Dang- forgot the time zone differential...
Too many after dinner drinks, perhaps?
Too many after dinner drinks, perhaps?
EN World World Cup blog
- Thread starter johnsemlak
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Olaf the Stout
Legend
It's good to see that Spain didn't get everyone's hopes up that they might actually perform on the big stage for once. The round of 16 would be around about when they usually fall in a crashing heap.
Too bad we couldn't see the Switzerland vs. Italy match up. That would have been a guaranteed 120 minute game and the insomniacs could have taped it for those times when they really need to get to sleep!
Olaf the Stout
Too bad we couldn't see the Switzerland vs. Italy match up. That would have been a guaranteed 120 minute game and the insomniacs could have taped it for those times when they really need to get to sleep!
Olaf the Stout
johnsemlak
First Post
As far as I remember the USA is ranked rather high...Jdvn1 said:
Anyway, I wasn't expecting France to play so well because of their poor performance in the last world cup and in the qualifying for this world cup (they only just qualified and their group wasn't that strong) and less than impressive performance in Euro2004, where basically they played well only for about 5 minutes versus England. So far their form in this WC hadn't been all that impressive, while Spain was looking very good. Plus France were relying on an aging core of veterans.
I guess I fell into a common trap of thinking thsi was finally Spain's year...
Anyway, I think a lot of people didint' expect France to play this well, nor for Zidane to play so well (one Frenchwoman at my office was worried because she thought France played better without him)
johnsemlak
First Post
Quarterfinal predictions
Well, I haven't exactly done well with my predictions up to now. Anyway, on with my picks...
Germany--Argentina: How to pick this one? Two former champs who met in a final once. Both playing amazingly well so far. They've scored fantastic goals and showed some brilliant form. Argentina are the more talented, but with Germany playing so well I'll give them the edge with their fans willing them on.
England--Portugal. I'll say this--England have had the most fortunate path to the quarters, or semis perhaps, of any team in the tournament. They've not faced particularly tough opposition so far. Now they get a weakened Portugal side. At full strength I'd favor Scolari's side. But without Deco and Costinho (and maybe Christiano Ronaldo) it's a major mountain to climb. I think it will be tight and the Portuguese will rise to the occasion and overcome some of their problems. Scolari's a genius and will get the most out of his men, particularly with so much time to prepare, but England will squeak through.
Italy--Ukraine. Pretty simple really. Italy have been one of the underappreciated performers of this WC. THey topped one of the toughest groups, beating the Czech Rep and Ghana handily. Against Australia they played tight, weathered the storm of a dismissal, and were never going to lose with their defence suffocating Australia's attack. Italy go through.
Brazil--France. Oh, what a match-up. Two teams full of aging superstars--a virtual who's who of football of the last ten years, and many of whom played against each other in that '98 final. This will be a tough match but I think this match-up actually favor's Brazil this time. It's not in the Stade de France. Also, Brazil is vulnerable with their aging players like Cafu and Roberto Carlos but it will take a younger team than France to expose that. So I'll stick with Brazil.
Well, I haven't exactly done well with my predictions up to now. Anyway, on with my picks...
Germany--Argentina: How to pick this one? Two former champs who met in a final once. Both playing amazingly well so far. They've scored fantastic goals and showed some brilliant form. Argentina are the more talented, but with Germany playing so well I'll give them the edge with their fans willing them on.
England--Portugal. I'll say this--England have had the most fortunate path to the quarters, or semis perhaps, of any team in the tournament. They've not faced particularly tough opposition so far. Now they get a weakened Portugal side. At full strength I'd favor Scolari's side. But without Deco and Costinho (and maybe Christiano Ronaldo) it's a major mountain to climb. I think it will be tight and the Portuguese will rise to the occasion and overcome some of their problems. Scolari's a genius and will get the most out of his men, particularly with so much time to prepare, but England will squeak through.
Italy--Ukraine. Pretty simple really. Italy have been one of the underappreciated performers of this WC. THey topped one of the toughest groups, beating the Czech Rep and Ghana handily. Against Australia they played tight, weathered the storm of a dismissal, and were never going to lose with their defence suffocating Australia's attack. Italy go through.
Brazil--France. Oh, what a match-up. Two teams full of aging superstars--a virtual who's who of football of the last ten years, and many of whom played against each other in that '98 final. This will be a tough match but I think this match-up actually favor's Brazil this time. It's not in the Stade de France. Also, Brazil is vulnerable with their aging players like Cafu and Roberto Carlos but it will take a younger team than France to expose that. So I'll stick with Brazil.
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STARP_Social_Officer
First Post
I think Germany can beat Argentina. My final prediction of a German win over Brazil in the final is still, at present, holding up. For the quarter-finals, I predict Germany will beat Argentina, Portugal will kill England in the closing minutes after a long 0-0 period, Brazil will beat France but not by much, and Italy will beat Ukraine. In that particular match my support will be for the yellow dudes led by Shevchenko, but I know I'm picking the wrong horse. Italy and Portugal will face off for 3rd place, and Italy will win it.
I'm just saying, is all.
PS: Australia's out. I've come to terms with this, even if the rest of the country can't.
