World Cup 2006

[ozzerdibazio]

Yeh but Jakob Holland were rock solid in the qualifiers as well. Holland will get through the group, if not come back and shoot me.

[AsgAarD_xxx]

Polish coach Paweł Janas announced a list of 23 player for World Cup in Germany. And just like other coaches, he made a few decisions that shocked fans in Poland. First of all- he doesn't call up first goalkeeper- Jerzy Dudek (FC Liverpool), the same was with left defender Tomasz Rząsa (ADO den Haag) and central defender Tomasz Kłos (Wisła Kraków). The biggest surprise was absence of our best striker in qualifies- Tomasz Frankowski (Wolverhampton). Instead of them he called a few players which are not known in Europe- like young goalkeeper from Legia Warsaw- Łukasz Fabiański, defenders Seweryn Gancarczyk and Dariusz Dudka, midfielder Giza from Cracovia, and - finally - two striker from polish first division- Ireneusz Jeleń (Wisła Płock) and Paweł Brożek (Wisła Kraków).

That's the complete squad:
Goalkeepers- Artur Boruc (26, Celtic Glasgow), Tomasz Kuszczak (24, West Bromwich Albion), Łukasz Fabiański (21, Legia Warsaw)
Defenders- Marcin Baszczyński (29, Wisła Kraków), Jacek Bąk (33, Al Rayyan), Dariusz Dudka (23, Wisła Kraków), Seweryn Gancarczyk (25, Metallist Kharkov), Mariusz Jop (28, FK Moscow), Mariusz Lewandowski (27, Shakhtar Donetsk), Michał Żewłakow (30, Anderlecht Brusseles)
Midfielders- Piotr Giza (26, Cracovia Kraków), Damian Gorawski (27, FK Moscow-), Kamil Kosowski (29, Southampton), Jacek Krzynówek (30, Bayer Leverkusen), Sebastian Mila (24, Austria Vienna), Arkadiusz Radomski (29, Austria Vienna), Euzebiusz Smolarek (25, Borussia Dortmund), Radosław Sobolewski (30, Wisła Kraków), Mirosław Szymkowiak (30, Trabzonspor)
Strikers- Grzegorz Rasiak (27, Southampton), Maciej Żurawski (30, Celtic Glasgow), Paweł Brożek (23, Wisła Kraków), Ireneusz Jeleń (25, Wisła Płock)

[carcajou]

Polish coach Paweł Janas announced a list of 23 player for World Cup in Germany. And just like other coaches, he made a few decisions that shocked fans in Poland. First of all- he doesn't call up first goalkeeper- Jerzy Dudek (FC Liverpool), the same was with left defender Tomasz Rząsa (ADO den Haag) and central defender Tomasz Kłos (Wisła Kraków). The biggest surprise was absence of our best striker in qualifies- Tomasz Frankowski (Wolverhampton). Instead of them he called a few players which are not known in Europe- like young goalkeeper from Legia Warsaw- Łukasz Fabiański, defenders Seweryn Gancarczyk and Dariusz Dudka, midfielder Giza from Cracovia, and - finally - two striker from polish first division- Ireneusz Jeleń (Wisła Płock) and Paweł Brożek (Wisła Kraków).

That's the complete squad:
Goalkeepers- Artur Boruc (26, Celtic Glasgow), Tomasz Kuszczak (24, West Bromwich Albion), Łukasz Fabiański (21, Legia Warsaw)
Defenders- Marcin Baszczyński (29, Wisła Kraków), Jacek Bąk (33, Al Rayyan), Dariusz Dudka (23, Wisła Kraków), Seweryn Gancarczyk (25, Metallist Kharkov), Mariusz Jop (28, FK Moscow), Mariusz Lewandowski (27, Shakhtar Donetsk), Michał Żewłakow (30, Anderlecht Brusseles)
Midfielders- Piotr Giza (26, Cracovia Kraków), Damian Gorawski (27, FK Moscow-), Kamil Kosowski (29, Southampton), Jacek Krzynówek (30, Bayer Leverkusen), Sebastian Mila (24, Austria Vienna), Arkadiusz Radomski (29, Austria Vienna), Euzebiusz Smolarek (25, Borussia Dortmund), Radosław Sobolewski (30, Wisła Kraków), Mirosław Szymkowiak (30, Trabzonspor)
Strikers- Grzegorz Rasiak (27, Southampton), Maciej Żurawski (30, Celtic Glasgow), Paweł Brożek (23, Wisła Kraków), Ireneusz Jeleń (25, Wisła Płock)

