Soundoff: What’s Your “Other” World Cup 2010 Team?

I am American, so obviously the Red White and Blue are my team. But, as a Real Madrid fan I love La Furia. Im as much a fan of Spain as I am of the US, maybe sometimes a little more for Spain. Hope they never meet each other in the World Cup!

1. I am an American so USA
2. second is Italy
3. because I am of Italian descent

Sweden!

Wait…

1. I live in the USA so I cheer them on first.
2. Second is Italy
3. I am of Italian descent. I’m also of Chinese descent, but there’s no hope there.

1) USA
2) Italy
3) Great Grandparents came over from Italy

italy, first and foremost. I would route for USA second, but i hate landon donovan so i refuse until he is gone. so i guess it goes to argentina for the time being.

USA and Germany. I was born and live in the US, and my grandparents are from Bavaria.

1. USA
2. Cameroon
3. My name is Cameron their name is Cameroon aint that fricking tight?

As the old saying goes:
I support two teams, New Zealand and who ever’s playing Australia.

Having said that, after the inevitable happens to the All Whites in the group stage, it will be hard not to cheer on our cousins from the West Island

1. Germany
2. US

I am American. i was raised watching the Bundesliga and the national team. America was always terrible and had no style so i would never watch them.

1. USA
2. I actually have a few other teams I enjoy watching- Netherlands and Denmark are particular favorites.
3. I first got into soccer watching the Dutch in Euro 2004, and fell in love with them. I’m also of Danish descent, hence Denmark.

1. USA
1a. ARGENTINA
3. Argie Roots. US Born.

1. Tunisia
2. Algeria/USA
3. North African Neighbors/My mother is American

1.england
2.New Zealand / Japan
3.normally one of the underdogs, but i went to NZ recently and everyone there was bloody lovely so i think i’ll be rooting for them this year despite the odds against them.

1. USA
2. Ghana or Cote d’ voire (I think thats how you spell it)
3. Beacuse it would be cool if an African team won on African soil and I think that those two teams could do it.

1. USA
2. Would have been England because it’s the second motherland if you’re brown. But this time? Germany.
3. Because they seriously impressed in ‘06. Can’t wait to see how they do this summer!

Mexican American here.

Born in the US, but of Mexican heritage (hence the name)

My granparents always rooted for Mex, so i inherited their passion, plus i’ve always despised the USMNT since Japan/korea ‘02. However, i hate how everyone outside north america say that CONCACAF is weak, so I’ll root for Any North American team just to prove ‘em wrong!

1. USA
2. Italy
3. I promised my Italian godmother long ago

1. USA first and foremost.

2. If the US gets eliminated, I still want a dog in the fight, so I generally pick a player I like and hope their national team wins. In 2006, I particularly liked Zidane, so I went for France. In 2010, if the US gets elimintaed, I’ll be hoping for Spain because Xavi and Iniesta are a remarkable midfield.

3. Also, I agree that an African team taking the trophy would be pretty sweet.

1. Brazil – I am born in Brazil – we spell it Brasil :).
2. Italy.
3. I am of Italian descent and spend lots of time there.

1. poland
2.slovenia
3. there underdogs

1. USA
2. Spain and the Netherlands
3. Spain because I love their language and history and I have visited on a few occasions. The Netherlands because of being of Anglo-Dutch decent and more to the point, falling in love with Bergkamp and Van der Sar during the 1998 World Cup, the first Cup I watched in earnest.

1. Born, bred in Gh
2. Argentina
3. Would you believe my story? Because Argentina were the first team with which i won my first ever match on the Nintendo ‘94 console – the one with the huge catridges. This was when i was little and its stuck ever since.
4. Daryl, have you got my mails pls?

1. Australia
2. New Zealand (plus Japan and Korea)
3. Many connections between NZ and Australia. I have many Kiwi friends. They’re the perfect underdogs.

Also want to see the Asian teams do well in general because I’m sick of the global negativity about Asian football.

1. Argentina
2. USA/Netherlands
3. Born in the USA (Arngetine lineage), supporter or Netherlands…

Gary,

I don’t remember there being a question 4! But yes, I received your email. Still trying to work out a solution, but will email you back now just so you have a response.

1. USA
2. Brasil
3. I cheer for other multicultural nations and Brasil is just that. You can throw England and France in there too

1) USA (American, plus fell in love with Brian McBride and co. as youngin’ back in 2002)
2) Italy
3) father’s family immigrated, plus I share citizenship (credibility, what, what!?!)

1) Argentina
2) USA
3) US citizen, born in Argentina. Whoever plays Brazil has my support as well. My son was born in Russia, but they did not qualify.

1. Malawi
2. N/A
3. N/A
32. England :D

1. Italy

2. If Italy get knocked out- Argentina. Why? Because I love Maradona (more as a player than as a coach), and most of their players have Italian ancestry.

Italy and the USA…..born in America, have dual citizenship.

1. Nigeria….with their fake ages and all
2. Netherlands, they have too many players that I love

1. Denmark
2. (this tournament) Any african team
3. It’d be such a great story and especially in the later stages of the tournament that Denmark would be struggling to make it to and progress through they’d always be a great underdog story against what will most likely be sleepwalking giants like France, Italy, Germany, Brazil, or Argentina.

Other options will be surprise qualifiers. I mean if Slovakia, Slovenia, New Zealand, or North Korea happen to make it further than Denmark, it’ll be hard to root for them just out of sheer “how the fuck did they manage that” underdog joy.

1. Germany
2. Brazil
–Germany because I follow the Bundesliga
–Brazil because they play joga bonito

1. France
2. Would be Sweden, but they aren’t going, so I’ll go with Cote d’Ivoire. Plenty of amazing Ligue 1 players.
3. I’m an American of Swedish descent who fell in love with french football.

