World Forums

Falc

is soccer being shown on MSNBC ?

I'm getting the station crystal clear but no soccer. The TV guide on the TV lists the game but instead they are showing some other programming.

I'm thinking that they don't have rights to show it in Canada.

ah well.

I found the game being shown on cbc.ca website

whoever made this site did a great job. Very easy to navigate.

but I'm more than sure this is blocked out for non Canadian IP addresses. The quality of the picture is excellent.

At halftime. 2-0 for the good guys (Rossi & Rocchi)

3-0 Final

Montolivo with the 3rd in injury time.

Pabs - There was a field hockey game between Argentina and USA. Some nice looking legs on the Argentine side. MSNBC showed the match about 15 minutes in.

Good win. The second half was not good to watch. Korea is behind 2-0 and they sit back? Don't blame the Azzurrini in not pushing too much although they could have done more to get the ball to the feet of Giovinco and Rossi. Nice follow through by Montolivo after his first shot hit the post.

If these boys keep their confidence, they can win. It is a strong team that is not dependent upon one or two stars. Casiraghi has them playing well. The keeper acts very confident between the posts. They are through to the medal rounds. A win or draw against Cameroon probably will lead to Belgium in the quarterfinals. A loss most likely Brazil. Here is the schedule:

08/16 6:00pm Men's Q/Final - Match 25 - C1 vs D2
08/16 6:00pm Men's Q/Final - Match 26 - D1 vs C2
08/16 9:00pm Men's Q/Final - Match 27 - A1 vs B2
08/16 9:00pm Men's Q/Final - Match 28 - B1 vs A2

Then the semi schedule:

08/19 6:00pm Men's S/Final - Match 29 - W28 vs W26
08/19 9:00pm Men's S/Final - Match 30 - W27 vs W25

So a possible semi is against Argentina and we may not see Brazil until the final.

Falc

I only saw the Second Half. Though I did see the First Half highlights.

One thing about that link from cbc.ca is that there is no commentary. Just a visual.

The Second Half started pretty good. Some good vertical play with Nocerino-Giovinco-Rossi who just chipped the keeper wide. That would have been a heck of a goal.

In the middle of the Second Half both teams showed poor sportsmanship. I thought Rossi dove to win a FK after he lost the ball. Moments later Giovinco got an accidental hand to the face (that's how I saw it) and he went down. Well. No wonder North America will never embrace soccer. How painful could it have possibly have been ? I don't know, maybe it's because I grew up on hockey and these plays happened hundreds of times a game.

Then #17 for Korea was literally brushed in the face and he goes down as well. This looked suspicious as I thought he was trying to get Viviano sent off. Even the Italian players reacted like he was trying to do this.

About Later on though when Korea realised that the game was lost, the players calmed down. Remember about 5 minutes from the end the Italian player (I forget who) went down with a cramp ? Everybody in the stadium thought he was faking it and even me, but then they showed a replay of him 10 second before he fell and it was clear that a cramp had come on. Great sportsmanship by the Korea player to stretch his leg out. The crowd recognised that as well.

Don't worry about missing the commentary, those used by NBC suck.

The drama queens are way over the top. The only good thing the ref did was ignore them. But he certainly gave touch fouls against us and ignored fouls made by the Koreans, especially against Giovinco. They beat up on him pretty good and were determined not to let him have his way. Yet, he still set up Motta on the run for that second goal.

I was surprised that Korea did not press in the second half. I missed the first 15 minutes because of the field hockey game but the commentators did mention that Korea pressed a lot in the beginning. So maybe they tired out. I think Italy played smart with a 2-0 lead since Korea was not taking the game to them. These teams only have 2 days rest, so no need expending a lot of energy with that cushion. I was really impressed with how the team played this morning and after watching a dreadful MLS match between DC United and NY Red Bulls, even more impressed by the quality of play. While some of you have doom and gloom about the Azzurri future, I think the future looks good.

One comment made by the NBC crew that me was that only one team ever won the Gold Medal after winning the WC. That was the 1936 Azzurri. Love to see history repeat itself and then repeat itself again.

yeah I knew about that

and 3 years later a World War broke out

Well, that could happen too. What is the shit with Georgia and Russia?

actually I'm wondering what's the deal with that breakaway territory ? What's the point of breaking away a small piece of land (less than 100K inhabitants, if I recall) from an already small peice of land.

Outstanding play from Gli Azzurrini so far

Giovinco and Rossi are causing fits for their opponents. We all knew that would happen. I've been pleasantly surprised by Acquafresca and even Rocchi. They've done a great job at center forward. They haven't been STATIC...you know like a Vieri or Toni...and it's killing defenses. They don't know who to cover of the front three. There is no point of reference. That's the type of calcio I love.

