FIFA World Cup

[ProPain]

Piet de Visser (Chelsea scout who also used to work for PSV) is hired as analyst for dutch tv and he already said beforehand they would be a lot stronger than expected. This group was already the group of death, so things didn't really brighten up for Portugal and the Ivory Coast. Good news for us behind the tele though.

[socralynnek]

I try to categorize the teams so far:

Better than expected:
- Germany
- North Korea (very well defending, very good passing...but almost no scoring skills)

OK:
- Argentina
- Brazil
(but both didn't play well over 90 minutes, but they both had their moments)
- Paraguay
- USA
(Both well defending and with the occasional attack)
- South Africa
- Mexico
(Both with one good half each)
- Ivory Coast (stronger 2nd half, strong defense)
- South Korea
- Netherlands (although only one good half)
- Denmark (although only one good half)

Worse than expected but with a little hope:
-Portugal
-Uruguay
-England
-Italy
-Ghana
-Japan
-Nigeria
-Serbia
All of them had some lacks in defense but mostly ok in defense, but the offense still needs to get better)


Rather bad:
-Algeria
-Greece
-France
-Australia
-Slovakia
-New Zealand (but I didn't expect much of them)
-Slovenia (hey, for such a bad game, they shouldn't get 3 points)

Really bad:
-Cameroon

After watching Algeria-Slovenia, I didn't think, it could get worse....but Japan-Cameroon beat that...

Yesterday was ok. Portugal was a little disappointing, but the game was ok. Portugal will get a hard time against North Korea.

So far, I think, Germany had the best appearance,but Australia tried to play with a very bad tactical scheme. I read a good analysis about that on
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/06/...rmany-tactics/


So, let's see how the European champion does today...

So far, the world cup is disappointing in total if you look at the quality of the games.

[Rik Meleet]

I'd put New Zealand in the "better than expected" section, Ghana in the "OK" group, Argentina in the "rather bad" section (since there is no 'worse than expected and without realistic hope').

[socralynnek]

You are probably right about Ghana. I wanted to write a sentence about them. That game hasn't impressed me, but I expect them to be better in the next game as that win should have given them self esteem.

I guess, my categories are too one-dimensional.

New Zealand was kind of ebtter than expected but still rather bad. Or so.

[ProPain]

So Spain takes an unexpected loss. Glad I didn't put any money on that. Still victories against Honduras and Chili will probably suffice for the next round.

[BCLG100]

courtesy of rik at cfc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iufnl...layer_embedded

my favourite dive at the tournament so far

[Beam]

Imo the only real surprise of the 1st round in the group phase is Swissies beating Spain. I've seen only one team playing in a convincing manner and that team is from S of Denmark, N of Swissies (better not mention them or I risk being lynched RL).

Being halfway 2nd half vs. Uruguay only a miracle can get SA to the KO phase.

[BCLG100]

Well another surprise has to be N. Korea not getting completely steam rollered

[Lt. Killer M]

Originally Posted by BCLG100

courtesy of rik at cfc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iufnl...layer_embedded

my favourite dive at the tournament so far

second that - this guy should see a doc ASAP, there is some trouble in his nervous system harming his locomotion abilities LOL

[ProPain]

France taking a beating from Mexico and totally deserved as well imo.