FIFA World Cup 2010...

[donKey jote]

That's ok there is plenty of pulpo!


http://juliabarcelona.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/pulpobufones.jpg

yummy pulpo a la gallega :up:

I guess that´s how this guy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/europe/10420131.stm) will end up if he gets the result against tonight´s winner wrong :p :D

[pino]

Isn´t Paraguay one of the teams that sent Italy home early ? :confused: ;) :p



Nope it was Slovakia ;)


ps : Tazio me gusta mucho el pulpo :lips:

[Tazio]

Nope it was Slovakia ;)


ps : Tazio me gusta mucho el pulpo :lips:

Pulpo Del bebé Ummm umm!! :D

All Mediterranean types eat pulpo! It's a requirement, like Communion!
What if the church served pulpo for Communion? :confused: :p :

[Eki]

Pulpo Del bebé Ummm umm!! :D

I've always wondered what happened to Bebee. Now I know, they made pulp out of her.

[UltimateDanGTR]

Germans. pfft. always the same.

the Argies were the best football team on the eye in the tournament, lets just hope Spain reach the final now, because germany winning would be catastrophic, even if they were magnificent today.

[Eki]

No to racism!

[race aficionado]

No to racism!

Yes!!!



as in agreeing with you totally.

:s mokin:

[pino]

Paraguay was robbed...Valdez was not in off-side !

[race aficionado]

Paraguay was robbed...Valdez was not in off-side !


Add that one to the need of more linesmen, more eyes to actually see.

Looking forward to the second half.

You have to like both teams right now.
:s mokin:

[odykas]

I hate FIFA and ... Diego :mad: :p :

[donKey jote]

Saint Iker :D :D :D

[donKey jote]

Goooolllll!!!!

[donKey jote]

No... repeat it !!!

[donKey jote]

I dont believe it!!!!!

[donKey jote]

He didn´t dare give a second penalty to Spain!!! :down:

[Eki]

He didn´t dare give a second penalty to Spain!!! :down:
He did, and the Spanish screwed up the second one.

[donKey jote]

post ... post.... its IIIINNNNNNN!!!!
VILLA MARAVILLA !!!!!

[harvick#1]

goallllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!

little drama for the goal :laugh:

[donKey jote]

Saint Casillas :D

[donKey jote]

Ramos gets a boot in the face :o

[donKey jote]

Paraguay are lucky not to have had a couple sent off

[Eki]

Ramos gets a boot in the face :o
And the Spanish supporters are smiling and cheering.

[donKey jote]

Semis thanks to San Casillas :D :D :D

[pino]

Again not impressed at all by Spain...

[Tazio]

You girls missed a classic party! ;)

[Tazio]

Again not impressed at all by Spain...

I'm on your side pino! :rolleyes: ;) :eek:

[race aficionado]

Bravo España!!!!!!

Bravo Paraguay!!!!!

Those Guayos did very good.
You have to be impressed with their work ethic.

And Spain? They did what they had to do - win!

Now España Vs Alemania.
:D

[Tazio]

Bravo España!!!!!!

Bravo Paraguay!!!!!

Those Guayos did very good.
You have to be impressed with their work ethic.

And Spain? They did what they had to do - win!

Now España Vs Alemania.
:D

And the two Escobars and your son :p

[Tazio]

Holy#####and#######a, dude :)

[odykas]

Again not impressed at all by Spain...

+1

I would like to see what Spain could do if they had to start 2nd half with 1-0 for Paraguay....

[donKey jote]

+2
but hey, they´re still in there :D

[race aficionado]

+2
but hey, they´re still in there :D

And that's the bottom line.

Just imagine a game of Germany Vs Spain where Spain now gets its chance to really shine - against an already inspired German team.

Sweet! :D

[Brown, Jon Brow]

So four were left

Netherlands v Uruguay
Germany v Spain

I can't wait :D

[Tazio]

So four were left

Netherlands v Uruguay
Germany v Spain

I can't wait :D

And in all liklyhood epic matches. :up:

[janneppi]

No that Paraguay-Uruguay final isn't happening, I'm hoping for Holland-Germany. And looks like it just might happen. If Germans manage to squeeze the ball behind Ikerman, they can do what they seem to be doing very well, good , fast attacks.

FC Barce...err.. Spain really seem to miss Messi sometimes with Xavi and Iniesta. ;)

[Valve Bounce]

Is there some way we can shut out that dreadful noise?

[odykas]

Is there some way we can shut out that dreadful noise?

No, you can reduce a bit if you play with the equalizer settings of your tv.

[Tazio]

Is there some way we can shut out that dreadful noise?

