World Cup 2006

aveslacker · Bericht door **aveslacker** » vr jun 23, 2006 7:49 pm

AsgAarD_xxx schreef:Geez, I'm afraid that this World Cup is dominated by referees' mistakes... They are just people, I know it - but how is it possible that the ref doesn't know that the red card is after 2 yellows (not 3) etc.? I thought (and believed) that it was only accident, but now I see that it is very sad rule this year. Have you seen a game Ukraine vs Tunisia? Men, I really don't know why Ukrainians got a penalty kick... There was no foul! Maybe even no physical contact...

:redcard: for all the men in black!!

This was the case last time around as well. Part of the reason for this that FIFA awards some WC referee slots on the basis of geography, not on their abilities. This is why you have a referee from Singapore, who has never officiated a match at a level this high. Someone like that might have the potential to be a good referee, but likely lacks the necessary experience.

It is too bad, because the officials have been one of the few dark spots in an otherwise enjoyable WC.

I'm not surprised that the Ukrainians won a penalty kick through diving. I watched them play at the Euro under 21 championships and they were, along with France, far and away the dirtiest, most divingest team out there.

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » vr jun 23, 2006 8:29 pm

English Eagle schreef: By the way i dont want to apologise for being English,i dont want to apologise for my country's history, & i dont see the Cross of St George as some symbol of the right wing. :sad:

I started this so I guess I need to come in here. When I'm saying about the flag I'm certainly not really taking about English/British history so much (after all Netherlands/France et al don't have such a brilliant history either if we're talking bad colonial behaviour etc). I honestly do feel uneasy with the George Cross flag though. I've no problem at all in a football context and was quite touched to count at least three Blackpool flags at the Sweden game. I just think the flag unfortunately really does have so many negative conotations these days and it makes me uneasy. Like I said, I enjoyed watching the Paraguay game down the pub (I was at home for the other two) but I did make a concious decision to change pubs mid-way through the first half. I'm looking forward to Sunday though, two games to watch and I will be out with a beer for both of them. :xyxthumbs:

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » vr jun 23, 2006 8:41 pm

AjaxPDX schreef:The last 15 minutes of the Australia-Croatia match as I saw it...

...............................

And that was just the last 15 minutes. Exciting and entertaining, but... yikes.

Good summing up AjaxPDX but just one thing you forgot...

6. Poll blows his whistle about 0.01 seconds before the Australian winner hits the back of the net (he's already kicked it - no-one stops!)

As Alan Shearer, one of the BBC summerisers said "What have Croatia and Graham Poll got in common?.....Neither are going through the last 16 of the World Cup!"

According to the BBC last night, Poll's excuse that one of Simunic's 3 yellow cards was apparently intended for Simic.....that would be reasonale enough to understand I suppose but he had also sent Simic off for two yellows as well....livened up the game a bit though anyway, well done Australia, I was supporting you :xyxthumbs:

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » vr jun 23, 2006 8:45 pm

I think this article from the bbc site is fairly topical at the moment.......

"Germany rolls out flag of pride
By Claire Heald
BBC News, Stuttgart

Germans are hoisting the flag just as crosses of St George have covered England. In a new spirit of patriotism, they are flying the black, red and gold.

World Cup preparations started early in Auyla Trettin's Stuttgart home.

Her Christmas gift was a huge Germany flag, to fly out of her window come June.

"It was a present from my father. He started to celebrate the World Cup six months ago," she explains.

Her slice of the national colours is one of the many examples which have appeared more and more as the tournament progresses.

The St George's crosses so frequently seen on cars in England come in black, gold and red here. Flags are hung out of windows and a huge range of merchandise, including German-coloured neck garlands, are sold on the streets.

It seems Germany is flying the flag more than at any point in modern times.

Once a symbol of student fraternities, the colours were adopted in 1848 by revolutionaries fighting for democratic reforms and the German unification - in a country that back then was made up of more than 30 independent states.

After World War I, after the Kaiser had fled the country, black-red-gold became the country's official flag for the first time, only to be dropped by Adolf Hitler in favour of the swastika.

The flag was readopted by West Germany in 1949 - but Germans remained reserved about showing it off.

At this World Cup, the first in Germany since West and East were reunified in the 1990s, that attitude looks to have moved on.

