FIFA World Cup 2006 - Page 2

I think the toughest team in our group is probably sweden, or maybe Paraguaym either way it looks like an easy group for England. I can't really see the US beating Italy but you never know.

I think the toughest team Brazil faces in their group is Australia but I'd say it's a sure bet they're going through.

It's a great stadium. Plus, the fans that do attend are pretty die hard, so you feel that you're part of something unique in Dallas. Everyone there is a soccer fan. Check it out...you'll really enjoy it. Not exactly the Premiership, but it'll help you get your fix.

Where do you usually watch the England/Premiership games from...a particular bar/pub in Dallas?

You and me both.

I loved those videos and they do a great job at hyping up this event (as though it was needed). I did like The Edge commenting how all the bosses also called in sick

We need to put up a bracket in this thread and keep it updated when the Cup starts. Any suggestions?

When I was in Dallas, the Flying Saucer was owned/run by a brit, and they used to show sports there. Nice place too. Especially the waitresses.

I'll work on something this weekend. Nothing earthshattering but it would be nice to keep a checklist so to speak.

Trinity Hall at Mockingbird Station in Dallas is managed by some Brits and has a pretty good crowd for the England matches (plus all sorts of other soccer matches). Due to the time difference, Saturday and Sunday mornings can usually find some fun crowds watching the matches...and drinking, of course.

Here's their website...just click the Soccer link and the World Cup link once it's updated.

http://www.trinityhall.tv/

Let me know if you ever plan on hitting a game there and I'll try and join you for a beer.

Did you guys watch the South Korea/Turkey match for third place in the last world cup, it should've been the final. If Germany '06 can keep up that level of playing it should make for a terrific tournament.

Oh yeah, that was a nice place. Although I remember being perplexed at not being able to smoke in an Irish bar.

Oh yes! That is something I can use.

I'm smack in the middle of Dallas...5 minutes from Downtown. Maybe the Flying Saucer would be middle-ground in Addison...not sure.

Then again, nothing wrong with watching from home. Our Tivo is set to record all matches of Man Utd and Newcastle on Fox and Real Madrid on GolTV...you can guess why my wife insists on that one.

By the way, is there an equivalent of an "Opening Ceremonies" for the World Cup?...if so, will it be on the 9th or earlier?

I don't think there is. There might be a big palava before the first game, but I don't remember any WC taking the time out like the olympics to do things on a non-match day.

Thanks Charlie....and Ade....we are typing pretty fast for a topic like this. Who knew the soccer fans would be up on CHUD at the same time?

And yes, she's a huge Beckham fan...hell, she wore a #23 jersey tonight while we watched the Mavs game at a local bar. Wrong sport, but whatever.

Oh yes, we blew it. One more chance.

Well, speaking of...we're off to watch the Tivo'd Real Madrid and Villarreal match. Beckham...I'll never be as pretty as him.

Talk soon.

i dont know the circumstances, but staples center hosted a rally and broadcasted a south korea game last cup. i was hoping there would be more of that kind of thing...

The opening ceremony isn't as long-winded as in the Olympics, and it doesn't involve all the teams marching in a parade, but it can be fairly ridiculous.

USA '94 had an opening ceremony that was notable for its pomposity. And it had Diana Ross taking a penalty, missing, and the goalposts exploding nonetheless.

Like Charlie said - the World Cup tends to be more about the actual matches and doesn't make a big deal of ceremonies during the tournament.

So is that where you are from? thats pretty close to my neck of the woods.

And Charlie, I couldn't agree more on Heskey he was such a help to us this season all those goals he scored keeping us in the premiership.....wait, no he didn't stupied useless twatt.

Most of the major news agencies today are suggesting Rooney will be fit not just for the knock-out stages, but one or two of the group games, too. Maybe he's been bathing at Lourdes or something.

With Rooney England are a handful for anyone - including Brazil. That midfield is a potent weapon, and Owen and Rooney together are lethal.

I don't agree - he can be taken out of the game by the right tactic. He's not Gascoigne just yet.

I also think it's unfair to some of the other players, particularly Stevie Gerrard, the way people have almost pegged England as a one man team.

Short of putting an Italian-style man-marker on him (are there any man-markers left in the game today?) I don't see how. Rooney isn't like Owen. He can't be bumped off the ball by defenders (Argentina and France tried that and failed). Nor can he be physically intimidated. He can't be shadowed by the centre-halves because he drops deep for the ball and they can’t go with him.

His weakness is his temper, but prodding that with a stick means running the risk of yellow or red cards yourself.

As for comparisons with Gascoigne, I think he’s already the equal of him. His goal-scoring/assist record is phenomenal, given his age.

I think the media is more to blame than the average punter for this. Cole, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham and Owen are all good players. Even without Rooney I’d expect England to make it to the quarters.

What Rooney offers is the one thing you really need if you’ve got designs on the world cup: unpredictable footballing genius that manifests itself in big games. Rooney provides that. He’s not just a magician with the ball – he’s a showman, who raises his game to suit the stakes.

Opposition teams are terrified of him, and rightly so.

He's nowhere near Gascoigne. That's crazy hyperbole. Seriously, the kid's a fine talent, but that's just crazy talk.

Of course he is. He's already got more goals than Gascoigne scored in his England career.

Don't forget, Gascoigne only got into the England team when he was 21, and he didn't cement his position until much later. Bobby Robson - who knows a thing or two about good players and wasn't blessed with the best England midfield at the time - labelled him 'Daft as a brush' and a 'liability'.

Rooney is every bit as important to England as Gascoigne was in his pomp. He's two-footed, creates and finishes (inside and outside the box) and, most importantly, is a born winner and big game player.

And people wonder why kids get burnt out these days.

I think it depends on the individual concerned. Pele used to play 60/70 games a season and yet he made it through to his mid-30s (or 40s?). Gazza was finished - arguably - once his ruptured his cruciate trying to kick Gary Charles' leg into the back row at Wembley.

If anything I'd say it's the lifestyle rather than the rigours of the game that's more likely to finish a player early these days. I imagine it's hard to maintain your hunger when you can't burn money quicker than you're making it.

Look at Robbie Fowler.

TWO FUCKING WEEKS AWAY. AHHHH!!!

What a shoddy display by the Americans. Good thing Reyna is alright, though. I don't think we stand much of a chance without him.

Looking forward to it. Love the World Cup when it comes around. 2 weeks--whoop that trick.

I'm a bit surprised Freddy Adu didn't make it into the US squad. Too much hype?

Don't be surprised. Bruce Arena is one of the better coaches out there. He knows his stuff. The kid will be good, but not now.

Watched Wales V Trinidad yesterday for no particular reason. Was surprised by how lame both teams were, it was like watching a playground kickabout.

I always get miffed at how people in England ask the following question with no irony or humour, but in plain seriousness: "Can we win the world cup? Are we going to win it?", etc. I mean, I understand aiming for something, being positive and all, but come on, lets not be delusional. The only way you can ascertain if you have the ability to win the world cup is by asking yourself: "Can we beat Brazil?" because if you can beat that team in this day and age then you can win anything, and for England, I'd say if they played Brazil 10 times in a row, they'd lose 9 times out of 10.

But hey, at least they'll beat Trinidad.

Damn I am ready for this to get here. Watching the US vs Latvia match last night was great, but I am ready for the World Cup. Just wish it was easier to find US Soccer Apparel in stores here (if I was back in Austin I would have my pick of places, but New Orleans would be dragging behind even if it wasn't for the storm).

Watched the England game last night and I thought they played really well. And much to my chagrin, Beckham was the key to two of England's goals...perfect feeds. There were also at least 3 other opportunities where England should have scored. Overall, a pretty impressive display.

Now the U.S on the other hand...my confidence is waning.