Football World Cup 2010

[Scheherazade]

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

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.

[Paulclem]

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.

[Jesterhead]

well Italy won the last time.

[Paulclem]

well Italy won the last time.

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.

[The Atheist]

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.

[Paulclem]

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.



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?

[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?

[Paulclem]

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?

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?

[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!

[Nikhar]

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

[Paulclem]

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!

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.

[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.

[Paulclem]

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.

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?

[The Atheist]

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.

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



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.

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.

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.

[LitNetIsGreat]

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.