[Gothos]

Since I don't really follow footie a lot, know if Podolski and Klose are still playing for the Kaiser?

[Tapper]

Gothos, on 16 June 2014 - 09:57 AM, said:

Since I don't really follow footie a lot, know if Podolski and Klose are still playing for the Kaiser?

Yup.

[Gothos]

At least some Poles to cheer for then! Again...

[Morgoth]

Why not cheer for someone of a completely different nationality? It's perfectly possible.

[Tattersail_]

I want Japan to do well, I don't know why.

[Gothos]

Morgoth, on 16 June 2014 - 11:29 AM, said:

Why not cheer for someone of a completely different nationality? It's perfectly possible.

.... naaaaah. I've no preference other than to see mediterranean teams crash and burn.

[Brujah]

Morgoth, on 16 June 2014 - 09:56 AM, said:

It's nice to see that France has managed to produce a team that is actually willing to do work and cooperate. It was half a miracle that Honduras didn't seriously injure anyone, but at least their frustration made the game a lot more exciting.

Germany v Portugal today will be a blast.

Oh, will the final score be something like 14 - 10?

Seriously though, I'm trying very hard to learn to both enjoy and care about games. I've been putting in the time, but I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. I'll watch US vs Ghana this evening, I suppose.

[Tapper]

Brujah, on 16 June 2014 - 12:10 PM, said:

Morgoth, on 16 June 2014 - 09:56 AM, said:

It's nice to see that France has managed to produce a team that is actually willing to do work and cooperate. It was half a miracle that Honduras didn't seriously injure anyone, but at least their frustration made the game a lot more exciting.

Germany v Portugal today will be a blast.

Oh, will the final score be something like 14 - 10?

Seriously though, I'm trying very hard to learn to both enjoy and care about games. I've been putting in the time, but I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere. I'll watch US vs Ghana this evening, I suppose.

It will be a 2-1 if you're lucky, a 1-1 is my (most likely) blatantly wrong prediction. But the German team features some of the best players in the world coupled with a great attacking philosophy and Portugal has, well, Christiano Ronaldo, and the counter-attacking options to damage the Germans.

[Tiste Simeon]

Well. Germany absolutely destroyed Portugal. Another massively controversial moment. This World Cup is ace!

[polishgenius]

Iran-Nigeria, the first unquestionably bad game of the tournament.

Germany were so much better than Portugal it stopped being interesting. The best team thus far on the basis that Holland played a blinder to beat Spain whereas Germany barely broke out of a jog.


I was also impressed by France yesterday. Obviously Honduras are rubbish, but France look slick, organised, and apart from one moment of sillyness (though understandable given the circumstances) from Pogba, collected.

[amphibian]

What's odd about France is that Nasri is really very good - but the fit without Nasri (bringing in Valbuena) is superb. It's too bad we don't get to see Ribery go in this tourney (recovering from back injuries can and usually is problematic, so I fully understand his decision), but Griezmann is a pretty good replacement.

I have to go with Germany looking better than Holland thus far, but it's close. The two probably won't meet this tournament, so it's possibly a moot topic, but it's fun to compare such good teams. I go with Germany because they honestly looked weak in zero areas, whereas Holland was vulnerable down their right side (Spain's left side).

I also want Klose to play and score more, but given how good Mueller and Gotze are, I understand that too.

[polishgenius]

amphibian, on 16 June 2014 - 09:35 PM, said:

What's odd about France is that Nasri is really very good - but the fit without Nasri (bringing in Valbuena) is superb.

To be fair, Valbuena has been first choice for several years now and Nasri was never going to start, which is why he didn't get picked in the first place, because he reportedly doesn't like that.

But Valbuena is ace anyway, and Griezmann looks a class act, but the real strength is in central midfield. I don't think there's anyone at the tournament capable of dominating France in the middle of the park, providing Pogba doesn't get rash...

[Mentalist]

Gothos, on 16 June 2014 - 11:59 AM, said:

Morgoth, on 16 June 2014 - 11:29 AM, said:

Why not cheer for someone of a completely different nationality? It's perfectly possible.

.... naaaaah. I've no preference other than to see mediterranean teams crash and burn.

Amen to that.

My WC/EUro cheering priorities go as folows:

1) UA (if we're in by som miracle)
2) Any Slav team in (except RU, cuz "Putin Huylo")
3) The dutch and the Germans

[Mentalist]

Tomorrow will be the first Day since Thursday I will be doing something other than watching the World Cup. God Bless my boss who decided to cut my hours down to 3 days a week starting the week of World Cup!

Bosnia-Argentina was a surprisingly even game, despite the brilliance of Messi. Bosnia had terrible luck with the OG.

I watched Portugal being ground to dust by ze German football machine since the post-penalty celebrations. It was absolutely glorious. And then you consider what a great bench they are fielding.

Really sad Ghana probably won't make it out if the group, but US defence was stellar. They certainly deserved at least a point, and that second goal was slick.

Brazil-Mexico will be exciting. Hoping Koreans can shut down Russia.

[Morgoth]

Am I alone in thinking that the red car in Germany v Portugal was undeniably correct? I do not understand the controversy.

[HoosierDaddy]

Goal in the 1st. Nail-biting for the next 81 minutes. Equalizer and 3 minutes of "Oh we're fucked." Goal in the 86th. 9 minutes of nail-biting

Fucking soccer.

Finally beat Ghana!

[Gothos]

I'm... lukewarm about the thing. Still, what the HELL was Pepe even thinking doing that?? Ridiculously idiotic thing to do.

Still, happy about the 4-0. Very happy.

[HoosierDaddy]

Morgoth, on 17 June 2014 - 06:24 AM, said:

Am I alone in thinking that the red car in Germany v Portugal was undeniably correct? I do not understand the controversy.

Zidane set the standard, no? Can't fucking headbutt people.

[Kanubis]

My poor England seriously letting the side down in the North vs South Europe battle

Still, I really like both the German and Dutch teams (hell, I really like the Germans and Dutch in general) so I've loved it.

[Tiste Simeon]

HoosierDaddy, on 17 June 2014 - 06:47 AM, said:

Morgoth, on 17 June 2014 - 06:24 AM, said:

Am I alone in thinking that the red car in Germany v Portugal was undeniably correct? I do not understand the controversy.

Zidane set the standard, no? Can't fucking headbutt people.

I think the controversy is more over the fact that Muller went down far too easily in the first place. Pepe is well known for having a short temper (I think he has been sent of 13 times for his country or something...) and Muller knew to exploit that. He was acting more like an Italian by going down and rolling around. The red card was not in any doubt really. He should never have come back to him, and while the headbutt itself was not a massive one, it was completely unforgivable and needed sending off for. What should have happened is Pepe should have just carried on, trying to get the ball. I think one of the pundits here said that the ref was going to let it play on if he had done that as he knew Muller was just trying to wind Pepe up.