744 Forum

Apron => Pit => Topic started by: Will on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:14

Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:14
It's a World Cup Miracle... I've only been able to see a total of 8 minutes so far in this tournament.  The first 4 minutes I watched included USA's goal against England (or is it more accurate to say England's goal against England?), and the second 4 minutes were today when North Korea scored on Brazil.  I must have great luck for turning on the game at the best moment!

If I'd watched 4 minutes on Sunday, Australia would have tied Germany 4-4.

Will
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:58
Dream on :D

Today was actually a bad day and tomorrow doesn't look any better although the 2nd round of the group stage begins and if teams want to continue they should start play, score and win or else...
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 01:40
I've never said this, not even in 1974, but having seen a few clips of the last games it's obvious that this young German team will win the cup :-)


|-L
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 04:26
I listened to a podcast today about the 1950 World Cup in which the US team, possibly the least qualified team in history, beat England.  The interview with a US player on that team was remarkable as soccer had essentially zero participation in the USA at the time.  This person stayed completely unknown and unrecognized in his own town and neighborhood.

Makes a person believe in miracles.  

Maybe they'll put baseball back in the Olympics?!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:11
I don't know if I've said this already, but it's absolutely clear that the Serbs will win the cup.

/-|
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 16:13
Ha!  Sorry about the loss.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:16
Amazing return (2-2 from 0-2) of the USA and I don't think God knows why the third one wasn't approved.

I didn't think for a second that the penalty kick will go in. It simply wasn't Germany day (and they scared the Serbs too much).
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 19:40
I attended the Dutch Airforce Open Days at EHGR today, and somewhere halfway the air show the announcer broke in, and said: "For those who are interested, the result of Serbia - Germany: one... zero. (2 seconds break) If you think you didn't hear it correctly: one ... zero."

Another nice trivia fact:

The Red Arrows proudly claim they have the first female display pilot in their team.
The Patrouille de France promptly claims they have the first female display team leader pilot in their team.

I have to admit that the Patrouille sounded a lot more, ehm, professional over the intercom radio   :)   World Flight "Under The Bridge and Over The Top" yells are totally nothing compared to the radio calls the Red Arrow team members make...


Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Peter Lang on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:53
Quote from: Avi.... (and they scared the Serbs too much).

Yes.  To much fear and a lack of confidence in the own qualities.  As I heard their wifes / girlfriends do not attend them. Perhaps they want to come back next week  :P

Peter
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 21:23
I'll bet the Germans are feeling better now (England-Algeria 0-0)  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 04:09
From the Wall Street Journal, June 18:

England: The Latest Europeans to Go AWOL

CAPE TOWN — The World Cup isn't supposed to be like this.

This tournament has typically held little hope for romantics: In soccer, the favorites (read: the Europeans) usually win.

Home to the best professional leagues and the sport's biggest names, half of the 18 World Cups have been won by teams from the old continent. You have to go back to 1950 to find the last time a European team failed to make the final.



In failing to record a crucial win, England joined the long list of underachievers from the old world, a roll-call that already comprises France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and — after a shocking defeat to Serbia early Friday — even Germany.

Halfway through the group stage, none of those six countries — generally considered to be among the leading contenders for this trophy — is guaranteed to reach the knockout rounds. England's precarious position is highlighted by its standing third in Group C, behind Slovenia and the U.S. following their 2-2 tie earlier in the day.

--------------
Will Slovenia win the Trophy?  Is there hope for "old Europe" ???  (grins)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:44
Quote from: PhillIs there hope for "old Europe" ???

Maybe Holland (they just won Japan 1-0) but Holland always starts well in the groups stage and then disappear and it was a bad game.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 16:53
It's not Holland, it's the Netherlands. Holland is just the two provinces North of the three big sewers and West of the cultural division. Calling the Netherlands "Holland" is for the native Dutchmen the same as calling the USA "Carolina" or "Dakota".  :mrgreen:

(http://www.heartmathbenelux.com/pics/nederland_provincies.png)

...and yes there is a South-Brabant and yes there is another Limburg and yes they are in the neighbouring country and yes there are sentiments to recombine... but with the hopeless results of last elections in both countries, this may take a while...
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 19:00
Quote from: JeroenIt's not Holland, it's the Netherlands.
Yes, I know. In Hebrew (and I think other languages too) it's Holland and since it is familiar in English too, I decided to use the "short" term.
Won't happen again  :mrgreen: :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sat, 19 Jun 2010 22:12
How federalist are the Netherlands? Are Holland and the other provinces free to make their own laws and rules, or are the distinctions just historical and cultural?
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 00:44
World Cup

As the Brits say "It's a funny ole game in'it?"

The only constant is that every Cup brings new surprises.  Anyone favor Mexico? (when not playing each other, us Norde Americanos have to stick together)

My take on the trials of the 'traditional' European teams is that it shouldn't be a big surprise.  It's a bit like what happened to the US in Olympic basketball.  The world sends their best players to where the game (and money) is best and before long every national team has more than just one or two really good professionals.  Combined with good, solid *team* play and character and suddenly the minnows can take on the whales full of millionaire prima donnas - same thing happened to our 'Dream Team' some years ago.  

Oh and those Algerians ... when I saw where they play their professional football and looked at the demographics my first thought was that this was maybe the team that France should have fielded (apologies Pierre).  I sure hope the US has taken note of their speed and spirit.  We need a win Wed.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:07
Quote from: Phil BunchI listened to a podcast today about the 1950 World Cup in which the US team, possibly the least qualified team in history, beat England.  The interview with a US player on that team was remarkable as soccer had essentially zero participation in the USA at the time.  This person stayed completely unknown and unrecognized in his own town and neighborhood.

Makes a person believe in miracles.  


