FIFA World Cup 2010 thread

[NeonVomit]

Exactly one month to go! Provisional squads are being announced, and the teams will soon fly out to SA to start final preparations.

Can't wait!

Only the final of the Europa League tomorrow, between Atletico Madrid and Fulham, and the Champions League final on 22/05 between Inter Milan and Bayern Munich to go. Which will be really good matches in themselves! (Neon predictions: Fulham to take Europa, Inter to take Champions League)

I guess the coaches of the national teams of the star players are going to be watching very nervously. Well, apart from Raymond Domenech, as you might remember that Franck Ribery thoughtfully got himself banned for three matches after that foul against Lopez in Lyon. (The final decision on that comes on 18th May, but doesn't look likely in my opinion)

Also, with Barcelona missing out it means that the backbone of the Spanish team (as well as Lionel Messi) get more time to relax and prepare before the big competition starts.

[NeonVomit]

Provisional 30-man squads, to be reduced to 23.

Here are some of the ones that interest me:

Spain:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), David De Gea (Atletico de Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villareal), Jose Manuel 'Pepe' Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabier Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javier Martinez (Athletic Bilbao), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona).

Forwards: Santiago Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Daniel Guiza (Fenerbache), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).

Ridiculous amount of talent. Every player listed is absolutely world class, and it's a testament to the depth of the team when someone like Victor Valdes is being considered as a third-choice goalkeeper, and Arsenal captain (and one of my favourite players) Cesc Fabregas is often on the bench. Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Torres, Xabi Alonso... Spain are the team to beat and rightfully favourites. If they play anything like they did in the European championships, they'll be virtually unstoppable. The best goalkeeper in the world, solid defence, arguably the best midfield in the business, and guys like Torres and Villa up front...


Brazil:
Coach Dunga elected to name his final squad now.

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg).

No Ronaldinho or Adriano... a lot of talent here as well. Brazil are always tough customers, and I think going out in the quarter finals last time around shook them up enough to settle down and regroup. Dunga's style of football isn't as pretty or flashy as we all know and love Brazil to be, but damn if it ain't effective.


Italy:

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)

Midfielders: Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)

Forwards: Marco Borriello (AC Milan), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal)

No Francesco Totti or Luca Toni. Great players, but I guess they're past their prime now. At first glance, maybe not the strongest looking team, but then again nobody gave Italy a chance in '06 and they won the World Cup. Always a very resilient team, and can be very effective. Oddly, not a single Inter Milan player... very strange. I guess coach Marcello Lippi figured Marco Materazzi was more of a liability than an asset (he was the guy who taunted Zinedine Zidane into headbutting him at the '06 final). Great player, but borderline psychotic.


Portugal's 24:

Goalkeepers: Eduardo (Braga), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Beto (Porto).

Defenders: Miguel (Valencia), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Fabio Coentrao (Benfica).

Midfielders: Pedro Mendes (Sporting), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ze Castro (Deportivo Coruna), Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Miguel Veloso (Sporting).

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg), Liedson (Sporting), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Nani (Manchester United).

Maybe not the powerhouse they used to be, but Portugal have undeniable class and assets like Nani (who's been in brilliant form this season), Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira will cause a lot of problems for opponents. Many believe captain Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world, and he makes a convincing statement to that effect every time he steps on the pitch.


France:

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyon), Steve Mandanda(Olympique Marseille), Cedric Carrasso (Girondins Bordeaux), Mickael Landreau (Lille)

Defenders: Bacary Sagna (Arsenal), Patrice Evra (Manchester United), William Gallas (Arsenal), Eric Abidal (Barcelona), Rod Fanni (Stade Rennes), Sebastien Squillaci (Sevilla), Adil Rami (Lille), Marc Planus (Girondins Bordeaux), Gael Clichy(Arsenal), Anthony Reveillere (Olympique Lyon)

Midfielders: Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid), Alou Diarra(Girondins Bordeaux), Jeremy Toulalan (Olympique Lyon), Florent Malouda (Chelsea), Yoann Gourcuff (Girondins Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal), Yann M'Vila (Stade Rennes)

Forwards: Thierry Henry (Barcelona), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea), Andre-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Sidney Govou (Olympique Lyon), Djibril Cisse (Panathinaikos), Hatem Ben Arfa (Olympique Marseille), Mathieu Valbuena (Olympique Marseille), Jimmy Briand (Stade Rennes)

...uh, ok, as usual, I don't understand what Raymond Domenech is doing, because the man is certifiably, undoubtedly, absolutely insane. (Reminder: this is the guy who allocates players according to their star signs.) No Nasri, Vieira or Benzema (one of the most highly paid and sought-after attackers in the world). Instead he took Henry, who's starting to show his age, and there are quite a few players I've never even heard of in there. But, Ribery's been great this season while not stomping on other players. Decent balance of skill, experience and (totally untested and untried) youth in this team. This should be interesting...


