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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 9, 2006 21:54:00 GMT -5
uggh i hate the comparisons they try and make between soccer players/teams to stuff American's understand. this morning on sports center they had a whole segment on this. they were like rohnaldinho is Michael Jordan, henry is Kobe, Christan Reynaldo (Portugal) is Dwayne wade, nedved is Brett farve? this is terrible almost none of them work especially the last one.
on other announcing notes anyone notice how juile foudy called Costa Rica not a real team then laughed at messi's dwarfism and then she mysteriously disappeared. Coincidence i think not.
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miamihoya
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 10, 2006 11:21:37 GMT -5
Apparently we aren't the only place where people break out into chants of "Hey Baby" "At one point in the afternoon, Germans, Costa Ricans, Brazilians and English fans -- each in their distinctive accents -- sang ''Hey, Hey Baby, I wanna know-oh-oh, if you'll be my girl.'' It was a quintessential Miami moment." www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14785288.htm
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Jun 11, 2006 2:11:08 GMT -5
Apparently we aren't the only place where people break out into chants of "Hey Baby" "At one point in the afternoon, Germans, Costa Ricans, Brazilians and English fans -- each in their distinctive accents -- sang ''Hey, Hey Baby, I wanna know-oh-oh, if you'll be my girl.'' It was a quintessential Miami moment." www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14785288.htmMark Murphy - author of an international sensation.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2006 8:35:53 GMT -5
As long as I get a heavy dose of Tommy Smyth over the next month, I'll be a happy man. I can't understand 74% of what he's saying, but I'm always giggling. Good stuff. Amen to that. Did anyone catch the give and take about discovering oil during the Poland match? Other guy: While making a series of comments about famous Poles, "In fact the first to discover oil through drilling was a Pole." Tommy: "Really? I thought it was a bit." Hardy, har, har. Also, any time he calls the net an "onion bag"... I just loose it.
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hoyarooter
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
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Post by hoyarooter on Jun 12, 2006 13:26:20 GMT -5
I have no particular interest in soccer. I'm not one of those who is critical of Americans who like soccer; I just find the game boring. Each to his own.
I just came on this thread to mention something that occurred Saturday morning that I found to be really hilarious. I was rewinding a Baby Einstein tape for our daughter, and as I hit rewind, the TV was on ESPN2, televising the Portugal-Angola match. It probably took about ninety seconds for the tape to rewind. During that 90 seconds, I saw a goal. Which happened to be the only goal scored in that match. Do you all think if I watch additional World Cup matches, that will occur again?
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 13, 2006 13:38:28 GMT -5
Korea at the top of Group G!
St. Pete, I never heard from you on that bet...
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 13, 2006 16:19:28 GMT -5
and australia on top of group F topping brazil by goal differential. I have to say that brazil really did not look to be that impressive defiently not their normal flashy selves only a 1-0 win today. very disspointed by their game today.
France is of to a pathetic start again havent scored in the world cup since winning it all in 98.
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SEAHoya
Century (over 100 posts)
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Post by SEAHoya on Jun 13, 2006 17:32:36 GMT -5
I was pretty underwhelmed by Brazil as well. They allowed Croatia an incredible amount of time on the ball and seemed willing to just soak up their attacks. It almost seemed arrogant at times, like they really weren't worried, and perhaps they weren't! Croatia on the other hand looked good value for a draw, but sadly final ball and finishing just wasn't that great. Could be a few good ones tomorrow with Spain-Ukraine and Germany-Poland. I say Spain continues to underachieve and an overconfident Germany succumbs to a Poland team desperate to make up for the loss to Ecuador.
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GUHoya07
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
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Post by GUHoya07 on Jun 14, 2006 2:11:07 GMT -5
I didnt see the Croatia-Brazil game cause I was at work, but the fact that they seem to have played the overwhelming favorites s well frustrates this Polish fan even more. Our last friendly before the Ecuador game was a 1-0 win over Croatia in Germany, then we come out flat and get our asses handed to us by Ecuador who isn't supposed to be able to play unless they're at like 9,000 feet.
I just pray that the team has their act together when they step on the field against Germany, this is much more than a single soccer game, there are an endless amount of storylines and I just want to see some effort on the field. I don't demand a win from the team, I just want them to leave everything they have out there and give the Germans a real fight, its the least they can do for the kind of fan support they had at the first game and I'm sure they'll continue to have against the Germans.
