World Cup predictions

**Stuttgart88** · 15/06/2010, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I think the point, though, is that it seems to be much worse than previous years. So yes, not wanting to lose is understandable, but why is this tournament so much worse than other years when it was also important not to lose early?

Has it been worse? I haven't really noticed. Maybe I enjoyed it more this year because I was on a 3 day jolly to New York (no work, no wife, no kids..), just me and a nice bar for 5 games!

**Stuttgart88** · 15/06/2010, 5:20 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

93rd minute equaliser, cross from the left, headed in
nailed it!

The prophet had spoken!

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 6:32 PM

Come on north korea

**tricky_colour** · 15/06/2010, 7:06 PM

Just backed a Korean win and also the draw, that usually mean Brazil score a few minutes after I hit 'post'.

I like the underdog.

**tricky_colour** · 15/06/2010, 7:16 PM

Brazil have baerly had a chance on goal.

NK look well drilled and organised, fingers crossed for second half.

**pineapple stu** · 15/06/2010, 7:22 PM

Stuttgart - is it poor? I think so, though it's hard to quantify alright. It's the lowest scoring World Cup ever (average goals per game), with 20 goals in the 13.5 games so far. Does that make it crap though?

Italia 90 was crap by all accounts, but my memories are positive - of our involvement, Baggio's superb goal and a couple of dramatic games like England v Cameroon. I do distinctly remember thinking during Euro 2008 that it was a great tournament though. I'm not thinking that now.

I looked at livescore at half time of Ivory Coast v Portugal and saw there hadn't been a single shot on target all game. I think Japan scored with their only shot. I hate using facts to prove stuff about football, but those kind of stats are too common thius tournament I think. Does it make it crap? I think it helps.

But it's the general standard which is poor, I think. How many careless missed passes? How many free kicks on target, let alone scored? How many surging runs bar Messi? How many great saves bar those from Messi? How many great games? How many players standing out?

And I don't think it's just the World Cup. The Champions' League final was dire, as was Man Utd v Chelsea a couple of years ago. The Big Four Premiership games are frequently criticised for being dull. Is it just that in footbalkl generally, avoiding defeat is the number one aim? Is all football now catenaccio? Is that why the German game was so good - a young, enthusiastic, skilful, well-coached team going out to play. A well-run domestic scene (it appears; massive crowds, atmosphere, beer, affordable tickets, no big debts. They've taken chances and are reaping rewards.

I'd like to think I have some objective judgement of what's a good game and what's not from watching games week in week out; I've seen far better games in the Bowl this season.

So yes, I do think it is, so far, about the worst tournament in recent memory. Euro 2000 was poor too. Maybe it's just problems with years ending in 0?

(And speaking of UCD, North Korea are very similar to us - no fear, well-drilled defensively, lacking that bit of inspiration up front, bugger all fans and ruled by a despotic mad-man determined to crush all opposition.

)

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 7:26 PM

I agree pineapple, good post

i think you'll agree with me when i say this world cup is an absolute shambles, so far !

**elroy** · 15/06/2010, 7:28 PM

Still no goals in the Brazil game and there was I thinking they would get the goal count up.

Hopefully things will improve once we hit the second round of games when many teams will actually have to win to stay alive. At present, alot of teams are going on with the first aim of not losing and cancelling each other out.

**Sullivinho** · 15/06/2010, 7:42 PM

Kinda sad to see Brazil labouring against North Korea. What on earth has happened to Kaka?

Maicon in top form though.

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 7:42 PM

Wow

**elroy** · 15/06/2010, 7:44 PM

Yay, a goal and a damn good one at that!

**Sullivinho** · 15/06/2010, 8:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

~~Kinda sad to see Brazil labouring against North Korea.~~

That's more like it lads.

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 8:06 PM

The quality of loi football is about 10 times better then this

**Ciaran W** · 15/06/2010, 8:16 PM

Great goal

**Noelys Guitar** · 15/06/2010, 8:53 PM

Both my main bets probably down the swanee today (NK 3/1 and NZ 5/1 to be lowest scoring team Boylesports). Sure to be either Algeria or Greece now. On another note it was interesting to find out last night (Skysports)that the Bundesliga used the new ball all of last season. And the German national team has been using it in training for almost as long. I know Capello was offered the ball last February (inexplicably turned down the chance). Surely an advantage for the Germans.

**bennocelt** · 15/06/2010, 9:24 PM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

Kinda sad to see Brazil labouring against North Korea. What on earth has happened to Kaka?

Maicon in top form though.

And why does he have to do the diving!!!!!

Korea were great too see, loved their attitude,and i jumped off the sofa when they scored - wowowow
(bill o herily was bloody annoying, calling them boring - no way)

missed a few games - so staying up to catch them tonight on RTE online - great, looking forward to seeing what i missed in the portugal - ivo coast game

**bennocelt** · 16/06/2010, 12:35 AM

Just finished watching Italy - Paraguay game. Was impressed with Italy, and Pepe was ace

Hate the fifa budweiser man of match thingy
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/awards/...roupstage.html
Either the goalscorer or goalie gets it - always. STUPID

**Stuttgart88** · 16/06/2010, 9:31 AM

Points all taken & accepted Stu. I'm still loving it though!

**tetsujin1979** · 16/06/2010, 9:35 AM

If you're looking for something to do to pass the time between games, read the tactical analysis on http://www.zonalmarking.net/
Can't recommend it enough.