world cup - Page 3

Alright alright, let's not start a fight.

We all know it's Costa Rica that plays the dirtiest anyway.

bob

Owen's foot will be healed in time; it almost is right now. I think he's actually started training. And Rooney's foot healing on time is just a gamble, isn't it? And Walcott's a gamble, too. And strange that Darren Bent and Jermaine Defoe were left out...

There are MANY gambles. (No Shaun Wright-Phillips?) Despite all of that, I like their chances anyway. Sentimental favorites of mine, always.

Well, I'll be there in Germany cheering for the US, with England and Germany as second picks. I'll add Italy to that list if they survive into the round of 16, since I love their style of play. Right now, I'm picking Germany to win it all, given the home field advantage (hell, look what it did for the Koreans).

I will be rooting against the French, Mexicans, and Brazilians.

I managed to draw tickets to two great games -- Paraguay vs. Trindad & Tobago (go Soca Warriors!), and Croatia vs. Australia. LOL.

Anyone else going to be in Germany next month?

trinidad and tobago to win, golden boot to dwight yorke.

I am English,my wife is Dutch so I will be routing for both of those.I think Holland might have a better chance in 4 years,its a very young team and I think it might just be too early for them.As for England(the 2nd favourites behind Brazil)I think they have an excellent chance I cant believe only 2 people in this thread have mentioned them.Ok since Rooney got injured thinks arent looking as rosy(although they say his recovery is going well)but the goalkeeper(Robinson) is solid,the defence(Terry,Neville,Ferdinand)is the best in the competition,the midfield(Gerrard,Cole,Lampard,Beckham)speaks for itself and if(a big IF)Owen and Rooney can get fit I cant see anyone stopping us..........Except maybe Brazil

I hope so, but I don't think it will happen.

France is playing Mexico on saturday.
As for the netherlands being a favourite, is Van Basten still playing?

!luc

I have to go with my home country here. I believe Andres Iniesta will finally add the flair and reliable play Spain needed the past two contests. And the way Carlos Puyol handled Theirry Henry in the Champions League Final a week ago (I know some of you will point out the second half play was a little shoddy, but I think that was a reflection of Barcá's heavy schedule) gives me confidence in the midfield wall we are supposedly stressing. Not to mention that we only need dispatch Ukraine and Tunisia early on. Saudi Arabia may give us a bit of trouble though. We will see. Aside from them, I hold out hope that Ghana has amazing play—I would love to see them in semis.

It was a preparation game, and the french team was just coming back from a physical preparation week in the french alps. Neither side played at their best, I hope they'll do better during the world cup. France plays with a very strong defense, and not much else. Coherence is missing between backlines and frontlines, and they are not agressive enough in the midfield. We'll see if it gets better.

!luc

What was up with the French fans booing their players? Did they want an outright rout of the Mexicans? For starters, as much of a hard time as I might give MP about the Mexican squad, they're no push-overs. Second, as you say, L-E, it was a preparatory match. No sense playing 110% and getting hurt?

Maybe I'm just used to the US where even a 1-0 win is still a win since we're not traditionally a power.

bob

No, it's related to three specific players: Barthez, Dhorassoo and Cissé, whom a part of the (parisian) public feel they shouldn't have been in the team. It's a form of hooliganism which has plagued parisian football for many years.

!luc

Domenech sucks anyways so the fans should boo the c*** anyways. If the senior players could ignore him and take the reins France may have a chance. They need to build the team around Henry not Zidane as Zizou is past it and Titi is clearly the best player that have. Spain is strong this year and so is the Azzurri. Brasil is always up there but have a sh*te defense especially if they play Carlos and Cincinho. Dida is a flapper too. Argies have a great team this year. Hollands team is the weakest one I've seen in a long time but still pretty good. Ivory Coast could very well surprise by squeezing through the group stages upsetting a football giant (Holland/Argentina). Germany doenst have much quality (as usual) but always do well in competitions (as usual). I dont think USA and Mexico will cope well. Sweden can surprise as many often overlook them. England has quality but choke at the last minute. Becks is class this season and if Ericson could sort out the central midfield (ie defensive mid + offensive not Gerrard + Lamps) they could have a decent shot.

why aren't the french taking giuly? he's class surely? what do you mean "not gerrard and lamps"? i reckon the only chance we've got is if gerrard gets his game together, he's one of the best midfielders in the world.