SportsAndLady;376109 wrote:oh really? They're in your possession? That's cool man

After this tournament.......it will be.

like_that;376081 wrote:No matter what, people will always hate on the Italians. Especially Americans, because their style of soccer is not exciting enough for them, and they can't appreciate the beauty of the strategy. All Italy does is win, and will continue to win, but people will hate and continue to make up excuses. I remember last World Cup some people tried to tell me that Italy was lucky to win the world cup. Luck? 1. You can't win a World Cup just from luck, 2. Italy only gave up two goals (an own goal, and a BS pk). Sounds more like domination to me.

lol....so are you posting from Italy? I don't mind their style, but I do find it boring. I just don't like the complaining, diving, and general bitch behavior displayed by the majority of Italian players, but I said majority....so I do like a few.

Whats the word on the game against Australia.....starting 11?

SportsAndLady;376262 wrote:Well I live in America, so I root for the Americans.

I feel as if you were all about Turkey during the Eurocup. Or is that someone else. Don't get your panties in a bunch, no need to be so defensive lol.

Automatik;376276 wrote:lol....so are you posting from Italy? I don't mind their style, but I do find it boring. I just don't like the complaining, diving, and general bitch behavior displayed by the majority of Italian players, but I said majority....so I do like a few.

Whats the word on the game against Australia.....starting 11?

Nope, half italian/half turkish, and i did live in italy for 4 years, so there is my tie there. Also went to a few WC games in 1998. Italy V Chile, Italy V Austria

rock_knutne;376271 wrote:After this tournament.......it will be.

So you're gonna have the 5 trophies in your possession? interesting

like_that;376277 wrote:I feel as if you were all about Turkey during the Eurocup. Or is that someone else. Don't get your panties in a bunch, no need to be so defensive lol.

I am half turkish, like yourself, so I was rooting for them in the Eurocup...even if they were in the WC, i'd still root for the Americans first.

ANd i'm not getting my panties in a bunch, I just was curious as to how you have the 4 trophies in your possession to clean.

Automatik;376007 wrote:lol jealous? Hardly. You post those photos like I should give a shit. HELLO....I support the US, but I will root for others. I respect Italy and their game.....its just they act like bitches, and YOU can't even deny that. If you do...well I guess you just aren't as knowledgeable about the game as I thought.

I like your homerism towards Italia though.....USA needs more fans like that....maybe we'd get somewhere.

Anyone catch the England match? I heard they looked like mud!

What's this whole "bitches" bullshit Auto? If playing hard nosed, skillfully technical and organized football is acting like a bitch you'd better think again about "knowledge". If you're talking about diving, then you surely had better think again.......Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and YES.......SPAIN, have some of the best simulators around! Even Wayne Rooney is a diver and that's a known fact!

SportsAndLady;376284 wrote:I am half turkish, like yourself, so I was rooting for them in the Eurocup...even if they were in the WC, i'd still root for the Americans first.

ANd i'm not getting my panties in a bunch, I just was curious as to how you have the 4 trophies in your possession to clean.

I too root for the U.S. However, with my blood ties (and also living in both countries) i also root for the Italians and Turks when they are in it. And i am equally as happy when they succeed. As for "possession of trophies," its called trash talk. I didn't know we had to be literal here.

The turks are better than the italians and aren't even in the world cup...semih senturk!

like_that;376293 wrote:I too root for the U.S. However, with my blood ties (and also living in both countries) i also root for the Italians and Turks when they are in it. And i am equally as happy when they succeed. As for "possession of trophies," its called trash talk. I didn't know we had to be literal here.

I don't really care who you root for dude lol

rock_knutne;376289 wrote:What's this whole "bitches" bullshit Auto? If playing hard nosed, skillfully technical and organized football is acting like a bitch you'd better think again about "knowledge". If you're talking about diving, then you surely had better think again.......Portugal, Brazil, Argentina and YES.......SPAIN, have some of the best simulators around! Even Wayne Rooney is a diver and that's a known fact!

lol still on the defensive? I just don't like how they conduct themselves on the field....is it that hard to understand? I've watched plenty of action to form my OPINION. I'm also quite aware of who dives on the international level. I really don't feel like going on with it.

Thats why it makes me proud to rep the mediocre US.....we don't do that shit!

SportsAndLady;376281 wrote:So you're gonna have the 5 trophies in your possession? interesting

I just looked it up.......in the past, if the trophy was won three times (ala Brazil in 1970) the Cup was permanently retained by the winning country. FIFA has since changed the rule, I guess they're too cheap to have another 3 pound solid gold trophy designed. So, in all actuality, Italy can not keep the current World Cup trophy for good if they win.

My picks for each group:

It's going to be tough for the US to get out of there, but if you want to take that next level, you HAVE to. We've had some stinkers in the last couple of World Cups after big expectations, so it's time to put up or shut up.

Slovenia's defense is fantastic. I believe they gave up the fewest goals during their qualifying, also can't forget about Algeria and how they beat Egypt to even get into the WC.

Algeria is no push over as you mentioned, but those are the teams the US has to beat to be taken seriously.

Jozy, Clint, and Landon give us a fantastic chance to beat anybody honestly, especially given the striking abilities of Jozy and Clint and the playmaking abilities of Donovan.

As for who I'd take out of each group:

A: France, Mexico. France doesn't play well outside of European soil, but I think they'll have a chip on their shoulder after barely escaping Ireland during qualifying (on a blatantly bad no-call) South Africa will be the first hosting country to be knocked out in group play (though I think they give great effort in one of the games)

B: Argentina, Greece. Argentina could be a sleeper to win the whole thing. They arguably have the best attack with Messi and Milito. I also think the Greeks make it out of group play.

C: England, USA.

D: Australia, Germany. Australia has a solid club, and Germany, though missing some key players including Michael Ballack, should have enough to move on at least to the knockout round.

E: Netherlands, Cameroon. Though I could definitely see Cameroon not advance especially given Samuel Eto'o and his recent actions regarding his National team.

F: Italy, Paraguay. Italy should come out of this one no matter what. Paraguay is very solid and did defeat Brazil 2-0 during qualifying.

G: Brazil, Portugal. Brazil could win the entire thing and Portugal is benefited with Cristiano Ronaldo, who if not the best player, is definitely top 3 or 4 in the world.

H: Spain, Switzerland. I would take Honduras over Switzerland, but they're not very good outside of home soil. Chile may have been dealt a damaging blow because Humberto Suazo is expected to miss their first two games of group play and could miss the 3rd against Spain as well.

Automatik;376325 wrote:lol still on the defensive? I just don't like how they conduct themselves on the field....is it that hard to understand? I've watched plenty of action to form my OPINION. I'm also quite aware of who dives on the international level. I really don't feel like going on with it.

Thats why it makes me proud to rep the mediocre US.....we don't do that shit!

Defensive? How is Italy any different from other teams as far as how they conduct themselves on the field.......HOW? I really want to here this one.

BTW, I've watched cry baby Landon Donovan and his on field antics plenty of times.......the US is NO different, especially with all the international experience they've garnered recently. Laughable!

SportsAndLady;376315 wrote:I don't really care who you root for dude lol

LOL OK MAN!

Côte d'Ivoire

There's a bracket thing on ESPN similar to the March Madness shenanigans; my friend started a group for all my friends. Maybe the few of us futbol fans on here could get one going. We could call the group "rock knutne drinks his own pee"

hoops23;376327 wrote:My picks for each group:
........A: France, Mexico. France doesn't play well outside of European soil, but I think they'll have a chip on their shoulder after barely escaping Ireland during qualifying (on a blatantly bad no-call) South Africa will be the first hosting country to be knocked out in group play (though I think they give great effort in one of the games)

B: Argentina, Greece. Argentina could be a sleeper to win the whole thing. They arguably have the best attack with Messi and Milito. I also think the Greeks make it out of group play.

C: England, USA.

D: Australia, Germany. Australia has a solid club, and Germany, though missing some key players including Michael Ballack, should have enough to move on at least to the knockout round.

E: Netherlands, Cameroon. Though I could definitely see Cameroon not advance especially given Samuel Eto'o and his recent actions regarding his National team.

F: Italy, Paraguay. Italy should come out of this one no matter what. Paraguay is very solid and did defeat Brazil 2-0 during qualifying.

G: Brazil, Portugal. Brazil could win the entire thing and Portugal is benefited with Cristiano Ronaldo, who if not the best player, is definitely top 3 or 4 in the world.

H: Spain, Switzerland. I would take Honduras over Switzerland, but they're not very good outside of home soil. Chile may have been dealt a damaging blow because Humberto Suazo is expected to miss their first two games of group play and could miss the 3rd against Spain as well.

agree with most of your picks...

IMO Italy, France, and Germany have three of the easiest groups.
I'd take Honduras over Suiss, however.
I think one of the most unexpected pivotal matches may be Camaroon and Denmark
The shame of it is I'm afraid that a very talented Côte d'Ivoire team is going to get left out of the round of 16 because of really tough group play.

I'd put cash money on Argentina for the whole shebang.

I have Argentina vs Netherlands in the final, with the Argentines winning.

I just think both teams' attacks are incredible and will overwhelm teams. I'm fairly confident with the Netherlands pick, not so much of the Argentina pick because of Maradona.

[video=youtube;X5fYJcdEeiM][/video]

SportsAndLady;376389 wrote:I have Argentina vs Netherlands in the final, with the Argentines winning.

I just think both teams' attacks are incredible and will overwhelm teams. I'm fairly confident with the Netherlands pick, not so much of the Argentina pick because of Maradona.

agree completely.

K i took an adderal so i'm being productive...I made the group

Group name: Ohio Chatter Hooligans
Password: Chatter

Just use your username on here as your bracket name

http://games.espn.go.com/bpredictor/en-us/group?groupID=30216&entryID=623411

Let me know if that link works..on the other group I did it was real confusing to find the page for the group.

Joined up S&L...

I have Brazil and Argentina in the final. Those were my picks from the get go, but I have Brazil winning.

I joined as well.

I swaggerjacked that motto from another group, but it's too good NOT to use.

"32 Nations, 1 Goal, 2 Girls, 1 Cup."