I really want Ecuador to progress. I was there during the 2002 World Cup and the whole country went crazy (particularly the Reina Victoria Pub in Quito). There was a really good atmosphere and they actually play some decent team football. I think they will challenge Poland for 2nd spot. And of course Germany won't win the World Cup. Anyone who thinks they will is a) German and b) a fool.
Pura vida you have to understand this azzhole is peruvian,Ecuadors arch enemies.That commmen was stupid and ignorant that is very common of them.I see Ecua's chances are very difficult,but getting rapped like that is pushing it,like you said.I think the overall games in this group are going to be very tight.The only one going to the next round is Germany,and thats only becuase they are the host.
ha...yeah sure. Still angry about 1996, my british friend? I'm so glad that we probably face England in the quarter finals because then we can beat the ******** out of them! Of course only, if you make it to the next round and don't lose against Paraguay
Sigh, no I'm not still angry about euro 1996. Are you still embarassed by losing 5-1 to England in Munich in 2001? It is indeed possible that England will face Germany in the 2nd round, but I think you are in the minority in believing Germany will definitely win.
it will be an intriguing tie. Possible fan violence between those two nations is sure to spicen things up.
The English always believe that they are in the majority But that's ok. They do always believe that they win the world cup too...that's better for us. England always underestimates their contenders. Although there is no reason for this. If you don't lose during the regular playing time, you will lose in the penalty shootout. Ok but that's another topic. Hopefully we will really play against England. Otherwise, I wish Poland all the best. The two nations already know each other from the qualification round. But this time Poland would win....
I obviously believe the team to beat is Germany. Second place will be a battle till the end since all 3 teams are very good. Since I am a tico I will say Costa Rica will take second place for a couple of reasons: 1. The core of the team is the same from 2002 WC. (We lost against the champs and didn´t pass to the next round on goal difference with Turkey who took 3rd place) 2. The coach is the same, Guima, same idea, same style, just a little more polished. 3. Very good talent to complement experienced players like cristian bolaños (currently doing a tryout in Liverpool, Bronze Ball on Club Championship), Saborio , Carlos Hernandez, Miller, Myrie etc. 4. We showed a little of what we can do in the friendly versus France even though we lost (No players that play in foreign leagues played, no wanchope, no martinez, no solis, no parks, no umaña, etc) 5. Good international experience, there are probably 7-8 players that are probably going to be called to the NT that played the club championship. Confirmed friendly against South Korea, on going talks with Portugal, Togo and Czech Republic (hopefully they will happen). 6. Month long camp before WC. I have no clue on what other teams are doing in preparation, heard Ecuador is spending $3M in preparations. Historically games have ended on draws, last game was won by ecuador in CR but against team managed by Steve Sampson (who really sucks). Against Poland we played 2 times 15 years ago, in 89 and 90 both games won by Poland. History doesn´t back us up at all, but in WC play it is totally different. As always no one gives us a chance to do anything, once again we will prove everyone wrong.
Can we really put money on this group.? all i no is that this group is very competitive and very equal. Home advantage will give a turbo for the germans. Germany- Goes through with wins by 1 goal against poland and ecuador Costa Rica-Ties with Germany and shows what kinda team we are. And wins agaisnt Poland 2-1 and ecuador 2-1. Ecuador-shows how weak they are away from home and loses all there games Poland-wins against ecuador but underestimate CR.
costa rica tying germany, and beating poland? If you say home advantage will give turbo, than Costa Rica will lsoe to both Poland and Germany
The English don't always believe they will win the world cup. Like other countries (Argentina, Italy, Holland, Spain etc) we always hope to do well and believe we have a chance. I think we will get through our group, get through the 2nd round and then who knows? Possibly lose in the quarters or semis as usual. But we have some great players. I think it is you who is being unrealistic if you think Germany are serious contenders. They will be helped by the home advantage, but will find it tough against Poland, Ecuador and Costa Rica. Answer this: Who are your BEST 3 players, and would they even get into Italy's team, or Brazil's, or England's, or Holland's?
Excuse me... I should have said: "The English media always believes..." You tell me the same that I heard before the last world cup. Too weak...you won't even come to the quarters bla bla... Since when did Germany have the best players on the field? That was almost ALWAYS Brazil or Holland. I don't know why you mention Italy because the Italian team sucks! And England...you know that every player who plays in the Premier League is bloody overrated I don't depend on names. I depend on the team confidence, on our fans and on our coach who will make the best out of the team that will play. I doubt you even know some players from our team or have followed the Bundesliga - but hey, that's ok. I love it when people underestimate us! Seriously, who knew Michael Ballack before the world cup? Not a lot of people! And there are some players in our team that I rate higher than Ballack. ok, but that's another topic and we should stop that discussion here. It's the wrong place and the wrong time. See you in 2006 when we meet each other in the next round! And then we can discuss.
I agree that this is off topic, but I can't let your stupidity go unanswered. 1) Yes, Germany got to the final in 2002. But they had a ridiculously easy route compared to England (who had a group with Argentina, Sweden and Nigeria and at least ran Brazil close). But 2002 is somewhat irrelevant. Euro 2004 is the most recent competition. Germany didn't get out of their group and DIDN'T EVEN WIN A GAME. The mighty Latvia proved too strong. 2) Italy have better players, a better coach and a better team than Germany. 3) You're right, I don't follow the Bundesliga. There is a reason for this: it sucks. 4) Ballack. Ah, yes - the standard response to questions about the state of the German team. He is grossly overrated and a cheat. He wouldn't get in England's team (ahead of Lampard or Gerrard - who were voted 2nd and 3rd best players in the world by international football journalists and players). 5) I am undersetimating Germany? I don't think it's possible to underrate a team who couldn't beat Latvia in their last tournament and lost to Turkey in October. Good luck.
I think England right now is better than Germany. They have impressed me besides that game vs. N. Ireland. Germany not so much. Mabye things will be different in 06? Who knows?
i dont think ecuador will lose all 3 games but they will struggle. to be honest i dont think they will progress. though i hope im wrong. they just aren't the same team away as they are at home. just look at what happened in africa. i hope they get their act together cuz i want to see costa rica and ecuador progress in this group.
I advise you to change your tone! Just because someone has a different opinion than you, doesn't mean that he's stupid. then look who played in 2004, and look who plays now. Not many people are left, right? But I agree, 2004 was a pretty bad year although it started good with a tie against Holland where we were the better team without a doubt! Latvia was a weak game, that's true! But I could go on and say you lost to Northern Ireland (!), yes Northern Ireland just recently. I had watched this game and the English team just sucked! But still, I think England has a good chance to go far - as long as they don't play against us I respect you for saying that. Still, Italy sucks in my opinion then why do you even discuss? You know NOTHING about the current players. Who allows you to say that for example Italy has a better team although you don't even KNOW the German players!? That's quite absurd! Inform yourself and then come back. Or leave us alone! did I say Ballack is good? You should read my posts. He had a very good tournament in 2002 when he still played for Bayer Leverkusen. But since he went to Bayern Munich, he just played decent games and isn't that strong anymore! Instead, we have better midfielders. Watch out for Bremens Tim Borowski, Bayerns Bastian Schweinsteiger and Dortmunds Sebastian Kehl. These guys are the future stars. Not Michael Ballack. And I think this is the first point where we actually AGREE...Ballack IS overrated. Once again, against whom did England lose 0-1? Was it Northern Ireland? And that WASN'T a friendly. Friendly games are played to TEST something! Apart from that, the game against Turkey was an away game - compare the results of away games with those of our home games. You will recognise the difference. The players don't take those friendlies (which is totally understandable) that serious as they perhaps should. But again, if you don't follow the bundesliga and therefore don't know the players, stop telling me things about MY team! You don't know anyway. I don't go here saying that Costa Rica is a weak team because I don't know the players! They CAN be a good team although they are not mentioned in your "sun" press. Ecuador can be a good team too - or a bad one. I don't allow myself to comment on teams that I don't know. That is the reason I will inform myself on these teams in the next weeks, I will watch some of their games and THEN I comment on the strenghts. From the names, of course, that should be "easy". But then again, I don't know so I shut up. And that's what you should do now!
For some strange reason I think that Ecuador will not be the shame that everyone is expecting them to be. I still don't think they will make it to the second stage, but I think they will put up the fight. Germany and Poland will get through. Poland is Poland and Germany has home advantage. Costa Rica will end last.
Ok, yes, the Northern Ireland game was awful. But that was our only embarassing competitive game in 5 years. I agree with you that friendlies can be pointless. For example, we can beat Argentina 3-2 and lose 4-1 to Denmark within a few months of each other. It depends on the players' motivation / club commitments / national rivalries etc. So I apologise for mentioning the Turkey game - it was perhaps not a fair reflection of your team. But don't think I know nothing of German national team. I don't watch the Bundesliga, but I watched the Confederations Cup and I watched the games against China and France. Anyway, I guess we'll see when we meet in the world cup. I'm looking forward to it. I just hope there is no trouble between the rival fans.
I had already forgotten that you lost to Denmark. Probably because it was a friendly The recent game against France was perhaps the one that showed "most" of the German team. Klinsmann wanted to test his defense in that game and I think it pretty much worked, only Huth is going to be replaced by Christoph Metzelder and perhaps Frings by Sebastian Kehl. But a similar formation will surely start at the World Cup. So, this game was "more" important than the other friendlies in my opinion. see you in Germany.
So there is no difference to the Germans. Because that's exactly what we do. Well, there IS a difference: Your belief is this year somewhat more plausible than ours. (I didn't say we believe that we have a big chance)