I'm so incredibly nervous about today's game. I know we (England) can win, but that's what we thought in 1950. 
I'll be watching it, but am likely to bite through most of my hands.
My money's on Spain, yes yes I know they're favourites, that's probably why! But I'd like Germany to do well. I don't want France anywhere near the quarters, let alone semis or final - Henry appealing re: handball was tragically ironic.
Honestly don't think we've got a hope in hell of winning the cup, but I'll be surprised if we don't go most of the way. And yes, the horns are boring into my brain, sounds like a swarm of bees. 
Woooop, I guess.
I'm hoping for a Spain - Netherlands finale, where the Netherlands take the cup.
It'll probably be Germany who wins though.
@True Metal
Co-leader of Callous Crew SG. Based on Union server.
In work i picked out ghana/australia and duras in my sweepstake so i really got no chance of winning the pot money 
Watched the france match yesterday and it was pretty good 
Heard the ref in the first match was poor and the ref [imo] wasnt of the highest standards in this match either to be fair. Cant believe how easy france were to predict though and how stubborn they are. Looked like they were ready to settle for a draw to be honest, even with an extra man!
Looking forward to the drinking games tonight in town for the england match though 
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
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I thought the ref in the first match was actually quite good getting some key decisions spot on. Didn't think much of the France match either so I guess my lack of knowledge about football must be showing.|
Originally Posted by EU_Damz
In work i picked out ghana/australia and duras in my sweepstake so i really got no chance of winning the pot money
Watched the france match yesterday and it was pretty good Heard the ref in the first match was poor and the ref [imo] wasnt of the highest standards in this match either to be fair. Cant believe how easy france were to predict though and how stubborn they are. Looked like they were ready to settle for a draw to be honest, even with an extra man!Looking forward to the drinking games tonight in town for the england match though |
I find myself not actually supporting any one team in particular (and despite my nationality I am not supporting ABE) but rather picking my favourite for each match I happen to watch, usually plumping for the underdog for some reason. So far I have wanted RSA and Uruguay to win... perhaps I should stop even having a favourite if that is what my support does for them!
Today I will probably go for South Korea and... actually I don't know who I want to win the other two matches; probably Argentina and England if I am forced to choose... so much for me picking the underdogs all the time
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I disagree with just about anything you just said. |
Originally Posted by EU_Damz
In work i picked out ghana/australia and duras in my sweepstake so i really got no chance of winning the pot money
Watched the france match yesterday and it was pretty good Heard the ref in the first match was poor and the ref [imo] wasnt of the highest standards in this match either to be fair. Cant believe how easy france were to predict though and how stubborn they are. Looked like they were ready to settle for a draw to be honest, even with an extra man!Looking forward to the drinking games tonight in town for the england match though |
The Uruguay-France match was horrible, personally I hope neither of these teams makes it the next round (sorry, French people!) and the ref in the first match made some very good calls, imo.
@True Metal
Co-leader of Callous Crew SG. Based on Union server.
Well not long to go now, already got the booze ready
Will be straight on CoH after to let the Americans know how much better we are... again
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Originally Posted by Sunstormer
Well not long to go now, already got the booze ready
Will be straight on CoH after to let the Americans know how much better we are... again |
You were saying?
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
I don't know what to take from that match, in all honesty.
Im not sure if I should be happy, sad, worried about the future matches, or what.
Clearly USA did a good job, however they cant really boast about this match based upon the goalies fault. They did have a few good moments but yeah.
Im not sure if I should be worried for england or what, ..match kinda confused me.
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Originally Posted by Newty
I don't know what to take from that match, in all honesty.
Im not sure if I should be happy, sad, worried about the future matches, or what. Clearly USA did a good job, however they cant really boast about this match based upon the goalies fault. They did have a few good moments but yeah. Im not sure if I should be worried for england or what, ..match kinda confused me. |
Overall the performance was good, but as has been the problem for the last 6 years or so, it boils down to their keepers not being of the highest standards. You just feel that any shot at them has a chance of going in.
England desperately needs a world class keeper again to do well in a major tournie [imo]
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
I found it interesting watching the difference between the quality and technique of the defenders in England verse USA. A few times it looked like the American forwards easily outclassed the English in athleticism and speed only to be turned away by good positioning, technique and a relatively fair elbow to the chest (just standard physical play).
On the opposite side the English attack did well moving the ball around and spreading out. The American defenders looked lost, confused and outrageously out of position at times. Curse you Bocanegra! Yet, sadly, I cannot name an American I'd rather have in his place Perhaps this feeling is how those on the other side of the pond feel about Green?