Germany:

Goalkeepers: Neuer (Schalke), Wiese (Bremen), Butt (Bayern)

Defenders: Lahm (Bayern), Mertesacker (Bremen), Friedrich (Hertha), Westermann (Schalke), Tasci (Stuttgart), Boateng (Hamburg), Badstuber (Bayern), Aogo (Hamburg), Beck (Hoffenheim)

Midfielders: Ballack (Chelsea), Schweinsteiger (Bayern), Özil (Bremen), Jansen (Hamburg), Khedira (Stuttgart), Kroos (Leverkusen), Marin (Bremen), Träsch (Stuttgart), Trochowski (Hamburg)

Forwards: Gomez (Bayern), Klose (Bayern), Podolski (Köln), Kießling (Leverkusen), Cacau (Stuttgart), Müller (Bayern)

Solid stuff from the Germans. I don't see Klose repeating his feats of yesteryear, but Ballack and Schweinsteiger make a strong midfield and Müller's been on fire lately. The tragic loss of Robert Encke is felt, but Germany still have a good selection of goalkeepers. We'll see if Bayern's involvement in the Champion's League final will have any effect on the team's preparations.


England:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Leighton Baines (Everton), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Scott Parker (West Ham), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Darren Bent (Sunderland), Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).

Defender Jamie Carragher has been convinced to return to the team, which is just as well because John Terry's been shaky since the incident (he had an affair with fellow England defender Wayne Bridge's ex wife, which prompted Bridge to leave the team) and Rio Ferdinand's form has been off this season. Ashley Cole (another love cheat) has also been in iffy form so England's defence really needed a boost. Midfield, if Lampard and Gerrard can finally figure out how to work together, great things will happen as they're both absolutely top-class players. Walcott and Wright-Phillips can be excellent, but are inconsistent. Up front, Rooney is obviously the man but Peter Crouch (the huge tall guy who looks like a giraffe) has a knack for scoring for England (despite having all the grace of a refrigerator). Defoe's been good this season too. Emile Heskey is repeatedly called out for being useless, but for some bizarre reason England score a lot more when he's playing than when he's not. Like, a lot. I'm not sure what's going on or what he does, but it works, whatever it is.



No news on Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Cameroon or Mexico yet, I'll update this post when the announcements come out.


Teams I would've liked to have seen in the World Cup: Sweden (Zlatan is fantastic, and would've been cool to see the great Freddy Ljunberg one last time) Russia (a World Cup without Andrei Arshavin is sad, Pavlyuchenko, Torbinski and Kolodin are also great) Egypt (for some reason their total dominance of the African Cup of Nations just doesn't translate to World Cup brilliance) Finland (why the hell not? )

[mayhem-for-all]

football...

[RazielSR]

Yes, football. The best sport in the world and one of my passions.

Neon, If Spain plays like in the Euro, there are a lot of possiblities to win the world cup. Anyway, let's see how the team works this time. Everything is the same and Del Bosque is playing the same style (more or less) that Aragonés played. It's gonna be interesting and I'm really excited (as always) with this new WC.


The others...as always: Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany. I don't really see Italy this time as a reference, but...who knows. Brazil have now one of the worst teams in the last decades (imo). Argentina...Maradona and Messi are not very good friends, and I don't see Maradona as a really good coach for Argentina. Germany is always there. But you know...this teams have a lot of potential and are favourites.

About France...yes, Domenech is mad and I don't like it.

Portugal is CR. Deco is too "old" and I don't see Deco being able to manage all the team right now.

England...really interesting this time with an Italian coach
. Capello is a good coach, and like for Spain this WC could be an opportunity for England.

It's just that I don't see Brazil and Argentina as good as they used to be, but that teams are always the favourites.

[Rage1979]

I am totallt dissapointed that the swedish team didn't make it this time...

I guess I will watch most of the games anyway

[NeonVomit]

football...

No one forced you to click on this thread

Anyway, Argentina:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

No Cambiasso or Zanetti. A LOT of talent in this team as well, with the likes of Mascherano, Veron, Maxi Rodriguez and Tevez. Maradona however has shown himself to be a... less than stellar coach. With a team like this, Argentina should have made light work of qualifying, but only just barely managed it. Lionel Messi might be the best player in the world right now, but relying on him just won't be enough if the team doesn't have any cohesive tactics. We shall see.


Mexico:

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham)

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

Always a team with a lot of expectations, Mexico just don't seem to act on their potential. I really like the style they play, too. But then again, remember before Euro 2008, Spain were the perennial underachievers and now they're one of the best teams around.

[RazielSR]

I have been always fan of Mexico team since USA 94. I liked a lot that team they had.

