FIFA World Cup 2010 Finals Thread

[Fastas]

26 different scorers

If it stays like that then they'll have to make the Golden Boot out of plastic.

 

[icelt]

I don't know which leagues have been using this ball, other than Germany which, could suggest it is the ball. If it is the ball, then one thing is for sure, these world class players will get used to it fairly quickly which means we shouldn't write-off the likelihood of some high scoring games to follow soon.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/blog?entryID=5287640&name=worldcup2010blog&cc=5901&ver=us

In tests and in trials, in Germany's Bundesliga as well as professional leagues in France, Argentina, Portugal and the United States, the Jabulani received few complaints.

 

[Fastas]

I'll buy into that...I was just looking at the Mexico '86 stats that Famine posted as a comparison, assuming some of those games were played at altitude too, it makes sense.

 

[Omnis]

This game is much better than the first rounders.

 

[Touring Mars]

Another literalism from Gary Lineker:

You can go with the head or with the heart, but as is so often the case, the head comes out on top

 

[Fastas]

Still, it's better than watching/listening to Edgar Davids....

 

[Famine]

I've finished the numbers now and I can confirm that, after the first set of round robin matches or every team has played once (or both, since they're commonly the same thing except in early events), no World Cup has ever had so few goals scored per game or day. Ever.

 

[livemusic]

 

[arvore]

There have been comments made that because of the influence of European football over most of the nations, the teams are neutralising each other, I think there may be some validity to that too.

I think there might be some true in this...most of the coachs are also European...take I.C. for instance:idea:

 

[icelt]

I've finished the numbers now and I can confirm that, after the first set of round robin matches or every team has played once (or both, since they're commonly the same thing except in early events), no World Cup has ever had so few goals scored per game or day. Ever.

Soooo, assuming managerial tactics haven't regressed to a norm (which could be a big assumption) then this whole "crappy ball" thing could have some weight.

What about shots per game using the same set of data? I know based on the prior figures comparing '10 to '06 shots are up, but what about compared to several other events?


at the 'keep running away from the ref. Brilliant!!

 

[icelt]

Does anyone hear that?! NO BUZZ for a moment. God Bless!!

 

[Omnis]

That was such a BS red card. Oh well... poor RSA.

 

[Fastas]

I've finished the numbers now and I can confirm that, after the first set of round robin matches or every team has played once (or both, since they're commonly the same thing except in early events), no World Cup has ever had so few goals scored per game or day. Ever.

Good work Stato, I hope you're supping a beer and watching the game whilst trudging through the numbers.

at the 'keep running away from the ref. Brilliant!!

It was some dive - he was really looking to take a fall.

On another note; I'm impressed by the lack of stoppages for 'injured' players. The 'get up or get off' policy is much better than the golf buggy retrieval system employed in previous tournaments.

 

[livemusic]

That was such a BS red card. Oh well... poor RSA.

Uruguay had a real goal opportunity, the red card is mandatory in that case. Unless you disagree it was a penalty.

 

[Famine]

What about shots per game using the same set of data? I know based on the prior figures comparing '10 to '06 shots are up, but what about compared to several other events?

Listen, you're lucky even to have results from 1930 and there's no guarantee they weren't just made up...

 

[icelt]

Uruguay had a real goal opportunity, the red card is mandatory in that case. Unless you disagree it was a penalty.

IMHO clearly a penalty and a "simulation." Sooo... I'll now defer to the experts .

Listen, you're lucky even to have results from 1930 and there's no guarantee they weren't just made up...

. Giv'em an inch and they demand a yard .

 

[Omnis]

Uruguay had a real goal opportunity, the red card is mandatory in that case. Unless you disagree it was a penalty.

The ball was deflected way away from goal because it was a bad touch by Suarez. And the keeper just barely grazed Suarez's toe. Oh well, I know it's a technicality, but I think the fact that he has to miss the next game is pretty stupid. It's not like he purposely slid into and took out Suarez's legs.

 

[Famine]

I didn't see the penalty at the time - I was in the shower having got bored with the game.

No touch. Not a penalty. Even if he had touched (which he didn't), it's not a red card as he didn't deny a goalscoring opportunity - the ball was moving away from goal and the player "fouled" could not have scored. A penalty should never be accompanied by a red card unless a goalscoring opportunity is denied. Baaaaaad refereeing.

 

[Fastas]

Another literalism from Gary Lineker:

The population of Uruguay is only 3.5 million so,...there's hope for Scotland yet.

 

[icelt]

There was a touch, admittedly barely, but there was contact (see 13" mark).

 

[arvore]

Just saw in the news that FIFA decided not to forbide Vuvuzelas
Something about respecting the colourfull African Football Public-which was already pointed out here by another Member.

On the other end Sound Engineers are already working in a software to extract the annoying sound from the broadcasts
There is one cable service provider in Portugal(Meo) that is already thinking of providing this service to their clients...unfortunately this is not my service

 

[icelt]

Statistical "yikes" for Espana:

• No team has won the World Cup after losing its opening match. Only three teams have ever won the title after losing ANY match, most recently Argentina in 1978.

• Spain completed more passes (574) and created the second-most chances (18) of any team thus far in the tournament. The Red Fury failed to net a goal against a Swiss team that now has five consecutive World Cup clean sheets, a streak of 484 minutes that dates to 1994.

• Switzerland's 480 touches were the second-fewest of any side to win a World Cup match since 1966.

• Switzerland's 163 completed passes were the second-fewest of any side to win a World Cup match since 1966. Spain's 574 completed passes were the most of any side thus far, and the most of any side to lose a match in the World Cup.

• Spain outshot Switzerland 24-8 and held a 63-37 percent edge in possession, which matches Brazil for the largest margin at the tournament thus far.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

 

[Cano]

such bad news for Mexico. when we face Uruguay they're gonna be off the charts in confidence and all that. If south Africa had to win a game it was this one. I think Mexico won't go into the next stage... and if we do, we wont go pass that.

On the other hand, such a surprise, Switzerland. Brilliant strategic game. And unfortunately, Spain is not a surprise. they always arrive at the Worl Cup with high expectations, yet always manage to fall very short of them. Let's see if they can overcome their own historic nightmare.

 

[Horde_R35]

Just saw in the news that FIFA decided not to forbide Vuvuzelas
Something about respecting the colourfull African Football Public-which was already pointed out here by another Member.

On the other end Sound Engineers are already working in a software to extract the annoying sound from the broadcasts
There is one cable service provider in Portugal(Meo) that is already thinking of providing this service to their clients...unfortunately this is not my service

But it is mine !

One of the great things of the MEO company is that, i (we) can follow any player with another camera, coach or the tactics in any game of the World Cup!

 

[arvore]

But it is mine !

One of the great things of the MEO company is that, i (we) can follow any player with another camera, coach or the tactics in any game of the World Cup!

Lucky bastard

 

[Anghammarad]

Swedish commentators indicated that the combination of the new ball and a higher altitude as in SA had not really been tested by Adidas and that that may be a reason for all of the balloons. All I know is that most shots have been truly dreadful.

 

[Horde_R35]

Swedish commentators indicated that the combination of the new ball and a higher altitude as in SA had not really been tested by Adidas and that that may be a reason for all of the balloons. All I know is that most shots have been truly dreadful.

People say the same thing in every EURO or WORLD CUP !

 

[Robin]

Saw the Spain v Switzerland match at a pub and it was an amazing game, the atmosphere was getting tense in there after the Swiss scored as everyone was hoping they could hold out till the end and cause one of the biggest upsets in world cup history and the biggest upset of this tournament.

There were 2 Spanish fans in there looking is disbelief as the endless amounts of shots kept going wide of the Swiss goal and many over it (blame in on the high altitude less air resistance and the ball!). The Swiss goalkeeper and the defence were epic, even the ref was laughing at the end of it!

Got to be the best match so far in Africa for me.

Robin.

 

[Small_Fryz]

 

[Blitz187]

There was a touch, admittedly barely, but there was contact (see 13" mark).

He did this many-o-times with Ajax last season... He's a master at it and I find it really annoying because in actuality he's a great striker and then he goes and ruins his rep by diving... I found this foul to be a dive, there was barely any contact and if you look closely you see Suarez' foot go towards the keepers foot to make it look like a foul.... The cross he gave for the 3rd goal was very clean though...