***Official*** World Cup Prediction Thread

[Rio Rebel]

I'm surprised to see people saying Adriano was offside. If he was, it was very close.

I thought the last goal by Ze Roberto was closer to being an offsides call.

Bottom line, I'm glad to see the referees making these calls the way they are supposed to - if it's not a clear case, don't call it. Too many legitimate goals were disallowed in the last Cup because of bogus offsides calls.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
I'm surprised to see people saying Adriano was offside. If he was, it was very close.

I thought the last goal by Ze Roberto was closer to being an offsides call.

Bottom line, I'm glad to see the referees making these calls the way they are supposed to - if it's not a clear case, don't call it. Too many legitimate goals were disallowed in the last Cup because of bogus offsides calls.

Generally I agree with you - the benefit of the doubt should always go to the attacking side. I felt there were 2 offsides in Brazil's 2nd goal - the linesman should have spotted one.

In the end I think the result flattered Brazil - I don't think they are as good as the commentators seem to think

 

[Rio Rebel]

Interesting comments. I watched the game on univision, so I don't know what the ESPN commentators said. Generally, I find that Brasil is neither as brilliant as they were expected to be, nor as inept as some disappointed people seem to think after seeing them play. They will, however, continue to rise to the level of competition, and while I wouldn't be shocked to see them fall at any point from here on, I would be shocked if it were easily done.

If they ever seem to find the right chemistry, this could be a fascinating team. As long as both Ronaldo and Adriano are in the front, with Ronaldinho playing farther back than he is used to, I fear that the dreaded "magic quartet" will continue to struggle to win goals.

I would suspect that the same basic lineup will start against France/Spain winner, but with Robinho ready to come in at once if the game becomes dangerous for Brasil.

 

[LiquidImpulse]

that France vs Spain today was certainly something, especially with an oldie like zidane showing the world that he's still got some juice left in him by scoring a magnificent goal pass Casillas.

Kudos to France for a nice match!

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
Interesting comments. I watched the game on univision, so I don't know what the ESPN commentators said. Generally, I find that Brasil is neither as brilliant as they were expected to be, nor as inept as some disappointed people seem to think after seeing them play. They will, however, continue to rise to the level of competition, and while I wouldn't be shocked to see them fall at any point from here on, I would be shocked if it were easily done.

If they ever seem to find the right chemistry, this could be a fascinating team. As long as both Ronaldo and Adriano are in the front, with Ronaldinho playing farther back than he is used to, I fear that the dreaded "magic quartet" will continue to struggle to win goals.

I would suspect that the same basic lineup will start against France/Spain winner, but with Robinho ready to come in at once if the game becomes dangerous for Brasil.

I don't get the ESPN Commentary as I'm in the UK - but the media generally here seem to be constantly waxing lyrical about how good Brazil are. In my opinion they've yet to prove it and have not yet played a team which will take advantage of the chances they concede.

Ghana yesterday outplayed Brazil for periods of the game and some better finishing would have made a very close game.

 

[GasX]

I'd say Ghana outplayed Brazil for MOST of the game. However, if you can't finish, you can't win and they only had one REALLY good chance to score. Too many extra touches and weak off-balance shots to get one past Dida.

 

[spherrod]

Yeah, hopefully a team more experienced than Ghana (and with better finishers) will create and score a few chances against Brazil and then we will have a chance to see if they really are that good.

 

[GasX]

The last time Klinsmann and Maradona faced each other, Klinzy made Maradona cry (literally). Who is going to be crying this time, Klinzy on the bench or Maradona in the stands?

My money is on Germany on PK's

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
My money is on Germany on PK's

When I am right, I am right.

Probably a good time to pick England over Portugal by a large margin!

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Mwilding
My money is on Germany on PK's

When I am right, I am right.

Probably a good time to pick England over Portugal by a large margin!

Your predicting skills are immense - let's hope they hold tomorrow!

 

[kalster]

england is in trouble

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: kalster
england is in trouble

that's England's best chance of winning the World Cup for some time and it's all over.

They played very well after the Rooney sending off, but we just cannot do penalties

I'm off to have several of these :beer: and try and forget it ever happened

 

[foolish501]

oh england, watched it in a pub, my american friends wouldn't believe me when i said that england can't win a game on penalties. that was l neville & beckham's last chance to win the world cup, both will be too old to play in the next world cup, but the rest of the players should all be better players and not too old in 4 years time

 

[Dangerer]

brazowned

 

[TheFirm]

wooo hooooooooo mark my words Germany VS France!!!! 2-0 in favor of Germany making them our 2006 world champs!

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Mwilding
My money is on Germany on PK's

When I am right, I am right.

Probably a good time to pick England over Portugal by a large margin!

Your predicting skills are immense - let's hope they hold tomorrow!

Apparently I blew my load on the Germany prediction... :-

My money is now on Germany.

 

[kalster]

lol, in the poll 39 people thought USA will win it all, that is pretty dellusional

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Mwilding
My money is on Germany on PK's

When I am right, I am right.

Probably a good time to pick England over Portugal by a large margin!

Your predicting skills are immense - let's hope they hold tomorrow!

Apparently I blew my load on the Germany prediction... :-

My money is now on Germany.

I'm backing the Germans now as well - they're the most positive team left in the tournament. Hopefully they'll beat Portugal in the final (I don't want to see France getting any further!)

 

[thebigdude]

Well both of my predicted finals teams are gone.

 

[kalster]

Originally posted by: kalster
italy has looked best so far for my money, I picked them to win it all this year

wow, my prediction is close to coming true,

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Mwilding
My money is on Germany on PK's

When I am right, I am right.

Probably a good time to pick England over Portugal by a large margin!

Your predicting skills are immense - let's hope they hold tomorrow!

Apparently I blew my load on the Germany prediction... :-

My money is now on Germany.

OK, my money is now on Italy. I say that because I will obviously be wrong and I want those flopping drama queens to lose...

 

[Mucho]

Boy, its a good thing I did not bet on this tournament or I would have my limbs broken by now.

 

[chcarnage]

Meh, I was rooting for Germany. They had more good games than Italy until yesterday, in my opinion. They are the hosts and Italy is the most corrupted soccer nation at the moment, so I hope whoever wins today (I think France will) beats them in the final.

 

[spherrod]

well I'm now going to have to support either France or Portugal - very difficult to bring myself to support France but then I've not been too impressed with Portugal

 

[Rio Rebel]

Well, all the teams I've been impressed with are now out. And the one team I had so much confidence would wake up (Brasil) are deservedly out.

I am pulling for Portugal because of Scolari. I don't want to see Italy get a 4th Cup, but I don't dislike the team. France I just don't like, but I have to admit they are playing the most inspiring style among the 3 remaining teams.

Regardless, this Cup has been a dissapointing return to negative, hyper-defensive play. As hard as it is to admit, my beloved Brasil was a contributor. The one bright spark was Germany becoming more open, but it was overshadowed by the success of pessimistic futebol.