[RRRRICK]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I dont disagree about Messi's talent but it's alot to ask of a 20 year old. Messi's best World Cups are probably still ahead of him.

Remember Maradona in '82 young extraordinary talent but boy was he given a hot welcome to the big time.

He went to Mexico 4 years later and single handedly one the cup on his own.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really think that Messi will show what he has in june. How he has played for Barca in the champions league and, now that he has an EU passport, in La Liga has been just amazing. I have always raved about Rooney, but IMO, Messi could be better. What I have seen of Messi just leaves me a gast, and the fact is, he may end up being the best Barca Striker since Cruyff or Kubala. In some ways I am surpised that he didn't end up playing for Spain since he has lived there for the last 7 years



[ QUOTE ]
Let me give all you Americans some insight.

Your World Cup fate rests heavily on one thing, which Italy show up to play you.

Italy are the most frustrating team in world football.

In '02 they started there campaign with an almost effortless 2 - 0 win over Ecuador, from there it just went off the rails.

At Euro '04 anyone who watched that tournament entire will know that Italy produced the best 45 minutes in the first half against Sweden of any team in any game throughout the tournament. But they didn't make it pasted the group stage.

They are a Jekyll and Hyde and we'll have to wait and see who you get


[/ QUOTE ]

I agree fully. In some ways the same goes for the Czechs. IMO, Italy has always been one of the most overrated squads in world football, and they have only won 1 WC post WWII, and that was due to them having some of the greates Italians either hanging on(Zoff) or at their peak(Berzot). THe fact is, the US has good defenders and a great goalkeeper, so if they are willing to play ugly and let Beasley feed Eddie Johnson, it is possible for us to draw or beat Italy. TO be honest, Luca Toni is the main Striker that I think that the US has to worry about, as I'm not sure if Lippi will give Gilardino enough PT to be as effective as he can be. Italy keeps on wanting to rely on Pippo, Vieri(who is past his prime), and Del Peiro for whatever reason

I have heard that Nedved might be playing, so that will change things. Nedved is the only player that I think the US can't handle(and I do watch a ton of European football, so I'm not some US apologist as I'm more of an England fan to be honest). No US player has come across someone like Nedved at all, and he can change a game in a split second with his vision. I really don't think that Baros and Koller are all that special. Look at Baros, Liverpool sold him to Aston Villa, and he hasn't been all that much for a mid-table squad in the prem, and Koller is just tall, he is very uncoordinated. I've been able to watch him in the Bundesliga here because of Fox Sports World/Soccer channel.


RRRRICK, I do hope though that Australia does well, I have Aussie blood in me as my dad was from melbourne. I normally support the wallabies when I'm watching Rugby

[/ QUOTE ]


I've got my doubts on the Czechs, is Nedved as good as he was when he won European Footballer of the year, probably not. Is he still world class, yes.

His last 12 months have been stop start with injuries, it all depends on where he is at come June.

You saw at Euro 04 the czechs were easily the best team there and as soon as the Greeks kicked Nedved out of the game they came back to there level.

They have good players around him but he pulls it all together and without a fully firing Nedved there just another eastern european team. Where have Romania been since Hagi and Bulgaria since Stoichkov...nowhere, same deal here.

Let me explain something about Italy coming from someone with Italian heritage who watched the '82 World Cup as an 8 year old. The're squad is not overrated, they produce some of the most technically talented, balanced, skilled players in the game. It's there mentality that has held them back for so long.

Get some footage of Italy at the 90 WC and tell me the last time you've seen a team play real one touch football like that, it was so beautiful to watch. And what happened to them?, they breezed to the semis and came up against an Argentina which had stumbled through. Vicini succombed to the pressure and reverted to a more defensive game with the emphasis on not losing rather than winning. That statement there somes up Italy they play not to lose, but they have the talent to play attacking football. Whats the point of producing talent like Baggio, Baresi, Maldini, Donadoni and not encouraging them to attack.

The reason I sighted 90 was that Vicini was the only manager that had the vision to create an attacking Italy but even he become the scarred snail when it mattered most the semi final. They conceded one goal in 6 matches from open play in that tournament. Im not saying they would have definately won the tournament as that was the best German team of all time but what a final we were denied. The German players themselves state that they felt a little robbed at the fact that they didn't get the chance to play the Italians in the final as they were clearly the 2 best teams.

In 94 Baggio almost won it single handed and he did it by going against Sacchi's wishes.

As for Australia, mate we've already won. What a night Nov 16 was, the entire nation riding every bump tackle and shot.

The shootout was just unbearable, but the euphoria when the net shook after Aloisi's take.. I will never forget it.

As long as we dont get humiliated which Im sure we wont we'll be thrilled. We are so happy to be there after so many near misses.