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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (2 Viewers)

'NewlyRetired said:
Looks like the Venezuela game is at home in Arizona.

CHICAGO (AP) -- The U.S. soccer team will start its 2012 schedule with an exhibition against Venezuela at Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 21, then play at Panama four days later.The games announced Thursday are not on FIFA fixture dates, meaning the U.S. will field players from Major League Soccer and Scandinavian clubs on winter break. The team will prepare with a training camp, most likely in Arizona and Carson, Calif.Getting ready for the start of World Cup qualifying on June 8, the Americans also are discussing playing a Feb. 29 exhibition at Italy, which would be on a FIFA date.The U.S., 2-4-1 since Klinsmann replaced Bob Bradley, is in a semifinal group with Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala and Jamaica. The top two nations advance to the regional finals in 2013.
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Oh #### oh #### oh ####
 
well, thanks for playing Portugal. See you at the WC qualifiers

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The Gator,Ted Lange as your Bartender,Mjolnirs,QuizGuy66,Eephus,NewlyRetired,The Z Machine

:boxing:

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Group A - Poland, Greece, Russia, Czech Republic

Group B - Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Portugal

Group C - Spain, Italy, Ireland, Croatia

Group D - Ukraine, Sweden, France, England

 
'The Gator said:
:lmao: group a
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When people look back and say "How the hell did Greece win 2 Euros" you can look at this draw ;)Seriously though. How the heck to you get a draw like that with all those good teams in there?Playing the role of North Korea at this Euro - Denmark. Thanks for playing.-QG
 
'The Gator said:
well, thanks for playing Portugal. See you at the WC qualifiers

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7 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users

The Gator,Ted Lange as your Bartender,Mjolnirs,QuizGuy66,Eephus,NewlyRetired,The Z Machine

:boxing:
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Deutschland! Deutschland!

Deutschland!


 
'The Z Machine said:
'BlackMagic10 said:
As a Dutchy, I couldn't be happier with this draw. Awesome.
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The Dutch want the toughest group possible unlike every other country. Why is that?
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Dunno, must be in our genes. I mean, as a soccer fan, games against Germany (arch rivals) and Portugal, I mean really, it doesn't really get any better, IMO.Besides, if you want to win a tournament you ought to be able to beat any of the other countries regardless the stage of the tournament it would be in.
 
Using the Coefficient numbers that decided the pots teams were placed in, here is how the groups fall in average coefficient:

Group B 36057.00 - Only 3 teams had coefficients over 40k, two are in this group ... Netherlands and Germany

Group C 34763.00 - The other is Spain which had the highest coefficient

Group D 30943.75 - Ukraine had the 2nd lowest coefficient

Group A 29768.75 - Only 3 teams had coefficients below 30k, two are in this group ... Poland and Czech Republic

 
'otello said:
Please rank groups in level of difficult. thanks.
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I think all four groups are interesting enough.Group A - I think Poland is the weakest, the other three are fairly evenly matched. I think Czechs' and Greece advance. I could see a lot of boring games in this groupIn B - Netherlands and Germany should have no issues advancing. Denmark has no shot. Portugal's national team is pretty average at best.In C - Spain is the prohibitive favorite for this tourney and no reason to think they will not advance. But don't sleep on the Italians or Croatians. Ireland if nothing else will not be a doormat, they have a very veteran side and will be difficult to score against. I think Spain and Croatia advance.In D - who knows really. France's national side has been in turmoil the past few years, but they still have quite a bit of talent. England is due to underwhelm as usual, and I think they will have trouble. Sweden is a difficult out, imho. They play well on the national level. Ukraine should have solid support in the stands and again I think they will be a difficult team to knock out. I could see any of these four advance, I'll choose Ukraine and Sweden (unless Rooney ban is overturned or something)
 
'guru_007 said:
In D - who knows really. France's national side has been in turmoil the past few years, but they still have quite a bit of talent. England is due to underwhelm as usual, and I think they will have trouble. Sweden is a difficult out, imho. They play well on the national level. Ukraine should have solid support in the stands and again I think they will be a difficult team to knock out. I could see any of these four advance, I'll choose Ukraine and Sweden (unless Rooney ban is overturned or something)
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I think this is an interesting group. Any of the four teams could advance or exit the groups with zero points.In group A, I'm intrigued by Russia. I haven't seen them play much but their recent results have been impressive. They have a roster with a lot of domestically based players and a manager in **** Advocaat who has a lot of experience in international tournaments. I wonder how they'll be received by the Polish crowds.
 
