[Vacancier Permanent]

The Fifa World Cup is just a week away, this is the biggest sporting event on the planet, biggest than the Olympics as it is the biggest event of the world's game, football.

Any footie fans in here? Who will you guys and gals be cheering for?

For me, I'm going to be cheering as always for the 2 teams of my heart:
France as thats' where I grew up and Brasil as I'm a Brasilian by heart since always for ever.

For this tournament, IMHO, the favorites are:
- Brasil as always, 5 times champs and going for the 6th star. This is THE Country of Football. Nuf said!
- an extremely attractive (attractive in the way they play, not in looks, could'nt care less about that, just want to make this clear) and talented Argentina team with by far the best forwards in the world and the best player in the world on their team, that genius of Messi.
- the Dutch team is also a superb team to watch and they can go very far, possibly finally winning it and the 2nd best player in the world on their rank (Robben).
- Spain has a very strong team, but will they be able to cope with the pressure or will they continue to be the everlasting under-achievers and choke as they did in all the previous WCs?


These are IMO the top and most serious contenters for the World Crown, come July 11.

Other teams to watch:
-England has a strong team and for once, a real coach, but they're still overrated and I don't see them going past the 1/4 finals, at most a 1/2 final and losing to either Argentina or Brasil.
- Portugal has a good team, two very good players in Nani and C.Ronaldo, (he could be in the top 2 players in the world if he were less of a diver and less of a fag), but I think they still lack a little something to be put among the top 4, but still watch out for them.
- Watch out for African teams, specially Ivory Coast, Ghana and Cameroun. They can do some real damage as they have top players.
- France: we have the players, but not the coach. I hope that despite the clown coaching the team (Domenech), the players go out there and give their best and then everything's possible as we do have the players. Ah if only Blanc was put in charge of this team before the World Cup...

2 other big name teams I'm not putting in the teams to watch are:
- Germany: this year, they're far from the previous Mighty German teams of the past as they have nothing special, just a very hard working, boring to watch and in perfect German style, very mechanical. A 1/4 final would be a big achievement for this team.
- Italy: they're a bunch of oldies, with absolutely not an ounce of chance of winning it this year. As a matter of fact, they didn't even deserve to win it 4 years ago in Germany as they cheated their way all the way to the title. They should/would have been eliminated by Australia in the 2nd round had it not been for the theatrical dive in the aria by Grosso at the 93rd minute.
Anyways, this year, Ciao Italia, see you in 4 years!

Here's an awesome schedule for the World Cup:
http://www.marca.com/deporte/futbol/mund...glish.html

My prediction:
Final: Argentina-Spain with Argentina winning it.
I'd love to see an Argentina-Brasil final with the Brasileiros winning it and me in Rio taking part in the celebrations and parties!!!!
Needless to say, I'd be delighted to see France winning it, but that's a long shot due mainly to the clown at the helm for leaving some top players out of the squad.

Anyways, How about you guys? Who are you going to be cheering for? What's your prediction to win the title?

Allez Les Bleus!
Vamos Brasil!!!

[La Familia]

Great thread. HUGE futbol fan here as I have played it for almost all of my life. It's also in my blood being half Brazilian and half Peruvian!

I will be rooting for Brazil all the way!! Argentina is a close second, always classy and fun to watch. While Maradonna was a great footballer in his time, he is a terrible coach. Can't wait to see what Messi will do, but I'm very excited for Diego Milito.

I agree with most of what Vacancier Permanent said about the other teams--the African squads are ALWAYS fun to watch. They remind me of a juvenile Brazilian team, quick one touch passes and a lot of flair when given space. Germany will be playing their long ball, dead accurate style that only carries them thus far. A close family friend of mine is a scout--he was one of the first to find Ronaldihno and brought him into el Escolinha do Gremio, says that North Korea will be a tough team to beat. I'm also excited to watch Czech Republic (always solid)...more importantly, find the right atmosphere to watch the games. Nothing is better than seeing your team win and riding that wave when you open to a set of honeys

[IshGibbor]

TEAM USA!!

But I'm American what you gonna do?

Once team USA loses then I'm hoping Brazil wins...intresting you have Argentina winning it all.

Personally if the Lakers win the finals my summer will be fucked

[Mrs. Chocolate]

Brazil zil zil!!!!
I can't wait to gather everyone and watch the games wearing stupid glasses and shirts!
The top matches:

1. Brazil X Argentina
2. Brazil X Italia
3. Brazil X Portugal (due the fact the Portugal's coach is our ex-coach)
4. Brazil X Spain (Milan + Barcelona X others Spanish colleges)

[gringoed]

I'm with USA!!!

