Topic: The Quadrennial Global Round-Ball Extravaganza (Read 45124 times)

BlahBlah · « **Reply #350 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 13:32 »

I think Germany would thrash Holland though if both teams continue to play as they have been.

Verergoca · « **Reply #351 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 13:36 »

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! WE ARE IN THE FINALS!!!! \o/

Barmymoo · « **Reply #352 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 14:20 »

I've been rooting for Holland ever since I saw their patriotism while I was there - a country that passionate about football deserves to win!

october1983 · « **Reply #353 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 14:56 »

I didn't completely catch what was said as the signal for ITV is so poor in our flat that the audio kept cutting out, but I could've sworn one of the commentators for tonight's match suggested that Holland would be popular in South Africa on account of their languages being so similar. Genius.

Barmymoo · « **Reply #354 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 15:15 »

Gee thanks Tommy, now that I know there's another important bit of history I know nothing about, I'm going to have to go and hunt through the library for more books! I spent today learning about the Russian revolution and Indian independence, and clearly tomorrow is a Holland and South Africa day.

amok · « **Reply #355 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 15:34 »

Quote from: october1983 on 06 Jul 2010, 14:56

I didn't completely catch what was said as the signal for ITV is so poor in our flat that the audio kept cutting out, but I could've sworn one of the commentators for tonight's match suggested that Holland would be popular in South Africa on account of their languages being so similar. Genius.

Among the many reasons why Clive Tyldesley is literally the worst person alive.

I'd rather watch ITV's matches with a basshunter soundtrack and a vuvuzela jammed up my arse than listen to their commentators. All woeful to a man.

WestEnder67 · « **Reply #356 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 15:54 »

Quote from: amok on 06 Jul 2010, 15:34

Quote from: october1983 on 06 Jul 2010, 14:56
I didn't completely catch what was said as the signal for ITV is so poor in our flat that the audio kept cutting out, but I could've sworn one of the commentators for tonight's match suggested that Holland would be popular in South Africa on account of their languages being so similar. Genius.

Among the many reasons why Clive Tyldesley is literally the worst person alive.

I'd rather watch ITV's matches with a basshunter soundtrack and a vuvuzela jammed up my arse than listen to their commentators. All woeful to a man.

I'd have loved for the mauling of England by Germany to have been on ITV, just to hear Tyldesley grow more and more despondent before throwing himself off the Free State Stadium screaming about 1966. All the better if James Corden would have joined him.

Although in all honesty the rampant favouritism in the first game that climaxed in a near-physical orgasm from the commentator when Tshabalala scored against Mexico probably got on my nerves more than Tyldesley and Mowbray's incessant witterings about 'Engerland'.

Looking forward to seeing what Germany can do tomorrow night - they've been outstanding this tournament, Serbia game excepted. I just wish my heart'd have over-ruled my head when it came down to going to the bookies and actually betting on them to win it rather than Brazil.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #357 on:** 06 Jul 2010, 18:37 »

Glad to see Netherlands getting to the final for once. I've actually been calling a Germany v. Netherlands final from the very start and since I'm expecting Germany to beat Spain, I kinda wish I had put money on that. Ah well, lets see if Holland can avoid being crushed by the brutal efficiency of the Huns come July 11 (outlook: not good).

StaedlerMars · « **Reply #358 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 01:02 »

Quote from: Barmymoo on 06 Jul 2010, 14:20

I've been rooting for Holland ever since I saw their patriotism while I was there - a country that passionate about football deserves to win!

This is kind of exactly the reason I don't want the Netherlands to win. They're on par with the English for blind football patriotism and loudness.

They have been playing well though (although the first half of the second half (??) I was very much thinking "what the fuck are these guys doing, they're better at passing than this", and I'm glad that the two teams that have proven themselves to be consistently good have found their way to the finals. I'm not surprised the Netherlands made it through, since they're the only group on that side of the knock-out stage seen play particularly well.

I'm rooting for Germany in the next game, for exactly the same reason. Also, I'm glad that Uruguay is out because they do not really deserve to be in the semi-finals.

