World Cup!

[axisandalliesplayer]

@wittmann:

I still appreciate the help John Brown.
Thank you Axisandalliesplayer too. Very good post.

Thanks.  :-D

I can only hope it is Italy doing its usual play poorly, then win the World Cup(or at
Least make the semis). I cannot explain our poor play or lack of ideas. I was sitting in stunned anger as I watched our pathetic attempts to equalise.

They have a long way to go and they will have a dogfight on their hands trying to advance past Uruguay. Maybe the Costa Rica game will serve as their wakeup call? It’s a long shot, but I’d be praying to win by 2 and hope England beats Costa Rica by 2 so they can win the group. I’d much rather face Whoever advances as #2 in group C than Colombia. Or maybe since you’re praying for miracles, hope that Colombia somehow doesn’t win their group so Italy doesn’t have to face them if Italy doesn’t win their group. Colombia’s a young team and they also don’t have any WC experience, so they could make mistakes. But they’re talented and have looked impressive. Definitely a side to avoid if possible. For me, I’m partial towards Costa Rica, so I’m hoping they’re the ones that avoid Colombia coming out of group play.  :-D

France did a good job of embarrassing poor old Neutral Switzerland. Was at work, so do not know how well they actually played.
Do they look like possible Cup winners?

They were very dangerous on the attack. It was 5-0 before the Swiss even got on the board. They scored in a variety of ways as well; set pieces, counter attacks, etc. About the only way they didn’t score was from distance. So yes, they look dangerous enough to make a deep run and then it just becomes a question of who catches the breaks when they need them. Still not the favorites IMHO, as I think Germany and Netherlands are ahead of them. But they definitely deserve consideration. I’m only giving Netherlands and Germany the edge as on paper they’ve beaten tougher competition and looked just as impressive if not more impressive than France.

[Witt]

Thanks again for your time in posting a reply.
More Especially, for starting and keeping this thread going.
I work  evenings (albeit only 4), so I am watching as much as I can, but find staying up for the whole of the last game (11pm over here) quite hard. My daughter is 4 and is waking between 515 and 615 every day.

[aequitas-et-veritas]

Actually there is a 24th man on the field! Mr climate.
Welcoming all our South American teams and fighting against all European Teams.
:lol:

[John Brown]

@wittmann:

I still appreciate the help John Brown.
Thank you Axisandalliesplayer too. Very good post.
I can only hope it is Italy doing its usual play poorly, then win the World Cup(or at
Least make the semis). I cannot explain our poor play or lack of ideas. I was sitting in stunned anger as I watched our pathetic attempts to equalise.
France did a good job of embarrassing poor old Neutral Switzerland. Was at work, so do not know how well they actually played.
Do they look like possible Cup winners?

No problem buddy. Any time! :-)

[John Brown]

@aequitas:

Actually there is a 24th man on the field! Mr climate.
Welcoming all our South American teams and fighting against all European Teams.
:lol:

What little I’ve gotten to watch, is the climate affecting teams that are not used to it?

Just curious!

[Witt]

It has to be, I suppose. Yet, it did not seem to bother the French! Perhaps some cities and stadia are worse.

[John Brown]

@wittmann:

It has to be, I suppose. Yet, it did not seem to bother the French! Perhaps some cities and stadia are worse.

Well hopefully everyone is used to it, by now.

[axisandalliesplayer]

@wittmann:

Thanks again for your time in posting a reply.
More Especially, for starting and keeping this thread going.
I work  evenings (albeit only 4), so I am watching as much as I can, but find staying up for the whole of the last game (11pm over here) quite hard. My daughter is 4 and is waking between 515 and 615 every day.

Thanks, glad to talk WC stuff. It helps that I’m currently unemployed, so I’ve been able to catch most/all the games I’ve wanted. However, that changes Monday as I start working 40 hour weeks and so I’ll start missing most of the games. Excited about working, not so much about missing the games.  :-D

@John:

@aequitas:

Actually there is a 24th man on the field! Mr climate.
Welcoming all our South American teams and fighting against all European Teams.
:lol:

What little I’ve gotten to watch, is the climate affecting teams that are not used to it?

Just curious!

On the map, most of the stadium locations are located near the ocean. I don’t know what their actual distance is, but being close® to the ocean helps. The sea breeze will help keep things a little fresher and not as humid as it might have been otherwise. Not saying there’s no humidity and heat is still an issue. And what looks close on a map of all of Brazil’s probably far enough away to render any of the ocean’s benefit on the local environment pretty moot. Manaus though . . . that’s in the middle of the rainforest and speaking from personal experience, the heat and humidity of a rainforest really saps your energy. You start to turn into Slothman, worst superhero ever!  :lol:

Some analysts are saying part of the reason we’re seeing so many goals scored (twice the rate from last WC and on pace for most since 1956 or some such) is because players are getting tired and are prone to make mistakes. And it only takes one defender making a mistake to unravel an otherwise strong defense. It does seem like a lot of the goals are scored later in matches, but it’s hard for me to say how much of that’s tied to the heat and humidity. Could explain why some teams expected to be strong look a little listless out there, maybe they haven’t adjusted all the way or their training didn’t prepare them for the local conditions.

[John Brown]

@axisandalliesplayer:

@wittmann:

Thanks again for your time in posting a reply.
More Especially, for starting and keeping this thread going.
I work  evenings (albeit only 4), so I am watching as much as I can, but find staying up for the whole of the last game (11pm over here) quite hard. My daughter is 4 and is waking between 515 and 615 every day.

Thanks, glad to talk WC stuff. It helps that I’m currently unemployed, so I’ve been able to catch most/all the games I’ve wanted. However, that changes Monday as I start working 40 hour weeks and so I’ll start missing most of the games. Excited about working, not so much about missing the games.  :-D

@John:

@aequitas:

Actually there is a 24th man on the field! Mr climate.
Welcoming all our South American teams and fighting against all European Teams.
:lol:

What little I’ve gotten to watch, is the climate affecting teams that are not used to it?

Just curious!

On the map, most of the stadium locations are located near the ocean. I don’t know what their actual distance is, but being close® to the ocean helps. The sea breeze will help keep things a little fresher and not as humid as it might have been otherwise. Not saying there’s no humidity and heat is still an issue. And what looks close on a map of all of Brazil’s probably far enough away to render any of the ocean’s benefit on the local environment pretty moot. Manaus though . . . that’s in the middle of the rainforest and speaking from personal experience, the heat and humidity of a rainforest really saps your energy. You start to turn into Slothman, worst superhero ever!  :lol:

Some analysts are saying part of the reason we’re seeing so many goals scored (twice the rate from last WC and on pace for most since 1956 or some such) is because players are getting tired and are prone to make mistakes. And it only takes one defender making a mistake to unravel an otherwise strong defense. It does seem like a lot of the goals are scored later in matches, but it’s hard for me to say how much of that’s tied to the heat and humidity. Could explain why some teams expected to be strong look a little listless out there, maybe they haven’t adjusted all the way or their training didn’t prepare them for the local conditions.

Thanks for the information. That helps explain a lot of things.

[Witt]

Axisandalliesplayer: Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new job.

[frimmel]

Messi with the winner to pull it out a win in stoppage time for Argentina. Even if everyone were not telling me how great that dude is, it doesn’t take an expert to notice that guy is clutch. Big players make big plays in big games. True in any sport it seems. Fabulous score. It’s been like an hour since the goal and I’m still going “Damn.”

[axisandalliesplayer]

I had to fix my car (translation I stood around while my friend fixed my car) and didn’t catch any of the Ghana and German game. Which I’m regretting not watching after the game ended in a draw. I didn’t think the Black Stars would win or even draw against Germany, obviously I was wrong. But I’m going to be watching some highlights of the game and read some commentary to figure out how this happened. Now I’m feeling a little more nervous about the Portugal game. US still controls it’s own destiny, beat Portugal and US will advance. But that cushion I was hoping for isn’t really there any more. Ooh boy, are we having fun yet guys?

[Witt]

If having fun means sitting on the edge of your seat, stress ruling me, finding it hard to eat and drink while your team plays,ignoring anything anyone else in the house says or grunting an answer,  then yes, I am.
Football will put me in an early grave.

[frimmel]

Well at least Germany didn’t lose. Unfortunately, their not winning makes the US game so much more important to them.

Gonna be an exciting match tomorrow with a win for US meaning advancement. It would be great if it didn’t come down to the Germany match for the US to determine advancement.

I was really hoping for Germany to get it done today and not need a win against the US.

[axisandalliesplayer]

@wittmann:

Axisandalliesplayer: Good luck and I hope you enjoy your new job.

Thanks, I’m excited about it. It’s a great job, good pay, and great benefits.

@frimmel:

Well at least Germany didn’t lose. Unfortunately, their not winning makes the US game so much more important to them.

Gonna be an exciting match tomorrow with a win for US meaning advancement. It would be great if it didn’t come down to the Germany match for the US to determine advancement.

I was really hoping for Germany to get it done today and not need a win against the US.

Yea, you and me both. Like I wrote earlier, USA is in firm control of it’s own destiny. Win against Portugal and we’re on regardless of what happens against Germany. Lose or draw and we face a tough match against Germany in which both sides will be gunning for the win.

[Witt]

I will certainly be up and rooting for you. (Maddy has just woken at 555 though.) I may need a matchstick for each eye!

[Flashman]

Main reason for so many goals is the ball: every World Cup I remember FIFA introduced a new “super” ball filled with helium that goes 10 feet over the crossbar whenever anyone shoots from more than 5 yards.

They didn’t do that this year, hence more shots on target.

I never get stressed watching since I renounced my support of England in 1980. Still disgusted that Hodgson and Gerrard are staying, mind. No other country rewards losers like England does.

Russia - Belgium was sending me to sleep. Algeria - Korea isn’t worth missing the finale of Fargo for.

Will stay up for the late game, however; like to see Ronaldo in tears when Portugal are KOed.

[Witt]

Hi Flashman.
I have guests over, but have seen bits of the game. Is complete arse.
Next one, I told my wife we can play a game (ooer, I hear you say). What a boring match for an 8pm kick off.
The 11pm one I will not miss. I want the US to win and want to see Ronaldo and co cry, just like you.

[Witt]

Thank God! A goal.

[frimmel]

I DVR’d the Ghana/Germany match and watched it this morning and I’m feeling a lot better about the USA’s chances. Ghana is a not a bad team at all. Germany is quite obviously precise and efficient and I certainly see why they are favorites to win but I’m much more confident in the USA’s chances after seeing that game.

Seems everyone is dismissing it as Germany playing badly but I think they were looking past Ghana and taking them lightly and were made to pay the price.

Here’s to Ronaldo crying his eyes out!!!