Official World Cup Spoiler Thread

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:37 pm

The final definitely wasn't the best game but I still enjoyed it, obviously because I'm Italian. In my mind the best game of the tournament was Italy against Germany.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:45 pm

I didn't see the first foul so I don't know. But later in the game, there was a definate PK that was missed. It evened out if you believe that the first PK wasn't warranted.

The game was entertaining but sadly the PKs and Zidane's impression of Mortal Kombat, will leave this as one of the worst WC in recent memory.

From FIFA's abuse of the yellow card in the early stages to send a message to players, then amazingly very few uses of yellow in the later stages. Then you have the so-called best teams in the world playing of very poor quality, England, Sweden, Brazil, the US (ok not one of the best teams in the world). Couple that with the ugly style of football that was played whether you blame that on teams, managers or players. It wasn't just that it was defensive it was that some teams just sat back and couldn't produce offense. Portugal!!!

The positives for me where...
Germany in 02 had a strong defense much likely Itarly. In 06 they completely changed their style to a more attacking form of football.
Ghana - very strong performance. We always seem to get an African nation that plays beyond their means.
Argentina - future stars have incredible potential.
Mexico-Argentina game - what a great match. It was a defensive battle but a great game.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:47 pm

With people grousing about a lot of African and Asian teams undeserving of being in the tournament, Euro 2008 would be great to see on TV.

But the problem is, they didn't show Euro 2004 unless you paid for an expensive package. Maybe the increased ratings will persuade someone to buy the rights and produce it on TV, as was the case with this WC (ABC and ESPN didn't have to pay for the rights).

Without the US or Mexican team though, the audience is going to be smaller.

Gamecocks625 · Post by **Gamecocks625** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:49 pm

[quote="JRod"]Germany in 02 had a strong defense much likely Itarly. In 06 they completely changed their style to a more attacking form of football.quote]

Germany was by far the most exciting team to watch this WC, in my opinion.

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:13 pm

Wco, I would bet you that Setanta has already bought up the US rights so they can put it on PPV.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:14 pm

For my money, two of the more entertaining teams in the tournament were from Africa -- Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Take care,
PK

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:18 pm

T&T's draw with Sweeden was a highlight for me.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:31 pm

pk500 wrote:For my money, two of the more entertaining teams in the tournament were from Africa -- Ghana and Ivory Coast.

They havent learned how to be negative yet. That will come with greater success.

I know Im being negative but the way Brazil played against France, Argentina played against Mexico and England played against everyone are My points of reference...There are other examples but In the case of BRA and ARG that free flowing attacking style vanished when the pressure appeared(though in fairness toArg. They played alot more like themselves vs Ger than they did vs Mex).....When you are expected to win its easy to tighten up and play not to lose.

I hope it doesnt happen because I agree with you that they are alot of fun to watch.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:49 pm

Two matches I will remember: Germany-Italy, Argentina-Mexico.

Surprise of the WC: Ivory Coast, they never sat back, they played entertaining football and they weren't intimidated in the so called "Group of Death".

Goal of the tournament: Cambiasso's finish after a 25 pass orchestra.

Dissapointing players: Ronaldinho and the way Zizou ended his career yesterday.

If it wasn't Italy: For the way they played I would say Germany.

MVP: Fabio Cannavaro.

This award is usually awarded to a forward (well it did go to Zidane) but in my mind the Italian really deserved it which along with Germany's P. Lahm were a Rock in D. But it also tells me how poor in general the forwards were and their difficulty to score in this WC.

Overall, I saw mediocre gameplay in this WC, it was nice to see the Italians changing a bit their ever defensive mode, the Germans always attacking and two promising rookies that will rule in 2010: Podolski and Messi.

Kudos to the German security for a well organized tournament and keeping the potential Hooligans out of trouble.

Fav Commercial: Adidas "Joseeeeee. A Casa"

A wish: Kaiser Beckenbauer for President of Fifa. Another way to end a WC final other than PK's.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:10 pm

Looks like there were 2.30 goals per game which is just a little better than in 1990 when it 2.21, and that was the lowest average in WC history. Maybe in 2010 they can get it down to under 2 goals a game if they are a few less thrashings like Ukraine against Saudi Arabia or Argentina against Serbia.

In 1954 the average was 5.38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records

fsquid · Post by **fsquid** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:36 pm

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:16 pm

Feanor wrote: In 1954 the average was 5.38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records

So it is not just the NBA that the scoring has gone way down...

Can you imagine Pat Riley coaching the Italians?

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:23 pm

Feanor wrote:Looks like there were 2.30 goals per game which is just a little better than in 1990 when it 2.21, and that was the lowest average in WC history. Maybe in 2010 they can get it down to under 2 goals a game if they are a few less thrashings like Ukraine against Saudi Arabia or Argentina against Serbia.

In 1954 the average was 5.38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records

WC90 led to changes in the back pass and offside rules. Plus the fact that the 1990 event was held in Italy decreased the goal output by at least 0.15

The striking thing for me (no pun intended) in this World Cup was the lack of shots. Other than Hislop vs Sweden, I don't recall many GKs being peppered with shots and coming up with miraculous saves. Too often, what passes for offense in a 4-5-1 is a MF taking a shot from 30 yards out, holding down the circle button too long, and launching it way over the target.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:24 pm

WillHunting wrote:
Feanor wrote: In 1954 the average was 5.38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records
So it is not just the NBA that the scoring has gone way down... Can you imagine Pat Riley coaching the Italians?

