World Cup starts!!

**Blaxman** · May 31st, 2002, 08:04 AM

Friends,
I just finish to watch the first World Cup match (Senegal 1 x 0 France). I'm pleased with the result, sorry frenchs. Great game indeed, I'm waiting Brazil's game with huge anticippation. Jeezz!! I cant wait!!!

Peace and good luck to your team!!

Blaxman

**Outsider** · May 31st, 2002, 04:16 PM

I hope the U.S. beats Portugal on Wednesday. Hopefully the U.S. team will do better in this World Cup than the last one.

**Nano** · May 31st, 2002, 06:28 PM

Well well well... seems that La France is biting the dust, folks!
Sunday is my D-Day. I'll be watching Argentina-Niger at 2.30 AM. I was checking the other groups and Blax, you guys really have it eeaaaasy!
Good luck to you all, and may the better one win!

**Ricardo_Mata** · May 31st, 2002, 07:44 PM

Well, I am the Venezuelan one here and, of course, I don't expect to be cheering for Venezuela in a world cup any time soon...
We DID beat Paraguay, Peru, Chile, and Uruguay during qualifying but the improvement came in a bit too late.

Anyways, I have always been with Germany and this year will be no different. I don't think they will go past the second round but I'll be with them anyways.

I think Nano will end up very happy. I can't see anybody beating Argentina. VerÛn, Batistuta, Caniggia, and a long list of extemely talented names makes their team the best in my opinion.

Sorry, Blaxman. I think Brasil will make it to maybe the last 16.

The last 8, in my opinion: Argentina, England, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Denmark.

**Blaxman** · June 1st, 2002, 01:39 PM

On 2002-05-31 20:44, Ricardo_Mata wrote:
....I have always been with Germany and this year will be no different. I don't think they will go past the second round but I'll be with them anyways.
....
Sorry, Blaxman. I think Brasil will make it to maybe the last 16.
.....

Dear Ricardo, I'm very impressed by Germany's game!!!!! They simply smashed Saudi-Arabian team by 8 to 0!!!! I'm really surprised!!!!!

About my beloved Brazil, I think almost the same what you think but, I hope the team can be better now than on the qualifying games. Who knows?

Nano, I cant miss to Argentina Vs Nigeria, great game!!!

Blaxman

_________________
SENHORES DO GROOVE - BRAZIL

[ This Message was edited by: Blaxman on 2002-06-01 14:41 ]

**Ricardo_Mata** · June 1st, 2002, 02:50 PM

Way to go GERMANY!!!!!!!!! 8 - nothing. I was pretty happy and hope Germany keeps playing the same way against Ireland and Cameroon.

I watched all three games last night and I didn't get any sleep but here are my observations so far:

1) Senegal: Strong and fast but without much real attack. Their goal was more of a Bartez mistake than a real scoring opportunity.

2) France: Totally out of luck. They deserved at least a tie but the posts kept getting in the way. Still a good team but not what they were 4 years ago.

3) Uruguay: Will be going back home at the end of the first round.

4) Denmark: Pretty good and will make it to the last 8.

5) Cameroon: Very fast and strong but missing organization. What's with the uniforms and the exposed arm pits?

6) Ireland: I like Ireland but looks like they will be in the same plane with Uruguay. I noticed a very, very individualistic game hat porbably cost them a couple of goals.

7) Saudi Arabia: At the same level as my lovely Venezuela...

8) Germany: A lot better than I thought it would be. If they keep playing like this I'll have to reasses my expectations. Great attackers!

I'll be sleepless again tonight and tomorrow night but hey you guys understand that it's worth it, right?

Por algo es el deporte m·s bello del mundo!

[ This Message was edited by: Ricardo_Mata on 2002-06-02 14:47 ]

**Nano** · June 2nd, 2002, 01:43 PM

Oh, man, this was HARD! Anyway I think Nigeria was our hardest enemy on this first round.
If you folks watched the game then you saw what I was saying some days ago about our goalkeepers (any of them got me sweating!). On the contrary, Niger's goalkeeper was really good. Also our team tends to get nervous as minutes go by. But don't pay attention, we argentinos are a pain in the ass when discussing our game.
I read that Emerson got hurt and will be replaced on Brazil's team. Blaxman, would you say it's a serious blow to your team? Maybe they could call Romario now?

**Boodikka** · June 2nd, 2002, 05:20 PM

I'm very happy with the way Brasil has looked in the last couple of friendlies.....I think the boys will go far!
Most entertaining game so far: Paraguay vs. South Africa!

**Ricardo_Mata** · June 2nd, 2002, 07:57 PM

Welcome back Boodika!

