http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6yLDq0i ... re=related
I'd have to give the edge to Holland. They are quite skilled in the art of referee manipulation.
World Cup 2010
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Brian Davis
- udonmap.com
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- Joined: January 26, 2008, 8:14 pm
- Location: Phen (Udon Thani Province)
Re: World Cup 2010
Phew! That was close. It's one thing to be hammered by THEM, but to have to witness them winning the overall thing too, would be more than I can take. 
So, well done Spain. As a thank you, we'll be sending even more of our quality young men to make fools of themselves, spending stacks of hard-earned money getting absolutely blotto in your sunny bars. What's that? The England team is already there?
Irrespective of any octopus, I just knew that moving dad's WWII medals to the shelf alongside Buddah, would give the right result.
Guess I can put them back in the cupboard for a couple of years now.
So, well done Spain. As a thank you, we'll be sending even more of our quality young men to make fools of themselves, spending stacks of hard-earned money getting absolutely blotto in your sunny bars. What's that? The England team is already there?Irrespective of any octopus, I just knew that moving dad's WWII medals to the shelf alongside Buddah, would give the right result.
Guess I can put them back in the cupboard for a couple of years now.
Re: World Cup 2010
I am not sure it was as much Germany getting their tactics wrong Zidane as Spain getting theirs right... 
They dropped Torres, who might have been having poor world cup, but is a striker, & replaced him with Pedro. He showed himself to be much more of a defensive midfielder than anything like a striker. Spain then flooded the midfield & gave Germany no chance to get control there. Then, as you say, pass them to death. I understand that the last European final is still called 'death by a thousand passes' in Germany & it was more of the same last night.
In their 3 impressive games Germany have scored first (& pretty early) & then slaughtered the opposition as they were chasing the game. Spain made sure that never happened, hence, I think, a poor looking performance from Germany.
Now to the final.....
I agree to some degree with you Tex, that some of the dutch players should be performing on the stage rather than in a world cup finals. I hope the finals referee quickly gets a grip on that & books the first one that goes down like he has been shot. Normally I would be rooting for the Dutch side but some of their players antics has very much put me off them this year. It would not surprise me if Torres didn't manage to get on the score sheet for the Spanish!!
They dropped Torres, who might have been having poor world cup, but is a striker, & replaced him with Pedro. He showed himself to be much more of a defensive midfielder than anything like a striker. Spain then flooded the midfield & gave Germany no chance to get control there. Then, as you say, pass them to death. I understand that the last European final is still called 'death by a thousand passes' in Germany & it was more of the same last night.
In their 3 impressive games Germany have scored first (& pretty early) & then slaughtered the opposition as they were chasing the game. Spain made sure that never happened, hence, I think, a poor looking performance from Germany.
Now to the final.....
I agree to some degree with you Tex, that some of the dutch players should be performing on the stage rather than in a world cup finals. I hope the finals referee quickly gets a grip on that & books the first one that goes down like he has been shot. Normally I would be rooting for the Dutch side but some of their players antics has very much put me off them this year. It would not surprise me if Torres didn't manage to get on the score sheet for the Spanish!!
Re: World Cup 2010
Some interesting stats in The Mail today on passing in World Cup(s).
The most ever completed passes in a World Cup were 589 made in 1994 by Dunga - this years' Brazil manager. He also holds position number 3 with 494 made in 1998.
In second place on 509 is Xavi of Spain in this world cup. He could actually gain the number one spot from Dunga with an 'average' game display against Holland in the final...
The 3 players with the most completed passes in this world cup are :
Xavi (509), Busquets (466) and Alonso (463) - all 3 playing for... you guessed...Spain.
Anyone watching the Spanish side will quickly realise that 99% of these passes are not designed to score a goal but to ensure that posession of the ball is retained. Indeed against Germany they enjoyed the least posession in any game, just 57% of it. Ironically they enjoyed the greatest percentage of posession against the Swiss at nearly 74% - a game which they lost 1-0....
The most ever completed passes in a World Cup were 589 made in 1994 by Dunga - this years' Brazil manager. He also holds position number 3 with 494 made in 1998.
In second place on 509 is Xavi of Spain in this world cup. He could actually gain the number one spot from Dunga with an 'average' game display against Holland in the final...
The 3 players with the most completed passes in this world cup are :
Xavi (509), Busquets (466) and Alonso (463) - all 3 playing for... you guessed...Spain.