It's in the same way that England has reclaimed the flag of St George, after its extreme right-wing associations, and following victories in the 2003 Rugby World Cup and last year's Ashes.

"There's definitely a big change in Germany ," says Auyla, who has black, red and gold roses in her hair.

"You can see it everywhere, there are a lot of commentators talking about it. Even the police - they are told they should be neutral and not fly it but some of them are," she says.

Her friend Bettina Lower adds: "It was impossible to show the flag in the last world championships (in 1974) because it was still the story of the war. Now it's easier."

That surprisingly slow take-up since the war is down to Germany's historic legacy as a "semi-sovereign state". Its nationhood has been constrained, explains Professor Stephen Padgett of the University of Strathclyde.

German post-war national interests were not overtly expressed until a change under the last Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder. He was the first leader of that era whose youth was not dominated by the conflict.

Economic problems since reunification and "general angst" about projecting symbols of pride made it taboo to show them.

But at a street stall in one of the host cities, Stuttgart, there is a roaring trade in all sorts of paraphernalia in national colours. The home market is not as demanding as Croatian or Dutch souvenir hunters. But the team shirts, car flags and normal flags are selling well.

That can only be a good thing, according to Michael Faul, head of the UK's Flag Institute.

"Like the St George flag in England , the German flag is all over the place," he says. "It's just a bit of fun and exuberance.

"When it's positive patriotism, it's fine. It's if you say 'we support our team and hate everybody else', that it's dangerous," he adds.

"There was a niggle in German patriotism - if they show the flag will they be seen as Nazis? If they can overcome it and show they can be patriotic in a positive way, that will help lay this ghost of Nazism," says Mr Faul.

Among the throng of Australian and Croatian supporters filling Stuttgart, Germans have come into town to sample the atmosphere and join what they are calling a World Cup party.

Carsten Theurich has bought a Germany shirt for his three-year-old son, Sixten, to show his pride in their three wins in the tournament's group stage.

"We can put the history behind us," he says. "We're the new Germany and we want to show the world we can make a great party."

Taxi driver Anthony Albaque has put the flag on his cab. He says: "On match day it's just beautiful here. I'm proud to support my country and everyone can support their flag - it's natural now."

He stresses other countries are no longer defined by their past wrongs.

Dressed from head to toe in his national colours, Jochen Vollmer says the new embrace shows Germany has welcomed the whole world here.

"It's a great feeling because we don't say 'that's our flag and other flags are nothing'. We say 'we are German and proud and you can be proud of your country's flag'."

A sea change in feeling perhaps, but it is not the first time football has prompted this kind of shift.

Archive pictures of England v Germany at Wembley in 1966 show a strong display of German flags, Michael Faul says.

In the "miracle of Berne", when West Germany unexpectedly won the 1954 World Cup: "It was the first time since the war that the German people had something to be proud of," says Prof Padgett.

On the streets, German fans say the spirit feels the same as in 1954, when they beat Hungary in the final. And all they would like is to wave their flags through to another World Cup final victory."

Van der Vaart · Bericht door **Van der Vaart** » za jun 24, 2006 1:44 am

Van Nistelrooy and Van Bommel will start the game against Portugal in the Bench

Van der Vaart ,and Kuyt will be in

carcajou · Bericht door **carcajou** » za jun 24, 2006 2:16 am

Van der Vaart schreef:Van Nistelrooy and Van Bommel will start the game against Portugal in the Bench

Van der Vaart ,and Kuyt will be in

Van Nistelrooy on the bench? Sounds OK to me ;)

Van der Vaart · Bericht door **Van der Vaart** » za jun 24, 2006 3:21 am

carcajou schreef:
Van der Vaart schreef:Van Nistelrooy and Van Bommel will start the game against Portugal in the Bench

Van der Vaart ,and Kuyt will be in
Van Nistelrooy on the bench? Sounds OK to me ;)

Yeah ,Van Basten said ,that he need play better ,and would be good for him stay on the bench .

van der Vaart will start too :headbang: :headbang: :headbang: :yes: :yes:

ZoefdeHaas · Bericht door **ZoefdeHaas** » za jun 24, 2006 3:46 am

Boulahrouz is also expected to start, who he will replace is not sure yet, since he isn't a rightback but Holland currently don't have a great one (Heitinga injured, Kromkamp out of form, and Jaliens quite inexperienced)

Van der Vaart · Bericht door **Van der Vaart** » za jun 24, 2006 3:51 am

ZoefdeHaas schreef:Boulahrouz is also expected to start, who he will replace is not sure yet, since he isn't a rightback but Holland currently don't have a great one (Heitinga injured, Kromkamp out of form, and Jaliens quite inexperienced)

yeah ,I forgot to say .

