OK this had to happen.
I hope other football junkies will post some statistics here since I'm bad in figures, I'll just state my opinion on the next World Cup

I'm looking very positive towards African teams. Like Sengal, which showed AWESOME in '02. Next, I'm interested in the US team, I was pretty much surprised when they made their way to the 1/4 and played a great game against Germany (lost obviously, but it was a kinda game!).

And finally, I would LOVE to NOT see European teams there :irked: Except for Swedish, they all suck big, Italy is pathetic, England is OK and solid team only because of the Swedish coach (:p :D) but they lack luck CONSTANTLY (Backham :( ), Germany is nothing of what it once was, and French players could go clean shoes on streets for what I know!

I didn't enjoy a single play on Europe 04 except for England-Portugal and Sweden-Denmark ones (and Russia-Spain because I laughed sOO much :D), I hope Germany '06 is better

Watch out for Holland, we got Van Basten training them now, and he's said to be a genius, one step ahead of everyone.

Well Netherlands on Euro were cool (I just can't praise them because I'm a fan of Sweden :) ).
What about geniuses, I hope Rooney will show up in all his glory. I don't follow Champions League, but 6 goals in 6 matches in Portugal was pretty much impressive :eek:

The most unexpected things always happen. Rooney will maybe do nothing at all.

Like Owen :)
Who are other potentially outstanding players out there? Ronaldo from Portugal, well OK, then Ibragimovich from Sweden. Who else?

Ronaldo from Portugal is a HORRIBLE player. He sucks. People who praised him during the World Cup are FOOLS!!!!! That was pussy soccer. When they faced off against England, Ronaldo ate dirt, the more the better. Cole was all over him, he never had a chance in HELL!!!!!!! :devil:

Do you mean Europe Cup? I don't recall him in Korea/Japan

Yeah, that, whatever the fuck, he sucked, and still does. Damn show off players is the last thing England needs in the League.

I've thought of another one - Deco. The only player out of Portugal I liked.

I don't know, I don't like any Portugal player :D

He was Brasil a while back you know :p

USA is gonna kick some ass in 2006. I think they might actually make it to the finals this time only to lose to China or Brazil.

I find it really cool that the USA finally made up it's mind on soccer (I've heard it was the least popular sports game some 3-2 decades ago). Brazil sucks, I can't stand their team and they really didn't deserve a victory in 2004.

Nah, China o_O ? Last time they didn't even make their way out of their group

Oh my god. A soccer thread. What's next? Darts? :p

Don't fool yourself, Soccer is the number one sportsgame in the wold :sssh: :)

Don't fool yourself, Soccer is the number one sportsgame in the wold :sssh: :)

The 3rd world. Don't make me throw a bag of urine on you.:D

When did UK become a 3rd world :wtf:
:D

He's just jealous that his country SUCKS at it, and he knows it :p :D

I don't think US suck in soccer more than almost any European team. They in America just have way too many other major sportgames, and I think it's cool. I'm sure fanbase of soccer in the States by the amount of people surpasses any other EU country taken alone, with the exception from the Kingdom

He's just jealous that his country SUCKS at it, and he knows it :p :D

We have a team?

Australia will qualify this time around..... :D

:bounce:

We have a team?
They sucks so much, they've gone in hiding :D

http://www.soccersucks.org/soccer.jpg

I hope you guys don't mind me coming in here once in awhile and screwing with you! :)

USA will be lucky to qualify for the cup let alone advance past group stage. Holland and the Czechs have decent chances. England will do well now that red headed step child Scholes won't be on the team. Shrek will lead them to the finals.

My money is on Azerbaijan. You need skills to allow Poland to score 8 goals against you.

:funny:

Yeah, but 0-7 in Russia vs Portugal game was not much better :D

And I can't stand Czech team, I was laughing as TheresOnlyOneWay's dad over Dave's firing from Van Halen when Czechs lost to Greese

"Americans get pummeled every few years for knowing and caring so little about the "world's game," but that's the world's problem, not ours. We're the nation with an embarrassing array of options, and that is a blessing that will never be confused with a curse. The U.S. loses to Germany on Friday, we'll get up from the table, walk across the room and check the box scores to see if Luis Castillo kept that hit streak going for the Marlins."

- Mark Kreidler

Who is Mark Kreidler?

Who is Mark Kreidler?


I don't know. Obviously not a soccer fan, though.

Australia will qualify this time around..... :D

:bounce:
Oh hell yes,it's just got to happen.
The big plus for us is having the worlds premiere coach in Franky Farina.

Who's Luis Castillo? More importantly who cares?

Australia will qualify this time around..... :D

:bounce:

You do realise that I am still seething from the fact of what happened to us at the hands of Iran in front of our home crowd back in '97. Uruguay (or You Are Gay) in '01 was just unlucky for us. I hope Farina will be playing his cards right this time and get us there for the first time since 1974.

Hasn't the legendary Pele been promoting "the beautiful game" for the past decade to the Yanks and remember that the USA team back in World Cup '94 gave Brazil a good run for their money when they played each other. They eventually lost out 1-0 in the end by a last moments goal by Romario. Brazil eventually went on to win that tournament. I think the USA in a good 10 years time will be a force to be reckoned with in the game.

I'm not going to wait ten years for them to realise soccer is NOT played with a bat :p :D

Me niether. :p

Wassup, Leo? Holland should be strong favourites this time round right, at least as far as European teams go.

One way or another Holland always manages to do something right. This this we have Van Basten, and people that know him say his a genius, so who knows. His line ups are very different, not what people expect. seems like a guy who isn't affraid to experiment and take a chance once in awhile.

I got alot of catching up to do with the who's who in the today's game. Besides the Korea/Japan '02 and Greece '04 my knowledge is pretty dated so to speak. Besides Australia if they make it through, I'm hoping England will do well this time round and not have a repeat of a certain David Seaman error which cost 'em. I'm guessing Dennis Bergkamp doesn't play anymore lol.

I believe in Sweden. They rule.. :D Finland sucks at soccer so I've always liked Sweden instead. Another team that I've always liked is Brasil.. But Sweden is the next champion.. :thumb:

..... are we there yet, dad? :rolleyes:

Oh hell yes,it's just got to happen.
The big plus for us is having the worlds premiere coach in Franky Farina.

How times have changed, eh? :D

Germany is nothing of what it once was

What exactly is wrong with German team? I'd still highly rate them as you can always expect them to be very disciplined in match preparation and play. They still have that freak of goalie Oliver Khan with them. Unless, you're referring to the time when they were under Beckenbauer as player and coach?

Final teams through to Germany 2006.

African Zone
Angola (ANG)
Cote d'Ivoire (CIV)
Togo (TOG)
Ghana (GHA)
Tunisia (TUN)

Asian Zone
Japan (JPN)
Iran (IRN)
Korea Republic (KOR)
Saudi Arabia (KSA)

European Zone
Germany (GER) Host
Ukraine (UKR)
Netherlands (NED)
Poland (POL)
England (ENG)
Croatia (CRO)
Italy (ITA)
Portugal (POR)
Sweden (SWE)
Serbia and Montenegro (SCG)
France (FRA)
Switzerland (SUI)
Spain (ESP)
Czech Republic (CZE)

North, Central American and Caribbean Zone
USA (USA)
Mexico (MEX)
Costa Rica (CRC)
Trinidad and Tobago (TRI)

Oceanian Zone
Australia (AUS)

South American Zone
Argentina (ARG)
Brazil (BRA)
Ecuador (ECU)
Paraguay (PAR)

What exactly is wrong with German team? I'd still highly rate them as you can always expect them to be very disciplined in match preparation and play. They still have that freak of goalie Oliver Khan with them. Unless, you're referring to the time when they were under Beckenbauer as player and coach?

Yes, that Blitzkrieg-ish team!!

And thanks for the nudge to the thread, I can't wait for the World Cup to start. My personal favorites go with Sweden (man I love this team) and I'd cheer for England as well. What I really want to see are Korea and the States coz both impressed me alot during the last world cup.

Yes, that Blitzkrieg-ish team!!

And thanks for the nudge to the thread, I can't wait for the World Cup to start. My personal favorites go with Sweden (man I love this team) and I'd cheer for England as well. What I really want to see are Korea and the States coz both impressed me alot during the last world cup.

