[SmartyBeardo]

I figured England would come alive. Germany was making them look foolish. The English responded like true fighters. The ref is allowed to f it all to hell.

This is England's moment. The lions have been awakened. If they can overcome this, 2010 may be their year.

I can't believe the FIFA morons have managed to make me a fan of the English.

Here we go. It is time for Rooney to come alive.

England dominating so far. Keeping control. Applying pressure. Near misses.

Germany has become tentative, sloppy. Now they make a run. Corner.

Yet another near miss. Germany is on their heels.

Germany near miss. Their quickness upfront is so superior. Neither defense is exemplary.

Germany is just far superior athletically- 4-1. They are the most impressive offensive force, by far, in this tournament. Nobody has shown the firepower that Germany has.

This is no longer a controversial victory. But it gives England a reason to discuss what might have been.

England's defense was non-existent. They have been humbled by a superior force."!

Rooney coming alive. England continues with relentless pressure.

Germany very near miss.

Germany on a run.

Cole for Milner.

That may have been a payback call.

Germany fastbreak. Score.

This will be a true English tragedy. And it is sad for Germany also, because they have been the superior side today.

This post has been edited by SmartyBeardo: Jun 27 2010, 10:32 AM

[rusty_trombone]

It's true.

They get on the big stage and forget what to do. They was so clearly a goal...I mean...how do you miss that?

I think it's the way fifa instructs them to ref, it's a different style than they are used to. fifa seems to have a much stricter attitude towards fouls and fairplay, but it ends up with a massive amount of unnecessary sendoffs. the missed goal doesn't have anything to do with that though, that's just poor.

even the 2 goals america had disallowed, i don't think were worth all of the complaining i have heard.

[SmartyBeardo]

even the 2 goals america had disallowed, i don't think were worth all of the complaining i have heard.

I agree with you. They were judgment calls. But this failure is purely a result of pigheadism. Technology would completely eliminate this problem.

There is no excuse, no reason, no rationalization for this foolishness.

The worst of this foolishness tarnishes a brilliant effort by Germany.

Germany is the team to beat in my admittedly naive futbol opinion.

This post has been edited by SmartyBeardo: Jun 27 2010, 10:43 AM

[lloyd mayflower]

Forget the "goal" for a start. What goes around comes around. Yes it is pig headedness from FIFA, but as a result of that, there have been many more significant decisions which were wrong. Like Ireland not competing at this world cup, or Kaka sitting out the Portugal game. Unfortunately for us, FIFA are in charge and are run by arseholes, so we all just have to get on with it

The short version of my opinion is that the English prima donnas dont like being told what to do by a disciplinarian like Capello. Not a happy camp, at least thats how it looked from my perspective.

At least I can now enjoy the rest of the tournament without listening to the vile commentators making everything about England and how they are going to win it.

STEVENSKI, give yourself a pat on the back. Thanks to the mighty Germans putting on a footballing clinic, it will indeed, once again be, A.B.E!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinks.gif)

[PR316]

Maxy I'm sure your gutted. I really wanted you guys to pull that one out and it seemed towards the end of the 2nd half when you guys were robbed of a goal that it was going to be a contest. But for some reason the team just fell apart in the 2nd half. Sloppy team play lead to those two counter attacks which basically sealed the match. I must say, I'm not feeling it when I see Rooney dropping back so deep. But then again, England doesn't have a player in the mold of a Xavi or Fabregas to get the ball to Rooney in the open spaces. IMO, Theo Walcott's speed down the wings could have been useful. I also think at the back the team really missed Ferdinand. John Terry was forced to go it alone and he had very little help. England don't play with a DM so there was nobody to snuff out the counter attacks. Capello really did nothing this tournament to help the team with its fluency or anything.


Disappointed to see them go out so early. But Germany played very well. Took their chances and entertained.


Argentina vs Mexico should be a showcase for the Argies.

[Mean Mister Must...]

2 back to back matches with bad calls. Is this what it's going to take for FIFA to implement instant replay?

[SmartyBeardo]

2 back to back matches with bad calls. Is this what it's going to take for FIFA to implement instant replay?

Honestly, this day brings into sharp focus why so many Americans consider the FIFA World Cup a theatrical exercise in the ridiculous. It makes nearly impossible an argument in favor of it to the skeptical.

Simply a despicable display of the obvious inadequacies of the event. It is hard not to consider the economic and political implications of these suspicious decisions.

This post has been edited by SmartyBeardo: Jun 27 2010, 02:12 PM

[The CEO]

Every 4 years, I try to give this sport a chance...and every 4 years, I'm reminded very quickly why I don't follow it...

Sure, there's some quality action and goals here and there...but the acting, the calls, the overall pace...it really IS lacking as a sport.

People can say, "It's the most popular sport on the planet." 'til they're blue in the face...but here's something to think about...

Lady Gaga is extremely popular around the world too...

Get some Taste, rest of the world.

[Mean Mister Must...]

I guess Fitz was right to underestimate Mexico. Argentina is that good.

[rusty_trombone]

Every 4 years, I try to give this sport a chance...and every 4 years, I'm reminded very quickly why I don't follow it...

Sure, there's some quality action and goals here and there...but the acting, the calls, the overall pace...it really IS lacking as a sport.

People can say, "It's the most popular sport on the planet." 'til they're blue in the face...but here's something to think about...

Lady Gaga is extremely popular around the world too...

Get some Taste, rest of the world.

nah man, it's because the world cup, although a huge event, isn't the best that soccer has to offer. European League play is infinitely better, and so is Champions League.