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BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:04 PM
Discussion.

Would have been pretty rediculous if USA was a No. 1 seed

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:13 PM
For those of us watching in the USA, I liked DeMarcus Beasley. He didn't give the bullshit responses. Instead of "no limits", he said "if we don't get to the quarterfinals we will be upset" and he admitted that he doesn't want to face certain teams (Germany, Brazil, etc) in the first round. It's nice to see realistic views on US soccer once in a while.

Mr. Monday Morning
12-09-2005, 03:21 PM
It's hard to tell how good the US really are outside of actual World Cups. They seem to have a good track record qualifying in recent years though.

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:23 PM
WORLD CUPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:27 PM
Both Eric Wynalda and Marcelo Balboa agreed on the following:
Brazil: Contender
Germany: Pretender
England: Contender
France: Pretender
USA: Contender :|

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:27 PM
LOL @ Baggio

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:28 PM
Baggio!

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:32 PM
They're gonna play with thier balls together

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:35 PM
I just don't want to play the Czechs

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:36 PM
As long as the Czechs get a good draw, I don't care what happens

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:37 PM
Come on Mexico, Angola and Trinidad

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:41 PM
HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:41 PM
Roger Milla, christ, he was like one of the first footballers I remember

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:42 PM
Lol at Coby Jones, he goes right along with Pele.

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:46 PM
oh god.

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:49 PM
Ivory Coast/Argentina

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:49 PM
That is an impressive set

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:50 PM
Pssh, Mexico gets Angola, come on

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:51 PM
phewww

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:51 PM
The Aussies get the Brazilians

Hey Hey

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:51 PM
LOL AUSSIES

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:53 PM
For some reason I've got a feeling we get a really hard draw

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:54 PM
Germany/Poland :cool:

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:54 PM
"They met in 74"

And......39 :shifty:

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:54 PM
Who is the other guy with dreads, next to Coby?

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:54 PM
Sweden again

HAHAHAHAHA

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:55 PM
Argentina vs Holland

What a fucking game

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:56 PM
Maybe I do care, some of these games are a bit tasty

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:56 PM
Whats the word on the Ivory Coast? Are they supposed to be good? If so, C looks like the tough group right now

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:56 PM
shit, I wanted the rematch with Portugal

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:57 PM
Italy and Czech Republic!

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:57 PM
Italy/Czechs :y:

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:57 PM
shit, I wanted the rematch with Portugal

I didn't!

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:58 PM
Hurry US, I need to go!

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 03:58 PM
Whats the word on the Ivory Coast? Are they supposed to be good? If so, C looks like the tough group right now

Well in 1990 Argentina got beaten by Cameroon in their first appearance in the tournament, and Ivory Coast are similar to how Cameroon were then. They've got Drogba and Toure, and aren't bad at all.

FUCK the Czechs got Italy and the cunt's side

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 03:58 PM
only cause I have friends from Portugal.

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 03:59 PM
I'm calling Togo in the second round right now

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 04:02 PM
well here it is

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 04:03 PM
phewwww

didn't want Germany again

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 04:04 PM
Damnit hurry!

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 04:05 PM
Italy, Ghana, Czech Republic then? Fuck

BCWWF
12-09-2005, 04:05 PM
Well shit

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 04:05 PM
HOLY FUCK. NOOOO.

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 04:05 PM
Shit, thats the group of death

Ghana, Italy, Czech Republic and USA

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 04:06 PM
WTF

Loose Cannon
12-09-2005, 04:07 PM
So my family is from Czech. In NY where I'm from, everyone is Italian and the US is playing both. wow

Mr. Monday Morning
12-09-2005, 04:07 PM
Group A

Germany
Costa Rica
Poland
Ecuador

Group B

England
Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden

Group C

Argentina
Ivory Coast
Serbia & Montenegro
Holland

Group D

Mexico
Iran
Angola
Portugal

Group E

Italy
Ghana
USA
Czech Republic

Group F

Brazil
Croatia
Australia
Japan

Group G

France
Switzerland
South Korea
Togo

Group H

Spain
Ukraine
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia

Mr. Monday Morning
12-09-2005, 04:17 PM
Who is the other guy with dreads, next to Coby?

