Josh Linn Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 It's only 43 days away, so why not? For those that need a refresher, here are the groups: GROUP A South Africa Mexico France Uruguay GROUP B Argentina Nigeria South Korea Greece GROUP C England United States Algeria Slovenia GROUP D Germany Australia Serbia Ghana GROUP E Netherlands Denmark Cameroon Japan GROUP F Italy Paraguay New Zealand Slovakia GROUP G Brazil North Korea Ivory Coast Portugal GROUP H Spain Switzerland Honduras Chile The Group of Death is clearly G...Brazil, Ivory Coast, and Portugal all have the talent to win the whole thing, although Portugal has been in really bad form and barely made it into the tournament. The U.S. finally gets a relatively easy draw. Even if they lose to England, their chances of getting out of the group are still high. If an African team makes a deep run to the semis/finals or wins the whole thing, this looks to be the best year, IMO. Algeria and South Africa don't look to have the horses to do it, but Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Ivory Coast are all extremely talented teams. I'm rooting for Ivory Coast out of those four to make it happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Funny you brought this up. I was just looking at the schedule the other day to find out when there would be games while we're on the TPR UK and Europe Trips! Should be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movieguy Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 I'll definitely check a few of the games out, but Soccer has never really been an interest of mine. I think the main reason is the fact that you're watching a heated rivalry game, and know very well that it could end up in a tie. American's don't seem to really care for tie games in general. We want to see winners and losers, which is why, I think, soccer has had a hard time catching on here. However, I'm glad that Soccer fans out there do get to have their moment in the sun with this every few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted April 29, 2010 Author Share Posted April 29, 2010 Funny you brought this up. I was just looking at the schedule the other day to find out when there would be games while we're on the TPR UK and Europe Trips! Should be fun! I'm sure the atmosphere throughout the entire continent will be amazing. I'd love to just watch the games over there, I don't even have to be in attendance. I've talked to people that went to the '06 WC in Germany and they said the whole country was a ridiculously large party for a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 ^Yeah we were in England during the 2006 World Cup and it was great, this trip should be even better as we'll be in England during Group Play, and in Germany and the Netherlands during quarter finals! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nursemelis374 Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 I was in Venezuela while the World Cup was going on and it was crazy! We had a blast watching some of the games in bars and such. I am stoked to be in Europe this time while it happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chemical_echo Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 Pretty sure this thread was already started awhile ago, I even posted the bracket I made for a friendly bet I made with my cousin. Either way, I always cheer for Italy (seeing as I'm half Italian), but I don't seem them winning it again. My money is on Germany taking it this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted April 29, 2010 Share Posted April 29, 2010 The World Cup is a great time! I typically root for the United States and Italy. Josh Linn - Aw no more Orioles avatar? In all seriously though, I have to disagree with your thoughts on the Ivory Coast team. I just don't think they have the make-up of a team that can have a legit shot at making a deep run. I say they are eliminated after group play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 The World Cup is a great time! I typically root for the United States and Italy. Josh Linn - Aw no more Orioles avatar? In all seriously though, I have to disagree with your thoughts on the Ivory Coast team. I just don't think they have the make-up of a team that can have a legit shot at making a deep run. I say they are eliminated after group play. The Orioles aren't worthy of my avatar space anymore , they're freaking garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiSab Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 I'm not a big soccer fan, but World Cup soccer is one thing I will watch continuously. There's something about it that I just love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Thrill Dragster Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 I'll definitely check a few of the games out, but Soccer has never really been an interest of mine. I think the main reason is the fact that you're watching a heated rivalry game, and know very well that it could end up in a tie. American's don't seem to really care for tie games in general. We want to see winners and losers, which is why, I think, soccer has had a hard time catching on here. However, I'm glad that Soccer fans out there do get to have their moment in the sun with this every few years. There's more to it than the game may end up in a tie. Low Scoring. Low Shots on goal count. Whining and Diving. No Commercial time outs. 90mins of very little happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted May 1, 2010 Author Share Posted May 1, 2010 I'll definitely check a few of the games out, but Soccer has never really been an interest of mine. I think the main reason is the fact that you're watching a heated rivalry game, and know very well that it could end up in a tie. American's don't seem to really care for tie games in general. We want to see winners and losers, which is why, I think, soccer has had a hard time catching on here. However, I'm glad that Soccer fans out there do get to have their moment in the sun with this every few years. There's more to it than the game may end up in a tie. Low Scoring. Low Shots on goal count. Whining and Diving. No Commercial time outs. 90mins of very little happening. How no commercials is a bad thing is beyond me, and the players on the pitch rarely, if ever, stand still for more than a few seconds, so there's always something happening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top Thrill Dragster Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 ^ No commercials equals no add revenue. TV stations wont show games. Also when I watch sports i like to get up to get something to eat, drink, or use the bathroom and not miss any of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted May 1, 2010 Author Share Posted May 1, 2010 ^ No commercials equals no add revenue. TV stations wont show games. Also when I watch sports i like to get up to get something to eat, drink, or use the bathroom and not miss any of the game. ESPN bid a great deal of money to get the broadcasting rights to this World Cup and is providing extensive coverage on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, and ABC. It's the most popular tournament in the world, needless to say it's pretty profitable. It's probably the most lucrative sporting event other than the Summer Olympics, and it may even be ahead of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 (edited) It's probably the most lucrative sporting event other than the Summer Olympics, and it may even be ahead of that. The Super Bowl is #1. March Madness is probably right behind the olympics. The only reason the Olympics bring in a ton of money is because they last 17 days. I'd be impressed if the world cup was #3 in the US While there may not be commercials, soccer games are usually "presented by ______" My local beer bar doesn't have tvs... except during the world cup. Can't wait! Edited May 2, 2010 by SharkTums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasCoaster Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 The World Cup might not be #1 in the states but I guarantee you it blows the crap out of any other sports competition aside from maybe the Olympics when you look at the world audience. Granted it might not be fair to compare those because most countries could probably care less if West Virginia beats Duke or who wins the Super Bowl. There might also be something to a numbers game for those half time commercials. If you've ever seen a Champions League game, which are sponsored by Heineken, their ads are on multiple times every commercial break and you have a huge audience that has to watch those few commercials. I wouldn't be shocked if those rights were amazingly expensive and if you wound up reaching a similar amount of people, there's just less commercials. As for how exciting the games can be, I agree its weird for something to end as a tie, but outside of the group stages, that stops. I was in Germany for the 2002 world cup during the US v. Germany game and for the final against Brazil. An absolutely awesome atmosphere especially for the final. Can't wait for school to be over and for the world cup to start. No idea who is really going to win this year. I thought England was going to have a pretty decent shot at it but now there are a lot of injuries and people sleeping with other player's wives, so I have no idea how far they'll go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted May 1, 2010 Share Posted May 1, 2010 I know that the World Cup is huge globally, but he was talking about ESPN, here in America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted May 2, 2010 Author Share Posted May 2, 2010 It's probably the most lucrative sporting event other than the Summer Olympics, and it may even be ahead of that. lol Don't be a dumbass. The Super Bowl is #1. March Madness is probably right behind the olympics. The only reason the Olympics bring in a ton of money is because they last 17 days. I'd be impressed if the world cup was #3 in the US While there may not be commercials, soccer games are usually "presented by ______" My local beer bar doesn't have tvs... except during the world cup. Can't wait! I was talking about globally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 Fair enough. FWIW though, ESPN's contract for the 2010 World Cup is slightly less than what ESPN pays per game for the rights to broadcast Monday Night Football. So Football still > football Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themeparkman25 Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 I am definitely thinking about wearing an american flag t shirt while being in London for the UK add on trip this year. Yeah, I want to be "that guy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 ^Just don't do it while officially on the tour of I'll make you turn it inside out! I do NOT allow Ugly Americans on my trips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted May 2, 2010 Share Posted May 2, 2010 ^^You've only yourself to blame for any grief from England fans in London. And the Algerians. And the Slovenians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Linn Posted May 3, 2010 Author Share Posted May 3, 2010 That reminds me...if we fall flat on our face against Algeria/Slovenia like we did against the Czech Republic and, to a lesser extent, Ghana in '06, I'm going to go mad. Our attack is going to be a glaring hole if Charlie Davies can't complete his miracle recovery...it's Jozy and a bunch of scrubs after him. It'd force us to put Donovan or Dempsey up top, and IMO they both don't really play their best up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ParkTrips Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 I am definitely thinking about wearing an american flag t shirt while being in London for the UK add on trip this year. Yeah, I want to be "that guy" I think you're underestimating how passionate the Brits are about the game. I would almost guarantee you will regret it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hercules Posted May 3, 2010 Share Posted May 3, 2010 ^ Seriously. I would advise against doing that. You wouldn't just be "that guy", you might end up being "that guy face down in the gutter". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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