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Weeeeerrlll a football filled weekend it was I followed every game sadly I was at my GF's house where I cannot log on to the Internet in the weekends because some miscreant broke into her home and stole her laptop 3 weeks back.

One thing that kinda sticks out is the number of stupid mistakes made by goalies. Really at this level you simply cannot make mistakes like this. At least 3 goalkeepers made mistakes one of the most important was by Green.

As Jim already said not much teams showed a lot of World Class level. Even though some great names already went on stage. France couldn't break a thing against uruguay, Argentina even though they won the match really dissapointed, The United states were really lucky with the Brit Goalie but neither teams did impress, Greece.... Really.... it looked like the coaches simply went out of the stadium one hour before the match and picked some guys off the street. That was some lame play

From the socceroos I thought after the first goal of Germany that they still had a chance to score some goals... It didn;t look too bad at first but quickly it came out that there is a downfall to bringing Veterans to the game... They can't keep up with the younger opponents. Something that became too apparent with how easy the German offense ran through the Aussie defense. Even if the red card from Cahill was a yellow card it still would not have made any difference to the score.

The only game I really enjoyed watching was Serbia Ghana which ended 0-1 Not the most impressive of scores but they allowed each other to play and it was fast and attractive. And I also thought that even with the lame Greece play the South Koreans didn't do too bad either... They played together quite well.

And jim... I can understand you are looking forward to everybody cheering for Spain. And I will not disagree in the fact that they are really good at the moment. Possibly even the team with the best players at the moment. But not today... Today I will stand behind the guys in Orange. The Dutch Orange that is. Hollands first match. Against Denmark. I think it is safe to say that we have the strongest team in years Even though our Defense is not that good. Our midfield is really strong and our Offense is top notch with some of the best (and some of the most creative) players in the world. Somebody mentioned earlier that the Dutch will probably die in beauty. And that is true. We probably will. Last EC was a good example. we did not come far but everybody still talks about the brilliant matches against France and Italy. I'm really looking forward how the Dutch 11 will start off this Championship.

Also let's see what the veterans of Italy will do this evening. Whereas most clubs tend to come with a young team... Italy comes with the oldest gang on the tournament.

Congrats to all the winners from this weekend. Pitty for the countries that lost. But there are still chances.

Happy football greetings

Robert Blokker

My hat is definitely off to Germany. The most attractive football i've EVER seen from them. Posession, imaginative work on the wings - you name it, they showed it.

Not only that, a young team and a coach with a lot of imagination. However, it was made easy for them - don't reckon it be as easy with a team with a stronger midfield. Best team so far in the WC...

Must have been the worst 3 days of WC football Ive ever seen. Germany were a delight though and the only exception ... but I won´t sing their graces yet ... Australia didn´t turn up. With Moore and Neil as centre-halves, any team will walk through them. Cahill´s sending off had little or no affect to the result IMO. S.Korea did OK, but again, what did they play against? Green will probably get all the flak for England not picking up 3 points, but I think the whole team was very poor ... definalty going no where playing like this. USA weren´t the most convincing opponents either.
Not really supporting any particular team, but hoping for some decent football. Pity I`ll miss the Holland V Denmark game today ... that sounds like an exciting prospect. I have recorded it so wont be checking the net again until I see the game this evening.
Is it just me, or is anybody else disturbed by those blasted plastic trumpet thingies? I was at a Mustasch/Europe/Kiss concert on saturday evening, and the volume was nothing compared to the drone through every football match. Bad football and this noise hasn´t made this very appealing so far!

A free migraine with every game? We got used to them last year when we watched the Federation cup in S.Africa and every game had 90 minutes of this lunacy..

The first time I heard the infamous Vuvuzela was during one of the games of the Africa Cup that was broadcasted here in Holland and I thought they were also holding a motor GP race in the same stadium at the same time.

I have never in my life heard such a noise. It is a bit like playing in a giant Beehive

Jim,

I am totally convinced of Spain as does the majority of German football fans (scroll down to the bottom "Wer wird Weltmeister?")


