FIFA World Cup 2010.

[SeaCat]

Watched the Urugay Ghana match and as was mentioned earlier it was a bit of a nail Biter.

I'm looking forward to tomorrows match with Germany. (I think you know who I'm rooting for in this match.)

In a way it would have been nice to see Ghana win as they are the last of the African nations.

Cat

 

[trysail]

Vuvuzela

If the idea is to drive as many people as possible away from the sport— this is how you do it.

I'd prefer a new edition of the Spanish Inquisition.

There's already enough noise in the world without this highly annoying addition. When accompanying a sport that is as boring as watching paint dry, any potential interest I have is totally eliminated.


The highlight shows give me all I need to know.

 

[jomar]

Uh oh for Argentina.

 

[jomar]

Argentina's going home.

 

[fieryjen]

Argentina's going home.

Yep, they sure are.

Glad they at least managed to behave themselves this time instead of brawling. Have to admit I expected it to be much closer. Not that I'm complaining.

 

[PoppingTom]

Vuvuzela

If the idea is to drive as many people as possible away from the sport— this is how you do it.


There's already enough noise in the world without this highly annoying addition. When accompanying a sport that is as boring as watching paint dry, any potential interest I have is totally eliminated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCayacFcCX4

 

[achingback]

Vuvuzela

If the idea is to drive as many people as possible away from the sport— this is how you do it.

There's already enough noise in the world without this highly annoying addition. When accompanying a sport that is as boring as watching paint dry, any potential interest I have is totally eliminated.

The highlight shows give me all I need to know.

Some stadiums in the UK and the US have already banned the Vuvuzela.

 

[fieryjen]

Some stadiums in the UK and the US have already banned the Vuvuzela.

So has the UFC.

 

[Weird Harold]

So has the UFC.

College footbal has banned any kind of noisemakers -- with the exception of cowbells at some stadium that has provided then to fans for years -- because of how annoying many people find the vuvuzelas. I don't mind them, but I'm not hearing them at full volume (thanks to ESPN's audio magic) and I buy earplugs by the gross.

Back on topic, predictions:

Uruguay v Netherlands: Netherlands by 1-0

Netherlands has been solid and unflappable all tournament. I didn't expect them to get past Brazil, but now they have, they're head-and-shoulders better than Uruguay.

Spain v Germany: Spain 0-0 + 0-0 and 9-8 on PKs

Germany has played better than Spain, but Spain tends to play down to their opponent's level. Their Goalkeeper, Vallar, won today's game for Spain by saving that first PK and then stopping several on-target shots -- including that sensational double save near the end.

Speaking of PKs, two within a minute of play at opposite ends and both saved (excluding the disallowed first try at the Spanish PK) hasn't happened since the very first World Cup in 1930! Spectacular goalkeeping!

 

[SeaCat]

College footbal has banned any kind of noisemakers -- with the exception of cowbells at some stadium that has provided then to fans for years -- because of how annoying many people find the vuvuzelas. I don't mind them, but I'm not hearing them at full volume (thanks to ESPN's audio magic) and I buy earplugs by the gross.

Back on topic, predictions:

Uruguay v Netherlands: Netherlands by 1-0

Netherlands has been solid and unflappable all tournament. I didn't expect them to get past Brazil, but now they have, they're head-and-shoulders better than Uruguay.

Spain v Germany: Spain 0-0 + 0-0 and 9-8 on PKs

Germany has played better than Spain, but Spain tends to play down to their opponent's level. Their Goalkeeper, Vallar, won today's game for Spain by saving that first PK and then stopping several on-target shots -- including that sensational double save near the end.

Speaking of PKs, two within a minute of play at opposite ends and both saved (excluding the disallowed first try at the Spanish PK) hasn't happened since the very first World Cup in 1930! Spectacular goalkeeping!

I don't know, I'm going to say Germany 1 Spain 0.

It will be a tight game but Germany will play with it's usual energy and precision.

Cat

 

[Liar]

Germany 3 - Spain 1

Those krauts are serious business..

 

[SeaCat]

Germany 3 - Spain 1

Those krauts are serious business..

The funny thing about the German National Team is there are people in Germany, namely the Neo Nazi's, who don't like them. They feel the team is not "German" enough.

Cat

 

[Verdad]

Back on topic, predictions:

Uruguay v Netherlands: Netherlands by 1-0

Netherlands has been solid and unflappable all tournament. I didn't expect them to get past Brazil, but now they have, they're head-and-shoulders better than Uruguay.

Spain v Germany: Spain 0-0 + 0-0 and 9-8 on PKs

Germany has played better than Spain, but Spain tends to play down to their opponent's level. Their Goalkeeper, Vallar, won today's game for Spain by saving that first PK and then stopping several on-target shots -- including that sensational double save near the end.

