World Championships Football (soccer)

[arjan]

Do any of you watch the championships football, currently in South Africa?

USA surprised everyone by their 1-1 draw against England earlier this week.
Netherlands beat Denmark 2-0 today.
Belgium didn't make it to the championship (sorry Gaston).

[erik]

Well, that tie between the US and the UK was a huge shocker, as was Denmark getting crushed by the Netherlands.

As to the viability of soccer here on this side of the Pond--well, it has always had a lot of fans (in fact, we do have a fairly robust MLS pro soccer league with franchies in the usual places [L.A.; Chicago; New York] and the not-so-usual [Dallas; Salt Lake City; Houston]). But because there is no break in the action except at the half, it's not quite yet completely TV friendly, which is practically a pre-requisite for televised sports here.

[arjan]

So how about North Korea... ok, they lost, but played a lot better than expected and gave Brazil a hard time.
Even scored a goal, who expected that? One of the most dangerous poules with Brazil, Portugal and Ivory Coast.

[egoodstein]

I've watched a little bit-- I was surprised a little by Italy only getting lucky tie w. Paraguay.
USA I don't know-- they were lucky a bit, though played well, but they have to really win
I think next one against Slovenia-- hard task perhaps. I like the Netherlands team -- good chance at least among European teams. It will be interesting to see how Spain does-- I think they're favored, so pressure may be high. I for one find those So. African 'whistle' horns very
annoying though. . .

Ed

[erik]

Quote by egoodstein:

for one find those So. African 'whistle' horns very annoying though. . .

I think they're having them banned from the stadiums, or at least limited (however much good that does).

[arjan]

Only the 'small' ones are allowed (smaller than 1 meter that is). The FIFA has threatened to ban them if they keep playing them during the national anthems... that thread seems to have worked.
In Europe a lot of tv stations have put a filter on the vuvuzela's sound. Not that it helps a lot... and filtering that sound does not mean you get back the normal stadium sounds like singing and shouting.

So, Ed, you're far from the only one getting annoyed by them

[arjan]

Wow, that was a narrow escape from the USA team. Later today will be decided who they are up against in the next round. Probably Ghana or Serbia, if Germany wins as expected.

[arjan]

Ghana it is... difficult I suppose.

Tomorrow The Netherlands again, deciding if they become 1st or 2nd in their poule which is important as in who will be their next opponent. Italy is likely, or Paraguay. Both not easy and if they win their next round will be Brazil. Oh well. Can't expect any easy matches if you want to go all the way.

[egoodstein]

Well, Italy is out anyway !! Netherlands maybe best chance for European winner. . .
USA amazingly has pretty decent chance to get to quarter finals against Ghana which would be
great result for our team (though Ghana maybe now the 'home' African team). Interesting. . .

Ed

[arjan]

Yes, Italy has too many 'old people' (so to speak). Not enough new, fresh players. Same goes for France.
Netherlands has a chance but will meet Brazil in the quarter finals if we beat Slovakia (and Brazil beats Chile).
And, never under estimate the Germans. Never. If we learned something in the past... (and I'm only referring to football here).

[erik]

Quote by arjan:

And, never under estimate the Germans. Never. If we learned something in the past... (and I'm only referring to football here).

Not after they performed a blitzkrieg on England, 4-1.

[arjan]

Their next game is against Argentina... I think Germany will win that.

Netherlands beat Slovakia today Next stop... probably Brazil.

[arjan]

Today is the big day.... Netherlands - Brazil.

[erik]

That could be a crazy match, for sure.

[arjan]

It was And even though Brazil scored twice and we once, we won since one of the Brazil goals was in there own goal ;D
Next stop: Uruguay, on tuesday.

[egoodstein]

Good luck with that match-- I'll be rooting for Netherlands. Ghana very unfortunate, esp. as Uruguay deserved to lose IMO on that hand ball denying a goal. Funny game .

Ed

[arjan]

That was amazing indeed. Suarez (from Uruguay) stopping the ball by hand, gets send off with a red card but then sees the awarded penalty kick being stopped. So his action paid off. And then even winning the deciding penalty kicks....
The fun thing is that Suarez plays in Holland, in the same team as the keeper of the Dutch team. And for his red card he's surely suspended for the game against Netherlands. Everyone here is glad about that.

But those Germans today... wow, they played amazing. Maybe it will be a Netherlands - Germany final. Rerun of the 1974 World Championship finals. Most Dutch over 40 are still angry about that lost final. Pay back time.... maybe?

[egoodstein]

Good luck to Holland in final-- either Spain or Germany a good match. Amazing to me
with all the So. American teams into knock out round that final will be Euros & 3 of 4
finalists also European. That interesting point about the Uruguay/Ghana players too. Funny game !!

Ed

[arjan]

This weekend the last 2 matches... Saterday the small final, as if anyone cares. Germany - Uruguay, the chance for Germany to show thier game against Spain was a mistake.

The Sunday the Big Final. Netherlands - Spain. Netherlands already lost twice in the final, 1974 and 1978. We were European Champion in 1988. Spain never reached the final in a WC before, but is current European Champion (2008).
It will be an exciting game for sure. Even for neutral viewers I suppose.