For the record, I'm with garrp. Making a lot of sense from a punting perspective.

 

Also, I have seen this over and over again with the likes of Holland etc.'Unbeatable favourites'. Yeah, right.

 

People forget that, until 2008, Spain had been perennial chokers. I am gambling they'll revert to type and am going with the winning pedigree of Brazil. I do hope England win it though.

 

aye, and until the last world cup, italy had lost as many penalty shoot outs as us

 

but you can see why spain are favourites can't you? given their form and success over the past few years?

 

garp just seems to think that if you agree you have no mind of your own, but dids has more than backed up his stance

 

so I'm curious as to the thought processs that has gone into this portugal would beat spain (im not even convinced they'll get out of their groups, drogba pending)

 

if it's because they're perennial chokers, fair enough but you have to do better than "i'm right, you're wrong", back it up

aye, and until the last world cup, italy had lost as many penalty shoot outs as us

 

but you can see why spain are favourites can't you? given their form and success over the past few years?

 

garp just seems to think that if you agree you have no mind of your own, but dids has more than backed up his stance

 

so I'm curious as to the thought processs that has gone into this portugal would beat spain (im not even convinced they'll get out of their groups, drogba pending)

 

if it's because they're perennial chokers, fair enough but you have to do better than "i'm right, you're wrong", back it up

 

 

Whoa, owd on a minute barnet. Don't drag me into specific match debates. Not interested. Just like you, Diddles and Garrp, I have my opinion and, based on past experience of watching 12 World cup Finals tournaments. I don't believe Spain are the certs many people think. Yes, they have been in good form and yes, they have exceptional players. So did Holland on a few occasions but I don't see their name of the Roll Of Honour.

 

 

 

All this debate just adds an extra dimension for me. Looking forward to administering (or, possibly, receiving) an 'I told you so'.

ive seen that video about 5 times now and my god. Total football.

Its all that tippy tappy fanny flicky bollocks

The fanny flicky bollocks was a completely different video...

Spain are overrated. They have always been bottle jobs, looks good in qualifying and the groups and then get knocked out against a team with more balls than them and who know who to stop them playing.

 

Yes they won the Euros, but exactly did they beat?

 

They had arguably the easiest group, but yes you can only beat whats put infront of you.

 

They had Italy in the quarters which was a tough test granted, they went through on Pennys.

 

Semis they had Russia, who were playing above themselves.

 

Then a poor German side in the Final(who beat Portugal in the Quarters)

 

Yes, you can only beat what is put in front of you, yes they were the best team in the competition, but look at it properly and it isn't actually as impressive as people make out.

 

Since then they have got a new Manager

 

In qualifying they won 10 out of 10, impressive yes, but England won 9 and lost the other once qualified.

 

They have lost one game in however many games, but South Korea have lost 3 in 59(something like that). South Korea opponents are mostly poor, but you can write off half off spains aswell.

 

Theres fighting amongst the keepers

 

Torres isn't fully fit, Iniesta isn't fully fit.

 

Do they even know their best starting 11?

 

I firmly believe once they come up against someone mentally strong who won't just let them hve 70% of possesion (like Inter did to Barca), they wont know what to do, they dont have a plan B. They will be 1-0 down with 5 minutes to go and still be knocking it about at the back not knowing what to do now.

 

Portugal were shite qualifying, absoulte shite. but they know how to win against the big boys. Portugals problem is against the smaller teams.

 

Were they worse than Argentina in qualifying yet they are third favs.

 

Every single tournament it looks impossible that the favs will get beat, but they do.

 

I can only think of twice in my lifetime when the fav has won the world cup and once in the Euros. (I may be wrong here)

 

Lets see how they handle being favs, im expecting them to crash out against Portugal/Brazil in the RO16, if they get through it, good luck in the next 3 games its easily the hardest run.

 

4/1 favs? not for me.

Not read all of this thread, so apologies if already mentioned.

 

I have spain to finsih top of their group and portugal 2nd.

 

That would mean they would meet in the last 16.

 

IMO, Ronaldo needs to up his game for Portugal, if they have a chance of winning.

 

Brazil vs Spain final for me.

Not read all of this thread, so apologies if already mentioned.

 

I have spain to finsih top of their group and portugal 2nd.

 

That would mean they would meet in the last 16.

 

IMO, Ronaldo needs to up his game for Portugal, if they have a chance of winning.

 

Brazil vs Spain final for me.

 

If we don't get there then thats the final I want to see. The 2 best teams in the competition IMO and I've got a bet on for Brazil to win it and Torres finish as top scorer at 95/1.

Spain are overrated. They have always been bottle jobs, looks good in qualifying and the groups and then get knocked out against a team with more balls than them and who know who to stop them playing.

 

Yes they won the Euros, but exactly did they beat?