When you consider that Germany's Klose and Podolski where both born in Poland it only thickens the plot that should already be incredibly interesting. If we're gonna lose I wanna see them do it in the typical Polish spirit of fighting till the very end, not the we saw against Ecuador. Im praying for something incredible but I'll try not to be too devastated if it doesnt happen. Either way though, I'll always be incredibly proud that I'm Polish and I'll always look forward to our next match, whether its to advance to the round of 16 or a seemingly meaningless game like the one against the US in 2002.
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CTHoya08
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Bring back Izzo!
Posts: 2,870
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Post by CTHoya08 on Jun 14, 2006 11:31:25 GMT -5
On the topic of how annoying all the rule explanations and comparisons to US athletics is:
What really bothers me is that every 15 minutes or so during every game, ESPN feels the need to promote/talk about the next US game. Now, I am pulling very hard for the US, but I don't need to be reminded 5 times during Spain-Ukraine today that the US is playing Italy...on Saturday. This is especially annoying because I have to hear about the miserable loss to the Czechs so often. Also, why do they feel the need to explain the yellow/red card rules so often, but ignore things that are less obvious and well known? I think most people are familiar with the card rules, or could learn them easily. But I spent the first three days totally perplexed by what it means that a player has a certain amount of caps until I looked it up online. Not that understanding that is crucial to watching the game, but what they choose to explain and not to explain is very frustrating.
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miamihoya
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Post by miamihoya on Jun 14, 2006 12:57:51 GMT -5
The tunisia-Saudia Arabia match that just wrapped up the first round of games was suprisingly exciting...possibly the best game so far. Was really impressed by the Spaniards this morning. Could it finally be their year?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2006 15:27:15 GMT -5
For what its worth, Kurt, I wore my red-n-white "Polska" scarf with the eagles on it to my bar review class today...
... where I had a stare down with some kid wearing a Bayern kit. But I'm a lot bigger than that twerp, so I won.
71st min... things are looking good...
EDIT: 86th min.... Boruc is god...
EDIT 2: The crossbar is god...
EDIT 3: Damnit... extra time?!? Ugh...
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Boz
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123 Fireballs!
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Post by Boz on Jun 14, 2006 16:06:16 GMT -5
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SEAHoya
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Post by SEAHoya on Jun 14, 2006 16:08:46 GMT -5
Yep, that was a painful one. Poland was hanging in there until they guy got sent off, then it was just wave after wave. I thought they were going to hang on, but the pace of the substitute German right winger was giving them serious problems and got them in the end... Roll on England-T n' T!
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FLHoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Proud Member of Generation Burton
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Post by FLHoya on Jun 14, 2006 17:04:43 GMT -5
Quite a day to have the day off from work. Superb stuff all day, with Spain giving my former roommate the "post-first Spain match euphoria" with some super-duper stuff (the fourth goal was something else)...of course, he's well aware it's often all downhill from there for Espana. Surprisingly great Tunisia-Saudi Arabia game with a killer back and forth finish.
And the Germany-Poland game...well...90 minutes of tension, Poland coming out looking surprisingly dangerous, but even before the Red card the second half was always gonna be Poland holding on for dear life. For once I agreed with Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa--I thought Poland had survived after Germany hit the crossbar twice. But just two minutes short, and fitting it was David Odonkor whipping in the lethal cross, as he was deadly on the right side. Really tense stuff, great games all around today.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 14, 2006 17:30:02 GMT -5
best thing about the spain Uklraine Game is that US no longer has the worst goal differnetial in the tournament.