I think the Russians really bust out on the scene at the last euro, when guys like Arshavin and Zhirkov and Pavlenchecko were all the rage. Since that team, their best national assets have been spread throughout Europe and I think this hurts their national side. They were used to playing an "off-season" schedule and when the tourney hit, they were all trained together for awhile, and played on mostly the same domestic teams. I don't think they'll be as strong as the last tourney, will certainly not sneak up on anyone, but they do have some talent. I could see them advancing, but I don't see them as one of the stronger sides.

Don't let the Greeks fool you, they are a very strong national side. Most, if not all, of their players plays domestically and their national team is very good. They are difficult to score against, are well formed, they may lack some firepower, but if you take them lightly, they're gonna beat you.

 
'guru_007 said:
I think the Russians really bust out on the scene at the last euro, when guys like Arshavin and Zhirkov and Pavlenchecko were all the rage. Since that team, their best national assets have been spread throughout Europe and I think this hurts their national side. They were used to playing an "off-season" schedule and when the tourney hit, they were all trained together for awhile, and played on mostly the same domestic teams. I don't think they'll be as strong as the last tourney, will certainly not sneak up on anyone, but they do have some talent. I could see them advancing, but I don't see them as one of the stronger sides.Don't let the Greeks fool you, they are a very strong national side. Most, if not all, of their players plays domestically and their national team is very good. They are difficult to score against, are well formed, they may lack some firepower, but if you take them lightly, they're gonna beat you.
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I forgot Russia was converting to a standard schedule this season. Their squad is still predominantly domestically based with the exception of Pogrebnyak and few players in England. The national league has improved a lot and their top clubs have performed well in Europe.I don't think I've seen the Greeks since Rehhagel was replaced as manager. Do they still make the beautiful game beautiful?
 
Will the Laudrup brothers be coming out of retirement to play in the Euros? Otherwise, I don't think Denmark has much of a chance in that group...

 
'The Z Machine said:
'Eephus said:
'The Z Machine said:
'BlackMagic10 said:
As a Dutchy, I couldn't be happier with this draw. Awesome.
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The Dutch want the toughest group possible unlike every other country. Why is that?
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Holland-Germany is always a good matchup
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I love those game just to see what sort of insulting gear the Dutch can wear. Germany can say nothing back but "stop being so crude and insensitive." LOL
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Perhaps the Germans could just point to the multiple stars on their jerseys, and note the absence of the same on the orange.
 
'BlackMagic10 said:
'The Z Machine said:
'BlackMagic10 said:
As a Dutchy, I couldn't be happier with this draw. Awesome.
Click to expand...
The Dutch want the toughest group possible unlike every other country. Why is that?
Click to expand...
Dunno, must be in our genes. I mean, as a soccer fan, games against Germany (arch rivals) and Portugal, I mean really, it doesn't really get any better, IMO.Besides, if you want to win a tournament you ought to be able to beat any of the other countries regardless the stage of the tournament it would be in.
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I don't know why they even bother with seeding this draw. It's not like the WC where they need to keep teams geographically aligned. Every game in the euro is huge, so there's really no reason.
 
'CletiusMaximus said:
'The Z Machine said:
I love those game just to see what sort of insulting gear the Dutch can wear. Germany can say nothing back but "stop being so crude and insensitive." LOL
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Perhaps the Germans could just point to the multiple stars on their jerseys, and note the absence of the same on the orange.
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:thumbup: My Y league winter season started Friday and the Dazed and Confused Sports Movement got off to a resounding 12-1 victory!!!!I even put one in the net off of a corner kick. Unfortunately I was on defense and I don't think I'm supposed to put it my own goal. :wall:
 
'CletiusMaximus said:
'The Z Machine said:
'Eephus said:
'The Z Machine said:
'BlackMagic10 said:
As a Dutchy, I couldn't be happier with this draw. Awesome.
Click to expand...
The Dutch want the toughest group possible unlike every other country. Why is that?
Click to expand...
Holland-Germany is always a good matchup
Click to expand...
I love those game just to see what sort of insulting gear the Dutch can wear. Germany can say nothing back but "stop being so crude and insensitive." LOL
Click to expand...
Perhaps the Germans could just point to the multiple stars on their jerseys, and note the absence of the same on the orange.
Click to expand...
Insulting gear??Anyway, the hatred has subsided in the last 10+ years. It's more like a rivalry between friendly neighbors nowadays.
 
And don't look now, but Shay Given is off with an injury for Aston Villa...and, Brad Guzan (yes, you're reading that right) is in the game.

 
Was Nick Kroll's character in Community this week wearing a Borussia Dortmund jacket?

To nobody's surprise, Guardiola doesn't have many regulars on the roster for BATE Borisov during the week.

 
One of the great ones:

Former Brazil captain Socrates dies at 57

SAO PAULO (AP) - Former Brazil great Socrates, the clever playmaker who captained the country at soccer's 1982 World Cup, died Sunday. He was 57.

Known for his elegant style on the field and his deep involvement with Brazilian politics, Socrates died of septic shock resulting from an intestinal infection, according to a statement by the Albert Einstein hospital. He had been rushed to the hospital on Saturday - the third time in four months - and had been in critical condition in an intensive care unit, breathing with the help of a ventilator. The hospital said Socrates died at 4:30 a.m. Brazilian time (0630 GMT).

Socrates was twice hospitalized and placed in intensive care in the last few months, most recently in September. Both times he was admitted for a hemorrhage caused by high pressure in the vein that carries blood from the digestive system to the liver. Socrates acknowledged being a heavy drinker, even when he starred as a player in the 1980s, but said he stopped drinking earlier this year after his stints in the hospital.

Dozens of Brazilian footballers expressed their sadness on Twitter moments after Socrates' death was announced. "Sad start to the day,'' retired Brazil striker Ronaldo wrote. "Rest in peace Dr. Socrates.'' Former Brazil and Barcelona playmaker Rivaldo added on his Twitter page: "Sad to wake up and find out that Socrates has died.'' Reaction came from those outside of football, too, including three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten and three-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. "Great guy,'' Castroneves tweeted. "A Brazilian who will be greatly missed.''

The Brazilian football federation said the final round of the Brazilian league on Sunday will be played in Socrates' honor. All matches will be preceded by a minute of silence. Corinthians, the team that featured Socrates at the height of his career, needs a draw against rival Palmeiras to win the title. Corinthians' main fan group said it will honor its former star throughout the day. Fiorentina, another of Socrates' former clubs, said it would hold a minute of silence and wear black armbands in his honor for Sunday's Italian league match with Roma.

"He was a very dynamic player with a sublime foot but most of all great intelligence,'' said former Italy forward Paolo Rossi, who scored a memorable hat trick against Brazil and Socrates at the 1982 World Cup. "Along with Zico and Falcao he was the symbol of that Brazil squad.

"Socrates seemed like a player from another era,'' added Rossi, according to the ANSA news agency. "You couldn't place him in any category - on the pitch and even more so off it. Everyone knew about his degree in medicine and he had a lot of cultural and social interests as well. He was unique from every point of view.'' Indeed, Socrates stood out on and off the field. He became a doctor after retiring from football and later became a popular TV commentator and columnist, always with unique and controversial opinions. He never denied his fondness for drinking, from the time he was a player until his final days.

Socrates wrote a series of columns for The Associated Press during the 2011 Copa America in Argentina, expressing his views on all aspects of the tournament, including economic and political issues in Latin America. "It's not just about the game itself,'' Socrates said before the competition began. "Before anything, (football) is a psychological battle, the human aspect plays a significant role.''

Since his playing days, Socrates never kept his political ideas to himself and often wrote about the subject in his columns. Known as Dr. Socrates because of his practice of medicine, he was the main commentator on a weekly TV sports program and was constantly in demand from local media for interviews on varied subjects.

While with Corinthians, Socrates spearheaded a movement called the Corinthians Democracy, in which players protested against the long periods of confinement required by the club before matches. It quickly became a broader protest that coincided with Brazil's fight to overturn a military regime in the 1980s.

Socrates, whose full name is Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, starred for Corinthians in the early 1980s, but he also played for Flamengo and Santos, as well as Fiorentina in Italy. The tall full-bearded playmaker captained Brazil in the 1982 World Cup in Spain and was a member of the squad in 1986 in Mexico. The 1982 Brazil team became widely known as the best not to win a World Cup. With players like Zico and Falcao, it fell to Italy 3-2 in the second round despite needing only a draw to advance to the semifinals.

Socrates was included in FIFA's list of the best 125 living soccer players in the world, a list compiled by countryman Pele. Socrates played 63 matches with the national team, scoring 25 goals. He was known for his great vision on the field. Always clever with the ball at his feet, his trademark move was the back-heel pass, and he set up and scored many goals with it throughout his career.

Socrates briefly coached and played for Garforth Town in England in 2004.

Socrates' younger brother Rai was another great Brazilian midfielder, and he helped Brazil win the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

He is survived by his wife and six children.
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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/soccer/wires/12/04/2050.ap.soc.obit.brazil.socrates.4th.ld.writethru.1159/index.html
 
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