 

They had arguably the easiest group, but yes you can only beat whats put infront of you.

 

They had Italy in the quarters which was a tough test granted, they went through on Pennys.

 

Semis they had Russia, who were playing above themselves.

 

Then a poor German side in the Final(who beat Portugal in the Quarters)

 

Yes, you can only beat what is put in front of you, yes they were the best team in the competition, but look at it properly and it isn't actually as impressive as people make out.

 

Since then they have got a new Manager

 

In qualifying they won 10 out of 10, impressive yes, but England won 9 and lost the other once qualified.

 

They have lost one game in however many games, but South Korea have lost 3 in 59(something like that). South Korea opponents are mostly poor, but you can write off half off spains aswell.

 

Theres fighting amongst the keepers

 

Torres isn't fully fit, Iniesta isn't fully fit.

 

Do they even know their best starting 11?

 

I firmly believe once they come up against someone mentally strong who won't just let them hve 70% of possesion (like Inter did to Barca), they wont know what to do, they dont have a plan B. They will be 1-0 down with 5 minutes to go and still be knocking it about at the back not knowing what to do now.

 

Portugal were shite qualifying, absoulte shite. but they know how to win against the big boys. Portugals problem is against the smaller teams.

 

Were they worse than Argentina in qualifying yet they are third favs.

 

Every single tournament it looks impossible that the favs will get beat, but they do.

 

I can only think of twice in my lifetime when the fav has won the world cup and once in the Euros. (I may be wrong here)

 

Lets see how they handle being favs, im expecting them to crash out against Portugal/Brazil in the RO16, if they get through it, good luck in the next 3 games its easily the hardest run.

 

4/1 favs? not for me.

 

nice one, things I'd have to say

 

- the German side wasn't that poor in the last Euros, it's a new look team, and as we saw last night, it's getting better, they're certainly have impressed me at 2006, 2008 and last night, when you say "I firmly believe once they come up against someone mentally strong who won't just let them hve 70% of possesion" - they did at Euro 2008 final, and beat them - I think this Spain side now has the belief side of things sorted

 

- no evidence of Portugal beating big boys on a regular/semi regular basis, they've only really been a good team since the side of 2000, they've done ok in most comps but not when it matters - add to that they are an ageing squad that will rely heavily on Ronaldo - they've beaten us and Holland in major tournaments but beaten by Germany, France (twice), Greece in knockouts as well - they bottled it big time when they should've won the euros, their record is not as good as you make out, certainly not mentally strong to stop them playing anyway

 

it's not impossible that spain can get beat, just don't think portugal are the team that will - I'm not even convinved they will get out the group - tomorrow's game against Ivory Coast is a big one, they're a good improving team and i'm expecting them to get better under sven who is probably the biggest name they've had manage them - that said, they'll be looking to Drogba, just as much as Portugal will on Ronaldo

 

I'll take a ?10 bet with you now that if Spain meet Portugal, Spain will win

nice one, things I'd have to say

 

- the German side wasn't that poor in the last Euros, it's a new look team, and as we saw last night, it's getting better, they're certainly have impressed me at 2006, 2008 and last night, when you say "I firmly believe once they come up against someone mentally strong who won't just let them hve 70% of possesion" - they did at Euro 2008 final, and beat them - I think this Spain side now has the belief side of things sorted

 

- no evidence of Portugal beating big boys on a regular/semi regular basis, they've only really been a good team since the side of 2000, they've done ok in most comps but not when it matters - add to that they are an ageing squad that will rely heavily on Ronaldo - they've beaten us and Holland in major tournaments but beaten by Germany, France (twice), Greece in knockouts as well - they bottled it big time when they should've won the euros, their record is not as good as you make out, certainly not mentally strong to stop them playing anyway

 

it's not impossible that spain can get beat, just don't think portugal are the team that will - I'm not even convinved they will get out the group - tomorrow's game against Ivory Coast is a big one, they're a good improving team and i'm expecting them to get better under sven who is probably the biggest name they've had manage them - that said, they'll be looking to Drogba, just as much as Portugal will on Ronaldo

 

I'll take a ?10 bet with you now that if Spain meet Portugal, Spain will win

 

I thowt Drogba was out of the WC?

I thowt Drogba was out of the WC?

 

last I heard, was he knacked his elbow but he wasn't ruled out

 

first two stories i can find are might do/might not do

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8722701.stm

 

"Didier Drogba could play in Ivory Coast's World Cup opener despite breaking his arm against Japan on 4 June, says coach Sven-Goran Eriksson."

