Running, all-purpose World Cup thread

So what's the Brazil-France headline?

From Samba to Somber

or

Frogs Still Princes

 

Today, this image just makes me laugh.

 

I'm on the Germany bandwagon. Agreed with above posts on Italy ... can't pull for a bunch of drama queens.

Portugal hasn't done anything to grate on me, though. Thierry Henry is among the best in the world. Like him, but not enough to pull for France.

To boot, a coach from Germany was very helpful with helping me grasp a much better understanding of the game. I hope he gets to see this through.

 

for a while today, esp. in the second half, a portugese player fainted every time the brits got the ball upfield.

 

That and Germany's coach - Klinsmann - would be deserving to hoist the trophy. And then in the ultimate "Fuck you" to his skeptics and naysayers who dislike him because of his fondness for America, it would be cool for Klinsmann to resign and coach the United States.

I'm pulling for Francia and ze Germans.

 

Same here.

France: Just inspiring. Awe-inspiring, when it comes to Zidane. Inspring play by Barthez, Vieira, Henry and Ribery(cq?). Despite all their stars, and the collapse four years ago, they feel like underdogs and they're easy to root for. ... Zidane is always easy to root for. I'll repeat: What a legend.

Portugal: The fixing, the underachieving, the whining ... I have trouble cheering for them. Figo, I like. Pauleta, I like. The rest ... bleh. C. Ronaldo is such a fraud. Hope the Huns destroy 'em.

Germany: For me, a heritage thing. (Six generations removed, but whatever. Still retain a lot of Deutsch in me.) Had a German math teacher in high school named Wolfgang Jager -- no shit -- and he was also our soccer coach. Couldn't understand a damn thing he taught about math, but I learned a lot of German there. Also took German three years in college, learned to love the people, the culture, the pre-world wars history. Plus, I like the way they play. Klins is even funner to watch as coach than he was as a player, Ballack is superb, and Kahn got me hooked in '02. Podolski is my newest favorite player. Klose and Neuville are exciting. Just an all-around fun team to cheer for.

Italy: Fucking crybabies.

***

Deutsch-Francois in the final. At least, I really, really hope so. I'd love to see those two go at it. I'd be riveted. ;D

 

When was the last time this many people hated one team like most everyone I know hates Italy?

I recall everyone being against Argentina in 1990, but I'm not sure it was this bad. At the very least, that Argentina team was the defending champion, even if they did play a rotten, defensive style with a lot of cheap fouls thrown in.

 

i would turn the rest of the world cup off at this point. No way a great like ZZ should go out with a bunk yellow card. I'm pretty positive the referee would need a police escort out of the country.

 

If Germany plays Italy the way they did against Argentina, they'll lose 2-0. The Italian defense has barely been tested and Buffon -- when he does get an opportunity -- has been outstanding. The only goal Italy has allowed was the one it scored on itself.

Portugal -- I love Cristiano Ronaldo. He's got the presence for the world stage, and I like that. For him to calmly bury that PK like an assassin...that takes balls.

Germany -- starting to wear down a bit. Ballack looked like a statue at the end of the Argentina game, and I don't see him recovering in time for Tuesday.

France -- what a story, but as much as Zizzou is the story I think the real strength for France has been the defensive play. Patrick Viera is positioning himself to win Player of the Tournament with his performances. Gallas and Makalele have also been strong. Brazil only registered ONE shot on goal...that says something about the defense.

 

Am I the only one who thinks Zidane has been the best player in the Cup thus far?

He was exceptional today and he sure as hell doesn't need to retire.

For all the Nike hype about Ronaldinho, I didn't see much magic. He did some fancy dribbling, but that's about it. I know he's a great, great player and I know he was targeted by the defenses, but I was hoping for a lot more.

 

The French defense has been outstanding, but what's stood out the most to me about France is the play of Ribery. He's been spectacular and has really kept the offense alive, making spirited runs, having beautiful touch on the ball and serving great passes to the wings and middle.

 

Ribery has been strong. He's positioning himself to make a move from Olympique Marseille to a big club with his play. The way that France plays, the keep you in such worry about busting an offsides trap with the live-by-the-edge style of runs that Ribery and Henry are making. Real tough to play a flat back four against them...