FIFA World Cup Football/Soccer!!!

[Penthesilea]

It's that time again!

Time for the FIFA World Championship - whoo-hooo



There's thrilling matches to see (ok, sometimes ),
lots of noise from the Vuvuzelas

- and plenty good looking men.

Reason enough for BetterMostians to follow the contest?
Share the games you've seen, your favorite stories around football/soccer
and pictures you like .

[Penthesilea]

I'll start: the Germans beat my poor Aussies 4:0 last Sunday . I was neutral on the game, but felt bad for "my" Aussies. The Aussies won my heart four years ago, when the World Championship was in Germany (and we've talked on BM about it - wow, that long ago? ). This year, I don't know yet which team I'll be cheering for, so I start cheering for the team I liked best last time (Australia). And of course, I'm also cheering for Germany.

And for England, which was my favorite team for many years, and even for the US, because of all my US Brokie friends .
The US are playing right now against Slovenia (and they're lying back 0:1).

Germany played earlier today and lost 0:1 against Serbia. Oh well.

Here are some pics of the game:

The best of the game was the sight of one player's chest when they exchanged their jerseys after the game .
Of course I didn't find a pic of that. *grumble*

[Kelda]

Vuvuzelas = meep meep meep.. I love hearing them while watching the matches!!

My friend won this week a competition to go with his wife to South Africa for the World Cup Final.. (which is coincidentally also his first wedding anniversary!) you have NOOOOO idea how excited he is!

[brianr]

I'll start: the Germans beat my poor Aussies 4:0 last Sunday . I was neutral on the game, but felt bad for "my" Aussies. The Aussies won my heart four years ago, when the World Championship was in Germany (and we've talked on BM about it - wow, that long ago? ). This year, I don't know yet which team I'll be cheering for, so I start cheering for the team I liked best last time (Australia). And of course, I'm also cheering for Germany.

And for England, which was my favorite team for many years, and even for the US, because of all my US Brokie friends .
The US are playing right now against Slovenia (and they're lying back 0:1).

Germany played earlier today and lost 0:1 against Serbia. Oh well.

The Kiwis (New Zealand) drew 1- 1 with Slovakia and the country went wild as it was the first point NZ has ever won in a world cup. I think they were last in the cup in the 1980's. Then a major  Australian Newspaper tried to claim the point for Australasia. That went down real bad over here and all Aussie expats like me are ducking for cover.
However NZ next meet Italy so I do not hold much hope but you never know.

[David In Indy]

Those horns are AWFUL! lol

They sound like the droning from a huge swarm of bees. I had to turn my TVs volume down last weekend during the England/U.S.A. match.

[Kelda]

Those horns are AWFUL! lol

They sound like the droning from a huge swarm of bees. I had to turn my TVs volume down last weekend during the England/U.S.A. match.
[/quote

I love them! I want one!! Meeep Meeep Meeep!!


I'm loving the US doing so well so far David.. England aren't looking so hot now in that group. Too cocky because they thought their group was so easy they would sail through!

[Mandy21]

Yay, Chrissie, thanks for semi-supporting the USA because of us Brokies!  Glad we got a draw today, although I was hoping for more.  Was proud we came from behind (no pun intended).  Also watched the England/Algeria game.  Dang, those Brits are hot.  Even Beckham on the sidelines, fully dressed, put me into full-on drool mode.  Was watching it with my boyfriend and mentioned that even as huge as the viewership of the World Cup is, that it would probably double, or triple, if all those hot hot HAWT boys were forced to play without their shirts, and with shorter shorts. 

Whatcha think???

 

[David In Indy]

I love them! I want one!! Meeep Meeep Meeep!!


I'm loving the US doing so well so far David.. England aren't looking so hot now in that group. Too cocky because they thought their group was so easy they would sail through!

Well Kelda, I hope you manage to find one then. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Just do me one favor though, okay? When you blow it, please don't point it to the west. Because if you do I'm CERTAIN I will hear you all the way over here!

Those things are really loud!

And thanks for being happy for the Americans!

