South Africa, 2010

Paul said:

anyway, tonight/ todays predictions , ahem

Holland to win 2-0 Kuyt to score anytime. (Vittek might get one so that'll be 2-1, but i doubt it - just tell the bookies Paul sent you, he understand)

Brazil to win 2-1 Sachez to score first.

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Priene said:

That's Brazil and Holland done for then. Paul's kiss of death has been bestowed.

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Nah nah!

almost even got the score right...


Germany will take Argentina to the cleaners, wash em, fold their clothes, bring in a suitcase, then send the suitcase packing itself, then send it home, with them in it.


which is a pity cos I love Maradona's theatricals

I predict an all-fascist final.

Paul said:

Germany will take Argentina to the cleaners, wash em, fold their clothes, bring in a suitcase, then send the suitcase packing itself, then send it home, with them in it.

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I think that's certainly possible. But it really depends on how things go, early on. I think that if Argentina grabs an early goal, things will go downhill rapidly for the Germans. They match up well with Argentina, 'cept if they have to play catch up. Then, Messi and Tevez will be able to rip a more open defense.

In the reverse situation--Germany grabbing an early goal--that might go the same sort of way: dominance by the Germans. But the Argentines have a little more experience to draw on, so I think they might handle it better. Still, I'd think that--as usual--the first team to score will win (though I'd make it even money for Brazil to comeback from an 0-1 deficit against the Netherlands).

Problem with Argentina, Demichelis is really unsure of himself right now. He's made mistakes in almost every game and that's the weak spot in the defence.

Still, Argentina to scrape it 2-1.

I predict Brazil - Argentina final.

Paul's Predictions no. 3

Japan & Paraguay to draw in the 90 mins, and in extra time. Paraguay to take it in penalties.

prob 2-2 draw

Paul said:

Paul's Predictions no. 3

Japan & Paraguay to draw in the 90 mins, and in extra time. Paraguay to take it in penalties.

prob 2-2 draw

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From what I've seen so far, more like 0-0 up to the point where all players are fast asleep. First striker woken up by a vuvuzela throb scores the winner.

Priene said:

From what I've seen so far, more like 0-0 up to the point where all players are fast asleep. First striker woken up by a vuvuzela throb scores the winner.

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yeah, pretty bad alright, but I can see a couple of goals, at least one each.

easy meat ofr Spain or Portugal, (prob Portugal)

Worse match ever. Japan will prob score in the extra time though. if not they'll lose to penalties - call your bookie now! ))

Paul said:

Nah nah!

Germany will take Argentina to the cleaners, wash em, fold their clothes, bring in a suitcase, then send the suitcase packing itself, then send it home, with them in it.

which is a pity cos I love Maradona's theatricals

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Ouch. Are we hating Argentina or loving Germany?

So. The first penalty shoot out. Horrible way to go out. I feel bad for Japan but what a dull game.

Horrible game. I was rooting for Japan, but they didn't have the Samurai spirit.

Tonight is the night. SPAIN - PORTUGAL.

Paul predictions 4

2-2 in 90 mins Portugal to get the winner in extra time.

NewKidOldKid said:

Ouch. Are we hating Argentina or loving Germany?

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would like to see Argentina win, but just don't see it happening.

Spain looks fragile to me. They need to get on the board first. Desperately.

Spain v Portugal - first half yawn!

waylander said:

Spain v Portugal - first half yawn!

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Disagree.

1-0 full time, and a fascinating tactical game with tremendous technical skills shown by all the players. Portugal is a hard team to break down -- they hadn't conceded a single goal in the last, what, 12 international matches?

Don't sell Spain short. They're capable of inspired play and have a real shot.

Oh, and the refs were great.

Hi folks.
I just got back from a day in Germany and got some interesting views there. Regarding the goal that wasn't, I kept hearing things like "karma's a bitch" and "what goes around comes around" and "everything evens out in the end." I kept hearing or seeing (on TV) people saying they don't want the exactitude of technoloigy because it would kill the things that make football human: error, emotions, passion. This coming from perfectionist, technology obsessed Germany is pretty big. They say that error and mistakes belong to the game and sometimes error goes against you, sometimes for you, and England and Germany have now both had it both ways. Someone also said "Now England can understand how we felt about that Wembley goal."

They also can't understand this whole "Two World Wars and One World Cup, nyah nyah nyah" mentality and all the taunting and baiting belligerency the English media goes in for, and since they are Anglophiles they just want it to stay a great game, win or lose.

I remember when they lost in the quarter-finals last time around what good sports they were, and how much fun everyone had at the game for third place in Stuttgart.

Paul's Predictions no. 5


right, this time no messing (/Messi) or wishful thinking.

Brazil 3 NED 2 in 90 mins. 3-2 to Brazil final result
Should be the best game in the tournament.

Ger Arg 2-2, Ger to win in extra time 3-2 to Ger final result

Ghana 2 URG 1 or 1-1 and Ghana to win 2-1 to Ghana final result

Spain 3 -Par 1 3-1 to Spain final result

aruna said:

Hi folks.
I just got back from a day in Germany and got some interesting views there. Regarding the goal that wasn't, I kept hearing things like "karma's a bitch" and "what goes around comes around" and "everything evens out in the end." I kept hearing or seeing (on TV) people saying they don't want the exactitude of technoloigy because it would kill the things that make football human: error, emotions, passion. This coming from perfectionist, technology obsessed Germany is pretty big. They say that error and mistakes belong to the game and sometimes error goes against you, sometimes for you, and England and Germany have now both had it both ways. Someone also said "Now England can understand how we felt about that Wembley goal."

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Funny how every German I've ever met has insisted that they weren't at all bothered about the 1966 World Cup at all. They'd won so many, you see, and it was so long ago that it wasn't at all important. Now a disgraceful piece of refereeing helped them on their way to the quarter finals, they start boasting about how hurt they were. Bollocks. They're gloating about a crap linesman when they should be gloating about how crap England's team was. Actually, given the amount of playacting, diving and general cheating the German team have specialised in over the years, they should probably just book a holiday in Shutthefuckup City.


EDIT: not to mention the stupendous bias shown by FIFA over the years towards the German national team, most notoriously during Euro 96 when they were given special dispensation to strengthen their team by adding a non-squad member, Jens Todt, for the final. That's right. Everyone else has to make do with their original squad. If Germany hits injury problems, they get additional players.

Well, I don't know. I'm not a football fan and am just following this on the periphery and I can't tell what team is good and who's bad. I've only watched one match and a bit of another (at the airport) till now.

they start boasting about how hurt they were.

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- "They" are not boasting. It was just one person's opinion. But from my outsider's point of view, it seems that this whole rivalry thing is mainly on the side of the English. Germans don't really engage in it.
It also seems to me that there isn't this whole footballer celebrity und WAG culture there that they have here in the UK. The friends I stayed with, they say that one member of the team is from their town and sometimes they run into him just like a normal person.

Looking forward to Argentina - Germany a lot.

Two fast, free-flowing sides. Two teams eager to attack. Polar opposites to our pedestrian England team!

aruna said:

But from my outsider's point of view, it seems that this whole rivalry thing is mainly on the side of the English. Germans don't really engage in it.

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I tend to agree, but then again the Germans have usually had the better team and biassed officials to help them on your way. And if you want to know why no German should ever complain about decisions going against them, take a look at Harald Schumacher's assault on Patrick Battiston in the 1982 World Cup semi-final. Battiston went to hospital. Schumacher got a goal kick. The West Germans went to the final.

Well, there's a marvellous rumour doing the round about why the atmosphere was so bad in the England camp. Recommended google keywords: Gerrard gagging order.

Priene said:

Well, there's a marvellous rumour doing the round about why the atmosphere was so bad in the England camp. Recommended google keywords: Gerrard gagging order.

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That would explain a bit....I can't say I'm overly surprised though. Is it just oneupmanship on JT?

It might explain JT feeling a wee bit peeved about the captaincy. All that stuff about how he still thought of himself as the leader.