I think he would be a Rightback ,just defending Cristiano ronaldo .

DanK · Bericht door **DanK** » za jun 24, 2006 8:04 am

jakobg schreef:...Anyway, after a very well perfomed first stage the Aussies should be proud, but I do not believe they can defeat the Italians. Italy always defend very well and Buffon seems to be in great form. I simply believe Italy is a little too good for Australia, but I'm sure the Aussies won't give away the game easily. I'll keep rooting for this team, more than ever after the best game of the World Cup yesterday! :xyxthumbs: :worshippy:...

Thanks for your support jakobg :xyxthumbs:

Yep. No doubts this one will be a lot tougher than Croatia. I was reasonably confident against Japan and Croatia, but Italy is a totally different class. Having said that, its knock out, basically a cup-tie. And truth be told, I would feel we have more chance against Italy, than say against Argentina, Holland or Spain for example.

Italy play slower and haven't been in top form yet imo. We are going to have to play above ourselves to get even a sniff at victory, but given the confidence flowing within the team, I wont say its impossible.

Either way, I think the boys have done the country proud. I have been waiting for this place to finally understand what the WC is about and how much this game can mean to people. Because of the Socceroos, the majority finally understand and football in this country can only be better for it. If we lose against the Azzuri, I will be upset and disappointed but 100% happy for what the team has achieved...but you never know what may happen, plus I am expecting Holland to beat Portual so I will still have them to support and fingers crossed Sweden beat Germany. That should keep me happy for a while as well :D

aveslacker · Bericht door **aveslacker** » za jun 24, 2006 3:11 pm

I hope you guys kick the shit out of Italy.

ZoefdeHaas · Bericht door **ZoefdeHaas** » za jun 24, 2006 3:31 pm

Literally? Italians might dive.. ;)

Expected line up for Holland-Portugal:

Van der Sar, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van der Vaart, Cocu, Sneijder, Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy, Robben.

AsgAarD_xxx · Bericht door **AsgAarD_xxx** » za jun 24, 2006 6:04 pm

First game of 1/8 finals is over... Unfortunately, Sweden lost that game. Germany had a fantastic start, they scored 2 goals in the first 12 minutes and control the game during the whole 90 minutes... I think that Swedes got depressed after the red card for Lucić and then after missed penalty kick.

Germany proved that they are typical tournament team, which play better and better every single game. It was really nice to see them playing non-german football (even if I don't like them and support Swedes today). Anyway, I hope that they won't win against Argentina (or Mexico)...

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » za jun 24, 2006 6:04 pm

Sorry to see Sweden go out I have to say. I was watching the game but when Germany went 2-0 up I left the room and decided to watch it later if anything happened.

At half-time the BBC pundits (Lineker I think) said that Ibrahimovic "was once arrested for impersonating a Policeman and if he didn't watch out then he'd be arrested for impersonating a footballer". The jokes get worse but I am sorry to see Sweden go out especially at to Germany.

I don't think the Swedes ever really got started this year though to be fair. The England game was good for them (from set pieces at least) but they were really quite poor against T&T and Paraguay.

Anyway, suppose I will be supporting Argentina or Mexico (please!!!)in the next round then....

SE6Ajacied · Bericht door **SE6Ajacied** » za jun 24, 2006 6:15 pm

I didn't know where to post this but I think it can go here, I think it adds a sense of perspective to all the varous football rivalries during this World Cup......

from the bbc site

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5112538.stm

AsgAarD_xxx · Bericht door **AsgAarD_xxx** » za jun 24, 2006 10:55 pm

And the second 1/8 final game is over. As most of us had expected, Argentina advanced to the next round and will play against Germany. But I think you all agree that Mexicans had a good game. Argentina always have problems with them and this time wasn't different. Albicelestes won after an extra time and beautiful goal by Maxi Rodriguez... It's fantastic - he scored only 6 goals on his international games, and a half of it during this World Cup.