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Originally Posted by Smurphy
I found it interesting watching the difference between the quality and technique of the defenders in England verse USA. A few times it looked like the American forwards easily outclassed the English in athleticism and speed only to be turned away by good positioning, technique and a relatively fair elbow to the chest (just standard physical play).
On the opposite side the English attack did well moving the ball around and spreading out. The American defenders looked lost, confused and outrageously out of position at times. Curse you Bocanegra! Yet, sadly, I cannot name an American I'd rather have in his place Perhaps this feeling is how those on the other side of the pond feel about Green? |
With Englands two best keepers at the time [james/green], they were both part of teams that either got relegated or just avoided it. Its a possibility that with foster moving on for first team football that he'll be ready for the next euros but this is kind of really englands best chance for a trophy before having to wait for the next golden generation to come through. When lamps/gerrard/terry/rio/cole are passed their peaks by the time the next tournie comes around, will a team of milner/barry/SWP/walcott/upson really strike fear in to the opposition?
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
Getting the road map to face France in the world cup is what I want from England. I'd be happy with that. So tonight was a good result as it does leave the path to France achieve-able I think as USA is a likely top two in the table. My cup is half full with Greens fumble but I do feel that our players need to know who they're playing with far more in advance. If anything our manager could blow it for us.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
Once again England were painfully ordinary.
Everyone's a critic but...
I still don't think Lampard and Gerrard work well together. Either play Gerrard or Lampard with Barry or Carrick.
Lennon is too lightweight, he would've been more effective as an impact player when the oppositions legs are tired in the 2nd half. Stick Milner on the right and Joe Cole on the left.
Ledley King... yes he has pace, but he's lacked matches all season and just returned from injury, which showed with a number of soft challenges. Although Carragher lacks pace, he did well and fought for England.
Despite the fumble, I still have faith in Green. David James no matter how much more experience he has, he is a liability with numerous fumbles throughout his career. Joe Hart has a lot of potential but needs more games... however it'll be throwing to caution to the wind to put him in now.
That said, USA did well and helped us realise further that there is still much to work on with England.
@Captain Solaris
Guild of Extreme Heroes "Strength is in Unity"
I agree that USA "brought it". I was really impressed and pleased. The better the competition at the start the better the wake up call. I just feel that if England knew long before the game who they are playing with (edit:team mate wise) then they will get it together like a team should. Greens fumble could be a blessing in disguise for us and the US *crosses fingers*.
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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The ref was pants and arguably biased against Mexico. Mexico should have taken the win. Had South Africa nicked it at the end I would have said it was an unfair result.|
Originally Posted by Days_
I thought the ref in the first match was actually quite good getting some key decisions spot on. Didn't think much of the France match either so I guess my lack of knowledge about football must be showing.
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France were disappointing and unless they start following their manager (despite his wayward decision), they'll be hard pressed to getting passed the last 16.
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Originally Posted by Days_
Today I will probably go for South Korea and... actually I don't know who I want to win the other two matches; probably Argentina and England if I am forced to choose... so much for me picking the underdogs all the time
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England...meh.
@Captain Solaris
Guild of Extreme Heroes "Strength is in Unity"
*A rare American World Cup fan appears!*
Todays game reaffirmed for me why I just can't cheer for our team. A general lack of control and inability to stretch the field makes each game hard to watch. England was absolutely the better team out there. As for predictions, I'm not buying into Brazil to win it all, I think its going to Spain. Cheering loudest for the Netherlands myself 
Hope it was ok for me sneaking in here No one around here cares. :'(
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I hope so too!|
Originally Posted by New Dawn
I agree that USA "brought it". I was really impressed and pleased. The better the competition at the start the better the wake up call. I just feel that if England knew long before the game who they are playing with (edit:team mate wise) then they will get it together like a team should. Greens fumble could be a blessing in disguise for us and the US *crosses fingers*.
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Originally Posted by Lillika
*A rare American World Cup fan appears!*
Todays game reaffirmed for me why I just can't cheer for our team. A general lack of control and inability to stretch the field makes each game hard to watch. England was absolutely the better team out there. As for predictions, I'm not buying into Brazil to win it all, I think its going to Spain. Cheering loudest for the Netherlands myself Hope it was ok for me sneaking in here No one around here cares. :'( |
The States did well to frustrate us. Maybe if we didn't expect so much from our national side, it wouldn't hurt so much!
@Captain Solaris
Guild of Extreme Heroes "Strength is in Unity"
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You have to cheer for your team!! Howard was brilliant, end of story, brilliant! Then there was the pace and dispossessions. Honestly the US team was really hot. I will look forward to watching their other games. The only lackings lie in the shots on goal, the amount of, their direction and the power, other than that, they was well good especially with the dispossessions.
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Originally Posted by Lillika
*A rare American World Cup fan appears!*
Todays game reaffirmed for me why I just can't cheer for our team. A general lack of control and inability to stretch the field makes each game hard to watch. :'( |
He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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Originally Posted by Lillika
*A rare American World Cup fan appears!*
Todays game reaffirmed for me why I just can't cheer for our team. A general lack of control and inability to stretch the field makes each game hard to watch. England was absolutely the better team out there. As for predictions, I'm not buying into Brazil to win it all, I think its going to Spain. Cheering loudest for the Netherlands myself Hope it was ok for me sneaking in here No one around here cares. :'( |
Well when you consider the popularity of football in america, it is still a huge success to even be in the world cup imo. Think once footie becomes even half as popular as your american footie [which is basically rugby come on!
], then you could potentially dominate the world given the pool of people you'ld have to pick from.Edit: Question for england fans, how many of you would trade for giggsy given the chance?
@Damz Find me on the global channel Union Chat. One of the best "chat channels" ingame!
Greece was just appalling. Deserved victory for a swift and unrelenting S-Korea.
Argentina clearly outclassed a seemingly overwhelmed Nigeria. The main reason it didn't end in 3-0 or more was the Nigerian keeper. It balanced out a bit more in the course of the match though, mainly because of Argentina loosing momentum.
It's clear that England is a more technical team than the USA, though the USA aren't that bad overal. That being said England played horrible, there was no direction, no combinations, they just stood there all doing things randomly it seemed. Deserved draw imo, even though the US got lucky with the Green blunder.
@True Metal
Co-leader of Callous Crew SG. Based on Union server.
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We take the UK and split it up. Imagine the best from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in one team? (I am not analysing this) What I am trying to say is that if we were united as UK then we would probably really rock the boat but anyway save the time for that when needed. I don't know why we can't be united but it probably has something to do with Scottish independence. I bet the Scots got paraletically drunk celebrating the US drawing with us.
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Originally Posted by EU_Damz
Edit: Question for england fans, how many of you would trade for giggsy given the chance?
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He will honor his words; he will definitely carry out his actions. What he promises he will fulfill. He does not care about his bodily self, putting his life and death aside to come forward for another's troubled besiegement. He does not boast about his ability, or shamelessly extol his own virtues. - Sima Qian.
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I always watch and hope (even find myself pumping my fist and smiling when we are really rolling,) but over the years seen too many discouraging things to really sell myself on em as a serious team for any length of time. Howard was indeed brilliant, though, and never the cause for my concerns.
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Originally Posted by New Dawn
You have to cheer for your team!! Howard was brilliant, end of story, brilliant! Then there was the pace and dispossessions. Honestly the US team was really hot. I will look forward to watching their other games. The only lackings lie in the shots on goal, the amount of, their direction and the power, other than that, they was well good especially with the dispossessions.
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Giggsy is priceless. He is without a doubt one of the finest players to have graced the game. Not only with his skill, but how he has conducted himself in the modern game. Having chosen Wales over England is admirable, but he's lost out having never played in either the European or World Cup finals.|
Originally Posted by EU_Damz
Edit: Question for england fans, how many of you would trade for giggsy given the chance?
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If only we could have entered a GB football team in one of the Olympics in the 90s, then he might have been able to include an international medal to his huge trophy collection.
@Captain Solaris
Guild of Extreme Heroes "Strength is in Unity"
Granted it kicked off yesterday, but it starts today for us England fans!
Who's everyones team this year? Who would you think will win? Do you even like football?!
Although I would dearly love to see England win it, we are an average team with over hyped players. My money is on Brazil, with (after good results in the past few weeks leading to the finals) Holland and Spain closely behind. We also can't knock off the Germans.
Would love one of the "smaller" football nations to make a good go of it with teams like USA and Ivory Coast impressing over the past couple years.
The South Africa vs Mexico opener was quite a good opener...but the vuvuzela is seriously starting to make me go senile! I just don't think I can go through watching an entire game with that noise! I thought African nations were famed for their tribalistic songs and the such. That is way more appealing to the ears than this constant buzzing! If I ever see it being blown near me next time I watch a match here in the UK, I'm gonna take it off them and stick up where the Sun doesn't shine! *ahem*
So yes...what's everyone thought on what is arguably this year's Greatest World Event?
@Captain Solaris
Guild of Extreme Heroes "Strength is in Unity"