I thought Motta was really impressive at RB. He always had the talent, but now he's starting to show it. Cigarini is a pleasant surprise in the midfield. He's getting very smooth and comfortable on the ball. Clearly, Montolivo is the class of the mid-field, but Cigarini isn't too far behind. Nocerino is doing a great Gattuso impression.

The defense worried me a bit. Neither Coda or Bocchetti have much speed. They may be exposed in space. Hope it doesn't come to that. Criscito looked quite good at left back.

As for Viviano, he never really inspires full comfort for me. I know he's got talent, but I'm not sure about his sense of timing all the time.

---
Overall, it's been great. Italia has come to play, and Brazil and Argentina, even with their stars, should be worried.

Di Silvestri was horrendous versus Honduras.

Overall

We are really doing well. We are in 4th place with 8 Medals.

Korea has 8 as well but they have 4 Golds to our 3. Disappointments have been Germany and France.

Hey Pabs - According to the NBC site, Italy is 6th in total medal count all time with 495. Behind France (600 medals) and above Sweden (469.5). Not sure if that includes winter games but considering the size of Italy, pretty damn impressive.

Italy: 182 G - 148 S - 165 B - 495 total

http://www.nbcolympics.com/medals/alltime/index.html

I think that's right

but if we combine both Summer and Winter, we move up to 4th all-time.

W l'Italia

It is heartening indeed to see the Azzurri lads open the tournament well. I think we have a good chance for a medal, though I don't like the fact we'd have to face Argentina in the medal round. This experience will help these guys a lot and bring a smile to Lippi. FORZA

Pabs

Agreed. De Silvestri went down a notch in my book. His strength has always been to push forward, but he didn't look comfortable or confident on the ball. He wasn't attacking the defender the way he should have, but rather just passing it back.

Motta is no great dribbler himself but at least he pushed forward and had that amazing assist on Rocchi's goal.

Damn

We got 1 more medal today but today was an absolutely huge day for Australia, Russia, France, South Korea.

In 2004 we finished Tied for 7th. I want to improve on that.

But you are Canadian my friend, the Phelps medals are almost your own.

nah, I'm supporting the Italian Olympians.

I hope the Canadians get shut out. There's a reason why I want this to happen. And so far they are medal-less which is even shocking me as Canada's usually had one by now.

Haltime -- Complete Farce

So I decide to wake up at 5am to watch the Italy vs Cameroon match and spent the first 15 minutes of the match trying to find an online broadcast. Then I realise that it's actually on TV on a basic cable station.

The pitch is zhit. Don't know if it's because too many games have been played on it but it's horrendous. But it's completely chopped up.

Anyways, very good and extremely fast pace to the game. Both teams playing well. I learn from the commentator that Cameroon had a PK saved. both teams playing well. Giovinco quite possibly gets taken down in the box and probably could have had a PK. A few minutes later, Nocerino trys to take down a pass and the Cameroon player goes for the ball as well. He clips Nocerino but definitely not intentional and clearly not malocious. But the ref pulls out a RED card. Nocerino definitely did get hurt but that was a yellow, not a red. And the worst part is that the ref was the closest to the play. I don't know if the ref just made a mistake or had a different (better) view to the play, or maybe he subconciously felt the need to make up for not giving Italy a PK a few minutes earlier, but he has completely ruined the game.

The pace went down like something I've never seen before. From 22 players going breakneck speed, so passing the ball to each other. Cameroon, IMO don't feel the need that they should try to score with 10 men as it's too hard and likewise Italy are playing conservative as well. The onus is on Italy with the man-advantage but going by past history, they are more than content with a 0-0, conserving energy. Both teams would be delighted with a draw as it see's both of them to the next round.

The absolute kicker was this though. In the last few minutes of the half, the ball gets rolled to the Cameroon 'keeper. Everybody backs off and prepares for the Cameroon keeper to pick it up and boot it downfield. Instead he stands over it, doing nothing. The Italy player now has to humour this motherfucker and jog back towards him. As he's 10 meters to the keeper in a jogging pace, the Cameroon keeper goes to his knees and places his hands around the ball (in the air) but still not grabbing it. As the Italy player is 2 feet away, the Cameroon keeper then dives on the ball. Crowd is booing and rightly so. They paid for this crap ?Commentator is being very harsh on both teams and the ref -- rightly so.

Can't believe I woke up to watch this farce. We'll see what the 2nd Half brings.

Farce continued for the Second Half

Even worse and even more deliberate and disgusting. Crowd booed the entire 45 minutes. Actually, no. 47 minutes because the referee has some sort of sick S&M fetish and decided to tag on an additional 2 minutes of injury time.