About Sweden, I'm fan since USA 94 too. How I loved that team...with Brolin, Dhalin...Schwarz (he played in Valencia CF one year too). It was a pleasure to see that team playing. And they got the third place.
Now it's Zlatan and just a bit more...there was no "team". It's a pity, I always like to see Sweden in the WC.

From Argentina, I have a lot of expectations with Tevez, I like a lot that player. Messi, its Messiah you know , the best in the world now and I think this man is gonna be one of the best in the history if he continues like that. I don't know if you follow La Liga, but seeing Messi in FC Barcelona it's something just INCREDIBLE. In Argentina it's not the same, but we'll see.

NEON!!! JUST SOME WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ggonza43]

Anyway, Argentina:

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell's Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

No Cambiasso or Zanetti. A LOT of talent in this team as well, with the likes of Mascherano, Veron, Maxi Rodriguez and Tevez. Maradona however has shown himself to be a... less than stellar coach. With a team like this, Argentina should have made light work of qualifying, but only just barely managed it. Lionel Messi might be the best player in the world right now, but relying on him just won't be enough if the team doesn't have any cohesive tactics. We shall see.

I am so dissapointed with this list. Maradonna thinks that as he HAS BEEN the best futbol player Argentina has had, he think he can guide a team like ours; well, let me tell you that he has no fucking idea of what he's doing! The only thing I am happy with is that Sebastian Blanco is in the team, it came as a total surprise at least to me (I am a huge fan of Lanus). But, leaving apart all I've said, I only hope our team to win at least the matches in our group: That's all I want

[ggonza43]

From Argentina, I have a lot of expectations with Tevez, I like a lot that player. Messi, its Messiah you know , the best in the world now and I think this man is gonna be one of the best in the history if he continues like that. I don't know if you follow La Liga, but seeing Messi in FC Barcelona it's something just INCREDIBLE. In Argentina it's not the same, but we'll see.

The problem with Messi's skills in Argentina is, like NeonVomit had said, that Maradona thinks that relying only in him is not the solution: The difference between Barcelona's Messi and Argentina's Messi is that back in Spain "he has people who play with him", different to what happens here. It's such a pity, because he's an excellent player; and with a little of team work he would turn out into the World Cup star

[NeonVomit]

England...really interesting this time with an Italian coach
. Capello is a good coach, and like for Spain this WC could be an opportunity for England.

There just aren't any English coaches up to the task. Kevin Keegan gave it a try and admitted he was out of his depth. Harry Redknapp wouldn't touch the job with a 10-foot pole, and besides he's happy at Tottenham. Steve McClaren's been a fantastic coach for FC Twente this season, but we all remember his results with England were... not so good. Roy Hodgson has done great work for Fulham, but I don't see him jumping ship anytime soon.

Besides, everyone on the England team is a primadonna and needs to be whipped into line, so a strong disciplinarian coach like Capello is the only choice, really. The players are all terrified of him and it seems to work

[NeverendingAbyss]

I would bet on Spain, but then you never know. Remember the Euro Cup? It seems as if when Spain gets farther, they do worser. Let's see how they do this year.

As for now, my instincts tell me that the world cup will go to Brazil. No, they don't have the star players they had in '06 or '02, but they always manage to make it in the end (except, that is, if they confront France).

Argentina is not Argentina with Maradona. Kick him out.


I will tell you that I'm upset. Well, at least someone is. Igor Danylenko. His Ukraine was pulverized in the qualifiers and wishes to pulverize the boards of South Africa.

[NeonVomit]

I would bet on Spain, but then you never know. Remember the Euro Cup? It seems as if when Spain gets farther, they do worser. Let's see how they do this year.

I dunno, they got past a tricky Italian side, schooled Russia hard (twice!), and did away with reigning champions Greece and Sweden with relative ease. Despite the scoreline, there was no doubt they were the superior team in the final.

As for now, my instincts tell me that the world cup will go to Brazil. No, they don't have the star players they had in '06 or '02, but they always manage to make it in the end (except, that is, if they confront France).

Argentina is not Argentina with Maradona. Kick him out.

Brazil are always a strong side, and Dunga makes them play more European. Which means I can see them falling against the likes of Germany, Holland, Spain or even England.

I will tell you that I'm upset. Well, at least someone is. Igor Danylenko. His Ukraine was pulverized in the qualifiers and wishes to pulverize the boards of South Africa.

Ukraine were denied the World Cup by Greece, of all teams. I mean, Greece have a good coach, and that's basically it...

[thefreeone]

I'm going to miss Ecuador on the world cup... great players, the best team we had in 1093857948 years but that FUCKING DT Vizuete is a retarded with no sense of football, we lost stupid matches, and had really stupid draws... try to se Ecuador vs Brasil on quito last year we could have won by 5 or 6 golas of difference... but we got 1-1 ! fuck it lol

[Babylon]

Mexico:

Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara)

Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Juan Carlos Valenzuela (America), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Adrian Aldrete (Morelia)

Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Jonathan dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham)

Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

This is a good team, I am not too happy with the goalkeepers tho... I still think Oswaldo Sanchez is the best one we have and they left him out, oh and Adolfo Bautista is a freakin joke.... my grandma could play better than this guy... It's also nice to see 3 players from my favorite team (Pumas) on the list

I agree with what you said about Mexico not acting to their potential. Especially now that many of our players are in European clubs, expectations are high.

I'm picking either Spain or Germany to win this one.

[Babylon]

I have been always fan of Mexico team since USA 94. I liked a lot that team they had.

Flashback to 1994!

[RazielSR]

Yes, Campos was the colour in that WC. Amazing .

[NeonVomit]

Campos had some epic uniforms.

[HinatAArcticA]

Well I'm mexican and my father has allways watched and liked soccer, so I do like it as well. Not as muchs as him but I do hehe...

The problem that my team has is that when they face small teams, that we should crash... they play HORRIBLE. Then, if they make us play against Argentina, England or Spain, then for some unexplainable reason... the team plays like a dream team...
It's like if the team just played good against good rivals, and that's kindda not cool
I'm allways like.. "Hey... play well all the time!"
We have a game today against Senegal or Angola I think... we'll se how that turns up, and also I must say that 2 of the players that are in today's line-up won't be in the final squad.

As a funny thing, Campos has become one of those guys who comment on the game, like that guy Andy Gray, but Campos is AN IDIOT. I'm not making this up or saying it because I don't like him. He's a complete idiot, even his partners would make fun of him D:





It's interesting to read how the rest of the world thinks about our team

Btw, I think I'm betting on Spain to win this World Cup

[Babylon]

Campos had some epic uniforms.

Best uniforms ever!

Miguel Calero had this last year and got some Campos comparisons, but still was no match.



About Campos' role in broadcasting, well..I don't think he's an idiot, I see it as just part of the whole act. I know his comments don't make a lot of sense, but it is probably intended that way. It's just entertainment.

[Lurdi]

I wish I could go there!! Summers are always different if there are Olympic Games, Euro Cup, Fifa World Cup...

[NeonVomit]

Ballack out of the World Cup, injured during the FA Cup final on Saturday.

What will this mean for Germany? He's a pretty iconic player, strong, authoritative, important in set-pieces and contributes a lot... I guess it's time for Schweinsteiger to really start coming into his own as a midfielder.

Who will be captain? I'm assuming Klose as he's the most senior player.

[NeverendingAbyss]

Ballack out of the World Cup, injured during the FA Cup final on Saturday.

DAAAAAMN! What fortune! Reminds me of Cisse's injury 4 years ago. Owen was also unlucky.

[RazielSR]

Yes, the typical injuries some days before the WC. In Spain, Torres was injuried some weeks ago but he'll arrive ok to the WC.

I suppose Klose will be the captain, Neon.
Schweinsteiger is a player that lacks more participation in the whole game, but maybe is because of his personality.
Very bad thing for germans that Ballack is out.

[Rebel]

I love being American. If not for forum posts, I would have no idea this is happening.

[Mehida]

I love being American. If not for forum posts, I would have no idea this is happening.

That should be the way 'cause you suck at football.

[NeverendingAbyss]

I love being American. If not for forum posts, I would have no idea this is happening.

That should be the way 'cause you suck at football.

No no no! soccer

[HinatAArcticA]

Ballack out of the World Cup

And Beckham, and Michael Owen, and Ronaldinho...

Bad luck I guess...

[ggonza43]

Ballack out of the World Cup

And Beckham, and Michael Owen, and Ronaldinho...

Bad luck I guess...

I wouldn't say bad luck, but it's odd to watch a WC without all the "stars" we are used to see

[Lurdi]

Ballack out of the World Cup

And Beckham, and Michael Owen, and Ronaldinho...

Bad luck I guess...

Don't worry, nobody's going to miss Beckham.

[NeonVomit]

Ballack out of the World Cup

And Beckham, and Michael Owen, and Ronaldinho...

Bad luck I guess...

I wouldn't say bad luck, but it's odd to watch a WC without all the "stars" we are used to see

Well, time to make way for the new stars, I guess... we're all expecting great things from the likes of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robinho, Luis Fabiano, Villa, Torres, Podolski, Schweinsteiger and who knows which new stars will be born?

But the difference between Ballack and Beckham/Owen/Ronaldinho is that he's a key part of Germany's team, the others (especially Owen) were deemed superfluous.

I felt pretty bad for Beckham though, he was working extra hard to be ready for the World Cup and it was just plain bad luck to get that injury... it was a nasty one too :s Plus his experience and calming presence would've been valuable to England, I think. But their biggest problems are at the back, anyway.