Thursday, June 10, 2010

World Cup Thread

This will be your Game Thread for all World Cup matches. The first match, South Africa vs. Mexico, starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. PT. (The U.S. plays England on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. PT.)

We'll be adding a handy link to this post in the sidebar. Will it rival the Smonkstakes thread (1400+ comments and counting!)?

392 comments:

1 – 200 of 392   Newer›   Newest»
Fred's Brim said...

INTERIOR: REBEL BLOCKADE RUNNER.

A woman's hand puts a card into an opening in Artoo's dome.
Artoo makes beeping sounds.

Steve Sax said...

Depending on responses, we may make separate World Cup GTs for key games. We'll see...

Greg Hao said...

methinks the 11am game, france v uruguay will be a better game than the SA v Mexico game. Not to mention at a more beer friendly time.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Go Chi Chi Chi le le le.

Viva la roja!

Greg Hao said...

@Steve - I'm sure the USA v England game will need its own thread.

spank said...

There is:
orange shrimp
shrimp kabob
shrimp gumbo
shrimp cocktail
shrimp pattie
shrimp burger
shrimp and grits
teriyaki shrimp
shrimp on the barbie
pineapple shrimp
shrimp n'ramen

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I like it when the guy kicks the ball into the net.

Greg Hao said...

the black eyed peas just finished performing. Some kind of funky african band is performing now at the world cup kick off concert: http://worldcup.vevo.com/

Bryan said...

SOUTH KOREA!!!! please win at least one....

QuadSevens said...

@ FB

Sound is a travelling wave which is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations

Fred's Brim said...

@Q7

HONK HONK!


sorry - these off-days are killing me :)

Kyle Baker said...

@GregNoPhoto

Are you implying that there is a time that is NOT beer friendly?

Kyle Baker said...

I was just hanging out in the scoreboard watching thread, then discovered this one. Is this like the cool kids' lunch table?

Please don't beat me up or steal my lunch money.

And:

COME ON, ENGLAND!

Nostradamus said...

FYI, World Cup drinking protocol is governed by the start time in the host country, so you're covered.

Greg Hao said...

@Dusty - ROFL. This is true though I have to admit, I've never drank at 6am. THAT MAY CHANGE TOMORROW MORNING!!!

crzblue said...

Go Honduras! Beat Chile!
Adelante Seleccion, Pongan garra y corazon, entusiasmo y decision.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Honduras? Really? Si no es posible. Es verda. Chile ganare en la primera competicion.

Nostradamus said...

Trash talk already? All is right with the world!

Greg Hao said...

if someone said the sun rose from the east there would be another person saying that they're lying. That's how dodgers fan roll.

Nostradamus said...

@Greg

Well, technically speaking, the sun rises in the west on Venus.

Just saying.

Kyle Baker said...

Three Lions up in dis bish!!!

Kyle Baker said...

Any predictions on the first day?

I predict I will consume several Dos Equiseses.

Nostradamus said...

MEX 3:2 RSA
FRA 1:1 URG

Book it.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

MC: Did you take a gander at Nostradamus' blog again?

spank said...

@DB: Is Equiseses some sort of Greek God?
Lets go Cameroon!!!!!!!

Josh S. said...

Delwyn Young will homer off Uruguay.

Kyle Baker said...

I hate pretender USA fans
And all their jingoist love
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda

Off to the pub, off to the pub, off to the pub!

Paul said...

Go USA, Spain, Italy, Mexico and France and I wish I could say Ireland because I am sure with all the Guinness and Jameson I have drank I could qualify for citizenship.

Oh hey England I drink their stuff too!!! Go England!! This world cup is a feel good moment for me.

Greg Hao said...

this RSA v MEX game would be putting me to sleep if it weren't for the beer that I'm enjoying this fine pm (yes, pm just so I don't seem like the lush that I am).

predictions for day 1:

RSA v MEX - Greg shoots self in head at the bore nil-nil draw.

FRA v URA - 1-nil possibly 2-1.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

USA! USA! All the way baby!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nothing more exciting than 0-0 soccer.

Greg Hao said...

Pfft, there goes my prediction. 1-nil RSA! Pretty decently taken too.

Nostradamus said...

Oh, air horns, I don't love you so much.

Greg Hao said...

@mr customer - i'm using an air horn right now to let my neighbours know what's up!

