European update: What's going on?

World Cup 2006:
Germany



The biggest sporting event in the world, the World Cup in football/soccer, this year in Germany. The first game was played today and was seen by an estimated 1,5 - 2 billion people worldwide on television and about 69 000 in Allianz Arena in Münich, the area of Germany where Harald (bavp) lives!

They all play for this trophy:

The Jules Rimet Trophy, named after the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) president Jules Rimet who passed the vote to initiate the tournament.



The first game: Germany - Costa Rica

The opening ceremony.



Claudia Schiffer and probably the best footballplayer in history Pelé holding the trophy.



Some germans dancing at the opening ceremony.



Of course Diego Maradona (an ex-great argentinian player) was there.



Allianz Arena in Münich, it's completely new!



It changes colours, red when Bayern München is playing at home, blue when 1860 München is playing at home and white when the German National Squad plays. Pretty cool



The first goal of the match after 6 minutes by Phillip Lahm, a great goal probably one of the best there is going to be in this tournament! The home crowd goes absolutely crazy!

1 - 0




However, Costa Rica strikes back only 6 minutes later, goal by the deadly Paulo Wanchope.

1 - 1



Later in the same half, Miroslav Klose scores Germany's second goal of the game after a wonderful offensive combination. The home crowd gets really fired up again!

2 - 1




End of the first half.

The second half begins and after a while Germany scores again, once again the goal is by Miroslav Klose. The game seems to be over and Germany will take home a pretty comfortable win.



However, Costa Rica aren't done yet, Paulo Wanchope scores his second of the day and makes it 3 - 2 in favour of Germany, Costa Rica is still alive!



But Germany isn't going to let their win go, Thorsten Frings brings out the artillery and scores an amazing goal from 30 meters! Laser!





Germany wins the opening game of the tournament 4 - 2, the highest scoring opening game since 1934!

lol what a friggin cool stadium Harald!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRy46xNqN20&search=Germany Costa Rica

i was watching this in school! but actually i think soccer is horribly boring and would much rather watch football, basketball, or hockey any day.

lol there is so much commercialbreaks in american football....

Football rocks

why would you complain about football, then say 'football rocks' . . .

by football I mean the real football, the one played in Europe...

Gakk, IMO, I say Brazil are early favourites to take it. Of course, unless Rooney comes back fully fit, then I say England has a chance.

PS - Who you rooting for?

i do not understand how Europe is obssesed with soccer its so boring 2 watch

Well that is subjective. Soccer is a really neat sport, and quite fun to play. If you get hooked, then you will know how entertaining it really is. Of course there will be matches that are boring, but the vast majority are entertaining. But like I said at the start, what you like or don't like is all subjective, it all depends on your personality, taste, etc.

England won't win, they never win, they haven't won for 40 years and for 10 world cups they have said they were going to win.

Germany lacks defense but if they can tighten up they could really be a threat to Brazil.

Croatia and the Czech have good teams, but not good enough. The dutch won't win either neither will Sweden as they are out of shape.

France or Italy might have a chance but I doubt it.

I think the Ivory Coast can surprise quite a few and make it to the playoffs in their group, but in the end I think it will be between Argentine and Brazil.

I'm rooting for Germany and the Ivory Coast!

Here you can watch the goals, oh my the last one is fantastic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SCEODyotA8&search=germany - costa rica

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuVP022pwRg&search=germany - costa rica

and from ESPN:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LKsuT8tjI4&search=germany - costa rica

Soccer is a pointless, stupid, boring sport. Go down this way, maybe take a shot on the goal, turnover. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Even the fanciest moves by players rarely end up in a goal. No good stats, and that's a problem. So much is just luck in the stupid game. There is no way to fix soccer, it is just inherently pointless. It's only popular because it is cheap, easy for anyone to play, and caught on around the world before good sports like football and baseball came along. Soccer seems like an activity kids in school would do to pass the time for 90 minutes in class until the bell rang. Like some made up game that is only fun because you are that bored and have nothing else to do, but you'd never do it outside of class.

Down with soccer! We cannot let this "sport" spread to the U.S. :evil:

I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED OBSERVING THE WORLD CUPS.

lol of course Cali, that is the best part!

But now this is a more mature thread, so its time to move it to Smack Area.

*MOVED*

then you can just as well delete the post.

But I like the pics.

it is neat and pretty fun to play but watching it is BORING

lol It is an acquired taste.

BTW - Great game today between Argentina and Ivory Coast, but IMO Argentia got had the first goal, it was clearly over the line and the keeper stepped inside the goal too! Crappy reffing. :x

nono, all of the ball needs to be over the line and it wasn't...

the Ivory Coast were pretty good... ******* Argentinians!

Can't see why this is "smack" - just a "free and frank exchange of views" :wink:

Gakk, you are really well informed about Football (trans. "Soccer") - great pics too! Hated to see the Ivorians lose to Argentina

C'mon guys - if I can get into American Football (trans "Football") then I'm sure you can give Football (trans "Soccer") a chance! Especially with the USA in the finals!!

Of course, I'm really a cricket fan ... :thumbsup:

Chris

Well Cali got rid of the pics, so its all good.

*MOVED*
Gakk, from my perspective, the ball was completly in. That is why I thought Argentina got a bad deal. But they still won, so no harm done I guess. I was rooting for Ivory Coast, and to a degree I didn't know what to expect from Argentina after last years world cup.

I guess I now know Argentina are hungry and out for revenge, and that makes them one dangerous side.

CHRISC, were you serious with your cricket comment?

Absolutely serious! What's not to like!?!?

Chris

lol Hey I can't bad mouth cricket, I like the sport too! Fun to watch, but even funner (is that even a word?) to play.

Thought the Ashes were marvelous, but was shocked at the bad form of the Aussies.

And can't forget that SA vs Aussies ODI match, SA chased down 400 some odd runs!

Wow aadp! I think we may be in a minority here I haven't played since school - a long time ago. I talked a far better game than I played

The Ashes were great indeed! England played out of their skins and the Aussies were below their best, so it got competitive!

I find it hard to keep track of all the one-day cricket they play these days, but 400+ is a stupendous effort!

England back to earth with a bump this year - partly through injuries. We will do well to give the Australians a real game this Winter.

Glad you enjoy the game - if I ever get to truly understand Football, I may make a start on Baseball! :help:

Chris

doesn't a Cricket game last like 9 hours?