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by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 18:03

So Canada boy, will you support your CONCACAF brothers: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago? :wink:

by **Buzzz** on 22 May 2006, 18:19

Quattro Italia wrote:So Canada boy, will you support your CONCACAF brothers: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad & Tobago?

He better! Or else he will be tar and feathered!!!! :twisted:

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 20:26

Falc

on Mexico. Hell no. Oh my. That would just give them extra ammo. As it stands now, they are reduced to having to grovel towards other teams. I much prefer it that way.

As for USA, you know what ? After we get past the Group Stage, they are one of the only ones I wouldn't mind seeing winning it all. I'm serious. Why not ? But as of right now, they are officially Public Enemy #2. P.E. #1 is Ghana, P.E #3 is Czech Republic. It's a case-by-case basis. But right now, I have so much hate for USNT, Ghana, and Czech Republic, that I wish them nothing but harm and ill-will.

to be truthful, I can make a case to not wanting any team to win.

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 20:34

Falc

I know you are in the Maryland Soccer community. What's being said about this US team whereas Italy is concerned ?

by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 20:34

That's OK. It is not as if I have some big affinity to CONCACAF either. It is not the same as rooting for an Italian side in the CL. Anyway, all of this talk is moot because with two Spanish sides winning the top awards in Europe this year, we all know who is the overwhelming favorite. :wink:

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 20:35

Falc

see my new post

by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 20:41

BTW, what is the meaning behind your tagline?

When it comes to the U.S., most people are worried about 2nd ranked Czech Republic. Italy is an afterthought. You know how Americans are obsessed with rankings and most think the FIFA rankings mean something. I doubt Arena will be that way but who knows what the players think. I still say that the U.S. was very fortunate in the last WC. They caught Portugal by surprise, tied Korea and got their butts handed to them by Poland. But that 1-1-1 record got the through and Mexico was one of the best teams for them in the round of 16. It is a side they knew well and not having to play them in Azteca, gave them a good chance. So while much was made about getting to the quarterfinals, which was a very good accomplishment, by no means is it an automatic for USA. I also think that Donovan will not have the impact of 4 years ago. He will be marked tightly and not playing in Germany will hurt him. It is too easy for him in MLS.

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 20:47

or could it be they are worried about the Czech's more because it's their first game ? But yes, you are right. Americans love stats and rankings. NCAA is huge and not suprisingly, the ranking of the team is placed beside the school name.

You know, when the draw was announced and I saw Bruce Arena's first interview about it, he seemed to have a hardon about the Czech's. Talking about how they were good because they have a goalie that plays for Chelsea :!:

by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 20:54

So what does Beckenbauer have to say about his glass house?

BERLIN (AP) -- The former head of the German company producing the official World Cup mascot confessed to defrauding banks and other financial firms of at least $51.7 million, a week after the company filed for bankruptcy.

Ottmar Pfaff was detained Saturday and was being held pending an investigation, Gerhard Schmitt, a prosecutor in the town of Hof, said Monday.

Pfaff's lawyer, Wolfgang Dingfelder, said his client had confessed to fraud dating back to 2000. He said Pfaff had taken the money in an attempt to keep Nici -- which holds the exclusive European rights to produce the stuffed lion for the June 9-July 9 tournament -- from collapsing.

"His main motive was to save the company," Dingfelder said.

Nici had filed for bankruptcy amid reports that sales of the mascot, called "Goleo," were not strong enough to compensate for the amount paid to secure the rights. Nici said its difficulties were caused by unspecified financial "irregularities."

Pfaff had hoped that sales of the mascot would help to solve the firm's financial problems, but that the toy had proved less popular than expected, Dingfelder said.

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 21:00

no suprise...

This WC seemed to be all about exchanging money and favours from the very start. Remember way back (it was a big topic on our boards back in the day) when the swing vote in this WC was the guy who voted on behalf of New Zealand and went AGAINST what his federation told him to vote for.

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 21:07

Falc

tagline is pretty self-explanatory, no ?

ps - you watching USA Vs Morocco tomorrow ? Lemme know what your impressions are of it.

by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 21:10

Not really. Juve is an idea? Some hidden meaning that I don't get?

by **Falc** on 22 May 2006, 21:11

So the U.S. is playing Morrocco tomorrow. I didn't know. Can't say that I am a very good fan. I will need to record it probably.

by **Pabs** on 22 May 2006, 21:13

Falc

Yes. They are playing in that soccer-hotbed, otherwise known as, Nashville Tennessee.

be there or be square :wink:

by **Buzzz** on 23 May 2006, 07:29

Quattro Italia wrote:That's OK. It is not as if I have some big affinity to CONCACAF either. It is not the same as rooting for an Italian side in the CL.

