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Hey, did anybody notice USA actually showing up? Did you see Luca Toni's 6' 4" 200 pound shadow? Did anybody also notice that ref who was obviously promised a lifetime supply of meatballs and tomatoes but was still unable to hand the Azzuri the game? Yessir. "Don't Tread" I believe is the newly patented phrase. We aren't that bad when we actually try, but I still don't know if we can realistically get into the elimination round (I'd still trade our entire midfield for Michael Essien) but that was definitely a moral victory/draw.

On different notes...

What the hell is the matter with Sweden? They were my semi-sleeper pick coming into the cup, but Zlatan looks like a taller, more awkward Cristiano Ronaldo (fun to watch but goes absolutely nowhere), Larsson has disappeared and Freddie Ljungberg isn't tall enough to carry the team himself. I'm really feeling for the Swedes right now...

My other pick to win it all, however, is doing pretty good at the moment: Argentina looks absolutely fantastic. I've been a fan ever since the last WC when I heard somebody say they hadn't won since Maradona was on the field (who I didn't know at the time but enjoy watching in the stands now ), but they look great. Their passing has been unbelievable thus far and their young talent (Tevez and Messi) are just frickin' fun to watch. Here's to hoping it lasts, I'd love to see them get a cup.

Yes, good game by USA and Awful by Italy. I hope Rossi gets suspended for the rest of the tournament.

I think all three reds where correct though.

About Sweden I think Zlatan is out of form, and Larson is made look bad by weak Swedish midfield display. It's easier to look good when you have Ronaldhino serving you balls. I think Sweden will improve a little against England and in a possible first knock out round though.

About Argentina I couldn't agree more. Now that their generation of movie stars are gone I really think they deserve a win.

Brazilian game wasnt too bad. We're classified for the next match.

[QUOTE=Luis Antonio]Brazilian game wasnt too bad. We're classified for the next match.[/QUOTE]

*throws things at LA*

9 penalties to 25, something a bit dodgy is happening. Though it was a good game, scoreless first half, a few lucky shots in the second. Though we had our fair share of chances, we just didn't get them.

We need to now tie with or beat Croatia, provided that Japan doesn't beat Brazil by more than 2. That's right, for the next game, I'll be going for Brazil.

What's a bugger is that our star player Harry Kewell may be suspended for abusing the ref, which is something that would be really bad for our chances.

Oh well, we'll see, Friday morning, 5AM.

[QUOTE=dj_venom]
9 penalties to 25, something a bit dodgy is happening. [/QUOTE]

Not dodgy at all, This unbalance in fouls always happens when pacy technical sides meet hard working defenders.

Well it's just a shame.

But on a good note, Harry has been cleared to play against Croatia.

So go you Brazillians, thrash the Japanese, then Croatia will fall before our might!

[QUOTE=dj_venom]Well it's just a shame.[/QUOTE]

Why? It's not poor performance of the referee, it's the fact that the weaker team usually tackle to late and to slow.

[QUOTE=dj_venom]

So go you Brazillians, thrash the Japanese, then Croatia will fall before our might![/QUOTE]

Heh we have a deal with Zico. He will win for 3 goals. The aussies are history

I'm on a bus. trip so just logging in for a few secs. Go Brazil! And what's wrong with the referee in USA-Italy? He did good. All 3 reds were deserved, he was not at all bad. He actually could have given a red card to one of the USA time (Pope? the guy who got thrown out second, on double yellow) cause his first yellow could have been a red - tackle as the last man of the defense that way is actually a red here in the leagues and in the rules I believe.

Well I go for Mexico - if they lose, then Germany ^^

Btw, ADAHN IS BACK! w00t!

England-Sweden 2-2, just as I predicted and more or less the way I predicted as well. England have better players on almost every position (save the keeper of course!) but still they have a long history of not being able to beat Sweden. Very strange.

I was surprised by Swedens' set pieces, I had no idea they were so good, they must have practised a lot lately. Sweden will now face Germany next, so I am pretty sure it will be goodbye.

Poor Owen, I hope it's not too bad Looked bad though, a twist like that can easily damage the cruciate ligament.

Brazil plays today, I hope to see Robinho and Fred or Robinho and Adriano in the front line. And a goal from Ronaldinho, who hasnt scored yet.

Have you moved timezone, Luis?
If you are still in Brazil, Brazil should play tomorrow, today is Argentina.

I'd say he confused the two teams for a moment there... if I wouldn't know that would have been a sure way to insult him.

[QUOTE=Lestat]I'd say he confused the two teams for a moment there... if I wouldn't know that would have been a sure way to insult him. [/QUOTE]

I didn't even dare to suggest it - Brazil or New Zealand is not far enough away from me!

I'm surprised the Holland-Argentine game is still goalless, I had expected more goals from these attacking teams.

[QUOTE=C Elegans]Have you moved timezone, Luis?
If you are still in Brazil, Brazil should play tomorrow, today is Argentina.[/QUOTE]

I'm lost in time, and space, and sometimes I cant even find myself into this mess. Oh dear.

Anyway, Argentina and Holland: 0x0. Damn dutch people, why havent you MOVED?

It looks like Holland is gonna face Portugal next round. Well then I don't have to find anti-Dutch excuses who to support, since I just plainly like Portugal.

And I'm happy that Côte d'Ivoire was able to win it's last match at least, they did have a bit of an unlucky draw, having to face two very strong teams in their group. But they showed at least that their had their place at this tournament (and I'm glad Aruna played well, a pity he left Anderlecht).

Nice game between Holland and Argentina, despite the result and the fact that both teams rested their best players.

Argentina - Holland was quite a boring game in my opinion. Tevez made two classy goal attempts, but that was about the only exciting thing in the whole game. It was rather clear that neither side cared much about winning. Mexico and Portugal were faced with the same situation, but at least they showed some class by actually trying to win the match

[QUOTE=Lestat]And I'm happy that Côte d'Ivoire was able to win it's last match at least, they did have a bit of an unlucky draw, having to face two very strong teams in their group. [/QUOTE]

Me too, I was very disappointed that Africa's strongest team was so unfortunate with the draw. When the last 16 are decided I am sure there will be more than one team with far less class than Côte d'Ivoire. A very bad tournament for Africa this year, Cameroon, Nigeria and last times surprise Senegal failed to qualify, and Côte d'Ivoire go the group of death
A pity that the game was bereft of a final glimpse at one of the major stars, replays show that was not a yellow on Drogba in the Holland game.

Poor Owen btw, it is now confirmed he is out for the rest of the tournament with a suspected cruciate ligament injury (as I believed) that is estimated to keep him away from football for 5-6 months.