I think Portugal could conceivably beat Germany, or even Argentina if the circumstances were right. Italy, equally, are jammy sods and should beat France and might beat Brazil - who, like England and Germany, have still to play any top-class opponents. I'm looking at an Italy-Argentina final, myself.
Wait, how could Italy face Argentina in the final? If both teams win their next matches, they'll face each other next round in the semifinals, correct?
This is ESPN's Cup bracket. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/bracket?cc=5901)
I'd love to see an Argentina-Brazil final. I think Argentina can beat the other teams in its bracket. As for the other, Brazil and France are on fire right now. I think the winner of that match will be too much for England or Portugal.
Oops, I'm talking nonsense, not for the first time today. Sorry. But I think my point was meant to be that I wouldn't write off Italy or Portugal just yet. Portugal are cynical and talented and would have their suspended players back for the semifinal (assuming they beat England as they ought to).
I think Ukraine are the only side who don't look capable of beating any of the others. An Argentina-Brazil final would contain probably the most entertaining of the teams left in. France didn't really impress me today, though - they're bumbling a bit.
Cynical, that's a good word for the Portugese team. ;)
I think Ukraine are the only side who don't look capable of beating any of the others.
I agree on that count. I think it'll be Italy-Argentina in the semis.
France didn't really impress me today, though - they're bumbling a bit.
Yeah? I haven't seen the game yet, gotta catch it tonight on the replay. I was actually surprised they beat Spain, truthfully. I foolishly assumed it was due to skill. ;)
Well, France were the better side in the second half, but it was generally quite even. Their second goal was a bit lucky and the third mainly a result of Spain throwing everyone forward. I thought Spain would do better too.
I think they've been playing very sluggishly. I know they're talented, but I reckon Portugal will have the better of them unless they perk up right quick.
The English play very boring football, I mean, I know very little about football, just that UK games are deadly dull, and scottish games are frankly embaressing to watch. So I only really watch football a bit, every 4 years, when the world cup is on. And, all the other teams are often quite exciting to watch. Except for the English, who seem to have sluggish as their game-plan sometimes.
I would have to disagree with you there. Generally, the style of football played in England is considered one of the best to watch, because English teams generally favour a high-tempo, passionate, "up and at 'em" style of play.
Italian football. Now that is like watching paint dry. Let's pass it about in defence for 5 minutes before we even bother to try and get it into the opposition half. Oh we've scored - right well we'll get all 11 men behind the ball and just defend for the next 83 minutes then.......ZZZZZZZZZZ
One of the biggest problems of recent times is that Sven learned his trade in Italy, and is trying to get England to play the Italian way. Slow, patient build-up, careful passing, none of that all out attack nonsense. It works for the Italians, and you can argue that it gets better results for England, but it doesn't keep the English press or fans happy.
Scottish games are frankly awful, because well, there is a severe lack of skill in Scottish football, because all the decent players play elsewhere.
I don't think you can ever discount the Italians. They have won the world cup before when everyone gave them no chance. They may be incredibly boring to watch, but if they get 1 up against anyone, you just know they are capable of defending for 90minutes.
Both the Portugeuse and England have looked very useful too at times, but they are too inconsistant, and someone will take advantage of that before the end of the tournament. Ukraine are very lucky to have gotten this far, I can't see them going any further.
Argentina and Brazil have looked good, but both strike me as being beatable. This isn't the dominant, unbeatable Brazil that we saw lifting the cup in the 70's.
Prior to the World Cup nobody rated the German team, but they have been playing very well, and of course, they are at home which is a huge advantage. If I had to pick a winner at this stage, I would say Germany, with France or Italy as outsiders.
We should never underestimate the effect playing at home can have. In 17 tournaments, the host nation has won 6 times.
Interestingly, in the same 17 tournaments, it has only been won 3 times by a team not from the continent on which it was being played, and two of those were tournaments held in N America and Asia, continents from which there are no teams capable of winning it. The only real exception was Brazil's victory in 1958 when it was held in Sweden.
6 out of 17. That's quite a statistic. Gawd though, I wonder sometimes at the trouble some of the teams seem to have in motivating themselves to give their all. They're professional athletse, they shouldn't be pouting around like sulking girls not really caring that much.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2006-06-27 11:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:26 am (UTC)This is ESPN's Cup bracket. (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/bracket?cc=5901)
I'd love to see an Argentina-Brazil final. I think Argentina can beat the other teams in its bracket. As for the other, Brazil and France are on fire right now. I think the winner of that match will be too much for England or Portugal.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:34 am (UTC)I think Ukraine are the only side who don't look capable of beating any of the others. An Argentina-Brazil final would contain probably the most entertaining of the teams left in. France didn't really impress me today, though - they're bumbling a bit.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:42 am (UTC)I think Ukraine are the only side who don't look capable of beating any of the others.
I agree on that count. I think it'll be Italy-Argentina in the semis.
France didn't really impress me today, though - they're bumbling a bit.
Yeah? I haven't seen the game yet, gotta catch it tonight on the replay. I was actually surprised they beat Spain, truthfully. I foolishly assumed it was due to skill. ;)
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 07:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 12:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 10:33 am (UTC)Of course, I would say that being a Scot.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 11:35 am (UTC)Italian football. Now that is like watching paint dry. Let's pass it about in defence for 5 minutes before we even bother to try and get it into the opposition half. Oh we've scored - right well we'll get all 11 men behind the ball and just defend for the next 83 minutes then.......ZZZZZZZZZZ
One of the biggest problems of recent times is that Sven learned his trade in Italy, and is trying to get England to play the Italian way. Slow, patient build-up, careful passing, none of that all out attack nonsense. It works for the Italians, and you can argue that it gets better results for England, but it doesn't keep the English press or fans happy.
Scottish games are frankly awful, because well, there is a severe lack of skill in Scottish football, because all the decent players play elsewhere.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 03:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 07:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 09:38 am (UTC)Both the Portugeuse and England have looked very useful too at times, but they are too inconsistant, and someone will take advantage of that before the end of the tournament. Ukraine are very lucky to have gotten this far, I can't see them going any further.
Argentina and Brazil have looked good, but both strike me as being beatable. This isn't the dominant, unbeatable Brazil that we saw lifting the cup in the 70's.
Prior to the World Cup nobody rated the German team, but they have been playing very well, and of course, they are at home which is a huge advantage. If I had to pick a winner at this stage, I would say Germany, with France or Italy as outsiders.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 10:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 11:40 am (UTC)Interestingly, in the same 17 tournaments, it has only been won 3 times by a team not from the continent on which it was being played, and two of those were tournaments held in N America and Asia, continents from which there are no teams capable of winning it. The only real exception was Brazil's victory in 1958 when it was held in Sweden.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 07:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 09:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-28 03:54 pm (UTC)