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Anyhow it will be a good match to watch with friends and beers.

English or German beers?

I'm watching the Italy game on Tivo while reading the forum. Number 6 on the SVK team just got his knee laid open like a piece of flank steak. I don't know what video feed Europe got (is it the same cameras in a pool for the whole world?), but ESPN here did a nice, nasty, semi-close up.

I'm watching the Italy game on Tivo while reading the forum. Number 6 on the SVK team just got his knee laid open like a piece of flank steak. I don't know what video feed Europe got (is it the same cameras in a pool for the whole world?), but ESPN here did a nice, nasty, semi-close up.

Yes they did. Saw that on a 50 inch plasma and it looks like it cut deep, right down to the muscle. Grisly, but they only showed it in slow motion once and at the time the context was important. Hard to see how he plays the next game. I know I have spent some time making fun of Italy but I believe that this was the best game so far. Italy was scary good in the last 20 minutes. Also, we have seen some questionable officiating in the cup so far but not today. This was a well called game and he let the players play. He also made it clear that "diving" would not be tolerated. He set the example against the Slovak keeper where he refused to except that he was hurt. The ref was correct because the keeper picked himself up and kicked the ball about 80 yards. I don't think anybody truly believed Italy was dead until that last whistle blew. And even then it took a few seconds
This is what all the excitement is about. Play on!

ORIGINAL: JohnDillworth

I'm watching the Italy game on Tivo while reading the forum. Number 6 on the SVK team just got his knee laid open like a piece of flank steak. I don't know what video feed Europe got (is it the same cameras in a pool for the whole world?), but ESPN here did a nice, nasty, semi-close up.

Yes they did. Saw that on a 50 inch plasma and it looks like it cut deep, right down to the muscle. Grisly, but they only showed it in slow motion once and at the time the context was important. Hard to see how he plays the next game. I know I have spent some time making fun of Italy but I believe that this was the best game so far. Italy was scary good in the last 20 minutes. Also, we have seen some questionable officiating in the cup so far but not today. This was a well called game and he let the players play. He also made it clear that "diving" would not be tolerated. He set the example against the Slovak keeper where he refused to except that he was hurt. The ref was correct because the keeper picked himself up and kicked the ball about 80 yards. I don't think anybody truly believed Italy was dead until that last whistle blew. And even then it took a few seconds
This is what all the excitement is about. Play on!

The ESPN European and S. African commentators the USA audience hears (I know you know this, but the European forumites may not) have been scathing in their comments on the over-acting, and a bit less so but still critical of the bad calls. I wonder if the other nations' TV facemen have done the same?

I agree that this ref was applying tough-love to the whiners. I wonder if FIFA officialdom has put the word out down the chain-of-command that the world is noticing the Oscar-worthy performances, and to tighten it up.

Jay Leno has been doing some of the best "hits" in slow-mo on "The Tonight Show", and they are so outlandish it almost isn't funny. (But, it still is.) These fakes take away from the honest players, like #6 today. Of course, Leno's audience is more NASCAR than soccer, so it plays well with them. But still, it was good to see the ref today standing right over a "hurt" player, ordering him to get up and play, and then adding more extra time for his foolishness.

I remember a great Heiniken ad shown while I was in the UK, 10 or so years ago: it was of a rogue cameraman filming the Italian 'closed doors training' session. Basically they were all taking 'tumbling and crying' lessons. They have a very bad reputation for it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Frank
Wasn´t it an English football-player who said:

"Football is 22 men fighting an giving all and Germany winning in the end?"


Gary Lieneker said that, correct As a neutral I give both Germany and England 50% chances... Great match.

Almost...what he actually said was "Football is a simple game. You play for 120 minutes and then the Germans win on penalties".

I think Sunday could be facinating as England vs Germany is like a derby match in the sense that the form book goes out the window and you musn't forget Beckenbauer has twice had a dig at England. he may well regret pulling the Lion's tail!

I believe Italy have gone on too long with the same players. Great though they are the likes of Camoronesi, Cannavaro and Pirlo have had their day. If Italy want to getback to winning ways then it's time for some new blood to come in. Tactically I've never seen a team play so negatively in any World Cup.

Hi all,

[8D]]



Leo "Apollo11"

For the US citizens unfamiliar with the current football (!) ratings. Official FIFA national team ratings, see:
http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

Gulp, the Dutch rated 4th . . . !? They never perform well when being the favorite . . .
But it does show why the removal of France and Italy is quite against all order. Next months ratings will be a little different I guess.