Yeah, I was planning to start one till I found the dust on this one lol.

If Australia wasn't in it (took us 32 years I might add, with the help of a Dutch genius, thanks Leo!) I'd probably leaning towards England also. Normally, always been the Azzurri supporter but that passion has rubbed off within last few years. Those bloody Italians are a joke! Good top quality players who don't know what the hell they're doing.

We have a tough group - Brazil, Japan, Croatia - it ain't easy, but we're got nothing to lose. :)

When Australia wins the World Cup in June alot of people around the world are going to be surprised. ;)

When Australia wins the World Cup in June alot of people around the world are going to be surprised. ;)

I wouldn't mind seeing them win it. Of course I had better chances to win that huge Powerball than they do to win but it would be a nice surprise to see Australia take it.

When Australia wins the World Cup in June alot of people around the world are going to be surprised. ;)

If our boys do win, I'm taking the rest of the year off work! :cool:

When Australia wins the World Cup in June alot of people around the world are going to be surprised. ;)
I'd be more surprised if my hometeam won :D I'm supporting Aussie most of all this World Cup :cool:

Go USA!!!

Go USA!!!
Yeah...go HOME :p

Yeah...go HOME :p

lol...heehee...

Yeah...go HOME :p

Don't make us come out and hand you your asses like we did to Mexico in the last World Cup... :D

Don't make us come out and hand you your asses like we did to Mexico in the last World Cup... :D

You couldn't even win Finland in hockey last night so what makes you think you can beat Holland in soccer? :p I'm just kidding.. :)

The team that USA lost to last world cup was Germany which won silver so, who knows!

lol Aussieland, I don't recall even seeing this team playing soccer :confused:. I know I've missed almost all qualifying games but, nontheless

Hey Mishar, where's YOUR team of soccerplayers/mailmen??? :p

Welsh? Meh dunno but I'd for sure cheer for England!!


:p

Can't wait for it to happen.
Many events including the opening ceremonies and the very first game of the tournament are gonna take place just a few minutes away from where I live!!!! :bounce:
Germany is SOOO full of anticipation it's ridiculous.

Also, this is the best time of the year over here, with the warm weather and the long nights in the beergardens that are all around the town. Ah, Summer in Munich - I'm loving it! :thumb:

Cheers

Also, this is the best time of the year over here, with the warm weather and the long nights in the beergardens that are all around the town. Ah, Summer in Munich - I'm loving it! :thumb:

Cheers

One of my mates is seriously trying to talk me into making the trip over to Germany for it. Problem is that tickets on sale for us Aussie fans here are too hard to scrap up and accomodation prices understandably have rocketed astronomically. His plan is for us to stay in Prague (cheaper hotels) and cross the border into Germany when the matches are on.

I'd really love to go but don't think it'll work out for me.

Are we there yet :sleep: ??

What exactly is wrong with German team?

That's exactly what I am wondering for the past few years!!
Italy - Germany 4:1 :brickwall
6 Minutes into the game Italy already scored two times! How can that happen?

And there are so many people who think Germany will win that tournament, which (I think) is a joke, because the German team can be thankful that they didn't have to qualify for it, otherwise they wouldn't take part in it.

Heck, Germany's soccer club is the biggest sporting club in the whole world, practically every boy is playing soccer in his youth, why aren't they better?
I don't get it......

Besides that, I will still cheer for them in June! :sssh:

Germany needs Klinsman (sp?).

Germany needs Klinsman (sp?).
Well, actually Germany already HAS Klinsmann and look at the results. (Or do you mean as a player?)
It's not like the trend is going upwards with him at the helmet.....

As a player yes. I remember at the last Euro Cup you had one good player, but I can't remember his name. I believe that if he's still there that there's still hope. Of course he needs a better back-up, but atleast it's a start.

Well, actually Germany already HAS Klinsmann and look at the results. (Or do you mean as a player?)
It's not like the trend is going upwards with him at the helmet.....
Everything looks like revolving around Ballack for Germany.
If he is kept even remotely quiet then Germany is in serious trouble.

As a player yes. I remember at the last Euro Cup you had one good player, but I can't remember his name. I believe that if he's still there that there's still hope. Of course he needs a better back-up, but atleast it's a start.

That probably was that tall blond dude who always striked ball with a head, I believe he even had a non-German surname

That probably was that tall blond dude who always striked ball with a head, I believe he even had a non-German surname

Ahhhh, I think you're all talking about Miroslav "Air" Klose. He scored 7 goals at the last World Cup in 2002.

http://www.phy.davidson.edu/StuHome/nihansell/klose.jpg
http://www.miroslavklose.de/pics/fotos/miro_gross/hoch/h3.jpg
http://www.miroslavklose.de/pics/fotos/miro_gross/hoch/w10.jpg

How can someone jump so high?

He is the top scorer of the German Soccer League, but is injured right now. But he will be alright in a few weeks. So probably he solves the offense problem of the German team.

And yes, if Ballack is out of the game we are in trouble, best seen a few days ago against Italy. :yell:

Yes, Klose could be it. He's good. Germany has a chance with that guy.


Maybe he's been taking lessons from Ed in his jumping :sssh:

:funny: :funny: :funny:

Yeah that's Klose indeed, I hope there are more such bright stars in every team. Like Rooney or Ronaldo (from Portugal, not Brasil. Is Brasil's Ronaldo even playing?)

I don't want to see the words "bright star", and "Ronaldo" in the same sentence. THE most OVERRATED soccerplayer in the world right now is Ronaldo from Portugal.

Is Brasil's Ronaldo even playing?

Most likely and with another just stupid-looking haircut which will be mimicked worldwide.

Ronaldo in 2002. :wtf:

http://i.cnn.net/si/soccer/world/2002/world_cup/news/2002/07/03/ronaldo_tease/t1_ronaldo_ap-01.jpg

At this stage my tips to win each of the groups are:

Group A: Germany

Group B: England

Group C: Argentina

Group D: Portugal

Group E: Czech Republic

Group F: Brazil

Group G: France

Group H: Spain

Can anyone post the whole list of all groups? I have random troubles googling it, damn

Can anyone post the whole list of all groups? I have random troubles googling it, damn

Here you are.


GROUP A
Hosts Germany face Costa Rica, Poland and Ecuador.

Germany

Have appeared in 15 World Cups, failing to qualify in 1930 and 1950.

Best performances: Winners in 1954, 1974 and 1990

Worst performances: Eliminated in 4-2 first round defeat to Switzerland in 1938

FIFA Ranking: 16


Costa Rica

Have appeared in two World Cups; 1990 and 2002.

Best performances: Reached the second round in 1990

Worst performances: Finished third in group in 2002

FIFA Ranking: 21


Poland

Have appeared in six World Cups, the last being 2002.

Best performances: Third place in 1974 and 1982.

Worst performances: First round exit in 1938 courtesy of 6-5 defeat by Brazil.

FIFA Ranking: 23


Ecuador

Only appearance in World Cup came in 2002.

Knocked out at group stage after beating Croatia, losing to Italy and drawing with Mexico.

FIFA Ranking: 37

GROUP B
Much-fancied England take on Paraguay, Sweden and debutants Trinidad and Tobago.

England

Have appeared in 11 World Cups, failed to qualify for USA ’94.

Best performances: Winner 1966, fourth in 1990.

Worst performances: First round exit in 1950 after losing to US.

FIFA Ranking: 9


Paraguay

Have qualified for six World Cups, including the last two.

Best performances: Last 16 in 1998, going out to eventual champs France.

Worst performances: First round exit in 1958 with three points.

FIFA Ranking: 30



Trinidad & Tobago

First ever World Cup finals.

FIFA Ranking: 51

Sweden

Have qualified for ten World Cups since 1934.

Best performances: Runners-up to Brazil in 1958.

Worst performances: Group stage exit in 1990 with zero points.

FIFA Ranking: 14

GROUP C
South American giants Argentina face newcomers Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and the flying Dutchmen of The Netherlands.

Argentina

Have qualified for 13 World Cup finals.

Best performances. Champions in 1978 and 1986.

Worst performances: Four first round exits, including 2002.

FIFA Ranking. 4


Ivory Coast

Set to make World Cup debut in Germany 2006.

