NationStates Jolt Archive

This game has meaning for both teams for if Ghana loses, they are out and Czech Republic wins, they move on to the 2nd round.

Team USA will benefit if Ghana either ties or actually beats (doubtful but hey, this is the world cup) the Czech Republic.

Who do you think is going to win?

Czech Republic will kick Ghanaian ass. 3-0.

I seem to be predicting 3-0 a lot at the moment...

I've gone for 1-1 on this one. I think Ghana might just pull off the upset.

This game has meaning for both teams for if Ghana loses, they are out and Czech Republic wins, they move on to the 2nd round.

Team USA will benefit if Ghana either ties or actually beats (doubtful but hey, this is the world cup) the Czech Republic.

Who do you think is going to win?

Of course the smart money is on Czech Republic, but Ghana could, like Angola, pull an upset. They played great against Italy and were in the game right up until the 83rd minute, with plenty of good chances.

Czechs.
Why
1) They are beer drinking Champions
2) I believe they won the EA Sports Word Cup Simulation!:eek:
Are at 20/1 odds of taking the whole show and have two kick arse strikers.

I don't know if they are both playing they were both injured.:headbang:

Czechs.
Why
1) They are beer drinking Champions
2) I believe they won the EA Sports Word Cup Simulation!:eek:
Are at 20/1 odds of taking the whole show and have two kick arse strikers.

I don't know if they are both playing they were both injured.:headbang:

Those 2 strikers are not in the lineup.

we are half an hour from kickoff.

the Czech Republic's 2 best strikers will not be in the lineup today. How will this affect the game? We'll soon find out.

I say 2:0 for the Czech Republic. I can't see Ghana breaking the African teams' losing streak, unfortunately.

Those 2 strikers are not in the lineup.
Yep!
Changing your mind now?:p

0-0

Here's saying Rosicky doesn't have another cracker in him, at least not today. This could be an extremely frustrating game for Ghana -- they'll be on the attack, and most of the time they'll be losing the ball in the final third against the straight-line Czech back four.

I say 2:0 for the Czech Republic. I can't see Ghana breaking the African teams' losing streak, unfortunately.

well there's a tie or two in there... might be more correct to call it a non-winning streak.

Ivory Coast might beat S&M by about 5 goals though, so it should come to an end before the tournament expires.

The Czechs will outclass the Ghanaians, but it will be close all the same. 2 - 1 to the Czech Republic.

Goals by Rosicky, Nedved and Essien. (I hope)

I say 2:0 for the Czech Republic. I can't see Ghana breaking the African teams' losing streak, unfortunately.

It's a shame Cote d'Ivoire drew the same group as Argentina & The Netherlands. I really think they deserved to progress to the next round.

well there's a tie or two in there... might be more correct to call it a non-winning streak.

Ivory Coast might beat S&M by about 5 goals though, so it should come to an end before the tournament expires.
Drogba wont be playing and the Serbs are good Argentinas performance was just clinical.

Czechs by 2x1.

Drogba wont be playing and the Serbs are good Argentinas performance was just clinical.

the serbs haven't scored a single goal in two matches... if they're going to play Catenaccio, they need to freaking defend. That was an awful effort. I am mindful of the fact that Arg blew their wad, of course. hehe

we are half an hour from kickoff.

the Czech Republic's 2 best strikers will not be in the lineup today. How will this affect the game? We'll soon find out.
Not much, considering they still have Nedved, Rosicky, Galasek, Poborsky, Jankulovski, Ujfalusi and Cech in the team.

Hopefully Rosicky will score a few. I've got half an eye on him for the golden boot, though I think that will go to David Villa (Spain).

I tend to think that the lack of strikers on this Czech side might bite them in the ass... we'll see if Nedved or Rosicky has a touch of magic, but it must suck serving the ball to two strikers who aren't close to Koller/Baros in quality.

I predict a close 2:1 victory for the Czech Republic.

But I would rather see Ghana play a good game and maybe even win.

Tough one, I'm always for the underdogs (unless they play Germany ;)).

So, gooooooo Black Stars!

TOOOOOOOOR!

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :) :) :)

ETA: What, I was actually first? Then make that:

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL! :p

Wow! I couldn't even finish my first post and Ghana is in the lead!

1-0 Ghana in 1st minute

:O

Czechs set up 4-5-1, with lone striker Lokvenc

IS it just me, or does Ujfalusi look like a Neanderthal?

hehe

Go Ghana! Take them on! :)

Er WTF?

come on Essien, mark Rosicky out of the game

thank you, Ghana

Americans have a lifeline -- if Ghana hold on and Italy beat the CR, the US can move on with a tie against Italy and victory against Ghana.

thank you, Ghana

Americans have a lifeline -- if Ghana hold on and Italy beat the CR, the US can move on with a tie against Italy and victory against Ghana.

So many ifs. I think it's too early to be calling that yet.

Czechs set up 4-5-1, with lone striker Lokvenc

IS it just me, or does Ujfalusi look like a Neanderthal?

hehe
Does he? Hmmm...Maniche (Portugal) looks like a troll.

thank you, Ghana

Americans have a lifeline -- if Ghana hold on and Italy beat the CR, the US can move on with a tie against Italy and victory against Ghana.
You honestly believe the US can tie with Italy?!?

That said:

Go Ghana http://www.naughtybadfun.org/forum/images/icon_smiley_dancing.gif
Go Ghana http://www.naughtybadfun.org/forum/images/icon_smiley_dancing.gif

You honestly believe the US can tie with Italy?!?

That said:

Go Ghana http://www.naughtybadfun.org/forum/images/icon_smiley_dancing.gif
Go Ghana http://www.naughtybadfun.org/forum/images/icon_smiley_dancing.gif

an American tie against Italy is the best outcome i can even thing of expecting

Italy are so good.... even if the USA play well, it'll be hard to take a point from ITaly.

Italy will have their back 4 intact, with Zambrotta back. The USA aren't good enough ball-handlers to do much.

an American tie against Italy is the best outcome i can even thing of expecting

Italy are so good.... even if the USA play well, it'll be hard to take a point from ITaly.

Italy will have their back 4 intact, with Zambrotta back. The USA aren't good enough ball-handlers to do much.
One can hope, eh?

Anyway, I honestly wish for good, entertaining games.

I don't know what it is but somehow i think America might win but only if it is nil all for ages and the the Italians let in some Bs own goal but maybe thats because it is so cold i can see my own breath.
I am serious.:(

And another really good chance for Ghana. That game could prove to become more and more interesting by the minute!

Ha, the Ghanaians (?) are getting cheeky. I like it.

So, is it just me, or is Ghana actually playing pretty damn good? And I don't just mean "Yeah, for them it's pretty good" but actually, well, good?

Also, their keeper totally gives me flashbacks to Angola's yesterday. If they miss, they miss, but if they're good, damn then they're good.

I generally don't watch soccer/football, but I have been watching games here and there...
And I have to say Ghana has been excellent. They're simply outplaying the Czechs. Go Ghana! :)

Ha, the Ghanaians (?) are getting cheeky. I like it.
Ghanese?

Anyway, they've played a very convincing 1st half and I honestly don't want to be in the Czech's changing room during halftime. Bet their coach has some "nice advice" for them http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/freakout.gif.

(And we're both right: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=Ghanese )

So, is it just me, or is Ghana actually playing pretty damn good? And I don't just mean "Yeah, for them it's pretty good" but actually, well, good?

Also, their keeper totally gives me flashbacks to Angola's yesterday. If they miss, they miss, but if they're good, damn then they're good.


heading into the tournament most probably thought that Ghana and the Ivory Coast were Africa's best entrants... and so far, they've looked it.

Ivory Coast has nothing to be ashamed of, being outscored by Holland and Argentina -- two of the perennial powerhouses and currently two of the top teams in the world -- 4-2

Ghana gave the Italians a competitive match and are up 1-0 on the Czechs at the half.

Well done

So, is it just me, or is Ghana actually playing pretty damn good? And I don't just mean "Yeah, for them it's pretty good" but actually, well, good?

Also, their keeper totally gives me flashbacks to Angola's yesterday. If they miss, they miss, but if they're good, damn then they're good.
They most definitely are playing really good.

And it seems that their goalie has a good day this time.