1. Sweden (where I am from)
2. USA (where I live!)
3. Home of the brave…

1. Italy + U.S. – U.S. citizen but have Italian background
2. Greece
3. Im visiting Greece during the Cup and it would be amazing to see how a European teams fans respond to such a great moment of winning

I’ve a soft spot for Italy, mainly because of the 1994 World Cup, where of course there was no England and I had to pick a team to get behind. Baggio’s genius meant I picked them.

1) USA
2) Chile
3) Lived there for several years, including when they made it out of the group stages in France ‘98. Have you ever seen a country stop for a football match? Chile stopped, completely (empty roads, everything closed but restaurants and bars) for all four of their world cup matches.

1. USA
2. Germany
3. It all started with a small crush on Michael Ballack… Anyways, I took a few semesters of German recently, and it seems like a great place to visit. I was also very impressed by them in the euros 08, and I think they can do well this year (assuming the defence doesn’t jus t fall apart…)

1) Iran!

2) Argentina.

3) … Jonas and colo play for them. yes an iranian newcastle fan. who would have thought.

1. Portugal
2. Spain/any African Team
3. Because I Enjoy watching them, truly beautiful football/ self-explanatory.

1. USA
2. Spain
3. Born in US, but my great great grandparents are from Spain.

1. USA
2. Whoever is playing Mexico
3. I love Mexican food, people, culture, and customs, but Mexico soccer is the enemy.

1. Italy.
2. Italy.
3. If italy get knocked out, i feel no need to support another team simply beacause i have to – i’ll watch the tournament because its the best spectacle of football that only ever comes around every 4 years. You don’t really need another team, do you?

Italy but if they get knocked out before America (and if that happens I won’t rear my head in public for a while), then America. If both get knocked out I just want Messi to dominate.

1. US
2. Mexico
3. that’s crazy huh? but i am of mexican descent & so i have a soft spot for them. but i think spain will win it all.

1. USA
2. Netherlands

I’m American but what 100% Dutch. All of either my grandparents or greatgrandparents were born in the Netherlands.

Go wooden shoes.

My country never makes it to the World Cup (basically because we don’t play futbol :P ), but since I was little, my friends and I (from Mexico, Colombia..) always supported the Latin American teams.

So I’ll be supporting all the Latin American teams this summer as per usual :)

But if not them, then Africa!

1. Technically its the US but I don’t root for them. Ghana and Cameroon are my two favorites.
2. I always root for the sub-saharan African teams and after the last World Cup Italy as well.
3. I just like the African sides and Serie A is my favorite league, plus they have Totti and De Rossi

1. USA
2. Usually England, mostly because I watch a lot of Premier League games and know the players. But in terms of “who I like to watch” it’s got to be The Netherlands. I’d love to see them win a big tournament!

Despite the fact that I’m American, I support the Spain national team, because of family heritage. But, if Spain doesn’t do well, then I will go wholeheartedly for the U.S. (although, if anything, it will probably be the other way around). Then Argentina because I’m a Barcelona fan and they have Messi, and then finally Brazil because they play a beautiful game.

1. USA
2. Germany
3. Because a German told me the Germans wouldn’t go far in 2006, and I was delighted to see the team prove the doubters wrong from the moment Philip Lahm scored that fantastic goal against Costa Rica in the opening game. They looked good and they looked like *team* that really played for each other — I was hooked.

1. Spain.
2. Since the 2002 World Cup, my #2 team has been Turkey. Turned out to be a good choice in the light of Euro 2008, but WC 2002 and Euro 2008 are the only big tournaments they’ve made recently (Confed Cup doesn’t count).
3. Because they play like it’s a matter of life and death. Their national pride, both on and off the field, is amazing to watch.

Turkey won’t be at the World Cup, so I won’t have a second team (hopefully it won’t be necessary!) though I’ll keep an eye out for Germany, because I used to study German in school and they were who I followed after Spain lost in 2006 (and after Turkey lost in 2002, for that matter… not many options there).

1. Mexico
2. Spain

3. I have Spanish blood in me (don’t all we Mexicans…) but I can directly trace to some relatives, so it makes me a Spain fan by default… ONLY when Mexico is eliminated. I could never support the USA. I’m American but the USMNT makes me sick, never ever ever will I wish for them to do well.

1. USA
2. Netherlands

I loved watching them as a young soccer player/fan stranded in the US in the 70s. The sheer volume of talent they put in every position made them a joy to watch then, and when they are on their game now too.

I would also be happy to see any African team get through to the final game or two, especially CIV.

got to go with AL on his choices and reasons
1. Mexico
2. Spain
3. have Spanish blood in me, and i love all of Barcelona’s Spanish players who make up most of the national team

1. Unfortunately Turkey was eliminated this time around
2. Australia…Gotta root for my Galatasaray boys Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill or Elano with Brazil!

Even if my country couldn’t make it players from my team are so LETS GO CIMBOM!

1. Portugal
2. Brazil/Spain
3. Brazil by affection; Spain by reason

1. Australia.
2. England.
3. Let the baby have his bottle.

England
Paraguay

I’m not really sure why.

1. Mexico (my ethnicity/culture).
2. Spain/Australia
3. My paternal Grandfather’s family is from Spain and my maternal Grandfather’s family is from Australia. Both families immigrated to Mexico in the 1940’s :D

1. Netherlands !!!
2. I think USA
3. I love the USA team since the Confed Cup last year and I really love players like Adu and Altidore. I hope Adu will make it to the WC, because he’s got so much talent, hopefully it will pop out this June.

1. Slovenia (be prepared for a huge surprise :D)
2. Spain
3. As a huge fan of Barca I just can’t let go of all my favourite Catalan players. Until Catalonia will be able to paticipate on World or European cup my second country is Spain.

1. USA
2. Spain
3. Hello, have you looked at those guys! LOL! and also because of Iker and Sergio (Real Madrid girl here)

Alright … Alright!.
My GHana Blackstars have made it! If they get knocked out; then take it to Cameroon or Côte D’Ivoire to hold the spirits high in July!

USA
Argentina
Italy

Born in the USA, my father is from Argentina, my grandparents are from Italy. Simple as that.

1) USA
2) Poland

1 USA
2 Netherlands

I remember seeing the Netherlands play in my first world cup and instantly I rooted for them for whatever reason and its been like that ever since, plus they play great football. I also tend to root for lots of other teams to lesser degrees, I find it impossible not to take sides in matches :)

1. Portugal
2. Argentina

3. My enemy’s enemy is my friend (in reference to England and Brazil lol ^_^). Plus, when Argentina click, they play some beautiful football.

It’d have to be the Dutch.

Bickering, stylish perennial underachievers.

Gotta love the Dutch.

1. USA
2. Italy

Why? The US – Italy match during WC 06 was filled with tension. I’d just started dating my then-girlfriend and she flew from Rome to visit me in SoCal. As part of the trash-talking, she brought a Puma jersey over with her and planned on making me wear it if the US lost.

After the US failed in the Group of Death, I wore the shirt to support her. I’m pretty sure I knew we’d be married eventually, because when she tearfully boarded the plane home, I told her that if Italy beat Germany and France, I’d never wear the shirt again and would pass it down to one of our children, who would wear it years later during another World Cup.

The magical sweatstain jersey hasn’t been worn since July 9, 2006. We celebrated our third anniversary a few weeks ago.

Mom = Netherlands,

Dad = USA.

1-England
2-Netherland
3-Total football,open play

3-

1. Guam. I’m not sure we’ll ever make World Cup.
2. Italy.
3. To me their style is a combination of beauty and strength. Their pace and direction change so often and quickly, it’s like watching animals in the wild chasing prey.

1. USA
2. Paraguay
3. It’s where I fell in love with the game.

1. Netherlands
2. Argentina

And that is despite we lost a World Cup final (one year before I was actually born) to a hostile Argentina team in a hostile Buenos Aires stadium. We had a solid but ultimately average team in 1978 anyway, what with Cruyff and Van Hanegem not being in the squad. Still our best chance to (undeservedly) win it, with Rensenbrink hitting the post in the final minute of regular time. We had been somewhat lucky in the previous game vs Italy to make the final I suppose.

Although in ‘86 I was too young to closely follow a WC without us participating (1988 is the first big tournament I can remember and boy do I remember it, the foundation for Marco van Basten’s legend was laid with that impossible volley goal in the final), in 1990 I rooted for Argentina in the WC final because back then we still had that not-so-friendly rivalry with the Germans (our ‘74 final loss against our big neighbours also still hurted a lot more than the ‘78 one vs Argentina, plus the Germans had pipped us in the second round in 1990, the game with the infamous spitting incident with Rijkaard and Völler).

Off topic: we really hated these guys, Matthäus above all, Völler, Kohler, Klinsmann, actually really all of them. Divers, cheaters, and what not. I believe it was our team that tried to upset the German players by kicking them about, and the Germans tried to get the referee to red card us by diving and crying. The same old store involving a pot and a kettle. In the end they also tried to play football, and we didn’t. Also, in hindsight they had a golden generation just like us, only they had one with slightly more strength in depth and the right coach. They had Beckenbauer, our players had wanted Cruyff to coach them in the 1990 WC but somehow that didn’t work out. The Netherlands, despite making the second round to where Germany awaited, did not win a single game that tournament. Dutch-German relationships have turned 180 degrees over the years, with many Dutch stars plying their trade in the Bundesliga now, and all of the hatred left behind. Football matches between the two are now just football matches, with Dutch fans only jokingly singing ‘Jetzt geht los’ and hanging up ‘Zimmer frei’ signs in German supporter areas when Germany exits a tournament earlier than us (which, admittedly, does not happen very often).

Back to Argentina.
The 1994 World Cup first did it for me. Without Maradona who was suspended for illegal substances halfway through, they played the game of the tournament against Romania in the second round. They had raced through the group phase but sadly Argentina lost to an equally great Romania team, who went on to lose to a dull but talented and efficient Sweden team; the Swedish went on to lose to a more talented but equally dull Brazil team; Brazil went on to play a final vs Italy, and both tried to match their 1990 Argentinian and German counterparts by playing the dullest final possible, despite boasting star names like Romario and Roberto Baggio. Whenever I think of the 1994 World Cup, I try to think of that Argentina-Romania game, and not of Dunga. By the way in the 1994 World Cup we were also there, and despite an inspired Dennis Bergkamp we had a very average line up and the Brazilians outsmarted us the quarter finals.Somehow I wish Italy had won it, when looking back the biggest name of all in that final was Paolo Maldini, and he would have deserved to a least win one WC or Euro (he also came close in 2000, losing the final after beating Holland in the semis by doing absolutely nothing except watching us miss penalties against a ten man team – two in regular time and then some more in the shootout – aaarghh, the horrors, being a Dutch football is not so easy. Speaking of great players deserving more international honours, the greatest unjustice of all might be Dennis Bergkamp not lifting an international trophy of some importance, I mean he did win several European Cups and lots of leagues and cups, but not the CL, and he should have won at least one tournament with Holland. Same with Ruud van Nistelrooij. But hey, we have mister CL, Clarence Seedorf, he won it four times with three different clubs, and mister CL number 2, Frank Rijkaard, who also won it four times with three different clubs: try to figure out which, one was as a coach, and another one was in the same team as Clarence Seedorf) (More on this later).

Back to Argentina.
Then in 1998 we had to face them in the quarter finals and they were the enemy again. One Dennis Bergkamp decided to score the perfect goal in the perfect minute of the match, when the score was 1-1. Batistuta had hit the bar a little bit earlier with ferocious power.
Argentina had earlier conceded the other goal of the tournament, scored by young Michael Owen, but the English, just like us, are experts in losing penalty shootouts (and losing to Portugal and Brazil, for that matter – I am quite happy the orange-clad team in a certain WC group of death this summer is Ivory Coast, not us).
After that we lost again to Brazil, now in the semis, this time on penalties. Brazil fired on all cylinders in that semi-final, espescially in the (scoreless) extra time, but did absolutely nothing in the final against France. Nobody needs a reminder that this was the game where Zidane established himself as one of the all time greats.

In 2002 I didn’t really watch the group phase (still not over the fact that we were not in the tournament). Argentina didn’t make it through despite being labeled pre-tournament favorites. They had a very good line up with Zanetti, Ayala, Veron, Crespo, Batistuta and then some. Anyway, I don’t remember any of their games. By the way, I remember defending world champions France had a very good line up too. Seriously, what was that all about? Stupid me thinking that WE are underperformers. Granted, Spain had a pretty good record as underperformers, but at least they won the Euro’s now. I think we are the most consistent in underperforming in all of footballing history.

Okay, 2002 WC. No army of orange-clad hopefuls in the streets this time.
I did watch the knockout games and it was all Brazil. Playing alongside Rivaldo (around the turn of the millennium one the best players in the world, despite being a wanker) and this-time-fit-at-the-right-time Ronaldo, a young Ronaldinho first enlightened the football world with his trademark style and swagger. (In a team that had the other 8 players doing the defending.) (Seriously, their line up was something like: GK, RB (granted, it was Cafu)-CB-CB-CB-LB (granted, it was R. Carlos) -DM-DM- and then the three R’s) (Still, time and again Brazil shows that in modern football it is enough to have a solid counter attacking game plan with only a few creative players) (I will come back on this later) Who else but Ronaldinho would have tried that free kick, vs England, with Seaman doing the fishing? Not even boring Germany with a young Michael Ballack, a young Miroslav Klose and a certain Oliver Kahn at the peak of his powers, could stop them. Side note: I find the following statistic to be one of the most fascinating statistics in world football. Michael Ballack, captain and talisman of the German national team (the team of the famous Gary Lineker quote that’s always winner once the final whistle blows), one of the stars of one Europe’s most consistently excellent club teams Chelsea, has played many international finals for club and country. In spite of Gary Lineker’s evergeen oneliner, Michael Ballack has won none of them. Let’s do a recap: Bayer Leverkusen 2002, lost CL final to Real Madrid. Germany 2002, lost WC final to Brazil (Ballack was suspended for the final). Chelsea 2008, lost CL final to Man United. Germany 2008, lost Euro final to Spain. No, I do not have any hostile feelings anymore. But seeing Ballack’s face after losing a final always cracks me up big time.

Now, I promise, cross my heart, really back to Argentina, and another up-and-coming youngster.

In 2005 our tiny little country hosted the Under 20 World Cup, including a talented home team (they crashed in the quarters to losing finalist Nigerias on penalties but went on to win back-to-back Euro Under 21 tournaments).
However also among the competing nations was a young and talented Argentina team that included a certain 17 year old, tiny little Lionel Messi (he celebrated his 18th birthday during the tournament). My fascination with the talented young genius grew every game I saw him play and he went on to captain his team to glory, winning best player and topscorer golden balls and boots along the way, plus bagging two goals (both coolly taken penalties) in the final.
Now, on a club team level, our nation is (unfortunately) of the exporting kind, and us Dutchies already have a strong bond with FC Barcelona since the Cruyff days of yore. I don’t know about my fellow countrymen but my love for AC Milan, who, of course, had our support during the Van Basten-Gullit-Rijkaard days, faded a little after Van Basten tragically retired , Rijkaard came back to Ajax to win one more CL, and, although I would rather not talk about it, when seeing that unbelievable 4-0 in Athens, 1994. Luckily we beat them three times in one CL the following season, the one that belonged to Rijkaard, young talents like Davids, Seedorf and super sub Kluivert, and most important of all, the most underappreciated player of the nineties, the great Jari Litmanen. This Champions League win still is my most precious footballing memory of all time, along with Euro 1988.

In the early months of 2005, a vibrant FC Barcelona team coached by Frank Rijkaard and including a red hot Ronaldinho, had lost the first of the great CL knockout ties of this decennium’s greatest CL rivalry to Mourinho’s Chelsea. Some were already saying Barcelona was the best team in Europe at that time, spring 2005, although I still shudder when thinking of the AC Milan line up that year (Dida, Cafu-Stam-Nesta-Maldini, Pirlo-Gattuso-Seedorf-Kaka, then second-best striker in the world Shevchenko (nr. 1 was Henry), and finally either Crespo or Inzaghi to complete the line up. I also still shudder when I think how in the world AC Milan managed to lose that 2005 CL final after playing Liverpool off the park and leading 3-0.

