I've just watched the first match, one of the best opening matches to any tournament I've ever seen, in Germany vs. Costa Rica, at the Allianz Arena.

While Germany were up 2-1 at half time, the scoreline was doubled on both sides to 4-2 by full time, with Paulo Wanchope scoring both of the Costa Rican goals, and Miroslav Klose scoring goals two and three after Lahm put the Germans 1-0 up, and Thorsten Frings scoring the winning goal with three mnutes on the clock.

A great start, to hopefully what will be a great competition.

Let the debate begin.

Ecuador have just beaten Poland 2-0.........

Incidentally, it's not soccer it's football (only joking.......... :D )

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

Of course, but football is quite ambiguous, especially around this board.

I didn't actually get to seeing the win in the end, but I'm going to watch it tomorrow on video. Did Poland really perform that badly?

Incidentally, it's not soccer it's football (only joking.......... :D )

Poland were absolutely dire - in fact the Ecuador goalkeeper didn't have a save to make in the entire match (although Poland did hit the post twice late in the game).

I was very impressed with Ecuador, and I think they can qualify for the next round if they play like this.

Did Poland really perform that badly?


Pretty poor, Matt...I thought they were capable of much more...

They looked pretty jaded especially in that 2nd half...

Mind you, I still think Ecudaor's 2nd was a tad offside...

Hoping no upsets occur in a certain Group B game tomorrow!

If Paraguay play like Ecuador did in the first half then I might be worried - England rarely win the first game so I hope tomorrow will be different.  Will be in the pub at noon to get a good seat though................ :P

If Paraguay play like Ecuador did in the first half then I might be worried - England rarely win the first game so I hope tomorrow will be different.

I'm pretty confident that England have got what it takes...(how that sentence could come back to haunt me!) We'll have been watching their style of play very closely...

Will be in the pub at noon to get a good seat though................ :P


Judging by the interest this first game is stirring up, you may want to get in there as soon as it opens!

I'm watching it in the Legion - members only so it might not be as bad as a pub.

I've recorded the whole thing while still being knowledgeable of the result, I was busy with other things at the time, but it was still on in the background. Thanks Paul.

Poland were one of my major teams to either go out in the first round, or finish a very shaky second place behind the big guns of Germany. This despite having players like Rzaza amongst their ranks, one of my favourite players in the employ of ADO Den Haag back in the Netherlands, two of the 'keepers being present in England, and a couple of players from my favourite Polish side, Legia Warszawa.

Time to look back and wonder what could have been.

Pretty poor, Matt...I thought they were capable of much more...

Today's matches, England open against Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago play the Swedes, and Argentina play C

If we hadn't drawn such a tough first round, I'm telling you, there'd be a damn good chance the U.S. would be winning the World Cup this time.  We're ranked number 5 in the world.  We made it to the quarter finals in '02 and our team now is alot better than then IMO.

We still have a shot.. just a very slim one.

The problem with the Red, White and Blue is the group they've drawn.

The Italians and the Czechs play them in the group stage, and even when they're done with that, if they were to finish second in the group, they would most likely see themselves facing Brazil (who, let's face it, will finish top of their group.)

Famous last words...
[quote author=

I could easily a lot apply my comments on Poland (above) to England's performance...

And Eriksson's substitution decisions still continue to leave me baffled...

That said, a win's a win...but not a fantastically convincing performance...

With this win, and with T+T vs. Sweden underway at Westfalen, we're thanking Gamarra more and more the longer this stays 1-0 (though with only eight minutes gone, that surely looks like changing.

I hope T&T play like TNT!  :D

(karma me for corny joke)

TNT won't play explosively, but on the other hand, Dyna might... and before you ask who Dyna are, just karma me back. I karma'ed you..!

Famous last words...


How so? ???

I was just saying that now I've implied that certain events are a shoo-in, they'll conspire against me to become untrue.

Currently, Trinidad and Tobago are holding the Swedes to a goalless draw.
[quote author=

World Cup Results: Friday 9th July 2006

Germany 4 - 2 Costa Rica
Lahm 6'         Wanchope 12', 73'
Klose 17',
61'
Frings 87'

Poland 0 - 2 Ecuador
                     Tenorio 24'
                     Delgado 80'


World Cup Results: Saturday June 10th 2006

England 1 - 0 Paraguay
Gamarra OG 3'

Trinidad 0 - 0 Sweden

Argentina 2 - 1 Ivory Coast
Crespo 24'           Drogba 82'
Saviola 38'

Tomorrow's matches are the openers from Group D, Mexico vs. Iran and Angola vs. Portugal, as well as Group C's Serbia & Montenegro vs. the Netherlands.

