So what is everyone thinking today? Here is what I am thinking: 1.) Spain beats Croatia 2.) Spain and Croatia OVER 3 goals 3.) Italy beats Ireland
I'm too nervous to think. Us I-ties always put ourselves in these predicaments. Needing a win with help. Why do we sit back on 1 goal leads FFS?
I like the way Germany plays, they lapse on defense sometimes, but man they counter so well..... I think they are my favorities to win WC 2014....
Spain were fortunate yesterday... very fortunate. This England match could go either way. It's going to be very nerve racking. If they win, they are likely heading for a quarterfinal matchup vs Spain. Who I think can be beaten if you can weather the storm of the first half. Seems the second half they get tired.
England vs Ukraine....horrible non-goal call......humans ruin everything when RULES define what is or is not per the book! Goal Line and Off-side Technology REVERSALS now!!!!
England got screwed the exact same way against Germany in 2010 WC, so at least they were on the right side of this one. But I do agree. It is ridiculous. And what is the point of having a goal line judge specifically looking for that if they are going to botch the call. I am actually surprised Italy was awarded their first goal yesterday, as it was pretty close.
I don't think it crossed the line. The camera angle wasn't straight down the line. The ref was there, he made the call. Plus it was offsides to begin with. I'm surprised it wasn't called a goal since it was close and Ukraine were the home side though. And then France goes ahead and TOTALLY REDEEMS THEMSELVES hahahahha... Have fun with Spain... I think we can beat Italy if we play forward thinking. I think you have to start with Walcott in for Milner though. Have to. It'll be a good match. Hopefully it doesn't come to penalties as we know how that will end.
It was a goal, but it was also offsides. Either way, ridiculous they don't use replay. And they need to hurry up with this goal line technology.
I didn't watch the game and decided to check out a replay on youtube. Play was onside. 0:21 ball has already been passed and the guy is CLEARLY still onside. Really, freeze it at 0:21. Ball CLEARLY crossed the line. Freeze at 0:39. [video=youtube;GThnbpzIaVQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GThnbpzIaVQ[/video] I don't see how anyone can dispute the fact that it was a good goal.
PS. It is a shame to see soccer players favor their strong foot. If that player had any ability with his left he would've likely scored after the initial cut in the box.
TSCHLLLLLLAAAAAAND !!! 3 hours 14 minutes till kickoff, our coach decides to change the whole offense, podolski is out schuerrle is in, gomez is out and klose is in and also mueller is out and reus gets his first shot, clearly looking for players who can go one on one with greece probably putting up a concrete wall at their own goal.....so pumped....could be a world record too today, germany going for their 15 straight win in qualifying or tournament games.....our team today is 25.09 of average in age ............TSCHLAAAAAAAND !!!!
Podsolski has been terrible up to this point aside from his one goal. Muller hasn't been all that much better. No problems with trying something new there. Replacing Gomez doesn't make much sense to me though.
The penalties didn't lie. England were completely outclassed and deserved to lose. They couldn't do anything right. Couldn't pass. Couldn't defend. Couldn't dribble. Couldn't finish.
embarrassment... totally outclassed.... deserved to lose every step of the way. Couldn't even keep the ****ing ball. Rooney is hopeless. He has to be the most overrated piece of **** ****ing player I've ever seen. And still they had moments in extra time. Chances to push forward and still they dribble over their ****ing feet. They should drop out of world cup qualifying. Not going to win a thing in this system under Hodgson. Feel bad for Gerrard. But still he had a hand in it. He wasn't at his best. I suppose you could tell that England tried to score early... and when they didn't it was defend defend defend. They play decent IF Gerrard AND Parker get involved in the offense. But they aren't in form to sustain that for 90 minutes. Anyway... Germany V Spain it is... Germany has 48 hours of extra rest not to mention the Italians coming off extra time. Portugal can't beat Spain. Going to be some final in a week.
nay... There can only be one... and it's Rooney. Ashley Young does deserve mention... but in all the expectations for England this tournament were very low. Of course, the appointment of Hodgson had a lot to do with that. You don't watch him as your team's boss (LFC) and gain any ounce of confidence from that.
Timbers vs Sounders drew 880K on ESPN. Eurocup bump, last year I think it was like 500K. Timbers @ Flounders is on NBC in the fall, will it do as well? Ruff sledding with a Ducks game at the same time.
That game was hell. I hate Spain and their brand of "beautiful" football. I'm rooting for the Italians tomorrow but I'll take either one over Spain.
Germany is going to crush the Italians... and I think they'll beat Spain (the way Spain played today).
fixed it for you......TSCHLAAAAAAND i´m so pumped 4 hours and 18 minutes till game time.....bring on italy !!!!
Italy deserved to win. Totally outplayed us. Luck wasn't on our side with that corner that went through Buffon's legs and that near own goal. Too many mental mistakes which should be expected from such a young team.
I hate picking between Italy... Spain... I like pizza... love italian food... guess I know which way I'm heading...
Spain win easily against Italy? They are both good teams, but Italy will win, the only problem that I see with the Azzurri are the yellow cards and this can be a problem. Both teams have good vision and creativity, but Italy is faster in the phase of attack and a more dynamic at midfield.