FIFA Ranking 41

Serbia & Montenegro

One qualification as Serbia in 1998, eight as Yugoslavia the last being 1990.

Best performances: Semi-finalists as Yugoslavia in 1930.

Worst performances: Group stage exit in third place in Spain 1982.

FIFA Ranking: 47


Holland

Have qualified seven times but first World Cup since 1998.

Best performances: Second in 1974 and 1978.

Worst performances: Two first round exits.

FIFA Ranking: 3

GROUP D
Seeded Mexico will play the likes of Iran, debutants Angola and European Championship runners-up Portugal.

Mexico

Have qualififed for 12 World Cups.

Best performances: Quarter-finalists in 1986, losing 4-1 on penalties to Germany.

Worst performances: First round exit after getting hammered 6-3 by Argentina in 1930.

FIFA Ranking: 7


Iran

Played in the 1978 and 1998 finals.

Best performances: Third in group stage in 1998; beating USA 2-1

Worst performances: Finishing bottom of group in 1978.

FIFA Ranking. 19


Angola
First ever appearance in World Cup.

FIFA Ranking: 62


Portugal

Three World Cups in 1966, 1986 and 2002.

Best performances: Third in 1966.

Worst performances: Bottom of group in 1986 despite beating England.

FIFA Ranking: 10

Part two:

GROUP E
Three-time winners Italy face debutant Ghana, the United States and the Czech Republic.

Italy
Out of the 17 World Cups, have failed to qualify in only two; 1930 and 1958.

Best performances: Winners in 1934, 1938, 1982.

Worst performances: have gone out five times in the first round.

FIFA Ranking: 12


Ghana

Germany 2006 will be Ghana’s debut.

FIFA Ranking: 50


USA

Germany 2006 will be the eight qualification since 1930.

Best performances: Semi-final in 1930 when defeated 6-1 by Argentina.

Worst performances: A 7-1 defeat to Italy leading to first round exit in 1934.

FIFA Ranking: 8


Czech Republic

First World Cup as Czech Republic; seven as Czechoslovakia.

Best performances: Second in 1934 and 1962.

Worst performances: First round exit as bottom team in 1970.

FIFA Ranking: 2


GROUP F
Holders and favorites Brazil will be challenged by Croatia, Australia and Japan.

Brazil

The only country to have played in all 17 World Cup finals.

Best performances: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002

Worst performances: Knocked out in the first round in 1966.

FIFA Ranking: 1


Croatia

Could have some claim to Yugoslavia’s total; last two World Cups as Croatia.

Best performances: Third in 1998.

Worst performances: First round exit in 2002 with three points.

FIFA Ranking: 20


Australia

Have qualified for one previous tournament in 1974.

Best performance: No goals, one point, first round exit.

Worst perfromance: See above.

FIFA Ranking: 49



Japan

Have qualified for the last two World Cups.

Best performances: Last 16 exit in 2002 after winning Group H.

Worst performances: First round exit in 1998 with no points.

FIFA Ranking: 15


GROUP G
The 1998 champs France take on Switzerland, South Korea and the new boys from Togo.

France

Have qualified eleven times for the World Cup

Best performances: Winners as hosts in 1998.

Worst performances: First round exit in 2002 with no goals scored.

FIFA Ranking: 5



Switzerland

Seven World Cup appearances, the last being 1994.

Best performances: Qurater-finalists in 1954.

Worst performances: Finishing bottom of group in 1966.

FIFA Ranking: 36



South Korea

Have qualified every year since debuting in 1986.

Best performances: Fourth place in 2002.

Worst performances: First round exit as bottom team with no points in 1990.

FIFA Ranking: 29


Togo

Togo will debut at the 2006 World Cup.

FIFA Ranking: 56


GROUP H
Spain find themselves pitted against debutants Ukraine and old hands Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.

Spain

Have qualified 11 times for the finals.

Best performances: Three-time quarter-finalists, the last in 2002.

Worst performances: Two first round exits in 1962 and 1966.

FIFA Ranking: 6


Ukraine

First appearance at the World Cup.

FIFA Ranking: 40


Tunisia

Have qualified three times in 1978, 1998, 2002.

Best performances: Beating Mexico 3-1 in 1978 before exiting at group stage.

Worst performance: First round exit with one point in 2002.

FIFA Ranking: 28


Saudi Arabia

Have qualified for three World Cups in 1994, 1998, 2002.

Best perfomances: Last 16 in 1994 after finishing second in Group F.

Worst perfomances: 8-0 first round defeat by Germany, finished bottom in 2002.

FIFA Ranking: 32

Well if Italy doesn't make it I'll be laughing out really loud.
On the other hand, if France doesn't make it there better be an ambulance down there, I'd die from laughing really :D

Thanks for posting, did you write all the trivia yourself btw?

No, I can't take credit for this. I got those infos from a German news magazine that puplishes in English.

Just for the records, here is the link to the site: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/0,2142,8053,00.html

But hey, I searched for it, copy and pasted it in here AND bolded and underlined some of it to make it easier to read. So, I guess I can get some credit for that after all. :D

I am really curious about the game between Germany and USA tomorrow.
If the German team won't win this game the mood over here will be even icier. Everybody used to be so enthusiastic about the Championship in our country, but now that the team is playing so damn awful this is no longer the case.

Neo-Nazis threaten to massacre Muslims at World Cup

Tue Mar 21, 10:46 AM ET


ROME (AFP) - The World Cup in Germany is set to become a battleground between facists and Muslims, an Italian member of a new European neo-Nazi movement warned.


In a statement published by Italian daily Repubblica, the memeber of AS Roma's notorious ultras hooligan group claims neo-Nazis across Europe met in Braunau in Austria to plan attacks against supporters from Islamic countries during the World Cup in Germany from June 9 to July 9.

"We are united. For the first time we are talking and planning together, with the English, the Germans, the Dutch, the Spanish, everyone with the same objective. At the World Cup there will be a massacre," said the Italian ultra.

"We will all be in Germany and there will be Turks, Algerians and Tunisians. The Turks, we can't stand them. In our country (Italy) there are not many, but in Germany, there are many of those guys there. They are Islamic terrorists.

"We will attack them. They are all enemies that need to be eliminated, just like the police. If we make the Roman greeting (the fascist salute) they put us in prison. We will be tens of thousands. Nothing but the English are feared."

That's beyond stupid but, it couldn't get worser than what goes on between british club fans anyway. Some soccer fans are idiots, that is a fact.

At this stage my tips to win each of the groups are:

Group A: Germany

Group B: England

Group C: Argentina

Group D: Portugal

Group E: Czech Republic

Group F: Brazil

Group G: France

Group H: Spain
What? :wtf:
Never took you for a traitor,mate.
I don't understand how you could tip Brazil in group F,have you forgotten how mighty your own country will be in June? :confused:
I'm contacting Les Murray and Stef Branz immeadiately and getting them to revoke your SBS license.

What? :wtf:
Never took you for a traitor,mate.
I don't understand how you could tip Brazil in group F,have you forgotten how mighty your own country will be in June? :confused:
I'm contacting Les Murray and Stef Branz immeadiately and getting them to revoke your SBS license.

He should be made to march from Sydney to Canberra while being spanked by the locals with mini cricket bats. :p

He should be made to march from Sydney to Canberra while being spanked by the locals with mini cricket bats. :p
:funny:
He might actually enjoy that though,the spanking part anyway.

One of my mates is seriously trying to talk me into making the trip over to Germany for it. Problem is that tickets on sale for us Aussie fans here are too hard to scrap up and accomodation prices understandably have rocketed astronomically. His plan is for us to stay in Prague (cheaper hotels) and cross the border into Germany when the matches are on.

I'd really love to go but don't think it'll work out for me.

