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By yicky yacky (Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 10:49:08 AM EST) World Cup, footy, footie, football, spiders, monkeys (all tags)

Much to the chagrin of those who care nothing for football, the world cup proper kicks off in quarter of an hour.

# We've on-ly just be-guuuuun ...

Inside: FREE unofficial HuSi world cup draw chart.

Spider Update

Still there. Seems happy.

Ray Stubbs sanity update

They've moved the broadcast indoors. Bastards. No postal television presenters this year.

Foot-aiieeeeee!

Yes, the polite getting-to-know-you phase is over and today we begin the I'm-gonna-kill-yo'-bitch-arse knock-out stages. You know the deal: If nobody wins, it goes to extra time; if nobody wins in extra time, it goes to penalties; if nobody wins during the first five penalty rounds, it goes to "sudden death". Whatever happens, someone is going home.

I love this bit, especially when England aren't playing.

Firstly: Come on, you Swedes!

Secondly: I was having a hard time keeping track of the schedule and which teams were destined to meet when etc.

If you look up most draw sheets they look like this, or this [PDF], or this. You end up having to backtrack ("Winner of game x plays winner of game y" etc.) for miles. This is predominantly because they tend to be organized by date. Being a l33t haxX0r, I prefer the information in the format of old-school CS favourite, the binary tree.

The other night, I was trying to work out the draw and was messing around in dia, getting the info into a form I could navigate through easily (everyone else was watching "Big Brother", and I hate that shit), when my friend E saw what I'd done, imported it into photoshop, and made a 'proper' draw schedule (with score boxes and everything). I then took it back and ... errr ... added a cow.

Anyway: Free World Cup last sixteen draw, yo. I think it's right; if not, let me know.

Right. Time to sip beer and root for Sweden. Later.

< Le desespoir est assis sur un banc. | BBC White season: 'Rivers of Blood' >

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Let's get ready to rum-ble! | 31 comments (31 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

Argentina - Mexico.. by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #1 Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 06:03:27 PM EST

now that was a cracking match.

Sweden sort of fell flat, first the early goals, then the crafty German manipulation of the referee, leading to the second yellow...

The game was superb, by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #2 Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 06:37:48 PM EST

especially the Mexican midfield and defence. They played their hearts out, especially Marquez.

Beyond the first goal, though (which was awesomely taken), the Mexicans didn't seem to have any real razor-edge in the last twenty yards. I couldn't figure out if the Argentines were "managing" them well or if they were just running out of ideas. There were two or three Riquelme passes which really deserved goals, just to highlight how brilliant the passes were. When the Mexicans were going full-tilt in the first half, with no fear, I thought it was brilliant but also that it could come back to haunt them, and so it proved. When the Argies started applying pressure, and managing the result towards the end, they had nothing left to give, but still tried. The Aimar/Messi goal should have stood (awesome pass again), but the Rodriguez goal was excellent.

I'm still not convinced by the Germans (although home advantage shouldn't be underestimated) and still think a decent attacking team could cut their defence to shreds. You're right: The game was essentially over after the second yellow, which was an atrocious decision; Frings should have been booked for asking, not Lucic. Any hope of a heroic comeback was gone when Larsson skied the penalty.

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[ Parent ]

Mexican ideas... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #5 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 04:07:19 AM EST

came to an end, much like England's will, with the running out of steam of a talismanic but unfit due to injury forward. For Rooney, read Borghetti. Whilst he was moving well in the first half, Ayala was nervous, but as he tired Argentina began to feel better at the back.

Speaking of refereeing. I now know for sure that Argentina will win the cup, they have luck on their side. Heinze is a very lucky boy.

[ Parent ]

Without by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #7 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 08:09:32 AM EST

wanting to seem like I'm donning the mantle of 'Argie-boy', exactly the same applies to Torrado. He should have been sent off after having been booked twice, but the referee booked the wrong man for the first offence. But yeah, Heinze's 57 varieties of foul should have seen him walk.

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The ref claims... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #10 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 10:02:55 AM EST

he booked the other guy for dissent after the tackle... so Torrado was not as lucky as you claim.

[ Parent ]

Then he should have booked him for the foul by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #13 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 10:18:48 AM EST

Logical dilemma. You can't win. ;)

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Huh? by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #14 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:15:38 PM EST

There's no logic to your statement.

Torrado knocks someone over. Free kick.

Castro? of Mexico expresses dissent about the free kick and gets booked.

You might think Torrado should have been booked, but there's no greater logic to your position.

[ Parent ]

No by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #15 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:23:42 PM EST

Either the ref booked the wrong person, or he booked Castro(?) for dissent and should have booked Torrado as well (given that he should have sent off Heinze). My point was more to do with "luck" - namely that, given the Torrado incidents, Argentina were no more "lucky" with Heinze than Mexico were with Torrado and the disallowed goal.

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Uh... by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #19 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:32:00 PM EST

Why does Torrado's tackle compare to Heinze's?

Logically, I mean, rather than in a conception of fairness. I've already said Argentina deserved to win, but your logic is still faulty.

There's a big difference between a guaranteed straight red card offence being missed by the ref and a decision about a free kick/yellow card.

[ Parent ]

: Because I don't particularly by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #21 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:35:13 PM EST

see that Heinze's tackle was any more or less cast-iron than Torrado's. Heinze should have been sent off and Torado should have been booked. If we're not discussing "should have been"s, what are we talking about?

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Anyway ... by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #17 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:25:39 PM EST

I'd forgotten how bloody infuriating Portugal are. At least they should be without Deco come next weekend ...

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Please ignore my by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #20 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:34:11 PM EST

irritablity. I don't know how I even bothered with this stupid argument. Feel free to have the last word on that thread if you like. I'm stopping with it.

That match was truly psychotic, between the ref, Portugal and Dutch players falling over with every breath of wind. Holland really failed it by losing their cool as well I think.

[ Parent ]

Holland's by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #23 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:38:54 PM EST

failure was partially down to ego, too. There were quite a few moments where Van Persie, Robben and others went for some kind of "Hollywood shot" prematurely, instead of playing the better pass.

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: Very true... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #24 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:42:55 PM EST

After about 12 minutes I had christened Van Bommel, Van Lampard...

[ Parent ]

it was disappointing by alprazolam (2.00 / 0) #29 Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 12:24:06 PM EST

it was a great first half but the second half was total shambles, moreso due to the players whining and dirty play more than the ref's "loss of control" (what's he supposed to do other than give out cards to troublemakers?)

[ Parent ]

But much more to the point... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #11 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 10:06:42 AM EST

whilst Heinze getting sent off could have altered the match, Argentina still deserved to win.

My real point is that it is sign of the little turn of luck you need to win a World Cup. Surely the big fear for Argentina fans is that they are the best side and might not win. This is a good sign in my opinion.

[ Parent ]

I'd agree, by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #12 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 10:16:24 AM EST

and I think Mexico have laid out the blueprint for how to beat them. The game will be studied by all the opposing managers they face. Unfortunately, the chief tactic involves flooding the midfield and "terrier-ing" them (getting in their faces) for the entire match, which I'm not sure can be done without respite at some stage.

This was partially my point about the draw, though. Brazil are are an impassable monolith in the British psyche - when was the last time we beat them? - Argentina, as good they are, have been sent packing the last twice we met. That, coupled with the fact that France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Ghana are in "our bit", doesn't fill me with much joy. I've got half a feeling the Italians might just take down the Argies in a dirty, slow attritiative affair after the Mexicans and Germans have softened them up. There's only one team I really "fear" in the top half of the draw (even if they are the most fearsome of the lot), whereas there are at least three, possibly more, in our tributary.

Anyway. Nearly time. One more onto the beach, and all that. Later.

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[ Parent ]

The joy of the draw... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #16 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:25:08 PM EST

is that it's irrelevant because on current evidence we're not going to beat anyone decent. :)

But, if we were to get past Portugal, perhaps courtesy of a Russian ref doing for Deco and Costinha? Well, the good thing is that Brazil will take care of France, Spain and Ghana.

Still, we're not good at beating Brazil, but I think you and I agree that Argentina are looking harder to beat at the moment. Besides, to me a semi-final exit is more than we deserve.

[ Parent ]

Evrything you say is true by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #18 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:29:19 PM EST

but I'd quite like to beat the Portuguese now (even if we get murdered by Brazil), especially after 2004. My housemate wants to bring Julian Dicks and Neil Ruddock out of retirement for the game. I can see Rooney flaring, if he's not careful.

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Orc boy was on the edge today... by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #22 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:35:46 PM EST

I was really scared that the officials were going to get tired of him screaming in their face...

[ Parent ]

If someone treads on his foot .... by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #25 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:45:54 PM EST

... with even a hint of intent, I can see the whole thing going up.

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Didn't one of the Ecuadoreans... by Metatone (2.00 / 0) #26 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 05:47:57 PM EST

threaten to do that before the match? I guess he bottled it in the end (which frankly seems like the smart thing to do.)

[ Parent ]

This comment by yicky yacky (4.00 / 3) #27 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 06:01:50 PM EST

could trigger a much longer reply than is warranted, but I'll save it for later in the week (when less "tired").

Nutshell version: Regardless of how liberally you choose to scatter yellow cards like confetti, you still haven't made diving (and general misbehaviour) any easier to spot. A good case can be made that the FIFA dictats are having completely the opposite effect of what was intended. They've actually increased the incentive to "simulate", as the probability of getting caught doing so hasn't changed much, whereas the punishment for those implicated by the play-acting is ridiculously harsh (and damage worth inflicting on your opponent). This is in danger of ruining this tournament. I think the "video replay" levee could actually break after this one.

This applies to Rooney's toe to the extent that we (and the fans) would see it and any referee-derived blindness would simply inflame the situation.

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: I guess this expains the lack of by wumpus (2.00 / 0) #30 Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 08:56:32 PM EST

"the boy who called wolf: effect.

I would assume that a player known to flop on the ground when the ball is taken from him is a player that is safe to elbo in the gut (drawing blood by hitting the nose or mouth gives it away). Presumably anything less than knocking him out of the game doesn't gain anything, and doing so is a giveaway that you earned your red card.

Wumpus

Who really thinks the refs should claim "I was pretty sure he just started bleeding from throwing himself too hard on the ground.

[ Parent ]

Heinze by TurboThy (4.00 / 1) #28 Mon Jun 26, 2006 at 08:09:05 AM EST

FWIW, Kim Milton Nielsen (Becks, Japan, remember?) who IMHO is a top-notch WC ref who isn't afraid to send off the favourites, stated after the match that he wouldn't have sent off Heinze for the foul. His arguments: Heinze wasn't the last man, and - more importantly - the Mexican player didn't have the ball under control.
__
You can't fix anything, you can't change anything, so just tell them that everything is A. The Fuck OK. —Rogerborg
[ Parent ]

Oh yeah, ... by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #3 Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 06:39:40 PM EST

... Please remind me why we're in the "good half of the draw" again. After figuring it out, it looks sketchy as hell to me.

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italy have the best draw by alprazolam (4.00 / 1) #4 Sat Jun 24, 2006 at 06:50:08 PM EST

you have to figure by that point argentina will be pretty gassed. good for them they have tevez and messi off the bench. what a team that is. maybe the most solid team all around, actually i'd put england up there as well. really looking forward to seeing them tomorrow. it's almost hard to believe germany's defense is as weak as they seem. i wonder if italy can beat a tired argentian team.

too bad for mexico, i really like their style of keeping the ball on the ground, i'd forgotten about that from my days of playing against mexicans.

i'm really looking forward to tomorrow's games, i might try to find an english pub to go to.

[ Parent ]

: I agree by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #8 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 08:11:33 AM EST

The Italians are in a very strong position; they are easily the strongest team in that 'block of four', especially as Switzerland have now lost Senderos.

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Well... by Metatone (4.00 / 1) #6 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 04:15:52 AM EST

you mean England? Or Argentina?

For England, the good half only applies up to the quarter-finals, when they run into Portugal/Holland. But as Mexico showed, if you want to win you're going to have to play a good team at some point. If England were to be blessed with a miracle (Robben/Cristiano Ronaldo breaks a leg?) then you;d rather have Brazil in the semi than Argentina.

For Argentina, Mexico played unexpectedly well, I can't see Germany being trouble. Then they will beat Italy in the semis (who as alpro notes have the easiest 2nd round/qtr combo).

[ Parent ]

: you can't see germany being trouble? yes you can by alprazolam (4.00 / 1) #9 Sun Jun 25, 2006 at 09:31:19 AM EST

they look like they will give up goals yes but they don't need a lot of luck to score either. their run will probably end at some point but their offense has looked as good as any to my eyes.

[ Parent ]

test [nt] by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #31 Sat Jul 15, 2006 at 01:46:15 PM EST

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Let's get ready to rum-ble! | 31 comments (31 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback