FIFA World Cup Germany 2006

The time is near. The 2006 football world cup is due to begin. This thread is dedicated to discussions related to the event.

Here is the official web site, were you can find anything you need, including fixtures & results, teams info, tickets info, and all the rest.

Let me remind you that this is the 18th worl cup. 8 of the competitions took place in Europe and were won by European teams (Germany and Itally 3 times, France and England once) and 9 of them took place outside Europe and were won by South American teams (Brazil 5 times, Argentina and Uruguay 2 times). Statistics say an European time has the biggest chances to win this time arround. In the meantime, let's see who do you want to win the cup.

Itay is the team that i root for every time...

They were trully robbed in the finals in 1994 (FIFA USA)..

that's all i'll say or i may start a riot .. ;)...

Go Australia!
:wave:

give me a Germany chic...

Always a great fan of Soccer. Started watching World Cup from 1986. Saw Marodona's lovely skills and started to support Argentina.

Hope Argentina and Brazil go to the finals and Argentina wins the cup.

Argentina have to take the revenge against Brazil coz the Brazilians beat them in the Confederations Cup 2004.

I know that there is quotas allotted for each continent, but many familiar names seem to be missing from the Teams List like Romania, Denmark, Chillie, Nigeria.

Some new names like Ivory Coast, Trinidad & Tobago, Serbia & Montenegro, Angola, Ghana, Togo.

But glad that the Netherlands make it this time.

Hope you all enjoy the games

I have voted for Spain, because they were unlucky in the previous world cup, and they can't be unlucky all the time. Besides, I think that the level of the Spanish championship is quite good now, and that's why real Madrid had some troubles this year, not to mention Arsenal.

The coach of France (my country) has selected the wrong goal keeper, and two or three weak players in the middle. That's unfortunate, and therefore I don't expect France to go very far.

Argentina seems to have a strong team, but they might be tired by the travel and not acustomed to Europe.

Maybe, Didier Drogba will his team to a semi-final.

Vladimir Smicer won't play for the Czech Republic because of an injury. That's bad luck for them. Maybe another team from Eastern Europe will have a good performance.

Wow My poll equalled Brazil to Italy :D , this sure is gonne be a xiting wordCup :D :p

Since Egypt won't participate:cry:..
Go Tunisia ..:thumb:

I hope that England will win. They have the best team in decades, and I believe it's the strongest team at this world cup. They have incredible players in all the lines, especially in the mildfield. Controlling the midfield will probably be the key to success. I only hope Ericson won't do some stupid moves (because he has that tendency).

Go England! :thumb:

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Originally Posted by olivthill

and they can't be unlucky all the time

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Oh, yes, they can. ;) They will never get lucky. :p

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Originally Posted by miteshpandey

but many familiar names seem to be missing from the Teams List like Romania

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Oh, don't twist the knife in the wound. ;)

So sorry Cilu no harm intended

Yeah England's been always a strong contender for the Cup. I heard that Rooney had some kind of injury. But don't know if he will be fit for the play or not. England's got pretty handful of talented players to replace him though.

Maybe another thread could be started to let CG members guess who will reach the Final. Which team will win the Cup and what will be the score. The winner would get one million CG dollars :D or if Brad has some special present for the winner.

I really believe England can do that this year. So I'll go with them. ;)

I am voting for argentina, but based on raw ability I think Brazil is going to win this one.

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Originally Posted by cilu

I really believe England can do that this year. So I'll go with them. ;)

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Thank god that I have a support this time.

England without any doubt. :thumb:

With teanagers like Wallcot and a champ like Crouch it seems evident that they will win the cup. :)

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Originally Posted by Shuja Ali

Thank god that I have a support this time.

England without any doubt. :thumb:

With teanagers like Wallcot and a champ like Crouch it seems evident that they will win the cup. :)

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Well, I think the more experience players will actually do the difference. Their midline is just fantastic: Beckham, Gerard, Lampard, Cole. The tough decision for Ericson will be the striking line. I'm wondering how will he choose between Rooney, Owen and Crouch. ;)

I guess Crouch should be the choice. With his recent performance I guess he can also make a difference.

