I grew up playing soccer for quite a few years and thoroughly enjoyed it. Wish I could play again someday...
Well, I am from little NZ and this is the second world cup that we have managed to be a part of. For us, just to be there is like winning the cup. Just the other night my family and I were ecstatic at the draw NZ had with Slovakia who is ranked far above us in the world standings. It really was not a good show of football (sorry NZ) but I am still glad that we are there and managed to play (at times) some good football... and to win our first ever point!!!! Maybe I am too use to watching the likes of Germany? NEway, if NZ don't win, I say go Germany.
I love their display of football, it makes soccer so beautiful as it should be, by playing as a team.
Mind you, I hear Holland and Spain are favourites for the cup which will be a hefty challenge for Germany.
Poor old England aren't sounding to great and Brazil was not entirely convincing.
What do you make of the world cup? Who do you support?
Did you have to mention Germany?
ReplyDeleteOoch!
ReplyDeleteNo offence intended, I didn't realise you were from AUS Tim, LOL. One can only appreciate decent football when it is played.
At least Australia gave about 3 minutes of decent football to be appreciated, so I shouldn't really complain too much.
ReplyDeleteIt could have been worse (I think.
Australia Oi Oi BUT, sob,such a tear jerker, we lost!!
ReplyDeleteHey Dan,
ReplyDeleteAll this this talk of football is enough to bring me out of the woodwork!
Of course, I will be supporting England - despite their lackluster display against the US. I think we can improve enough in the next two games to offer up a challenge in the second round.
On current form though, you've got to fancy the Germans; they played some mighty fine football.
Big surprise of the tournament could be North Korea qualifying from the 'group of death' over Portugal and Ivory Coast!
I don't think the World Cup has truly got into its stride yet, but it's coming....
Take care (and GO NZ!)
"Mind you, I hear Holland and Spain are favourites for the cup which will be a hefty challenge for Germany."
ReplyDeleteI watched the Swiss make cheese out of Spain.
The way they played I think we could make a team out of your readers and beat up on them!
And France lost!! Some of the big teams are getting nailed. In NZ, here we only have limited coverage. Only eleven games can be shown live...including the NZ ones (except for sky). I'll probably make sure I will scoot over to my grandma's to watch Germany play on sky (paid tv).
ReplyDeleteI hope England pick up their game, world cups have been a little disappointing for them in the past.
What's with the Ausie's? Apparently on the news broadcast in NZ Australian write ups are claiming an Australasian "victory" LOL. Why not say NZ?
In case you Americans and Brits don't know but there is quite a bit of sport rivalry between us. Maybe a little like the French and English?
Isn't soccer cool though. Its been known as the world's language. Quite true, here we have Atheists and Christians actually talking without debating each other LOL.
Wow, Germany lost. Though I thought they were the better side and played better football even with ten men for most of the game. What a fast game, exciting to watch!
ReplyDeleteAnyone think that that game was largely influenced by the ref? He certainly was not afraid to pull the yellows. They came thick and fast.
Dan,
ReplyDelete"Isn't soccer cool though. Its been known as the world's language. Quite true, here we have Atheists and Christians actually talking without debating each other LOL."
No! It's not cool. It's despicable and boring and you are crazy what's the matter with you you only believe all this by faith and you are a moron and don't act like we're all lovey dovey because we're not!
So there....... :>
Would Australia EVER try to share or usurp NZS's glory?
ReplyDeleteShame you Kiwis have never produced as much talent as we Aussies -
since when have you given the world a Russell Crowe, Keith Urban or a Crowded House?
Here you are Tim,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/australasia-1--slovakia-1-kiwis-get-the-point-20100616-ydks.html
Congrads on the draw!
We managed to draw with Italy...unbelievable. I don't know how that happened. I think Italy had a shocker and some good defending by us.
Aus still have a chance for the next round!
Imagine this! A Kiwi - Aus final... though not likely.
Frog man,
LOL, Each to his own.
"Congrads on the draw" was referring to Ausie's draw.
ReplyDeleteA good result for the Kiwis - but like the Aussies against Italy in the last world cup you were robbed of further glory by a dodgy penalty decision.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the problem with referees? Do they think the world cup is about them?
Just checking, regarding one of my earlier comments.
ReplyDeleteEveryone IS aware that Russell Crowe, Keith Urban and Crowded House all originate from NZ aren't they?
Ya, I know Russel Crowe but only heard of the others.
ReplyDeleteCongrads on the win Tim!
I hope NZ can beat Paraguay, that would be iconic.
Germany vs England on Sunday, I think that that game could be the game of the world cup, it certainly is going to be an exciting one!
"but like the Aussies against Italy in the last world cup you were robbed of further glory by a dodgy penalty decision."
ReplyDeleteI know, but the Italian dive that happened to the Aussie's last world cup was a shocker! Worse than our one. Italian football is noti n my good books.
I just saw the Germany v Ghana game and it was pleasant to watch, hardly any whistle blowing or hollywoods. Good hard tackles and players just got up and kept going. That's real soccer,
A good try from NZ.
ReplyDeleteIf they had been in the same group as Australia, their record would have put them ahead on goal difference.
However, Italy finally sowed what they reaped and couldn't make it past the first round.
Germany vs England!
Germany have been one of the teams England must hate facing in the World cup. Their world cup record over Germany hasn't been good since 1966.
We Aussies can only wonder how different things would have been without two questionable red cards. With a full-strength team in those first two games the result may have been a bit more favourable.
I am happy with NZ's placing in the end. Disappointing to see them draw but oh well. They were never going to make it far skill wise but they can defend brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteGermany vs England I cannot wait for! What an exciting game. I will be going for the Germans, I love their style of play and they are in the blood line :-)
Though England is cool too hmmmm. Two good teams.
The Germans were two ahead before that red card weren't they? NE way I only saw the highlights of that game.
Italy, well what do we make of them? Like France as well? The Two world cup finalists from the last one are out!
I don't remember the score before Cahill was sent off. If it was 2-0 there were still two more goals afterwards, and Cahill is one of the only Aussies who even looks like he's capable of scoring on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteHarry Kewell was sent off very early in the Ghana match for handball on the goal line, but it was clearly unintentional, he had his arms at his sides and his eyes closed at the time. A penalty was also awarded which gave Ghana the equaliser.
Everyone IS aware that Russell Crowe, Keith Urban and Crowded House all originate from NZ aren't they?
ReplyDeleteYa, I am aware that Russell Crowe did but I have only heard of the others. he's a great actor...
so what are the picks for the final? ... I hope for a Germany vs Holland final, that would be great, but a Spain Holland would be interesting too.
That Brazil - holland game was quite hot blooded wasn't it? But the German - Argentina was just plain good soccer.
So, NZ were the only team not to lose at the World Cup....
ReplyDeleteYeah.
LOL. As our nation is letting everyone know that :) sad that we could not be one of the teams to win a game.
ReplyDeleteOne of our sporting heros of the past called our achievement one of NZ's greatest. I think he is quite right. Our nation is a rugby nation and have one of the best teams in the world, however not many other nations are any good at the sport lol.