**Boodikka** · June 3rd, 2002, 05:36 AM

Obrigada, Ricardo! I just finished watching the Brasil-Turkey match (these game times are KILLING me!). Thank Deus for DeNilsson, he was the most entertaining player and created a lot of chances. At various points, Juninho Paulista, Lucio, and especially Ronaldinho looked pretty clueless out there. I was kind of surprised by the sub-par performance by Roberto Carlos, but not by Rivaldo (I don't think Rivaldo likes international play....)
Vampeta didn't play too badly off the bench, in truth. Ronaldo seems to be on his game. The truth is, beating the likes of Turkey 2-1 doesn't really show too much....let's hope for a better effort in the next game.

_________________
I'm a goddess, I'm a hooker....I'm a blue movie....

[ This Message was edited by: Boodikka on 2002-06-03 06:37 ]

**Blaxman** · June 3rd, 2002, 07:28 AM

On 2002-06-02 14:43, Nano wrote:
...Blaxman, would you say it's a serious blow to your team? Maybe they could call Romario now?

Nano, I saw Argentina Vs. Nigeria, and I'm not suprised by tha Argentina's victory.

About, Romario: I repeat, no way. It's too late!

Blaxman

**Blaxman** · June 3rd, 2002, 07:34 AM

On 2002-06-03 06:36, Boodikka wrote:
...I just finished watching the Brasil-Turkey match (these game times are KILLING me!).

.....beating the likes of Turkey 2-1 doesn't really show too much....let's hope for a better effort in the next game.

Hi Boodika, welcome back!!

Our team did start with a so-so game, uh? (I think the referee help us a little bit, shhhh! That's our secret, uh?) :oops:

Well....let's to the next game.....I hope the things run in a better way.

SaudaÁ?es!! (cheers)

Blaxman

**Ricardo_Mata** · June 3rd, 2002, 08:50 AM

Hi! I just finished another sleepless night but full of FUTBOL!!!

My impressions: Mexico - Croatia. Mediocre game for both teams. The penalty didn't exist. If they keep playing like that they will be going back home soon!

Brasil - Turkey: A fairly good match. Brasil was better than I expected. Turkey did pretty weel too. I was impressed with the Turkish goalie.

Italy -Ecuador: Italy held back after the second goal and I think they will regret it later on. The Ecuadorians were totally intimidated the first half but dominated the second. Ecuador will be going home after the first round but they will offer some interesting matches. A good debut in a World Cup.

Ole, ole, ole, ole, ole... Oleeeee, oleeeee!!!

**Boodikka** · June 3rd, 2002, 08:55 AM

Bom dia, Blaxman! Just finished watching the Ecuador game (my girlfriend's family is from Guayaquil) and it appeared Ecuador was a little shell-shocked early, and never recovered.
About our beloved Brasil, it appears that we have a team of stars, as opposed to a team of teammates. It doesn't look good down the road. The bizarre thing is that the Univision announcers were second-guessing the No-Romario decision! When the team played poorly in qualifiers, some of these same people criticized Romario! What can you do?
I am a fan of little Juninho Paulista (during certain qualifiers he was the only one doing anything). I really am concerned about Ronaldinho...he looked really lost.
I think something or someone on Turkey really pissed off the Korean ref in the second half, because as you said, he certainly helped us out a bit with those red cards. I'm sure Turkey is finished in the group!

**Blaxman** · June 3rd, 2002, 09:00 AM

On 2002-06-03 09:50, Ricardo_Mata wrote:
....
I was impressed with the Turkish goalie.
....

Ricardo, I was impressed too!! He looks like the arabian fighter of "The Mummy" movie. :lol:

Blaxman

**Nano** · June 3rd, 2002, 09:13 PM

Boodi, welcome back! I'd like you to post in my "What's in a nickname?" topic. I'm just curious.
(Now we're not going to talk about that "penalty present". Absolutely out of the question.)

**Nano** · June 3rd, 2002, 09:19 PM

Hey guys, it's just me or this Cup is passing through in a blur? With Argentina's timelines (similar to Brazil and some places in the USA) we're seeing the matches from the bed and later I found some bits missing from my memory ("Was it real or was it a dream?")
I have no TV at home, so I hear them on my radio-clock in the darkness. That may help to miss some parts, of course...

**Ricardo_Mata** · June 4th, 2002, 08:26 AM

Nano, you are right. This "Mundial" is going by too fast and with the hours as they are it is hard to stay awake for all the games. It is even harder to remember the matches.

I guess now we know what Asians have had to endure for the last 16 World Cups!

So far, I have missed just a few matches because I do have things to do besides watching the matches on T.V! I missed Paraguay/South Africa; Costa Rica/China; and Argentina/Nigeria (The best match so far, as I understand!)

So far, I am impressed with the strength of Turkey, Senegal, and Cameroon. I am also impressed with Germany's performance, not because of the number of goals but because they did play as an organized, united team.

I liked Italy's match but I think they are going to have their usual problems: getting overconfident and pulling back early.

I liked what I saw today with Japan and South Korea: fast teams with good ball control. I think South Korea will make it to the second round.

I'm not particularly impressed with Sweden, Spain, nor England. Good teams but nothing extraordinary. Brasil fits this description too; I didn't see the "Jogo Bonito" that we all love.

I am dissapointed with Mexico, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, and Uruguay. None of them showed anything worthy of a World Cup. I see them heading back home after the first round.

Ecuador will be going home too but at least they will leave with the image of an acceptable team that played good, entertaining FUTBOL.

I'm stuill thinking about France; they played well but Senegal had them all figured out. Can the other teams do the same?

Ok, enough analysis. Let's enjoy the most beautiful sport in the world!

**Blaxman** · June 4th, 2002, 09:08 AM

On 2002-06-03 09:55, Boodikka wrote:
....
About our beloved Brasil, it appears that we have a team of stars, as opposed to a team of teammates. It doesn't look good down the road. The bizarre thing is that the Univision announcers were second-guessing the No-Romario decision! When the team played poorly in qualifiers, some of these same people criticized Romario! What can you do?
I am a fan of little Juninho Paulista (during certain qualifiers he was the only one doing anything). I really am concerned about Ronaldinho...he looked really lost.
.....

Boodikka, I agree with you 100%. You described Juninho and Ronaldo quite well, beside this I hope Denilson could keep playing that way, so fast and so smart.

Pra Frente Brasil-sil-sil!!!!
(Go Ahead Brazil!!!!)

**Blaxman** · June 4th, 2002, 09:11 AM

On 2002-06-03 22:13, Nano wrote:
....
(Now we're not going to talk about that "penalty present". Absolutely out of the question.)....

Hey, Nano.

Let's talk about "La mano de Dios"?

Shhhh!!! Ok, this will be our secret too!! :lol:

Peace.

**Boodikka** · June 4th, 2002, 02:48 PM

Oi, Blaxman...la mano de Dios?

You mean that little thing that happened with "Maracoca"....oops, I mean Maradona...a while ago? Well, I don't know anything about that!
You guys are right....I can't take these game times anymore! I watched half of the Costa Rica-China match...fell asleep...woke up...watched another match and I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT I WATCHED! I wanted to see US-Portugal but I am not going to get up at 4:30 in the a.m. to do it....it's too much!

**Blaxman** · June 5th, 2002, 06:05 AM

The same happens to me Boodikka, and the worst, there's a whole day to work ahead. I'm feeling me like a zombie.

**Blaxman** · June 5th, 2002, 06:23 AM

Hey, the USA just beaten Portugal in a spetacular match (3 to 2)!!!

I'm really surprised!!!
Congratulations to our american friends!

Peace.

**nonkel808** · June 5th, 2002, 08:29 AM

Yeah, i was really surprised by the US team too. i guess, they are gettin better every year.

Now i should be supporting for my home country Belgium, but i was so dissapointed by their first match that i'm gonna put all my hopes on some other countries. I dunno if anyone saw the belgian "red devils" play against Japan. I mean, they started out good in the first half, but just couldn't score. And then the second half started. We made a first goal, but then the players probably tought their job was done, so defence played so badly giving the Japanese the chance to break thru defence on a very easy way and scoring 2 times. (and even a third time but that goal was disqualified). Luckily the belgians scored another fantastic goal, ending with a 2-2 score.
But thats not good enough. I mean, we Belgians have been living up to the World Cup a whole year, and then they play this awfull first game against JAPAN! Against JAPAN, i mean, they never ever made one point before in the World Cup.
I'm not saying that japan was playing good, but i guess it has a lot to do with the 50.000 supporters that were in that stadium? The japanes were really playing for there lives, grabbing every chance they could, trying to make some japanes football history!
anyway, well done by them!

Now i'm gonna support for an opther country, but i haven't made my mind up yet. I've got 3 favorites: Brazil, Argentinia or Spain.

Peace, 808

[ This Message was edited by: nonkel808 on 2002-06-05 09:30 ]

**Blaxman** · June 5th, 2002, 08:40 AM

On 2002-06-05 09:29, nonkel808 wrote:
...
Now i'm gonna support for an opther country, but i haven't made my mind up yet. I've got 3 favorites: Brazil, Argentinia or Spain.

Hey Nonkel, dont give up yet man!!! It was just the first match!

I saw the 2nd half of the game and I think it was a great match, beautyfull goals by the two teams, specially the bycicle kick one.

And you said enough, with 50.000 suportters against you. It's really hard to win.

Easy.

_________________
SENHORES DO GROOVE - BRAZIL

[ This Message was edited by: Blaxman on 2002-06-05 09:41 ]