2010 FIFA World Cup

[the.killing.44]

Sorry, but the US played a half of a mediocre performance and a half of great, motivated soccer. I'm more than pleased with their should-be-a-win performance.

Though I agree the Serbian performance was great. Do I think they would have won if Klose had not been sent off? No, but it wreaks havoc in what was probably the weakest group going into the cup (maybe H). I'm pretty sure it was a fluke by the Germans, though. I don't want to be facing the experience of that team going into the knockout rounds. Oh, I was in a cab with a Ghanaian cabbie, and we had a talk about the game. He was thuper duper excited!

[Joodoo]

Looks like the Western European teams this year are having a string of bad luck. We got Spain, France, and Germany losing a game to a lowered ranked opponent, and England tying both games they've played so far...

[Timminz]

Yeah! Western Europe sucks!

Seriously though, all those teams have been severely under-performing, at least at times.

[Night Strike]

OK. SO I understand that both the yanks and the brits put on disgraceful performances today, but how is the story of the day not "GERMANY LOSES TO SERBIA!!!"?

Germany drubs the Aussies, 4-0, while the Serbs lost to Ghana! How does that turn into what I just watched?

And it's not like they fluked it. The Serbs were the better-looking team today.

ASTOUNDING!

Because the Spanish ref destroyed that game with his excessive amount of cards. Germany couldn't play because the ref was looking for any reason possible to send them off. The only reason it's not being discussed is because of the HORRIBLE call in the US game.

[Timminz]

I agree that the ref was card-happy in the first half, but I don't feel he was being unfair in the application of his strictness.

Also, blaming the officials is a cop-out. The game is the game, and sometimes that sucks, but it's how it goes.

[Doc_Brown]

Quit worrying about it. England only needs to win against Slovenia.

Why in hell does England have a defensive coach when The Premier is all about 2 passes and goal?

I can't believe that with players like Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney you can't beat Slovenia.

Mexico in the other hand has 4 points but goes against Uruguay. A defeat against them (very plausible) and we're out.

Actually, that's not true. In Group A, Mexico currently has 4 points with +2 net goals (goals for minus goals against). France has 1 point and -2 net goals while S. Africa has 1 point and -3 net goals. Assuming Mexico loses, you'll be tied with whoever wins the France/S. Africa game, so it goes to tie-breakers.

France has a slightly easier path to victory in the first tie-breaker, so let's assume they win. For Mexico to lose, the net goals will drop by at least one. Let's assume Mexico loses 2-0 to Uruguay. France has to beat S. Africa by 3 goals or beat them by 2 while scoring at least 4 goals. Basically, if Mexico can keep the game close, they've got a very good chance to advance. Nate Silver currently gives Mexico a 96% chance of advancing and a 22% chance of making the Semis:

[Timminz]

According to that, Brazil is the favourite, with Argentina, and the Netherlands covering 2nd, and 3rd,

I can't say I agrre with Brazil being first, considering they only beat DPRK 2-1.

[grifftron]

According to that, Brazil is the favourite, with Argentina, and the Netherlands covering 2nd, and 3rd,

I can't say I agrre with Brazil being first, considering they only beat DPRK 2-1.

Brazil only beat NK 2-1... I don't agree with them being the best and I don't think they will win the WC.

But seriously this is the "Year of the underdog". So many upsets so far and i believe more to come.

-griff

[Joodoo]

According to that, Brazil is the favourite, with Argentina, and the Netherlands covering 2nd, and 3rd,

I can't say I agrre with Brazil being first, considering they only beat DPRK 2-1.

Brazil only beat NK 2-1... I don't agree with them being the best and I don't think they will win the WC.

But seriously this is the "Year of the underdog". So many upsets so far and i believe more to come.

-griff

Agreed. Imagine how every World Cup fan would react to North Korea advancing to the round of 16...

[pmchugh]

Lol that site is sooo american, stats overload. Seriously how do you come up with a percentage chance of winning the tourney?

[Army of GOD]

Rank, record, strength of schedule, goals for, goals against, momentum coming into the tourney, injuries, relative team chemistry, etc.

[Army of GOD]

Also, saw a trailer for a documentary type thing of this guy on ESPN...and all I can say is holy s***. It happened when I was 3 so I obviously don't remember it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9s_Escobar

[Iliad]

Sorry, but the US played a half of a mediocre performance and a half of great, motivated soccer. I'm more than pleased with their should-be-a-win performance.

Though I agree the Serbian performance was great. Do I think they would have won if Klose had not been sent off? No, but it wreaks havoc in what was probably the weakest group going into the cup (maybe H). I'm pretty sure it was a fluke by the Germans, though. I don't want to be facing the experience of that team going into the knockout rounds. Oh, I was in a cab with a Ghanaian cabbie, and we had a talk about the game. He was thuper duper excited!

Mate next time you try to decide to give us your pearls of wisdom, do try and make sure it's not complete and utter mind numbing shit. Group D the weakest? I do hope that was a screw up and you meant to say strongest, but your mention of group H takes that out of consideration. Anyway thanks for revealing that you know nothing about football, since you consider a group with two teams that faced the eventual winners in 2006 in the Round of 16 and semis and lost very closely, btw I'm still pissed about that dive of a penalty, and two very powerful dark horses the weakest group. That has probably been the dumbest commentary I've read yet. The only group that might be stronger is Group G, consider North Korea respectable match against the Brazilians.

The group could also be strengthened if our defenders remember, well ,how to defend. It's looking pretty damn bleak and unlikely against Ghana tonight, but hopefully we'll pull through.

[Army of GOD]

Sorry, but the US played a half of a mediocre performance and a half of great, motivated soccer. I'm more than pleased with their should-be-a-win performance.

Though I agree the Serbian performance was great. Do I think they would have won if Klose had not been sent off? No, but it wreaks havoc in what was probably the weakest group going into the cup (maybe H). I'm pretty sure it was a fluke by the Germans, though. I don't want to be facing the experience of that team going into the knockout rounds. Oh, I was in a cab with a Ghanaian cabbie, and we had a talk about the game. He was thuper duper excited!

Mate next time you try to decide to give us your pearls of wisdom, do try and make sure it's not complete and utter mind numbing shit. Group D the weakest? I do hope that was a screw up and you meant to say strongest, but your mention of group H takes that out of consideration. Anyway thanks for revealing that you know nothing about football, since you consider a group with two teams that faced the eventual winners in 2006 in the Round of 16 and semis and lost very closely, btw I'm still pissed about that dive of a penalty, and two very powerful dark horses the weakest group. That has probably been the dumbest commentary I've read yet. The only group that might be stronger is Group G, consider North Korea respectable match against the Brazilians.

The group could also be strengthened if our defenders remember, well ,how to defend. It's looking pretty damn bleak and unlikely against Ghana tonight, but hopefully we'll pull through.

I'll agree that it was a dumb comment (their Group IS the strongest), but I think ViperOverLord's was worse.

[grifftron]

Sorry, but the US played a half of a mediocre performance and a half of great, motivated soccer. I'm more than pleased with their should-be-a-win performance.

Though I agree the Serbian performance was great. Do I think they would have won if Klose had not been sent off? No, but it wreaks havoc in what was probably the weakest group going into the cup (maybe H). I'm pretty sure it was a fluke by the Germans, though. I don't want to be facing the experience of that team going into the knockout rounds. Oh, I was in a cab with a Ghanaian cabbie, and we had a talk about the game. He was thuper duper excited!

Mate next time you try to decide to give us your pearls of wisdom, do try and make sure it's not complete and utter mind numbing shit. Group D the weakest? I do hope that was a screw up and you meant to say strongest, but your mention of group H takes that out of consideration. Anyway thanks for revealing that you know nothing about football, since you consider a group with two teams that faced the eventual winners in 2006 in the Round of 16 and semis and lost very closely, btw I'm still pissed about that dive of a penalty, and two very powerful dark horses the weakest group. That has probably been the dumbest commentary I've read yet. The only group that might be stronger is Group G, consider North Korea respectable match against the Brazilians.

The group could also be strengthened if our defenders remember, well ,how to defend. It's looking pretty damn bleak and unlikely against Ghana tonight, but hopefully we'll pull through.

LOL... why are you even talking about your group being the strongest... oh your aussy.. lol

Well let the game tonight do the talking, if you guys get destroyed by Ghana like you did by the Germans then that would suck.

And group G IS the strongest. It is not a "might be stronger". Group D being the strongest.. lol, a joke MATE

-griff

[nagerous]

Just got home from going out to watch the England game, what a fucking shitter.

[Qwert]

Because the Spanish ref destroyed that game with his excessive amount of cards. Germany couldn't play because the ref was looking for any reason possible to send them off. The only reason it's not being discussed is because of the HORRIBLE call in the US game.

Realy? German and Serbian player get equal number of yellow cards(unfortunatly Klose get 2 yellow) Podolsky have 7 shot on goal,and in several time he have great chance to score goal, and last he have penalty shot. And you blame refere for german loss. You not realised that,but German coach realised that and in conference blame hes team for defeat not refere.

[Sniper08]

Klose did not deserve to get sent off , it ruined the game.Germany did miss their chances to get level but still if they had 11 on the pitch,i think they would have atleast been able to get a draw.

Current World cup match : Holland 1-0 Japan

[Gypsys Kiss]

Klose did not deserve to get sent off , it ruined the game.Germany did miss their chances to get level but still if they had 11 on the pitch,i think they would have atleast been able to get a draw.

Not really.... the 10 man Germans were better than the 11 man Serbian team up until they missed the penalty, then they seemed to give up. And Klose probably didnt deserve to get sent off, but if you insist on tackling from behind it's the chance you take.

[the.killing.44]

Group D the strongest?! To be fair, I did mean something more along the lines of "easiest for the Germany (or Spain in H) to advance," but what are you talking about? Before the Swiss upset, did you think there was any way Spain was going to lose any of their group games? You'd be lying if you did. Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, North Korea. 3/4 of those teams are world-class squads, and the fourth gave Brazil a fight. Group C is a mess because England was the only team who didn't show up to play.

I admit I didn't say it the best, but where the hell did you get G being the strongest?

[Gypsys Kiss]

The Aussies go one up.....if it stays like that it'll make the last games interesting....

[TeeGee]

The Aussies go one up.....if it stays like that it'll make the last games interesting....

and now it's 1-1 and the aussies are down to 10 men because of a bullshit red card for Harry.. there is no way he could of got his hand out of the way, the penalty was deserved but the red card is just crap. It wasn't intentional..someone needs to teach that ref the rules.

[Doc_Brown]

Group D the strongest?! To be fair, I did mean something more along the lines of "easiest for the Germany (or Spain in H) to advance," but what are you talking about? Before the Swiss upset, did you think there was any way Spain was going to lose any of their group games? You'd be lying if you did. Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, North Korea. 3/4 of those teams are world-class squads, and the fourth gave Brazil a fight. Group C is a mess because England was the only team who didn't show up to play.

I admit I didn't say it the best, but where the hell did you get G being the strongest?

Actually, all the way back in May, ESPN rated group D "from top to bottom ... the most competitive group in the tournament." Group G is better at the top end, but they have North Korea (granted DPRK held Brazil to a low scoring game, but I suspect Brazil was just treating it as a warm-up game and will play better against their later opponents).

[Iliad]

f*ck this fucking shit. That's the second bloody time our star striker gets sent off for a bullshit straight red card.

[the.killing.44]

Group D the strongest?! To be fair, I did mean something more along the lines of "easiest for the Germany (or Spain in H) to advance," but what are you talking about? Before the Swiss upset, did you think there was any way Spain was going to lose any of their group games? You'd be lying if you did. Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal, North Korea. 3/4 of those teams are world-class squads, and the fourth gave Brazil a fight. Group C is a mess because England was the only team who didn't show up to play.

I admit I didn't say it the best, but where the hell did you get G being the strongest?

Actually, all the way back in May, ESPN rated group D "from top to bottom ... the most competitive group in the tournament." Group G is better at the top end, but they have North Korea (granted DPRK held Brazil to a low scoring game, but I suspect Brazil was just treating it as a warm-up game and will play better against their later opponents).

No no no I do agree to a certain extent, I just think it's more of a very good competition for 2nd place.