FIFA World Cup 2010

[theyoungest]

Olympic Opening ceremony.

Who actually watches that? It's not really an event that keeps people off the street. I doubt it.

 

[auscyclefan94]

1. Football / soccer is the most watched sport in the world. Enough said.

2. Living in Australia you of all people must be used to others calling your favorite sport (I assume cycling) the most boring sport.. etc... I know people hang it on me regarding cycling. So knowing that you get that with cycling, cannot understand why you would comment about soccer like this. Your immaturity and ignorance shines through again.

3. If you have nothing good to contribute to the thread, then stay out bud. We don't wanna hear your pointless comments. Get enough of them in the cycling threads. k thanks.

1. I agree. Don't have to like it though!

2.Some have called it boring though once I have explained to them the sport of cycling they have found it interesting. IMmaturity? I just think I was making an opinion. Because soccer is just in a stadium in the one place that their is nothing else to look at. The scenery helps me get through the less exciting parts of cycling.

3. I made that comment so I would get a reaction and to understand why people love the sport so much. A lot of people would have the same opinion of me about soccer. That's your opinon that my comments are pointless. They cause controversey and discussion so obviously that means they have a point.

 

[Moondance]

Olympic Opening ceremony.

Hmmm.... Thinking about it you're probably right.

Damn those 1.2b Chinese and their television viewinng habits.

 

[Moondance]

Who actually watches that? It's not really an event that keeps people off the street. I doubt it.

Okay, take 2008... Even if only half of the Chinese people watched it (a conservative estimate) that still means 600m viewers. That alone already puts in in a similar ballpark to what the FIFA World Cup final did. Factor in the rest of the world and you easily break 1bn viewers. Probably the 06 World Cup got more viewers than Beijing overall, but as a single event probably the Opening Ceremony takes it.

If Spain and Brazil both make it to the final that will be a massive game.... Will do huge TV numbers... Will definitely rival the Beijing '08 number.

 

[theyoungest]

Okay, take 2008... Even if only half of the Chinese people watched it (a conservative estimate) that still means 600m viewers. That alone already puts in in a similar ballpark to what the FIFA World Cup final did. Factor in the rest of the world and you easily break 1bn viewers. Probably the 06 World Cup got more viewers than Beijing overall, but as a single event probably the Opening Ceremony takes it.

If Spain and Brazil both make it to the final that will be a massive game.... Will do huge TV numbers... Will definitely rival the Beijing '08 number.

Yes, I forgot about the Chinese and their taste for "let's all join in and celebrate mediocrity" mega productions.

 

[Moondance]

Yes, I forgot about the Chinese and their taste for "let's all join in and celebrate mediocrity" mega productions.

What is this supposed to mean?

 

[theyoungest]

What is this supposed to mean?

My definition of events like the Olympic opening ceremony. Bombastic crypto-classical music, clichéd mass choreography, and Disney-like fireworks.

Just kidding about the people of China, of course. I just wonder why anyone would watch that.

 

[Moondance]

My definition of events like the Olympic opening ceremony. Bombastic crypto-classical music, clichéd mass choreography, and Disney-like fireworks.

Just kidding about the people of China, of course. I just wonder why anyone would watch that.

I thought the Beijing opening ceremony was great...

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Yes it is. We are going to be pawned this world cup. Every decent player has had a major injury recently and our Dutch Coach has no clue on how to score against competent teams. He relies on our opponents in qualifying stuffing up and our physical superiority. We are rough, strong and can endure longer. When it comes to on the ball skill and passing, like we face in our pool rivals we are in serious trouble. If we can get a draw or loss against Germany in the first round, a win against Ghana and maybe a draw against Serbia we might make it through. That is a big if.

Easter 2009 my mates and I went away. One of my school friends my mates and I rarely see joined us. He wanted to knock me out after I downplayed the skill and overall combined talent of the Socceroos. I was simply being realistic. He thought I was being unpatriotic. Soccer/Football is not as big as AFL and Rugby League are in this country. People jump on the bandwagon and because we are no longer in the Oceania zone, but are in Asia, our qualifying path is easier. The public assume we stand a chance because we've qualified for back to back WC's. Real fans can tell that we lack some major firepower. Most still think Italy cheated us out of a Quarter Final spot in 2006. They have no clue and don't like when someone tells them otherwise. That is why I expect nothing from the team. Just being there is a bonus, anything more is great.