I don't know about you but that guy with the funny accent and odd form of English doesn't really bother me that much! :dozey: :cool: :D

[Mark in Oshawa]

Netherlands vs Germany in the final. That is my call....I think Uruguay is good, but they were lucky to beat the Ghanians, and I think the Germans are far better than that Spanish. You know the Germans will not be choking at this point, whereas Spain has a history of it......

[Storm]

Saint Casillas :D

For once I was happy for a Real player :p :

That is why you need somebody like Buffon or Casillas (or even Reina) to really do well at a tournament like the WCup.

as for Argentina :erm: the bloody defence went missing for 90 mins! (as did the forwards it seemed)

MiO, although Germany look stronger, do not count off the Spaniards this time. They now know how to win a tournament (not the worldcup obviously) and also have got the QuarterFinal monkey off their backs. Plus they have had a harder time reaching there making them mentally stronger at each step (losing their first game) while Germany have not really been tested defensively (and although they do not choke, they did lose in the semis last time - and at home)

[Rollo]

http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/rollo75/argtactics.jpg

I warn you, these aren't very good. They only come in the bitter bitter taste of defeat.

[Tazio]

http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/rollo75/argtactics.jpg

I warn you, these aren't very good. They only come in the bitter bitter taste of defeat.Which reminds me (and now all) that the prediction I made last month of which team will win the cup is (at the risk of sounding immodest) more than just a little prophetic! :o hplease: :talk: :champion: :beer:

[edv]

Which reminds me (and now all) that the prediction I made last month of which team will win the cup is (at the risk of sounding immodest) more than just a little prophetic!
Likewise, I'm sure.
I'm disappointed that only 1 other member here voted Holland in the poll.

[pino]

MiO, although Germany look stronger, do not count off the Spaniards this time. They now know how to win a tournament (not the worldcup obviously) and also have got the QuarterFinal monkey off their backs. Plus they have had a harder time reaching there making them mentally stronger at each step (losing their first game) while Germany have not really been tested defensively (and although they do not choke, they did lose in the semis last time - and at home)

Also let's not forget that Germany will miss their best player Muller, so I think Spain will easily win this match and play Netherlands in the final ;)

[Tazio]

Also let's not forget that Germany will miss their best player Muller, so I think Spain will easily win this match and play Netherlands in the final ;) Ahh!!
The kiss of death :p :

[jens]

Some memorable quarterfinals.

Deutschland - wunderbar!!! :D They proved once again, who is the real team of top tournaments even if they are not hyped up before unlike some other overhyped squads, who are more likely to fail. :D Germans have finished in Top3 on three occasions out of the last four big tournaments (WC and Euro). Germany looks like a favourite now, but it's also always worth to be cautios as a 4:0 win means nothing in the next game and tables may turn easily. Brazil and Argentina both showed some promise earlier, but once hit trouble against a strong rival, they mentally collapsed. Spain hasn't been too impressive so far by narrow wins, but that's how Italy became World Champion last time around - modestly without extraordinary showings.

It looks like some statistical rows will finally come to an end. For the first time ever an European team looks set to win a World Cup in a tournament played outside Europe. Besides this the recent domination of the trio of BRA-ITA-FRA in World Cups has come to an end. What do I mean by this? In 1994-2006 out of possible eight finalist positions those three countries got seven spots. Now all of them are already out.

And of course the Ghana-Uruguay ending was epic. :D Although it must be noted the African boys weren't really well-prepared for penalties. Even if they seemed a bit fresher by the end of the overtime (the same against USA, so the guys are physically well fit), the more experienced team won.

[Rollo]

What would happen if you had the penalty shoot-out before the extra-time period?
I'm wondering if the team that knew that unless they scored during that period would be out, whether they'd play more attractive football?

I think that penalty shoot-outs are a horrible way to find a result between two protagonists who've been fighting for over 2 hours.

[race aficionado]

I think that penalty shoot-outs are a horrible way to find a result between two protagonists who've been fighting for over 2 hours.

Agreed.
I think a group fist fight should settle the thing . . . . .

OK, that was silly.
It must be the heat on this part of the world.

Good thing is that tomorrow we have a futbol game again.
I'm going through withdraws . . .

Also, I saw on CNN today how most of the vuvuzelas are made in China for a price of 40 cents and sold to the world for up to 8 bucks (+). They are hoping that other sports buy into this vuvuzela frenzy and business can continue after the World Cup. - NOT!!!!!!! :mad:

Está caliente!
:s mokin:

[Tazio]

What would happen if you had the penalty shoot-out before the extra-time period?
I'm wondering if the team that knew that unless they scored during that period would be out, whether they'd play more attractive football?

