[demonrail666]

Yeah, the African nations are going to struggle big time. Even at full strength, I still don't think they're quite ready to lift the trophy but in a couple of tournaments time (and if they can attract a good coach - which is a big if) they really could become a major force.

Further Injuries aside, I think England are good enough to make the semis but I really do worry about our defence and the possibility that Rooney gets isolated. We really aren't that good against 'top' teams and are capable of going to sleep against lower ranked ones. So yeah, semis at best for me.

I always think Holland can be as good as any team on the planet and your form during qualifying was amazing, but there's always that sense that they'll slip up again. It's become a cliche in the UK to think of Holland as the best team on earth, but also the most fragile.

Regarding Holland against Brazil, I just looked at the depth of their squad and even without Ronaldinho or any other outright star up front, it's pretty terrifying:

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Alex (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Luisao (Benfica), Kleber (Internacional), Andre Santos (Corinthians).
Midfielders: Anderson (Manchester United), Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Elano (Manchester City), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kaka (AC Milan)
Forwards: Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Internacional), Robinho (Manchester City).
.

[demonrail666]

It's a point i've already made but I do almost cry with envy that Brazil once had a player called Socrates who looked like this ...

 

While England had one called Nobby Stiles who looked like this.

 

Nobby Stiles, ffs! That had to have been a rubbish name, even then.

[jon boy]

it seems a lot of big names are not gonna be there which could make it more interesting i think because the less heard of will be trying harder to prove themselves. should make for an interesting time. is it me or does nobby styles have a slight look of jonny rotten in that pic?

[demonrail666]

i think that tends to happen anyway, with new talent coming to the fore. You want to see them challenged at the highest level though, otherwise it sort of undermines their achievements.

Haha @ Johnny Rotten. Totally! Similar dental issues too:

 

 

[jon boy]

nobby rotten.

[chicka]

Any one got a pointer to a place where a Yank can lay a wager down. 80-1 and Italy at 14-1 sure look pretty. Still though from what I've seen which is minimal at best it hard for me believe that Argentina isn't A or A-1. I guess they have no faith in Maradona getting done as the coach?

[the ikara cult]

Originally Posted by the ikara cult

It seemed pretty rubbish, and im much more impressed with Blackpool, I was chatting to one of their fans in town today. Much rather see them up there than Cardiff

Im not sure ive been on here since Spurs came 4th... Time to gloat

 

I just want to give Michael Dawson a big, hearty manly, kiss. Just look at his face. If loveability were enough to get you an England cap he would have surpassed Bobby Charlton years ago

World cup final; John Terry gets drawn back by his sexual misconduct and with rio injured Englands centre backs are Ledley and Dawson. its written in the stars

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by chicka

hard for me believe that Argentina isn't A or A-1. I guess they have no faith in Maradona getting done as the coach?

Seeing how Argentina do is gonna be fascinating. It won't happen but can you imagine if Maradona actually leads them to the final and they win?!?!? The place will go insane.

[the ikara cult]

the most certain bet is that Argentina will not win.

[demonrail666]

honestly, if results go as predicted, then they'd play Spain in the semis then either Brazil, Holland or England in the final. Who knows? Maradona sticks to his meds? Mascarano doesn't get sent off? Messi and Tevez click up front? A few wonky decisions in their favour? Stranger thing have happened.

[pokkeherrie]

Soooo, has anybody been watching any football lately?

 

Last night FK Rudar Pljevlja completed the lineup for the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round after easing to a comprehensive 7-1 aggregate victory against SP Tre Fiori.

Leading 3-0 after last week's first leg in San Marino, the Montenegrin titleholders were never quite as dominant as the scoreline suggests. They forged further ahead through captain Predrag Randjelović's early goal before Fabio Vannoni's equaliser. That is how it remained until 23 minutes from time, when Randjelović finally ended any hopes of a comeback.

Late goals from Nedeljko Vlahović and substitute Miroje Jovanović sealed victory and Rudar, making their UEFA Champions League debut this season, will now face PFC Litex Lovech in the second qualifying round. The first leg takes place in Bulgaria on 13/14 July, with the return the following week.



Obviously, it's a good result for the Montenegrins, but you have to feel sorry for the San Marinians who saw their dreams of winning the Champions League go up in smoke that early in the competition. Anyone think FK Rudar Pljevlja can go all the way this year?

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by pokkeherrie

Anyone think FK Rudar Pljevlja can go all the way this year?

Without knowing the first thing about FK Rudar Pljevlja, I'm gonna hazard a no.

[jon boy]

Originally Posted by demonrail666

Without knowing the first thing about FK Rudar Pljevlja, I'm gonna hazard a no.

i dont know, with the right amount of youth and experience we could see an upset.

[demonrail666]

West Ham have just signed Mexico winger Pablo Barrera. Does anyone remember if he was good or not? Does anyone remember him at all?

[jon boy]

leeds need to sign hooper pronto if they want to make a serious push for the prem and not just a mid table performance.

p.s. i dont remember him sorry^

[demonrail666]

Originally Posted by jon boy

i dont know, with the right amount of youth and experience we could see an upset.

I'm wondering if there's even been a team with an unpronouncable name win the Champions League.

[jon boy]

ixxzakxz moscow?

[pokkeherrie]

I remember a sports broadcast where the presenter had to read the UEFA-cup results and when it came to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk he just said "AZ Alkmaar who played against... ehm, there you can see it on the screen".

Don't remember the Mexican dude.

[Bytor Peltor]

Manchester United in Houston tonight: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...c/7127440.html

 

[punkaspoo]

tonight's AIK - Rosenborg will be an interesting match. come on gnaget