this world cup instead to a world cup then a pretigious competition is a bit disapointing!
The organizer nation will not at the second tour! france one of the winner is to mediocre! germany loses today :( this world cup begin to be sad..

So if my math is correct, if England wins, USA has to win and hope England also beats Slovenia. If England ties or loses, USA just has to win and they are still in no matter what happens in England vs. Slovenia.

this world cup instead to a world cup then a pretigious competition is a bit disapointing!
The organizer nation will not at the second tour! france one of the winner is to mediocre! germany loses today :( this world cup begin to be sad..

But the majority in France and the world expected a failure of France, right?

Since before the start of the World Cup, it was thought that South Africa is perhaps the weakest host in history, as in Germany the press had little confidence in their team, right?

So where is the surprise? or disappointment?

In history, no European team has been a champion outside Europe, so it's normal, historically has cost them play outside of their continent.

But much remains to be seen, so we have to wait.

Now everyone knows, especially ignorant Americans, who and where SLOVENIA is!!!

Man, WTF is wrong with England?

Algeria deserves credit, but this was an even shoddier performance than against the US.

They're playing more like a collective of individuals instead of a cohesive national side.

Can't bring the club/mercenary mentality to the WC pitch.

Now everyone knows, especially ignorant Americans, who and where SLOVENIA is!!!
We already do, thanks to this man:

http://nbcsportsmedia3.msnbc.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Williams,%20Ed/Photos/080611_Vujacic.widec.jpg

At the end of the day, we still have a chance to win the group, amazing or not. This has been the strangest group play which I have an interest in since I started following the sport.

If this means that the sport would be the topic of conversation with more people then it may all be worth it in the end.

Sloveniaaaaaaa. It was a great match:cheers:

If the U.S wins the next match against Algeria, USA will advance regardless of England vs. Slovenia outcome. In case the U.S ties with Algeria 0-0, USA can still make the next round if England draws Slovenia 0-0.

Here is the situation in group C.

Algeria/England: Must win next match or go home.
USA: See explanation above
Slovenia: a draw with England will secure a berth in the next round.




So if my math is correct, if England wins, USA has to win and hope England also beats Slovenia. If England ties or loses, USA just has to win and they are still in no matter what happens in England vs. Slovenia.

Slovenia goes to 1/16 if:
1. Wins against England.
2. Plays drawn with England.
3. Loses against England, but in that case there should be a drawn between Algeria and USA.

:D

http://www.esreality.com/files/placeimages/2010/76100-bzzzzzidane.gif

ok..I forgot the case that Slovenia can still advance if they lose to England.

Slovenia goes to 1/16 if:
1. Wins against England.
2. Plays drawn with England.
3. Loses against England, but in that case there should be a drawn between Algeria and USA.

F**king gutless performance, not the worst result by any means. A win would take us through, but what was that shambles? I've supported Fab right till now, Gerrard out left (WTF), Heskey up front still (WTF), Lampard reverting back to his don't give a fck at international level (WTF IS GOING ON). Come on England fckin sort it out, if we don't beat Slovenia we don't deserve to go through, we'll be out before we turn up. The anger and frustration is because the ability is there its just the lack of application (France, Germany, Spain and England all guilty), its like having an Einstein but him working in McDonalds, use the ability you have been gifted with on a global scale.

Another shoddy performance from the England players and more interestingly, Capello.

Call it a knee-jerk reaction all you want, but the bloke is beginning to lose the plot - from his 23 man squad selection, the formation, starting line-ups, to his quite frankly bizarre substitutions - and don't get me started on the players. The performance from a certain Wayne Rooney was one of the worst I can remember from an England international in the last decade, there was just no committment or effort at all. As for his outburst at the end, well... let's just say he'll be regretting saying that when he wakes up tomorrow morning.

The funny thing is, I can still see a Holland-esque EURO '96 performance from us against Slovenia on Wednesday that will see us finish top...

Can't wait for the foreigner to leave SA. Sick and tired of the Europeans pissing on our WC2010. Make no mistake, I will do the same for London 2012 and any European world cup in the future....

England are almost goen, wonderful!!!! Next will be the French.... :)

England, overrated, overpaid, and boring..... at least I know my team is shit :)

England, overrated, overpaid, and boring..... at least I know my team is shit :)
99% of England have been thinking the same thing for the last ten years, pal. :lol:

FA LAUNCHES FIFA COMPLAINT

The Football Association has formally complained to Fifa after a fan breached security and got into the England dressing room.

A supporter is said to have got into the Three Lions' dressing room and confronted David Beckham in Cape Town.

England were booed off following their 0-0 draw with Algeria at the Green Point Stadium that leaves their World Cup hopes hanging by a thread.

And one supporter was so angry he took direct action and evaded security to remonstrate with the former skipper, who has been a constant presence since England's arrival in South Africa.

England now go into their last group game against Slovenia aware that a victory is essential to reach knockout stages of the World Cup.

Fabio Capello's side drew their opening match of the tournament with the USA as a Robert Green howler ensured the encounter ended in a 1-1 draw.

Link (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12098_6213627,0.html)

:wtf:

Link (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,12098_6213627,0.html)

:wtf:

LOL!! Of all the people to scream at..... Becks? The injured cheerleader?? lol. Why don't you blame the janitor while you're at it.

Can't wait for the foreigner to leave SA.

You are aware that 31 out of the 32 teams are foreign? Isn't that the point of a world cup?

Did someone notice that the boos from England fans were louder than Vuvuzelas ? :)

Somehow my gut feeling tells me England will beat Slovenia depsite their poor display this afternoon.

btw, The U.S was robbed :(

I would say the decision for the US goal was harsh, but if you look at the defender who would have got to the ball before Adu he was being held back by one of the US players you can see in one of the replay. Maybe harsh but i can see why it wasn't given.

Edit: Bocanegra (3) and the Slovenia player No. 7, although the initial fouling was from no. 7 on Bocanegra, you can see as the ball is whipped in Bocanegra then holds back the No. 7 who had probably very good odds at getting to the ball and preventing Adu from scoring.

Now everyone knows, especially ignorant Americans, who and where SLOVENIA is!!!

Umm, what? I've been there dude, it's quite a popular tourist destination for Americans you know. So, who is ignorant again?

99% of England have been thinking the same thing for the last ten years, pal. :lol:

Someone said recently, I think it was during the Olympic hockey tournament, that you can have a whole country full of competitive players, but you can only put 6 of them on the ice at a time. Edit that to 11 on a field and you get the same meaning.

This is the only thing vuvuzelas are good for lol

http://blogs.quien.com/poncho-herrera-en-el-mundial/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Screen-shot-2010-06-18-at-11.58.15-AM1.png

^^lol XD

^^^^^ LOL! And WTF? Bud? They don't have better beer in SA?

^^They're a sponsor, you know. ;)

Today the Netherlands vs Japan

No more of these though :(

SrhPjwbQTE4

Thanks to the FIFA, everyone knows now that these dresses are from Bavaria.

You are aware that 31 out of the 32 teams are foreign? Isn't that the point of a world cup?

Yes! And sick and tired of the world cup supporter continual negative comments about this WC in SA.

So funny wathcing the English players booed off the field by their supporters....:)

Can't wait for the foreigner to leave SA. Sick and tired of the Europeans pissing on our WC2010. Make no mistake, I will do the same for London 2012 and any European world cup in the future....

How mature of you. Silly c#nt.

The tournament has been great so far, but not flawless. People will point out problems that they see. If you can't accept that it says more about your insecurties than anything else.

And if you can't wait for foreigners to leave, I take it we won't be seeing a Cape Town Olympics any time soon. Because, if that's your attitude, you don't deserve them.

I suspect though, most South Africans are a bit more mature than you and will welcome the world rather than saying they can't wait for them to leave.

Can't wait for the foreigner to leave SA. Sick and tired of the Europeans pissing on our WC2010. Make no mistake, I will do the same for London 2012 and any European world cup in the future....

Why don't you fuck off back to the shit-hole you crawled out of. You bring nothing to this forum. You should feel priveliged to host a tournament you would otherwise have no chance of qualifying for. How about waiting to see what those future tournaments are like first as well.

Onto the game, possibly the worst performance I've seen England play, certainly under Capello, and rivals some in my lifetime. Gerrard on the left. NO. Heskey NO. Carragher NO. Even Rooney was shit because he was having to come so deep due to lack of service. Wright-Philips was rubbish again. WHERE IS JOE COLE?!

Next game formation:

James
Johnson - Terry - Dawson - A. Cole
Lennon - Lampard - Barry - J. Cole
Gerrard - Rooney

(Gerrard playing behind Rooney). Bet it won't be though. You've let us down again England and you Capello.

And surprise surprise ITV mucked up again and we missed half of our anthem. Disgrace they are still allowed to show football.

I was in a bar watching it so was the atmosphere any good or was it just vuvu'd up?

^^ We like the world here. That guy is spewing is own view and not the majority held view of people in South Africa. He's frustrated at the constant criticism, which I can understand, I've already voiced my displeasure with it... however, it's not the foreigners that are here that are moaning... so embrace them...