It really is a sensitive subject. Aussies and their sportsmen/women always are. People think we can win everything.

I agree. Australia's squad is rubbish compared to other squads. The best thing the have going is the heart they show when playing.

Group D has Australia, Germany, Serbia and Ghana. Three of those team are monster teams. That group is no pushover. Serbia have the best fullback in the world. Germany are Germany and need no introduction and Ghana are the most consistent African nation over the last decade. Though Ghana might be without Michael Essien. If it were not for dodgy refering in the last World Cup, Ghana would have beaten Brazil in the round of 16. Lacking depth? Hardly. Your countries pool lacks depth. England will walk right over everyone in that pool bar the US.

he's right, group d is very tough. IMO the serbs are the real dark horses, excellent young squad.

Answer. Riquelme hates Maradonna. He refuses to play on the national team whilst Maradonna is involved.

I expect something from the Ivory Coast. Eboue, Kolo and Yaya Toure and one Didier Drogba. Drogba isn't in the form he was last season but he is still solid. Best team in Africa. Ghana might not have Essien which is why I rate The Ivory Coast ahead of them.

Maradonna is rubbish, and will be the number one reason why arg, fail at the world cup.

Ivory cost are the only hope africa have.

At least they have won one and have an amazing record the last few years. They have the best strikers in the world and the best midfield. It is their tournament to lose. If Cesc Fabregas can be on the bench that says something about the depth of the Spanish national team. Removing Raul at Euro 2008 was a mastersroke of genius. Spain have changed their attitude. Have the Dutch? I thought they had exorcised the demons and bad player relations and then Hiddink used Russia and Andrei Arshavin to make the Dutch team that annihilated France, look like clueless 3rd division players.

If the Dutch loose Ruud Van Nistelroy then half the problems will end there. Great player but he messes the national team dynamic up. He should have played in 2006 and in 2008 he should not have. The Dutch team should have made the Euro 2008 final against Spain but didn't. It is all attitude. They fix it by leaving the bad eggs at home, regardless of their skill, and all will be fine.

spain haven't won a world cup. euro maybe.

Ruud has always performed well for the dutch imo, not many players with such football intelligence as himself imo. I would add him to the sqaud (over guys like JVH anyway..), but he probably wouldn't get a game with guys like RVP, Huntelaar, Kuyt, Babel etc...

Van Nistelrooy was the glue that held our 2008 team together. Seriously, a more modest and socially aware player is hard to come by. I actually hope he will be invited this year, but I seriously doubt it. And even if he is, the more obvious choice for his position would be Robin van Persie.

+1

Point taken. But stike anyone with skill next to Andrea Pirlo and they will shine. That Italian man is all class. Ronaldhino messes with the current Brazilian midfield dynamic. HAve you wondered why he left Barca and went back to his former club? It is because of his attitude. He is a "Me" man. All about himself. It is why he showboated and acted fancy a few years back. That and he was lazy. If both Barca (who I hate to admit are the best team in the world the past few years) and the Brazilian national team do not want you then there is a good reason for it.

I for one think he is half the reason France ran rings around them in 2006 in the Quarters. All about Ronaldhino and who got left out? Robinho, the in form player at the time. Robinho was given the last 15 minutes to come off the bench. Too little, too late, because he was causing trouble. Removing Ronaldhino removes part of the problems Brazil have. Just like Rudd with the Dutch. You can be a fantastically gifted player but ruin team dynamics and flow.

This logic would mean Portugal leaves cristiano at home, because he has got to be the biggest 'Me' player in the world. Watching him in the closing stages of last season made me wanna punch him in the face. Selfish player, yet I'm think lance armstrong would eat my shorts before they leave him home of such reasons.

I know peope think history counts for a lot but recent history is most important. France were my pick to win in 2006 and they were the best team. Before the tournament they were a joke but I had a feeling they would shine. Spain have historically been underperformers but recent history and the club results of their best players show that history, more importantly, that losing mentality, has been rewritten.

The reason I do not think Brazil will make the final is that I see most of the big work resting on the shoulders of Kaka. Spain and England can spread the talent better. I am really going out on a limb for the British but I sense a shift in their national sporting attitudes. Look at F1 for example. British drivers are doing phenomanally well.