The 2 or 3 times each team pretended to to muster an attack, they made sure to lose the ball. Absolutely no doubt about it. They were never going to score. And if for example, the ball actually fell for any one of them with an empty net, they would have made sure they missed it as they wouldn't have wanted to screw the other over.

I'm really peeved off. The Soccer God (oh they definitely do exist) will ensure neither of these two win a medal.

I must have misread the pairing before. I thought we would have been paired with Argentina. Instead, the two South American sides are on the same bracket. Here is the breakdown:

Saturday's Quarterfinal Pairings:
Brazil (3-0-0) vs. Cameroon (1-0-2)
Argentina (3-0-0) vs. Netherlands (1-0-2)
Italy (2-0-1) vs. Belgium (2-1-0)
Nigeria (2-1-0) vs. Ivory Coast (2-1-0)

Tuesday's Semifinal Pairings:
NIG-IC vs. ITY-BEL
BRZ-CAM vs. ARG-NETH

Italy and farce in the same sentence? You don't say?

Korea needed a goleada versus Honduras to advance.

Thank goodness we avoid the SA giants until a potential gold medal round. I suppose an UGLY match was expected as both teams were happy with a non-result.

FORZA AZZURRI

Blatter was at the game today and answered "no comment" about the farce of the game.

Yeah I saw that too: "Meglio non commentare". Even a blind man can shoot a fish in a barrel.

He's also reportedly set to change eligibility rules for the Olympics. If you play in the WC you can't then play in the next Olympics. Sensible rule IMO.

http://www.repubblica.it/2008/08/olimpi ... 13-08.html

The Italian clubs have taken the pitch for CL qualifying.

Fiorentina handily took care of Czech side Slavia Praga 2-0 yesterday and today Juve is sticking it to Slovak side Armedia Bratislava, up 3-0 at the half; goals by Camoranesi, Del Piero and Chiellini.

Yawn. No GolTV, no Serie Z.

GolTV did not have Serie A. That belongs to Fox Soccer Channel.

Good. Saves us the grief. I'm only watching Milan next season.

Great Result for Juve. Can't get better than a 4-0 in the First Leg. Only an act of God will prevent us from playing in the CL. And you can always count on ADP to score against the minnows.

Where's M&M ?

where the heck is he ? (or they ?)

is there Serie B thread that they're posting at that I don't know about ?

That's nice.

Looks like I lost a post. Oh well.

Guys, save this link:

http://goal1.tk/

It has a good collection of highlights, goals of games all over the world.

Pabs wrote:Where's M&M ?
....
is there Serie B thread that they're posting at that I don't know about ?

LMAO

NAh, there probably in the Parma hinterlands enjoying some raw horsemeat. I think Casati said he was going to Italy this August.

Italy - Belgium will be zzzZZZzzzZZZ

I put my opinions in brackets....

Calcio Debate: Who Should Lippi Purge From Euro 2008?
Marcello Lippi will tomorrow name the first squad of his new Italy reign. Who should the World Cup-winning coach purge from the Euro 2008 disappointment?

It has been stated on numerous occasions, since Euro 2008, that the time has now come for the Italy national team to turn the page, and begin a new youthful era ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

Marcello Lippi has returned with the objective of repeating the glorious success from Germany, and tomorrow he will name his first new squad for next Wednesday’s friendly against Austria in Nice.

We shouldn’t read too much into Lippi’s selections for this clash, as the coach, who is desperate for a winning start, has already stated that he will call upon those who are further ahead in their pre-season preparation. This guarantees “several” Juventus additions, as well as Liverpool’s Andrea Dossena, and possibly Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino and Napoli’s Christian Maggio.

However, looking slightly further ahead to the group that Lippi plans to build his 2010 World Cup around - who should the coach banish from the regime of his predecessor, Roberto Donadoni.

Below is the original 23-man squad list for Euro 2008. I offer my opinion, giving a ‘Yes, No, or Maybe’, on whether or not each player should be part of Lippi’s new era. It is then up to you to have your say.

Gianluigi Buffon (30) Juventus: The best goalkeeper in the world. Nothing more to add. Verdict: Yes (ahh yeah)

Christian Panucci (35) Roma: Did very well at Euro 2008 but he will be 37 in 2010, and he doesn’t get on with Lippi. Verdict: No (I agree, Lippi never goes for this)

Fabio Grosso (30) Lyon: One of Italy’s best players in Austria and Switzerland, and is still in peak physical condition. He should definitely begin the new World Cup campaign, before another assessment in later 2009. Verdict: Maybe ( A definate yes...)

