WC 2006 Official Thread

[theasfl]

Tevez puts the ball into Lehmans hands from 35 yards out

[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by Big Willis 16

When it goes to PK's....can you use anyone on your bench, including players that have been subbed out? Or do you have to go with the guys you had on the field.

On the field.

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by Big Willis 16

When it goes to PK's....can you use anyone on your bench, including players that have been subbed out? Or do you have to go with the guys you had on the field.

guys on the field

[theasfl]

Originally Posted by bababui

UK..Balboa parrots your idea for a 4th sub in ET

that was my idea...but Balboa bringing it up doesnt bode well for the idea

[bababui]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

Wanted to reply to this earlier, and has nothing to do with what's happening in the Germany - Argentina game.

None of the above really matters in football. One game has no guaranteed impact on the next. It could be argued that Argentina have actually looked less impressive as the tournament has progressed - from the hammering of Serbia to the nervous, unambitious display against Mexico. Only been able to listen to today's game on the radio (until start of ET), but again it sounds like Argentina have been somewhat cautious. Also with Germany; I've been very impressed overall, but it doesn't really matter. One poor performance - or even one good performance up against a counter-attacking side with an inspired goalkeeper - and they're out. "Momentum" isn't always a factor in football tournaments.

Germany, Argentina and to a lesser extent (for different reasons) Brazil and France have shown what they're capable of in this tournament: the other side of the coin is that others know what they're capable of. Italy and England, however, have sneaked into the QFs almost unnoticed and with their quality derided. Which teams in the tournament actually have the most scope for improvement and surprising the opposition? England and Italy.

At this stage, momentum and prior form matters very little. Luck, determination and the quality of individual players matters far more. Italy and England, Brazil and France, Germany and Argentina all have the ability to win this tournament, regardless of how well they played 2 weeks ago.

I'd love England to have played better football, partly because I like good football, and partly because I think it's generally also more successful. But looking back, they've not at any stage been under real pressure, or imminent danger of going out. Certain important players are producing the goods, a couple of less lauded players are playing important roles. England have at least 3 players with the attributes you really want at this stage of a tournament, through the core of the side: determination and quality - Terry, Gerrard, Rooney. Those qualities, with the unpredictability of Joe Cole and the set piece delivery of Beckham - even, the prospect of Lampard suddenly remembering how to shoot - suggest that to write England off may be premature.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by ukhotstove

Argentina seem to have the more dangerous players at the moment.

quoted for truth

[Big Willis 16]

I just got back from a work meeting, has this been an exciting match so far or no?

[bababui]

Podolski has been MIA all match

[redmarkYankees]

It may have been 1-1 instead of the 2-2 I predicted, but I'll stick with Germany to win in ET.

[bababui]

Originally Posted by Big Willis 16

I just got back from a work meeting, has this been an exciting match so far or no?

It started well...dragged until the Arg goal and has been great since

[redmarkYankees]

Originally Posted by bababui

It started well...dragged until the Arg goal and has been great since

From what I heard on the radio, it's been a game that a European purist would enjoy, but not perhaps an American wanting excitement.

[bababui]

I missed the stadium pic...

[bababui]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

From what I heard on the radio, it's been a game that a European purist would enjoy, but not perhaps an American wanting excitement.

Agreed..a very professionally played match...a bit to conservative really

[potatoman]

Ah, I took my lunch break and had my friend update me. She was screaming when Germany scored that goal, was the assist by Ballack?

[theasfl]

Balboa needs to shut the hell up

[bababui]

Originally Posted by potatoman

Ah, I took my lunch break and had my friend update me. She was screaming when Germany scored that goal, was the assist by Ballack?

Cant remember..Ballack is playing injured though so that explains his lack of shots

[theasfl]

Odonkor needs to put that where someone can get to it

[potatoman]

Originally Posted by redmarkYankees

From what I heard on the radio, it's been a game that a European purist would enjoy, but not perhaps an American wanting excitement.

American would enjoy more of the Portugal-Netherlands type game.

[potatoman]

Originally Posted by bababui

Cant remember..Ballack is playing injured though so that explains his lack of shots

I see.

For the PKs, Arg kind of screwed themselves with the subs right because if I remember correctly, Crespo was one of the best PK kickers.

[theasfl]

Balboa needs to shut up again