World Cup Last 16 Throwdown! (And Other Throwdowns If You Must)

It's anyones. I reckon Germany will reach the final.

Mexico and the US -- heh heh heh. Brilliant match-up, I predict a commanding Mexican victory.

I predict a penalty shoot out for Brazil vs. Belgium.

It would be wonderful if Mexico beat USA, it really would. I would also like to see Japan advance. And I'm not even much of a fan of the game. I was a bit teary eyed last night when the Hurricanes lost.

grrr i have not seen a SINGLE MATCH HURRAH yet i am not included in the hataz

US-Mexico is never a rout, Ned, except when the Mexicans send their B side to play a friendly, like at the Meadowlands last year. But I think it'll be 2-1 to Mexico, even if Agoos doesn't play-- Aguirre is one of the best managers in the tournament, and his player selection is flawless.

yer, and i have actually half-watched some matches. pretty sure i will "see" tomorrow's. i mistakenly go along with it in the idea that "it's a social get together innit". unfortunately, people seem to get irritated when i try to engage them in conversation.... DURING A MATCH I MEAN hur hur.

I am tipsy now from drinking in pub while others gawped at crap match. tho red card was /very/ exciting. by very exciting, i mean i glanced at screen.

haha my cousin mike trying to get sympathy last night re his signif othah's anti-footballing ways asked sistrah becky and i a q which contained the phrase "asking irrelevant questions during the match itself" and we both said in spooky telepathic unisonb "we don't understand the meaning of the phrase 'irrelevant questions' in this context" (actually we didn't quite use the same words but the meaning overlap was still hilarious and scary)

You are both aliens like on Roswell, obv.

*points at nicole and makes frightening shrieky noise w/o moving lips*
*dido supplies top soundtrack*

Germany
England
Sweden
Spain
Mexico
Brazil
Turkey
Italy

Japan can beat Turkey I think. (I also hope).

Come on the Danes!

A lot of potentially great games here despite the missing Argentina, France and Portugal.

what is all this "throwdown" malarkey? it just means "FITE" doesn't it, come on admit it!

viva japan! japanese attitude to master almost everything after few years of obsessively passionate training will pay! not in this world cup, maybe, but they're going to be big!

Italy vs. S Korea should be a cracking game. Italy generally improve as tournaments progress, but I still think Korea could win.

Brazil should beat Belgium but I think (hope) it will be close.

Yeah! I definetely want Japan to beat Turkey.

I watched the korea portugal game this morning in halls of residence where they have a TV room. It was full of overexcited koreans. It was a great atmosphere. I'm sorry for portugal but yo're asking to be eliminated if you lose to USA.

Italy should beat them but korea are playing at home (I think) so it will be difficult for the italians.

''Come on the Danes!''

Do you wanna FITE, man!

The Turks have some quality players, especially Yildiray Bastürk (Sükër always seems to disappoint somehow on the big stage). They work hard for each other.

Unfortunately they are also extremely temperamental and may struggle to keep it cool in what will be a super-charged, hostile atmosphere (like Portugal today).

After their shock defeat to North Korea in 1966 the Italians reportedly still refer to any disastrous performance as 'another Korea'. This is a great fixture. Guess who Korea lost to in the quarter final? Portugal. This World Cup just gets better and better and better.

You Americans really are rubbish at following football, aren't you. Even when you take an interest in it, you want the other side to win.

I have developed a strange conviction that Mexico will win the World Cup though. If I don't put a bet on now I could be kicking myself.

Basturk goes to ground too easily for my liking. To put it another way, he's a diving little shit.

Driving home last night I counted more Mexican flags than Lakers flags flying from car antennas! That's significant, because the Lakers just won a third championship recently, and they are probably the most popular team (of any sport) in my area.

US-Mexico is never a rout, Ned

Granted, but you just look at the respective most-recent performances -- Mexico holding Italy down almost to the very end, while the US was taken out within the opening minutes by an already eliminated Poland -- and to me it's all clear.

