The Official 2006 World Cup in Germany Thread

hahaha, yeah!

So, my rough predictions for final four are:

some subset of germany, england, ecuador, czech republic, croatia, and brasil. croatia and czech republic are mutually exclusive.

I hold an extremely vague possibility that brasil could be replaced by the Ukraine, or, that the Ukraine could do something really crazy and kick out france, and one of croatia/cze. I'm not finding myself fond of predicting england into here, but not totally against it.

If I had to pick four now, I wouldn't, because i havn't seen croatia play yet, but Brasil, Ecuador, Germany, and one of CZE/Croatia. But I havn't seen Ukraine play yet either.

*Mumbles*

And american channels did show mexico and england games, which only makes the whole thing weirder

Well there are more mexican fans in the US than US fans. Or mabye me living in Los Angeles made it seem that way. I've got vivid memories of the US team getting booed in introductions when playing Mexico in what was essentially an "away game" in Los Angeles a few years back.

*is still in shock from us actually winning *

*cried after every goal in Aus vs Japan*

This is why I love world cup.. its the only time I get emotional about sport...

wow, three good games today in some fashion or another, looking forward to tomorrow. I thought croatia looked very good out there today, anyone else? I mean of course they lost, but the goal they gave up was, well, just very well played by the brasilian side. What do you expect?

And switzerland vs france was just... well... funny!

Great world cup so far and a lot of exciting games, more tofollow.

Best game so far Argentina vs Ivory Coast in the group of death. Most disappointing game France - Switzerland.

To note that ALL African teams have lost their 1st games. Ivory coast is very strong, but Argentina + Holland may be too much, though IC 'd make any other group.

I see my guess still on track: Argentina, Italy, Brazil (will get better), Germany (crowd as 12 man).

Czech, Holland, England strong but probably not enough to go all the way.

Surprise team: Ecuador as extremely disciplined team, tightening the space very well

Disappointing teams: France, Poland, Portugal.

If the Aussies are really smart and have the nerves, they might the put a B team against Brazil, let the A team recover and try beating strong Croatia in game 3, that tactic worked in the 1954 miracle ...

Which group are you calling the 'group of death'?

Over here it's the US, Italy, Czech, and Ghana.

Three top 5 teams (yes yes... US clearly overrated... yada yada...)

Only two top five teams. According to FIFA, Italy are ranked 13th

USA ranked fifth! Blimey...

Sorry, group E appears a walk in the park for Italy and Czech, true game will be amongst the 2, loser to play Brazil and then go home ...

Group of death is C IMHO, Aregntina and Holland will get through, but Ivory Coast and Serbia would come second in any other group.

Lets see ...

hehehe... easy to see why the US call their group the group of death

*ducks to avoid tomatoes flying at her*

Agree with ZeroG. I thought the England group was quite hard, too, but that was before I saw Sweden play

Haha, I get $5 if italy wins. My boss offered me $20 originally, then changed his mind despite swearing it'd be an easy game. I guess he thinks more of me and my half-ecuadorian friends opinions of the teams than his own. He did give us each $5 on it tho, we're looking forward to it

So, having actually watched all of group one, and the amazing game of poland today (how did they hold out so damn long?) I have to say I'm more confused than ever. Brasil is clearly still going to make it to the final four, along with what i *think* will be ecuador and germany... and maybe croatia? or spain? Its really quite the toss up! I wonder if i calculated that correctly... well, I'm at work, so whatever, but i'm gong to miss all the games in the second set i really want to see :/

But france was really pretty bad.... So bad I dropped henry in my fantasy league for the top dutch guy, i will spell his name wrong if i try it.... and i wanted to grab rosicky (what an awesome player!) but I hadn't enough transfers, for shame. Blah blah blah. I've seen a few cute players at least

That sounds like a plan...

Australia beat Japan

I feel like we've already won the world cup

And we're at the top of our pool

for the moment

Bring on Brasil!'

Germany-Poland 1-0... YAY, we're nearly through to the next round

I was SO upset that they had so many chances and didn't score, and then they did just in extra-time!!!

Oh, and the defence, while not exactly being brilliant, is getting better. Watch out Sweden (or Paraguay)!

Come on England! Come on ENGLAND!!!

all the blokes in the office are talking non-stop about the footie.... making me all excited now!

30 mins to go and I'm off to the pub

Hope the boys don't f**k it up!!!

Hells your leaving a little early, kick off isnt until 5 not 4

Hehehe... I actually put a bet on England leading after the first half (got 20 pounds to sign up on a betting website and spend a minumum of 10), so I hope they won't let me down!

C'mon Engerland!

Hmmmmm..... I shall mainly be driving while the footballs on....may just catch the end of it thou!