I'm just saying, is all.
PS: Australia's out. I've come to terms with this, even if the rest of the country can't.
jonesy
A Wicked Kendragon
It's not fun being a Spain supporter when they always fall apart like that. Oh well, at least England is still in the games.
My crystal ball has shown me that:
Germany 1 - Argentina 4, the Germans will be stunned.
England 2 - Portugal 2, England wins in a penalty shootout.
Italy 1 - Ukraine 0, Italy hasn't really been playing, but Ukraine still won't stand a chance.
Brazil 2 - France 1, France is back, but it won't be enough.
My crystal ball has shown me that:
Germany 1 - Argentina 4, the Germans will be stunned.
England 2 - Portugal 2, England wins in a penalty shootout.
Italy 1 - Ukraine 0, Italy hasn't really been playing, but Ukraine still won't stand a chance.
Brazil 2 - France 1, France is back, but it won't be enough.
This is tricky to call. My heart says one thing, my head another. Anyway, here goes...
Argentina 3 - 1 Germany. Much like France last night, the third goal will be a late one while Germany are searching for an equaliser.
England 1 - 2 Portugal. My heart says revenge for 2004, but this is a prediction, not what I want to happen.
Italy 1 - 0 Ukraine. Again, against my heart. I like the Ukraine, and I don't like Italy, but if they go 1 up, there's not much you can do to break down their 11 man defence.
Brazil 2 - 0 France. Brazil may have looked ropey in 75% of their games, but they've won them, and kept a clean sheet. Difficult to back France when Henry never shows his Arsenal form for them and Zizou's had his running for the tournament against Spain.
If it were my heart speaking, the semis would be Germany vs Ukraine and England vs France, with a Germany vs England final. We beat them at our house 40 years ago, let's see what happens in their backyard.
Argentina 3 - 1 Germany. Much like France last night, the third goal will be a late one while Germany are searching for an equaliser.
England 1 - 2 Portugal. My heart says revenge for 2004, but this is a prediction, not what I want to happen.
Italy 1 - 0 Ukraine. Again, against my heart. I like the Ukraine, and I don't like Italy, but if they go 1 up, there's not much you can do to break down their 11 man defence.
Brazil 2 - 0 France. Brazil may have looked ropey in 75% of their games, but they've won them, and kept a clean sheet. Difficult to back France when Henry never shows his Arsenal form for them and Zizou's had his running for the tournament against Spain.
If it were my heart speaking, the semis would be Germany vs Ukraine and England vs France, with a Germany vs England final. We beat them at our house 40 years ago, let's see what happens in their backyard.
Jdvn1
Hanging in there. Better than the alternative.
As far as I remember, the Czech Republic is ranked rather high...johnsemlak said:
It's also about consistency. And, you have to look back more than a week or a month of play to see trends.
I don't remember how far they got last World Cup, but I thought it was past the round of 16. Do you remember how far they got?johnsemlak said:
I'd argue that Spain's group was much easier than France's group, though. And, aging cores of veterans have played well a number of times this World Cup... at least, it's hard to argue with Ronaldo's three goals, many when surrounded by pressure.johnsemlak said:
I'm not sure about the world cup qualifiers and past games, but according to a website I checked (if you have your own that you think is more accurate, please link me) in the past two years, France has lost a total of two games. June 25, 2004, and March 1, 2006.
(though, June 25, 2004, is technically just over 2 years ago now). That's at least pretty impressive. Even everyone's beloved Brazil can't say that.
I don't like France over Spain, but you can't ignore France's accomplishments.
Jdvn1
Hanging in there. Better than the alternative.
I'm going to have to predict...
Argentina over Germany. Both quality teams, and I'd like to see Germany going to the final game, but if only the fates could have allowed this match-up to occur two rounds later... Anyway, I want Germany to win, but I suspect Argentina to steamroll.
Portugal over England. They're just a complete package, and have been playing pretty well. Beckham's place kicks are fun to watch, though!
Italy over Ukraine. I'm always worried about Italy because they have low scoring games. An upset is easy. Ukraine's played tough, but I'm too much of an Italy fan to predict their loss to anyone. Except for maybe next round.
France over Brazil. I think this will be the upset of the tournament. Except, of course, the Czech Republic not making it to round 2. But, y'know. I've been predicting Brazil to not make it to the final game, so if they don't get stopped here who's going to do it?
Argentina over Germany. Both quality teams, and I'd like to see Germany going to the final game, but if only the fates could have allowed this match-up to occur two rounds later... Anyway, I want Germany to win, but I suspect Argentina to steamroll.
Portugal over England. They're just a complete package, and have been playing pretty well. Beckham's place kicks are fun to watch, though!
Italy over Ukraine. I'm always worried about Italy because they have low scoring games. An upset is easy. Ukraine's played tough, but I'm too much of an Italy fan to predict their loss to anyone. Except for maybe next round.
France over Brazil. I think this will be the upset of the tournament. Except, of course, the Czech Republic not making it to round 2. But, y'know. I've been predicting Brazil to not make it to the final game, so if they don't get stopped here who's going to do it?
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