World Cup 2006....babbbby!

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

WORLD CUP 2006

Its here and nothing could make me happier, loving this sport as one of the best.
But true followers of the sport know it as what it really is true FOOTBALL.

4 of my favorite teams are in and it will be hard to cheer each on over the long haul but hoping it falls in this order Portugal, France, Spain and Brazil, all 4 are good for me but only 1 can be the winner so I am hoping its one of these four as a long time fan.

Who else is into this sport and is following the next few days and its outcome?

List your favorite 1 - 4 and lets see who comes close to there prediction, favorites reaching the top, and just guessing :)

If your not sure who all made it this far check out this link.

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/worldcup/schedule?view=date

[Reticsrule]

im not into soccer that much but i was bored today and found myself watching the first 2 games (Germany vs Costa Rica and Poland vs Ecuador). im going to root for any team that has a lot of snakes in their country lol. go Angola and Australia:D

p.s. is the world cup only once every 4 years? i thought i heard the anouncers say that and i found that really strange.

[Shad0w]

im not into soccer that much but i was bored today and found myself watching the first 2 games (Germany vs Costa Rica and Poland vs Ecuador). im going to root for any team that has a lot of snakes in their country lol. go Angola and Australia:D

p.s. is the world cup only once every 4 years? i thought i heard the anouncers say that and i found that really strange.


LOL.... yes the World Cup is once every 4 years.

I have to cheer for the home land... ITALY.... :D

[Reticsrule]

LOL.... yes the World Cup is once every 4 years.

I have to cheer for the home land... ITALY.... :D

is there a reason that its only once every four years? im glad im not a soccer fan, that would suck to have to wait four years b/w big events like that lol. ill stick with my hockey:cool:

p.s GO CANES!!!!! (i know im gonna get a lot of flaming for that remark:D)

[Shad0w]

is there a reason that its only once every four years? im glad im not a soccer fan, that would suck to have to wait four years b/w big events like that lol. ill stick with my hockey:cool:

p.s GO CANES!!!!! (i know im gonna get a lot of flaming for that remark:D)


Even though the world cup is once every 4 years, the event is ongoing, as the qualifying rounds of the competition take place over the three years preceding the final rounds.

The tournament's final phase involves 32 national teams competing over a four-week period in a previously nominated host nation, with these games making it the most widely-viewed sporting event in the world.

One of the most compelling aspects of the tournament is the build up and the structure. After one tournament finishes there is a bit of a layoff and then the qualifying begins again. You watch as the countries battle it out to make the final and then as the qualifiers get ready to play. For one month every four years you put life on hold and watch the greatest spectacle on earth. Then the cycle repeats.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Basically its a rather expensive event alot like Olympics and not every nation could or would be able to fund this event in there country let alone all the countries be able to attend every say 1 - 2 years. The Euro Cup was finished most recently covering the teams from Europe and that is more recent. Even in Latin America they have there series as well as Africa too. Although I love this sport if it was as common as say baseball or hockey with a new champion every year I myself would be a bit bored watching it. The fact its a long intensive qualify endeavour to reach to top 4 in each group for the World Cup is 1 of the main reasons I support the game and get excited about the wait for the next 4 years and so on.

Its not everyone' s sport as its a long 90 minute game, a vast field to cover and some say the net is large but how many goals do you really see happen so the net does not need to be small, lol. Also with North America really getting involved in the last few years it might reach a status of hockey and American football one day, who knows. The game is intense and it does take major skill. For me the game has a major respect factor, its the fans that go and break the rules but its rare to see players change the rules and be disrespectful to the game and its refrees like you see in other sports. Gotta love the yellow and reds cards, those pieces of paper are the law :)

As for today I was happy to see Germany take it and Ecuador as well.
Can' t wait to see my teams face them too.

England vs. Paraguay
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Sweden
Argentina vs. Ivory Coast

Are next...

