Greatest Show on Earth

[wacmedia 277]

Due to your Man U para , earlier in the thread...What did you think of the red devils season????

 

Hi,

 

Thought they done well without Ronaldo and Tevez. Rio out of World Cuo.

[joekicker 53]

Just up the road, in Chonburi.

 

This is just in from the BBC an indication it could even be factual:

 

Designers defend World Cup ball

Engineers who designed the official World Cup football hit back at criticism of their ball by some players.

 

Engineers, huh? WHY would you turn a job like this over to an engineer? What can they do? Make it more round? Use special engineer air? The engineers don't know jack. A school yard full of kids knows more about how soccer balls should look and feel than a university full of engineers. Engineers on TRAINS know more. Yes, exactly, if design is somehow necessary at all, it's a job for the players. Then the engineers can figure out HOW to do it, instead of what to do.

 

.

[joekicker 53]

glitch sorry

Edited June 4, 2010 by joekicker

[rogero 4]

I can't believe I'm the only one voting for Italy ! (so far)

 

They're a cert IMHO.

 

I shall spend my winnings wisely on my next trip to Papps

 

rogero :gulp

[bigdelta 46]

Sadly Drogba too.Too many late games prior to WC and practice injuries also.Chilavert got it right:

 

Perhaps FIFA should be losing sleep over these injuries, says Jose Luis Chilavert, Paraguay's former standout keeper.

 

``FIFA should plan ahead and give the players more time to rest to have a good World Cup,'' he told The Associated Press. ``Sadly, what happens is that the commercial side is what moves everything nowadays.

 

``Sometimes the commercial aspect is more influential than the sporting and then you put the body at risk. The truth is that the football player wants to play, but you have to take into account that the body needs rest and that we're not robots.

 

``You have to take precautions in the right moment. If I was a coach, I wouldn't be playing friendly (matches) at this time.''

 

And the idiot US is playing the penal continent tomorrow morning.Why not just play a doubleheader on opening day?The worst US coach in 30 years has the US in a long,slow,downward spiral.Hopefully we'll hire a professional coach soon.I see Jersey OutTheDoor has a knock for US-too bad he's not out altogether.He's awful and scored 1 goal all season for his awful club Hull.He had the same amount of red cards.

[atlas2 4,329]

This is sport.......it's unpredictability is it's appeal.

 

All I hope is that England play fairly and neither Thierry Henry or Maradonna get their 'hands' on the cup.

[joekicker 53]

This is sport.......it's unpredictability is it's appeal.

 

Indeed. One-sport heathens may have missed that a baseballer almost threw the 20th perfect game in the history of baseball -- 20 in way over 100 years in the shabby city of Detroit this week. Except that he didn't because on the very last perfect play of a 27-play perfect game, the umpire totally, completely blew the call, and said the batter was safe, not out. He was clearly out, I mean it really wasn't close. But part of the unpredictability of this particular sport is that the HUGE number of judgement calls by umpires during the course of one game, always hundreds of them, never are questioned or reversed. Ever. No matter how egregious the call is wrong. So because of this ONE call which was so obviously wrong (confirmed by all the technology available to us but not the umpires or players during the game), it was not the 20th perfect game.

 

It's part of the sport. Just like uncalled hand balls, really. I'm always torn, but so far I have always come down 51 per cent or more for unpredictability. The fact that the outcome of a game sometimes rides on these calls is horrible and ALSO part of the sport. I would like perfect refereeing, but I don't want the game stopped for 5 minutes every 15 minutes to check the cameras, which sometimes ALSO lie of course.

 

.

[MeGoDanceNow 4,281]

Spectator sports should be unpredictable in that you don't know how the variables will interact, what the other team is planning, how the players will perform under pressure, etc. etc. I think the ref's egregiously bad call in the baseball game the other day is a damn shame and should be reversible. Maybe that would open a hornet's nest, I don't know.

[nidnoyham 30]

The dreadful UK winter weather has taken it's toll. Re-sched' cannceled matches stretched the season by a few weeks.

 

Our list of injuries so close to the opening, is getting bigger. Rio Ferdinand being the latest. We could have done without that Japan game. No wonder the players seemed so unmotivated- they are knackered.

[wacmedia 277]

The dreadful UK winter weather has taken it's toll. Re-sched' cannceled matches stretched the season by a few weeks.

 

Our list of injuries so close to the opening, is getting bigger. Rio Ferdinand being the latest. We could have done without that Japan game. No wonder the players seemed so unmotivated- they are knackered.

 

Hi,

 

Drogba is injured now. Shame so many marquee players will miss out through injury. Still, some new World stars will be created.

[atlas2 4,329]

I think (hope) They were 'careful' of injury.... not knackered.

