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Eugene

the rotting and aging Croatian squad simply has enough experience

I'll be back later to educate you on how Croatia is actually a pretty young team. You indeed have been gone a while.

Croatia has that fool Srna. It can't get any worse.

Srna? Strange name. He could go buy some vowels...

In any case, Eugene, I think I agree with most of your 2nd round picks (but not necessarily with the third and fourth places, but they don't matter anyway). Only exceptions are groups B and C.

Sure, Sweden could beat England 1-0, but to me England are still favourites to win the game, and to win the group on goals difference in case that game ends in a draw. So, I'd see England 1st and Sweden 2nd. Or so I hope, because I don't want to see Germany vs England in round two...

In group C, Serbia will definitely give Netherlands and Argentina a run for they money, and perhaps they get one point or even three against either of the two. On the other hand, they are IMO also the most likely to waste points against the fourth team of the group, Ivory coast. All in all, I see the Netherlands ahead and Argentina second, but the group is certainly not as clear-cut as most other groups.

mate wrote:Falc

What is interesting is to hear comments from the US about Italy being a declining team, that it is not as good as it once was (no one is taking Mate serious about this).

I challenge you to cite anything I wrote that even remotely alludes to Italy being a declining team. Maybe you confused what I wrote about the Czechs, whom I consider a declining team that peaked in the 2004 Euro Cup?

Do you realize that Italia is my favorite to win the whole World Cup?

Mate - Once again you misinterpret what I write. Yes, I know you have Italia as your favorite. That is why I said no one is taking you seriously. I need to go back and find the quotes of the articles that said that Italy was a declining power. If anything, the lack of expectation works in Italy's favor.

I know among the brass in USSF, there is cockiness. Whether that is true with Arena and the players, it remains to be seen. The quality of play in the US has improved immensely over the years but unfortunately, there is still too much emphasis on athleticism over smart play. Anyone who has watched MLS games knows what I am talking about.

Let me be the first to state, England and Sweden better be careful about T&T. The Caribbean players are big, physical and fast. The team will match well against England and Sweden, giving them a difficult time.

Felix

Serbia certainly did not waste points in Qualification. And if we're talking about wastefulness, Netherlands are an epithome of this.

And their defense was certainly the stingiest in the world during qualification. 1 freaking goal allowed in 10 matches! And that includes two matches against Spain, two matches against Belgium and two matches against Salihamidzic.

I do not hold a crystall ball, but when everything else is equal, I give advantage to defense. I am wired that way.

Eugene,

Well, Netherlands have conceded three goals, but scored many more in WCQ than the Serbs. I would say that if things go normally, same as with ENG/SWE: Netherlands will win the game vs Serbia, and in case of a draw, they'll have a superior GD. And as for Argentina, they are much better than their performance in many qualifying matches. Unlike Serbia, they have yet to show their cards. (At least as far as I am concernced... most people here probably know better about them than I do).

when everything else is equal

Yes, on that I agree. This group is definitely the hardest to predict.

It was Eddie Johnson who made the remark. This coming from a 20-21 year old. Let's see if he can do anything against Cannavaro or Nesta.

For U.S., 2006 looks a lot like 1990

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer
December 10, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) -- With the United States in a tough first-round group with Italy, the Czech Republic and Ghana, Claudio Reyna sees a perilous path to the knockout stage of next year's World Cup -- for everyone in the group.

"Teams will be also concerned about us. I think we need to realize that," the U.S. captain said after Friday's draw. "We've earned respect from the last appearance in the World Cup and our current ranking. We know we have players that can also hurt the opponents."

.......

"I think it's a group where we can have a lot of success," forward Eddie Johnson said. "I think we can go in with great confidence and match up really well."

.......

Italy, known as the Azzurri, has a fan base that expects a World Cup title from an underachieving team that hasn't won the championship since 1982.

"I don't think they're as strong as they've been in the past," Johnson said. "Italian soccer isn't as good as it used to be."

My Comments

A - Germany will take first and Ecuador 4th. The winner of Costa Rica Vs Poland takes second.