1-1

Nostradamus said...

Equalizer in!

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I can see what all the excitement was about. Ties are very sexy.

Greg Hao said...

This 1-1 draw seems a fair result and after 5 beers, on reflection, it wasn't a bad game.

Still looking forward to the FRA - URU more though.

Greg Hao said...

draws are awesome, adds a whole new dimension to strategies.

BTW, ESPN/ABC needs to get some better commentators. Not everybody with a Liverpool accent deserves to be a pundit. Ya, I'm looking at you Alan Hansen.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

As long as America kicks England's ass tomorrow I couldn't give a wit about any of the other teams.

Nostradamus said...

@Greg

Yeah, FRA-URU takes on even more importance now. Whomever can come away with 3 points in the first round will really have a strong position.

Greg Hao said...

@Mr Customer - undoubted, but I still think FRA makes it tops out of the group and MEX second.

Nostradamus said...

I think Alan Hansen's a Scot, not a Scouser (ethnically, that is).

Greg Hao said...

ya, he was a Scot, I guess I should've qualified by saying PLAYED at L'pool. Hansen's garbage on Match of hte Day, so is his pal Mark Lawrenson and now effin' ESPN's got that wank Steve what's his name. Ugh, just awful. Someone get me the BBC feed (so er.. I could watch Hansen..)

Nostradamus said...

I don't mind Hansen or Lawrenson, but then again, I'm a scouse by association, so I may be biased.

Greg Hao said...

Lawrenson on Match of the Day 2 isn't bad but Hansen is just horrible. Way too full of himself.

Kyle Baker said...

I hate USA "fans" who don't know the sport
But become instant experts every 4 years
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda
Boom-de-yadda, boom-de-yadda

Greg Hao said...

@Dusty - that's part of the joy of going to a pub and laughing at the Americans!

Nostradamus said...

@dusty/greg

Yeah, I could do without amateur hour, but so it goes with all things bandwagon. And I can't laugh too hard, as my footy credentials pale in comparison to those who grew up with the game.

Greg Hao said...

y'all mind find this amusing: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2010/06/01/133-the-world-cup/

MR.F said...

Is this where everybody's hanging out at?

Nostradamus said...

@Greg

"The Idea of Soccer" entry is a classic, too. SWPL hits close enough to home to be uncomfortable sometimes, but it's hilarious.

MR.F said...

That website has educated me much about white people.

Greg Hao said...

@mr. customer - ya, it's some hilarious shit, but really, I think Yuppies can also be a good substitute for White People. I found it to be less interesting when he wrote the book though.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I like it when the guy kicks the ball into the net.

Nostradamus said...

The bite-size entry format really sells it. I'll be the first to admit that many, many of the entries apply to me.

Nostradamus said...

I, too, like it when the guy kicks the ball in the net.

Greg Hao said...

I like it when the guy doesn't kick the ball in the net, have it rocket into the hemisphere, look around like somehow it wasn't his fault.

MR.F said...

Implications from this thread: Mr. C is white. GregNoPhoto is not white.

rbnlaw said...

Mexico: luckier than Ringo Starr.
Mexico: South African goalposts agree; they're lucky!
Mexico: "Hey, at least we didn't lose."
Mexico: "We were great in qualifying; you should've seen us."
Mexico: "We're saving ourselves for France."

If I was a fan of Mexican football, I'd be slightly worried.

Nostradamus said...

@Mr.F

I'm Scots/Welsh. I'm whiter than pure driven snow.

Greg Hao said...

Eh, yes and no, RSA played well, this is true but MEX has some good movements and had a goal disallowed in the first half, not to mention that amazing Gio Santos shot (and the equally great save.) They'll do well enough to make it out of group methinks.

Though, coincidentally, ESPN's 'fan poll' has URU @ 38% winning their match and FRA @ 31% (tie is also 31%)

Nostradamus said...

@Rb

Yeah, Mexico has not been in top form, certainly. Much depends on the upcoming match.

Paul said...

You futbol fans must feel like I feel when I go to a superbowl party and everyone is an expert because they know that the QB is really good.

I only claim to enjoy ordering the tequila shot and beer with a chorizo and egg burrito special and the north beach party when Italy plays. Salute!!

So I say go world!!! Team World!!!

Greg Hao said...

8th beer on tap, can't wait for the game to start!

@mr. f - clever bit of deduction.

rbnlaw said...

Everyone has low expectations for France based on Henry's handball and the collective age of the squad. I believe they will end up top of this group and may shock some in the Round of 16.
(I'm slightly biased for France based on the number of current and former Gunners on the squad)

. . .and I like it when the guy puts the ball in the net.

rbnlaw said...

Anybody else want to be in Paul's shoes right now?

World by the balls, I tell ye.

rbnlaw said...

My colleague says Henry is on the bench with his hand on ice.

He's Irish.

Nostradamus said...

The French have certainly seemed the more aggressive side

rbnlaw said...

France is being tested.

rbnlaw said...

I'm a guay
Par a guay
Ur a guay

Hell, we're all guay.

Josh S. said...

"Heeheehee! Look at this country! You Are Gay!"

rbnlaw said...

Should be a 3-0 game right now.

rbnlaw said...

Uruguay with their best chance.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Nothing gets the fans pumped up like two draws to start the World Cup! Hooray for hippie football!

rbnlaw said...

Granted, those weren't the most scintillating matches one could hope for, but the drama of the world stage is what makes it special.

Kyle Baker said...

MLASF - you're driving yourself crazy. If you don't enjoy football/soccer, there are more enjoyable threads for you. Let us live in peace.

-Hippie football fan

rbnlaw said...

*Sigh*
Now back to snarking in the Monkstakes thread.

rbnlaw said...

Which country had the hippies today? Certainly not France.
RSA?

Kyle Baker said...

@rb

seriously re FRA? I think they may have trouble even getting out of the group. They don't deserve to be here (hand of Gaul) and their camp is in shambles. Your boy gallas is fighting w teammates and others about who shoul be captain...not good.

Nostradamus said...

@Dusty

Certainly looks like the whole group is a mess. At least this hippie was with Uruguay hoping to inflict the maximum chaos on the standings, but who the hell knows, now...

Nostradamus said...

Re: The hippies

We just want to enjoy our patchouli and wear our hemp clothing in peace.

Nostradamus said...

In regards to the accent conversation above, I had laugh a bit to hear Ally McCoist calling FRA-URU on ESPN.

Nostradamus said...

^Er, had TO laugh.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Let me get this straight. I'm NOT a soccer fan. I have mild interest in the game during WC, because of the World's stage significance.

That being said, I'm living in a household full of Crazy Chileans. How can I not have a rooting interest without getting my nards clipped by La Chilena???????

So I was forced to watch the France/Uruguay game at TGIF for lunch. ****Yawn****. Couldn't help not peeking at the Chi/Chi baseball game.

So....Chileeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Nostradamus said...

@Neeebs

Ain't no shame in being a casual fan. Do what you have to do to keep your gonaaads intact, brother.

(what happened in the Cubs/Sox game, anyway?)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

To be fair I like soccer. But I like making fun of it more.

Nostradamus said...

@MLASF

To be fair, I'm OK with the naysayers, but the poseurs less.

rbnlaw said...

DB,
Wholeheartedly agree about the Francs. They are an aging team living on the glory of a final 8 years in the past. Henry's prime was about 2006, but he's making a game go of things, so here's to him.

As for Gallas; my Irish colleague, also an Arsenal man, refers to Billy as a "former Gunner." Apparently he's taking the money and running to Greece next season. Been a malcontent for Arsenal this year and last.

Nostradamus said...

Two draws on the first day did little but whet my appetite, I must admit.

Josh S. said...

I can't decide if this vuvuzela iPhone app I just downloaded app is the greatest or worst thing ever invented.

Josh S. said...

^Extraneous "app" is extraneous.

rbnlaw said...

The vuvuzelas made it impossible to hear the S. African crowd going nuts for the first goal scored in the tournament.

A blight on mankind, I say!

Nostradamus said...

I've made my opinion known about the vuvuzelas. Worst of all, Maradona won't be able to hear what everyone is saying about his mother.

Greg Hao said...

anyway, I had to run out for a meeting so I missed most of the FRA-URU game, seems like it was action packed....

Greg Hao said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Greg Hao said...

The vuvuzelas are friggin' awesome. The only thing better are the riot fences and fans setting flares off in the stands like they do at the Bernabeu or San Siro : http://www.wayfaring.info/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/milan_-_chievo_04-2006_1.jpg

Nostradamus said...