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Originally Posted by cilu

I really believe England can do that this year. So I'll go with them. ;)

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I really WANT to believe that also... but with this coach...... :thumbd:
Dont forget the Euro 2004 and what this terrible coach managed to do.... :mad:
Anyway, I am not fanatic with England I just support them. I also support Germany and Argentina.

Well, it's possible that Germany and Englad to meet after the group phase, as the winner of group A plays agaist the second from B and vice-versa. ;)

Go ... India .. Go !!! :D :D :D

Ok, seriously - England - I don't know why but may be because when I started watching soccer it started with this country's team and its league. And most importantly - I know each player they have quite well enough to choose the starting 11 from.

Cilu said rightly about their midfield - but I think the best thing this time would be their defence - with the miserly John Terry and then having Rio alongside with Ashley cole and Neville on left and right backs. That will just be terrific. Having Sol/Carragher as a backup options shows the depth they have in defence.

The only thing that bothers me is the chance of absence of Rooney and the presence of Crouch. I so not like that guy - he can do nothing except for heading the ball. I seriously doubt if he can boost the team or be a force in times like Eng vs Portugal in Euro 2004 or Eng vs Brazil in the last WC. He would become another mere spectator. Rooney is so very different. Jemaine Defoe would have had been a better option or rather Joe Cole in the front. Other option would be Carrick if Joe Cole plays at RM/RW.

But yeah Sven is so stupid sometimes with his tacts.

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Originally Posted by exterminator

I don't know why but may be because when I started watching soccer

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<cough>hm</cough> it's FOOTBALL not SOCCER. If in America they prefer to call a game that's mostly played with hands football too, well, that's it, but this sport that we are talking about is called FOOTBALL. It's FIFA (Federation Internationale de FOOTBALL Association) not FISA (Federation Internationale de SOCCER Association). ;)

Beat the HEAT!!! :D:D:D:D

Bring them on.......wake em up

Yeaaahhhhhhhhh.... GO MAVS.......

Hooray to Dirk the unstoppable..... whoooaaaaa

Mavs in 7

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Originally Posted by cilu

<cough>hm</cough> it's FOOTBALL not SOCCER. If in America they prefer to call a game that's mostly played with hands football too, well, that's it, but this sport that we are talking about is called FOOTBALL. It's FIFA (Federation Internationale de FOOTBALL Association) not FISA (Federation Internationale de SOCCER Association). ;)

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Ahem.. Ahem.. Okay.. football.. not soccer. Actually, the recent clients visiting us in India were Americans - so had to use that terminology. Moreover - I visit this one for the latest news - www.soccernet.com and it's a british website I guess. And hence I got acquainted with it.. No probs .. <switching mode to replace soccer by football> ;)

However, who do you guys think would be the boys to watch? (note - not men to watch) - I would not want to miss the following:
1. Rooney (if he plays)
2. Messi
3. Kaka
4. Robben
5. Ronaldinho

Well, I think Messi will make a difference for Argentina. Could prove a key player at the world cup. I hope Rooney can play as well as 2 years ago...

I will dance for Portugal,it deserves,I am really fan of their team and theri superstars like figo and ronaldo.

So Germany opened in style the tournament, though Costa Rica put some pressure on them. 4 - 2 is a fairly score. I'm looking forward to see how will they perform with Balack on the pitch.

In the meanwhile, you can make your virtual fantasy team here. My team is called Cilu Ball Sorcerers and it's in England Fans group. Good luck!

I think the USA is playing soon. Didn't realize that there were 64 games in all. It'll have a lot of TV coverage.

Poland again lost the opening match.

Poland missed few chances and the only goal they scored was declared off-side. Wat that actually off-side? What do you guys think?

No, that wasn't an offside position. But the second goal of Ecuador was scored from offside.

In 20 minutes England will Play against Paraguay...

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Originally Posted by cilu

In 20 minutes England will Play against Paraguay...

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My favorites are going to play their World Cup opener, what am I doing on this stupid computer.:sick:

I am off to watch the game. :wave:

I voted for Ecuador.
See you after the final... ;)
:wave:

Who the hack was the referee from Mexic? Was this the first football match he arbitered? Such a lame performance from him.

As for the game of England, well, just as expected from Eriksson: score one goal and then defend the result for 60 minutes. That's not going to win the trophy. :sick:

With Germany bieng my home country (at least for now ;)) I support host Deutschland :thumb:

I have to big :thumb:, one for Trinidad and one for Tobago after the display against Sweden, especially that they played the entire second half in 10 men. Just as I hoped, as the result favors England. ;)

Argentina didn't have an easy match against Cote d'Ivoire, and it was very close to end bad for them. However, at 0 - 0, they scored a valid goal that was not recorded. ;)

England got lucky. Team USA's going to win this World Cup!!!

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Originally Posted by Vedam Shashank

Beat the HEAT!!! :D:D:D:D

Bring them on.......wake em up

Yeaaahhhhhhhhh.... GO MAVS.......

Hooray to Dirk the unstoppable..... whoooaaaaa

Mavs in 7

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Team USA will win!!!

HEAT will win in 5. HEAT will take the next 4 games :D

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Originally Posted by mrRee

give me a Germany chic...

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Give me an English chick :D

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Originally Posted by NewBeginC

England got lucky. Team USA's going to win this World Cup!!!

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Let's see if they can get throught the groups stage first. ;)

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Originally Posted by cilu

Let's see if they can get throught the groups stage first. ;)

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They will, they'll beat Czech Republic (3-1), Ghana (4-0) and draw with Italy (1-1). From there, they'll beat everyone else :D

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Originally Posted by NewBeginC

They will, they'll beat Czech Republic (3-1), Ghana (4-0) and draw with Italy (1-1). From there, they'll beat everyone else :D

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Are you willing to bet $10,000 on that?

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Originally Posted by cilu

Are you willing to bet $10,000 on that?

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I'll bet u 10 cents on it :D I don't gamble man. That's just my prediction :D:D:D:D:D:D

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Originally Posted by cilu

Are you willing to bet $10,000 on that?

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I can hold the money, if you'd like. :)

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Originally Posted by NewBeginC

Give me an English chick :D

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not on this kind of year:D...

Mexico vs Iran - I'll route for Mexico...arriba!...

E-cu-a-dor, E-cu-a-dor...!!!

U-S-A - U-S-A

USA??
:ROFL:

Guys its gotta be either Brazil, England, Argentina or Germany. Although I voted for England.

:wishfull thinking: ? :)

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Originally Posted by NewBeginC

Team USA will win!!!

HEAT will win in 5. HEAT will take the next 4 games :D

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After game 2...... and the way they wer blown out......

:cry: the heat..... now they go back to home to face the best road team for next 3...... i take back wat i said.....

Mavs in 6

it's striking to see 4 votes for USA:p...

ah! England too:D...lets face it...they strong on paper but really weak in reality...ya, they got a decent faces on the midfields and somehow in the defend and strikers as well...but it just don't cut it...Gerrad is a great player but he need supports for him to perform well...who's gonna support him?...Lampard, nah!...Joe Cole? eek...and he need to be given more role...

and Beckam...he can't do his job with that kind of team...I mean, he can do a great cross which is somethimg he had lack recently...and given him a free-role in England squad just make it worst!...not to mentioned of his incapable of what it takes to be a captain...

Lampard is solitary individual which is not a good combination for England's short pass style of play...and he gets something in common with Joe Cole...they won't do well to assist the striker...

England enjoy the short pass style of play but this will backfire them as they'll have to move more forward with the midfield will be pushed forward...most small reputed country will play counter-attack and this is dangerous to short pass style...but of course the great benefits of this style is that they can control the game and makes more oppoturnity to score goals....but does their current midfielders is a good combination?....hardly to say:D...

ah! it feels good to say something bad to the teams which I didn't support in this current World Cup:D...at best, England can only make to the quater-final...and that's all for them:D...

Voted for Germany. The worst Germany ever...