A sidenote for proper Polish pronunciation :

(polish on the left, english sounds on the right)

ó -> Pretty much like the "oo" in poo
ł -> like a 'w'
w -> like a 'v'
sz -> sh
y -> pretty much like "eh"
cz -> "tch"
rz -> 'j'
ą -> A sound English speaking don't have... Sounds like the French "an", but that doesn't say much...
r -> A sort of mix of rolled r and l (slavic style ;) )
c -> ts
ż -> A hard j (can't really explain that one)
ź -> 'j'
g -> the g in "get"
j -> Like the 'y' in "yet"
u -> Like "oo" in kangaroo

AsgAarD_xxx, feel free to correct any mistake. I learned polish pronunciation with my friend Ignacy, but I'm still far from perfection.

[Kowalczyk]

Yeh but Jakob Holland were rock solid in the qualifiers as well. Holland will get through the group, if not come back and shoot me.

Okay. Promise. :yes:

K.

[Blind3]

Guns don't shoot people. :eusa_naughty: Moderators shoot people. :rocketwhore:

[ozzerdibazio]

Yes, promise. I'm that confident ;)

[AsgAarD_xxx]

A sidenote for proper Polish pronunciation :

(polish on the left, english sounds on the right)

ó -> Pretty much like the "oo" in poo
ł -> like a 'w'
w -> like a 'v'
sz -> sh
y -> pretty much like "eh"
cz -> "tch"
rz -> 'j'
ą -> A sound English speaking don't have... Sounds like the French "an", but that doesn't say much...
r -> A sort of mix of rolled r and l (slavic style ;) )
c -> ts
ż -> A hard j (can't really explain that one)
ź -> 'j'
g -> the g in "get"
j -> Like the 'y' in "yet"
u -> Like "oo" in kangaroo

AsgAarD_xxx, feel free to correct any mistake. I learned polish pronunciation with my friend Ignacy, but I'm still far from perfection.

I must say that you're good :xyxthumbs: .

ą = similar to 'ont' in French (for example Mont Blanc)
ł = w (like in well)
rz and ż (there is no difference in pronounce, just ortography) = j (similar to French name Jerome)
ó and u (just like 'rz' and 'ż'- only ortography) = oo
dż = 'j' (like in just)

But sometimes you have to change pronouce- for ex. 'Krzynówek' sounds "K shynoovek etc.).

Pronounce of a few polsish surnames:
Boruc = [bo-ruts] (not [boruk]!!!)
Kuszczak = [coosh-tschak]
Żewłakow = [je-vla-kov] (french 'j')
Żurawski = [ju-rav-ski] (french 'j')
Jop = [yop]
Brożek = [bro-jek] (french 'j')
Giza = [gee-zah] ('g' like in 'get'... short 'ee')
Jeleń = [ye-leń]

[Kowalczyk]

I think that, with the way the order of the games has panned out, it benefits Holland. I have the feeling both Holland and Argentina will simply win their games against Serbia (who don't have the players they used to have) and Ivory Coast (ok, two decent strikers and Kolo Toure, but that's about it, and no big-tournament experience), and the game between them would have less importance. Now if the first game were Holland v Argentina, then I'd really be worried...

I absolutely disagree with you there.

Apart from the fact that this group is quite tough anyway, I feel it is the order of the games that makes it particularly tricky for Holland. I would have preferred to play Argentina first. If Holland had lost that one, they'd known exactly what their task was: beating Serbia and Ivory Coast, plain simple.

But Argentina is not the first game; Serbia is the first one.

That game is an absolute must-win. If Holland drop points against Serbia, they will almost immediately be in the situation where they must get a result against Argentina. My fear is that they won't be aware of that and be a 'slow starter' as usual.

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Everyone overrates Argentina and Brazil. Ok they're good and better than many of the European nations, but their qualification was a one way ticket, and they don't play attractive football.

[carcajou]

Everyone overrates Argentina and Brazil. Ok they're good and better than many of the European nations, but their qualification was a one way ticket, and they don't play attractive football.

Brazil doesn't play attractive football? :D :D ;)

Good one Zoef, I laughed my ass off...

[aveslacker]

Everyone overrates Argentina and Brazil. Ok they're good and better than many of the European nations, but their qualification was a one way ticket, and they don't play attractive football.

Brazil doesn't play attractive football? :D :D ;)

Good one Zoef, I laughed my ass off...

