One last shot at getting to Brazil starts here! Which countries will have to suffer the heartache of missing out, and which countries will taste the ecstasy of victory! Find out here!
OFC vs CONCAF 1st Leg 13/14th November - 2nd Leg 20th November
any links to where a casual spectator like me knows the ramifications of winning and losing? like what's next if they win? how many will advance to brazil?
Whoever wins there game goes through Half of the teams you see will make it, half will not. One straight up game! With European teams being drawn on Monday.
Example; If New Zealand beat Mexico, New Zealand go to World Cup and Mexico do not.
Never saw the day one of Burkina Faso/Algeria would make to the Futbol Mundial Rooting heavily against Portugal. A very mediocre team post-2004 with mostly hype around one single decent club player
Sadly, I don't think New Zealand really stands chance verse Mexico. They're currently in North America playing some friendlies against titans such as Chivas USA and the VC Fusion. Tying Both -_-
Just got to remind myself that friendlies are meaningless and do not portray an accurate picture of playing abilities.
Still, I am praying for you NEW ZEALAND. PLZ PLZ PLZ.
So now I think a found a reliable source about seeding pots for UEFA playoffs (kicker.de): Seeded: Portugal Greece Croatia Ukraine Unseeded: Sweden France Romania Iceland
The seeded teams will want to draw Iceland, while for the unseeded teams, any potential opponent has some up- and downsides. Portugal vs France or Sweden would surely draw the most attention.
If Mexico continues playing so bad, New Zealand has a decent chance to beat them. Ofc, most of their players will never have played in an Azteca-like athmosphere, but if they loose there by no more than one goal, then all is possible in the second game.
Uruguay should beat Jordan comfortably; I fear we might have a some off-field issues around this game.
Africa is once again quite unpredictable, Only Ghana is virtually guaranteed to win their playoff now. A pity that they were drawn vs egypt; Egypt really deserves a world cup berth. Burkina Faso would be the cinderella story of the whole world cup; same for Ethiopia, but they are in a far worse position after the first game.
On October 16 2013 17:10 Pandemona wrote: Whoever wins there game goes through Half of the teams you see will make it, half will not. One straight up game! With European teams being drawn on Monday.
Example; If New Zealand beat Mexico, New Zealand go to World Cup and Mexico do not.
thanks! i thought this was some mini knock out tournament
On October 16 2013 17:17 Arceus wrote: Never saw the day one of Burkina Faso/Algeria would make to the Futbol Mundial Rooting heavily against Portugal. A very mediocre team post-2004 with mostly hype around one single decent club player
So for the Europe play-offs, the unseeded countries will play seeded countries, or will unseeded countries play amongst each other, then the winners play seeded countries?
On October 17 2013 14:29 SynC[gm] wrote: So for the Europe play-offs, the unseeded countries will play seeded countries, or will unseeded countries play amongst each other, then the winners play seeded countries?
#SouthKorea2014
Unseeded vs Seeded. Winners are in, losers are out of WC
This draw is not as epic as the CL draws Ronaldo vs Ibra, awesome :D I bet on Sweden. France got a lucky draw (once again) imo, probably the weakest of the 4 and the second leg at home!
Alright, the draw is already over, let's go back to the CL thread
Tough matches. Only Croatia is a clear favorite in their tie. Greece, Romania and Croatia have reasons to be rather happy. Ukraine gets the toughest draw, seems to be a rule. Predictions (for overall result): Portugal 5-6 Sweden Ukraine 2-4 France Greece 1-1 Romania, Greece wins on penalties Iceland 1-5 Croatia (with no disrespect to Croatia, I will be amongst those cheering for the heavy underdogs)
Going out on a limb and saying Iceland will beat Croatia. Croatia in a bad spot mentally over their qualification with the manager they had. Iceland have scored goals for fun. I see Iceland definitely winning in iceland, it is whether they can get a positive result in Croatia for me.
Honestly, that sucks, facing France again, objectivly the worst possible option for Ukraine, cause we never passed playoffs, I wish Artosis could put he's bet on France.
Although France won't pass that easy, England might prove it
On October 21 2013 21:23 GizmoPT wrote: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
(better than france i guess)
Question for you Portuguese. Who or what is to blame for your teams persistent failings at the qualifying stages? This is I believe the third time in a row you guys need play-offs to qualify for the end tournament, which is crazy given the players you have. Even if you ignore Ronaldo, the rest of the team should be more than enough to see off teams like Israel and Northern Ireland, yet you lost 6(!) points against them.
On October 21 2013 21:45 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: Honestly, that sucks, facing France again, objectivly the worst possible option for Ukraine, cause we never passed playoffs, I wish Artosis could put he's bet on France.
Although France won't pass that easy, England might prove it
France needed the Hand of Henry to beat Ireland. I wouldn't count you guys out
As much as I want Iceland to advance I think Croatia will come out on top. The other matches are completely open imo. Sweden vs Portugal will be really close I think. Shut down Ronaldo and Portugal aint that great.
Every qualification no matter what year Portugal just suck. They have been worst at England at making an easy group look stupidly hard. They just don't seem to turn up to qualifying games. Yet you bet as much as you can for them to finish top 8 even top 4 in Brazil if they get passed Sweden. They are so good when they get to the tournament, it's like the only play well after being with each other for over a few weeks. But when its just a few days then having to play they are just poor :S
On October 16 2013 17:17 Arceus wrote: Never saw the day one of Burkina Faso/Algeria would make to the Futbol Mundial Rooting heavily against Portugal. A very mediocre team post-2004 with mostly hype around one single decent club player
Would've prefered Greece, but Croatia isn't in the best place atm so not much worse. Everything was going to be hard anyway, just glad we didn't get Portugal. With our terrible defenders going up against Ronaldo would be... harsh. Atleast Modric will not be solely the defenders job.
That being said, kind of sad that either Ronaldo or Ibra will not be on WC '14.
On October 16 2013 17:17 Arceus wrote: Never saw the day one of Burkina Faso/Algeria would make to the Futbol Mundial Rooting heavily against Portugal. A very mediocre team post-2004 with mostly hype around one single decent club player
Algeria has been to a few WCs surely
One of the most memorable US moments in World Cup was vs. Algeria.
That Mexico vs New Zealand game is just going be fucked up xD Time Difference is mad :S New Zealand go over to play in Mexico, a nice Flight Time of 16 hours 38 minutes to then have to play 90minutes of football. To then fly 16hours back re adjust to time zone then to play again. All in the space of 6 days xD Then of course Mexico have the same issue, they play, then have 6days to do a 16hours flight and adjust to a timezone close to 14hours ahead or something. And it being like 30 degrees of heat xD Going be mad game
On October 21 2013 22:37 Michael James wrote: I hope Mexico and Uruguay make it. Unlike their opponents, they can actually make noise at the WC.
Not sure about Mexico given their current state. They have made ro16 for something like 5 WCs in a row, but that streak could very well snap if they qualify.
On October 21 2013 22:37 Michael James wrote: I hope Mexico and Uruguay make it. Unlike their opponents, they can actually make noise at the WC.
Not sure about Mexico given their current state. They have made ro16 for something like 5 WCs in a row, but that streak could very well snap if they qualify.
Their new coach might change something about it, not sure. But in qualifiers they were as woeful as their sneaking into 4th place in the 90+ min of the last game suggests, and if they didn't have a whole half year to prepare I would have picked them to be bottom of whatever group they ended up in.
On October 21 2013 22:37 Michael James wrote: I hope Mexico and Uruguay make it. Unlike their opponents, they can actually make noise at the WC.
Not sure about Mexico given their current state. They have made ro16 for something like 5 WCs in a row, but that streak could very well snap if they qualify.
Their new coach might change something about it, not sure. But in qualifiers they were as woeful as their sneaking into 4th place in the 90+ min of the last game suggests, and if they didn't have a whole half year to prepare I would have picked them to be bottom of whatever group they ended up in.
The weird thing to me, is that the manager called up zero players who play their club football in Europe.
On November 13 2013 11:25 WillyWanker wrote: Why do they put all these European qualifiers at the same time ? I wanted to watch Portugal vs Sweden, but there's also France's game...
They aren't even on TV here in the US, only on ESPN's streaming, except for the second leg of Sweden vs. Portugal.
On October 21 2013 22:37 Michael James wrote: I hope Mexico and Uruguay make it. Unlike their opponents, they can actually make noise at the WC.
Not sure about Mexico given their current state. They have made ro16 for something like 5 WCs in a row, but that streak could very well snap if they qualify.
Their new coach might change something about it, not sure. But in qualifiers they were as woeful as their sneaking into 4th place in the 90+ min of the last game suggests, and if they didn't have a whole half year to prepare I would have picked them to be bottom of whatever group they ended up in.
The weird thing to me, is that the manager called up zero players who play their club football in Europe.
They're desperate, the core of the team is from the best team in the domestic league atm. The manager is from that team as well. IF he stays (lol) he'll be getting players from Europe and stuff.
On October 21 2013 22:37 Michael James wrote: I hope Mexico and Uruguay make it. Unlike their opponents, they can actually make noise at the WC.
Not sure about Mexico given their current state. They have made ro16 for something like 5 WCs in a row, but that streak could very well snap if they qualify.