I think that penalty shoot-outs are a horrible way to find a result between two protagonists who've been fighting for over 2 hours.Before "The cold hearted orb that rules the night" ruined all sports. The World Cup was not decided by penalty kicks, or a golden goal. I don't know the exact venue, but back in the "old days" not that long ago. If the teams didn't decide the match after two halfs and two overtime periods, they would simply play another match within the next two days. :dozey:

[Rollo]

If the teams didn't decide the match after two halfs and two overtime periods, they would simply play another match within the next two days. :dozey:

The problem with this is that tournaments simply can't be held up like this any more, what with TV and international logistics.

Almost a quizmaster's cliche is the 1955 FA Cup Third Round between Stoke City and Bury. That match went into four replays before a result was finally found, even then all four replays went into extra time making 9½ hours of play before it was finally settled.

International TV just can't stand up to so many nights in white satin.

[Tazio]

just can't stand up to so many nights in white satin.

Ha! Ha! very good my man!
When I was a much younger mantovano volante, in jr highschool (7th-9th) the end of dances was always preceeded by that song.
Posturing to get that last (slow) dance with Cindy Sostri was an art-form :cool: :p

[Mark in Oshawa]

If Wimbledon can have a tennis match last 11 freaking hours, I think there is a way for Football/soccer to not end a match on penalties. IN North America, the NHL playoffs are not ended with penalty shots, they go to sudden death overtime, and if it is 4 periods long..oh well. Baseball never ends with anything but a win, no matter how many innings it takes. NFL football so rarely has ties, that the conversation is almost moot, but my point is in a money hungry and pro sports enviroment such as what exists in North America, the shootout method of ending playoff or championship matches doesn't exist...

FIFA is in the dark ages on this. I vote they keep playing, and it would factor into the strategies of nations to have extra players fresh and ready to go in. Allow more bench players. Allow for more libreal subsitutions...but keep the games going...I bet teams will not play for ties if they know they have to keep going....

[pino]

Prediction for tonight...3-1 to Netherlands :p :

[Tazio]

If Wimbledon can have a tennis match last 11 freaking hours, I think there is a way for Football/soccer to not end a match on penalties. IN North America, the NHL playoffs are not ended with penalty shots, they go to sudden death overtime, and if it is 4 periods long..oh well. Baseball never ends with anything but a win, no matter how many innings it takes. NFL football so rarely has ties, that the conversation is almost moot, but my point is in a money hungry and pro sports enviroment such as what exists in North America, the shootout method of ending playoff or championship matches doesn't exist...

FIFA is in the dark ages on this. I vote they keep playing, and it would factor into the strategies of nations to have extra players fresh and ready to go in. Allow more bench players. Allow for more libreal subsitutions...but keep the games going...I bet teams will not play for ties if they know they have to keep going....Mark a football field is much larger than a Hockey Rink. The players also can't "Skate"-coast. You don't want guys cramping up, or having cardiac arrest, because there are no players left to substitute. How many players on a team is enough? 30, 50, 100? You get to the point that you no longer are putting a representative team on the field, to say nothing about bringing players that they don't plan on using until the 12th overtime.
As I stated that before TV had such a large impact on the game they would simply play a few overtimes, and come back after a day (or two) of rest and play again. Rollo pointed out that there have been some extreme examples that suggest it's not really practical "for the TV industry". I say to hell with the TV, considerations but I'm a dinosaur. There is one other flaw that your solution would provide. Teams that were much deeper in personnel would simply guard their goal until their opponents died of exhaustion heart attack or heat prostration. In summary.....The way things are.... sucks dude! :arrowed: :burn: ;( :s ailor:

[Tazio]

Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal de Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruguay

just getting warmed up :D

[Mark in Oshawa]

[quote="Tazio"]Mark a football field is much larger than a Hockey Rink. The players also can't "Skate"-coast. You don't want guys cramping up, or having cardiac arrest, because there are no players left to substitute. How many players on a team is enough? 30, 50, 100? You get to the point that you no longer are putting a representative team on the field, to say nothing about bringing players that they don't plan on using until the 12th overtime.
As I stated that before TV had such a large impact on the game they would simply play a few overtimes, and come back after a day (or two) of rest and play again. Rollo pointed out that there have been some extreme examples that suggest it's not really practical "for the TV industry". I say to hell with the TV, considerations but I'm a dinosaur. There is one other flaw that your solution would provide. Teams that were much deeper in personnel would simply guard their goal until their opponents died of exhaustion heart attack or heat prostration. In summary.....The way things are.... sucks dude! :arrowed: :burn: ;( :s ailor:[/QUOTE
It aint hockey, you have that right, in hockey guys dont' go down like they are shot at every opportunity to draw penalties...