Hey Rovus,

somehow I forgot about your reply a few weeks ago.
Have you decided yet?
Must be tough to plan such a trip. Just to get those bloody tickets is almost impossible. :yell:
Tell me if I can be of any help. I live in Munich so if you get tickets for a match here, you at least won't have to look for a hotel anymore. ;)

Hey Rovus,

somehow I forgot about your reply a few weeks ago.
Have you decided yet?
Must be tough to plan such a trip. Just to get those bloody tickets is almost impossible. :yell:
Tell me if I can be of any help. I live in Munich so if you get tickets for a match here, you at least won't have to look for a hotel anymore. ;)

It's cool.
Yeah, I've decided - I'm not going. I've just recently threw most of my $$$ on a property investment which has now set me back. Would've loved to have gone, since it's been 32 years since Australia has participated in the WC, but I'm not that fanatical about it. I would be just as happy to watch the games from the otherside of the world in my local pub at 2am. Besides the slim chances of grabbing tickets for the matches, the prices for them and hotel accommodation were just ridiculous. Still, that's the way things go.

Thanks for the offer, mate! :thumb:

Should be an awesome experience over there once it gets started! :cool: :bounce:

It's cool.
Yeah, I've decided - I'm not going. I've just recently threw most of my $$$ on a property investment which has now set me back. Would've loved to have gone, since it's been 32 years since Australia has participated in the WC, but I'm not that fanatical about it. I would be just as happy to watch the games from the otherside of the world in my local pub at 2am. Besides the slim chances of grabbing tickets for the matches, the prices for them and hotel accommodation were just ridiculous. Still, that's the way things go.

Thanks for the offer, mate! :thumb:

Should be an awesome experience over there once it gets started! :cool: :bounce:

Cool, that way your money is better invested then in football tickets.

And yeah, it's gonna be a fun time. Now, if only our team would be a little better...... :brickwall
But at big tournaments they always made the big points, so this is our hope!

Cheers

But at big tournaments they always made the big points, so this is our hope!


Fünf Euro ins Phrasenschwein !!!!

Fünf Euro ins Phrasenschwein !!!!

Hahahaha! :D :bounce: :funny:

Der war gut! :)

Rooneys Injured!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess we wont be winning the World Cup this year!

Fucking Rooney, no way he'll be fit in time. Same with Owen. Why couldn't it have been Fat Frank or Beckham?

F'uck him, he might be an ace player but I just can't stand him. I'd rather have Ziddan in English team really :D

about 5 weeks to go :bounce:

C'mon Australia!!

Rooneys Injured!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guess we wont be winning the World Cup this year!
Looks like Defoe will have to step up to the plate.
GO SPUR'S

Fuck Shrek! Crouchy and Defoe up front will work. Too bad SWP sits on Chelski's bench otherwise we might see how fit the little guy is.

Do any of you guys have national 'Football' anthems?

We currently have a competition running down here to choose our anthem?

It's a bit like Australian Idol except they're writing and singing Football songs.

The whole thing is a bit of a write-off if you ask me... :rolleyes:

New Order's World In Motion was a great anthem for England back in the day.

No SWP for England. Good call on the move to Chelski ya dwarf.

Exactly 1 month to go today. :bounce:

On May 18 I'm going to register a vhlinks FIFA World Cup Fantasy Tipping League with yahoo. Post here if you're interested in joining and I will send you an invite once I have it up and running.

- deleted duplicate post -

On May 18 I'm going to register a vhlinks FIFA World Cup Fantasy Tipping League with yahoo. Post here if you're interested in joining and I will send you an invite once I have it up and running.

Sorry to be fusspot, Gibbo...but does it have to be yahoo? I prefer oztips, it's more simpler. :p

]Walcott the newest wunderkind

9 May 2006
by FIFAworldcup.com


http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fi/20060509/t/438337276.jpg
Enlarge Photo (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/photos/index.html?aid=314003&d=1)
Photo Gallery (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/photos/index.html)


Theo Walcott may not have kicked a ball in anger for Arsenal but the England teenager will be writing his name into the record books in the coming weeks.

The surprise name in Sven-Goran Eriksson's provisional England squad (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060508/1/6q01.html) for the FIFA World Cup™, Walcott will supplant Wayne Rooney as his country's youngest ever player if, as some expect, he makes his senior international debut against either Hungary or Jamaica in the run-up to the finals.

Walcott will be 17 years and 86 days old when England play their opening match against Paraguay, meaning he could become the second youngest player in finals history behind Northern Ireland's Norman Whiteside, who appeared at the 1982 FIFA World Cup 41 days after his 17th birthday. Go to the England team page (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/team/overview.html?team=eng)

Sorry to be fusspot, Gibbo...but does it have to be yahoo? I prefer oztips, it's more simpler. :p
What happened to the Basic Instinct avatar? :confused:

The Australian squad of 23 has just been announced:

John Aloisi
Michael Beauchamp
Marco Bresciano
Tim Cahill
Scott Chipperfield
Ante Covic
Jason Culina
Brett Emerton
Vince Grella
Zeljko Kalac
Josh Kennedy
Harry Kewell
Stan Lazaridis
Mark Milligan
Craig Moore
Lucas Neill
Tony Popovic
Mark Schwarzer
Josip Skoko
Mile Sterjovski
Archie Thompson
Mark Viduka
Luke Wilkshire

What happened to the Basic Instinct avatar? :confused:

Cut myself with an ice-pick...

On May 18 I'm going to register a vhlinks FIFA World Cup Fantasy Tipping League with yahoo. Post here if you're interested in joining and I will send you an invite once I have it up and running.
It's hard to trust somebody running a tipping comp who has a Sydney FC avatar. :p

Do any of you guys have national 'Football' anthems?

We currently have a competition running down here to choose our anthem?

It's a bit like Australian Idol except they're writing and singing Football songs.

The whole thing is a bit of a write-off if you ask me... :rolleyes:
All I know is that I WANT TO JUMP AND SCREAM IN A STADIUM FULL OF AUSTRALIANS.
From the looks of things Freedom of Thought have been collabarating with Sammy Hagar.

Now Sammy Hagar is Australian even, wooot!!!

lol nevermind :D

Don't mention the war? We will

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/05/12/englandfans260.jpg

An England soccer supporters group says citizens of World Cup host Germany won't get offended if they hear fans singing about World War II.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has asked England fans not to sing soccer chants that reference The Dam Busters a 1954 film based on real-life incidents of British planes bombing Germany during the war.

Eriksson said supporters should be "respectful ambassadors" during the June 9-July 9 event and refrain from singing such songs. But some plan to ignore Eriksson's request.

"Singing the Dam Busters tune or 10 German bombers is not illegal so you won't be arrested," said Kevin Miles, international co-ordinator of the Football Supporters' Federation. "What is illegal is anything that glorifies the Third Reich.

"Nazi salutes are illegal and, in my view rightly, so. If anything, these songs glorify the victory over fascism."

Miles said how the songs were received depended on where they were sung.

"Sven's point is that if you want to be received warmly by your hosts you should make an effort not to upset people and that way you will make a lot of friends," he said.

"So if you sing the songs at a football ground, the Germans are likely to regard it as just part of the occasion. In the town square on a Friday night it might be different, however."

England soccer fans have history of hooliganism, most notably at the 1998 World Cup in France. However, there was relatively little violence from fans at the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan and the 2004 European Championship in Portugal.

"It is far easier to get a reputation than get rid of one, but it is changing," Miles said. "There are 16 different police forces in Germany and the England fans are not being flagged up as a big problem. They are not perceived as the main threat.

"In fact, England fans are more likely to be the victim of acts of violence at football games than the perpetrators."

My tips:

Brazil/France Final.

Golden Boot: Terry Henry ;)

My tips:

Brazil/France Final.

Golden Boot: Terry Henry ;)

Way to go out on a limb with those picks.

Most ass-sucking teams on anyway. I wish France "advances" in this World Cup like the last time in Korea :p

Don't mind Gibbo, he's an Arsenal supporter. :sssh:

I always said in 2002 that France was overrated and were lucky to win in 1998. It was good to see a few satisfying surprises in the last WC with France going out in 1st round to Senegal and Italy in the 2nd to South Korea. Embarrassing stuff!

Don't mind Gibbo, he's an Arsenal supporter. :sssh:
*slowly loads "gun"...* :devil:

*slowly loads "gun"...* :devil:

Bad luck mate. At least Jens Lehmann made history. :devil:

I have set-up two competitions

If you would like to join one where you can only tip the winning teams, click here (http://www.footytips.com.au/jc.cfm?c=59951&P=vhlinks) .