Their new coach might change something about it, not sure. But in qualifiers they were as woeful as their sneaking into 4th place in the 90+ min of the last game suggests, and if they didn't have a whole half year to prepare I would have picked them to be bottom of whatever group they ended up in.
The weird thing to me, is that the manager called up zero players who play their club football in Europe.
They're desperate, the core of the team is from the best team in the domestic league atm. The manager is from that team as well. IF he stays (lol) he'll be getting players from Europe and stuff.
Also according to them, the reason is also that the travel schedule from Europe ->Mexico (where altitude is also a factor)->NZ would be a nightmare and they would never be their best.
On November 13 2013 11:25 WillyWanker wrote: Why do they put all these European qualifiers at the same time ? I wanted to watch Portugal vs Sweden, but there's also France's game...
They aren't even on TV here in the US, only on ESPN's streaming, except for the second leg of Sweden vs. Portugal.
Holy shit wtf. Wikipedia is messing me up xD It said UTC-5 or something. Wiki doesn't have auto timezone correction does it? It best not lol
I updated the list, only a few different kick off times. Most notably iceland vs croatia xD instead of 7pm GMT it is now 5pm GMT
Jordan 0-3 Uruguay Pereira (24') Stuani (42') Lodeiro (70')
75minutes played
Miss of the season in this game has happend as well. Jordan player got inside the 6 yard box was deemed to be 4 yards from goal. Ball at his feet, goalkeeper not in the shot. Crowd are CELEBRATING, and he puts ball a yard wide of the far post.... Supposed to be really bad, i'll look for a GIF/YouTube of it when i can xD
Mexico vs new Zealand has well over a billion usd of economic impact on the line between merch sales tv deals and the sponsorship of the Mexican national team.
On November 14 2013 02:44 Sermokala wrote: Mexico vs new Zealand has well over a billion usd of economic impact on the line between merch sales tv deals and the sponsorship of the Mexican national team.
Gogo nz burn the world down.
Hm I'd like to see a source for that. Does tv deal in mexico really make a difference if the national team qualifies or not?
On November 14 2013 02:44 Sermokala wrote: Mexico vs new Zealand has well over a billion usd of economic impact on the line between merch sales tv deals and the sponsorship of the Mexican national team.
Gogo nz burn the world down.
Hm I'd like to see a source for that. Does tv deal in mexico really make a difference if the national team qualifies or not?
The spanish speaking networks that play soccer games in the usa and mexico wont have mexican games that they paid for to show.
ie fans of the mexican national team wont watch if mexico doesn't play.
On November 14 2013 02:44 Sermokala wrote: Mexico vs new Zealand has well over a billion usd of economic impact on the line between merch sales tv deals and the sponsorship of the Mexican national team.
Gogo nz burn the world down.
Hm I'd like to see a source for that. Does tv deal in mexico really make a difference if the national team qualifies or not?
The spanish speaking networks that play soccer games in the usa and mexico wont have mexican games that they paid for to show.
ie fans of the mexican national team wont watch if mexico doesn't play.
Ok then. At first I understood that there was no deal yet, and FIFA/mexican FA would get considerably less money for tv/sponsoring rights. So in the end its the tv networks that lose the most; instead of the mexican team (purely moneywise, ofc they lose a lot of invaluable stuff if they dont qualify).
They want to take commebol's half spot (uruguay) to give it to concaf/asia because it's worth more votes, fucking douchebags. If anything we should get another one.
On November 14 2013 22:42 GoTuNk! wrote: South American fighting!
They want to take commebol's half spot (uruguay) to give it to concaf/asia because it's worth more votes, fucking douchebags. If anything we should get another one.
Might as well have everyone in South America qualify automatically then
On November 14 2013 22:42 GoTuNk! wrote: South American fighting!
They want to take commebol's half spot (uruguay) to give it to concaf/asia because it's worth more votes, fucking douchebags. If anything we should get another one.
Might as well have everyone in South America qualify automatically then
Bolivia is the only team in south america that MIGHT have trouble beating jordania/new zeland. I'd happily bet on Peru/Paraguay/Venezuela with even odds over them. This year Brazil got in automatically, but if not qualis are extremely tough compared to the walkover that happens in europe or the weak teams in asia/concaf.
Yeah but even with that said you have the best qualifying system of everyone. I would love for the whole of Europe to play a round robin league style of qualification. Much better, plus you get better games for people to watch. But that will never happen due to the amount of teams in Europe compared to those anywhere else in the federations.
I just can't wait to see Portugal vs Sweden series, i think it is going to be the perfect warm up for the 2014 tournament. I just have a feeling that what we saw in the confederations cup is the first of a big change in international football. More attacking play, more goals and TONS more entertainment. Most importantly, better quality!!
ibrahimovic is a sith lord, save us from the dark side Obi wan Ronaldo!
I really like Sweden but i hope we win. The portuguese really love football and these days are hard of our country, i do hope we make it.. some happiness to the people would be good
Ibrahimovic is a great player that deserves to play in the best show on earth.. but if it's beetween us and them! I got to go for our big star Ronaldo!
It's true that our team sucks in the qualifiers and for me that's because of various facts: - We only use a handfull of players that play in Portugal, therefore the majority of those players come from foreign countrys and that sparks a certain type of attitude that doesn't benefit the team - Most of them are stars in those clubs or have a big influence in those teams, therefore they lack the motivation to play hard against Israel or Northern Ireland then they might play against Real Madrid, Barceona, PSG, Milan, Chelsea, whatever big club in the weekend. - Less then stelar coaching - Our team spirit doesn't come quickly, they need to be together for a longer time
This is our team for the playoff: 1 GK Eduardo September 19, 1982 (age 31) 31 0 Portugal Braga 12 GK Rui Patrício February 15, 1988 (age 25) 27 0 Portugal Sporting 22 GK Beto May 1, 1982 (age 31) 5 0 Spain Sevilla 2 DF Bruno Alves November 27, 1981 (age 31) 68 10 Turkey Fenerbahçe 3 DF Pepe February 26, 1983 (age 30) 55 3 Spain Real Madrid 5 DF Fábio Coentrão March 11, 1988 (age 25) 40 2 Spain Real Madrid 21 DF João Pereira February 25, 1984 (age 29) 31 0 Spain Valencia 13 DF Ricardo Costa May 16, 1981 (age 32) 16 1 Spain Valencia DF Antunes April 1, 1987 (age 26) 6 0 Spain Málaga DF Luís Neto May 26, 1988 (age 25) 5 0 Russia Zenit Saint Petersburg DF André Almeida September 10, 1990 (age 23) 2 0 Portugal Benfica 16 MF Raul Meireles March 17, 1983 (age 30) 70 9 Turkey Fenerbahçe 8 MF João Moutinho September 8, 1986 (age 27) 63 2 France Monaco 4 MF Miguel Veloso May 11, 1986 (age 27) 43 2 Ukraine Dynamo Kyiv 15 MF Rúben Micael August 19, 1986 (age 27) 16 2 Portugal Braga MF Josué September 17, 1990 (age 23) 2 0 Portugal Porto MF William Carvalho April 7, 1992 (age 21) 0 0 Portugal Sporting 7 FW Cristiano Ronaldo (captain) February 5, 1985 (age 28) 107 43 Spain Real Madrid 17 FW Nani November 17, 1986 (age 26) 70 14 England Manchester United 23 FW Hélder Postiga August 2, 1982 (age 31) 65 27 Spain Valencia 9 FW Hugo Almeida May 23, 1984 (age 29) 51 17 Turkey Beşiktaş 18 FW Silvestre Varela February 2, 1985 (age 28) 20 5 Portugal Porto FW Éder December 22, 1987 (age 25) 6 0 Portugal Braga FW Bruma 24 October 1994 (age 19) 0 0 Turkey Galatasaray
we do have more talent then just Cristiano Ronaldo.. it's just that he is on another level!
Swedish team is also a balanced team, but people only talk about ibrahimovic!
As a Jordanian , I'm fucking surprised our team made it this far , 0-5 against uruguay was expected , and I dont expect them to any better in the 2nd game.
But I need to say something I noticed, no matter how gay it sounds , sports are fucking awesome ! it can do what no religion , ideology or politics can do , set the differences aside and bring people together.
the Jordanian people have been plagued with governmental corruption , a troubled region , fucked up economy , ridiculous traditions that separate the people , I would even go to say racism......all of a sudden this amazing run* by our football team comes , and for 1 night , I finally got to see a united Jordanian people , first time I have seen this since I came to this country from USA 18 years ago.
That is exactly why football is the best sport in the world :D The World Cup always has a fairy tale story in it for some team so glad when i hear stories like that! Miracles too can happen in Football GL Jordan in Uruguay!
the Jordanian people have been plagued with governmental corruption , a troubled region , fucked up economy , ridiculous traditions that separate the people , I would even go to say racism......all of a sudden this amazing run* by our football team comes , and for 1 night , I finally got to see a united Jordanian people , first time I have seen this since I came to this country from USA 18 years ago.
On the other hand you have the awesomest food, a much stabler situation than some of your neighbors, awe-inspiring national monuments and a great sense of humor. I've visited twice and it's one of my favorite countries, so cheer up.