Pretty much my impressions, too. I don't think Uruguay has a chance against Netherlands, although I kind of wish they had. Despite impressive results, Netherlands just didn't win my sympathies.

Germany's playing, on the other hand, charmed me quite consistently this WC. However, I too am wary of making a prediction; Spain looked mnyeh today, but it's hard not to look mnyeh with Paraguay.

On a related note, if anyone wants to pledge to run naked through Lit, now's the time.

 

[Weird Harold]

I don't know, I'm going to say Germany 1 Spain 0.

It will be a tight game but Germany will play with it's usual energy and precision.

Cat

That would have been my first reaction, but did you watch the Spanish goalkeeper today? I suppose he could have used up his entire allotment of luck for this tournament, but most of his saves were just good positioning.

I said "9-8 on PKs," but if Vallar plays the way he did to day, it could be "3-0 on PKs."

 

[jomar]

Germany's putting them in the back of the goal. I know Spain was favored, but Germany seems to be peaking.

I'll go with Germany over the Netherlands 2-1.

 

[SeaCat]

That would have been my first reaction, but did you watch the Spanish goalkeeper today? I suppose he could have used up his entire allotment of luck for this tournament, but most of his saves were just good positioning.

I said "9-8 on PKs," but if Vallar plays the way he did to day, it could be "3-0 on PKs."

Vallar was outstanding today, he seemed to be almost psychic in knowing where the shots were going to come from.

Neuer on the other hand was solid in the goal even though he had a few moments where I had to wonder. He doesn't have the flair of Villar, instead he's more like a wall.

Cat

 

[Lady_June]

This WC edition is nothing but a joke.

 

[fieryjen]

I like this chance at redemption from the Euros, just hope that we can actually find said redemption. It's true Germany does not play as well against teams who have a superior defense, it tends to stump us, which makes me nervous.

This WC edition is nothing but a joke.

'scuse me?

 

[ishtat]

A doctor acquantance made an interesting observation a couple of weeks ago when she suggested the fittest and probably one of the younger teams would win the final. Her reasoning was that in Europe and to a lesser extent Latin America very few football pitches are full size(120yards by 100) wheras virtually all the South African pitches are full size and in Jo'burg the air is also thinner.

Therefore she reasoned the players have to run further in thinner air.

She also contended before the tournament started that the conditions would also affect refereeing adversely in that linesmen in particular could not keep up with play, particularly for offside rulings.

Initially the men in the party (we are having a series of late night supporters parties) derided her 'nonsense' but so far she is scooping the pool on bets, the dratted woman backed Uruguay from the outset and got the Brasil/Netherlands,Argentina/Germany results right.

Highlight so far... the depth of despond reached by a Brazilian friend followed within 24 hours by his unfeigned delight at the Argentine exit.



Until quite recently only one club of the top 92 in Englands top four leagues had a full size pitch and that club was ???

 

[R. Richard]

Here's a prediction for you, one you CAN bet on.

Dunga (Dopey) is gone!!!

As of Sunday, Dunga is gone!

 

[Belegon]

At this point, I am falling back on my old rule of rooting for the team that has gone longest without a championship - so sorry, Jen. Rooting for Spain as they have never won the WC.

On the other side, that means I am rooting for the Dutch... although the last one was 1950, Uruguay has won. The Netherlands has not.

 

[Pure]

Orange triumphs.

The Dutch have done it!!! Superior offense for most of the time. Goalie lapses allowed Uruguay to come closer than they might have.
Forlan is incredible.

I'd say, Holland v. Germany is coming up! bets?

 

[Neast19]

Good to see Uruguay knocked out, didn't think they deserved to be there after Suarez's handball.

Got a sneaky feeling Spain will pull it out of the bag tomorrow. Germany have to stumble eventually, I'm tired of them scoring four a game..

 

[ShyChiWriter]

The Dutch have done it!!! Superior offense for most of the time. Goalie lapses allowed Uruguay to come closer than they might have.
Forlan is incredible.

I'd say, Holland v. Germany is coming up! bets?

Yep - That's my call too. Great game from Holland today. I'm guessing Germany 2, Spain 1. A Germany/Netherlands final would be very fun.

 

[Weird Harold]

Yep - That's my call too. Great game from Holland today. I'm guessing Germany 2, Spain 1. A Germany/Netherlands final would be very fun.

Germany's Wunderkind, Muller(sp) is out for tomorrow's game because of two yellow cards in earlier rounds. I'm not sure how that's going to affect Germany's offense, but it can't be good.

The game was too close to call with Muller playing, with him out and Spain's goalkeeper playing out of his head, I think it's going to be Spain advancing by PKs.