World Cup Soccer

any fans???

THE most exciting sporting event in the world!!!

I've been following it for as long as I can remember.

I was wondering when this would come up Some of my friends are going over to Germany for the World Cup. I wanted to go and meet up with a bunch of the German forum members, but I won't be able to afford the trip.

I always love World Cup Soccer time!

Don't think I could afford to go either

I don't think it would be cheap getting tickets (let alone the airfare etc...)

I've visited Germany before but never had the chance to see any games.

Brazil will be very very tough to beat I'm afraid.

football sorry had to change soccer..

this country is starthing to go crazy.. every time people think that we will get the cup.. and we never get it.. ok 2 x second.. and one european cup..

but the game over 90 minutes with a ball two goals and the germans winn that is called football (or voetbal)

is not designed to be won by others ... i guess

football sorry had to change soccer..

 

this country is starthing to go crazy.. every time people think that we will get the cup.. and we never get it.. ok 2 x second.. and one european cup..

 

but the game over 90 minutes with a ball two goals and the germans winn that is called football (or voetbal)

 

is not designed to be won by others ... i guess

I know what you mean about the country going crazy.

In Canada it's like that with Ice Hockey.

I much prefer Soccer (football) though.

The Netherlands have had some very good teams over the years. It must be frustrating to see The World Cup pretty much dominated by Brazil and Germany. (Although, Germany has been quite disappointing in the last decade IMO)

I already have my World Cup 2006 T-Shirt

I'll have to work on updating my jerseys

Ronaldinho rules!

I don't have a patriotic bone in my body, but I do enjoy watching good football.

I would say that the Countries I would LEAST like to be the manager for would be England & Germany.

Just a LITTLE bit of pressure!!!!

speaking of England.............. will Beckham slip on a penalty kick this World Cup? and will Rooney be ready to play or will he be too busy at the bookmakers???

Rooney will not play.. he is injured...

time for some african team to stand up this year!!!

I dislike defensive football.. so no Italy for me...

Rooney will not play.. he is injured...

 

time for some african team to stand up this year!!!

 

I dislike defensive football.. so no Italy for me...

Rooney is definitely out for the first week or so. He's putting in time in a hyperbaric chamber trying to heal faster. I wouldn't write him off quite yet.

I agree about Italy. And if it's not the boring style, it's the whining!!!!

And lets not forget sweden... Lets see if we can handle england as well as in the last world cup .

I dislike defensive football.. so no Italy for me...

Here we go again...Italy, or indeed Italians teams, don't play defensive football, it's an old stereotype... I can throw in some statistics if you like!

The new Italian manager plays with 3 strikers now and the 4-1 score against Germany proves they play attacking football.

I will be in Germany from the 12th June to the 23rd, really looking forward to it. Maybe I can meet with some of our members there, I will keep you posted on my schedule!

I dislike defensive football.. so no Italy for me...

 

Here we go again...Italy, or indeed Italians teams, don't play defensive football, it's an old stereotype... I can throw in some statistics if you like!

The new Italian manager plays with 3 strikers now and the 4-1 score against Germany proves they play attacking football.

I will be in Germany from the 12th June to the 23rd, really looking forward to it. Maybe I can meet with some of our members there, I will keep you posted on my schedule!

yes, you must meet the man who walks in the day (i.e. daywalker), flanders, and lots of others from germany. i insist damn it.

THE most exciting sporting event in the world!!!

Heresy JW!!! The Olympics for me.

this country is starthing to go crazy..

Here too - I hate the ridiculous medie frenzy and hype that rages for weeks before the World Cup - in the papers, TV programmes.

I enjoy watching it, just hate the build up to it.

and it won't get much better either..........

One of the craziest things mor me is the number of suicides that occur each World Cup!

Unbelievable!!!! How can sport become THAT important????

I'm definitely looking forward to it. I'll be arranging my work sched so that I can watch as many games as possible. There's a story in every game, whether it's England vs. Germany or Ghana vs. Ticos.

Hey, we should throw together a World Cup pool!!!

We could set one up where people pick the countries they think will emerge from each group and who their 2 picks are for finalists and the winner?

anyone interested???

it would be for bragging rights only (unless Rob wants to donate something )

let me know if interested.

I'll be away all next week but I could throw something together when I get back if enough people are interested.

Good idea - I'm in!

Okay here it is .... the VBB World Cup 2006 pool!!!

you can enter until June 8/2006

We're playing for bragging rights (unless Robert cares to donate something???)

