World Cup 2006

[LilTrigger]

The Dreams Still Alive

 

[Duke]

Ever since Portugal knocked out Holland you have more or less been an ass. Why am I a Portugal freak? Hmm because I was born in Portugal? Because my roots are Portugese, whom moved to Brasil and back to Portugal to be exact?. I am all Portugese as you are Dutch. I visit regularly, my entire family minus my core (mom, dad and siblings) live there. It's my first spoken language. But enough of this. You are no concern.

Good win by France, they deserved it with that type of defence. Portugal had their chances, more so than France but they didn't take them. I can't be mad, they performed well. Over-performed even in some dillusional members minds who still can't get over their team getting knocked-out.

But thats the Worldcup.

France 2 - 1 Italy.

peace.

I was just wondering, didn't know you had Portugese roots. Thought it was odd an Australian showing support for the Porties that much. But okay, you're a real fan *hug*

And it's got little to do with Porties knocking us out, I didn't like the way Portugal played from the start of this tourney.


The match:

1st half: good

2nd half: not so good


France played well 1st half, got a true penalty (Henry went down a bit eager but Carvalho swiped his stand leg), deserved lead. They allowed themselves to fall back after that. Partly due to them being chauvinists D), partly because of Portugese pressure. Porties put good pressure but all creativity went out the window when they got near the 16. Weird, I'd expected (even hoped, for the sake of a more interesting match) them to make an equalizer. They totally lacked finishing however, only Pauleta's shot out of the turn was dangerous.

Then I started expecting (from about 70th minute) France to top it off with a second, but they lacked as well.

Figo worked hard, as he always does (gotta give it to him), but also lacked creativity. None of Portugal's strikers could impress me. Pauleta was invisible almost entire game before he got subbed, haven't seen Simao, Postiga was poor. C. Ronaldo was the classic story of running hard, losing balls, whining a lot and creating something every once in a while. As a whole, Portugal's offense was Schwalbe galore. Whiners. Dive less, play more and you may even score.

Portugal's midfield and defence did well enough. Carvalho caused a stupid penalty. I felt sorry for Miguel, next to Maniche i liked him most from the Portugese squad.



Les Blues played as a collective. Great defence, Zizou on the midfield (it's a joy to see him play), dangerous offense. It's a shame they hung back too much in the second half.

Ref was excellent :thumb:

If France gets it together for 90 minutes coming Sunday, I think they'll beat the Italians. If they don't get it together, Italy's superior work attitude will come through.

 

[LilTrigger]

loooooooooooooooool

 

[Flipmo]

loooooooooooooooool

Lmao

 

[Cooper]

If booing him makes him play like that, I hope the United fans lay into him back at Old Trafford. He was immense.

I thought he was average...nothing special at all.

 

[Cooper]

First bit of sense you've made all thread.

He's an awesome talent and IMO will go on to be one of the greats once he learns when and how to deliver that final ball. The only thing which is gonna stop him is all this diving shit he does. Fact is he goes down much too easily. If he can stay at Utd and Fergie can get this out of him he will be one of the greats.

Still a slimy cunt though!

Thats true, he will only get better as a player. Hopefully he will also improve as a sportsman.

 

[_carmi]

i'm glad that france is going to the finals and not portugal. i think portugal played poor football. i'm not saying they're not talented tho, cause they are, but they just dont show it. c ronaldo as a player is not yet mature. he is too much after the fame. but the dude is talented and i give in til next world cup to be the best player out there.

as for the france-italy final, what i find funny is that they were no favorites for this wc. everybody was going to brazil and germany and now those 2 teams arent there. france wasnt playing good footbal at the beginning of the wc, but i'm glad that they stepped their game up and making it to the finals. it's also a nice way for zidane to retreat peacefully. as for italians, its well deserved. they worked hard, nobody scored on them. best defense in this wc.

my prediction? 2-1 Italy.

 

[Flipmo]

Ok, I'm gonna state this like I told the dutch homie Duke. C. Ronaldo wil never be a huge superstar, he will always be an above average player. I'm not saying this because I don't like the guy, I'm saying this because thats what I see. Everybody saying he's young, he still has a lot to learn. Well Lionel Messi is 18, he has more maturity and discipline than Ronaldo at 20. He doesn't hog the ball, he doesn't try and take on 3 defenders when he knows he won't get through. He plays as a team, not for his own fame. Another example? Fabregas of Spain; He's 19, probably is more mature than Messi and Ronaldo imo. He does his job perfectly, gives off through balls when he sees it, he has imagination and creativity and plays as a team. There's a reason why Arsenal do not want to lose him. Those are 2 examples of players looking to improve themselves greatly in the next 2 world cups, and you can see it in their style of play everytime they hit the field for their respected clubs. They're not looking for fame, they're looking to better themselves, then fame will come when that happens. This is my opinion on the whole Ronaldo matter. I've just given 2 examples, but I could name alot more, and these guys play for eastern european clubs.

