They needed 12: Official South Africa WC 2010 Thread

[Rattler]

They needed 12...

Many people do not understand my passion for soccer, they think (and tell me) I am crazy because I consider soccer the best team game on the planet, if you happen to be one of those people, please lend me your open ear and brain for some 10+ minutes and make your mind up again later:

Less than 40 hours to go and the Soccer World Chamionships in South Africa will commence (Thursday afternoon, 1400 GMT), this deserves a special thread, World Championships as well as Continental Championships are special: National teams that have no game praxis as team together compete over 4 weeks for the title; the matches might not be the best (as they never played together), but as the tourney goes so long you can see teams grow out of nothing and make soccer history and well formed teams disappear into oblivion, all by itself one of the greatest thrills for the soccer fan.

Many myths and anecdotes that we will never forget fill the annales of those tourneys (anybody remember the EC where Jugoslavia was chucked out a few days before start because the had started their war and the Danish boys got called off their holiday beaches to take their place, without even a training preparation, and then won the title with only 11 healthy players left? Or the third goal Wembley 66? Latter was the first match I saw on telly and it keeps imprinted on my tiny brain...).

Those are legends that formed out of nothing and for me *do* explain the myths of life, the universe and everything, let me present one such legend here that many of you (even soccer freaks) do not know or remember but that had a major impact on my personal life.

They needed 12 (actually, that is not fully correct, initially they only needed 11):

Winter 1983, the first winter I spent in Spain, 3 days to Christmas: A night of soccer qualification matches for the upcoming Euro 84 in Paris on TV, and me in a hotel w/o German TV (so I could not watch the German teams match and had to go with the locals, i.e. watch Spain). I did not even speak Spanish then, hardly knew to produce a few words and numbers, but I realized everybody was really excited. After a few beers, drawings and demonstrations I found out that Spain only had one chance to qualify for the EC, and that was by scoring 11 goals versus Malta.

Now, Malta is not a team that is kown to be very resistant to being punished (they all are amateurs), but 11 goals in 90 minutes (if you need them!) is as close as you can get to "Mission Impossible" in soccer (versus a goalie who never had "eaten" more than 5 in competition), nobody really expected (but everybody hoped for) a miracle.

The match started out the worst possible for Spain:

In minute 2 they were awarded a penalty by the (turkish, if I recall right) ref, but the Spanish Sarabia player failed miserably, hit the post. Then, in minute 15+ or so they scord a goal, but 10 minuts later the Malta players approved of the totally offensive layout of the Spanish team (which of cause left holes in the defense) and scored the 1:1, this was when I wanted to leave, I was tired from a days excursion and not really interested in the match anyway... Well Spain marked two more, and at half time it ws 3:1, impossible to win in the last 45 minutes (9 goals? That is one goal every 5 minutes!!!).

But, during halftime break someone invited me on a brandy, and so I stayed - and witnessed a miracle, one of those only soccer can produce:

- Minute 47, just after the start of the match again, 4-1.
- Minute 57: 5-1, only 7 goals to go, but also only 33 minutes left.
- Minute 62: 6-1. Now they were in the 5 minutes average, could it be possible after all???
- Minute 63 (!): 7:1, immidiately followed by
- Minute 64: The 8:1! Only 4 more goals needed, but also only 36 minutes left, and nothing happened for a while. Minute 70 paassed, minute 75, 15 minutes left and still 4 goals to go and Malta had gotten back a little morale nd was defending well. Lots of chances, but none went in... Then, in
- Minute 76, the 9:1, again immidiately followed by
- Minute 78: 10:1. I guess this was when the players (most of the team today well known Misters like Camacho, Victor Munoz, Goikoetxea etc.) started believing the miracle was possible, because the chances became more clear all the time... All in the hotel were glued to the TV, I even forgot to drink (I only once more later lived something similar with the CL title win of Liverpool after losing 0:3 in halftime versus my hated Italians a few years ago)...
- Minute 80 saw the 11:1, and
- Minute 83 the definitive and final 12:1... Spain had qualified!

On that day, and after the celevraation (the quali was celebrated as if Spain had just won the EC) I took the decision to learn Spanish and live here, and ever since I am hoping for the Spanish National team to win a title (and got rewarded 2 years ago with the EC title with the best soccer ever played by a national team).

These things make soocer: 20+ nights spent in front of the TV and bored to death by Itlian tems etc., and then suddenly one night rewards you for years of watching...

Here a video of this match, 9 minutes with interviews of the players in Spanish, but it does not matter, the faces and gestures say it all and maybe explain a little about the myths of life, the universe, and everything.

Have a nice WC, may the team with the best soccer win!

Rattler

España-Malta, 25 años después

[TechAdmin]

Schedule, teams, maps, fixtures and standings: Everything you would want to know on mouseover, check out

The Ultimate Interactive World Cup Calendar by Marca.