That goes for you too Chrissi! Thank You!

I enjoy watching the World Cup. It's a lot of fun!

[Kelda]

I secretly love the world cup too.. I may not be saying that after another 3 weeks of it though!

This was the front page of a tabloid paper the day after the world cup draw.



Not so easy now is, it england?! This is probably their best chance ever on paper, but they aren't seeming to make the msot of it on the grass.

[David In Indy]

    

Well, you have to give them credit though. It is a very clever headline!

And if the U.S. is eliminated, I'll be rooting for England.

  

I hope I didn't just say something naughty! lol

[Penthesilea]

The other games from yesterday:

US - Slovenia 2:2  ( )
England - Algeria 0:0  ( )

So, in their Group, the US are now standing slightly better than England. Who would have thought? Aaand: in the last game, the US plays against Algeria, while England has to play against the much tougher Slovenia. The US could throw England out of the contest!

[Penthesilea]

A few more pics from yesterday

German coach Joachim Löw was hopping mad, trashing his water bottle around




The US boys happy





Those crazy English fans




... and the next thing I knew I was flyyying through the air. Only I wasn't no angel like you and Jenny.

[Penthesilea]

My friend won this week a competition to go with his wife to South Africa for the World Cup Final.. (which is coincidentally also his first wedding anniversary!) you have NOOOOO idea how excited he is!

WOW!!!!!! I think I can halfways picture how excited he is. That's so great for him .

[Penthesilea]

The Kiwis (New Zealand) drew 1- 1 with Slovakia and the country went wild as it was the first point NZ has ever won in a world cup. I think they were last in the cup in the 1980's. Then a major  Australian Newspaper tried to claim the point for Australasia. That went down real bad over here and all Aussie expats like me are ducking for cover.
However NZ next meet Italy so I do not hold much hope but you never know.

I'm holding a grudge against Italy, because they kicked my Aussies out so unfairly last time. So go, Kiwis!

[Sophia]

i am voting for Argentina

[Kelda]

The other games from yesterday:

US - Slovenia 2:2  ( )
England - Algeria 0:0  ( )

So, in their Group, the US are now standing slightly better than England. Who would have thought? Aaand: in the last game, the US plays against Algeria, while England has to play against the much tougher Slovenia. The US could throw England out of the contest!

I know its eveil for me to say it but I hope the US do. The fans booed the Englad footballers when they were coming off the pitvh and Rooney got all uppity about it, and shouted at te cameras about the fans. He's got tot realise. He's gotta realise. He gets paid a HELL of a LOT of moeny to do his job, and hes been so cocky about it, he's not getting the results. They need a good shock.

[brianr]

NZ Italy 1-1
These little shaky islands are going wild.

[Kelda]

New Zealand did fab today.. was just coming to post about that.. good on them!!!

[Sheriff Roland]

I'm not a big soccer fan but...

Since nearly half the teams allowed to play in the (supposedly) Wold Cup are European, I'm happy to see anyone BUT the European teams win. Even the U.S.A.

If fewer European teams actually make it to the quarter finals, maybe, just Maybe, eventually, more of the rest of the world will be allowed to attempt to qualify. As it is, only 3 teams are allowed from North and Central America while about 4 times more teams (13, actually), are from Europe.

I'm just saying ... ain't just the U.S.A. who seem to think they ARE the world (Baseball World Series, Football's Superbowl, World Wrestling Federation and more recently, the Canadian game - hockey. We can't seem to get any new teams north of the border, even though the largest number of player AND viewers are Canadian, and American teams, i.e., Phoenix Coyote can't give away tickets).

[Kelda]

I'm not a big soccer fan but...

Since nearly half the teams allowed to play in the (supposedly) Wold Cup are European, I'm happy to see anyone BUT the European teams win. Even the U.S.A.

If fewer European teams actually make it to the quarter finals, maybe, just Maybe, eventually, more of the rest of the world will be allowed to attempt to qualify. As it is, only 3 teams are allowed from North and Central America while about 4 times more teams (13, actually), are from Europe.