( a ) pick the 2 teams from each group you think will advance to the next round

you receive 1 point for each team you pick that advances

( b ) pick 4 teams for the championship round

you receive 2 points for each game your 4 teams win in the championship round

( c ) pick the team you think will win the World Cup

if your team wins the cup you get 5 points , 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 1 point

GROUP A

Germany

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Poland

GROUP B

England

Paraguay

Trinidad & Tobago

Sweden

GROUP C

Argentina

Cote d'Ivoire

Serbia & Montenegro

Netherlands

GROUP D

Mexico

Iran

Angola

Portugal

GROUP E

Italy

Ghana

USA

Czech Republic

GROUP F

Brazil

Croatia

Australia

Japan

GROUP G

France

Switzerland

Korea Republic

Togo

GROUP H

Spain

Ukraine

Tunisia

Saudi Arabia

Round of 16

TIME HOME AWAY MATCH VENUE

Jun 24 11:00 ET 1A v 2B Match 49 Munich

Jun 24 15:00 ET 1C v 2D Match 50 Leipzig

Jun 25 11:00 ET 1B v 2A Match 51 Stuttgart

Jun 25 15:00 ET 1D v 2C Match 52 Nuremburg

Jun 26 11:00 ET 1E v 2F Match 53 Kaiserslautern

Jun 26 15:00 ET 1G v 2H Match 54 Cologne

Jun 27 11:00 ET 1F v 2E Match 55 Dortmund

Jun 27 15:00 ET 1H v 2G Match 56 Hanover

Quarterfinals

TIME HOME AWAY MATCH VENUE

Jun 30 11:00 ET Winner Match 49 v Winner Match 50 Match 57 Berlin

Jun 30 15:00 ET Winner Match 53 v Winner Match 54 Match 58 Hamburg

Jul 1 11:00 ET Winner Match 51 v Winner Match 52 Match 59 Gelsenkirchen

Jul 1 15:00 ET Winner Match 55 v Winner Match 56 Match 60 Frankfurt

Semifinals

TIME HOME AWAY MATCH VENUE

Jul 4 15:00 ET Winner Match 57 v Winner Match 58 Match 61 Dortmund

Jul 5 15:00 ET Winner Match 59 v Winner Match 60 Match 62 Munich

Third Place

TIME HOME AWAY MATCH VENUE

Jul 8 15:00 ET Loser Match 61 v Loser Match 62 Match 63 Stuttgart

Final

TIME HOME AWAY MATCH VENUE

Jul 9 14:00 ET Winner Match 61 v Winner Match 62 Match 64 Berlin

Just read an interesting article on the Italian team.

they have a pretty easy group but there is considerable pressure to finish 1st because they could conceivably matchup with Brazil in the round of 16.

Seems the Italians have discovered offensive style. I personally will believe it when I see it.

Most predictions are picking Italy to get to at least the semifinal but if they get Brazil in the round of 16????

JW - how was Beantown? Hope you and the fam had fun - did you miss the rain?

JW - how was Beantown? Hope you and the fam had fun - did you miss the rain?

Actually, we dont's go until August 18th

(last week was another vacation)

My in-laws were there though and it rained every single day!

Did it rain on the cape too?

We just picked up a bunch of Boston literature ... starting to get hyped about the trip

so far it looks like we'll spend most of our time in Boston, a day or two at Cape Cod, a day trip to Provincetown.

I want to go to the Basketball Hall of Fame but I'm probably going to be vetoed on that one since it's out of the way a bit.

Der - I thought you were in Boston last week. It's hard to keep up with your extensive travel itineraries.

If yer going to be on the Cape and don't have too many plans, then we should all get together for dinner. There aren't too many vegan-friendly places down here, but Kristy and I know them all! There's a great Thai place in Dennis.

mmm Thai food is awesome!

that would be great! I don't know the schedule yet though. I'm not sure if we are going to the Cape alone or with my Sister-in-law and her boyfriend.

I'll definitely keep you posted!

btw, are the Revolution playing in August?

Just read an interesting article on the Italian team.

they have a pretty easy group but there is considerable pressure to finish 1st because they could conceivably matchup with Brazil in the round of 16.

 

Seems the Italians have discovered offensive style. I personally will believe it when I see it.

Most predictions are picking Italy to get to at least the semifinal but if they get Brazil in the round of 16????

I wouldn't say Italy's group is easy, actually I think it could be a tricky one. Ghana is a strong up and coming team with many players based in Europe (Gyan, Koffour, Essien etc).

USA could prove difficult and they had a good world cup 4 years ago.

Czech Rep. have been one of the most consistent European team and they have some world class players.

Saying that, I think the group suits Italy as they seem to play better when facing strong opposition. That's why I'm not too worried if they play Brazil in the 2nd round, they're the team to beat and they'd play them sooner or later.

Italy's last friendlies were encouraging (beat Germany 4-1 and Holland 3-1), if our best players don't get injuried we have a good chance as anybody.