Subcultural engagement for the 21st Century...
Barbelith is a new kind of community (find out more)...
You can login or register.

Underground > Games & Gameplay >

World Cup 2006

Page: 1 2(3)4 5 6 7 8... 12

Regrettable Juvenilia

21:15 / 10.06.06

I really enjoyed the second half of the match that was on today but so far hasn't been mentioned in this thread: Trinidad & Tobago holding Sweden to a goalless draw with only ten men for 45 minutes of it... And more exciting than that sounds. Sven will need to stop making tactical decisions purely designed to wind up the pundits if he wants Thursday's match to go smoothly.

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

21:25 / 10.06.06

Agreed on the "Yes brazil are good at football but also NOT INVINCIBLE GODS LIKE EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS" - in addition, I'd like to mention to TV pundits, can we stop being so shocked and THAT PUT A SMILE ON WESTERN AFRICA or whatever and treating all these teams like some sort of crippled child that has no chance of doing anything other than being so pleased and happy to play some of the worlds most amazingest ever players and glad to be there.

Or something.

22:16 / 10.06.06

(About the England game, I’ll say nothing except, ‘oh, wouldn’t it be nice if only we had a fully-fit, utterly ace, never–for-one-moment-doubted-his-own-abilities striker to bring on when a team is successfully dealing with crocked-Owen and useless-Crouch, eh Sven?’ Aaaaand that is all.)

But, wowzer, Argentina vs Ivory Coast, what a fantastic game! I’m sooooo glad I put my money on Argentina this morning, cos I think I could get to enjoy screeching for that team this year, Brazil who? etc etc. But, yeah, I’d also jolly well back the Ivorians against Holland, with money and everything, if I wasn’t currently skint, and I’m already looking forward to that match, cos they were great. (Also, IC’s Keita probably has Hair Of the Tournament, so far, for me. A rather swoontastically grey barnet, wow.)

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

22:36 / 10.06.06

AGREED ON ALL COUNTS (esp. hair. I think we really need to step up the talk of these more important aspects in thread. Worst hair goes to Swedish player who looks normal except for *swish* you didn't see my RAT TAIL from there, did you?)

Also I would like to add, if you insist on bringing the boy Walcott, at least put him on YOU DAMNED FOOL, otherwise what is the point? He gets a nice World Cup holiday? Or that you get to replace forwards with midfielders so we get worse?

And then? Bring on Owen "Dependable" Hargreaves.

In addition I would like to add my opinions have no value whatsoever, and I retain the right to completely change my mind at any time, and pretend I never even said any of these things! Ah, yes.

I know a lot of people get irritated by Ian Wright the pundit, but I do find him pretty amusing sometimes. See: "Owen Hargreaves, what is he for?" and "It depends on if he does more of these MENTAL SUBSITUTIONS" and enjoy the joyful carelessness of such comments.

22:59 / 10.06.06

Just... you know, we know that Brazil are very good at football. Everyone likes that. There's no need to be like that about it.

ok, then

23:04 / 10.06.06

"Yes brazil are good at football but also NOT INVINCIBLE GODS LIKE EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS"

Well, I wouldn't say "invencible"

. But I do get the feeling we've put together our best team since 1982, or maybe even 1970.

Anyway, Argentina vs Ivory Coast was a great game indeed. It surprised me how much the Argentinians had to "sweat their jerseys", as we say here, to win. That's what's great about football: it can always go either way. It's the reason it's both the sport of the GODS and the sport of the People(s).

I'm having fun watching the Cup so far...

ONLY NICE THINGS

12:49 / 11.06.06

From our strange bedfellows department, it seems that German authorities are worried that the Iran-Mexico game will be a gathering-point for neo-Nazis, who will... support Iran, as a show of solidarity with Iran's president's recent comments on the Holocaust. Now that is fucked up.

13:14 / 11.06.06

Yes, Trinidad & Tobago were great too. I just wanted to emphasise that the other game was the first really first rate game I've seen, though some have been good. This isn't a bad World Cup at all so far, tough this Holland v Serbian Montenegro thing’s a bit weak again, I think. Perhaps it's just too hot in the afternoon.

14:04 / 11.06.06

Neo-nazis + Iran = unholy alliance time, yus.

Holland game petered out a bit, there, and I would - even though I stand to lose a tasty 250 quid payout on Dutch-Italian final - literally cheer my head off were the Ivorians to get one over them, as they so richly deserved to do against Argentina last night, but for a few final balls into the box (as much as I raved about Eboue during Arsenal's champs lg. adventures, it was the left-back - no.2 - whose name escapes me, who particularly excited this time about.) Likewise Ghana tomorrow; it's deeply unfortunate that the two best African squads ended up stuck in the rock-hardest groups, but hopefully one'll spring something.

Failing that, there's always tonight's tasty ex-colonial matchup 'tween Angola and Portugal; last time they played the match was abandoned after four red cards, so I'm looking (hoping?) for some legacies to be exorcised a la Senegal/France this evening.

14:28 / 11.06.06

Well, as far as the neo-Nazis go there were 200 in Gelsenkirchen yesterday, NPD (just about the same as the BNP) and 5000 people protesting against them. The Zentralrats der Juden in Deutschland (the main Jewish organisation in Germany) are having a protest against Iran's being allowed to take part today, or perhaps merely against their politicians being allowed to visit Germany, I'm not sure, and they say that Nazis might turn up. It's very political.

I've no idea at all how good Angola are - but I hope they're very good indeed.

06:52 / 12.06.06

Urrrgh! Too much football (and too, too much of it only middling). I've seen Japan & Australia lately so that's OK. I would like to watch the USA though, I just don't know how I'll manage to force myself to do so.

Regrettable Juvenilia

07:59 / 12.06.06

TV pundits, can we stop being so shocked and THAT PUT A SMILE ON WESTERN AFRICA or whatever and treating all these teams like some sort of crippled child that has no chance of doing anything other than being so pleased and happy to play some of the worlds most amazingest ever players and glad to be there.

I noticed that during the T&T/Sweden game as well - "these brave, proud, plucky warriors will no doubt be everyone's second favourite team from now on" - sheesh.

Disco is My Class War

10:46 / 12.06.06

Did the British coverage of the Sweden/ T&T match include footage of the poor stunned, sad-looking Swedish fans? They looked distraught. It was awesome. Especially the little blond kids with flags on their faces, who earlier in the match has been so involved that they all jumped in sync when the ball hit the barrier. They all seemed convinced that Sweden would win, by miles. And when they didn't.... Very amusing.

I do like the way Sweden plays though. They seem to appreciate how important it is not to bore the viewers. Especially tyros like me, who don't even know what a striker is.

Regrettable Juvenilia

13:28 / 12.06.06

Just for Suedey:

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

14:25 / 12.06.06

Ha! There's been a few other stand out haircuts, but for sheer punchability, that's the pick of the crop.

What seems especially funny to me is, from watching some of those "World Cup Stories" programmes - which have framed various countries Cup attempts/success in quite interesting ways (see Mussolini kicking a football around and use the Italian team as symbol for fascism and the like. I mean, the whole football as a unifying political thing for Brazil was perhaps overstated, I don't really know, but there was a lot of interesting history) - is how this always happens and nobody ever seems to learn. See England barely managing to beat Cameroon in '90 because they completely underestimated them, thought it'd be a walkover, and only won by two questionable penalties (I think).

I really hope the Ivory Coast can get through, because they looked absolutely ace the other night.

Also I always like how the dark horses continue to be the same dark horses every World Cup. It's like that thing where the commentator states at the start of a match "... and Switzerland haven't beaten England in over 50 YEARS" or something. And you think, so? Is it those same teams playing RIGHT NOW? "And West Ham haven't beaten Aresenal since 1894 or whatever"

That Australia match was ace, although very very lucky (in the end) for the Aussies, esp. where Japan were denied a solid penalty right at the end.

Elijah, Freelance Rabbi

16:43 / 12.06.06

This is the first time I have ever been interested in the World Cup, and I am loving it.

The England game was really cool for 3 minutes, and then I was dozing off.

The opener was great, and got me pretty psyched for the rest of the tourney.

I vote (Tommy?) Smyth as the best English speaking announcer though, at least who we get to see over here.

18:23 / 12.06.06

That Australia match was ace, although very very lucky (in the end) for the Aussies, esp. where Japan were denied a solid penalty right at the end.

I got the feeling the aussies rely too much on that Cahill guy who got in in the second half. And to rely on (any) one player is not a good idea.

Anyway, those underdogs no one expects to win (like Angola, Trinidad & Tobago, even Australia and Japan) are the ones I fear the most - The Gods of Football tend to like them.

24 hours till Brazil's first game. Oh, the anxiety!!! I'm feeling triumphalistic...

20:05 / 12.06.06

I got the feeling the aussies rely too much on that Cahill guy who got in in the second half. And to rely on (any) one player is not a good idea.

Well, as astro at some point will likely confirm, Mark Viduka is the man through whom most of their play will go through (I only saw bits of the 2nd half today, so I can't confirm this to always be the case, but it certainly is with Middlesbrough.) He's also, generally, their main goalscorer.

Anyway, those underdogs no one expects to win (like Angola, Trinidad & Tobago, even Australia and Japan) are the ones I fear the most - The Gods of Football tend to like them.

I don't think this is true, really, in any way, or we'd be talking about Cameroon's famous 1990 World Cup win, likewise Senegal in 98 and Bulgaria in 94. Is there any evidence you'd like to present to support this? One of those four teams you've quoted has won against another quoted thus far.

Teams not expected to win tend not to, otherwise no-one would be a bookkeeper. I can't really believe I have to lecture a Brazilian about what happens in football.

Anyway, Ghana tonight, same story really as with Cote d'Ivoire and, to a lesser extent, Angola (who I thought were on for a hiding after ten minutes and after thirty looked like a solid, difficult to break down, unit with a chance of sneaking a draw from a long-ranger; ) the story goes - cracking game, in possession for the majority of the time/hard to dispossess, smooth passing, exciting going forward, no end product. Smashing game, again, but I just wish they'd make good on their promises.

Oh, Czechs looked very useful indeed, and Rosicky like another genius signing by Wenger.

20:21 / 12.06.06

Anyway, those underdogs no one expects to win (like Angola, Trinidad & Tobago, even Australia and Japan) are the ones I fear the most - The Gods of Football tend to like them.

I don't think this is true, really, in any way, or we'd be talking about Cameroon's famous 1990 World Cup win, likewise Senegal in 98 and Bulgaria in 94. Is there any evidence you'd like to present to support this? One of those four teams you've quoted has won against another quoted thus far.

Well, all of the cases you quoted are worth of notice. None of them won the Cup, but they certainly played a lot more than anyone expected them to. And the two teams I quoted that played each other were quoted because they are in the same group than Brazil and, to be honest, I'm having a bit of pre-game cold feet about them (it's a form of projected stage freight, I guess).

And Ghana just played against Italy - a 3-time Cup champion team with the reputation of being one of the best - and they certainly gave the players in the "Squadra Azurra" a run for their money, despite losing in the end.

I smell lots of surprises coming in this Cup. Hold on to your couchs, people!!!

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

21:16 / 12.06.06

You do know the last time Italy won was in '82, right? I think it's safe to say this is a different team.

Also different to the team that made the final in '94.

I'm just saying that it's all down to the team now rather than what teams did in the 1930s or whatever, reputation or not. I find it sort of baffling that teams achievements from 20 years ago are still held up against current teams as some sort of expectation... "They beat England, a CUP WINNING SIDE!" would be especially hilarious. This certainly doesn't look like the best Italy team I've ever seen (but I have fond memories for Baggio and his flicky ponytail of foolishness), and their new strip looks rubbish compared to how they're normally kitted out (or have been in the past).

Suedey! SHOT FOR MEAT!

21:18 / 12.06.06

Although having said that, I only remember Brazil as the side that lost 3-0 in the '98 final, and thus scoff everytime anyone thinks they can win.

21:39 / 12.06.06

Boy, the US really ran into a buzzsaw didn't they? The Czech team beat out Germany as the most impressive squad so far. Good vision, nice shooting and crisp passing by the Czechs destroyed the US team. That and the fact that nearly everyone on the US squad came out looking strangers who had accidently wandered onto the field.

I still hold out hope that the U.S. can advance to the next round. I despise the Italian team and their excessive flopping. It's undignified and gives the sport a bad name. If the US can beat Italy, we still have a good shot of advancing. That's still a really big "if" unless the U.S. starts playing like they belong on the pitch.

21:53 / 12.06.06

You do know the last time Italy won was in '82, right? I think it's safe to say this is a different team.

Well, yeah, but even not wining, they never failed to give a good show in the Cups. And besides, tradition does count a bit.

Although having said that, I only remember Brazil as the side that lost 3-0 in the '98 final, and thus scoff everytime anyone thinks they can win.

Ouch, low blow!! Please, don't remind me of '98. Damn that French tight defense...

Brazil is the best bet for champion. That doesn't mean we will win, of course. But, hey, if football was about racional, objective, assessment of chances, instead of completely emotional craziness, it would not be as fun.

(I just heard we will not get the afternoon off work to see the game tomorrow, unlike 99% of the country. Damn, I hate my job right now...)

22:21 / 12.06.06

WorldCupHair update - wow, that Camoranesi’s ponytail must’ve been about the glossiest, fullest, perkiest ponytail I’ve ever seen, and in fact looked rather like it was freshly stolen off a real live pony and stapled onto the back of a footballer’s head. It was the sort of ponytail normally sported by moody half-vampire warriors in Japanese anime, or something. It was, like, wow. Deserving of a slo-mo action replay or two, such was its fullsome lush swooshyness.

Sorry, Italy were rub, though. And it was *definitely* a penalty! Ghana were robbed, maaan.

22:28 / 12.06.06

oh boy oh boy WHHOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOO an' a big COOOOO-EEEEEEEEE!!

australia scored a goal at the world cup finals. tim cahill scored a goal at the world cup finals!!

...then another, and what a perler of a strike!! then aloisi got a brilliant striker's get past the defender one-on-one slip past the 'keeper beauty. japan 1 (and it took a foul on the 'keeper to get there - and kalac would have had it anyway, but let's not go there), australia 3!!

[draws breath]

what a wc so far. also watched arg - civ, a wonderful game of football. (i also thought a neutral would have enjoyed the japan match - did anyone?) and so much more to come.

ooh, i'm all flushed, think i'll go lie down now (actually, just in to work after a long w/end, bugger) go socceroos - we shall go all the way, dm, all the way!!

00:09 / 13.06.06

...and, seeing you asked, yes i thought viduka played well, and of course tim cahill had all the weetbix he could muster... but josh kennedy was involved in pretty well most things that went on that resulted in goals or shots. he unsettled the defence and allowed cahill, kewell, etc space in fron of the japanese back men. result.

bring on brasil.

05:55 / 13.06.06

Yesterday's games were great! But that does it - I want England, Holland and Portugal out. They're crap, boring and unbelievably arrogant. Australia were super. I'm really happy for them, though I feel a bit sorry for Japan too. Ghana were not robbed, he dived, and they can't score goals anyway. Italy will go far. Ghana are not on the same level as the Ivory Coast, and Italy are not on the same level as Argentina, who are by far the best team I've seen so far (though that depends a lot on Riquelme's passing). The Czechs are great too of course - I never doubted that. Pity poor Jan Koller got hurt.

ONLY NICE THINGS

07:15 / 13.06.06

Mark Viduka is the man through whom most of their play will go through

And, apparently, the planned Gateshead bypass. He's a big fella. Good touch for a big man, though.

12:07 / 13.06.06

Six hours till Brasil x Croatia. The city begins to slow down. MOst people will be at home, in bars and pubs, and with friends quite soon. Not me, but most people. either way, I can barely wait!

14:46 / 13.06.06

It was nice to see FIFA take on board comments made after the England - Paraguay game. No, not allowing players to take on water during breaks in play, oh no - that'd be far too sensible.. no, the shadows on the pitch ruining TV coverage - 2pm, boiling hot day - lets close the roof and let S. Korea and Togo melt

15:08 / 13.06.06

Three hours to go. Go! Go! Go!

Do I look anxious??

Elijah, Freelance Rabbi

16:59 / 13.06.06

I think I gotta give the Best Hair - Team award so far to Korea. Great match too, I watched it in the lobby of the building I work in with a South Korean student who obviously woke up all ass early just to watch the game, and we were the only people aside from the early cleaning crews in the place.

Good times.

17:55 / 13.06.06

Fify. Teen. Minutes. To go...

After a rush-hour-like traffic, the streets are mostly empty. The sound of horns are all over the place. One in every four or five people is dressed in green & yellow.

At work, only me, my boss, and some other unlucky fellas from another department. the TV, usually tooned to the news channels, is at least showing the game, but I'd still rather be at my buddies's home, with the whole crew, getting hammered.

On the brighter side, tonight there will be no traffic jam on my way home, a welcome change.

World Cup. What's not to like?

The national anthem is on. A few mo'minutes now

[I hope we do not fuck up...]

18:01 / 13.06.06

IT IS ON, BABY!

Elijah, Freelance Rabbi

18:58 / 13.06.06

That was a good first goal for your boys DM, I too am at work so stealing 5 minutes at a time in the lobby.

Page: 1 2(3)4 5 6 7 8... 12