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #359 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 01:43 »

Quote from: Barmymoo on 06 Jul 2010, 14:20

I've been rooting for Holland ever since I saw their patriotism while I was there - a country that passionate about football deserves to win!

Patriotism is the virtue of the vicious.

And the level of patriotism is probably the one thing I'd change about the Netherlands.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #360 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 02:25 »

Schweinsteiger sounds like a beer.

I would definitely drink Pig Climber

Inlander · « **Reply #361 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 02:35 »

If it comes down to a Germany-Netherlands final I'm going to be really torn. Germany deserve to win because they've been the best team across the board and they've done it by ditching their normal (and very succesful) style which takes some guts; on the other hand Germany have won the World Cup enough times in the past and it'd be great to see the Netherlands win it for a change, because as a footballing nation they deserve to have at least one World Cup to their name - but not with this team, which is probably the least likeable team they've ever fielded.

Of course Spain might get to the final instead of Germany, but it really looks like it'll take something phenomenal to roll this German team and Spain haven't really shown that yet.

David_Dovey · « **Reply #362 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 02:37 »

Exactly my thoughts. Nobody deserves the cup more than GER and they're playing some very enjoyable football so there's not really any good reason to dislike them but yet still, gah, Germany again? Boooring

StaedlerMars · « **Reply #363 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 03:01 »

I'm extremely upset I'm not going to be able to watch the final.

Hopefully the scottish are football obsessed enough that they'll be showing it at T in the Park, but I doubt it.

Darke · « **Reply #364 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 03:40 »

They never showed the 2006 World Cup Final at T in the Park, and I don't think they intend to change. It's a right kick in the balls.

I've always supported Spain growing up, but I put money on Germany winning this tournament... I'm torn.

redglasscurls · « **Reply #365 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 04:48 »

Watching the Germany-Spain game in an English pub this afternoon. Anticipating some grumbling since I'm rooting for Germany and all the British fans are probably still butthurt.

Darke · « **Reply #366 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 06:07 »

Hey hey hey, two out of three British nations laughed hysterically when England got put out of the World Cup.

amok · « **Reply #367 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 09:40 »

~~almost as~~ nowhere near as much as the Irish did for the entire duration of the French "team"'s "campaign"

in anticipation of tonight's battle for the right to face Uruguay for the title of Third Best In The World, here is fernando torres' only contribution to the World Cup so far:

must be pretty embarrassing being David Villa and having to line up next to this chump at the world's most prestigious football tournament!

the_pied_piper · « **Reply #368 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 11:28 »

Quote from: Darke on 07 Jul 2010, 06:07

Hey hey hey, two out of three British nations laughed hysterically when England got put out of the World Cup.

There are 4 British nations, 3 of whom all laughed when England were knocked out. Then there was also me who laughed because I am tired of the overhyped, overrated crap that call themselves international class players.

Barmymoo · « **Reply #369 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 11:33 »

I have watched that video in slow motion as it loaded and several times at full speed and I just can't see what made him fall.

onewheelwizzard · « **Reply #370 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 11:52 »

His right ankle hits his left calf as he's running.

However, the way in which he throws up his hands and tosses his head is a pretty clear indication that it was extremely deliberate.

Basically, he was trying to cheat by drawing an undeserved penalty.

the_pied_piper · « **Reply #371 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 12:01 »

If you look closely you can see that he kicks the Chilean players knee which knocks his right foot onto the back of his left calf. Not a foul and certainly not worth the card which got the Chilean player sent off but I'm not sure about cheating. Also, it was at least 5 yards outside of the penalty area so there is no way it would have been a penalty anyway.

StaedlerMars · « **Reply #372 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 13:03 »

gaaaaaaaaah...

Barmymoo · « **Reply #373 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 13:30 »

Hup hup Holland!

Thomas Edison · « **Reply #374 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 13:45 »

I'm still betting on New Zealand to clinch it this year.

TheFuriousWombat · « **Reply #375 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 13:48 »

Man Germany looked like a completely different team today. They were tired, they were slow, they weren't making those amazing crosses they did so well in almost every other game. In this game alone, they deserved to lose. Still, and I'm saying this not so much as a fan but as someone impressed with their skill, they really deserve to be in the final and it's kinda sad that they're not. That being said, I'm still rooting whole heartedly for Holland.

redglasscurls · « **Reply #376 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 14:30 »

are.you.kidding.me. Goddammit Germany. Sat next to a bunch of awful yuppie Spaniards too

BeoPuppy · « **Reply #377 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 14:46 »

As a decidedly non-football lover (unless it's the US kind) I am extremely happy that the germans did not make the final.

When that happens, a final between the Netherlands and Germany, people feel free to drag all sorts of horrible stuff out like it's a revenge match for WWII, cheapening the suffering of millions and reducing it to the importance of a football game. And I hate that.

Alex C · « **Reply #378 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 14:55 »

Quote from: the_pied_piper on 07 Jul 2010, 12:01

If you look closely you can see that he kicks the Chilean players knee which knocks his right foot onto the back of his left calf. Not a foul and certainly not worth the card which got the Chilean player sent off but I'm not sure about cheating. Also, it was at least 5 yards outside of the penalty area so there is no way it would have been a penalty anyway.

I dunno, maybe it's legit, but association football is so known for diving that it's tough to see it from a North American perspective and not think something pretty lame is going on. It's bad enough that flopping has increased in basketball as well and it really alienates a lot of potential fans. Probably doesn't help that I'm from a hockey obsessed area. Taking a dive isn't exactly part of the culture.

amok · « **Reply #379 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 15:46 »

Quote from: Alex C on 07 Jul 2010, 14:55

Quote from: the_pied_piper on 07 Jul 2010, 12:01
If you look closely you can see that he kicks the Chilean players knee which knocks his right foot onto the back of his left calf. Not a foul and certainly not worth the card which got the Chilean player sent off but I'm not sure about cheating. Also, it was at least 5 yards outside of the penalty area so there is no way it would have been a penalty anyway.

I dunno, maybe it's legit, but association football is so known for diving that it's tough to see it from a North American perspective and not think something pretty lame is going on. It's bad enough that flopping has increased in basketball as well and it really alienates a lot of potential fans. Probably doesn't help that I'm from a hockey obsessed area. Taking a dive isn't exactly part of the culture.

It's not legit. It's a terrible dive.

Even if he makes any contact whatsoever he takes another stride before flopping like a pansy. Pure cynicism to get the other guy sent off.

(After all this he'll score the winner in the final now...)

Also:

Alex C · « **Reply #380 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 16:42 »

Quote

Even if he makes any contact whatsoever he takes another stride before flopping like a pansy.

Eh, I was trying to be diplomatic, but yeah, I do think that too. I've hacked at too many skates to think a guy goes down to that sort of contact very easy.

Alex C · « **Reply #381 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 17:29 »

Oh, and for the record, I am aware of the irony of a guy who just admitted to tripping on several occasions complaining about people flopping fouls. I have no real defense for this. Call it an ethical blind spot.

beat mouse · « **Reply #382 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 19:01 »

Tripping, hooking, and slashing the opposing team is just mean, where as diving in any sport to fake a penalty caused by the other team is passive-aggressive, callow, and unmanly conduct.

Also you look ridiculous doing it.

Inlander · « **Reply #383 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 21:17 »

Quote from: the_pied_piper on 07 Jul 2010, 12:01

If you look closely you can see that he kicks the Chilean players knee which knocks his right foot onto the back of his left calf. Not a foul and certainly not worth the card which got the Chilean player sent off but I'm not sure about cheating.

It doesn't look like there's any contact with the Chilean player at all to me. Also, and most damningly, a player who's tripped stumbles and tries to keep his balance and generally just falls in a natural manner. Torres in that clip leaps into the air in the most ridiculous and artificial way. I've never seen a more obvious dive.

Dimmukane · « **Reply #384 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 21:53 »

The back of his foot bounced off the Chilean's knee, but its natural trajectory was probably not going to lead it to his ankle. And even if it was, it was clearly not an attempt to go for his legs.

Inlander · « **Reply #385 on:** 07 Jul 2010, 23:18 »

I don't think there was any contact. To me it looks like Torres is a few inches further away from the camera than the Chilean player; their legs are overlapping but I don't think they ever touch. Apart from anything else, there's absolutely no reaction from the Chilean player other than when he turns around because Torres's spectacular dive catches his attention. Getting hit on the knee is a pretty uncomfortable experience, and I would expect some kind of reaction - even just a wince - from the Chilean player if Torres's heel had hit his knee with enough impact to send Torres's right leg ricocheting into his left leg.

EDIT: actually looking at it again maybe the Chilean player does flinch a little; nonetheless the manner in which Torres falls is an out and out dive. Maybe he felt some impact but what he chose to do with it from there was pretty outrageous.

MrBlu · « **Reply #386 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 02:03 »

Viva España, bitches.

Darke · « **Reply #387 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 02:55 »

Quote from: the_pied_piper on 07 Jul 2010, 11:28

Quote from: Darke on 07 Jul 2010, 06:07
Hey hey hey, two out of three British nations laughed hysterically when England got put out of the World Cup.

There are 4 British nations, 3 of whom all laughed when England were knocked out. Then there was also me who laughed because I am tired of the overhyped, overrated crap that call themselves international class players.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not Great Britain.

And god damn it Germany.

KvP · « **Reply #388 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 02:59 »

Paul is still 100% on the money in his predictions. Sussing the math out they say his odds of getting to this point by sheer coincidence were less than 2 in 100.

I'm back to being interested in the World Cup, now that the clear odds-on favorite to win (Germany) has been knocked out. I find affirmations of conventional wisdom in sports to be the most boring thing. So I'm curious!

David_Dovey · « **Reply #389 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 05:44 »

Me too!

Noted Ridiculous Man Fernando Torres aside, I do hope Spain wins.

the_pied_piper · « **Reply #390 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 11:33 »

Quote from: Darke on 08 Jul 2010, 02:55

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not Great Britain.

As citizens of the UK they are deemed to be British though the Belfast agreement allows them Irish nationality too.

Barmymoo · « **Reply #391 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 12:24 »

British, yes. But still not Great Britain.

I learnt all this about two months ago for an exam. I am surprised it was never covered in my geography lessons but it's understandable, all we learnt in geography was that earthquakes are like sex and that if you try to demonstrate transnational economic trading by assigning each person a country and giving them sweets to represent their economy, the world will very quickly be broke.

Patrick · « **Reply #392 on:** 08 Jul 2010, 18:07 »

Holland, do me a favor and demolish Spain for being buckets of shit through the whole tournament

est · « **Reply #393 on:** 09 Jul 2010, 05:29 »

Quote from: Patrick on 08 Jul 2010, 18:07

Holland, do me a favour and demolish Spain for being buckets of shit through the whole tournament

Hup Holland!

If Xavi breaks his entire body in the process all the better.

amok · « **Reply #394 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 07:08 »

Aw, I always thought Xavi was one of the more likeable characters in the Spain side. He's had a quiet tournament mind.

Still hoping for a Dutch win. Hope Sneijder scores a wicked Lampardesque deflection so he can take the golden boot despite scoring about 1.5 real goals (no disrespect, I love Wes, he's a great player, but he's been a flukey lil' fucker this WC).

KvP · « **Reply #395 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 03:42 »

In a development that more or less sums up football fandom in the modern age, Paul the Psychic Octopus has received actual death threats from Argentinians following their loss.

Yayniall · « **Reply #396 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 12:29 »

Inlander · « **Reply #397 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 13:24 »

God, this Dutch team is horrible. I was split before the match on who I wanted to win this game but now I'm going to be really disappointed if the Netherlands wins.

october1983 · « **Reply #398 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 13:28 »

I was actually leaning somewhat towards the Dutch side in the run up to the match, but I completely agree with you, Harry - they've played some of the must unpleasantly violent and cynical football I've seen in some time. It's particularly uncomfortable as it is echoed pretty consistently across the team, rather than just being the fault of one or two unruly players.

Inlander · « **Reply #399 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 13:42 »

Yeah, it's so clearly a team policy to go out and foul Spain out of the game. Let's call it "total non-football".

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Author Topic: The Quadrennial Global Round-Ball Extravaganza (Read 45124 times)