All times are local time, which by chance happens to be our forum time (GMT+2).

TA

[Koen]

Koen, with all de respect, but this schedule is hard to read (and is not in English).

As an alternative, and showing everything you would want to know at one mouseover, check out The Ultimate Interactive World Cup Calendar by Marca.

All times are local time, which by chance happens to be our forum time (GMT+2).

TA

and it's gone..... (and only by reading other languages you can learn something....where would I be if I would only read/talk Dutch...  )

[TechAdmin]

I will, during the group phase, post updated group standings daily.

TA

[Koen]

bwaaaaaaa  

very unsatisfying football, sad results

South Africa   1:1   Mexico
Uruguay   0:0   France
Argentina   1:0   Nigeria
Korea Republic   2:0   Greece
England   1:1   USA
Algeria   0:1   Slovenia

this evening: Germany - Australia

interesting group is where England's the big favourite but their performance was very unsatisfying

Group C
Team        Pts
Slovenia   3
USA         1
England    1
Algeria     0

USA scores on England - Robert Green goalie fail

[the_13th_redneck]

USA USA USA USA 

[stoffel]

Well, we did it again, this time not as good as two years ago but the first points are here!!!
One of the fine things is that almost all Ajax players are playing at the World cup, accept the Belgium guys 


HOLLAND!!!!!!!

[FACman]

Where is this place called Holland?

[MontyB]

Where is this place called Holland?

I think it is a province of Germany isn't it?


Anyway back to the thread...

Soccer: All Whites make history with late goal

By Chris Rattue
4:00 AM Wednesday Jun 16, 2010
All Whites' defender Winston Reid heads home the injury-time goal that secured New Zealand's first World Cup point against Slovakia.
A great day for New Zealand sport and a moment to live on in history.

Winston Reid's name will live on for many years after his last-gasp goal kept alive the All Whites hopes of making the second round of the Fifa World Cup finals.

His goal gave the All Whites a 1-1 draw against a Slovakia side who were the clear favourites. It also gave the country its first World Cup point.

I have seen many great New Zealand sporting moments over the years but nothing to match this.

It all seemed dead and gone - until Reid's header with seconds remaining.

The crowd erupted with so much noise that they even drowned out the vuvuzelas.

Ricki Herbert's men have created history but now they must try to go on with the job at hand - face Italy and Paraguay.

On a bright day it was also made clear that the All Whites will need more than their one attacking option - the aerial route.

After the final whistle, Herbert said: "It's just phenomenal. We are going to enjoy the next 24 hours and then back on the pitch and working hard."

Asked about Winston Reid's goal, he said: "I think he got on the wrong side of the [Slovakia] guy for them to score so he's made amends for me."

They created early chances, but couldn't take them. They also need to be sharper in front of goal, to make up for their lack of world class creativity and dribbling ability.

As the game progressed, Slovakia's speed and ability on the ball took over, whereas in the early stages, and with midfielder Simon Elliott magnificent operating from deep, the All Whites had looked very likely.

There were no World Cup Goliaths in Rustenburg, more like a Big David versus a Little David.

And while Italy and Paraguay weren't exactly fearsome in their match, they remain favoured to qualify from Group F.

Italy are an ageing but battle-hardened side who would not dare return home having been lowered by a team such as New Zealand.

So the All Whites have broken their World Cup duck, after three losses in Spain 28 years ago.

The 42,000 capacity stadium, a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, was close enough to full.

It nearly witnessed one of the great goalkeeping blunders, when Mark Paston slipped on the edge of his penalty area.

Instead, the faithful walked away with heads held high, full of belief that we can compete at this level.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/print.cfm?objectid=10652220

[Koen]

Well, we did it again, this time not as good as two years ago but the first points are here!!!
One of the fine things is that almost all Ajax players are playing at the World cup, accept the Belgium guys 


HOLLAND!!!!!!!

I would keep the party small...the gameplay wasn't so convincing and we all know where Oranje ends when it's too confident  (  )

[Koen]

I try to follow as much games as possibbe but dude...so boring...no schwung, no fiesta...

Brasil?
Spain!
England?
France?
Italy?

[stoffel]

I saw parts of Spain today.
What I did see wasnt good.
I cant understand why they have to rely on theater, foulplay and so much other ignoringant stuff with so many good players, just like Portugal yesterday:(
The situation where the Swiss goal came out was very bad.
It saw two attacks on a swiss player by the Spanish goalie with no real intention to play the ball.
They were lucky the referee decided to go for the goial.
I guess what he should have done was declaring no goal,  the Spanish goalie off with a deep red card and  a penalty for Switserland.

[Koen]

Italian football

WM 2010 Italien De Rossi Schwalbe!!

[stoffel]

Yeah, same like spain, Portugal;  and Greece.

