FIFA World Cup 2014

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Do we call Luiz a defender?

Nah, he's more of an entertainer. A position wildly underestimated in football.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Well not completly. Sadly Gündogan and the Benders didn't make it. But players who weren't at the core of the team are now regular starters like Hummels, Boateng (as a CB), Götze, Reus, Schürrle, Kroos (though he was very close in 2012) Draxler (even though he season has been bad and he wasn't a part of the 2012 team) Schmelzer (he might not make it cause he was injured to much). Plus there are new ones which haven't been in the squad for years (Großkreutz) or are really new to the team. Ginter, Mustafi, Kramer, Volland, Durm (who will be CF Nr. 2 behind Klose). Also Poldi has lost his place to the new Wingers and is now mostly sidelined.

But yeah, most of them got 2 years older, won silverware and or made it to the CL Final (again). Half of the team will still be 25 years old or even younger.

OMG. That´s the golden Generation? Gündogukan, Schmelzer, Schürle, and what else? A 36 year old as single attacker? Good, I love Klose, he shall break the record. But a team depending on a 36 yr old is just ill...
Now compare that to the true golden generation:
Hrubesch, Fischer, Rummenigge, Littbarski, Allofs, Völler... and so on, and those were just the attackers. Havn´t even start to mention the midfielders and defenders...
If Germany wasn´t advantaged (like in that ENG mess) as "big name team", but just as an ordinary no name 3rd world country team, without the help of refs, Germany exits in the 1st round. No tiny doubt about it. That team is complete and utter crap...

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

Well I know that you love living in the past, probably you'd most prefer the late 19th century, but just because you've only seen 80ies Footballers that doesn't mean anyone who didn't play in that decade is "utter crap".

Gündogan btw. is not in the Team due to injury, but even though you probably won't belive it, on form one of the best central midfielders on the Planet.

But if you'd really like to rant about the team, why don't you focus on the actual stars? Tell us all about how Reus is a really crappy player, or Hummels or maybe Schweinsteiger. But no, that wouldn't be creative at all, everyone blames Schweinsteiger anyway. it would be nice to know what kind of crap player Lahm is for example. Or Müller. No not Gerd or Dieter, Thomas. He's been world class for like 4 years now. But if that doesn't work, there still is the Goalkeeper. Neuer is his name, I guess you can explain to me how hes skills as a field player are much worse than those of Oli Kahn, and how he could never match Toni Schumacher in throwing a ball deep into the opponents half. Or how extraordinarily bad his goal kicks and long balls are.

Oh and don't forget to explain everyone how utter rubbish Kroos is at passing the ball, especially over a long distance! And his technique! Woeful! Almost as bad as Götze's or Özil's! Just imagine they had the fine fine touch of Horst Hrubesch, he was marvelous with the ball on his feet, skipping through defensive lines as if they weren't there! (No offense Horst, I think you were great!)

If at least this team had a Rammelow! A Rammelow!

On one thing I am with you though, there have been great Generations of German footballers, and to single this one out is nonsense. But well, I guess you are going to explain to me next how utter rubbish Beckenbauer was and that he only managed to win things because Uli Hoeneß made a deal with the Belzebub itself. Ah, I love Germans when it comes to Football, nothing turns their brains of like it. And nowhere do we thrive as much in what we are great at: hating people, being cynic and blaming evil "others" for everything that is wrong in our lifes.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Well I know that you love living in the past, probably you'd most prefer the late 19th century, but just because you've only seen 80ies Footballers that doesn't mean anyone who didn't play in that decade is "utter crap".

Now I have made you hot tempered, ehh?
But you have to face it: This team and their arrogant coach is/was media hyped. No basis whatsoever is in it what matters: world class talent trou-out the whole team.
It says a lot when Löw has to count on guys like Gündogurkan, a ghetto boy like Boateng, and others whom nobody knows outside of Bundesliga. (I see you exploding again )

MSM fell in love with that team, because they played "beautiful". Whatever that means, I prefer championships. I take a 1-0 vs Austria a million times over rich babies pampered from youth league on, but cracking under pressure. Actually it´s both mental and talent lacking.