Anyone watching the Spanish side will quickly realise that 99% of these passes are not designed to score a goal but to ensure that posession of the ball is retained. Indeed against Germany they enjoyed the least posession in any game, just 57% of it. Ironically they enjoyed the greatest percentage of posession against the Swiss at nearly 74% - a game which they lost 1-0....
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immortal1977
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 16
- Joined: May 30, 2009, 3:18 pm
Re: World Cup 2010
My Octopus has spoken: Holland - Spain 2-1
The World Cup will come to Holland !!!!
After 2 lost finals in the past, we deserve to win now.....
The World Cup will come to Holland !!!!
After 2 lost finals in the past, we deserve to win now.....
Re: World Cup 2010
Sadly for you immortal
Glad to see that 3 Englishmen will get on the pitch at the finals - if only as the officials.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10566287.stmAn octopus credited with psychic powers has predicted that Spain will defeat the Netherlands in the World Cup final.
He also predicted a win for Germany against Uruguay in the third place match. He has so far correctly forecast every World Cup game involving the national team.
The tip for Spain was his first for a game not involving Germany.
He predicts by choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of the competing nations.
Glad to see that 3 Englishmen will get on the pitch at the finals - if only as the officials.
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Flatlander
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 45
- Joined: July 23, 2008, 12:23 am
- Location: Amsterdam
Re: World Cup 2010
Final bet Paul the Octopus picks Spain over the Netherlands to win World Cup
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RIP
Paul
And yes, i'm from The Netherlands
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RIP
Paul
And yes, i'm from The Netherlands
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jackspratt
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 16922
- Joined: July 2, 2006, 5:29 pm
Re: World Cup 2010
Umm!...........I gotta ask - do the Orange mob know the difference between octopus and squid?
Re: World Cup 2010
Capello’s unjustified arrogance.
• World Cup Eng v Ger 250610
Yes, quite right. There certainly are questions to be answered. But that will have to occur when the team returns home. That will be immediately following being outclassed and outplayed - as they surely will be - by Germany in the round of sixteen.
What has Capello actually achieved in his two years as Manager?
Answer: 1. In non World Cup matches he has never managed to a victory over any team ranked higher than England. . In fact, other than a one off victory over Croatia, England has not beaten any team ranked in the top thirty in the World!!
Answer 2. Much keeps being made about England's wonderful World Cup qualifying record. Again, guess the answer to the question of how many of teams in England's group were ranked in the top thirty in the world?
Answer 3.In Group C England (with a ridiculous world ranking at No.
, could only manage a somewhat lucky draw against USA (ranked 14); even worse couldn't manage to beat, or even score against, Algeria ranked THIRTY in the World, and finally are, quite incredibly, are being applauded for finally managing to achieve, by the skin of their teeth, a more than fortunate 1-0 win against a Slovenia team ranked at TWENTY FIVE in the world..
ANSWER 4.In his pre-Slovenia match interviews, Capello never once gave the slightest intimation that he felt he was in any way responsible for England's poor performances. His comments were solely about his disappointment at, and his lack of understanding of, the reason behind, the poor performances of both the team, and the players individually. It is clear that it was only as a result of THE PLAYERS asserting themselves; at least some of the problems besetting the team were sorted out. This reflects no credit upon Capello, although again his post match comments appear to imply credit upon him. It must be great to have the title of England Manager; pocket six million pounds per annum; take all the credit for such limited success as England enjoy BUT not have to accept responsibility for any failures, which he has a record of placing squarely upon the players.
Answer 5. The FACT is that NO PROGRESS has been made under Capello's managership. Not one world class National side has been beaten under his reign, and indeed, the selection of world class opponents for friendly games, have been very few on the ground (probably just as well and very wisely on his part!). After in excess of two years the same old so called 'golden age' players (who have never achieved anything Nationally), continue to receive automatic selection; younger emerging or 'flair' players are resolutely denied their chances. Capello approach is so stereotyped as to be an international embarrassment. The England team must ALWAYS play either a tight or loose 4-4-2 formation; concentrate first and foremost on preventing the opposition from scoring and hope for a breakaway goal (Italian style!!), and under no circumstances to go out onto the field with the firm intention of attacking and scoring goals against the opposition, no matter how poor that opposition may be. To ensure the team strictly complies with this latter requirement, Capello is careful to ensure in his squad and team selections, no player of unique skill, ball artistry or vision, or whose play is unpredictable to opponents is allowed to set foot on the playing field, except in the most dire of circumstances.
