The World Cup is almost upon us!

[markdeniz]

It's getting rather exciting now, there's gossip aplenty and all sorts of nations are coming out of the woodwork to say this year could well be their year. After Pele's (I think it was Pele) embarrassing claim that an African nation would win the world cup before the turn of the last century, now Lars Lagerbäck, the Swede in charge of Nigeria has

Comments

[martyn44]

I'll be pleasantly surprised if South Africa can score more than one goal and prevent Mexico from scoring more than one. On the other hand, Mexico have a long, long history of underachievement in the World Cup.

'Dirty Uruguayans'? Channeling Alf Ramsey are you? Rattin isn't playing any more, you know. France, on the other hand, have had players sent off in each of their finals. On the other hand, Marcel & Zinadine aren't playing, only that nasty little nark Franck. Les Blues to win on the bit, saving themselves for later.

[markdeniz]

I stand by my comments of the 'Dirty Uruguayans', especially after getting the first red of the tournament (which should have been a straight red).

I did chuckle at the French not getting the penalty for the handball...;)

1-1, how does that feature on your earlier comment? ;)

[martyn44]

I didn't think the Uruguayans were dirty, although Suarez did seem to think he was in a diving competition. The sending off was the only really bad tackle of the match. Lets hope everyone learns the lesson that you won't win if you're afraid, as France obviously were (Gorcou and Govou were very poor but not so bad as Ribery)

I gather the first match was one of two halves, and that Mexico could have had it won by half time. That said, Mexico know they aren't going anywhere and some things are more important than the result of a football match.

[threemonkeys]

...now Lars Lagerbäck, the Swede in charge of Nigeria has said that they can go all the way *coughs*

Not as surprising as the New Zealand management coming out and saying that they were going to the cup fully intending to win it. But then again, there is no point in being there if you aren't trying your hardest to win it.

Bring on Slovakia I say.

[markdeniz]

New Zealand eh? ;)

Well I hope you guys go far but being a realist I can't see you going past the first stage.

Slovakia is a must win game.

[ext_126926]

Every 4 years a month my attention is fully drawn by football. And every match makes want to play too, so this summer I'll have some exciting matches on my own ;)
I believe that South Africa will not lose the first game. After all Joseph Blatter would want to show the world that he was right picking South Africa as host, with everybody criticizing his choice. But I think that this one will end in draw 1-1. Or the unknown referee can pull something out ;)
As for the second match. France went to World Cup in a wrong way and they are still palying an awful game. So I'll say that Uruguay will win. 2-1 :)

[markdeniz]

Well Uruguay didn't win, and certainly didn't deserve to either but the whole not getting the penalty due to a handball was funny...;)

Shame that Romania aren't at the world cup this time but I guess you'll be cheering on the Spaniards this time.

[ext_126926]

Not much shame. We played badly in the qualifying group and I do believe that we didn't deserve to be at this World Cup. As an example you should have seen how we played the games with Faroe Islands; at the away game the Faroese definitely deserved a draw :(
But all looks good if Spain is keeping the level of football they are playing at the moment. I would indeed like for them to win the World Cup, but I am afraid that a team with a style similar to Internazionale Milano will win. God forbid! :)

[ext_126926]

Well, actually it is once at 2 years, because Euro Championship is a great competition as well :)
Uruguay didn't deserve the win. I didn't see them play for sometime and so, I was wrong to assume that they played a different football. A red card that should have been direct, not a second yellow card, and a penalty strangely not seen :)