I picked the Czechs to win the game and go deep in the tourney in my pool (all the way to the semis, in fact). They are a good team.

That said, I really thought the US would make it a closer game. Hope the injury to Koller isn't too bad.

I don't know why everyone seems surprised that the US lost to the Czechs. I expected the Czech team to come out strong and they did. Granted, I would've liked to see the US play a much stronger game, they just looked so flat today. No, they're not going to win Group E, but I do think they've got a decent chance to finish second (if they can win their next 2 games). :)

I highly doubt the US can win against Italy. They have a chance against Ghana, but with a 3 goal deficit, draws won't even help at this stage. You never want to have more than a 1 goal deficit. I'm just glad I didn't believe all the hype about the US team. I knew they would have a poor performance. They suck on European soil.

Sadly the US performance destroys my hope for the dream final Iran-USA :D

The US back line looked downright awful. The last goal was the perfect example, one man against three and he gets through on a defenseless keeper.

God I wish Reyna's shot in the 1st half was only 1/4" more to the right. It would have richocheted in, tied the game, and I think that would have changed the game completely.

I don't think Reyna's goal would've changed the game any differently. The biggest problem with USA is that they didn't take much chance, in fact it seems that everytime they have a scoring chance going, they throw the ball away.

Amen. The US style of play is incredibly boring. They act like they want to wait for the perfect play instead of getting some shots on goal.

I'm cheering for Paraguay and Argentina (Uruguay didn't make it to the World Cup, so had to go with the neighbors). I'll cheer Brazil and Spain on otherwise.

Watching the England vs. Paraguay game I wasn't too thrilled with Paraguay's play, they seemed to keep coming up short on their passes.

I've always been disenchanted with the U.S. style of play. While I wouldn't mind seeing them get somewhere in the tournament I won't be surprised if they don't make it out of their Group (Italy and Czech are some strong competition).

I think the problem with the US team is that not all the players have experience against top quality European players.
If the whole squad played in europe they may get better experience

http://soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca/news_...9&hubName=main

"WAHHHHHH It's everyone elses fault but ours that we can't score and continue to WHINNNEEEEE"

you want some cheese with that whine France? Just play football goddammit.

Henry is the best in the game right now. You're right.. shut the fuck up and play football.

"France surrenders"

What a game between Germany and Poland. Germany missed so many chances and finally puts one away in stoppage time. So far, this has been one of my favorite games this World Cup - scrappy, agressive play, tons of emotion. Great game! :)

Oh it was fantastic, only to end in Germany scoring in the very last minute of the game. It's a heartbreaking for the Poles, they've played really well, especially when they weren't expected to end the game in a near draw.

i'm missing so many games
i guess i need to record them because the rebroadcast is really late (2 am est?)
instead ESPN2 fills time with World Domino Tour

i have the secret

there is a way to watch all the games on your pc at work. i for one am doing no work this month. it's free too. i'm not really sure what the connection is, but i'd be more than happy to hook up my fellow tfp'ers. drop me a line on aim qweds, of course, and i'll see if i can't send you the program. it streams abc, espn, espn2 and others right to your pc. about 4-500 k/sec so you need a decent connection but it's a miracle as far as i can tell.

and how about that bs red card against poland today? klose was looking for that foul and the ref got taken for a ride.

oh well. go trinidad.


peace, love and football.

Not surprised about the red card for Poland, just a 2nd yellow card. I was really surprised about the red card in the Spain/Ukraine game. After seeing the replay, it definitely didn't deserve the red. My opinion at least.

Ah, England v. Trinidad tomorrow. Go T&T indeed, I'd love to see them do well! :)

I look to England to be in great form today. They know they played horribly against Paraguay, so they'll be ready to prove what they really have.

The red against Ukraine was just awful officiating. There was no way a red should have been shown; hell I don't even think a yellow should have been pulled out. Would it have changed who won? Probably not. Would it have changed the score? Who knows. Spain looked pretty good, but then, it's easy to look good when you're up a man for so long.

Finalists from group A: Germany and Ecuador. I'll be interested to see how Ecuador matches up agains Germany when they play. And even though Poland put up a great fight, they can pack their bags - they're out.

Ah, England/Trinidad coming up in an hour. Let's see if England brings their A game. :) Although, I'm still rooting for an upset by Trinidad!

I'll be rooting for England. I want to at least see Wayne Rooney play in the cup. Makes me proud when Man Utd players do well :D


Edit: I just heard Rooney has been cleared for today's match.. but Neville is out. Damnit to fucking hell!!

Wow, two yellows for Trinidad in only 19 minutes of play...crazy!