Soccer football participation was not quite that dismal in the US in the old days, Phil.  Pre WWII a lot of the industrial East had mill and factory semi-pro teams made up of European immigrants.  After the war TV cemented the dominant position of baseball, football and basketball.  Still it was true that there was no strong national football identity and the English players didn't know who these guys were in 1950.  I've seen some documentaries on that team - they were a real piece of work.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:53
Quote from: Will CronenwettHow federalist are the Netherlands? Are Holland and the other provinces free to make their own laws and rules, or are the distinctions just historical and cultural?
Our provinces are a political/government layer in between municipality and parliament. Many people wonder what the logic in this is. Laws are made top-down, but provinces and municipalities can add extra rules, not take rules away.

The provincial borders are largely historical artifacts coming from a long distant past, when the Netherlands (notice the plural) were formed under one king or king-like figure out of relatively independent parts. This was way before Belgium decided to split off and nobody cared :mrgreen:

Cultural lines of difference run along major rivers, which of course often mark provincial borders as well.

Notable exceptions:

Flevoland didn't exist until we pumped the sea out. It's more recent.

Per October 1st, some Carribean islands become formally a new kind of special municipality in the country of the Netherlands, while others formally become a new country in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. This is a rather experimental construction... basically the islands that think they can survive by themselves go country, and the others go municipality.

As always, Wikipedia has nice material in English:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_the_Netherlands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_politics_in_the_Netherlands


Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Richard McDonald Woods on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:32
Interesting articles.

Is there any feeling in the Flemish regions of Belgium for a unification with The Netherlands if Belgium finally splits into its two constituent parts?

Cheers, Richard
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:42
Not really. It seems that there are more people in the Netherlands favouring a re-unification with Flanders than the other way around.

Besides, Belgium actually has three or, in some opinions, four parts. Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallon, three-lingual Brussels (French, French, and French), and a tiny German part.

An extremely complex situation, called Belgium. Seven governments, not including provinces and municipalities...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:17
Thanks Jeroen - the short treatise on Belgian government may explain a lot about the way the EU runs.  I never realized that when Caesar wrote 'Fortissimi sunt Belgi" he was commenting on their bureaucracy  :) '

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:04
Although I don't think that much of the Belgian organisation reflects on the EU because the EU happens to be well-established in Brussels, the opposite may be true. The EU is a typical case of a large umbrella organisation where the participants generally only want the benefits and rights, and not the costs and duties of the participation. The result is an underpowered biplane, being circled by a number of twin-jet-engine fighters called USA, China, Russia etc. Unfortunately, I don't see the EU participants handing over the power to command the individual aircraft parts any time soon. The number of voices calling to withdraw from the Union actually increases (nobody got rich fast, except contractors for large buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, so why stay in the EU?).

Still, I hope to once see the true United States of Europe. We simply have to.


Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sun, 20 Jun 2010 17:05
Wow - Kiwis tie Italy!!  1-1

This World Cup may become memorable for the most heart-stopping draws ever (sadly a concept hard to explain to many of my American compatriots).  

Simon Elliot, whose free kick set up NZ's goal, was one of my favorite players when he was with the LA Galaxy - tremendous work ethic and ability to place a long ball on target rivaling Beckham on a good day.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Richard McDonald Woods on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:41
I am going to disagree, Jeroen.

I believe that the fundamental problem with the EU has been the desire by some countries (notably France) for an unspoken effort to create a United States of Europe, which the UK population has never wanted, and more and more countries' populations don't want either (including that of France).

I believe that we shall eventually get rid of the European Parliament and all its irrelevant and expensive MEPs, to establish a valuable coordinating centre for Europe where each country contributes to the establishment of common agreements and standards but leaves each country to implement - in other words, the establishment of a realistic European Council.

Anything else, including the Euro and a common budget, are impractical and too politically dangerous. ;)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:17
If this would indeed work, it would be a good alternative to a true United States of Europe, no doubt. And it may indeed be more feasible. Whether it would be sufficient to compete successfully against essentially monolithic, single-market, single-government, single-currency, single-business-culture entities is an open question.

Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:17
7-0??!?
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:19
If it was me, I would have defect now!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:07
I fear for their safety when they get back to the DPRK.  Agree with defecting.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:51
I just read this on facebook:

The England team visited an orphanage in CapeTown today. "It's heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope" said Jamal aged 6.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:53
Hahahaha!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:17
Perfect style of humour. The clue put in the very last character. Brilliant!



I hope the neighbours won't throw things at our living room window now... my wife decided to Make The Statement...

(http://www.hoppie.nl/tmp/ptflag.png)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 21:26
Let the show begin.
The 2nd round of the groups stage ended (Spain returned to itself and won Honduras 2-0) and now the third and final round. Now you move on or go home. Now we talk business.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:37
just jump into any ambassy while they are out of their own country....but then, need to think for their own families...

Quote from: AviIf it was me, I would have defect now!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:40
Every damned World Cup (that they actually qualify for) takes another 10 years off my life. Bloody England  :evil:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: John Golin on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:34
Quote from: James LaceyEvery damned World Cup (that they actually qualify for) takes another 10 years off my life. Bloody England  :evil:

You think you'd know what to expect by now.

They'll make it through, becuase they need to lose to Argentina or Germany in a penalty shootout.

 :twisted:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:31
You are so right, John! However, that game against Algeria was the most pathetic performance I have ever seen by an English team. Incapable of even passing the ball more than a few metres, no shape, Gerrard and Lampard going through their usual routine of blind man's buff, a cry-baby donkey as centre half, a walking disaster zone at right back and the old "let's pretend it's 1955 and play long balls over the midfield all night in the vain hope that Heskey might actually a) score a goal or b) doing something useful with the ball"

Even Rooney looked like he didn't want to be there and he is the only world class player in the England squad. Capello must be wondering why the hell he took the job (apart from the 6 million obvious ones).