Yeah i would totally think thats fair to Makito. Also you add in the time difference wont effect the players. Like in the space of 7days having to travel around half the world to play the most important game of the nations season seems a bit harsh.
On November 16 2013 03:26 Craze wrote: This way generates more ad revenue for the WC by allowing better teams (and larger populations) to make it. Money drives every decision FIFA makes.
Asia has more money and potential viewers... So that's surely not the reason
On November 16 2013 03:26 Craze wrote: This way generates more ad revenue for the WC by allowing better teams (and larger populations) to make it. Money drives every decision FIFA makes.
Asia has more money and potential viewers... So that's surely not the reason
They're so bad they don't have a prayer of making it though. I'm talking the CONCACAF vs Oceania and South America vs Asia. If Jordan made it would that really bring loads of Asian viewers to the world cup? I have a feeling that India and China won't be watching just because Jordan is there.
If China had a realistic chance of ever qualifying FIFA would structure it so they have the best chance possible. But maybe I'm just overly cynical because of all the corruption these days in the organization.
On November 16 2013 00:14 Pandemona wrote: That is exactly why football is the best sport in the world :D The World Cup always has a fairy tale story in it for some team so glad when i hear stories like that! Miracles too can happen in Football GL Jordan in Uruguay!
One of my biggest "fears" regarding the 2014 WC is actually the probable lack fo such a fairy tale team. So far none (according to my subjective criteria) have qualified, and only Iceland and Burkina Faso remain with good chances. The team closest to "fairy tale team" we have so far is Iran. So GOGO Iceland and Burkina Faso
On November 16 2013 03:26 Craze wrote: This way generates more ad revenue for the WC by allowing better teams (and larger populations) to make it. Money drives every decision FIFA makes.
Asia has more money and potential viewers... So that's surely not the reason
They're so bad they don't have a prayer of making it though. I'm talking the CONCACAF vs Oceania and South America vs Asia. If Jordan made it would that really bring loads of Asian viewers to the world cup? I have a feeling that India and China won't be watching just because Jordan is there.
If China had a realistic chance of ever qualifying FIFA would structure it so they have the best chance possible. But maybe I'm just overly cynical because of all the corruption these days in the organization.
First of all Fifa would never expect Mexico having to go through playoffs for the WC, usually its Honduras, Panama or a much smaller country. 2. Fifa surely cant predict that Jordan beats Uzbekistan or Iraq (Jordan coming so far is a big surprise) 3. Uruguay has 3 million population, smaller than all bigger Asian countries
Sure, Fifa is really really bad. But in this case there is no conspiracy
Yea, I don't believe there is a conspiracy. I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to hate on FIFA some more, I should probably stick to arguments based in fact though
Uruguay has a smaller population sure, but they have a much better "Football Network" and far more international experience, two of the biggest factors in becoming a great international team. I've just finished reading Soccernomics and it's a pretty brilliant book that uses statistical analysis to explain trends in the game from player development, to success in the international and domestic game. Pretty fantastic read if you haven't got a chance.
On November 16 2013 04:49 Craze wrote: Yea, I don't believe there is a conspiracy. I guess I'm just looking for an excuse to hate on FIFA some more, I should probably stick to arguments based in fact though
Uruguay has a smaller population sure, but they have a much better "Football Network" and far more international experience, two of the biggest factors in becoming a great international team. I've just finished reading Soccernomics and it's a pretty brilliant book that uses statistical analysis to explain trends in the game from player development, to success in the international and domestic game. Pretty fantastic read if you haven't got a chance.
Yeah England bad let alone without their key players Reason i am watching Portugal vs Sweden. Going the opposite to what i thought though, thought it was going to be high scoring 2 legs, i guess not though.
Jesus christ that ref was fucking terrible. Probably a red card, but soooo many bad calls, Croatia just kept going down and getting free kicks while Iceland got nothing. Anyway good 0-0, fuck that was hard to watch, first Kolli got injured and then the red
holy shit.. that orchestra or whatever that kept playing all game in portugal... i actually think it was worse than vuvuzelas... my head is still ringin.. lol
We don't have anybody after him Varane is injured, Abidal will still play but he's getting old (not even mentionning the sickness part), and there is Sakho that hasn't been really good lately.
How is this even possible, france loses 2-0?! I thought after the shame of 2010 you would have purged the crap players, gotten real coaches and tried to regain the form of the late 90s.
On November 16 2013 06:41 WillyWanker wrote: We don't have anybody after him Varane is injured, Abidal will still play but he's getting old (not even mentionning the sickness part), and there is Sakho that hasn't been really good lately.
You guys don't follow France so much! Since 2006 we haven't been worth of the Top 20 teams in the World. Our team is made of arrogant players that can't show their so called skills when big games come : Ribery, Evra, Nasri, Benzema... And they're still playing because no coach has the balls to put them on the bench (or out of the list ).
Ribery has been talking about Ballon d'Or for the last 2 weeks, as if it mattered more than going to the WC. Well good job, you're probably going to win the individual trophy and miss the WC.
On November 16 2013 06:45 WillyWanker wrote: You guys don't follow France so much! Since 2006 we haven't been worth of the Top 20 teams in the World. Our team is made of arrogant players that can't show their so called skills when big games come : Ribery, Evra, Nasri, Benzema... And they're still playing because no coach has the balls to put them on the bench (or out of the list ).
Ribery has been talking about Ballon d'Or for the last 2 weeks, as if it mattered more than going to the WC. Well good job, you're probably going to win the individual trophy and miss the WC.
Ribery has been doing quite good in the last games...
On November 16 2013 06:45 WillyWanker wrote: You guys don't follow France so much! Since 2006 we haven't been worth of the Top 20 teams in the World. Our team is made of arrogant players that can't show their so called skills when big games come : Ribery, Evra, Nasri, Benzema... And they're still playing because no coach has the balls to put them on the bench (or out of the list ).
Ribery has been talking about Ballon d'Or for the last 2 weeks, as if it mattered more than going to the WC. Well good job, you're probably going to win the individual trophy and miss the WC.
Ribery has been doing quite good in the last games...
Yes 3 games against Australia and lower European teams. 3 good games in 4 years. Where's is Bayern's Ribery ? I'm a bith harsh with him, he's the "least bad" of the 4 I listed. But he has history too, 3 games don't change everything magically x)
On November 16 2013 06:54 GoTuNk! wrote: fuck yeah Chile being amazing again
Lol i watched 15minutes and i wanted to die. England players playing like they dont give a fuck, they are bad anyway which doesn't help. Then everytime a Chile player got "touched" they went down like they were shot LOL
I would be asking the FA for a refund after that game if i went
well English futbol is too permissive , in PL you guys so some very hard tackles and touches that in la Liga or any south American league would be yellow cards, in PL not even a fault.
The Col vs Belgium game was reffed by a Enlgish reff and I was amazed how he didn't call some faults, but I guess they were standard tackles in PL so..
I was watching Sweden vs Portugal on swedish tv channel and what the hell is up with the horn music in the bagground Portugal, that was just plain annoying to hear through out the match xD. Other than that, heja sverige! Håber i giver portugal revanche i den næste kamp mine skandinaviske brødre :D . Intet land til at repræsentere skandinavien til VM ville kun være trist
On November 16 2013 07:00 mAKiTO wrote: well English futbol is too permissive , in PL you guys so some very hard tackles and touches that in la Liga or any south American league would be yellow cards, in PL not even a fault.
The Col vs Belgium game was reffed by a Enlgish reff and I was amazed how he didn't call some faults, but I guess they were standard tackles in PL so..
Yes that is why they are not fouls, because they are not. English and German refs allow the game to flow at the right level compared to any other league or referee. Even the Italian ref in Portugal vs Sweden blew his whistle to many times. Don't forget this silly game of Football was invented in England where they used to punch and kick the fuck out of people and "score" a goal lol.
To keep it simple and short, this is NOT a NON CONTACT sport and isn't like any other. The ability to pass the ball is great South American teams thrive on this, but they also thrive on rolling on the floor from the "slightest" of touches. Every player is beginning to do it more and more again there seems to be a larger influx again but it still is a contact game.
I guess I could be taking out of my ass because I haven't done the research, but it seems that most of the leg breaking tackles come from England. at least the ones I can remember.
I agree its a contact game, and some players exaggerate like neymar or busquets. But where do we draw the line? some of the contact I seen in the PL not called as fault is plain ridiculous like they didn't even go for the ball or tried and things aren't called
I guess I could be taking out of my ass because I haven't done the research, but it seems that most of the leg breaking tackles come from England. at least the ones I can remember.
I agree its a contact game, and some players exaggerate like neymar or busquets. But where do we draw the line? some of the contact I seen in the PL not called as fault is plain ridiculous like they didn't even go for the ball or tried and things aren't called
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "two different cultures". Yes there is a line between a breaking leg tackle and slight contact. I will accept the premiership sometimes borderlines bad tackles but it is way better now and most teams (i say most) play a decent level of passing game. Hell look at Chelsea, we won the Champions League playing so defensively and sound, now we out pass Arsenal quite a difference in just 2 years.
gg portual! i guess we can feel somewhat satisfied with just a 1-0 deficit going into the decinding match. 0-0 would have been the best we could have hoped for. but 1-0 is still ok considering the amount of pressure portugal established. was a good match though, the better team won!
I was at the stadium for PT vs SWE and I didnt hear any horns/orchestra. I also didnt get to see Ibrahimovic actually play football he was just hanging out with Pepe and Bruno Alves all game. Its fascinating how Ronaldo saves his energy for bursts of energy here and there. 80% of the game it just looks like he's not giving a fuck. Whenever he touches the ball its like the whole stadium is expecting him to do something out of this world but hes only going to go all in at key moments.
Tickets for the game cost between 5 and 10eur btw. Absurdly cheap.
To be honest , I quit playing and watching football after WC 2002 , I decided to catch up on what I missed and the current players , I must say , NICE !!!!!
Speaking of fairy tale runs , you guys mean like Senegal in 2002 ?
Ukraine played very well, they destroyed us physically and defended perfectly against Ribéry and Giroud. A 3-0 is still possible if the players don't meltdown. I think the main problem is that coaches don't realize how shit Premier League players are technically and tactically: Rémy, Debuchy, Evra, Sissoko, Nasri were just bad yesterday, like they are since 4 years; and we keep calling them and not trying Griezmann / Schmid / Digne ...
Deschamps was too afraid of Ukraine yesterday, Pogba and Matuidi never went too high on the field and that's where they are the best
Agreed on everything except for the 3-0 part Ukraine conceded 4 goals in the entire qualifying stage, and we got average players (like you stated), how could we win 3-0? Not to mention than these Ukrainians will play like beasts like yesterday, and I'm sure they'll score at least one goal.
Blanc had the chance to start over after the 2010 fiasco, but he didn't. Deschamps was the only man left in the French scene that had both the talent and the balls to finally try something new, and he didn't. If he doesn't quit after this elimination, nothing will change. If he quits, we'll get Zidane and nothing will change.
We aren't a major football nation and we have to start playing knowing that. Either we create a nice group of technically talented young players and start building a gameplan (based on the examples of Germany and Spain) OR we start playing with our strengths of the moment, which is physical strength and strong defense. Kick the "talent" we think we have (Nasri, Benzema and others) and build a team based on impact and courage, people who actually love the French team. We will not be brillant but at least the public will support the team again, and we'll have more time to build a long-term team that could go further than groupstage.
i still think positive outcome for France is possible two of key ukranian defenders will miss second leg - kucher and fedetskiy (the guy who followed ribery everywhere on the field yesterday).
Our defense is ravaged too :s Koscielny red card, Varane injured, Sakho doesn't even play 50% of Liverpool's games and we have to put Abidal that cannot be playing at 100% after an organ transplant (even if he says he's fine, it's just not possible..).
Of course everything's possible, an early goal, and then we just need one to reach the overtime. But Ukraine only needs to score 1 to force us to score 4 to qualify! I'd say there is 10% chance we qualify Tuesday. I hope we don't x)
Yeah Willy I agree with the "talent" part. Benzema said in his postmatch interview that "talent didn't make a difference": exactly what's wrong with French National Team. Not only they think talent would make a difference in a World Cup playoffs; they also believe most of the team is talented when it's not the case. We are lacking a lot of top players in key areas (10, 9, 2 & 3 for example) or those players are inconsistent.
I also believe Deschamps made a tactical mistake. I didn't watch any of the Ukrainian games before but I assume they played that counter attacking style, with an important physical impact and fouls/contacts on key players before. Playing Nasri as a 10 was a bad idea, maybe 3 midfielders would have allow Pogba or Matuidi to press higher. Sucks that the man for this job, Schneiderlin, is an unknown for Deschamps.
If there is one thing Deschamps will be good at, is motivating players. I also hope the Stadium won't boo them Tuesday, to let the miracle happen!
Lloris = playing in Tottenham, not top tier team (in Europe), he's very good though Evra = getting old and he's actually really terrible (at least with France) Koscielny = talented but young Varane = talented but young and maybe 2 or 3 CL games in his career Debuchy = Newcastle, average team, he's good but that's it
So already you can see our defense is "above average" and definitely not top 10 World.
Matuidi = good but no technical skills, still not that experienced in CL/national team games Pogba = talented but young, very few CL games and even less France games Cabaye = Newcastle, another "good but that's it" or Nasri = Manchester City but he's not even in the top 10 best players of his team AND has always been bad with France
Our midfield is sooooo far from the level of Germany's/Spain's/Italy's midfield both in intelligence and in technical skills. Good for fighting and playing counter-attack though.
Ribery = top 10 world in his position, maybe top 3 for some people (not me) BUT has never been really good with France since 2006. The only "fantastic" player we might have. Benzema = good 9, but cannot compare to the likes of Ibra, Cavani, Falcao, Van Persie, Rooney, ... AND he has never been good with France AND he doesn't want to play on a wing, so we cannot even put him with Giroud Giroud = good 9 but definitely not top tier
This is what our best team could look like. On paper it's a 7-10th spot on the FIFA ranking, but in reality, most of them suck when they play with the blue shirt, so our 20th-ish ranking is deserved. If they played at their full potential, they would be annoying to play against and we could beat almost anyone on a good day, with courage, impact and a counter-attacking style. With the right players we could even possibly develop some good football. But there is a huuuuuge gap between their potential and what they are showing... No passion, ego, stupidity... x)
If you scrutinize the Ukraine team the way you're doing the French team though, you'd agree that France has more talent. France might not be a top 5 team right now, but at this point they're only asked to be better than the Ukraine.
Yeah but if putting 11 good players on the pitch was enough to win trophies, Manchester City or Real Madrid would have won a lot more CLs by now My point was also to clarify some things to people that don't follow France every day like we do. France don't have "fantastic players on every position" and France isn't a "big gun" anymore, period.
France has ON PAPER a bit more talent than the Ukraine team, but in reality, they are just inferior or at least about the same level as Ukraine. Ukraine can do short passes, long passes, their players are smart. France cannot do that :s We don't have smart players except for Cabaye, but he's not even playing and he's no Xavi... Right now I don't think France deserve to be called better than Ukraine and they proved it yesterday!
I just realized, if Algeria defeats Burkina Faso, we will have the same african teams qualifying as in 2010 (minus South Africa, and assuming Ghana and Cameroon don't collapse ofc). And I always thought the african football was unpredictable.
On November 17 2013 07:48 don_kyuhote wrote: Watch Ivory Coast drawn into the group of death for the 3rd straight WC.
With the benefit of hindsight, I'd argue that the group of Germany, Ghana, Australia and Serbia was the true group of death in 2010.
All these laser pointers are in the egypt vs ghana game are disgusting. Is this something special here or actually standard in many countries outside europe? I hope we don't see this at the WC. I love how the egyptians are still giving everything even thuogh they are 4 goals down on aggregate.
You see it happen in Spain a bit too tbh. I seen Ronaldo get laser pointered (lol) a few times. Can't say i watch football outside of Europe unless its internationals though
On November 20 2013 00:24 Zarahtra wrote: Fuck excitement is killing me... If we score 1, they need +1 than us!
On November 20 2013 01:37 Mafe wrote: All these laser pointers are in the egypt vs ghana game are disgusting. Is this something special here or actually standard in many countries outside europe? I hope we don't see this at the WC.
Pretty much standard on the Balkans, but then again they are completely crazy anyway.
On November 20 2013 04:54 ZapRoffo wrote: Oooh Mandzukic red card, maybe hope for Iceland?
We needed to score 1 anyway, so the goal, while obviously not good, isn't *terrible*. A bit harsh red though, he showed the sole and kicked Jóhann, but I think it wasn't intentional.
On November 20 2013 04:54 ZapRoffo wrote: Oooh Mandzukic red card, maybe hope for Iceland?
We needed to score 1 anyway, so the goal, while obviously not good, isn't *terrible*. A bit harsh red though, he showed the sole and kicked Jóhann, but I think it wasn't intentional.
That red was totally justified imo. He goes for the knee of the icelandic player and not the ball. I think its fairly obvious tbh.
yea croatia has been dominating the second half hard playing 10 vs 11. that semi-bicycle kick was one of the funniest "wtf how did that not become a goal" I've seen in a while.
On November 20 2013 05:40 Liquid`Drone wrote: yea croatia has been dominating the second half hard playing 10 vs 11. that semi-bicycle kick was one of the funniest "wtf how did that not become a goal" I've seen in a while.
Kind of frustrating, it could just as easily be 0-0. The goals were pretty damn weak defending/goal keeping while the awesome tries Croatia has actually done have been miracilously saved.
Coentrao....passes it on the inside to Ronaldo...he 1on1 with Issakson but a good save from the keeper!!
Oh offside anyway gg =P
SWEDEN go down the other end! Ibrahimovic muscling it out with Veluso and he gets a foot in and pulls it back to Larrson and he hits it but straight at Rui Patrciao GREAT save/didn't know much about it xD
On November 20 2013 06:18 Liquid`Drone wrote: lol damn.. I can't think of a playoff game where it was such a battle of two players - or where one of of two such giants are bound to not make it.
Yeah, 1st leg Ibra was no where to be seen. This game he hadn't done anything but. BOOM when your that good you make things happen when your playing not so well and he has turned the tie on its head!
On November 20 2013 06:18 Liquid`Drone wrote: lol damn.. I can't think of a playoff game where it was such a battle of two players - or where one of of two such giants is bound to not make it.
no shit this is wild
that was not the best time to run up like that yeesh. nice finish by that fucker
such a shame that one of them has to go. sweden's supporting cast just isnt close to as good as portugal's
japan scored another beautiful goal. i think im gonna watch their games from now on. they really know how to make the right pass and thats what i like about football!
Tremendous game, felt like an actual world cup game.
Now with messi injured total for like 4 months this year and even though he's still the best, if cristiano continues banging them in like that he deserves the ballon.
I'm not sure we have much of a chance to go all the way in Brazil without a decent striker and goalkeeper though. I'm actually quite happy with the other 9 positions we have.
until the world cup william carvalho will probably grab the defensive midfielder position and maybe some one steps up in the wing for nani
I feel like Raul Meireles(he is good but lacks offensive power, we need a 10 to play with moutinho and William Carvalho) and Veloso and the striker position are the weakest links
but yeah this team is probably the best we can have right now!
On November 20 2013 06:53 warding wrote: RONALDOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo.
I'm not sure we have much of a chance to go all the way in Brazil without a decent striker and goalkeeper though. I'm actually quite happy with the other 9 positions we have.
we should just use ronaldo as striker and put varela
At least we had some hope for about 3 minutes or so ... C.Ronaldo, what a beast. GG Portugal. I lost all hope ofter 0 - 1 then all of a sudden Zlatan came in to the picture. Then Ronaldo whiped his ass with that picture, ripped it apart and lit it on fire. To be honest. Portugal really deserve to be in WC a lot more then Sweden. We only have Zlatan. Portugal at least has some players that are in teams that are fighting for the champions league throphie. Just sad because this was Zlatans last chance to play WC.
i hope platini will burn in hell and that every irish and ukranian in there will fuck him in the ass for eternity
but again, france will be pathetic again at WC so that will be satisfaction for me.. but what about people in ukraine? refs robbed us against france in 1998. and 2004. so i know what is the feeling but at least that was at WC/EC
On November 20 2013 06:57 shell wrote: until the world cup william carvalho will probably grab the defensive midfielder position and maybe some one steps up in the wing for nani
I feel like Raul Meireles(he is good but lacks offensive power, we need a 10 to play with moutinho and William Carvalho) and Veloso and the striker position are the weakest links
but yeah this team is probably the best we can have right now!
How is Nelson Oliveira coming along? Btw Moutinho was brilliant as well, a shame he didn't come to the EPL
On November 20 2013 06:57 shell wrote: until the world cup william carvalho will probably grab the defensive midfielder position and maybe some one steps up in the wing for nani
I feel like Raul Meireles(he is good but lacks offensive power, we need a 10 to play with moutinho and William Carvalho) and Veloso and the striker position are the weakest links
but yeah this team is probably the best we can have right now!
How is Nelson Oliveira coming along? Btw Moutinho was brilliant as well, a shame he didn't come to the EPL
At this moment i have higher hopes for Vaz Te (West Ham striker) than for Oliveira... he really let himself go after all the surrounding hype after sub 20 World Cup in 2011 i think
On November 20 2013 06:57 shell wrote: until the world cup william carvalho will probably grab the defensive midfielder position and maybe some one steps up in the wing for nani
I feel like Raul Meireles(he is good but lacks offensive power, we need a 10 to play with moutinho and William Carvalho) and Veloso and the striker position are the weakest links
but yeah this team is probably the best we can have right now!
How is Nelson Oliveira coming along? Btw Moutinho was brilliant as well, a shame he didn't come to the EPL
Everyone but Paulo Bento knows the kid should be the starting striker, Hugo Almeida and Hélder Postiga are just too bad to be true, and Nélson Oliveira has scored 7 goals in like 10 games of the French league, the only players that have more goals are Ibra, Falcao and Cavani (enough said).
So if no miracles happen tomorrow, we will have 24 of 32 the teams from 2010 qualified again (if I counted correctly). That's surely the highest absolute number ever, and probably even amongst the highest as percentage. WHo would have thought that.
Also I have to say, I'm very very sad that no true fairy-tale-team, 1000:1 outsider, or whatever you would want to call it will qualify (again assuming no miracles tomorrow). At least in the sense that none of the qualified teams are (imho) comparable to North Korea, Trinidad&Tobago, Togo, Angola, Senegal or Jamaica.
i hope platini will burn in hell and that every irish and ukranian in there will fuck him in the ass for eternity
but again, france will be pathetic again at WC so that will be satisfaction for me.. but what about people in ukraine? refs robbed us against france in 1998. and 2004. so i know what is the feeling but at least that was at WC/EC
there was a goal who was designed as off side by the referee, and it wasn't
On November 20 2013 07:06 TArujo wrote: At this moment i have higher hopes for Vaz Te (West Ham striker) than for Oliveira... he really let himself go after all the surrounding hype after sub 20 World Cup in 2011 i think
I got that same impression, but based on what howLiN said he does deserve a chance. I was impressed by his performance during that world cup and it looked like Portugal were getting the striker they needed. I guess we'll see, there is still time left.
On November 20 2013 07:07 howLiN wrote:
Everyone but Paulo Bento knows the kid should be the starting striker, Hugo Almeida and Hélder Postiga are just too bad to be true, and Nélson Oliveira has scored 7 goals in like 10 games of the French league, the only players that have more goals are Ibra, Falcao and Cavani (enough said).
Definitely would be a better choice than Almeida and Postiga. I really don't think either striker is that great.
On November 20 2013 07:29 TheSwedishFan wrote: Was really sad to see hear the swedes booing while the portugese national anthem was played.
It happens everywhere, I'm sure people in Portugal did it to Sweden.
I don't think that's true. Out of 61 and a half thousand, maybe 10-15 people whistled a bit at first but then went silent - at least from what I could hear from where I was standing.
On November 20 2013 07:29 TheSwedishFan wrote: Was really sad to see hear the swedes booing while the portugese national anthem was played.
It happens everywhere, I'm sure people in Portugal did it to Sweden.
The same thing happened in Italy vs Germany game but Italian players (with Buffon as captain) started opposing their fans - great great gesture by them
On November 20 2013 07:29 TheSwedishFan wrote: Was really sad to see hear the swedes booing while the portugese national anthem was played.
It happens everywhere, I'm sure people in Portugal did it to Sweden.
I don't think that's true. Out of 61 and a half thousand, maybe 10-15 people whistled a bit at first but then went silent - at least from what I could hear from where I was standing.
german anthem was booed aswell.
actually, nice story:
in italy on tuesday the german anthem was booed as fuck, the italian team started to applaud to calm the audiance down and it worked - man i love football, great story from the jordanian guy back a few pages !
On November 20 2013 05:35 WillyWanker wrote: Goal refused for France for a non existing offside! And the 2-0! With an offside! Haha God, I so wish they would win 3-1 tonight x)
I personally felt lot of negative pressure from Sweden.
In our media we didn't attack Sweden, we clearly loved the duel of Zlatan vs Ronaldo and we didn't whistle against the Swedish anthem like they did.
They even made a huge novel because of the retractable roof top of the stadium, because they wanted to have it open, they taught the cold would benefit them.
On November 20 2013 07:06 TArujo wrote: At this moment i have higher hopes for Vaz Te (West Ham striker) than for Oliveira... he really let himself go after all the surrounding hype after sub 20 World Cup in 2011 i think
I got that same impression, but based on what howLiN said he does deserve a chance. I was impressed by his performance during that world cup and it looked like Portugal were getting the striker they needed. I guess we'll see, there is still time left.
Everyone but Paulo Bento knows the kid should be the starting striker, Hugo Almeida and Hélder Postiga are just too bad to be true, and Nélson Oliveira has scored 7 goals in like 10 games of the French league, the only players that have more goals are Ibra, Falcao and Cavani (enough said).
Definitely would be a better choice than Almeida and Postiga. I really don't think either striker is that great.
Portugal's striker in 1 maybe 2 years will be called Gonçalo Paciencia, keep these words.
On November 20 2013 08:44 sharkie wrote: Japan has gotten the same results as Colombia this week. Does this mean Colombia is overrated and Belgium was just weak or Japan = Colombia? :p
Japan actually played better too
Japan just played pretty good, we're missing our best defender but that shouldn't be an excuse as the replacements aren't scrubs either
On November 20 2013 08:52 Ferrose wrote: I think Japan are just criminally underrated.
criminally underrated? They are an okay team but outside of their run when they hosted the best you can expect from teams like that is they get a lucky group theyll get out of it as second seed. Fifa must be letting out a huge sigh of relief with France qualifying though. Plenty of boring teams from poor countries wholl either turtle for 90 minutes or get blown out of the water this summer at WC already, at least France will bring in rich viewers.
On November 20 2013 08:52 Ferrose wrote: I think Japan are just criminally underrated.
criminally underrated? They are an okay team but outside of their run when they hosted the best you can expect from teams like that is they get a lucky group theyll get out of it as second seed. Fifa must be letting out a huge sigh of relief with France qualifying though. Plenty of boring teams from poor countries wholl either turtle for 90 minutes or get blown out of the water this summer at WC already, at least France will bring in rich viewers.