Christian Karembeu, ex-France international. Married to Adriana Sklenarikova, fyi.

There is going to be some serious shit going down in Australia when they play Croatia. My God.

C is definitely the Group of Death. E comes close though. F should be a lot of fun to watch - Australia actually have a half-decent chance of qualifying, I'd say :eek: Germany and France got ridiculously easy draws - makes a conspiracy theory I read that the draw would be taped until they both got easy groups then broadcast as live seems a little less far-fetched :shifty:

*Books tickets for Angola - Iran* :cool:

Cactus Sid
12-09-2005, 04:20 PM
Some real tasty games

Thank fuck the Italians are playing the Czech's last, if the Czechs beat the Yanks, the should be fine

toxic rooster
12-09-2005, 04:21 PM
HERE WE GO HERE WE GO HERE WE GOOOOO
HERE WE GO HERE WE GO HERE WE GOOOOO
HERE WE GO HERE WE GO HERE WE GOO-O
HERE WE GO-O
HERE WE GO
[/blind optimism]

I could have dealt with France's group :'(. Maybe they went easy on them so you know, they could score a goal this time round.

But come on, a rare chance to play Brazil, this is the best thing ever for the sport in Australia. And plus, we have the chance to pull a Senegal, and even if we get crushed 5-0 there was never any expectations on us anyway so it's all good :D

toxic rooster
12-09-2005, 04:22 PM
That being said, I would have really rathered the yanks to the nips, just so we could shove Bruce Arena's words right up his arse. I saw him on ESPN last night 'clarifying' what he said, ie completely contradicting himself.

Mr. Monday Morning
12-09-2005, 04:24 PM
The list I posted above IS in game order now. 1 plays 2 and 3 plays 4, then 1 plays 3 and 2 plays 4, then 1 plays 4 and 2 plays 3.

toxic rooster
12-09-2005, 04:24 PM
Also, :shudder: at the thought of Australia v Croatia. There are Croatians EVERYWHERE in this country.

I might end up pulling for Croatia in that game just so we don't see a fucking riot. But then again, there's a riot whenever Croatians get together so it really doesn't matter :D

Mr. Monday Morning
12-09-2005, 04:25 PM
What did Bruce Arena say

Rob Ban Fan
12-09-2005, 04:26 PM
<font color="#ff6600">'mon England, lets win the world cup :cool:</font>

toxic rooster
12-09-2005, 04:30 PM
Arena, whose team has achieved a FIFA world ranking of eight due largely to a system widely regarded as flawed, told Sports Illustrated's website: "The last time around [in the World Cup], the easy games were China and Saudi Arabia. This time around you'd probably say Australia and Trinidad & Tobago are the weak ones."
Arena seemed to grudgingly concede Australia and Trinidad & Tobago had some claims to being there, adding: "But Australia has basically all of its players in Europe, and Trinidad have a guy [in Yorke] who was arguably the top striker in soccer."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-cup-2006/forget-england-we-want-to-play-the-yanks/2005/12/06/1133829597323.html

yianni
12-09-2005, 06:22 PM
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Kid Robb texted me the group just before...Croatia Brazil and Japan WE ARE FUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Joey Slugs
12-09-2005, 09:11 PM
Honestly, someone handicap USA & Italy's chances for me.

*I used to crap all over soccer for a long time, even though I played when I was a kid. Now after going to see AC Milan play here in Chicago this past summer & checking out the Fox Soccer Channel (along with a bunch of games in the Italian Leagues on an Italian sports station that I pick up on cable), I'm really looking forward to watching the World Cup next year.

I've changed my ways.

The Miz
12-09-2005, 09:14 PM
Bring it Ecuador

Crimson
12-09-2005, 09:29 PM
Mexico has a pretty easy group :cool:

So how do the 2nd round games get determined? Is it 2a-1b and 2b-1a and so on? Just to see who Brazil will beat up on this year.