Since Aragonés managed it to unite the different local player associations to one team by discharging Raùl from their national team, they have become competitive.

In the past it was in particular Raùl who was forcing the tensions inside the team of Madrilenians, Basques, Catalans etc. what made them fail.

Exactly! Aragones, was NOT the ideal trainer - Del Bosque IS, but the absence of Raul (and the obnoxious Guti) has improved the environment 150%..

"A free migraine with every game? We got used to them last year when we watched the Federation cup in S.Africa and every game had 90 minutes of this lunacy"

Frank, Jim, Robert

What has Elwood Blues said about the permanent railway's noise: "After a while you won't notice it anymore"

Have to go as a home town fan. USA is my team. I was happy we tied with England. After that I going with my ancestry.

Ok have seen the first match of Holland and it was pretty horrible. The good feeling I had completely ruined. The Dutch team played like amateurs.
Yes there was the 2-0 victory but the second half started with a 1-0 own goal from Denmark. The second goal came somewhere close to what we have seen from Holland in the process to the championship. Quite frankly I think it was a disgrace... if you haven't seen it..... be glad. Hopefully the games against Japan and Cameroon will be better.

"Hopefully the games against Japan and Cameroon will be better."

No, it was worst.


But I still expect the Oranje to rule their Group E and that they gonna grow fast enough into the tournament.

I am sure if Robben is able to play, he gonna stimulate the right wing which was a deadbeat one today.

Today you have won with a fair performance thus I would not be that harsh.

Denmark was a disappoinment.

I wouldn´t put too much weight on this game alone. Holland did enough to win, and maybe save energy for future games. On the bright side, the introduction of Elia (especially) and Afellay lifted the team a lot. Looking forward to seeing more of this Elia chap. Much better than Ryan Babble in this position. A very over rated player IMO. Holland will probably glid through this group, and maybe they´ll settle down more by then.
Wasn´t impressed by the other two matches at all. Looking forward to the knock out stages now ... too many weak and under-performing teams for my liking.

Allthough true and we are happy with the result we, the Dutch, probably watch football matches of our own team with too great expectations. Even though we won and came out of it with 3 points. Still we expect to see the Dutch team play beautiful. And if the Dutch team doesn't play beautifull we are not satisfied. Regardless if we win or lose. We rather see the Dutch team lose with a good display of technique then that we win ugly. Oh well as I said probably the wrong expectations. Hopefully indeed we will have Robben back with the following 2 matches we need some speed and creativity on the right.

@ Frank
Yeah The problem is that Sneijder, Van der Vaart and van Persie are really great players... alas they also have really big ego's. And where they should play together they were walking more in each others paths then doing something organised and good. This meant the danish were able to block each action as the Dutch game became predictable. Rendering Kuijt a bit useless. This guy works so hard but of you don't get balls from the midfield it is very hard to make something of it.
Luckily as you also said it changed when Elia came in. This guy already showed in the trainingsmatches and the qualification games that he possesses a lot of creativity and speed and works very good on the leftfield. And luckily he managed to break open the play of the Dutch a bit. Even more of that happened when Affelay came in. I personally don't think the other two matches in this group will not pose too much trouble but then again with the Dutch you never know.

Made a lot of pictures yesterday. About 250... weather was really nice. This one is one of my favourites. Probably will upload more later on. To see how the party was this match

Yeah gotta say I agree with the general sentiment that the games haven't been the inspiring. However I did think Germany were pretty convincing....As a kiwi I take some delight in seeing Australia beaten (No offence Brad ) There has been talk around NZ that Cahill's Red was a little bit of Karma for his and Grella's pretty shocking tackles in the warm up match at the MCG.

Game on in a couple hours time New Zealand Vs Slovakia, hoping for a All Whites Victory

GO ALL WHITES!!!

P.S Agree with Jim, my money is on Spain to take out the Cup. Down these parts and in general there doesn't seem to be much mention of them.