BTW - this is the tournament of referees' mistakes, but also of fantastic goals. Men, I've never seen as many great goals as this year. Frings, Joe Cole, now Maxi Rodriguez... I love this game!

ZoefdeHaas · Bericht door **ZoefdeHaas** » zo jun 25, 2006 4:05 am

Owe it to the "volyball" like ball :D

Bericht door **ajaxusa** » zo jun 25, 2006 6:21 am

Mexico was wonderful. I officially *hate* them because they can be dirty and cynical, especially against the USA, but tonight... I was rooting for them, hoping to see them get the decisive goal. But... t'was not to be. Maxi Rodriguez, what a f***ing stunner of a goal. Wow.

Mexico in this tournament reminded me of USA in 2002, except that we beat them in the Round of 16 that time, so my analogy breaks down pretty quickly. But I mean... they played well, bravely, and with style. Their fans should be very, very proud.

DanK · Bericht door **DanK** » zo jun 25, 2006 7:28 am

The Argentina - Mexico game was simply outstanding. What a brilliant atmosphere, and what a wonderful goal from Rodriguez. Thats 2 of THE top 2 goals of the WC to Argentina. Bloody hell...

A bit down that Sweden got knocked out (they were my 3rd fav team), but they really didn't show anything today. The next few days could be a downer. Sweden out, tomorrow Holland play, then Australia. It could be 1-2-3 and your out of the WC.

I hope Holland kick the bejezus out of Portugal. I don't know why but I just have never liked that side. Nothing against their people, or their country at all, I just cant support the team (maybe it has something to do with Ronaldo?!?). Plus it would be nice revenge for Euro 2004 (although Portugal deserved to win that game - Holland was shite).

I also (obviously) hope that Australia knock the Italians out (its a massive call I know). If we do win (somehow) against the Azzuri, the quarters would find us playing either Switzerland or Ukraine - both can be beaten. Its a big IF though.

If we get in the Italians face enough (similar to how the US approached the game), i think we can get them. I am sure I will have plenty of swearing at the TV over the next few days...bring it on! :yes:

ozzerdibazio · Bericht door **ozzerdibazio** » zo jun 25, 2006 10:40 am

Venezuelan Ajacied schreef:Here's my group analisis:

Group A:

Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

An easy draw for the home team, they will make it trough question is with who??? The three other teams are prety even, all of them play an atacking minded style, and neither of the thre made it to the second round in Korea-Japan.Poland beat Ecuador in a friendly a small while ago 3-1 but friendly's really dont mean anything, if i had to choose i would pick Costa Rica but it is anybodys game here. My picks Germany and Costa Rica

Group B:

England
Paraguay
Trinidad and Tobago
Sweden

This is a fun and ironic group, once again England have to face Sweden like in tha last World Cup, the only diference is that now the English have a Swedish coach, then you have the perennial third team from south america Paraguay, i really think Sweden can top this group plus they have the advantage of playing the newcomers T&T first, speaking of witch the Socca Warriors will have some fun but it'll be a real surpreise if they make it trough, they will probably play the rol of spoiler in the group, who ever looses point's against them will be eliminated. I'll pick Sweden and Paraguay.

Group C

Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia and Montenegro
Netherlands

Holy Shit!!!!! Welcome back to the World Cup Dutchies we've missed you and here's the welcoming present.....The Group of death!!!! Once again Argentina is placed in the hardest group of them all, will they fail again??? I dont think so but you never know with them Argentinians.
Ivory coast also get a welcoming party in their first try, i was wishing for this team to come in with a splash but now it's really hard to say, even Serbia and Montenegro who beat Spain in their qualifying group can sneak in. Damn this one is hard but im going with the favorites. Netherlands and Argentina make it trough.

Group D

Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Talk about a weak group, if not the weakest.Nothing hard to predict here Portugal have the experience and ability to make it through after crashing out in the last edition and Mexico always make it to the second round. Angola is the wild card here i have never seen them play but they did eliminate Nigeria so there must be something up their sleeve if they survive their first game against Portugal they might just have a shot. If you dont know Angola is the first african portuguese speaking country to make it to a world cup.Iran will have some nice vacation's in Germany and a lot of time to shop around. Mexico and Portugal with little doubt.