Rob Ban Fan
12-10-2005, 07:35 AM
<font color="#ff6600">yeah, winner of group A plays the runner up of group B and vice versa right down the list.

So Brazil should play the runner up of the US/Czech/Italy group</font>

Mr. Monday Morning
12-10-2005, 08:00 AM
Honestly, someone handicap USA & Italy's chances for me.

*I used to crap all over soccer for a long time, even though I played when I was a kid. Now after going to see AC Milan play here in Chicago this past summer & checking out the Fox Soccer Channel (along with a bunch of games in the Italian Leagues on an Italian sports station that I pick up on cable), I'm really looking forward to watching the World Cup next year.

I've changed my ways.

Italy should make the last 8 at least. USA will be lucky to get out of their group.

Cactus Sid
12-10-2005, 09:41 AM
I've got a Czech vs Brazil final down

Argentina vs Holland 3rd/4th place

Mr. Monday Morning
12-10-2005, 10:01 AM
Czechs and Brazil can't play in the final

-edit- nm they can, just about. Don't see it happening though.

Cactus Sid
12-10-2005, 10:08 AM
Well, I've got the Czechs down to win that group on Goal Difference, which should give them whoever finishes second in Brazil's group, which is gonna be Australia or Japan, and then they'll probably have to play France, who they could beat, and then either England or Holland in the Semis, who they could also beat

Its a possibility, just like any of the other top nations

Rob Ban Fan
12-10-2005, 01:21 PM
<font color="#ff6600">England to win 6/1 EASY MONEY

Rooney to score 6 or more goals 8/1 EASY MONEY

Wayne Rooney to score in the final with England winning 14/1 EAAAAASY MONEY

come on England :cool:</font>

Ogen
12-10-2005, 01:40 PM
Rooney odds look allright maybe

Crimson
12-10-2005, 03:23 PM
I was hoping the U.S would do a another good appearance. Tough group though, even if they barely make it as the 2, they will get trashed by Brazil anyhow.

Cactus Sid
12-10-2005, 03:43 PM
I was hoping the U.S would do a another good appearance. Tough group though, even if they barely make it as the 2, they will get trashed by Brazil anyhow.

The yanks should be gutted with the group, the only hope they've got is that Italy cock things up as they do every other tournament (which means they'll probably be good this time) or if Cunt Face does his usual fair of trying to break players legs in the Ghana games, he'll probably try and snap Nedved's leg in 2 at some point.

BCWWF
12-10-2005, 05:18 PM
I think you guys are forgetting that Marcelo Balboa thinks the US will contend for the championship.

toxic rooster
12-10-2005, 05:37 PM
Yeah, the same way England will contend for the championship, aka making the quarter finals then crashing out with a gutting 2-1 defeat.

The Mask
12-10-2005, 06:05 PM
i sure hope england win the world cup championship

McDoogle
12-10-2005, 06:36 PM
I sure hope they don't.

Rob Ban Fan
12-10-2005, 06:48 PM
<font color="#ff6600">Oh we will, WE WILL.

It is coming home.</font>

toxic rooster
12-11-2005, 04:11 AM
Why, do you keep that trophy even when you lose, just like the Ashes?

RP
12-11-2005, 04:12 AM
When does Clemens pitch?

toxic rooster
12-11-2005, 04:18 AM
Wrong world cup, shital pertruder.

RP
12-11-2005, 04:21 AM
Ok....

Will there be flares involved?

toxic rooster
12-11-2005, 04:37 AM
Croatia's gonna be there.

so yeah

RP
12-11-2005, 04:40 AM
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2426/untitled5di.th.png (http://img231.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled5di.png)

:$

Gertner
12-11-2005, 01:15 PM
MY frenchmen are gonna stomp their group

Danny Electric
12-11-2005, 07:47 PM
Going to put a bet on Iran getting to the second round. Not being stupid but all 3 sides are beatable.

