Fifa Germany 2006 - world cup thread

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
No, that would be comedic understatement. I think Rooney is very good, I don't think he's this messiah of football that people would believe.

I must express puzzlement at the continuing use of "When he wants to." So, Deano, would I be well within justifiable parameters to assume that his inability to score for a while for England, and in many Man Utd games also, is subsequent to his desire to not want to score? Because the implication there is that he can do this at will.

It's not about when he wants to. He goes out there to play, to win and to score. When he doesn't do those latter two, it's because he couldn't. Not because he didn't want to.

-AC

when i say 'when he wants to' i just mean when he is on form.

Originally posted by Deano
when i say 'when he wants to' i just mean when he is on form.

Then...perhaps...you should say "Rooney can tear anyone apart when he's on form".

-AC

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I agree with what you've said about Ivory Coast and Argentina, but Italy will struggle to make it out of their group. They really are shit. Their defence is OK, but their midfield is pedestrian and their strikers - with perhaps the exception of Mr. Tap-Inzaghi - only really score goals in Serie A. From their group, I'd say the USA and Czech Republic are more likely to qualifiy for the second round.

Yeah in Serie A, a league notorious for it's crushing defensive play. It's not an easy task to score in Italy. I hate Inzaghi, he's a disgusting cheat, but he does score goals. Gilardino and Toni are both very good players also, and Del Piero, as horribly inconsistent as he is, there's always a chance with him. That's a frontline to be scared of. Add in the best keeper in the world, and an excellent defense (Nesta, Cannavaro and Zambrotta are a little more than OK), plus Pirlo and De Rossi in midfield, and a little player some call Francesco Totti, they are strong, on paper at least. And that's what I'm going by at this stage, with no actual games played yet.

Thing is, it's happened before in the past. A traditionally big side that's fallen on hard times comes to the World Cup with what most think is no chance, and have great success. Look at Germany four years ago. It may have been mainly down to luck of the draw but they still did it, and then even further back in 1982, no one gave Italy much of a chance, it was all about Brazil, Germany and France, but they won. And looking back now, you can see what a great team they had. I'm not biased here, as an American, I'm actually expecting Italy to go through with Czech Republic ahead of US.

Originally posted by Deathblow
Yeah in Serie A, a league notorious for it's crushing defensive play. It's not an easy task to score in Italy. I hate Inzaghi, he's a disgusting cheat, but he does score goals. Gilardino and Toni are both very good players also, and Del Piero, as horribly inconsistent as he is, there's always a chance with him. That's a frontline to be scared of. Add in the best keeper in the world, and an excellent defense (Nesta, Cannavaro and Zambrotta are a little more than OK), plus Pirlo and De Rossi in midfield, and a little player some call Francesco Totti, they are strong, on paper at least. And that's what I'm going by at this stage, with no actual games played yet.

I think the quality of defending in Italy is over-rated. It's more of a case of the poor quality of the majority of the strikers making the defenders look good.

From their group, Czech Republic and the US will go through. I'd put money on it.

Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
I think the quality of defending in Italy is over-rated. It's more of a case of the poor quality of the majority of the strikers making the defenders look good.

From their group, Czech Republic and the US will go through. I'd put money on it.

Regardless the groups this time around are very even and I wouldnt count out any team at the moment. Italy does have a solid team but they also did in 2002 and were booted out first round, so based on that I have to say Italy will have to prove themselves again. However I wouldnt go as far as to say any teams defence or offense is over-rated.

Italy and Czech will go through...

I agree with Ya Krunk'd Floo.. I don't think Italy will get through.. SA and the Czech's for me from this group to.

And If Italy do manage to get through... It they will fluke it.

italy will be stronger this time around. i reckon they will go through the groups

Originally posted by Deathblow
they are strong, on paper at least. And that's what I'm going by at this stage, with no actual games played yet.

Everyone does that with Italy though.

What have they ever done on the pitch, in recent memory?

-AC

recently?

drawn with Scotland haha

Originally posted by Df02
recently?

drawn with Scotland haha

Good example. 😂

they did beat Germany 4-1 though recently didnt they?

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
Everyone does that with Italy though.

What have they ever done on the pitch, in recent memory?

-AC

got to final of euro 2000. thats about it. more than england have done.

Originally posted by Df02
they did beat Germany 4-1 though recently didnt they?

Wales beat Germany what does that prove.. we suck 😂

Originally posted by Deano
got to final of euro 2000. thats about it. more than england have done.

6 years ago.

I said in recent memory. Anyway, England won the World Cup in 1966 and for some reason, every team since then has been praised as having an excellent chance to win it, on the basis of "We won it once."

So I'm having to narrow it down to recent memory.

-AC

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
6 years ago.

I said in recent memory. Anyway, England won the World Cup in 1966 and for some reason, every team since then has been praised as having an excellent chance to win it, on the basis of "We won it once."

So I'm having to narrow it down to recent memory.

-AC

Italy won it 3 times

Winners: 1934
Winners: 1938
Winners: 1982

And have been runners up 2 times

Runners Up: 1970
Runners Up: 1994

England on the other hand have just won the cup once... 1966

but ya the only recent game Italy have played was against Germany which they won 4-1.

Originally posted by El_NINO
Italy won it 3 times

Winners: 1934
Winners: 1938
Winners: 1982

And have been runners up 2 times

Runners Up: 1970
Runners Up: 1994

England on the other hand have just won the cup once... 1966

but ya the only recent game Italy have played was against Germany which they won 4-1.

What's wrong with you? Seriously. I ask seriously and sincerely, what's wrong with you? I make THIS post:

"Everyone does that with Italy though.

What have they ever done on the pitch, in recent memory?

-AC"

Then this one:

"6 years ago.

I said in recent memory. Anyway, England won the World Cup in 1966 and for some reason, every team since then has been praised as having an excellent chance to win it, on the basis of "We won it once."

So I'm having to narrow it down to recent memory.

-AC"

Yet, you still find it appropriate and relevant to name Italy's achievements, the most recent being 1994. Ergo, not recent.

So I'll say it again, in recent memory.

-AC

does it matter what anyone has done in recent memory? what had greece done in recent memory before they lifted the euro trophy? nothing.

shhh you'll spoil his italy bashing fun haha

Originally posted by Deano
does it matter what anyone has done in recent memory? what had greece done in recent memory before they lifted the euro trophy? nothing.

I don't know about you, but I'd say it matters if we're discussing who is CURRENTLY good.

About Greece, exactly. They've achieved one accolade of note, which is why rating them as good would be stupid, because they got rather lucky. Greece have achieved more than Italy though, in the past however many years.

Hence why continuing to rate Italy as a great team just because they achieved SOMETHING way back in the day, is stupid logic. Live in the now. The same applies to ANY team.

Being good on paper means nothing. It's like forming a band on paper with the technical best on each instrument, they could still put out a remarkably shit album, musically. Just like Italy, for all the stats and hype...get nothing done.

-AC