I'm just saying ... ain't just the U.S.A. who seem to think they ARE the world (Baseball World Series, Football's Superbowl, World Wrestling Federation and more recently, the Canadian game - hockey. We can't seem to get any new teams north of the border, even though the largest number of player AND viewers are Canadian, and American teams, i.e., Phoenix Coyote can't give away tickets).

I'm surprised you say that Roland.. Brazil & Argentina are some of the strongest on the pitch generally.. and a lot of the African and South American Teams have been playing well - like Honduras, Mexico, North Korea, Uruguay, Chillie, Nigeria & the Ivory Coast (although not last night - they were full of theatrics last night!!)

Its not about being allowed as far as I'm aware..... its about who manages to do well enough in the rankings & qualify to get to the World Cup. Scotland are huge football followers but well, we're rubbish hence why we aren't there!!

I do realise thought that perhaps the European teams do get more places under qualification than Oceania for example, but thats based on playing strength. As the teams progress they'll get more places.

For those interested, this explains stuff a bit more... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_qualification

As it is - so far all the big European teams are doing shite!! So maybe Canada etc have a chance next time! France & England are falling apart at the seams... and Germany and Spain have had shock losses too.

I was learning the other day that Uruguay has a population of only 3.5million. So there is hope for Scotland to get into the World Cup yet and maybe even get to the next round as we have about 5 million!!

 

[Sheriff Roland]

Thanks for the link Kelda and this:

For each tournament, FIFA decides beforehand the number of spots awarded to each of the continental zones, based on the relative strength of the confederations' teams.

This year's World Cup results appear to be heading with fewer than half the 13 (of 32) European teams moving into the quarter finals. Maybe FIFA overrated the European Continental Zone this time.

Furthurmore, it's possible that just a couple a those will be part of the final 8.

My sentimental favourite European team, Portugal [that Cristiano Ronaldo is such a cutie] just trounced North Korea 7 - 0.

[Kelda]

Thanks for the link Kelda and this:

For each tournament, FIFA decides beforehand the number of spots awarded to each of the continental zones, based on the relative strength of the confederations' teams.

This year's World Cup results appear to be heading with fewer than half the 13 (of 32) European teams moving into the quarter finals. Maybe FIFA overrated the European Continental Zone this time.

Furthurmore, it's possible that just a couple a those will be part of the final 8.

My sentimental favourite European team, Portugal [that Cristiano Ronaldo is such a cutie] just trounced North Korea 7 - 0.

Wow, 7-0! I'd like to see the highlights to that game...! North Korea have been doing quite well so far, but thats some score. I'm guessing that match wont be shown back home (Last week there was rumours that the matches would only be shown in Communist N.Korea if they won!)   

[oilgun]

So much for France!  I guess we could see it coming.  Bye bye, now.

[Sheriff Roland]

So far, 2 non European teams move on and one's eliminated.

Next up, Greece seems to be heading exactly the same way.

That would make it WORLD 4, EUROPE 0.

[Penthesilea]

So far, 2 non European teams move on and one's eliminated.

Next up, Greece seems to be heading exactly the same way.

That would make it WORLD 4, EUROPE 0.

Somehow I always thought we are part of the world. Seems you think different.

[Sheriff Roland]

I'm sure you knew that I meant ... (rest of the) WORLD. Because with 13 of the top 32 teams (according to FIFA) coming from one continent, it does feel like EUROPE and THE REST.

I tend to prefer the underdog - except in hockey.

[Sheriff Roland]

from group "C", England & the U.S.A. move on to the next round

(rest of the) WORLD 5, EUROPE 1 (3 European teams eliminated, 3 from the rest of the World, so far)

From the other groups, 1 European team is guaranteed to more on as well as 2 teams from the rest of the world

[Penthesilea]

Whoo-hoo!

This was a good day in football for me! England, the US and Germany made it to the next round . That's three of the four teams I'm cheering for.

And my Aussies at least won their last game. Too bad they have to go home anyway .

[Kelda]

Well Chrissi, I'll be cheering for Germany when you meet England!