Giorgio Chiellini (24) Juventus : His development over the past 12 months has been frightening. Now has the potential to be one of the best defenders in Europe. Verdict: Should Bacary Sagna change his hairstyle? (agreed)

Fabio Cannavaro (34) Real Madrid: Has there ever been a player so proud of his nationality? He will be 36 in 2010 but his influence in the dressing room cannot be underestimated. Verdict: Yes, unless his form drops drastically. (for now yes, start to fade him out and groom someone else)

Andrea Barzagli (27) Wolfsburg : Has potentially thrown away his career by moving to Wolfsburg. Unlikely to improve in the Bundesliga, which is a worry given his Euro 2008 display. Verdict: Were South Korea worthy 2002 World Cup semi-finalists? (depth)

Alessandro Del Piero (33) Juventus: A club legend but has never done it for Italy. It is time to give the likes of Cassano, Balotelli, Rossi and Giovinco a chance. Verdict: No (no, its time to move on)

Gennaro Gattuso (30) Milan: Having seen him in pre-season, he shows no signs of getting his physical sharpness back. His legs appear to have gone. Verdict: No (see above)

Luca Toni (31) Bayern Munich: Disastrous Euro 2008, and he will be 33 by the time of South Africa. Getting rid of Toni will bring the best out of skilful players like Cassano, and will stop the temptation of lumping forward long balls. Verdict: No
(see above)
Daniele De Rossi (24) Roma: The future of the Italy midfield. He should be close to his peak in two years time. Verdict: Did Pele include the goals he scored in Escape To Victory in his ridiculously over exaggerated career total? (agreed)

Antonio Di Natale (30) Udinese: Perhaps was not give a fair crack at the Euros, but he also needs to make way for the host of young attackers. Verdict: Will Udinese win Serie A this year? (depth)

Marco Borriello (25) Milan: This year will tell whether or not he was a one-season wonder. Needs to prove himself at a big club like Milan before he can be trusted for Italy. Verdict: Maybe (replace Toni....depth)

Massimo Ambrosini (31) Milan: Do I really need to answer this? Verdict: Yes, but only if every other midfielder in Italy is injured. (no, we have to go with youth)

Marco Amelia (26) Palermo: I once had serious doubts about Amelia but he largely impressed me last season. Will be a solid backup to Buffon. Verdict: Yes (yes, although I liked that keeper who plays for Torino...can`t remember his name)

Fabio Quagliarella (25) Udinese: Granted just a few minutes at the Euros, but he has an explosive quality to him that suggests he will be part of the 2010 set-up. Verdict: Yes (agreed)

Mauro Camoranesi (31) Juventus: His technical ability and style means that, providing he stays fit, he will probably still be useful into his mid-30s. Verdict: Yes (Id keep him, but only for depth)

Morgan De Sanctis (31) Galatasaray: Buffon and Amelia will be the two goalkeepers in qualifying, while the third spot in South Africa should go to a youngster. Verdict: Will England win the 2010 World Cup? (no, lets promote a younger keeper)

Antonio Cassano (26) Sampdoria: His talent is unquestionable but he needs to play next to an intelligent striker with good movement. Lippi will hopefully find a way to get the best out of him. Verdict: Is Cassano crazy? (for me he should be starting)

Gianluca Zambrotta (31) Milan: I have my doubts about the physical decline of Zambrotta, so a lot will depend on his Milan form. Verdict: Maybe (see Cannavaro)

Simone Perrotta (30) Roma: A box-to-box player whose legs also seem to be going. I would be surprised if he made it to South Africa. Verdict: Is Alessio Secco related to Einstein? (nope)

Andrea Pirlo (29) Milan: Irreplaceable, as the Spain quarter final proved. Will be 31 in 2010, but age is irrelevant with Pirlo. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was still playing for Italy at the 2014 World Cup. Verdict: Do Inter have a lot of South Americans?
(fuck yeah)
Alberto Aquilani (24) Roma: Was nervous at the Euros, but he will surely develop into an outstanding player. Verdict: Yes
(yes, he should take camo spot)
Marco Materazzi (34) Inter: May have already played his last game for Italy, and indeed it would be a disaster if Lippi even considered the Matrix as part of his plans. Verdict: Is Raymond Domenech a good coach? (my brain hurts....)

Aircalzinho Paulista wrote:Italy - Belgium will be zzzZZZzzzZZZ

Brazil Cameroon zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz .....Coma first half

We're Out

I didn't even wake up to watch the game. The attitude and unprofessionlism shown last game peeved me off. I'm glad we're out. I don't want them to go through their careers thinking this is acceptable and then be rewarded for it at the end.

And when you look at the game summary, it only goes to show how pathetic and undeserving this team is -- red card to Belgium in the 18th minute and we allowed them to score THREE goals ?

That is so fucking laughable I never heard a team score 3 goals with a man disadvantage.

Good Riddance