Now that the first round is over, we on the 16th round.

I would LOVE for england to win it.. I'm a BIG fan, have always been, but their football tactics surprise me sometimes (but not in a good way :mad: ).

Who do you think will become world cup champions 2006?
Or you do you think will play the final? Which two teams?

Argentina vs Brazil with Argentina winning 3-1

On current form,Argentina against Brazil,will be the final.I said to friends,that I felt Argentina would win it,and I still hold that view,although,Brazil are as unpredictable as Graham Poll. :D
Did you see his refereeing blunders last night.He booked Croatia's Josip Simunic three times,before sending him off.He missed rugby tackles,trips,and play acting.The game ended 2-2,and in chaos.Sorry Graham,you my be an English ref,but your total c**p!!

How about Italy?
When do you guys think Italy will get booted out?
Before england?

No chance I guess for england to win it, thou a couple of my english mates really believe the cup is ours... I'm not so sure of that althou I really wish.
It would be total chaos here if they did win, party island.

Italy vs Australia,Monday,26th June.As an Englishman,I want the Aussies to win,or I'l never hear the last of it from family members in Perth,Western Australia.However,I also have friends who live in Alassio,Italy,so I'l feel sorry if the Italians go out.My prediction is 2-0 Italy.Sorry.
As for England against Equador,I predict a feast of goals,loads of mistakes,a few sendings off,a refereeing nightmare,and an England win!

I want Australia to win vs Italy.
Here in malta its 50 - 50, as Malta are usless in football so half the population side with England and half with Italy so here they're rivals.
Whoever sides with england always want italy to lose and vice-versa!
So for me come on Australia next Monday and let the ballerina lucky italians go home hehehe.
I hope england play well vs Equador, and next its against netherlands.. mmmm not so confident re: that match!
Is that when you reckon england is going home :(?

Firstly,we don't know if the Netherlands will beat Portugal.If England beat Equador,they should,I hope they get Portugal,as the Dutch will be too good.However,I predict England will make the semi-finals.Oh dear... I've given them the kiss of death. :D

I think Netherlands will beat Portgual.
Netherlands are a strong team esp for holding a score of 0 - 0 against Argentina is saying something, I don't think england or italy could have held such a score.

Oh noooo don't give them more death kisses.
Without Owen is abit worrying and I hope rooney plays his best compared to last match.
Rroooonnneeeeeyyyy :D

I would not have taken Owen to Germany,or Wallcott.I would have taken Darren Bent,and Jemain Defoe.Rooney,and Crouch upfront,with Gerrard playing just off-them,in a free role.I shall be in a pub,Sunday afternoon,watching on a "big screen" with hundreds of others.Here's hopeing. ;)

Me too, down the pub drinking a pint, and getting every nervous and excited with hundreds of other maltese england suports. Making loads of noise and showing off the great england flag.

Lets keep hoping mate no more years of years :)

England... England... Beckham free-kick... 1-0.

The Dutch,or Portugal on Saturday,at 4:00pm.

Football's coming home... :)

My best friend has a lucky dip draw on mexico winning, so for his sake (and mine, might go towards camping money in the summer) I hope they win!

And they diddnt half put up a good fight yesterday! Best game I watched so far :)

At least we are thorugh the quarter finals.
Good to be against Portugal as 2 of they're great players got red cards and besides their match yest was literally almost like rugby not footie :D

Come on England!!

I have never laughed so much,as the Dutch,against Portugal.16 yellow cards,four reds,one unseen headbutt,and a touchline brawl.All caused by the incompetence of the Russian referee,and his useless assistants.And I thought Graham Poll was bad. :D
Still,at least it was more fun than seeing Beckham "puke" all over the pitch,even if he did score the winner.It put me off my tea.

I know.
Watching the match of netherlands vs portugal was just so entertaining, I couldn't believe what I was actually seeing.
How amussing lol :D

Poor Beckham though, I read he was poorly and didn't inform anyone because he wanted to play and thank god he didn't :)

So Nez... who's the winner next game :-
England or portugal?

Portugal have a very clever coach in Scolari.He is very experienced on tactics,and man-marking other players out of the game.The team is littered with superb talent,that is capable of winning anything.However,it's their temperament which lets them down.The more frustrating England can make them chase the ball,the more likely one of their players (or two),will get sent off.The head- butting of a Dutch player,being a good example.If England are patient,and let the Portuguese run out of steam,we should just about steal a win.It will not be easy.My main fear is a crap referee,plus two flag waving assistants.
My prediction... 2-1 England. :)

Lucky win for the lucky blues...

You saw the match... did italy deserve that penality?
To me it wasn't a penailty..
Italians are great at rollie pollies

My mobile went ballistic after the final whistle.Family in Perth were yelling! *^"*S! even though it was very late at night there.The Aussies paid the price of being too timid after the Italians went down to ten men.The penalty was a joke,but they only have themselves to blame.But oh dear,oh dear... what a boreing game,yawn,yawn.

My boss supports italy and he told me I'm stubborn for saying its wasn't a penality and he said I don't know the rules
Help me..
I am right in saying it wasn't a penality?
As the Aussie player hit the ball not the italian and the italian just tripped over his back! Yes?

The Italians,as my pizza cooking friends at my local restaurant always tell me,know a good dive when they see one! :D

Stone the crows... Deutchland beat Argentina 4-2,on penalties.Did you see the Argentine thugs,sorry,players,attacking the German players at the end.If I was Sebb Blater (FIFA President),I would ban Argentina for ten years from International football.They are a disgrace. :mad:

Apparently it later emerged that unused Argentina substitute Leandro Cufre was red-carded after the game for his part in the mêlée.

Argentina played themselves out in the first rounds - running round like idiots - everyone in the tournament knew their capabilities and tactics by then.

The commentators have been moaning like hell about Brasil's lack-lustre performance so far - however they have not lost a match so far and no-one knows their capabilities or tactics. Saving their 'Aces' for when they're needed.

I hope England beat Portugal - it will make another easy game for Brasil as Portugal is more familiar with Big Phil's methods.

Then I'll have my fingers crossed for the 6th star on the yellow shirts.

Patriotism?? :cool: This is "football" the "beautiful game" ;) and when we get players worthy of it - they will have my support.

Luckily I lived in Brazil for a few years and still visit regularly and the pure enthusiasm of their players got to me and I've been a supporter since 1969. (unfortunately - when the big screen is up in the pub - I have to bite my tongue until I can get outside :D )

Much as I admire Brasil,and no doubt many others do,for their skill,and grace,and ability to wipe out any team on the day,I feel that the French,will do well.They may not win,but will give it a good show.Personally,I hope France win.
As for England,all through the World Cup they have only been fireing on half cylinders,and must surelly come alive against Portugal.A team full of talent,and with one of the best managers around.If England win the match,and go on to play France in one of the semi-finals,I predict (hope) for an England-Germany final,as it will be a classic.Germany must surelly beat Italy in the other semi-final? Naturally England to win the final. :D

Re France...

... just loved the way one of our commentators was predicting during the last 5 minutes of the game... that this would be Zidanes last international...

.. then he scored the final goal!!

Priceless them commentators :D

I hope England wins as well……

Quarter finals tomorrow…

Firstly,I shall eat humble pie.Congratulations to Portugal for beating England.It was a woeful match,by two very poor teams.England "blew it" when Rooney was shown the red card,yet Ronaldo's antics did not help matters.God help him when he,and Rooney go back for pre-season training for Man.UTD.

Now with Sven's departure,I only hope that new manager Steve Mclaren reorganises the team,gets rid of the deadwood,and plays fully fit players,and not those because of their past record.England will bounce back for the 2008 European championships... but oh what a dreadful way to exit the World Cup.

I still think Germany will win. :D (but what do I know?)


UPDATE

France beat Brazil 1-0,and played superb.Hopefully,a French-German final?

Yep - I'm with you on that Nez - France/Germany.

Brasil's blown the 6th star for a few years. I can't see Cafu, Ronaldo or Roberto Carlos in the next selection. (although Romario was top scorer in their last tournament - at 40 yr old - so I supposee you never can tell)

I agree too.
Germany are going to win the cup - home too :(

HA ha ha.See the link on eBay,about Ronaldo.After reading the bid,scroll down the right-hand side of the page:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&item=300003425950&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Good win for Italy last night against Germany 2-0.Lets hope the French put six past Portugal,and Ronaldo gets sent off. :D

Link now removed by eBay,due to the crying of Ronaldo,and his lawyers.What a plonker!!

Well, all my guesses (Argentina, England) at the start of the comp. Followed by Spain and Germany after the first round have gone down the pan. Suddenly my days as a tipster have died. Must take up croquet or bowls (playing not betting).

Good Luck to both tonight. Don't care who plays Italy, don't care who wins the final. As long as it's as good a game as last nights Germany vs Italy.

Lucky Blues (italy) are going to win it...
I have this gut feeling, besides being a strong team they are full of luck, proved it in a few of their games!

Especially against Australia!

Colbtech - SPOT ON.
That win was not meant for italy.. that's why I believe they are just one hell of a lucky team...
And they always tend to put goals in right in the last minute!