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Spain versus Ukraine opens the group H action. We'll hope to catch you unprepared!

Picks: (subject to change)

A) 1) Germany 2) Costa Rica
B) 1) Sweden 2) England
C) 1) Argentina 2) Holland
D) 1) Mexico 2) Portugal
E) 1) Italy 2) Czech Republic
F) 1) Brazil 2) Croatia
G) 1) France 2) South Korea
H) 1) Spain 2) Ukraine

Felix, I'm coming out to see the Cup live. I'm quitting my job before the summer (no, I am not THAT bad of a football junkie, it's just that I'm starting grad school in September so I thought it'd be a good time to take a vacation rather than quitting my job in in August) and flying to Europe sometime late May/early June. Would it be reasonable to hope that I'll be able to get WC tickets on the spot? From second-hand, scalpers, etc? If nothing else, it's bound to be a hell of a party... Deutschland: hier kommt ich!!!!

Mark - It's funnier than Peter Crouch doing the hokey kokey.

The BBC World coverage finished and I'm waiting for the Argentinian coverage to start, meanwhile I decided to have a giggle at the "soccer" experts.

As for Volleyball we're bringing over some players from Brazil in the summer for an exhibition game at the beach here.

Currently arranging the bathing suit show at half time, which is proving to be an awful lot of fun.

I promised myself after Japorea that I'd make the next WC as it's in Europe. Not really sure how the ticket allocation works but I imagine it's tricky to get hold of them.

Wouldn't even mind going over there, having some fine German beer and enjoying the matches in the bars. Germans are a friendly bunch compared to most.

Bah. You get all the best jobs, Ali :P

Bah. You get all the best jobs, Ali

Ain't life grand.

Campi

I would go w/out tickets, but I WOULDN'T go w/out housing accomodations. Something tells me you wouldn't need a ticket to enjoy being in the host nation during the games, but housing could be a problem.

Hey all....

when will the fixtures list be drawn up? It's been announced that Germany will kick it of aginst Costa Rica June 9th, but no other fixtures have been anounced.

Eugene Berkovich wrote:Spain versus Ukraine opens the group H action. We'll hope to catch you unprepared!

Don't worry, we usually are!

This team is a complete mess right now. Pretty much in shambles... Raul has a serious injury through at least February, but you know how those things are; could be longer and even if he recovers he might not be the same. Not to mention he's been in poor form for the last 2 years. Defense is pretty suspect. Midfield: WEAK. Remember when we had arguably the best mids in the world 4 years ago in Mendieta, Baraja, Valeron, and right before that Guardiola? Well, I don't know what the hell happened but those guys pretty much lost their skills after that WC. Instead, we have Xavi who will likely miss the entire tournament due to the injury he sustained recently. And a bunch of fillers. OK, Alonso is not bad, but still. This is our worst team on paper since 1990; at least! I'm still incensed about WC 2002 and the highway robbery that took place (who knows what mighta happened if not for that...) but it's no excuse for the pitiful team we have now and will inevitably field come June. At least I'm not going into it with any expectations... first time I can honestly say that in a long time. Ukraine could definitely top the group. I still think we'll make it, but I have a feeling we'll find a way to make ourselves sweat it out, then get destroyed by France (who's not even THAT good anymore, but won't matter) or edged by a hard-working and underrated Swiss team.

Dezzi:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... efault.stm

dezzi, good point. Especially on or around game days in the venue cities. I mean, I once was unable to find a room in all of Cologne simply because we got there on the day of some chocolate or gardening convention!!! But we're just going to do our own thing because we don't want to follow a set itinerary. If that means crashing on a park bench, so be it!

Campeones wrote:Felix, I'm coming out to see the Cup live. I'm quitting my job before the summer (no, I am not THAT bad of a football junkie, it's just that I'm starting grad school in September so I thought it'd be a good time to take a vacation rather than quitting my job in in August) and flying to Europe sometime late May/early June. Would it be reasonable to hope that I'll be able to get WC tickets on the spot? From second-hand, scalpers, etc? If nothing else, it's bound to be a hell of a party... Deutschland: hier kommt ich!!!!