There are only a handfull of teams in my opinion that can win the world cup. The teams I see making the final are a select pool. Of course this depends on player form, injuries and other matches. Here goes:
Spain
England
Italy
Brazil
Portugal
Netherlands
France

.

Absolutely not. They were god awful in the group stages and did not at all deserve to get through to the 2nd round; the swiss were far better, korea deserved more then a draw against france and they struggled to beat a togo in tatters over wages. They were as pathetic in most of the world cup, as they were in the recent qualifiers. France were brilliant - or zz - against brazil. The rest of the tournament came down to a lot of luck. France sucked, and I was very glad they lost.

Italy were actually a very deserving team, and played solid all world cup. But for me germany were by far the best team in the world cup in 06 (Argentina played well too). Very unlucky to lose to italy.

There are only a handfull of teams in my opinion that can win the world cup. The teams I see making the final are a select pool. Of course this depends on player form, injuries and other matches. Here goes:
Spain - Major favorites
England
Italy
Brazil
Portugal - Disagree
Netherlands
France
Argentina - I'll add them. Even though they have been playing god awful, they have too much talent to discount. Maradonna is terrible though. Great players don't automatically make great coaches.
Germany - Add Not the best squad, but they sure do play well together.

.

^ My imput

I actually like soccer more then cycling

 

[theyoungest]

I thought the Beijing opening ceremony was great...

To each his own... or, in this case, to 2 billion people their own. So it's probably just me who can't stand these ceremonies

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

1. I agree. Don't have to like it though!

2.Some have called it boring though once I have explained to them the sport of cycling they have found it interesting. IMmaturity? I just think I was making an opinion. Because soccer is just in a stadium in the one place that their is nothing else to look at. The scenery helps me get through the less exciting parts of cycling.

3. I made that comment so I would get a reaction and to understand why people love the sport so much. A lot of people would have the same opinion of me about soccer. That's your opinon that my comments are pointless. They cause controversey and discussion so obviously that means they have a point.

Re, 2: "you guys like watching paint dry" - WOW what an opinion.

Re, 3: your post had no point, it was trolling.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

To each his own... or, in this case, to 2 billion people their own. So it's probably just me who can't stand these ceremonies

I find them boring, but the Chinese one was quite nice, and they deserve some credit for the show the gave the world.

 

[theyoungest]

Ruud has always performed well for the dutch imo, not many players with such football intelligence as himself imo. I would add him to the sqaud (over guys like JVH anyway..), but he probably wouldn't get a game with guys like RVP, Huntelaar, Kuyt, Babel etc...

I had no idea who you meant... but then I realized it had to be Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, right? I forgot all about him. There's no way he'll be selected over Van Nistelrooy.

Ruud is the best centre forward we have, IMO. Huntelaar doesn't function in the way Oranje plays right now, I don't like Kuyt as a centre forward, Babel simply isn't a centre forward. Van Persie is our best player, but the problem is that for each of the positions where he can play there's a better option.

 

[Moondance]

I had no idea who you meant... but then I realized it had to be Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, right? I forgot all about him. There's no way he'll be selected over Van Nistelrooy.

Ruud is the best centre forward we have, IMO. Huntelaar doesn't function in the way Oranje plays right now, I don't like Kuyt as a centre forward, Babel simply isn't a centre forward. Van Persie is our best player, but the problem is that for each of the positions where he can play there's a better option.

van Persie, if fit, will play striker over van Nistelrooij.... That seems obvious to me at least. van Persie was in devastating form for Arsenal earlier this year and was being used as a striker at the time.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

I had no idea who you meant... but then I realized it had to be Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, right? I forgot all about him. There's no way he'll be selected over Van Nistelrooy.

Ruud is the best centre forward we have, IMO. Huntelaar doesn't function in the way Oranje plays right now, I don't like Kuyt as a centre forward, Babel simply isn't a centre forward. Van Persie is our best player, but the problem is that for each of the positions where he can play there's a better option.

indeed. sorry, lazy on my behalf

I agree with you, but I think the dutch should play a 4-1-2-3 anyway, which could work well with RvP.

Stekelenburg

4 Defenders (meh won't bother discussing who goes here, no matter what it will be rubbish... mathijsen and heitinga aren't bad).

