The Official World Cup 2010 Thread

[loveissucide]

Originally Posted by The Monkey

So, any hopes for North Korea? I image their players to all be two meter tall robots, devoid of any display of emotions in victory or defeat. Will be very interesting to see them play.

Looking forward to Radio Pyongjang's coverage
"North Korea withstand capitalist Nike Devils of Brazil,being breached only 8 times."

[The Monkey]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Not being too familiar with Nordic rivalries, why is there a rivalry with Denmark? Also how does Sweden interact with Norway and Finland?

I know this isn`t a history thread but just a quick outline.

Obviously, it's nothing serious, it's mainly playful antagonism for the most part (such as what I imagine is between the US and Canada or Oz and NZ). Sometimes it heats up, but that's quite rare. Generally, Sweden has closer ties to Finland that the other two, because we were the same country for 500 years until we lost them to the Russians in 1809. With Norway and Denmark it's another story. We have been in countless wars with them throughout history, and we forced for the Norwegians into a personal union after we lost Finland, which I suppose may still cause some resentment. But it's only really when it comes to sport that real hostility remains.

That's at least my view of the relations.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

I think the thing with Lampard & Gerrard playing in the same team together being a problem only really applies in a 4-4-2. They both like to get forward & it leaves the defence exposed.

If you play them in a 5 man midfield with a Barry or a Hargreves type playing defensively then they can both get forward more often without having to worry about which of them goes back & when.

[right-track]

Originally Posted by loveissucide

Looking forward to Radio Pyongjang's coverage
"North Korea withstand capitalist Nike Devils of Brazil,being breached only 8 times."

South Korea are having a bit of fun at the expense of the North.
No North Korean TV network have the rights to the World Cup and instead were hoping that South Korean network SBS would provide them with a free feed as they did for the last one.
They're refusing to transmit TV signals, mainly because of a warship that was sunk (probably by a North Korean torpedo) off the Korean coast.
No love lost there.

[Bulldog]

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

I think the thing with Lampard & Gerrard playing in the same team together being a problem only really applies in a 4-4-2. They both like to get forward & it leaves the defence exposed.

If you play them in a 5 man midfield with a Barry or a Hargreves type playing defensively then they can both get forward more often without having to worry about which of them goes back & when.

I'm not so sure. I remember Sven doing that kinda thing against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in '05, and we all know what happened there. Maybe Capello could make it work though, seeing as Sven in his boundless wisdom decided to play David Beckham as a holding midfielder.

It'd be interesting to see if Fabio tries the formation out in one of the warm-up games. I hope he does anyway.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by The Monkey

Obviously, it's nothing serious, it's mainly playful antagonism for the most part (such as what I imagine is between the US and Canada or Oz and NZ). Sometimes it heats up, but that's quite rare. Generally, Sweden has closer ties to Finland that the other two, because we were the same country for 500 years until we lost them to the Russians in 1809. With Norway and Denmark it's another story. We have been in countless wars with them throughout history, and we forced for the Norwegians into a personal union after we lost Finland, which I suppose may still cause some resentment. But it's only really when it comes to sport that real hostility remains.

That's at least my view of the relations.

I knew most of what you said from my history studies but always good to get a perspective from a local. Its a shame that we don`t get to see Ibrahimovic in the WC. I know he has his critics but I love watching him.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

Originally Posted by Bulldog

I'm not so sure. I remember Sven doing that kinda thing against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in '05, and we all know what happened there. Maybe Capello could make it work though, seeing as Sven in his boundless wisdom decided to play David Beckham as a holding midfielder.

It'd be interesting to see if Fabio tries the formation out in one of the warm-up games. I hope he does anyway.

I'm pretty sure he has used it a few times during the qualifiers. I could have sworn I've seen Rooney up front on his own with Barry playing at some point over the past year.

I think it had a lot to do with the players under Sven doing whatever the hell they wanted more than anything was the main reason for it failing.

I remember plenty of games where Gerrard was asked to play on the left and he'd just cut inside and play in the middle doing whatever the hell he wanted. And with Ashley Cole always getting forward our entire left side would go missing when an attack would come.

I think they'd be far more disciplined under Capello.

[Bulldog]

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

I'm pretty sure he has used it a few times during the qualifiers. I could have sworn I've seen Rooney up front on his own with Barry playing at some point over the past year.

I think it had a lot to do with the players under Sven doing whatever the hell they wanted more than anything was the main reason for it failing.

I remember plenty of games where Gerrard was asked to play on the left and he'd just cut inside and play in the middle doing whatever the hell he wanted. And with Ashley Cole always getting forward our entire left side would go missing when an attack would come.

I think they'd be far more disciplined under Capello.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. He might have guided us to a few quarter finals, but I still think Sven's laid-back style was quite simply how a national side, especially of England's calibre, shouldn't be run. Plus we were absolutely abysmal in Germany 2006. Capello's just the kinda guy we've been waiting for to drill some much-needed discipline into the team. As I've said before, one mistake or incompetent official and it could all end in tears early but, judging by what I saw in the qualifiers, I really think this England side has the potential to go very far in this tournament. This is the first tournament I think I've ever been this optimistic about, so I really can't wait to see how it goes.

[Stinkfist]

Ballack is out! ****ing Mint. Roll on June 13th Aus v Ger

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Stinkfist

Ballack is out! ****ing Mint. Roll on June 13th Aus v Ger

Even without him, they`ll probably still scrape through to the latter stages as they always seem to do.