[oilgun]

Holy canolli!  Italy is going home!  Apparently it's the biggest upset so far.  Slovakia: 3 Italy: 2
Excellent game, I almost had a heart attack a couple of times.

Marek Hamsik & Kamil Kopunek of Slovakia

[David In Indy]

Italy is going home? Wow!!!! Aren't they and Brazil kind of like the favorites in this World Cup?

I didn't see this game. Now I wish I had!

[Sheriff Roland]

No, not really, but they are the highest ranked team eliminated, so far.

It's Brazil and Spain.

And, as of last month http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Rankings the rest of the top teams are

3- Portugal
4- Netherlands
5- Italy (out, 1st round)
6- Germany
7- Argentina
8- England
9- France (out, 1st round)
10- Croatia (not in tournament)
11- Russia (not in tournament)
12- Egypt (not in tournament)
13- Greece (out, 1st round)
14- U.S.A.
15- Serbia (out, 1st round)
16- Uruguay
17- Mexico
18- Chile
19- Cameroun (out, 1st round)
20- Australia (out, 1st round)
21- Nigeria (out, 1st round)
22- Norway (not in tournament)
23- Ukraine (not in tournament)
24- Switzerland
25- Slovenia (out, 1st round)

[David In Indy]

Thanks for the list!

I was quite shocked to learn that France was sent home as well.

Let's at least hope England hangs on. I'd hate to see them get eliminated. The Netherlands too, for that matter.

[David In Indy]

Whoo-hoo!

This was a good day in football for me! England, the US and Germany made it to the next round . That's three of the four teams I'm cheering for.

And my Aussies at least won their last game. Too bad they have to go home anyway .

I really don't care if the Americans get eliminated. I'm cheering for England. If they get bumped off, then it'll be the Netherlands. And Germany after that. I believe the Americans will be playing England again at some point if they somehow manage to hang on against Ghana? Is that correct? If so, that will be a good game.   I'll definately watch that one!

[oilgun]

Great game!  Japan beat Denmark with two great free kick goals and a 3:1 win, eliminating Denmark

Keisuki Honda - Japan

[Kelda]

New Zealand did fab today.. was just coming to post about that.. good on them!!!

They did well in theri final match - good on them. Particualry given some of them do football part time. There was one guy that had to take annual leave from his bank teller job and he's playing against some of the biggest names in football! well done them!

Italy are reigning champions so yes, that's a shock but as I say they weren't favourites. But france have been having problems with the manager etc so that wasn't too much of a shock.. no team unity there.

Japan did well last night and I thought it was nice to see Gahna equalize against Holland last night.. a little concessionary prize since they knew they were only playing for pride rather than a place last night. Particularly against Holland who are so strong.

[Penthesilea]

Three lions on a shirt (link, video)

Dangit! I'm gonna get in such a dilemma on Sunday .
Ah well, since Kelda will be cheering for Germany, I might as well cheer for England, for balance. I might see the game in a public viewing place. Now that's of course a challenge for me to cheer for England more than ever .

Seriously, I wish I had an Australian flag. I'd take it with me and swing it around. (Ehm, yes, I do have a soft spot for the absurd ).

Oh! Oh, oh oh! I do have a Wyoming flag . Now how's that for absurd?
Yep, the WY flag it will be for Sunday . And then I'll cheer for the team whith the better form of the day. Ta-da! Problem solved.

[Kelda]

Three lions on a shirt (link, video)

Dangit! I'm gonna get in such a dilemma on Sunday .
Ah well, since Kelda will be cheering for Germany, I might as well cheer for England, for balance. I might see the game in a public viewing place. Now that's of course a challenge for me to cheer for England more than ever .

Seriously, I wish I had an Australian flag. I'd take it with me and swing it around. (Ehm, yes, I do have a soft spot for the absurd ).

Oh! Oh, oh oh! I do have a Wyoming flag . Now how's that for absurd?
Yep, the WY flag it will be for Sunday . And then I'll cheer for the team whith the better form of the day. Ta-da! Problem solved.

