The Official Soccer/Futbol Thread

I'm with you. I even like some of the players individually, but it's just something about the club that rubs me the wrong way. I think they were at their best with Beckham, Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos, et al. But now, Depor is back in La Liga so I can root for my proper team! Lol

 

WORLD CUP NEXT WEEK!!!!!

 

Are you psyched?

 

Im hoping Italy does well but I expect Germany to win it all

 

I'm also watching Belgium and Netherlands. The one thing I feel reasonably sure of is that Spain won't win again.

 

I agree, to me Spain's recent dominance went hand in hand with Barca's dominance of the club game. Spain are still a force but they are not at their peak anymore plus other teams know how to play against them now. England won't do a damn thing in Brazil so I'll be rooting for a Spain win. My head tells me though they might fall at the semi's or even quarters.

 

I hate that England is no longer a force to be reckoned with. I'll have to cheer for Spain too, I guess, even though they're not going all the way, once the USA is out. If I don't, my son will get mad at me, lol. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to watching Belgium, Netherlands, Ghana, France, Brazil, Portugal, and Germany. It's going to be a busy four weeks!

 

England haven't been a force since 1990, I doubt they will even get out of their group. I'm interested to see what Belgium do, if they can cope with the weather I see them getting to at least the semis. Their squad is perhaps the most balanced one I've seen in years.

 

I couldn't agree more, and with the world's greatest keeper, the sky's the limit.

 

Today is the start of the World Cup

 

I thought that yellow card against Croatia for that slight pull-down against Fred that allowed them to score the second goal was bogus.

 

The yellow card was totally bogus. At the same time I think Croatia blew it's chances at the win in the first half. Brazil was playing like a team that had the weight of 140 million people on their backs. Outside of Neymar nobody else seemed to show up. I don't know if it was all the pressure or the fact that they are a very young team with very little WC experience. I do say they better figure it out or they won't be in Rio on July 13.

 

True indeed. Or if they are there, it will be in the stands as onlookers. And Croatia can't say anything because Marcelo scored their goal for them, lol.

Post-script:
The Spaniards never knew what hit them. The Netherlands came to do business today. I'm bummed about the Cameroon v. Mexico results.

 

[YOUTUBE]GrHWB7oe-Yo[/YOUTUBE]

They don't call it the beautiful game for nothing. This goal opened the flood gates.

The Netherlands put it on them, this game was chippy from the start though you can tell the bad blood was still there. Spain is in some trouble now -4 in goal difference puts them last in the group. The basically have to win both of their games to advance. Mexico vs Cameroon what can I say. Cameroon was way too passive against a Mexican side that had struggled up until those two games vs New Zealand.

 

You're not kidding about this one! Unbelievable beating!

Post-script, 1:29 p.m.:

And it looks like Colombia has this one sewn up.

 

Tiki-Taka descanse en paz 2008 - 2012.

 

Don't forget to make an annual pilgrimage to lay a wreath on the gravesite, lol. What are they going to come up with now? They looked horrible out there!

 

Hard to believe no one is going to the World Cup. Well,tv had done a good job in coverage. I'm glad Spain lost to Holland. The Spanyards thought they would beat them again but,it was pay back time and Spain was beaten.

 

Ever since Barcelona went on the decline so did Spain, its not a coincidence. Look at Messi's first half against Bosnia, awful.

Spain need to;
- Drop Casillas for Reina
- Drop Busquets for Martinez
- Inject more pace into the side
- Drop Pique for Albiol

 

Best world cup EVER