Definitely hoping for Japan and Korea winning their matches, oh yes. And Ireland as well.

Probably a good time for me to point this out then... have you ever wondered why these two are never seen in the same room together?

http://us.news1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/fifa/es/fi/20020421/i/3087 917082.jpg

http://www.theforce.net/timetales/tt1-8/JAR-JAR.JPG

A nuisance about the USA sneaking through, but anyway England will win it.

Quarter finalists : Germany, England, Senegal, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey and Italy.

You know I'm right.

That's if Brazil make it to the quarter finals. They won't make it to the semi's that's for sure.

What do we think of doing a Sven?

You first. In my case, I would look like Peter Gabriel circa 1974.

http://www.fhu.com/roymnewpic.jpg

Brazil will win it all.

The United States will win it. They were just very unlucky in their last match with many of their shots bouncing off the pole!

Hakan Sas is looking a bit useful, as is Emre, though I think he may be suspended for the Japan game. So, yes, Turkey to beat Japan, but it will be close. I am nervous about tomorrow, very nervous.

Mexico will piss on the States if they play anything like the way they've played in the first stage, look wghat Portugal did to them with a similar (but in this topurnament, inferior) style of play.

Germany to win by golden goal, bastards.

Senegal v Sweden will end 4-3, to who, I know not.

Ireland will beat Spain on penalties

Brazil will beat Belgium, narrowly whereas Italy will hit form and find that South Korea have shot their bolt too early.

bouncing off the pole!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH.

Sorry Ned!

Mexico will piss on the States if they play anything like the way they've played in the first stage, look wghat Portugal did to them with a similar (but in this topurnament, inferior) style of play.

The first stage? You mean, a win over Portugal (to whom you seem to think the US lost), a draw with Korea (the only points any team has taken from Korea Fighting! so far), and a loss to Poland that saw the US play good attacking football against a team that knows how to defend a lead, after conceding two quick goals (and having one perfectly good one disallowed) in the first five minutes? Did you even watch the group matches? I really don't think it's possible for anyone to have seen more Mexico matches than I have, seeing as every single one of them is shown live on television here, and I've seen the US play them plenty of times, and win. Were this at Azteca, yeah, Mexico would win, but then again, they would beat any team in the world at that smoggy, high-altitute hellhole. But as long as Jeff Agoos doesn't get within fifty yards of the pitch, the US will do just fine against the Mexicans.

I hope Paraguay beat Germany, and think they might, though I won't be surprised if Germany get through. I am optimistic about England beating Denmark, though I also fear a penalty shootout. I hope Senegal beat Sweden, though there's nothing much between them. I'll support Ireland against Spain, but short of determined defence, some luck and penalties I don't see Ireland winning. Mexico will outclass the USA in a very spirited encounter. I'd love Belgium to get a freak win over Brazil, since England (if they win) will face the winner of this, but I can't see it. Japan-Turkey is very hard to call. Turkey looked excellent against Brazil, but Japan have been good and have home advantage. I don't know. Italy should outclass South Korea, but again there is the home advantage, and I thought Portugal would beat them. Note that although my fantasy side is doing well, I have not been tipping results well.

Ireland will beat Spain on penalties

Good man Chris! I am primed for Sunday, physically and mentally and obviously I'm not even playing. (not physically primed at all obv.)

But as long as Jeff Agoos doesn't get within fifty yards of the pitch

Yes, but this is the problem. ;-) You are right that us beating Mexico has happened with (to them) depressing regularity as of late...*ponders a bit more*...nah, I really think it will be Mexico and that it will be less of a closely-fought match than expected, though the goal total might not reflect it. Call it a hunch.

Predictions: Germany to beta paraguay in a tight encounter (could well go to penalties).

England to just beat the danish but it could go to penalties. The argument that they will play in cooler conditions instead of in the heat against senegal is not v.credible since cooler conditions will be to denmark's liking as well.

Sweden will beat the inexperienced senegalese team. The heat could play a part though.

Spain will beat ireland but spain could underestimate the irish, which could play in their favour.

Mexico to beat USA but i don't care. Japan will win but again i don't care. Italy will beat korea.

I'll make some predictions, instead of trying to prop up my sorry American side.

Germany 3:1 Paraguay Denmark 1:0 England Sweden 2:0 Senegal Spain 3:2 Ireland Mexico 1:1 USA (somebody wins on pens) Brazil 4:2 Belgium Japan 2:1 Turkey South Korea 1:1 Italy (Italy on pens)

If Mexico wins the world cup it will be absolute insanity around here. I'm rooting for them and the Koreans. No-one around here gives a shit about the Americans but that Agoos guy is REALLY terrible, and he looks like a total creep. Does he have pictures of the coach fucking a donkey or something? I'm not surprised they lost to Poland. Why didn't Beasley start the game?

What do we think of doing a Sven?

I would, see, but....*light flashes on*....others would say I already am.

As for the contenders:

***Germany will roll over Paraguay, as their play seems more disciplined.

***As my heart is bleeding St. George's blood, England will win over Denmark (though probably not by a large lead---again).

***USA will probably win over Mexico.

***Spain will win over Eire.

[I suspect I'd feel less confident about that if I were actually betting money.]

How important are the individual venues? Suwon (Spain v Ireland, Sunday) has played host to the three most bonkers games so far: Por 2- 3 USA, Sen 3-3 Uru, Crc 2-5 Brz, whereas the southernmost stadia (Kobe, Osaka, Oita), erm, haven't seen very many goals. And it's been hot.

Not entirely sure where I'm going with this...

Paraguay were awful - hard to believe they steamed in three goals late on vs Slovenia in order to do *that* in the knockout stage. South Africa would've given it more of a go (but possibly would also have lost more heavily).

Benjamin: what's the coverage been like in the mainstream US media? Practically every American I know is a football (soccer) fan, but I realise this is far from the norm. This is a terrific achievement by the US, I do hope they're getting some props from the broadsheets. (If they beat Mexico and Germany, surely we're talking [small box on] front-page stuff?).

strangely the germany (1) paraguay (0) match reminded me of england nigeria, and yet the commentators were going, "this is god awful" whereas england got away with it... only an hour to go til the england match, time to go and buy lots of breakfast foods for frying, numnum.

3-0 at half-time! Brazil must be quaking in their boots! Or maybe not - we've not passed well at times, but every time we've attacked we've looked dangerous. Denmark do not look much good, so I'm very confident now.

Don't know about what Ben's getting -- English-language papers out here are noting the progress in the sports sections with some front page stuff, but that's about it. Spanish-language media, unsurprisingly, is all over this.

3-0...so I'm guessing England now hopes for the Belgian performance of their lives, only for them to mysteriously lose form after said match? ;-)

Oh I dunno, England look very solid, they could take on Brazil without an inferiority complex. Defensively they should be able to stop the Brazilian attack and offensively Owen will have his changes against the overrated Lucio and some other guy who is also slow.

Anyway, the game went perfectly for England, going one up so early against a counter-attacking team just doesn't get any better. Suddenly the Danes didn't look so good, basically they miss an idea- man in midfield.

3-0 up at half-time and coasting in the knock-out stage of the World Cup is definitely a feeling I could get used to. Shame England took the foot of the pedal in the second half but 'solid' is a good description, 'confident' another. Five days rest and bring on Belgium or Brazil.

Japan lost (as expected). Bummer.

"not all the matches are on both sides at once" = the terrorists have won

Oh, it's all going horribly wrong. South Korea have missed their second penalty of the tournament and Vieri's nicked one from a near- post corner for Italy. I'll be amazed if this, like the earlier match, doesn't finish 1-0.

The reason I cannot and will not root for the US is because of Landon Donovan. How can anyone of sound mind support a team that has a player NAMED AFTER MICHAEL LANDON?????? I ask you...

Is that the actual reason he's named that way? Little House on the Prairie has done more damage than anyone knew.