Group E
Italy
Ghana
Czech Republic
USA

Here's another cracker for ya, this one is going to be exiting.Will the italian catenaccio be able to saty upright against ofensive powerhouses like USA and the Czech Republic, its going to be hard to say but a real dandy to watch. Ghana round out the group not being an easy oponent at all, the Ghanaian's qualified for the first time but this team's debut in a World Cup is somewhat overdue after being World Champions in various lower age categories.This team will be a stern test for all of the other teams. I'm going with an inmense upset here Czech Republic and Ghana(you read it right) qualify.

Group F

Brazil
Croacia
Australia
Japan

This is a well rounded group, the world champions should not have any trouble making it trough, but the second slot is really up for grabs.
Once again Zico the Brazilian legend standing only behind Pele in his country has the dificult task to beat his own country, the first time they played was in this Year's confederation's Cup 3-2 for Brazil was the final score, the Aussies come back after quite some time, their is some chance of them getting to the second round but they must play a lot better than they did in the Confederation's Cup.Then we have Croacia a team that beat the Dutch to third place in France 98 and a team that topped their group in qualifying.Not an easy group but i'll go with Brazil(duh!!) and Japan.

Group G

France
Switzerland
Korea
Togo

Cake walk for France here, Switzerland end up with France again after they played each other at Euro 2004, the Swiss are young and rising and have a chance in this group, Korea look for a good fallow up after their good perfomance in 2002 thay also have a chance, Togo are newcomers to the big dance having eliminated the last World Cup cinderella in the process(Senegal) still they have a lot to learn and will have fun but dont look for them to qualify. France and Korea should make it trough

Group H

Spain
Ukrane
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

After a rough ride in the qualifying round's it seems like the Spaniards will finally catch a break, they should qualify with ease.Shevshenko's Ukrane qualify for the first time and they were the first European team to do so after a splendid qualifying round, now can they keep it up???. Tunisia enter the draw as the actual African Champions, they achieved that goal in 2003, they have a chance in this group.Then we have the eternal qualifiers yet somewhat underachiever's Saudi Arabia, once again i dont think this team has a chance.It's Spain and Tunisia for me.

Well thats it, the first match will be played june 9th in Munich
Germany-Costa Rica.

I cant wait!!!!!!! :eusa_dance: :xyxthumbs: :yes: ;)

ozzerdibazio · Bericht door **ozzerdibazio** » zo jun 25, 2006 10:43 am

jakobg schreef:
ZoefdeHaas schreef:It isn't a "group of death". We'll proll get the game in our hands against SaM and Ivory Coast, so by the time we play Argentina it's reserve V reserve. Not a group death.
I'm not so sure you'll get all three points against the Serbs. They are very dangerous. I'm even less sure Argentina will get the three points against them. I have a feeling Argentina-Holland will be a very important game, in which the South Americans will say good bye again, just like in the the WC 2002.

ozzerdibazio · Bericht door **ozzerdibazio** » zo jun 25, 2006 10:48 am

Kowalczyk schreef:
ozzerdibazio schreef: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.

ozzerdibazio · Bericht door **ozzerdibazio** » zo jun 25, 2006 10:49 am

Does that mean i can shoot you now?

ZoefdeHaas · Bericht door **ZoefdeHaas** » zo jun 25, 2006 11:52 am

Wow I predicted right about Holland's situation in Group C :D

PAY UP PAY UP.

aveslacker · Bericht door **aveslacker** » zo jun 25, 2006 3:30 pm

Well, Mexico goes home in the latest installment of the Greg Louganis Cup. To be fair, Mexico played probably their best match of the last eight years or so, but Argentina just had a little more quality. I'm sure all of Mexico is disappointed, but the team really played well, and the fans should be proud of them. While I'm always sad to see those guys go home (particularly when it is after a loss to the US), I must say a (small) part of me is sad to see a team which played with such heart go home.

Now who on earth will I root for in Arg - Ger? Can both teams lose?

Sweden -- tough luck to go down a goal early. That second yellow on Lucic was simply a complete load of bullshit. I didn't see any foul at all.

But, the Germans were probably the better team on the day. Zlatan has, imo, had a pretty bad WC. Oh well. My sympathies go out to our Swedish friends.