Comments on: World Cup crystal balls http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:03:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Bring Back Arnie http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111298 Bring Back Arnie Tue, 11 Jul 2006 04:54:24 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111298 all the refs had a bias to the 'great' countries hence the number of free-kicks against Dukes when he should have gained them. Hence the penalty to Italy when we should have gained one minutes earlier. It has always been hence it will always be hence all the refs had a bias to the ‘great’ countries hence the number of free-kicks against Dukes when he should have gained them. Hence the penalty to Italy when we should have gained one minutes earlier.
It has always been hence it will always be hence

]]> By: dj http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111283 dj Tue, 11 Jul 2006 04:36:16 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111283 <blockquote>you are confusing the sudden death games with the group games. Plenty of Games in the group stage despite only playing one striker as we showed.</blockquote> That is probably true to some extent, as I watched all of the finals bar some of the Ukraine/Italy game and the exhilirating Swiss/Ukraine match up. However, the run of Italy and France in the group games was hardly inspiring, even if the Italian defence was awesome. I think it would have been good if Dukes had had more help up front, more often. The refs didn't do him any favours though. It was like 'you are not on the floor, so you must have committed a foul!'

you are confusing the sudden death games with the group games.
Plenty of Games in the group stage despite only playing one striker as we showed.

That is probably true to some extent, as I watched all of the finals bar some of the Ukraine/Italy game and the exhilirating Swiss/Ukraine match up. However, the run of Italy and France in the group games was hardly inspiring, even if the Italian defence was awesome.

I think it would have been good if Dukes had had more help up front, more often. The refs didn’t do him any favours though. It was like ‘you are not on the floor, so you must have committed a foul!’

]]> By: Bring Back Johan Neeskens http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111252 Bring Back Johan Neeskens Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:46:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111252 you are confusing the sudden death games with the group games. Plenty of Games in the group stage despite only playing one striker as we showed. Sudden death brought more caution. not surprising. you are confusing the sudden death games with the group games.
Plenty of Games in the group stage despite only playing one striker as we showed.

Sudden death brought more caution. not surprising.

]]> By: dj http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111245 dj Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:40:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111245 I didn't see all the games, and in particular didn't see the African teams (who I'm told were quite impressive), so I can accept we are going to see things differently. Of the games I did see though, I stand by my thoughts. IMHO there were too many teams trying to play with a single target man swamped by four defenders. Impressive technical play in the midfield doesn't amount to much if have a negative mindset of not losing the game and not going out to win it. If that is the impression that someone who enjoys the game comes away with, then other people who have never played the game, or have not watched it much before may unfortunately think the same. I didn’t see all the games, and in particular didn’t see the African teams (who I’m told were quite impressive), so I can accept we are going to see things differently. Of the games I did see though, I stand by my thoughts.

IMHO there were too many teams trying to play with a single target man swamped by four defenders. Impressive technical play in the midfield doesn’t amount to much if have a negative mindset of not losing the game and not going out to win it. If that is the impression that someone who enjoys the game comes away with, then other people who have never played the game, or have not watched it much before may unfortunately think the same.

]]> By: Bring Back Guus http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111237 Bring Back Guus Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:31:00 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111237 you are quite mad. except for the Ukraine v Switzerland and Portugal V Holland ( and this is because of the fouls not the technique) the games were of a high standard. Ghana and the Ivory Coast were fantastic to watch. We had the best ever goal at a world cup scored. yes there were far too many dives and it cost us but that is because referees do not know the difference between a person being obstructed and diving. this world Cup was a much higher standard than the previous couple. you are quite mad.

except for the Ukraine v Switzerland and Portugal V Holland ( and this is because of the fouls not the technique) the games were of a high standard.
Ghana and the Ivory Coast were fantastic to watch.

We had the best ever goal at a world cup scored.

yes there were far too many dives and it cost us but that is because referees do not know the difference between a person being obstructed and diving.

this world Cup was a much higher standard than the previous couple.

]]> By: dj http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111201 dj Tue, 11 Jul 2006 03:05:10 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111201 Overall, a pretty average World Cup I reckon and not a very good advertisement for the game. FIFA has shown once again to be on a par with the Olympic committees with regard to corruption and inconsistency. Then again, I suppose this reflects the dominant paradigm of 'whatever it takes' or 'furbo' as the Italians like to call it. It is lucky for soccer in Australia that the Austrlians did so well. Boring football was played by too many teams - it often seemed like teams were scared to try and win games. I don't see how going to penalties is less of a risk than playing positively. Too much diving - players would rather give up a shot on goal for the chance of conning the ref for a free kick or penalty. On the other hand, too many cynical fouls that went unpunished (how Figo and the Argentinians did not face any consequences for the violent actions is beyond me). Strikers like Viduka who tried to keep their feet were rewarded by having fouls awarded against them for basically holding their ground. IMHO apart from the Aussies, the other big positive were Germany, who far surpassed expectations. As for Ukraine making quarter finals, what a joke! Overall, a pretty average World Cup I reckon and not a very good advertisement for the game. FIFA has shown once again to be on a par with the Olympic committees with regard to corruption and inconsistency. Then again, I suppose this reflects the dominant paradigm of ‘whatever it takes’ or ‘furbo’ as the Italians like to call it. It is lucky for soccer in Australia that the Austrlians did so well.

Boring football was played by too many teams - it often seemed like teams were scared to try and win games. I don’t see how going to penalties is less of a risk than playing positively. Too much diving - players would rather give up a shot on goal for the chance of conning the ref for a free kick or penalty.

On the other hand, too many cynical fouls that went unpunished (how Figo and the Argentinians did not face any consequences for the violent actions is beyond me). Strikers like Viduka who tried to keep their feet were rewarded by having fouls awarded against them for basically holding their ground. IMHO apart from the Aussies, the other big positive were Germany, who far surpassed expectations. As for Ukraine making quarter finals, what a joke!

]]> By: Michael G http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111174 Michael G Tue, 11 Jul 2006 02:39:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-111174 Curses. Too good Mindy. But Well done Cal on picking the winner though! I shall evermore hold a grudge against the Portugese, particular that slick haired, dive-happy one. Curses. Too good Mindy. But Well done Cal on picking the winner though!

I shall evermore hold a grudge against the Portugese, particular that slick haired, dive-happy one.

]]> By: haiku http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-110991 haiku Mon, 10 Jul 2006 21:26:04 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-110991 And the winner is ... Mindy! Courtesy of an Aloisi goal and a better guess than Cal on number of goals scored. Will confirm later, and then Mindy can get in touch with Georg to provide address details. And the winner is … Mindy!

Courtesy of an Aloisi goal and a better guess than Cal on number of goals scored.

Will confirm later, and then Mindy can get in touch with Georg to provide address details.

]]> By: The foromer knighted Guus of hiddink http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-106314 The foromer knighted Guus of hiddink Mon, 03 Jul 2006 00:21:02 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-106314 but I was right on seasonally adjusted figures! but I was right on seasonally adjusted figures!

]]> By: haiku http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-105872 haiku Sun, 02 Jul 2006 09:08:10 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-105872 Semi-finalists now determined - Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. Looks like Liam, Michael G and dj might be fighting it out. Could it come down to goals scored? First all-European group of semi-finalists since 1982. 1966 and 1934 are the only other examples. Semi-finalists now determined - Germany, Italy, France and Portugal. Looks like Liam, Michael G and dj might be fighting it out. Could it come down to goals scored?

First all-European group of semi-finalists since 1982. 1966 and 1934 are the only other examples.

]]> By: haiku http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91050 haiku Tue, 13 Jun 2006 05:32:24 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91050 dj, the czechs, being ranked 2nd or 3rd in the world, are not eligible for the complicated-LP-rules-made-up-as-we-go-along-dark-horse-category. Your options are: Costa Rica, Ecuador Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro Iran, Angola Ghana, USA Australia, Japan Korea, Togo Tunisia, Saudi Arabia And 227 goals will be an exciting (or one-sided) world cup!! dj,

the czechs, being ranked 2nd or 3rd in the world, are not eligible for the complicated-LP-rules-made-up-as-we-go-along-dark-horse-category.

Your options are:

Costa Rica, Ecuador
Paraguay, Trinidad & Tobago
Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro
Iran, Angola
Ghana, USA
Australia, Japan
Korea, Togo
Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

And 227 goals will be an exciting (or one-sided) world cup!!

]]> By: dj http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91022 dj Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:36:32 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91022 Ah, there's nothing like a sour Kraut! Ah, there’s nothing like a sour Kraut!

]]> By: Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91019 Kaiser Franz Beckenbauer Tue, 13 Jun 2006 04:28:23 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91019 Nein, the czechs will bounce Nein, the czechs will bounce

]]> By: dj http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91009 dj Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:55:15 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-91009 Sorry, if I can still add my other predictions: Dark Horse: Czech Republic (almost replaced Germany with them for my Semi prediction) Total Goals: 227 Sorry, if I can still add my other predictions:

Dark Horse: Czech Republic (almost replaced Germany with them for my Semi prediction)

Total Goals: 227

]]> By: Sir Alf Ramsey http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89789 Sir Alf Ramsey Sat, 10 Jun 2006 05:30:21 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89789 Perhaps you should mind your own Falkland business! Perhaps you should mind your own Falkland business!

]]> By: Gabriel Bastituta http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89521 Gabriel Bastituta Fri, 09 Jun 2006 10:12:41 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89521 Que diablos?? It's always us Argies who are the first to go. Senors Arnold and Hiddink will soon regret their predictions. Que diablos?? It’s always us Argies who are the first to go. Senors Arnold and Hiddink will soon regret their predictions.

]]> By: Jimmy McKay http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89465 Jimmy McKay Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:26:45 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89465 I don't have a ghost of a chance but I nominate ronaldo for the pie eaters award I don’t have a ghost of a chance but I nominate ronaldo for the pie eaters award

]]> By: Page Graham of Arnold http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89464 Page Graham of Arnold Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:25:40 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89464 I have talked to Sir Guus and he was mistaken about Argentina. European countires for the World Cup in Europe!! I have talked to Sir Guus and he was mistaken about Argentina.

European countires for the World Cup in Europe!!

]]> By: michael G http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89461 michael G Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:19:54 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89461 You've got one too many finalists of the semi, milord Hiddink. Good puns though. Well the last one anyway. You’ve got one too many finalists of the semi, milord Hiddink.
Good puns though. Well the last one anyway.

]]> By: Lord Peter Wilson http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89459 Lord Peter Wilson Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:13:24 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2006/05/30/world-cup-crystal-balls/#comment-89459 Our Arry to be the man of the tournament! Our Arry to be the man of the tournament!

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