Seriously though, I hear what you are saying, and I have heard it before, but teams would play FAR more aggressive if they knew they had to get it done. How many nations have teams that are better in penalties than they are on 11 on 11 play?

[Mark in Oshawa]

Mark a football field is much larger than a Hockey Rink. The players also can't "Skate"-coast. You don't want guys cramping up, or having cardiac arrest, because there are no players left to substitute. How many players on a team is enough? 30, 50, 100? You get to the point that you no longer are putting a representative team on the field, to say nothing about bringing players that they don't plan on using until the 12th overtime.
As I stated that before TV had such a large impact on the game they would simply play a few overtimes, and come back after a day (or two) of rest and play again. Rollo pointed out that there have been some extreme examples that suggest it's not really practical "for the TV industry". I say to hell with the TV, considerations but I'm a dinosaur. There is one other flaw that your solution would provide. Teams that were much deeper in personnel would simply guard their goal until their opponents died of exhaustion heart attack or heat prostration. In summary.....The way things are.... sucks dude! :arrowed: :burn: ;( :s ailor:


It aint hockey, you have that right, in hockey guys dont' go down like they are shot at every opportunity to draw penalties..In hockey, people are pounding the crap out of each other, and there is no coasting on most shifts. Players go flat out for 30 seconds to a minute, get off and then come back on 1 to 2 minutes later often. They will do this all night if they have to and they will do it in a sport where people are trying to take their heads off. Sorry, I get the running part of it, but I see lots of jogging and standing in a 90 minute World Cup match...

Seriously though, I hear what you are saying, and I have heard it before, but teams would play FAR more aggressive if they knew they had to get it done. How many nations have teams that are better in penalties than they are on 11 on 11 play? Furthermore, most nations carry about 15 or 18 on a roster, substitute a few guys. Hell Marathoners run for 2. 5 hours, ...Footballers do it for 90 minutes, and half of that is not always at top speed, or is spent standing around for the obligatory acting as someone has gone down like he was shot when someone brushes his leg.

There is a lot to love about "football" but the watching a team win on penalties isn't one of them.

[Tazio]

What a rocket!!!!! wow!!! impresive!! :eek:

[Mark in Oshawa]

The Dutch are not going away quietly are they?

[Tazio]

It aint hockey, you have that right, in hockey guys dont' go down like they are shot at every opportunity to draw penalties..In hockey, people are pounding the crap out of each other, and there is no coasting on most shifts. Players go flat out for 30 seconds to a minute, get off and then come back on 1 to 2 minutes later often. They will do this all night if they have to and they will do it in a sport where people are trying to take their heads off. Sorry, I get the running part of it, but I see lots of jogging and standing in a 90 minute World Cup match...

Seriously though, I hear what you are saying, and I have heard it before, but teams would play FAR more aggressive if they knew they had to get it done. How many nations have teams that are better in penalties than they are on 11 on 11 play? Furthermore, most nations carry about 15 or 18 on a roster, substitute a few guys. Hell Marathoners run for 2. 5 hours, ...Footballers do it for 90 minutes, and half of that is not always at top speed, or is spent standing around for the obligatory acting as someone has gone down like he was shot when someone brushes his leg.

There is a lot to love about "football" but the watching a team win on penalties isn't one of them.A very good post, much truth.
Sudden sprinting and sudden stopping is more strenuous than running long distance both aerobically and kinetically! The diving? :confused: is just plain weird :p :

[Tazio]

Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal! Goal Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo o
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal de Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrruguay

just getting warmed up :D
:D

[jens]

Coming back to the discussion some had here, penalties IMO are a great addition to a football match. I wouldn't mind if they had a penalty shootout immediately after 90 mins without any extra-time. I prefer the excitement of penalties over an endless match. :)

[Tazio]

Coming back to the discussion some had here, I wouldn't mind if they had a penalty shootout immediately after 90 mins without any extra-time. :)

What if the score was 5-5 after 90 minutes? :dozey: Jens? :s mokin:

[Tazio]

German Pulpo picks Spain!! :eek: :s ailor:


kFvrAdyFUJ8

[race aficionado]

Bravo Uruguay!!!!
Bravo Forlan!!!

Holland would have had their hands fuller if Suarez had been playing.

That was a fun game and I'm also happy for the Orange team and its fans but they better up the ante if they wish to measure up with the Germans or Spain.

:s mokin:

[veeten]

German Pulpo picks Spain!! :eek: :s ailor:


kFvrAdyFUJ8


let it go, man. Just let it go. :p

[Tazio]

let it go, man. Just let it go. :p
In the immortal words of Rambo, John, J:
”Nothing is over :fasttalk: until I say it is” :monster:

[MrJan]

Btw judging by the votes on the poll, it will be a final between Brazil and Spain...