Pardon my pedantry, but it should read "Deutschland, hier komme ich!"

I have no idea if your hope is reasonable. Probably it is, provided you are prepared to pay as much as those people demand. But, of course, don't forget that the tickets will be personalized. So, in case you do get a ticket on the spot, it could happen that they want to verify your identity (That kind of control is planned). And in case the name on your ID is different from the name on your ticket (which I am afraid would be the case), you would have to stay out of the stadium. The only exception would be if the guy who sells you the tickets manages to convince FIFA to exchange them for tickets with your name on them. That possibility exists, but only with a good excuse (original owner has fallen ill or something like that). Also, when buying tickets, be sure not to fall victim to forgerers!

Thanks Mark - u da man......

Eugene:

Yep, I'm cheering on Sweden and England in this World Cup.

dezzi,

please explain the wrong shoe group.

thanks

Yep, I'm cheering on Sweden and England in this World Cup.

One of them will have to go home after round two...

Thanks for the correction Felix... dumb mistake.

Wow are they really doing all these ID controls? That really sucks... if so, there is no hope whatsoever. Seems to me like a silly move... I find it hard to believe every single game will be completely sold out on every date in every city. So why not allow second-hand sales? Supply and demand baby!!!

Campeones, they sure won't control absolutely everybody. Perhaps they only control 1 per cent of the spectators, or perhaps many more. I don't know, and it would not be wise by FIFA to reveal that in advance.

In any case, believe it or not, the games are sold out. The only uncertainty is what happens to the ticket contingents given to the sponsors. Frankly, it would anger me if through their mismanagements some blocks remained empty (as was the case in '98).

Well, if FIFA had demanded market prices to begin with, there would be no problem with second-hand sales. But the German OC wanted to make sure that everyone has a chance to be there, which is why some tickets were under 40 Euros, but only with a 10 per cent chance to win one.

It just seems a shortsighted strategy to me in general... if all games are sold out, you can be sure that indeed many tickets are corporate blocks sold to sponsors. I mean, can you honestly imagine a sold out 50 or 60 thousand person stadium to see Tunisia-Saudi or T&T-anybody? (sorry Buzzz, but unless you clone yourself 20 thousand times over, it's just not happening). If all FIFA/Germany cares about is actually selling the tickets, the lottery and ID-security is the way to go. But if they want to actually fill the stadia, they should keep alternatives for people who want to travel to Germany and buy tickets on the spot... people like me! I would imagine that eliminating the possibility of getting tickets on the spot would mean fewer tourists over the summer for Germany right? If people know for a fact there's no hope of seeing games, they're probably less likely to go to Germany. Don't get me wrong, I'm going regardless and I think it'll be a blast. But in general.... I think FIFA should be more flexible.

Campeones,

many months ago, when it was not even clear who would qualify for the World Cup, let alone who would play who on a specific date in a specific stadium, the lottery for the tickets took place - and for ABSOLUTELY EVERY GAME, there were at least seven times more applications than seats available. Even if they had drawn all tickets and given no tickets at all to foreign FAs or sponsors, all games would still have been overdrafted at least 3 to 1. So I think, if the organization goes well, it could very well happen that all 64 games will be sold out, even Trinidad vs Paraguay would see 70,000 spectators if it were to be played in such a big stadium (which it isn't, they will play in tiny K-Town instead - BTW, same goes for Spain vs KSA).

Bineaz: Wrong Shoes

It's all about the USA and what they can do on Matchday 1. The best way I can explain it is to say that I expect a slow start for Gli Azurri & some serious excuses before the USA game. In short, I expect Ghana to be WAY up for game 1 in that group and Italy facing the USA in a must-win situation by rd 2.

If the USA can get something from the Czechs, it'll be a very interesting and nail-biting affair for Italy and a nothing-to-lose attitude from the Yanks...Italy doesn't do so well under such circumstances....in "must win" scenarios....they surely can't look to their final game for 3 points. That's their toughest game in the group.