Make that five... and it's not done yet

Now if they can just add a goal to go with all those yellow cards... :thumbsup:

2-0 England. England may not have looked the best but before all you people say T&T should have won. Bollocks! No team that only controls 37 minutes and manages what.. 10 shots on goal should win a match. I didn't understand why Owen was taken out .. but I guess it worked out. I'd take Rooney with Owen over Crouch and Rooney or Crouch and Owen any day.

As soon as Rooney and Lennon were introduced, the tempo was raised immediately and thats when we play our best.
Owen has done nothing in these two games, Rooney and Crouch to start against Sweden I reckon!
Anyway, it wouldn't be England if we didn't do it the hard way. :)

Oh, I don't think T&T should've won, I just wanted to see them put up a good fight. I'm always a fan of a good upset. Definitely a spark with Rooney in, I'd like to see him get some more time in the next match!

Rooney will start the next match. Owen is just too talented to bring him off the bench. I'm just not a fan of Crouch. I find him lumbersome and he got lucky today. Owen, Rooney, and Beckham.. whew.. that's Sahweet.

Howdy folks, feels like ages since i last posted something. Ha!



I'm fuckin lovin' this world cup - I just hope my liver can hold up for another couple of weeks.

Always the optimist, I've booked a week off work following the final and arranged a visit to London to see the open-top bus parade.

That's right!




p.s. - I need a cup of tea and a hug. My head hurts and I think I'm gonna spew.

I thought Lennon really helped England - his pace down the side just opened things up so much more. I was glad to see Crouch get the goal - in Rooney's absence he takes so much heat (and sometimes does deserve it) but that goal will help his confidence going forward. Nice left foot by Gerrard too, and thank you John Terry!

Go England! Hoping to draw Equador in the next round. I know the Equardorians have played well, but playing Germany in Germany in the knockout stages is something that should be avoided for as long as possible, IMO.

Well, hello Argentina. 3 goals in the first half, so far. They're looking very, very good. Unless something crazy happens, looks like they've got this game completely locked up. Up next, the Netherlands. :) And Mexico plays in the last game today. Should make for another great day of soccer!

Rooney should start the next match. I'd like to see Lampard get some time on the bench though. 5-6 shots on target without a goal? Some time on the bench will hopefully help him get his shit together.

The Netherlands are my 'dark horse' team for this World Cup. But I don't want to say too much, other than...

Go Oranje!

Of all the teams I've watched so far, Spain by far looks the best. We'll see what happens against tougher competition.

I watched the replay of the England Vs. T&T game and England really should have won 5-1. That bad miss by Crouch was just horrid. I'm thinking that England will be gaining confidence from this point. I don't think they will win the cup though.

I won't even watch the USA vs Italy game because it will just be another ass beating from the Italians. Hey, all you Englanders.. want to adopt a yank??

Although Lampard did have some missed opportunities in both games, if a midfielder gets benched, it'll be Gerrard, as he has that yellow card against him.

Edit: Wait, Lampard has a yellow too. Depending what happens with Germany and Equador, maybe they'll both sit.

The Argentinians now have bragging rights as the team to give the largest ass-kicking at the 2006 World Cup to date, after their 6 - 0 thrashing of the Serbs.

I'd like to see them try that against the Netherlands.

I think the 6-0 thrashing may be misleading as well as hurtful to a team. It can give them a sense of dominance when in fact, against a stronger team it won't happen. Argentina may just find themselves on the same end of a thrashing.

It was an awesome score line for Argentina, but they won't win it.
My money is on Spain or the Czech Republic (and I'm English!).
It may not be either of those two, but I just don't think any of the 'major' teams will win it. (including Brazil)

God I hope so...

interesting statistics:
http://www.globalfootballmonitor.com/

"The Global Football Monitor was organized by Hattrick.org, the world's largest football community with more than 850,000 active users in 108 countries.

During two weeks in May, more than 196,000 Hattrick members gave us their opinions about the upcoming World Cup in Germany, making this the largest ever football survey."

Which team would you least want to see as the tournament winner?
20% say Germany :(

Well from the way they played against the Poles, I don't think they'll be winning it either.

Do I want to see Germany win? Not really. I'd rather some underdog team (*coughNetherlandscough*) come through and snatch it from the grasp of one of the bigger teams. Gotta have some drama. :D

ach, the game wasn't that bad, Germany tried and fought till the end. We showed some good ole german virtures: never give up. Or, as a german soccer proverb says:
the game ain't over till the referee says so ;)

Besides I haven't seen a much better team yet, all other teams (exception argentina, spain all other team had their problems) had time when they played extremly boring and slow without pushing

:D since when are the netherlands an underdog? ;)
I would have loved to see an african team advance further.