@Greg

So long as nobody decides to launch the flares into the visiting stands.

Greg Hao said...

I was in the San Siro a few years ago at a Milan/Inter derby. the atmosphere was just something to behold, the fervor of the match, I don't think anybody sat down the entire 90+ minutes.

karina said...

@Greg I'm GREEN with envy...

@Paul cool kids root for the italian team!

@Mr C @Mr LASF I like it when the guy kicks the ball into the net, but I do enjoy defense (or I've been watching calcio for too many years)

I want France to be eliminated in the first round. Pretty please.

OT: I'm not white but I identify with lots of thinks at stuff white people like...though I'm a "white hispanic"

Nostradamus said...

That's awesome, Greg.

@Karina Whispanic? I have a Mexican friend who refers to himself as a coconut. I can't officially find that funny, but it is.

rbnlaw said...

Fudge. The derby at the San Siro? Only thing better would be a derby at the Camp Nou.

and beer.

Kyle Baker said...

MMMmmmm....beeeeer.

I'm envious of the derby you saw, GregNoPhoto. Seriously envious.

I'll have you all know that I'm so nervous about the ENG v US that there is no way I'll be able to sleep more than half an hour at a time.There is a strong chance I will get sick to my stomach at some point. This has happened since childhood w ENG matches.

Nostradamus said...

Anybody up for the early match? Bryan's side looking strong!

Steve Sax said...

We interrupt this World Cup Thread to let you know we will run another post for the heavily-hyped USA/ENG match. Goes up at 8:30a PT.

Kyle Baker said...

I watched some of the early match, Mr C.

Watching ARG v NGA right now. Looks like NGA is about to capitulate 22 minutes in.

Nostradamus said...

Nigeria does look helpless. Seems like it should be more than 1-0.

Kyle Baker said...

Listening to old ENG WC songs from years past (cause there wasn't one this time). Barmy Army - shout it out - come on England!

Kyle Baker said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n81kbuja4Yk

Singing ay-yay-yippee-yippee-yay
Singing ay-yay-yippee-yippee-yay
Singing ay-yay-yippee,
the Germans bombed our chippy,
ay-yay-yippee-yippee-yay

Greg Hao said...

Three Lions is _the_ England supporters song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ASk6t6xjfQ

Ya, man, it was amazing. I've never been to The Camp Nou (frankly, I find the self love of Barca/Barca fans to be a little annoying), more of a Real Madrid supporter but Camp Nou itself looks amazing. Another highlight for yours truly was going to an Arsenal game at Highbury the season before it was torn down for luxury condos.

ANyway, go on England!

karina said...

@Mr C one of the cool things of being latin is our skin can be of every possible color :). Go diversity!

Coconut? that's very funny. I've got a friend who says "Karina, you're so pale you glow in the dark" (i'm pale for venezuelan standards, not really much)

I also applaud you woke up very early on a Saturday morning to enjoy the World Cup. I couldn't join the fun because I was at my drawing class.

Greg Hao said...

So, now that the ENG/USA game is over, do we come back to this thread?

Nostradamus said...

Whew, now that tension is over! Back to the basement!

Neeebs (The Original) said...

@Greg: Yes

@Karina: La Chilena calls our daughter, La Blancita. But its kinda not fair because she's only half latina.

Greg Hao said...

Tomorrow's matches are quite fantastic ones. The SRB-GHA game is going to be electric and GER-AUS will be decently as well.

Too bad ALG-SLO is at 430a, something tells me I probably won't be able to catch that shit.

Greg Hao said...

Coincidentally, Le Mans ends at 3AM PST as well. Damn.

Nostradamus said...

Everyone still seems a little iffy in front of goal.

Nostradamus said...

I am officially annoyed with the pedantic commentary from the worldwide leader.

Greg Hao said...

ESPN is shite, if I've said it once, I've said it a million times.

Klinsmann splits time on BBC and ESPN and I swear every time he steps on the ESPN set his IQ drops 30 points

MR.F said...

I HATE ESPN.

(I only meant to capitalize "hate", but that's grammar for you...)

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Only a half hour until Germany/England2

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Germans look good early.

Greg Hao said...

lol@mr. f. Yet further proof that Klinsmann was only the figurehead at the last world cup and Joachim Loew was the man with the plan.

Greg Hao said...

This is pretty cool: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/world-cup-match-replay

Greg Hao said...

I knew the Aussies were old but the Germans are looking a real value for the money! Still doubt they'll make it past the quarters though.

Nostradamus said...

They're looking strong, but the aussies aren't likely to be serious competition in their group. Still, they're probably going through to face against ARG in the quarterfinals, so you never know. That's assuming one of the two doesn't muck it up, though.

Nostradamus said...

That red on Cahill seems like it pretty much assures that the Aussies are three and done.

karina said...

Don't draw the Socceroos yet, remember they were the first team to classify into the World Cup and they quite frightened the azurri in the last World Cup.

Though those four goals are a very hard obstacle to overcome.

karina said...

@Neeebs I think that's a pretty cute and sweet nickname :)

Greg Hao said...

Eh, the asian group ain't all that (although still better than oceana), still, the GER team play was amazing. Still don't think they'll get past the quarters when they start to play the big teams.

Nostradamus said...

Glad to see Kuyt get a goal for his country. Not so nice to see Agger get a goal for Kuyt's country.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

VIVA ITALIA!!!

Just kidding. But seriously, good game going on.

Greg Hao said...

All 3 of today's games have been pretty decent, at least from the glimpses that I've been able to catch while pretending to work.

Nostradamus said...

Good for the Kiwis! That may be the only point they get, but it's something to be proud of.

Greg Hao said...

bah, that was never a double yellow. It was a friggin' foul on demel!

Greg Hao said...

with all the incessant fouls (and to be honest, diving,) this game is quite unwatchable. Doubly so because I'm sitting in the office SANS ALCOHOL!!

Nostradamus said...

Yawn-fest. So, I guess this is going to be the "Whoever can rack up the most goals against North Korea goes through" group. Weak.

Greg Hao said...

lol, i'm not quite that negative about it. I am taking an early lunch to head down to a pub to take in that debacle. My only question is whether the score of the Brazil/NK game will be higher than the GER/AUS game. I'm on the over.

Nostradamus said...

I, too, will take the over.

I'm only disappointed because it probably means that the 2nd slot will be decided on goal differential, assuming both CIV and POR fall to Brazil. Only if one of these two gets one over on the favorites will it be interesting.

Greg Hao said...

as i mentioned, from the bits and bops that I was able to watch of the match, it seems like the flow of the game was interrupted by all the incessant fouling and diving. I assume the POR-BRA game will be more free flowing and am also somewhat optimistic about CIV-BRA but you may be right, the undercard of this group will probably be going through on goal differences.

Greg Hao said...

20 minutes gone and surprisingly PRK NOT playing park the bus. But still overall very defensive. My over on the score is not looking good, at least until the first goal. Then I suspect the floodgates will open.

rbnlaw said...

I expected more from the Portugal/CdI match, and much more from Brazil.

BTW, how the hell did the DPRK get into this tournament? That Kim Jung Il is one crafty bastard.

Greg Hao said...

Good goal by Maicon but he knew nothing about it!

Greg Hao said...

damn this 2-1 line.

Nostradamus said...

I have to give a grudging respect to PRK. Politics aside, they faced adversity and desperate odds admirably.

Greg Hao said...

Agreed, while they didn't park the bus, they played well together as an unit.

At the same time, Ruud Gullit mentioned it on halftime, Brazil also played into DPR's hands by playing so compact with everybody and their cousin wanting to cut inside.

Greg Hao said...

I have to admit, I might have to reassess GER's odds after all.

Nostradamus said...

Upset brewing for the Swiss in Durban!

Fred's Brim said...

Nice work Spain, thanks for showing up

Nostradamus said...

Well THAT was unexpected.

MR.F said...

The reason Spain lost is because all of Spain's collective sports karma is being directed to help Pau and the Lakers.

Greg Hao said...

lol@mr f.

Despite the fact that Spain lost today, they're in a very weak and winnable group, call it the luck of the draw I guess. Also, this probably means that Spain will draw either POR or CIV in the next ground avoiding BRA! Looking forward to tomorrow's game (b/c really, who cares about the RSA/URU game.)

I think the ARG-SK game is going to be a good one and the FRA-MEX game would also be good. It's really too bad that the ARG game is going to be the 430a game for me. Looks like I'll be going to sleep early tonight.

Greg Hao said...