The key for Italy is getting off to a fast start on Game One. It only gets harder from there. If they can do that, they need not worry too much about potential upstart USA.

Same thing for the USA - it will be all about momentum for them. They must get something from Game One. If they cannot, then I suspect Italy and Czech Republic to qualify easily with a nice kick-around on the final matchday.

Czechs skate here. They don't have to do anything spectaclar except beat Ghana on matchday 2. They're not losing to the USA and a draw won't kill them. They'll probably win, which will have them advancing by matchday 3.

It's either Czech Republic and Italy or Czech Republic and USA. I can't see Italy winning that group. Maybe if they faced the Czechs first or the USA first...but Ghana is just the type of team that can get real pumped about being here in their first game and giving Italy a traditional slow start.

Felix:

OK, I'm just a little skeptical of the theory vs. reality. The "lottery" concept for WC tickets is nothing new. I'm not an expert on the History of World Cup Ticket Distribution, but I know this system began by the 1994 WC at the latest. I know because my dad and I did an application for the lottery and we won 2 tickets for the Final (at $300 apiece, I believe). But I've seen several early round games in tournaments since then with many unoccupied seats. (I vividly recall this being the case in France 98, but I think it's been a general occurrence). So, essentially, what I'm wondering is why wouldn't organizers allow ticket holders of these unoccupied seats to sell/give away/redistribute the tickets if they are not to be used? We'd see stadia filled to capacity and more people flowing into the host country, no doubt. Not to mention it would let the most devout fans have a shot at attending games rather than those who were luckiest or had the most financial resources and got the tickets in the lottery.

Just some thoughts... If I get there and there's simply no feasible way of getting into a game besides pole vaulting or otherwise hoisting myself over the stadium wall, I'm going to be content to party with football lovers and hot women and drink some weissbier in a bar and watch Spain lose a lead and fall to Saudi Arabia. At the very least, I can weep inside closed doors rather than on the stands.

early picks

A 1. Germany/2. Ecuador

B 1. Sweden/2. Paraguay

C 1. S&M/2. Holland

D 1. Portugal/2. Iran

E 1. Czech Republic/2. Italy

F 1. Brasil/2. Croatia

G 1. S. Korea/2. France

H 1. Eugene/2. Campi

Well, in USA 94, the reason why some 1st round matches weren't sold out was actual lack of interest. In '98, however, it was definitely some organizational blunder by the sponsors. Entire blocks remained empty while stands were standing outside, fuming about not being allowed in even though the stands were empty.

So, essentially, what I'm wondering is why wouldn't organizers allow ticket holders of these unoccupied seats to sell/give away/redistribute the tickets if they are not to be used?

Basically for two reasons. One is to avoid speculation with the tickets from the start (which would inevitably occur since the tickets were sold far below what would be their actual market price), the other one is safety (with personalized tickets, it's much more difficult for hooligans to enter the stadia etc).

Just some thoughts... If I get there and there's simply no feasible way of getting into a game besides pole vaulting or otherwise hoisting myself over the stadium wall, I'm going to be content to party with football lovers and hot women and drink some weissbier in a bar and watch Spain lose a lead and fall to Saudi Arabia. At the very least, I can weep inside closed doors rather than on the stands.

Way to go... BTW, will you come to K-Town for that match?

Sorry but just how many games have the USA won in Europe or against European competition?

I'm not being anti-US here but they stand no chance of getting out of that group.

Dezzi, England aren't getting out of our group? :P I'm pretty confident of at least getting 2nd.

Argentina and Mexico going home too? We'll see.

Mark,

please, PLEASE, do win your group! Don't wanna see us facing England in round two already... yet another shootout drama for England, that cannot be what you want!

Nah, I absolutely don't want to play Germany, esp in their own house. But I'd take second in a shot, because qualifying from the group is the main thing.

please, PLEASE, do win your group! Don't wanna see us facing England in round two already... yet another shootout drama for England, that cannot be what you want!

