FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread

Ms. Suave Debonair

A thread already exists but I would like to create my own because I would like to keep the OP updated as we get closer to the World Cup and during the World Cup itself.

So OK, the World Cup is happening next Summer in South Africa, the first time in Africa.

205 countries applied for qualification, a record. If you consider that the U.N. has only 193 members, you could argue football is bigger than politics!

ALL 32 PLACES HAVE NOW BEEN ALLOCATED. HAS YOUR COUNTRY QUALIFIED?

The countries that have qualified are:

! South Africa (hosts)
Japan
Australia
Korea Republic
Netherlands
Korea DPR
Brazil
Ghana
England
Spain
Paraguay
Ivory Coast
Germany
Denmark
Serbia
Italy (Current World Cup Holders)
Chile
Mexico
United States
Switzerland
Slovakia
Argentina
Honduras
New Zealand
Nigeria
Cameroon
Algeria
Greece
Portugal
Slovenia
France
Uruguay
THE GROUPS ARE DRAWN. THE ENEMIES REVEAL THEMSELVES!!

Group A:
South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B:
Argentina, Nigeria, Korea Republic, Greece
Group C:
England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia
Group D:
Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana,
Group E:
Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F:
Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G:
Brazil, Korea DPR, Côte d'Ivoire, Portugal
Group H:
Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

GET READY, IT'S ABOUT TO GET REAL!

Important Dates

! 11th June 2010 - Start of the World Cup
11th July - World Cup Final

Just so everybody knows, France cheated their way to this World Cup.

Kaiolino

As always I will root for my country Holland and as always I will see them get put in the hardest group and as always I will see them dominate against the top and as always I will see them overrate the smaller countries and as always I will see them go down the most dissapointing way possible.

Can't wait till June.

Airflow

oh yay, I get to watch England get to the Quarters and then "try their best" and lose to Portugal on penalties.

Strohhut-Ruffy

Well, Austria unfortunately didn't make it. We're in next time! Hell yeah!
But for now I'll stick with Germany. Let's hope the world cup is as epic as the last was!

BekaDidAct

We need an 2010 version of this.

Master O

The US qualified in a relatively high scoring game that ended 3-2 where Carlos Pavon of Honduras kicked a penalty over the crossbar which would have tied it for them. Mexico qualified with a 4-1 win over El Salvador.

The last game of qualifying for this region (Concacaf) will determine who automatically goes to South Africa for the third and final automatic World Cup birth, and then who becomes the sacrificial lamb for the South American team in the playoff.

So something like this:

CONCACAF/CONMEBOL Playoff: Honduras/Costa Rica vs Uruguay/Argentina

I'd say the US is a really really really really really really long darkhorse in the World Cup, but only if they don't draw all the first-tier Euro sides in their group, or god forbid, Brazil or Spain. Though Spain is beatable, as they found out several months ago…

Kiji

@Airflow101:

oh yay, I get to watch England get to the Quarters and then "try their best" and lose to Portugal on penalties.

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That game provided an epic moment on football history. Ricardo's defending the penalty with bare hands

1 thing that i find funny is that Portugal and Sweden were the favourites in the group, and now both are "fighting" to get in 2º place. And Denmark is laughing in 1º place. Ah, football~~

Local-chan

Damn. I wish I had David Mitchell's rant about the World Cup to hand from Mock the Week the other…week. Twas brilliant.

Refii

England needs a better goalkeeper.
Greece needs a new coach, Herr Otto is losing it.

I like how Uruguay, US and France play, although France is kind of eeeh. As for the favorites, Brazil is very strong, but I suspect that they'll get very tired due to the amount of games they'll play this season. Spain.. Spain lost to the US, and that scares the crap out of me, while they have an incredible lovable team, they lost against the one team that they should not have. The one team that calls it soccer in this great big world.

Lacroix

@Refii:

England needs a better goalkeeper.

agreed. David James & the other guy, Foster, are mediocre at best.

@Kiji:

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That game provided an epic moment on football history. Ricardo's defending the penalty with bare hands

yea, don't get me started on that game. i was heartbroken when we lost on penalty kicks. so unfair.

@Airflow101:

oh yay, I get to watch England get to the Quarters and then "try their best" and lose to Portugal on penalties.

it won't happen again. Portugal is struggling to even qualify for the World Cup. under their new manager, Carlos Quieroz, they haven't really been playing that well. Cristiano Ronaldo also underperforms for Portugal.

England for the win!

wolfwood

@Kiji:

1 thing that i find funny is that Portugal and Sweden were the favourites in the group, and now both are "fighting" to get in 2º place. And Denmark is laughing in 1º place. Ah, football~~

The humilation is unbearable, cant belive we lost to our arch enemy.

Kaizoku Luffy

As always, I'll be cheering for Mexico all the way to the end.

June seems so far off. I can't wait!

threedayslater

Go USA!! I shall be cheering for them like a maniac all summer, claiming how they're sooo much better than all the other teams, only to have them lose where it counts, thus crushing my soul for about a week until I decide to cheer for Italy or something.

I love the world cup.