And give a Brit a hug in Cape Town; they need it. ;)

Not that we're judging, we're empathizing... look at Bafana Bafana.

^^ Thank you for an objective viewpoint. I think there has been a lot of criticism but the majority is being directed at FIFA so there's no need to get uptight about it (not directed at you specifically).

^^ Thank you for an objective viewpoint. I think there has been a lot of criticism but the majority is being directed at FIFA so there's no need to get uptight about it (not directed at you specifically).

Why don't you fuck off mate! Fokken Doos Tief! What have you English brought to the boards, nothing but fucking criticism....oh, and by the way, the rock I orginally crawled out of is not far from where you crawled out! :bash:

Why don't you fuck off mate! Fokken Doos Tief! What have you English brought to the boards, nothing but fucking criticism....oh, and by the way, the rock I orginally crawled out of is not far from where you crawled out! :bash:

Well, many Englishmen here have had positive things to say..but it seems you're incapable of reading to a pre-school level because you seem to have made up your own story.

And the English have brought a shed load of money to your economy as we have the second largest number of travelling fans in South Africa at the moment.

40,000 travelling fans multiplied by the money spent on hotels, food, travel, souveniers.

Can we have it all back please if that's your attitude? If all you want is praise and no criticism then maybe democracy isn't right for your country.

:bash:

Seriously, if this board is creaking at the seams in terms of server capacity as much as I've been told, why aren't bans handed out to morons like this as soon as they post? It anoys me when I log into this site only to find it down, and then discover bandwidth being hogged by useless posts like the above.

^^^^^ LOL! And WTF? Bud? They don't have better beer in SA?

Bud is the offical beer of the world cup. That's what'll be sold in the stadiums. But finally, a good use for the vuvuzelas!! :lol:

Why don't you fuck off mate! Fokken Doos Tief! What have you English brought to the boards, nothing but fucking criticism....oh, and by the way, the rock I orginally crawled out of is not far from where you crawled out! :bash:

Criticism which has been fully justified IMO. Plenty of non-English have been complaining too. Look at how many RSA posters are moaning about FIFA. Anyway, there have been plenty of complimentary comments from English posters, particularly Rob and Jim. Even I put some in a few pages back!

Back on topic, I really don't understand this whole net capacity thing - could someone please post a full list of net WC capacities for all stadia please so then we can see which games are sell-outs.

Imagine if we get the WC in 2018, the health & safety brigade will be going mad at the thought of bottles being drunk in the stands - or is it just a SA thing?

What the fuck is up with Wayne Rooney? I've never seen him play as poorly as he did last night. And he was a steaming pile of dog turd against USA too.

And before anyone starts making excuses, it's got nothing to do with the quality of service he's receiving. Rooney isn't the knd of player who relies solely on good service. He can usually make things happen on his own.

But yesterday, his first touch was appalling. He persistently lost possession. His passing was poor. His decision making was dreadful. And he even wimped out of a few challenges. Not like him at all.

Can we have the real Wayne Rooney back, please?

Back on topic, I really don't understand this whole net capacity thing - could someone please post a full list of net WC capacities for all stadia please so then we can see which games are sell-outs.

You can see them on FIFA.com (but, for example, some of them differ between the French or English version of the website :nuts:)

Can anyone tell me what the atmosphere was like at the game last night? I was in a very noisy pub so I couldn't hear the tv at all. Seemed as though there were an incredible number of England fans there. The whole stadium appeared to be covered with St George flags.

Imagine if we get the WC in 2018, the health & safety brigade will be going mad at the thought of bottles being drunk in the stands - or is it just a SA thing?

Those bottles are plastic, been around here in the states for awhile now.

What the fuck is up with Wayne Rooney? I've never seen him play as poorly as he did last night. And he was a steaming pile of dog turd against USA too.

And before anyone starts making excuses, it's got nothing to do with the quality of service he's receiving. Rooney isn't the knd of player who relies solely on good service. He can usually make things happen on his own.

But yesterday, his first touch was appalling. He persistently lost possession. His passing was poor. His decision making was dreadful. And he even wimped out of a few challenges. Not like him at all.

Can we have the real Wayne Rooney back, please?

Seconded. Not that there's really much point singling him out after last night. David James and possibly Defoe aside, I don't think anyone did themselves any favours.

Can anyone tell me what the atmosphere was like at the game last night? I was in a very noisy pub so I couldn't hear the tv at all. Seemed as though there were an incredible number of England fans there. The whole stadium appeared to be covered with St George flags.

It's the only game I did not get tickets to. :( But, my dad got tickets to a hospitality box... Lucky bastard! He said the atmosphere was unbelievable. Said the place looked like the UK... Brit invasion of note and that it was insane, but that the footy was so-so (as we all know already).

Good to hear, it did look good on TV I have to say. Probably the highlight of last night was the number of St George's flags in the crowd (that tells you everything about the match doesn't it?). And, if nothing else, I love the tradition travelling England fans have of sewing their teams and towns and villages into the flags. I love seeing a big England flag with THFC in the corner of shot, or a flag with some random village name on it. :D

Can anyone tell me what the atmosphere was like at the game last night? I was in a very noisy pub so I couldn't hear the tv at all. Seemed as though there were an incredible number of England fans there. The whole stadium appeared to be covered with St George flags.
I'm not sure what it is with us English and our flags but I love it. The Dutch and their Oranje affair aside, there's no other nation in the world that comes close to us in showing their national colours at major tournaments. It's weird as well 'cause prior to EURO 96, the flag you'd usually see at England games would be the Union Flag. As for the atmosphere, it sounded class at times on the tele. Apart from the usual stuff led by the brass band, there were three of four very loud renditions of GSTQ, but the boo's at the end took some beating in terms of noise. Credit to the Algerian fans too, in the first ten minutes or so they were booing and heckling every England touch.

Those bottles are plastic, been around here in the states for awhile now.
Yeah, they're used over here too along with plastic pint 'glasses' but we're still not allowed to take them onto the terraces/stands. :ohno:

Good to hear, it did look good on TV I have to say. Probably the highlight of last night was the number of St George's flags in the crowd (that tells you everything about the match doesn't it?). And, if nothing else, I love the tradition travelling England fans have of sewing their teams and towns and villages into the flags. I love seeing a big England flag with THFC in the corner of shot, or a flag with some random village name on it. :D

Yeah that kind of thing makes you proud to be English. Best fans in the world bar none.

Jim, Rooney's touch has been largely shocking in the WC but the service he was receiving was AWFUL. It showed because of just how deep him and Heskey had to go to get a touch of the ball - the midfield was non-existant!

I thought Gareth Barry was everywhere last night. Good performance from him alongside David James.

Good to hear, it did look good on TV I have to say. Probably the highlight of last night was the number of St George's flags in the crowd (that tells you everything about the match doesn't it?). And, if nothing else, I love the tradition travelling England fans have of sewing their teams and towns and villages into the flags. I love seeing a big England flag with THFC in the corner of shot, or a flag with some random village name on it. :D

Yeah I noticed that, it's awesome. All the supporters groups. I paused the game several times just to read the flags.

Yeah, they're used over here too along with plastic pint 'glasses' but we're still not allowed to take them onto the terraces/stands. :ohno:

Really? Heh. I can see why. At football games here (American Football) sometimes they rain down after a bad call, or on opposing players. At least one team (Cleveland Browns) have banned them, maybe more. Not all teams use them though.

Seconded. Not that there's really much point singling him out after last night. David James and possibly Defoe aside, I don't think anyone did themselves any favours.

I'm only singling him out because he's the one player I thought we could rely on to produce the goods. Gerrard, Lampard and the rest playing poorly iwhen they have an England shirt on their backs was entirely predictable.

First Half. Aus 1 Gha 1

...prior to EURO 96, the flag you'd usually see at England games would be the Union Flag...Yea you learned from us how to be proper national team fans and become more color co-ordinated :)

Gone are the days when England's hooligans fans preferred to wave the union jack while dressed in their scrubby (Millwall, QPR,... etc) club shirts
.

This is the only thing vuvuzelas are good for lol

http://blogs.quien.com/poncho-herrera-en-el-mundial/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Screen-shot-2010-06-18-at-11.58.15-AM1.png

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/1796/franciamexico360.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/franciamexico360.jpg/)

:lol:

¡¡¡VIVA MÉXICO!!!

¡¡VAMOS LATINOS!!

Yes! And sick and tired of the world cup supporter continual negative comments about this WC in SA.

Geez dude, a bit harsh, don't you think, considering it's not the people actually in SA making the loudest noise?

^^^^^ LOL! And WTF? Bud? They don't have better beer in SA?

Believe me, if they weren't a sponsor you wouldn't be seeing a Bud anywhere in the country :puke:

Can anyone tell me what the atmosphere was like at the game last night? I was in a very noisy pub so I couldn't hear the tv at all. Seemed as though there were an incredible number of England fans there. The whole stadium appeared to be covered with St George flags.