Schweinsteiger ... Lahm ... Müller

That´s about it. But 3 great players don´t make a team. These three can go step by step with other world class players. Problem is though; in the late 60s to mid 90s Germany had 11 of them on the field. Not only three.
And Lahm (or Schweinsteiger) isn´t the great captain, the pusher like Ballack was when the going got tough.

I would not criticise it all too much, if the germans would admit it: There is no golden generation. Kids prefer other sports it seems (or skip it all together and steer at their mobiles and computers 24/7), our schools are a mess (Sportunterricht is as low as ever). Without the hangover from GDR, the german team would have imploded one generation earlier (no Ballack for example). The whole system is rotten to the core. Nowadays it´s gotten so bad, that Germany has to depend on Ghetto boys and guys with two passes (Turkish and German).
It´s not only soccer, it´s everywhere outside of Ransportarten like Rodeln. This country is going down and fast, and the soccer team is just a microscope of it.
You see I don´t live in the past, I just celebrate the times when Germany actually fielded great players/great teams, not talked-up-to ones.

On one thing I am with you though, there have been great Generations of German footballers, and to single this one out is nonsense. But well, I guess you are going to explain to me next how utter rubbish Beckenbauer was and that he only managed to win things because Uli Hoeneß made a deal with the Belzebub itself.

Are you seeing ghosts? I havn´t criticized past german soccer generations. They were perfectly fine, and brought home a Cup latest after 18 years, and in between them at least runner ups more often than not...

Ah, I love Germans when it comes to Football, nothing turns their brains of like it. And nowhere do we thrive as much in what we are great at: hating people, being cynic and blaming evil "others" for everything that is wrong in our lifes.

... or just seeing facing facts. I am sorry I don´t believe in fairytales.

 

[Rechtschreibfehler]

... or just seeing facing facts. I am sorry I don´t believe in fairytales.

[Disclaimer: this is a polemic, it makes strong use of hyperboles. I don't believe Foxxy is that xenophobic]

Well, as much as I'd like to believe you. But your post is so incredibly bad on the fact side, that I guess it's better to be explained with you being hateful, cynic and blaming others.
As far as I know, no one of the guys in the team have two passports, but I don't know what that would say about their quality anyway. Does having a Turkish passport turn footballers in to bad players? Does it make them mentally week?

Also none of them is a ghetto boy you know. And no - Boateng might be black, but that doesn't mean that he's from a ghetto, there is no causality between skin colour and living in ghettos! He's actually from Charlottenburg I believe. Özil also isn't from a ghetto, you know there isn't a correlation between a Turkish background and living in a ghettho either.

And well 3 great Players you say? I guess do decided not to even look up who the others I listen even were did you? All of those crappy players, who are from a crap youth system (you did miss the last decade in football entirely didn't you?) How come 12 of them played in a Champions League final? 7 even won the thing! 15 of them play for some of the best teams in the world. If they are so bad? How is that even possible. But I guess you have some kind of conspiricy theory to get you out of this hole, or more likely even simply ignore the facts and go on being hateful and hoping that all the players with those weird names go away. Özil, Khedira, Boateng, Mustafi.... oh wait. Thats only 4 names out of 23? Probably Mustafi won't make the squad. Damn it more "pure" Germans than in the 1954 squad...

But atleast you can still sing the first verse of the Deutschlandlied when all of this makes you sad.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

If you want to make it into a racial thing. Ok, fine, no problem...
But to clear some things up front: You turned it into one. Not me. I just explained how nowadays Germany is dependend on other countries players, because they fail from ground off. Same happened in the mid 90s. Without the east german players, no championships. Am I racist now?
I am the xenophobic who loves 36 year old Miroslav Klose (for US citizens; he was born in Poland) to break the record while playing for Germany?! Oh §hit, that doesn´t fit into your simplistic POV. Well, I am just sorry for you...

Those guys coming with the racsism "argument" are losers who can´t stand the truth, so they try to "kill" the opposition with that non argument. As always in political correct Germany.

Ok, that is cleared, now to your post in specific.

As far as I know, no one of the guys in the team have two passports, but I don't know what that would say about their quality anyway. Does having a Turkish passport turn footballers in to bad players? Does it make them mentally week?

No, see above. But since that shall be a tournament between nations, the players should play for them actually. This is not a club championship.
Two passports: A hell lot of those Gündokans have. They decided to play for Germany instead of Turkey. Do your homework before calling others xenophobic and what else.
Boateng for example; How can one bro play for Germany and the other for Ghana? Na, klingelts?... Finally. Welcome.
I find it pretty lame that Germany takes off the better players from other countries, because they $uck pretty much in their youth developement.

Also none of them is a ghetto boy you know. And no - Boateng might be black, but that doesn't mean that he's from a ghetto, there is no causality between skin colour and living in ghettos! He's actually from Charlottenburg I believe. Özil also isn't from a ghetto, you know there isn't a correlation between a Turkish background and living in a ghettho either.

Wrong. Boateng comes from the "finest" parts of Kreuzberg. Again, do your homework. (For US guys; that´s the same as South Compton in LA).
These facts pretty much disqualifiy the rest of your post about this matter.

And well 3 great Players you say? I guess do decided not to even look up who the others I listen even were did you? All of those crappy players, who are from a crap youth system (you did miss the last decade in football entirely didn't you?) How come 12 of them played in a Champions League final?

Well... because two german teams played there?
But I guess you also think Romania fielded one of the greatest national teams in the late 80s, since 11 players played in the CL final.

7 even won the thing! 15 of them play for some of the best teams in the world. If they are so bad? How is that even possible.

You mean Bayern Munich, right? The club that wins the trophy every 15 years if they get lucky.
And without the true stars that keep the team rolling (Ribery, Robben) and the three german lonesome stars (Schweinsteiger, Müller, Lahm), the rest of Wonder-Germany is as good as Switzerlands national team. If at all.
Those who took the next step (out of 1-team-good-rest-bad-Bundesliga), got benchwarmers or also rans at best (Klose, Podolski, Khedeira, Özil).

But I guess you have some kind of conspiricy theory

Ahh, the 2nd most used "argument" by the "smart" political correct brainwashed Mitläufer... Enough said.

to get you out of this hole, or more likely even simply ignore the facts and go on being hateful and hoping that all the players with those weird names go away. Özil, Khedira, Boateng, Mustafi.... oh wait

I think themselves, deep inside, would love to play for their home country. But they decided for monetary reasons, thus decided for the DFB.
You wanna see hateful people?
Go to any big city Stadium when Turkey plays Germany. There you find hate, 50.000 booing when Germany has the ball.
Welcome to Multi-Kulti-Murky-BS-Germany.

Long live political correctness, everybody else are xenophobic intolerant a$$holes.

But atleast you can still sing the first verse of the Deutschlandlied when all of this makes you sad.

You see ghosts again. Come out of your political corner and discuss the topic. Face the truth; Germany has not enough talented players, thus they take players from other countries.
I don´t care about a song... and I give a $hit about those dumb heads singing in stadiums about Deutschland... So better stop with wrong accusations. There is more shades between blinded useful political correct idiots, and the full blown morons at the far right.
I guess you are one of these guys swinging the flag for four weeks, and the other 100 weeks between championships you call critics Nazis. What spineless hypocrites. The worst of them all.

I, OTOH, won´t swing the flag, watch some games for the absurd theatre in itself (speak grotesque ref decisions and game outcomes because of match fixing), and may go to some parties. That´s all that´s left for me from soccer: Having funny drinking bouts with friends while soccer is played on a TV screen... I am no more soccer fan since long.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Here is the next but usual every-half-a-year soccer fixing scandal:

Fixed Soccer Matches Cast Shadow Over World Cup
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/sports/soccer/fixed-matches-cast-shadow-over-world-cup.html?_r=1

Enjoy the upcoming cheater games. LOL.

How did "TheHitch" explain it so cute; "It´s too difficult to fix a game".

 

[Amsterhammer]

I think it's marvelous to see two Germans talking footy in English.

After tonight's depressing Dutch 1-0 against Ghana, I am even more convinced that Holland will not make it out of the group. Only three of the 'old guard' remain - Sneijder, Van Persie, and Nigel ****ing De Jong. The current generation is seriously disappointing. I honestly don't see any of them 'coming good' at a big tournament. Bringing Kuijt on (yes, he's in the squad) late in the game won't help either. It looks like the emphasis in the opening game against Spain will be to prevent them from scoring. There's a certain irony in the first game being against the same opponent as the last game of the previous WC.