Offsite! Good call by the assistant referee.

so far ghana is winning. but in the end the czechs will be victorious.

It's not looking promising for the USA...

Italy scored a resounding win over Ghana, the Czechs scored a resounding win over the USA, and Ghana looks threatening even to the Czech team.

By that pattern - USA are likely to get mangled in the Ghana machine, and won't even be able to look at the Italian team.

I'm still expecting the Czech team to regain this... a draw, at least... but it is not looking good for the remaining USA games.

huge, HUGE card:

Lokvenc gets his second yellow of the group stages and will not be able to play against Italy.

Which means that the Czech republic will not have Koller, Baros OR Lokvenc against Italy.

Do they have a 4th striker here?

the best they can do against the italians is go 4-5-1, with a very weak striking arsenal.

Ghana waste a penalty! And after a Czech player gets send off for protesting too much.

Holy cow, what a game....

Can anybody explain to me why that foul was punished twice - by a penalty strike and a red card? It's not like it was especially bad or anything, and the aspect of it being an "emergency break" in the penalty area is already being punished by the penalty kick, isn't it?

Ghana waste a penalty! And after a Czech player gets send off for protesting too much.

No he got sent of for the foul, for deliberate stopping a clear goal scoring opportunity.

The penalty taker then got a yellow card for taking the penalty at the wrong time and he then smashed the ball against the post.

No he got sent of for the foul, for deliberate stopping a clear goal scoring opportunity.

The penalty taker then got a yellow card for taking the penalty at the wrong time and he then smashed the ball against the post.

Thanks, situation looked confusing ...

S'ok.

Ghana just can't seem to score!

S'ok.

Ghana just can't seem to score!

Neither can the Czechs ...

come on, Ghana

If Ghana beat Czechs (as is) and USA beat Italy (yeah right) ... all teams on 3 points!

2:0 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goal for Ghana!

Finally, after so many shots and saves by Cech.

2nd goal to Ghana ... and Ghanian player waves an Israeli flag?

And now is the time to ask ourselves: Do Czechia really deserve their no. 2 ranking?

And now is the time to ask ourselves: Do Czechia really deserve their no. 2 ranking?

of course they don't

If the Czechs are the #2 team and the USA is #4 (or whatever their ranking is), then I'm Salvador Dali

The FIFA rankings are a sham

Italy and the USA should switch their rankings

England and the Czechs should switch their rankings

Ghana hit the net ... offside ...

Ghanian pulls off two saves!

Ghana wins 2-0 ...

Awesome. What a great game.

Ghana (and I'm lacking the English terminology here) had constantly good passes and won the ball in what felt like 95% of the one-on-one situations.


And man, with a weaker keeper, the Czechs would have gone down in flames.

Even though Ghana seemed to have temporarily forgotten the concept of "offside" after minute 80..:p

huge, HUGE card:
Lokvenc gets his second yellow of the group stages and will not be able to play against Italy.
Which means that the Czech republic will not have Koller, Baros OR Lokvenc against Italy.
Do they have a 4th striker here?
the best they can do against the italians is go 4-5-1, with a very weak striking arsenal.
Which is exactly what the commentator said - big problem...

It's not looking promising for the USA...

Italy scored a resounding win over Ghana, the Czechs scored a resounding win over the USA, and Ghana looks threatening even to the Czech team.
By that pattern - USA are likely to get mangled in the Ghana machine, and won't even be able to look at the Italian team.
I'm still expecting the Czech team to regain this... a draw, at least... but it is not looking good for the remaining USA games.
Which is why I've just changed my predictinon for the Ghana vs. USA game from 1:3 to a 3:0.

Congratulations to Ghana - great game, well deserved. Wow! What a party!!!
I'm really happy for Ghana, beautiful game, great goals, absolutely justified.

And now is the time to ask ourselves: Do Czechia really deserve their no. 2 ranking?

Given that they are missing their strikers (Koller and Baros) due to injury, this team is not the normal Czech team. Having said that - the FIFA rankings are meaningless anyway.

Of course the smart money is on Czech Republic, but Ghana could, like Angola, pull an upset. They played great against Italy and were in the game right up until the 83rd minute, with plenty of good chances.

Can I pick 'em or what (I guess even a broken watch is right twice a day). This is great for the U.S., assuming they show up against Italy. Having said that, I'm still not sure the U.S. can even beat Ghana, which may be the shocker from this group.

Holy cow, what a game....

Can anybody explain to me why that foul was punished twice - by a penalty strike and a red card? It's not like it was especially bad or anything, and the aspect of it being an "emergency break" in the penalty area is already being punished by the penalty kick, isn't it?
No, you get the card because you comitted the foul. Usually a yellow one. Unless you are the last defending player and do a "Notbremse". Then you get a red card. The penalty kick was awarded because the foul was comitted in the box. Hope that helps. ;)

Which is why I've just changed my predictinon for the Ghana vs. USA game from 1:3 to a 3:0.

Congratulations to Ghana - great game, well deserved. Wow! What a party!!!
I'm really happy for Ghana, beautiful game, great goals, absolutely justified.

Well - the Czechs were kind of 'broken'... but even so - considering USA performance SO far...

Can I pick 'em or what (I guess even a broken watch is right twice a day). This is great for the U.S., assuming they show up against Italy. Having said that, I'm still not sure the U.S. can even beat Ghana, which may be the shocker from this group.

Let me see

Italy 2 : 0 Ghana

Ghana 2 : 0 Czech

Czech 3 : 0 USA

Conclusion

Italy 7 : 0 USA

(And you think this is good for the USA?)

Well - the Czechs were kind of 'broken'... but even so - considering USA performance SO far...
I have yet to see a great game played by the US team. I highly doubt it that it will happen against Italy, and when (not if!) Ghana plays them like they did today, they can go home.

I have yet to see a great game played by the US team. I highly doubt it that it will happen against Italy, and when (not if!) Ghana plays them like they did today, they can go home.

I wish I could say I believed the USA team will pull it out of the bag... but I don't believe it. And - I can't see Italy having TOO much trouble with the broken Czech team. And - I can't see the USA team TOUCHING this current Ghana team...

SO - I think it's all about over for the USA, this time round.

oh noes! Ghana won.

No, you get the card because you comitted the foul. Usually a yellow one. Unless you are the last defending player and do a "Notbremse". Then you get a red card. The penalty kick was awarded because the foul was comitted in the box. Hope that helps. ;)
Aha, I wasn't aware of the bolded part. Thanks!
So (please don't hit me if this is as stupid a question as I think it is) is that a new rule? And is it usually applied? Because, I mean, it's not like this kind of situation is so very rare, yet I can't remember any player just being sent off for a Notbremse.

Let me see

Italy 2 : 0 Ghana

Ghana 2 : 0 Czech

Czech 3 : 0 USA

Conclusion

Italy 7 : 0 USA

(And you think this is good for the USA?)
:p

AB Again - you should really do this professionally. This, or reading tealeaves. You rock. :p

It will be great when the African and Asian teams start to assert themselves. The World Cup will be much more entertaining when there is real competition and not just the same teams from Europe and South America handing the Cup back and forth between themselves. Since 1930 there have only been seven teams to win the Cup (BRAZIL, ITALY, GERMANY, URUGUAY, ARGENTINE, ENGLAND, FRANCE). Dynasties are good, but so are upsets.

Let me see

Italy 2 : 0 Ghana

Ghana 2 : 0 Czech

Czech 3 : 0 USA

Conclusion

Italy 7 : 0 USA

(And you think this is good for the USA?)

Probably not, Italy gotta play really well to match Argentina's 6-0 effort or USA decide to play really badly.

(And you think this is good for the USA?)

I'm saying Ghana has given them an opportunity. Whether or not they take advantage of it is another story.

Aha, I wasn't aware of the bolded part. Thanks!
So (please don't hit me if this is as stupid a question as I think it is) is that a new rule? And is it usually applied? Because, I mean, it's not like this kind of situation is so very rare, yet I can't remember any player just being sent off for a Notbremse.
Anybody? I don't want to die stupid.

2nd goal to Ghana ... and Ghanian player waves an Israeli flag?Interesting..

Congrats to Ghana for advancing (yes.. i see Ghana defeating the USA)

also this should have been 4-0 ..the zebras offside calls stole a couple from Ghana

Since 1930 there have only been seven teams to win the Cup (BRAZIL, ITALY, GERMANY, URUGUAY, ARGENTINE, ENGLAND, FRANCE). Dynasties are good, but so are upsets.
True, but four other countries have reached the final - Czechoslovakia ('34, '62), Hungary ('38, '54), Sweden ('58) and Holland ('74, '78).

And if you look at the 3rd/4th place matches, there's another 13 countries - America ('30), Yugoslavia ('30, '62), Austria ('34, '54), Spain ('50), Chile ('62), Portugal ('66), USSR ('66), Poland ('74, '82), Belgium ('86), Bulgaria ('94), Croatia ('98), Turkey, ('02), South Korea ('02).

So in 17 World Cups, 24 different countries have competed in semi-finals. That's not that bad, when you consider it's almost two thirds of the possible number of countries that could have done. There is only one Asian team and no African teams, however, but from the strong showings by the Ivory Coast and Ghana (I'll reserve judgement on Tunisia) that will probably change in the next couple of competitions.

Aha, I wasn't aware of the bolded part. Thanks!
So (please don't hit me if this is as stupid a question as I think it is) is that a new rule? And is it usually applied? Because, I mean, it's not like this kind of situation is so very rare, yet I can't remember any player just being sent off for a Notbremse.
The combination of "Notbremse im 16er" is quite rare because it will lead to a red card and a penalty and players should want to avoid that ;)
Same rule applies in the Bundesliga as well, so I don't think it's new or less vigorously enforced!

Anybody? I don't want to die stupid.
Oh, sorry you had to wait, hon. I was busy trying to convince people that torture is bad while watching soccer ;):p:D

The combination of "Notbremse im 16er" is quite rare because it will lead to a red card and a penalty and players should want to avoid that ;)
Same rule applies in the Bundesliga as well, so I don't think it's new or less vigorously enforced!
Aha, thanks! I feel much smarter already ;).
I kind of assumed it happened quite often, but I guess your circuitous logic makes sense.
Guess it shows that I never watch soccer outside the EM and WM, huh? :p

Oh, sorry you had to wait, hon. I was busy trying to convince people that torture is bad while watching soccer ;):p:D
Eh, never mind. Own goal for Italy, just in case you missed it. :p
Oh, plus a nice red card.

Ghanese?

Anyway, they've played a very convincing 1st half and I honestly don't want to be in the Czech's changing room during halftime. Bet their coach has some "nice advice" for them http://www.studip.uni-goettingen.de/pictures/smile/freakout.gif.

(And we're both right: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=Ghanese )
That Smilie blocked out the racial slurs!:eek:

That Smilie blocked out the racial slurs!:eek:
I really hope that he didn't use any but asked his team to play better instead of putting the Ghanese team down who've played a great game - but it is showing that the Czech's team missed Koller and his offensive colleagues very much.

Out to be interesting how Ghana will do against the US!

I really hope that he didn't use any but asked his team to play better instead of putting the Ghanese team down who've played a great game - but it is showing that the Czech's team missed Koller and his offensive colleagues very much.

Out to be interesting how Ghana will do against the US!
They really started to kick the ball around and have some fun, i think someone pulled a stat out saying an African nation has made the second round everytime since '78 i would like to see that continue.

They really started to kick the ball around and have some fun, i think someone pulled a stat out saying an African nation has made the second round everytime since '78 i would like to see that continue.
Certainly so! Just too bad that Côte d'Ivoire got into such a hard group with Argentina and the Netherlands, they really were an eye-candy to watch them play the game.

I honestly wish for a surprise sometime soon. Not that I don't want Germany out or not win the cup - but it almost looks like the same "old" teams are going to fight it out amongst themselves yet again.

2nd goal to Ghana ... and Ghanian player waves an Israeli flag?


I heard on another forum that the player plays for an israeli club team...

Thank You Ghana!!!!

do you guys have soccer on the brain or something? no offense but this is like the fifth topic about the soccer world cup.

do you guys have soccer on the brain or something? no offense but this is like the fifth topic about the soccer world cup.
Are you kidding? This is, apart from the Olympics, the biggest sporting event on the planet.