Just read the Dutch Bavaria Babes returned home safely! Did you guys pick up on the very stringent FIFA rulings against sneak advertising?
http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10007233/what-the-criminal-prosecution-of-bavarias-beer-babes-tells-us-about-the-enfeeblement-of-official-sports-sponsorships/

Apologies for the longish url's.

English or German beers?

I prefer a neutral beer as well! [:'(]
Guinness for all match

I believe Italy have gone on too long with the same players.

Yes, they were good players, now they are old players. Cannavaro has been one of the best defender in the world, but it happened several years ago...in the previous WC he was at the edge.
Pirlo unfortunately was broken, he played just for the desperation situation.
The few young players were not the best available (of course IHMO).

Tactically I've never seen a team play so negatively in any World Cup.

Sigh...

Apollo11...our tactics are secret! [:-]
Anyhow you forget the corner tactic [:D]

Well let's hope that they're honest with themselves and call it a day. There are enough decent players waiting in the wings I expect and Italy are never short of decent players usually.

As an English man living in Germany, I have to say that I am really not looking forward to the Quarter Final game, Germany have looked far superior in the group games (apart from when having had a player unjustly sent off) and I would give Germany more than a two-thirds chance of winning on Sunday.

As an aside, WITP got a mention on the BBC radio World Cup coverage the other day, during the Danny Baker World Cup show on Radio 5. Danny was looking at the 3 day long Wimbledon tennis game and asking for other long-running sporting matches. Graham in Buckinghamshire called in to say that he had been playing War in the Pacific for the past six and a half years against his son. The presenter seemed somewhat confused because the war only lasted 4 years. Graham seemed annoyed as his son had been hiding his carriers!
It made me laugh anyway.

ORIGINAL: yubari

As an aside, WITP got a mention on the BBC radio World Cup coverage the other day, during the Danny Baker World Cup show on Radio 5. Danny was looking at the 3 day long Wimbledon tennis game and asking for other long-running sporting matches. Graham in Buckinghamshire called in to say that he had been playing War in the Pacific for the past six and a half years against his son. The presenter seemed somewhat confused because the war only lasted 4 years. Graham seemed annoyed as his son had been hiding his carriers!
It made me laugh anyway.

That's classic! [:D]

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: yubari

As an English man living in Germany, I have to say that I am really not looking forward to the Quarter Final game, Germany have looked far superior in the group games (apart from when having had a player unjustly sent off) and I would give Germany more than a two-thirds chance of winning on Sunday.

As an aside, WITP got a mention on the BBC radio World Cup coverage the other day, during the Danny Baker World Cup show on Radio 5. Danny was looking at the 3 day long Wimbledon tennis game and asking for other long-running sporting matches. Graham in Buckinghamshire called in to say that he had been playing War in the Pacific for the past six and a half years against his son. The presenter seemed somewhat confused because the war only lasted 4 years. Graham seemed annoyed as his son had been hiding his carriers!
It made me laugh anyway.

Is this for real?


Leo "Apollo11"

ok, I stand corrected.

ORIGINAL: Offworlder

England vs Germany

Experience vs the need to prove oneself.

In my book they are pretty balanced with the game being decided by the team that can withstand (rather than apply) pressure, be it mental, physical or tactical.

Really I'd say Germany are the team far more likely to win, Rooney has been anonymous apart from ranting at the fans and our defence is ****-poor. Apart from Algeria we haven't been bad, but Germany are better and can grind out results even when they play badly.

The sooner we're out of this tournament the sooner the next generation will get their chance (hopefully).

[/quote]

Is this for real?


Leo "Apollo11"
[/quote]


Yes, entirely real. You can download the program from here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/dannybaker

It is the 23rd June 2010 program and Graham starts at about 45.30

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: yubari

ORIGINAL: Apollo11

Is this for real?

Yes, entirely real. You can download the program from here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/dannybaker

It is the 23rd June 2010 program and Graham starts at about 45.30

Thanks for info!


Leo "Apollo11"

Hi all,

ORIGINAL: Blind Sniper

Apollo11...our tactics are secret! [:-]
Anyhow you forget the corner tactic [:D]

[:D]

BTW, here is something from "THE THREAD!!!"... [8D]

ORIGINAL: Grollub

This is an old one (Euro 2004), but it's still good; Italian soccer training [:'(]

Leo "Apollo11"

BTW, here is something from "THE THREAD!!!"...

Too late! See the previous page...[:'(]