De Jong in midfield, but in a more defensive role, similar to role at man city (Van Bommel can slot in a similar position too).

Sniejder and maybe VdV in the midfield. Creating for the forwards

Then Robben, Rvp and Kuyt up front. With Robben and Kuyt (will bode well, considering his great work rate) playing on the wings and RvP playing a more central position.

a lot of areas where chances can be created with that formation.

Then we have some strong depth within the sqaud in terms of attacking; Huntelaar, Babel, Elia, Van Bommel and yes even Nistelrooy if the need for a goal becomes desperate some point in the world cup.

 

[Moondance]

indeed. sorry, lazy on my behalf

I agree with you, but I think the dutch should play a 4-1-2-3 anyway, which could work well with RvP.

Stekelenburg

4 Defenders (meh won't bother discussing who goes here, no matter what it will be rubbish... mathijsen and heitinga aren't bad).

De Jong in midfield, but in a more defensive role, similar to role at man city (Van Bommel can slot in a similar position too).

Sniejder and maybe VdV in the midfield. Creating for the forwards

Then Robben, Rvp and Kuyt up front. With Robben and Kuyt (will bode well, considering his great work rate) playing on the wings and RvP playing a more central position.

a lot of areas where chances can be created with that formation.

With out defense I don't think we can afford to have only de Jong as a central/defensive midfielder... de Jong has to partner with van Bommel or someone else to create room for the front and take the pressure off our defense; because our defense will crack hard under pressure (and our GK leaves something to be desired as well).

Front four should be Sneijder, van der Vaart, Robben with van Persie up top, and have them shift around like van Basten did so well vs. Italy and France at the Euros... Totally confused their defense. I don't see why Kuyt should start though, he's hard working, but Robben, v. Persie and Sneijder aren't exactly slackers either.

 

[theyoungest]

indeed. sorry, lazy on my behalf

I agree with you, but I think the dutch should play a 4-1-2-3 anyway, which could work well with RvP.

Stekelenburg

4 Defenders (meh won't bother discussing who goes here, no matter what it will be rubbish... mathijsen and heitinga aren't bad).

De Jong in midfield, but in a more defensive role, similar to role at man city (Van Bommel can slot in a similar position too).

Sniejder and maybe VdV in the midfield. Creating for the forwards

Then Robben, Rvp and Kuyt up front. With Robben and Kuyt (will bode well, considering his great work rate) playing on the wings and RvP playing a more central position.

a lot of areas where chances can be created with that formation.

Then we have some strong depth within the sqaud in terms of attacking; Huntelaar, Babel, Elia, Van Bommel and yes even Nistelrooy if the need for a goal becomes desperate some point in the world cup.

I actually think the formation they currently use is fine. There is zero attacking creativity in the two centre backs (although obviously this has changed slightly with Heitinga replacing Ooijer) so I think Van Bommel is essential. And having De Jong in front of Mathijsen makes me slightly less worried that the Messi's of this world will cut right through our defense.

van Persie, if fit, will play striker over van Nistelrooij.... That seems obvious to me at least. van Persie was in devastating form for Arsenal earlier this year and was being used as a striker at the time.

True, but I think he'd be the ideal "hangende spits". Which we don't have in the current formation, so yes, he'll be the striker of choice.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

With out defense I don't think we can afford to have only de Jong as a central/defensive midfielder... de Jong has to partner with van Bommel or someone else to create room for the front and take the pressure off our defense; because our defense will crack hard under pressure (and our GK leaves something to be desired as well).

Front four should be Sneijder, van der Vaart, Robben with van Persie up top, and have them shift around like van Basten did so well vs. Italy and France at the Euros... Totally confused their defense. I don't see why Kuyt should start though, he's hard working, but Robben, v. Persie and Sneijder aren't exactly slackers either.

Yeahh... I don't disagree. VdV, Sniejder, robben and RvP are the four 'game changers' for me, and are all (except for RvP, who I suspect will be fit hitting form by then anyway....) having good seasons.
Though with my above suggestion, I was kinda expecting VdV to hold back when sniejder attacks, and vice-versa to support the defense on the break. Kuyt is replaceable for me anyway. But I like the idea of keeping structure with the 3 up front, and the 2 behind. 3 good attackers can make it very hard on a defense. But yes, no matter what formation, the 'attacking' players have to switch it around during the games, and really confuse the opposition.