...although I doubt we'll do that well especially with Davies out and our best defender (Onyewu) still not 100%. Plus, how can you compare our best striker (Donovan or Altidore) to someone like Messi? You can't.

Messi may be the greatest footballer in history, and that legacy will be largely determined by how he performs in this years WC. Needless to say, that will be fun to watch.


After the USA, I'll be for Brazil and Argentina and AGAINST England.

Final: Brazil 1 - Spain 0

Ex-factors: The African teams are underrated, IMO. I love the Dutch but they'll choke.

[InternationPlayboy]

Just wanted to point out real quick, France shouldn't be in the World Cup, Ireland should...

I'm chearing for USA, but once they are elemenated, I'm going Brazil. I'm thinkin Spain is going to give everyone a run for their money.

[Pepini]

(06-04-2010 07:26 PM)Mrs. Chocolate Wrote:  

3. Brazil X Portugal (due the fact the Portugal's coach is our ex-coach)

Not anymore Chocolatinha. Filipäo went to Chelsea. Our coach now is Carlos Queiroz.

Spain was European Champion in 2008 and I think they won every qualifying match. I would bet on them.

As for Portugal you can call it Brazil B, cause we have a lot of brazilian players that were not good enough to play for Brazil and became portuguese to play in the national squad (Liedson, Pepe, Deco, etc).

Until Mourinho (The special one) comes to be national coach I dont put one cent in Portugal. One of Portugal problem as been the strikers. Gread midfield but no strikers.

Check some youtube videos about Mourinho the guy dont give a fuck.

Btw Mourinho will coach C. Ronaldo in Madrid. The kid will grow big on skills. C. Ronaldo is the best player in the world.he won the FIFA two years ago and lost Messi is good but not complete.


Great thread football is my passion.

[OSL]

I am rooting for USA, South Korea, North Korea, and anyone that will face Japan.

I think the Netherlands are underrated and have a solid chance, although Robben recently got hurt which won't be so great for them.

It would be great if an African nation made it happen this year but I doubt that will happen.

[Vacancier Permanent]

(06-05-2010 03:33 PM)lavinci Wrote:  

It's a shame that football (I refuse to call it soccer because this is the real football) has never caught on in the US and it's only considered a girly sport that mostly girls play it in high school or college. I have no idea how instead of the world's most popular and spectacular and most fun to watch sport, US are so obsessed with baseball and American football. American football is incredibly boring and baseball it's a joke, I don't even know how you can call it a sport. Football is the true and greatest spectacular sport there is, 90 minutes of continuous intense action with no commercials interrupting the actual game.

5 thumbs up for what you wrote, which perfectly echo my exact feelings.
LONG LIVE REAL FOOTBALL, THE WORLD's GAME, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME!!!! But in all fairness, NBA is the coolest sport in all of North American sports.

Pepini,
C.Ronaldo the best player in the world? LOL The only people who would say that are Portuguese folks. Even the hard core Madridista/Merengues have no problem admitting that the best player in the world by a mile (if not light years) is Lionel Messi. Don't get me wrong, C.Ronaldo is an exciting player, he's got some sick talent, but he's still a bit raw. I'm sure under Mourinho he'll get polished and we may finally see the final product. Even the final product of C.Ronaldo may not be enough to dethrone Messi. And to think that Messi is what? Only 21-22 is just f-0king insane. On current form, behind Messi, in world hierarchy comes Robben, then C.Ronaldo tied with Kaka. But Kaka has proven so far to be the a big game player delivering in the biggest games as he did for years with Milan. This year, at Real, he wasn't fit and that affected him most of the season, but a fit Kaka is more decisive than C.Ronaldo any day of the week. As I said, the guy's still needs to be polished as he is right now a raw diamond.

I have a feeling that this year's going to be Kaka's world cup. If anyone is going to step it up for Brasil and give Brasil a chance to win the cup, it'll be Kaka. I have a feeling it'll come down to a show down between Kaka VS Messi. Argentina have by far the best player in the world, by far the best forward line, but their defence is shaky. Brasil's defence is rock solid, the midfield as well, but their up front line is no where near as good as it was in the past. Man for man, Argentina wins it hands down; as a team, Brasil are a more solid, unified and stronger team. Should we get lucky enough to finally witness an Argentina-Brasil in the final, it'll be a cracker of a match and I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina were to win it, even toughg, I"d be cheering all for Brasil.

