Round of 8 with Classic WC feeling

[MIGkiller]

I think since WC70 there isn't a round of 8 in the World Cup with so many football powers, and from now on there will be only classic match-ups, with the exception of Ukraine. All former world champions have survived, with the exception of Uruguay who didn't even make it to the WC. A complete turn of events since WC2002 when only Brazil vs England was worthy of a WC quater-finals match. Do you think the old world football order has been restablished, and the most exciting finals in a long time are about to come?

[Plxix]

I want to believe.

[MIGkiller]

Well I had posted a more elaborated version of this thread here (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376518), since this was taking some time to load. Mods feel free to delete this one.

[Centennial]

I know a lot of people are upset with the refs but I really believe the crack down on anti-football hack job players has paid off. I can't stand Balboa's comments for the US broadcasts where he is constantly stating that you must take a man down , you must try to bend the rules as far as you can and try to get away with as much as you can. There have been many lesser teams who in past world cups made it to the knock out rounds that really didn't deserve to be there other than their agressive "bend the rules" tactics. I believe FIFA did a great job in cracking down on elbows and flagrant fouling. They got rid of the crap prior to the 1/4 finals.

Congrats to FIFA!!

This is by far the best world cup I have witnessed. Very open and exciting games for the most part. Great job again by FIFA.

note: The first world cup I watched was in Argentina in 1978.

[The Bossman]

Shame Holland arent in the Quarter Finals along with spain as well. Then it would really be a Whos who of world football

[smithfan]

Shame Holland arent in the Quarter Finals along with spain as well. Then it would really be a Whos who of world football

did Holland and Spain win the world cup? NO! ;)

[ribery57]

Shame Holland arent in the Quarter Finals along with spain as well. Then it would really be a Whos who of world football

spain is weak

[The Bossman]

Yes but Holland have always had brillient teams and gave the world TOTAL FOOTBALL. So i guess they do deserve to be there. Remember 1974, 1978 the brillent teams of 1988 and 1998.

[smithfan]

Yes but Holland have always had brillient teams and gave the world TOTAL FOOTBALL. So i guess they do deserve to be there. Remember 1974, 1978 the brillent teams of 1988 and 1998.

we could argue about Holland but Spain really doen't belong to this category.

[Lestard]

we could argue about Holland but Spain really doen't belong to this category.

i disagree, spain played good football this time and imo deserved to be still in the tournament. On the other hand we have holland who didnt show the football they are known for.

[smithfan]

i disagree, spain played good football this time and imo deserved to be still in the tournament. On the other hand we have holland who didnt show the football they are known for.

My statement was based on the "classic" feeling. If we consider this, Holland maybe does belong into that category while Spain certainly does not.

I agree with you though, Spain showed a better football this year than Holland.

[The Bossman]

Holland do deserve to be there and its a shame its not a Holland vs England quarter final, but hey we are guranteed another decent one with Portugal vs England as they traditionally have been classic encounters.

Im glad all the other big teams are through as your guarnteed quality matches, Germany vs Argentina and France vs Brazil look so mouthwatering.

Italy have a very easy draw again.

[Agent Red]

I remember previous world cups from the Q/F onwards and looking at the line up, this one has all the makings of a classic I agree.

Germany - Written off by many at the start, they have come out fighting, dumped the 'efficient' label and have played good attacking football. Now all of us are taking notice.

Argentina - One of the most talented looking teams ever with strength in depth and playing skillful and attractive football. Easily the best ever Argentina side IMO and have been a credit to their country at this world cup.

Italy - Like Germany they're working hard to play attacking football and whilst they haven't been as effective you just know there's always a chance it'll come good. That said they still have a very tough defence to beat and Cannavaro & Bufon are truly class acts.

Ukraine - Having a minnow in the line up adds some flavour and because they're playing off form Italy, the result doesn't look as certain as it would normally. Nothing to lose and that evens up the odds a little.

England - Started as one of the favourites based on a line up of household names and a recent friendly victory over Argentina. England have scraped through their games unimpessively. Fans are waiting for them to click but will it happen or is reputation the only reason the bookies haven't given up on them?

Portugal - A very good team with the brilliant Figo leading them and the equally brilliant Scolari pulling the strings. Desperately unlucky to have Deco missing but if they maintain the standard they've set so far, then we're in for a blinder.

Brazil - Playing half their best and still winning comfortably. A stunning array of talent and we all want to see if the Brazil magic will click or whether it just isn't there this time. Not many people writing them off including me.

France - Another written off as has beens and looked to be living up to the label until they beat a superb Spanish side in style. Ribery has been outstanding, Zidane threw away his bus pass and Henry looks a constant threat. The time to start playing well is now and France are in the reckoning.

Cannot wait until the world cup begins in earnest on Friday.

[Maruti]

actually the line-up for the last 8 has basically meant that I have lost interest... its the same... again. you just sometimes need something as a novelty, otherwise it just doesn;t have a special feeling to it.

[sendorange]

I think since WC70 there isn't a round of 8 in the World Cup with so many football powers, and from now on there will be only classic match-ups, with the exception of Ukraine. All former world champions have survived, with the exception of Uruguay who didn't even make it to the WC. A complete turn of events since WC2002 when only Brazil vs England was worthy of a WC quater-finals match. Do you think the old world football order has been restablished, and the most exciting finals in a long time are about to come?
I have no doubts that 2006 is a vast improvement over 2002 and it's hard to think of a better cup up to this point, both as entertainment and with the most capable teams advancing.

Ukraine is the odd one out, but having one underdog left is not bad.

[MarioKempes]

Holland do deserve to be there

Not after being outplayed by Portugal, diving or not. Perhaps if MVB had more confidence in RVN.

[MIGkiller]

If you consider Ukraine as the true successor of the former Soviet Union, instead of Russia, since the best USSR players were ukranians (Dynamo Kiev), then you could think of Italy vs Ukraine as an 'half-classic'.

[Autogolazo]

I can't possibly consider a tournament with the constant worry of an atrocious, game-changing, Cup-changing call to be "classic". The teams left in it matter little compared to this sense of apprehension, as opposed to nervousness about the outcome.

I've watched World Cups since 1986 and have never been so repulsed by the reffing.

Before each game now, I say a little prayer--not "may the better team win", but, "may the ref stay the F*CK out of it!"

[Centennial]

I've watched World Cups since 1986 and have never been so repulsed by the reffing.

I've watched World Cups since 1978 and have never been more encouraged by the direction FIFA is taking us with enforcing their rules and cracking down on hacks.

AWESOME!!!

[SJ06]

I can't possibly consider a tournament with the constant worry of an atrocious, game-changing, Cup-changing call to be "classic". The teams left in it matter little compared to this sense of apprehension, as opposed to nervousness about the outcome.

I've watched World Cups since 1986 and have never been so repulsed by the reffing.

Before each game now, I say a little prayer--not "may the better team win", but, "may the ref stay the F*CK out of it!"

http://www.acromedia.com/blog/images/maradonna_thin_hand_of_God.jpg

yeah the reffing was never worse:p

i watch worldcups since 1990 and in every WC there were bad calls, so i don't think it's worse this year. I even think that the offside calls have been excellent so far!