Any World Cup fans?

[jyris]

Although Germany won the opener, their defense looked porous.
Poland/Ecuador should be a good one.

[paulbunyon]

Actually I am somewhat, Jyris. My S.O. is from Central America where soccer is king and she has gotten me into it a bit the last few years. Hope the US team has a good showing on Monday but I wish they didn't get stuck in such a strong group.
To me, it'll never surpass "our" football and baseball but I do like it I must say.

[daengman]

I don't know about soccer, but most of us are A, B, C, D, DD, and DDD cup fans.

[Mr. User Name]

Originally Posted by daengman

I don't know about soccer, but most of us are A, B, C, D, DD, and DDD cup fans.

Germany has imported many prostitutes so that the fans can get as many cups as they want.

[jyris]

And it's legal.

I know that most Americans don't get the hype, but I love it. I remember getting stuck on Ferry Street for HOURS as the Ironbound shut down after a win by Brazil (in '94, I think). The NYPD also posted cops on nearly every corner of Jackson Heights during Columbia matches; not necessary, as it turned out -- Columbia underachieved big-time.

Yanks/Sox rivalry? Shit, some German fans have had T-shirts printed up that say "In 1939, it took us 28 days to defeat Poland. In 2006, 90 minutes will do." Think that might get the Polish fans a little upset?

[paulbunyon]

I agree. The passion is incredible. Its a lot more than just a soccer game.

[jyris]

PB: If your SO is from Ecuador (actually, she can't be, since you said Central America), you'll be getting laid tonight. Poland controlled everything -- time of possession, SOG, corner kicks -- and still went down 0:2.

Should give Germany/Poland that extra dose of passion (as if it would be lacking anyway).

Time to hit Ferry Street and see what the real soccer aficionados have to say.

[paulbunyon]

They must be going crazy in Quito right about now.
The SO is from a C.A. country that didn't make the Cup but she's rooting for the U.S. plus any Latin country.
You're right, its a great time to hit Ferry Street. I go to those great Brazillian/Portugese restaurants often. I'm due!

[Ozzy]

If you go to a Brazilian bar or restaurant to watch the cup.... Just don't get up and block that TV for a second or they'll chuck a shoe at your head. I made that mistake during the last world cup at one of my Brazilians apartments and caught a 4 inch spiked heel to the forehead.

[paulbunyon]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

If you go to a Brazilian bar or restaurant to watch the cup.... Just don't get up and block that TV for a second or they'll chuck a shoe at your head. I made that mistake during the last world cup at one of my Brazilians apartments and caught a 4 inch spiked heel to the forehead.

Ouch........yeah they do take this VERY seriously.

[Mr. Wet Wooly]

I root for the US but they usually play the most God-awful boring defensive game to watch. Thier idea of offense is to just lob the ball down the field, scramble, and try to out muscle the other team with their size. No flashy passing, no good dribbling.

[Mr. Wet Wooly]

Has anyone ever been to a game at Maracana in Rio? Now that's an experience. I think I still have the bruises from the military molice officer's baton. And what ever you do, don't ever go to the bathroom!

[Psychosis]

Soccer just bores the hell out of me. I liked to play it when I was younger but I cant stand watching it.

[Lascivious]

Hey, If I got clocked in the head with a four inch spiked heel, I"ll clock her ass with my 4 inch wanker. I'm not a soccer fan but I have been watchiong some of the games. That England match was just dreadfully boring but that David Beckam sure did look pretty. He's the Freaking Brad Pitt of Europe.

[Lascivious]

US already down 2-0 to the Czechs. Man, they're overrated.

[jyris]

Was hoping to post about a come-from-behind US victory or draw -- not to be. I know that the Czechs are rated #2 in the world, but now the US faces a must-win situation against Italy.

I had hoped that a US advance out of group play was the best hope for more interest at the national level. Doesn't look likely right now.

On the bright side, both halves of my original ethnic heritage are in the tournament, so I still have a few matches to feel emotionally involved in.

As for last Friday -- who knew that there were so many Ecuadorians in Newark? There was a huge group on Fleming Avenue dancing, drinking, and generally having a good time. They were yelling "Ecuador!" -- I yelled back "Alemania!" (Germany -- the other winner last Friday) and immediately got invited to the party for an intense soccer discussion that didn't progress very far due to their shitty English and my shitty Spanish.

And as long as Brazil does well (which they always seem to), the Ironbound will be rockin'.

[paulbunyon]

Yeah, the U.S. team looked really overmatched today. I don't have high hopes for them at all. They looked a lot better four years ago.

[Mr. Wet Wooly]

I heard some commentators say this was supposed to be the best team the U.S. has ever put on the field.

[paulbunyon]

WW- Sometimes these commentators don't know shit. I'm not a soccer expert but even I could tell that the U.S. clearly outplayed a German team 4 years ago in the semifinals who then made it to the final against Brazil.
In that U.S./Germany game in the 2002 Cup, we lost 0-1 and many people felt they got fucked by the ref. I watched the game live at 5 AM if I remember correctly.

[jyris]

Brazil/Croatia is the one to watch today. Both as independent Croatia and as part of former Yugoslavia, this team has played Brazil fairly evenly since 1930.

I'm still rooting for Brazil, however -- there'll be a lot of pissed-off Brazilians in Newark tonight if their team loses.

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by Ozzy

If you go to a Brazilian bar or restaurant to watch the cup.... Just don't get up and block that TV for a second or they'll chuck a shoe at your head. I made that mistake during the last world cup at one of my Brazilians apartments and caught a 4 inch spiked heel to the forehead.

My understanding explained to me by a Brazilian woman, is that priorities in Brazil are firmly set as;

1) soccer
2) food
3) women

[Mr. Wet Wooly]

Originally Posted by paulbunyon

WW- Sometimes these commentators don't know shit. I'm not a soccer expert but even I could tell that the U.S. clearly outplayed a German team 4 years ago in the semifinals who then made it to the final against Brazil.
In that U.S./Germany game in the 2002 Cup, we lost 0-1 and many people felt they got fucked by the ref. I watched the game live at 5 AM if I remember correctly.

I'm also far from a soccer expert, but I think many teams no longer underestimate the U.S. We used to sort of suprise some really good teams that didn't expect much from us. Now, they scout the U.S. squad well. If you watched the game, you could tell the Czech team, who are aging veterans, clearly did their homework and clamped down on the top U.S. strikers. They knew what they were doing.

[Ozzy]

Originally Posted by Jordan

My understanding explained to me by a Brazilian woman, is that priorities in Brazil are firmly set as;

1) soccer
2) food
3) women

1) soccer
2) sex
3) food and casacha


I know when the world cup happens and it's in a time zone half a world away like it was in 2002, they change their lifestyle in Brazil to adapt. Stores and Restaurants close during the day and they open at night so they can watch the games live.

[Lascivious]

I think the US might do a repeat of the 98 World Cup. After Italy spanks them, they'll be sooo demoralized, Ghana will pull off the upset and the US goes 0-3 and Bruce Arenas goes postal and murders Donavan and Beasley. US fans are more concerned about Big Ben's bike spill. ESPN Sportcenter opened last night with the Ben story instead of the US drubbing. NO Respect indeed.

[jyris]

You could well be right, although it wouldn't surprise me if they manage to squeak past Italy and get spanked by Ghana -- same result, but potentially even more demoralizing.

Spain/Ukraine tomorrow should be great -- the teams split home and home in the last Euro Cup.

[Ozzy]

France played to a tie with a weak Swiss team.

Thats as good as a loss to me.

[Mr. Wet Wooly]

Brazil's defense is weak. A team like Argentina can take them.

I might be able to root for Croatia if they weren't wearing those stupid picnic table cloth uniforms.

OTOH, look at Ronaldinho closely. He looks like a cross between Donna Summer and a horse. Someone should feed him sugar cubes and a carrot when he scores a goal.

And Ronaldo has developed breasts since I saw him in the last World Cup. Uhhh..what's up with that?

[jyris]

.....

[jyris]

Maybe the juice coaches in Brazil dabble in TS hormone treatments and they've been mixing up their stash? Perhaps somewhere in Rio there's a TS with no tits, but who can score a goal from 40 yards out.

[Ozzy]

Brazil's weak defense shut out Croatia today 1-0.

And I'm a bit late for this....

Odds to win 2006 World Cup

Brazil 2/1
England 6/1
Argentina 13/2
Germany 13/2
Italy 7/1
France 11/1
Netherlands 12/1
Spain 14/1
Czech Republic 18/1
Portugal 22/1
Sw**** 38/1
Mexico 42/1
Ukraine 55/1
Croatia 65/1
Turkey 75/1
Ivory Coast 85/1
Serbia & Montenegro 90/1
Australia 95/1
Switzerland 100/1
Uruguay 120/1
Norway 170/1
Ecuador 175/1
Paraguay 180/1
South Korea 190/1
USA 200/1
Slovakia 200/1
Poland 200/1
Tunisia 240/1
Japan 250/1
Ghana 250/1
Togo 400/1
Iran 500/1
Angola 500/1
Saudi Arabia 600/1
Costa Rica 650/1
Bahrajn 800/1
Trinidad & Tobago 800/1