Football Frenzy!
One of the many reasons I have been somewhat derelict in my posting in this space is that I have been spending more time than usual sitting in the pub watching the World Cup.
As such, I have more than a few things to rant about, and as it's an off day, I also have time to post about it.
So, seeing as we're in the Round of 8, with 6 former WC Champs (a record of some sort, I'm sure), I'm going to attempt to organize my rantings as they relate to the various Round of 16 matches that led to where we are...
Germany 2:0 Sweden - As if anyone thought Sweden had a chance against the home side after England basically had to let them through... which kinda sucked, cuz I would have loved to see the Soca Warriors make it through...
Argentina 2:1 Mexico - Apparently that was quite the goal. I still haven't seen it, as I was drinking myself stupid in the sun in Hamilton with Justin.
I'm going to say Germany wins this based on the fact the game is in Berlin. Neutral site, I'd have to go with Argentina...as much as that pains me to say. They've just been that good.
Italy 1:0 Australia - It would have been nice of the refs to at least take the Socceroos out for dinner, or hell... maybe even chocolates and flowers... but to fuck them that badly without even a kiss, is just wrong. I'm going to have to stop talking about this before I get too riled up, but I'm going to miss being able to say "Socceroos" on a regular basis.
Switzeland 0:0 (0:3 PK) Ukraine - Who cares. Easily the worst game of the round.... but really, Ukrainian fans? What happened to "Act Like You've Been There Before"?!? I could have sworn you won a game every day last week! Cut it the fuck out!
Italy's going to kill the Ukraine, and end up with a gift wrapped trip to the Semi-Finals. Thankfully, the Fatherland (Germany) will put them back in their place by beating them black and azzurri (see what I did there? I'm witty, damnit! HA!).
England 1:0 Ecuador - Yikes. Apart from one magnificient goal from Mr. Posh Spice, the English looked pretty mediocre. Thankfully, they were playing Ecuador.
Portugal 1:0 Netherlands - Wow, this was a virtual bloodbath. Players were practically going out of their way to spike one another! If it wasn't for USA-Italy earlier, this would have been the most brutal match, hands-down. Hell, it still might have been.
I like to think that the suspensions and injury to the Portuguese Ronaldo should allow England to handle Portugal just fine.
Brazil 3:0 Ghana - Not exactly a shocker, here. My favourite part was getting to see a guy built pretty much like me set the all-time goal scoring record, which he should really be able to just run away and hide with. Can you believe Ronaldo's only 30?!? I honestly had him pegged at about 38.
Spain 1:3 France - I enjoyed seeing France show up, finally. Or was it just the Spaniards reverting to form? Either way, I'd have called this game 3-1 the other way around before it started. But what do I know.
Brazil should avenge their 1998 World Cup Final loss to the French, but I'll be it'll be closer than you think. They'll be by FAR the best team the South American squad has played. Many thought Spain might topple them, but France beat them before they got the chance, so watch for a potential repeat of the '98 upset.
I'm hoping for a repeat of the 2002 semi-final, with a storybook redemption for Becks.... but let's be honest. England has yet to show their true form, and even if they do, it would be a substantial upset for them to advance to the Final.
In reality, the home side are the only ones that I can see beating out a pretty well-oiled Brazil (that's as in smooth operating... not drunk..), which would make the Germans the second home team in 3 World Cups to beat Brazil for the title.... but apparently numerology is on the Brazilian's side on two counts... so who am I to argue?
As such, I have more than a few things to rant about, and as it's an off day, I also have time to post about it.
So, seeing as we're in the Round of 8, with 6 former WC Champs (a record of some sort, I'm sure), I'm going to attempt to organize my rantings as they relate to the various Round of 16 matches that led to where we are...
Germany 2:0 Sweden - As if anyone thought Sweden had a chance against the home side after England basically had to let them through... which kinda sucked, cuz I would have loved to see the Soca Warriors make it through...
Argentina 2:1 Mexico - Apparently that was quite the goal. I still haven't seen it, as I was drinking myself stupid in the sun in Hamilton with Justin.
I'm going to say Germany wins this based on the fact the game is in Berlin. Neutral site, I'd have to go with Argentina...as much as that pains me to say. They've just been that good.
Italy 1:0 Australia - It would have been nice of the refs to at least take the Socceroos out for dinner, or hell... maybe even chocolates and flowers... but to fuck them that badly without even a kiss, is just wrong. I'm going to have to stop talking about this before I get too riled up, but I'm going to miss being able to say "Socceroos" on a regular basis.
Switzeland 0:0 (0:3 PK) Ukraine - Who cares. Easily the worst game of the round.... but really, Ukrainian fans? What happened to "Act Like You've Been There Before"?!? I could have sworn you won a game every day last week! Cut it the fuck out!
Italy's going to kill the Ukraine, and end up with a gift wrapped trip to the Semi-Finals. Thankfully, the Fatherland (Germany) will put them back in their place by beating them black and azzurri (see what I did there? I'm witty, damnit! HA!).
England 1:0 Ecuador - Yikes. Apart from one magnificient goal from Mr. Posh Spice, the English looked pretty mediocre. Thankfully, they were playing Ecuador.
Portugal 1:0 Netherlands - Wow, this was a virtual bloodbath. Players were practically going out of their way to spike one another! If it wasn't for USA-Italy earlier, this would have been the most brutal match, hands-down. Hell, it still might have been.
I like to think that the suspensions and injury to the Portuguese Ronaldo should allow England to handle Portugal just fine.
Brazil 3:0 Ghana - Not exactly a shocker, here. My favourite part was getting to see a guy built pretty much like me set the all-time goal scoring record, which he should really be able to just run away and hide with. Can you believe Ronaldo's only 30?!? I honestly had him pegged at about 38.
Spain 1:3 France - I enjoyed seeing France show up, finally. Or was it just the Spaniards reverting to form? Either way, I'd have called this game 3-1 the other way around before it started. But what do I know.
Brazil should avenge their 1998 World Cup Final loss to the French, but I'll be it'll be closer than you think. They'll be by FAR the best team the South American squad has played. Many thought Spain might topple them, but France beat them before they got the chance, so watch for a potential repeat of the '98 upset.
I'm hoping for a repeat of the 2002 semi-final, with a storybook redemption for Becks.... but let's be honest. England has yet to show their true form, and even if they do, it would be a substantial upset for them to advance to the Final.
In reality, the home side are the only ones that I can see beating out a pretty well-oiled Brazil (that's as in smooth operating... not drunk..), which would make the Germans the second home team in 3 World Cups to beat Brazil for the title.... but apparently numerology is on the Brazilian's side on two counts... so who am I to argue?
posted by Iain @ 3:25 PM
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