[Mrs. Chocolate]

Ah, too bad... I liked Felipão as coach. NO one mess around with him.
And Brazil zil zil!!!!
USA? Are u kidding me?

[IshGibbor]

(06-05-2010 03:33 PM)lavinci Wrote:  

I'm a big fan of football myself. When I used to live in Europe I would watch every good Champions League or Nationals game. As to this World Cup, I'm going to shout for Brazil, US, Spain, EE, Africa and AGAINST England, Argentina, Italy, Germany.

I would love to see a football new world order with an underdog team winning the world cup but yeah it's good to have dreams. I'd be anticipating surprises though, It'd be cool for the African teams to advance as far as possible.

It's a shame that football (I refuse to call it soccer because this is the real football) has never caught on in the US and it's only considered a girly sport that mostly girls play it in high school or college. I have no idea how instead of the world's most popular and spectacular and most fun to watch sport, US are so obsessed with baseball and American football. American football is incredibly boring and baseball it's a joke, I don't even know how you can call it a sport. Football is the true and greatest spectacular sport there is, 90 minutes of continuous intense action with no commercials interrupting the actual game.

Baseball is boring with the exception of Bottom of the 9th, bases loaded with your team is down by 3 and A rod steps to the plate. THAT is when baseball because intense as hell! NFL football blows not into it but college football is a whole other ball game. It is far more personal since many fans have actually dedicated 4 years (if not more) and lots of money to an the institution of higher learning they are from so it is far more personal when cheering for a team. I think SEC football is in a league of its own. NBA basketball is just instant gratification. Any game can change with four three pointers in a row and it is one of the few sports where if you are down 20 your team still has a chance to win (even in the fourth quarter). Nothing feels better then when your team drains a three sending the opposition into a time out.

Soccer is great and I enjoy watching the world cup but I prefer something fast paced and a bit more physical. NBA is stacked with 6ft 6-7ft guys duking it out and obviously football has crazy big men built for grid iron action. Not one to say that soccer doesn't have that but it is a matter of preference on which sport you like more.

[Mrs. Chocolate]

Today I went out to my gradma's and I saw people paiting the streets, putting flags...

[speakeasy]

I really wish we had the excitement in the USA. We're less than a week away and nobody here is even talking about it!

[InternationPlayboy]

(06-06-2010 06:52 PM)speakeasy Wrote:  

I really wish we had the excitement in the USA. We're less than a week away and nobody here is even talking about it!

People get pretty stoked on it where I am, grant it there is a huge international croud. It still seems like a lot of Americans here are into the world cup, and I see it getting more and more popular here in the states. It was definitely the first choice of sports after football and basketball at my highschool.

[Roosh]

Good Youtube clip on Messi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZnUr8lcqjo

American football has too many breaks and commercials. American sports in general seem to be constructed to pack in as many advertisements as possible.

[charmer]

so tommorrow is a big day.

my predictions.

mexico 0 vs south africa 1

france 2 vs uruguay 1

[Lumiere]

I am English and I love football.

Fortunately for us our first opponents are really awful so it should be 3 points for us.

[La Familia]

I'm calling an upset by Uruguay...and South Africa will have a tough time with Mexico (though Mexico has been struggling)

[charmer]

USA has highest goal score ranking in qualifying rounds...and the way they played against Brazil in consideration cup..is threatening.

i cant wait to see Brazil vs Ivory cost.

[La Familia]

A somewhat boring opening match, but usually they all are. South Africa needs to use their speed on offense--Parreira loves to play defensive which was why Mexico had many chances in the first half while SA just sat there. Their first goal set the ball rolling so that they start using their speed and skill up front. Mexico took it to them in the first half, but lost their edge after the goal...Giovani dos Santos is a beast, he'll be carrying Mexico on his back for the next couple of years.

Can't wait for Uruguay vs France...I'm trying to find someone willing to bet on this one! VAMOSS URUGUAY!!!

[OSL]

KOREA WITH THE WIN OVER GREECE

2-0

AW YEAHHHHH

[lilseezie]

ENGLAND ENGLAND ENGLAND!!!

[speakeasy]

(06-10-2010 04:50 AM)Lumiere Wrote:  

I am English and I love football.

Fortunately for us our first opponents are really awful so it should be 3 points for us.

[MiXX]

(06-10-2010 04:50 AM)Lumiere Wrote:  

I am English and I love football.

Fortunately for us our first opponents are really awful so it should be 3 points for us.

Sorry, I must be really bad at math - I don't add 3 points for you after todays game. LOL!

[Roosh]

If that English goalkeeper was Colombian, his life would be in grave danger.