The Official World Cup 2010 Thread

[loveissucide]

Originally Posted by Stu

The Dutch are always their own worst enemy. Technically they're outstanding, but they just do not have the big match temprement. As far as dark horses go watch out for Serbia. They were so impressive in qualifying and posses some really good players who play for some of the best sides in Europe. Could be another Croatia at '98

Holland have come a long way as regards big match temperament of late,really havn't put a foot wrong and if Arjen Robben is on form they're as good as any side except Spain. Serbia might have a good run,but I can't see them getting anywhere near as far as the semis.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by loveissucide

Holland have come a long way as regards big match temperament of late,really havn't put a foot wrong and if Arjen Robben is on form they're as good as any side except Spain. Serbia might have a good run,but I can't see them getting anywhere near as far as the semis.

Nearly every single tournament the Dutch are the dark horses and start out like a house on fire and play some great football and their fans are normally the most colourful. Problem is, they always run out of steam just as their main rivals are starting to find theirs.

If the Dutch start this world cup slowly, things could be different as they always seem to have the players.

[Sneer]

Originally Posted by loveissucide

Holland have come a long way as regards big match temperament of late,really havn't put a foot wrong and if Arjen Robben is on form they're as good as any side except Spain. Serbia might have a good run,but I can't see them getting anywhere near as far as the semis.

Remember Euro 2008? They were being touted as favourites by many following their scintillating start to to the tournament, but as usual they shot themselves in the foot and got knocked out by Russia following two goals in extra time. Yeah, they had a good qualifying campaign, they always do, but come the big tournaments they just dont win when it really matters. One player doesnt make a team, Robben is good but he hasnt fully fulfilled his undoubted potential, partially due to injury admittedly. And if Van Persie isnt fit they'll be quite leightweight up front. Serbia have Vidic, Ivanovic, Stankovic, Krasic, Kuzmanovic, Zigic, Kolarov, Jankovic, Tosic etc, all players that have a lot of ability. They dominated their qualifying group, which was quite strong, and they'll be an unknown entity to many teams at the WC. They're my tip.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Stu

Remember Euro 2008? They were being touted as favourites by many following their scintillating start to to the tournament, but as usual they shot themselves in the foot and got knocked out by Russia following two goals in extra time. Yeah, they had a good qualifying campaign, they always do, but come the big tournaments they just dont win when it really matters. One player doesnt make a team, Robben is good but he hasnt fully fulfilled his undoubted potential, partially due to injury admittedly. And if Van Persie isnt fit they'll be quite leightweight up front. Serbia have Vidic, Ivanovic, Stankovic, Krasic, Kuzmanovic, Zigic, Kolarov, Jankovic, Tosic etc, all players that have a lot of ability. They dominated their qualifying group, which was quite strong, and they'll be an unknown entity to many teams at the WC. They're my tip.

Serbia are going to be very dangerous, because they have a lot of vic`s in the team.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by Stu

The Dutch are always their own worst enemy. Technically they're outstanding, but they just do not have the big match temprement. As far as dark horses go watch out for Serbia. They were so impressive in qualifying and posses some really good players who play for some of the best sides in Europe. Could be another Croatia at '98

I`m a great fan of eastern european football from a technical and tactiical point of view and Serbia are always excellent in this department and produce outstanding players. Problem is, they quite often don`t have the mentality of a Germany or Italy and their heads often drop when the going gets tough, also they always lack consistency which is vital to win a tournament.

Old Yugoslavia (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia etc) were always known as the Brazilians of Europe for the quality and quantity of players that they produced and would export players all around Europe...hell even the defenders used to come forward with a swagger and look good on the ball!

[loveissucide]

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

I`m a great fan of eastern european football from a technical and tactiical point of view and Serbia are always excellent in this department and produce outstanding players. Problem is, they quite often don`t have the mentality of a Germany or Italy and their heads often drop when the going gets tough, also they always lack consistency which is vital to win a tournament.

Old Yugoslavia (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia etc) were always known as the Brazilians of Europe for the quality and quantity of players that they produced and would export players all around Europe...hell even the defenders used to come forward with a swagger and look good on the ball!

It's a great loss to football that Yugoslavia broke up.A united Yugoslav side with Savicevic,Prosinecki,Suker,Zahovic,Mihajtovic,Boba n etc would have been one of the strongest footballing sides of the 90's.

[Unknown Soldier]

Originally Posted by loveissucide

It's a great loss to football that Yugoslavia broke up.A united Yugoslav side with Savicevic,Prosinecki,Suker,Zahovic,Mihajtovic,Boba n etc would have been one of the strongest footballing sides of the 90's.

Most of these players graced or would have graced a great Red Star Belgrade side back in the day.

Yugoslavia from an international perspective, were able to play anybody off the pitch and dazzle with their brilliance, but they never would`ve won anything, because all the above players you`ve mentioned were individualist and team work was the last thing on their minds and the team consistenly flattered to deceive.

After Yugo broke up, Croatia in 98 were a perfect example of this, they managed to keep it togeather and reach the semis and had France on the back foot in the match, but then after a French attack, midfielder Asanovic instead of hoofing the ball out of defence like any sensible player, decided to dribble out of his penalty area with the ball and he had French players close by which sums up the mentality and it was from this mistake that Thuram gave France the lead and eventual victory.

Players like Prosinecki and Boban were great midfield artists. Players like Savicevic "the wizard" and Suker were like comic book footballers with dazzling ball skills and tricks. Suker`s great moment came in Euro 96 when instead of shooting for goal, decided to tease the German keeper by rolling the ball around him with one foot (a la Puskas) before scoring.

These players excelled in both La Liga and Serie A and are hugely remembered today, I don`t think they would`ve flourished that much in the Premiership.

[NumberNineDream]

I'm with Holland this time, they deserve some kind of recognition.

I guess the only tough group is the G. Portugal v/s Brazil should be interesting. Plus, the Ivory Coast has been evolving more and more into a ruthless team. Finally, there is no much doubt the Englishmen would be winning over the US, the latter call the game "soccer".

[Mojo]

The USA were a team to hopefully avoid in the draw, at least for me but i'm glad we got them now. They should be our toughest game but im looking forward to it and we should still beat them. If we can't beat the USA we don't deserve anything.

As for world class players, i dont think we have many but i think we have enough providing the rest of the squad are fit and well and are in decent form going into the world cup. In my own humble opinion Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole and Beckham are all world class. Gerrard and Lampard have never really looked as convincing for country as they have for club but this is the big stage and their big chance and hopefully they'll come through. Owen i would say still has what it takes to be world class, he just has to prove between now and then that he's still got it and that he deserves to be there over certain players who are getting regular starts and scoring goals week in week out, especially if Capello only takes 4 strikers. That's gonna be quite a mountain to climb for him and of course theres already the risk of injury.

Beckham of course is getting older and playing his football in the mickey mouse leagues (apart from when he's in Italy) but theres no doubt in my mind that he has to be on the bench incase we need him. If you think of wide players or players Capello could play out wide we have Lennon who, for me, should start on wide right, Young, Wright Phillips, Milner, Walcott, Cole, Downing and a lot of competition but the majority of likely candidates have pace, can cause problems but cant cross a ball. They certainly cant cross a ball like Beckham and i can see us needing him in the latter stages of games.

Our progress could all come down to fringe players like Lennon, Defoe, Green, James, Terry etc proving themselves and playing well and of course relying on the consistency of our more senior, world class players which can often be a tricky thing to bank on for England. Just look at some of the mistakes Ferdinand has made as of late. He makes one of those and it could be all over.

[Sneer]

Terry a fringe player ?

He's our national captain and a world class centre back.