World Cup Winners

[Gramercy Riffs Yeh Right]

spain threw that game to finish runners up and avoid brazil in the next stage

[Cyrus]

Don't think so mate, they first need to secure next stage, then they can plan things like that. Regarding Brazil, they also didn't play brilliant on that game against N. Korea. It was interesting to see North Korean team playing, it's incredible how much energy their players have!

[4nik8]

It was interesting to see North Korean team playing, it's incredible how much energy their players have!

...it's from all the radiation of their nuclear program

[Dud]

spain threw that game to finish runners up and avoid brazil in the next stage

Don't think so, Gramercy, it's the other way around. If Spain wanted to avoid Brazil (or is that Brasil?) in the next round, they would have to win their group.

Also, as Cyrus said, it is a very risky strategy. 

[Cyrus]

It was interesting to see North Korean team playing, it's incredible how much energy their players have!

...it's from all the radiation of their nuclear program

Lol, now we know how US managed to drew against England, I was always wondering why they need all those nuclear weapons!
On a serious note, I really enjoyed watching North Korea playing, they play very clean, straightforward football, respecting every decision made by referee, not arguing, etc. I wish European players would be more like that, instead of rolling all over the pitch, pretending they're mortally wounded after the smallest foul made on them.

[Lux]

Regarding Brazil, they also didn't play brilliant on that game against N. Korea. It was interesting to see North Korean team playing, it's incredible how much energy their players have!

Hey Cyrus, the last time I saw a brilliant Brasil was in 2005 Confederations Cup, that final Brasil-Argentina (we won 4-1). With this coach and players you won't see more than a good victory. Dunga (the coach) says that my Seleção from 1982 was brilliant and didn't win anything so, in his crazy mind, beautiful football and championships are incompatible.

I think Spain played this last match like they did against USA at Confederations Cup, with arrogance. Anyway, I don't want to play against them before the final, I still see them strong contenders.

And France... almost Adieu Le Bleu 

[Cyrus]

in his crazy mind, beautiful football and championships are incompatible.

If he really thinks that, he should see few matches on DVD played by Pele, just to remind him what's the football all about. Or someone needs to tell him that the 2nd name of football is 'The Beautiful Game', not without the reason.

Regarding the French team, hope they gonna lose the last game as well, they didn't deserve to be on this World Cup, Ireland should have been there instead of them.

[Cyrus]

I almost forgot, what do England fans on this forum think about the team after today's performance against Algeria? Do they even deserve to go through to the next stage, what are their chances against Slovenia?

[Gramercy Riffs Yeh Right]

spain threw that game to finish runners up and avoid brazil in the next stage

Don't think so, Gramercy, it's the other way around. If Spain wanted to avoid Brazil (or is that Brasil?) in the next round, they would have to win their group.

Also, as Cyrus said, it is a very risky strategy. 

what makes u think Brasil will win thier group!!

[Dud]

It's not so much what makes me think that, but I'm sure Spain would expect Brazil/Brasil to win their group.

Although, with all these recent shocks, I'm not so sure.

I almost forgot, what do England fans on this forum think about the team after today's performance against Algeria? Do they even deserve to go through to the next stage, what are their chances against Slovenia?

Really, I don't know. Not going to turn on the team like so many people in the stadium did (although it is somewhat understandable, I guess), but eh, after all the hype we've had across here (and believe me, we've had a lot), it's just all becoming undone. We should have beaten Algeria for sure, but I guess we can count ourselves lucky after big teams like Spain, Germany & France have all found themselves losing to opposition they expected to beat. Fair play to Algeria, they played relatively well, and although we did have brief moments of magic, it just wasn't there. Everybody seemed nervous and nobody wanted to take the shot on, probably because nobody wanted to make a mistake and end up getting slated by the press like Rob Green was after the USA match.

To be fair, there were a few positives come out of it; some good performances from certain people, but we need a good performance from the whole team, and although saying "We only need to been Slovenia in the last game" sounds goods, it makes it sound easier than it is.

Saw a few other games today and was going to comment on them, but that rant has tired me out. Although I will say America's third, disallowed goal should've stood. Really bad play on the referee's part.

[Gramercy Riffs Yeh Right]

i actually think the idea has been to do just enough to win and not show too much but it hasnt worked out,capello probably thought our group was so easy we could do that and still nick the win while at the same time giving the better teams the idea that we are crap too!!!

[Dud]

I think it's time we call a spade a spade and just admit that although we may have been the best team in the group, we've been shown up by countries who've had hunger, drive and determination - barely any people pulling on the England shirt on these last two outings have had any of those things; most expect to turn up and beat the likes of Algeria with ease.

And if the team aren't prepared to actually put the effort in against Slovenia, then I hope they're packing their bags already.

[Ninth Delegate]

Best quote I heard this week: "Why do the fans keep blowing those vulva horns?"
Vulva horns????  I'll let you make your own jokes about that one 


My hopes of England getting knocked out in the first round are coming closer to reality. 

Sing along.... "I predict a riot, ...I predict a riot".

[Cyrus]

I think the main problem with England is that, through the TV and papers, an atmosphere before the World Cup was created which gave the impression that England has already won it, they just need to go to S. Africa and pick up the trophy, and job done.
I live in England and that's the way my friends were thinking until the game against America. It's not a bad thing when fans are thinking like that, but when the players think the same, that's a big problem.
As soon as they couldn't score in first 15 minutes, they became frustrated, and completely forgot about the tactics, team play, etc. I'm sure Prince William's statement that England's going to win 10-0 didn't help either.

And the same thing is happening again, all the papers are writing the same thing, England just needs to beat Slovenia and that's it. If that is so easy, how come they couldn't do that with the States and Algeria?

Regarding the fans booing them, I don't know what were they expecting, cheering!? Rooney alone probably earns more that the whole Algerian team, but you couldn't see that difference in the quality anywhere on the pitch. Booing is the least they should have expected.

[Cyrus]

South Africa and France are out, Uruguay and Mexico have qualified for the 2nd round. Mexico had a bit of luck, feel sorry for South Africa, the host nation. I'm glad France is out, I guess we can say the justice has been done.