World Cup!

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

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.

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.

Thank God! A goal.

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!!!

28 years since they last scored at the World Cup .
3-0 up. Bloody hell! I thought this would be a boring game .
Good on you Algeria.

Son just tunneld Rais 1:3 S.Kor vs Alg.

@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:

I just can repeat my self. Germany Vs Ghana game showed that the German players were allready out of breath before the end of 1st half and the Ghana Anthelopes just ran away.

_sidenote:_I think it is even in Germanys intrest, that the US is winning over Portugal today.
That automaticly qualifies Germany and of course the US. :-P

Germany is not automatically qualified with a US win. They would still need a draw at least with the US or a loss or draw for Ghana against Portugal.

US wins they get six points and are qualified and eliminate Portugal. Portugal would not be able to match the German 4 points.

Ghana with a win over Portugal and a Germany loss to the US would tie Germany at 1-1-1 with four points and fall back to the tiebreakers which is goal differential isn’t it? They then have to drub Portugal pretty badly or hope the US drubs Germany pretty badly or whatever adds up to the +4 Germany is sitting on right now. So Germany is still on the bubble.

Yeah frimmel, this is what I said.
@frimmel:

They then have to drub Portugal pretty badly or hope the US drubs Germany pretty badly or whatever adds up to the +4 Germany is sitting on right now. So Germany is still on the bubble.

They don’t drop Portugal very badly, not Portugal!

But as it is at the very moment, everything is possible!
Portugal 1 - 0 US…oh oh

Come on US Boys, you can do it!!..GO Dempsey!!

@axisandalliesplayer:

We HAD it  . . .  WE FREAKING HAD IT!  :x
:cry:

Up 2-1 and Portugal scores on a header to tie it all up with less than 30 seconds left in the game.  :-o

Great game by US although they seemed to flip a switch once they drew even with Portugal. Beautiful passing and some good runs and cuts seemed to vanish once the game was tied up. Howard had some great saves to keep the game close or US up after that freak Portugal goal five minutes into the game. I still am pissed with that clearance attempt and Portugal was gifted their first goal when the ball dropped right into their laps unopposed and without a defender between the ball and Howard.  :x

Ugh . . .

Man, US had it and let up at the end. That is too bad, now we have to play well against Germany or go home. It was a good game, but disappointing that they didn’t win. :-(

@axisandalliesplayer:

I can’t stop thinking about the failed clear or about that wide open shot Bradley had. That’s a goal if the ball is just a couple inches higher and/or to the right. GK was out of position and it was just one defender in the way.  :oops:

US advances with a win or draw against Germany. USA can still advance with a loss to Germany, but it depends on the result of the Portugal/Ghana game. A draw in the Portugal/Ghana game and US is in. US has a +5 GD against Portugal and only a +1 GD vs Ghana. So US fans should be rooting for a Ghanaian draw or loss (so long as Portugal doesn’t overcome the GD differential)

Of course we could just win/draw vs Germany!  :-D

I don’t care how they do it, but I prefer them to do it on their own. :-D

The US did very good!

This thread now has one more German fan! Thanks A&A player for directing me here.

I watch a lot of football (yes I know you americans call it soccer, but no one else does, so deal with it!), not only tournaments like the WC. I know a lot of stuff about the teams, I know most of the players from their domestic leagues and so on. But the betting round I’m participating in with my friends is chaotic.

How am I supposed to make good bets with so many crazy things going on in this WC?

Costa Rica? WTF are you doing!
Algeria? Where do you come from?
Japan! Weren’t you the best Asian team for the last couple of years?
Spain…. no words

This list could go on and on, it’s frustrating that all my football knowledge seems to mean nothing this year.

And I am 100% confident that someone or something cast a voodoo spell or whatsoever on every country from chile to mexico. It’s like them South and Middle American teams somehow have doubled and tripled their quality over night.

More recent news:

USA - Portugal, eh?
Quite a nice game to watch, a lot of action. My bet was 1:1 so one part of me was happy to see the late equalizer. It also means that Germany only needs a draw to remain group winner, instead of needing a win.

On the other hand you guys were really fighting in that game, you have an awesome coach (go Klinsmann!) and you totally deserved that win. I can’t believe I’m saying that, but I was cheering for USA (thanks to the WC the world doesn’t hate you for 1 month!  :evil: :mrgreen:)

What do you guys think about tonight’s games?

Australia - Spain
Curious to see if Spain really wants to reestablish some dignity or if the socceroos will land the knockout blow to a heavily damaged Furia Roja. My bet: 2:0

Netherlands - Chile
Really looking forward to this. Both are through already, but the group winner will less likely face Brazil next round. Netherlands should be the better team, but I know better than to bet against South america. I say: 1:1

Cameroon - Brazil
Easy thing. Cameroon totally disappointed so far and while Brazil wasn’t performing to their ability neither, this is one more win for South America. 0:3

Mexico - Croatia
A real final for both of them. This game will be intense, both have quality teams. Gonna risk betting for Croatia: 1:2

Here’s me at the end of the match: “No. Just hold it. Not there. No. No. NO. NO. NOOOOO. Expletive. Expletiving expletive. Expletiving Ronaldo. You’ve gotta be expletiving kidding me. Expletive.”