The Official World Cup Thread

[soccer10k]

Ukraine goes up 4-0.

 

I have to say, it's not very often that you see a team lose their first game in the World Cup 4-0 and then come out and win the next one 4-0. For that matter a three goal differential comeback is probably rare as well.

[soccer10k]

And Tunisia strike in the eighth minute and go up 1-0 on Spain.

 

On a side note, Tommy Smyth in announcing this match.

[Marco4]

Spain started sluggishly, but seem to be just about getting going now.

[soccer10k]

Spain started sluggishly, but seem to be just about getting going now.

 

Spain is dominating the possession 65-35. I doubt this game will end 1-0, whether that means Spain breaks through or whether Tunisia gets another one, I'm not sure. But I doubt we've seen the last of the scoring for the day.

[wolf stansson]

Spain started sluggishly, but seem to be just about getting going now.

I was going to say that I'd be shocked if Spain lost.

[Marco4]

Spain started sluggishly, but seem to be just about getting going now.

I was going to say that I'd be shocked if Spain lost.

 

Looking devoid of ideas now; Joaquin's there, but they're not using him. Raul's been disappointing as ever.

[Marco4]

:)

 

My reverse psychology worked on Raul! Great news.

[soccer10k]

And Spain with the equilizer as Raul "puts a bulge in the old onion bag."

[Jon]

Nice little burst of speed by Raul to get to that one and put it in.

[Jon]

Wow.

 

Definitely onsides.

[soccer10k]

Nice goal by Frernando Torres and an awesome pass to get him the ball.

[Marco4]

Nice goal by Frernando Torres and an awesome pass to get him the ball.

 

You could ask questions about the goalkeeping.

[Outshined_One]

This is getting sad.

 

Also, whoever in the Spanish contingent of fans is waving a Confederate Flag is either being hilariously ironic or disgusting. Either way, he deserves a beating.

[Jon]

This is getting sad.

 

Also, whoever in the Spanish contingent of fans is waving a Confederate Flag is either being hilariously ironic or disgusting. Either way, he deserves a beating.

Haha. It took me a good 10 seconds to comprehend that image.

[soccer10k]

Iffy penalty kick call that could have gone either way. Spain now leads 3-1.

[soccer10k]

Nice goal by Fernando Torres and an awesome pass to get him the ball.

 

You could ask questions about the goalkeeping.

 

What else did you want the keeper to do on the second goal?

 

Also, I fixed Fernando Torres' name.

 

EDIT: Just saw a replay and I'm not quite sure what the keeper was thinking. Nevermind.

[soccer10k]

Teams that have advanced thus far:

 

Group A: Ecuador, Germany

Group B: England

Group C: Argentina, Netherlands

Group D: Portugal

Group E: (none)

Group F: Brazil

Group G: (none)

Group H: Spain

[Marco4]

I'm surprised by Ecuador - they've impressed me. The rest; not such a surprise.

[USSoccer]

The Official FIFA release on US advancement scenarios:

 

For the U.S. team to advance, it must defeat Ghana in its last game. In addition to beating Ghana, the United States needs one of these scenarios to take place:

 

1. Italy defeats the Czech Republic.

 

2. Italy ties the Czech Republic 0-0 or 1-1 AND the United States beats Ghana by at least four goals.

 

3. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by five or more goals.

 

4. Italy ties the Czech Republic 2-2 or with a higher score AND the United States beats Ghana by four goals AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Czechs do in their tie.

 

5. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is six or more.

 

6. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores at least three goals more than the Italians do in their loss.

 

7. The Czech Republic beats Italy AND the total combined margin of victory for the Americans and Czechs is five AND the U.S. team scores exactly two more goals than the Italians do in their loss AND the Americans win a drawing of lots by FIFA.

 

Drawing of lots is a tiebreaker??

[Marco4]

Drawing of lots is a tiebreaker??

I think Italy have progressed in the past by drawing of lots..... how else could they do it? Flip coins, as in Friday Night Lights? (I don't know if that's the way to do things in the States)

[Garwilly]

Drawing of lots is a tiebreaker??

I think Italy have progressed in the past by drawing of lots..... how else could they do it? Flip coins, as in Friday Night Lights? (I don't know if that's the way to do things in the States)

 

Yeah, we flip coins.

[Marco4]

It was Mexico and USSR in the 1970 World Cup, but it wasn't to go through.

 

I apologise to Italy.

[USSoccer]

Drawing of lots is a tiebreaker??

I think Italy have progressed in the past by drawing of lots..... how else could they do it? Flip coins, as in Friday Night Lights? (I don't know if that's the way to do things in the States)

 

Yeah, we flip coins.

 

It's too bad there can't be a replay...

[soccer10k]

Time to post the games for Tuesday June 20. We will have the final group stage games for both Groups A and B.

 

Here are the current standings:

 

Group A
Team         W    D    L    P   GS   GA   GD
Ecuador      2    0    0    6    5    0    5
Germany      2    0    0    6    5    2    3
Poland       0    0    2    0    0    3   -3
Costa Rica   0    0    2    0    2    7   -5

 

Ecuador v Germany 7 AM PT on ESPN

Costa Rica v Poland 7 AM PT on ESPN 2

 

Both Ecuador and Germany have advanced. Winner takes the group but if they tie, Ecuador wins the Group. Poland and Costa Rica have been eliminated.

 

Group B
Team                W    D    L    P   GS   GA   GD
England             2    0    0    6    3    0    3
Sweden              1    1    0    4    1    0    1
Trinidad & Tobago   0    1    1    1    0    2   -2
Paraguay            0    0    2    0    0    2   -2

 

England v Sweden 12 PM PT on ESPN

Paraguay v Trinidad & Tobago 12 PM PT on ESPN 2

 

England have advanced and Paraguay has been eliminated. England wins the group with a win or a tie. Sweden wins the group with a win but will advance with a tie or a loss and a Paraguay victory over Trinidad & Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago must win and have Sweden lose to England (not sure on the specifics with the tiebreakers) to have a chance to advance.

[Marco4]

Its worth noting that the top team in Group A plays the second team in Group B, and vice versa, in the next round.