Ther German 50's style band the Baseballs did a great version of Three lions..

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p440K18OpXQ[/youtube]

[Penthesilea]

Ther German 50's style band the Baseballs did a great version of Three lions..

Liked that version, but still prefer the original by Lightning Seeds.
Thanks for sharing .

[oilgun]

I watched two very disappointing games today: Brazil vs Portugal and Spain vs Chile.

I suppose it was to be expected considering everything but still, with such strong teams you expect an exciting match.

Thank god for the eye-candy!

Alexis Sanchez - Chile

Raul Mereilles - Portugal

[oilgun]

And I can't forget:

Xabi Alonso - Spain

[oilgun]

Uruguay eliminated South Korea 2:1 and are the first to move on to the quarter finals! It was an exciting game played in pouring rain.

The man of the match scored both goals for Uruguay:

Luis Suarez - Uruguay

[oilgun]

Ghana eliminates USA 2:1 in extra time.

Hello Prince:

Kevin Prince (I was not an OZ extra) Boateng - Ghana

So long Benny:

Benny (talk to my publicist) Feilhaber - USA

[Mandy21]

Yeah, sux that USA lost...

[David In Indy]

England is still in though. So I'm happy. They play Germany next.

Chrissi, if England loses that match I will start rooting for Germany!

[David In Indy]

I hope the Americans don't stop watching the World Cup just because the U.S. is now out. I liked the fact that so many people were watching it and taking interest.

[Kelda]

I was sad for USA but I'm glad Ghana are still in. They worked hard!

[Mandy21]

I hope the Americans don't stop watching the World Cup just because the U.S. is now out. I liked the fact that so many people were watching it and taking interest.

Well, some of us were taking just as much interest in ogling those gorgeous, muscle-bound, sweaty men out on the pitch, as we were in taking national pride.

I'll still be up at the local pub come game time today for England/Germany.

[Mandy21]

Well, dangit all!  Not only does my local pub not open until 11 on Sundays (who knew?), but Germany had to go and beat our sweet Englishmen.  Now that the Yanks *and* the Brits are out, I don't know who to root for?  Sorry to Fiona and Kelda and any other Brits that were rooting for a victory.

[Penthesilea]

Germany- England 4:1 

What a dramatic game. And what a scam that Enland's second goal didn't count. The ball was clearly behind the line. The game could have taken a totally different route, had the English team equalized .

Anyway, I was alternately cheering for both teams. I didn't get to see it in a public viewing location after all. Two kids didn't want to see the game at all, one kid and hubby wanted to watch at home. 4: 1 for the rest of my family.

Now that three of my four teams are out of the contest, I will be cheering for Germany only.
And damn that Lukas Podolski that he didn't exchange jerseys today. Well worth seeing chest.

[Penthesilea]

Some more eye-candy



Lukas Podolski





Frank Lampard



Phillip Lahm




Brett Holman (too bad he already had to go home)



Brett Holman again

[Kelda]

Well, dangit all!  Not only does my local pub not open until 11 on Sundays (who knew?), but Germany had to go and beat our sweet Englishmen.  Now that the Yanks *and* the Brits are out, I don't know who to root for?  Sorry to Fiona and Kelda and any other Brits that were rooting for a victory.

I was rooting for Germany!   

And what a game. Germany were the far better team. Even if that clear goal had been seen, it wouldn;t have mattered a damn. Well den Germany and good luck against (I would presume) Argentina.

[oilgun]

Good bye England:

Landon Donovan - England

Guten Tag Germany:

Thomas Mueller - Germany

[oilgun]

Hasta luego Maza, te quiero!

Francisco    Rodriguez - Mexico

Hola Maxi:

Maxi Rodriguez - Argentina

[oilgun]

And just for the heck of it, here's another of Cutie Podolski:

[David In Indy]

Yummy!!

Brett Holman (too bad he already had to go home)

Yummy yummy!

Brett Holman again

YUMMY yummy yummy!

[Mandy21]

Geez, if they came out with a 2010 calendar showing all these guys with their shirts off, I'd buy it even if it was 2011 by the time it came out.    

[Sheriff Roland]

It has been brought to my attention that, should Spain falter in it's next match (not likely, but 'if' they do), there's a possibility that we could see an all South American semi-finals, and, of course, finals assuming again that:

Brazil beats the Netherland, (likely)
Uruguay beats Ghana, (quite possible)
Argentina beats Germany (possible) and
Paraguay beats Spain. (not likely, but possible)

These are one game, do or die elliminations, so anything could happen ... (including 3 European teams making into the semis, and zero South American representation)

But, wouldn't THAT be sumptin' !! After all, the only South American team to have been eliminated so far (they were allowed only 4.5 teams) was Chile and they were eliminated by Brazil, another South American team.

[oilgun]

^^^I'd be fine with an all American final!^^^^

[Kelda]

Gutted for Ghana, Chuffed for Holland!

[Penthesilea]

Gutted for Ghana, Chuffed for Holland!

I also feel for Ghana, and more for the whole continendt of Africa. Would have been so great if they had stayed in the contest.
But yay for Holand!

I didn't warch the Brasilia - Holland match, but watched the Ghana-Urugay. What an interesting game. Not a good game, technique-wise, but entertaining. Lotsd of drama at the end. I so felt for Gyan, who botched the penalty short.

[Kelda]

I also feel for Ghana, and more for the whole continendt of Africa. Would have been so great if they had stayed in the contest.
But yay for Holand!

I didn't warch the Brasilia - Holland match, but watched the Ghana-Urugay. What an interesting game. Not a good game, technique-wise, but entertaining. Lotsd of drama at the end. I so felt for Gyan, who botched the penalty short.
[/quote

Oh yes, I know! If he had just got that shot.. no need for penalties!

[Penthesilea]

Germany - Argentinia  4 : 0


But the best thing came after the game: instead of a victory parade with cars, the parade was led by tractors in my village
Yep, it's a rural area, I feel so hillbilly .

[Penthesilea]

Phillip Lahm happy. He's a cutie



Arno Friedrich made his very first goal for the national team at his 77. match



They made the Argentinians' hair stand on end

[Penthesilea]

Mriroslav Klose. He had much critique and bad press before the contest. But he's the man!




I'm sure someone will be able to find a caption

[Front-Ranger]

Germany - Argentinia  4 : 0
But the best thing came after the game: instead of a victory parade with cars, the parade was led by tractors in my village
Yep, it's a rural area, I feel so hillbilly .

Tractors are awesome! There's a tractor pull every summer on the west side of Denver and I try always to go!! Hillbillies rule!!

And I thought of the caption immediately: No instruction manual needed!

[Kelda]

I was thinking more quit yer hammering and get in here!

[oilgun]

Well it will be Spain against Germany!

Hola muy sexy Iker:

Iker Casillas- Spain

Bye Bye Paraguay:

Roque Santa Cruz - Paraguay

[Penthesilea]

Well it will be Spain against Germany!

Yep! Spain vs. Germany and Uruguay vs. Netherlands are the semi-finals .

Bye Bye Paraguay:

Roque Santa Cruz - Paraguay

Hey, he was the one who also caught my eye . I came here to google and post a pic of him. Great minds!

[Penthesilea]

How many Spanish can you pile on top of each other?

[Sophia]

thank you for the lovely cavalcade of funny and beutiful photos. It definitely has been very exciting games. Good luck to Germany in the semi-finale!!

[Meryl]

Vuvuzelas come to Middle Earth! 

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B2LPxggvqY[/youtube]

[David In Indy]

GO GERMANY!!!

RAH! RAH! RAH!!!










I must admit though, I'm also rooting for the Netherlands, and if Germany and Holland end up playing each other I'm going to feel very conflicted!

[Penthesilea]

Vuvuzelas come to Middle Earth! 

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B2LPxggvqY[/youtube]

 

OMG, that's so hilarious! Shared it with husband, it was too funny.
Thank you Meryl!

[Meryl]

Thanks, Chrissi!  Glad you got a kick out of it.   

[oilgun]

Manuel Neuer - Germany

VS

Gerard Piqué - Spain

[brianr]

Vuvuzelas come to Middle Earth! 

As someone for whom first the books and then the movies have been almost a religion, i did not know whether to laugh or cry.
  

[oilgun]

John Heitinga - Netherlands

VS

Sebastian (Loco) Abreu - Uruguay

[Meryl]

As someone for whom first the books and then the movies have been almost a religion, i did not know whether to laugh or cry.
  

Oh goody, another LOTR fanatic!   

[Kelda]

Oh goody, another LOTR fanatic!   

 

[Mandy21]

Which teams is it down to, and when do they play next?

[Penthesilea]

Which teams is it down to, and when do they play next?

The teams still in contest are Netherlands, Germany, Spain and Uruguay.

Netherlands vs. Uruguay on 07/06/10 (tomorrow) 7:30PM UTC

Germany vs. Spain on 07/07/10, 7:30PM UTC

Check for your local times.

[Mandy21]

Thanks, Chrissy!

[David In Indy]

Manuel Neuer - Germany

I love that look in a guy. He's gorgeous.

[HerrKaiser]

The Germans have the best chance at winning. they play liike a team; the others do not.

I loved Chancellor Merkel expressing delight.

I love more the crowd chanting in the gloriouis monotone--DEUTSCHLAND...DEUTSCHLAND!!!!

[oilgun]

I just watched today's game.  I'm glad the Netherlands won. My first thought was "Where's your 'hand of God' now, Suarez!"

Another thing, the Dutch should really tone down that orange!

[Kelda]

Yay to Holland!

We'll be cheering for Holland in our house, no matter who their competition is. Becasue Callum put a bet on before the world cup for £5 that Holland would win!! he'll get about £60 back if they win!

[David In Indy]

I just watched today's game.  I'm glad the Netherlands won. My first thought was "Where's your 'hand of God' now, Suarez!"

Another thing, the Dutch should really tone down that orange!

I hope they BLIND my ass with their bright oranje.

GO HOLLAND!!!!!!

[Kelda]

Eviva Espagne! Poor Germany though....

[oilgun]

Eviva Espagne! Poor Germany though....

Yes, poor Piotr (his resemblance to a certain someone took my breath away.):

Piotr Trochowski - Germany

[Penthesilea]

Yes, poor Piotr (his resemblance to a certain someone took my breath away.):

Piotr Trochowski - Germany

 

I have never seen a close-up from him until now. You're right.

[Meryl]

Uncanny! 

[Kelda]

Well done to Germany for its third place finish.

And the final has started... 33 minutes in and its 0-0.

Go Holland!

[Kelda]

At 90 mins it was 0-0 and so it went to extra time.
With 3 mins of the 30mins extra time to go, Spain scored.

While I feel bad for , I think Spain were the better side on the day.

[oilgun]

Well, it's over!  Spain won the world cup.  I would have been just has happy if the Netherlands had won, I liked both teams.

Hasta la vista Netherlands:

Rafael van der Vaart - Netherlands

[oilgun]

The champion: Spain

Iker Casillas - Spain

[Meryl]

Congrats to España! 

[Mikaela]

Vuvuzelas come to Middle Earth! 

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B2LPxggvqY[/youtube]

So late to the party, there aren't even leftovers to be had - but I just *had* to say how much I laughed at this. It was sooooooooooooooooooooooo funny. And so well made.

Made even funnier IMO by the soccer fan orc hordes at Moria sporting several big Norwegian flags. One has to wonder why, precious, since Norway (thank God!!!) didn't make it to South Africa at all. The craze was huge enough without having the home team to cheer for and agonize  over.

Thank you for posting this, Meryl. Loved it muchly.

[Meryl]

Ha!  I didn't notice the Norwegians in Moria. 

Glad you liked it, Mika!  Indeed, the pained expressions of the Fellowship were perfect for the job. 

[Marina]

The Fellowship of the Vuvezela?   This was hilarious - thanks!