B - Glenn must be loving the fact that Sweden plays England as he was always quick to point out the fact that England haven't beaten Sweden for about 35 years. In fact, he used to get bent out of shape why Sweden were considered inferior. I consider England a favourite to lift the trophy, but Sweden may very well give them fits in this game. Paraguay, not impossible to take second place, but I don't think they'll take first. Thanks for making up the numbers, T&T.

C - On the qualifiers board I called Serbia to be my darkhorse team and they may very well do it. Any of these teams can advance to the second round, maybe less for Ivory Coast since this is their first WC.

D - Anybody see the ARROGANT Portguese delegation CELEBRATE when the name of Angola was picked out ? One guy in the second row literally patted the back of the guy in front of him. Totally classless. You could tell by that that Angola in general isn't thought of too highly in colonial Portugal. I truely hope Portugal get fucked up in this and every game. But particularily versus Angola. If the Angola manager has trouble motivating his team he just has to play the video tape of the Portuguese delegation celebrating. If that doesn't fire up his team, nothing will.

Mexico will win this group. Likely with 9 points.

E - Difficult group. I will make no predictions as I don't want to jinx my team.

F - The winner of Croatia Vs Australia advances in second place along with you-know-who.

G - France easily. I want to see Korea suffer miserably. Thanks for coming out, Togo.

H - since they are winning the WC, Spain will also win the group. Ukraine second. Tunisia will place 3rd. Saudi Arabia will lose all 3. Biggest defeat probably against Ukraine, not Spain. But not 8-0 like in Yokohama in 02.

Ali

go-ahead goal

"I don't think they're as strong as they've been in the past," Johnson said. "Italian soccer isn't as good as it used to be."

--------

That statement should be taped on every Italian players locker before the USA game. I hope we spank the US something like 4-0.

Italia's chances to win it all really will hinge on Nesta and Cannavaro's health. If either is hobbled, our backup defenders are a big drop-off. The first to come off the bench will be Materazzi (gasp) and Barzagli is quite young.

I think our midfield of Camoranesi, Gattuso, and Pirlo is much much better than anything we had in 2002 or 1998. I also think Gilardino and Toni will be much more clutch than ADP or Vieri ever were.

Of course, Totti will have to keep his calm and not be a little b*tch. This is his last real good chance at a WC title. An in-form Cassano would be a huge asset to have as well. I agree with Dezzi that he looks a little fat, but he can work that off by June easily (provided he plays a little more).

[/quote]Ali

go-ahead goal

I'm going to have to apply the word filter to that phrase.

Now, what to turn it into. MMmmm, I know.

Falc

Mate - Once again you misinterpret what I write. Yes, I know you have Italia as your favorite. That is why I said no one is taking you seriously.

Damn that anyone else would have interpreted what you wrote other than the way I did, but what the heck.

I need to go back and find the quotes of the articles that said that Italy was a declining power. If anything, the lack of expectation works in Italy's favor.

Only a fool would underestimate Italy. Period.

I know among the brass in USSF, there is cockiness. Whether that is true with Arena and the players, it remains to be seen.

I cannot fathom that Arena or any US player would be cocky about Italy. Sure, I can imagine that many Americans have a sense of competitiveness and a lack of fear, but nobody is taking Italy as a gimme. Indeed, I would think Italy is regarded as the toughest game.

The quality of play in the US has improved immensely over the years but unfortunately, there is still too much emphasis on athleticism over smart play. Anyone who has watched MLS games knows what I am talking about.

Yes and no. I agree with regards to the MLS, but not to the US National Team, which is made up of the best players...most of whom play with football intelligence. What we really lack are world class footballers, players who can step it up a notch or two. However, for reasons we already discussed, the US is greater than the sum of the parts.

Let me be the first to state, England and Sweden better be careful about T&T. The Caribbean players are big, physical and fast. The team will match well against England and Sweden, giving them a difficult time.

Honestly, did you see T&T actually play? Come on, they are slow, suspect in fitness, and not exactly the most skillful team out there. If there is really any easy game in the WC, T&T is it. Trust me, this is not Jamaica of 1998.

'Uaglio wrote:"I don't think they're as strong as they've been in the past," Johnson said. "Italian soccer isn't as good as it used to be."

