Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] Well, the USA has only gone out it in the SF's. When they were defending champs, to Norway in 1995 (who won it), Germany in 2003 (who won it the next two times. ). Lost to Brazil (who lost in the finals) in 2007, but not as the champs. Germany as the two time defending champs, playing at home, had to be big time favorites. And despite struggling at times in the first two games, looked to have gotten untracked against France. And despite the fact Japan played beautifully the first two games (and laid an egg against England). Yes, biggest upset ever. Who did Norway go out to as defending champs in 1999? China beat them 5-0 in the SFs. Maybe the manner of the defeat was more surprising.
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] yes. this was one big upset!! especially since most people had Germany to win it all.
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] I was thinking the same thing. (Think your thread title is rather a spoiler, though, unless someone thinks France beating England is an upset.)
BIGGEST CHOKE in International team Women's sports History? You bet it is !!! The "invincible" German team who was suppose to breeze their way into the Final and win this World Cup on their own soil, just soiled their own panties on the pitch today. This is the biggest upset in women's team sports history on an international (global) level. Not as big as the upset in which USA beat Russia in hockey in the 1980 Olympics, but this is the closest to it on the women's side, in terms of women's international team sport. Unbelievable.
The USA hockey team was the #3 team (and Russia #1) in the 1980 Olympics. USA won 4-3, and it is still regarded as the biggest upset in the history of sport, at any level, any gender, any sport, any time period.
Perhaps but you have to view this as good for the sport in general. More competitive teams is great for growth.
True True. I'm digging it. Brazil beating the USA (in hindsight) in the 2007 WWC was a blessing for women's soccer globally (especially in South America). And Japan beating Germany today is great for women's soccer globally (especially in Asia). This is what is needed for the women's game to grow to monumental territory. We don't want the same 2-3 nations to always make the Finals or win the major tournaments (Germany, USA, Brazil, etc).
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] Somewhat. Still pretty easy to deduce what the discussion is about considering the timing.
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] Well, then maybe they shouldn't be cruising around the WWC forum before seeing the match. I have sympathy, but in this day and age people should know better.
Germany was the favorite, but Japan IS the 4th ranked team by FIFA. Germany is only second, and Germany didn't look like it was playing very good in the group stages. Supposedyl Their best player and WC goal record holder was apparently so bad she was benched.
I think this result is a an upset mostly because Japan lost to England a few days ago and folks were thinking "well they play nice, but can't keep up with more physical European sides" or some other bull. I wouldn't call it the biggest upset ever, but certainly the biggest of this tournament so far, and unless Australia goes on to take it all it will probably stay that way.
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] Agree with this, it seems pretty silly to visit a Soccer forum in the middle of a World Cup tournament and not expect to find news about current matches. Duh....
Canada over China in the 2003 QF? The drop off from 1 to 4 has been a couple orders of magnitude. Lots of close games in this tournament. Fun stuff.
I kind of stayed away from this thread since, like Juanele, I think the #4 beating #2 isn't all that big, but DEFINITELY NOT, IMO. Mexico 2-1 USA is the biggest, methinks.
Re: Biggest upset ever in the WWC? [R] A fair point at this stage of the tournament. (I actually had dinner with a soccer fan friend of mine who had a really busy day and therefore had to DVR the matches. So I had to keep my mouth shut about the WWC all evening. It was not easy.)
Nope, no way. That loss for the USA was on Mexican soil. That was a straight road game for the USA. Germany choked at home (on their own soil) against Japan, when they talked all that talk, but couldn't walk the walk. Plus the loss eliminated Germany, and now they can't win the World Cup. The USA lost, knowing that they still had a backdoor way of getting into the World Cup, since 2.5 teams make it from CONCACAF, so they knew they had the two-leg series against Italy in their pocket if they needed it, to still get into the World Cup. If the USA was forced to win that match against Mexico to have any chance to get to the World Cup, they would have taken that match more seriously, and would have played with more urgency from the beginning. It was like a regular season match for them, where as Germany lost in the World Cup Quarterfinals. Big difference.
If consequences matter, then Germany's loss is more epic At home. Out of WWC Possibly ( likely?) out of Olympics. Four long years to seethe.
Not so, just two years until they can get back on the teams that toke the Olympic spots WEC 2013 in Sweden,
Softball, 2008 Olympics. Japan 3 USA 1. They had already dropped softball from the 2012 Olympics because the event was never competitive...