 

[Thug Passion]

Ok, I'm gonna state this like I told the dutch homie Duke. C. Ronaldo wil never be a huge superstar, he will always be an above average player. I'm not saying this because I don't like the guy, I'm saying this because thats what I see. Everybody saying he's young, he still has a lot to learn. Well Lionel Messi is 18, he has more maturity and discipline than Ronaldo at 20. He doesn't hog the ball, he doesn't try and take on 3 defenders when he knows he won't get through. He plays as a team, not for his own fame. Another example? Fabregas of Spain; He's 19, probably is more mature than Messi and Ronaldo imo. He does his job perfectly, gives off through balls when he sees it, he has imagination and creativity and plays as a team. There's a reason why Arsenal do not want to lose him. Those are 2 examples of players looking to improve themselves greatly in the next 2 world cups, and you can see it in their style of play everytime they hit the field for their respected clubs. They're not looking for fame, they're looking to better themselves, then fame will come when that happens. This is my opinion on the whole Ronaldo matter. I've just given 2 examples, but I could name alot more, and these guys play for eastern european clubs.

I fully agree with FlipMo here. Above average is probably the best he can be. Just because you can do tricks doesn't mean you're going to be labelled the next Zidane etc Those 2 players you've mentioned are a much better choice to bet that they will be a star on their team and quite influential as well. In my opinion, Portugal might have had better chances if Ronaldo actually set up his team mate on that game against France instead of taking it himself and then shoot it too. Even Pauleta was frustrated at the lack of passing he received on that game.

I might add that Van der Vaart & Robben are also quite a hot prospects as well. Their teamwork are awesome. Yes, Robben does try to do it himself every now and then but his passes are so direct and he's good with this through balls.

How are you anyway FlipMo? Did you follow Croatian this year? If I remember, I think you're a big fan and maybe a Croats yourself. I haven't been on this board for awhile now so my apology if I'm mistaken.

 

[Flipmo]

Me and Duke were talking about Robben, and we're very excited to see him in the future.

I'm alright Thug Passion, yes I did follow my team, and yes I am Croatian. lol. We had a great qualifying, we did poorly in the group stage, it's not that we didn't create opportunities, we just lack finishing. Nonetheless, I still believe we have a great team, and our younger players will hopefully get a chance to prove themselves, instead of the so called next croatian 'superstar' Niko Kranjcar who was just chosen due to him being the son of our coach.

Australia deserved to go through though, we were playing way too defensive and Australia were bombing us with shots and crosses. It was a matter of time before the Socceroos would get them in the back of the net. How you doing by the way... lol

 

[tHuG $TyLe]

Thug Passion...hi

 

[Thug Passion]

Good stuff man. You've always know your football stuff. Damn, I've missed this board.

I saw that Australia Vs. Croatia game. Damn, that was quite a hectic game and in a way, I don't blame Graham Poll for his mistake. He is only human and I think the media pressured FIFA and in result, FIFA pressured Poll to retire being an international referee. Australia played well and I still laugh remembering that blunder from Kalac. Niko Kovac was a warrior for Croatia during this World Cup.

Talking about youngsters, I also fancy Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano as future stars. Mascherano was a rock for Argentina in their midfield and I don't think I have to say much about Tevez; pure skills. Podolski is quite good as well and certainly one to watch in the future. I just wish Arsenal would make a move before any other big teams does. Obviously not for Podolski since he just moved to Bayern Munchen. I'm glad we picked up Rosicky though. He's a fine player.

Anyway, I've been doing good mate. Work gets the best of me these days that I've got very little time to do anything else. How many old school members are still here man? Belle still around? What about Chron Chron?

Bring on Italy. It should be quite a match to watch. Any thoughts on the Germany / Portugal game yet??

Cheers~

 

[Thug Passion]

Hey Thuggy - how's it going bud? Still going for the Red Devils?

 

[Flipmo]

Good stuff man. You've always know your football stuff. Damn, I've missed this board.

I saw that Australia Vs. Croatia game. Damn, that was quite a hectic game and in a way, I don't blame Graham Poll for his mistake. He is only human and I think the media pressured FIFA and in result, FIFA pressured Poll to retire being an international referee. Australia played well and I still laugh remembering that blunder from Kalac. Niko Kovac was a warrior for Croatia during this World Cup.

