The World Cup Thread

Another weird fumble by the Algerian goalkeeper this time, maybe the ball is doing the trick in the end? As is supposed to.

Awful handballing mistakes by the Algerian and Serb players, leading to both teams losing their match. No problem for the ref to give the red card.

 

I remember reading about the "contraversy" over this new ball design, and how some players hated it and others loved it. Never did figure out the problem with it, does it fly "silly" like a "knuckle ball" in baseball or something?

 

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Italy goalkeeper says problems with World Cup ball are wide-ranging

Metro - Italy goalkeeper says problems with World Cup ball are wide-ranging

Will the new World Cup soccer ball bend? Physics plays a role in on-ground action.

Physics experts at the University of Adelaide believe the new ball created for the 2010 World Cup, called the Jabulani, will play "harder and faster", bending more unpredictably than its predecessor.

Will the new World Cup soccer ball bend? Physics plays a role in on-ground action


Players complain of World Cup “supermarket” ball

Players complain of World Cup “supermarket” ball «2010 South Africa





Italy goalkeeper says problems with World Cup ball are wide-ranging

 

Spaniard, would you mind cutting down on the copy/past + links in this thread? We've all seen and heard the reports, I want to keep this thread on 'discussion', not regurgitation of online articles etc.

Every World Cup (and Euro Cup too I think) gets a newly designed ball that is supposed to be 'better' then in years past. This one seems to take the cake though, as widespread talk of how it moves about is coming from all players and teams. It seems like it is more unstable then before.

 

I'ts good to see the germans playing like a team that could go all the way! A decent performance at last..I'm looking forward to tomorrow, to see if italy are going to be likely candidate's too..

 

I wouldn't look too much into Germany vs. Australia. Australia is the oldest team in the tournament, afterall, and even the US beat them up 3 - 1 in a friendly.

 

I't's more the style in which germany are playing that is good to see..

 

Just got back from columbus but i watched the USA England match in full. Decent match played by the States, when Stevie G scored after 4 minutes i thought we were going to get blown out. Surprised to see Gerard score, he's usually useless internationally.. However, i thought the England team put in a very uninspiring performance against the States. The USA played decent, they equalized then were content to sit back and let England bring it to them, i wish they would have went for the win, but i'll settle with a draw. I think it is unfair to say the US could not have scored against England, Jozy was giving slow as molasses Carragher fits. If the USA wanted to press i think they could have scored one more on England in the late stages. Hell if Jozy would have centered the ball on his break the US would have walked away with 3 points..

 

Germany by far are the most impressive team so far. They looked solid at the back and devastating going forward. Helped out a lot by the Aussie back four though.

Italy, Spain, Holland and Brazil still to come - looking forward to those matches.

I still see England finishing top of their group and progressing to Quarter or Semi final at least. It's a shame the doom mongers are out in full force after Saturdays game.

 

I can gurantee you Ledly King wont play again (or for more then a half) which means Slow-as-molasses Garragher will be part of the back-4. As talented as some players are, i think the team is lacking, a bit too old/injury prone, and will finish top 2 in the group, but not make it out of the 2nd round.

Germany played well against a crap team. I'm still not convinced they are as good as they 'looked' against Old-Man Australia. Most of the Australians are no-namers, and while Cahill is good (and unlucky to be sent off, i think) he isn't going to be carrying the team forward. They're just not a good team, and had to play a consistently good team. First blowout of the WC, yes, but I think most teams will blow out Australia if they are any good.

 

I want to see the dutch and italy perform like we know they can, and the the longer they stay in the world cup, the more colourful the tournament, as with brazil..

 

Surprise 1st half as Paraguay lead Italy by a score of 1 - 0 in our first foul weather game. Certainly a physical game so far, but Paraguay is living up to my expectations in finishing in the top 2 of their group, and if they pull off a win against Italy I might favor them to go #1 in the group!

 

Italy have no play makers, and strikers are none effective, no serious chance this time around! shame! as italy are a good side to watch? when they play well, that is..

 

The Italians certainly play dirty - lots of fouls, lots of ones they got away with. Cambrosio (sp?) should have been sent off for a double-yellow but some how he got away with a blatant, with-intent, foul that would have gotten him a 2nd yellow.

 

creative, the Italians need to be to continue.. and as for capello! he's no longer flavour of the month? and if friday's game against algeria bombs! the knives will be sharpened..

 

The Algeria game will be totally different. The performance against USA was abysmal and nowhere near the quality of the more recent games. Perhaps a fit again Barry will adress the midfield mess.

 

rooney on song, and possibly crouch too, I don't like crouch but! he could provide the balls for rooney to pop 1 or 2 in, hopefully, but a 90 min game is needed? no walkabouts..

 

Congrats Ray! You just capped 7,000 posts.

 

Just under an hour or so to go before the big Portugal vs Ivory Coast game. I'm interested in seeing if Drogba plays and how much of an impact his broken arm is. Portugal have a lot to prove, in my eyes, if they are to be taken seriously this year.

The NZ vs Slovenia game is relatively skill-less as expected, NZ losing by 1 at this point. Could tie in, but neither team a threat in the group.

 

1-1 now..matt.. now a result.. 1-1