 

[alspacka]

This is madness. I'm English and will quite happily spend the next year forging passports for Özil, Khedira, Gündogan, Schmelzer, Schürrle, Reus, Benders, Meyer, Hummels, Draxler, Kroos and maybe 3 of your excellent goalkeepers, if they are not wanted.

One question; What has Stefan Kießling done. or not done, to be so consistently overlooked?

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

One question; What has Stefan Kießling done. or not done, to be so consistently overlooked?

Arrogant Löw got into a feud with him. As with Ballack and Kuranyi before. The players never put on a national jersey anymore... You know, Germany has a too deep talent pool, so it can easily relinquish even all time greats like Ballack, or top scorers in the Bundesliga (Kießling). As if we have times like the 80s when top scorers in Germany literally fell from the blue sky...

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I think it's marvelous to see two Germans talking footy in English.

Hope I entertained you. Otherwise I could have done it in german. I love to provoke sometimes (as you know from the NFL thread). Just extracts the intolerant lefties from those you can discuss with barrier free.

Don´t worry. Netherlands is a soccer country (thus lower risk of bad influence) and has genius Robben. All good unless you meet Brasil...

 

[alspacka]

Arrogant Löw got into a feud with him. As with Ballack and Kuranyi before. The players never put on a national jersey anymore... You know, Germany has a too deep talent pool, so it can easily relinquish even all time greats like Ballack, or top scorers in the Bundesliga (Kießling). As if we have times like the 80s when top scorers in Germany literally fell from the blue sky...

I see. Does seem pretty crazy considering Klose hasn't had the best of seasons, and can barely run anymore.
What do you make of Volland? I saw him only a couple of times but he didn't have much impact.

Also, I read your previous post and it seems a bit odd to say that Germany is not the home country of 3 players (I don't know about Mustafi) who were born there, whilst supporting Klose, who wasn't.

 

[gooner]

The Sun today over here have a story about a Nigerian football agent planning to fix games during the tournament.

An undercover reporter caught him out. There was another Nigerian person with him who said it was 50,000 euros for a yellow card and a 100,000 grand for a penalty.

He said he has 2 Nigerian players already arranged for a fix and was planning to recruit more. One of the players is supposed to well-known and was in the Nigerian squad that played against Scotland this week. Remember there was big suspicions about this game.

He also mentioned he had 5 Italian players who rig games for him. Don't know if these were internationals or guys down the lower echelons of Italian football.

Very worrying.

 

[gooner]

Arrogant Löw got into a feud with him. As with Ballack and Kuranyi before. The players never put on a national jersey anymore... You know, Germany has a too deep talent pool, so it can easily relinquish even all time greats like Ballack, or top scorers in the Bundesliga (Kießling). As if we have times like the 80s when top scorers in Germany literally fell from the blue sky...

Low was right to lay down the law to Ballack when he challenged his authority for not selecting Torsten Frings.

Ballack was getting too big for his boots.

 

[gooner]

Very disappointed in the Italians when they played Ireland last night(0-0). It wasn't a full strength Italian side(it was the same for Ireland with players missing) but still one with plenty of quality.

I felt we had the better chances and were unlucky not to win.

Encouraging from our own point of view and I think O'Neill is on the right track with this squad.

What a downer about Montolivo's injury. Big loss.

 

[kingjr]

One question; What has Stefan Kießling done. or not done, to be so consistently overlooked?

He's rubbish and he's not needed.

 

[The Hitch]

Here is the next but usual every-half-a-year soccer fixing scandal:

Fixed Soccer Matches Cast Shadow Over World Cup
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/sports/soccer/fixed-matches-cast-shadow-over-world-cup.html?_r=1

Enjoy the upcoming cheater games. LOL.

How did "TheHitch" explain it so cute; "It´s too difficult to fix a game".

No, i said it's difficult and not worth the hassle to fix an entire tournament. Not one match. Bit of a difference.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

I see. Does seem pretty crazy considering Klose hasn't had the best of seasons, and can barely run anymore.
What do you make of Volland? I saw him only a couple of times but he didn't have much impact.

Also, I read your previous post and it seems a bit odd to say that Germany is not the home country of 3 players (I don't know about Mustafi) who were born there, whilst supporting Klose, who wasn't.