SabZ

England will struggle to win again. Teams like Spain and Holland are looking quite strong right now. Even though England are, they just buckle in the latter stages from pressure. I also think Rooney is overrated.

Spain are the team that will probably do it, but then again, who expected Italy to go all the way last year. Expect a lot of upsets.

I love the World Cup. As far back as 98, I remember so many matches.

Master O

@Refii:

Spain.. Spain lost to the US, and that scares the crap out of me, while they have an incredible lovable team, they lost against the one team that they should not have. The one team that calls it soccer in this great big world.

Ok, seriously, why does everyone get on us for calling it soccer? Italy calls it Calcio while many Australians, Irish, and Canadians don't call it football either, since they have Aussie Rules, Gaelic, and Canadian Football respectively. Parts of the world that play Rugby Union (and League) also call their codes "football," as well.

In addition, it was English people who invented the word soccer as an abbreviation of Association Football.

So, why belabor these points?

Ms. Suave Debonair

This thread will have no soccer/football debates.

It is the same thing. Soccer is a slang derivative of Association Football. End.

Kaiolino

England sucks. They aren't a team, they're just a bunch of good footballers playing on a field who incidentally come from the same country.

Ms. Suave Debonair

That is the same for every country.

But yes, England certainly aren't the best team in the world.

7 wins out of 8 isn't too shabby though.

Airflow

And yet the media always expects Lampard and Gerrard to work perfectly together.

never happens

SuperJew

For the US, it's all gravy now. If the Stars and Stripes can get past their group stage in South Africa (no small/easy task), then its a massive accomplishment.

Barring any crazy injuries, I'll favor the Spaniards. Their midfield is just so, so, so deep with quality players and they have quality strikers.

Refii

@Kaiolino:

England sucks. They aren't a team, they're just a bunch of good footballers playing on a field who incidentally come from the same country.

@Bad-Beat:

That is the same for every country.

That's not really true.. Spain performs pretty solidly as a unit, as does Egypt.
As for other teams.. Germany's also runs a pretty tight shift as a unit, they just don't excel for some reason, despite their talent.

But to say Spain or Egypt don't really play as a unit is a crime.

Ms. Suave Debonair

@Refii:

But to say Spain or Egypt don't really play as a unit is a crime.

Well I didn't actually say that, I was responding to this…

they're just a bunch of good footballers playing on a field who incidentally come from the same country.

Lacroix

@Kaiolino:

England sucks. They aren't a team, they're just a bunch of good footballers playing on a field who incidentally come from the same country.

England only sucks at PKs, but otherwise they're a solid team. I agree that their teamwork is sketchy at times, but apparently they're working together better now. Lampard just said in an interview today, "We are in better shape. The team is working much better as a unit than it has done in the past."

@Airflow101:

And yet the media always expects Lampard and Gerrard to work perfectly together.

never happens

England always performs better when Lampard & Gerrard aren't playing together. Imo, Fat Lampard is overrated. He can't run, can't dribble, can't score, constantly misses golden chances… They should leave him on the bench since he always underperforms for England. Eh, but who knows, maybe Capello has figured out how to make the Lampard-Gerrard combo work.

Ms. Suave Debonair

We welcome Switzerland and Slovakia to the list of qualified teams. At the time of writing this Argentina and Uruguay are fighting it out to see who gets South America's last automatic spot.

11 spots left!

Usopp D. Teach

South Africa is like one of the most dangerous countries in the world. What measures is the government taking for the safety of the tourists?

Lacroix

@Bad-Beat:

We welcome Switzerland and Slovakia to the list of qualified teams. At the time of writing this Argentina and Uruguay are fighting it out to see who gets South America's last automatic spot.

11 spots left!

Add Argentina, Portugal and Ukraine to the list of qualified teams.

Master O

@Lacroix:

Add Argentina, Portugal and Ukraine to the list of qualified teams.

Honduras is now in the World Cup, as the US has sent Costa Rica to a playoff with Uruguay. USA Costa Rica ends 2-2.

StrawHat Cook

@Master:

Honduras is now in the World Cup, as the US has sent Costa Rica to a playoff with Uruguay. USA Costa Rica ends 2-2.

WOOOOOOOT!!

My country made it in!! Awesome as hell! I never thought I would see the day where my little homeland would make it in. Thank you US!! You have done us a huge favor!

Kaiolino

This post is deleted!

Ms. Suave Debonair

@Lacroix:

Add Argentina, Portugal and Ukraine to the list of qualified teams.

Portugal and Ukraine haven't qualified yet. They have a place in the playoffs.

Refii

Damn it, Greece made it to barage.. if we don't get Ukraine I forsee 4 more years of Otto =(

e1n

I'm somewhat bitter that portugal made it and sweden didn't. =/

SuperJew

Honduras: In.
Costa Rica in the Americas Playoff against Uruguay(?).

England definitely looked solid throughout qualifying, but I fear that against the elite teams they'll juuust fall short. Rio looked terrible the past several matches.

EDIT: e1n, why do you hate Ronaldo and his massive, unruly ego so much?

e1n

i was secretly hoping that argentina and portugal wouldn't make it, just for the sake of having a world cup without ronaldo and messi.

i have no problem with messi, actually, but with ronaldo i do. even when he was in united i never really liked him. and yes, i'm one of those united fans who are thankful for all he's done for us, but glad that he's finally left.

Don Quichotte De Flamingo

portugal has to be in the world cup…
germany always defeats this team so or so
also they play a good soccer and the best team should do it..

france could miss in south africa for my taste...never expexted them in the finals 2006 , but now they have no team..just ribery:getlost:

hope russia will do it..
they had bad luck in the game vs. germany and they showed good soccer

Ms. Suave Debonair

argentina and honduras are added to the list. Only 9 spots left.

StrawHat Cook

I can guarantee that we draw a nice hard group. I hope we do. Honduras is amazing when they are the underdogs. I hope we get Argentina, Holland or Spain in my group. I hope we get Spain, we have to repay them that lost in 1982 and this may be the only chance we get.

Kiji

@e1n:

i was secretly hoping that argentina and portugal wouldn't make it, just for the sake of having a world cup without ronaldo and messi.

i have no problem with messi, actually, but with ronaldo i do. even when he was in united i never really liked him. and yes, i'm one of those united fans who are thankful for all he's done for us, but glad that he's finally left.

You're discriminating a entire team for one person's ego ? That's sad. ( But yeah, I know what you mean . He's loosing it now, though. )
Still Portugal deserves to go to the World Cup. They just woke up late, but got two convincing victories on this last two matches, and got a lucky with Denmark x Sweden game. If they keep it this way, who knows..

Refii

@Don:

portugal has to be in the world cup…
germany always defeats this team so or so
also they play a good soccer and the best team should do it..

france could miss in south africa for my taste...never expexted them in the finals 2006 , but now they have no team..just ribery:getlost:

Greece always defeats Portugal.

France play well, Henry does more than Ribery IMO. He is the true leader, Anelka has also been playing very well recently.

GaaraofTheDesert

I hope Greece and Russia will make it to the World Cup. I actually think that Russia can make the difference in 2010.

Refii

I hope Greece doesn't, I hate Otto =( We play the ugliest football matches against relatively weak opponents. We only play decently against strong opponents.
Russia needs a break, they should win a title, they have a great team.

Master O

@StrawHat:

WOOOOOOOT!!

My country made it in!! Awesome as hell! I never thought I would see the day where my little homeland would make it in. Thank you US!! You have done us a huge favor!

Ladies and Gentlemen, stop the presses!: America being thanked for something its soccer team did.

Hell has officially frozen over.

Anyway, did anyone see Slovakia vs Poland where they were playing in a snowstorm? They must've been half-frozen by the time it ended!

Refii

A huge congrats to Ghana for kicking Brazil's ass in the penalties and winning the U20 cup!

DaGoomer

Come on Brazil, go and win your 6th title !

Ghana was lucky though….

Ms. Suave Debonair

Draw for the World Cup qualifying playoffs:

Republic of Ireland v France

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Greece v Ukraine

Russia v Slovenia

Ties to be played on November 14 and 18

Lacroix

@Bad-Beat:

Draw for the World Cup qualifying playoffs:

Republic of Ireland v France

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Greece v Ukraine

Russia v Slovenia

Ties to be played on November 14 and 18

predictions:

Ireland wins
Portugal wins
Ukraine wins
Russia wins

sufjan

@Lacroix:

predictions:

Ireland wins
Portugal wins
Ukraine wins
Russia wins

I agree but I would add Ireland vs. France as a toss-up, maybe it could be my bias though?

Also, it's weird seeing Portugal struggle to qualify

Kiji

@Refii:

Greece always defeats Portugal.

You're basing this statement in 2 games from Euro 2004 ?

@Lacroix:

predictions:

Ireland wins
Portugal wins
Ukraine wins
Russia wins

Ireland winning against France ? I dont know… I remember seeing France winning against England on Euro 2004 by 2-1, with them loosing the game almost till the end, and then in the last 2/3 minutes they scored the 2 goals... Somehow they always pull it off. :getlost:

And i wanted to see Czech Republic in the WC. meh, that was disappointing :sad:

e1n

i'm with the people who want to see france and portugal not make it.

Refii

@Kiji:

You're basing this statement in 2 games from Euro 2004 ?

Ireland winning against France ? I dont know… I remember seeing France winning against England on Euro 2004 by 2-1, with them loosing the game almost till the end, and then in the last 2/3 minutes they scored the 2 goals... Somehow they always pull it off. :getlost:

And i wanted to see Czech Republic in the WC. meh, that was disappointing :sad:

I'm basing this on the fact that Portugal hasn't beaten Greece in official or friendly matches in the past decade, with starters or with back-ups. You're forgetting the friendly 2-1 and twice at the Euro (or u21 level if you want to count those).
Portugal hasn't been a medium team since Figo, now they're horrible, no goalkeeper, no striker and all of their hopes rest on CR, except he's not Zidane as much as his gay fans may want him to be. Maybe the next decade.

I'm not saying Greece will qualify, in fact I hope we don't (it's the only way to fire Otto), but Portugal as of 2009 is an overrated team based off of historical victories.

France, Bosnia, Ukraine and Russia.