World Cup Predictions

[MarkM]

Italy 2 - 0 Germany

Took them until the last minute (really was the last minute) of extra time to take it beyond Germanys reach.

I am wondering when the football players (from many different countries) in this World Cup will get presented with their extra medals for Form and Presentation in the diving competion?
the diving this tournament has been laughable to the extreme even in the Germany match above sure the italian had got clouted in the head...by an elbow but why was Balick (sp?) holding his forehead???? also the dives are so damned obvious since they all look identical, if you get hit from the side etc then you are going to go down in maybe a sort of similar way but identical 'falls'
I seriously think that this World Cup has shown that because it was in Europe and the 'prestige' of the event has meant many camera angles, it is now time for the 'Forth Official', Other football leagues (non european) have shaky camera work to say the least, generally too far away (the south american leagues are very guilty of this) this has been done in the UK with Rugby league and of course Cricket has had the extra guy in the camera room for several years now. One of the WC matches I saw the player was in the penalty area and the defender was hanging onto the attackers right arm with both his hands, the referee was unsighted but the cameras didn't miss it.

[Maggot6]

I am pretty biased about my opinions here, I love Germany/Germans, and well, I don't have much to say about Italians..

HOW THE DID GERMANY DO THAT TO THEMSELVES?!??! I mean, the first Italian goal was exceptable, not exactly prime timing for the Germans but you have to give it to them, it was a good goal. When the Germans let the second one in I just sorta went to myself, "Why was I watching in the first place"..

Either way, the game kept me near the edge of my seat the entire time, so at least you can say the Germans gave a good effort, until well, the bitter end.....

Grr...Snarl...Hiss,,...

[surfbum]

it was a great game

but like ive been saying:
GO ITALIA!!

[Thordic]

I was at Nevada Smiths in NYC for the game, which is THE soccer bar in NYC. The place was nuts. It was probably 60-70% Azzurri fans, but the German contingent was loud and present. It was packed full, and probably at least 100* in the bar for the match as the AC was crappy and everyone was packed in like sardines on an already hot and humid day. But the atmosphere was great, I might have to head back there for the final on Saturday.

The second german goal was due to the fact the germans knew they had very little time to tie it up so they played very aggresively, and didn't leave as many men back on defense.

[MarkM]

I was at Nevada Smiths in NYC for the game, which is THE soccer bar in NYC. The place was nuts. It was probably 60-70% Azzurri fans, but the German contingent was loud and present. It was packed full, and probably at least 100* in the bar for the match as the AC was crappy and everyone was packed in like sardines on an already hot and humid day. But the atmosphere was great, I might have to head back there for the final on Saturday.

The second german goal was due to the fact the germans knew they had very little time to tie it up so they played very aggresively, and didn't leave as many men back on defense.

Sounds like you had fun, plus you appear to be a true fan of soccer since you had no team that you really supported playing. Slight worry though, if you go to this bar on Saturday to watch the final you will have the place to yourself as the final is on Sunday even with the time difference or are you talking about the 3rd and 4th place match.

[Thordic]

Oops, yeah, I realized later that the final was on Sunday

And I support Azzurri, even though I had them pegged to lose. I was in Italy during the 1998 and 2002 WC's and had a blast out at the bars and cafes watching the games.

I kinda root for the US but I don't have any expectations from them. I root more for Italy. We hang the flag out, and I have my Azzurri scarf that I picked up in Italy in '98 that I wear to the games. I have Inter and AC Milan jerseys, no Azzurri jerseys though, I meant to pick one up but I forgot.

In any case, yeah, it was a great time. Nevada Smiths is voted the best soccer bar in NYC for a reason. Great atmosphere, at least 20% of the people in the bar were European and brought their chants over with them. Quite a few German fans were in tears after the match, and there was one altercation outside the bar involving a group of large Italians and a German flag-waver.

[MarkM]

Well I have no idea of the 'extra' wages these guys earn when they play for their country but given what is happening in Italy re the domestic clubs match fixing allegations (not really allegations more a case of who gets put in the frame/dock) the players in the national squad are effectively on their swan song obviously hoping for lucrative transfer fees to other countries domestic teams...if the transfers don't happen quickly they (the players) are going to lose out big style as many might well find themselves on free transfers = for them