If you would like to be involved in the full blown Yahoo Fantasy League where you will get to choose individual players for your team, then click here (http://en.fifaworldcup.fantasysports.yahoo.com/ff).

The password for both competitions is vhlinks.

Note: You CAN enter both. :thumb:

With the Yahoo one, after clicking the link, in order to join the group, just click on the "Sign Up" button to create a team. After completing registration, or if you already have a team, go to the "Groups" homepage, then click the "Join Group" line and follow the path to join an existing private group. Then, when prompted, enter the following information...

Group ID#: 2398
Password: vhlinks

If you are having trouble entering either of them PM me your email address and I will send you an invite.

My tips:

Brazil/France Final.

Golden Boot: Terry Henry ;)
Shevchenko for the golden boot.

Holland v France in the final

Holland World Cup Champions.

Mmm how about USA v Sweeeeeden finals
Sweden World Cup Camps :) ?

Holland World Cup Champions.
You have more faith in my country, and I have more faith in your country :D

You have more faith in my country, and I have more faith in your country :D
Yeah, we have a pretty good manager :p

Yeah, we have a pretty good manager :p
You got that right :thumb:

You got that right :thumb:

He's a legend to us. :thumb:

I don't think anyone can beat Brazil unless some of their main players get injured (which is always a possibility).
I support France but even though the team's decent, I don't see us beating Brazil - the French team has great players taken individually, but it's hard to make them play well together.
I also think Portugal has an excellent team - they could go far.

10 days to go!!! :bounce:

This WC is shaping up to be one of the most competitive I've seen. :thumb:

Sleepless nights ahead...for us anyway... :sleep:

Hi'' Rovus and Brian how's thing's going , It's been a long time but i am back ,we are looking good for the world cup ,i caught up with my cousin Mark last Monday at fed square and he is pumped like the rest of the team is and he told me that Guus'' has a plan when we play Brazil so me and Bomber are Fu-cken Pumped'',we went to the Greece game last week and had a ball'' given it to the Greek's ,Guy's the time has come to see Australia make a name for itself on the world stage ,Go you good thing'' show the world a new power is on it's way,catch you soon ''P.S. Never forget that night last year for the rest of my life thank's Brain''' :devil: :drunk: :thumb:

Hey Rich! good to hear from you. :thumb:

Hey Rich! How you been mate? I still can't believe it's been 6 months since Aloisi slotted that ball into the net. No matter how many times I watch that replay, it never gets old nor does do I lose that feeling from that magical night! I have great confidence in our boys and in the wise one, Guus. Tell Marco to enjoy representing his country amongst the top level players...and that he averages 5 goals per game. :)

Also thanks for VH DVDs, they're a great watch! :cool:

And thanks Brain for getting us tickets to the qualifier. :D :thumb:

http://lbc.nimh.nih.gov/images/brain.jpg

http://lbc.nimh.nih.gov/images/brain.jpg
yummm.... :drunk:

Friendly matches during the last 7 days:

Ecuador 1-1 Colombia
Australia 1-0 Greece
Sweden 0-0 Finland
Korea Republic 2-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Saudi Arabia 0-2 Czech Republic
Turkey 1-1 Ghana
USA 2-0 Venezuela
Germany 7-0 Luxembourg
Switzerland 1-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Trin'& Tobago 1-2 Wales
Portugal 4-1 Cape Verde Islands
Denmark 1-1 Paraguay
Serb'Montenegro 1-1 Uruguay
Netherlands 1-0 Cameroon
France 1-0 Mexico
Spain 0-0 Russia
Ukraine 4-0 Costa Rica
Croatia 2-2 Iran
Macedonia FYR 2-1 Ecuador
USA 1-0 Latvia
Jamaica 1-4 Ghana
Czech Republic 1-0 Costa Rica
Poland 1-2 Colombia
Chile 1-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Tunisia 3-0 Belarus
Germany 2-2 Japan
Argentina 2-0 Angola
England 3-1 Hungary

Friendly Matches still to be played before World Cup
(If you want to know dates and times just drop me a PM):

Saudi Arabia vs Turkey
Slovenia vs Trinidad and Tobago
Paraguay vs Georgia
Iran vs BosniavsHerzegovina
Switzerland vs Italy
France vs Denmark
Norway vs Korea Republic
Netherlands vs Mexico
Germany vs Colombia
Liechtenstein vs Togo
Sweden vs Chile
Angola vs Turkey
Italy vs Ukraine
England vs Jamaica
Czech Republic vs Trinidad and Tobago
Switzerland vs China PR
Poland vs Croatia
Luxembourg vs Portugal
Spain vs Egypt
Netherlands vs Australia
Japan vs Malta
Côte d’Ivoire vs Slovenia
Korea Republic vs Ghana
Brazil vs New Zealand
Ukraine vs Libya
Australia vs Liechtenstein
France vs China PR
Spain vs Croatia
Luxembourg vs Ukraine

Here is my new top 4 (so including final and 3rd place play-off):

1. Czech Republic
2. Brazil
3. England
4. Argentina

Netherlands vs Australia
:devil:

Be afraid!!! :D

Heya when is the starting day for the Wold cup???? Does anyone has this chart which goes like, Country v Country -> Country v winner of B group - > Winner of B Group v Winnter of C group -> 1/4 finals - > 1/2 finals -> finals and all that stuff??

I DON'T HAVE A BLOODY TV AT HOME!!!!

damnit!

:devil:

Which team are you barracking? ;)

Which team are you barracking? ;)
Guess :D

Guess :D

Either Brazil or Italy. :p

Either Brazil or Italy. :p
ITALY!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

ITALY!!!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

MAMMA MIA!

http://www.socceraddicts.com/Funny%20Pictures/10.jpg

MAMMA MIA!

http://www.socceraddicts.com/Funny%20Pictures/10.jpg
:funny: Aaaaaaahahaha :D too funny :D

:funny: Aaaaaaahahaha :D too funny :D

Guus really fucked up their WC campaign last time didn't he. Let's he can do it again! :thumb:

Guus really fucked up their WC campaign last time didn't he. Let's he can do it again! :thumb:
YES!!! Go Aussie!!! :thumb:

YES!!! Go Aussie!!! :thumb:

Ronaldinho gave us a pretty good rap in the press just recently, which was pretty nice of him and flattering. Our boys seem confident and we place great hope in Guus. I'm hoping we make the 2nd round and take it from there. We ain't got nothing to lose. :cool:

They always talk nice about their opponents. It's their way to soften you up :D Don't let it get to them man. Tell them to sharpen the studs under their shoes :D

They always talk nice about their opponents. It's their way to soften you up :D Don't let it get to them man. Tell them to sharpen the studs under their shoes :D

I always thought South Americans take cheap shots at their opponents to soften them up. That's what the Uruguayians (gay people) were doing to us in both lead ups in this WC and in 2002. :irked:

Ronaldinho, I remember, was the guy who shattered England in last WC. I was pissed cause I had a bet on England to win. Was a great goal though.

You can't trust ANY opponent :D

You can't trust ANY opponent :D

Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh...I don't trust you! :sssh: :D

Ooohhhhhhhhhhhh...I don't trust you! :sssh: :D
Yes, but I'm part Guus...or don't you trust him either??? :D :p

Yes, but I'm part Guus...or don't you trust him either??? :D :p

Yes, I trust Guus...because he's an Aussie now! :p

Soon after he'll be Russian. :D

Yes, I trust Guus...because he's an Aussie now! :p
You're not Aussie if you don't own "East" :D

So, what does that make you hmmmmmm..... :sssh: :p

You're not Aussie if you don't own "East" :D

So, what does that make you hmmmmmm..... :sssh: :p

I have soiled myself. :yell:

Got weed? ;)

I have soiled myself. :yell:

Got weed? ;)
What do you think we fill our pillows here with??? Feathers?!? :D

What do you think we fill our pillows here with??? Feathers?!? :D

YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! :p

YEAH YEAH YEAH!!! :p
You envy me, admit it :p

You envy me, admit it :p

Sorry, Kylie beats Janet. :) :D

Wow... what a game last night.....

It was a better 2nd half by Australia. Their 1st half was abysmal.

It was so surreal watching the game. I never thought I'd see the day where Australia were up against the likes of Van Nistelroy and Holland....