PATHETIC!  :twisted:  :evil:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:43
From Wall Street Journal, excerpt.

Should the UK be downgraded to a lesser league?  (grins)

=======================
England ready to fight for World Cup survival

By DENNIS PASSA,
AP Sports Writer

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) England's usual World Cup worries at this stage revolve around the fact it hasn't won the title since 1966.

The more pressing concern this time, ahead of its Group C match against Slovenia on Wednesday, is the fact that not since 1958 in Sweden has England failed to advance past the group stage once it's qualified for the tournament.

Yet that's the scenario facing coach Fabio Capello and his apparently discordant English players - a loss to Slovenia would end any chance of England making it to the round of 16. England has two points after a 1-1 draw with the United States and a surprising 0-0 tie with Algeria.

England didn't qualify for the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 1994. But when the English have made it, the team usually performs relatively well - losing in the semifinals in 1990, the quarterfinals in 1962, 1986, 2002 and 2006 and the second round in 1982 and 1998.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:37
James & John...

If you look at England team carefully, actually there is nothing wrong with the backs as they hardly concede any goals, just that the forwards are not scoring...need to score to win games, including penalties...haha...

Even more distress when watching the aussies play....worse than pathetic...but then the French team were in disarray...!!

Egos and arrogance take over self respect and honour playing for their country....too much money too soon in their lives, unlike the good old days pre-80s or 70s...they all played with pride and honour...


Quote from: Phil BunchFrom Wall Street Journal, excerpt.

Should the UK be downgraded to a lesser league?  (grins)

=======================
England ready to fight for World Cup survival

By DENNIS PASSA,
AP Sports Writer

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) England's usual World Cup worries at this stage revolve around the fact it hasn't won the title since 1966.

The more pressing concern this time, ahead of its Group C match against Slovenia on Wednesday, is the fact that not since 1958 in Sweden has England failed to advance past the group stage once it's qualified for the tournament.

Yet that's the scenario facing coach Fabio Capello and his apparently discordant English players - a loss to Slovenia would end any chance of England making it to the round of 16. England has two points after a 1-1 draw with the United States and a surprising 0-0 tie with Algeria.

England didn't qualify for the World Cup in 1974, 1978 and 1994. But when the English have made it, the team usually performs relatively well - losing in the semifinals in 1990, the quarterfinals in 1962, 1986, 2002 and 2006 and the second round in 1982 and 1998.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:59
France said to be disgraced, per the NY Times!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/sports/soccer/23francegame.html?ref=todayspaper

:
---------------------------------
JOHANNESBURG — France  exited in disgrace from the World Cup on Tuesday with no victories and little sympathy for a team that infamously used an intentional handball to get into the tournament and self-destructed on the way out.

The French team's petulant image did not gain much redemption in its final match, a 2-1 defeat to host South Africa in Bloemfontein, south of here. Les Bleus, as the French team is known, played the final 65-plus minutes a man short after midfielder Yoann Gourcuff was ejected for elbowing an opponent in the head.

Afterward, the eccentric and departing French coach, Raymond Domenech, declined to shake hands with his South African counterpart, Carlos Alberto Parreira. Apparently, Parreira said, the snub was related to his criticism of the way France had qualified for the World Cup: the illegal handling of the ball by Thierry Henry, which was unseen by the referee and led to the decisive goal in a playoff victory against Ireland in November.

Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:01
Meanwhile, USA advances in the 91st minute... speaking of World Cup miracle.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:43
It is England-Germany now on Sunday.
The prize to the winner is, probably, Argentina.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 09:41
I agree that for all the miracles from unexpected teams (US, Mexico, Swiss, Algeria, Solvenia etc), we'll probably see some familiar names after the knockout round - Argentina (is this Diego's destiny?), Brazil (ugly but good), Portugal (my, they're nice to watch), Germany (never counted out).  In the meantime I'm basking in the unusual feeling of being an American abroad with a *good* football team and real fans - anyone notice who was top of Group C?  Our gift to the English and German fans  :) .  

But they are taking years off my life too - waiting for stoppage time to win?! (not their fault - they didn't concede an early goal and scored in the second half only to have another goal disallowed!  My take on this is that all teams are gaining parity to the point that many can win or draw a match against the best *on a given day*.  But you still need something extraordinary to do it over and over though the whole Cup.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 15:36
Germany just put in their second.

I think what sets them apart is their speed.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:38
Wow, Wow, Wow!!!

What a game.

Talking about speed, 3 out of 4 goals of Germany started near their own goal. The English guys didn't know what was happening to them.

Pity that most talking now about the game will be about the referees. FIFA must enter technology into the game. It is unbearable that on the highest stage, a "blind" referee (and it doesn't important why he didn't see) will have that kind of affect on the game.
I believe that Germany would have won even if it was 2-2 but this is so wrong.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Peter Lang on Sun, 27 Jun 2010 19:13
I'm not sure if we would have had the same result if the referee gave England the 2:2. Even as it was a great match and Germany showed a good performance. this decision leaves a very bitter taste behind.

I think with the referees this time the world cup has more troubles than the world cups before. Also remembering the "handplay" of the Brazilians

Shit happens, but this is too much. They really should allow the replays to be used for fair decisions.

Peter
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:19
i agreed with you Peter...\\

Just like the recently concluded World Cup Hockey at New Delhi, India.  The federation had changed ther rule, where each team during a game, they were allowed to appeal for a replay on video where decisions were made by a video umpire.

However, should a decision went went against the appealling team, then the team would have lost all the appealling rights for the rest of the game.  It had proven to be a successful tournament, where literally there were not controversy with the umpiring issue, including yellow or red cards.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:25
Quote from: OKDJames & John...