 

Re the referee business..........I don't understand why they don't grab at the technical help with both hands. The baseball umpire made an honest mistake I assume...............

 

BUT.......

 

Thierry Henri and Maradona.....didn't just put their 'hands on the ball'..........They effectively dipped them into the opposing team's changing room pockets.

 

It's NOT, 'part and parcel of today's game' as equally guilty TV apologists dismiss it.......... it's bloody wrong!

 

A camera would have corrected these and a 1000 other injustices.

Edited June 5, 2010 by atlas2

[Obsession 571]

The Enland players went right into a full training session, just hours after landing. Kenny Sanson was on theradio saying that , at theMexico world cup they didn't train for the first three days. Just walking. Then light traing for two days. WTF wasCappeello thinkg

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

The World Cup, football, the sport of the people, is about to start in South Africa. Having picked the winners Italy last time and opposing the first 4 in the betting I can’t expect to be as successful this time but I’ll give my opinions anyway.

 

England are the only team from these islands to qualify. Their biggest asset is Fabio Capello who has a great record as a manager/coach and may be able to get the best out of a team of talented individuals. I think they rely too much on Rooney up front and they have a tough first game against a USA team, coached by Bob Bradley, who are a physical, well organised team with a strong work rate.

 

Brazil under Dunga are more Bolton than the talented Brazilian teams of the past. Very good at set pieces and on breakaways they will be hard to beat.

 

Argentina have left some great players, like Zanetti and Cambiasso, out of the squad. Maradona has the best players in the World at his disposal, but whether he will get them to function as a team is open to question. Still with players like Messi, Mascherano, Higuain and Aguero in the squad they should go close.

 

Holland are the unluckiest team never to have won a World Cup. Always one of the best team to watch they seem a good outside bet with Robben and Van Persie in attack. They should feel at home in Dutch speaking South Africa.

 

Serbian players formed the backbone of Yugoslavian teams in the past. Serbian players are usually very good technically and I hope they have a good tournament.

 

Germany are always strong contenders but having failed to win the European Championship on home soil I will be opposing them.

 

Portugal have Ronaldo and lots of Brazilian blood in their veins so are more Brazilian than the Brazilians themselves in terms of attractive football. They have cost me money in the past and none of my hard earned will be on them in this tournament.

 

Slovenia have achieved heroic status by beating the might of Russia in the play offs and must have a good team spirit. I don’t expect them to get much from the referees in the last game of the group stages if England need a result! Slovakia are similar to Slovenia, small team with no household names but a good team spirit. I hope one of the two do well.

 

France struggled to beat a spirited but limited Irish team in the play offs and although I’ve backed them in the past not this time. The same goes for Italy who are a great tournament team.

 

 

Of the African teams Cameroon and Ivory Coast look the strongest. Droga and Eto’o are among the best forwards in the World. I hope one of them goes far as South Africa looked very poor in last years Confederation Cup.

 

On form Chile seem the best of the second tier South American teams but they generally disappoint in the finals. It will be interesting to see how the two Koreas get on. South Korea got some very questionable decisions when they played on home soil and the refs may not be as generous in Africa.

 

Australia were beaten by the eventual winners Italy last World Cup and it remains to be seen if they can play as well again. New Zealand make the finals for the first time in nearly 30 years so good luck to them

 

Spain have played the best football over the last few years having great technical skills and players from Real Madrid and Barcelona who are used to playing in high pressure games and winning them. Cesc Fabregas would walk into any other team in the World Cup. Casillas is a great goalkeeper and they have Puyol in defence and Xavi and Iniesta and Alonso in midfield plus Torres and Villa upfront.

 

I had a little bet on Argentina at 10/1 in December and they are now 7/1 so other people think they have a chance as well. However, having backed Spain in the European Championship I have to stick with them. Serbia may be dark horses. I hope it’s a great World Cup and everyone enjoys the spectacle and wins a few baht if you have a bet.

[Obsession 571]

Hi,

 

The World Cup, football, the sport of the people, is about to start in South Africa. Having picked the winners Italy last time and opposing the first 4 in the betting I can’t expect to be as successful this time but I’ll give my opinions anyway.

 

England are the only team from these islands to qualify. Their biggest asset is Fabio Capello who has a great record as a manager/coach and may be able to get the best out of a team of talented individuals. I think they rely too much on Rooney up front and they have a tough first game against a USA team, coached by Bob Bradley, who are a physical, well organised team with a strong work rate.

 

Brazil under Dunga are more Bolton than the talented Brazilian teams of the past. Very good at set pieces and on breakaways they will be hard to beat.

 

Argentina have left some great players, like Zanetti and Cambiasso, out of the squad. Maradona has the best players in the World at his disposal, but whether he will get them to function as a team is open to question. Still with players like Messi, Mascherano, Higuain and Aguero in the squad they should go close.