England cheers, songs and whistles outnoised the vuvuzelas for most of the game (at least here in South Africa). The vuvuzelas were only really prominent when they took corner kicks etc.

Finally someone learned how to properly use their vuvuzela.

Good to hear, it did look good on TV I have to say. Probably the highlight of last night was the number of St George's flags in the crowd (that tells you everything about the match doesn't it?). And, if nothing else, I love the tradition travelling England fans have of sewing their teams and towns and villages into the flags. I love seeing a big England flag with THFC in the corner of shot, or a flag with some random village name on it. :D

It was wonderful but I wanted more singing!

The entire waterfront became little Britain.

Please limit the use of foul language.

Infractions available for those who feel the need to use profane language to get a point across.

Now that we've all calmed down. Lets look at pretty pictures.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4713221209_590759ff9c_b.jpghttp://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4713214385_2a56b125e7_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/44/buddyicons/48256420@N00.jpg?1252341412#48256420@N00 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drublic/) Uploaded on June 19, 2010 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drublic/archives/date-posted/2010/06/19/)
by DrUbLiC (http://www.flickr.com/photos/drublic/)

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7B2LPxggvqY&hl=pt_BR&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7B2LPxggvqY&hl=pt_BR&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

:rofl:

I hate the vuvuzela even more. My son bought one for the game tomorrow. But I'm starting to get used to the annoying sound.

BUUUUURRRRZZZZZZZ!!! for you all. Brazil 3 x 0 I. Coast tomorrow!!

Attendances for the 23 games so far: 1,109,100 avg: 48,222

(2006: 1,139,800 avg: 49,556)
(2002: 905,100 avg: 39,325)
(1998: 975,300 avg: 42404)

could anyone tell me why the front rows of every stadium are coverd with plastic??

Courtesy of Mariola Krystyna @ flickR

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As an Aussie, I have to say I don't get the claim from some here that the Aussie media has been bashing the event. Granted I don't live on the TV 24/7, but what I've heard and read to date has been pretty positive

only real neg on the reports has been the horns, but other than that I'm struggling to remember any bashing reports.

looks like a great event, seems everyone is having fun, and the feedback from the aussies on the bandwagon over there is really good.

as for the seats, thats not a SA thing. hosts only have limited scope on ticketing, and allowances and pricing is usually heavily influenced by head office. I know the same happens at the Olympics. For Sydney and Beijing, locals queued for hours in the hope of getting tickets, only to be knocked back with a sold out sign. During the event however, tickets get released because OS allocations have gone unused.

For this event I also don't think we can underestimate that this is the first WC since the GFC, and it no doubt would have impacted on tourist demand from the EU and USA

Back to Australia, most our press is more focused on our aging team, a coach who doesn't understand them, and bloody red cards than any issues the locals are having.

congrats on a great event to date, hope you are enjoying it

could anyone tell me why the front rows of every stadium are coverd with plastic??

Safety requirement. If there is some sort of "crowd surge", there is enough space for people sitting in the front rows to move forward. If there were people sitting infront of them, there wouldnt be anywhere for them to go, which equals a lot of squashed soccer fans. Its obviously not full proof. Another reason is for security....if a fan, or group of fans want to storm the pitch....it will take them a few extra seconds to get past the first few rows, which gives security time to react.

Safety requirement. If there is some sort of "crowd surge", there is enough space for people sitting in the front rows to move forward. If there were people sitting infront of them, there wouldnt be anywhere for them to go, which equals a lot of squashed soccer fans. Its obviously not full proof. Another reason is for security....if a fan, or group of fans want to storm the pitch....it will take them a few extra seconds to get past the first few rows, which gives security time to react.

I thought it was because of low viewing angles/obstructed views. Not every SA stadium has front row seats cordoned off. Some only have them covered behind the end line, and not on the sidelines.

Go New Zealand! :D

Go New Zealand! :D

I'm in shock - think I have to stop drinking - I swear I'm seeing NZ in the lead

I'm in shock - think I have to stop drinking - I swear I'm seeing NZ in the lead

Go on - I' m drinking coffee and it is the same result on my tv:lol:

FRANCE SQUAD REFUSE TO TRAIN

France's World Cup team director Jean-Louis Valentin says the national squad is refusing to train following a dispute on the training ground.

Valentin also says he has resigned from the French football federation, shouting that he was "ashamed" of the team.

"It's a scandal for the French, for the young people here. It's a scandal for the federation and the French team," Valentin said. "They don't want to train. It's unacceptable.

"As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted," said Valentin, who walked away from the training field, got into a car and drove off.

It comes amid a turbulent World Cup for the France squad, which has been marred with in-fighting and Nicolas Anelka being sent home for a bust-up with Raymond Domenech.

The team arrived at training Sunday, but a few minutes after taking the field fitness coach Robert Duverne stormed away from an argument with coach Raymond Domenech. Duverne threw his accreditation badge to the ground after the heated discussion and walked away.

The players then boarded the team bus.

The French team is in disarray after striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home for insulting Domenech, whose tactics and management skills have been called into question.
:nuts:

Safety requirement. If there is some sort of "crowd surge", there is enough space for people sitting in the front rows to move forward. If there were people sitting infront of them, there wouldnt be anywhere for them to go, which equals a lot of squashed soccer fans. Its obviously not full proof. Another reason is for security....if a fan, or group of fans want to storm the pitch....it will take them a few extra seconds to get past the first few rows, which gives security time to react.

It's because those seats have obstructed views...

^ you mean obstructed by cameramen, right? (I noticed on TV that they were lined up and fully STANDING along the space on the wing sides of the stadium (the longer/grandstand side behind the player dugouts (as opposed to sitting behind the line on the far sides of the pitch behind the goal posts where they normally belong) Why were they allowed that?

Safety requirement. If there is some sort of "crowd surge", there is enough space for people sitting in the front rows to move forward. If there were people sitting infront of them, there wouldnt be anywhere for them to go, which equals a lot of squashed soccer fans. Its obviously not full proof. Another reason is for security....if a fan, or group of fans want to storm the pitch....it will take them a few extra seconds to get past the first few rows, which gives security time to react.

Did you just make that up? The tarps are due to obstructed views.

I thought it had to do with FIFA not wanting banners and flags in front of their adverts; plus the fact that those hoardings are tallers than usual means the views are partially restricted. You see the same thing at English grounds in Champions League matches where the front rows are very close to the pitch.

WC weirdest outcomes power rankings
New Zealand 1 - 1 Italy
England 0 - 0 Algeria
Germany 0 - 1 Serbia
England 1 - 1 USA
France 0 - 2 Mexico
Spain 0 - 1 Switzerland
Brazil 2 - 1 Best Korea (North Korea)

agreed?

I was watching the Paraguay-Slovakia match earlier and the stadium was about half empty. Previous matches also experienced low attendances as compared to the actual seating capacity of the venues. Is this problem caused by overseas fans who bought tickets but did not show up as claimed by FIFA, or it has something to do with the transport issues among host cities? I don't think the WC being held in South Africa is a mistake. However, there are some real issues need to be taken seriously for future WC events. FIFA & the host country need to do a better job than what we've seen so far in SA.

Congrats, New Zealand. You guys really put on a fight against the World champs.

I was watching the Paraguay-Slovakia match earlier and the stadium was about half empty. Previous matches also experienced low attendances as compared to the actual seating capacity of the venues. Is this problem caused by overseas fans who bought tickets but did not show up as claimed by FIFA, or it has something to do with the transport issues among host cities? I don't think the WC being held in South Africa is a mistake. However, there are some real issues need to be taken seriously for future WC events. FIFA & the host country need to do a better job than what we've seen so far in SA.

We've dealt with this numerous times in the thread.

A few of the more obscure games in small cities are logically not going to be in high demand, but FIFA are withholding tickets until a few hours before games for some reason. Look on the FIFA website a day before a match in Cape Town and it will say its sold out. Look 2 hours before the match and suddenly tickets will be available.

Another issue is that FIFA sold many tickets as corporate packages, and some of those are going unused. Instead of reselling them, FIFA couldn't care less as they don't lose.

Regardless, the average attendance per match is higher than most of the past few World Cups.

The French team is having a serious problem on and off the field.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/6027842/

WC weirdest outcomes power rankings
New Zealand 1 - 1 Italy
England 0 - 0 Algeria
Germany 0 - 1 Serbia
England 1 - 1 USA
France 0 - 2 Mexico
Spain 0 - 1 Switzerland
Brazil 2 - 1 Best Korea (North Korea)

agreed?

Agree except the Worst Korea (North Korea) score, They lost. I predicted that they would not score a goal in the entire tournament so I was wrong on that. But I don't see how that can be compared with the others.

They did the same thing in previous tournaments too-a lot of unsold tickets from the third-party brokers become available hours before the kick-off. However, it seems that ticket pricing could be an issue for the tourists & locals alike.

We've dealt with this numerous times in the thread.

