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The Official World Cup 2006 Thread

BakedBeans said:
The game of football is about winning, it is not theatre or the silver screen. It is a results based game. I see quality in defending and tempo control, others might see "boring italian" but they are very successful.

Winning is winning, and the Italians are good at it.

If only the english, dutch and spanish were better at it they might have more than 1 world cup between them.
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That's just the point...

Is it really only about winning?

IMHO sport = entertainment. That's why people enjoy watching it. Then you pick your favourite, and hope he/she wins.
I understand that when national pride plays along, the whole nation probably feels that winning at all costs is what it is all about.

I feel that once a sport gets boring to watch, and only the result is important, then less people will watch the game, and therefore less money will be involved.
The sport gets paid by the viewers. The sponsors only cough up these huge sums of money because they expect millions of viewers.
Football became so popular because it is a fast flowing easy game to watch.
If the game had been "Italian style" at the start of the last century there is no way it would have become as popular as it is now.

I'm sure you know what I mean.
In the short term, winning is very important. In the long term, I feel that entertainment value is most important.

EDIT:
I would like to add the fact that this issue applies to more professional high profile sports:
Formula 1: The creme de la creme of car racing... but most races are very boring! It's nice to see your favourite win, but, OMG it is hard to stay awake through a whole race.
Cycling: Tour de France is the highlight of the year.. Even Lance (respect for the big man, I adore his mentality and strength.. don't get me wrong!) made it possible to make the fight for yellow jersey a boring one. Too bad what happened this year...
 
MacsRgr8 said:
That's just the point...

Is it really only about winning?

IMHO sport = entertainment. That's why people enjoy watching it.
Click to expand...
I dont get the "Italian football is boring" thing. Sure within Italy it maybe is because they cancel each other out, but in cup competitions? Maybe I watch with this permanent (delusional?) thought that an Italian breakaway is coming any moment and as was shown today, when it happens there is nothing more spectacular, graceful and skilful in football. Now England are boring, Leicester City are boring, but not Alejandro and the boys:D
 
Damn, I was expecting Germany to go though. Now all I can back is France, followed by Italy.
 
Portugal lead the tournament in yellow cards - 18
Portugal are dead last in the list of 32 sides under Fair Play with 22 points.
Do they play dirty by design or is it just the result of hard and reckless abandon on the pitch? I do hope France pull out a win tomorrow. Sorry, but with my prediction rate this past week, to post it probably seals a result to the contrary.
 
great game, possibly the best of the tournament. well played by both teams and well refereed. both goals were superb.
i think the italian deserved it but the germans were good as well.
a good spot for soccer.

now i hope france makes it to te final, a proper way for zidane to close his career, but i'll stand by my earlier predictions: italy will lift the cup.
 
Man, I wanted Germany to win so bad! :(

Although im Chilean, and our team didnt even make it to the WC, I felt some sort of connection with the German team. Plus, they did a marvelous job on the first stage.

Also, Phillip Lahm (yeah, the short one) caught my attention, that guy ROCKSSS, Im sure he'll be getting some good offers from a 1st class team.

Also Lehmann did very good, anyways, congrats to the whole team and lets hope they earn the 3rd place.

And for the finals, Allez le France! :p
 
Ah, bollocks.

Come on France........I really want to watch the final, which I just couldn't bring myself to do if it's Portugal/Italy.
 
Well I'd have to say that was probably the most exciting game of the tournament that I've watched so far. It had a great tempo. Was hoping Germany would pull it out being the home team and all, but oh well :eek:

Looks like I'm going to have to cheer for the French :)
 
rickvanr said:
Well I'd have to say that was probably the most exciting game of the tournament that I've watched so far. It had a great tempo. Was hoping Germany would pull it out being the home team and all, but oh well :eek:

Looks like I'm going to have to cheer for the French :)
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You can still cheer for Germany one more time in the 3rd place match... ;)
 
Is there anyone on here for Portugal? Seems like I recall that DeSnousa posted something positive about them, but I can't find it. Yep, found it.
 
So the other Italy fans besides Applespider came crawling out with this win. :D

I must admit that Italy did a good job today and played fairly, but I'm still sorry that Germany lost. Now I'm putting my hopes on France.
 
See, the way I figured it, if I wanna meet that hot, rich, Italian girl, I need to get some good karma going my way. Ergo, I have rooted for them in every match they have won, and didn't take sides in the one match they drew (with the US). GO ITALY!!!

My prediction for tomorrow's match: France 2, Portugal 1 with them going into extra time with one goal apiece...
 
I don't really like either team that much, but for me zidane is the worlds greatest player, in terms of skill, achievement and importance in massive games. He is certainly the best player of my generation and maybe the world greatest ever player. A player like zidane deserves his last game to be a world cup final with him scoring the winner and lifting the cup.

So I wont be supporting teams, but I will be supporting Zidane
 
ham_man said:
My prediction for tomorrow's match: France 2, Portugal 1 with them going into extra time with one goal apiece...
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I'll go along with that – I'm thinking they'll get a result in 90 minutes, though.

BakedBeans said:
A player like zidane deserves his last game to be a world cup final with him scoring the winner and lifting the cup.
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I'll go along with that, too. It would be a fitting end to a distinguished career.
 
Blue Velvet said:
Here's a vaguely entertaining update of the action.
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A pertinent point: “I'd counter that both Ghana and Portugal would fall to the one-man act of one Frank Lampard,” barks David Hsia not unreasonably. “His aim and thrilling finishes left many sitting behind the goal in constant fear that they would be targeted next.”
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Heh. :p

Nice work from Titi, definite penalty.. and well struck by Zizou. :D
 
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