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/ivory-coast/7826412/Toure-We-can-win-without-Drogba.html

 

"The Ivorians were rocked in the run-up to the finals when the Chelsea striker broke a bone in his forearm, and although he is expected to be able to play some part in the tournament, it is not yet known whether he will be available for the opening Group G clash with Portugal in Port Elizabeth."

nice one, things I'd have to say

 

- the German side wasn't that poor in the last Euros, it's a new look team, and as we saw last night, it's getting better, they're certainly have impressed me at 2006, 2008 and last night, when you say "I firmly believe once they come up against someone mentally strong who won't just let them hve 70% of possesion" - they did at Euro 2008 final, and beat them - I think this Spain side now has the belief side of things sorted

 

- no evidence of Portugal beating big boys on a regular/semi regular basis, they've only really been a good team since the side of 2000, they've done ok in most comps but not when it matters - add to that they are an ageing squad that will rely heavily on Ronaldo - they've beaten us and Holland in major tournaments but beaten by Germany, France (twice), Greece in knockouts as well - they bottled it big time when they should've won the euros, their record is not as good as you make out, certainly not mentally strong to stop them playing anyway

 

it's not impossible that spain can get beat, just don't think portugal are the team that will - I'm not even convinved they will get out the group - tomorrow's game against Ivory Coast is a big one, they're a good improving team and i'm expecting them to get better under sven who is probably the biggest name they've had manage them - that said, they'll be looking to Drogba, just as much as Portugal will on Ronaldo

 

I'll take a ?10 bet with you now that if Spain meet Portugal, Spain will win

 

Is it wrong of me that I hope that Portugal beat Spain, but in doing so, a Barcelona player breaks Ronaldo's leg (badly).

Is it wrong of me that I hope that Portugal beat Spain, but in doing so, a Barcelona player breaks Ronaldo's leg (badly).

 

I think you are narrowing it down to much, I would go for any player to break his leg (gives you more options)

Anyone else keeping score on Garrp v the Rest of the World, then?

 

I've got it at cock all apiece after the first round of group matches.

 

Unless Garrp rather astutely lumped his house on a Swiss victory, obviously...

i've seen garpos pre-world cup bets

 

he'll be happiest with his support for portugal and south korea (they're not winning it, but it keeps him amused )

Edited June 17, 201016 yr by Casino

Anyone else keeping score on Garrp v the Rest of the World, then?

 

I've got it at cock all apiece after the first round of group matches.

 

Unless Garrp rather astutely lumped his house on a Swiss victory, obviously...

 

 

i dont think even garpo would admit to backing the swiss against spain.

Portugal Spain

 

couldn't have asked for any more after this thread

Here's now hoping for a Brazil v Spain final.

Here's now hoping for a Brazil v Spain final.

 

 

I'll settle for that as my bet will be up but methinks it will be an all South American affair with a role reversal. It always used to be the Brazilians with all out attacking flair and the Argies with steely defence and quick breaks. T'other way round now.

 

Half a hunch that Spain won't beat Portugal.

I'll settle for that as my bet will be up but methinks it will be an all South American affair with a role reversal. It always used to be the Brazilians with all out attacking flair and the Argies with steely defence and quick breaks. T'other way round now.

 

Half a hunch that Spain won't beat Portugal.

 

after last night I doubt anyone will beat Brazil

 

I'll take a Brazil Argentina final, be a right good watch would that

 

still backing Spain tonight

after last night I doubt anyone will beat Brazil

 

I'll take a Brazil Argentina final, be a right good watch would that

 

still backing Spain tonight

 

Agree with lines one and two. Neutral tonight. Not forgiven c?ntybollocks Ronaldo for Gelsenkirchen and for generally being a whingeing dago tw?t.

 

Also fed up of every f?cker down here telling me I was wrong for predicting a Brazilian World Cup win in South Africa since the Confederations Cup win and that 'Spain will p?ss it. Best team in the world'. Utter shiyte as Brazil and Argentina have already proved IMO.

From this point of view, I will be smiling if Spain are eliminated tonight.

Edited June 29, 201016 yr by bolty58

not as much as garpo

Someone will have to let mw know how the game went as theres no chance im staying awake for another 90 minutes of a Spain game.

Someone will have to let mw know how the game went as theres no chance im staying awake for another 90 minutes of a Spain game.

 

Kinell Garrp,the rest of the competition must be a reet yawnfest for you then - cos Spain are one of the better sides to watch imo,along with Brazil and the Argies.

Kinell Garrp,the rest of the competition must be a reet yawnfest for you then - cos Spain are one of the better sides to watch imo,along with Brazil and the Argies.

 

 

Its the soaking up of possesion that they take to the extreme and the inabilty to do anything other than short passes.

 

I'm not anti "proper football", I could watch teams like Brazil and Argentina all day long, they are brilliant to watch.

 

Argies, Brazil, Chile etc all play the pretty football, but they get it forward as soon as they can. If theres no simple ball on, they get it forward another way. Spain just pass and pass and pass and pass and pass, whilst the commentators wank themselves silly over it.

 

I honestly would rather watch Fulham v Wigan than a Spain game.