Clunky Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 France, now that's disappointing. so dull. Quote
Brad Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 I saw a little of the first half and followed the rest on BBC and France seemed rather awful. At least, they didn't lose. However, they clearly got cheated out of a pk on an effort by Henry as there was a clear handball. On the other hand, they haven't scored a goal in 4 WC games (I believe they didn't score in Korea). Last gasp for the Generation of '98. Quote
Robert J Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 France, now that's disappointing. so dull. Agreed, maybe playing too polite? Quote
brownie Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 France continues to fail to score in World Cup matches. They did not score a single goal at the 2002 tournament and now a 0-0 score against Switzerland when all other Cup matches have seen one goal after the other! The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. All my fears about the 2006 team have been highlighted in this lackluster opening match Quote
sidewinder Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 (edited) France continues to fail to score in World Cup matches. They did not score a single goal at the 2002 tournament and now a 0-0 score against Switzerland when all other Cup matches have seen one goal after the other! The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. All my fears about the 2006 team have been highlighted in this lackluster opening match A real missed chance by Switzerland - they should have scored about 3 times. They even tried doing a Maradona 'Hand of God' when a very simple header into goal would have sufficed ! Edited June 13, 2006 by sidewinder Quote
couw Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 ... clear handball. the guy was turned the other way, his hand behind his back. The shot almost twisted it off. Definitely a right decision by the referee. Quote
couw Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. my impression as well. The two you mention were responsible for most if not all of the French action. The Swiss were too compact in the back to let a midfield Zidane have much impact. They just let him play his fantastic passes and caught on to the player receiving the ball. Quote
B. Goren. Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 It's about time for Zidane to join Roy Keane. Quote
ASNL77 Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 France continues to fail to score in World Cup matches. They did not score a single goal at the 2002 tournament and now a 0-0 score against Switzerland when all other Cup matches have seen one goal after the other! The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. All my fears about the 2006 team have been highlighted in this lackluster opening match Couldn't agree more. This was a very disappointing performance by France. Everything went wrong. Lack of support for Henry, lack of imagination and creativity. I can not see this team go far in this tournament. Seeing France play so badly may be a shock to a lot of board members, it is not a surprise to me.France have not played a convincing game since 2000! It will be a struggle to qualify for the second round. Quote
couw Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 Brazil played like a pile of wet towels, hardly any movement and very little ideas. Ronaldo was like a salt-pilar. Croatia lacked the skil and luck to score here, but the Brazilian defense was pretty shakey when pressure rose. One Brazilian spark sufficed, but Brazil is certainly not Champion yet! Quote
porcy62 Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 (edited) couw, I know you're right but I always have had a soft spot for those Italians (except when they play against France!) specially now that they come Berlusconi-free! Thanks, cousin. If I would live near the Italy/France borders, I will put up a road signal: Welcome to to Italy, you're in a Berlusconi-Free Country. About the match, we missed at least three fundamental players: Zambrotta and Gattuso (out for physical problems), and and our best player, Totti. With all these guys in perfect form and from what I saw until now, we have some chances. Edited June 13, 2006 by porcy62 Quote
marcoliv Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 ok, i will spare all of you about the anger i'm feeling after such poor performance. Italy so far IMHO played the best football. as a Lippi fan i would love to see Italy going far on the competition. Nedved & company deserves the same faith i just read some news and the brilliant Domenech is saying that we should be happy as we grabbed 2 points from one of the toughest oponents we have on this highly competitive Group G. i need my medication Marcus Oliveira Quote
marcoliv Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 Brazil played like a pile of wet towels, hardly any movement and very little ideas. Ronaldo was like a salt-pilar. Croatia lacked the skil and luck to score here, but the Brazilian defense was pretty shakey when pressure rose. One Brazilian spark sufficed, but Brazil is certainly not Champion yet! you're absolutely right. on a good day Italy or Czech Republic may knockout Brazil on the next round Marcus Quote