Mexico - depends on which side comes out to play
Portugal - same as above but the sides getting old
Angola - Already beat them in a friendly

Alot of our main players play in the German Bundesliga

Mehdi Mahdavikia is a regular for Hamburg
Ali Karimi is one of Bayern Munich's main players
Vahid Hashemian is a former top scorer in the Bundesliga and is now a regular at Hannover
Zandi is a regular at Kaiserlauten
Ali Daei is a former Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin player

Playing in Germany is a second home for the Iranian National side. Seriously watch them cause an upset.

Crimson
12-12-2005, 11:45 AM
Angola 4, Iran 0

Supreme Olajuwon
12-13-2005, 02:27 PM
I'm sure Italy and the Czechs are shitting themselves just as much as we are. Not to sound like an American, but no one wanted the US in their pool.

Cactus Sid
12-13-2005, 02:50 PM
The Czechs are gonna go through from that group

The truth is, the Americans have a good side, but not a truly world class one, it'll struggle against the Czechs because they have a world class team, they may only have a few great players, but I strongly believe that they work better together than any other team in the world. As for the Italians, it just depends which side turns up, if its the Italians who have a strong defence and powerful/skillful strikers, then the US has no chance.

BCWWF
12-13-2005, 11:35 PM
For some reason I have a feeling that the Czechs will be the dissapointment this year.

But in the big picture, the only group that would have been "easy" for the US to get out of is the one with Mexico as the No. 1 seed, but that couldn't happen anyway. It's an uphill battle no matter what.

Cactus Sid
12-14-2005, 08:14 AM
I personally think the Czechs are gonna be right up there challenging for it, they rise to the big occasions and haven't been in the World Cup since the split, they have the advantage of playing Italy last as well.

Supreme Olajuwon
12-14-2005, 08:20 AM
If England doesn't win at least one of their matches 5-0 they shouldn't be allowed to advance.

Cactus Sid
12-14-2005, 10:03 AM
Paraguay wont be a walkover, but if Scotland can dick Trinidad, then England should be able to beat them heavily

England shouldn't be allowed in the tournament anyway, just for being a bunch of overpaid wankers

Rob Ban Fan
12-14-2005, 10:48 AM
<font color="#ff6600">Rio Ferdinand is the only England player I REALLY don't like but if he doesn't sort himself out he'll get dropped anyway so who cares.

I don't particularly like Rooney as a person but he has the ability and work rate to make up for it. I don't like Bridge but he won't play, I don't mind the rest of the players. It's just Rio because he's such an absolutle dozy cunt.

So in conclusion, come on England.</font>

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 11:05 AM
Czech Republic and Italy will do well simply because they have great goalkeepers. Great goalkeepers always help a team go a long way in World Cups. In the last one, Kahn basically got Germany to the final on his own, and in his one bad game (the final) they ended up losing.

Loose Cannon
12-14-2005, 11:13 AM
yea, Kahn was the man in that WC. Sports guys here are hyping Brazils goalkeeper. Not sure how good he is.

But The Czechs will go very far if they can keep there top guys healthy. I know Koller has been out with a serious injury, but he should be back by the Cup. Dunno if in full form. Like mentioned before they have great team chemistry and work well together. And if Baros explodes again like in the Euro, they will be tough.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 11:15 AM
Dida is a good keeper. He used to be a bit rubbish, but he's improved a lot over the years at Milan.

Brazil's team is probably the most talented international side in years.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 11:19 AM
I don't know if an Italy vs. Brazil final is possible, but that's what I'd go for, by the way.

Italy are tournament performers and they're due a big one. Their defence and goalkeeper are excellent, and they've unearthed a couple of good goalscorers in Gilardino and Luca Toni. Pirlo, Gattuso and Totti in midfield is a frightening combination, too, if Totti can keep his head.

The Gooch
12-14-2005, 11:23 AM
Totti rocks. I'll probably catch some games in Ottawa's Little Italy with friends which is always a blast. Looks like France got a good draw. England should win their group.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 11:25 AM
Totti is an arsehole. Never does it for Italy.

Loose Cannon
12-14-2005, 11:35 AM
I can't stand Totti. I like Vieri the best, but is he still even with the team? I know Del Piero was left off.

The Gooch
12-14-2005, 11:47 AM
Totti is an arsehole. Never does it for Italy.

He's a talented arsehole, but didn't live up to the hype in 2002. The Italians sure love him though.

Vieri is my guy. There is no way he can't be on the team.

Hopefully the Italians will open it up this year. Their defensive style in 2002 was their downfall in my opinion.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 12:48 PM
Vieri won't be in the side if he continues being absolutely horrible for Milan. He's past it.

The Italians call Totti "Bimbo" because he is famously stupid.

LK
12-14-2005, 01:00 PM
Still cannot believe England got such an easy group. Ah well can't wait till they screw up.

The Gooch
12-14-2005, 01:18 PM
Sweden is a pretty good team. Well at least they were. I pretty much only follow Soccer during World and European Cups so my opinion doesn't mean a whole bunch.

BCWWF
12-14-2005, 03:00 PM
Casey Keller isn't exactly a pushover himself

Rob Ban Fan
12-14-2005, 03:42 PM
<font color="#ff6600">For the record I think Brazil will win because of the stupid amount of awesome players they have. I hope Juninho scores some sexy freekicks too.</font>

Gertner
12-14-2005, 03:45 PM
Totti is an arsehole. Never does it for Italy.


neither does the rest of the team

The Gooch
12-14-2005, 03:51 PM
neither does the rest of the team
Ouch, you should hang out in Little Italy with me. Nothing worse than seeing the Italian fans react when they botch.

Of course according to them they were robbed by the refs. Figure most of them must also be Leafs Fans. ;)

The Mackem
12-14-2005, 03:53 PM
Casey Keller isn't exactly a pushover himself

Kasey Keller

IS A WANKER, IS A WANKER

USA could sneak through in there group as long as Kasey Keller doesn't wank it up with is wankering wanks all over the wanking wankball pitch.

What a wanker.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-14-2005, 05:19 PM
Casey Keller isn't exactly a pushover himself

He's still your keeper? Terrible.

Thought Friedal would have been number 1 for the USA now. Still, neither are great. Just good. Or in Keller's case, mediocre.

Sweden have Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he's the sort of player who can drag a decent team through the rounds no problem. They have a pretty handy group, too. I think they can take points off England, and they should deal with Paraguay and Trinidad easily enough.

Zlatan could come away from next year's tournament as the new world superstar.

McDoogle
12-14-2005, 05:27 PM
Yea Keller is their #1 and thats why USA won't go past the first round.

BCWWF
12-14-2005, 08:45 PM
I don't get it, Keller was the main guy in 98 I think, then Friedel was the man in 2002, and now it's back to Keller again.

He was just named player of the year in the US though, and if there is one position that the US is capable of churning out its gk.

Mike the Metal Ed
12-14-2005, 09:43 PM
Kasey Keller was great for Leicester from 1996-98, then the 1998 World Cup shot his confidence to bits and he's been mediocre since, you'd be much better off with Friedel.

Mike the Metal Ed
12-14-2005, 09:50 PM
Brad Friedel is retired from international football, apparently.

Danny Electric
12-14-2005, 10:18 PM
Angola 4, Iran 0

Shows how much you know about football.

Danny Electric
12-14-2005, 10:19 PM
For some reason I have a feeling that the Czechs will be the dissapointment this year.

But in the big picture, the only group that would have been "easy" for the US to get out of is the one with Mexico as the No. 1 seed, but that couldn't happen anyway. It's an uphill battle no matter what.

I think your forgetting that you got beat in 98 ;)

Crimson
12-14-2005, 11:52 PM
Shows how much you know about football.

Can't take a joke?
Iranians:roll:

Danny Electric
12-14-2005, 11:55 PM
Look, we're terrorists at heart :)
It's hard to take a joke when you want to bomb people.

BCWWF
12-15-2005, 02:00 AM
I think your forgetting that you got beat in 98 ;)

I don't get what you are trying to imply?