Are you thinking Germany will finish second in their group? Because 1st from one group plays 2nd from another.

No. I don't seriously doubt that Germany will win their group. As I said, I don't want Germany vs England in round two, which is why I don't want England to finish second in their group.

My mistake, I read "don't" when it said "do", which is strange as I usually hear the oposite.

Jonathan King complained of a similar form of agnosia.

It's not rape it's surprise sex.

Now be off with you, I hear Gary Glitter's on his way to yours.

Well, he did politely enquire as to whether I wanted to be in his gang, but apparently I missed the "bang" after it It's a shame, as it was my childhood ambition to be in a gang dressed in garish 70s fashion

Surprise sex . Have to try that one next time I'm in court.

Do give it a go.

And send my regards to Bubba.

Will do, but before he pokes me, I think I'll play some online poker. Cheers

Always stick on 17.

Felix, are you from Kaiserslautern? Like I said, I have no set plans for this trip so I will go where and when the mood strikes our fancy. Especially if it turns out to be impossible to get tickets to the games (otherwise, if there does turn out to be a way to get them, our schedule may be conditioned by where/when Spain and the US play).

I definitely understand why the organizers like the lottery system. It would be chaos if tickets weren't sold and allocated in advance and vendors put tix up for sale in the days preceding the matches. But I also think that telling people that the only way to get tickets is to make plans and buy tickets (if you're lucky enough to be offered the chance) a year ahead of time is far from the optimum scenario. By the way, do you know if the way the lottery works now, you can select the matches for which you purchase the tickets? I mean, for example, say I enter the lottery for 1st round tickets but am only interested in games in which Spain plays. If I win, am I offered those games? Or am I given a ticket to a random 1st round match? Because, again, it makes a huge difference. Unless you're going to allot a huge % of tickets to each country's FAs, you might end up with a disproportionate amount of neutral/disinterested fans in the stadium simply because they couldn't pick the specific match they wanted. And that would not make for a good World Cup.

If I recall correctly, for 1994, it was also very highly organized. We mailed in a form in which we selected all rounds of competition for which we'd like to be considered. And then I think we had preferences within those rounds by order of geographic location. For example, I think we selected every game in every round that took place in Los Angeles. And we just lucked out that we won, and that the game we got was the final.

1994 was by far the best attended WC ever, even if there was a lack of interest for some 1st round matches. But, like 2006, I'm pretty sure all matches were officially "sold out" several months ahead of time because of the lottery system. And I assume the same was true in France 98. I'm not so sure about the process and attendance in 2002. But I think since the lottery format remains essentially the same, you'll always have the "lack of interest" issue pop up for some matches, especially in the first round. Because if you win the rights to a WC ticket, you'll probably buy it (even if it's for a game you're not particularly interested in) given that the ticket prices from the lottery are pretty reasonable. But then, when game time comes, if you don't really care that much about the game, you might not be enticed to go... especially if you have to travel a ways to get there. And that's why you see empty seats early on, even if the games are all "sold out" way in advance. I think therein lies the problem with the current system. I'm not sure that there's anything happening this time around to make things any different (in fact, the extra security measures to ensure the person who bought the ticket is the one entering the stadium would make me think it's even less likely that the trend will change... back in 1994, an acquaintance of ours was pondering giving us somewhere between $1500 and 2000 for each $300 ticket).

Boye B wrote:Eugene:

Yep, I'm cheering on Sweden and England in this World Cup.

They play each other, don't they? Won't it be like kissing your sister?

Not all of the tickets have been sold. Each qualifying country will receive allotment of tickets for their matches. USSF sent out an email the other day for U.S. matches. Members of USSF will get first shot at those tickets. The lottery of tickets are those for the general public. Those are sold out. But there may still be sales for tickets unsold that went to other federations. Not sure what will happen to the block of tickets that corporate sponsors may have. That has been a problem for several WC's, including Italia 90. The seats are sold but no arses to sit on them.