Answer .6. No matter that he HAS failed in every aspect of his appointed tasks, there is no chance at all of either Capello resigning or of the FA asking him to do so. Of course, the FA could continue it's dismal record of 'paying off' yet another foreign manager - and then appoint yet another who seemingly needs only to be foreign; have no idea of the English psyche or footballing strengths and, most importantly, will guarantee to include Beckham in his every squad and laud his ability and importance to the England team. So, England supporters can look forward to two more years of "Capello & Beckham; and continuing failure.
‘The Cynic’. 25 June 2010.
And so it all came to pass! Announcement of Beckham's appointment as Assistant Manager confidently awaited. Anyone know a bookmaker willing to accept a bet against England qualifying for European Cup Finals????
• World Cup Eng v Ger 250610
Yes, quite right. There certainly are questions to be answered. But that will have to occur when the team returns home. That will be immediately following being outclassed and outplayed - as they surely will be - by Germany in the round of sixteen.
What has Capello actually achieved in his two years as Manager?
Answer: 1. In non World Cup matches he has never managed to a victory over any team ranked higher than England. . In fact, other than a one off victory over Croatia, England has not beaten any team ranked in the top thirty in the World!!
Answer 2. Much keeps being made about England's wonderful World Cup qualifying record. Again, guess the answer to the question of how many of teams in England's group were ranked in the top thirty in the world?
Answer 3.In Group C England (with a ridiculous world ranking at No.
, could only manage a somewhat lucky draw against USA (ranked 14); even worse couldn't manage to beat, or even score against, Algeria ranked THIRTY in the World, and finally are, quite incredibly, are being applauded for finally managing to achieve, by the skin of their teeth, a more than fortunate 1-0 win against a Slovenia team ranked at TWENTY FIVE in the world..ANSWER 4.In his pre-Slovenia match interviews, Capello never once gave the slightest intimation that he felt he was in any way responsible for England's poor performances. His comments were solely about his disappointment at, and his lack of understanding of, the reason behind, the poor performances of both the team, and the players individually. It is clear that it was only as a result of THE PLAYERS asserting themselves; at least some of the problems besetting the team were sorted out. This reflects no credit upon Capello, although again his post match comments appear to imply credit upon him. It must be great to have the title of England Manager; pocket six million pounds per annum; take all the credit for such limited success as England enjoy BUT not have to accept responsibility for any failures, which he has a record of placing squarely upon the players.
Answer 5. The FACT is that NO PROGRESS has been made under Capello's managership. Not one world class National side has been beaten under his reign, and indeed, the selection of world class opponents for friendly games, have been very few on the ground (probably just as well and very wisely on his part!). After in excess of two years the same old so called 'golden age' players (who have never achieved anything Nationally), continue to receive automatic selection; younger emerging or 'flair' players are resolutely denied their chances. Capello approach is so stereotyped as to be an international embarrassment. The England team must ALWAYS play either a tight or loose 4-4-2 formation; concentrate first and foremost on preventing the opposition from scoring and hope for a breakaway goal (Italian style!!), and under no circumstances to go out onto the field with the firm intention of attacking and scoring goals against the opposition, no matter how poor that opposition may be. To ensure the team strictly complies with this latter requirement, Capello is careful to ensure in his squad and team selections, no player of unique skill, ball artistry or vision, or whose play is unpredictable to opponents is allowed to set foot on the playing field, except in the most dire of circumstances.
Answer .6. No matter that he HAS failed in every aspect of his appointed tasks, there is no chance at all of either Capello resigning or of the FA asking him to do so. Of course, the FA could continue it's dismal record of 'paying off' yet another foreign manager - and then appoint yet another who seemingly needs only to be foreign; have no idea of the English psyche or footballing strengths and, most importantly, will guarantee to include Beckham in his every squad and laud his ability and importance to the England team. So, England supporters can look forward to two more years of "Capello & Beckham; and continuing failure.
‘The Cynic’. 25 June 2010.
And so it all came to pass! Announcement of Beckham's appointment as Assistant Manager confidently awaited. Anyone know a bookmaker willing to accept a bet against England qualifying for European Cup Finals????
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arjay
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 8349
- Joined: October 2, 2005, 12:19 pm
- Location: Gone to get a life, "troll free"
Re: World Cup 2010
Well another 3 goals by Germany in the 3rd/4th place play offs, as Germany beat Uruguay 3-2.
Report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... efault.stm
Report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/footbal ... efault.stm
Re: World Cup 2010
The Germany-Uruguay game was a cracking match ......one of the best of the tournament with the Germans scoring a late winner.I was in two minds wether or not to stay up to watch it but glad I did.
Even then Forlan hit the bar with the last kick off the match after earlier putting Uruguay ahead with a great volleyed goal to make the score 2-1.
The golden boot award for the tournament is between him,Mueller and Schneider and Villa who are playing tonight.
I hope the match tonight is as good.I think a lot depends on how Van Bommel,Schneider and Kuyt get in amongst the Spanish midfield to stop them playing their normal passing game.
If the Dutch sit back against the Spanish,the same the Germans did,I cannot see them winning.
So one last late night of 1.30am viewing over here....lets hope its a great match !
Even then Forlan hit the bar with the last kick off the match after earlier putting Uruguay ahead with a great volleyed goal to make the score 2-1.
The golden boot award for the tournament is between him,Mueller and Schneider and Villa who are playing tonight.
I hope the match tonight is as good.I think a lot depends on how Van Bommel,Schneider and Kuyt get in amongst the Spanish midfield to stop them playing their normal passing game.
If the Dutch sit back against the Spanish,the same the Germans did,I cannot see them winning.
So one last late night of 1.30am viewing over here....lets hope its a great match !
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Galee
- udonmap.com
- Posts: 3424
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- Location: Was Eastbourne, East Sussex. Now Udon.
Re: World Cup 2010
They think it's all over. It is now. Well nearly.
Personally I can't wait for it all to end. For me it's been one big let down and I'm not saying that because England were dismal.
To start with those blooming Fuzzy Zellars completely ruined the atmosphere. Give me good old chanting and singing anytime. Secondly the ball has been a complete joke. Direct free kicks from outside the box either crash into the wall or end up 20 feet over the bar.
From what little I have seen Spain have worked out a system that works well, but at what cost. Personally I don't want to see the ball passed endlessly around the pitch. Boring. I like watching English football. Yes it's less than perfect, but at least it's entertaining. Thank goodness the WC only comes round every 4 years. I'd rather have a bad England team if it means we keep the speed, physical and entertaining aspect of Premiership football.
Personally I can't wait for it all to end. For me it's been one big let down and I'm not saying that because England were dismal.
To start with those blooming Fuzzy Zellars completely ruined the atmosphere. Give me good old chanting and singing anytime. Secondly the ball has been a complete joke. Direct free kicks from outside the box either crash into the wall or end up 20 feet over the bar.
From what little I have seen Spain have worked out a system that works well, but at what cost. Personally I don't want to see the ball passed endlessly around the pitch. Boring. I like watching English football. Yes it's less than perfect, but at least it's entertaining. Thank goodness the WC only comes round every 4 years. I'd rather have a bad England team if it means we keep the speed, physical and entertaining aspect of Premiership football.
Re: World Cup 2010
Some do Jack...jackspratt wrote:Umm!...........I gotta ask - do the Orange mob know the difference between octopus and squid?
And all octopus know the difference between a bad smelling mussel (dutch box) and a fresh mussel (spanish box)
Don't tell me all you guys believe the octopus story...
CNN showed a proud spanish restaurant owner presenting... octopus on their menu. Nice for Paul to know, but I guess he doesn't watch CNN
Re: World Cup 2010
A pretty disappointing final......the standard of finishing was abysmal and general play mundane.
The Dutch certainly got in and amongst the Spanish midfield to stop them playing their normal passing game.
It wasnt pretty to watch and became an ill tempered clash with 14 bookings and 1 sending off.
At least Iniesta's late goal saved us from the ordeal of penalties.
The Spanish brought Jesus on as sub but even he couldnt produce a miracle to rescue this match from the mediocre.
Torres on as sub for 10 minutes at the end of injury time pulls his hamstring......100m,I dont think so.
But congratulations to Spain for becoming World Champions and commiserations to the Netherlands for the 3rd time.
The Dutch certainly got in and amongst the Spanish midfield to stop them playing their normal passing game.
It wasnt pretty to watch and became an ill tempered clash with 14 bookings and 1 sending off.
At least Iniesta's late goal saved us from the ordeal of penalties.
