EN World World Cup blog

[Klaus]

wow.

just wow.

Brazil's player handed over that match like it was a W.O. Roberto Carlos stood still while Henry proceeded to score France's goal, none of the players did more than drag their weight around and it took 75 minutes to have Bartez make a single defense.

The coach took waaaay too long make substitutions, and some players had no business being in the team (namely Cafu, Roberto Carlos and, surprisingly, Kaká and Ronaldinho Gaúcho). Ultimately, Brazil suffered from its coach apathy.

So now it's PORTUGAL ALL THE WAY!!!!

 

[Iron Captain]

Damn England is out and Brazil played really badly. Then at 70 minutes they suddenly realized they actually had to put some effort into it. Too little too late.
France played very well I thought.

So my prediction for the finals? Germany VS France. Though to be honest I am pretty nervous about Germany's game against Italy.
But I think France will beat Portugal especially if France plays as well as they did today and Portugal plays as "well" as they did against England (11 on 10 and you can't score in 45 minutes?).

 

[Klaus]

A quick correction (and pardon me while I'm venting): Brazil didn't suddenly realize that they had to win. The goddamn coach waited until the last 10 minutes to put in players that actually WANTED to play, and removed at least one of the dead weight (Cafu). The team reflected their coach's apathy.

 

[STARP_Social_Officer]

All I can say is that my prediction is still intact. Bring on Brazil!

Well. Er...spoke too soon I guess.
France won? Wow! I mean...wow! Nobody beats Brazil. Except France, of course, who beat them in 1998. Oh, well. I now predict a Germany vs France final. Brazil being knocked out is actually good for Germany, France and Portugal, because it means whichever one makes it to the final doesn't have to face the Samba Soccer Superstars.
Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles!

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

DAMN!

...good and bad.

Good, because I was hoping to see France move on...but bad, because England is out. Sigh. TORN!

Here's hoping for Germany v. France for the final. Go Germany!

 

[johnsemlak]

Interesting stat. So, if Brazil wins, three of the final four teams will have been undefeated in the tournament?

Italy is still undefeated, though they have one draw.

 

[Jdvn1]

Italy is still undefeated, though they have one draw.

Yes, that list was of teams with no loses and no draws. I think I was unclear before.

In short, perfect records thus far.

 

[Jdvn1]

Well. Er...spoke too soon I guess.
France won? Wow! I mean...wow! Nobody beats Brazil. Except France, of course, who beat them in 1998.

And Argentina. And Mexico. And Ecuador.

I don't know why everyone thinks Brazil is the perfect team or never loses.

 

[Jdvn1]

Ultimately, Brazil suffered from its coach apathy.

And, you know, from an excellent team playing excellent soccer.

France played very well I thought.

That's an understatement, in my opinion. Zidane was brilliant.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I guarantee you that if it is a Germany vs. France final, every American who likes to ridicule soccer and/or France will attempt to be witty and bring up WW2.

I don't know why everyone thinks Brazil is the perfect team or never loses.

Brazil has an excellent publicity department.