3 minutes left and Korea have just equalised! come on Korea!

Maybe I'm Amazed.

The Koreans had a couple of chances to win it in injury time too (after Vieri ballooned one over the bar from six yards). There must be a golden goal in this surely?

Don't care if that's the real reason, either way it makes me think of Michael Landon. Yucky.

Quite understood. Now hum the theme, you know you want to. And then there's Highway to Heaven and...

The only good reason to want the US to win is because the pictures of them in the New York Times had a very pronounced gay porn quality to them.

Of course no one is more gay porn than Beckham, but since he's married to that orange-tanned mantis he is disqualified.

that orange-tanned mantis

Not entirely true, surely. They appear to have had sex and she hasn't scissored his head off.

You haven't looked downstairs.

Oi! Stop dissing Posh & Becks! They are the UK's no. 1 couple! And the fact that she is having another sprog shows that Dave's tackle is in full working order, mmmmmmmm.......

Hmm.

In the meantime, red card for Totti! Holy heck! This match is getting more fraught by the second and I have to get ready for work, bah!

It's probably Scary's baby, I'd wager her tackle is in working order.

Korea 2-1 with a golden goal! goddamn! Bring on some more upsets, dammit!

david beckham looks like ANGLE!!! it is TROO *sulks*

Oh, so the dog munching cheating bastards who can't go five minutes without kicking another player in the skull are through. Great.

Giovanni Trappatoni is an abject moron. We go 1-0 to France, defend, lose 2-1. We go 1-0 ahead to Croatia, defend, lose 2-1. We go 1-0 ahead to Korea... what do you do? Yes, that's right curnuto, defend you prick...

Why don't you take Del Piero off as well, just because you've got a dislike against the man? Yeah, play Totti in the main striking role instead, because he's had such a great world cup, hasn't he?

Moron. Abject cunt. He'll be crucified by the Italian press, and rightly so.

(still i was right about Dom being a grumpy man eh kids?)

Donovan's dad named him after a Canadian hockey player, Lanny McDonald. (Pops Donovan is a Nova Scotian by birth, but moved to California for work in the 70s and married an American.) Believe it or not, the Michael Landon libel came up elsewhere.

I must say, you've taken it very well Dom. Obviously I think it's wonderful - the best moment of the WC so far, but that's just me.

This habit of defending single goal leads though - this is something I associate (possibly quite wrongly) with all Italian national sides since the 60s (with the exception of the '82 WCF performance), not just Trappa's crew. Why do they do it?

So does that mean that your sole reason for not supporting the US is gone, Nicole?

Headline today folks:

Korea Killer GOAL Kicks Italia out of the World Cuppo

what a great match! there are some benefits to being unemployed

Un-fucking-believable: not the result, but that I switched off the telly and went back to the office with ten minutes to go in normal time.

congratulations Korea!! The Italians were as cynical, shirt pulling and diving as the Koreans Dom, seems to me the Azzuri got their just deserts. I'd go on to say that there's no way they'll beat Spain, but then I don't really feel I can......

I am so gutted right now I can't tell you........my dad is in tears and he done threw a glass ashtray at the wall and busted it.....a sad day for us wops.........that last offside was NOT RIGHT.......the ref deserves to get bodied with the slug salt.....and yes the wop coach is a stupid fuck.........but still, hats off to the korks, i dont find them dirty........like i told anthony last week that AHN kid is the handsomest guy alive, but fuck his ass with the jaws of life for that last header..........Dom, i'm all about fun slurs but I'm also all about being original........that dog comment is so played.........but youre that guy that has to make friends with the super corny pics so whatever......ILE get-along-gang cheers any old robot into the fray these days and that's why I'm avoiding this shit.....i fuckin pisseed mang.......back in a few...DAYS.......bleeeeeed, all of you.......revenge in 4 years, what

I kind of wish (but DON't) that I was still living with my Italian king of the twunts housemate so I could slap him.

I wasn't really in the mood for originality, to be honest. If I had a dog, I'd have kicked it to death. Awful... awful.

It was a dodgy offside decision but I still think the Koreans deserved to win for general attitude. That banging on the perspex wall was the funniest thing I've seen all World Cup.

I want Trappatoni's head on a plate this time tomorrow morning. And I have to interview the fucking Moldy Peaches tonight as well. Great. Absolutely great.

That was great, no sympathy for Italy. All that talent, so little joy, defend, defend, defend. Bravo Korea.

If you're going to kick a dog to death you might as well eat it.

I kind of wanted it to go to penalties to see the first ever 0-0 after five each score ever. (Both teams have the fear of the pen).

This World Cup just gets better and better and better. Magnificent!

I'm noticing a distinct lack of sympathy for the Italian cause...

one Italian is still in the World Cup - that bald ref with the starring eyes ! could ref the final?

calling people dog munching bastards doesn't illicit a lot of sympathy, you racist prick

Err Dom - you were the one who said har har I hate the English and the Italians will go further than you, weren't you?

all you Italians - cool down with just one Cornetto !

Whadsamatteryou? (hey) Outtadaworldcup (hey) Youraloadpoo, (hey) Youafuckedup, (hey) itsanotsobad, Koreagotyourplace Yourwereadisgrace

>I'm noticing a distinct lack of sympathy for the Italian cause

I'll say this much for Italy : at least they're immune to that ugly, ugly, UGLY mowhawk-hairstyle virus that's infected every other team at this tournament.

But as for the team's actual playing -- I can only say I enjoyed the first match. After that, it was all over except for the sprawling, and the fouling and the shouting and the bleeding and the cheating ...

... oh, and the occasional inspired moment from Tommasi. (yay!)

So, who to cheer for now? There are good reasons for wanting each of the remaining teams to win. How will I choose just one?

Who to support?

Korea - bundle of fun, make a lot of people happy, bags of energy, play the game the way it should be played.

Spain - Boo hiss conquerers of Ireland and so naughty.

USA - It is not their time. Poor excuse, but it would terrify me if they won it.

Germany - they're doing an Argentina 1990 - poor team getting through despite their flaws. They must be stopped at all costs.

Turkey - cynical divers and assaulters of Costa Rican assistant coaches. Bad and naughty.

Brazil - overrated. Time they got knocked down a peg or two. Roberto Carlos is crap and Ronaldo and Ronaldinho have silly names and very big front teeth. Though Rivaldo's triumph over childhood poverty is an inspiration, but his dive was a disgrace.

England - They deserve your support, and deserve to win it because it would make me the happiest man in the world.

Senegal - if not England, then these boys. Time to kill off the stereotypes and upset the form book and to remind Des Lynam of his quote on day 1 that they wouldn't win it.

Here endeth the lesson.

TEAM KOREA FIGHTING!

What a great, exciting win! So, Italy go out: deservedly so, for favouring long, lank, greasy hair; for being boring and for being one of those teams (along with pundits and fans) who seem to think that they have a god-given right to be in the final, and now they're being served their just desserts.
So it's all aboard the Plane of Shame for the Italians - you're going home with the Argies. Brazil: you're next (unless the spawney gits scrape another win).
Imagine: a S. Korea vs USA final.

Note to all: it's 'just deserts' not 'desserts'. Pronounced the same way. Makes sense if really.

'If' shouldn't have made it to that last sentence. And the whole thing sounded really wanky anyway. It's just that I only realised about the 'deserts' thing last year and I thought I might as well point it out. Desserts though - yum.

I agree with everything ramosi and the dom said. TRAPATTONI MUST GO!

Gutted, and I strongly advise any of you seeing me soon not to mention the result, especially if you're representing ILE in the rematch against Sinister...

David: South Korea and USA would meet in the semi, not the final. I'm primed for a Senegal-USA third-place playoff.

i feel sorry for the Korean player who plays for an Italian side - he scored the winning goal as well. i bet he's not looking forward so much to the start of the season now