The Nil-3 scoreline did not flatter to deceive and I daresay URU probably should've won by a larger margin.

That said, RSA was dealt a very tough hand. FRA (say what you will, they're in now and they're a half decent side), URU (certainly has shown their class in this game), and MEX (a traditional CONCACAF powerhouse).

Greg Hao said...

What's with the lack of activity in the thread? Friggin' I'm getting more action at the Smonkstake thread.

Nostradamus said...

It's the perils of employment, Greg. I've started to take later lunches so I can catch the late game and not be running back to the office, but that usually means that everyone is freaking out when I finally get here.

Regardless, I'm not surprised to see Uruguay put a good game together. Hosts or not, RSA isn't that strong of a squad. I'd hoped for a little more of a home turf advantage for them, but it doesn't look to be how it's going to go. This makes MEX-FRA a really interesting match tomorrow, to say the least!

Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go and pretend to work for another two hours until first pitch.

Nostradamus said...

I really think that the winner of SK/ARG will go on to win the group. Both GRE and NIG (with the exception of their keeper) really lost composure under pressure.

Greg Hao said...

mr. c - that's why you hit up espn3.com or if the man got you on the blockout on that, install a sling at home! Of course, this has the adverse effect of your officemates looking at you strangely when you throw something at the wall or you yell at your "spreadsheet" when somebody misses a play. Heh.

Nostradamus said...

@greg

Oh, don't think I wasn't watching, I just wasn't commenting because I had to at least pretend I was paying attention to my coworker's problems. I can't tell you how clutch the iPad has been for me in that respect.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Hey, I was up at 4;30, watching Chile defeat Honduras. Chileans looked good. Much better than the score indicated. The Honduran goalie made some good saves to keep it close. Chile dominated time of possession.

Then I picked up the second half of the Uruguay game at a British Pub in SJ. RSA wasn't very good.

That's all for now.

karina said...

@Mr LASF why don't you join me as an azurri supporter? at the end of the day I'm supporting the USA faithfully as long they don't play Italy.

Promise I'll drop by here next game.

Fred's Brim said...

oops - own goal for S Korea. 1-0 ARG.
Don't do that!

Fred's Brim said...

Arg with a real goal, a little header from Higuain, 2-0 Arg

Fred's Brim said...

Higuaín is trying to steal the Messi thunder

Greg Hao said...

goal notwithstanding, this GRE-NGA game is boring the hell out of me.

quick thought on the ARG-SK game, ARG may be pretty to watch (though the scoreline flattered them,) but they won't win anything this year.

karina said...

It's not only about scoring goals, Fred's Brim. He's been brilliant so don't doubt the goals will find the way.

karina said...

@Greg I like the way you think, but don't underestimate Argentina.

The Greeks tied! more of taking advantage of Nigeria laziness. This is an interesting score.

Kyle Baker said...

NGA sending off - how stupid! Lack of discipline always plagues these players in league play as well.

Kyle Baker said...

WC is crushing Twitter. Get some more servers, whale people!

Kyle Baker said...

And here come the late-game bookings.

Kyle Baker said...

And it's Greece in their first ever victory in WC play.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Wait, this isn't the real Mexico team, is it? Where's Ariaga? Ariaga II? Bariaga? Aruglia? Pizzoza?

Josh S. said...

Mr. LASF gets a yellow card for recycling a joke from Twitter.

(Ah hell, I do it all the time.)

Josh S. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Josh S. said...

ESPN Radio may have figured it out. The vuvuzelas seem a bit muted and I can hear actual crowd noise (singing, etc.).

karina said...

I'm missing Mr LASF joke. All I know is this game rocks.

Fred's Brim said...

All I know is that Mexico is the greatest nation on the planet, not Portugal

Fred's Brim said...

@Josh - until they drill some holes in the horns and find another octave

MR.F said...

Watched my first soccer game yesterday (so. much. work.). Now I know what the hell those vuvuzelas you've all been talking about are.

Josh S. said...

Gooooooooooooooooooooollllllllll

MR.F said...

Nice SoSG logo. Just noticed it.

karina said...

Viva México lindo y querido!. If they win this match, do we get to celebrate 17 de junio?

MR.F said...

Oh. I guess it rotates on refresh? Nvm.

Josh S. said...

ESPN Radio's stream is waaaayyy behind. Just now heard the second goal.

Fred's Brim said...