If you look at England team carefully, actually there is nothing wrong with the backs as they hardly concede any goals,

No, OKD - there is NOTHING wrong with the England backs  :twisted:

Terry had an appalling game (even by his low standards) and Upson was no better. The fact that Terry even gets a game, let alone is one of the first names on the teamsheet, is indicative of the state of the English game. Ferdinand might have helped stem the flow but not by much. Appalling errors by Barry too and as usual, the English midfield went MIA...and when the manager brings on Eeyore, sorry Heskey, when we are chasing the game, you know that things can't get any worse..and why the f*@k does Capello persist with 4-4-2???

Full credit to Germany - they did exactly what they had to do (and then some). Thomas Muller was outstanding. English football died (another) death today and was exposed as slow, unimaginative and technically inept. Will the FA do anything about it? Of course not, as long as we still have the wham,bam, thank you ma'am style of play in the Premier League (stacked with foreign players) and the money rolling in the doors, nothing will change.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:42
Hi James...

Just in case you have misundertood my previous statement. I made it so before the round of 16 games.  My comment was based on the round-robin games.

Now the biz development ppl or potential investors will probably look at some other comp as they must be thinking to themselves that EPL was supposed to be "the best league" on earth, and yet the Englishmen failed to passed the marks / expectation.

I honestly don't know what Coppello had in his mind. I would have thought that he had learned it the hard way from the round-robin games, and do something drastic for the knock-out stage.  Perhaps he had too much faith on his backs?  I still can't get over that he left out Walcott, and picked Barry.

In terms of your comments about first name on teamsheets, I have been worrying about their depth of goalkeepers, rather than their backs.  I like Jame's competitiveness and ability (as long as he doesn't loose his concentration), but England's No. 1 goalie comes from an almost bankrupt EPL wooden spooner club...that really speaks a lot about the talent in the EPL.

Well, they better start doing something now, as the Euro qualifier starts within months.


Quote from: James Lacey
Quote from: OKDJames & John...

If you look at England team carefully, actually there is nothing wrong with the backs as they hardly concede any goals,

No, OKD - there is NOTHING wrong with the England backs  :twisted:

Terry had an appalling game (even by his low standards) and Upson was no better. The fact that Terry even gets a game, let alone is one of the first names on the teamsheet, is indicative of the state of the English game. Ferdinand might have helped stem the flow but not by much. Appalling errors by Barry too and as usual, the English midfield went MIA...and when the manager brings on Eeyore, sorry Heskey, when we are chasing the game, you know that things can't get any worse..and why the f*@k does Capello persist with 4-4-2???

Full credit to Germany - they did exactly what they had to do (and then some). Thomas Muller was outstanding. English football died (another) death today and was exposed as slow, unimaginative and technically inept. Will the FA do anything about it? Of course not, as long as we still have the wham,bam, thank you ma'am style of play in the Premier League (stacked with foreign players) and the money rolling in the doors, nothing will change.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:45
Quote from: Jeroen HoppenbrouwersI hope the neighbours won't throw things at our living room window now... my wife decided to Make The Statement...



Too bad for Portugal, Jeroen.  Hope your wife won't have too much work redecorating  :) .  I'm still mourning not being able to hold on against Ghana - again.  Good luck to Netherlands.  They've looked very steady so far; Brazil may be surprised.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:31
Thx. She has already removed the flag and is now preparing noisy activities to perform if when we lose against Brazil.   :twisted:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:36
Quote from: Jeroen HoppenbrouwersShe ... is now preparing noisy activities to perform ...

Oh God ! She's bought a vuvuzela !!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:59
In the reflections of the window one can see her holding something in her hands. If it wasn't a camera, I would say it's a plastic trumpet.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Thu, 1 Jul 2010 02:57
This Saturday will be my first opportunity to watch uninterrupted games.  I may camp out at my local bar and watch both games.  Jeroen, I'll be pulling for the Netherlands.  Best of luck.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 2 Jul 2010 16:51
yo.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Fri, 2 Jul 2010 16:57
We're seeing ORANGE!!  Some mistakes on both sides but in the end the Dutch held firm.  Watching Ruud Gullit go crazy on ESPN coverage in the US.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 11:45
Saturday 1200z Forecast
Argentina-Germany  1 - 3
Paraguay-Spain 9 - 8 (penalty shootout)

Tuesday
Netherlands-Uruguay 2 - 1

Wednesday
Paraguay-Germany  0 - 2

Saturday
Paraguay-Uruguay 1 - 2

Sunday
Netherlands-Germany 2 - 4


|-|
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 11:57
Quote from: Hardy HeinlinSunday
Netherlands-Germany 2 - 4
Formal game time 88 minutes: 2 - 2
Formal game time 89 minutes: 2 - 3
Formal game time 90 minutes: 2 - 4

More realism   :)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 14:01
Off to go watch the Germany-Argentina rematch.  I'm excited! Let's hope it's more civil than 2006.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 15:09
Uh. Germany is supposed to win in the last minute. Not in the first!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 15:21
Argentina is following the lead of the USA in allowing that early goal.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 16:49
Well, Hardy, 4 goals in game correct, but they all belong to Germany! Great game for Germany (and well-refereed thank God).  Clearly the England result was no fluke.  Young team, well coached, playing as a team.  And credit to Klinsman for starting the rebuilding four years ago.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 16:56
... the game gets more likely ...
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 17:11
The machine is working (and fast).

Guess which song is on the radio right now.

We may see the 74 final again.