AWWW......come on guys! Out teams need our support. :cry:

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 23 May 2006, 08:23

There's no way I am ever supporting a CONMEBOL or CONCACAF team...

by **Falc** on 23 May 2006, 08:41

Not even USA?

by **Windycity** on 23 May 2006, 14:29

Mano

Being realistic about Oranje's chances has zero to do with having balls or not. We've got a good young squad and anything's possible but it's highly unlikely we will win it. We're dark horse along with say England and Czech Repub.

Argentina, Brasil, and Italy are justifiably the favorites.

That said, I like Oranje's chances at Euro 2008 with all the young talent coming through

by **Buzzz** on 23 May 2006, 17:36

Eugene Berkovich wrote:There's no way I am ever supporting a CONMEBOL or CONCACAF team...

You do know how to break a girl's heart. :cry:

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 24 May 2006, 08:53

Quattro Italia wrote:Not even USA?

Not even USA. When it comes to football, my loyalties have developed a long time ago.

by **Buzzz** on 24 May 2006, 11:24

Yeah but when they are not playing, you could spare a chear or two or he good 'ol USA? :wink:

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 24 May 2006, 11:26

Who's not playing?

by **Buzzz** on 24 May 2006, 11:34

I would guess whoever your fav team is. Which would be Ukraine I suppose.

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 24 May 2006, 11:37

Ukraine IS playing (group H)

When they're out, I will cheer on other EE countries still in competition.

Should those not be available, I will cheer for my sentimental favorites - Germany. IF they're eliminated, I will cheer on other European countries.

I do not expect US or any other CONCACAF team to hang around that long. Additionally, South American football is not to my liking, so that is out of question too.

by **Buzzz** on 24 May 2006, 11:40

Oh well, at least I tried. :lol:

Sne Canada does not have a hope in hell of making the world cup, I will cheer my T&T, and of course Brazil. Still crossing my fingers and hoping for a Brazil vs Argentina final.

by **Buzzz** on 01 Jun 2006, 08:44

Only 8 more days to go so I hope you fellas have finalised your predictions.

by **Eusebio** on 01 Jun 2006, 15:27

What predictions? Where ? :shock:

by **bineaz** on 01 Jun 2006, 16:07

Aah we'll come up with something: deadline 12:00 AM, June 9 (CET) that's June 8, six PM on the US east coast.

by **Eusebio** on 02 Jun 2006, 08:58

What, where,who, how ???

Where do you post your predictions?

What is the first prize?

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 02 Jun 2006, 10:14

The first prize is the Slovenian National Team scarf!

by **bineaz** on 02 Jun 2006, 11:02

Eusebio,

We have narrowed it down to two options.

--As we did last time we create one thread where everyone posts their pics. We pick the order of finish for all groupsn (1-4) 4 points for 1st place (if correct), 3 for 2d, etc. then 5 points for correct 2d round victors, 6, for 1/4 finals, 7 for semis and 8 for final.

--We all sign up at a neutral site like the fifa yahoo one where we can use their format. (http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/e/predictor.html)

I'm for the former.

by **manosanta** on 02 Jun 2006, 11:35

Isn't it time to make up our minds ? It's only seven days to kick off now.

I vote for the first option.

By the way, I'm changing my 'unofficial' predictions, Windy convinced me that Holland is no good =)

Now my winner is Italy.

by **bineaz** on 02 Jun 2006, 11:39

Oh please Italy.

OK, I imagine we create a thread for just predictions. Since all pics are there to see, we can tabulate our own results and check each other.

mano,

You had some creative other predictions like top scorer. Anymore.

I will try today to do this.

by **Eugene Berkovich** on 02 Jun 2006, 11:59

My vote - spreadsheet.

They are easily copied off and distributed.

by **Eusebio** on 02 Jun 2006, 13:51

Thanks Azzuro. I vote for a thread here.

by **Buzzz** on 02 Jun 2006, 16:11

thread

by **bineaz** on 02 Jun 2006, 17:25

Here:

http://www.phpbbserver.com/worldforums/ ... rums#29639

by **bineaz** on 07 Jun 2006, 11:34

What is everyone picking Italy--do you all really want them to lose?

YIKES: TWO MORE DAYS

by **Falc** on 07 Jun 2006, 11:43

**** FORZA AZZURRI ****

by **bineaz** on 07 Jun 2006, 11:44

Quattro Italia wrote:**** FORZA AZZURRI ****

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