CONCACAF in yo face!

Josh S. said...

OK, I still know very little about soccer, but I'm trying to familiarlize myself with the rules of the WC. Let me see if I have this straight:

After France's loss to Mexico, they are essentially out, unless (without getting too deep into the tiebreaking system) Uruguay shuts out Mexico and France shuts out South Africa. And even then, the goal differential math has to work in France's favor, with both games being blowouts.

Yeah, not gonna happen.

Josh S. said...

Basically, a 2-0 URU win and a 3-0 FRA win both have to happen.

So you're saying there's a chance!

Josh S. said...

Now that I think about it, a 3-0 Mexico win and a 4-0 South Africa win is probably more likely at this point. The way France is playing, South Africa has a better shot at advancing.

MR.F said...

Interesting. I know nothing about World Cup rules.

Nostradamus said...

Interesting. if MEX and URU draw, FRA is out, no matter how their game ends. An outright blowout win by either give them a (minimal) chance.

Nostradamus said...

@MR.F

For purposes of this discussion, the tiebreak system is basically Points, then goal differential, then total goals scored.

Kyle Baker said...

Suck. It. France.

Watched at my local MEX cantina and it was fantastic. Tequila shots on the house, even!

FRA should never have been in the tournament. The 'Hand of Gaul' is the only reason why they're here, and karma is a bitch.

Viva Mexico!

Josh S. said...

@Mr. C: The ESPN Radio commentators were speculating that MEX and URU would most likely dog it for a draw. They said their only motivation to play all out would be to avoid the stronger opponent in the 16 (most likely ARG).

Josh S. said...

Look at me, talking about this like I know something,

Kyle Baker said...

Avoiding the Argies is a pretty strong motivation, indeed.

Kyle Baker said...

Josh said "Look at me, talking about this like I know something."

You're doing fine, Josh. Unlike this situation:

I just got back from watching WC at my local cantina. This ugly american sat down next to me ten minutes into the game, and asked me who was playing. I told him. He said he had taken the afternoon off to watch the match. *scratches head*

Dude proceeded to start talking to himself, but loudly, about each nuance of the match. At one point, when a MEX player did well but missed an almost impossible left-footed volley, dude started talking about how trash the attempt was and how he could have done better. I piped in and noted that no, he actually could not have.

Time went by.

A questionable foul was called and ugly american turns to me and starts saying how there should be instant replay in soccer *shivers at the way he said 'soccer'* to review fouls. Dude on the other side of me grabs my arm and says "Don't do it" knowing that my admittedly limited patience was waning.

Finally, ugly american started talking about how he doesn't get the sport but thought that these great athletes ought to be able to score more goals. At that time, it was still nil-nil but a good match thus far. I asked him if he'd prefer it be a 21-21 scoreline. This confused him.

Oh, almost forgot. The capper was that fifteen minutes into the 2nd half, he asked me if I knew how much longer the match would last. I pointed him toward the game timer and told him how to do the math. He had no idea that each half was 45 minutes plus stoppage time...this was a hige shock to him that it was timed in such a way.

Look, I don't follow car racing. But I also don't start watching the Indy 500 and begin talking about pitstops or tire changing or engines or left turns, either.

Nostradamus said...

Yeah, I expect they'll play conservatively, but trying to engineer a draw is really risky. The difference between the A1 bracket and the A2 bracket is pretty significant.

Nostradamus said...

@Dusty

Especially around WC time, I'm more likely to keep my mouth shut just to avoid guilt by association.

I frequently remind myself that I was once that know-nothing fool. Not that it helps much...

MR.F said...

I would think that it's okay to know nothing about soccer but be intrigued/enjoy the World Cup. Just because you know nothing doesn't mean you have to be a fool.

Kyle Baker said...

Exactly, Mr F, there's a difference between knowing nothing and being a fool. Excellent lesson for the day.

Nostradamus said...

"Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt"

--Abraham Lincoln

Neeebs (The Original) said...

My lack of "football" knowledge is well chronicled. However, I liken this to the Olympics. I love watching track/field and swimming at the Olympics. But I'll be DAMNED if I watch those games at any other time of the year.

Every four years I can get into it and pretend that I'm a fan. It especially helps when I have a rooting interest in a couple of teams and a newly found "favorite" player.

I'd get a Messi jersey but the color scheme does not sit well in my household.

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