I'm willing to bet my sig with anyone that neither of those teams actually reach the final.


OK I'll take it, but the LW is out of limits... :D

Well we find out this evening. I may not be about for a few days to issue/take a punishment as going to France in the early hours tomorrow so might be getting an early night :)

[odykas]

I home Paul the octopus is right and Spain wins :)

Otherwise....
























http://www.gamos-guide.gr/syntages/mageiriki/images/thalassina/xtapodi_karbouna.jpg


:D :D :D

[pino]

Stupid Pulpo...Go Germany :p :

[Tazio]

Either way the Pulpo is table fare! :burp: :p

[pino]

What a boring match so far :s nore:

[Tazio]

Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllll ll
about freakin' time :p :

[Tazio]

Viva la Pulpo :bandit: :s mokin:

[odykas]

Stupid Pulpo...Go Germany :p :

Thou shall respect the octopus http://www.alfisti.gr/forum/images/smilies/contract.gif


:p :

[UltimateDanGTR]

hey, Pedro-Pass.

That's P-A-S-S. ya know, when you give the ball to a fellow team member using your feet?



anyway, thank goodness spain won. germany winning the world cup would be horrible for me :D

[pino]

For the very first time I must say...well deserved Spain :up:

[race aficionado]

First, we have a happy Donkey, and that is a good thing.
Viva España!!!
:D

On the other hand, I do have a depressed teenager that was all decked in German gear and is now not feeling too good.
:(

But my wife and I had to control our emotions when Spain won because we didn't want to rub it in.

Netherlands is going down!!!!!!!
:s mokin:

[Tazio]

Netherlands is going down!!!!!!!
:s mokin:

Like a cheap trick :s hock: :kiss: :love:

[Rollo]

Espana have never really looked like they've meant business in this World Cup. Even against Germany they appear to be only doing just enough. If this is a strategic thing then it's an insanely good one. Hold something back just in case you need it.

They could have easily doubled their advantage had Pedro not been such a greedy *******, because Torres would have had a very very easy tap-in.

So then, we move onto a final where whoever wins it, will win the World Cup for their first time. I only hope that both sides play to win and we don't get some dour stalemate.

[race aficionado]

Our poll shows 2 votes for Netherlands and 9 votes for Spain.

I can't take credit for any of those now that Messi could not take his Barcelona team mates with him.

España is going to win it and our forum will be full of geniuses. (well, 9 at least)
:s mokin:

[Josti]

While I honestly preferred Germany, my gut predicted otherwise; it'll be Spain. And so it be.

As Rollo said, it's hard to see if Spain is playing on it's full potential. In no case did they gave Germany a chance of actually playing football or scoring a goal, but likewise they didn't really do the latter either (until a sudden corner goal). They combine so easily and that's what frightens me. Excluding Villa, they lack goalgetters (Torres obviously not in his form), but they can be very quick in there passes to the point that you don't really need them.

On the other hand, I don't believe The Netherlands has played on their 100 percent either. Even for a Dutchman, it's easy to complain about our games being too formal and that we lack the attractive football we showed in previous tournaments, but bar one 1988 exception, that never brought us anything. Maybe this is the comprimise we need to finally win a world title. Amsterdam will sink if that happens.

It's 50-50 in my book.

[donKey jote]

For the very first time I must say...well deserved Spain :up:

:D :D :D
pretty footy wins :bananas:

I'm in Spain at the moment - pulpo rulez ! :D

[Rollo]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Jd79LNlWOEY/Sb8sTbdNFjI/AAAAAAAAAv8/EZ4n6wKBCoE/s400/giles.jpg

Ashley Giles will of course be very happy that his kingdom has made it through to the World Cup Final. He is after all, "The King of Spain"

[Tazio]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/319737900_e67a6b14c0.jpg

[Tazio]

I'm in Spain at the moment - pulpo rulez ! :D


http://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/octopus-big-large-giant-funny.jpg

[Storm]

pretty footy wins :bananas:

I'm in Spain at the moment - pulpo rulez ! :D


This was sweet :D

MundoDeportivo will let us know it was another Made in Barca goal too ;)
Xavi foot to Puyol head - you beauty!

I guess I was right about Spain after all MarkinOshawa

[Eki]

The octopus is the winner.

[Valve Bounce]

Funny about the Octopus - it has been picking the winner each time Germany played. I wonder if it will be able to pick the winner of the Final.
http://g.au.sports.yahoo.com/football/world-cup/news/germanys-octopus-oracle-keeps--fbintl_afp-au-d362eebf250b0597a812ea25fdd754e4.html

[UltimateDanGTR]

Im very glad to see the 2 usual dissapointments of the world cup (alongside england) reach the final. whoever wins I will be very happy for, the dutch have deserved to win before, and the spanish arguably have had the teams to do a lot better over the years.

I just hope spain step up a notch for the final, there is certainly something more to give from them, and if they gave that I can imagine a great final.

plus, if spain win, I will be one of the 9 forum geniouses :D

[Tazio]

if spain win, I will be one of the 9 forum geniouses :D
Not if you can't spell it! :rolleyes:
Although it would not preclude you from being an Idiot Savant ;) :up:

[UltimateDanGTR]

Not if you can't spell it! :rolleyes:
Although it would not preclude you from being an Idiot Savant ;) :up:

woops, typing mistake. :arrows:

thanks for pointing it out.

[Tazio]

woops, typing mistake.

thanks for pointing it out.
:up: :)
I also picked the cup winner :confused: :s mokin:

[pino]

FIFA is considering goal-line technology :

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8801981.stm

[Mark in Oshawa]

I am thinking neither team has played to their potential, but from what I have seen ( admittedly as someone who is a casual fan ), the Dutch are inconsistent but when they are on, they are frightening in their attack. Against the Uruguayan's, they struck for their 2nd and 3rd goals in a hurry, and then had a nap in the waning minutes.

Spain has been more consistent, but how The Netherlands played is like what the Spanish used to do...

So my head says Spain, (I picked Brazil, I am no genius) but I have always liked the Dutch. Canadians have always been connected to the Netherlands through their libreation in WW2 and their Royal family staying in Ottawa during the war. The two nations are connected, and for that reason alone, hope the Dutch turn it on, keep it on and take the Spanish to the wood shed.

There...my heart talked.

My head says Spain 2-1. Teams that don't play a full 90 minutes lose...and the Spanish I think will play 90 minutes...

[pino]

Pulpo Paul said Spain's going to win :s

[donKey jote]

Someone must have told him what I had de aperitivo before lunch :p

[Josti]

Pulpo Paul said Spain's going to win :s

Damn squid.

[jens]

Wuohh. So we are going to get a new World Champion. Once again consistency gets you to the final and those, who have had some extremely impressive performances at times, are not consistent enough to keep going like that until the end. What a shame. Next time Germany should proceed only with 1:0 wins like they did in 2002. :p :

[odykas]

Vamos Celeste!

[odykas]

Great goal by Forlan! :D

[odykas]

2-3
Bloody bar :(

[Tazio]

Congrat's to Germany, and Uraguay. Great performances from both teams! :up: :)

[jens]

What a fantastic game!! Germany once again in Top3, but also congrats to Uruguay for a great tournament! :up: Despite that one moment of hand. :p : And octopus was right once again - let's see if it can keep its 100% hit record tomorrow. ;)

[race aficionado]

Great goal by Forlan! :D

I am now a huge Forlan fan.

I'll be checking him out @ Atlético Madrid unless another club take$$$ him away.

He was a treat to watch at this World Cup.

Bravo Uruguay!!!!!
:s mokin:

[Brown, Jon Brow]

I can't believe there is only one game left :bigcry:

[race aficionado]

This is it.

I can hear the hearts pumping in Spain and the Netherlands.

Pretty intense . . . . . .


Vamos España!!!!!!

Vamos great futbol!!!!!!!!


:)

[Daniel]

This is it.

I can hear the hearts pumping in Spain and the Netherlands.

Pretty intense . . . . . .


Vamos España!!!!!!

Vamos great futbol!!!!!!!!


:)
Nah! Strike forth my orange brothers! :D

[edv]

Go Orange!!
2 hrs to kickoff

[gloomyDAY]

Wow. This pre-game show is awful!

[Daniel]

Noooooooooo. Goal for Spain :( Tbh they deserve it more.

[Tazio]

Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llll

[Daniel]

And Spain win :)

[Francis44]

Congratulations Spain.

[Tazio]

Congat's the to Netherlands fot a great tournament.
To Spain, the best team won!

[Tazio]

Donkey Jote is really celebrating this one!


http://www.clipartguide.com/_named_clipart_images/0511-0803-2714-0405_Cartoon_Octopus_With_Four_Mugs_Of_Beer_clipar t_image.jpg

[Garry Walker]

What a cocksucker of a ref. Awful game from the ref.

Of course the real joke is a grown up man crying like a little girl when the game is still going on.

[race aficionado]

Reffing was terrible - The Dutch going for the rough game didn't help -
but the best team playing the best soccer won and that is what is the most important fact of all.

Viva España!!!!!!!!!!

Bravo!!!!!!

Bravo Donks y todos mis hermanos y hermanas españolas.

Go nuts!!!!!

cool
:s mokin:

[Tazio]

Reffing was terrible - The Dutch going for the rough game didn't help -
but the best team playing the best soccer won and that is what is the most important fact of all.

Viva España!!!!!!!!!!

Bravo!!!!!!

Bravo Donks y todos mis hermanos y hermanas españolas.

Go nuts!!!!!

cool
:s mokin:

And Bravo to the Oracle Pulpo, a perfect record of prognosticating! :champion: :beer:

[gloomyDAY]

I wish I was partying in Spain. :(

[Josti]

An early comment but yeah, go figure...

It's a shame, this was a once in a lifetime oppertunity. Not much I can say, I thought the match was even, some stupid fouls, but my god was that referee easy with his cards. I hoped it would get to penalty's after our (easy given) red card, but that didn't happen after a debatable offside goal.

3rd final and still nothing. It's getting hopeless :( . Congrats to Spain.

[race aficionado]

An early comment but yeah, go figure...

It's a shame, this was a once in a lifetime oppertunity. Not much I can say, I thought the match was even, some stupid fouls, but my god was that referee easy with his cards. I hoped it would get to penalty's after our (easy given) red card, but that didn't happen after a debatable offside goal.

3rd final and still nothing. It's getting hopeless :( . Congrats to Spain.

Sorry Josti. :(

Unfortunately one team has to lose and as always in this world cup, the emotional toll is a heavy one.

Your team was fun to watch (not particularly today though) and I hope they come on strong in 4 years.

[F1boat]

Congratulations for Spain, it was emotional to see Iker Casillas crying like a kid in the end. I feel for Netherlands, but unfortunately, for one team to win, another has to lose...

[Mark in Oshawa]

An early comment but yeah, go figure...

It's a shame, this was a once in a lifetime oppertunity. Not much I can say, I thought the match was even, some stupid fouls, but my god was that referee easy with his cards. I hoped it would get to penalty's after our (easy given) red card, but that didn't happen after a debatable offside goal.

3rd final and still nothing. It's getting hopeless :( . Congrats to Spain.
My heart goes out to you Josti. I was rooting for the "Oranje" too but I knew in the first 20 minutes that the Spanish were there and going to push you guys all the way, and it is a credit to your keeper, the players and the coaching that Spain needed right up to 4 minutes left in Extra time to finally win this game..

As for the officiating, FIFA's World Cup has to be the worst officiated major sport going. I have really turned onto watching a lot of football this year since I help broadcast for a local cable station the junior teams in the area. I must say, I have seen offsides that were not, drives on goals that should have been offside, cards for non existent injury and no cards for acting.

It is, the England non goal aside the poorest officated game of the world's major team sports. There is no video replay, and there seems to be no shame in the players always playing to draw cards. I have to say, the manhood of some of these actors ought to be called into question. I know now why Canada never makes it, our hockey player mentality to just take your lumps and suck it up doesn't draw the free kicks and Yellow cards!!!!

Congratulations to the Spanish, you won your first, and you really got the monkey off your back, and you deserved the win, but the Dutch didn't quit, and my heart was with them all the way.....

[Storm]

Campeones!

Iniesta does it again. Scoring a late and important goal! Classy, with the Dani Jarque tribute on his inner shirt.

Not too fond of his going down so easily, but then some tackles (not just in the final) were horrible. De Jong on Alonso and the many van Bommel ones overall...Netherlands had a chance to win it and Robben blew it. As did Fabregas ocne but finally the team who played the better stuff, kept the ball, did not resort to kicking opponents won the cup.

It was not a vintage performance like Euro08 but I did not see another team really deserving it more in this worldcup(which was slightly disappointing overall in terms of quality of football - I blame the ball too) Spain just did enough and did it well.

Special mention to a likeable and excellent footballer, Diego Forlán - Golden Ball winner.

This guy has done it for ages in La Liga and finally even did it on the grand stage - nobody doubted his ability (except for ManU and PL fans I guess)

[UltimateDanGTR]

I feel for the people of the Netherlands right now, 3rd time unlucky must be extremely painful. I thought the team were dirty and didnt perform to their potential, and Spain deserved to win.

It was glorious to see how mental the spain team went when they finally scored, and them lifting the trophy is fully deserved. best team in the world by far.

Howard Webb did well to get out of the match with his reputation still intact, It was obviously a very tough game to referee, with aggresion and tempers (down to passion ofcourse) running high, mainly from the netherlands.

[Brown, Jon Brow]

http://www.esreality.com/files/inlineimages/2010/76555-1278877021363.jpg

Tackle of the tournament?

In any other game (sport even) this would have been a red card. But perhaps Webb was right not to ruin the game at such an early stage.

[harsha]

nah , De Jong is a straight red card offense

[odykas]

Well done Spain :up:
They played better in semi and final and deserved to raise the trophy.
However, I can't forget the match vs Paraguay http://www.alfisti.gr/forum/images/smilies/tut.gif

As regards to Holland, a great tournament but unfortunately no success for a third time. A bit lucky to finish the match with 10 players :rolleyes:

[ShiftingGears]

I would've felt for the Netherlands' loss more if they didn't spend the whole time playing the man and not the ball. Congratulations to Spain.

[Mark in Oshawa]

The Netherlands guys should be on skates...lol....play a sport where you take the man like hockey..

[donKey jote]

:chilis: :bananas: :chilis:

(c) ody

:D :D :D

[race aficionado]

:chilis: :bananas: :chilis:

(c) ody

:D :D :D


Come on Donks!
Be more forthcoming.

How was, . . . I'm sorry . . . is . . . the celebration going?????????
:s mokin:

[odykas]

http://www.glittergirl.co.uk/banana/135.gifHave fun Donks! http://www.glittergirl.co.uk/banana/135.gif

[donKey jote]

http://www.glittergirl.co.uk/banana/142.gif http://www.glittergirl.co.uk/banana/05.gifhttp://www.glittergirl.co.uk/banana/142.gif

cheers Ody, gracias Carrera, Taz, Tormenta :D

[MrJan]

I await my signature from Donney. Subject to agreement I suggest that it's kept until the start of the English league season on 7th August :)

[Josti]

You'd think we're World Champions looking at this.

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/7923/171774.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8845/171775.jpg

[UltimateDanGTR]

josti: what do you expect? they beat brazil!

and then were a travesty in the final, but they beat brazil....


If england did that in a world cup, Id expect a similar reaction.

[Josti]

josti: what do you expect? they beat brazil!

and then were a travesty in the final, but they beat brazil....


If england did that in a world cup, Id expect a similar reaction.

Still, you would only expect such a scenario when we actually got the cup (I would have been there too if that happened). The boatride wasn't actually scheduled if we'd lost, but the massive crowds made them decide otherwise. Worth it afterall I think.

Excluding the final, it's been a great performance, even though it wasn't always that attractive to look at. And yes, beating Brazil was very satisfying. :)

[Storm]

If england did that in a world cup, Id expect a similar reaction.
Then they probably would be knighed/MBE/OBE that sort of thing like what happened after winning the Ashes in 2005 :\

[UltimateDanGTR]

Then they probably would be knighed/MBE/OBE that sort of thing like what happened after winning the Ashes in 2005 :\

yep, i wouldnt be surprised one bit.

[odykas]

Teams I liked in this World Cup:
- Paraguay (ref :hmph :)
- Uruguay
- Mexico (ref :hmph :)
- Ghana (hand of Suarez :p :)

[Alexamateo]

I wish I was partying in Spain. :(

I had the next best thing :D

We just got back last night from Mexico City where were staying with my wife's cousin, who lives within easy walking distance of La Fuente de Cibeles which is a replica of the one in Madrid.

After the game, we went down there, and you would think Mexico had won itself. Needless to say, Mexico City has a large population of native Spainards, not to mention at least 75% of the population has at least some Spanish ancestry. It was awesome!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs046.snc4/34682_142238339121230_100000051931821_420198_68090 11_n.jpg

[anderzon]

The streets were crazy on Spain when they celebrated the victory party.

I admit there were bad calls from the referee and on the next FIFA world cup they should provide more cameras to review the calls. Since decisions from the referee are not always right at least they have to review the tapes.

[Mark in Oshawa]

I had the next best thing :D

We just got back last night from Mexico City where were staying with my wife's cousin, who lives within easy walking distance of La Fuente de Cibeles which is a replica of the one in Madrid.

After the game, we went down there, and you would think Mexico had won itself. Needless to say, Mexico City has a large population of native Spainards, not to mention at least 75% of the population has at least some Spanish ancestry. It was awesome!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs046.snc4/34682_142238339121230_100000051931821_420198_68090 11_n.jpg

That reminds me of the World Cup parties that break out in Toronto. Brazil is doing well, all the Portuguese in Toronto spout the Green and Gold of Brazil and become instant Brazilians....til this year when they played each other, and the poor bandwagon jumpers couldn't make up their mind what to do...