I've watched every match so far... but only the weekend games live. I think I will officially have no life the last round of group play, when there are 4 games a day. I'll get home from work, watch 6 hours of soccer, and go to bed.

Today was the first time I screwed up. Stupidly went to ESPN.com and found out the results of the Japan - Cameroon and Italy - Paraguay matches before I had the chance to watch.

Was really excited about the WC this year, but these fucking horns are ruining it

I dont see how a noise can ruin something...Does it really bother people that much?

DeyDurkie5;389640 wrote:Yeah and that was 4 years ago...I'm talking about the match today and how they looked compared to the other top tier teams in this cup. They looked the worst out of them and if you disagree then I don't know what to tell ya. It's okay to admit your italians just aren't as good as their 06 team rock, the world won't end.

There is no denying that, but the problem is it happens all the time. Remember Euro 08 when Netherlands looked like they were gonna steamroll to the title after the group stage...

It happens a lot, which is why I wont make anything of the way a team looked, just on the results they gain. Brazil looked great last WC I though, and then France goes on and knocks them out pretty handily. Italy looked like ass today after the first 20 minute and last 10, imo. BUT they got the draw, which in the end will more than likely be enough for 1st in the group.

Either way, Italy didnt look good today and didnt look good in the warm-up matches, but as long as they get the result we will all just have to keep hoping they lose the next match.



BTW rock, US (like everyone) embellishes a foul. The difference is the writhing in pain. Ive discussed my stance before so I wont go into full blown explanation. I just think the Italians are the worst, but I dont think it detracts from the game like some do. I also dont remember all out dives like I have seen from others (I forget the guy who was carded the other day....and, Rossi today, which I didnt understand anyway).

Yes it is extremely annoying and I wasn't even watching it.Turned it on for a second and thought a swarm of bee's was attacking.Watched it to see if they did and shut it off.

pinstriper;389747 wrote:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXo2nm2ODF0&feature=player_embedded

Don't know if anyone has posted this yet, and I'm too lazy to go back and look. I though it was hilarious though.

Oh man, that is awesome on so many levels.

This is great.

http://deadspin.com/5561573/annoying-use-of-the-vuvuzela-throughout-history-a-video-retrospective?skyline=true&s=i

rock_knutne;389612 wrote:I heard the same garbage from people like you four years ago and look what happened. As I said before, typical opening World Cup match for Italy......they look good for stretches and then fall alseep only to wake up and get something out of the match.

how proud you must be.!






All busting chops aside, the Azurri are clearly second tier this year........
no one expects them to be in it at the end, and they did nothing to disappoint that notion against Paraguay yesterday.
that is the beauty of WC........you cannot hold it for long.













(thank God those dramatic flopping Italians will be flying back to Rome soon).

I'd much rather be able to turn the sound system on and hear different chants/cheers throughout the game rather than keep the volume real low. I'd probably watch more games.

That's the one thing I hate about the vuvuzela horns is that it drowns out the crowds chants.

I loved the chanting going on between the two sides during the USA - England game, but 90% of the time it was drowned out by the damn horns.

It seems like the ones who complain about the horns are the ones who kind of feel "obligated" to watch the World Cup since it is a big international sporting event, but know going in they aren't going to like it. It's like a built in excuse.

If it's not horns, it's the atmosphere was too dull, or the game was too hard to follow, or the game started too early because of the time difference, or the announcers weren't American... and on and on.


Most others were introduced to them at the Confederations Cup last year, so they knew it was coming.

killdeer;390016 wrote:the Azurri are clearly second tier this year

Laughable statement.

The more I read these idiotic comments about Italy the more I'm convinced that some of you are clueless when it comes to this sport.

rock_knutne;390094 wrote:Laughable statement.

The more I read these idiotic comments about Italy the more I'm convinced that some of you are clueless when it comes to this sport.

the more you speak the less credibility you have. If you can't see the Italians are down this year and look bad based on the first game, then you shouldn't be talking sports

Best game of the first round (first time through group stage) is underway. Cote d'Ivore vs Portugal. No Drogba for the Africans. Hopefully we get an early goal so the teams are more adventurous and not sitting back for too long.

Wooohoo! I'm awake. Let's go Elephants!

Ronaldo just fools the refs

Solid dive to get things going...

What a shot

Holy shit, what a shot and what a save. He may be a diving fairy but that greaser can BALL.

Horrible officiating so far in this game

Automatik;390174 wrote:Holy shit, what a shot and what a save. He may be a diving fairy but that greaser can BALL.

What save? That hit the post!

This official is terrible. Inconsistent and just plain missing half the calls. Ronaldo has already dived twice, its pathetic. You would think he would have learned by now that people (his teammates) despise it when he does it. The second one was a foul, but he still dove before the foul occurred.

Ronaldo again dives but at least time the official didn't card anyone

Laley23;390192 wrote:This official is terrible. Inconsistent and just plain missing half the calls. Ronaldo has already dived twice, its pathetic. You would think he would have learned by now that people (his teammates) despise it when he does it. The second one was a foul, but he still dove before the foul occurred.

I thought the keeper got a finger on it.

Ronaldo is a douche!