Football World Cup 2010

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Originally Posted by Virgil

I didn't realize how many pages this got up to already. Does Kazakhstan have a team in the World Cup? :p My son will probably be eligible to play for them in 20 years. :D

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Out of interest Virgil, how is the world cup likely to go down in America? I mean will there be people following it generally do you think or will most people not even know that it is going on? Do people realise that the US have England in the first match? And finally, has football come on any in the US?

Oh and Kazakhstan no doubt have some sort of team, but they are not in the World Cup, they haven't qualified. :bawling:

I watched the Greece Vs North Korea friendly today :shocked:? (2-2) and North Korea look quite sharp up front and good on the ball, might surprise one or two a little - really I'll do anything to avoid work...

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Originally Posted by Neely

Out of interest Virgil, how is the world cup likely to go down in America? I mean will there be people following it generally do you think or will most people not even know that it is going on? Do people realise that the US have England in the first match? And finally, has football come on any in the US?

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The only reason I know of the World Cup is because of this thread, my coke can has a little "South Africa 2010" logo and just recently while in line at the grocer store I saw a magazine cover with two soccer players in their underwear.

England have a good chance this year. thought Mexico weren't bad, and they pressed for some time.

I'll be watching - on that emotional rollercoaster again.

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Originally Posted by Neely

Out of interest Virgil, how is the world cup likely to go down in America? I mean will there be people following it generally do you think or will most people not even know that it is going on? Do people realise that the US have England in the first match? And finally, has football come on any in the US?

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The World Cup is watched fairly heavily in the US. Don't forget, the US probably has 40% or more of it's population that are either immigrants, first generation, or second generation Americans. 40% out of a country that is 300 million is probably larger than the population of most European countries.

I haven't talked to anyone about any of it yet. Unfortunately I won't even be in the country. I'm in Kazakhstan if you haven't seen any of my recent blogs. :wink5:

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Originally Posted by papayahed

The only reason I know of the World Cup is because of this thread, my coke can has a little "South Africa 2010" logo and just recently while in line at the grocer store I saw a magazine cover with two soccer players in their underwear.

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:biggrin5:

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

England have a good chance this year. thought Mexico weren't bad, and they pressed for some time.

I'll be watching - on that emotional rollercoaster again.

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I don't know, I'm not so sure. I think that they will have a good run out of the group and the next stage, but I think as soon as they come up against a really good team they won't be strong enough. I don't think that they are good enough at the back in particular, we'll see...

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Originally Posted by Virgil

The World Cup is watched fairly heavily in the US. Don't forget, the US probably has 40% or more of it's population that are either immigrants, first generation, or second generation Americans. 40% out of a country that is 300 million is probably larger than the population of most European countries.

I haven't talked to anyone about any of it yet. Unfortunately I won't even be in the country. I'm in Kazakhstan if you haven't seen any of my recent blogs. :wink5:

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Yes point taken about the immigrant population, though I was just thinking generally. Kazakhstan! :eek: I'll have to read about that later...

I think Virgie and I live in two different worlds, there's no way in heck that world cup is heavily watch in the US.

England have probably the best coach in the world. The jury is out on Rio, but he is the captain so he will play. I'd prefer Ledley King in there and make Gerrard skipper.

I think Crouch is a good option as he offers a threat just by his presence. That goal by Johnson was a screamer. Not sure about walcott though - good player, and perhaps with a lot in his future, but perhaps not yet. Both wright-Phillips and Lennon are threats down the flanks.

I would agree with you with Crouch, time and time again he does it for England as sub and I think it is about time that he has the opportunity to start properly. Wright Phillips has pace and I quite like him but I think he just doesn't seem to do quite enough, he comes across as a nearly man to me. Not sure about Lennon seems OK but yet to prove himself. Walcott is a strange one, but of a wild card maybe? Rio has been good in the past, but has had a few mistakes of late, though I agree that we have a top class manager. Overall though, I pretty sure that they are just not strong enough when all is considered.

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Originally Posted by papayahed

I think Virgie and I live in two different worlds, there's no way in heck that world cup is heavily watch in the US.

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Your interest in the world cup appears to be about the same as mine. However, one little snippet of news I read yesterday should make you smile. It appears that the USA knocked England out of the competion in 1950 at a time when England was believed by many to have the best team.

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Originally Posted by papayahed

I think Virgie and I live in two different worlds, there's no way in heck that world cup is heavily watch in the US.

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I guess you don't live in a east coast city where the population of immigrants probably surpasses the people from the Mayflower. And I think the sports ratings for world cup is not bad in the US. It's hardly the Super Bowl or the World Series, but it gets a fair share of viewers.

In South Texas, I see highway billboards (ads for a mobile phone co.) showing a Mexico fan standing with a Zulu warrior.

