How come nobody's said a word about the World Cup?

You're a better man than I am.

My wife and I were debating some sort of activity/outing for July 4, until I figured out that was the Wimbledon Men's Final. Maybe we can do something in the afternoon.

(Or maybe the players won't interest me - but I doubt it. Because I must admit that as much as I'd like to see Federer-Nadal, if Murray, Soderling, or Roddick get through it could also be a very good match).
 
current world cup goals by country of club, e.g. Messi counts as Spain rather than Argentina, SFJoe counts as New York rather than San Fran.

Spain 21
England 19
Germany 12
Italy 9
Holland 8
France 7 ( 1 OG )
Turkey 5

England easily leads in the number of clubs from which players have scored, with 13
 
Does anyone else have the feeling that the upcoming QF games look more like the final (Germany-Argentina) and consolation (Brazil-Netherlands) matches? Spain-Paraguay and Ghana-Uruguay look like afterthoughts to me, though South American football has shown itself to be the class of the WC.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by MLipton:
Does anyone else have the feeling that the upcoming QF games look more like the final (Germany-Argentina) and consolation (Brazil-Netherlands) matches? Spain-Paraguay and Ghana-Uruguay look like afterthoughts to me, though South American football has shown itself to be the class of the WC.
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Not me. Spain-Portugal was a bruising, very well-played game between two extremely talented and organized teams, which Portugal only kept tight by staying back for 90 minutes, even when behind in scoring. If a quarter-final or semi-final team doesn't keep the same Prussian discipline as Portugal did against Spain, they will find themselves in a hole. A big one. But of course all the other teams know that. Particularly the European ones.
 
Spain is playing great football. Risky and pressing in front, but defensive and quickly organised as soon they loose the ball. One of the teams to be beat iin the end. Portugal was just a notch behind, it wouldn't have hurt if ronaldo would have looked to the left or the right once in a while, but this is no news.
 
David Villa looks like he has all the confidence in the world, scoring from center or wing, doesn't matter. That guy can finish.

I do think its a shame that Brazil Netherlands meet so soon, that could have been a good semi final. Robben looks amazing every time he touches the ball.

I miss Zidane, but its nice to have Coad back.
 
originally posted by Anders Gautschi:
Spain is playing great football. Risky and pressing in front, but defensive and quickly organised as soon they loose the ball. One of the teams to be beat iin the end. Portugal was just a notch behind, it wouldn't have hurt if ronaldo would have looked to the left or the right once in a while, but this is no news.
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Spain is playing Barca football. They constantly press the ball, no matter where.

Portugal needs a striker. Ronaldo is a flat track bully.

The way to beat Spain is to narrow the pitch and hit them on the counter.

The way for Spain to counter this is to drop Torres for Llorente, as they should have done from the start, but they can't because they will get strung from the rafters.

Brazil vs Spain would be the perfect contrast of styles.
 
The way to beat Spain is to narrow the pitch and hit them on the counter.
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Is it true Mourinho has been seen entering Paraguay team hotel tonight?
 
originally posted by VLM:
originally posted by Anders Gautschi:
Spain is playing great football. Risky and pressing in front, but defensive and quickly organised as soon they loose the ball. One of the teams to be beat iin the end. Portugal was just a notch behind, it wouldn't have hurt if ronaldo would have looked to the left or the right once in a while, but this is no news.
Click to expand...

Spain is playing Barca football. They constantly press the ball, no matter where.

Portugal needs a striker. Ronaldo is a flat track bully.

The way to beat Spain is to narrow the pitch and hit them on the counter.

The way for Spain to counter this is to drop Torres for Llorente, as they should have done from the start, but they can't because they will get strung from the rafters.

Brazil vs Spain would be the perfect contrast of styles.
Click to expand...

Despite their seeming decisive scores I don't think Brazil has been playing all that impressively. I guess we'll see as it starts to get serious.
 
i am so glad and relived to see christiano ronaldo out--good riddance to the petulant baby. and i will be even more relieved when his moral and ethical proto-father maradona is no longer an active 'player' in this world cup. maradona is a true and lifelong disgrace to the sport. the anti-pele.
 
originally posted by Brian C:Despite their seeming decisive scores I don't think Brazil has been playing all that impressively. I guess we'll see as it starts to get serious.
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Agreed (and only the most recent victory had a decisive score, the other two had a single goal difference).

In terms of team organization and cohesiveness, Brazil pales next to the competition, so their strategy has been to wait for slips and counterattack opportunities where their unrivaled individual skills can come into play. That makes for the occasional brilliant play, but the matches as a whole are uninspiring.
 
originally posted by VLM:
Spain is playing Barca football. They constantly press the ball, no matter where.

Portugal needs a striker. Ronaldo is a flat track bully.

The way to beat Spain is to narrow the pitch and hit them on the counter.

The way for Spain to counter this is to drop Torres for Llorente, as they should have done from the start, but they can't because they will get strung from the rafters.

Brazil vs Spain would be the perfect contrast of styles.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I find Spain the most entertaining team to watch precisely because they are playing Barca football. (And with three of their starting midfielders, both center backs and, now, their top striker, with Barca, it would be a shame if they didn't.)

Also agree on dropping Torres.

What I don't understand is your lack of outrage at Fabregas' lack of playing time. Why not start him instead of Xabi Alonso? Or try Villa as a sole striker with Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas pushing forward more?
 
I loved watching Spain beat Portugal the way they did. Nice refereeing as well as several diving divas were left to roll around on the pitch in the throes of fake agony and indignation without being awarded free kicks.
 
I think they will need an in-form Torres to win the whole thing. The guy had surgery, and it takes 5-6 games afterwards. They may give him another 45 mins against Paraguay, to make a decision.
 
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