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This world cup for most football diehards has been a huge disappointment with most of the so called world superstars underperforming.
I hope it's a Holland v Germany final probably on performances they deserve to contest the final, and I think Germany will win, the only reason being they can't win wars so they have to win at something.
[QUOTE=Black Shirt], I don't know how the Germans lost World War II.[/QUOTE]
In about a month "Real" Football starts.
Exon
[QUOTE=Exon123]In about a month "Real" Football starts.
Exon[/QUOTE]Exon my old mate I'll wager an American team wins next years super bowl.
I was in Las Vegas on March 1 and the Harrahs odds for winning the world cup on teams of interest were:
Spain 3/1
Brazil 5/2
Argentina 5/1
England 3/1
Germany 5/1
Italy 4/1
Netherlands 6/1
France 12/1
Paraguay 35/1
USA 12/1
Mexico 15/1
Ghana 50/1
Uruguay 70/1
Seems the last one would have given you a thrill for your bet.
The wikepedia stats on total views of the 2006 World Cup were 26.29 billion and the finals were seen by 715.1 million. The World Cup, the Olympics, the Euro Cup and probably even the Oscars outrank the Super Bowl in worldwide TV audience.
I enjoy football but frankly this waterdowned version of celebrating on every play turns me off a bit. Great athlete who have become entertainers. Now it's not just the game, but fantasy stats at the bottom of the screen, blah, blah, blah.
Not holding up too well in these modern days.
Police in Colombia have seized a replica World Cup trophy - made from 11 kilos of cocaine.
[url]http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Cocaine-World-Cup-Police-In-Colombia-Seize-A-Replica-Trophy-Made-From-Class-A-Drug-At-Bogota/Article/201007115659037[/url]
At least South America is still in the running in some categories.
In the post mortem of Argentina World Cup fiasco, the omission of Javier Zanetti, captain of Inter Milan and Argentina (often) winner of the Champion's League 2010, is the biggest factor in Argentina's downfall. True, he had played quite a few of the qualifying and exhibition games when Argentina was struggling, but so did Messi. Calm, respected, versatile, enduring, he would have been exactly what they needed.
So what was the reason Maradona omitted him along with Cambiasso (also of Inter Milan) And at the last minute, too. That must have been very sickening. At his age, 37, there will likely be no more chances. There were no public disputes between them as the case of Riquelme.
Anybody privy to that story?
[QUOTE=Master J]I was in Las Vegas on March 1 and the Harrahs odds for winning the world cup on teams of interest were:
Spain 3/1
Brazil 5/2
Argentina 5/1
England 3/1
Germany 5/1
Italy 4/1
Netherlands 6/1
France 12/1[/QUOTE]I hope you have made a mistake with your odds because they stink just the 8 teams above at those odds is a 190% book.
I had my bets on betfair and had Brazil at 5.8, Argentina at 7.6, Holland at 16-1 and 30-1 and Germany at 16-1.
If you do play look at that site much better odds than your las vegas ripoff.
Mongers-
Flexible Horn is right in that those odds given by Harrah's were a complete joke; before the tournament I was able to get 100-1 on Paraguay and 125-1 on Uruguay (sportsbook.com) to win the World Cup. My 125-1 longshot Uruguay squad is still alive and only two VERY tough wins away from paying off. Compare these great value odds with the odds offered for Brasil (5-1) England (4.5-1) Argentina (6.5-1) and Germany (9-1) and you can see why I put my money on Paraguay and Uruguay.
Suerte,
Rock Harders
[QUOTE=Black Shirt]In the post mortem of Argentina World Cup fiasco, the omission of Javier Zanetti, captain of Inter Milan and Argentina (often) winner of the Champion's League 2010, is the biggest factor in Argentina's downfall. True, he had played quite a few of the qualifying and exhibition games when Argentina was struggling, but so did Messi. Calm, respected, versatile, enduring, he would have been exactly what they needed.
So what was the reason Maradona omitted him along with Cambiasso (also of Inter Milan) And at the last minute, too. That must have been very sickening. At his age, 37, there will likely be no more chances. There were no public disputes between them as the case of Riquelme. Anybody privy to that story?[/QUOTE]Right on the money. Maradona never gave an explanation for not picking Zanetti (interesting to note that Pekerman didn't pick him either four years ago) As for Cambiasso, Maradona said, "Cambiasso doesn't seduce me". Astonishing really that Maradona did not pick a player who plays the position of right back (Zanetti's position) He tried to play Gutierrez there, but that's is not his natural position. Then he went to Otamendi, who plays center back for Velez, again, not right back. Gutierrez was woeful and Maradona sat him, and Otamendi was OK against lesser competition, but was horrendous against Germany. Not his fault, Maradona's fault.
As for players picked, and not picked, there was a ton of discussion in Argentina about all of this. Not just about Zanetti and Cambiasso, but also the decision not to take either Pablo Aimar or Ever Banega. Instead Maradona went with Veron, who stars in Argentina, but whose best international days have been long over.
What are the chances Maradona stays on as coach?
(or does he fall on his sword)
I would love to be in BA to talk with some Argies about this.
I have read that Zanetti and Cambiasso were left off the squad because they have issues with Vernon and Maradona felt he couldn't piss off Veron. If true, it's a shame as Vernon didn't look up to the task physically and was quickly relegated to the bench. There was an injury story but given the way he was playing, it would appear to have been just a way to save face.
I thought Argentina did pretty well to get to the quarterfinals. They have great strikers but pretty much everything else was suspect.
[QUOTE=Easy Go]I have read that Zanetti and Cambiasso were left off the squad because they have issues with Vernon and Maradona felt he couldn't piss off Veron. If true, it's a shame as Vernon didn't look up to the task physically and was quickly relegated to the bench. There was an injury story but given the way he was playing, it would appear to have been just a way to save face.
I thought Argentina did pretty well to get to the quarterfinals. They have great strikers but pretty much everything else was suspect.[/QUOTE]I forgot about the supposed feud between Veron and Zanetti / Cambiasso. That could be the case. Though choosing Veron over those two was a BIG mistake. My guess is that Maradona, for whatever reason, didn't cozy up to them. Not to bash Maradona, but both Cambiasso and Zanetti are consummate professionals and maybe a little too "polished" for Maradona. Also worth noting that there were rumors that Cambiasso is gay, which I don't buy. But, Maradona is a big homophobe.
[QUOTE=Eurotrashy27]What are the chances Maradona stays on as coach?
(or does he fall on his sword)
I would love to be in BA to talk with some Argies about this.[/QUOTE]I think Maradona's contract runs into mid to late 2011 at $100,000US a month. He may want to hang on to his job a little while longer.;) Though also worth pointing out that he could quit any second, and may actually not give a shit about the money. A hard to figure guy. He also owes millions of dollars in back taxes in Italy. Not that he gives a shit about that either.
Gabriel Millito was red hot as Inter Milan closed out their historic season with the treble in Serie A, and had 2 sensational goals in the Champions League Final. He should have been brought in very early in the World Cup to see if he could continue his streak. Higuain was Maradona's man, and other than the easy 3 goals against Korea, I really didn't think he was impressive.
Isn't it a coincidence that we talk and saw so much about players from Inter Milan, Maicon, Zanetti, Ciambiasso, Sneijder, Millito, Julio Cesar, Lucio, Mutieri, Stankovic, Eto'o. I think Inter Milan could have won the World Cup.
[QUOTE=Black Shirt]Gabriel Millito was red hot as Inter Milan closed out their historic season with the treble in Serie A, and had 2 sensational goals in the Champions League Final. He should have been brought in very early in the World Cup to see if he could continue his streak. Higuain was Maradona's man, and other than the easy 3 goals against Korea, I really didn't think he was impressive.
Isn't it a coincidence that we talk and saw so much about players from Inter Milan, Maicon, Zanetti, Ciambiasso, Sneijder, Millito, Julio Cesar, Lucio, Mutieri, Stankovic, Eto'o. I think Inter Milan could have won the World Cup.[/QUOTE]Hey Black Shirt-I agree, but I know you mean Diego Milito, not his brother Gabriel. Diego being another one of those players who are maybe a little too polished for Maradona. Alot of people think that if Messi and Milito were given enough playing time together they would be a dynamic duo.