Not long to go now!

Algeria just got thumped 3-0 by Ireland in a warm up match. England play them in the group stages on 18th june in Cape Town.

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

I think Crouch is a good option as he offers a threat just by his presence. That goal by Johnson was a screamer. Not sure about walcott though - good player, and perhaps with a lot in his future, but perhaps not yet. Both wright-Phillips and Lennon are threats down the flanks.

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I agree about Crouch, he is deceptively skillfull on the ground -not just in the air. Its time for Walcott to show his stuff now.

In the end we have only one top world class player, thats Rooney, who ever he plays best with should get the nod.

Denmark is going to win this year.

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

Not long to go now!

Algeria just got thumped 3-0 by Ireland in a warm up match. England play them in the group stages on 18th june in Cape Town.




I agree about Crouch, he is deceptively skillfull on the ground -not just in the air. Its time for Walcott to show his stuff now.

In the end we have only one top world class player, thats Rooney, who ever he plays best with should get the nod.

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Yes, Rooney is superb isn't he. There's a new chap as well - is it Adam something - I'm too lazy to go and look - who seems pretty good. I'm looking forward to it again this year.

I'll say who I think is least likely to win...South Africa...

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Originally Posted by Virgil

I guess you don't live in a east coast city where the population of immigrants probably surpasses the people from the Mayflower. And I think the sports ratings for world cup is not bad in the US. It's hardly the Super Bowl or the World Series, but it gets a fair share of viewers.

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The last world cup had 16.9 million US viewers. It'll be interesting to see what the ratings are this year.

The England v Japan game wasn't too good. They all seemed a bit edgy, though it was the last selection round before he makes his choice of 23 to take.

I supose when that's complete, there'll be a settled squad.

Maybe I will start watching:

http://gossip.whyfame.com/files/2009...o_ronaldo.jpeg

Pah - Ronaldo - Portugal - he got Rooney sent off in the European Cup competition.

He's a good player though.

Ha, Ronaldo is such a douche, I read he was angry about Annie Lebovitz's cover for Vanity Fair, because he had to share it with that Ivory Coast (Drogba) player.

http://blog.zap2it.com/thedishrag/va...-world-cup.jpg

I may be just the slightest bit tempted to pick up May's issue of Vanity Fair.

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Originally Posted by OrphanPip

Ha, Ronaldo is such a douche,

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Erm... He is a footballer!

The thing I don't like about Ronaldo is his diving/ cheating.

His millionaire lifestyle, good looks and fantastic footballing talent don't worry me at all.

:lol:

I think there's a good chance England won't make it out of their group. Which is fine by me - I'm not sure we deserve to, and it's more fun to support Holland or the USA anyway. Or Spain. Or Brazil. Or Denmark.

Actually, let's face it - even when we're good, we're dull.

I'm looking forward to seing the other teams too, but I'll be rooting for England.

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Originally Posted by MarkBastable

Actually, let's face it - even when we're good, we're dull.

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This would make an excellent signature, I think.

Still not sure whom to support yet but I am hoping that Brasil won't win.

I root for England whenever they play too (yeah, I am loyal like that) but I don't think they have got a chance this year.

If not England - then it would be good for a different team to win. I don't like the same teams winning all the time.

well Italy won the last time.

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Originally Posted by Jesterhead

well Italy won the last time.

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No - every competition has been a rollercoaster of high hopes and dashed dreams. Great fun though, and we English ae great moaners and I - told-you - so's.
:biggrinjester:

Well, at least New Zealand will have one claim to fame at the World Cup.

We are the rank outsiders to win, at odds of 1000:1.

:lol:

:lol: You don't do bad generally.

I'll be getting my England flag for the back of the bike - and perhaps one for the rucksack soon. I'll post a picture of my "pimped" machine when I get it done.

:lol:

My wife reckons I should stick one on the top of my bike helmet, but that would be a bit over the top don't you think?

Hmmm, the bike helmet might be just a shade too far....

At least people would know what you mean with it. Over here, nobody - including me - knows who any of our players are, who they're playing, or quite how bad we are at football.

Still, at least we'll find out about the last one soon.

Who do you like for Golden Boot?

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Originally Posted by The Atheist

Hmmm, the bike helmet might be just a shade too far....

At least people would know what you mean with it. Over here, nobody - including me - knows who any of our players are, who they're playing, or quite how bad we are at football.

Still, at least we'll find out about the last one soon.

Who do you like for Golden Boot?

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Not sure - I have sport rationing here as no-one likes it but me. I get to watch the Premiership on Saturday and Sunday night when everyone has gone up the apples and pears.

Who will you go for?