kenny weir Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 (edited) where is Kenny Weir? Hey, still here! (explanation: I refuse to have a computer at home, lest I do even less reading, listening, playing with my son, cooking etc). So I'm online during my four-day working week - Wednesday-Saturday. Thanks guys! Our game was a freaking blast. The ref actually apologised for allowing the Japan goal, both to goalie Schwarzer and (sort of) later on. It was bloody amazing. Funnily enough, though, I was nervous but never in despair. It was late, but pretty damn calculated for all that. I booked a wake-up call so's I could watch Brazil-Coatia, but slept through it, so have no idea how sharp the Croations looked - that's likely going to be a crunch game for us. We have a bunch of yellow cards, so there's going to be a lot of debate whether those guys should be rested for Sunday's match with Brazil, and saved for Croatia. I've seen a bunch of other matches - loved the Trindad game. Scrappy football, amazing game. Watched the first half of Czech-US. man I feel sorry for you guys, they looked pretty bad. Or was it just that the Czechs are so freaking scary? Edited June 13, 2006 by kenny weir Quote
kenny weir Posted June 13, 2006 Report Posted June 13, 2006 Re:Japan vs. Australia. Neither team will advance, imo. Dmitry - you may well be right, but truth is that result alone is pure glory after endless years of the sort of results (and, worse, performances) the likes of which the US guys are lamenting) from Australia. (Memo to kenny from kenny: "Must not get too excited; MUST stay calm; must act as if self don't care from here on in; must act like pure sports fan, enjoying the games and never mind the result; must ..... FUCK THAT! Go Socceroos! Go Aussie Guus!) Quote
Brad Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 ... clear handball. the guy was turned the other way, his hand behind his back. The shot almost twisted it off. Definitely a right decision by the referee. It's still a handball or maybe you're justifying the decision by the ref in Germany US 2002? Quote
king ubu Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 France continues to fail to score in World Cup matches. They did not score a single goal at the 2002 tournament and now a 0-0 score against Switzerland when all other Cup matches have seen one goal after the other! The French do not have a team, they have various excellent individuals but no team spirit. Zidane and Henry once more ignored each other. All my fears about the 2006 team have been highlighted in this lackluster opening match Couldn't agree more. This was a very disappointing performance by France. Everything went wrong. Lack of support for Henry, lack of imagination and creativity. I can not see this team go far in this tournament. Seeing France play so badly may be a shock to a lot of board members, it is not a surprise to me.France have not played a convincing game since 2000! It will be a struggle to qualify for the second round. Why is everyone here in favor of the french? I am insulted... Oh, wait, I forgot I don't care for soccer... That handball was pretty much an act of unconsious surprise, no? I just watched the last ten minutes (didn't care to make it home earlier) and was utterly bored... for me it looked like two teams more or less on the same level, but since I hardly watch more than five minutes of soccer per year, I don't qualify as an expert... Quote
couw Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 ... clear handball. the guy was turned the other way, his hand behind his back. The shot almost twisted it off. Definitely a right decision by the referee. It's still a handball or maybe you're justifying the decision by the ref in Germany US 2002? the FIFA rules says that a player has to "handle the ball deliberately", which was certainly not the case here. Quote
brownie Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 (edited) ... clear handball. the guy was turned the other way, his hand behind his back. The shot almost twisted it off. Definitely a right decision by the referee. It's still a handball or maybe you're justifying the decision by the ref in Germany US 2002? the FIFA rules says that a player has to "handle the ball deliberately", which was certainly not the case here. Even the French media today has no problem with the referee's decision. France did not deserve to win, specially not on an unfair penalty! Edited June 14, 2006 by brownie Quote
Dmitry Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 So far Brasil - Croatia was the best game I've seen, along with Argentina - Cote D'Ivoire. It was breathtaking to see the Croats penetrate the Brasilian midfield in the 2nd half, like a knife goes through butter. A little too late, as they were sleep-walking through the 1st 45 min. Ronaldinho...what more can I say. France has disappointed me AGAIN. Can someone please explain to me what the problem is with this team?! Quote
Brad Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 I stand corrected I'm at work so I only have the BBC updates to go by but it seems like Spain is flying. Is that the impression? Quote
couw Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 ... it seems like Spain is flying. Is that the impression? just watched 15 minutes of this and a repeat of highlights from the first half. Yes, they are flying! Quote
couw Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 hmm, Ukraine got a red card and Spain a penalty kick. Apparantly for fumbling a Spanish player's arse. Certainly an overreaction of the referee. So that's 3:0 then. Quote
brownie Posted June 14, 2006 Report Posted June 14, 2006 A superb 4-0 victory for Spain The Spaniards showed talent, skills and enthusiasm! One of the best matches so far! And that fourth goal by Fernando Torres is one to remember! Spain should go far in the tournament. Quote
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