Look on the FIFA website a day before a match in Cape Town and it will say its sold out. Look 2 hours before the match and suddenly tickets will be available.

.

Those black market tickets come straight from FIFA's fatcats. Those are corporate hospitality or else VIP tickets that FIFA dishes out to it's cronies.

The other day FIFA handed one British TV comentator 50 (that's right FIFTY) Holland v. Denmark tickets for "personal use" (supposedly in order to invite friends and families) in reality of course that is bollox. NO ONE has fifty family members who are all interested enough in football to take a vacation, buy plane tickets and attend a group match between two foreign teams that are not even in the same group as their home team.

Now multiply that with all those other "lucky VIPs" and you'll understand why lots of seats are empty
.

All Whites hold on for stunning draw
NZ HERALD
3:52 AM Monday Jun 21, 2010


http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_142/1177515122LH8bQ8.jpg

All Whites 1 Italy 1

Take a look at the points table. Look again. Sitting in second, equal with Italy, are New Zealand. Little, old New Zealand with just 25 professional footballers - Italy has 3541. A country which had played just four World Cup matches before this morning drew with one which has won four World Cup titles. Crazy. If the Slovakia result was incredible, this is truly mind-blowing and they still have a genuine chance of progressing to the second round - although Paraguay looked slick in their 2-0 defeat of Slovakia. That would be one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history, much like the US beating England in 1950. If they did that, the whole team should be knighted. At least coach Ricki Herbert and captain Ryan Nelsen. The really crazy thing is, New Zealand could have won beaten Italy. Yes, they were under immense pressure for most of the game, but the goal they conceded, a 29th minute Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty, was extremely soft. Midfielder Daniele Di Rossi, all 85kg of snarling Italian cabanossi, went down like he had been tackled by All Black Ma'a Nonu.

All Whites defender Tommy Smith naively tugged his shirt, but this happens virtually any time a ball is played into the box, and Di Rossi fell like his legs had been taken from under him. He was clearly looking for a penalty and the referee duly obliged. In fact, the referee obliged most times the Italians wanted a free-kick. They went down clutching anything if they tangled with Rory Fallon, clearly looking to diffuse the tall striker's effectiveness. Fallon has a tendency to go up with his arms, which invites inspection, but the Guatemalan referee bought everything. It totally negated Fallon's, and New Zealand's game in the first half. They need to bring a physicality to the match along with their aerial ability and when both are refereed out of the match they have little left. In some respects, the penalty might have evened things up because there was an element of controversy to New Zealand's goal. The All Whites had taken an unlikely seventh-minute lead through Smeltz when he stabbed home from close range. The two-time A-League golden boot winner looked to be offside but only if Winston Reid flicked Simon Elliott's free-kick on and replays weren't conclusive.

Regardless, it stunned the healthy crowd at the impressive Mbombela Stadium and for a second - maybe four - New Zealand fans could be heard over the drone of the vuvuzelas. It just spurred Italy into action. They were wounded. They don't lose to teams ranked 73 places behind them. They attacked down New Zealand's left, floating balls in behind Tony Lochhead, and peppered Mark Paston's goal. He slapped away one free-kick and watched a swerving Riccardo Montolivo effort from 35 yards cannon off his upright. The All Whites had little possession but they battled manfully. This is a resilient New Zealand side who quite enjoy making history. The All Whites were much better in the second spell and soaked up tremendous pressure. They enjoyed decent periods of possession and Ivan Vicelich smacked one volley narrowly wide and Chris Wood saw his shot shave the upright. Paston brilliantly saved another Montolivo screamer and the defence was constantly scrambling, but they kept Italy at bay. Ryan Nelsen was once again brilliant in defence and Simon Elliott, all 36 years of him, was a study of control in the centre of the park. In fact, they were all brilliant, because this was a brilliant result. Remember this day, and keep the points table. History is a wonderful thing.

And people complain about the vuvuzelas. The officiating is a much worse problem than that because it actually affects the action on the pitch. Refs can't just make up rules as they see them or pretend to be Mister Magoo when there's an obvious rule infraction. :ohno:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0gYI7uj0LzfaK/900x.jpghttp://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/05G6dTF3PDdZx/900x.jpg

http://www.menainfra.com/media/media-news/news-thumb/100607/100524-Infra-WorldCup.jpg

I was just wondering why does the Durban stadium have a poor field condition?
If you paid attention especially the Spain-Swiss match you could see the grass flying everywhere creating an unlevel pitch.
And the Polokwane stadium's pitch had too high ball bounces. What caused this?

come into work, and a mate told me the French team boycotted training because a key player has been sent home. told him to stop talking crap, this is the world cup, no-one would be dumb enough to do that.......

^^Oh yes they did...:lol: when you are in a WC with an illegal goal you arrive there and you get what you deserve :D

its still cracking me up - I've reckon Chinese TV soap operas are less dramatic than the French team right now :lol:

I thought it could not get any worse than Anelka insulting the coach but then...they refuse training because apparently Evra had a discussion with a member of the coaching team :nuts:

Obviously the team has chosen to take side with Anelka and against the French Football Federation - that's why they are boycotting the training. They believe that private dressing-room arguments should be kept private and not be leaked to the media. And I agree with them!

Players and trainers should be able to freely communicate with each other without fear of somebody in the FFF staff snitching and using the media as a weapon. It should be teh trainer/coach's responsibility to discipline a player if the player did something like this against the trainer, not the job of the FFF to intervene and make things worse.

Anyone who as ever heard French people talk in an informal occasion knows that "son of a bitch" is just about as common as "good morning". Every French speaker will sooner or later say "putain" in combination with something else. It's not polite and ideally should be avoided and Anelka should have enough life experience to know that in general it is not a smart idia to insult one's own boss even if that boss seems to let you get away with it. But still this isn't something that merits a media hysteria of "presidential" proportions (apparently even Sarkozy has joined this brawl now)
.

France has ended their strike action.

Did you just make that up? The tarps are due to obstructed views.

Ok my bad...thats what I was told by security when I watched a game in Port Elizabeth...:lol:. Was just passing on what I was told...didnt do my own research..my bad

World Cup 2010: French media blasts humiliation brought on by France squad
The morning after Les Bleus' training session coup, the French press have not held back in voicing their annoyance with what they have called 'the ultimate humiliation'
By Emily Benammar
Published: 9:50AM BST 21 Jun 2010

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/2796/francemedia1662464a.jpg
Shameful: the French media have blasted players, director and the coach for sullying the nation's football reputation


Midi Libre: How shameful

"We thought we'd seen and experienced it all with Les Bleus. Unworthy, lacking in communication and the exclusion of Nicolas Anelka accused of insulting the coach. However, there was worse to come as yesterday afternoon, in front of 350 supporters and the world's media, French players refused to train. Their motive? They're opposing the exclusion of Anelka and holding the FFF responsible. This time we're really scraping the barrel."

"The blue boat is now worthless. There is no leader on board and things are out of control with speculation suggesting every effort is being made to ensure Nicolas Anelka is reinstated before the side face the hosts tomorrow."
"Shame on them. Shame on these players who have no idea about the realities of life's difficulties and who can strike at a World Cup - a global event which they qualified for thanks to Thierry Henry's cheating."
"This circus needs to stop, South Africa and the World Cup does not deserve such an insult. While the French players talk to the press about traitors, yesterday in Knysna we found 22."

Sport 365: You're bringing shame on us

Nicolas Puiravaud writes: "Day after day French football sinks further into crisis and offers a pathetic view of themselves to the world. Players, coaches, directors – they're all responsible for this regrettable fiasco. So as the press appears to be an enemy of the French team - themselves so brilliant and wonderfully healthy - we'll give a few lines to enhance our profession."

"Thank you Les Bleus for the wonderful image you have presented the world with since arriving in South Africa. Bless you for all the happiness you have provided for your fans. Why not get Anelka reinstated and go all the way – give him the armband for the South Africa match. And while we're at it prepare them for a trip to the Elysée Palace on their return home in order to collect their bonuses."

"And here for once is a really sincere thank you; thank you Laurent Blanc for accepting to take over."

Le Parisien: We're really ashamed of this French team

"Everyday the French team are pushing the boundaries of the unacceptable. Yesterday, to mark their loyalty to Nicola Anelka they went on strike. This group of spoilt children have no boundaries, no limits and no sense of duty so close to their final group game against South Africa."
"Through the national team and its coach the very image of French football has been sullied in the eyes of the world."
"It's not an exemplary episode for football," Spain coach Vincente del Bosque said yesterday. Indeed it is not for the country set to host the 2016 euro's.
"The mutiny of Knysna will always be remembered as the Waterloo of French football."

L'Equipe: Blues Crisis - Altercation, resignation and rebellion on the training pitch

"Just when you thought you'd seen it all, read it all, understood it all nderstood Les Bleus spring more surprises on us."
[...]

L'Equipe: Anelka is well and truly on the plane

"Nicolas Anelka has left Africa once and for all. Despite rumours suggesting that he was still on South African soil as his team-mates initiated their strike, the Blues striker was spotted at Cape Town airport boarding a flight to London."

telegraph.co.uk

I have my anti-missile protection on!! :rofl:

Holy crap! 7-0!

^^ I thought Portugal didn't exist anymore since the end of the game !! :D :D

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5219/bombe6b704.jpg


Congrats BTW !

http://www.morethings.com/fan/south_park/team_america/upstage-alec-baldwin17.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3838/ptnk.jpg

:D

I guess that the rain screwed up his invisible phone, so he couldn't relay his strategy tips.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3838/ptnk.jpg

:D

LOL! Except they are NORTH Korean missiles, so I think my Portuguese friends are safe :lol:

http://ejksdesktop.homelinux.com/fark/fail/missile_fail.jpg

del

good news for Portugal is my Atari 2600 has more high end technology in it than a North Korean missile

bad news for South Korea is my Atari 2600 has more high end technology in it than a North Korean missile

Hi there,
The topic content in this thread seems to have gone horribly astray, so try this for getting back on track; its a link to a gallery of images depicting the beautiful architectural masterpiece of Durban's new SWC 2010 stadium.
Cheers and enjoy,
Steve

http://www.airserv.co.za/tc.php?pk=wip#dc

So many empty seats in the WC, its a disgrace. Today at Rustenburg there are about 8,000 empty seats between Mex and Uru and thats counting the 20,000 plus mexicans in attendence, so it's not that the foreigners "didnt show up to see the games", its just that the southafricans are not in WC mood.

So many empty seats in the WC, its a disgrace. Today at Rustenburg there are about 8,000 empty seats between Mex and Uru and thats counting the 20,000 plus mexicans in attendence, so it's not that the foreigners "didnt show up to see the games", its just that the southafricans are not in WC mood.

Have you somehow missed the droves and droves of posts regarding the issue in this thread?

1) FIFA are withholding tickets until mere hours before the game.
2) FIFA couldn't care less about confirming corporate package attendance, and reselling tickets that people don't plan on using.

I would kill for a ticket for a Cape Town match but unfortunately it's "sold out."

Half time
France 0:2 South Africa
:banana:

France rank 9th
S.Africa rank 83th

S.Africa pwned France 2-1

:rofl:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9484/34358151679647936212179.jpg

South Africa could've pulled off the miracle there. They had a TON of chances and shots on goal.

Have you somehow missed the droves and droves of posts regarding the issue in this thread?

1) FIFA are withholding tickets until mere hours before the game.
2) FIFA couldn't care less about confirming corporate package attendance, and reselling tickets that people don't plan on using.

I would kill for a ticket for a Cape Town match but unfortunately it's "sold out."

That didnt happen in other WC's.- I dont believe it.- The attendence is going down with each game (and so is the vuvuzelas noise).

Even the RSA game today had empty seats and that's hardly a large stadium.

South Africa could've pulled off the miracle there. They had a TON of chances and shots on goal.

Yup, they have nothing to blame but themselves, they had every chance to proceed :bash:

That didnt happen in other WC's.- I dont believe it.- The attendence is going down with each game (and so is the vuvuzelas noise).

Whether or not you believe it is of no consequence to me. Ignore the facts if you will.

Tomorow Slovenia will beat England

sLOVEnia

The previous WC was a European Championship (4 european countries in the semi finals)at the end , this world cup could be a real WC again:
France: out
Germany: ??
England?????
Italy: ??
Spain:??
Netherlands: :applause:

Whether or not you believe it is of no consequence to me. Ignore the facts if you will.

The facts show:
Free state stadium: cap. 40,911

SA VS FRANCE match: 39.415.

Thats 1,500 empty seats for a home team playing for the qualification to the next round vs. the runner up in last WC.

That's a fact.

The explanation for that fact has been given by Lydon, and it's not because "southafricans are not in WC mood" as you wrongly claimed.

The facts show:
Free state stadium: cap. 40,911

SA VS FRANCE match: 39.415.

Thats 1,500 empty seats for a home team playing for the qualification to the next round vs. the runner up in last WC.

That's a fact.

You like your "facts," but none of the "facts" other's post. Yes, it's all our fault, South Africa was completely in charge of ticketing...
:fiddle:

You like your "facts," but none of the "facts" other's post. Yes, it's all our fault, South Africa was completely in charge of ticketing...
:fiddle:

No, not ticketing, but buying 2/3 of the total of the tickets, yes.

Attendence so far:

France 98: 2,757,974 / 64: 43,093 avg.

Corea-Japan 02: 2,706,376/ 64: 42,287 avg.

Germany 06: 3,359,439 / 64: 52,491 avg.

SA 10: 1,643,917 / 34 : 48,350 avg.

But in terms of % of attendence vs. total cap. of each stadium SA is just ahead of Corea-Japan but not of France and Germany.

What are you going on about? :lol:

The facts show:
Free state stadium: cap. 40,911

SA VS FRANCE match: 39.415.

Thats 1,500 empty seats for a home team playing for the qualification to the next round vs. the runner up in last WC.

That's a fact.

LOL, you must be the thickest person i've seen on this forum to date. :lol::nuts::lol::nuts:

So many empty seats in the WC, its a disgrace. Today at Rustenburg there are about 8,000 empty seats between Mex and Uru and thats counting the 20,000 plus mexicans in attendence, so it's not that the foreigners "didnt show up to see the games", its just that the southafricans are not in WC mood.

+1
This seems to be a very lowly popular World Cup in the host nation
What would happen to the infrastructure after the event?

No, not ticketing, but buying 2/3 of the total of the tickets, yes.

Attendence so far:

France 98: 2,757,974 / 64: 43,093 avg.

Corea-Japan 02: 2,706,376/ 64: 42,287 avg.

Germany 06: 3,359,439 / 64: 52,491 avg.

SA 10: 1,643,917 / 34 : 48,350 avg.

But in terms of % of attendence vs. total cap. of each stadium SA is just ahead of Corea-Japan but not of France and Germany.

Well, In SA Rugby is more popular than Soccer.
The % attendance with respect to the Capacity is a good measure.

It was just the FIFA rotation policy and some overzealous federation that FIFA WC landed up in SA.
1. It could have rather been a joint hosting with Egypt/Morocco (Even Arab Group would have been satisfied with this arrangement)
2. Face it, SA is not a consistent African Soccer power and the exit in the first round is sad along with low attendances but does raise questions.

When was the last time the host lost in first round?

Sadly, SA is the first host not to make it to second round in the history of World Cup.
Anyway, they did well.

Courtesy of Mariola Krystyna @ flickR

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/4714936807_d3bb5e1f0e_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4714934175_e97db08eaf_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4714933019_9b23b89573_b.jpg



Landscaping is very tardy and seems to have been done in a hurry around the stadium

^^

On another entertaining South Africa-bashing mission I see. Shame. Sour grapes must suck :hilarious

Landscaping is very tardy and seems to have been done in a hurry around the stadium

you serious??

Those same palms in Delhi would be flawless ;)

Time to whip out the ignore list. Monotony is boring :D

Those same palms in Delhi would be flawless ;)

Time to whip out the ignore list. Monotony is boring :D

Guys,
Relax. What was wrong in that post?
Just said the landscaping seemed tardy rather it looks dry.
Just look at the pic, it does not seem like a real plam tree.
Seems as though few branches are tied to a wooden pole.

Leave the tree, Can you notice the grass meadows? Those are patchy too.
Try to acknowledge/withstand the some simple observations.
Do not jump into something like bashing.

*facepalm*

I couldn't resist but click on "View Post." Perhaps the trees are small and scrawny, and the grass patchy, because they're new? :hilarious Have you never seen a freshly-landscaped spot in your life? The grass needs to settle and grow, and the trees obviously need to grow. They aren't going to spring up overnight :lol:

Goodness. Well, I'm glad the growing grass/trees are the worst valid criticism people can come up with.

*facepalm*

I couldn't resist but click on "View Post." .... /trees are the worst valid criticism people can come up with.

Thanks for the enlightenment.
Vow, that must have revelled your spirits with such clarifications making it the most intellectually satisfying day of your life.

Understand in Delhi, this may be encountered with stadia running behind schedule.
Then why such tardy landscaping if the stadia prep were really ahead of shcedule or is it just lack of foresight?
Well the Chinese/OZ/Korea-Japan did not have this.
Athens did have such issues owing schedule delays.

You know what?
Dont worry about what others say.
Have fun in your den.

Didn't Delhi cancel their 2020 Olympic bid?

Didn't Delhi cancel their 2020 Olympic bid?

This article is from back in Jan, but indicates they will make a decision after the Comm Games are done

http://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8683:kalmadi-refuses-to-rule-out-new-delhi-bid-for-2020-olympics&catid=122:2020-summer-olympics&Itemid=285

FIFA has already said that the empty seats is due to the tickets sold to groups overseas who never pitched up over here, not South Africans (who have bought more than 2/3 of tickets), so why is this discussion still going on?? :bash:

Because they're lying...

SLOVENIA

Because they're lying...

How can you prove that? In any case, empty seats cannot be blamed on us South Africans, especially since we don't have any say in the ticketing system.

When was the last time the host lost in first round?



This is the first time in WC history-

Results of the host nations:

2006- 3rd place
2002- 4th place/QF (Korea/Japan)
1998- World Champions
1994- QF
1990- 3rd place
1986- QF
1982- QF (kind of...)
1978- World Champions
1974- World Champions
1970- QF
1966- World Champions
1962- 3rd place
1958- 2nd place
1954- QF
1950- 2nd place
1938- QF
1934- World Champions
1930- World Champions

FIFA has already said that the empty seats is due to the tickets sold to groups overseas who never pitched up over here, not South Africans (who have bought more than 2/3 of tickets), so why is this discussion still going on?? :bash:

So you mean the foreign tourists did not turn up.
Wat was the reason for low tourist turn out?
This does not augur well.

If it had been just local population disinterest, it is understandable.
But Foreign tourist not turning upp raises bigger questions like Visa problems/Infrastructure viability/security reasons etc etc.

Well let us just keep it down to less turnout in the stadia and not further conitnue on this issue as it may open up a box of worms, derailing the thread.

Oh I don't know, perhaps the little financial crisis that just threw the world into turmoil?

All of this has been discussed in the thread already. One has to wonder why you feel the need to bring it up again.

Gypped again...what else is new...

-k-22aN4T98

Lol..for a country that has not fully embraced the game like the rest of the world, a lot of people are behind the US in this World Cup. You think it's because the world wants the US to get stronger?

So you mean the foreign tourists did not turn up.
Wat was the reason for low tourist turn out?
This does not augur well.

If it had been just local population disinterest, it is understandable.
But Foreign tourist not turning upp raises bigger questions like Visa problems/Infrastructure viability/security reasons etc etc.

Well let us just keep it down to less turnout in the stadia and not further conitnue on this issue as it may open up a box of worms, derailing the thread.

This dude is most ignorant , stupid person I ve seen here. Where have you been the past not to realise what effect the global financial turmoil had on people?

USA!!!!!

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/10d-6/fireworks-washington-dc-2.jpg

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!

USA!!!!!

http://www.mccullagh.org/db9/10d-6/fireworks-washington-dc-2.jpg

Congratualations!


Are there any celebrations in the US on the streets after this victory?

Now that was exciting :cheers: I was so stoked when England qualified, but when I switched over to the US-Algeria game and saw the US had scored that was the cherry on top of the cake!

They definitely deserved to go through after those two disallowed goals.

Congratualations!


Are there any celebrations in the US on the streets after this victory?

Actually yes. I live here in Tucson, Arizona near the University of Arizona. We have a mall not unlike the mall in DC which had about 1,000 people watching the game on big screen TV's. I didn't go outside but I had the window to my place open so as soon as US scored, you heard a roar that I'm sure woke up the neighbors. I went outside to see what was going on and people were honking their cars, chanting 'USA USA USA,' waving American flags and scarves and yes, blowing those demon seeded vuvuzelas. All this at 9 in the morning. Pretty exciting stuff.

Also during the game (on ESPN), they kept showing a sports bar in Seattle that was totally packed with people. And on my Facebook page, a few of my friends were at bars eating tacos and drinking beer. Remember this is 9 in the morning. Pretty exciting day for American soccer.

Hello all, just wanted to explain about the pitches in South Africa so you have a reasonable understanding as many comments have been wide of the mark. Without writing a 10,000 word essay in a nutshell and not being ultra specific as far as grass is concerned the big decisions were to carry on with the traditional methods of overseeding semi dormant summer pitches with winter type grasses (eg ellis park) or trying temporary newer methods like pure winter grass pitches without summer grass composition (eg cape town). A third option used at two stadia was to use winter grass with artificial stabilisation-normally the dormant summer grass would provide the stabilzing element as winter grass cannot devlop the lateral strength required for modern football in such a short space of time in a transitional climate.

It would appear that there has been a real mixed bag of results from total success to total catastrophe but more good than bad for sure. Please feel free to ask any questions on the individual venues surfaces and i will do my best to answer them.

How can you prove that? In any case, empty seats cannot be blamed on us South Africans, especially since we don't have any say in the ticketing system.

Stop getting so defensive! I never said it was RSA's fault! FIFA is most to blame for naff ticketting policy.

PS: Go England - should have won by so much more, the pub I was in encapsulated exactly why England deserves to win the world cup. The passion, singing, drinking, atmosphere was amazing!

Come on Ghana!!!

Actually yes. I live here in Tucson, Arizona near the University of Arizona. We have a mall not unlike the mall in DC which had about 1,000 people watching the game on big screen TV's. I didn't go outside but I had the window to my place open so as soon as US scored, you heard a roar that I'm sure woke up the neighbors. I went outside to see what was going on and people were honking their cars, chanting 'USA USA USA,' waving American flags and scarves and yes, blowing those demon seeded vuvuzelas. All this at 9 in the morning. Pretty exciting stuff.

Also during the game (on ESPN), they kept showing a sports bar in Seattle that was totally packed with people. And on my Facebook page, a few of my friends were at bars eating tacos and drinking beer. Remember this is 9 in the morning. Pretty exciting day for American soccer.


Nice to hear this! Is it possible for football (played with feet:-)) to overtake football (this curious:nuts: game played with hands) in the US one day?

Nice to hear this! Is it possible for football (played with feet:-)) to overtake football (this curious:nuts: game played with hands) in the US one day?

Now that will never happen ;). But thankfully, we have MLS which is doing very well and forever expanding and improving. I can imagine that America's run during the World Cup will help continue to draw interest not only to MLS but soccer in general.

Nice to hear this! Is it possible for football (played with feet:-)) to overtake football (this curious:nuts: game played with hands) in the US one day?

Maybe, but it would take generations for it to happen. Say 50-100 years

Fantastic atmosphere from the England fans today. Best atmosphere of any game at the World Cup so far.

Fantastic atmosphere from the England fans today. Best atmosphere of any game at the World Cup so far.


Guys,
We are awiating a gr8 duel.
It is ARGENTINA vs ENGLAND - QF.
The dream of any Football lover to watch in a stadium
'Envy those SAns who have this opportunity..

This result just gains respect!

We can play this game now.

Sad for Australia :(

Guys,
We are awiating a gr8 duel.
It is ARGENTINA vs ENGLAND - QF.
The dream of any Football lover to watch in a stadium
'Envy those SAns who have this opportunity..


Oh, I even didn't know England won the match against Germany without playing, what a pity for my country:ohno:

Time to unwind a bit now that the group stage is over. :)

Will root for Japan tomorrow.

Oh, I even didn't know England won the match against Germany without playing, what a pity for my country:ohno:

Sorry mate, was expecting Serbia to whip Australia and get to the top.
U know what? German U-21 team guys have done wonders to the team.

The way they palyed OZ, I have not seen a German Team from 1990 in such an attacking fury.
Be it 1990 Italy, 96 Euo win, 2002 Final (Ooops Bizarre), 2006 QFs & OZ match.
But this team is looking too fast and furious.

Will be difficult for England.
Anyway Argentina has a tough draw (England emotionally or Germany Skillwise)

Sorry mate, was expecting Serbia to whip Australia and get to the top.
U know what? German U-21 team guys have done wonders to the team.

The way they palyed OZ, I have not seen a German Team from 1990 in such an attacking fury.
Be it 1990 Italy, 96 Euo win, 2002 Final (Ooops Bizarre), 2006 QFs & OZ match.
But this team is looking too fast and furious.

Will be difficult for England.
Anyway Argentina has a tough draw (England emotionally or Germany Skillwise)

...and it will be difficult for Germany! The Ghana match was hard work for the team and they were a lucky at the end!
It will be tough for the winner to beat Argentina, I guess it will be impossible for Germany to repeat the victory from 2006!
If its England's turn to play against Argentina, I'll cross my fingers, I want to see Maradona crying like 1990:lol:

It's going to be had for us too, Ghana is tough.

Yes you can! ;)

Because they're lying...

Exactly.

Time to avenge Leipzig 2006.- Now its our turn to win in overtime vs "devil hand" Maradona's team.

This is the first time in WC history-

Results of the host nations:

2006- 3rd place
2002- 4th place/QF (Korea/Japan)
1998- World Champions
1994- QF
1990- 3rd place
1986- QF
1982- QF (kind of...)
1978- World Champions
1974- World Champions
1970- QF
1966- World Champions
1962- 3rd place
1958- 2nd place
1954- QF
1950- 2nd place
1938- QF
1934- World Champions
1930- World Champions

That is realy bad.
At least II round would have been face saving like Japan.

Yo India should host the 2018 World cup. Lets see if they top South Africa. Lmao!!

with the WC trending towards being shared around more, and not just with the worlds football super powers, we will see this happen more and more.

Nothing wrong with this. Not every Olympic host gets top 10 in the medal tally

Round 16: Germany vs England.
England all the way!!!!

god no, nothing better in world sport than an English fail :lol:

with the Aussies gone, I'm back to my two picks pre-WC:

1) Argentina (as long as the hobbit doesn't derail that awesome team)

2) Germany (still in shock at how good they were against us)

Yo India should host the 2018 World cup. Lets see if they top South Africa. Lmao!!

There is nothing lower than an exit in first round.:lol::lol:
Well, ground realities are considered before such massive resource wastage.

god no, nothing better in world sport than an English fail :lol:

with the Aussies gone, I'm back to my two picks pre-WC:

1) Argentina (as long as the hobbit doesn't derail that awesome team)

2) Germany (still in shock at how good they were against us)

Pls add 3) Spain to the list

Funny enough, I can't say many here care much about the fact that we've been knocked out :lol: We're just stoked about beating France and the fact that regardless, we've still got many more games to look forward to on our doorstep :cheers: Qualifying would have been a bonus.

Well, ground realities are considered before such massive resource wastage.

So we won't be seeing a Delhi bid any time soon, then? :hilarious

Pls add 3) Spain to the list

nah, Spain will choke

just like England, the minute they believe they are good enough, bang

A lot of people will be disappointed when Mexico beats Argentina.

A lot of people will be disappointed when Mexico beats Argentina.

I don't rule that out, Mexico are playing very nicely

A lot of people will be disappointed when Mexico beats Argentina.

I wouldn't be :D

A lot of people will be disappointed when Mexico beats Argentina.


Not me:banana: come on, Mexico and you will see this:

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/de/contisoccerworld/themes/02_fanzone/03_geschichte/01_bisherige_weltmeister/img/07_maradonna_de,property=original.jpg

god no, nothing better in world sport than an English fail :lol:

So remind me, where are the Aussies now then...

Not me:banana: come on, Mexico and you will see this:

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/de/contisoccerworld/themes/02_fanzone/03_geschichte/01_bisherige_weltmeister/img/07_maradonna_de,property=original.jpg

Forever a c**t. Can't wait to see him in tears again.

So remind me, where are the Aussies now then...


preparing to reclaim a little urn you buggers stole off us :lol:

:lol: Oh yes I forgot that's all you care about - though I'd say convicts are more likely to steal, wouldn't you? :p

:lol: Oh yes I forgot that's all you care about - though I'd say convicts are more likely to steal, wouldn't you? :p

hey it got my reli's a free trip out of the UK to sunny Australia :lol:

back to the topic, a couple of ripper games tonight

Denmark and Japan should be a ripper - reckon it could go either way

then we have the bloody Kiwi's...can they keep beating the odds and get another draw? unlikely, Paraguay are looking okay, but I didn't think the All Whites would get any points, let alone 2

New Zealand is out :(
NZ finish 3rd & Oh look Italy finish 4th :rofl:

New Zealand is out :(
NZ finish 3rd & Oh look Italy finish 4th :rofl:

arrivederci ragazzi :lol::rofl: what a great day

The worst world cup for Italy ever, yeeeeessssssss:lol::wave::rofl::wave:

Siamo fuori! Goodbye Italia:wave:

Hasta la vista , Italy :wave::booze:

I'm sorry but... :lol: :lol:

Vaffanculo :D

I thought this was amazing. Reactions all across the WORLD about Donovan's goal. Who said the US isn't passionate about soccer.

jbn3rOPmR9w

^^I looked like the dude in Arkansas :D

Rotten tomatoes are waiting for the italian squad at home - like 1966:banana::banana::lol::cheers:

The worst cheaters of the previous WC!!!

awesome Japan!

rLglFSV88w4

too bad

so sad

:lol::lol::lol:

suffer in your jocks Italy :nuts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLglFSV88w4
Actually he's right: Because they are worse than France !! (just like all the euro teams except Italy and Germany).... :tongue:

France, World Cup:
2006 runner-up
1998 Champions
1986 third place
1982 fourth place
1958 third place


Euro:
2000 Champions
1984 Champions

You were by far the crappest team at this WC - that is what everyone is referring (and laughing) about.

New Zealand performed better than Australia.
This will kick up the following in KIWILAND for football.
OZ should take NZ as co hosts.

This can be good for them to both win votes, reduce expenditure and this will be actual globalisation of Football.
With Rugby WC 2011 in NZ, at least they would need to worry about 3 less stadia.

@Luke80: I know, but he should have named his song: "we are not as bad as the French team of 2010" :D !

And, btw it's not "us" nor "France", but a bunch of 23 retards...

You were by far the crappest team at this WC - that is what everyone is referring (and laughing) about.

Add even 2002 for the crappiest list.
They were lucky to have won the Euro 2000 with fortune favouring them in Semis and Finals.

^^ jealous !

And what you call "fortune" can also be called "football/sport/part of the game"... Because we could also say that "fortune" favored Italy in the 2006 final...

Ohh the hurt French pride is so sweet :hug:

^^ And the basic French-bashing is annoying !

New Zealand performed better than Australia.
This will kick up the following in KIWILAND for football.
OZ should take NZ as co hosts.

This can be good for them to both win votes, reduce expenditure and this will be actual globalisation of Football.
With Rugby WC 2011 in NZ, at least they would need to worry about 3 less stadia.


not an option unfortunately.

We have co-hosted cricket and rugby WC events before, so there is no issue with co-ordination and egos (both countries actually work together really well for these kinds of events).

unfortunately FIFA will not let this happen. Australia is in the Asian Confed, while New Zealand is in the Oceania Confed.

JFYI initially FIFA wanted the NZ team out of the A-League, because they were not in our confed and it was against their philosophy of league structures. In the end after a lot of begging they gave us a pass, but we definitely got the feeling they do not love the situation.


and on NZ doing better, you do realize we finished on 4 points, they finished on 3?

I thought this was amazing. Reactions all across the WORLD about Donovan's goal. Who said the US isn't passionate about soccer.

jbn3rOPmR9w

The kid at 3:24 is hilarious

^^ And the basic French-bashing is annoying !

Yeah, but Italian bashing isn't! :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: bunch of cheating, dirty, diving bastards.

You have to watch it :D and you can even click on the ball to make a better sound of vuvuzelas :D

R8JGhoVybkM

^^ jealous !

And what you call "fortune" can also be called "football/sport/part of the game"... Because we could also say that "fortune" favored Italy in the 2006 final...

The only reason you got there was because Roberto Carlos was too busy doing his shoe-laces to man-mark Henry at that freekick...

^^ And the basic French-bashing is annoying !

Something every French boy and girl should be taught at school - get used to it. Everyone loves ripping it out of the French when they do poorly at sports. Just like the UK have the mockery of basically paying for the Eurovision Song Contest yet coming in last place each time, the Americans still call it 'soccer', the RSA have the vuvuzelas, the Argies have that c**t Maradona, and the Germans have well...lets not go there.

Don't take it personally!

and the Germans have.... ?? :)

I'm so looking forward to sunday :)
Like Gary Lineker described it in 1990: "There's no in between - you're either good or bad. We were in between." or "Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes, and in the end Germany always wins." ^^

and the Germans have.... ?? :)


their love of David Hasslehoff :lovethem:

http://4wheels4life.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/david-hasselhoff.jpg

Don't take it personally!

I don't !

The brits (some brits actually) love to bash France, I know, and so is the other way round :D !
All this is cultural and Historical !

Uneducated yanks as well, I know, and so is the other way round :D ! All this is cultural and Historical !

BUT, which is annoying is about the others (especially people from insignificant countries), who just copy what Brits and Yanks do, without a clue of what this is really about :ohno: (i.e history and cultural differences between the French and the Anglo-Saxon world) !

Oh, and BTW, when I lived in london in 97-98, I remember very well many Brits supporting the French team during France '98 ;) !
IMO, the brits who bash the French team are a bit silly and their jealousy toward the french team comes from your weak national football team who is incapable to win something since 50 years, unlike France ! :tongue:

Anyway, the real, fair and funny Franco-English mutual bashing is about our national rugby teams (at least with my English friends) ! :yes:

not an option unfortunately.

We have co-hosted cricket and rugby WC events before,..... we finished on 4 points, they finished on 3?

Well Cricket/Rugby/Hockey WCs are not as much a challenge as FIFA WC
or FIVB Championships.
So let us not confuse with the hardships involved.

Though they had 4 points, Kiwis were undefeated.
Moreover, Kiwis did not have as many Red Cards as OZ team did in this WC.
I suppose they alongwith SA can be declared the best losers/3rd finishers for the results both have achieved, like defeating last edition runnerup(Though not the best team) or holding the World Champions to a draw.
Though am not sure about the Fairplay Trophy, need to wait for atleast the semis.

Well Cricket/Rugby/Hockey WCs are not as much a challenge as FIFA WC
or FIVB Championships.
So let us not confuse with the hardships involved.

Though they had 4 points, Kiwis were undefeated.
Moreover, Kiwis did not have as many Red Cards as OZ team did in this WC.
I suppose tehy alongwith SA can be declared the best losers/3rd finishers for the results both have achieved like defeating last edition runnerup(Though not the best team) or holding the World Champions to a draw.
Though am not sure about the Fairplay Trophy need to wait for atleats the semis.

its not about how hard it is, FIFA will not allow two countries in two different confeds to co-host

as I said already, they only reluctantly allow a NZ based side in the A-League

I don't !

The brits (some brits actually) love to bash France, I know, and so is the other way round :D !
All this is cultural and Historical !

Uneducated yanks as well, I know, and so is the other way round :D ! All this is cultural and Historical !

BUT, which is annoying ..... weak national football team who is incapable to win something since 50 years, unlike France ! :tongue:



Well, I do agree. This is purely historical background that is driving.

And you are right, if not for the '66 World Cup, the English have won no major tournament.
This can be attributed to more commitment and draining of energy/spirit to the league championships.
Though the EPL is the richest, sadly it has not helped in bringing any major International title back home.
The english team playing together only 4 times before the WC is testimony that the members could not gel up as a team.
They have just promised to deceive.

I don't mock France, never have, never will. I've been there twice, and without them we would not exist as a country.

their love of David Hasslehoff :lovethem:

http://4wheels4life.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/david-hasselhoff.jpg


:bash::bleep::baeh3: http://smiliestation.de/smileys/Gemischt/117.gif http://smiliestation.de/smileys/Boese/283.gif
Just his name is german, we D O N O T love this guy!!!!
(ok, we have to be grateful, he brought the Berlin Wall down......)
http://smiliestation.de/smileys/Gemischt/117.gif

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb151/NeoG0han/1277496422531.gif

:bash:

The problem with French is that they can't take any criticism whatsoever, boosted by an inexistent sense of humour.

Unless you say France is the best at everything, you are an annoying French-basher. If what happened to the French team had happened to any other team, there would be mockery as well, it's called sports.

...The Portuguese being the football team with THE worst attitudes towards fair play. Diving left, right and centre, and then having the cheek to constantly do those stupid imaginary card signs to the ref for 90 minutes.

:P (I've got them for every nation!) :)

...The Portuguese being the football team with THE worst attitudes towards fair play. Diving left, right and centre, and then having the cheek to constantly do those stupid imaginary card signs to the ref for 90 minutes.

:P (I've got them for every nation!) :)

Completely agree, Italy and Germany aren't behind in terms of diving either.

...The Portuguese being the football team with THE worst attitudes towards fair play. Diving left, right and centre, and then having the cheek to constantly do those stupid imaginary card signs to the ref for 90 minutes.

:P (I've got them for every nation!) :)

We didn´t get any red card for the opponents with that yet :ohno:

:lol:

Paraguay girl popping up again . . .

http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/worldcup_06_25/w18_24042095.jpg

And a pretty painful kick:

http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/worldcup_06_25/w30_24046437.jpg

Both from http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/06/halfway_in_-_2010_world_cup.html

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup#Knockout_stage):

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8950/shot0182.jpg

I'm suspecting of a possible final match with Brazil and Argentina, but would love to see Uruguay winning!

Good luck to all!

Incase you missed it...wow...
oRDgVGHB6eM

^^ This Shakira-live-in-Soweto version is awesome :cheers:..

but what about the original version... (1985) :
5fidaSRIGeE

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup#Knockout_stage):

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8950/shot0182.jpg

I'm suspecting of a possible final match with Brazil and Argentina, but would love to see Uruguay winning!

Good luck to all!

Brazil so relax and easy fighter Netherlands(Q-Final), Argentina trouble take mexico(round of 16) and england or germany(Q-final) and Spain or Portugal(semi Final), Congratulations Uruguay Go!!

Another WC match, another early goal conceded.

We keep playing with fire, we're eventually gonna get burned.

Let's hope today won't be the day. :(

Attendence of 30,900 in a Stadium with 48,000 capacity for Uruguay X Korea Match.
For God's Sake this is a Knock Out match.
Not SA League Final.
What the heck is FIFA doing?
Is this realy spreading Football?????

That is shocking, poor weather or not. What is going on?!

So that is the US out. Come on England!

Two great matches today, but it looked horrendous in the stands, especially the earlier game between Uruguay vs. South Korea. When the rain poured down in the 2nd half, the stadium was more than half empty. Those spectators who ran away from the rain were a bunch of sissies IMO :ohno:

I've followed the FIFA WC since 1982 and never seen something like that in the knockout round. Just terrible !!

Fortunately, the qualify of football has been great so far in this tournament.

That's just pathetic...

The USA would have no problem at all selling out a stadium for a KNOCK OUT match.

And Uruguay´s match was a pretty good match...

Sad for the USA, was rooting for them, hoping you guys continue the good work. But it's nice to see an african team being successful.

2 great games today, England-Germany and Argentina-Mexico, can't wait.

This is by far the worst WC in history...

- worst goal average in history: 2.10
- boring games
- awful pitches (Durban looks like a potato field)
- referees making essential mistakes
- Fifa behaving like a communist regime (Bavaria Babes arrested for wearing an orange dress?)
- Security is a joke (Dutch and Australian journalists could enter every WC venue without an accreditation pass, England fan entered the English dressing room etc.)
- Goddamned Vuvuzela (I heard they forbid this thing during the last Rugby WC in SA why not at this tournament...)
- Goddamned Jabulani (Fifa investigation after the WC? A bit too late mr Blatter)
- "sold out stadiums" which aren't sold out (selling tickets 2 hours before the game starts is a little bit strange I think)

This is by far the worst WC in history...

- worst goal average in history: 2.10
- boring games
- awful pitches (Durban looks like a potato field)
- referees making essential mistakes
- Fifa behaving like a communist regime (Bavaria Babes arrested for wearing an orange dress?)
- Security is a joke (Dutch and Australian journalists could enter every WC venue without an accreditation pass, England fan entered the English dressing room etc.)
- Goddamned Vuvuzela (I heard they forbid this thing during the last Rugby WC in SA why not at this tournament...)
- Goddamned Jabulani (Fifa investigation after the WC? A bit too late mr Blatter)
- "sold out stadiums" which aren't sold out (selling tickets 2 hours before the game starts is a little bit strange I think)


I and half of the world disagree with this view! ;)

Can this really be explained just by FIFA's ticketing system. A couple of thousand under capacity, that explanation seems to make sense, but 12,000+?

ta_la6vIaFc

compare the atmosphere without vuvuzelas, SA the worst wc of the history.

Poor WC at all... After Brazil, WC should be hosted by some developed country!!!

After Brazil, WC should be hosted by some developed country!!!

It will be hosted by Russia :lol:

Poor WC at all... After Brazil, WC should be hosted by some developed country!!!

Poor conservative view of yours!! I am ashamed! :bash:

silly to even hint the WC should only be at "developed countries"

From a football perspective, most of the growth in the game is occurring in the nations which are the emerging economies, and saying "you are not worthy" if unfair and offensive.

From delivery, China delivered a great Olympics, KL a very good Comm Games, and I won't even go into the efforts for cricket world cups and Asian Games. Even with the faults of SA, their event has been more successfully run than a couple of efforts from western nations to do the Olympics I can think of.

From an economic point of view, the likes of China, India, Brazil and so on are likely to have much more influence on the world economy for its next 100 years than the USA/UK/Germany/France will. The EU may be driving TV revenues for the game today, but look at cricket. It now gets the vast majority of its revenue from India, how long until the economic growth of China and Brazil makes these two nations more important for FIFA than the EU? And before you say that can never happen, there is a reason the ICC is now based in Dubai rather than Lords, and 30 years ago we would never have thought that would happen.

as an Aussie, laughing at English misfortune is part of our DNA

that being said.....bloody hell!!! how that goal was not paid is baffling

I just hope that goal not being paid doesn't make a difference at the end of the game

The NHL is laughing at FIFA

i haven't seen anything like that in the history of world cup. the ball was almost 1m inside.
i am cheering for germany but i can't pass that fault. that assistent referee will no longer assist any football games in his life after that.

i haven't seen anything like that in the history of world cup. the ball was almost 1m inside.
i am cheering for germany but i can't pass that fault. that assistent referee will no longer assist any football games in his life after that.

100% agree - I want Germany to win, but I don't want England to lose because of THAT goal

Wow..very entertaining first half between England and Germany. England was denied an obvious goal. It's a shame!

The best game of the 2010 World Cup so far.

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3315/ffsh.png

england can still do this!!!!!!

Sepp Blatter should step down immediately. FIFA is a disgrace to the soccer world !!

Sepp Blatter should step down immediately. FIFA is a disgrace to the soccer world !!

I think Sepp has hired this dude:

"Search for the truth. I tell you things and I always ask you to verify what I say. I told you yesterday that there was not a goal and a ball behind the goal line."

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/Mohammed-Saeed-al-Sahaf_iraqi-information-propaganda-minister.jpg

Man, Germany is tearing England apart.