Ode to the beautiful game... (Soccer)

[Buzz]

Part 2 of the NY Times article about match fixing.

FIFA can't even clean up their own act, no wonder they're doing a lousy cleaning up football.

 

[Buzz]

Brazil's Itaquerao stadium is still not finished yet.
http://blogs.marketwatch.com/themar...-is-far-from-finished-with-just-10-days-left/

 

[oleada]

Falcao has not recovered in time and wont be in Brazil

 

[Buzz]

An interview with the Brazilian president Bout the WC.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/04/w...its-back-at-critics-in-interview.html?hp&_r=0

 

[Buzz]

There is a transit strike on in Brazil's largest city São Paulo just one week before the start of the WC.

http://read.thestar.com/?origref=https://www.google.ca/#!/article/539089d1ec0691ef010002c8

 

[liv]

I find it mildly amusing that a witch doctor has claimed responsibility for Cristiano Ronaldo's injury... lol.

 

[Buzz]

Everyone has now named their final 23 man squad for the tournament and here is that complete list.
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/06/world-cup-squads-2014

 

[Buzz]

Should we open a new thread for the WC?

 

[Buzz]

The US beat both Nigeria and Turkey by the same 2-1 margin and are now off to Brazil where they open against Ghana. Good luck to them.

 

[KHenry14]

The US beat both Nigeria and Turkey by the same 2-1 margin and are now off to Brazil where they open against Ghana. Good luck to them.

That Nigeria game should have been 2-0, as the late PK they got was a completely bogus call. And the return of Jozy Altidore's game bodes well for the start of the WC for the USA.

 

[KHenry14]

Also, I think Team USA could actually win their group.....or they could get blown out like in 1998. Lots of questions around this team, and like others have said, this side will be much better in 2018 than this year.

I'm expecting to beat Ghana, draw with Portugal and lose to the Germans. Whether that is enough to advance??? Who knows.

 

[Buzz]

Spain, England, and USA among others arrived in Brazil yesterday amid a transit strike in São Paulo.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/strike-continues-in-sao-paulo-days-ahead-of-world-cup-1402314097
http://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/photos-teams-arrive-in-brazil-for-fifa-world-cup

 

[Buzz]

Another worker has been killed and two others injured working on WC related projects. The transit strike has also been suspended for two days while negotiations continue.
http://www.ibtimes.com/brazilian-wo...dent-sao-paulo-subway-workers-suspend-1596587

 

[Buzz]

Sepp Blatter says accusations of corruption against Qatar is based on racism. And in september FIFA will meet and their decision then will be final. I'm not holding my breath...

 

[NeilJLeonard]

Also, I think Team USA could actually win their group.....or they could get blown out like in 1998. Lots of questions around this team, and like others have said, this side will be much better in 2018 than this year.

I'm expecting to beat Ghana, draw with Portugal and lose to the Germans. Whether that is enough to advance??? Who knows.

I saw them as 3 and out with Landon Donovan and I see them as 3 and out without him. I'd love it if they prove me wrong, but I simply do not expect it. I still think that Klinsmann set this team up for 2018.

NJL

 

[Buzz]

I think the USA's best chance at a win is against Portugal, because the team is getting older and Ronaldo is in question. And this sport's biggest stars often come up short on it's biggest stage. Ghana just got off a 4-0 win over S. Korea so also given the two teams history I expect Ghana to win. However with luck they will be too jet lagged to be at 100% and the US could pull off a draw.

 

[Sylvia]

Should we open a new thread for the WC?

I vote yes for when the competition begins tomorrow. Can someone think up a snazzy/witty title?

 

[Buzz]

I will try and think of something...

 

[Buzz]

Chinese fans have been buying fake sick notes so they could stay up all night watching matches, and stay home from work the next day.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/10/world/asia/world-cup-sick-notes/

 

[beepbeep]

Chinese fans have been buying fake sick notes so they could stay up all night watching matches, and stay home from work the next day.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/10/world/asia/world-cup-sick-notes/

I thought we were the only ones to do that!

 

[4rkidz]

Expired food has been found in hotels in Rio which are going to be hosting the English and Italian national teams.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...state-of-emergency-declared-in-host-city.html

That's all we need a bunch of players with the runs.. We need all the help we can get (England)

The English MNT is in Miami to play a couple of friendliest before flying out to Brazil. Their first match is against Italy on the 14th.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27653878

I bought my flag for my car today.. last one in the store - England and Italy both sold out.. but then again my city here in Canada is primarily British and Italian.. I'm getting nervous about Saturday.. I'm also curious to see how the USA will do without Donavan?? I think ultimately the winner will Argentina or Brazil.. they will be used to the conditions..

I vote yes for when the competition begins tomorrow. Can someone think up a snazzy/witty title?

GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL

I will try and think of something...

Chinese fans have been buying fake sick notes so they could stay up all night watching matches, and stay home from work the next day.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/10/world/asia/world-cup-sick-notes/

Well we are heading to the Azores next weekend - and of course SATA is on strike - but apparently won't impact on international flights.. our villa is supposed to have wifi - just need to figure out where to watch the games?? If our flights are impacted - plan B is Costa Rica.. as long as we can watch the games all is good in the world..

 

[Garden Kitty]

Per Nancy Armour's twitter (retweeting from For the Win) , the Japanese team arrived in a Pokemon plane.

 

[Buzz]

We have our first entrant for the thread title thanks to 4rkidz!

1. GOOOOOOAAAALLLLL

 

[Buzz]

Oh yeah... There is a strike on at all three airports in Rio starting tomorrow for 24 hours.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...trike-for-world-cup-kick-off/article19130903/

 

[4rkidz]

Oh yeah... There is a strike on at all three airports in Rio starting tomorrow for 24 hours.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...trike-for-world-cup-kick-off/article19130903/

I feel their pain... I follow Cathal Kelly on twitter - he's a sports reporter down there and from his hotel he is catching the bus that arrives in Sao Paulo at 6am - he's hoping to make it for the 7pm kickoff - he's reporting that is mayhem down there with the traffic - and that's 'before' all the strikes! I have sarcastically suggested we start taking bets for when he will arrive

 

[Bournekraatzfan]

O Jogo Bonito! Força Brasil!

If i am this nervous for the first game, i don't know how i will make it through the tournament! I loooooooove Marcelo, so that was tough to see him score on his own goal. Some of their defending made me really nervous, but i have faith they will get things together. Did anyone else catch Kaká and his son in the stands? So cute! I so wish i could be there in Brasil to celebrate. I so envy those of you who are!

And good job to Croatia for pressing til the last minute.

Have a great time in the islands, 4rkidz! Try some of the food cooked in the ground.

 

[Buzz]

There is a new thread for thread for the WC come on over! Everyone is welcomed and there is plenty of caipirinha & fejioada for everyone!

 

[Lety]

O Jogo Bonito! Força Brasil!

If i am this nervous for the first game, i don't know how i will make it through the tournament! I loooooooove Marcelo, so that was tough to see him score on his own goal. Some of their defending made me really nervous, but i have faith they will get things together. Did anyone else catch Kaká and his son in the stands? So cute! I so wish i could be there in Brasil to celebrate. I so envy those of you who are!

And good job to Croatia for pressing til the last minute.

Have a great time in the islands, 4rkidz! Try some of the food cooked in the ground.

I don't watch much of soccer, only during the World Cup , but I was really nervous and excited for this!
And I saw Kaká with his son, he gave an interview before the game and it was really adorable.
That penalty poorly marked took a little of my delight , but I'm anxious for the next games
Vamos Brasil!

And if anyone is going to watch the games live, I wish you have a great time!

 

[Buzz]

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[Buzz]

Migrant workers who fitted the offices of the Qatari World Cup 2022 organizer are still owed 13 months pay after the contractor Lee Trading collapsed.