 

Holland are the unluckiest team never to have won a World Cup. Always one of the best team to watch they seem a good outside bet with Robben and Van Persie in attack. They should feel at home in Dutch speaking South Africa.

 

Serbian players formed the backbone of Yugoslavian teams in the past. Serbian players are usually very good technically and I hope they have a good tournament.

 

Germany are always strong contenders but having failed to win the European Championship on home soil I will be opposing them.

 

Portugal have Ronaldo and lots of Brazilian blood in their veins so are more Brazilian than the Brazilians themselves in terms of attractive football. They have cost me money in the past and none of my hard earned will be on them in this tournament.

 

Slovenia have achieved heroic status by beating the might of Russia in the play offs and must have a good team spirit. I don’t expect them to get much from the referees in the last game of the group stages if England need a result! Slovakia are similar to Slovenia, small team with no household names but a good team spirit. I hope one of the two do well.

 

France struggled to beat a spirited but limited Irish team in the play offs and although I’ve backed them in the past not this time. The same goes for Italy who are a great tournament team.

 

 

Of the African teams Cameroon and Ivory Coast look the strongest. Droga and Eto’o are among the best forwards in the World. I hope one of them goes far as South Africa looked very poor in last years Confederation Cup.

 

On form Chile seem the best of the second tier South American teams but they generally disappoint in the finals. It will be interesting to see how the two Koreas get on. South Korea got some very questionable decisions when they played on home soil and the refs may not be as generous in Africa.

 

Australia were beaten by the eventual winners Italy last World Cup and it remains to be seen if they can play as well again. New Zealand make the finals for the first time in nearly 30 years so good luck to them

 

Spain have played the best football over the last few years having great technical skills and players from Real Madrid and Barcelona who are used to playing in high pressure games and winning them. Cesc Fabregas would walk into any other team in the World Cup. Casillas is a great goalkeeper and they have Puyol in defence and Xavi and Iniesta and Alonso in midfield plus Torres and Villa upfront.

 

I had a little bet on Argentina at 10/1 in December and they are now 7/1 so other people think they have a chance as well. However, having backed Spain in the European Championship I have to stick with them. Serbia may be dark horses. I hope it’s a great World Cup and everyone enjoys the spectacle and wins a few baht if you have a bet.

Good summation.

Faby is getting sussed as overated. Non English knew aleady. But the pundits are on to him. He doesn't seem to have his best team sussed out yet. And he took Dafoe, who has been out of form since his back injury.

 

Robben is out, I think. Pity, as he is good to watch.

 

No mention of Germany?

[wacmedia 277]

No mention of Germany?

 

 

Germany are always strong contenders but having failed to win the European Championship on home soil I will be opposing them.

 

Hi,

 

England have a dodgy ref in first game. Who's side will have him in their pocket.

 

World Cup 2010: controversial Carlos Simon to referee England v USA group match

 

England's opening World Cup game against USA on Saturday will be refereed by Carlos Simon, a Brazilian official who has caused controversy with some of his decisions in his homeland where Flamengo even reported him to Fifa for one "unambiguously inconsistent, unfair and inequitable performance''.

Flamengo wrote to the Fifa general secretary, Jerome Valcke, to complain about Simon's decision to send off Diego Tardelli for diving against Cruzeiro when he should have been awarded a penalty. Having lost the 2008 game and failed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo sent Fifa a DVD of the incident and suggested Simon should not be considered for South Africa.

 

In the letter written in English by Kleber Leite, the then Flamengo vice-president said: "The video evidence collected and hereby submitted – attesting the unambiguously inconsistent, unfair and inequitable technical performance of Mr Simon – provides the Fifa referees committee with a firm factual foundation that will help this governing body's analysis concerning the risks in maintaining the above-referenced Brazilian referee in the list of referees for the 2010 World Cup. This is the contribution of Flamengo for the good of the game."

 

Simon also failed to award a penalty to Brasiliense in the 2002 Brazilian Cup final when even Corinthians players suggested it should have been given. He was also criticised for dismissing Sweden's Teddy Lucic for two bookable offences against Germany in the 2006 World Cup.

 

The second caution came after German players waved imaginary cards for what they saw as a tug by Lucic on Miroslav Klose. Lukas Podolski patted Simon on the back when he brandished the second yellow.

 

Simon, a journalist, refereed England's draw with Sweden at the 2002 World Cup and waved away Swedish appeals for a penalty when Rio Ferdinand pushed Marcus Allback. Simon correctly ruled that the infringement occurred fractionally outside the box.

Edited June 8, 2010 by wacmedia

[joekicker 53]

A camera would have corrected these and a 1000 other injustices.

