EN World World Cup blog

[Dannyalcatraz]

That game simply rocked!

Full-field action, great saves & missed opportunities...

And (quality) goals to win the game so late in overtime that they were nearly Golden!

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Well at least the Italy win makes Australia's loss look even better!

I didn't see any of the match in regular time but I saw almost all of the extra time. Unfortunately I had to leave for work just before the end but I did hear the last few minutes of extra time (including both goals) on my car radio.

From what I saw of extra time it was great to watch, real end to end stuff with both teams charging forward to counter attack when possession was turned over.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Jdvn1]

... but the rosters usually change a lot between everything but the last handful of pre-Cup friendlies (or even non-"must win" qualifiers) and the actual tournament, so they're not a great model either.

Like I said, good teams have a tendency to play well.

I didn't put qualifiers for a reason. It's regardless of roster changes, which are often not major anyway (particularly for the big teams). Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, etc--they have good national teams that win most of their games year-round, year after year. That's why they're ranked highly in FIFA and that's why we know they're good teams.

 

[Jdvn1]

That was the best game I've seen all tournament. Still dunno if the Italians can beat the French team I saw dissecting Brazil so effectively, but you never know which team's going to show up to play this tournament...

It was a great game, despite it being low-scoring.

People think high-scroing games are more exciting? I don't think so. And, that article I posted didn't disappoint!

 

[Jdvn1]

I didn't see any of the match in regular time but I saw almost all of the extra time. Unfortunately I had to leave for work just before the end but I did hear the last few minutes of extra time (including both goals) on my car radio.

From what I saw of extra time it was great to watch, real end to end stuff with both teams charging forward to counter attack when possession was turned over.

Definitely. The two goals came in the last two minutes! I'm still amazed.

 

[Jdvn1]

The nice thing about the Germans is that almost all the players do play on about the same level of quality. They do not have superstars or once-in-a-century-players in their team.

Maybe you should've told that to Klose, the current top scorer of the tournament by two goals (with 5), despite a 0-2 loss in the semi-finals.

Italy, on the other hand, doesn't have anyone with more than 2 goals this tournament.

 

[elmuthalleth]

Italy will win the world championship !!!
We have the best team in the world

FORZA AZZURRI !!!!!!!!!!!


Germany was only the shadow of a team ,.
Their supporters whistled our national anthem , and every decision contrar y for Germany by the referee was whistled .
Their newspapers insulted us calling the Italians " parasites " and "macaroni " ...

They deserved the defeat

 

[johnsemlak]

Italy will win the world championship !!!
We have the best team in the world

FORZA AZZURRI !!!!!!!!!!!


Germany was only the shadow of a team ,.
Their supporters whistled our national anthem , and every decision contrar y for Germany by the referee was whistled .
Their newspapers insulted us calling the Italians " parasites " and "macaroni " ...

They deserved the defeat

Dude, be fair. Germany's had a great result in this tournament. I'd say they're far from 'shadow' of a team, rather a team of the future, full of young players who will get better. They'll bea real threat in the next Euro Championship, which will be in neighboring Switzerland, no?

Germany's been a great host and have thrown a great tournament, from what I read. Ugly, jingoistic football support is (unfortunately) part of most major football nations' culture, certainly not only Germany.

Oh, and what a great game. I thought the first half was pretty boring actually, but the match certainly heated up and the ending was fantastic. The best team won, as well, and the result was fair.

 

[johnsemlak]

Prediction for tonight.

Hard to call. Portugal were poor vs England but will have two key players back. France are playing really special football right now but a worry with some of their older players has to be that they might run out of steam.

It's hard to imagine that if France play the type of football that allowed them to beat Brazil that they'll fail to overcome Portugal, but France has not beaten (or played) a Scolari-coached team, and he is one of the proven masterminds of the game.

If it goes to penalties it will be very tense, both teams have great keepers but I'd give hte edge to France there--It's hard to imagine tbe likes of Zidane (if he's on the pitch still), Henry, Wiltord, Trezeguet, Viera, etc missing penalties.

Gotta have a prediction. France by one goal. Say, 1-0.

 

[Ruavel]

France by one goal. Say, 1-0.

I'm calling same goal difference but a 2-1 win to France. I think Portgal can push a goal though the French defense, but I think Zizou, Henry & Ribery (damn that kid's good) will get the extra goal needed to win the game...



Allez les bleus...!!!