After seeing Messi in the 2005 summer Fifa youth World Cup, I wanted to see what he could do in this vibrant 2005 FC Barcelona team, which, as mentioned above, I equally fell in love with all over again during 2005. I had previously supported FC Barcelona as well (also speaking of AC Milan, don’t mention that 1994 CL final ever again). Messi had to compete with Giuly for a starting spot on the right wing, in a line up that had Ronaldinho in a free role on the left, Eto’o as the explosive center forward, and good old Henrik Larsson as the super sub. Messi played quite some matches in the 05-06 season, displaying brilliant skills and pace to match Ronaldinho’s trickery and flair on the left. Highlight of the first half of the season was Ronaldinho’s one man show in Bernabeu, earning him an standing ovation from the Real Madrid supporters after scoring his second and Barcelona’s third goal. Before the match I was very excited and I invited some friends to watch the game in a bar that night. Since a couple of years I have cable channels to so I can choose to watch every CL game and La Liga game they play.
In the CL, Barcelona again drew Chelsea in the second round. Since that game was played on the same night as the second round fixture of our home team Ajax against Internazionale, we decided to set up two TVs next to each other so could watch the games simultaneously. While my friends were cheering for Ajax who indeed were 2-0 up, my eyes were glued to a young Messi darting across the muddy Stamford Bridge turf, running amok. Chelsea’s Asier Del Horno was red carded for crashing into Messi, who had just outsprinted Arjen Robben. Barcelona won the match 2-1. In the return in Camp Nou, Messi was forced to leave the field because of a muscle injury. The injury led him to miss the rest of the season including the Champions League final in Paris. Barcelona won the final thanks to two goals made by super sub Henrik Larsson. Messi was in the stands and refused to join the party on the field once the Cup with the big ears was being paraded around the Stade the France pitch. So badly did he want to be part of the Champions League success, he could not bear celebrating a Cup he did not win. He would make up for it later by winning the 2009 Champions League with his beloved Barça, becoming that tournaments top scorer along the way.

In 2006 Germany hosted the World Cup, and young Messi was part of a brilliant Argentina team that scored one of the all time great World Cup goals in a 6-0 demolition of Serbia, stringing together a move of 23 passes before Cambiasso blasted home a Crespo back heel. Young guns Messi and Tevez came on as substitutes to contribute to the scoreline.

My no. 1 team, the Netherlands, had played out a meaningless and boring 0-0 draw with Argentina in the third group match after both teams had already qualified over Serbia and Ivory Coast. Because of Argentina’s free scoring form we had to settle for second spot in the group and went on to face our bogey team Portugal in the last sixteen. The tie proved to be one of the ugliest matches in World Cup history. Both teams were more focused on eliminating their opponents most dangerous players than on playing football. Holland defender Boulahrouz was red carded for karate kicking Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, who had to leave the field injured immediately after. Holland wingers Robben and Van Persie were shackled by the Portuguese defensive block and Portugal midfielder Maniche scored an early belter, which proved to be the only goal. Our 1974 and 1988 national coach Rinus Michels once said: football is war. In this game, Michels comment proved to be a sound observation, with a record number of yellow cards and both teams ending the game with nine men. The most enduring image of this game must be Barcelona’s Van Bronckhorst and Deco together sitting on a bench after both had been sent off, watching the game, the looks on their faces transmitting disbelief, disgust, and apathy in equal measure.

I decided to try and forget this game had actually happened, and sided with my no. 2 team. Also in the second round, in extra time against Mexico, Maxi Rodriguez scored another stunner for Argentina to progress to the quarter finals where the hosts awaited. However beating Germany in the quarter finals proved beyond them.
Many still rue the substitutions made in this game: while being 1-0 up in the second half, Argentina playmaker Riquelme had to make way for unfancied Internazionale forward Julio Cruz. Miroslav Klose equalled with a trademark header and Messi remained on the bench all game, seeing his team lose in the penalty shootout. An ugly brawl followed and the title favorite was sent packing. Where I was able to dismiss the Holland-Portugal game as a fluke that did not have a lot to do with football, I found the Argentina loss a lot more difficult to swallow and wondered what might have been for the Albicelestes, who had played the best football in the tournament so far.

In 2007 the Argentina national team regrouped for the Copa America, Latin America’s version of the Euros. The play was still centered around Juan Roman Riquelme, the enigmatic playmaker who had returned to Buenos Aires most popular club Boca Juniors earlier in 2007 on a loan spell from Spanish Villarreal (and immediately landed them the Copa Libertadores, Latin America’s version of the CL, in return). Veteran midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron had returned to the team, and World Cup benchwarmers Messi and Tevez were now the first choice forwards. Since I was on a holiday to Greek island Chios that summer, I watched the tournament mainly on youtube with the low quality highlight reels leaving me in awe, the semi final vs Mexico being a stunner in particular. Messi scored one of his finest goals here, lobbing the Mexican GK.

The 2007 Copa America final vs Brazil was broadcasted live in of these typical boulevard bars in Karfas, and it seemed the perfect final was destined to be won by the in form Argentinians. Brazil had been hit and miss throughout the tournament, losing 2-0 to Mexico in the group stage, hitting six past Chile in the quarter finals, and needing a penalty shootout to scrape past Uruguay in the semi finals. Now coached by Dunga, Brazil had to miss Kaka and Ronaldinho who had turned down their invitations for the tournament, while Ronaldo and Adriano didn’t make the squad. Robinho was the only star forward left, which was now built around physical strength and lightning quick counter attacking play.
In the final, Brazil didn’t allow Argentina to play their possesion game, an early Baptista goal setting up the stage for structural tactical fouling and counter attacking by the Selecao. Final score: 3-0. After this Copa loss, I was even more devastated than after their quarter final exit in the World Cup.

The game was actually similar to a certain Stamford Bridge semi final second leg played nearly two years later, the only difference being that Brazil killed the game off, helped by an Ayala own goal and a Dani Alves inspired counter.
Luckily I didn’t have to endure this torture again because in London, Andres Iniesta scored a goal in stoppage time which immediately entered my top five of favorite footballing memories, ranking along the late game winning goals of Van Basten in the 1988 Euro semi final against the Germans, Kluivert in the 1995 Champions League final and Bergkamp in the 1998 World Cup quarter finals.

The fifth, completing the list:

In 2008 it was all orange again, as Holland was drawn in the group of death just like in 2006, this time paired with 2006 World Cup finalists Italy and France in group C, along with Romania who had beaten us in qualification. As the first two matches were against the Azurri and Les Bleus, I was counting on our earliest tournament exit in history.

So, the first two matches were virtually two finals to start off the tournament. Never ever will I forget the orgasmic eruptions of joy after Sneijders 2-0 against Italy, one of the best counter goals in history, followed by another counter attacking move for the 3-0, this time rounded off by man of the match Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Against France, we continued the pattern by scoring an early goal coming from a corner kick, followed by some heavy pressure from Les Bleus. Again, the 2-0 was a counter attacking delight, set up by a brilliant Van Nistelrooij pirouette at the sideline which launched Arjen Robben down the left channel. The advancing Sneijder distracted the French defenders and Robin van Persie tapped home. This was total football all over again.
Henry brought France back in the game, scoring the 2-1 with a fantastic little touch directing the ball to far corner of the net. Within a MINUTE, Arjen Robben killed the game and the French morale by dribbling into the box from the left and blasting home from an impossible angle. I was watching the game with some twenty, thirty friends and the pandemonium that followed was something that I will probably never forget. When Sneijder decided to add a fourth with a beautiful curled shot under the crossbar, we were dancing, laughing, and crying at the same time. National coach Van Basten was doing the same thing at the touchline.

The following days the only thing I could think was: if we don’t win this tournament now, it will haunt us forever, just like in 1974. In my mind the fear of not winning the cup was already taking over from the joy. Us Dutch people tend to think we’re the best already, way before the final.

Of course we were still due an early and disappointing exit, this time in the first knockout against a young Russia team coached by fellow Dutchman Hiddink. Russia’s final match in group D had previously suspended Russian star Arshavin entering the frame against the Swedish, boosting his teams chances, and they outplayed the static Scandinavians with dazzling combination football. Russia continued their top form in the tournament in the quarter finals by beating us deservedly in extra time, led by a brilliant Arshavin. In the semis the Russian wolves changed to sheep again and surrendered 3-0 to the best team of the tournament, the star studded Spanish, whose reserves can form a midfield to probably outplay any team in the world.

Now, for 2010, Argentina has the potential to reach far in the South Africa World Cup, however, even more they are a spectacular wreck waiting to happen with football’s greatest ever player mainly conjuring up lunacy and questionable tactics instead of building the team around their greatest player, like in his own heyday.

My no. 1 team, my home country, will also be there. There are among the dark horses as usual. After a flawless qualification and some brilliant football in the Euros, orange fever will again reach boiling point come summer, and time will tell whether I will have to resort to supporting my second favorite team after another unfortunate early exit.

Let’s hope Van Marwijk, who seems like a sensible, down to earth man, gets the most out of our talented squad this time. My hopes for Maradona doing the same are likely to be in vein.

1. England
2. Japan
3. Because I used to live in Japan, love the country, love the people, and support them in anything, except when playing England!

And now I write the Japan blog on here!
http://japan.worldcupblog.org/

that was just entirely to long gweah geeeeezzzzz

anyways. Im of 3 nationalities. Honduran, Brazilian and Spanish. I root for Honduras as if I was gonna die the next day lol. I love Honduras. I was raised there for sometime. Brazil well I was born there and I love the land i was born in sooo Brazil will be there after Honduras is eliminated :( or not :) lol and I hate Spain. I hope they get knocked out. I see myself as a Canary Islander more than a Spanish kid.

1) Lebanon (hopefully we can succeed in winning two consecutive matches one day, and after that we will win move towards a new goal –>winning the world cup 8o| LOL)
2)Portugal
3)since euro 2004, i have been a number one fan,i love everything about them from culture to football :)
i really hope they can make an impact in SA and why not? even win it :)

Sorry for the long post, I just couldn’t stop, ha ha. My mind is thinking a lot quicker than I can type, everything just came, I had a great time reliving and writing all this stuff. A lot of off topic arguments it may be, it’s the passion for the game I suppose…

1. USA (by birth/citizenship)
2. Serbia (my grandparents came from there)
3. France (married to a French woman)

So you can imagine it was a very interesting qualifying with Serbia and France being in the same group. Not to mention that I was partly educated in Ireland and love the country/culture with my whole heart. So it’s been a very weird/taxing run up to the big dance!

1. Germany (my country)
2. Australia
3. Holland

USA – Birthplace and home
Germany – Grew up watching German soccer as the only televised soccer where I lived and the US Soccer team did not exist in my mind back then. It was not until the late 80’s that I had ever seen a US soccer game.

1. USA – I’ve lived here all my life.
2. England – My mother’s family is from Manchester, and she lived in both the USA and England as a kid.

Yeah, that first game is going to be beyond weird.

1. USA – no question about it. I’ve attended 4 world cup qualifiers over the years.
2. Sweden – lived there for two years. Sigh, they’re not going to SA.

but for this World Cup: New Zealand! Just for kicks and giggles.

Beyond that I’m all for watching beautiful soccer at the World Cup final without regard for which country is playing (outside of USA’s group).

Concerning June 12, 2010: The way I look at it, the U.S. has 2 wins and a tie against England in matches that actually meant something. Wins June 29, 1950 U.S.A. 1, England 0 (World Cup) July 4, 1776 U.S.A. 13, England 0 (Revolutionary War) The tie: England 2, U.S.A. 2 (War of 1812) England got 2 early goals by burning the White House and the Capitol. The U.S.A. got one back near halftime (goal by Captain Oliver Hazard Perry at the naval Battle of Lake Erie). And in added time, the U.S. equalized via Andy Jackson’s cannon-like free-kick at the Battle of New Orleans. I can see the U.S. emerging with 4-6 points from the first round.

1.england
2. S.Korea
3. just landed here 3 weeks ago. here for the next year. also picked my club side Daegu FC till i die.

1). SWITZERLAND (next champions)
2). Italy
3). Been a Roma fan since I was 9, and followed the Serie A as well

1 – Brazil and Germany (I’m citizen of both but don’t care about their football teams)
2 – South Korea
3 – nice fans and jersey colours

1. India
2. Brazil
3. I live in Brazil. maybe some day the world cup will be played barefoot and then india will finally get in?

1) USA – I’m an American. I love my country
2) Netherlands – Just fun to watch, and its easy to root for a team that deserves more success than it has gotten in the past

S Korea / USA are my two firsts because I am a second-gen Korean American
my second team however is semi-group of death participants, DPRK. Father and his family escaped from North Korea as a child and while I despise everything about the way that country is run, I cannot help but feel some sort of blood tie to the people that are still oppressed there.

1- Spain
2- Portugal, Mexico, Cameroon and Holland
3- My grandfather was Portuguese, and I love Portugal. I have many Mexican friends. Samuel Eto’o. Real Football.

1) USA

2) I guess France.

I picked France solely on the basis that I had just started really getting into watching soccer during the 2006 World Cup. Watching Zidane play was really the first time I was absolutely “wowed” by a player. I really don’t follow the team besides what I pick up from watching other soccer, and depending on the situation might not even cheer for them.

I kind of hate the average soccer fan in the U.S.’s attitude towards being a fan (at least the ones I have met). I know people who have absolutely no connection to Spain that were seriously upset that the U.S. beat them over the summer. I can’t count the many times I’ve heard, “Aren’t you going to cheer on a team that has a chance to win?” in response to my stating that I’m going to cheer for the U.S. at the World Cup. I enjoy watching just about any soccer, and I’ll pick a team to cheer for during any given match, but a longstanding fandom of a team that I have no connection to isn’t going to happen. I realize that most people here do have some connection to other teams and I’m all for that, and I’m not even against an alternate team. I just wish that more Americans would cheer on the Americans than take the easier route and pick one of the bigger soccer countries.

1. Tunisia
2. Algeria/USA
3. USA because my mother is American and Algeria because they’re our (Tunisia) neighbors and the only Arab representatives at the World Cup this time around. I like a lot of teams though and have a soft spot for Holland, France, and Spain. Although I haven’t enjoyed the Domenech era one bit. I don’t think that makes me unique :P

1. Germany
2. USA or England (No, I’m serious about that second one)
3. I’m German and live in the USA. Even though we’re supposed to be rivals with England, I think it would be neat to see their fans get a reward for 44 years of misery. Just once though.

1 USA- Home country
2 The roos. I loved the way Australia they played in 2006.

1. Portugal
2. Argentina
3. Because Argentina can play the most beautiful football if they click.

1. USA
2. South Korea/Italy
3. Lived in the US since I was 4 months old, was born in South Korea, and am an Atalanta supporter and Serie A fan so Italy.

1. USA – But I’m not a fan
2. Germany – Once you get past my grandparents on both sides of my family everybody is German. My wife is the first person of non-German descent in our family being of Scotch-Irish descent. For some reason I’ve just always connected more with the German national team then the US team
3. Slovenia – Love the music and the scenery from this country. Plus they are big underdogs and thought they could use some support as their entire country is smaller then the fan clubs for some of these other national teams

1. Albania-It’s where I was born and I lived there up until 5.5 years ago. One day we’ll make it to the WC lol.
2. Italy-Since Italy is a neighboring country to Albania, almost everybody there follows the Serie A. Just like the rest, I started following Serie A as a kid, immediately fell in love with Juventus and started to cheer for the neighboring NT which featured personal favorites such as Roby Baggio.
3. U.S-I’ve been living there for the last 5 years and am pleased to see that football(soccer), although still not as popular as throughout the rest of the world, has definitely made some important steps forward.

1. Italy
2. USA

i was born and still live in the US. but….i have italian blood in me andi love the country. Plus i follow Roma every week, great title race goin on right now! Have always cheered for italy and i visited roma last year and saw the derby match…best game ive ever seen in my life even though roma lost 4-2.

I would root for USA but they are pretty lame and soccer just isn’t respected enough in the U.S. so i guess i cant expect them to be of the best class in the world….o well.

Born in Cali, Colombia. Since my country did not make it again… I’m rooting for:
1. Spain – my favorite to win the World Cup
1. Brasil – jogo bonito.. what more can you ask for !
3. Argentina – They can line up 3 or 4 starting squads anytime. But they need to click. Absolutely love their passion for playing this beautiful game.
4. Chile – Admires Bielsa and how he turned around the whole Chilean soccer philosophy
5. USA – Been living in this country for the last 23 years and I wish them well.
6. and last Honduras — the coach is Colombian – Rueda.

Thanks,

1. Germany
2. Netherlands
3. I like Netherlands because they have a bunch of players that play or have played for my club team, Hamburger SV. Mathijsen, Elia, Van Nistelrooy, Van der Vaart. Plus they are a really exciting team! I guess my real national team should be Canada (where I’m from), but its pretty hard to root for them to get into the World Cup. My wife is German and I first got into football watching the 2006 World Cup, so Germany all the way for me! (oh ya, sorry for any German fans who don’t like Netherlands, but there are a lot of Dutch players in the Bundesliga)

Australia – Born and Bred
Mauritius – Girlfriend’s family comes from there. Her Grandad even showed me the football stadium in Pamplemousse – they rarely get out of the first round of African Qualifying.
In the World Cup – France – as I want to see how the French press cope with a successful Domenech, after he’s been written off as a fool time and time again.

India – Born there
Italia – Roma fan since a long time
Cyprus – My girlfriend and future wife

I posted earlier but have also been thinking about the team i least want to win. and my answer is France.

I am half italian and half irish and these french people somehow rigged the qualifiers and got themselves in the WC over the irish.
Also, the french are one of the italians biggest rivals.

I think there should be a separate post for people to write who they least want to win……make it happen

1. USA (my home)
2. Germany
3. Germany is my #2 for a couple of reasons. My husband is of German descent & we like family unity. The other reason…Michael Ballack, I’m a sucker for a cute German boy! Oh, Kevin Kuranyi played for the national team & he’s the closest thing Panama has to a football celeb ;o)

1. Singapore
2. England
3. Born and bred in Singapore for all my life. And our national team almost went the distance in the Asian group qualifying for the upcoming tournament in South Africa but alas, no. Growing up with English football with the Premier League dominating the football coverage here in my country and all that, and so naturally I come to support England in international tournaments considering they have a better chance of qualifying for major tournaments than my own country does. ;)

But still with my nationality, it will be nice to see my own country on the international stage some day, some what. :) If I don’t support my own country, who else will?

For us Chinese, cause we have a team that’s so f*****g s**t and hopeless, everyone supports a second or third nation.

For me, probably in this order: China, Brazil, Italy, England, Germany, etc.

1. Poland (birthplace) Canada (lived for 25+ years)
2. Netherlands – been studying/working there for the past year… they’ve got an immense passion for the game and its about time they win

England
Brasil
I love the way the brasileiros play football plus my girlfriend is brazilian and I will be living in Rio in a year’s time. I can’t wait for 2014! My dream final is Brasil v England in the Maracanã. I’ll be there if it happens!

Italia
US / S Korea
Argentina
Anyone who beats France
Anyone who beats England
Anyone who beats Brazil
Anyone who beats the Dutch (unless, as is typical, it is the Dutch themselves)
Ghana
Germany
Australia

I’m rooting for three countries

1. Chile
2. USA
3. Australia

I have Chilean blood, have live most of my life in the States, and was born and still am citizen of Australia.

1. USA
2. Netherlands – I love the style they play, and I love the fan support.
3. Slovenia – I have some ancestral ties. I don’t dare hope that they will reach round 2, though.

1. England
2. Netherlands (not Holland! Just prefer Netherlands)
3. Total Football, Renowned for intelligent players such as Gullit, Wouters, Van Basten and last but not least, my favourite player of all time Dennis Bergkamp!

In the absence of Angola:

1- Portugal
2- All African teams (I want them all to do well, no exception)
3- England

My team is Brazil and I like their chances to win their sixth World Cup this summer.

My second team is the USA, but not because I like them, just a knee-jerk jingo thing. In fact, I expect they’ll do quite poorly… again.

1.- Mexico, my country
2.- Spain, my second country, my grandparesnts moved from there to Mexico so that is were my origins are, and I still have many links to them.
3.- I don’t have a third team, but I usually enjoy a lot watching the least favorite teams winning, usually there is a team that convinces me by the way the play so I’ll have to wait until the world cup to know who will it be.
4.- Anyone who faces France, I don’t have anything about them, but the unafir way in wich they qualified put them on my wrong list, I want them to lost everything as a lesson that cheating does not wins you anything.

1. New Zealand. Because they have beautiful sheep.

2. Brazil. Because they have a beautiful style of attacking football.

3. Anyone who plays England. (I must be a gloater).

1. Mexico
2. USA or Japan
3. Because I follow their leagues and my family came from Japan to the land of tacos :P

1. France
2. USA
3. I am a citizen of both France and the USA, I currently(temporarily) live in the United States.

I also root for any Francophone nations (Cote D’ivoire, Cameroon, Switzerland, etc)

I’ve also cheered for Brazil in the past.

1. USA- Im a Yank
2. Mexico- 1/2 Mexican, I thank they can make a run with the group they got
3. Ghana- My sleeper African Nation Pick, love to watch Essian!!!

1. Nigeria (my fatherland)

2. France

3. I’ve been living in France for over a decade. I’ve come to appreciate life over here and I became a passionate supporter of ‘Les Bleus’ ever since the Euro 2000 championship lead by maestro Zizou – my favourite player of all time.

1. USA – I’m American. No denying
2. Ivory Coast – They are underdogs and I would love to see the first ever African nation to win the cup in Africa.

1. Scotland.

2. Spain

3. I would love to see them win the World Cup – they have the best keeper, best striker and best midfield partnership in the world. But sadly I don’t think they will.

1)Germany. Have rooted for them since 5 years old.
2)USA. Been living here the past 12 years.
3)England. Was allways my second team growing up but since moving to the US and becoming a US citizen they have slowly droped to 3rd place.
4)Turkey. If they had made it.

1. Brazil. Love the style that they play and the love of the game more of the players show when playing for Brazil.

2. USA- I’m from the US and would love for soccer to really take off here so I must support it.

3. Japan Odd 3rd team. I know they won’t do well be will be fun to watch anyway

1. USA (American)
2. Japan/Mexico.Heritage from both
3. I like rooting for underdog teams as well. Well I suppose some could consider the USA that :P

I am an Indian and my national team is India. I wish my team will win the 2010 world cup. My second choice is Australia, the players are really talented.

ARGENTINA ALWAYS!!!!!!

1) USA (home country, love the underdog)
2) Ireland (dual citizen, love the underdog, rooting against France)
3) Any African nation (I’m with Shawn: A first-time WC win for an African nation in Africa would be so exciting and historic. Can you imagine that moment?)

1. Argentina, because my family is from there.
2. Netherlands, I like the way they play.
3. Uruguay, because they will surprise many people in SA

Spain will win it. there is no doubt about it. they have the best players and the best team work. notice how all the spanish player play for spanish clubs, (with the exception of 2) this mean all this players know each other. most of them play for the same teams (barcelona, real madrid and villareal) also they have experience player with past world cup experience like puyol and Xavi hernande. in case spain does not make it england will win, tough players, and great stamina.
GO SPAIN

american and hoping that netherlands does well. sneijder, robben, van persie, etc are a lot of fun to watch