The Official World Cup Thread
 

The Official Thread of the 2006 FIFA World Cup ( tongue.gif )

FIFA World Cup 2006

Thirty-two teams gain entry to the World Cup based upon their standings in their regional qualifying groups. Those thirty-two teams are places in eight groups (A-H) and will compete in three matches.

Group Stage

====Group A====
Costa Rica
Ecuador
Germany
Poland

Schedule/Results
Germany(4) v. Costa Rica (2)
Ecuador (2) v. Poland (0)
Poland v. Germany (6/14/06)
Costa Rica v. Ecuador (6/15/06)
Poland v. Costa Rica (6/20/06)
Ecuador v. Germany (6/20/06)

Standings/Points
1. Germany (3)
2. Ecuador (3)
3. Costa Rica (0)
4. Poland (0)

====Group B====
England
Paraguay
Sweden
Trinidad-Tobago

Schedule/Results
Paraguay (0) v. England (1)
Sweden (0) v. Trinidad-Tobago (0)
Trinidad-Tobago v. England (6/15/06)
Paraguay v. Sweden (6/15/06)
Trinidad v. Paraguay (6/20/06)
England v. Sweden (6/20/06)

Standings/Points
1. England (3)
2. Sweden (1)
2. Trinidad-Tobago (1)
4. Paraguay (0)

====Group C====
Argentina (3)
Netherlands (3)
Cote d’Ivoire (0)
Serbia-Montenegro (0)

Schedule/Results
Cote d'Ivoire (1) v. Argentina (2)
Netherlands (1) v. Serbia-Montenegro (0) (6/11/06)
Serbia-Montenegro v. Argentina (6/16/06)
Cote d'Ivoire v. Netherlands (6/16/06)
Serbia-Montenegro v. Cote d'Ivoire (6/21/06)
Argentina v. Netherlands (6/21/06)

Standings/Points
1. Argentina (3)
2. Cote d'Ivoire
2. Netherlands
2. Serbia-Montenegro

====Group D====
Angola
Iran
Portugal
Mexico

Schedule/Results
Iran v. Mexicao (6/11/06)
Portugal v. Angola (6/11/06)
Angola v. Mexica (6/16/06)
Iran v. Portugal (6/17/06)
Angola v. Iran (6/21/06)
Mexico v. Portugal (6/21/06)

Standings/Points
1. Angola
1. Iran
1. Portugal
1. Mexico

====Group E====
Czech Republic
Ghana
Italy
United States

Schedule/Results
Czech Republic v. United States (6/12/06)
Ghana v. Italy (6/12/06)
Ghana v. Czech Republic (6/17/06)
United States v. Italy (6/17/06)
Italy v. Czech Republic (6/22/06)
United States v. Ghana (6/22/06)

Standings/Points
1. Czech Republic
1. Ghana
1. Italy
1. United States

====Group F====
Australia
Brazil
Croatia
Japan

Schedule/Results
Australia v. Japan (6/12/06)
Croatia v. Brazil (6/13/06)
Croatia v. Japan (6/18/06)
Australia v. Brazil (6/18/06)
Australia v. Croatia (6/22/06)
Brazil v. Japa (6/22/06)

Standings/Points
1. Australia
1. Brazil
1. Croatia
1. Japan

====Group G====
France
Korea
Switzerland
Togo

Schedule/Results
Togo v. Korea (6/13/06)
Switzerland v. France (6/13/06)
Korea v. France (6/18/06)
Switzerland v. Togo (6/19/06)
Korea v. Switzerland (6/23/06)
France v. Togo (6/23/06)

Standings/Points
1. France
1. Korea
1. Switzerland
1. Togo

====Group H====
Saudi Arabia
Spain
Tunisia
Ukraine

Schedule/Results
Ukraine v. Spain (6/14/06)
Saudi Arabia v. Tunisia (6/14/06)
Ukraine v. Saudi Arabia (6/19/06)
Tunisia v. Spain (6/19/06)
Spain v. Saudi Arabia (6/23/06)
Tunisia v. Ukraine (6/23/06)

Standings/Points
1. Saudi Arabia
1. Spain
1. Tunisia
1. Ukraine

Once the group stage has been completed, the top two teams from each group will move on to play in what is known as the knockout stage.

Knockout Stage

====Round of 16====
1A v. 2B (6/24/06)
1C v. 2D (6/24/06)

1E v. 2F (6/26/06)
1G v. 2H (6/26/06)

1B v. 2A (6/25/06)
1D v. 2C (6/25/06)

1F v. 2E (6/27/06)
1H v. 2G (6/27/06)

The best side I've seen so far in this is Argentina. They were strong, well organized, passed the ball well and have the creativity and quality to score goals. Not to mention they have the awesome Quan Roman Riquelme, Hernan Crespo, Messi, Sorin and Ayala. I can even see them beating Brazil if the Salsa men have a bad day.