The Spanish brought Jesus on as sub but even he couldnt produce a miracle to rescue this match from the mediocre.
Torres on as sub for 10 minutes at the end of injury time pulls his hamstring......100m,I dont think so.
But congratulations to Spain for becoming World Champions and commiserations to the Netherlands for the 3rd time.
Re: World Cup 2010
Didnt anyone else think the dutch team were disgraceful and dirty ? I have not seen such a cynical performance since rattin argentina 1966 ? This was a show piece final watched by 1 billion people ! It brings shame to a country to play like that.
Re: World Cup 2010
Spot on udon, the Netherlands were a disgrace, the referee and linesman got every offside bob-on, and imho all the bookings and the sending off were justified.
Re: World Cup 2010
Agree 100% Zid. I would have been happy for Forlan to have scored & the game to have gone on for another 30 minutes..Zidane wrote:The Germany-Uruguay game was a cracking match ......one of the best of the tournament
I guess both only playing for pride though & it showed. Good football by both sides played in a competitive but fair spirit - what football (& particulary World Cup football) should be all about.Sadly the same could not be said for the final.
Spain attempted to bore Holland to sleep with passing & the Dutch decided to keep awake by kicking chunks out of anything that moved. Not a game that especially flattered either country's football. The result was probably the correct one but I was a bit past caring at the end...
Re: World Cup 2010
Incidentally,Forlan won the Golden Ball award for player of the tournament. =D>
Thomas Mueller of Germany won the Golden Boot award (goals plus assists) and Iker Casillas of Spain the Golden Glove for best keeper.
But agree about the Final.....I was praying for someone to score within the 90 minutes,even if it was a ricochet off Howards Webb's backside......just to finish it so I could go to bed ! [-o<
Thomas Mueller of Germany won the Golden Boot award (goals plus assists) and Iker Casillas of Spain the Golden Glove for best keeper.
But agree about the Final.....I was praying for someone to score within the 90 minutes,even if it was a ricochet off Howards Webb's backside......just to finish it so I could go to bed ! [-o<
Re: World Cup 2010
Breaking news from South Africa.
After Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup the Nigerian
goalkeeper personally offered to refund all the expenses of all the World Cup
fans who travelled to South Africa. He said he just needs their bank details
and pin numbers to complete the transaction.
After Nigeria was eliminated from the World Cup the Nigerian
goalkeeper personally offered to refund all the expenses of all the World Cup
fans who travelled to South Africa. He said he just needs their bank details
and pin numbers to complete the transaction.
Re: World Cup 2010
While I agree with much you say DGPW, is pinning the failure of the England football team in the World Cup really all down to the failings of its' manager. After all Argentina got further than England without any manager at all.
If a manager other than Capello had been installed would a very different team have gone to South Africa??
I admit Crouch & Heskey would not enter into my top ???? forwards but the alternative pickings are equally slim.
The EPL might be a great league to watch but name me 1 English holding mid field player that is playing for a top side - come to that is playing for any side
Too many players were taken that carried injuries - Rooney, individual & Barry to name but three.
However it is because of the lack of alternatives rather than anything else.
i am afraid that the blame will be placed on Capello, he will, eventually go. A new 'saviour of English football' will be appointed & nothing will change. Changing the captain of a sinking ship does little to remedy the situation if he is not allowed to fix the underlying cause!!
Here are just a couple of articles that are worthy of a read that suggest that maybe There are deeper flaws in English football than the FA wish to address.
Getting youth into the game & developing it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 957535.ece
Lack of coaches
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010 ... ge-england
If a manager other than Capello had been installed would a very different team have gone to South Africa??
I admit Crouch & Heskey would not enter into my top ???? forwards but the alternative pickings are equally slim.
The EPL might be a great league to watch but name me 1 English holding mid field player that is playing for a top side - come to that is playing for any side
Too many players were taken that carried injuries - Rooney, individual & Barry to name but three.
However it is because of the lack of alternatives rather than anything else.
i am afraid that the blame will be placed on Capello, he will, eventually go. A new 'saviour of English football' will be appointed & nothing will change. Changing the captain of a sinking ship does little to remedy the situation if he is not allowed to fix the underlying cause!!
Here are just a couple of articles that are worthy of a read that suggest that maybe There are deeper flaws in English football than the FA wish to address.
Getting youth into the game & developing it.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 957535.ece
Lack of coaches
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010 ... ge-england