You know, I didn´t follow soccer too much since long, and completely gave up after 2010. But every two years you just read soccer stories out of interest when a big tournament is up. One wants to be prepared a little for the upcoming farce. In Germany soccer is 24/7, so you get a pretty good picture when reading about it for two weeks like a book. The good thing: You only hear about the really good ones in between those years. Never heard of Volland until two weeks ago. Had a look at the scorer lists. It´s as worse as ever before... So Volland seems just to be another also ran.

The rest is pretty much failed politics by our political correct parties in power. It´s completely out of hand. The hardcore fans I know, don´t like those Güllegurkekans at all, and they don´t like us. Having built their inner city ghettos, pi$$ing pretty much on everything our fathers and mothers have built, but collect the money from taxpayers for free. Some of them get out of the ghettos to play for Germany. But deep inside they have a hate for our way of living. Many own two passports. What a sad joke. Anyway, that goes to long, it´s something for the world politics thread. I am a person the poltical correct lefties can´t template. I am for the right thing, not left, not right per se.

Klose never had in mind to own two passports, he pretty much included himself into our society. Let´s see if he breaks the record on one leg. Others in other sports did it too.

Many of the turkish OTOH didn´t (that includes a ton of soccer players with two passports). Simple as that. Only the voters of Green party and extrem lefties really like that devastating Multi-Kulti experiment, the rest doesn´t or are about to wake up (people living in rurual area). Common sense is setting in...

The Sun today over here have a story about a Nigerian football agent planning to fix games during the tournament.

An undercover reporter caught him out. There was another Nigerian person with him who said it was 50,000 euros for a yellow card and a 100,000 grand for a penalty.

He said he has 2 Nigerian players already arranged for a fix and was planning to recruit more. One of the players is supposed to well-known and was in the Nigerian squad that played against Scotland this week. Remember there was big suspicions about this game.

He also mentioned he had 5 Italian players who rig games for him. Don't know if these were internationals or guys down the lower echelons of Italian football.

Very worrying.

You got a link? I am really interested... We had a good docu here some time ago (at ARTE). Big league players fixed games hand in hand with the Asian syndicates.... FIFA (corrupt to the core) doesn´t do enough against it. It took them four years to investigate the 2010 test games, without having penalized anyone (see the latest link). It´s pretty obvious they like the games being fixed, otherwise they would at least implement video replay, and don´t have poor refs from 3rd world countries directing games in the World Cup (they certainly would fix a game for 3.000 $. A yearly income in those countries. You can´t get the fix much cheaper). But what can one expect if the leaders themselves are rotten to the core (Blatter, Warner, for example)... In 2010, 50% of games had a different outcome than without major referee blunders (see Weinreich).

Low was right to lay down the law to Ballack when he challenged his authority for not selecting Torsten Frings.

Ballack was getting too big for his boots.

Grown up men could talk it out. Löw doesn´t posses that mentality. Ballack was the player for Germany. A little respect should have been possible. Anyway that is Löws approach: You are with me, or you are against me.

No, i said it's difficult and not worth the hassle to fix an entire tournament. Not one match. Bit of a difference.

Big tournament, bigger fix. See Argentina 1978. They are all in the same boat (Adidas & Co. selling merchandise, the corrupt Brazil government can numb the country, greedy FIFA members making some extra bucks, the big syndicates are in anyways). It´s big business. Too big to leave it to pure chance. Money will rain, and nothing is easier than to fix a big game. The higher amount of wager, the easier to hide the fix...

I just would like to see a game where both sides are fixed. It should be "awesome". Imaging a ref giving advantages to team A, but team A refuses to take the gifts because they must lose like fixed team B. I see things like abnormal penalty kicks given, but the players missing each shot intentionally. How will such game look like. We may see.

 

[Eshnar]

Very disappointed in the Italians when they played Ireland last night(0-0). It wasn't a full strength Italian side(it was the same for Ireland with players missing) but still one with plenty of quality.

I felt we had the better chances and were unlucky not to win.

Encouraging from our own point of view and I think O'Neill is on the right track with this squad.

What a downer about Montolivo's injury. Big loss.

There aren't weaker sides than Italy when it comes to friendlies.

 

[l.Harm]

Foxxy What's wrong about having two passports, are you xenophobic or something.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Foxxy What's wrong about having two passports, are you xenophobic or something.

No I am not. But same rules for all, right?!
BTW, I´d like to have one for USA, Hondouras, Grenada, Italy, Australia, and one you can choose for me...

What is the problem with you people being intolerant to other POVs than the political correct, and gendermainstream mish-mash? Calling those who point out the hard truths Nazis, Xenophobics, and what else? Only insults. Are your arguments really that weak, that you can´t counter more than with wrong accusations? That was rhetorical. No need to answer. It´s obvious...

 

[gooner]

You got a link? I am really interested... We had a good docu here some time ago (at ARTE). Big league players fixed games hand in hand with the Asian syndicates.... FIFA (corrupt to the core) doesn´t do enough against it. It took them four years to investigate the 2010 test games, without having penalized anyone (see the latest link). It´s pretty obvious they like the games being fixed, otherwise they would at least implement video replay, and don´t have poor refs from 3rd world countries directing games in the World Cup (they certainly would fix a game for 3.000 $. A yearly income in those countries. You can´t get the fix much cheaper). But what can one expect if the leaders themselves are rotten to the core (Blatter, Warner, for example)... In 2010, 50% of games had a different outcome than without major referee blunders (see Weinreich).

The Sun is behind a paywall but the Daily Mail have just put the story up.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/wo...ty-81-000-criminal-plot-fix-games-Brazil.html

The New York Times today are after getting their hands on documents detailing match fixing around the last World Cup.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/01/sports/soccer/fixed-matches-cast-shadow-over-world-cup.html?_r=0

Grown up men could talk it out. Löw doesn´t posses that mentality. Ballack was the player for Germany. A little respect should have been possible. Anyway that is Löws approach: You are with me, or you are against me

He did though. He told Ballack to fly to Germany and apologise or else he may lose his place. Ballack did but when he missed the World Cup Low wanted to give him the opportunity after the World Cup to play in a friendly to give him a send off as thanks for his contribution to the national team. Ballack refused thinking he was above it.

EDIT: If you can get your hands on The Sunday Times today, they have a 8 page pull exposing the corruption involved in the Qatar bid involving Bin Hammam and the head of the Oceania Football Federation.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

The Sun is behind a paywall but the Daily Mail have just put the story up.

Too bad, but thanks anyway.

The New York Times today are after getting their hands on documents detailing match fixing around the last World Cup.

Was faster than you. Already linked it last night.

He did though. He told Ballack to fly to Germany and apologise or else he may lose his place. Ballack did but when he missed the World Cup Low wanted to give him the opportunity after the World Cup to play in a friendly to give him a send off as thanks for his contribution to the national team. Ballack refused thinking he was above it.

Isn´t that pretty low by Löw? Embarassing a player like that? One who basically (together with Kahn) gave Germany a Vize Championship in 2002, and brought them trou misery for a decade?
I would have refused too. The only thing possible.

P.S.: No chance to get that newspaper here. Thanks again...

 

[gooner]

Was faster than you. Already linked it last night.

My bad, didn't see it until now.

[Isn´t that pretty low by Löw? Embarassing a player like that? One who basically (together with Kahn) gave Germany a Vize Championship in 2002, and brought them trou misery for a decade?
I would have refused too. The only thing possible.

His Germany career was over. Schweinsteiger and Khedira nailed those two spots in his absence. Kroos was coming up and the Bender brothers were coming into Loew's plans.

Missing the World Cup through injury was a bad way to go out so Loew gave him a good opportunity for a better send off. Of course the ego of Ballack still thought he was good enough to still be in the team but the team moved on his absence. His time was over in a Germany shirt.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

Missing the World Cup through injury was a bad way to go...

Yeah. Thanks to ghetto bro Boateng II, the Ghana/"German" player who deliberately destroyed the leg of a german legend.

Maybe Ballack was done, but there was no need to embarass him. Left a sour note... The real character of Löw can also be seen with the Kuranyi and Kießling incidents. There might be more I just don´t know since I don´t follow soccer over the years...

BTW, good article about the fix. Always funny how fast the people wanna ensure us that big league players/tournaments are immun to fixes.
At all costs, the big product must be protected. Reminds of cycling in a different way...