Talking about youngsters, I also fancy Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano as future stars. Mascherano was a rock for Argentina in their midfield and I don't think I have to say much about Tevez; pure skills. Podolski is quite good as well and certainly one to watch in the future. I just wish Arsenal would make a move before any other big teams does. Obviously not for Podolski since he just moved to Bayern Munchen. I'm glad we picked up Rosicky though. He's a fine player.

Anyway, I've been doing good mate. Work gets the best of me these days that I've got very little time to do anything else. How many old school members are still here man? Belle still around? What about Chron Chron?

Bring on Italy. It should be quite a match to watch. Any thoughts on the Germany / Portugal game yet??

Cheers~

Ya, the match was incredible, the Cros and Aussies here were all wasted and freaking out including me. lol. When Srna scored in the 2nd minute I went nuts tossed chairs and was jumping around the big screen at the bar. lmao.

Thanks for the respect given to Kovac, he's a workhorse. This is prob his last world cup though, him and his bro Robert are slowly getting old. Same as Dado Prso, we love him to death, but he said he's retiring from international play, but we're trying to hold on to him for the euros at least.

Tevez is pure skill, impressed me very much this Worldcup, Podolski is excellent also, but at times I feel he tries on his own at times when he should be looking to make a pass, but he still has alot of heart and passion. Rosicky I thought had prob the best goal in the group stage, expect alot of success on his part in the future. I feel bad for Nedved since Czech didn't make it, same for Big man Koller.

Me, I'm actually here mostly for the World Cup and whatever footy event, I don't even post in any other forum else from this one. Yah some of the old schooler are here. Chron rarely posts, but he does do it, Belle is gone though. Rukas is the same as Chron.. How Hizzle, Duke, they all still here too.

Fresh blood here nowadays, but there are some great new members, and they all post in the World Cup thread

Except for Coyote, he's a lousy piece of shit. :laugh:

 

[Bachaveli]

Also i would like to see Gattuso, Del Piero to win the World Cup.

If anybody deserves a cup from this Italy squad it is Del Piero.He is a true Italian man.A great one too,on the field,loyal-been playing in Italy the whole time.
Damn shame Maldini had to miss the cup and here they are now almost about to win without him.


Anyway,France beat Portugal.Zizu scored again.He is a favour for gold ball or whatever the trophy they call for the bext player.

I ran to this guy wearing a Portugal jersey today and i was wearing Italian one,right after the match.He looked down and sad.I'm like loosen up my friend,don't be so down,theres always a next year.He wasn't eager to talk at that time.lol.Im like laughing and tryna talk to him and cheer him up and hes like Yea Yea They Beat Us.Little more time had i stayed thbere,he would knocked me out so i just left him alone in misery.

 

[Flipmo]

If anybody deserves a cup from this Italy squad it is Del Piero.He is a true Italian man.A great one too,on the field,loyal-been playing in Italy the whole time.
Damn shame Maldini had to miss the cup and here they are now almost about to win without him.


Anyway,France beat Portugal.Zizu scored again.He is a favour for gold ball or whatever the trophy they call for the bext player.

I ran to this guy wearing a Portugal jersey today and i was wearing Italian one,right after the match.He looked down and sad.I'm like loosen up my friend,don't be so down,theres always a next year.He wasn't eager to talk at that time.lol.Im like laughing and tryna talk to him and cheer him up and hes like Yea Yea They Beat Us.Little more time had i stayed thbere,he would knocked me out so i just left him alone in misery.

lol, cmon Bach you know you can't cheer up a man who's team just lost in the semis. It's like losing a family member, you never forget.

 

[Thug Passion]

I ran to this guy wearing a Portugal jersey today and i was wearing Italian one,right after the match.He looked down and sad.I'm like loosen up my friend,don't be so down,theres always a next year.He wasn't eager to talk at that time.lol.

He probably wasn't eager to talk to you at that time because he knows that the next World Cup won't be next year. He has to wait for another 4 years.

Just joking......

Cheers~

 

[Bachaveli]

Yea,he looked like real one of those nerd soccer fans.He had some stuff in his neck and was rocking long hair and shit.I was going to continue and give more misery in his life by bashing Purtugees players,how dirty and shitty they like to play,especially Ronaldo and what role he played in Rooneys red card.But i said no,this loose will be enough to feel the sadness and misery.Besides,i was afraid he could've start swinging at any point.At that time its not a good idea to talk to him.Its like playing with the fire.You don't know when it will explode.

 

[Flipmo]

Thuram is ready for sunday, are you? :laugh:

 

[Bachaveli]

I got my jersey on,i'll try to get me a big flag and find somebody to have me brush my face with Italy flag and i'm all set to gver here everything is going to be,they'll close the streets and shit.I make sure to take a camera and take some pics.Its gonna be a party like never before. I T A L I A.