Denmark, Netherlands, Camerun was a lucky group? Because this is the group Japan advanced from last WC. And they lost to Paraguay in penalties. Yeah, I am sure their success was purely luck based.
I am not saying Japan is a title contender but it can definitely play with the best.
Netherlands was lacking their main starts, we played a Netherlands B team. They played like the game mattered tho, very aggressive and very physical. then they played 2nd half with 10 man. with a very well deserved red card.
On our side, we had 6 changes from the last game from Belgium. I hope pekerman realizes that Abel Aguilar fucking blows and its only good to injure players ( poor van der vart t.t). but we deff attacked a lot and showed character playing vs a big team, we almost scored 5 times and had a disallowed goal. This guy Ibarbo is very refreshing and I think in the 40 minutes he played in the last 2 games he won a spot in the team for the WC, and got to say sorry good bye to Jackson Martinez or Carlos Bacca, or Teo gutierrez... most likely will be Jackson cus he cant perform on the national team.
.... Cristiano today was a beast! he is finally performing on the games that matter! maybe finally he will win Ballon de oro
mAKITO, I must admit I watched Sweden - Portugal instead of the friendly from my country which was going to be crap, but I have some doubts about the red card. Here's a vid, looks like the other guy could have been off too if the ref had spotted that:
wow I must admit I hadn't seen from this angle, did hee actually hit lens leg after he "smashed his leg to the ground" or he did it towards the ground and not the leg? I cant actually tell, if to the leg, yes red to both, if not then...
I gotta say tho I was mad the reff showed the red, its a friendly game and it fucks up the point of it, I would've wanted a yellow with a very strong warning, trying to keep it "friendly" and productive for both coaches
So glad Sweden didn't make it, would be a shame to have players like Elmander play at the WC. @Japan: I think they are underrated as well. Think they have the strenght to at least make it out of their group.
The entire defensive line was just pathetic vs Portugal for Sweden, they didnt deserve to go the WC in any way and im with you gTank, Elmander sure is trash
On November 20 2013 14:20 Thinasy wrote: The entire defensive line was just pathetic vs Portugal for Sweden, they didnt deserve to go the WC in any way and im with you gTank, Elmander sure is trash
Too bad Sweden didn't made it, but Cr7 is more that a half of Purtugal team, he deserves Golden Ball at least, while Ribery deserves nothing :/
And yea, I'm frustrated by France vs Ukraine, those goals confused me, tons of ricochet's, second yellow card for Kharcheridi at the very beggining of second half cause of Ribery's diving, overall I'm pissed cause of loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
But to be honest, Ukraine played as trash, just no close to even 50% of potential from first game.
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
Evra is born in Dakar, that's it. All those guys you mention arent black so it doesnt disturb our friend
Picture from yesterday's game at the Stade de France :
Overall a good game from France, everyone played well and showed passion. The second yellow was totally right, the Ukrainian player kicked Ribery with his second leg after missing him with the first one.
Hoping for a: Spain - Italy - France - Japan And a: Switzerland - Portugal - Algeria - Costa Rica
There is a procedure to make sure there isn't 3 european teams in one group.
Meanwhile, so many reunion from 2010 possible this WC. Uruguay-Mexico-France Argentina-Nigeria-SK-Greece England-USA-Algeria Germany-Ghana-Australia Netherland-Japan-Cameroon Brazil-Ivory Coast- Portugal Spain-Honduras-Chile or Switzerland-Honduras-Chile
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
To be clear, Diego Costa hasn't played a single game for Spain, he still can play for Brazil and even if he will choose Spain, he'll become a single exception, and by the way, I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it. Yes, I'm frustrated, yes, from euphoria to a total ruins, yes Ukraine played much worse that it was in Friday, yes we lost 5-th playoff deciders in a row and that all sucks as hell. I wish you could make it through the group stage in Brazil (cause seems like last world cup was a horror for france), and face some high-class opponents like Spain, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Brazil of Argentina in which players also taking a part in world-top leagues (all the Ukrainian team consists of players who plays in Ukraine).
And yes, I'm gonna miss Ukraine and Sweden over there, but i would say France deserved and Cr7 deserved it also, he also deserved golden ball.
On November 20 2013 19:14 Akka wrote: Picture from yesterday's game at the Stade de France :
Overall a good game from France, everyone played well and showed passion. The second yellow was totally right, the Ukrainian player kicked Ribery with his second leg after missing him with the first one.
Take a closer look at replay, Khacheridy didn't touched Ribery, Frank just jumped over, that's all, but the referee position wasn't perfect so from behind it looks realy terrible, that even I thought there was yellow card, am no defending our player, he took very stupid first card and tryed to solve a mistake from another defender, btw we lost two key players in first game (potentially we had 10 players to be disqualifired before game in Paris).
Pic looks great, well done for belieaving in a positive result.
But as for me, the upcoming WC looks much less interesting
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. Doesn't mean they're not French. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
Not even going to bother responding to that FYI, A significant population of Brazillians are of African Descent.
On November 20 2013 20:32 sharkie wrote: Is it just me or is every pot actually stacked? This could be a WC with tons of upsets
Definitely stacked. I think 4 teams in pot1 have a legitimate chance of falling in the group stages if they are matched up against some of the stronger teams in pot 2, 3 and 4.
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
Not even going to bother responding to that FYI, A significant population of Brazillians are of African Descent.
Indeed, that's why portuguese is a national language there?
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: Too bad Sweden didn't made it, but Cr7 is more that a half of Purtugal team, he deserves Golden Ball at least
This is a delicate subject that each player can answer for himself. Do they feel that france/england/germany/usa is the big bad overlord of their african countries and they are only representing les bleus for money or do they feel french and they would die for the french flag in let's say a war?
You gotta remember that no one is forcing anyone to play for the national team, it's their choice.
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
Not even going to bother responding to that FYI, A significant population of Brazillians are of African Descent.
Indeed, that's why portuguese is a national language there?
Just drop it dude. They're called National teams, not Ethnical teams. Modern nations are not defined based on ethnicity. Countries like Portugal or France are simply more multi-ethnic than northern or eastern European countries. Does it confuse you that the US has black players in their roster too?
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: Too bad Sweden didn't made it, but Cr7 is more that a half of Purtugal team, he deserves Golden Ball at least
Each one of those assists is world class. Ronaldo's superior supporting class is what won the game for Portugal.
Yeah, if Sweden had Moutinho things could have looked differently. Still Ronaldo's first touch on the second goal and third goal is brilliant. Just gives himself so much more time.
On November 20 2013 20:54 Steveling wrote: This is a delicate subject that each player can answer for himself. Do they feel that france/england/germany/usa is the big bad overlord of their african countries and they are only representing les bleus for money or do they feel french and they would die for the french flag in let's say a war?
You gotta remember that no one is forcing anyone to play for the national team, it's their choice.
Would be a fine thing to say if they were all from African countries and moved over to France later in their life to join a football club then eventually played for France or something. I thought I read earlier that all of these players were born in France and have lived there their whole life, gone to school there, grown up there, played through the junior systems etc. I do not see how they are not French just because they have black skin, but I guess I dunno what i'm talking about.
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
Not even going to bother responding to that FYI, A significant population of Brazillians are of African Descent.
Indeed, that's why portuguese is a national language there?
You can't be that silly, surely.....
--- oops, double post. Meant to edit my post and instead quoted it. I guess I'm silly as well
On November 20 2013 17:35 cSc.Dav1oN wrote: overall I'm pissed cause lf loosing to a semi-african team in Europe's playoffs
Good to have this kind of people on TL x) All of these guys are born in France (maybe 1 or 2 exceptions? I'm not even sure)... What about Diego Costa, are you also b$tching about him because he's playing for Spain? Pepe? T. Motta? ... So Argentina is a semi-italian team playing in the South-America's playoffs?
I'm telling about what modern team france looks alike, Lloris and Giroud seems like they're two exceptions in yesterdays roster :D It might sounds racist a bit, but all those words about semi-african team is truth, have fun with it.
Doesn't just sound racist, it is. France is a multicultural country with a large population of people of African descent. So the Brazil team is Semi-African as well?
I'm fine with it, and thanks for geography lessons, but there is no point in ur question, in fact Brazilian population cames from mixing of Portugal population with ethnic aborigens, generaly even Dani Alvesh with Marcelo looks more "europish" than Mamadu Sakho for example, isn't that obvious?
Not even going to bother responding to that FYI, A significant population of Brazillians are of African Descent.
Indeed, that's why portuguese is a national language there?
Just drop it dude. They're called National teams, not Ethnical teams. Modern nations are not defined based on ethnicity. Countries like Portugal or France are simply more multi-ethnic than northern or eastern European countries. Does it confuse you that the US has black players in their roster too?
Okay okay, I stopped, but now I'm wondering how ppl rly cares about this question, istead of ignoring it, started to "dialogue".
Because racism has been a huge deal in the West, with the the Holocaust in Europe and Slavery/Jim Crow Laws in the America in the past century. It's all over the culture and education systems, with good reason. Maybe that is not the case in the Ukraine.
I know you guys can't understand what he's saying, but holy crap just listen to this guy on the radio losing his shit with Ronaldo's goals hahaha. Listen from 3:55 onwards, also from 5:50 onwards lol.
Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The rest of the teams will need luck of the draw and some really good days to make a deep run.
Generally agree with you on contenders, although I'd put Spain lower on that list, given their latest few friendlies. Not so much with the outsiders. I think Belgium and Japan are more likely to make a deep run than Chile or France. I guess if France plays like they did in the second match against Ukraine, then maybe, but other than that match, they look quite out of shape.
EDIT: oh, and betting on England to do much is always a losing proposition
The rest of the teams will need luck of the draw and some really good days to make a deep run.
Generally agree with you on contenders, although I'd put Spain lower on that list, given their latest few friendlies. Not so much with the outsiders. I think Belgium and Japan are more likely to make a deep run than Chile or France. I guess if France plays like they did in the second match against Ukraine, then maybe, but other than that match, they look quite out of shape.
Well for me unless their is REAL problems for Spain they are still hands down favorites for World Cup for me. I can't see them losing a game in the summer. Yes they have looked poor in friendlies but this is Spain when they get together for a tournament they turn up. They played some nice stuff in the Confederations cup but were tired from the Semi Final in which they still managed to beat a resilient Italy. That experience with the heat is going do them way more than any other team, even Brazil who will be feeling so much pressure lol
DaCruise, I think you can put us in the Outsiders as well, there's no way we're even close to a favorite. We ended at 0 points last EC and though we qualified easily, any other friendly matches (Portugal, Japan, Colombia) have been mediocre at best.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
I am a big fan of Croatian national team and I agree with your view of EURO But that was two years ago, you suck since then
how come everyone rates brazil so highly? they dont seem to have such a strong midfield. for me I still believe in Spain, but there are many potential juggernauts out there. I hope our coach Löw can form a funtioning team. and Japan won me as a fan yesterday <3
On November 21 2013 00:44 3point14 wrote: how come everyone rates brazil so highly? they dont seem to have such a strong midfield. for me I still believe in Spain, but there are many potential juggernauts out there. I hope our coach Löw can form a funtioning team. and Japan won me as a fan yesterday <3
Did you miss the confederations cup? We were all doubting brazil before but they proved they are as good as always.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
Actually no.. Spain only went to the final after a very tought game against Portugal where they won in the penalties shoot out!
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
I am a big fan of Croatian national team and I agree with your view of EURO But that was two years ago, you suck since then
And we did for a long while. But last two games we have a new coach and players started playing up to their potential. Against Island the team looked like it did 2 years ago. Although the score was only 2:0 the gameplay was 5:0 and only their crazy goalkeeper kept it at 2:0 (someone needs to hire this goalkeeper). We had 10 players for almost 2/3 of the game, but totally dominated it.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
Actually no.. Spain only went to the final after a very tought game against Portugal where they won in the penalties shoot out!
but Croatia is indeed strong.
Ok, then Croatia and Portugal are only teams Italy and Spain did not run over.
On November 21 2013 03:16 Just_a_Moth wrote: Dumbest thing about soccer is how they use number of goals to decide who goes through. But I'm just being bitter because + Show Spoiler +
Ukraine didn't make it through cause France scored one more goal than them.
I don't mind the two-legged playoff system.
I do hate the away goals rule, though. IMO the tie should always go to extra time+pens if level on aggregate.
Goal aggregate is fine. The only problem with goal aggregate is how away goals count more than home goals, but even that is justifiable: playing away really is harder, and scoring there is thus also tougher. Justified that that counts as a second tiebreaker if goal aggregate is also the same.
The rest of the teams will need luck of the draw and some really good days to make a deep run.
Generally agree with you on contenders, although I'd put Spain lower on that list, given their latest few friendlies. Not so much with the outsiders. I think Belgium and Japan are more likely to make a deep run than Chile or France. I guess if France plays like they did in the second match against Ukraine, then maybe, but other than that match, they look quite out of shape.
EDIT: oh, and betting on England to do much is always a losing proposition
Eehh Japan won't go far. We lack the killer instinct to score goals. We'd only go far if football was about playing beautifully.
On November 21 2013 03:52 shell wrote: I think this system rewards better play and overall more atacking play.
Actually i think it's one of the best football rules.
Exactly, reason Sweden fucked up last night? Because they want to Portugal to get a 0-0 and failed miserably. Was like awful to watch and they proved when they attacked last night they could give Portugal problems. Sweden looked much more attractive at home attacking than they did playing hoof ball to Ibra and trying to defend for their lives.
On November 21 2013 03:52 shell wrote: I think this system rewards better play and overall more atacking play.
Actually i think it's one of the best football rules.
Exactly, reason Sweden fucked up last night? Because they want to Portugal to get a 0-0 and failed miserably. Was like awful to watch and they proved when they attacked last night they could give Portugal problems. Sweden looked much more attractive at home attacking than they did playing hoof ball to Ibra and trying to defend for their lives.
They clearly didn't go to Portugal to get a 0-0. They NEEDED to score, seeing as how they lost 0-1 in Sweden. Sweden lost because Portugal is simply better. I agree that Sweden didn't play particularly attractive football, but their homegame wasn't all that interesting either.
Did you watch the first leg? They didn't even attack after like the first 20minutes they just stopped. Whole second half i think Ibra touched the ball like twice. No way they didn't go to Portugal to do anything but keep a clean sheet. At home they clearly started the second half on the front foot and caused problems and made the game great football experience. They played much better football and passed it more than fine, maybe it wasn't Brazil esq football but this is Sweden they played some nice football.
On November 21 2013 04:31 Pandemona wrote: Did you watch the first leg? They didn't even attack after like the first 20minutes they just stopped. Whole second half i think Ibra touched the ball like twice. No way they didn't go to Portugal to do anything but keep a clean sheet. At home they clearly started the second half on the front foot and caused problems and made the game great football experience. They played much better football and passed it more than fine, maybe it wasn't Brazil esq football but this is Sweden they played some nice football.
If Ibra touched the ball twice, he has a marvellous touch, seeing as he scored two goals. I'm not sure we watched the same match. I didn't see a Sweden that wasn't trying, I saw a Sweden that was incompetent in the face of a rather strong-looking Portugal. Their passes were inaccurate and their midfield was outclassed. Even if they managed to get the ball to Ibra, the Portuguese defense was on it like a hawk, and the other Swedish attackers seemed rather hopeless (Larssen?).
I didn't watch the second half, because I switched to France-Ukraine (fucking frogs, I was cheering for Ukraine!). I did watch Sweden-Portugal when they played in Sweden, but it was a rather boring match.
EDIT: errr... never mind! I mixed up the home and away games. So the game i was calling boring, was the game in Portugal Seems we are in full agreement!
The second leg (the game yesterday) was in Sweden, yo.
On November 21 2013 04:41 Steveling wrote: The problem for sweden was lack of experience. Ibra got two wonderful goals and put them right back into the game and they still had half an hour left but suddenly for some reason, they went berserk. You just can't go full attack mode against the best counter attacking player on the planet, especially when you only need 1 more goal in 30minutes. If they slowed down I'm sure they would have done much better.
Yeah, look at the goals again. Sweden's defenders were standing at the halfway line. When Portugal had the ball.
The problem for sweden was lack of experience. Ibra got two wonderful goals and put them right back into the game and they still had half an hour left but suddenly for some reason, they went berserk. You just can't go full attack mode against the best counter attacking player on the planet, especially when you only need 1 more goal in 30minutes. If they slowed down I'm sure they would have done much better.
Lopl makes sense, was going say i don't understand how anyone can think otherwise on Sweden going to Portugal for a draw and thats it.
On November 21 2013 04:41 Steveling wrote: The problem for sweden was lack of experience. Ibra got two wonderful goals and put them right back into the game and they still had half an hour left but suddenly for some reason, they went berserk. You just can't go full attack mode against the best counter attacking player on the planet, especially when you only need 1 more goal in 30minutes. If they slowed down I'm sure they would have done much better.
True but they would of went full turtle mode after the freekick if they already had a nice away goal from the 1st leg....but was no chance of that XD The 1st leg in Portugal should of been the exact same style of game we watched in the 2nd Made me sad because thats what i thought this tie would be, especially due to the form both Ibra and Ronaldo were in Oh well we had 90minutes of awesomeness! And it was way more enjoyable than watching a second of stupid England friendlies :D
On November 21 2013 04:38 Ferrose wrote: It's all a ploy to give it to these guys:
Wait wtf, explain steveling? 0.O How on earth was that even possible :S
you got trash like Agger and Skrtel and no Alaba? That's some funny shit.
Daily fail brah, daily fail for you >.< I mean Cisse is like the worst inform striker on the planet, i would honestly play Torres instead of Cisse as well =P
On November 21 2013 04:38 Ferrose wrote: It's all a ploy to give it to these guys:
Wait wtf, explain steveling? 0.O How on earth was that even possible :S
Famous greek defense huh? lol The vertical camera explains it all, the first dude tried to clear it, torosidis was a bit hesitant, then at the last moment decided to jump over the ball only to hit the best ricochet ever.
On November 21 2013 05:09 Pandemona wrote: Oh takes a deflection my bad rofl. Thought it was just an absolute banana boot clearance that ended up in top corner some how 0.O
I thought it was an amazing shot, until I realized it was an own-goal. It being deflected makes a lot more sense, but can't see it from that angle in the gif. Hilarious.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
I am a big fan of Croatian national team and I agree with your view of EURO But that was two years ago, you suck since then
And we did for a long while. But last two games we have a new coach and players started playing up to their potential. Against Island the team looked like it did 2 years ago. Although the score was only 2:0 the gameplay was 5:0 and only their crazy goalkeeper kept it at 2:0 (someone needs to hire this goalkeeper). We had 10 players for almost 2/3 of the game, but totally dominated it.
I'd argue it can hardly be said it was due to Croatia playing good. Croatia was obviously the better team on the pitch, but there were so many non-forced mistakes from Iceland, it was embarrasing(and frustrating for the team that had been playing well to suck so much in their last game). I mean they couldn't pass the ball around to save their lifes(fx. the defensive line without any pressure kept passing the ball behind players). That shot from Olivic was disgustingly good though.
PS. Eiður Smári is likely stopping to play for the national team, a FB page was created last night thanking him for his efforts for Iceland and now ~24 hours later ~10% of Iceland's population has liked the page :D Must be so frustrating for him, he was born like 5-10 years to early, he has been the single good player in the Icelandic squad for 10 or so years and then when he's about to retire all these young talented guys enter the team.
The Seeds: Brazil Spain Germany Argentina Colombia Belgium Switzerland Uruguay
The Rest: Netherlands Russia Bosnia and Herzegovina England Italy Portugal Greece Croatia France
Chile Ecuador
Cameroon Nigeria Ivory Coast Ghana Algeria
USA Costa Rica Honduras Mexico
Japan South Korea Australia Iran
If you break that list order into groups of 8, people think that will be the 4 pots, with France joining South America and Africa. Not official though.
Pot 1: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland Pot 2: Chile, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroun + 1 European team Pot 3: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia Pot 4: Netherlands, Italia, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia, France
BEFORE the actual draw of the groups, they will do another draw with the Pot 4 to decide which team is going to join the Pot 2 (because there are 9 teams in the Pot 4). Which means that the team that will join this Pot 2 will most likely have a far tougher group than the other 8. That's because they will have to face a South American team (because there can't be 3 European teams in the same group) + a team from Pot 4 which should be stronger than most of the teams in the 2nd and 3rd Pot.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
I am a big fan of Croatian national team and I agree with your view of EURO But that was two years ago, you suck since then
And we did for a long while. But last two games we have a new coach and players started playing up to their potential. Against Island the team looked like it did 2 years ago. Although the score was only 2:0 the gameplay was 5:0 and only their crazy goalkeeper kept it at 2:0 (someone needs to hire this goalkeeper). We had 10 players for almost 2/3 of the game, but totally dominated it.
I'd argue it can hardly be said it was due to Croatia playing good. Croatia was obviously the better team on the pitch, but there were so many non-forced mistakes from Iceland, it was embarrasing(and frustrating for the team that had been playing well to suck so much in their last game). I mean they couldn't pass the ball around to save their lifes(fx. the defensive line without any pressure kept passing the ball behind players). That shot from Olivic was disgustingly good though.
PS. Eiður Smári is likely stopping to play for the national team, a FB page was created last night thanking him for his efforts for Iceland and now ~24 hours later ~10% of Iceland's population has liked the page :D Must be so frustrating for him, he was born like 5-10 years to early, he has been the single good player in the Icelandic squad for 10 or so years and then when he's about to retire all these young talented guys enter the team.
Teams do not play alone. Your mistakes were the result of our team playing well and keeping the pressure up.
On December 04 2013 17:49 WillyWanker wrote: Pot 1: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland Pot 2: Chile, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroun + 1 European team Pot 3: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia Pot 4: Netherlands, Italia, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia, France
BEFORE the actual draw of the groups, they will do another draw with the Pot 4 to decide which team is going to join the Pot 2 (because there are 9 teams in the Pot 4). Which means that the team that will join this Pot 2 will most likely have a far tougher group than the other 8. That's because they will have to face a South American team (because there can't be 3 European teams in the same group) + a team from Pot 4 which should be stronger than most of the teams in the 2nd and 3rd Pot.
So what idiot put 9 teams in pot 4? I thought one team (Russia or France) was going to pot 2 automatically since they were lowest on the FIFA ranking. Now I'm already scared it'll be us. Brazil, Italy, Netherlands, Mexico for group of death?
Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras, Iran and Australia are the only teams I would consider 'easy' to beat. The rest is going to be tough no matter what. I would not like to face South American teams there, every group is going to have a Pot 1 strong team (except for Switzerland? not even sure) + a good European team from Pot 4 and African teams are never easy to face. Gonna be a difficult World Cup! Better for us!
On December 04 2013 19:06 Maenander wrote: To be honest: I can see why they do another draw, the pots 2-4 are based on geography and not on FIFA rankings.
And no heated ball is necessary to prevent the Netherlands from winning the World Cup
Kind of smells like FIFA is favoring France.
Lets not kid ourselves, Pot 2 teams are worse than the pot 4 ones by a large margin.
On November 20 2013 22:33 -Archangel- wrote: Croatia, king of playoffs (4/4), has done it again And we showed best football since last EURO. If we keep this up, anyone in our group will need to be scared.
I understand some national pride, but come on. You beat Iceland. Big whoop.
Also, last Euro you got knocked out in the group stage... not sure why anybody should be particularly afraid
The numbers do say we got knocked out, but we had in our group Italy and Spain which were two finalists. With Italy we played 1:1 and each team totally dominated for 1 half. With Spain we dominated second half and were soo close to scoring. Spain won 1:0 in the end. If we did score Italy would have not left the group. Also both Spain and Italy destroyed all other opponents after group play. Only team they did not destroy is Croatia.
I am a big fan of Croatian national team and I agree with your view of EURO But that was two years ago, you suck since then
And we did for a long while. But last two games we have a new coach and players started playing up to their potential. Against Island the team looked like it did 2 years ago. Although the score was only 2:0 the gameplay was 5:0 and only their crazy goalkeeper kept it at 2:0 (someone needs to hire this goalkeeper). We had 10 players for almost 2/3 of the game, but totally dominated it.
I'd argue it can hardly be said it was due to Croatia playing good. Croatia was obviously the better team on the pitch, but there were so many non-forced mistakes from Iceland, it was embarrasing(and frustrating for the team that had been playing well to suck so much in their last game). I mean they couldn't pass the ball around to save their lifes(fx. the defensive line without any pressure kept passing the ball behind players). That shot from Olivic was disgustingly good though.
PS. Eiður Smári is likely stopping to play for the national team, a FB page was created last night thanking him for his efforts for Iceland and now ~24 hours later ~10% of Iceland's population has liked the page :D Must be so frustrating for him, he was born like 5-10 years to early, he has been the single good player in the Icelandic squad for 10 or so years and then when he's about to retire all these young talented guys enter the team.
Teams do not play alone. Your mistakes were the result of our team playing well and keeping the pressure up.
That's what I was saying, it wasn't. At most you could attribute it to the enviroment on the stadium, because the crowd seemed quite loud, but the passing of the ball by the Icelandic team was abyssmal without any pressure from the Croatian team. The better team won, but both teams underperformed imo.
EPT
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/5IYDdUD.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/jlaZDCF.png)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/j4eJa9i.png)
New Zealand vs 
Mexico
Uruguay vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Flag_of_Jordan.svg/23px-Flag_of_Jordan.svg.png)
Jordan
Portugal vs 
Sweden
Ukraine vs 
France
Greece vs 
Romania
Iceland vs 
Croatia![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Flag_of_C%C3%B4te_d%27Ivoire.svg/23px-Flag_of_C%C3%B4te_d%27Ivoire.svg.png)
Ivory Coast vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Flag_of_Senegal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Senegal.svg.png)
Senegal ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Flag_of_Ethiopia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Ethiopia.svg.png)
Ethiopia vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Flag_of_Nigeria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Nigeria.svg.png)
Nigeria ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Flag_of_Tunisia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Tunisia.svg.png)
Tunisia vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4f/Flag_of_Cameroon.svg/23px-Flag_of_Cameroon.svg.png)
Cameroon ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Flag_of_Ghana.svg/23px-Flag_of_Ghana.svg.png)
Ghana vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Flag_of_Egypt.svg/23px-Flag_of_Egypt.svg.png)
Egypt ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Flag_of_Burkina_Faso.svg/23px-Flag_of_Burkina_Faso.svg.png)
Burkina Faso vs ![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Flag_of_Algeria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Algeria.svg.png)
Algeria![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/kgUNuqJ.png)
But seriously, Moutinho is legit too. ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/T72DVbb.png)
![[image loading]](http://www.abola.pt/wset/wfotosdia/wdiag.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://bilder.bild.de/fotos-skaliert/nike-ribery-7270294_mbqf-20197380/2,w=650,c=0.bild.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8233/xeag.jpg)
![[image loading]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHGTxjkATTY/UovPCmhjc_I/AAAAAAAAClo/Kfts5VVoJ8k/w506-h283/rom11secondangle.gif)