The def-mid position will be very important for the dutch progression in the tournament. Very happy with De Jong's progression the last couple of seasons.

 

[Galic Ho]

Hm, never heard anything about this. Usually Sneijder is the scumbag. Great player, but miserable character.

When you have a rift in the team it is the side with the fewer numbers that inevitably leaves or realises it isn't worth the drama to stay put any longer and hold their ground. Like Riquelme and Maradonna. Riquelme should have stayed but the numbers were with Drugadonna. Like Arsenal and their rift last season. Adebayor and Toure went. I read yesterday that Toure and Gallas did not speak for 6 months straight and they played next to one another. That is bad news. Bendtner said the other day he never got on with Adebayor. No surprise then the Adebayor and Toure left. They were the minority and sadly were valuable players.

It's not uncommon for pro sportsmen/women to have ego's. Some have bigger ego's. Like LA and Bruyneel. Most here know Bruyneel bet on the wrong horse. We all have seen so far this season who has come up trumps. Not the Retirement Shack but Astana that were left gutted.

As for what I wrote. I heard the same thing about Sneijder it's just that Van Nistelroy apparently did not have the numbers. I like the guy a lot and think he is great but it is about support numbers and when the bulk of the power people back another guy/side, then why stay put? Maybe when you leave the remaining group can really start to function internally rather than implode.

Anyway I look forward to see RvP come back. Arsenal are my favourite team and he needs no introduction. Also a big fan of Robben. I hope the Dutch play well. I think they have a friendly with the Socceroos coming up. Am I right? Actually the Socceroos have a few friendly's. Another two with the USA and NZ. Should be good.

 

[Galic Ho]

Hmmm.... Thinking about it you're probably right.

Damn those 1.2b Chinese and their television viewinng habits.

That is how I measure the big viewing numbers. I pick a percentage of a countires population that I think is reasonable to consider would be viewing the event and then compare that to whether people in other nations could give a toss. That is why I rate the Olympic Games higher. More people are represented and the choreography is of a very high standard. WC Final openings suck by comparison, but that isn't why you watch the WC Final.

But if the WC final is between say Spain and Brazil...or Argentina, then I could imagine a very similar number of people globally will watch when contrast next to the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Maybe 2014 will get more viewers. It is in South America. Couple a South American WC with the love Asian countries have for Argentina/Brazil and I think there will be enormous viewing numbers. Maybe the highest ever. But not this World Cup. Few Indians and Chinese will watch this one unless the right teams make the Final. That is 1/3 of the worlds population right there. If the % viewing is low then global numbers need to take up the slack in other continents. Anyway it really doesn't matter.

 

[sportzchick]

Its now 45 days 22hrs & 55min till the world cup (not that Im counting or anything )

Very excited but extreamly nervous at the same time - we have a hard group with Germany, Serbia and Ghana but still I think we will come away with a win, a loss and a draw and get through to 90% sure it will be England we end up facing ( only beating Itay would be sweeter then being the ones putting the Poms out of the Cup

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

VdV had his MRI; has a tear on the left phemoral biceps.
out for at least 3 weeks. I think it will be unlikely he has any part in real's season any more. But should be fit for the world cup, if van Marwijk selects him that is (I'm sure he will risk it). Then give VdV some time in the practice matches and he might be ok for the world cup, or the later stages of the tournament anyway.
Sniejder's injury doesn't seem to bad.

 

[Moondance]

VdV had his MRI; has a tear on the left phemoral biceps.
out for at least 3 weeks. I think it will be unlikely he has any part in real's season any more. But should be fit for the world cup, if van Marwijk selects him that is (I'm sure he will risk it). Then give VdV some time in the practice matches and he might be ok for the world cup, or the later stages of the tournament anyway.
Sniejder's injury doesn't seem to bad.

Please... That was never really anything. Just a Jose Mourinho mind-game.

 

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Ruud looking unlikely.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/781286/ce/uk/?cc=3436&ver=global

I also notice no Huntelaar on the list...

 

[theyoungest]

Ruud looking unlikely.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/781286/ce/uk/?cc=3436&ver=global

I also notice no Huntelaar on the list...

Yeah that's interesting... don't know Milan's schedule, maybe this has something do to with it?