Quote from: torrence(and well-refereed thank God)
It was easy game.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 17:21
The song they're playing here at this bar is "Don't cry for me, Argentina" (grin)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 19:27
" Argentina-Germany 1 - 3 "

Now I'm worried about how inaccurate PSX will be. ;)

Seriously, good call, Hardy.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 19:34
Quote from: Will CronenwettThe song they're playing here at this bar is "Don't cry for me, Argentina" (grin)
If only it was a prize winning contest ...  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Mariano on Sat, 3 Jul 2010 23:33
As an Argentine national, my sincere congratulations to all Germans in this forum.
As an Argentine national who deeply dislikes Maradona (and always has) thank you Germany for cutting him down to size. He seriously needed a reality check. I would love to see him explain a 4-0 loss.

Mariano
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sun, 4 Jul 2010 01:53
Some commentary from the US sports media, Wall Street Journal (Associated Press sports writer).  

I thought it might be of interest, or at least entertaining, to see how this is being reported here.

Best wishes to all,

Phil Bunch

---------------------

Dutch create euphoria back home with World Cup win

By ROBERT MILLWARD,
AP Football Writer

JOHANNESBURG (AP) The win over Brazil touched off wild celebrations, and left only Uruguay standing between the Netherlands and the World Cup final.

The Dutch have twice reached the title game and are considered the best team never to have won it. Now they face a Uruguayan team hit by suspensions and injury problems after a penalty shootout victory over Ghana.

"The euphoria back home is incredible," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "It's a shame that we cannot experience it."

The Dutch may a little taste of it when they arrive in Cape Town for the semifinals, because about 20,000 of their citizens have settled in the southwest coastal city over the years.

The South Africa-based fans will surely swell the Dutch cheering section to more than the 5,000 who were at Friday's quarterfinal win over Brazil at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Between now and then, many of them will be sweating out the health of striker Robin van Persie.

The Arsenal forward injured his left arm against the Brazilians and went to the hospital on Saturday for a scan. He was joined by defender Joris Mathijsen, who injured his right knee in the warmup ahead of the Brazil match and had to pull out of the game.

"They are both at the hospital to have a scan," said Van Marwijk, who hopes to know the results on Sunday. "Robin has an arm problem and Joris a knee problem. I don't know what it is, that's why they are at the hospital. I don't think it is serious."

The victory over the five-time champion Brazilians has given the Dutch renewed hope that they can finally capture the prize they came so close to winning twice in the 1970s.

The Dutch lost to the Germans in the 1974 final in Munich and to Argentina in '78 in Buenos Aires, but played with a style that rivaled the brilliant Brazilians.

Although Van Marwijk has a wealth of attacking talent in Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Van Persie, he is not trying to emulate that style.

"Why does everyone want the coach to make changes all the time?" Van Marwijk said Saturday. "You have to have more courage not to change. Yesterday I told the players, 'You have to be yourselves, play your own game.'"

Even if Van Persie and Mathijsen come back, Van Marwijk will be forced into some changes for Tuesday's match against Uruguay. Midfielder Nigel de Jong and defender Gregory van der Wiel are both suspended for the game after collecting second yellow cards of the tournament.

While Van Persie and Mathijsen went for their scans Saturday, the rest of the players who beat Brazil practiced in a gymnasium away from the eyes of the media.

Uruguay will be missing at least striker Luis Suarez, who was sent off against Ghana for handling the ball on the goal line in the final minute of extra time.

Even though Uruguay came through a long and tough quarterfinal match, Van Marwijk doesn't think his team has an easy route to the final.

"I think the next game will be very dangerous," he said. "This is the moment we have been waiting for two years. When we beat Brazil we were in the last four of the World Cup. Coming up next is Uruguay.

"Uruguay is a strong side and we will have to be very concentrated. They are fighters, survivors."

Updated July 3, 2010
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Tue, 6 Jul 2010 22:07
Great game just now.  Uruguay kept fighting to the end, and the Netherlands looked great.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Tue, 6 Jul 2010 22:11
Yep - the Netherlands just keep getting the job done, although they had an exciting final 3 or 4 minutes  :) .  Hope our Dutch colleagues don't suffer any permanent hearing loss from celebrations.  Should be an interesting final no matter who wins tomorrow.

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 00:26
From the Wall Street Journal's sports blog pages - "The Dutch are living dangerously"  (grins)

----------------------------------------------------

July 6, 2010, 6:50 PM ET

Dutch Allow Another Late Goal in Win

The Dutch are living dangerously.

Uruguay's Maxi Pereira became the second player to score in second-half stoppage time against the Dutch in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

The Netherlands advanced to its third World Cup final by beating Uruguay, 3-2, on Tuesday. But what had been a comfortable, two-goal lead since the 73rd minute became quite perilous in the final minutes, after Uruguayan defender Maxi Pereira scored two minutes into stoppage time. The next few minutes featured fierce attacking from the underdogs, and the Dutch could only breathe easily after the final whistle.

Conceding a goal so late in a knockout-stage victory is a rare occurrence in the World Cup — and yet the Dutch now have done it twice in this tournament, yielding a penalty goal by Slovakia's Robert Vittek four minutes into second-half stoppage time in the round of 16 that halved the Netherlands's 2-0 lead.

Since the World Cup began in 1930, 90 elimination games have featured a goal by the eventual losing team. Just four have come in the 90th minute or later in the second half: the two Dutch gaffes this year, plus Germany's 3-2 defeat of Belgium in 1994 and Spain's defeat of Ireland on penalty kicks in 2002, after the Irish tied the game in the 90th minute. Another five winners conceded goals in added extra time, though none in the final five minutes.

Overall, just 27 losing teams in knockout games have scored in the 80th minute or later — three times since 1978 the Dutch have been the late scorers on the losing side — and it's happened just four times since 1994 as winning teams have gotten stingier on defense. The winners in those games may have gotten sloppy late, but here's good news for the Netherlands: Such errors haven't boded ill for the teams that let up late in the game. Ten of the 27 teams that conceded goals after the 80th minute were the champs of the tournament in which it happened.

The bad news for the Dutch: Germany, which leads the World Cup in goals scored with 13 and would face the Netherlands if it beats Spain on Wednesday, has scored eight goals in the 60th minute or later.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 02:07
[size=8]I hate to say this, but we should be careful and not overstress the copyright of those newspapers.[/size]
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 02:18
Most of the daily news stories are free on many newspaper websites - a link would work in this case for breaking news.

"It's not over 'til it's over"

Cheers,
Torrence

Note Jeroen still not commenting - probably still deciding on
whcih  Dutch/Belgian beer to have next  :)

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 02:24
Quote from: Hardy Heinlin[size=8]I hate to say this, but we should be careful and not overstress the copyright of those newspapers.[/size]

Would occasional excerpts, say less than about 25% of content, be OK, or is surrounding added commentary about the excerpt also required?
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 02:35
I don't know. Well, if the news story is free, then it's OK anyway.

...

I have a question regarding the Dutch tactics: Whenever Robben makes a solo run into the opposite penalty area he stops shortly before the goal and doesn't shoot. Why?

:-)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 03:19
I would recommend cutting and pasting the first 100-200 words, and then linking to the rest.  Agree that Jeroen is deciding on his next beer. This might be true for many hours yet.  Also, if he mocked vuvuzelas before (I can't remember), I bet he's pricing them on eBay right now for a FIFA 2010 souvenier... And something to blow at the finals. (grin)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 05:11
Uh?

Did they win?

Was that the noise on the street last night?
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: frumpy on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 07:28
i think so.
can pleez spain or the netherlands kick germanys butt? :-)
so many stupid people out there are getting drunk, doing
other stupid things like dressing in their flag.. when the
team wins, its germany who won. when the team looses,
its the team who looses. in my eyes, the mob running around is
similar to the mob of the reichskristallnacht, just give
them a few stones and they are having fun.
i dont like all that, do something peaceful, like learning
to cook without meat or so  :) is that so hard?
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 09:58
The Dutch have looked very classy (although I still think the 1988 team was better...and van Basten was one of the greatest forwards ever) and have looked potential winners throughout the tournament.

Hoping for a cracking game tonight and I'd like to see Germany win if only to see them play the Netherlands in the final. Der Mannschaft have really played some wonderful football (shame Mueller is out tonight).

In bad news for Germany, Paul the octopus has tipped the Spanish to win...and this boy is rarely wrong!!  

http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/psychic-octopus-tips-spain-to-beat-germany-20100707-zza5.html
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Peter Lang on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 10:10
Quote from: James LaceyIn bad news for Germany, Paul the octopus has tipped the Spanish to win...and this boy is rarely wrong!!  

Here in the web people already are discussing about cooking receipes for fried calamaris if the German team should loose tonight  :mrgreen:  

Peter
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 14:51
I continue to find the US-based reporting of the series to be interesting in a strange sort of manner.  I think what's interesting to me are the differences between US-based and rest-of-world-based analyses.  Perhaps I'm just overreacting but in any event it's certainly enjoyable to watch the drama and the spectacle of the event!

Small excerpt from WSJ article:

Wednesday's World Cup semifinal between Germany and Spain showcases a team with dazzling creativity against a technically sound and largely predictable side that has been downright boring for much of the tournament.

Yet in a startling game of role reversal, the Germans, long considered the archenemies of dynamic soccer, are the dazzling ones, having scored four goals in three different games and with players attacking seemingly from every direction. The Spanish, meanwhile, have been squeaking by and putting everyone to sleep, scoring just six goals in five games.

"The way they play, they have surprised everyone, especially the 82 million people in their country," Franz Beckenbauer, the guru of German soccer who both captained and coached Die Mannschaft to world championships, said of his country's current side. "They never played like this before. They have ideas."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704862404575350881149286238.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEThirdNews  

(May be for subscribers only.)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 21:20
Didn't see that one coming... Paul the octopus was right.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/06/paul-the-octopus-stuns-ge_n_636118.html
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: frumpy on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 22:27
yeeehaaaaaa!  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 22:29
They will be eating calamari in Germany tonight.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Hardy Heinlin on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 23:29
Congrats to the better team :-)

Olé!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Thu, 8 Jul 2010 15:59
Apparently, the calls for calamari are increasing.

"BERLIN - Some Germans are calling for a public roasting of the oracle octopus who correctly picked the winner of all six of their national soccer team's World Cup matches -- including a bitter defeat to Spain on Wednesday.  Paul, a two-year-old octopus in a German aquarium, turned into a global celebrity for his uncanny ability to predict the winner of all Germany's matches -- even a group stage defeat to Serbia and an ousting by Spain in the semi-finals.
"Nothing beats grilled octopus," said Dolores Lusch, a Germany fan who works on a Berlin fish stall. "Cut him up in thin slices and grill him on all sides with a dash of lemon juice, olive oil and garlic on it. Delicious!""

Remainder here: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2010/07/08/test/life-us-germany-octopus-soccer.html?hp
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Thu, 8 Jul 2010 16:47
And a nasty one someone sent me:

The Nigerian goalkeeper says he will refund those fans who
travelled to South Africa to support the Nigerian football team.
To process claims, he just needs their bank details and
mother's maiden name.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 01:34
Re Calamari etc.

What I can't figure is why the Germans seemed so tentative for the first half.  They just got finished trouncing another highly touted team with essentially only one striking threat in Messi.  Missing Muller shouldn't have made that much of a difference.  Spain was good but not as good in my opinion as some of the talking heads (all nationalities) made them out to be.  Netherlands should get the message and play their game from the start.  Sure, Spain will likely score one, but as I used to tell my my kids, "You can't win a game unless *you* put the ball in the back of the net at least once." , and the orange guys have shown they can do that.  Good luck, Jeroen (assuming you have figured out what all the fuss is about  :) )

Cheers
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 02:12
What a great thread.  I've been really appreciating all the commentary and ideas.  I would have watched Germany/Netherlands with conflicted loyalties, but now my allegiance is with the Netherlands all the way.  Torrence, I agree. They need to come out as a team, working hard from the beginning, and get the job done; they shouldn't watch & wait or save anything for later.

P.S. I love calamari, especially grilled and served with olive oil and lemon juice, but eating the messenger seems a bit barbaric.  Besides, maybe Paul can pick horses (or stocks).
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 05:29
We'll see -- the messenger will speak out again today. Although it isn't exactly the same, as this time he won't be forecasting a German game. So we should not put too much trust in the prediction  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 08:25
You blokes are getting octopus confused with squid!

Torrence - I don't think the Germans were tentative but rather the Spanish pressed them, wouldn't let them settle into any kind of rhythm and didn't give their creative players any space(Oezil was closed down completely). The Spanish are also very, very good at retaining possession. The Germans were disappointing but they were beaten by a very good team - the fact that Spain were only able to put one past them (and that by the centre half) and that Vila was closed down is testament to the German defence.

I think the Spanish will win on Sunday.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 11:29
Occy predicted Spain would win.


???!?!? Occy and La Paz agreeing??!?    zOMG
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: John Golin on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 14:13
Scanno hasn't predicted anything as far as I can tell???

:P
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 9 Jul 2010 15:46
(http://www.hoppie.nl/tmp/vuvucops.jpg)

Dutch police has new portable weapons.



Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:55
Americans propose new rules for "soccer"!! (humor)

Entertaining article in a newspaper proposing a few "minor" rule changes.  

------------------------------------
Excerpt:

A Modest Proposal for Improving a Dull Game
Use your hands, dummies. Also, add body slams, get rid of useless nil-nil ties and play on an extremely steep slope. With a few modifications, soccer could become hugely popular world-wide.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704862404575351432670409258.html?mod=WSJ_hps_MIDDLESecondNews
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 21:25
Paul the Octopus continues his winning streak.  Congratulations, Hardy and Germany!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: martin on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:16
Quote from: Jeroen HoppenbrouwersDutch police has new portable weapons.
Niu Gini had them thousands of years ago; used more versatilely, too...
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:03
Quote from: Will CronenwettPaul the Octopus continues his winning streak.
I hope he will fail Sunday as he did 2 years ago in the final (and eat him and put an end to this sh_t).
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Richard McDonald Woods on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:55
Phil,
I feel that, apart from the steep slope, you have just reinvented the supreme game of Rugby Union.
Cheers, Richard
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:39
Dutch National Anthem anticipates their defeat in 2010 World Cup!!  It is the oldest national anthem in the world, according to wikipedia.

From wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Het_Wilhelmus

Translations at bottom of the above web page.
------------------------------------

Nothing so moves my pity
As seeing through these lands,
Field, village, town and city
Pillaged by roving hands.
O that the Spaniards rape thee,
My Netherlands so sweet,
The thought of that does grip me
Causing my heart to bleed.

-----------------
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 17:38
New York Times empathizes with the Dutch people regarding the World Cup:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/11/opinion/11bakker.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=print

Excerpt:
--------------------------------------
We are supposed to have the best soccer players in the world, but we are also a very small country, with the feelings and sentiments that go with that. The Netherlands has been in only two World Cup finals before, and both times we lost. In 1974, we were beat by West Germany — a trauma beyond comprehension, handed on from generation to generation, because the Germans are, well, Germans. And in 1978, we lost to Argentina — which left us with no trauma at all, Argentines being people from another continent, across a huge and very deep ocean, who make a lot of noise and are cocky and handsome, and so are nothing like the Dutch at all.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:19
I hope mostly one thing: that the game will be fair, pretty, and worthy of the high standards that a World Championship should bring. In such a case, there is no loser. Else, there are two losers.

Oh, give or take a billion.


Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 20:24
The vuvuzelas are really annoying, even with a moderate sound level on my TV...  

I may have to turn the sound off and turn the text captions on instead, but that takes away much of the feeling of participating in a sports event as a spectator.  It must be unbearable to be in the stadium.  One wonders if the TV people could filter out most of this sound...or maybe they are!

Moderately interesting article on the vuvuzela at wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vuvuzela

I am an admirer of the Netherlands as a country and a culture, and hope they come away with a good, strong victory.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: torrence on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:12
Spain super, psychic cephalopod supreme

Not pretty, chances for both sides, but Spain finally nailed theirs.  I feel for the Dutch, but one has to admit that a couple of the yellows in the first half should have had a more up-spectrum hue.  Congratulations to a new World Cup winner.

Time to start planning the qualifying campaign for Brazil  :)

Cheers,
Torrence
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:26
I was more impressed by Paul the Octopus than by Spain or the referees. Paul is 8-0 this year!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: James Lacey on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:46
Only one team turned up to play football today...The Dutch were an absolute disgrace - particularly in the first half when they should have had two reds.

So glad it didn't go to penalties.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Peter Lang on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:32
Quote from: Jeroen HoppenbrouwersI hope mostly one thing: that the game will be fair, pretty, and worthy of the high standards that a World Championship should bring....

Both teams had a tremendous pressure to win the cup. When I remember the match in 1974 (Dutch-German - I was a 13 year old boy) there also was a lot of foul play. But this was really sad to see. Especially the Kung Fu artist.  http://www.spiegel.de/fotostrecke/fotostrecke-56994-10.html

At the end of the match I was glad that the German team was not in the final.

Peter
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Avi on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 23:49
Simply heart breaking.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:47
Just four years to go!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:09
At least "we" did something nice to get them home.

(http://www.hoppie.nl/tmp/f16-777-1.jpg)
(http://www.hoppie.nl/tmp/f16-777-2.jpg)



PS. The F16 did not have real Sidewinders, I was told.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:18
haha....that's patriotic...

just take a look at the flexing of the wings tilting upwards...beautiful B777....but still can't beat the lovely 744....!!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:23
That's the best paint job I've ever seen on an F16.  From this angle though, the lion just looks like a crazy orange camouflage scheme.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 14:02
(http://www.gezemel.nl/wordpress/images/Oranjeboven_E6DD/f16kludemo.jpg)

(http://www.modelbouwforum.nl/forums/members/beekman-albums-het-rc-f16-picture13538-f16-paint-schema1.jpg)



one team ... one mission ... one F16  :mrgreen:
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: martin on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:21
Misschien they were not honour-escorting so much, but rather keeping an eye on the guys and/or sending them a message?
One notes that the colour of the F-16 is composed from Orange (=yellow+red) and Red...
 8)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Phil Bunch on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:44
I can't think of a less camouflage-effective paint scheme than this brilliant Netherlands-orange art work.

Am I correct in assuming that it was painted orange to celebrate the successes of the Netherlands team?  In other words, am I correct in assuming that the whole air defense system doesn't use orange?!?!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:51
That might actually be the whole air defense system.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Shiv Mathur on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:13
LOL, Will !!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:16
J-015 has been painted orange in 2009 as the (solo) F16 demo fighter for airshows and other special occasions. It is present at nearly all occasions where the Royal Netherlands Air Force wants to project their presence for marketing reasons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force

We have about 90 F16s currently. Our military/politicians decided to go "air mobile" two decades ago and we nearly integrated air and land forces to be rapid-deployable. This leads to an overweight number of aircraft for such a small country: next to the fighters we have a large helicopter fleet (Europe's largest heli base is 5km from where I live, viva el Chinook) including plenty of Apaches, and even two KDC10 tanker aircraft (plus a DC10 nontanker). However it is not directly clear how many flight hours they are allowed to burn over the next years...


Jeroen
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Will on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:56
Paul the Octopus may be traded to Spain!

"In what may prove to be the biggest transfer story this summer, negotiations have begun to bring Paul the psychic octopus to Madrid after he correctly predicted Spain's World Cup final victory. Madrid's Zoo Aquarium says it is prepared to trump any other offer Germany's Oberhausen Sea Life Centre receives for Paul, certain that the world's most famous cephalopod will attract thousands of visitors.  At present no cash is on the table, and the zoo says it is trying to negotiate an exchange of animals..."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/15/paul-the-octopus-madrid-transfer
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Richard McDonald Woods on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:22
Typical Guardian!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Zinger on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:13
Back in the sixties during college, I shared a Birmingham dormitory with a British friend whose father was a Sabena B707 captain. They resided at No. XX Limburg Stirum, Wemmel, Brabant, not far from the Atomium.

Quote from: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers...and yes there is a South-Brabant and yes there is another Limburg and yes they are in the neighbouring country and yes there are sentiments to recombine... but with the hopeless results of last elections in both countries, this may take a while...

About the world cup event, The Dutch team somehow didn't manage to retain their excellent footbal exhibited in all earlier matches, Germany had a similar situation. What bothered me most are:

a. The empoverished South Africans who continue to live meters from the beautiful stadiums
b. The intentional fouls prevalent in soccer. American football, where the whole team is punished for individual fouls, should act as model here.
c. The amount of referee bad calls, American football, where video is utilized to confirm referee calls, should act as model here too.
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:46
Brilliant air-to-air footage. And I fear "we" have two orange F-16s now...

http://www.zie.nl/video/opmerkelijk/F16s-begeleiden-vliegtuig-Oranje/m1fzjn6fdkuw
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:15
Guys....

Remember we wrote about the North Korean Team better of defecting instead of going home after the world cup....

Well, we should be their advisors....take a read....and i just wonder if we will ever see the whole squad and coaching staff ever again...!!


Thursday July 29, 2010
Report: N. Korea's World Cup team reprimanded

SEOUL: North Korea's national football team and coach have been reprimanded for losing all three games at the World Cup in South Africa, a news report said.

The team and coach Kim Jong-hun were summoned to a meeting at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on July 2, the US-financed Radio Free Asia reported on Monday.

Sports Minister Pak Myong-chol was among some 400 government officials, athletes and others at the six-hour-long closed-door session, the report said.

Team members were forced to reprimand their coach at the end of the gathering, the report said.

Japan-based players Jong Tae-se and An Yong-hok were exempted from the meeting, RFA said.

Competing in their second World Cup Finals after an absence of 44 years, North Korea exited at the group stage, beaten 2-1 by Brazil, then lost to Portugal 7-0 and to Ivory Coast 3-0.

The report cited two unidentified sources in North Korea and a Chinese businessman named Yu, described as knowledgeable about North Korea affairs.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service, the country's main spy agency, said yesterday they could not immediately confirm the report.

Groups in Seoul that monitor information out of North Korea said they could not corroborate the report, and there was no mention of any such meeting in Pyongyang's state media. — AP




Quote from: OKDjust jump into any ambassy while they are out of their own country....but then, need to think for their own families...

Quote from: AviIf it was me, I would have defect now!
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 06:38
Dutch media published a pretty cynical cartoon about this...

(http://media.nu.nl/m/m1azvkuaeofv.jpg)
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: OKD on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:35
Hey Jeroen...

Better if we may have the translation?...

anyway....just read another piece of news....

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/7674538/north-korea-footballers-publicly-humiliated
Title: World Cup Miracle
Post by: martin on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:46
Title: "North Korean WC players undergo chastising after losing"

No6: "Of course I'm happy with the thrashing (by sticks)... It's quite less painful than playing against Nigel de Jong in the finals."

 :mrgreen: