1. It's a close call but I think France might just beat them. 2-1 me thinks.
  2. Just letting you know I'm in the fantasy league. If anyone is in doubt, I am "Oh Africa!"

    Got a half decent team as well.
  3. Spain defeated Poland 6-0 yesterday night. I don't find it pleasing when there are such big differences, I feel bad for the other team. Poor guys.
  4. Spain is among my top favorites for the title. Daring to say though that Germany will make it to the semi finals at least -- you have to be insane sometimes

    by the way, how are things going at your places, flags on the cars and hanging out of the windows already? we're that crazy over here, have the flags attached to my car since the weekend, plus the fan scarf and all. can't wait for Germany vs Australia --> public viewing in the city, yeahness
  5. Started seeing Oranje 'Orange' two weeks ago
  6. I'm not patriotic at all (on sports either), but people here feels their colours a lot... Flags are starting to appear on balconies, cars and windows, etc... I don't care at all, but people find it important somehow
  7. I don't feel patriotic in the basic meaning of the word, for me it's just about the sports team. It's the same as I'm wearing my blue&white trikot when going to the stadium to see a game of my favorite local soccer team. After the game I take it off and that's it it's just for sports, and it's fun. It's a great feeling of shared support for your team when you see others with shirts and flags, too. Public viewing tops it all, of course, with thousands of fans in the cities in front of big screens. Summer, sun and a hopefully not too crappy game LOL
  8. my bet for day 1:

    South Africa - Mexico 2:2
    Uruguay - France 3:0
  9. you know its world cup time when supermarket crates of beer have suddenly become alot cheaper, oh yes, and the now traditional car flags.

    Quick update on the Fantasy league, 7 Members now so its looking good

    Originally posted by Hans23:[..]

    Oh righty ,
    Go to :http://en.mcdonalds.fantasy.fifa.com/ , Make yourself a login then enter the private pool code: 199557-108468

    Its just straight forward fantasy football, get a points buget, then pick a squad of the best players whilst trying to keep the buget balanced, then score points on how your team of players do in the tournment.

  10. Friendly wager between American and English embassies.

    via. http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/worldcup/story/american-english-ambassadors-make-world-cup-wager-on-match


    Leaked diplomatic correspondence between Washington and London has revealed the latest bump in the so-called “special relationship” -- a high stakes wager between ambassadors over the outcome of their teams’ World Cup clash, The Times writes in its Wednesday edition.

    Louis Susman, the American Ambassador to London, approached his British counterpart in Washington through a staff intermediary to offer a bet on the outcome of Saturday’s game between England and the United States.



    UNITED STATES
    United States Team Page
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    World Cup schedule

    June 12: vs. England (Rustenburg)
    June 18: vs. Slovenia (Johannesburg)
    June 23: vs. Algeria (Pretoria)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Home Away
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Key players
    Landon Donovan, Midfielder
    Clint Dempsey, Midfielder
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Best WC result: Semifinals in 1930
    FIFA World Rank: 14
    “We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter,” Philip Breeden, the American press secretary in London gibed.

    Martin Longden, his counterpart in Washington, protested ignorance. “Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to U.S. soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer.

    "No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.”

    Longden proposed the terms of the wager: dinner at a Washington DC steakhouse if England triumphs; supper at a London pub on Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald’s dime if the U.S. is the winner.

    Breeden accepted, reminding Longden of the outcome of last Anglo-American encounter at the World Cup: a 1-0 victory for the U.S. in Brazil.

    Longden would not be deterred. “You should know that the Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories — somewhat rare,” he retorted.

    AT STAKE IS A STEAK: The e-mails in full:

    From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

    To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

    Subject: World Cup Bet

    Mr. Longden, It has not escaped our attention that a certain sporting event is fast approaching, and that our respective nations will soon be meeting on the fields of South Africa.

    My Ambassador has asked me to see if your Ambassador might be interested in a small wager? We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.

    Sincerely, Philip Breeden, U.S. Embassy, London

    ________________________________

    From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

    To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

    Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

    Mr. Breeden,

    Even for such an exceptionally optimistic nation as the United States, I am struck by the confidence with which your Ambassador proposes this wager. It is testament, I assume, to the generosity of your great nation - since the British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.



    ENGLAND
    England Team Page
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    World Cup schedule

    June 12: vs. USA (Rustenburg)
    June 18: vs. Algeria (Cape Town)
    June 23: vs. Slovenia (Port Elizabeth)
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Home Away
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Key players
    Wayne Rooney, Forward
    John Terry, Defender
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Best WC result: Winnners in 1966
    FIFA World Rank: 8
    Your email does not specify the exact terms of the wager. May I suggest that, in the event of an England victory, the US Ambassador agrees to entertain the British Ambassador at a steak-house of his choosing in downtown DC? And in the event that the United States is able to engineer a fortuitous win over England, then my man will entertain yours at a London pub of his choosing. Loser pays.

    Your reference to a previous sporting encounter between our two countries puzzles me. Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to US soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer. No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.

    Are you sure you want to do this?

    Yours sincerely, Martin Longden British Embassy Washington DC

    ________________________________

    From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

    To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

    Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

    Mr. Longden ,

    It is with great pleasure, and no small measure of anticipation, that the U.S. Ambassador accepts the terms of the wager. I am surprised, given the well known love of the British for history, that you have forgotten what happened the last time the “special relationship” was tested on the pitch. Of course, given the result, you are to be forgiven for having misplaced that particular episode in your memory banks. I refer of course to the victory of the U.S. over England in the 1950 World Cup.

    It is true that our soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent.

    Game on!

    Sincerely, Philip Breeden

    ________________________________

    From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

    To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

    Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

    Mr. Breeden,

    Very well; it’s a bet!

    Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories - somewhat rare.

    Sincerely,

    Martin Longden



  11. I live in the USA so obviously there's not much going on yet. But trust me there will be...many viewing parties, especially in one main square in Chicago. Many banners from ESPN advertising the games. Right now our hockey team (Chicago Blackhawks) are in the Stanley Cup finals, one game away from the championship, so the city is really geared towards that...Hockey Helmets on famous Chicago landmarks, Hawks flags all over the city, the skyline at night has certain lights on forming "LETS GO HAWKS" or a picture of the Stanley Cup on the buildings. I posted all the pictures in the Ice Hockey topic, as to not get off topic its really cool stuff check it out.

    I'm estatic for the World Cup. Especially vs England. I have high hopes.

    1776, 1812, 1950, 2010. Dates USA has conquered, defeated England as underdogs.

    U-S-A!!!!!!