Germans always are.

I'm living in Finland, but I can understand German. After reading the article you posted, I checked a couple of German webpages and actually, I didn't find any of those attitudes as described on that Australian one. At least on the ones I checked, there's a huge respect in Germany for the Aussies' defence. They managed to receive just 4 goals in 14 games within the qualification. That's pretty good. Sure, the Germans want to win, but nobody there (at least according to the pages I checked) expects to bulldoze Australia.

resistanze

06-10-2010, 08:56 AM

Are you a 9 to 5er like me? :depressed

It's been 8-7 the past month :(. Thesis defense 2-3 days after the WC Final.

lefty

06-10-2010, 08:58 AM

It's been 8-7 the past month :(. Thesis defense 2-3 days after the WC Final.
Hang in there :toast

I'll probably go to Peel Pub tomorrow for the first minutes; I'll pretend I'm gonna get some quick breakfast

resistanze

06-10-2010, 09:00 AM

Hang in there :toast

I'll probably go to Peel Pub tomorrow for the first minutes; I'll pretend I'm gonna get some quick breakfast

:tu

CBCSports.ca will be streaming live for Canadians on this board, in case you're stuck at work.

lefty

06-10-2010, 09:02 AM

:tu

CBCSports.ca will be streaming live for Canadians on this board, in case you're stuck at work.
Yeah I was already planning to stream a lot of games :lol

But at work, I have to put it on mute, so no sound.

At least at Peel Pub, it will be the real thing

But for England-Algeria, I'll call in sick; there is NO way I'm watching it at work

JudynTX

06-10-2010, 09:49 AM

:D Ok, I'm ready for this to start.

Whisky Dog

06-10-2010, 10:21 AM

I'm going to try to stream the games on my laptop at work. We'll see how that works out. I'm not sure if I can get espn3 at work like I can at home but if I can then its on.

Yeah that's what I'm doing too. Luckily it isn't an overly busy or travel month for me and I have my own office so I can stream some games at work on my personal laptop while I work on my business one. Plug in my headphones and I at least have a play by play with occassional breaks for watching when things get exciting. If you don't mind watching a Spanish language broadcast Univision is streaming the games for free using a flash feed.

MannyIsGod

06-10-2010, 10:22 AM

I speak Spanish so I may have to do that.

But yeah - I'm super pumped for this.

However, apparently I just need to use my comcast account info and I can log in anywhere to use ESPN3. Bad ass!

Whisky Dog

06-10-2010, 10:23 AM

:D Ok, I'm ready for this to start.

I know me too. My parents have been on a 3 week vacation tour of the US but are staying here tonight on their way back home. My mom is all excited about catching the first game tomorrow morning with me before I go to work.

MannyIsGod

06-10-2010, 10:25 AM

Where are you from Whiskey?

lefty

06-10-2010, 10:32 AM

Byu the way, I think there is an opening concert today at 2:00 pm ET

Whisky Dog

06-10-2010, 10:46 AM

Where are you from Whiskey?

Spain but have lived in Texas almost all my life and my parents are US citizens so I was born one too. Right now I live in DFW and my folks are in San Antonio. They were at my little cousin's graduation from Johns Hopkins a couple weeks back and decided to make an Atlantic coast vacation trip out of it but are heading back home now.

Hell yeah Im pumped. I'm even pumped to watch countries I don't care much about just to watch some WC futbol

DAF86

06-10-2010, 10:49 AM

Predict day one scores:

South Africa 1 - Mexico 3

France 0 - Uruguay 0

Muser

06-10-2010, 10:57 AM

Mexico 2 - SA 0
France 1 - Uruguay 0

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-10-2010, 10:58 AM

After living in Lesotho for a couple of years, i have made alot of South African friends and will be cheering the team on to shock the world.

Its ironic because in the Rugby world, Australia, South Africa & New Zealand rule, but in the Soccer world they are all on he bottom looking up at the top nations :lol

NuGGeTs-FaN

06-10-2010, 10:59 AM

Day one

South Africa 3 - Mexico 2

France 1 - Uruguay 0

Texas_Ranger

06-10-2010, 11:01 AM

SA 0 - 1 Mexico

France 1 - 1 Uruguay

rascal

06-10-2010, 11:19 AM

24 hours til the Mexicans tap that SA ass and start this WC off.

Gonna have to pay the $10 for mobile tv cause this shit has to go on during my time working. Maybe get the telemundo feed on my laptop then listen and occassionally glance in while I work.

Why not wait and watch the game replay later? Just make sure to not find out the score before.

JudynTX

06-10-2010, 11:24 AM

Byu the way, I think there is an opening concert today at 2:00 pm ET

:rolleyes

The official pre-tournament show will be headlined by Colombian pop singer Shakira, K'naan and American performers Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and John Legend.

:lol

Brazil

06-10-2010, 11:24 AM

Opening games are usually closed without a lot of goals.

