Italy are always out of form leading in to the World Cup. And they usually start slow in the group stages and get better the further they go, although this Italy team is old, and one of the weakest they're taking in over a decade. Plus Pirlo will miss the first two games, but one of them is against New Zealand, though. They'll probably draw with Paraguay.

I've got 3 teams in the tournament, but I would be surprised if they made it further than the initial round. Still, I might be pleasantly surprised

Isn't one of them Denmark? I wouldn't be surprised at all if they made it through to the last 16. I think they're a better team than Cameroon, and the jury's still out on whether playing on African soil is going to make much difference on the outcomes or not. I think Pidesco's on the ball, all the African teams will probably crash and burn, because even if Ivory Coast and Ghana make it to the last 16, Spain and England will knock them out. If no African teams make the quarter-finals, I think the Africans will see that as a failure.

Isn't one of them Denmark? I wouldn't be surprised at all if they made it through to the last 16.

It is. Denmark, New Zealand and Australia are the countries I've lived in the last decade. Denmark lack stability, which means it's possible, but I wouldn't count on it

Isn't one of them Denmark? I wouldn't be surprised at all if they made it through to the last 16.

It is. Denmark, New Zealand and Australia are the countries I've lived in the last decade. Denmark lack stability, which means it's possible, but I wouldn't count on it

 

Mmh, I narrowly missed being born in Italy and have lived almost a third of my life in Greece. Studying French for 13 years just left me with a near-pathological hatred for them, so as long as they don't win, I'll be happy - don't expect much from either of my two "almost home countries"

One month to go till the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Predict the following:

 

1. Winning team

2. Top scorer

3. Tournament’s MVP

4. Teams who will surprise (if any)

5. Teams who will disappoint (if any)

6. Who will have the better tournament out of Messi, Rooney and Ronaldo.

 

1. Spain

2. Drogba (I'm sure he will play)

3. No idea

4. Ivoire

5. Portugal, Italy, France

6. Messi

Edited June 11, 201015 yr by Bendu

After our training match v South Africa I genuinely don't believe we will go through.

Anyone rooting for North Korea? I wish they were put in the same group as South Korea.

 

Tomorrow is Engerland - USA & Nigeria - Argentina, could be interesting.

I've laid money on:

 

Mexico wining 2-1.

 

A greek victory

 

0-0 France vs uruguay

 

And gambled big on Argentina losing the plot due to mismanagement and Nigeria doing as well as they aim to.

 

I thought about betting on Serbia, out of misplaced forum loyalty (I know several members are serbs) but restrained myself.

I wonder which referee will ruin the World Cup this year. In 2002, there was

, last WC Australia was scandalously robbed after an Italian dive.

 

France shouldn't even be in this year's WC, after the handball against Ireland.

Edited June 11, 201015 yr by virumor

Interesting opening ceremony, playing a song about New York. Wonder who planned that one.

Anyone rooting for North Korea? I wish they were put in the same group as South Korea.

 

Ohhh no you don't.

 

Want the bloody South African president to shut up so we can get with the football.

Holy cow, vuvuzelas are annoying.

Stuck doing work till late today. Bunch of friends coming to stay for the weekend, though. Hopefully no chance of slyly trying to work over the next couple of days. I love my work too much sometimes.

France shouldn't even be in this year's WC, after the handball against Ireland.

 

Not really, Ireland might well have lost on kicks. Mexico - SA was an entertaining match, shame Vela didn't do more. Rooting for Germany and Holland, but will end up disappointed.

 

 

Those vuvuzelas are beyond irritating, sucky thing too is how they kill fans trying to do something else. Imagine trying to chant over that drone.

Edited June 11, 201015 yr by Malcador

Why does every game sound like a giant mosquito from beginning to end?

Yeah maybe handing out those compresses air horns to everyone at the entrance was a mistake.

I wonder if there'll be any random headbutting in the last 10 minutes this year.

Anyone rooting for North Korea?

 

I don't even think most NKorean's know they're in the cup.

 

 

 

Tomorrow is Engerland - USA

 

Now this I can't wait for, will be a very good match. Tis a shame I might miss it tommorow though.

Edited June 11, 201015 yr by Syraxis

Ah, a good 'ole game of football, featuring The Empire against The Colonies. I will definately watch that one.

I weep for Ireland, who would have kicked the behinds of those Uruguayans. France just plain sucks.

 

And on another note (pun intended):

 

Edited June 11, 201015 yr by virumor

I'm watching it now, game is going nowhere

I weep for Ireland, who would have kicked the behinds of those Uruguayans. France just plain sucks.

 

And on another note (pun intended):

 

 

Thank god for the mute-button.

America boasts a capable football team (guys like Clint Dempsey are easily as good as the second tier Premiership England players in our squad). They will give England a run for their money.

 

England 2010 is in a mess, and usually disappoint in the early stages of World Cup tournaments. No Rio Ferdinand, no palpable team spirit and an overpaid, underperforming squad. Only Rooney really shines but the traditional mid-field problems threaten to undermine him. I think a draw is on the cards, my football mentat friends suggest 2-1 to England as a good result.

Oh, and keep an eye on Donovan (USA), my money is on him scoring today.