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#61
12-07-2005, 12:58 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
This whole "rankings" discussion is retarded. It's clear the US is one of the top 16 teams in the WC. It's also clear they would be an underdog against: Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, Netherlands. Very likely underdogs against France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Czech Republic. They're on par with Sweden and Mexico. Also notice that if there is a "Group of Death", the US must be one of the teams in it (as there's pretty much no other team in either the US or Australia "pots" that is as good as the US, except maybe Japan) The US desperately needs to avoid Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Portugal. They would be an underdog to make it out of the group stage. If they're in a group with Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Croatia, or Ukraine, they have a good chance to advance to the second round. [/ QUOTE ] Well if Croatia, 3rd in WC1998 who defeated Holland 2-1 is a minnow then good luck. However, I would prefer my genetic homeland YKPAIHA to be drawn against Yankeeland. That would be an enjoyable game to be at in Germany! 
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#62
12-07-2005, 01:16 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
Well if Croatia, 3rd in WC1998 who defeated Holland 2-1 is a minnow then good luck. [/ QUOTE ] Again, you're focused on 1998. You do realize that another World Cup happened between then and now, right? I know it was on TV at odd hours, but trust me, it happened. And in it, Croatia - despite a victory over Italy -- didn't make it to the second stage, losing to Mexico and Ecuador in group play. They also didn't advance past the Group Stage in Euro 2004. They had an excellent qualifying run, finishing atop UEFA Group 8 by going unbeaten, with wins over Sweden home and away, but it's just silly to keep judging teams, as you've been doing, by their performance in 1998. This is a far different side than the one that Suker and Prosinecki led to the semi-finals in France. -McGee
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#63
12-07-2005, 01:47 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] This whole "rankings" discussion is retarded. It's clear the US is one of the top 16 teams in the WC. It's also clear they would be an underdog against: Brazil, Argentina, England, Italy, Netherlands. Very likely underdogs against France, Spain, Portugal, Germany and Czech Republic. They're on par with Sweden and Mexico. Also notice that if there is a "Group of Death", the US must be one of the teams in it (as there's pretty much no other team in either the US or Australia "pots" that is as good as the US, except maybe Japan) The US desperately needs to avoid Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Portugal. They would be an underdog to make it out of the group stage. If they're in a group with Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Croatia, or Ukraine, they have a good chance to advance to the second round. [/ QUOTE ] Well if Croatia, 3rd in WC1998 who defeated Holland 2-1 is a minnow then good luck. However, I would prefer my genetic homeland YKPAIHA to be drawn against Yankeeland. That would be an enjoyable game to be at in Germany! [/ QUOTE ] I just hope we can avoid Denmark (QF lost 3-2 to Brazil @ 1998 WC), Norway (2nd round lost 1-0 to Italy), and Chile (2nd round lost to Brazil). I really hope we avoid 2002 Semifinalist Turkey, and 2002 QF Senegal. Oh wait, none of those teams qualified...
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#64
12-07-2005, 01:50 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] Well if Croatia, 3rd in WC1998 who defeated Holland 2-1 is a minnow then good luck. [/ QUOTE ] Again, you're focused on 1998. You do realize that another World Cup happened between then and now, right? I know it was on TV at odd hours, but trust me, it happened. And in it, Croatia - despite a victory over Italy -- didn't make it to the second stage, losing to Mexico and Ecuador in group play. They also didn't advance past the Group Stage in Euro 2004. They had an excellent qualifying run, finishing atop UEFA Group 8 by going unbeaten, with wins over Sweden home and away, but it's just silly to keep judging teams, as you've been doing, by their performance in 1998. This is a far different side than the one that Suker and Prosinecki led to the semi-finals in France. -McGee [/ QUOTE ] I'm focused on 1998 because that WC was held in Europe... Next year's World Cup is going to be held not far from where that oneas held. The geographic location is going to help all European Teams - especially teams like Croatia, Serbia&M, Ukraine and maybe even Switzerland. I mean they did take out Turkey on aggregrate in a playoff to qualify, a team which was 3rd in WC2002.
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#66
12-07-2005, 01:57 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
Then why not look at the 1974 World Cup? It's got just as much relevance. [/ QUOTE ] Actually its worth looking at all WCs... In fact in 1974 Australia was there... Sorry, no USA.
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#67
12-07-2005, 02:03 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
Its not a big highlight but it is usually played 1 year before the WC as a prep or trial run. During our Northern summer this year the FIFA Confederarions Cup was played in Germany. In this competition each confederation champion is invited. Our OZ team was there and - Guess who represented CONCACAF. It was Mexico!!!! [/ QUOTE ] any why- because they won the concacaf gold cup in 2003. Hmmm, I wonder why you're focusing on the past? who could have won the concacaf gold cup in 2005?
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#68
12-07-2005, 02:09 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] Its not a big highlight but it is usually played 1 year before the WC as a prep or trial run. During our Northern summer this year the FIFA Confederarions Cup was played in Germany. In this competition each confederation champion is invited. Our OZ team was there and - Guess who represented CONCACAF. It was Mexico!!!! [/ QUOTE ] any why- because they won the concacaf gold cup in 2003. Hmmm, I wonder why you're focusing on the past? who could have won the concacaf gold cup in 2005? [/ QUOTE ] Well it was too bad that the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup was held after the FIFA Confederation Cup. Otherwise you guys could claim that Panama was a really a top class team! Bwahahahaha
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#69
12-07-2005, 02:20 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
[ QUOTE ]
I mean they did take out Turkey on aggregrate in a playoff to qualify, a team which was 3rd in WC2002. [/ QUOTE ] This discussion would be far more interesting and productive if you'd focus your arguments on things like this. -McGee
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#70
12-07-2005, 02:26 PM
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Re: World Cup Fever
Brudder,
For someone who seems to know something about soccer, you aren't saying anything intelligent. It is not 1998 anymore. Just because 98 was in France and 02 was in Asia, 98 is NOT more relevant that 02. The US roster, in fact all rosters, are going to be (nearly) completely different than they were in 1998. 1998 is pratically irrelevant, almost as irrelevant as 1974. FIFA uses previous World Cups as measures to seed teams, but that does NOT mean that previous WC's are a predictor of what will happen in this year's WC. It's like saying Brazil will win the 06 WC because they have won it more times than anyone. No, Brazil will (probably) win it because they are the best team NOW. Pele has zero effect on the 2006 Brazil WC team. What happened in the past with different players does not effect what will happen in the future with current players. -Fink
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