I think the undisciplined first half and aggression was more a result of the team being overawed by the occasion than anything malice.

The score should have probably been 6-1 to the Dutch but I think we benefited more from the game than they did.

Guus is a great tactition. It's shame we are going to lose him after the cup. Hopefully Graham Arnold is paying attention...

A few more sleeps to go... :thumb:

Saudi Arabia 0 - 1 Turkey
Slovenia 3 - 1 Trinidad and Tobago
Paraguay 1 - 0 Georgia
Iran 5 - 2 BosniavsHerzegovina
Switzerland 1 - 1 Italy
France 2 - 0 Denmark
Norway 0 - 0 Korea Republic
Netherlands 2 - 1 Mexico
Germany 3 - 0 Colombia
Liechtenstein 0 - 1 Togo
Sweden 1 - 1 Chile
Angola 2 - 3 Turkey
Italy 0 - 0 Ukraine
England 6 - 0 Jamaica
Czech Republic 3 - 0 Trinidad and Tobago
Switzerland 4 - 1 China PR
Poland 1 - 0 Croatia
Luxembourg 0 - 3 Portugal
Spain 2 - 0 Egypt
Netherlands 1 - 1 Australia
Japan 1 - 0 Malta
Côte d’Ivoire 3 - 0 Slovenia
Korea Republic 1 - 3 Ghana
Brazil 4 - 0 New Zealand
Ukraine vs Libya
Australia vs Liechtenstein
France vs China PR
Spain vs Croatia
Luxembourg vs Ukraine

Wow... what a game last night.....

It was a better 2nd half by Australia. Their 1st half was abysmal.

It was so surreal watching the game. I never thought I'd see the day where Australia were up against the likes of Van Nistelroy and Holland....

I think the undisciplined first half and aggression was more a result of the team being overawed by the occasion than anything malice.

The score should have probably been 6-1 to the Dutch but I think we benefited more from the game than they did.

Guus is a great tactition. It's shame we are going to lose him after the cup. Hopefully Graham Arnold is paying attention...

It was a good game last night. The Dutch should've won that one, we were lucky to get away with a draw. Our goal and the handball in the box that went unnoticed was pure luck that went our way.

Our defense was quite terrible, especially in the 1st half. On world class level, Schwarzer shouldn't have had those many shots at him...great saves though!

I was glad that Guus was proud of our effort. However, we still need to work hard at our weaknesses and he knows that. Controlling the game and solid defense line is needed. It was good to see how aggressive we were on the field.

Guus said he'll definitely come back to coach Australia if his stint with Russia doesn't work out, but only if Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens are still there.

Don't wanna be hard on Viduka but I don't want him to take anymore penalties.

I can't wait to see our boys up against Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. Now that would be surreal. :thumb:

I had a feeling it would be a draw. I didn't watch the game. I'm waiting for the real deal to begin :thumb:

Well,

Since it’s not worth to post about Van Halen anymore, let’s talk about soccer and the World Cup.

I can see the Australians are pretty excited about the event so, as a Brazilian five times champion, here goes my humble view.

Brazil: It will probably be a great disappointment, I think our team is great but I can easily see a major let down just like in 1982. There is too much expectation and I don’t think this will lead the team to good results.

Argentina: They will be the champions… solid team with no “hype” to make them noticed, they are a strong and determined team.

Italy: Too much talk and hope… they can’t go beyond quarter-finals.

France: The same as Italy, one lucky championship back in 1998 and there’s nothing more to be shown.

Germany: Not as good as a team as they were in 2002. They will probably lose the semi-final to Argentina.

England: Quarter-finals at least… but I wouldn’t bet my money on them.

Czech Republic and Holand: Solid teams with good chances to make it to the finals. My guess is that these two can make it at least to the semi-finals.

Mexico and Portugal: These are my bets for “good surprises”. They can even make it to the semi-finals.

Australia: I’ll be honest… you will surprise me if you make it to the next round.

USA: Hardlly will have a chance to qualify to the next round.

Japan, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland will only advance to the next round along with Argentina, Germany, Brazil, Holand, England, Mexico, Italy, France, Czech Republic and Portugal.

Depending on the matches of the next round Italy and France will fall, Brazil may also not advance.

So my bets go with Argentina and Holand / Czech Republic. México would be the surprise element.

Thanks for your opinion, Uncle T :thumb:

Only three times to sleep before I´ll see the opening match against Costa Rica. Can´t wait any longer to see Germany as worldchampion again !!!

How's the buzz over there AVH?

Great here, Brian. Thx. People here are very enthusiastic about worldchampionship. They all looking very forward to it. Hopefully, our team can fullfill the great expectations....
I´ll let you know, how the starting match was.

Cheers

AVH

I´ll let you know, how the starting match was.

Are you going to the first match?

I wish I was going to be at the match, but there is just no way to get in there.

I live in Munich, the location of the first game, and I can tell you: we can't wait!
EVERYBODY is talking about it. There are no other topics of conversation.
There are many puplic viewing places and I am going there with about twenty of my friends and with the best beer in the world I can't imagine having not a great time!

And always remember:
Football is a simple game; 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans win. (Gary Linkeker of England)

Cheers!

The last few friendly games. The last one is to be played tomorrow.

Ukraine 3 - 0 Libya
Australia 3 - 1 Liechtenstein
France 3 - 1 China PR
Spain 2 - 1 Croatia
Luxembourg vs Ukraine


WE ARE NEARLY THERE.......... :D

I dont follow Soccer on a regular basis but come world cup time I pay attention and watch almost every game. I have spent the past few hours reading up on the players and teams.

The winner will be Brazil. They are loaded!!!!

OLO, may the US team horribly humiliate the Italian team :thumb: and rip apart their Versace shirts aswell :p

We are not expecting much from the US Team. They have made a lot of progress in the right direction but are far from being a contender.

Still, rip apart those Italians, just for me :D

OLO,

My tips for that group are:

1. Czech Rep
2. USA
3. Italy
4. Ghana

I see you guys going through to the 2nd round.

OLO,

My tips for that group are:

1. Czech Rep
2. USA
3. Italy
4. Ghana

I see you guys going through to the 2nd round.

I am not sure I see the US Team ahead of Italy. Isnt the Czech team ranked 2nd in the world? I think the US team is better than Ghana. of course I base all of this off of reading via the Net, I have not seen one US game. I am pretty stoked for the World Cup to start.

I am not sure I see the US Team ahead of Italy. Isnt the Czech team ranked 2nd in the world? I think the US team is better than Ghana. of course I base all of this off of reading via the Net, I have not seen one US game. I am pretty stoked for the World Cup to start.

Italy has fucked up many games and been embroiled in scandals in recent times. USA seems to be getting with much better with time. Wouldn't surprise me if you guys get over Italy.

And I used (and sort've am still) to be a supporter of the Azzurri...

GO USA!!!

Screw the rest of the world...

My brother emailed me with the statement, Germany vs. Poland should be interesting... I could take that about 10 different ways...

Let's go Togo....!!!!

Is it just me or am I not the only one pissed that nobody is showing the USA's first game against Czech today?

HUBB, the game you mentioned is going to be on monday, the 12th...

the good thing about being in Brasil is that ALL the matches will be on TV... ALL OF THEM.

All 64 World Cup matches will be shown in the US.

Less than an hour from now until Germany opens the contest with a loss.

Let the games begin...

1-0 for Germany :p

Oh dear, 1-1 :sssh:

COMEBACK, 2-1.

germany 4 X 2 coast... as expected. good start for the home-team.

That was some freakish goals by the Germans...what a start to an opening World Cup!!!

Oh MY GOD!!!! Deutchland Uber Alles :D , I can't f'ucking believe how great the game was yesterday!!! Final goal was just beyond brilliance - okay I have my fingers crossed for Germany as a World Cup winner !!!

Oh MY GOD!!!! Deutchland Uber Alles :D , I can't f'ucking believe how great the game was yesterday!!! Final goal was just beyond brilliance - okay I have my fingers crossed for Germany as a World Cup winner !!!

The first goal I thought was even better than the last.

Yep, Germany look pretty crash hot for the winner! They should bring back Oliver Kahn though.

