The World Cup - do you even know it's on...?

[chrisp]

In almost exactly two days time from now, the 2006 Fifa world cup will kick off in Germany, and the USA team is in it.

Despite not posessing any real marquee names on the squad, the USA team got to the quarter-finals in the last world cup four years ago, and currently sits a joint 5th with Spain in the fifa world rankings.

So, whilst these rankings have yet to win widespread approval, and whilst the last world cup saw quite a few upsets and strange results that may well not be repeated (France and Argentina failing to get past the group stages, South Korea beating Italy, for example) there is still significant grounds for optimism for the US team's fortunes.

So, the question is........does that even register in the US national conscience? Over here in the UK world cup fever is in full swing, and the progress of the England team camp is being pored over with the same micro-detail the Broncos camp is covered with in Denver. In the US, however, despite having a FAR better team these days and despite having hosted the competition 12 years ago, I get the impression that no-one really cares.

Is this true? Will you be rooting for the stars-and-stripes over the next few weeks, or will the success failure or otherwise of the US team merit less attention than Dorsett Davis being cut from the CFL?

Let me know your thoughts o fellow maners....

[Smiling Assassin27]

I cannot wait. The US ain't gonna catch anyone by surprise this time so we'll really get to see what our program has become.

[anthonypacino]

It's hard for me to get excited, I never have caught on to the sport, don't really care one way or another.

[Arkansas Bronco]

I hope the USA team does well and if they are on TV at a time that convenient I will watch a bit of it. The team I realy would like to watch (for a little bit anyway) is Brazil, that team is loaded. I cant watch soccer for long it is a pretty boring sport to watch. It isnt because I dont like soccer I played for my school from my 4rth grade year all the way to my SR. year. Its just that watching 2 teams play to a 1-0 finish and also the fact that we (USA) are seriously out gunned due to most of the other countrys in the World Cup main sport is soccer and here it gets very little attention.

[fontaine]

I'm going to be cheering for Holland because they finally got rid of their prima donna schmucks who kept fighting with each other and finally went for blue collar players who talk less and play with more heart.

That being said, I could easily see Argentina being the giants of this world cup.

[youcandoit1687]

In almost exactly two days time from now, the 2006 Fifa world cup will kick off in Germany, and the USA team is in it.

Despite not posessing any real marquee names on the squad, the USA team got to the quarter-finals in the last world cup four years ago, and currently sits a joint 5th with Spain in the fifa world rankings.

So, whilst these rankings have yet to win widespread approval, and whilst the last world cup saw quite a few upsets and strange results that may well not be repeated (France and Argentina failing to get past the group stages, South Korea beating Italy, for example) there is still significant grounds for optimism for the US team's fortunes.

So, the question is........does that even register in the US national conscience? Over here in the UK world cup fever is in full swing, and the progress of the England team camp is being pored over with the same micro-detail the Broncos camp is covered with in Denver. In the US, however, despite having a FAR better team these days and despite having hosted the competition 12 years ago, I get the impression that no-one really cares.

Is this true? Will you be rooting for the stars-and-stripes over the next few weeks, or will the success failure or otherwise of the US team merit less attention than Dorsett Davis being cut from the CFL?

Let me know your thoughts o fellow maners....

dont we have that donovan dude, hes pretty big huh?

i think ill be watching because:
1. its in Hidef
2. its F in june, what else can i watch
3. some of my friends are pretty into the soccer scene so itll be fun to watch with them
4. it is OUR country. its like rooting for broncos in gridiron all star rowing. its not much fun watching two boats go down and back but they are OUR team

[Hercules Rockefeller]

Can't wait for Friday, even moreso for Monday

[bendog]

It's good housekeeping TV. I think I'm still on for moving furniture and cleaning the wood floors. There was a special "road to the cup," but I missed it.

[Smiling Assassin27]

As it is every 4 years, La Furia (Spain) is my adopted team (in addition to the US, of course)...Anyone else?

[-Slap-]

Poland is going to kick ass all over the place.

[Orange_Beard]

I am headed to France for 2 weeks( Leave Friday). Can't wait to be there for the WC.
Man the energy is great.
All of Europe will be a buzz.....

[Mile High Shack]

communist roundball sport

[Taco John]

I didn't really even know it was happening. I guess I've seen a few references to it here and there, but having TIVO, I skip 95% of commercials... and don't really have any interest in soccer.