England were a shambles yesterday. They were really lucky to beat Paraguay. It's a good job we have such good defenders, because if we didn't Valdez and Acuna would have walked all over us. The subsitutions and tactical decisions by Sven were shocking. Why the hell is Owen Hargreaves in the squad? He's a disgrace to English football. I always thought Owen was really overated, even when he was the 'wonderkid'. He was nowhere near as good as Henrik Larsson, rofl at people comparing them. Steven Gerrard was very disapointing yesterday also. Lmao at the commentators saying he had a 'marvellous first half.' I couldn't believe my ears. He was rubbish. Now don't get me wrong, I think he's one of the best players in the world, maybe even as good as Ballack in centre midfield. But he doesn't do the business for England. It's the same with Lampard, the two just can't play together. England would be better playing a defensive midfielder instead of two attack minded ones.

I was really impressed with the Ivory Coast yesterday. They gave Argentina a great game and looked in really good shape. I think Ghana might be more impressive than people say, considering most of their players are like 6 ft 4 and built like Charles Atlas.

Top 5 players in the word at the moment

1) Ronaldinho - This guys got it all when it comes to ball skills. He's lightening fast, an amazing dribbler, an awesome shot, superb vision, incredible passing and very intelligent. The only thing he doesn't do is track back and put as much work as he could do. But when he's got the ball he's unstoppable.

2) Quan Roman Riquelme - Just whoa... This guy used to be mediocre at best. I mean, who the hell was he? Then he disapearred to Argentina somewhere and came back as one of the best players in the world. His passing, vision, creativty and shooting skills are all incredible. When he's playing against good midfielders who can win the ball he'll run the game.

3) Andriy Shevchenko - The best striker in the world without a doubt. Him and Henry are just on another level when it comes to playing up front. He's not quite as good as Ronaldo was when he was in his prime, but he's still absolutely world class. He's strong, powerful, skillful, awesome finisher, deceptively fast and intelligent. Not only that but he's unselfish. If he see's a player in a better position he'll lay it off instead of shooting selfishly. I was very saddened when he left Milan but hopefully he'll have a great career at Chelsea. He's my favourite player in the world.

4) Michael Ballack - So underated it's untrue. This man is incredible whenit comes to centre midfielder. He's got everything. He's strong, fast, intelligent, great passer, awesome shot, great vision, tracks back and to be honest runs the game. He's Germanies 3rd best player of all time in my opinion, behind Beckenbauer and Mathaeus. He'll dominate the premiership and with Lampard and Shevchenko Chelsea will be unstoppable.

5) Thierry Henry - Words can't describe how good this man is up front. How many times have we seem him rise up for Aresenal and almost single handedly win the game? More times than I can remember. He scores goals in all ways imaginable. He's a wonderful talent and I'm very glad he chose to stay instead of going to Barca. He's also a wonderful left winger, as he's so good at cutting inside from the left and decimating defences. He's one of the best French players ever without a doubt.

Keep this updated lad.

Argies lookin strong but fuck them, we gonna take this shit man.

I don't like soccer much. Well I don't watch it a lot
Ronaldinho is the fucking shit. Got nice ass handling and accuracy.

he ugly as fuckin shit to

Girls would go on his dick just cause he's famous as shit.

Luis Figo is still awesome, I thought he'd have completely fallen off by now, despite his incredible performances in Euro 2004. But he still goes past as if they're not there. I mean he'll jog up to them looking like he's sure to get tackled then suddenly the defender's on his arse while Figo's 20 yards ahead with the ball :confused:

anyone catch the group E matches strong performences by both Italy and the Czech republic

hopefully italy takes the group

USA vs. Czech Republic (0-3) Czech Republic Victory

Italy and the other one...i don't even know...

2-0 italy win...

The Czech's will beat Italy I think they are the second best team in the
world cup,... Tina need to sort it out and get Tevez playing !! and Messi
if they want to win.

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY at Luca Toni going to Milan, hopefully he'll be the next Shevchenko. We could do with signing Riquelme too.

yea the czech are pretty insane but they lost their arieal attack i think for the cup.....whats up with france still no goal...thats sad, and how bout that aussie japan game....insane comeback

italy's defence is too good the czechs wont be able to break em down..france looked bad so did brazil england is going nowhere there out in the second round