--------

That statement should be taped on every Italian players locker before the USA game. I hope we spank the US something like 4-0.

Which Johnson said this?

Like I said, no way does Arena or the US players have this attitude.

Mate

In the blue highlighted section that Falc provided, it says Eddie Johnson.

Eugene

Sorry, but Srna has played excellent for the Croatian National Team and is young. He did extremely well in qualifying campaigning.

As for the rest of the team, consider the following core players:

Marko Babic, 25, Bayer Leverkusen.
Ivica Klasnic, 26, Werder Bremen.
Ivica Olic, 26, CSKA Moscow.
Igor Tudor, 27, Sienna.
Josip Simunic, 27, Hertha Berlin.
Niko Kranjcar, 22, Hajduk Split.
Dado Prso, 26, Glasgow Rangers.
Robert Kovac, 31, Juventus.
Bosko Balaban, 27, Club Bruges.
Stjepan Tomas, 24, Fenerbace.
Dario Srna, 23, Shakhtar Donetsk.

By no means is this a complete list, but you can hardly call us an aging team. In fact, it seems we will be at peak age.

Anyways, I suggest you actually watch the Croatian NT before drawing conclusions based on inference from reading. Hell, we have an excellent defense ourselves and beat a your vaunted defensively tough Sweden in your favorite manner, 1 - 0...not once, but twice.

According to your standards, you should be drooling over Croatia.



That's okay, as it is better if Croatia is discounted. Indeed, Japan and Australia see us as their opportunity to score 2 points. Let's see.

Pabs wrote:Mate

In the blue highlighted section that Falc provided, it says Eddie Johnson.

Well, it's a stupid comment and I can't believe this is shared by most of the team. I'll stick by comments I heard from Bruce Arena and Damarcus Beasley, both of whom were cautious and humble...although they certainly showed a quiet confidence.

Arena even mentioned that he is part Italian and looking forward to the group.

Where's palo ?

mate wrote:Eugene

Sorry, but Srna has played excellent for the Croatian National Team and is young. He did extremely well in qualifying campaigning.

As for the rest of the team, consider the following core players:

Marko Babic, 25, Bayer Leverkusen.
Ivica Klasnic, 26, Werder Bremen.
Ivica Olic, 26, CSKA Moscow.
Igor Tudor, 27, Sienna.
Josip Simunic, 27, Hertha Berlin.
Niko Kranjcar, 22, Hajduk Split.
Dado Prso, 26, Glasgow Rangers.
Robert Kovac, 31, Juventus.
Bosko Balaban, 27, Club Bruges.
Stjepan Tomas, 24, Fenerbace.
Dario Srna, 23, Shakhtar Donetsk.

By no means is this a complete list, but you can hardly call us an aging team. In fact, it seems we will be at peak age.

Anyways, I suggest you actually watch the Croatian NT before drawing conclusions based on inference from reading. Hell, we have an excellent defense ourselves and beat a your vaunted defensively tough Sweden in your favorite manner, 1 - 0...not once, but twice.

According to your standards, you should be drooling over Croatia.



That's okay, as it is better if Croatia is discounted. Indeed, Japan and Australia see us as their opportunity to score 2 points. Let's see.

Srna is the worst Shakhtar Donetsk player. He does manage to get on the scoresheet almost every game he plays. But not as a goalscorer - as a recipient of a yellow or a red card. The lad is square. Can't tackle, totally undisciplined.

Now, I agree, I have not seen Croatia lately. But then, would you suggest to have seen every one of the 32 teams in the World Cup finals field? You seem to have an opinion on every one of them.

Just as a counterpoint, when was the last time you saw Ukraine play?

BTW, how in hell Australia and Japan hope to get TWO points from Croatia? Or is it a new definition of highway robbery?

I guess he means at worst Croatia will draw those 2 games.

In that case, Croatia should not even show up.

Eugene

Srna is the worst Shakhtar Donetsk player. He does manage to get on the scoresheet almost every game he plays. But not as a goalscorer - as a recipient of a yellow or a red card. The lad is square. Can't tackle, totally undisciplined.

This is diametrically opposite to how he has played for the National Team, where he is generally composed and offensively threatening. However, whenever you dismiss some team, trust me, I am heartened.

Now, I agree, I have not seen Croatia lately. But then, would you suggest to have seen every one of the 32 teams in the World Cup finals field? You seem to have an opinion on every one of them.

I have seen a GOOD deal of WC qualifying matches, EPL, Bundesliga, Mexican, Champion League, Confederations Cup, and MLS action the past year. Remember that my spectator involvement with football increases as the WC nears. Thank goodness for satellite TV, Fox Sports, and the local football pubs in San Francisco! If I offer a strong opinion, trust that I have seen the team and/or some of their players.

The rest is, well, opinion and therefore subject to debate.

Just as a counterpoint, when was the last time you saw Ukraine play?

I saw them play against their last games against Greece and Turkey, as the latter have large fan contingents here in San Francisco. I confess that I didn't necessarily pay most attention to these matches, as other games and sports were being televised on multiple screens. I also am relying on my memory of seeing them against Croatia in 1998 WC qualifying.

Hence, I am not decisively opinionated about the Ukraine. On the other hand, from the limited amount I have seen, I just haven't seen anything to excite me either. I also don't make unfounded statements about them being an aging team as I simply don't know.

BTW, how in hell Australia and Japan hope to get TWO points from Croatia? Or is it a new definition of highway robbery?

Nah. It's typical football and arithmetic rules. If both Australia and Japan tie Croatia, 1 + 1 = 2 points.

I don't see how Englad could have gotten to be group top seed.

Still I trust they will beat the shit out of the Jumping Warner's Black Cheaters. Mexico will hopefully advance to beat Holland in the second round.

WE own them Euso bastards!

Palo

We need you and the old gang back. Let's revitalize the place. Maybe even Red will come back after he completes his prison sentence?

In order for Beckham to be of any use, he must be utilized on the right side. His crosses are still effective and will draw defenders to him.

They have a strong enough midfield to put him there. With Rooney and Owen up front, they should be able to score some goals. In addition, with Beckham wide right you widen the pitch and possibly open more space in the middle for Rooney to make his runs.

mate wrote:Eugene
This is diametrically opposite to how he has played for the National Team, where he is generally composed and offensively threatening. However, whenever you dismiss some team, trust me, I am heartened.

It's times like these I am glad we have you to kick about. If by dismissal you mean suggesting that Croatia advances out of their group then I am certainly guilty.

I have seen a GOOD deal of WC qualifying matches, EPL, Bundesliga, Mexican, Champion League, Confederations Cup, and MLS action the past year. Remember that my spectator involvement with football increases as the WC nears. Thank goodness for satellite TV, Fox Sports, and the local football pubs in San Francisco! If I offer a strong opinion, trust that I have seen the team and/or some of their players.

The rest is, well, opinion and therefore subject to debate.

MLS? Mexican League? Confederations Cup? Puhleease!!!! I do not see how one can gather a "strong opinion" of National Teams based on these competitions. Quick! How many Saudi, Korean, Japanese, Swedish, Ukrainian, Polish, Czech, Serbian, Croatian internationals play in Mexico? MLS? I thought so.

I get the same TV you do, it appears. Only I also work for Scout7, a football statistics bureau, on the side. I HAVE to watch football.

BTW, MLS, one of the leagues I cover for SCOUT7, is the sorriest league I have ever seen. No tactics, no skill, no thought, no defense. It is basically a retirement home for former European has-been's and a playground for a bunch of never-will-be's. Gladly, I choose not to follow the Mexican league.

I saw them play against their last games against Greece and Turkey, as the latter have large fan contingents here in San Francisco. I confess that I didn't necessarily pay most attention to these matches, as other games and sports were being televised on multiple screens. I also am relying on my memory of seeing them against Croatia in 1998 WC qualifying. Hence, I am not decisively opinionated about the Ukraine. On the other hand, from the limited amount I have seen, I just haven't seen anything to excite me either. I also don't make unfounded statements about them being an aging team as I simply don't know.

I think you should pay a little more attention next time. So, basically, you have as much knowledge of Ukrainian National Team as I do of Croatian?

Why don't you just admit that you get upset that someone does not have a flattering opinion of Croatia?

Back in 1998, Ukraine should have destroyed Croatia in the play-offs if not for Femida's interference

agentesecreto wrote:I don't see how Englad could have gotten to be group top seed.

Still I trust they will beat the shit out of the Jumping Warner's Black Cheaters. Mexico will hopefully advance to beat Holland in the second round.

WE own them Euso bastards!

You are a racist. And should be banned.

Palo

Update that stale-ass avitar, you loser.

Falc

Eddie Johnson's comments at face value are not that 'cocky'. If there's any slight to Italy from his statements, it's surely a avalid argument to say that Italian Football is NOT as good as it used to be. I'm speaking both internationally and domestically. Arena should muzzle that right-quick....or else let them shoot their mouths off for the next 6 months...it can't hurt. No one's taking them seriously anyway...why not shit-talk a little bit and try to get into an oppenent's head. It's not like there aren't any memebers of the Azzuri who are immune to mind-games. We both know this painful truth.

Maybe Arena's letting the lads let it all hang out an get themselves pumped...it can't hurt. If you consider the amount of cheating in various forms that we'll see in Germany from other seasoned teams, then trying to get into your oppenents head is fair game. I seriously doubt the Italians or anyone else will be puttting their quotes on bulletin boards.

If Arena wants to keep it respectable, then he better sit Eddie Johnson's as on the bench for awhile. Or forever.

What does Eddie Johnson know of Serie A or of Italian soccer? He is a young kid who just got into the international scene in the past couple of years. His experience is within CONCACAF only. It was a stupid comment. As for gli Azzurri, they qualified on a strong note and Lippi has built a strong team spirit. Talent is there, always has been. It is not as if Italy is hurting in developing good players as is evident with the U21 program. All 7 of Italy's Serie A sides that are playing in Europe are still competing. If anything, Italian soccer is on the rise.

Forza Holland. Bastardi!!

Eugene

Why don't you just admit that you get upset that someone does not have a flattering opinion of Croatia?

I am correcting your uninformed unflattering opinion about Croatia, which is part and parcel of these chat boards. Likewise, anybody...even yourself...can feel free to critique my comments. Some have and so we chat. In fact, some have agreed with my opions. Funny, eh?

At any rate, I am glad that you are now enlightened about Croatia...especially regarding our allegedly being an aging team. You probably missed that during your statistical coverage of various world football leagues. But, I am sure you'll remember next time such basics like how to compute an average.

Back in 1998, Ukraine should have destroyed Croatia in the play-offs if not for Femida's interference

Could have, should have....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

We were 3rd in the WC that year with a generation of players the Ukraine has never come close to experiencing. Of course, I'm sure you will try to come up with some statistical coverage about how favorably Ukrainian greats compare to Suker, Boksic, Boban, Prosinecki, and co...but I suppose we all have our frame of reference. We have made every WC since being allowed to compete as an independent nation.

So, in the spirit of every man being entitled to his opinion, let's here it for that DESTROYER UKRAINE team of 1998!!! Hurray for Ukraine!!! Hurray for Ukraine taking the 2006 WC!!!



Bless you Eugene, as you make posting worthwhile.

Markino

In order for Beckham to be of any use, he must be utilized on the right side. His crosses are still effective and will draw defenders to him.

They have a strong enough midfield to put him there. With Rooney and Owen up front, they should be able to score some goals. In addition, with Beckham wide right you widen the pitch and possibly open more space in the middle for Rooney to make his runs.

This is indeed how to play Beckham, if he has to play at all. My problem is that sometimes he doesn't have the time and space with which to play a decisive pass or cross and then becomes a liability. It almost seems to me that in games like WC 2002 Brazil and Euro 2004 France, he mostly seems intent on getting rid of the ball rather than taking the initiative.

Much as you think I don't believe in Owen, trust me, I absolutely stand by Owen starting but Beckham is something altogether different.

Sitting Beckham would be a huge mistake. It's become the fashionable thing to say but anyone that's watched him for England or RM would confirm he has to play every game.

Campi, Felix

1/4 million tix to be released beginning tomorrow....

Another 250,000 tickets on sale from 12 December

by OC 2006 FIFA World Cup
The third sales period for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ will begin on 12 December 2005, with 250,000 more tickets going on sale. The page on http://www.FIFAworldcup.com containing the order form will be re-launched at midday, and tickets will be available for ordering until 15 January 2006. As with the first sales period, the tickets will be distributed after a ballot, since it is assumed that demand will outweigh supply. The order in which the bookings are received will have no bearing on the attribution of the tickets.
"The Final Draw on 9 December 2005 in Leipzig saw the match schedule finalised and the individual ties drawn for the various stadia. Fans from around the world now have a chance to order specific tickets. Since we also assume that demand will far outweigh the available allocation of tickets, we will perform a ballot on 31 January 2006 of all orders received. There is no fairer way of distributing the tickets than by drawing lots," explains OC Vice President Horst R. Schmidt.

Except for the Opening Match, tickets will be available for all games, including Germany’s games, the semi-finals and Final. “Of course, the availability for these games as well as for those involving teams considered to be more attractive will be relatively much smaller,” continued Schmidt.

Compared with the first two sales periods, in which more than 80 percent of orders came from Europe, with 90 percent of those from Germany, the OC is expecting a noticeable rise in orders from abroad. "We can feel the interest from participating teams and from neighbouring countries increasing enormously,” continued Schmidt. “We will thus be catering more to these international wishes and interests."

100,000 tickets in the third sales period have come from the Hospitality Programme. Added to these are returns from sponsors as well as national associations from the first two sales periods. Further blocks have also been released from safety reserve seats.

Where's Leo?

If you're out there my friend, come on and input some football chat here. After that, we'll take it back up with you know who at General chat.

agentesecreto wrote:I don't see how Englad could have gotten to be group top seed.

Still I trust they will beat the shit out of the Jumping Warner's Black Cheaters. Mexico will hopefully advance to beat Holland in the second round.

WE own them Euso bastards!

Y tu mama tambien !!

BTW, what's Euso bastard? Is that Spanglish or what?



I'm rooting for Togo, Croatia, Holland and Chechs in semis.

Falc

Seriously....Barring injuries, Eddie Johnson has the same chance of facing the Italians in Germany as you or I do. He can say whatever he wants. He's a marginal player in the USA's Grand Scheme.

Also, I completely disagree that Italian Football is on the rise....at least as recent history indicates. But that's a whole other argument. I only bring it up to point out that Johnson's stupid remarks are not completely baseless. Why he would say it is beyond me, which leads me to believe it's taken out of context, or (the harder-to-believe theory) that Arena will let his guys run their mouths in the run up to the Cup.

Fricking Italian media .......

Matthaus denies World Cup draw conspiracy theory

December 12, 2005
BERLIN (AFP) - West Germany's 1990 World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus has hit back at a report in Italy that he manipulated Friday's 2006 World Cup draw.

Matthaus had the task of drawing teams from Pot Four and Italian television channel Sky Italia reportedly accused him of picking up a ball for Italy's group before putting it back into the bowl to pull out another instead.

The television channel claimed prepared hot and cold balls allowed Matthaus to know who he was picking, as he pulled out the United States, seventh in the FIFA rankings, for Italy's group.

"The Italians are mad if they think that," former Inter Milan star Matthaus informed Bild daily.

"I had no idea which ball corresponded to which team. That is utter nonsense."

Italy were handed a tough draw for the 2006 World Cup finals, running from June 9 until July 9, with the Czech Republic, Ghana and the United States their three opponents in Group E.

Falc - You know what I say? You're right but Matthaus is a frieking idiot.

You know why? Why did he have to pick up one ball and then decide to pick up another?

I saw the draw and I remember saying to myself, why did he do that?

What a jackass and the organizers are jackasses too. Why couldn't they instruct these guys to reach in the bowl, pull out the FIRST ball they touch, touch ONLY one ball and hand it with the same hand to the presenter???

I knew this was going to happen, but Argentina had already beaten Italy to the punch.

Argentina head coach Jose Peckerman didn't even attend the draw because it was reported that he felt that it was going to be rigged anyway.

I don't quite think they need to pick out the first ball they <i>touch</i> but certainly once they have it in their hand, they must draw it to avoid suspicion.