The Team of the Tournament Thus Far

Definitely a fan of Maniche, Kaka, Cafu (such a nice guy and plays pretty well for an old fogey), Podolski, Riquelme, and Dida. Yah, I am missing some players but oh well.

I’d include Zidane after the way he led France over Spain.

I’d say Miguel (POR’s rightback) has been more impressive than R Carvalho and/or Figo, or any other RB. But that’s just my opinion.

I also find Maniche’s performance more impressive than Ballak’s.

Great world cup & poor refereing againts Holland. Pro Italy referees.

Pick Brazil to win again in Europe.
Germans most likely and great looking soccer should come second once they beat Argentina.

Second round is even more delightful. Both Argentina & Germany should have won stronger. However, a win is a win.

Pick Brazil…to beat France in a revenge game and go on to take the world cup.

They are always in the game.

They have the sweet thrill of champions. They know what it is like to be advancing.

JMH

for all u who brag so much about brazil, please tell me one game where they played like real world champions in this worldcup. I have nothing agaisnt them, but for all that hype that Joga Bonito campaign brought about, this is definitely not a team which deserves a world cup. They had the easiest group matches, and they are advancing(sttruggling too) with relatively easier competition.
I wish spain be still in the game along with Argentina and Germany.

To me the rating is
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. France/Portugal
4. Brazil
5. Ukrain
6. Italy

Regarding argentina, I’d take out riquelme (he’s at a very low level) and I’d consider Abondanzieri (the GK, so far he didn’t commit not a single mistake) and maxi rodriguez, a great player, despite his tendency to do ‘theater’ after each foul he receives.
in the midfield, I’d put Kaka. and frings is playing well.

Argentina, Brazil, France, and Germany are more evenly matched up than in the past.

Italy has had more than its fair share of luck. But maybe that’s what needed to move another level.

Portugal is a surprise just. A great surprise to be still around.

Let’s see what these couple of days bring.

I think everyone is forgeting the amazing job Miguel has done for Portugal. He’s stopped some amazing forwards while contributing to the offence like no-one else. Maybe England’s A Cole has played close to him..

Actually, I didn’t. :-) Wrote a comment but didn’t show up…

No England player in a BBC poll! Speaks volumes for the fairness of BBC and the hype surrounding English players.

RE: Brazil, they easily could have beaten Ghana 6-0 or even 7-0. There were several one-on-one breakaways late in that game and it appeared the Brazilians took pity on Ghana and didn’t run up the score. Ghana was beaten as badly as any team in this Cup in that 2nd half. They gave it their all in the first half, but Brazil clearly is on a different level entirely.

I’d include Ronaldo on the list, even if he played asleep the first few games. The guy just became the all-time WC scorer and has had a couple of truly magical moments. You have to include Klose and Crespo and Torres. Maxi’s goal against Mexico was so good, it alone should put him in the list, as well as Joe Cole’s exquisite goal and all-around play.

Team of the cup so far?

Argentina.

I liked Ghana but alas they are gone…

Australia had a nice run (Hiddink power there).

Maniche is a solid pick, but so would any one of a number of center mids in this tourney. I can’t remember there ever being so many excellent performances in the center of the park: Frings, Alonso, Mascherano, Vieira…so many good ones. But still not one from the best center mid in the world, Lampard. Maybe this weekend…

For more World Cup talk, check this out:

http://worldsoccerblogger.blogspot.com

Brazilian renowned journalist Juca Kfouri tells to ARG and BRZ to be careful
Brazilian renowned journalist Juca kfouri says that FIFA is very affraid of seeing Brazil lifting their sixth trophy

He says that FIFAґs president Joseph Blatter fears that this would give even more power to the president of Brazilian confederation Ricardo Teixeira who wants to bid for Blatterґs place in 2007 FIFAґs elections

In a conversation in “off” with a journalist, Blatter said he feels he was betrayed by Teixeira and started to mention that there are other options for 2014 WC, a Cup that was pretty much assured for Brazil.

Both barely talk to each other in the World Cup Groupґs drawing.

He also says that FIFA is affraid of Brazil winning a sixth title in Germany would make them favorites to win a seventh title in South Africa 2010 (Brazil is the only country to win Cups outside of their continent) and then a HUGE favorite to win a eighth title in Brazil 2014 which would ruin FIFA biggest product. .the World Cup, who could becomea predictable and boring competition like Formula 1 after Schumacher dominated for some years.. and that FIFA DOESNT want a southamerican team winning the cup in Europe, because it would diminish the interest of european people (FIFAґs main market) in the competition…

He says that both Brazil and Argentina now should pay attention to bad calls.. because until now, FIFA had no interest in former champions to went down (seeing how the 2002 WC was lame), but now is a different scenario and for FIFA, a France vs Germany or Germany vs England final is so much interesting (economically, politically and for the good of World Cup) then an Argentina vs Brazil final.

And after refereeґs scandals in Germany 2004, Brazil 2005 and Italy 2006, we shouldnt be so cetic about corruption in football.. he confirms he has his reasons and confidencials informations to believe in this.

Brazil has never won in Europe and never will

Regarding, referees:

I believe to make the sport more credible- they must utilize to a limited amount video replay – otherwise, the officiating can always be of suspect when there is so much money and interest involved.

Note: How no one is talking about Italy. This is how they prefer it. But notice also, that they will be in the semi-finals against Argentina or Germany and note also that no one has scored a goal against them in this world cup.

Remember that in the last three of the four World Cups Italy was eliminated not on the field during official game time- regular time and overtime-, but they were eliminated only on kickoffs. This applies for in ITALY 1990 semifinals with Argentina, in USA 1994 Final against Brazil, in France 1998 Quarter finals against France.

Italy has the worlds best Defense – all they need to do is score one goal and they move on, because no one can score against them.

Watch for Italy in the Final – Brazil will like be eliminated before then.

Frank Lupini: so your side of the universe skipped 1958? Funny, because mine didn’t, and Brazil ended up being the World Champions on Sweden.

argentina will win tomorrow. the media is overlooking argentina and saying germany will win

Jewish Guy:

Ha! Looks like Brazil are making excuses before they even step on the pitch! Incredible.

How about Sagnol at the back? He played a fantastic game against Spain and if you want a back that plays back then he would have to be considered for the team of the tourney. We will have to see how he handles the Brazilians though!

Good poll, I’d move Figo to right (I mean he has played on right, on left and even in the middle for Portugal) and pick Joe Cole for my left. I’d also throw Miguel at right-back as he has been faboulous on both ends of pitch.

Ronaldinho and Kaka have yet to dominate like they can, lookout France.

As for France, they only recently turned, it up, Viera comes close to being on my team but Riquelme and Ballack is probably fair.

England has had moments of brilliance but only J. Cole has been good throughout and plus his goal was quite the cracker!

Frank Lupini,

_Italy_ can score against Italy.

Shovkovskyi
Ayala- Cannavaro-Carvalho-Miguel
Figo-Ballack-Maniche-Joe Cole
Klose- Henry

People don’t see the true talent! This kid Schweitseiger is amazingly good, but they put Lahm??? And to leave Kaká out… he’s an exquisite, hard working player. For someone like Figo, why not?… it’s arguable, but I think they are trying to honor Figo’s glorious yet unfortunate past. Ballack tries to be classy. He’s okay at it. But all of the Brazilian players are 100 times better. Robinho, Zé Roberto, Gilberto, even Ricardinho and of course Kaká. Dissing Brazil is as ditsy as hoping England wins (for people who aren’t British). It’s ridiculous. They walk on the field and win by a landslide. They are just waiting for someone to push their buttons. I don’t know if anyone can… hopefully, cause that will show us a true Brazil. Argentina has amazing talent, but is playing way too cautious for me to respect it yet. Brazil on the other hand is the complete opposite. It has to be somewhere in the middle, I hope both these teams figure that out in these important rounds. The final, if there is a Football God, should be BRA-ARG. Italy, like always, has some wonderful people on their team… but play far below their true capacity. Schevchenko is the only thing close to a good player on the starting team of Ukraine. But Mr. Milevskyi could easily become his successor. I’d like to see more of Milevskyi, man, he’s good. And more of Messi! Come on, Pekerman. Qué te pasa!

oh yeah… and for France, Zizou. That’s about it. Well no… Zizou and Thuram. My two favorite French players of this dying era, by far. Ribery runs a lot. It’s nice to see. Viera is an elegant player. I like him too, but he’s a little easy to fluster. Henry has some fine qualities, but in my opinion he should stick to playing in the English league where defenses are weak. He also lacks a real knack for team play . I think France is more dangerous without him or placing him in a more ambivalent position. As an only forward, he doesn’t do the job.

No Arjen Robben or Fernando Torres?

Mahdi,

the team has to be of players who are still in the tournament, both robben and torres’ teams got eliminated. i think they both wouldve made it though.

my team:
abbondanzieri

cannavaro, ayala, lahm, cafu

vieira, mascherano, maxi, riquelme

messi crespo

on second thought:

burdisso, ayala, heinze, sorin

mascherano,aimar,riquelme,maxi

messi crespo

that’s what i would have atleast. and i wish tevez could play as well, too many good players

you gotta be kidding Bob… these Ukr guys sucks.

Buffon
Miguel, Canavarro, Ayala and Lahm
Figo, Beckham, Zé Roberto and Riquelme
Klose and Robinho

Shovkovskiy in goal? Perhaps as a back up to Buffon or Dida.

-Brazil is overhyped and have only succeeded in winning their last 2 World Cups due to a huge helping hand from the FIFA officials who have allowed Brazil offside goals, awarded them undue PKs, like for tackles outside the box, called off good goals by the opposition, allowed Brazil’s goalkeepers to come off the line early, the list goes on. No other team has benefitted from bias/corrupt officating than Brazil. People are singling out Italy these days for that unfair PK they got againt Australia. It is doubtful that all this attention and criticism of that PK is due to the circumstances under which it was given but rather because it was awarded to rather than against Italy. Where were these same people when Italy were legitimate goals back in World Cup 2002 which resulted in Italy “losing.” They were probably busy cheering Italy’s departure. Hypocrites.

“Brazil has never won in Europe and never will”

…except Stockholm 1958.

If Italy should make it to the finals, it would be a shame for beautiful soccer. Argentina, Brazil and Germany play soccer as a game to be enjoyed. Italy only knows how to play defense.

Hey, great defense is beautiful to behold! Nothing is more annoying than watching a team like Ghana (who I like and hope to see in 2010) explode down the field after winning a ball or on the counter-attack, only to hit shot after shot too high or wide. It’s like buying a delicious double-dip ice cream cone and dropping it on the sidewalk as you bend your head down for the first lick. ARGH!

Lucas Neill (Centre-back) for Australia deserves a mention

WHERE THE HELL IS ZIDANE?