 

At the mere cost of 1,001 stoppages of play while people stand around for 10 minutes or more reviewing the tape/video/film. The thing is that stopping the game ALSO affects the game, just like an undetected hand ball or a terrible offside call.

 

I do agonise sometimes. But you know, if you want a game where there is never a bad call and the ref always gets it right, get Soccer 10K and put that up on your screen. (It's interesting, actually, that one of the big baseball video games has a mode where the umpire has an unpredictable strike zone -- art imitating life.)

 

.

[nidnoyham 30]

Hi,

 

The World Cup, football, the sport of the people, is about to start in South Africa. Having picked the winners Italy last time and opposing the first 4 in the betting I can’t expect to be as successful this time but I’ll give my opinions anyway.

 

England are the only team from these islands to qualify. Their biggest asset is Fabio Capello who has a great record as a manager/coach and may be able to get the best out of a team of talented individuals.

 

 

No team has ever won the World Cup under a foreign manager. Perhaps we should had 'Arry ?

[Obsession 571]

Hi,

 

England have a dodgy ref in first game. Who's side will have him in their pocket.

 

World Cup 2010: controversial Carlos Simon to referee England v USA group match

 

What makes you think the USA will need help from a ref. They have two Glasgow Rangers players. Nuff said

 

Heard a bit on the radio about the French team "splitting along racial lines"!!!! Have you heard anything about that?

[paul230 24]

England will not win th eworld cup, no bottle, pre madonnas and quite frankly nowhere near good enough so stop fucking dreaming.

[joekicker 53]

England have a dodgy ref in first game. Who's side will have him in their pocket. rolleyes

 

According to your article, millions of witnesses from Sweden have testified publicly that he is in England's pocket. No one has refuted their testimony.

 

.

[englishinsiam 15]

I can't believe I'm the only one voting for Italy ! (so far)

 

They're a cert IMHO.

 

I shall spend my winnings wisely on my next trip to Papps

 

rogero :D

 

Lol good to hear you have hope My Italian friend here says Italy wont win anything with the current squad.

 

 

Hi,

 

Drogba is injured now. Shame so many marquee players will miss out through injury. Still, some new World stars will be created.

 

He's a great player when he's not throwing himself to the ground every 5 minutes. And he's got a face you just want to smack

 

 

Heard a bit on the radio about the French team "splitting along racial lines"!!!! Have you heard anything about that?

 

I find that a surprise as they are all Black in the French side anyway. Maybe they are arguing over who has the darkest skin. It's me Nigger no it's not it's me Nigger

 

For sure I will be supporting any team France plays. I've not bought French for 20 years. You burn our lambs wont buy our beef I wont buy your overpriced Wine or your Camembert

[wacmedia 277]

Heard a bit on the radio about the French team "splitting along racial lines"!!!! Have you heard anything about that?

 

Hi,

 

Haven't really looked into it. When France won the World Cup they had players from all over the French Empire. Very few French players on the team. Often a Dutch problem that.

[englishinsiam 15]

Hi,

 

Haven't really looked into it. When France won the World Cup they had players from all over the French Empire. Very few French players on the team. Often a Dutch problem that.

 

 

French empire haha

 

they were left with the remnants the British empire didn't want.

 

Mainly raghead areas

[wacmedia 277]

French empire haha

 

they were left with the remnants the British empire didn't want.

 

Mainly raghead areas

 

 

Hi,

 

Some nice islands in this lot.

 

On the 2006 French national team, 17 of the 23 players were members of racial minorities, including many of the most prominent players. The team featured players born in France's overseas departments and others who were immigrants or the children of immigrants from former French colonies. Zinédine Zidane was born in Marseille to Algerian immigrants. Vikash Dhorasoo — the first French player of Indo-Mauritian origin – played in the 2006 World Cup. Meanwhile, several players are of African and West Indian origin. Patrick Vieira immigrated as a child from Senegal and Claude Makélélé did likewise from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Both Bafétimbi Gomis and Bacary Sagna have dual French-Senegalese nationality. Lilian Thuram is from France's overseas department of Guadeloupe. Thierry Henry is the son of parents born in Guadeloupe and Martinique, while Louis Saha, Sylvain Wiltord, and Pascal Chimbonda all have parents who hail from Guadeloupe. Florent Malouda was born in French Guiana. Similarly, current starlets like Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri, and Hatem Ben Arfa were born to immigrant families from Algeria and Tunisia.In 2002, led by Ghanaian-born Marcel Desailly,

[nidnoyham 30]

Hi,

 

Haven't really looked into it. When France won the World Cup they had players from all over the French Empire. Very few French players on the team. Often a Dutch problem that.

 

 

It's a case of representing the country of France, but not the people.

 

Unless they do smoke strong fags, ride a bike with onions on the handlebars, while wearing a beret and horizontal stripes on their shirt...... But I some how doubt it !