I'd go with Mexico 1 SA 1
France 1 Uruguay 0 cauz i'm french but a more plausible one could be 0 / 0 or a win of Uruguay

lefty

06-10-2010, 11:26 AM

:rolleyes

The official pre-tournament show will be headlined by Colombian pop singer Shakira, K'naan and American performers Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and John Legend.

:lol
No Johny Clegg or Youssou'n'DOur ?

WTF :madrun

resistanze

06-10-2010, 12:42 PM

I think I'm gonna pick up an external HD to plug into my HD PVR. I suddenly have the need to record every match and by crappy internal hard drive only records 20 hours of HD footage (most filled already).

Libri

06-10-2010, 01:01 PM

:lmao

Capello looks like Hank from King of the Hill.

lefty

06-10-2010, 01:22 PM

sonic21

06-10-2010, 01:37 PM

http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/France.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/USA.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Uruguay.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Algeria.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Argentina.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Australia.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/England.jpg
http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Spain.jpg

lefty

06-10-2010, 01:40 PM

Nice :wow

Thanks Sonic21

ElNono

06-10-2010, 02:22 PM

Is this the 1st World Cup where the champ doesn't play in the first match?
I thought it was a tradition...

resistanze

06-10-2010, 02:30 PM

Is this the 1st World Cup where the champ doesn't play in the first match?
I thought it was a tradition...

Do they usually? I thought the host was always the first match.

I think last WC it was Germany vs. Costa Rica (?) where Phillip Lahm scored the first goal.

lefty

06-10-2010, 02:31 PM

Do they usually? I thought the host was always the first match.

I think last WC it was Germany vs. Costa Rica (?) where Phillip Lahm scored the first goal.
Before 2006 it used to be the defending champ

resistanze

06-10-2010, 02:45 PM

Before 2006 it used to be the defending champ

Oh alright thanks.

On a side note, I hope Italy loses in the groups stages.

lefty

06-10-2010, 03:19 PM

Tallest teams in the WC:

1 Serbie 185.96
2 Grèce 185.26
3 Denemark 184.87
4 Nouvelle Zélande 184.74
5 Allemagne 184.48
6 Slovaquie 184.04
7 Slovénie 183.87
8 Australie 183.78
9 Nigeria 183.61
10 Suisse 183.26
11 Cameroun 182.65
12 Brésil 182.61
13 Corée du sud 182.48
14 Algérie 182.17
15 France 181.96
16 Angleterre 181.74
17 Portugal 181.48
18 Italie 181.26
19 Pays-Bas 181.09
20 États-Unis 181.09
21 Côte d'Ivoire 180.96
22 Paraguay 180.91
23 Espagne 180.91
24 Uruguay 180.52
25 Japon 178.78
26 Ghana 178.44
27 Argentine 178.04
28 Honduras 178.00
29 Mexique 178.00
30 Afrique du Sud 177.91
31 Corée du Nord 177.74
32 Chili 176.48.

velik_m

06-10-2010, 03:23 PM

http://www.worldcupbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Slovenia.jpg

ffadicted

06-10-2010, 04:17 PM

=======================================

Hey everyone. Thought I'd send out a kinda' last call for you all. We've got some pretty strong numbers in both leagues, somewhere around 20 teams for each but the more the merrier! We're sitting just over a day away from the first kick off! You CAN join after the first game kicks off, but you won't be added into the league until the next round. I highly suggest you join in immediately if you haven't already however.

And just a reminder for everyone, here's how you can join the two leagues we have set up, and join in on our fun!

Enter League Codes Here:
http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/M/myleagues.mc?view=cj

Classic League: 11034-80012

Head-To-Head League: 11034-2575

I'd like to wish everyone the best of luck in the coming month, and not just fantasy wise. Good luck to all your countries and may the best win!

=======================================

DO IT EVERYBODY

DAF86

06-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Damn, we're some short motherfuckers.

P/S: lol ESPN

Libri

06-10-2010, 04:36 PM

The Top 10 Young Players To Watch Out For At World Cup 2010

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1962841/the-top-10-young-players-to-watch-out-for-at-world-cup-2010

DAF86

06-10-2010, 04:36 PM

Joga bonito

http://www.as.com/mas-deporte/fotogaleria/fhm-joga-bonito/dasmas/20100609dasdasmas_1/Zes

Does somebody know how I have to do to post the photos directly on here? without having to upload them to photobucket or something like that.

DAF86

06-10-2010, 04:41 PM

The Top 10 Young Players To Watch Out For At World Cup 2010

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/world-cup-2010/2010/06/07/1962841/the-top-10-young-players-to-watch-out-for-at-world-cup-2010

"Honourable mentions: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Nani (Portugal), Simon Kjaer (Denmark), Jesus Navas (Spain), Alexandre Song (Cameroon), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina), Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Christian Eriksen (Denmark) and Michael Bradley (USA)."

lol WTF is that supossed to mean? :lol

Libri

06-10-2010, 04:43 PM

^Right click on the picture and copy the image URL. Then click on the insert image button and paste the URL.

ffadicted

06-10-2010, 04:50 PM

"Honourable mentions: Lionel Messi (Argentina), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Nani (Portugal), Simon Kjaer (Denmark), Jesus Navas (Spain), Alexandre Song (Cameroon), Nicolas Otamendi (Argentina), Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Christian Eriksen (Denmark) and Michael Bradley (USA)."

lol WTF is that supossed to mean? :lol

It means what everybody already knows. Messi is a scrub in senior international play :stirpot:

Muser

06-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Any Serbia fans here? I want to know about Nikola Zigic.

ElNono

06-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Before 2006 it used to be the defending champ

:tu

MannyIsGod

06-10-2010, 06:12 PM

Turns out I only have to come in for a few hours tomorrow to knock out some paperwork so I can stay home and watch the opening game before coming in.

Fucking win!

Libri

06-10-2010, 07:23 PM

Mexico 2 - SA 1
France 1 - Uruguay 1

Brazil

06-10-2010, 07:57 PM

Allez les bleus ! Allez les bleus !

MannyIsGod

06-10-2010, 08:10 PM

Mexico 3 - SA 1
Uruguay 2 - France 0

lefty

06-10-2010, 08:35 PM

South Africa 2 - Mexico 1
France 1 - Uruguay 1

ElNono

06-10-2010, 08:48 PM

SA 2 - Mexico 3
France 0 - Uruguay 3

Sense

06-10-2010, 08:58 PM

Mexico 2 - SA 0
France 2 - Uruguay 1

urunobili

06-10-2010, 11:37 PM

SA 2 - Mexico 2
Uruguay 0 - France 1

Dinamita

06-10-2010, 11:46 PM

Mexico 2 - SA 1
France 1 - Uruguay 1

mFFL03

06-10-2010, 11:50 PM

You can find more of those World Cup Espn murals here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marklives/sets/72157624124933050/

DesignatedT

06-10-2010, 11:57 PM

Mexico- 2
SA- 0

France- 1
Uruguay- 0

SAtown

06-11-2010, 12:16 AM

SA 0-2 Mex

Uru 1-1 Fra

Whisky Dog

06-11-2010, 12:35 AM

Mexico 2 SA 0

Uruguay 2 France 1

MaNuMaNiAc

06-11-2010, 01:36 AM

SA 2 - 1 Mexico

France 0 - 1 Uruguay

sonic21

06-11-2010, 03:11 AM

SA 2 - 2 Mexico

France 0 - 0 Uruguay

Spurologist

06-11-2010, 03:15 AM

A shock to start the tournament SA 2 - Mexico 1
France 2 - Uruguay 1

BTW I can't sleep.....WORLD CUP FEVER BABY!

Vamos Vuvuzelas!!!!

Sense

06-11-2010, 04:15 AM

A shock to start the tournament SA 2 - Mexico 1
France 2 - Uruguay 1

BTW I can't sleep.....WORLD CUP FEVER BABY!

Vamos Vuvuzelas!!!!

I got WORLD CUP FEVER Too... but I'm also drunk.. and I don't wanna go to sleep knowing i have to wake up very early and then go to work at 5...

So I'd rather stay drunk, watch the game in couple of hours and then sleep, go to work... ;D

Spurologist

06-11-2010, 05:36 AM

Drogba trains, could play vs. Portugal (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5273675/ce/us/drogba-back-training-boost-ivory-coast?cc=5901&ver=us)

Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG -- Didier Drogba has returned to training just days after surgery on a broken arm and could be considered for Ivory Coast's opening World Cup match against Portugal.

The Ivory Coast captain had surgery Saturday on a broken arm sustained in a friendly against Japan the previous day, casting doubt over his availability for the World Cup.

The 32-year-old Drogba wore a light protective cast on his arm during practice on Thursday, raising coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's hopes the Chelsea striker will be fit for Tuesday's Group G match at Port Elizabeth.

"If the match had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't be able to play," Eriksson says. "But it's in a few days. He might play."

Spurologist

06-11-2010, 05:38 AM

I got WORLD CUP FEVER Too... but I'm also drunk.. and I don't wanna go to sleep knowing i have to wake up very early and then go to work at 5...

So I'd rather stay drunk, watch the game in couple of hours and then sleep, go to work... ;D

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/06/03/top-ten-avoiding-work-world-cup-2010-excuses-with-easy-to-assemble-email-kit/

Bukefal

06-11-2010, 05:49 AM

Mexico - South Africa 2-0
France - Uruguay 2-1

Bukefal

06-11-2010, 06:01 AM

http://www.bndestem.nl/multimedia/archive/01489/vuvuzela_1489643b.jpg

http://static-webregio.nl/content/images/xl/marwijk_jpg_729137d.jpg

:rollin:rollin:rollin Freakin Vuvuzela's

And Danish coach Olsen said he will just turn his hearing aid device off :lol

Spurologist

06-11-2010, 06:46 AM