World Cup and European leagues

[BoBo]

The Americans Defining moment.

[ScotsFan]

This World Cup just keeps getting better and better!

First the Frenchies are eliminated. 

Then the US wins their group and England also advances out of the group. 

And today, the Italians get the boot to the Slovaks no less!!!   

I figured France would have a tough time advancing with all the turmoil surrounding their coach and their team.  But, I never dreamed Italy wouldn't advance because they had such a weak group.  I am so happy we won't have to witness any more world class flopping and crying from the Azzurri!!!   

[sac]

Tears for Italy?.........didn't think so.

Italy v France, Sunday.  Drama Queen Cup.

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As many as 5 South American teams, (and one CONCACAF  ) could top their group this year. 

As it stands,  between Uruguay, South Korea, United States, Ghana......one of those four teams will be in the Semi-Finals. 


...the tournament needed some drama and the last two days have provided plenty.

[sac]

Portugal/Brazil tomorrow, wonder if one of them might dog this match to avoid the potential matchup with the Netherlands in the quarters.

[Ralph Turner]

Tears for Italy?.........didn't think so.

Italy v France, Sunday.  Drama Queen Cup.

--------------------------------------------


As many as 5 South American teams, (and one CONCACAF  ) could top their group this year. 

As it stands,  between Uruguay, South Korea, United States, Ghana......one of those four teams will be in the Semi-Finals. 


...the tournament needed some drama and the last two days have provided plenty.

Yeah, I did not want to mention the prospects of that happening for my favorite team.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Tears for Italy?.........didn't think so.

Italy v France, Sunday.  Drama Queen Cup.

--------------------------------------------


As many as 5 South American teams, (and one CONCACAF  ) could top their group this year. 

As it stands,  between Uruguay, South Korea, United States, Ghana......one of those four teams will be in the Semi-Finals. 


...the tournament needed some drama and the last two days have provided plenty.

While I have due respect for all, none throw a chill down my spine.  USA to the semis!

[Mr. Ypsi]

Portugal/Brazil tomorrow, wonder if one of them might dog this match to avoid the potential matchup with the Netherlands in the quarters.

Portugal has a seemingly insurmountable lead over Ivory Coast in goal differential, but if they dog it TOO much, they might find themselves on the out!  Brazil might decide to dog it (especially with the unfair disqualification of Kaka); might be a real yawner, when it looked like one of the best games of the group portion.

[ScotsFan]

Tears for Italy?.........didn't think so.

Italy v France, Sunday.  Drama Queen Cup.

--------------------------------------------


As many as 5 South American teams, (and one CONCACAF  ) could top their group this year. 

As it stands,  between Uruguay, South Korea, United States, Ghana......one of those four teams will be in the Semi-Finals. 


...the tournament needed some drama and the last two days have provided plenty.

While I have due respect for all, none throw a chill down my spine.  USA to the semis!

I was talking with one of my friends about the very real prospect of the US making it to the semis.  Of course, we then realized the road would more than likely end there with the prospect of playing either Brazil or the Netherlands.  But we were both laughing about how making the semis would be like winning for the US!   

Also, Spain has the distinct possibility of packing their bags along with Italy and France.  They pretty much need to win vs. Chile tomorrow and if they don't win, they have to hope that the Swiss don't beat winless Hondurus.  And to further add to Spain's dilema, if they do happen to find their way through, they had better hope they end up winning the group or they have the prospect of facing Brazil in the opening round of the knockout stages!

And looking at the brackets, with all of the upset group winners, it seems as though we have two loaded sections and two not so loaded sections.  If Spain can't find their way to the top of their group, their section of the bracket could include Brazil/Portugal and the Netherlands.  Meanwile you have the USA's realtively light section above them.  And then, across the bracket you  have a section that is absolutely loaded which includes Germany, England, Argentina and Mexico.  And below them, depending on how Groups G and H unfold you could have Japan, Paraguay, Portugal/Brazil and Chile.  Looking at these brackets, I'm not sure who would want to win between Brazil and Portugal.  If I were Portugal, I would be perfectly content finishing 2nd in the group... 

[Mr. Ypsi]

The favorite team of my older son, the soccer coach, is Italy.  I'm dying to razz him about their last place finish in group, but the newlywed (this past weekend) seems to have better things to do than getting razzed by his old man!

I may have to disinherit him!

[Ralph Turner]

How is the 2010 World Cup like the D-III playoffs in the sport of ______________ ?(You  may fiil in the blank with the sport you believe best fits the statement.     )

....

And looking at the brackets, with all of the upset group winners, it seems as though we have two loaded sections and two not so loaded sections. 
...

[Mr. Ypsi]

How is the 2010 World Cup like the D-III playoffs in the sport of ______________ ?(You  may fiil in the blank with the sport you believe best fits the statement.     )

....

And looking at the brackets, with all of the upset group winners, it seems as though we have two loaded sections and two not so loaded sections. 
...

Well, if South Korea or Slovakia wins the whole thing, it looks a lot like d3 baseball!

(That is as close as you are ever likely to see to me dissing IWU! )

[Mr. Ypsi]

Sorry, folks, but as my son is still reveling in newly-wedded bliss, you're gonna have to absorb what I would have given to him!

Italy lost today to Slovakia.  When David turned 4, Slovakia was not yet a country!

A stellar performance by the defending champions!

[Fear not - David will still get his comeuppance when the occasion arises. ]

[Mr. Ypsi]

BTW, has anyone ever learned what Coulibaly called?  As far as I have seen, FIFA has never even said WHAT he called, much less why?

Can you imagine a BCS game where the ref disallows the game-winning TD, but refuses to say what the penalty was?

While it fortunately has become a moot point, FIFA is still a bad joke.

[Gray Fox]

When David turned 4, Slovakia was not yet a country!

And  that tennis game was just starting the fifth set.

[ScotsFan]

BTW, has anyone ever learned what Coulibaly called?  As far as I have seen, FIFA has never even said WHAT he called, much less why?

Can you imagine a BCS game where the ref disallows the game-winning TD, but refuses to say what the penalty was?

While it fortunately has become a moot point, FIFA is still a bad joke.

Last I heard, FIFA does not have to and will not make Coulibaly explain himself for what the call was.  And nor will FIFA release an explaination of just what the call was.  At least when Jim Joyce made his gaff in ruining that perfect game, he had the stones to come out and admit he got the call wrong and explain why he made the call he made.  Coulibaly and FIFA really made themselves look bad with their cowardly act of not even giving one explaination. 

I would hope that dude never officiates another high profile event outside of the African Cup of Nations ever again?!

As you said Mr. Y.  Thankfully it was a moot point.  But it took a wonder goal from Landon Donovan in stoppage time to make it a moot point.  I'm sure that Mr. Coulibaly breathed in a HUGE sigh of relief knowing that Landon Donovan basically took him off the hook with his goal that propelled the Americans through to the knockout round.