stangg172004

fixed

geminisdc

^^^^^

stangg172004

FastAcura

Damn, are you serious? Of course i know him. I lived in Germany when they won Euro 96 in England. I know a girl who lived next door to Oliver Kahn

I've been a Werder Bremen fan since 94. I'm sorry to say that next year they'll win die Meisterschale. Was Koepke still playing in 2002? I totally forgot. I thought it was Kahn (when he dropped that ball in the final when Ronaldo scored)

gocubsgo55

^ "and it's Aaaaarseeeeeeenal... Aaaaaaarsenal FC. We're by FAR the greatest team, the world has ever seen!"

I've liked Holland ever since my Dutch cousin visited me from Rotterdam in 1998. We loved Denis Bergkamp. Me because of his wonderful season with Arsenal, him for his wonderful play with the Dutch national team. This year though, I'm liking the way Serbia-Montenegro is looking. I like cheering for underdogs, but they're both in the same group . I think I'm just going to cheer for whoever has the most Arsenal players on a certain team (errhem Ivory Coast )

F-C

Italy has too many bianconeri scum this year. I don't think they will go far.

AQUI NO!

like JUVE much, do you? but I agree with you, i don't see them going past the second round.

I want to see holland brazil or brazil argentina in the finals.

F-C

Fixed

moonraker

oh yea my bad france 98 was his last wc, kahn took over in 2002 youre right. kahn's a beast i love his expressions when playing. i dont know how i feel about lehmann vs kahn controversy though in goal... both adequate keepers but i think kahn is better on the world stage

and i agree bremen have been on the rise hardcore, and now since bayern have lost ballack and who knows who else we'll lose, i have a feeling next year is bremens year.

mamboking

picking Brazil, is like picking the Yankees to win the world series. If they don't win it, they are usually close..

Lister00169

/discussion

Fibonacci

Mind the Gap. England's high hopes usually dashed early, this year will likely be no different - Rooney is questionable and Beckham's star is fading.

FastAcura

Unless Bayern gets a really good Ballack replacement, it's gonna be tough. Bremen have already signed Wome (Inter - Cameroon) and Diego (Porto - Brazil)

They're also interested in either Mertesacker or Metzelder. I think their only weak point is the defense. Once they improve that, they'll be able to give Bayern a run for their money.

FastAcura

Usually I never consider England contenders, but the way they've been playing lately, they're one of the top 5 teams who can win it.

kurt_bradley

They've looked too solid in the last few matches to not be in the mix of the top few teams that really have a shot.

SakiGT

I never watch soccer but my boyfriend is from Venezuela and Bolivia so now I am.

Ill be cheering for Argentina

kurt_bradley

*cough*Falkland Islands*cough*

FastAcura

Boooooo.

Your viewing pleasure might not last long since they'll finish 3rd behind Holland and Serbia in their group.

SakiGT

Oh get the hell over that, already. They apologized...sorta

SakiGT

I cant argue soccer, but I can argue beer.

Quilmes > teh Heinee

Therefore, Argentina will win

kurt_bradley

Ever see the Top Gear review of the Phantom? Clarkson made some comment about there not being a proper car with so much British spirit that it would make one want to reclaim the Falklands.

BstonBruin

you really think so From the way I see it, Argentina to finish first in the group followed by a toss up of Holland and Serbia. Serbia and Holland are two teams that will be very interesting to see playing. Holland is very young, and Serbia is very big and individually skilled.

subinf

Does Landon Donovan annoy any of you? There is something about that guy I just cant stand...not sure what it is exactly

gocubsgo55

Chicagoans, I am organizing a large get together at The Globe on Irving Park and Damen. The only 10 or so diehard Arsenal supporters in Chicago and I go there every game during the season, and we have been planning this for quite some time.

PM for directions if you're free at 8:00 AM on Friday. I am out of school, so I have no issue with it. Good breakfast menu and about 20+ beers on tap for drinkers. It's typically packed for big games; for the Champion's League game with Arsenal and Barca, there were at least 2,000 people packed into the place.

Fibonacci

Intangibles? He's got boatloads of natural talent, but seems a bit aloof.

FastAcura

PMed I'm probably taking the day off on Friday.

FastAcura

Yeah, maybe I'm a little biased because I was born in the former Yugoslavia

But seriously, I don't see Argentina as that impressive and I think if Holland gets off to a good start, it will be really hard to stop them. They're one of my favorite teams to watch and they can beat anyone on any given night. I think the game between Argentina and Serbia will decide who gets second.

moonraker

yea nederlands are definitely SICK. they are so young so that could be their only downfall but i am really looking forward to seeing them play serbia montenegro and argentina and ivory coast. i think this is the most exciting group for the first round. no davids, no seedorf on holland?! quite a gamble but could pay off with all the young talent

friday is so close yet so far

Lister00169

Good point, but Crouch is on-form and I expect that should free up Owen to shoot up the side. Though Beckham is fading, he is still one of the best setup men in international football.

I am concerned that we are too loaded in the Mid-field and not enough in strikers. You have John Terry, Lampard and Gerrard plugging it up in the middle, but I think Sven should move either Gerrard, or Lampard to a position further upfield since they are both tremendous offensive threats.

The key to England's success is going to be having good scoring chances - they are a great finishing team, they just need quality set-ups.

JimmyCarter

Read an interesting article about him (SI maybe?). Seems like he's actually got a good head on his shoulders. Happy to just play, happy to be in the states, near his family, and actually getting playing time in MLS instead of being a benchwarmer over in Germany. I always kinda thought he was annoying but find myself seeing him in a slightly different light now.

Fibonacci

Yah - I read that one too. And I came away with the feeling that he lacks a killer instinct ala Jordan. To win at the World Cup level, you really have to bring more than the SoCal surfer dude 'so cool to be here' mantra.

Fibonacci

Oh, I definitely agree. And I also agree with FastAcura's post about how they are a hot team. I'd love to see them go the distance. As brilliant as the Brazilians are, it get's tiresome watching them win all the time.

As for the teams I'm following the most closely:
1. USA - could surprise some people if they survive the first round.
2. Korea - the Red Devils are unfortunately looking suspect.
3. England - a few close friends of mine are Brits, so I'll be downing my fair share of pints.

JimmyCarter

Jordan's "killer instinct" made his personal life a train wreck though.
I don't think that the killer instinct factor applies as much on an individual level as a team level. World Cup victories require everyone on the team to be at their best, and Landon appears to be a pretty good leader/rallier.

Fibonacci

Good point, let's hope so.

JimmyCarter

I just hope they make it further than England so my roommate will keep his England/ManU jerseys in the closet for a few months

subinf

Just saw the new SI with the soccer team on the cover, will look for article...seeing as how I dont really know much about him I'm probably to quick to judge.

It might just be a feeling I've had when I used to play. I would see players on the other team that were dumbshits...I dont know why he gets lumped into that category.

BstonBruin

I find it quite interesting that they are still playing as a team since Serbia and Montenegro are independent now. Holland is definitely one of the best teams to watch play, but this is pretty much a whole new team of youngsters this year mix in a few veterans...so it'll definitely be interesting.

kurt_bradley

I wore my United jersey earlier today.

Lister00169

<-- Liverpool fan

mamboking

70$ for Brazil's jersey... I guess I am gonna have to keep wearing the one from the 1994 world cup...