Well New Zealand vs Slovakia starts in a few minutes. Success To both teams

Ola Guys

Found this photoshop on the internet thought it was pretty funny. I know this is not something that will be hugely enjoyed by the Brits.



Found on www.i-am-bored.com

New Zealand - Slovakia 1-1

Big surprise really congrats to the Kiwi's for their first point on this World Championship.

Slovakia will surely see this as a loss but it is always stupid to defend a 0-1 score as it is only 0-1... The opponent only needs one goal to come even. Not the most inspiring game in the world nontheless fun to see how the Kiwi's celebrated their goal... Reid probably doesn't care much that he got the yellow for taking out his shirt.

Congratulations to the Kiwis on their first ever point in a WC (if I'm not mistaken). It wasn't a great game but the result is just seeing as the 0-1 was offside.

Yes a great result for the Kiwis, which should be hard for me to acknowledge being an Aussie, but we love an underdog...
Good on them. Slovakia knows this was 2 points pissed into the wind.
And yes, awaiting the Dutch to awaken! I think they were stymied for a lot of the game. They had plenty of possession but was fruitless in attack as the Danes filled the gaps sufficiently. A shame for the own goal as I thought Poulsen played a good first half at least...

ha ha, the look on beckhams face could have killed, but at least it shows he still has passion for the game .

if italy can get their act together they might at least get to the semi's.

paul

I think it was due to pressure of the first game. And an opponent that knows the Dutch and the Dutch style of playing very well. We had the same problem last EC when we played against Russia Hiddink then the coach of russia knew Holland and their players in and out and set the team up in such a way that the whole dutch tactic was worthless and they couldn't switch fast enough... End of EC.
I personally think that van marwijk will keep Robben in the reserves as long as possible giving him time to strengthen. It all depends on how the games against Japan and Cameroon will progress. I think it will be a great opportunity for the young guys like Affelay and Elia to get some more World Championship experience. Probably if all goes well we will see Robben back after the group section.

NZ 1 slovakia 1
SWEET

Next Game
NZ 2 italy 1 (I wish,hope)even better

Chris
A kiwi

What a goal by Winston Reid! The pub I was in went absolutely nuts when he scored.
I'm with you Chris, Italy better watch out hehe..... it will be a tough tough game for us.
This was my favourite moment of the game (other than the goal)

Ola Guys

Again congrats to New Zealand for their draw and the first WC point ever.
@ Andy... Nice pic... looks like he is saying... Watch it kid... next time you are mine.

Portugal Cote d'Ivoire 0-0 Both teams look equally strong. Will be interesting to see how that progresses in that poule.

Brazil North Korea 2-1. It was actually a game I quite enjoyed watching. Was a bit surprised by North Korea. Keeping Brazil at the zero in the first half. Then the beautifull goal from Maicon from a virtually impossible angle. The second goal was also very nice but I liked the fact that North Korea still kept fighting and even landed a goal of their own.
For North Korea this is really the toughest poule to land in still if they are playing like they did yesterday they can even have a little chance of winning a game.
Also loved the hired in Chinese supporters to play North Korean supporters. No north Koreans were supporting their team as the government was afraid they would all flee. Gotta love the North Korean regime for their creativity.

Also did anybody notice the brilliant camera work during this WC? It seems they have taken full advantage of the HD technology. I saw several slidings where the only stuff that was visible were legs and shoes and the ball and the cam was standing on the other side of the field... I really enjoy seeing these supercloseups in slowmotion. During the game of Holland against Denmark Poulsen eventually got a ball against his head and you saw the sweat fly off his face during impact. Simply stunning.

Another interesting day is coming up. Starting off with Honduras against Chile and Spain against Swiss. And then we start with poule A again with the Bafana Bafana against Uruguay. Saw on the news today that the coach of the Bafana Bafana anounced that there will be a difference in play from the South African team in a way we have never seen before from them. Who knows. Maybe they will get their first victory in this tournament.