[GSRelyea]

US has to come out strong on Monday against the Czech Republic (2nd in fifa world rankings) they are pretty banged up so we could be catching them at the right time. We have to win the group or else likely face Brazil in the 2nd round.

USA Today team capsules and group analysis:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/tourneys/2006-worldcup-team-capsules.htm

2006 World Cup Schedule

By The Associated Press

All Times EDT

FIRST ROUND

Friday, June 9

At Munich, Germany
Costa Rica at Germany, noon (Group A) (ESPN2)

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Poland vs. Ecuador, 3 p.m. (Group A) (ESPN2)

Saturday, June 10

At Frankfurt, Germany
England vs. Paraguay, 9 a.m. (Group B) (ABC)

At Dortmund, Germany
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Sweden, noon (Group B) (ABC)

At Hamburg, Germany
Argentina vs. Ivory Coast, 3 p.m. (Group C) (ESPN2)

Sunday, June 11

At Leipzig, Germany
Serbia-Montenegro vs. Netherlands, 9 a.m. (Group C) (ESPN2)

At Nuremberg, Germany
Mexico vs. Iran, noon (Group D) (ABC)

At Cologne, Germany
Angola vs. Portugal, 3 p.m. (Group D) (ESPN2)

Monday, June 12

At Kaiserslautern, Germany
Australia vs. Japan, 9 a.m. (Group F) (ESPN2)

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany
United States vs. Czech Republic, noon (Group E) (ESPN2)

At Hanover, Germany
Italy vs. Ghana, 3 p.m. (Group E) (ESPN2)

Tuesday, June 13

At Frankfurt, Germany
South Korea vs. Togo, 9 a.m. (Group G) (ESPN2)

At Stuttgart, Germany
France vs. Switzerland, noon (Group G) (ESPN2)

At Berlin
Brazil vs. Croatia, 3 p.m. (Group F) (ESPN2)

Wednesday, June 14

At Leipzig, Germany
Spain vs. Ukraine, 9 a.m. (Group H) (ESPN2)

At Munich, Germany
Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia, noon (Group H) (ESPN2)

At Dortmund, Germany
Poland at Germany, 3 p.m. (Group A) (ESPN2)

Thursday, June 15

At Hamburg, Germany
Ecuador vs. Costa Rica, 9 a.m. (Group A) (ESPN2)

At Nuremberg, Germany
England vs. Trinidad and Tobago, noon (Group B) (ESPN2)

At Berlin
Sweden vs. Paraguay, 3 p.m. (Group B) (ESPN)

Friday, June 16

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Argentina vs. Serbia-Montenegro, 9 a.m. (Group C) (ESPN2)

At Stuttgart, Germany
Netherlands vs. Ivory Coast, noon (Group C) (ESPN2)

At Hanover, Germany
Mexico vs. Angola, 3 p.m. (Group D) (ESPN)

Saturday, June 17

At Frankfurt, Germany
Portugal vs. Iran, 9 a.m. (Group D) (ESPN2)

At Cologne, Germany
Czech Republic vs. Ghana, noon (Group E) (ABC)

At Kaiserslautern, Germany
Italy vs. United States, 3 p.m. (Group E) (ABC)

Sunday, June 18

At Nuremberg, Germany
Japan vs. Croatia, 9 a.m. (Group F) (ABC)

At Munich, Germany
Brazil vs. Australia, noon (Group F) (ABC)

At Leipzig, Germany
France vs. South Korea, 3 p.m. (Group G) (ABC)

Monday, June 19

At Dortmund, Germany
Togo vs. Switzerland, 9 a.m. (Group G) (ESPN2)

At Hamburg, Germany
Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine, noon (Group H) (ESPN2)

At Stuttgart, Germany
Spain vs. Tunisia, 3 p.m. (Group H) (ESPN2)

Tuesday, June 20

At Berlin
Ecuador at Germany, 10 a.m. (Group A) (ESPN)

At Hanover, Germany
Costa Rica vs. Poland, 10 a.m. (Group A) (ESPN2)

At Cologne, Germany
Sweden vs. England, 3 p.m. (Group B) (ESPN)

At Kaiserslautern, Germany
Paraguay vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 3 p.m. (Group B) (ESPN2)

Wednesday, June 21

At Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Portugal vs. Mexico, 10 a.m. (Group D) (ESPN)

At Leipzig, Germany
Iran vs. Angola, 10 a.m. (Group D) (ESPN2)

At Frankfurt, Germany
Netherlands vs. Argentina, 3 p.m. (Group C) (ESPN)

At Munich, Germany
Ivory Coast vs. Serbia-Montenegro, 3 p.m. (Group C) (ESPN2)

Thursday, June 22

At Hamburg, Germany
Czech Republic vs. Italy, 10 a.m. (Group E) (ESPN2)

At Nuremberg, Germany
Ghana vs. United States, 10 a.m. (Group E) (ESPN)

At Dortmund, Germany
Japan vs. Brazil, 3 p.m. (Group F) (ESPN)

At Stuttgart, Germany
Croatia vs. Australia, 3 p.m. (Group F) (ESPN2)

Friday, June 23

At Berlin
Ukraine vs. Tunisia, 10 a.m. (Group H) (ESPN2)

At Kaiserslautern, Germany
Saudi Arabia vs. Spain, 10 a.m. (Group H) (ESPN)

At Cologne, Germany
Togo vs. France, 3 p.m. (Group G) (ESPN)

At Hanover, Germany
Switzerland vs. South Korea, 3 p.m. (Group G) (ESPN2)

[STBumpkin]

I care for World Cup Soccer as much as I do for Patriot League Woman's crew. Theoretically I root for Navy because they are my alma matter, but to me it is a boring sport. Same with soccer, I don't watch it unless I am trying to take an afternoon nap. Then it is almost as effective at putting me to sleep as "The Joy of Painting" re-runs with Bob Ross. Soccer is not the U.S.'s sport like (American) Football is not Europe's Sport. I know it exists, and it would be nice if the U.S. did well, but I really don't care.

[orange 4 life]

whats the "world cup"? :giggle:

[Crushaholic]

The only thing I've seen about the World Cup is the allegations that several women are being forced to "service" the players...:spit:

[dumpy]

I'm looking forward to Peter Crouch (England) do the robot. Nothing like a 6'7" lanky dude trying to dance after scoring a goal.

[CBF1]

I could care less. Does Pele play for the USA?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Cant wait.

Like Assassin said, this will test the progress of American football. We play a world Giant (Italy) and a worldbeater (the Czechs). Not to mention Ghana, who could surprise everyone and come out of the group. I dont expect us to escape the group round, but it would be a monumental accomplishment to do so.

Go USA!

...and if you cant find anything nice to say about the team representing your country to the world (this is much bigger than the olympics), then dont say anything at all. That would surely be unAmerican.

People show such little respect for the American team and it's players by acting like they are above the World Cup. This is the single biggest sporting event in the world.

[Dukes]

Nope, I didn't have a clue it was on.

[BroncoMatt]

I wish the US team well but frankly they could win the entire world cup and it still would be found on about the fourth page of any newspapers sports section.

[GSRelyea]

If the US ever won the World Cup it would be on the front page of every newspaper and the lead story on every news cast.

I wish the US team well but frankly they could win the entire world cup and it still would be found on about the fourth page of any newspapers sports section.

[BroncoMatt]

BTW, what the hell is the deal with stoppage time, biggest farce in all of sports.

[epicSocialism4tw]

BTW, what the hell is the deal with stoppage time, biggest farce in all of sports.

There are some very poor rules in soccer that havent been addressed. Stoppage time is the result of the referee timing the stops in play...i.e. injuries on the field, substitutions, etc. If they were smart, they would keep a detailed running clock, get floppers off of the field more often, and penalize teams for stalling by giving them a specific amount of time to put the ball in play.

[epicSocialism4tw]

If it were up to me I would give teams a max of 15 seconds to get a set piece together (10 seconds for goal kicks and throw-ins), penalize a player at least two minutes of off-field time for an injury stoppage (if he is not substituted out), give teams a max of one minute to get an injured player off of the field (if the injury isnt life threatening), and give a team a max of 10 seconds to get a substitution completed.

I would love to see refs give direct or indirect free kicks in the box for fouls that arent serious enough to warrant a penalty. Too many goals are negated by the allowance of fouls in the penalty area. On the converse, I would like to see more cards given for flops. I would also like to see another field official to reduce the stress on the lone center official.

Here's another rule change that I would love to see: NO OFFSIDES.

[chrisp]

Well I don't know if we learned anything here, but it sure was entertaining!!Hilarious! Hilarious!

Actually, what's really funny is a lot of the comments that have come about sound like British people when they talk about American football - its totally alien to them.

I'm a wierdo becuase unlike the rest of my countrymen i came into both sports at roughly the same time. The first football I properly watched was England in the 1986 world cup when i was about 14. 1st Broncos season I followed was the strike-shortened 1987 season. That's probably the only reason I can 'get' both sports - I wasn't really brought up with either one or the other. I just don't come from a sporty family so i had to discover the joys of watching it for myself.

Anyway, it seems clear that whilst some of you are just as fanatical as the rest of the world, 'soccer' looks set to remain a niche, minority interest in the states, however good you get.

Just one thing though, football is not a 'european' sport, it is a genuine world sport that is played in every single country on earth. When the world cup winners hoist that trophy in a few week's time, unlike the Pittsburgh Steelers they really will be WORLD champions!;D

[elsid13]

If it were up to me I would give teams a max of 15 seconds to get a set piece together (10 seconds for goal kicks and throw-ins), penalize a player at least two minutes of off-field time for an injury stoppage (if he is not substituted out), give teams a max of one minute to get an injured player off of the field (if the injury isnt life threatening), and give a team a max of 10 seconds to get a substitution completed.

I would love to see refs give direct or indirect free kicks in the box for fouls that arent serious enough to warrant a penalty. Too many goals are negated by the allowance of fouls in the penalty area. On the converse, I would like to see more cards given for flops. I would also like to see another field official to reduce the stress on the lone center official.

Here's another rule change that I would love to see: NO OFFSIDES.


Those are some good idea . I wouldn't mind seeing unlimited subs on the fly like Lacrosse or hockey, that bring interest twist and dimension to the game.

[sirhcyennek81]

I played soccer. I hated it. Its gay, and for me to say that, really is saying something.

:Broncos:

[elsid13]

I played soccer. I hated it. Its gay, and for me to say that, really is saying something.

:Broncos:


interest take.

How your dad doing?

[Cito Pelon]

I like the World Cup. The stakes are so huge, what is there to not like about it? I like competition at the highest stakes. I don't make my schedule around it, but competitions like the World Cup, I take an interest in them. The Olympics, the Stanley Cup Finals, the majors in golf, the Indy 500, F1 races, World Cup, these are great competitions for the highest stakes.

[BlaK-Argentina]

WE-ARE-GOING-TO-KICK-ASS! ;D ;D ;D

People are going crazy here about the World Cup. (just like every four years)
If there is a country that LOVES soccer it's Argentina, so I just have to go with it and enjoy. (though I prefer football 99 out of 100 times)
It will be great watching the games on a big screen in college! We will be cheering like crazy! (yes, that's right, even college classes stop when Argentina plays in the World Cup)

It's a great feeling knowing that the whole country loves its team and will be rooting there heart out on the next days. This is when we really feel like a united nation. It's weird... but it's true.

Anyway, the best of luck to the USA! Hope we meet each other in a game. ;)

[Hotwheelz]

Mexico!!:egbgb:

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The World Cup - do you even know it's on...?
I do now but it's the most boring game in the world to try and watch on TV.

[Mile High Shack]

I'm going to go ahead and guess some scores

1-0
2-1
3-2
1-0
1-0
0-0...win in a shoot out
1-0
2-1

[spdirty]

I watched it 4 years ago. It was mildly entertaining. I enjoyed watching South Korea do well, wish i were there during the WC, that wouldve been cool. Anyway, i see USA will be playing Sunday at noon. I might watch, but its nowhere near as entertaining as the 4th quarter of the 4th preseason game between the Saints and the Cardinals.

However, it is better than the Rockies.

[Mediator12]

Soccer is my first love chrisp. I spent four years in the US Youth program and had three Caps for the US in 1992! It is the only sport that I know better than football.

There are a lot of great teams playing this time around. I have been most absent the last few weeks watching Tivo'd to DVD Friendlies and have seen all the Major players minus Portugal. Opening day matches are really poor though.

[watermock]

Soccer is unwatchable to me. American's have a football/basketball/Hockey war mentality. Baseball is for diplomats Ha! It's not surprising we don't have enough patience for drawn out diplomacy. Soccer is just too boring to me. I hope our team represents. God knows the soccer mom generation should be coming of age.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Soccer is my first love chrisp. I spent four years in the US Youth program and had three Caps for the US in 1992! It is the only sport that I know better than football.

There are a lot of great teams playing this time around. I have been most absent the last few weeks watching Tivo'd to DVD Friendlies and have seen all the Major players minus Portugal. Opening day matches are really poor though.

I havent seen the Dutch play their friendlies...how do they look? Next to Sam's Army, I love Dutch soccer.

[enjolras]

Its the ultimate spectator sport.. Its a lot like auto racing here. Half the time no-one in the stadium is paying attention to whats going on. They're to busy participating in the insanity that is a world cup crowd.

I've never been to a World Cup game, but I hear its incredible. That's what America is missing... you have to be passionate about the whole thing to like Soccer (erhm.. Futbol). If we win a world cup we'd get a LOT closer to that... America is definitely CAPABLE of being a great soccer nation, but we won't get behind it until we have a winner.

[Mediator12]

I havent seen the Dutch play their friendlies...how do they look? Next to Sam's Army, I love Dutch soccer.

I really like their style of play too. They look Very Good and ready despite Australian rules football players hacking them down last week. Van Basten's youth movement and team cohesiveness has gone much better than expected. Biggest weakness is experience in the back four, but Van der Saar is a top notch keeper and bails them out repeatedly.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I really like their style of play too. They look Very Good and ready despite Australian rules football players hacking them down last week. Van Basten's youth movement and team cohesiveness has gone much better than expected. Biggest weakness is experience in the back four, but Van der Saar is a top notch keeper and bails them out repeatedly.

I keep waiting for them to take the next step and get to the final. The smooth, athletic, cerebral flow of Dutch soccer has always impressed me. Despite the comparatively lesser level of talent throughout the Eredivisie, I still find the style more pleasing than La Liga, the Premiership, Bundesliga, or Serie A.

I saw the Dutch play in Dallas against Brazil in the '94 Cup. Gooooood stuff.

[Atlas]

Soccer is for little kids and foreigners that don't realize football, baseball and basketball are better

Doe sthe USA even have a team???

If they do, are any of the players over 12??

[Orange_Beard]

Soccer is for little kids and foreigners that don't realize football, baseball and basketball are better

Doe sthe USA even have a team???

If they do, are any of the players over 12??


To bad the "foreigners" are better then the US in Baseball and Basketball.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

To bad the "foreigners" are better then the US in Baseball and Basketball. They're not, just better than some of our second and third team guys.

[Orange_Beard]

They're not, just better than some of our second and third team guys.

SCRUBS?

Emeka Okafor
Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Lamar Odom
Dwyane Wade
Tim Duncan
Amare Stoudemire
Shawn Marion
Richard Jefferson
Allen Iverson
Stephon Marbury
LeBron James

[Bronco Yoda]

Just imagine if any of our best athletes played soccer. The rest of the world would really hate on us then.


Pretty impressive our U.S. team is considering NO ONE plays soccer in this country unless you're a 5-10 year old girl.

We might as well be a bobsledding team from South Africa.

I bet most outside the U.S. would be shocked at how little we play, follow or even know anything about the worlds game.

Although this has been changing the last few years.

Soccer requires some serious conditioning. I have nothing but respect for these athletes. The worlds game will be in for a shocker if we ever decide to take this game even halfway seriously.


GO USA!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

SCRUBS?

Emeka Okafor
Carmelo Anthony
Carlos Boozer
Lamar Odom
Dwyane Wade
Tim Duncan
Amare Stoudemire
Shawn Marion
Richard Jefferson
Allen Iverson
Stephon Marbury
LeBron James
Is that our soccer team?

[Orange_Beard]

Is that our soccer team?


They might have a better chance in soccer. They were only 3rd best in basketball.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

They might have a better chance in soccer. They were only 3rd best in basketball.
Ah, NBA players. I was menat our baseball players.

[Nuggets4]

...and if you cant find anything nice to say about the team representing your country to the world (this is much bigger than the olympics), then dont say anything at all. That would surely be unAmerican.

How's that freedom of speech thing working for you?

And to answer the original question, I thought that the World Cup was that golfing thing they have every year. Oh well, I hope the USA does well and everyone falls in love with soccer. I just won't be one of them.

[Bronco Yoda]

The only way our country will ever fall in love with soccer is if south america invades us in a massive way and takes over our country.

.... errr, well that's happening as we speak....so I guess that just may happen.

VA EL FÚTBOL!

[broncohaven]

How can you not get excited for the biggest sporting event in the world? On a global scale the World Cup makes the SB look like a local pickup game of two hand touch.

The US is in a tough group, and it will be impressive if they can advance.

[Bronco Yoda]

We're the ultimate underdogs here. I'm rooting for them. (but doubt I'll watch them)

A bunch of athletic semi-pro athletic scrubs (considering our talent pool in our major sports we value)

Lack of home support (I'm guilty here)

The sheer hate our boys must face from the rest of the world.

I hope we shock the world. Of course we'll be reading about it on page 7 of most sports pages if they did pull off the miracle.

[Orange_Beard]

Ah, NBA players. I was menat our baseball players.


Yeah, the drug testing is pretty tight, none of the American players can play.

[fontaine]

Yeah, the drug testing is pretty tight, none of the American players can play.

Ouch.

:spit:

[g00fyfoot]

I love the WC. The World's Greatest Sporting Event. I'll be watching every day. Can't freakin' wait. But then again, I follow European soccer regularly, and I am a member of an official Chelsea supporter's club here in NYC, and travel to England for games. I'm not a typical American sports fan, I guess. I love the footy.

[leon_d]

I really like their style of play too. They look Very Good and ready despite Australian rules football players hacking them down last week. Van Basten's youth movement and team cohesiveness has gone much better than expected. Biggest weakness is experience in the back four, but Van der Saar is a top notch keeper and bails them out repeatedly.

Meh.

I've been a fan of the Oranje since the late 80's with Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten, but I was really disappointed with the softness of the Dutch against Australia. The Socceroos were playing no tougher than most other national teams and Snjider and the like were writhing all over the pitch. It's the main thing I hate about soccer along with diving (Klinsmann, I'm looking at you). Wish Marco had kept Seedorf in the side. Like that guy.

And if the real Australian Rules guys were playing in that game, some Dutch guys would still be out cold.

Still I hope they're raising the Jules Rimet in mid July... love the enterprising way they play...and I reckon the Australians can make the second round at the expense of Japan/Croatia.

[Mediator12]

I'm going to be cheering for Holland because they finally got rid of their prima donna schmucks who kept fighting with each other and finally went for blue collar players who talk less and play with more heart.

That being said, I could easily see Argentina being the giants of this world cup.

You even have good taste in national teams fontaine.

Netherlands is playing lights out soccer at the moment and Argentina is extremely talented and deep. Their Group with Ivory Coast and Serbia/Montenegro is easily the most difficult though.

Brazil, Spain, England, France, Germany, and Portugal have pushover groups to get to the knockout phase. Czech's, Italy, and US are going to have a huge fight from their group.

[Orange_Beard]

They're not, just better than some of our second and third team guys.

I just looked at the last WBC roster,
http://ww2.worldbaseballclassic.com/2006/rosters/index.jsp?sid=t940

It is was more then scrubs.

[sirhcyennek81]

interest take.

How your dad doing?


My dad is irritable, dictating to doctors when they can see him and being the worst patient imaginable. In short, he's fine.

:Broncos:

[Mediator12]

Meh.

I've been a fan of the Oranje since the late 80's with Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten, but I was really disappointed with the softness of the Dutch against Australia. The Socceroos were playing no tougher than most other national teams and Snjider and the like were writhing all over the pitch. It's the main thing I hate about soccer along with diving (Klinsmann, I'm looking at you). Wish Marco had kept Seedorf in the side. Like that guy.

And if the real Australian Rules guys were playing in that game, some Dutch guys would still be out cold.

Still I hope they're raising the Jules Rimet in mid July... love the enterprising way they play...and I reckon the Australians can make the second round at the expense of Japan/Croatia.

Come on Now. That was a friendly and players like Luke Wilkshire should have his Red Card carried over for several blatant strikes. Players like that have no business playing in the World Cup.

To his credit, Van Basten said that was just the right type of game to wake the younger Dutch side up and I think that is why he sought it out along with Hiddink being their Coach too. Don't get me wrong, Australia has a quality team as well with Cahill, Viduka, Swarzer, and Kewell. However, behavior like that from Wilkshire on the verge of the Cup is scandalous.

Seedorf wore out his welcome IMHO. The youth Movement has placed players committed to winning on the pitch in favor of those who are more concerned with themselves such as Davids, Kluivert, etc.

[Jens1893]

Dutch are ****s of the highest order. That´s all I have to say.

[fontaine]

Dutch are ****s of the highest order. That´s all I have to say.

I'm guessing that's from Ruud (?) who hocked all over Voller's perm!!

:afro:

-not condoning that sort of thing, but I thought I would die laughing when he did it the second time!

the look on Voller's face was priceless!

But hey, the Germans have been long masters of diving in the box to get fake penalties!

[leon_d]

Nope. That was Frank Rijkaard, apparently returning the favour.

Fair enough on Wilkshire, it's just there was a fair amount of whining after the game from the Dutch, which saddened me. They've been my team of choice for as long as I've known of the WC (apart from 86 and 02). Even now it's 50/50 Dutch/Australia

Marco's probably right with the selection too. The last few WC's have featured surprise teams in the last few rounds who've had a level of teamwork and collective desire that outdo teams of champions.

[fontaine]

Nope. That was Frank Rijkaard, apparently returning the favour.

thanks. I don't know if Voller spat on Rijkaard first or dived, but whatever he did pissed Rijkaard enough to glob over him twice.

:spit:

[Jens1893]

I'm guessing that's from Ruud (?) who hocked all over Voller's perm!!

:afro:

-not condoning that sort of thing, but I thought I would die laughing when he did it the second time!

the look on Voller's face was priceless!

But hey, the Germans have been long masters of diving in the box to get fake penalties!

It´s actually from Koeman´s antics after the Semi in 88 where he prentended to wipe his arse with a Germany top. I hope the bastard dies, as that´s blatantly disrespecting another country.

[Jens1893]

thanks. I don't know if Voller spat on Rijkaard first or dived, but whatever he did pissed Rijkaard enough to glob over him twice.

:spit:

Spitting at someone is just the lowest level one can sink to.

[fontaine]

It´s actually from Koeman´s antics after the Semi in 88 where he prentended to wipe his arse with a Germany top. I hope the bastard dies, as that´s blatantly disrespecting another country.

Well there's a lot of history there.

The German team has been pissing people off since they faked out a boring draw against Austria (ensuring both got out of the group stage) and forced out a much deserving Algeria -1980?

But hey, it's all good fun.

I've heard that this German team is one of the worst ever to qualify for the WC? Is that true Jens or just more british tabloid bullsh*t?

[leon_d]

But hey, the Germans have been long masters of diving in the box to get fake penalties!

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/gallery/2004/08/04/hassanelhassan.jpg

[fontaine]

http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/gallery/2004/08/04/hassanelhassan.jpg

LOL

In fairness to the germans, everybody does it. But Klinsman really was in a league of his own.

[Jens1893]

But hey, it's all good fun.

To some people, it´s more than that.

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." Bill Shankly

I've heard that this German team is one of the worst ever to qualify for the WC? Is that true Jens or just more british tabloid bullsh*t?

It´s the best team we´ve had since 1990.

[Mediator12]

Nope. That was Frank Rijkaard, apparently returning the favour.

Fair enough on Wilkshire, it's just there was a fair amount of whining after the game from the Dutch, which saddened me. They've been my team of choice for as long as I've known of the WC (apart from 86 and 02). Even now it's 50/50 Dutch/Australia

Marco's probably right with the selection too. The last few WC's have featured surprise teams in the last few rounds who've had a level of teamwork and collective desire that outdo teams of champions.

They are young and needed a good beat down by a Physical team to get them ready. I am sure Van Basten's public remarks surprised a few of their players after the game. Then, he took them to a film session and told them to grow up boys this is for real. This is the Cup.

I also have followed the dutch side since the late Eighties. I had the opportunity to attend their youth training facility with the U-17's back in '87 and fell in love with the 4-3-3 style and 4v4 training methods. My god Amsterdam was a culture shock as several drug dealers approached me with drugs in the open in daylight (Only later did I find out they are legal there!). Then we wandered into the red light district. Enough said for 16 year Old!

[Atlas]

How can you not get excited for the biggest sporting event in the world?

I don't know but I find it very easy to do. Hell, I don't even know what channel it's on.