South African Fußball mania: Quarterfinals and beyond

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Catchfire Catchfire's picture
South African Fußball mania: Quarterfinals and beyond

Ok, so we're not quite into the quarters but just about. With two of my semi-finalists out in the first knock-out round, my powers of football prognostication are looking pretty poor. So it goes. At least the football is good.

Argentina v Germany looks to be a helluva match, while Uruguay v Ghana looks increasingly attractive.

The Dutch are looking good against Slovakia and should go through according to the run of play. I can't predict who they'll play--either Brazil or Chile, too close to call.

Portugal v Spain looks good, but I expect the Catalans to go through. I like Japan against Paraguay too.

Oh, and goal line technology, eh?

Caissa

Time for some form of instant replay;' yesterday wa embarassing. Okay, time for some of my predictions. Brazil will beat Chile. Portugal will beat Spain. Argentina over Germany, and ghana over Uruguay. I'm taking Paraguay over Japan.

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Caissa wrote:
Portugal will beat Spain.

Ludicrous. I bet one (1) pound of my sockeye salmons against a pound of your lobster that Spain prevail. And just to be contrarian, I take Deutschland over the Argies. Is this thread called "fútbol mania"? I think not.

Papal Bull

I am not going to underestiate Uruguay. They are an amazingly solid team and are playing some stellar kickball

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Is it Okay to cheat in Football?

Some interesting points and ethical arguments that could easily apply to other professional sports like ice hockey.

500_Apples

Brazil looked fighteningly dominant against Chile. I think Chile only had two chances in the 77 minutes that I saw, and Chile is a good, strong team.

I am very happy with how CONCACAF has done in this tournament.

The USA went to the round of 16, they won their group and had 5 goals in 4 games. They did this in spite of bad refereeing that took away 2 goals, in spite of missing two of their best players due to injuries (Charlie Davies and Oguchi Onyewu), and in spite of the fact the coach failed to start the best 11 players. If Klinsman becomes coach they could impress again in 2014.

Mexcico? Totally robbed against Argentina. I think they were solid competitors until that deflating goal.

One day, I may have something to say about Canada.

ebodyknows ebodyknows's picture

Standardized sport savant balancing post. Carry on.

Caissa

With pressure for video replay mounting after two blatant missed calls at the World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter says soccer's governing body will reopen the issue after the tournament.

Maysie Maysie's picture

ebodyknows, knock it the hell off. First and last warning.

Caissa

Japan 0- Paraguay 0 at the half

ebodyknows ebodyknows's picture

Maysie wrote:

ebodyknows, knock it the hell off. First and last warning.

 

You realize I think im justified.  I'll post naked boys in the next thread if that is your issue.  If not explain what your issue is.  You do realize the fact that this event is given attention on this forum is a moral issue for me right?

Maysie Maysie's picture

[thread drift]

ebodyknows, if you want to start a thread about professional sports and how they feed into the "circuses not bread" MO of the mainstream, please do so. Or pm me and we can chat. I will heartily join in as I hate all professional sports for a number of political reasons.

But this is a thread for those who appreciate the sport and are following the World Cup. I don't like the topic, I have nothing to add to the content of this thread, so I stay out. What you did was trolling, and it's not okay.

And I feel the same about hockey, by the way. Don't get me started.

But to deflect any outrage that I'm someone positioning myself as more pure than others, I like lots of mainstream entertainment in other formats. Because sometimes I need to turn off my brain and not think about the bullshit of the world, especially after this past weekend. I'm not a "better lefty" because I hate professional sports. For example, some babblers already know I'm a Trekkie, so I have no better lefty creds than anyone else. Tongue out

[/thread drift]

Footie fans, please continue.

Caissa

Japan 0 Paraguay 0 after 90. We are heading to extra time.

ebodyknows ebodyknows's picture

Maysie wrote:

[thread drift]

But this is a thread for those who appreciate the sport and are following the World Cup. I don't like the topic, I have nothing to add to the content of this thread, so I stay out. What you did was trolling, and it's not okay.

Perhaps you can give me more insight into your point of view by joining the 'do artists have a responsibility to speak out discussion'?

Maybe it is trolling.  I prefer to call it a peaceful protest.  I've been limiting myself to one post per thread. I think that is reasonable and helpful to me in dealing with the stress of car horns.

Caissa

Paraguay goes through on penalties.

Caissa

FIFA president Sepp Blatter warned French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday that the country's national team risks suspension from global tournaments if he meddles in the running of its soccer federation.

Blatter said Tuesday he was sending a "clear and clean message" to the French government and Sarkozy, who has said he would personally lead the investigation into Les Bleus' dismal showing at the World Cup.

The French soccer federation "can really rely on FIFA in case of political interference - even if it is at the presidential level," Blatter said. "France made an 'affaire d'etat' of football, but football remains in the hands of the federation."

FIFA rules demand that federations manage their affairs independently or face suspension from international soccer matches and business. Teams, referees and soccer officials can be barred from participating even if the federation is the innocent victim of government meddling.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/news/story/2010/06/29/sp-bl...

Fidel

Spain vs Portugal should be quite a match.

Caissa

Franco vs. Salazar- choose your fascist.Wink

I picked Portugal to win upthread knowing full well they are the underdog. Canada's top chess GM lives in Portugal so I though I would pick them. Sporting, eh?

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

There will be no Benfica to picking Portugal, however Sporting it may be.

Franco was a Real Madrid fan, and even ordered the murder of their president (the Nou Camp was one of the only places you could speak Catalàn during his reign). The 2010 Spanish squad, however, is largely made up from players who came through the Barcelona system: Iniesta, Fàbregas, Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, and Rodrigues, as well as the backup kepper Valdes. Capedevilla comes from Espanyol, another Catalan side, David Silva  and Mata are Valencian and Xabi Alonso is Basque. Only Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Arbolea come from Franco's Madrid.

So obviously, babblers should cheer for the revolutionaries! ¡Visca Catalunya!

Caissa

Are you the same guy who picked Japan? Wink

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Yes. And Italy and England to reach the semis, and Brazil to not. In fact, I called for an "all-European" semi which is now impossible, and undermined by South America's incredible tournament. But, as you are doubtless aware, Caissa, moderators are never wrong.

I have no idea how Holland made it through, since I also picked them for the semis.

At any rate, Go Spain!

Caissa

I think the answer for both you and me, Catchfire is that keepers can be a little quirky.

I'm still holding out for a Southern Hemisphere victory.

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Caissa, consider yourself banned.

Caissa

I always wondered what your tipping point would be, Catchfire.Laughing

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Catchfire wrote:
as you are doubtless aware, Caissa, moderators are never wrong.

(yesss...)

Papal Bull

Catchfire = Gollum.

NorthReport

Go Brazil!

Fidel

Wow, I don't think it was so much bad play by Portugal as it was ball possession by the Spaniards, 61%. Two very good teams but only one goes through.

Caissa

Thread drift/ I was having a nice dream about Football last night and it turned into a nightmare; Burnley beat Liverpool, 4-0./end thread drift

It's nice to see Catchfire call a match correctly. Now if FIFA officials could only emulate him.

Caissa

Lawmakers taking part in a closed-door hearing about France's World Cup fiasco said Wednesday that coach Raymond Domenech refused to take any responsibility for his team's misbehaviour and offered no real explanation for their debacle.

Lawmakers said Domenech, who is retiring, tried to pin blame on the media during the parliamentary hearing. Prominent lawmaker Jean-Francois Cope said his testimony "wasn't very dignified."

Many had kinder words for French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes, who plans to resign this week, and who also testified at the hearing held by the National Assembly's commission on culture and education.

The hearing went ahead despite a warning from FIFA about French government meddling in soccer affairs. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the country's national team risks suspension from global soccer if President Nicolas Sarkozy or political leaders interfere in the running of the federation.

Lawmakers retorted that it wasn't Blatter's place to tell them how to do their jobs.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/france/story/2010/06/30/sp-...

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

An "All Latin American" semi final (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay) would go a long way to demonstrating where soccer power now resides. Of course, I could be totally wrong about that. We'll know by Saturday afternoon. 

Caissa

It would guarantee my prediction of a southern hemisphere champion. Somehow I think at least one European team will be in the semis.

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Yea, Spain. That's still an "all Latin" semi final, eh? :)

Caissa

The president of Nigeria has suspended the national soccer team from international competition for two years after a poor showing at the World Cup.

Ima Niboro, a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan, made the announcement Wednesday, saying the ban would enable the country to reorganize its football administration

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/fifaworldcup/nigeria/story/2010/06/30/sp...

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

It would appear then, that I have no choice but to go for Germany, Spain, Holland and Ghana. Ever since the Falklands I've hated Argentinian imperialism.

And Brazil have finished top of their world cup group eight times in a row. It's time to take them down a peg. Down with Brazil!

Caissa

Put your Tilley hat on when you are going out in the sun, Catchfire. Innocent

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Catchfire wrote:

It would appear then, that I have no choice but to go for Germany, Spain, Holland and Ghana. Ever since the Falklands I've hated Argentinian imperialism.

And Brazil have finished top of their world cup group eight times in a row. It's time to take them down a peg. Down with Brazil!

 

lol. "Mighty white of you", as the saying goes. It's amusing to read a description of Argentine participation in a war with England over some islands off the coast of Argentina as "Argentinian imperialism". lol. I guess that means that if Argentina bombed the Channel Islands and killed hundreds of English sailors steaming into Portsmith then that would be English imperialism. lol. whatever.

I'm with you on Ghana though. It would be a miracle, of course, to see an African team win the whole shebang. I might relent on my support of the Latin (American) juggernaut. MWA-ha-ha!!

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Beltov, this:

Quote:
Ever since the Falklands I've hated Argentinian imperialism.

was a joke. Perhaps I should have included irony tags. Basically, I was making the same joke that you and, before that, Caissa were making. "Mighty white of me" and all that.

For the record, If Uruguay wasn't playing Ghana, I'd support them. If Argentina weren't managed by Maradona (my favourite all-time player, btw) I'd support them. Leo Messi is probably the best player on the planet--if you'd read the other football threads you'd know my opinion on the matter. Otherwise, Paraguay are boring and Brazil are Brazil.

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Yea, sorry, my remarks were in the same spirit, really. I just can't help but be annoying. heh.

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

No worries, Beltov. Anyway, here's a couple of theories as to why South American teams are enjoying so successful a tournament:

South America boosted by travel, hard work … and luck

Quote:
So far in this World Cup South American teams have won 12 of 18 matches against sides from other federations, with five draws and one defeat. Remarkably, of the five Conmebol teams that qualified four have made it to the quarters (only Chile, knocked out by Brazil, have fallen by the wayside) and there are plenty of theories as to why.

One common explanation is that more South Americans are playing in Europe than ever before – which has welded broad experience and improved physicality to natural home-grown technique. According to Uruguay's Edinson Cavani: "Nowadays there are many players from Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay who all play at the highest level in Europe and elsewhere. When they meet up all that fuses together to make a strong national team."

[...]

Another theory, articulated by the Argentina manager, Diego Maradona, is that: "The South American qualifiers are much more competitive than in Europe." This argument has instinctive appeal. Over two years every South American country faces each other, home and away, over 18 matches. There are no Liechtensteins or San Marinos from whom to take easy points.

[...]

Others argue that South American qualifying also forges mental toughness. Players based in Europe must travel thousands of miles every couple of months and must adapt to widely differing conditions. As Mario Andrade, a commercial manager for Nike in the region, puts it: "In Europe you have impeccable referees and pitches and little hardship. In South America there's often longer travel, worse pitches, lousier referees and sometimes altitude, which toughens players up. After that, spending five weeks in a nice hotel for the World Cup is easy."

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Prior to the Germany-England game, I read some comments regarding the support that football has in those 2 countries. Mention was made of an "Academy" in Germany, lacking in England, to develop younger players for the National squad. Perhaps more is spent ... advertising beer in England. Or something.

Anyway, these other aspects might be different in Latin America as well.

Fidel

Give us a kiss and show us ya knickas. Bah, no joy fer Ingerlund. I wuz really drunk at the time.

Wilf Day

Predictions:

1.  Spain will beat Paraguay. Other than that, anything might happen. You never know what can happen at the World Cup.

2.  My bets: Brazil over Netherlands. Ghana over Uruguay. Argentina over Germany (but I may change my mind without notice on that.) Brazil over Ghana. Spain over Argentina (but I may change my mind without notice on that.) Final: Brazil over Spain.

3.  We are about to see at least six very beautiful, well-played, exciting games.

Fidel

Well as Jackie Moon said in Semi-Pro, "Heaven wants us to win this game! I'LL BURN YOUR HOUSE DOWN!" I couldn't believe Rinaldo had so few touches in the game against Spain. Spain will take some beating.

Fidel

I thought the Portuguese looked very skillful last game. And Brazil looks to be the overall powerhouse.

 

N.Beltov N.Beltov's picture

Sorry for the spelling flame. That's Ronaldo. There's also a Ronaldinho (not playing!) and a Robinho (playing) on the Brazil team.

Of course, nothing was as confusing as trying to decide whether to support Slovakia, Slovenia, or Serbia. Good thing they all, eventually, lost. lol.

Fidel

I am positive that it was Rabba-Loki who changed the spelling in my post, because I really did type an O and not an I. Darn you, RabbaLoki!!

And, I was cheering for Slerbenika all along.

Caissa

Brazil and Netherlands players standing behind " Say No to Racism" Banner prior to kickoff.

Caissa

Robinho puts Brazil ahead in the 10th minute.

DaveW

1-0 at the half

sad to say, but Brazil looks unstoppable; brilliant team play last Monday, mesmerizing

to repeat, before the Cup started I lost a barroom bet that Netherlands had once won the Cup; I thought the Orange won in 1974 (no, they were finalist vs Germany and lost)

 

Catchfire Catchfire's picture

Johann Cruyff and Holland were without doubt the best team of the 70s, but sadly, they lost to a decent West Germany side in 74, and Cruyff-less in 78, lost to Argentina. They'd better shape up if they want to beat Brazil.

Arjen Robben is one of my favourite players--he is being hacked to bits by the Brazilian defence right now and hasn't been able to find space. What a goal by "I take a private helicopter to training" Robinho!

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