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Post by Nitrorebel on Jun 14, 2006 18:15:18 GMT -5
Yeah, pretty exciting stuff. Germany are now 13:1 in Dortmund. Buff, I'll forgive you for that Bayern comment Germany should have won 4:0/5:0 really. Can't keep missing those types of chances. Klose is usually money. Just an off-game. My summary after first set of games: - Brazil is STILL my fave. When you play that badly, and still win, you're GOOD. Good teams win those games. Kaka's goal was that typical Brazilian brilliance. If a couple of those dudes get their act together, they're untouchable. - There's a big second tier behind Brazil. Czech Republic, Argentina and Spain were the most impressive of the bunch, but Italy's win was solid as well. I also think England will make some noise till the obligatory muck-up with a missed penalty or stupid red card - prob against Germany too! I was relatively high on France, but that first game was more than terrible. Still, their first 11 has some super-stars that any team would kill for. Travesty that Trezeguet isn't starting coz he's lethal, but diva Henry doesn't get along with him... whatever. - Just a quick comment about Team USA. I really wasn't expecting much from them this year. They just lack star-power and experience, and it showed. Of course, the Czech Republic is an awesome team, but I think the US just lacks the skills to make much noise. It might make sense to play very defensively and try and counter-attack when the opportunity presents itself. Also, Bayern may land Ruud van Nistelrooy!!! Him, Makaay, Pizarro, Santa Cruz and Podolski would be SWEEEET!!!
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Jun 14, 2006 22:44:39 GMT -5
Replies to the above/comments on today's matches first. AustinHoya's World Cup 2006 Power Rankings to follow.
Worst ESPN other sports comparison I have heard yet came during the Brazil-Croatia match. "When Brazil clears the ball it's like passing to a point guard in basketball, but in this case there are five point guards!"
I am with Nitro that Brazil's 1-0 start does not spell doom for the defending champs. They will be fine, especially if Ronaldo gets his act together or Robinho starts over him in subsequent matches.
The golden goal for Germany today was beautiful. I was pulling for the Poles, but had to admire a near-perfect cross, and a beautifully timed slide by Neuville that put the ball in off his cleats.
To all those Spain doubters, ¿que piensas ahora, capullos? Spain was one of the better teams to take the pitch in 2002, and would have made the semis at least had they not been screwed by the refs. Yet everyone forgets these things in '06 and continues to stick the underachiever label to Spain.
Nitro, you should be used to people poking fun at FC Bayern. I have an Adidas fleece with their logo on it and have been taunted by countless people in Europe, particularly other Germans, while wearing it.
Power rankings now that everyone has played: 1. Brazil 2. Germany 3. Spain 4. Argentina 5. Netherlands 6. Italy 7. Mexico 8. Czech Republic 9. England 10. Portugal 11. Australia 12. Croatia 13. Korea 14. Ecuador 15. France 16. Switzerland 17. Sweden 18. Trinidad & Tobago 19. Tunisia 20. Saudi Arabia 21. Paraguay 22. Serbia & Montenegro 23. Angola 24. Ivory Coast 25. Togo 26. Ghana 27. Japan 28. USA 29. Ukraine 30. Costa Rica 31. Iran 32. Poland
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FLHoya
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Post by FLHoya on Jun 14, 2006 23:17:53 GMT -5
To all those Spain doubters, ¿que piensas ahora, capullos? Spain was one of the better teams to take the pitch in 2002, and would have made the semis at least had they not been screwed by the refs. Yet everyone forgets these things in '06 and continues to stick the underachiever label to Spain. It's cause they do the same routine every year. They're always high-scoring, having now scored 3+ goals in their last five group phase games. But there's always some muck up somewhere--they escaped without harm in the prelims in 2002, but in 1998 there was the loss to Nigeria and scoreless draw against Paraguay before demolishing Bulgaria 6-1 in a completely meaningless game--third in a group as a top seed counts as underachieving. Since U.S. sports analogies are en vogue this year in the World Cup, I'd say Spain is like the Georgetown Lacrosse of international soccer. The talent is unquestionably there, but (as one of the announcers very pointedly put it today during the game), there's an upper-tier of truly elite world soccer teams, and Spain is right below it in that next tier. And there's always the potential to get to that elite level, but they can never pull it off like many in the world think they can/should. Fittingly for this analogy, the last two times Spain cleared the group phase in a World Cup, they lost in the quarterfinals in heartbreaking fashion--to penalty kicks against S. Korea in 2002, and to a GW goal in the 88th minute from Italy in 1994. In 1990, they lost in the Round of 16 in extra time.
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Post by HoyaSinceBirth on Jun 14, 2006 23:32:54 GMT -5
wow finally an analogy that actually works, good job FL. ESPN shoudl hire you immediately.
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