Jᴀᴄᴜʀᴜᴛᴜ - Tʜᴇ Cᴀsᴛ Oᴜᴛ

What the hell, right? We have a pretty decent international cast here ... let's all pick a team for the upcoming World Cup tournament. I think even the non-sports sorts like Chiggie have heard of this one ...

(Plus, I want to try out a poll).

So, pick a team, then tell us about it with a post. Especially if you're going to be difficult and choose "other."

I'll go with Germany. If all else fails, they have the ability to bore their opponents to death.

[BTW, the poll is open for 5 days only]

France has been pretty solid the last couple of years. The US squad is actually damn good this time around. England is strong but I will never root for them, though I will root for whoever is playing them

Rob

China. Fucking China.

Editor's note: China is not actually playing in the competition. The committee has unilaterally decided to switch SR's pick to North Korea.

The heart, as always, says England. The head says we'll get knocked out on penalties by the fucking Germans, as always. The loss of Rio Ferdinand at the back is a big blow, can Ledley King play that many matches in so short a period? Don't know, but looking forward to the competition anyway.

How long before one of you Yanks calls it soccer

"Soccer."

I voted for Germany because I get £67 if they win.

Go krauts!

England. Most of my extended family are in England or Hong Kong, and I'm just in the habit of rooting for them. And China isn't in it this year.

Brazil.

Even I've heard that name associated with soccer before!

I voted for the US because I like it when sporting events are anti-climactic.

I'm going to take the Netherlands because no-one else has yet, and because I actually think that of all the no-hopers, they have the greatest chance of winning anything.

I should say 'other' ie South Africa, but I just haven't got the heart to predict that Bafana Bafana will get beyond the first round.

TheDukester wrote:Editor's note: China is not actually playing in the competition. The committee has unilaterally decided to switch SR's pick to North Korea.

I'm good with that ... so what, China didn't make the qualifying-whatevers, but North Korea did ?

post me a pix of the bracket here, eh ?
and not a linky-link 'cause I just don't care enough ...

and I think the French called it "soccer" first, n'est pas ?

Well I really don't follow soccer that much so this is just a shot in the dart. Argentina. Did they have a distant team a few years ago. Time for another big win for them?

I have voted for The Netherlands because if they don't I will make plenty of money when germany wins it

SandRider wrote:and I think the French called it "soccer" first, n'est pas ?

nope we call it football

and I wouldn't know who I'd like to see win, all I know is that I don't like football/soccer, overpaid idiots full of coke and prostitutes that distract the people from the real issues!
(yeah I know )

So i'll vote for Other

I'm hoping for Spain (Xavi, Torres, Villa, Iniesta, Puyol and Fabregas - what's not to like!!!) or Netherlands (van Persie, van der Vaart, van Bommel, Huntelaar, Sneijder - again, what's not to like!!)

Spain & Netherlands are - as I said - my favorites. They play offensive and see worthy FOOTBALL. Spain won the European Championship two years ago, and I hope and think they have the strength to take the World Cup as well!

A team I think will surprise is the Serbian national team. They should be able to advance from the group play (in group D with Germany, Australia and Ghana).

I like England as well, and I wouldn't cry if they won. Capello has - imo - done a good job with the team, and they're hungry.

Offcourse there's Germany - never write of ze germans (but don't mention the war) Some people find them boring, but they're just so damn efficient in Play offs and to be honest, no one remember you for playing good, they remember you if you win.

Argentina - only weakness (and why they wont win the World Cup) the crack head trainer: Maradona. Loved him as a player, but he's just hopeless now - imo.

Brazil - they play well, but I've never liked them. I actually cried in '94 when Roberto Baggio missed the penalty against them.

Italy - I doubt they will do well. I have a weakness for them.

I've voted with my heart - Spain!

on a side note, I don't have many hopes for my own country, Denmark. I don't think we'll advance from the group play, and to be honest I don't care.

oh and lets call it football - it's a sport where you actually USE your feet.

my apologies to the French ....

as with most things, this cluster-fuck is "British" ...

Look up soccer at Dictionary.com
1889, socca, later socker (1891), soccer (1895), originally university slang (with jocular formation -er; see -er (3)), from a shortened form of Assoc., abbreviation of association in Football Association (as opposed to Rugby football)

>> let me clarify :
as with most things, this cluster-fuck is "University English Boys" ...

Wow, our sample size increases with not a single vote yet for Italy. Interesting development ...

May as well vote for England. Don't fancy our chances much, though.

Who voted USA?

nampigai wrote:oh and lets call it football - it's a sport where you actually USE your feet.

I always cheer Brazil, even when they're playing Canada. I have a little flag from when me and my dad went to see some world competition (maybe world cup?) when I was a little kid, Canada vs Brazil, and we were sitting there happily with our green and yellow flags. Ordem e Progresso!

Hurrah for patriotism.

Some months ago I dreamt that the USA defeated Brazil in penalties and became Soccer World Champions.

I like Handegg! The Dallas Cowboys, I like them.

nampigai wrote:oh and lets call it football - it's a sport where you actually USE your feet.