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Post by arjan on Jun 26, 2006 3:51:55 GMT -5
Holland's out lost in a crazy game yesterday to Portugal. Now I hope England will win (yeah right) but I think Germany will, they played impressive so far.
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Post by egoodstein on Jun 26, 2006 8:40:51 GMT -5
>>Holland's out lost in a crazy game yesterday to Portugal. Now I hope England will win (yeah right) but I think Germany will, they played impressive so far. << **I was sorry to see that-- I'm rooting for England too mainly 'coz they always seem to have a tough time, though I agree Germany most likely to win (Argentina who look suprisingly better than Brazil, tho you can't count either of them out). Ed
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Post by arjan on Jun 26, 2006 8:46:49 GMT -5
Well, not too surprisingly I think, about Argentina. They have a history of great soccer teams of course. In a pool at work I had them as #1 in a final against Brasil. Now I have my doubts, more like a final Germany - Brasil or maybe Germany - France as Brasil wasn't that impressive (yet) and Argentina dissapointed against Mexico and they're up to Germany next...
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Post by jhar26 on Jun 26, 2006 11:41:03 GMT -5
The game between Germany and Argentina could very well decide it. Argentina is on paper much stronger, but Germany seemed to have peaked at just the right time (as usual). The big question is how Brasil will perform for the rest of the tournament. At their best they should be way ahead of everyone else, but so far hey have been (by their standards) unimpressive. It all depends on whether they have held back and conciously have done just enough to qualify, or whether they can't do any better. If their frontline is at it's best they should destroy everyone else....but it's a big if.
Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jun 26, 2006 16:40:57 GMT -5
Well that was an exciting game, Switzerland - Ukraine But indeed, the match Argentina - Germany will be crucial. Very possible that the winner of that match will end up becoming Champion...
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Post by trwellerjr on Jun 27, 2006 0:34:44 GMT -5
A Great World Cup, wonderful matches, great competitions . . . even the "men-in-black" are making an absolute contribution this time around. Will the openess of Brazil hold out against the formal play of England or Germany?
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Post by arjan on Jun 27, 2006 15:54:23 GMT -5
Go France
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Post by arjan on Jul 1, 2006 13:29:53 GMT -5
England out. Nevertheless, from the last 4 are 3 European teams. Tonight it may become the full 4 if France beats Brasil. I don't think they're chanceless...
I really can't stand these Portuguese, together with the Spanish and Italian and probably the Brasilians too, always thumbling down and looking like they have their legs broken in 2 when they are touched only slightly or not at all... What happened to the football, when did it becoming an acting class, who gets to fool the referee most?
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 1, 2006 16:01:53 GMT -5
Brasil is out! Argentina and Brasil, the two pre-tournament favourites are out! Wow, does Zinadine Zidane still have it or does he still have it? Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jul 3, 2006 3:40:51 GMT -5
He does... and Brasil seems to have played (almost) full force after all, and not 60% like some said.
Now I hope the finale becomes France - Germany, that will be an exiting game I think. I don't want to have the Portugese or Italian actors in the final...
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 3, 2006 10:12:57 GMT -5
Brasil was very disappointing. Not because they lost (any decent soccer team can beat another one on the day), and not just against France, but all throughout the tournament. I mean, look at those names! All of them great players, just never really got it together as a team.
I hope France will win it now, just for Zidane, the best player of the tournament. And if he really retires after this tournament, well, what a way to go!
Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jul 4, 2006 17:01:58 GMT -5
Well, Italy it is. Pity. Still can't stand them even if the referee tonight couldn't be fooled so they gave up acting mostly.
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 4, 2006 17:26:47 GMT -5
Well, Italy it is. Pity. Still can't stand them even if the referee tonight couldn't be fooled so they gave up acting mostly. Well, without being a fan of them I'm kinda glad Italy got through, or rather that the Germans are out. ;D You can never rule the Italians out. They always look so-so, but they always get through. THE speciaists of winning ugly, they always have been. Gaston
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Post by Antonio on Jul 4, 2006 19:18:32 GMT -5
I am not a football obsessed in any way, but I couldn't help watching the game tonight. Well, despite all the troubles, Italy got to the finals. Maybe those players aren't just a group overpayed diva-like posers. GO ITALYYYYY!!!!! ;D
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Post by egoodstein on Jul 4, 2006 23:06:16 GMT -5
While not really a fan-- more a casual observer , glad in a way to see Italy go through, finally beating Germany in Germany which I don't think they ever did. What a very unpredictable World Cup this time it seems! Ed
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Post by arjan on Jul 5, 2006 3:16:56 GMT -5
I don't have that much problems with Germany, of course I'll never be a big fan of them, that's tradition, but football wise...
I like Holland, England, other British and Ireland, Germany and maybe France most for their combination of quality and style. Then there's the Scandinavians who's style is almost the same but they usually lack quality, so they become less favorites. Eastern Europe have a style which is more physical with more fauls, but usually I can stand and favour them if they're not playing against one of the countries mentioned above. Then souther Europe, like Italy, Spain, Portugal but also most South Americans who I believe are posers and more focussed on style than on playing soccer, I can't stand them. They usually have an attitude like "hey, I'm The Louis Figo, how dare you touch me". Then there's several different countries (Asia, Africa, North America, Australia) I'm indifferent about and varies on the match and the opponent.
So that's why I prefered Germany to win yesterday...
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 5, 2006 11:47:22 GMT -5
I've never been a big soccer fan actually, although I enjoy the big events. Don't have favorite teams as such (although I supported Holland), I think I'm more of a favorite players type of a guy. I never cared that much for the players who depend exclusively on physical strenght. I like the players who have lots of technical skills and are crafty. People like Messi, Ronaldo (the Brasilian one), Ronaldinho, Zidane, Robbe or in the days of old Diego Maradona.
Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jul 5, 2006 16:03:31 GMT -5
Isn't it ironic, to quote a certain miss Morisette, that Portugal went out on a semi-'schwalbe'? I doubt if Henry meant to fall, seems like he steppend on the Portuguese foot and lost his balance... Anyway, after Italy getting in the final I'm glad that France did too, if the final would have been Italy - Portugal we only would have seen falling people screaming for free kicks and cards.
Seems clear that I favour France to win?
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 5, 2006 16:40:18 GMT -5
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Post by arjan on Jul 5, 2006 17:02:26 GMT -5
Wel yes but that's only the press and the ones taking for granted what's in the papers... By the way, I wonder if C. Ronaldo will ever play in England again - except against an English club. He really isnt popular anymore, there's even a site www.ihateronaldo.com ;D
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Post by arjan on Jul 8, 2006 15:51:51 GMT -5
He he these Portuguese sure got their ass kicked today
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 8, 2006 16:37:10 GMT -5
He he these Portuguese sure got their ass kicked today They sure did, but more importantly: Who do you think is gonna win tomorrow? I think Italy, although I prefer France because of Zidane. Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jul 8, 2006 18:20:25 GMT -5
I wouldn't be surprised if after 90 minutes it was a tie 0-0 or 1-1.
You can't compare the French to the Germans, of course I know you don't but I mean it will be a very different game and Italy will not get the room they got from Germany. Unless they lead 1-0 then France will have to give them that room.
I also hope France, my bet would be a tie but I fear Italy in the extra time...
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Post by jhar26 on Jul 9, 2006 16:00:52 GMT -5
Well, an exciting game. France had the better of Italy for most of the 120 minutes, but against Italy that means very little. Shame that it had to end on penalties in my opinion. Better to have a re-match than a lottery (what a penalty series always is). Beautiful header by Zidane by the way.....both of them. ;D Gaston
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Post by arjan on Jul 9, 2006 16:06:33 GMT -5
Well, like Cruijff once said... Italians... they can't beat you but you can loose from them... Of course that was right before(!) the game Holland missed 2 penalty kicks in the regular 90 minutes and eventually lost the penalty shoot out... (during Euro 2000 I think)
Anyway, indeed an exciting game. Shame that Trezegue missed, that Italian keeper wouldn't have stopped anything during the shoot out.
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