A really exciting group of 16. Especially nice is the presence of Ghana and (The) Ukraine, who make the knockout round in their first ever World Cup experience.
Based on my dismal thoughts with the first round, I'm just going to guess at a final four of Argentina, Netherlands, Brazil, and Australia in the role of George Mason University.
Welp, I'll guess I'll be rooting for England, Australia, and Ghana in that order (England goes first only because it's the only bit of my blood still in it).
The potential for a Germany/Argentina quarterfinal has me psyched. Man, would that ever be a hot crowd.
-Germany over Sweden -Argentina over Mexico -England over Ecuador -Portugal over The Netherlands -Australia over Italy -The Ukraine over Switzerland -Brazil over Ghana -France over Spain
Well, I predicted 11 out of 16. I missed Ghana, Italy, Switzerland, Ecuador, and Australia - incorrectly going with Japan, Korea (oops, I guess it was the home field advantage last time), Poland, and screwing up royally with my Czech and USA predictions for group E. Read the whole thing here!
Well, there goes my 20 bucks I put on the Czech Republic, as well as my predicted finalist. A renewed set of predictions(yes, I'm already two games behind, just trust I went with Argentina and Germany, OK?):
Round of 16:
Germany over Sweden Argentina over Mexico England over Ecuador Portugal over Netherlands Australia over Italy Ukraine over Switzerland Brazil over Ghana Spain over France
Quarters:
England over Portugal Spain over Brazil Argentina over Germany Australia over Ukraine
Semis:
Argentina over Australia Spain over England
Finals:
Spain over Argentina on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a heartbreaker for Maradona.
Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. - Euripides
That was quite the display between Portugal and Holland today. Both teams came off looking quite badly, as did the officials. I really thought the game was going to end up as an old-school hockey brawl, what with all the shoving after whistles. 16 yellow cards, four players sent off.
Portugal now faces England with two men (and possibly a third in Figo) lost to suspension, and also the threat of an injury to Ronaldo keeping him out. In all the years I've watched football, I don't think I've seen a match deteriorate as much as the one today.
-Germany over Sweden -Argentina over Mexico -England over Ecuador -Portugal over The Netherlands -Italy over Australia -Switzerland over the Ukraine -Brazil over Ghana -Spain over France
Germany over Argentina Italy over Switzerland England over Portugal Spain over Brazil
Germany over Italy Spain over England
Germany over Spain
I, too, was taken aback by the Portugal/Netherlands match. All it needed was Jim Ross on commentary, good lord. I wouldn't be surprised to see some harsh comments directed at both teams from FIFA and the community at large. Though, admittedly, it made for some entertaining television heh.
We're the middle children of history...no purpose or place. We have no Great War, no Great Depression. Our great war, our defining crucible, is a spiritual war.
Originally posted by spfAssuming that they get refs who will call PK's for them tripping over a prone opponent in the box they will advance. If not, they're screwed.
Why yes, I am calling bullshit on that call, thanks for asking :)
If Ukraine plays them like they played against the Swiss today, then Italy won't even need PKs to advance.
Originally posted by The GoonThat was quite the display between Portugal and Holland today. Both teams came off looking quite badly, as did the officials. I really thought the game was going to end up as an old-school hockey brawl, what with all the shoving after whistles. 16 yellow cards, four players sent off.
Portugal now faces England with two men (and possibly a third in Figo) lost to suspension, and also the threat of an injury to Ronaldo keeping him out. In all the years I've watched football, I don't think I've seen a match deteriorate as much as the one today.
I thought it was one of the most fun games I have ever seen. I'm not a huge soccer fan (mostly a reaction to the over-hyping the game gets here) but ofcourse I hope my country does well. They did play a great game until well..it became a hockey brawl indeed. They were outsmarted by Portugal.
There was one big flaw in the gameplay of the Dutch. It looked good but they didn't really go for the goal. At times it was like a powerplay without the shots on goal.
Well, I sit here in shock. I honestly thought the French team was average at best, and that wasn't just my bias against anything French speaking. Not to mention Spain had absolutely been on fire going into this match....just, wow. For the Spanish to collapse like that, right when they need to be stepping up....unbelievable. I guess it's never safe to bet against a skilled veteran wanting to retire on top.
We're the middle children of history...no purpose or place. We have no Great War, no Great Depression. Our great war, our defining crucible, is a spiritual war.
By "HILARIOUS", you surely mean "awesome". Put me on the side of those who think it would be incredibly crappy if NASCAR tried to kick the Cup drivers out of the Nationwide Series.