The Soccer Topic

Not sure if there's any soccer (football) fans here, but thought I'd make a topic for the World Cup. It begins on the 11th June and is hosted by South Africa. Italy are the defending champions after winning the 2006 World Cup in Germany. A list of all the fixtures is here The USA are in the World Cup, in group C, along with England, Algeria & Slovenia. The world cup will also feature the best soccer players from around the world too like Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Wayne Rooney (England), Ronaldinho & Kaka (Brazil), Fernando Torres (Spain), Franck Ribery (France) & Lionel Messi (Argentina) amongst others.

I don't really follow it but it generally from what I've seen its more exciting to watch then american football.

I guess I want USA to do well

I don't follow it sadly. I'll hear about it on ESPN though so I'll try to stay up to date with some of the games in it.

Has anyone else been watching the World Cup? or maybe keeping up with the results.

I know the USA lost to the remaining African team but otherwise not really

OK, I've been watching quite a few of the games with the big name teams like England, Argentina, Germany, Brazil etc. There's two big games today between England & Germany and Argentina & Mexico with the winners qualifying to the quarter finals of the World Cup.

Those should be good games

Argentina played well against Mexico and won 3-1, with a very good goal from Carlos Tevez. England were not so good and lost 4-1 to Germany, although there was a disallowed goal before half time which would have made the score 2-2. I think maybe England would have played differently if the score was 2-2, like more defensive and try to get the winning goal at the right time. They were abit too offensive minded though, which cost them when Germany counter-attacked to make it 3-1 and again when they scored the fourth goal. Interestingly if England won the group they've have had an easier path to the next rounds as they'd have played Ghana in the 2nd round and Uruguay in the quarter final. Then in the semi's the winner between Netherlands/Slovakia or Brazil/Chile, and from those teams I'd have thought it would be Brazil, so they could have got to the semi's (which they haven't done since 1990) and maybe even reached the final.

I take it they were good games, I missed them party because I was at lunch and party because I found a movie to watch instead but as long as you enjoy the games thats a good thing

Yep, well the England game was disappointing in the fact that they lost and didn't play to their potential. Brazil played good today too against Chile.

That it is I haven't watched a single game yet. But it seems all of our countries are out of the tourney so who do you think will win Moon?

my money would be Brazil since I believe they the host country for the next one

Don't really like soccer, but since USA is out, i'll have to root for Germany, my main ethnicity lol.

SKeiblerBB wrote:That it is I haven't watched a single game yet. But it seems all of our countries are out of the tourney so who do you think will win Moon?

It's abit close to call at the moment, with Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Brazil and Argentina still in the World Cup. It's likely that Brazil will reach the final, against either Spain, Germany or Argentina. Based on how the teams have been playing so far, I'm thinking it'll be a Brazil/Argentina final.

We will find out soon I imagine as the cup is getting close to coming to an end.

Good thing I didn't actually bet on Brazil, read they are out of the running and no idea who is left so no idea who to pull for

Yep the Netherlands beat Brazil 2-1. The semi-finals are now Spain/Germany and Uruguay/Netherlands. After their performances against England & Argentina, looks like Germany should make the final, although Spain are the current European Champions (they won Euro 2008), so might be a more closer game than Germany's two other recent matches. In the other semi, Netherlands are, I'm assuming, the favorites to progress, so a Germany/Netherlands World Cup final seems likely.

All in all its been interesting to say the least

Spain beat Germany one nil, so they'll be playing the Netherlands in the World Cup final on Sunday, which should be a good game.

So who is considered the underdog in that match? Thats who I'm hoping wins

I'm rooting for the Netherlands, since Spain beat my Gernmany. I'd guess the Netherlands would be the underdog, especially the way those Spainards love soccer lol.

Germany finished 3rd, after they beat Uruguay 3-2 in the third place playoff yesterday.

So who is considered the underdog in that match?

In this match, probably the Netherlands, as Spain are European Champions. Although Spain could be considered underdogs too since they've not reached the World Cup final before, whilst Netherlands have twice before in 1974 & 1978.

Well good thing I didn't waste any money as I would lost since Spain won. Though Stacy is happy that Spain won

Sportscenter claims it wasn't a very good final. Also suprised this is Spains first victory, as i thought Spain was a soccer dynasty.

From what I've heard its Spain's first World Cup win but I believe they've been Euro Champs a few times