It was a pretty good start for the German team, but they'll have to work on their defense. They soon will have to play against better teams then Costa Rica.

I went to a puplic viewing event here in Munich, and guess how many pople showed up tp watch the game on a screen?

over 35.000!!!!

Yes, thirtyfivethousand people were watching and cheering to a screen! And that was just at ONE event.
It was a hell of a party!

I hope it's stays this way!

England game's just startin', hope they don't underestimate them, like the Pols did in their game...

Just in case somebody want to see the highlights of the opening match:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if20Lhs6teE&search=fifa%20world%20cup%20germany

And these are some examples of the party over here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzmDyQ9QHjw&search=fifa%20worldcup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAMaq8VBQts&search=fifa%20world%20cup%20germany
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-34pAUDtCM&search=fifa%20world%20cup%20germany

I'm surprised of how hard it was for England to win, and how bad the Sweden team played. I thought Sweden would be a lot better.
Way to go Trinidad & Tobago!!! :thumb:

http://www.thefanatics.com/e-store/images/gallery_pics/15.png
24 hours to go before the World Cup Champs strut their stuff. :cool:

0 - :bounce: for us.

http://www.thefanatics.com/e-store/images/gallery_pics/15.png
24 hours to go before the World Cup Champs strut their stuff. :cool:

Gotta tell ya mate, I'm nervous as fuck! This match against Japan is crucial for us. Hope the boys have worked on their weaknesses.

Bring it on! :cool:

Gotta tell ya mate, I'm nervous as fuck! This match against Japan is crucial for us. Hope the boys have worked on their weaknesses.

Bring it on! :cool:
Country comes to a stand still tonight,mate.
This shit is new to us,you gotta love it. :thumb:

Sweden tied Trinidad, who played a half with 10 men,...what a performance by the keeper Hislop.....unbelievable....

So well, the United States of the effing America today !! I'm pretty sure which team is really gonna win, but I'm still having my fingers crossed for the guys in stars'n'stripes :thumb:

Japan beating Aus. 1-0 right now,....How can the ref not call that..the keeper couldn't even move cuz of the Japanese player hitting him....that's just bullshit..
He's gonna see the tape of that and ask himself how he missed it..:wtf:

So how's the game? I wonder if I'd bother watching the replay tomorrow.

Anyway, AMERICA IN TWO HOURS WOOOOOOOO!!!!

WHERE ARE ALL MY SOCCER ROOS AT!!!!!!!!?!?!?!?!? :yell:

great game!!!

Australia 3 x 1 Japan!!!

Another great game...

Czhec Republic 3 x 0 USA...

Great game indeed. What a team!!! Such great playing. It's something any player would dream of being part of.

I cpuldnt sleep so I got up just as the Japanese scored their first goal (which was DODGY!!!) , and watched it through to half time.

Didn't think there was any way we would win it, the Japanese guys seemed to be spending most of the game rolling round playing for penalties and the ref looked to be losing it at times, it was just frustrating so I went back to bed.

And there ya go. bad call there. lol.

Ghana is so frustrating to watch. With all the chances they had.....You'd think that they'd atleast know how to aim straight for the goal.

That was f**ken awesome!!!!

http://network.news.com.au/image/0,10114,5167805,00.jpg

It was emotional just to score 1 goal in the World Cup (our first ever)... what a feeling!!

I had tears streaming down my face after the full-time whistle....

Whatever we do from here..... THAT I will never forget...

I was wacthing Aus/Japan this morning at school...Thought the Aussies were dust...GREAT comeback!

Un-bloody-believable! Timmy Cahill, I salute you! :thumb:

I was ready to smash furniture when that goal was given after Schwarzer was clearly being impeded. We toughed it out really well for the rest of the match and was sometimes unlucky...but at least that true-blue Aussie battler spirit prevailed. Am very proud of our performance! :)

We're now in a good chance of progressing into the 2nd round.

So who else here chucked a sickie?

As a matter of fact, I liked USA's performance by far more than of their rivals. With the only exception that they just didn't seem to have a need to hit the ball in the goals' direction :brickwall . Why advance that far into goals' area? Oh well, damnit. Their strikers' technique was just very neat, but for f'ucks sake you can't win the game if you don't score!!

But well I'll be probably enjoying bloody masacra with Brazil vs Croatia today :p .

Great to the Aussies win, we were pullin' for them too up here in Canada....:thumb:

BTW...What does " chucked a sickie" mean, cuz up here that means "shit your pants"...
The pubs must've been stinky if everybody chucked a sickie...:D

I went to a puplic viewing event here in Munich, and guess how many pople showed up tp watch the game on a screen?
over 35.000!!!!
Yes, thirtyfivethousand people were watching and cheering to a screen! And that was just at ONE event.
It was a hell of a party!
I hope it's stays this way!

I was at Olympiapark at 16.30 pm and gates were closed, cause it was overcrowded. So I had to watch with some FCB fellas near main station. Was great, too !!
If we play semifinal in Munich, let´s watch together...

Kannst Dich ja mal melden - bis dann.

C.

Great to the Aussies win, we were pullin' for them too up here in Canada....:thumb:

BTW...What does " chucked a sickie" mean, cuz up here that means "shit your pants"...
The pubs must've been stinky if everybody chucked a sickie...:D

Cheers big ears! :thumb:

"Chuck a sickie" means - calling in work saying that you're sick (usually when it's not true) and won't be coming in. :)

I think the Americans are supposed to be better than what they showcased against the Czechs.

They have Italy now. Hopefully they will show up for that contest.

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fifa/20060528/i/2494385905.jpg

Is it just me or does anyone else think this Croatian player looks like Michael Wincott?

http://www.ealasaid.com/fan/images/wincott.jpg

I've just changed teams... :D

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/gen/fifa/20060613/i/2409669141.jpg

W000000000000 Faterland's game today yay!
Just for the record my granddad was German so I just feel the call of the blood :D .
Seriously should be an alright game. Polands strikes me as a better team than costa rica.

And FU to Brazil, damn super-players with super-hot cheerleaders :cool:

hey best game until now...

Spain 4 x 0 Ukraine!!!

must confess i'm a bit disapointed with the brazilian team... but very excited about the brazilian crowd :D

Yeah, Spain did well. Brazil was very different from what I'm used to watch.

The Czech's played Brazil tough, but that Brazilian passing and patience is unbelievable...They have cool names, too...

Kaka with the shot!!

hey best game until now...

Spain 4 x 0 Ukraine!!!

must confess i'm a bit disapointed with the brazilian team... but very excited about the brazilian crowd :D

I've seen the first goal and didn't bother watching further - I knew what it would end up with. Ukraine sucks and honestly, not much honour for Spain to win over. Although both other teams in that group are even worse so it's not a question that they would be in the 2nd round.

Germany vs Poland.. tense game, and would serve Germans a good lesson.

I can't wait for England's game today, you guys watching it?

Germany vs Poland.. tense game, and would serve Germans a good lesson.

I can't wait for England's game today, you guys watching it?

Lucky for the Germans to get away with a win in stoppage time.

I'm gonna try and watch it. Will have to scrap some sleep first so will be wide awake for it. It starts at 1:30am here. Rooney's playing, right?

Lucky for the Germans to get away with a win in stoppage time.

I'm gonna try and watch it. Will have to scrap some sleep first so will be wide awake for it. It starts at 1:30am here. Rooney's playing, right?

I've heard Roon would only be allowed to join the game during vs Sweden part on 20th (Manchester United managers didn't even want for him to start until quarter finals!!). I don't think he'd step on the field today, but I might google and find out :D

Doublepost:

"Wayne Rooney will be on the substitutes' bench and may get his first taste of the action at some stage, despite the doubts about his full recovery from a fractured metatarsal."
--courtesy of msn.co.uk

here we go!

MFAO!!!
Sorry for the third post but:

http://i6.tinypic.com/14ilert.png

^ no 3rd option lol xD

Damn, fell asleep in the last 30mins during the England v Trinidad & Tobago match. Engalnd win 2-0, didn't think they were gonna score. Crouch and Lampard blew so many good chances, even Owen was unlucky himself. Funny, earlier in the game I was saying to myself that Gerrard is pretty ambitious having all those hopeless shots at goal from like 25m out...then he ends up scoring that killer! lol

Yeah, Lampard had a million good chances, he usually buries those.....
But, hey they pulled it off.....:thumb:

i keep seeing that commercial for usa soccer..one game can change it all..

are we really ranked fifth in the world?

no way

Yeah, hard to believe that....:D

I really wasn't happy with both England and Sweden but after watching loads of championships before, I've got the opinion that the team performs at it's best only with an equal rival. Say England vs Portugal in 2002 - by far the best game I've seen. So I expect for it to be quite hot when England and Sweden meet together!

On a sidenote - screw Owen, I've completely lost any interest in him, long time ago btw. Put this 17-year-old on the field already!

On USA I don't think they'll make it tomorrow, despite how much I'd like to see them win agains Italy. But well. My fingers would be crossed for damn sure!

A lotta cards dished out in that game...and the first red to USA was an iffy call...didn't see the second one....

But the red to Italy was totally deserved, what a dirty little fucker to elbow a guy in the face, typical of those guys though...:rolleyes:

USA v Italy 1-1 with an own goal by the Azzurri...the Italians are gonna be a very cranky bunch...

I'm a big Keller fan because he's from my hometown here in Washington...

His dad is a customer at my work and my boss actually went to school with him...





USA keeper Kasey Keller has insisted his team should not be underestimated in Germany after their heroic efforts secured a point against Italy.

Beaten 3-0 in their World Cup Group E opener against Czech Republic, the Americans quickly fell behind to an early Alberto Gilardino goal against the Italians.

However, Bruce Arena's men levelled after Cristian Zaccardo put through his own net before Daniel De Rossi was shown a straight red for an elbow in the face of Brian McBride to leave Italy with just 10 men.

The drama continued when the Americans lost both Pablo Mastroeni and Eddie Pope to sendings-off either side of half-time, but they held on for a hard-earned 1-1 draw.

Asked what he said to his team-mates after Pope's sending-off, the veteran Keller said: "I didn't have to tell anybody anything, they knew their jobs.

"This is a well-coached team. This is a team that has experience. We learned from our mistakes the other day (against the Czechs). We got punished for some mistakes, but not really mistakes, just some great finishes.

"We learned from that and we gave everything. These guys are dead (tired) and proved that Americans don't roll over, that's for damn sure."

Even with nine men, the US had chances to win. They believed they had taken the lead after DaMarcus Beasley hit the back of the net but McBride was ruled offside.

"Everything was going against us today," Keller said. "What can you say?

"This team has the spirit and can come back from a 3-0 loss. We showed that. We were unlucky not to win this game, even with nine guys.

"I can't say enough about the guys in front of me. They're dead tired out there, they've given everything. It would have been a shame to concede a goal late but we stuck in this thing.

"We're in this tournament and we have a good chance now. Of course we wanted three points but the point, in these circumstances, is phenomenal."

The US must now beat Ghana in their final Group E clash on Thursday in Nuremberg and hope that Italy defeat the Czechs, who surprisingly lost 2-0 against the Africans.

The task will be all the more challenging considering coach Bruce Arena will be without Mastroeni and Pope for the clash.

But the former Tottenham goalkeeper believes his side can make it happen.

"This group is alive," Keller said. "We've got a chance now and we're excited about that. You can bet that come four or five days, we're going to be spitting nails again."

Gotta givem credit for sure....9 guys against the Italianos and get a draw...
Good for them....:thumb:

That, by far, was the most hillarious game I've ever seen in World Cup. Italians are just a shame, but the game itself was so packed with random little events it's just like, OMG geez :D . But as far as it goes, France v S. Korea was by far the most pathetic game I've seen either. Such a team doesn't deserve any title.

But it should be a real deal tomorrow. England vs Vikingland!

France dominated that game....can't believe it ended in a draw, plus, they did score another, but the ref made the wrong call, I think it crossed the line...well it sure looked like it...
Anyways, yeah, should be better today....

Any of you guys see Brazil v Australia?? Just interested on your thoughts...

Teams through to Second Round:
- Ecuador
- Germany
- England
- Argentina
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Brazil
- Spain

Teams Knocked Out:
- Poland
- Costa Rica
- Paraguay
- Ivory Coast
- Serbia Montenegro
- Iran
- Togo

I saw it on and off, cuz I was in a casino, but apparently they gave them a great battle, And somebody said it was only a matter of time against a team with that line up, ..

Any of you guys see Brazil v Australia?? Just interested on your thoughts...


Congrats, didn`t expected the Aussies so strong. It was a very close match against the Samba-players. I guess they will go to Second Round with a victory against Croatia.

We played extremely well against Brazil, our control of the game was good and we made Brazil play for it. It was tough though to lose from such a soft goal since our defence had been pretty solid for most of the match. Bad luck too that we could've drawn level and perhaps more with few crucial chances missed by Kewel (should've been put away), Bresciano (just a moment a hesitation), and Viduka (too much touch on the ball which went over the keeper...and the cross bar). Still am very proud of our perfomance, it was always gonna be a tough test for us.

Ronaldo had another shocker...which was good to see. :)

Croatia ain't gonna be a cake-walk, but if we play the same game we have been so far then we should make the second round. :bounce:

While watching that game I was "where did these guys learn to play like that?"

Hey Aussies honestly, you practice with kangaroos dontchya :D ?

http://www.sheringhamcarnival.co.uk/program/images/kangaroo_kickking_soccer_ball_md_clr.gif

While watching that game I was "where did these guys learn to play like that?"

Hey Aussies honestly, you practice with kangaroos dontchya :D ?

http://www.sheringhamcarnival.co.uk/program/images/kangaroo_kickking_soccer_ball_md_clr.gif

Nice. :thumb:

Argentina v Holland tonight...should be a cracker! :cool:

Yeah, we'll see how it goes.

I'm all supporting Holland on this matter.

BTW England v Sweden - I effing told you guys!!! The most tense game in this WorldCup so far. The downside though - Sweden is facing Germany now :confused: Looks like I'll have to flip a nickel to decide which team to support, damnit

I kept falling asleep again off and on during England v Sweden match. Woke up at one stage to see Gerrard score a goal to get infront with less than 10 mins to go...then woke up again seeing scoreline as 2-2. Cole's goal was a beauty!

I'm hoping for a Germany v England quarter final. Looks on target for it. :cool:

This late night - early morning stuff has rooted me....

I had tipped Holland v Argentina to be the best match of the group stage.

Woke up at about 4.30am and hit the wall about 10 minutes into the game... :brickwall

The guys here at work said it was an awesome game even though the scoreline was 0-0

Go USA!!!!

Go Italy!!!

Ditto, Holland v Argentina game was really amazing - the ball would hardly even exit the field line! Unless someone would hit it towards the goals - all in all I wouldn't really like for England to meat any of these teams!

And it's Sweden v Germany on Sat and I won't even watch it!! Talk about the benefits of unemployment :drunk:


BTW Portugal v Mexico sucked ass


On and BTW2 if USA exits the group I'm tattoo-ing Flying Eagle all over my chest or whatever :D

we should abandon our soccer program for at least the next 2 world cups until we have some organization, some will, some temawork, and some committment

these guys were worse than our hockey and basketball debacles combined

USA played very well against Ghana. The goal they made was an awesome shot. All the goalie could do is watch.

1-1 in Aussie/Croat game....Aus. is playing great,....:thumb: Shoulda had more, with all those chances..

we should abandon our soccer program for at least the next 2 world cups until we have some organization, some will, some temawork, and some committment

these guys were worse than our hockey and basketball debacles combined

Yeah, the 2, and 5 seed out....:wtf: Czhecks and US..

Americans hit posts like crazy all tournament....just weren't finishing on their opportunities....

1-1 in Japan vs. Brazil. Both games are good.

VIVA ITALIA !!! :thumb:

Australia put a different goalie in, and he is struggling, looks nervice, bobbling the ball all the time....very unimpressed with him....:wtf:

Aussie rules!!! Congratz!!! Onwards, and upwards Australia :thumb:

Aussie rules!!! Congratz!!! Onwards, and upwards Australia :thumb:

Nice comeback for the Aussie team!

Looks like they're going to play Italy in the knockout round (Round of Sixteen) on Monday.

It should be a great game! :thumb: