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But it makes sense to us because of our use of the definite article when talking about soccer leagues; the Bundesliga, La Liga, The LOI, the Irish League, the Premier League, the MLS...Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Don't forget in America Real Madrid is the European Champion. And for that I will never take tips on English from them.
Americans have an awful grasp of grammar. "The US is playing the game of their lives".Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
They have an awkward 'grasp' of the English language.
The US had a great team spirit and fought valiantly at times, but short on quality v. a sometimetimes underperforming Flanders & Wallonia XI.
Oh and Tim Howard wasn't bad either.
But the Europeans definitely deserved it. Fancy them for the win if Argentina play like they did earlier. So Holland in the Semis?
US speakers of English say the same about British English. Pluralising collective nouns - what a polarising linguistic issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
At least we're consistent, and collective nouns should be pluralised god dammit. We don't say **** like "Ireland are playing its best".Quote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
It sounds no uglier than "Belgium are playing well" sounds to a US speaker.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
And actually, US is far more consistent in its non-pluralisation of collective nouns than British English is in its pluralisation of them.
You are far far more likely to hear "the government is planning" in British English than you are to hear "the government are planning" in US English.
Anyhow, back to the World Cup...2 nights with no games...I can finally get a proper sleep.
I mean consistent within the same sentence. "The US is doing their best" is grammatically ****ed. "The US is doing its best" is at least consistent, but you don't hear it half as often.
You ever been to Cork Charlie D?
Yes, I regretted it immediately.
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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
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Originally Posted by osarusan
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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
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Originally Posted by osarusan
That's what I SAID!Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
And there was no need to bring Cahrk into it strangirish.
They should start all the knock-out games at around the 70th minute and have the players running on treadmills up to that time. The first half in each game todate has been pretty much a waste of time. All the plucky underdogs have been sent on their way. Amazing really, no matter how close to the wire they all came, none was able to climb over it. Costa Rica is the only surprise team playing in the last 8 and none of the teams has shown any great form and each has struggled to win its game. I'll stick with Germany but it's anyone's tournament.
You've echoed the sentiments of a lot of people but I don't get it.
Colombia were far superior to Uruguay in every way. Out if the 8 second round games they were the most impressive, and couple that with their group performance and their last two years of qualifiers and friendlies I think you could install them as favourites.
Even the Rico's have been brilliant and were unlucky yo be down to 10 men and to concede that goal. They were still more impressive in an overall sense than the other 6.
For me it's a toss up between Colombia and the Netherlands. But nothing will surprise me.
No way Colombia can/will win it, a Final would be a great achievement. France v.Holland/Argentina most likely though.
:(
As one who was most impressed with Costa Rica against a dull Uruguay and thought they would get the better of Italy and England. However, they did not impress me in the last 16 game against greece. Quite simply their goalie is touched by the Gods and was the outstanding significant difference to get them though.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
It is generally accepted that Duarte was not hard done by the 2 yellow cards, he made a tired late studs-up tackle, felling Holebas, who had turned him and was leaving him for dead on his way in plenty of space towards goal. Duarte's first card was a stonewall yellow for hauling down Lazaros after being caught out by the long ball.
You don't agree with Dunphy's assessment of Columbia then as "headless chickens" ?Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
do you ever read books?Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I think this World Cup has emphasised how magic Spain were. They were on another planet to everybody else. Fair enough they won plenty of games 1-0 and so on but they were always the stand out team and brought a similar level of performance to most games, regardless of the opposition. This tournament is great, but it's great because it's being played amongst equals with as many flaws as attributes.
Can't wait for the q/finals. If I could make one change though I would swap the timing of Germany v France and Holland v Costa Rica. I think the floodlit evening game lends itself more to an epic battle than the sunny, just home from work kick off slot. I would have been drained after the Argentina game yesterday if it was at night, but it didn't knock a stir out of me during the day! :)
You're probably right. But I'm a Irishman. Logic will be gone before I'll ever support Brazil.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
I thought their tenacity against a brick wall was actually to be admired. To comeback and win on penalties after conceding that late late equaliser coupled with the exhaustion they suffered was wonderful. How could you not be impressed.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
General acceptance is one thing. I merely stated they were unlucky to be down to ten. The same way France were lucky to stay with 11 on the pitch against Nigeria. Luck is what luck is. Bad or good. I never said it wasn't deserved.
Really? Do Colombia strike you as a team of 8 year-olds all swarming after a ball. Colombia have been a joy so far and Friday can't come quick enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Must ignore... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I think all games have landed nicely. All great fixtures in their own way.Quote:
Can't wait for the q/finals. If I could make one change though I would swap the timing of Germany v France and Holland v Costa Rica. I think the floodlit evening game lends itself more to an epic battle than the sunny, just home from work kick off slot. I would have been drained after the Argentina game yesterday if it was at night, but it didn't knock a stir out of me during the day! :)
Brazil-Colombia and Germany-France are 2 ties they could have only dreamt of having at this stage, in the sense of how all four are playing.
I still would have rathered Chile-Colombia but ah well!
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/world...as-costa-rica/
If Navas isn't 100% for the Dutch game, Costa Rica's chances of another surprise are dramatically lowered.
This article is quite interesting as it refers to a FIFA Report on the type of play at the WC. I know it's stating the bleeding obvious, but it might explain why England and Italy went out early and hopefully MONROY consider it before the Euros.
http://www.theage.com.au/fifa-world-...703-zsu51.html
Ah no, say it aint so....:mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
His performance V Greece was amazing
Reasonable article on Q-F's here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28117029
and optimistic noises re.Navas.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28069208
Ah, you should have written that you were reinterpreting what we generally understand unlucky to mean.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
An unlucky sending off is generally understood as an undeserved sending off, due to simulation, a ref making an error of judgement, the player was hard done by, etc etc
But in your world, a sending off can be unlucky for the team, but deserved for the player?
It's just I'm not very good at this mind reading stuff, sorry to be so pedantic :)
With less of a tolerance for contact and overly physical play, I think the rules also favour brisk attackers/attacking play.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
Only when they celebrate their goals!Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Looking at that it does look like a penalty, what a crazy challenge to make so late in the game.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Am I the only one who pictures Danny a wearing a gown and wig as he describes all the tackles he sees?
Flu in the German camp apparently, not saying who is ill and who isnt.
Not if you'd seen photos of him from 'real life'! Nothing wrong like, just rather more in touch with reality than the average judge I reckon...Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
But you're usually so eager to assume. I didn't think my reinterpretation would have been such a stretch for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Just some sore throats and mild symptoms says Low. If true it wouldn't be much of a factor, but who knows if Low is being honest.Quote:
Originally Posted by centre mid
Germany peddling a sympathy card. You'd have to be some sucker to swallow that one.
Not unlike a big bad wolf dressed up in the clothes of a granny feigning some ailment or another.
You missed the gown and wig ones?!Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
(Phew!) :p
Do they have a French chef or what? Conspiracy!Quote:
Originally Posted by centre mid
Goal Germany. I love how Hummels just ploughed into the French defender's space. He was going to get that ball no matter who was in the way. The defender will be embarrassed when he sees himself offering no physical resistance to Hummel's momentum. He was like a beachball getting carried on a wave.
Chaps I found the german drivers license of a german girl and brought it to the german embassy.
Nicely balenced game. Nice header from Hummels, but the French seem to have made a few more proper chances.
I must be starting to get world cup fatigue. I just dont care anymore.
Thought it was a poor enough half, Germany in control.
The way Neil Lennon was looking at Whelan there was a real "What the **** is this guy even talking about?" look