World Cup Open Thread - Day 9

Submitted by Plegerize on

Today we have some impressive matchups:

 

Slovakia v Paraguay - 7:30am

Italy v New Zealand - 10:00am

Brazil v Ivory Coast - 2:30pm

 

Slovakia and Paraguay are already under way and Paraguay is already up 1-0.

Personally I'm excited to see my Azzurri play and hopefully see them win to solidify a spot  on top of the group.

Brazil v Ivory Coast is enough said as this Group of Death match will be compelling to see.

MAgoBLUE

June 20th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^

Aside from the US what are some other teams we are rooting for?  I like Argentina's style of play and Diego Maradona is always entertaining.  Messi is amazing.  I'm also rooting for Mexico cause they've had a rough past few years with all of the drug violence and could use a little boost.  Plus it's nice to see a team outside of Europe and South America do well since those two continents have won all the WC's

dr eng1ish

June 20th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^

USA for obvious reasons, Argentina because of Messi, North Korea for their impressive display against Brazil and you have to have one minnow (plus then I can root against Ronaldo, the crybaby), France cuz I studied there but ugh let's not talk about it haha.

M-Wolverine

June 20th, 2010 at 1:58 PM ^

Probably goes back to Pele. And they're fun.

I was rooting for Cameroon because they used to be fun to play in EA's world cup game, if you didn't want a world power. Fast, but not duper skilled.

M.I.Sicks

June 20th, 2010 at 9:58 AM ^

Usually when the U.S. is no longer playing I pull for the Germans and the French. Though it looks like this year the French will be going home very early.

Sambojangles

June 20th, 2010 at 10:03 AM ^

I root for the USA and whoever's playing the French.

I also like the African teams for sentimental reasons, and then the South American (but not Brazil) and certain European teams. It all depends on the matchup, and my rooting interest is usually based on nothing more than "hey, their uniforms look cool."

Plegerize

June 20th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^

Italy and Germany for heritage reasons.

Otherwise it's tough to single out teams because I can find a rooting interest in almost anyone besides the French and English.

I guess this tournament I have been rooting for all African teams to win their games and anyone who's been an underdog in their game, unless they were playing the US, Italy, or Germany.

EDIT: As I type this New Zealand goes up on Italy :(

dr eng1ish

June 20th, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^

WOW!!! Way offside, unfortunately.  Still incredible moment for the Kiwis.  Cannavaro showed his 290-old-skills there, and why he'll be showing them in Dubai next season.

Sambojangles

June 20th, 2010 at 10:17 AM ^

Not offside, because it hit that defender. And Italy misses from inside the box.

I know it's still really early, but is this the biggest upset of the tournament so far if NZL can hold on?

MGoShoe

June 20th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

...are a lot of Azzuri supporters on the board this morning, but I have to say I'm rooting for the underdogs not the least of which because Ryan Nelson used to be a stalwart in the back for DC United, my MLS team.

MGoBender

June 20th, 2010 at 11:01 AM ^

There's been two games thus far (that I've notice) that the crowd has gotten noticeably louder than the damn horns.  Our game against Slovenia (Jo-burg was PACKED with US fans, such an awesome sight) and Mexico's last game.

If anything it reminds me of what we're missing because of the vuvuzelas.  Damn you FIFA for picking a terrible nation to host (at least fill the stadiums if you're going to ruin the audible atmosphere...)

Plegerize

June 20th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^

I'll admit, as an Italy supporter, they have perfected the art of diving, not something I'm too proud of.

However, as an Italian, it doesn't surprise me that they do.

dr eng1ish

June 20th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^

Did you guys hear the story they mentioned?  France's Football Federation head has resigned saying "The players don't want to train. It's a shame." There was some altercation between the trainer and Patrice Evra at the start of training which led to it being cancelled apparently.  And it was even an open training session.  Sheesh!

dr eng1ish

June 20th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^

I forgot to mention the reason training was canceled was because the players refused to practice after the argument between Evra and the trainer! I can only imagine what the reaction to all this is in France.

 

Btw ESPN said the argument was between Domenech and the trainer but they're wrong.  Go here for the story:

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2010/20100620_162201_entrainement-…

(Google translate if you need)