Thanks for posting the results, Dak!

Tomorrow's matches are the openers from Group D, Mexico vs. Iran and Angola vs. Portugal, as well as Group C's Serbia & Montenegro vs. the Netherlands.

Thanks for posting the results, Dak!


Not a problem  ;)

I have a feeling the Argentina game will end 3 - 0, though

Edit: How wrong was I?!?! ;D

World Cup Result: Sunday June 11th 2006

Serbia & Montenegro 0 - 1 Holland
                                          Robben 18'

World Cup: Sunday June 11th 2006

Serbia & Montenegro 0 - 0 Holland

Final or latest score?

Final or latest score?


Latest

The Netherlands are now one up after a goal from Arjen Robben.

World Cup Result: Sunday June 11th 2006

Mexico 3 - 1 Iran
Bravo 28',        Golmohammadi 35'
76'
Zinha 79'

World Cup Result: Sunday June 11th 2006

Portugal 1 - 0 Angola
Pauleta 4'

World Cup Result: Monday June 12th 2006

Australia 3 - 1 Japan
Cackhill 84' 89'  Nakamura 26'
Who cares? 92'

One of the poorest games of football i've seen played. Australia pushed, shoved and fouled their way to a dirty win. Japan showed skill, and more importantly, sportsmanship

Let's hope Australia get absolutely mauled by Brazil

But I hate Brazil :( :P

[quote author=

World Cup Result: Monday June 12th 2006

Australia 3 - 1 Japan
Cackhill 84' 89'  Nakamura 26'
Who cares? 92'

One of the poorest games of football i've seen played. Australia pushed, shoved and fouled their way to a dirty win. Japan showed skill, and more importantly, sportsmanship

Let's hope Australia get absolutely mauled by Brazil


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World Cup Final: Australia vs England, Australiia 5, England 0

World Cup Final: Australia vs England, Australiia 5, England 0


Yeah, because Australia are gonna make it to the finals of course, they always do  ::)

You guys better watch out, the U.S. just might make it.  We're ranked fifth in the world, playing the best futbol right now we've ever played.  8)

We've got some tough competition to face though, thats what lessons the chances considerably.  But its not like it can't be done.  Anyone remember the "Miracle on ice"? ;)

I just loved to watch the smug faces of the Japanese players turn to horror when Cahill kicked that stunner at the 84th minute - everyone was writing us off, but I knew we could do it - just brilliant!!!  :) And then the two others with an eight minute period - fantastic. By then the blatantly wrong earlier decision was easily forgotten. I think if we play like this we have every chance of beating Brazil.

I just loved to watch the smug faces of the Japanese players turn to horror when Cahill kicked that stunner at the 84th minute - everyone was writing us off, but I knew we could do it - just brilliant!!!  :) And then the two others with an eight minute period - fantastic. By then the blatantly wrong earlier decision was easily forgotten. I think if we play like this we have every chance of beating Brazil.


The Japanese worked hard and played a good game of football, actually

And Cackhill is one of the most over-rated players of the competition - he's up there with Christiano Ronaldo

[quote author=

World Cup Final: Australia vs England, Australiia 5, England 0

In your dreams!!  :P

Didn't quite materialise against the Czechs...

I don't think it's been mentioned, but big congratulations to Henk (if he's watching!) regarding Holland's win yesterday...


Yes, I'm watching! Thanks Paul. :) We probably don't have the best team in the world, and perhaps it's not even the best Dutch team ever (can anyone name more than five players ..?), but at least it's a team. ;)

Having said this, Serbia & Montenegro were very disappointing... Beating Ivory Coast will be somewhat more troublesome, I expect.

Didn't quite materialise against the Czechs...



Shut up! >:( :P

There is player called Fred playing for Brazil?

There is player called Fred playing for Brazil?


His real name's probably Fred Pele, or something...

Good Lord!

Just noticed...12 minutes in and Brazil haven't scored!

There must be something wrong!

Fred's real name is actually Frederico Chaves Guedes. Scorer of the fastest ever Brazilian goal, 3.17 seconds after kickoff.

There is player called Fred playing for Brazil?

As of right now, however, Brazil have just scored their opener, courtesy of Kak

Fred's real name is actually Frederico Chaves Guedes. Scorer of the fastest ever Brazilian goal, 3.17 seconds after kickoff.
Thanks for the info.