A lot of good players but instead of excelling in soccer they excell in faul play, Schwalbes, complaining, asking for cards for opponents and worse faking terrible injuries after falling to the ground( mostly ) when losing the bal.
To bad they were rewarded with that penalty.
I wonder why Fifa puts such an unexperienced referee against Italy, maybe because its the ruling champion?

Nice thing is the story around the French

[MontyB]

New Zealand 1 Italy 1




Kiwis shock Italy with draw

By MORRIS DALLA COSTA, QMI AGENCY
Last Updated: June 20, 2010 6:01pm


New Zealand's Rory Fallon poses with supporters dressed as Kiwi birds at the end of their match against Italy. (REUTERS/Jerry Lampen)
NELSPRUIT - It was a shocking result.

New Zealand, the lowest-ranked team in this World Cup (78th in the world), just held the defending world champ Italians to a draw.

The result means Italy must win in their last game against Slovakia to guarantee passage to the next round.

It was a great feat of survival by the Kiwis. The Italians attacked New Zealand from every angle and every position on the field Sunday and in the end all they had to show for it was a 1-1 draw.

Even if Italy qualifies, it must find someone who can score consistently if it wants to threaten in this World Cup.

The Kiwis earned their second point in the group, a fantastic result. The Italians were looking to impose their will, hoping to establish their strength in this tournament, something they haven't done yet.

It was a much better Italian performance than their opening-game draw with Paraguay.

Italy was active and pushed the ball around the park with authority.

But its forwards can't finish. There were a lot of chances that went begging.

"We didn't get a lot of luck but we didn't create much either," said Italian manager Marcello Lippi. "This is the second time that our opponents have put a ball in the box and we've conceded a goal. After that happened, we pulled ourselves together and put everything into attacking. The players didn't lack desire, just clear-headedness. We now have to win the last match and roll up our sleeves because we have no intention of going home."

With Paraguay defeating Slovakia 2-0, the Italians knew they would have to win to keep pace in Group F.

They had New Zealand on the rack several times in the game and pounded away at Kiwi goalkeeper Mark Paston.

But somehow bad finishing, good luck and good goaltending kept the Kiwis in the game.

The Italians haven't given up many chances in this tournament. But Paraguay scored on the only chance it had; New Zealand scored in the seventh minute on the only chance it created.

A free kick from a long way out by Simon Elliott somehow found its way to the top of the six-yard box. Fabio Cannavaro attempted to clear it, but couldn't get to it. Shane Smeltz jabbed it into the net under Federico Marchetti.

Marchetti was starting in place of injured No. 1 Gianluigi Buffon. It was the one area of concern Italy had to deal with. New Zealand forwards are big and powerful in the air.

But it was difficult for the Kiwis to replicate the feat because they never had the ball for the rest of the game. From that point on, the Italians attacked and finally earned a penalty when Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi was dragged down in the box. The penalty was converted by Vincenzo Iaquinta.

"We'll have to improve quickly, because otherwise we won't be going far," said De Rossi. "We weren't at our best and we can do a lot better than that. It's not a problem with our forwards, it's the whole team that didn't play well."

De Rossi, Simone Pepe and Gianluca Zambrotta were the best Italians on the pitch but they have to be waiting with great anticipation for midfielder Andrea Pirlo to return against Slovakia.

The Kiwis were floating about the result.

While the Italians were abysmal with their finishing, New Zealand deserve credit for a gutsy performance.

"Our entire country, which numbers four million inhabitants, came to a stop to watch our performance," said New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert. "It's an incredible result for football in New Zealand. It's historic and greater than anything else we've ever achieved when you consider the standing of our opponents. From now on, everything is possible . . ."

Those possibilities include some of the top teams in the world, including the defending champions, embarrassed with an early trip home.

morris.dallacosta@sunmedia.ca

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/worldcup/2010/2010/06/20/14456756.html

[the_13th_redneck]

What a load of rubbish.  The Italians had to cheat to manage to draw with the Kiwis.  That penalty was really really soft.
Moment of truth for South Korea tomorrow against Nigeria.  South Korea MUST WIN to secure progression.
Controversy in the USA - Slovenia match as well.  That should have been a 3-2 victory for the USA and possibly one of the biggest fight backs in World Cup history.

[stoffel]

Lol 13th, you are absolutely right, my version of that Italian game is more to the point

[FACman]

We almost got robbed again with that offside call...on to the 16!

[stoffel]

Congratulations Jody, well earned victory!!!

[the_13th_redneck]

That was a cracking match.  Really, Hollywood couldn't top the sort of stuff that happened.
USA 1-0 Referees.
The Group B matches the previous day was crazy as well.  Thorughout the course of 90 minutes, Greece, Nigeria and South Korea each took turns at being in 2nd place.