who do YOU think will win the WorldCup?

[Shura Balaganov]

England-Denmark will be an awesome game. Don't count out Denmark. If you saw them play France, you'll know what I mean. As far as Senegal, I think Swedes can take 'em.
When I saw Brasil play Costa Rica, I knew they are no good to win. They have no D (Defense 0 capital D). Yeah, they can score, but matched agains European griddy D, they'll fall pray to their own weakness in the back.
Shura
[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Shura Balaganov ]

[Roy Ben Ami]

i agree with you both Sumit and Shura.
my mind goes to Sumit choices but my heart wants Ireland to win spain, and Paraguway to win Germany !

[gautham kasinath]

I did see the match between Itay and Mexico yesterday..
It is sheer luck ( a handful of bad luck too @ the begining ) for the Italians to qualify to the next round..
The Mexicans not only shattered the Italian defense ( if it didnot fall apart on its own accord ) but also managed to put a tight fight in thier own defense..
Boy, the match was frustrating for a Italian fan.. but a good football from the Mex.
The most irritating part was the Italians losing the ball over and over to the Mex..
But, I wonder what went wrong when Di pier came in as the last substitute ( I guess I got the stars name wrong. )
what say pardners??
Lupo

[Axel Janssen]

Originally posted by Shura Balaganov:

When I saw Brasil play Costa Rica, I knew they are no good to win. They have no D (Defense 0 capital D). Yeah, they can score, but matched agains European griddy D, they'll fall pray to their own weakness in the back.

Disagree. Against Costa Rica they did not need a defence. They knew that they allways could score if needed. I am sure we will a different brazilian defence in the final rounds.
My favourites are:
1. Brasil
2. Spain
3. England
4. Italy
5. Germany

[Axel Janssen]

I can't understand all this simpathy for Trapatoni-Italy.
O.k. you need a defense. But coach Trapatoni is too much defence. He's a nice and funny person, but as a coach, he's a destroyer of football.
Perhaps you have bad T.V. sets and you think these long haired guys are girls?
Have no other explaination. Italy is boring.
[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]

[Shura Balaganov]

Russia is out, aiiiii! Too bad, they didn't show up in the first period. Otherwise it was a very entertaining game, especially second half.
Just to a point, a country that only has 5 good months to play football can't have a really good team. Most players from Moscow, where there's snow from mid-October to April. Ukraine might eventually be the strongest team out of all former Soviet block, when economy gets better. But that will be who knows when...
Anyhow, I think there'll definitely be a sleeper in the quarterfinals, and almost for sure in the semis. Strong draw though, not a single easy team. Japan and USA (if they advance) actually have a chance to go deep! Japan will probably beat Turkey by the rule of being a host
My winners: Brasil, England, Germany, Spain
Sleepers: Japan, USA (if...), Senegal, Denmark, Mexico
Shura

[Corey McGlone]

Sometimes, you just need a little luck.
USA!

[Sumit Amar]

Russian players are too big to handle the little ball, their passing wasn't accurate, but don't worry Belgium will be slapped by Brazilians. �Viva Brasil!
As for USA, Mexico are unbeaten so far in da tournament so they'll kick USA out. Italy has to do well with Vieri and Del Piero to stop Korean campaign. Whatever it goes out, I wish to see Brazil Vs. Germany in da final !

[Corey McGlone]

Originally posted by Sumit Amar:
As for USA, Mexico are unbeaten so far in da tournament so they'll kick USA out.

I'd just like to point out that Portugal was undefeated when team USA beat them.

[ersin eser]

The golden-goal rule begins ...

[Roy Ben Ami]

actually, its the last worldcup where the golden goal rule would apply.
from the next worldcup , there would be 15 min overtime until minute 105 and if there is no conclusion by then then another 15 minutes ovetime to minute 120 where the game will be decided by penalty kicks if there is no winner.

[Stevie Kaligis]

I must say that this tournament is full of surprises. After France, Argentine and Portugal are out of tournament, it's difficult to predict whose going to win the world cup.
But my guess for the second stages is :
Denmark vs England :
Denmark win, their two wings player played very well when they beat france. I realy hope that England win the game, so they will face Brazil (if they beat Belgium, and I'm sure they will) on the next stages.
Brazil vs Belgium : Brazil
Sweden vs Senegal : Sweden
Japan vs Turkey : Japan
Germany vs Paraguay : Germany
Mexico vs U.S.A : Mexico
Spain vs Ireland : Spain
South Korea vs Italy : Italy

[Roy Ben Ami]

well, you got the first one right
Germany won to my disappointement.
lets check the rest of your guesses soon !

[Axel Janssen]

Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:

Germany won to my disappointement.

Thanks to great coach Rudi Voeller and even greater captain Oli Kahn a really, well, mean team generates global emotions.

[Roy Ben Ami]

second guess wrong dude...
England won. 1 out of 2 so far.

[Roy Ben Ami]

what a day!
the best day of the worldcup so far!
2-1 for Senegal on Sweden in golden goal and a great game and now Spain won in penalty kicks after Ireland made 1-1 at 90 minute...
too bad for the irish though, they desreved to win, but at least we'll get an intersting 1/4 final with spain.

[Sumit Amar]

Yeah today was a tremendous day. But the most noticeable thing is all of my four predictions turned out to be BINGO !!!
Just scroll up to see my last post !
Next Prophecies
Brazil : Belgium --> Brazil
Mexico : USA --> Mexico
Italy : Korea --> Italy
Japan : Turkey --> Japan

[ersin eser]

Hey Roy wait for my pics in Italian Jersey

[Roy Ben Ami]

lol
we'll see about that

[gautham kasinath]

looks like the spaniards are in for the next round.
So I m betting on Italy or Spain..

[Roy Ben Ami]

attention attention!
a new world record has been broken!
the MOST BORING GAME EVER PLAYED IN THE SECOND ROUND OF WORLDCUP is now:
USA vs Mexico!
the worst game i ever saw in my life.
oh well, now Germany will be at the semi finals darn

[Ashok Mash]

Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:
attention attention!
MOST BORING GAME EVER PLAYED IN THE SECOND ROUND OF WORLDCUP is now:
USA vs Mexico!

You didn't believe it when North American Ranchers said the same, eh?

[Ashok Mash]

Some silly sporting quotes and WorldCup stories from BBC. Funny Old Game

[Roy Ben Ami]

Ashok, THIS game. not in general.
and it makes sense cause the americans themselves played... if they think its boring they play it boring..

[Corey McGlone]

Originally posted by Sumit Amar:
As for USA, Mexico are unbeaten so far in da tournament so they'll kick USA out.

KA-BLAM!

[Younes Essouabni]

I'm so sad, belgians are out of the tournament
Congrats to all brazilians, selecao played fairly and fast. Now my heart goes to the Senegal. I hope the'll go far.
May the best win!!!

[Jennifer Bhamoo]

Ohhh, oh ay ohhh
Oh ay oh, oh ay oh, oh ay oh!
Oh ay oh ohhh, oh ay oh ohhh
Oh ay oh oh oh oh oh
USA!

[Corey McGlone]

Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:
and it makes sense cause the americans themselves played... if they think its boring they play it boring..

Hmmm...I wonder if the guys on the field often find themselves yawning and fighting off sleep due to boredom.
[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Corey McGlone ]

[Roy Ben Ami]

well , at least the audience does that when they play. You have to admit it was the worst game in this worldcup, no matter who the winner was at the end. the 0-0 of France vs Urugway was more exciting.

[Sumit Amar]

Originally posted by Corey McGlone:

KA-BLAM!

Hmm congrats USA. Mexicans lost their mental control earlier today. And the crazy captain got a Red Card even. huh I was surprised to see frustration on Blanco's face when he pushed an American by knees. But really as some one said earlier, it was the most boring match. Anyway, it's good for the Germans. lol.

[Jennifer Bhamoo]

Congrats to Turkey,
and WOWOWOWOW what a game between Korea and Italy!!!

[ersin eser]

:roll:

[Younes Essouabni]

Who said Italy will win???

[Roy Ben Ami]

[Todd Sanders]

Next Prophecies
Brazil : Belgium --> Brazil
Mexico : USA --> Mexico
Italy : Korea --> Italy
Japan : Turkey --> Japan

1 out of 4. What now?

[Joe McGuire]

Originally posted by Roy Ben Ami:

Che orrore! Ma, loro hanno giocati benissimi.

[Beksy Kurian]

Germany all the way to final. and then....I don't think they are going to get the cup though!

[Axel Janssen]

est day so far.
Managed working day with leaving office for the matches to surrounding bars. In my city they are lots of people from Turkey and Italy, so it was lots of emotions.
From italians last 20 minutes was only "You idiot. Pass to the right". "You f***ng idiot". "Trapatoni, if you go home to Italy, you will be stoned to death". As I don't like their team it was fun to watch.
Maybe its good idea for them to send Ersins team next time. I am sure they play more active football than this Trapatoni-stinginess. Also the goalkeeper looks better.
[ June 18, 2002: Message edited by: Axel Janssen ]

[Ricardo Valentine]

I think that we now know the real truth. Obviously in previous World Cups the Italians have done well by paying off the officials and FIFA is general. Of course, now the money has run out, or other nations (Croatia, South Korea and so on) now have more money, and therfore something has to give. Sad but true, the Italians didnt pay enough to win the World cup this time.
Perhaps some attempt to score would have helped tho. Perhaps I have been reading football all wrong. Trappatoni is a god, discuss, and so on and so forth.......

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Ricardo Valentine:
I think that we now know the real truth. Obviously in previous World Cups the Italians have done well by paying off the officials and FIFA is general.

So who wins the cups pays a lot in your opinion?
France paid too much in '98 and now it is broke?