Thursday, May 25, 2006

Ladies and Gentlemen: The biggest sports event of the year is here

So the football world cup starts in exactly 15 days from now. I know most of us are eagerly waiting this event...its gonna be a cracker. I had a brief conversation with Aup yday which had to be teared down coz of bhaiyya's ignorance :-). If you go by the past WC finals, the last really interesting un was the 1986 finals. The ones after that were absolutely drab. More often than not the really interesting stuff happens in the quaters or Semis (remember Brazil v Holland in the 94 and 98 WCs?). Imagine Brazil facing Argentina in a furious tension filled final...hmmm mouth watering to say the least. How i wish that a WC final cud be as tasty as probably the best match i've ever seen....Holland v Czech in the 2004 Euro....well i wud frankly be surprised if such a big occasion produces a classic...it hardly happens in any sport.

Going thru my same old cliched favs and support blog before any big series.....lemme start first. Frankly its hard to see beyond Brazil this time too and to me they certainly are the favourites. But im gonna stick out my neck a little and say that England wud win this. As far as my support goes...its always the same...Argentina first and Holland second...hard to support any one else. Nevertheless I certainly wudnt mind Czech or Portugal or England taking the honors. Hell i wud support anyone other that those miserly Italians, miserable Germans, over-rated Spanish Armada or the proud French....and for heavens sake not Brazil...its getting too repititive. Look forward to hear ur thoughts....

-Balls

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would keep my money safe in my pocket and not bet on anyone. Blame that on lack of acumen or lack of money for that matter. But I think Germany will definitely make the semis. They are one boring team playing the conservative possession game, but at home they will prove quite a handful. Brazil definitely are favorites to win and once again they have the team, but I somehow feel that Argentina will have the last hurrah.

Anonymous said...

completely agree with Bala's assessment. Brazil with the likes of Ronaldinho and Kaka are sure favorites.

England without Rooney dont stand any chance to win this one I feel. With Rooney might have been a different ball game.

I would love the Czech or Dutch to come through to the semis. Atleast that ensures a cracking game :)

Anonymous said...

I would be supporting the dashing Argentina and the Graceful French - no doubt - have a feeling that they might miss out on the biggest prize though.

The Slick Italians and more so the Stubborn English teams would be the dangerous ones. Brazil are but eternally there. The boring Germans and the under-acheiving Dutch are the other ones to consider.

Watch out for some African or perhaps Asian teams to do well too perhaps !

Anonymous said...

Germany wont get too far according to me as they are just too slow when compared to Holland or England's pace ... France have a decent chance acc to me ... Zidane's back and got along with him Thuram and Makelele ... Henry's there always ... Argentina's where the heart is ... Brazil's where the mind ... as always the heart loses :-) ... but should be one exciting WC

Anonymous said...

@vcd - Henry hardly does well for France we've seen that a zillion times. As for Zidane....done and dusted. The real strength for France if u ask me is the form of Trezeguet and Makelele (if he plays).
@Marw - I agree that w/o Rooney its gonna be very difficult....but Eng shud def qualify for the 2nd round after which Rooney shud be available. Then its a completely different ball game.

Anonymous said...

@ SurAj - "Slick Italians" ?? Now thats an attribute that makes no sense to me.

Anonymous said...

history I think doesnt matter all that ... before this year arsenal had never done well in europe .... but a 10-men arsenal almost won over barca in the CL finals !
but ye ... lets see what happens ... I am not in favor of france but feel it is the dark horse ...

Anonymous said...

It is difficult to predict who will go thru. Looking at the draw, some of the favourites are going to have tough oppositions in the quarter finals.

Argentina's real challenge will be first against England / Germany. But, I am not willing to discount Sweden.

Brazil looks to have a easier path (atleast on paper) to the semi's so I think we are gonna see a final involving Brazil.

I think it will be a Brazil Vs Argentina final is a possiblity. Brazil are the favorites. Maybe see how Robinho (touted to be the next Pele) plays.

Hope to see the Spaniards shed their choker tags and Portugal to play well. Both have comparatively easier first round groups.

Anonymous said...

I was refering players like del piero, inzhagi and totti ... they can be slick and cunning - even though they are not the most talented guys we have seen...
Although i support Argentina - I dont see any exceptional player there who performs when it matter since Batistuta - hope I am proven wrong ! ...
I am hoping Zidane and Henry work some magic for France :)

Anonymous said...

and lets not forget Ruud has a point to prove to budha (fergie) ... :)

Anonymous said...

The group of death this year is Argentina, Holland, Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro.

It would be an obvious choice to pick Argentina and Holland, but I would like to remind you guys that Serbia and Montenegro have been unbeaten in qualifying. The pundits say that the defence of this team is one of the very best in the world cup finals.

My choice:

QUARTERS is
germany- argentina
chec - france
england - portugal
brazil - spain

SEMIS is

argentina - checs
england - brazil


FINALs is

Argentina - Brazil


WINNER -> only god knows. although I hope its argentina...lol

Abhi picture baaki hai mere dost !

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