I have no idea! I don't follow soccer at all, but the odds are good for anyone, so I'm trying to pick a few brains to figure out where to lay a fiver!

:D

When I get older, I will be stronger
They'll call me freedom, just like a waving flag.

:)

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Originally Posted by The Atheist

I have no idea! I don't follow soccer at all, but the odds are good for anyone, so I'm trying to pick a few brains to figure out where to lay a fiver!

:D

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The good uns I know of are Rooney, Ronaldo - the Portugese geezer, Messi for Argentina, probably any Brazilian striker - and now I'm stuck.

Messi is figured to be the best player in the world and has scored ... lots of goals this season for Barcelona. I read a piece on him at the weekend and it seems that Maradonna - Argentinas former cup winning, cocaine snorting, carousing manager - who has a very poor record in management but who is seen as a national hero with his own vainglorious show on Argentinian TV - doesn't like him, and keeps giving mixed messages about his ability.

It's not just the footie I like about the World Cup - it's the whole caboodle.

For the Golden Boot.
Drogba, Torres and Tevez (If they are even in the world cup) are natural goal scorers from our league.

Drogba is very good.

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

For the Golden Boot.
Drogba, Torres and Tevez (If they are even in the world cup) are natural goal scorers from our league.

Drogba is very good.

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Yes all three are great goal snatchers. I just wonder about the line up that Drogba will be with. can they supply him with the same quality he's used to?

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

The good uns I know of are Rooney, Ronaldo - the Portugese geezer, Messi for Argentina, probably any Brazilian striker - and now I'm stuck.

Messi is figured to be the best player in the world and has scored ... lots of goals this season for Barcelona. I read a piece on him at the weekend and it seems that Maradonna - Argentinas former cup winning, cocaine snorting, carousing manager - who has a very poor record in management but who is seen as a national hero with his own vainglorious show on Argentinian TV - doesn't like him, and keeps giving mixed messages about his ability.

It's not just the footie I like about the World Cup - it's the whole caboodle.

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I know all about Dago Maradonna! (and the Hand of God)

:lol:

Messi is equal favourite at $9 with Villa, of Spain. (Fancy Spain having a Villa!)

Rooney's second favourite at $10s. I remember Gary Lineker winning it in '86, so it's not unknown for a Pom.

Ronaldo's at $22, and of course would be the second "Ronaldo" to win it.

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Originally Posted by prendrelemick

For the Golden Boot.
Drogba, Torres and Tevez (If they are even in the world cup) are natural goal scorers from our league.

Drogba is very good.

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Drogba is at $30, while Torres is strongly fancied at $14, 4th favourite.

Tevez also fancied, at $40 - he has been backed in from opening at $50s.

I note that "A New Zealander" is $750, but as we won't score any goals, that would be a bad bet.

I have had an idea, though!

NZ is the worst team there, without any doubt at all, and Italy is the favourite to win our group, so I'm taking the most favoured Italian, which is some bloke called Gilardino, on the basis that 6 goals has been good enough to win 8 the last 10 GBs, and he could get 6 against us!

He's at $50, so I'm happy with those odds at $250 for a fiver!

I think I'll chuck a fiver on the Paraguayan striker as well, because they could also beat us 10-0. He's at $80 - R Santa Cruz.

I had a great bet a few world cups ago - it's better, I think when you know nothing - I spent $20 at $50 for (I think) Mexico and Germany to draw 3 all. Now, I never get excited by soccer, but it was 3 all at halftime! I've never been so riveted to a game of soccer in my life! I willed the ball away from the net for 47 minutes before I got my dough - no score in the second half, which is amazing after 6 in the first.

Sounds like a good plan for top scorer. Also though Honduras in Spain's group are looking like been whipping boys too, along with Algeria in England's group and North Korea in Brazil's group - all theses teams along with New Zealand are 1000-1 with Betfair. However having seen North Korea in a friendly they strike me as a well above that mark and I don't see being as big a push over as their odds suggest. I also thing England are ridiculously over-priced as third favourites, though they do have the best group to qualify from so they might knock a few in before going out in the quarter finals.

If I was going for top scorer I'd probably go for Villa myself because he'll grab goals for sure and I think Spain will go all the way to the final, probably with Brazil. Though I've spread my cash around on the win market backing Spain, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, France and will lay off on all apart from Spain and Brazil after the group stages, this means that I be in profit if any of these teams win, but will not lose much (or anything) if they don't. The only way I'll really lose is if two or more of these countries don't make it though the group stages which is very unlikely.

In terms of winning though, I really can't see passed Brazil or Spain as they looks streets above the rest, quality all way through the teams. For me England have two world class players in Rooney and Gerrard, but these teams have around 8 or 9 truly world class players. I truly can't see passed Brazil or Spain to win it.