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Phew!! The US escape with a point. A few notes from a US perspective: I thought the US played best on 50-50 balls-they won numerous such challenges and I think this kept possesion in the US's favor until late. Their agreesive play did result in two reds, but overall it was positive. I did...

OK I'll do my round of predictions for today. Portugal 2 Iran 0. Czech Rep 3 Ghana 1 Italy 1 USA 0 (I woudn't be shocked if that ended in a draw)

That's very likely a factor. It must be a difficult time for the players to focus. The team contains players from both countries.

I heard that one at work and couldn't believe it. After 1/2 match the Holland-Ivory Coast match is turning out to be good, though some rather unusual referee decisions are taking place.

RE Brazil Brazil started slow in 2002 too with several tight victories (Belgium came precariously close to knocking them off in the 1/16 round IIRC). They're a team that certainly can raise their game. I'd say they're still the favorite (even though I htink they'll get beat eventually, if...

Had Reyna's shot off the post went in I think we would have and an exciting match (probably ending 3-1 but more attractive). So far the early matches (those starting at 3 pm in germany--and in 30 C weather) are producing some bizzare results and play. In the England-Paraguay match, the...

Yeah, 4 yellows, looking at the match report. Could haunt them later.

Ugh, that was truely embarressing. I think the Czechs are a great team, and one that might actually win the tourney, and I'm hoping that they showed it today.

Certainly agree about the England game (though I'll be rooting the other way) but I''ve predicted Argentina in the other match. In the third match of the day, I'm going out on a limb and predicting that Sweden will beat Trinidad and Tobago. Grr, so far in my office pool I've got both games...

I've lived abroad for 13 years, in several different countries, and have never been misunderstood if I called myself American (though I do try to avoid the term) and I'm almost always refered to as American by non-Americans. However, I haven't had any experience in Latin American countries so...

Russian Football Slang Actually, though I've lived here for 10+ years my Russian slang is horrible--hopefully an actualy Russian will help out. (as for my native English, I'm sure some others can provide that). Russians call a penalty an '11-meter shot' So far that's all I can think of...

Well, those are some interesting results, but friendlies (and unfortunately the Confederations Cup is practically a friendly, as it's hardly a big tournament) are unfortunatley not reliable indicators. As for Zebra's, the bookies I've consulted seem to think any victory for Japan would be a...

I think you're being a bit rough on Australia and Croatia, but we'll see. That group will have an interesting battle for second.

Wow, South Koreans I have experience with, but North Korea, zilch. It's one of the most isolated countries in the world.

Hmm, apparently so.. I guess that explains that.

I certainly think England have their best chance in years. Certainly, defence is much more solid than in '02, the midfield perhaps hte best in the WC on paper--with Gerrard in particularly good form as displayed in the FA Cup. The obvious problems are the injuries up front. Dunno, any chance...

Hmm, maybe, I actually don't follow Italy or Serie A carefully, but from what I read, they've got possibly the tourney's best goalkeeper, a solid defence as usual, and an array of established strikers all playing for big name clubs. They thumped Germany 4-1 IIRC in one of the more impressive...

Funny they didn't buy a Philips TV. I, on the other hand, started this thread just after buying a brand new Philips tv.

Plus there's the frequently-mentioned issue that the tourney's in Europe this time and a European team as won every WC in Europe except in '58. That should give some hope to the strong European teams, which now probably include Italy, Holland, England, and the Czech Rep. (IMHO in that order)...

Can't believe a thread hasn't started on this yet. Less than 5 days till the world's biggest sporting event starts. I just bought a new HD-ready tv in time fore it (not sure if I'll have HD broadcasts here but I"m hoping). So as not to miss matches I'm dusting off my recently unused VCR...