[Reticsrule]

wow i never realized it was that big of a deal but then again it is the "game of all nations" or whatever they call it that basically says its played all over the world lol. i was glad to see Ecuador beat Poland today but i was hoping Germany would fall to Costa Rica, cuz we both know who has more snakes lol;)

[boa]

Since I was 10 years old nearing 14 year's later now i have always followed my 2 Football Clubs Brazil & Germany these 2 are the best football clubs hands down,

Itlay is great team & Spain had a great year 8 years ago.

I say Germany will Win this year.

Great tread you started it will be cool to see what people choose for teams thoughts ect,

[JimmyDavid]

Well Tony, You know wich team is my fav, lol. PORTUGAL!!!
In fact, today there's going be Angola-Portugal on tv. I'll watch that for sure.
Figo, Deco, Ronaldo, Pauleta, Petit, Simão.... just too much talent in one team. But i think that not even They can stop Brazil.... It's gonna be hard.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Reticsrule:

Keep watching this game it can get addictive, and you might find teams you will want to cheer for even if they have no reptiles in there countries, lol. Enjoy it, we all do and sure it helps when those particular countries have those amazing favorite reptiles as well.

Shawn:

Thanks, Germany eh....could happen lets see in a few days :)

Bob:

Italy....I knew it, I am sure they will be in or close to the finals indeed.

JimmyDavid:

Waz up brother.....for sure gotta see Portugal today, the whole community is on fire waiting to see today' s moving forward game....Viva Portugal.....goallllllllllll !

A recap of yesturday for following fans.

A tie between the T' s - Trinadad / Tobago and Sweden. 0 - 0
As expected Argentine creams Ivory Coast. 2 - 1
And When England is involved its a sweet match and yes they took there forward easily with Paraguay. 1 - 0

Previous scores with others were.

Germany vs Costa Rica 4 - 2
Ecuador vs Poland 2 - 0

And if anyone wants todays games notice, here goes.

Serbia & Montenegro vs. Netherlands
Mexico vs. Iran
Angola vs. Portugal

[PrinceRannel]

America is taking home the cup guys!!!

[Reticsrule]

America is taking home the cup guys!!!

not if they keep playing like they did today vs the czech republic;)

anyone see that australia-japan game? what a comeback by the aussies! they may be my new favorite team lol. Tony, youre right, this does kinda get addicting:)

[manville]

hey guys, when is the france v.s. switzerland game? Pacific time!

[Paul_Begg]

http://soccer.sportsnet.tsn.ca/tv/
there you go!
england all the way
cheers
Paul

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Well let' s see, past game and scores.

Italy vs. Ghana 2 - 0.....the streets here were crazy just like when Portugal won the day before. These 2 countries are so similar with the love for this sport.

United States vs. Czech Republic 0 - 3.....did not surprize me even though I read this lenghty report how USA could win the cup, but like this game showed not gonna happen that easy.

Australia vs. Japan 3 - 1....very true Reticsrule, a major come back that game rocked.

Angola vs. Portugal 0 - 1....homeland territory here on both sides, I was hoping for a better score record but how the game started in 1st 15 seconds a possible goal and at least possibly 3 - 4 more throughout would have been amazing, but for now a simple win is good too. Jimmy how crazy was the motherland watching this game? Here it was insane, with cars everywhere with supporting flags.

Mexico vs. Iran 3 - 1....I was cheering Mexico here, more because like Reticsrule puts it, more reptiles here and well boas indeed.

Serbia & Montenegro vs. Netherlands 0 - 1....was not sure where to cheer for but overall a nice game.

Now today has me torn, 2 favorite countries, 1 on my list over the other but not facing each other though.

France vs. Switzerland (Time (ET/PT)) 11:30 am / 8:30 am :)
Brazil vs. Croatia
South Korea vs. Togo

Yup cheering France and Brazil here, for sure.

Manville, this is your game who you looking to win?

Then tomorrow' s games are.

Spain vs. Ukraine
Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia
Germany vs. Poland

Reticsrule, great to hear your like this sport....enjoy and goalllllllll !

[xclairex]

GOOOOO ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:zi:

[manville]

hahaha, i was going for switzerland. This is an upset for France so im happy.

[Paul_Begg]

GOOOOO ENGLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wise words!
You a brit too?
cheers
Paul

[JimmyDavid]

Hey Tony, People here were not that crazy about it. Normal day!! I guess the craze only begins later when the big teams are playing against each other.

The game was not so hot. It was cool to see Figo's work for the goal, though. I think that Figo is the best professional player over 30 at this point in the world.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

France vs. Switzerland 0 - 0
Brazil vs. Croatia 1 - 0
South Korea vs. Togo 2 - 1
Spain vs. Ukraine 4 - 0
Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia 2 - 2
Germany vs. Poland 1 - 0

Gotta love Spain and that game. wish France made at least 1 goal but oh well for now. And Brazil super sweet indeed.

Jimmy indeed with Figo, I was happy to see him share the fame and not hog the ball as in Euro.

LOL....so we got a few Brits here, eh....good to hear, can' t wait to see where it pans out at the end :)

Tomorrow' s games.

Ecuador vs. Costa Rica
England vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Sweden vs. Paraguay

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Ecuador vs. Costa Rica 3 - 0
England vs. Trinidad & Tobago 2 - 0
Sweden vs. Paraguay 1 - 0

Todays games are:

Argentina vs. Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands vs. Ivory Coast
Mexico vs. Angola

Saturday though will be interesting:

Portugal vs. Iran - Cheering Portugal here.
Czech Republic vs. Ghana
Italy vs. United States - Will Italy serve notice to USA, I' ll be cheering for it.

Sunday will have a few sweet games too:

Japan vs. Croatia
Brazil vs. Australia
France vs. South Korea

[JimmyDavid]

Well, Argentina's game is done, now. They won (6-0) and i believe it's the highest score so far....

Yeah, Portugal's game is tomorrow. I believe Iran isn't gonna be much trouble, but who knows...

[Reticsrule]

how about that Mexico/Angola game! i couldnt believe Angola pulled out a tie. i was hoping that they would upset Mexico, but ill take the tie. if it wasnt for that damn Andre getting a red card and Angola playing with 10 people for the last couple minutes of the game, Angola may have been able to pull off the upset lol. now if only Australia can upset Brazil........lol

[JimmyDavid]

With that tie everything is still unknown for that group. But I'm sure Portugal will start clearing all that tomorrow, lol. I think they should spice that game with an extra game agreement: Looser has to provide as much free oil as the winner asks for!! LOL

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Jimmy:

Wasn' t that a beautiful game Viva Portugal :)

[JimmyDavid]

Was just fine for me :)
As long as they keep playing good everything is possible. After Mexico Portugal will either get Argentina or Holand.

[Shad0w]

Congrats to the portugese today :D

Hopefully Ghana will win... will be the first african team to win a match this tourney...

And of course my heart is with Italy later today vs the US :D Send those yanks home!!! :D

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Bob:

Thanks on the Portuguese.
And yes I am cheering Italy today as well.
Love the yanks but, heart is European - besides they have baseball, lol.

[Shad0w]

Jeezus this Ghana vs Cze game is good!

The Cze goal keeper is doing an incredible job!

[Shad0w]

Congrats to all African fans...

Ghana played an awesome game today... total powerhouses!!!!!!!

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Indeed Ghana played great, major congrats.

Just got home to watch Italy in the half now, so I see 1 - 1 and lots of blood amazing. Just came from a Portuguese tour through little Portugal and little Italy, lots of fans on both sides in the streets, this is the best sport hands down.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

I don' t get it, Italy with a history in football (soccer) from the late 1800s can' t set USA straight and at least gain 2 goals over them....geeez. I was actually cheering on Italy in the last half that I watched. Sorry not a fan for USA in soccer, but are they that good to hold Italy at bay with there generations of experience.

Ouch.......I so thought 2 - 1 but the funny part that was almost USA with 2 - 1.

Bob not grinding Italy just thought they would teach USA a lesson in war so to speak.

[Shad0w]

No doubt.. Im very disappointed...
I cant believe italy scored on themselves and it cost em the win :(

Italy better get its **** together before next game :(

[Reticsrule]

you know, im an American, but i could care less how they do in this world cup for some reason lol. i feel like cheering the Africans, so i was really happy (and surprised!) with the result of the Ghana vs. Czech game:D

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Reticsrule:

Don' t get me wrong nothing against Americans, I' m just a European lover of true football and I must cheer on those teams first ;)

Being a constrictor lover as well, where do the best boa morphs come from - USA indeed :)

Portugal vs. Iran 2 - 0
Czech Republic vs. Ghana 0 - 2
Italy vs. United States 1 - 1
Japan vs. Croatia 0 - 0
Brazil vs. Australia .....................still playing
France vs. South Korea....................still playing

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Portugal vs. Iran 2 - 0
Czech Republic vs. Ghana 0 - 2
Italy vs. United States 1 - 1
Japan vs. Croatia 0 - 0
Brazil vs. Australia 2 - 0
France vs. South Korea 1 - 1

The rest of this week coming, in order and 3 games per day are:

Togo vs. Switzerland
Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine
Spain vs. Tunisia
Ecuador vs. Germany
Costa Rica vs. Poland
Sweden vs. England
Paraguay vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Portugal vs. Mexico
Iran vs. Angola
Ivory Coast vs. Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Czech Republic vs. Italy
Ghana vs. United States
Japan vs. Brazil
Croatia vs. Australia
Saudi Arabia vs. Spain
Ukraine vs. Tunisia
Togo vs. France
Switzerland vs. South Korea

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Well lets re-cap these past games with score history.

Togo vs. Switzerland 0 - 2...............missed this 1.
Saudi Arabia vs. Ukraine 0 - 4.........nice but easy win.
Spain vs. Tunisia 3 - 1.................another move forward, beautiful.
Ecuador vs. Germany 0 - 3..............total dominance :)
Costa Rica vs. Poland 1 - 2...........missed this 1.
Sweden vs. England 2 - 2..............this one was hard to watch, thought England was coming in harder.
Paraguay vs. Trinidad & Tobago 2 - 0.........missed this 1.

Now for today.

Portugal vs. Mexico 2 - 1.............yeah baby loved the game.
Iran vs. Angola 1 - 1.......sorry guys, better luck next time.

For Portugal' s win today there is no doubt the chops will flash there 3 solid wins down little Italy :)

Coming up.

Ivory Coast vs. Serbia & Montenegro
Netherlands vs. Argentina
Czech Republic vs. Italy
Ghana vs. United States
Japan vs. Brazil
Croatia vs. Australia
Saudi Arabia vs. Spain
Ukraine vs. Tunisia
Togo vs. France
Switzerland vs. South Korea

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Czech Republic vs. Italy...........0 - 2, very nice to see where this goes.
Ghana vs. United States..........2 - 0, beautiful game sorry USA.
Japan vs. Brazil..........4 - 1, could it get any more easier, but my Brazil side family is super happy as they should be.
Croatia vs. Australia................2 - 2, loads of excitement here was cheering the rooos.

I just love this sport so much.

[Reticsrule]

well since no one else is paying attention, i guess ill chime in again lol. now that the US is out im rooting for Ghana, Australia, and any South American teams that are still in it. i watched the Brazil-Japan game today and i was amazed at how great Brazil was (this was the first time i had seen them play)! im gonna have to throw in my vote for them to win it all.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Just a follow up on past games of the week and weekend.

Portugal vs. Mexico 2 - 1
Iran vs. Angola 1 - 1
Ivory Coast vs. Serbia & Montenegro 3 - 2
Netherlands vs. Argentina 0 - 0
Czech Republic vs. Italy 0 - 2
Ghana vs. United States 2 - 1
Japan vs. Brazil 1 - 4
Croatia vs. Australia 2 - 2
Saudi Arabia vs. Spain 0 - 1
Ukraine vs. Tunisia 1 - 0
Togo vs. France 0 - 2
Switzerland vs. South Korea 2 - 0

Germany vs. Sweden 2 - 0
Argentina vs. Mexico 2 - 1
England vs. Ecuador 1 - 0
Portugal vs. Netherlands 1 - 0 .....choas at its best, lol.
Italy vs. Australia 1 - 0 .....congrats Italy, hope we can face you soon.
Switzerland vs. Ukraine .....still playing.

Bob, are you feeling lucky today?

Jimmy, how was Portugal taking that win yesturday?

I got a couple of photos from yesturday about 20 minutes after we knew we won.

http://www.reptilescanada.com/gallery/data/500/PORTUGAL_TOP_8_WIN.jpg

[.derek.]

go france.........

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Yahoo France moved forward :)

So final 8 are:

France
Portugal
Germany
Italy
Brazil
Ukraine
England
Argentina

So congrats to those teams moving forward.

Today was the beginning of getting the final 4, with Italy taking out Ukraine 3 - 0 and Germany going threw a shoot out at 1 - 1 and penalty shoots at 4 - 2.

Tomorrow is a big deal for Portugal with so many yellow cards and a few reds, will struggle with England, but it should be interesting. Then France facing Brazil, one side my nation otherside a great team with major talent.

[Aaron_S]

it's been a long time since I've ever posted here...but good thread to come back to!

I pick Italia vs Brazil in the Finals. Always pushing for my country of Italy!
England will probably beat Portugal tomorrow morning but I don't think they'll get past France or Brazil. I'm also pretty sure Brazil will put it in the bag. Making them the only South American team to push to the finals. I was going for Argentina over Germany and they ALMOST had it.

[Aaron_S]

Going to the semi's... Italy vs Germany. Portugal vs France.

I can't believe the two powerhouses are gone! Soccer has chance for anyone to win. Although both the winners played well but I think England outplayed their opponents even with 10 men and two of their best off.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

VIVA PORTUGAL





VIVA FRANCE

What a day, 2 of my national teams move forward, sad in a way was thinking Brazil but honoring nationality has to be first on my mind no matter what.

Can' t wait for next week.

[Aaron_S]

Italy beats out Germany with less than 2 minutes left in extra time! Pretty sweet ending to the entire thing. Kept going back and forth.

[Shad0w]

Forza Azzurri!!!!

Viva Italia!!!!!!!!!!!! :d

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Italy vs Germany.

An amazing game indeed, a well deserved win for Italy. Tensions here with Italy and Portugal are getting rather extreme as both teams have a love / hate relationship during the Euro and World. But I enjoyed the game and as said well deserved win over Germany, although like most of the world I also believe Ukraine was robbed with those 12 seconds against Italy. If it went to penalties who knows who would of won there, but 12 seconds and a penalty vote for Italy seems to well planned and the world saw it and felt Ukraine was robbed. So did Italy deserve to face Germany, maybe but not with that single goal.

All 4 teams left deserve there chance at that cup, I don' t know all the history of each team. But 3 have already won this cup before. So Portugal I believe is the hungriest of the 4 to win it. Taking out England was amazing as they only needed to know our team was all yellow carded. Beckam and Roonie totaly ruined it for England so I thank them :)

Since the last 16, what I felt would happened with some teams didn' t and there has been a weird way of turn out as well, if this goes to the final then its easy to see Portugal vs Italy. In this happening watch the news it won' t be pretty as both nations will exploit the others loss. Every city with a little Italy and a little Portugal will be celebrating the others defeat.

So...............Forca Portugal :)

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Well it would have been an amazing game if Portugal faced Italy, just because of the amount of fans on both sides in our province and most likely all of Canada. Although a sad day for Portugal the winners there are still part of me as well, so I' ll cheer them on and hope they take out Italy.

Both were champions before so it will be an amazing game as well. I was so surprized, well maybe not that I only saw 2 cars with French flags through out this whole tournament. Guess I' ll be the 3rd :)

Now were are aiming for 3rd place, but let' s get real nobody remembers 2nd let alone 3rd so will we really try and take 3rd with Germany. Maybe....but is it really worth it :(

Here is a list of winners since the World Cup has been active and how many times they won.

BRAZIL : 5
ITALY : 3
GERMANY : 3
URUGUAY : 2
ARGENTINE : 2
ENGLAND : 1
FRANCE : 1

[Aaron_S]

I hope to see Italy beat France. I think they will, France didn't play too well against Portugal and got mainly lucky near the end with all the chances Portugal missed. Definetely both games left will be entertaining. I don't think Germany would let them be pushed out of the top spots on their own grounds! I expect them to beat Portugal. Hopefully they do as I have them in my pool;)

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Aaron, way funny!

I don' t see Portugal winning Germany, I am hoping for it but I also don' t see the host country losing 1st, 2nd, and now 3rd. The politics in sports and with soccer is rather unique but it can be seen that a host country wants some glory no matter what.

As for France and Italy, hmmm France took its time building up to be where they are and well Italy got some real nice referees. I am hoping for 90 minutes of clean masterful skill work, just hoping the yellow card happy referees let these guys battle it out as the world wants.

If indeed it is a fair game between Portugal vs Germany I see it going to shoot out with 3 - 4. And France and Italy at 2 - 1. If I get these right I' ll try lotto next :)

[Shad0w]

FORZA AZZURRI!!!!!!!!!!!!! We did it ... WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hate that it came down to penalty kicks, but a win is a win.

Besides, I feel that the sole goal that France got was unjust... that pentalty call was wrong IMO.

Not to mention I cannot believe what Zidane did... what a poor way of going out and ending his career...

I was also disgusted in how many of the France players, including their coach took their second place medals off and stuffed them in their pockets as soon as they were awarded to them... VERY POOR sportsmanship...

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

Agreed.

Great game and no matter what it took 120 minutes to prove both teams were great....no matter what the gain was to get each goal (don' t forget Australia - Bob :) )

A shoot out is ok, not the best way to win.....but with Zidane going that way for red card, Henry pulling out in last few minutes......hmmm our 2 best penalty guys out..........the game was good but fishy. Zidane is to retire going that way was not great but people don' t remember the great with great background they remember the choas and well he did it and buried France after bringing them to the top....who knows why. I am sure he is mature enough to know what he was doing and what will be the out come from it, hope the money was worth it to sacrafice a career in good name and a country that loved him. May never hear why he did it but the 200 million dollar Italian scandal is in court now, as a joke who knows how much of that went to the games and right people ;)

But like I said great game up to about 120 minutes....that alone says 2 champions can not beat each other in a fair game. The shoot out was good, but its really just luck and alot of pressure on those goalies.

Oh well 2 more years Euro and 4 for next World.......congrats Italy.

[Aaron_S]

Sweet game! France did exceptionally well in the second half. Buffon kept Italy alive to make it to the penalty kicks. Well deserved places for both teams.

Truely terrible how Zidane put himself out of the game with such a stupid incident! Too much on the line to let an opponent talking smack get to you. Especially for a captain.

I was right about Germany! Never would a host team let themselves be kicked out of the top 3. Or they'll at least go down with a fight. Sucks though, only got second place in my pool. I can't complain since I knew absolutely nothing other than that England and Brazil are the top teams going into the tournament. Everyone else is pretty much on par with some crappier teams thrown into it.

[Shad0w]

For those that missed the game, here is the infamous Zidane head butt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1i_l0OeeMc

..

[HeavenlyHerps]

Im not much of a sports fan myself but living in Italy I had no choice but to go and watch the last 4 games. I tell you one thing, when Italy and the US tied, being American I had to hide in the back of a bar. A friend of mine got his American flag stollen right out of his hand, when the car that took it came back they tossed it on the ground and ran over peeling out in there car. The Military base told us to either stay in doors or stay were we were at untill the Italians calmed down. Crazy stuff, when Italy one the cup the whole town went nuts. Even the old Italian ladys came out of there houses and started yelling and tossing French Fries out into the streets. There was French Fries being tossed out windows and cars, it was nuts. After the local girls started taking there shirts off I headed back in the bar were the owner was handing out free shots. Just thought I would toss that all in, figured some foot ball fans would like to know what happend out here.:zi: