The World Cup Thread

Must say England had plenty of chances. One could have made a short film of the faces of Capello and the England fans in the crowd every time a chance was missed...

 

Wow! Seems like it´s going to be a huge thing in France...it´s not over yet.

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French president Nicolas Sarkozy is to hold a government meeting on Wednesday to discuss the country's disastrous World Cup showing.

Sarkozy will also meet Thierry Henry, at the striker's request on Thursday, as the inquest into the events of South Africa 2010 begins.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon, sports minister Roselyne Bachelot and junior sports minister Rama Yade will join Sarkozy to discuss how a country that won the World Cup in 1998 and reached the final in 2006 could manage just one point and a single goal at the 2010 edition.

"Those responsible for this disaster must accept the consequences, first the players, then the team management and after them the football federation," Bachelot told Europe 1 radio on Wednesday.

 

think the French pres and cabinet are also going to step down and take up soccer

 

Interesting that Henry requested the meeting, but I think the French are *slightly* blowing things out of proportion.

As for tonight's game, I don't think Germany will beat Ghana, and I think Serbia WILL beat Australia, which would knock Germany out and be a Win/Win situation for the US and England in the next round.

 

'Ennnngerlaaaand!' and 'USA! USA! USA!' go through!

Steve W.

 

When are they going to realise that nobody gives a damn about those losers. How much tax money is this meeting going to cost? Let the politicians take care of the country and the football players play football, apparently none of them knows how...

Thanks God there are still some good teams in South Africa , we almost forgot about their talents, instead of focussing on egoentric millionaires who can't even play.

 

well looks like both England and US of A are heading up, big games ahead though, Germany and Ghana also heading up the ladder..................maybe
Skip you know politics and media of course even with France losing there of course has to be some noterity involved however bad it may appear............that's just news

 

Phew that was tight for us. Now it's England vs Germany, truly a great classic.

 

Congratulations to the USA team! Now its time for a rematch against the very fast Ghana team.

England vs Germany is goin to be great as well!

 

Kaiser throws "the first rock"....

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Franz Beckenbauer claims England have been "stupid" to set up a World Cup last-16 clash with their old enemies Germany in Bloemfontein.

And Beckenbauer, a World Cup winner as a coach and a player, believes the England players are "burnt out" following a gruelling Premier League season.

England's failure to win Group C means they will meet Group D winners Germany in the first knockout phase match in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon, and Beckenbauer would rather have seen the two sides go head to head later in the competition.

"A game like this should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game," said Beckenbauer, who has already lambasted England and France already in this tournament, in Germany's Bild newspaper.

"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group."

However, Beckenbauer believes Germany are fresher than Fabio Capello's side and that this will work in their favour on Sunday.

"The English look a little tired," he said.

"There is a good reason for that: the Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions.

"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out.

"Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition.

"Of course we respect them, but we certainly don't fear them.

"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry, but they improved against Slovenia."

Beckenbauer admitted it will not be an easy game for Germany, since he expects England to be particularly motivated, not only due to the age-old rivalry between the two nations.

"What makes them dangerous is that their key players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and John Terry sense that this could be the last chance in their career to win a World Cup," he added.

"And after all, England have been waiting since 1966 for a title.

"Fabio Capello appears to have brought discipline to the troops. After they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England hit rock bottom.

"Capello has brought in a new structure."

The stage is set for "another fantastic football battle" which Beckenbauer says is guaranteed when the two teams lock horns.

"England against Germany - they were always the biggest, most unforgettable games in our history," said Beckenbauer.

"Football fans can only look forward to this classic."

 

absolutely kai, WWIII eh, I doubt we'll see another penalty shoot-out though...we definately need to improve on yesterday's performance, or I can see germany running the show...

 

I still would not be surprised Ray if it turns to be 0-0. Germany is young and a tad foolhardy. heck maybe both teams will lose

 

Shock half-time score for Slovakia vs Italy....the Slovaks are up 1 - 0! If this result holds out and the other game ends in a draw, Italy will be out!

 

thats possible Erich, I'd like to see a shoot out, just to see what way it goes? this time..

 

3 - 2 surely italy can't get another! can they? 2 mins to go...

 

the demise of the italians.. sad day...

 

I see 4 min extra time was turned into 7 by the ref.

 

Didn't appear to matter. Shock exit for Italy, following on the heels of France it seems. Can only imagine the heads that will roll in Italy.

The Dutch don't need to do anything today - already secured #1 seed - so the Denmark vs Japan game is do/or/die - whoever wins moves on, or if they end in a tie Japan moves on.

 

im heading for the pub right now to watch the orange boys...