Brazil has to be the most un-overrated team ever. In fact, the seleccao is probably, historically, the best team of all time, in any sport, particularly in terms of sustained excellence.

I would put them ahead of the West Indies cricket teams of the 80's, the Red Army ice hockey teams of the 70's, etc.

But their football is totally unattractive. :X

[Ayman]

Brazil will be in the final of the world cup, make no mistake, but they will finish as runners-up. Thats why Holland must top their group inorder to avoid facing them in the semifinal

[Manneken Pis]

Brazil will be in the final of the world cup, make no mistake, but they will finish as runners-up. Thats why Holland must top their group inorder to avoid facing them in the semifinal

Yeah, just remember who played the most attractive football the last time the WC was played in Germany, and they lost in the final too...... ;)

[Van der Vaart]

I live in Brazil ,and you can belive ,Many people here don´t belive in the Brazil championship.
Just like in 2002 .
Journalists say that Brazil are the best ,but have to be with eyes open ,cause national teans like England ,Italy and France could get the Brazil championship.

Many people want Ronaldo on the bench ,and Robinho ,Adriano ,Ronaldinho and Kaká in the line-up






















WHO CARES ??? HOLLAND WILL BE THE CHAMPIONS (if not ,is because Huntelaar isn´t in the squad )

[AjaxPDX]

Everyone overrates Argentina and Brazil. Ok they're good and better than many of the European nations, but their qualification was a one way ticket, and they don't play attractive football.

Argentina... I somewhat agree with you. A good team, but not great. In my opinion, they're a team to make the quarterfinals, but that's about all.

Brazil... I disagree with you completely. They're dominant. Upsets and surprises happen, of course (Greece!), but Brazil is easily the best squad in the tournament. Doesn't necessarily mean they'll win it though.

[Ayman]

To all those who are worried that Holland wont make it through the group stage. Dont worry, Holland are cupfighters the will make it through. Surely this is Hollands tournament, I guarantee you, a european team will win the tournament, if not Holland, then I hope Portugal, if not Sweden, if no them, well who knows? Ukraine? :xyxthumbs:

[AsgAarD_xxx]

Brazil... I disagree with you completely. They're dominant. Upsets and surprises happen, of course (Greece!), but Brazil is easily the best squad in the tournament. Doesn't necessarily mean they'll win it though.

Brazil is the best when we're talking about offensive players... Look on their defence- Roberto Carlos and Cafu are not as good as 4 years ago... Cafu has lost his place in Milan first squad. Dida made a few terrible mistakes at the end of season. Their central defenders (Juan, Roque Junior, Lucio) also didn't have the best time this year. Adriano? Come on... He lost his abillities and cannot score a goal... You can't win the cup if you'll base on 3 players. Even if their names are Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho...

Presonally, I would like to see (except Poland of course ;) ) Argentina in the final. Pekerman has a very good and young (possibly the youngest) squad and it will be great to see how the players develope into great stars.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Everyone overrates Argentina and Brazil. Ok they're good and better than many of the European nations, but their qualification was a one way ticket, and they don't play attractive football.

Brazil doesn't play attractive football? :D :D ;)

Good one Zoef, I laughed my ass off...

Last time they played well was in the confederations final against Argentina, and that was a final. Games before that they were far from fluent best.

Their game is like a "dance" and we don't want that we wan't to see football!

[DanK]

No doubt Brazil will play poorly in their first game and will try to make amends against the Socceroos in the second game X'C

Previously I thought if we could get a win against Japan (a definite possibility), a lucky draw or more realistically, a small defeat against Brazil and then a draw against Croatia, we could get into the second round. However its is now possible we could be without Tim Cahill and worse Harry Kewell. This being the case I could see Brazil overrunning us like there's no tomorrow. :aai:

Kewell at his best (which he has been getting back to) is one of our players that could actually hurt the Brazilian defence, without him and without the thrust of Cahill I am getting very nervous about this one. Oh well…its doesn’t get much better than being in a world cup AND getting to play Brazil.

So many sleepless nights ahead :eusa_dance:

[Frans]

No doubt Brazil will play poorly in their first game and will try to make amends against the Socceroos in the second game X'C

Previously I thought if we could get a win against Japan (a definite possibility), a lucky draw or more realistically, a small defeat against Brazil and then a draw against Croatia, we could get into the second round. However its is now possible we could be without Tim Cahill and worse Harry Kewell. This being the case I could see Brazil overrunning us like there's no tomorrow. :aai:

Kewell at his best (which he has been getting back to) is one of our players that could actually hurt the Brazilian defence, without him and without the thrust of Cahill I am getting very nervous about this one. Oh well…its doesn’t get much better than being in a world cup AND getting to play Brazil.

So many sleepless nights ahead :eusa_dance:

Well, there are reasons for you to be optimistic. Remember Brazil's only warm-up friendly is against New Zealand. A NZ team without its only remotely capable defender (Ryan Nelson out injured). Which means the defensive line will consist of players from the likes of Doncaster, St Johns University and (be very afraid) the NZ Knights. You think you're nervous? After Brazil have put 15 past NZ they will think Oceania and hence Australia are easybeats. Aussie will be fine.

[aveslacker]

Brazil should play the Solomon Islands. I hear they put a bunch past the Aussies.

[Ayman]

The ozzies are dreaming if they think they will go through their group. They will be lucky to be third in their group. remember Japan are on the same wavelength as them, Croatia will piss on the ozzies, Brazil will beat them no problem, so yeah now you know what I think of the ozzies :hdg:

[Kowalczyk]

Croatia will piss on the ozzies

Don't think they will.

K.

[aveslacker]

I'm pulling for Australia. They'll probably be the third of the three teams I'm rooting for at all, after the US and Holland.

The problem with the Aussies is that they're on the other side of the globe, and the competition they'll be facing is much stiffer than what they're used to. Luckily for them they have one of the best coaches around, who can prepare them for what they'll be up against.

Even if they are behind Brazil and Croatia in the skill department, they have those fighting qualities that make them successful in a lot of sports. If Hiddink can harness those, they'll have a chance, perhaps not a great chance, but a chance nonetheless.

[DanK]

OK so I am biased, but I will try to be realistic about my comments.

First up, ignore the rankings. Its impossible for Australia to get higher than where they are given that they rarely played anyone half decent (thank god that’s changing now that they go via Asia!). Also no offence to my US friends, but the US 5th? I think this shows how non-realistic this is.

The Australia - Japan game is a 50/50 one. If we win this (and we CAN win this), thats 3 points. If we lose or even draw I think we will be out. We have played Japan a fair few times and its pretty split on results. I think they would be confident of winning this, as we are.

Australia - Brazil. OK, I really can’t see us getting anything out of this game. I really don't think our defence is good enough. The best I am hoping for is no injuries, no sending offs and a low score against. This maybe embarrassing!

Croatia - Australia (or that could be Australia -v- Australia or even Croatia -v- Croatia). This is actually an interesting one. No doubt about it. 3 of the Croatia squad were born in Australia and went through the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) and decided to play for Croatia instead to have better chances of playing in a WC. Then there are the Aussies with Croatian background (such as Viduka). Some of the guys even visit each other when they are in the respective countries. I would be surprised (read: ecstatic!) if we win, but am hoping for at least a draw which could mean 4 points and into the next round.

The few things Australia have in their favour are:
1 - Guus. He has transformed this team. I don't need to say anything more.
2. The fighting spirit this team has. Australian teams in general never, never give up; they are physically strong and now have the skills to back themselves up. They will also stand up for themselves and their team mates. If the Dutch teams in the past had the true grit and spirit of this team they would have been world champions 4 times by now.
3. It could have been a worse draw. Japan and Croatia can be beaten.
4. We have some real talent in the squad. Viduka, Kewell, Cahill, Culina, Brescianno etc. We haven’t had such a good squad of players as we do now.
5. The hunger to succeed. We are NOT going there thinking, well its nice just to play in the WC. They are going there TO play.

Against:
1 - A big loss to Brazil is a possibility, wrecking our for/against
2 - Its a thin squad. If Kewell and Cahill aren't 100% its going to hurt.
3 - Our defence is better than it was, but I don't trust it to hold out if its under the pump for long periods of time.

In all honesty, it is difficult to judge how they will fair in reality. We are an unknown, But that can work for a team as much as against us. Not many people picked us to knock off Uruguay, but we did. But playing 1 good team every 4 years has made it difficult to really pick where we stand. We did recently beat Bahrain (away) 3-1 with our second string team, and they just missed out on qualifying via a playoff.

Again, if we have a fit squad get the result against Japan, we are in with a shot (even if its a long one).

I guess we will know more in around 3 or 4 weeks.

Given that I am going for Holland as well, I am actually more concerned that they wont make the second round than I am for Australia. Holland’s group is much, much tougher.