World Cup!

[blkmage]

On the other hand, that probably wouldn't have mattered given how awful they're playing.

[Nate]

While browsing a particular website last night, I saw some articles that I would swear were from The Onion if they hadn't been on another paper.

The New York Post with the title "USA WINS 1-1" with the sub-heading "Greatest tie against the British since Bunker Hill."

Then there was The Sun with "Here's hopin' that England United shoot some totally awesome strikes past the goaltender in the soccerball world series today."

I'm still not entirely convinced that they're not photoshops.

[blkmage]

Pretty sure the NY Post one is real.

[Whitefang]

Yes, another controversy. Fifa needs to seriously reevaluate video replay or goal line technology. Germany deserves the win, though. England's World Cup experience was just as blah as the US'. Of course the English had much higher expectations so the result is unacceptable for them.

Anyway, here is an article that sums up the US team's result.

EDIT: Nate, The Sun is an English tabloid, I believe.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

On the other hand, that probably wouldn't have mattered given how awful they're playing.

Yeah, I know... Seriously, what is up, England? What is up? 4-1. 4-1.

I'd say that the comparison between the US' final game and England's final game isn't a fair one. The US came out fighting in the second half. England just kind of rolled over.

[ich1990]

This is the first time I have ever watched any soccer, so it was kind of cool to see the U.S. get so far and tie against England.

I don't think I will be watching much more (excepting the final match), until FIFA gets their act together with the coaching. No tournament of this caliber is enjoyable (or even legitimate) unless it is fair, and those coaches are introducing a random human error variable that makes it unfair.

That and all of those faked injuries. There should be a rule change or something to the effect of "if you are hurt that bad, then you can sit the rest of the game out and a sub can take your place".

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Pretty sure you overestimated the US team or underestimated the bracket. Uruguay, Korea, and Ghana won't be on anyone's finalist list, but these aren't teams that anyone can just walk over (like, say, North Korea).

S. Korea certainly proved themselves to be a world contender in the 2002 World Cup. 4th place, baby.

Their performance in 2006... on the other hand. Not so good.

As of right now, Argentina scored 1 against Mexico. It was CLEARLY off-sides. Why the referees refuse to look at the replays is absolutely beyond me. I can't believe this stupidity.

Edit: Argentina scored again right now. The second one is deserved, I'll give them that. I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina takes the cup this year. But I think I'll be cheering for Germany and Uruguay anyways. XD

[blkmage]

It's not that refs refuse to look at replays, it's that for whatever reason, FIFA refuses to use any kind of technology. I'm guessing that it's some misguided effort to keep the sport pure or something. But yeah, goal line stuff, offsides, awarding penalties, checking for diving, running the clock/injury time and a whole bunch of other stuff wouldn't be issues anymore.

I don't follow association football, so I'm interested if it's as bad on that level as it is here.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

S. Korea certainly proved themselves to be a world contender in the 2002 World Cup. 4th place, baby.

Their performance in 2006... on the other hand. Not so good.

As of right now, Argentina scored 1 against Mexico. It was CLEARLY off-sides. Why the referees refuse to look at the replays is absolutely beyond me. I can't believe this stupidity.

Edit: Argentina scored again right now. The second one is deserved, I'll give them that. I wouldn't be surprised if Argentina takes the cup this year. But I think I'll be cheering for Germany and Uruguay anyways. XD

I don't buy that crap about America not belonging either after how far we've made it considering that in several games the rulings made against use were arbitrary and silly. Maybe we're not cup winners, but we dang well belong in the tournament.

[Nate]

It's not that refs refuse to look at replays, it's that for whatever reason, FIFA refuses to use any kind of technology. I'm guessing that it's some misguided effort to keep the sport pure or something.

I've heard three answers to this, actually, one I think is bogus, the other I think has some merit but I dunno if I can agree with it, and the third which is actually true but I don't know that it would make any difference.

The first (bogus) reason is people saying "But football is a fast-moving sport and it would take so much time to review plays and it might work in lame AMERICAN football where they stop the game every 15 seconds but reviewing replays would ruin the flow of the game!"

Which is bogus because when you have Mexico stopping the game for five minutes to argue about a call, that totally makes more sense than watching a replay for 15 seconds.

Anyway, the second reason I heard was that FIFA is different from other organizations, in that it has teams all around the world, even in third-world countries that are poor and can barely afford balls and the money to go to other tournaments. These countries wouldn't have the technology or money to institute instant replay in their games.

That kind of makes sense, although I don't know that instant replay would have to be required at EVERY game, but in a big thing like the World Cup I would think it should be a requirement.

The final reason is that Sepp Blatter is a big fat idiot and says "Let it be as it is and let's leave [football] with errors. The television companies will have the right to say [the referee] was right or wrong, but still the referee makes the decision — a man, not a machine."

Because having mistakes that rob the better team of victory is totally more important than playing a fair game, I suppose. Anyway the fact is that as long as Blatter is in charge of FIFA, there won't be instant replays, but I'm not convinced that even if he stepped down that the next guy wouldn't be the same as him, so that may not be a valid excuse.

[ClosetOtaku]

Well, my boys from Chile got their head handed to them by Brazil. They were thrashed out and out, no question.

Haven't had as much time in the past week to watch, but I may catch the Japan game tomorrow.

[GeneD]

Maybe I too can become a fifa soccer ref... I also always mis the offsides and am never sure when it's a real goal...

I'm sad to see Chile and Japan go. I'd like to see Argentina in the finals.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

I'm sad to see Chile and Japan go. I'd like to see Argentina in the finals.

Boooooooooooooooo. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Germany

Argentina.

I'm eagerly awaiting word on how Spain does in their current match. Last I heard they were ahead 1-0.

[blkmage]

Welp, there goes Japan. I was a bit disappointed they weren't able to turn into the free kick robots that they apparently were against Denmark. And Asia is gone now :<

Now the only team left that I'm rooting for is Germany.

[GeneD]

Boooooooooooooooo. Boooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Germany

Argentina.

I'm eagerly awaiting word on how Spain does in their current match. Last I heard they were ahead 1-0.

I'm not saying I wouldn't mind Germany in the finals either, I'm not really supporting any team 100% at the moment.

Also, Spain won, 1-0.

[Winry]

Also, Spain won, 1-0.

Sad day there goes another one of the teams I was rooting for =/ But, I have to admit Spain deserved to win; they outplayed Portugal.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

[quote="Winry (post: 1405250)"]Sad day there goes another one of the teams I was rooting for =/ But, I have to admit Spain deserved to win]

If it's any consolation, I watched two of the three teams I was rooting for get kicked out of the tournament this weekend, as well as a loss for one of my favorite MLS teams.

Sad weekend for footie.

[ClosetOtaku]

And in yet another unexpected turn of events, Brazil is eliminated, thanks to in part an autogoal... congrats to the Netherlands...

[Etoh*the*Greato]

And in yet another unexpected turn of events, Brazil is eliminated, thanks to in part an autogoal... congrats to the Netherlands...

Yep. They put up a good fight, but I'm kind of glad they're out. They've won enough - it should be someone else's turn.

[GeneD]

Nooooo! Uruguay needs to go down hard, soon. X(

[Sammy Boy]

Hi everyone, here is the LEGO version of part of the USA vs England match:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=LEGO+world+cup&aq=f

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG3jfgWZf_g

Enjoy.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

Oh MAN, the Ghana loss was just freakin' TRAGIC.

[ClosetOtaku]

Watching Paraguay - Spain.

Absolute insanity.

Paraguay given PK -- and goal keeper stops it. Thirty seconds later, Spain given PK -- and kicks it in the goal -- but Spain is called for encroaching, so kick over -- and this time goal keeper stops it.

Crazy...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

The Uruguay and Ghana match was just absolutely epic. Ghana should have won, but they pretty much gave it up.

And Germany absolutely owning Argentina? 4-0? NUTS!

[blkmage]

Germany kicking Argentina to the curb wooooooooooooo

I hope GER-SPA is as awesome as I think it will be

[ClosetOtaku]

Just wanted to say, before the game ends, that Spain deserves to win this one. Overall they've played much better than the Germans. But it could come down to a lucky shot on either side...

[ClosetOtaku]

...and Spain just scored...

[blkmage]

That was kinda disappointing. Oh well, time to switch sides to NED.

[ich1990]

And Spain just had to win. . .

I think this is God getting back at me for gambling.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

And Spain just had to win. . .

I think this is God getting back at me for gambling.

YOU SHOULD'A LISTENED TO THE SOCCTOPUS. THE SOCCTOPUS KNOWS EVERYTHING. HE KNOWS THAT WHICH IS UNKNOWABLE. AND HE'LL TELL YOU BY CRAWLING INTO A BOX.

Stupid Socctopus. I figured, SURELY he'll be wrong this time!

Ah well, I'm shockingly not overly angry. I mean... They'll take 3rd in all liklihood so... Yeah.