FIFA!! World Cup! Yahoo!

[BigJon@Work]

But isn't their just one WC team to represent the entire UK?

[Serenity]

You would think so but each country in the UK has a separate national soccer team. I wonder what makes the "Kingdom" United besides the common language?

[Catmando]

I think they also have separate national rugby and cricket teams, but don't quote me on that....

Yet, don't they usually compete as one "United Kingdom" in the Olympics?

[Catmando]

BTW, a rather uneventful Switzerland vs. Ukraine game.

Did you see the Swiss with their penalty kicks? My 92 year old grandmother could have given it a better boot on a few of those!

[Catmando]

BTW, a rather uneventful Switzerland vs. Ukraine game.

Did you see the Swiss with their penalty kicks? My 92 year old grandmother could have given it a better boot on a few of those!

Maybe it was a case of the Swiss playing too conservative?

[Serenity]

I was listening to segments of each game on internet radio. The anouncers kept pushing the fact that the Swiss/Ukraine game was pretty uneventful "a midfield game". I'm watching the Italy/Australia game now; I knew those Italians would squeak by literally "at the last minute" like they always seem to do. I don't feel like watching the other game; the Swiss are known for their "defense"....kind of like those NFL 3-3 "barn burners".

The Italy/Ukraine game will probably not be exciting. It's too bad Argentina or Germany will be out next. I would rather have these two go further in the tournament than Italy or Ukraine (or England). Germany played an exciting, un-Germanlike game.

We'll see tomorrow if Brazil and Spain will meet as favorites in their respective games.

[Catmando]

We'll see tomorrow if Brazil and Spain will meet as favorites in their respective games.

I think Brazil and Spain will prevail in both their respective games today. However, those should be two high flying exciting games.

I think Ghana will go all guns-a-blazin' against Brazil. Should be 2 dandy games.

[Serenity]

I'm setting the DVR now. Hopefully they don't go into OT (overtime) or else I'll miss the extra time and any penalty kicks. Maybe I'll go have an extended lunch at a Brazilian eatery.

[Catmando]

Hope to catch the 2nd half of the Spain vs. France game. Leaving work!

[Serenity]

I can't believe Spain choked (as usual).

Since French is the "language of love", I wonder if the fans celebrating victory are talking to each other like "Pepe LePew" and trying to kiss the nearest "mon cheri" from Spain.

Oh well, next up BRA vs FRA!

[Catmando]

Although I was cheering for France 'cause of my heritage, I didn't think they'd get by the Spaniards.

And also, I think Henry is a tremendous player. However, I didn't like seeing his dive, that gave Spain a yellow and France a free kick, which ended up being the winner by Viera.

I don't think France has ANY chance against Brazil. I think only Brazil can beat themselves (which has happened in the past).

[Serenity]

Argentina over Germany
Italy over Ukraine (although I want Italy to lose)
Portugal over England (hopefully Portugal has enough gas in the engine)
Bra over Fra

Argentina over Portugal (if no major chesspieces are eliminated from play)
Brazil over Italy/Ukraine

Argentina and Brazil tie and share the World Cup together

[Serenity]

All right! I think tomorrow I'll be requesting Wagner's Pilgrim Chorus from Tanhauser to rally the soccer stadium. I want to hear the entire stadium singing the chorus before the game to inspire the German team. ....I want to feel goosebumps all over!

[Catmando]

Argentina over Germany
Italy over Ukraine (although I want Italy to lose)
Portugal over England (hopefully Portugal has enough gas in the engine)
Bra over Fra

Argentina over Portugal (if no major chesspieces are eliminated from play)
Brazil over Italy/Ukraine

Argentina and Brazil tie and share the World Cup together

My predictions:

Germany over Arrg!

Italy over Ukraine

Portugal over England (in spite of the Portugese missing some key players)

Braz over Fran

I'll save my semi-finals predictions for later.

[Serenity]

I should put this in the Pet Peeves thread........I'll be going to the White Mountains in NH tomorrow and I'll be "soccerless" for a week

I'm setting the VCR for game time on the 4th, 5th and 8th and crossing my fingers that the power doesn't get shut off during a thunderstorm. I'll be sure not to fall in Schmeelkies' rain teaser by leaving the windows open.

[Catmando]

I should put this in the Pet Peeves thread........I'll be going to the White Mountains in NH tomorrow and I'll be "soccerless" for a week

I'm setting the VCR for game time on the 4th, 5th and 8th and crossing my fingers that the power doesn't get shut off during a thunderstorm. I'll be sure not to fall in Schmeelkies' rain teaser by leaving the windows open.

Isn't the final on the 9th? I'm pretty sure I remember that it is. Easy for me to remember, since that's also my birthday.

[Serenity]

Yeah, I'll be home for the final.

Arrrrgghentina just scored......on a header! even though they're shorter!

Thanks, Nicole. I guess the Pilgrim's Chorus distracted the Germans. I like watching them hugging and singing their national anthem together along with the entire crowd. I guess we could do that too if our national anthem weren't so difficult.

I'll be back after the game

[Nicole Marie]

What a great game!!! It was down to goal kicks... unreal. Congrats to Germany... that's gonna go down in history.

[Serenity]

Oh well! That was a good game and Germany won fair and square! I fear Germany may be too worn out for the next game but now I would like them to go all the way!

This overtime is putting a big dent on my packing/vacation prep time. If I don't log back on, have an excellent week y'all!

[Serenity]

No contest; Italy is too much for Ukraine. Maybe they placed a slain horse head in the Ukrainian coach's bed last night....