He has the right hair

Just kidding Scoop

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:29 pm

Too often, what passes for offense in a 4-5-1 is a MF taking a shot from 30 yards out, holding down the circle button too long, and launching it way over the target.

Classic

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:33 pm

fsquid wrote:

..and another http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spor ... dane.shtml

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:39 pm

JRod wrote:
Too often, what passes for offense in a 4-5-1 is a MF taking a shot from 30 yards out, holding down the circle button too long, and launching it way over the target.
Classic

The correct commentating terminology for that during this WC was

"...and Lampard's having a try from there...."

Top shooter in the WC with 24...and if 1 was on target, then I missed it. Second best player in the world...my arse.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:13 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:
fsquid wrote:
..and another http://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Spor ... dane.shtml

Now thats one hell of a mini game..Too easy though. I beat Zidanes lifetime score of 3 in 4 trys.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:09 am

I've been reading some of the French papers online and they are all saying how dirty the Italians played and that that is their m.o. They point out that they leveld Henry down to keep him out of the match and that the Italian player called Zidane a racist slur.

It's interesting how these euro countries view results different ways. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Italians did do some dirty things to win the game. Not saying the Italians are these dirty rotten scum soccer players all to themselves, but that the most of these teams probably would have done the same, even the French. After all that diving, i am not surprised any of these teams played straight up this tourney.

BTW : Here's a world cup joke I heard today :

When Argentina and Italy play, why do they dive all the time?

Because there's too much grease on the field. (wonk wonk wonk )

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:39 am

Inuyasha wrote: BTW : Here's a world cup joke I heard today :

When Argentina and Italy play, why do they dive all the time?

Because there's too much grease on the field. (wonk wonk wonk )

You hear alot of World Cup jokes do you?

So many ways to say greaseball without saying it arent there?...why not just say it?...

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:45 am

Inuyasha wrote:I've been reading some of the French papers online and they are all saying how dirty the Italians played and that that is their m.o. They point out that they leveld Henry down to keep him out of the match and that the Italian player called Zidane a racist slur.

It's interesting how these euro countries view results different ways. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Italians did do some dirty things to win the game. Not saying the Italians are these dirty rotten scum soccer players all to themselves, but that the most of these teams probably would have done the same, even the French. After all that diving, i am not surprised any of these teams played straight up this tourney.

BTW : Here's a world cup joke I heard today :

When Argentina and Italy play, why do they dive all the time?

Because there's too much grease on the field. (wonk wonk wonk )

Winding other players up is as much part of sport as anything else, even down to grass roots level. First indications from the French camp are that Materazzi referred to Zidane (who was born in Algeria) as a 'dirty terrorist', and there are a variety of different variations after that, depending on which Italian speaking lip-reader the particular paper that you are reading used.

Let's face it - if you are 6 mins away from the end of extra time in the WC final and you let insults get to you, then you are dumber than dumb. What's the best way to deal with it - butt him and get sent off, or win the game and flick the WC winners medal at him ?

The French are great at looking for excuses, from Domenech down, because it deflects from the truth - they are an old team with few emerging players, some of their stars never delivered (hello, Thierry Henry and the vastly overrated Trezeguet) and a coach who was not in control of the team. This was the last fling of their 'golden generation' and it went up in smoke.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:50 am

davet010 wrote: Let's face it - if you are 6 mins away from the end of extra time in the WC final and you let insults get to you, then you are dumber than dumb. What's the best way to deal with it - butt him and get sent off, or win the game and flick the WC winners medal at him ?
.

Again ...lost is the fact that tZidane has a history of this disgusting behavior...

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:05 am

davet010 wrote: The French are great at looking for excuses, from Domenech down, because it deflects from the truth - they are an old team with few emerging players, some of their stars never delivered (hello, Thierry Henry and the vastly overrated Trezeguet) and a coach who was not in control of the team. This was the last fling of their 'golden generation' and it went up in smoke.

People will remember how it ended but the core of Les Bleus had a pretty impressive run. One World Cup, a Euro Championship, a World Cup runners-up, a knockout loss to the eventual champs in Euro 2004 and a flameout in Korea. They probably won some joke shop FIFA tournament trophies in between as well. Not bad at all for a country with a second tier league and a history of disappointments at a national level.

They're an old team but Malouda, Ribery and Abidal show some promise for the future.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:01 am

sfz_T-car wrote: a knockout loss to the eventual champs in Euro 2004 and a flameout in Korea. .

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:10 am

Beyond a shadow of a doubt the worst team ever to win an international trophy

As their fantastic WC 2006 qualifying attempt demonstrated.

Back on the subject of France, people go on about the current team, but forget that they needed a golden goal vs Paraguay and pens vs Italy to go through...and the mystery illness of the Chubby Genius before the final.

Not as good as their early 80's side, which won the 1984 Euro Championship (beating Portugal in the semi in one of the best games I've ever seen) and was cruelly eliminated from the Final by a performance of unremitting cynicality, demonstrated by the disgraceful Harald Schumacher assault on Patrick Battiston

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RvuuiEg ... any%201982

I'd stack that midfield of Tigana, Giresse and Platini against anything in this WC. Their only shortcoming was the same as in WC 2002 and 2006 - the strikers either were crap, or just played crap.