Danny Electric
12-15-2005, 07:59 PM
You just said that the easiest group to get out of would have been the one with Mexico as number one seeds.
I replied back with the loss to Iran in the 98 World Cup.

The Miz
12-15-2005, 10:33 PM
God dammit, my cousins are gonna get tickets to the Polska-Deutschland match in Gelsenkirchen. I would give anything to go. :(

toxic rooster
12-16-2005, 12:21 AM
So what, you're Polish now?

The Miz
12-16-2005, 09:17 AM
Yeah I have been since about March 11, 1985

BCWWF
12-17-2005, 01:17 AM
You just said that the easiest group to get out of would have been the one with Mexico as number one seeds.
I replied back with the loss to Iran in the 98 World Cup.

I still don't get it. The US wasn't supposed to get out of that group to begin with, with Germany and Yugoslavia. But I don't see how that's relavent? The US national team as a whole has grown considerably since then, to the point where they are actually favored to beat some people. Unfortunately not the Czechs and Italians.

toxic rooster
12-17-2005, 01:19 AM
ftp://a9:53b882b3@dl008.filefactory.com/e/e0b4e14e7663e712b9d8d2ca8ea242cf/Reverse_The_Curse_by_Bjorn_Gabor.wmv

I posted this in the other thread, I know.

But it still gives me goosebumps every time :mad:

Danny Electric
12-17-2005, 12:24 PM
I still don't get it. The US wasn't supposed to get out of that group to begin with, with Germany and Yugoslavia. But I don't see how that's relavent? The US national team as a whole has grown considerably since then, to the point where they are actually favored to beat some people. Unfortunately not the Czechs and Italians.

I know that you weren't favoured to get out of that group.
I'm just saying that although your team has grown better with the growth of Major League Soccer, you would find it just as difficult to get out of the Mexico group.

BCWWF
12-18-2005, 07:37 PM
So you'r whole point is that it is just as hard to beat Mexico, Angola, Iran, and Portugal as it is to beat Italy, Ghana, and Czech Republic?

While I understand your point that no group is easy to get out of, it's obvious that some are easier then others.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-20-2005, 10:35 AM
The USA does have a very tough group. I can see them finishing bottom.

It'd be funny if Freddy Adu did go and play for Ghana. Won't happen, though, it'd murder his commercial value and he's more of a commodity at this point than an actual person or footballer. Nike probably make his decisions for him.

The Gooch
12-20-2005, 11:03 AM
Definitely the most difficult group in the draw. Worse part for them is I believe anyone who escapes that group ends up with a date with Brazil soon afterwards.

El Capitano Gatisto
12-20-2005, 11:04 AM
Brazil and Italy will probably top the groups and avoid each other then.

The Gooch
12-20-2005, 11:17 AM
The Czech Republic is ranked 2nd in the world. Are you telling me you think they are overated and will falter in the tournament? I don't know many of the players as I only follow during Euro and World cup, but I thought FIFA was somewhat realiable when it came to rankings. Just trying to get clued in as to what to expect this summer.

Mr. Monday Morning
12-20-2005, 12:21 PM
FIFA rankings are useless

CSL
12-20-2005, 12:24 PM
The Czech Republic is ranked 2nd in the world. Are you telling me you think they are overated and will falter in the tournament? I don't know many of the players as I only follow during Euro and World cup, but I thought FIFA was somewhat realiable when it came to rankings. Just trying to get clued in as to what to expect this summer.

<font color=white>The Czech's being ranked 2nd in the world is a joke. Besides, there is no need for rankings. We may just as well call Brazil #1 and everyone else #2. I have a sneaky suspicion that @ the World Cup, we'll find this out</font>

Rob Ban Fan
12-20-2005, 12:26 PM
<font color="#ff6600">The FIFA World rankings are flawed, the Czechs aren't bad but they're not the 2nd best team in the world.

The Czechs could do well, they have some very good players although Nedved and Koller are getting on a bit now. Milan Baros is ridiculously inconsistant but had a very good Euro 2004. Rosicky and Cech are both young and good though.

Personally I doubt they'll win it but they're a good team.</font>

Crimson
12-20-2005, 12:29 PM
Everyone is jocking the Czechs, it'll be funny if the U.S beats them.

The Gooch
12-20-2005, 12:29 PM
Well at least FIFA got the number one ranking correct.

Thanks for the info CSL, Although not part of my heritage I cheer for the Italians so I was wondering what their chances were in the group. The Americans being ranked in the top 10 seems too strange. Perhaps I don't give enough credit to US soccer....

CSL
12-20-2005, 12:32 PM
Brazil and Italy will probably top the groups and avoid each other then.

<font color=white>Let's not forget that Italy may be the most underperforming team at recent major championships when you consider the talent they have.</font>

CSL
12-20-2005, 12:40 PM
Well at least FIFA got the number one ranking correct.

Thanks for the info CSL, Although not part of my heritage I cheer for the Italians so I was wondering what their chances were in the group. The Americans being ranked in the top 10 seems too strange. Perhaps I don't give enough credit to US soccer....

<font color=white>I wouldn't personally call America one of the top 10 teams in the world (Top 20 is about right) but they are a solid team with talent (Beasley, Donovan, Adu maybe, McBride, solid defence, 3 good keepers) who can be hard to beat. If Italy play the way they should (ditto to the Czech's), then the group will be all about those 2.

But don't be suprised if the US qualify 2nd and Italy crash out with all of Italy crying like bitches again. They don't have the heart to do well I don't think</font>

El Capitano Gatisto
12-20-2005, 12:43 PM
<font color=white>Let's not forget that Italy may be the most underperforming team at recent major championships when you consider the talent they have.</font>

Not really. That accolade goes to Spain, without doubt. Holland would be behind them.

Only one team can win these tournaments, after all. Italy got to the Euro 2000 final and were screwed over in 2002. Their defence is the best around, but until recently their midfield and attack has been lacking compared to teams of the past.

Argentina need a big display at this tournament too after their efforts last time around.

Danny Electric
12-20-2005, 04:54 PM
I got it down to an England Argentina final.

yianni
12-28-2005, 07:13 PM
LOL England in the final?

Typical Pom talk before a tournament... ;)

toxic rooster
12-28-2005, 10:28 PM
Time for another GESC?

yianni
12-28-2005, 10:32 PM
:|

toxic rooster
12-28-2005, 10:47 PM
Great English Sporting Choke...

El Capitano Gatisto
12-28-2005, 11:01 PM
England have one of the strongest teams on paper (strong defence and midfield, supreme goalscorer in Michael Owen up-front and they have a world class match winner in Wayne Rooney). For once they do genuinely have a legitimate claim to being one of the hot favourites.

toxic rooster
12-29-2005, 06:41 AM
And yet they'll still crash out in the quarter finals.

yianni
12-29-2005, 07:47 AM
Fucking word.

Rob Ban Fan
12-29-2005, 08:40 AM
Great English Sporting Choke...

<font color="#ff6600">Didn't you keep going on about that during the ashes?

;)</font>

toxic rooster
12-29-2005, 08:43 AM
Nah, I think I only mentioned it 4 times

yianni
12-29-2005, 10:21 AM
Didn't you keep going on about that during the ashes?

;)

Probably was Y2C with his usual rantings about 'Straya's dominance in sports that hardly any others give a shit about.

Football - and the World Cup - is the real deal. 'Straya is on the up having qualified for the first time in 32 years, but it would be a dream come true if they progress to the second round. England on the other hand, like so many tournaments before, will start ok then have their media go on about how it's surely "their time" this time, before bowing out in the quarter finals or the semis. ;)

Mr. Monday Morning
12-29-2005, 10:24 AM
Nah the media tends to say it's our time before the thing starts and then get all over the players for not winning every game 5-0

yianni
12-29-2005, 10:29 AM
How can it always be your time though? ;)

Mr. Monday Morning
12-29-2005, 05:12 PM
We have faulty watches

yianni
12-29-2005, 06:09 PM
:lol: