Somehow, I didn't manage to watch any football yesterday. I blame Wimbledon. I want to make up for it today, and goodness me, I have four matches to choose from! Four! They're on in two lots of two, so four teams playing all at the same time. I need more eyes, I really do. Or that TV screen from Back to the Future II. If someone could go ahead and invent that, I think we'd all be very grateful.
What happened yesterday
Like I said, I didn't actually see any of the matches, and that means I missed out on a lot of goals. Seriously. The Portugal/North Korea game ended with a score of 7-0. No prizes for guessing who was the victor on that front. If that group came down to goal difference, it's easy to see who would win.
Chile brought down the Spain beaters Switzerland with a 1-0 victory, whilst Spain themselves picked up two goals and denied Honduras any. Neither of these matches sound very exciting, though, when you compare them with a 7-0 scoreline.
What's happening today
Our first batch of games sees my sweepstake team France against South Africa. France have been worse than dismal. Everyone is saying the only thing the England players can console themselves with is that they aren't France. Ouch. People have been sent home, there has been arguing. It's all kicking off, and sadly, not on the pitch.
At the same time, Mexico take on Uruguay, and both of these teams have appeared quite fiesty so far this tournament. It might be an interesting matchup. These matches are both on ITV, so I don't know how they're going to manage that. Maybe the BTTF TV is closer than we think.
Later on this evening, Greece and Argentina go head to head, as do Nigeria and South Korea. I'm afraid my knowledge runs out on these teams, except that Nigeria wear a green kit and I find that is hard to distinguish from the pitch. Far from Spot the Ball, it is Spot the Player.
Here's the schedule:
- France v South Africa - 15:00 (GMT+1) ITV
- Mexico v Uruguay - 15:00 (GMT+1) ITV
- Greece v Argentina - 19:30 (GMT+1) BBC1
- Nigeria v South Korea - 19:30 BST (GMT+1) Three
Enjoy the football!
It's really not looking good for France. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8752637.stm
Soooo much football, I feel spoilt. Shame we have to wait till 3pm for the first game.
Can't wait for the Argentina game, for the simple fact that its Argentina. Woo.
"Rumours in Bloemfontein that Patrice Evra dropped by Domenech. Alou Diarra set to be #fra France captain"
http://twitter.com/MOgdenTelegraph
It goes on
Got both games on as well as this, not sure which one to focus on the most.
Itv player only lets you see one at a time :(
Which is precisely why I'm not using it.
Arrgh! Now I have to make a choice which one to watch!
joe on the worldcup: http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/responsibility-in-sport/
Hi all! Lots of action today. :D
Hii. Can't go wrong with so much football.
Which match will we be concentrating more on?
I'm focused on Mexico v Uruguay. France v SA in the background.
What chance have SA or Fra got?
Tiny. As long as either one team wins in the other match, they have a chance. If it is a draw, game over.
hey folks
so have any other french players boycotted?
Hello Leigh!
Nope. But Domenech has exerted his dominance again by dropping people to the bench. It is his last chance after all. ;)
Evra was dropped , Malouda and Govou I think too.
hi marilene
Bloody hell.
they've put on two at the same time. do they not realise men watch these games?
:D
Its to avoid a repeat of this
It is done for equality's sake so that teams won't choose to be defensive and not attack after knowing they are sure to be through due to the other match.
Two lots of two at the same time.
:D
oh. can someone not tweet them what the other game is doing, so they can adjust accordingly?
I am not sure they can hear the tweets during the game. Maybe at half time?
the manager could though.
One of the staff will probably be keeping up with the other game.
South Africa GOAL!!!
Goal South Africa!
Yay! Come on Bafana Bafana Bafana Bafana Bafana !!!
Ohhh Lloris, where were you?
Goalkeeping error me thinks.
:D
Oooooh, Mexico go and hit the bar.
Is it a match or are they messing about?
Soccernet uses bold to highlight important events in the other match. :)
Oh my - what a turn up for the books!! It's almost reminiscent of when Pierluigi Martini qualified his Minardi on the front row of the grid for the 1990 US GP
Its a proper match, both teams going for it. Am enjoying it.
Cool. If SA win, they qualify regardless, right?
I
Times like this several screens are needed
Scratch that, Soccernet is confusing me :(
ooooh. Wide by Mphela there when he should have scored.
Well ITV won't let me have two streams and I can't find one that works :(
No they need either Mexico or Uruguay to win.
RED CARD! for FRANCE. Bye bye.
Confirmed. It was for Goucuff. Really bad decision by referee there.
VERY harsh!
What happened, watching the game on mute really makes things hard to understand.
Apparently an elbow was used... doesn't look like it to me.
Looked like he led in with his arm... interesting.
Goucuff jumped to head the ball, had an arm over the opponent's shoulder. Arm may have hit the African's face, but the were justling for the ball.
Should have been a yellow card, if even that.
2-0?!!!
Mphela scores for the bafana bafana!!!
Offside. But SA are really setting things alight here! I chose the right match :D
You did, Mexico v Uruguay has suddenly got quieter since the goals went in...
Don't dare to lose? Blah. :(
If SA want to qualify, the need to hope Uruguay score since Mexico have a worse GD and therefore easier to catch.
However... its more like Mexico to score, if anyone does.
GOAL URUGUAY!!!!
Suarez scoooorrreeesss! yay for south africa!
Talk about talking too soon eh.
ooooh. Gignac got a slap in the face and is booed. Not a good atmosphere today. :(
Half time: Mexico 0-1 Uruguay
Half time: France 0 South Africa 2 ;)
:)
Ha
"0 - Amount of dignity left for the French team at this World Cup, currently trailing 1-0 and a man down. Shambles."
http://twitter.com/optajoke
Corrected. ;) Go Bafana Bafana!
ESPN Stats & Info: When conceding the first goal, Mexico have won 3, lost 18 and drawn 6 in World Cup matches.
Things are looking better and better for the hosts.
2 games at once in the same group is quite dramatic, even following by text comments :)
All you need to know about qualification for the next stage here.
that almost reads as if New Zealand might have a chance. I'm scared.
Ooh, that's great information... although it makes my head hurt.
Actually, they do have a very good chance. All they need to do is draw and do better against Paraguay then Italy against Slovakia.
Best result for them would be if everyone draws. ;)
You're still learning . :D
Kick off!
CLOSE! South Africa off the post.
Gahhh....
Post-match flat viewing has been cancelled - Tuesday has now been somewhat de-enhanced
:/
Mexico have just missed a total sitter. Free header, six yards out. Dear me.
Tshabalala! :(
Hmmm, Mexico made some good changes, seem to have worked for them. Still 1-0 Uruguay, 20 to go.
France gets one back! Florent Malouda scores!
2-1
Everytime I mention something positive about Mexico, someone scores...
Mexico are brilliant.
:D #propheticRG
That goal average must be looking much healthier...
2.13 last time I checked
Ooh, that's much better. That 7-0 will have helped a lot!
Much better :)
I'm feeling quite sorry for the hosts..
Me too. But France are finally playing some pretty football so I feel a little sorry for them too. :(
It was always going to be a struggle for them to qualify :(
I know, but they are so close!
i have more sympathy if they'd left the big horns at home.
Aw. :P
Fair point. They're not traditional and to make it a nationalistic issue was over the top. They're loud, annoying and kill the atmosphere.
100% disagree with you. It brings a sense of SA to the tournament, they are used in every single domestic match and yes, they make a lot of noise, but its their tournament, not ours.
+1
Plus I like the noise. It makes the stadium sound more crowded than they really are. ;)
i think they're as bad as air horns at f1 races, and therefore should be banned globally. but then i care about my hearing :)
But they've only used them since 2001. I don't personally call a 120dB drone atmosphere - I want to hear singing, drums, instruments etc. If I want drone, I'll stand next to a fan for two hours ;)
seconded.
FT: Uruguay 1-0 Mexico.
Uruguay top the group, Mexico surely finish 2nd.
if i want to hear a droning sound, i just you tube mick mccarthy
Drums are much more annoying, I can't stand it when Portsmouth are on the TV.
I miss the cheering and songs, but they've brought a unique flavour to the event and I like that.
Full time: France 1 South Africa 2
Confirmed. ;)
Funnily enough, when I went to the speedway, it was airhorns and VERY loud music. I was the only one using earplugs, which is a surprise considering my office is supposed to be HSE minded...
Actually... are I say it, the England band are a bit annoying now. It was good at first but I've had enough Great Escape theme to last...
:D
i think i'm a little happy about that result - at least france are gone
:)
hometime, will be back for the next pair..
Agreed.
Final standings for Group A:
1) Uruguay - Played 3, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 0, 7 points, +4 GD
2) Mexico - Played 3, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 1, 4 points, +1 GD
-------------
3) South Africa - Played 3, Won 1, Drawn 1, Lost 1, 4 points, -2 GD
4) France - Played 3, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 2, 1 points, -3 GD
MEXICO VS: ARGENTINA??? DROOLS!!!
Well, my favourite music is still the Anfield songs. But I wouldn't mind the vuvuzuelas either.
Not confirmed just yet, Argentina need to finish top first, or it could be Uruguay v Argentina... which is even better.
I'll take either ;)
Okay. Off for a break, back for Argentina vs. Greece and Nigeria vs. S Korea later! ;)
Pfft at the French Coach - Somehow I don't think all of France's problems are with the players...
Right, I'm concentrating on Nigeria vs. South Korea tonight...
Back!
I shall watch the other match then. ;)
:P
The manager has always been the problem. I said so since 2 years ago...
Harry Redknapp on the BBC coverage... woo.
how do i choose?
Wait till we shout out which one seems to be more interesting. :D
Mascherano is not playing. :(
Resting him I'd imagine, more or less certainly through so, no need to take risks.
Or because of his yellow. Better not let him miss the knockout rounds.
oooohhh. Tevez's daughter is so cute!
Cmooooooooon Argentina!!!
Greece v Argentina has Darth doing the stadium announcments again
Apparantly, 24 years today, a certain someone decided to jump up and guide the ball with his hand into the goal and knock England out of the World Cup.
I should say Vader, Darth isn't his first name is it...
After being half kicked to death by an inferior Englanf team and before scoring one of the best ever goals?
Kick off!
am watching arg v gre because it's on the bbc, and thus better.
The other one is also on the bbc
Yay, my match.
My logic too
Nigeria and South Korea is on BBC3
oh right. ha.
i went to the homepage and that was the promoted game.
how does that scheduling make any sense, btw?
As RG said earlier, it supposedly prevents cheating in the other game. But both being on BBC at once, and both being on ITV at once was probably to avoid each of them being locked up with football from 3pm to 9pm for several days. They already get complaints about having too much sport
Nigeria scooooooore.
THe final pairs of games in each group are played at the same team to avoid fiddling. If one of the teams in the last game knew they had to win 4-0 to qualify and the other team had no chance there is an opportunity for dodgy deals.
They are also trying to avoid a repeat of the West Germany-Austria match in 1974. A 1-0 win for Germany meant both teams went through. Early in the game they scored and nothing at all happened for the rest of the match. Absolutely nothing. There was a huge scandal as a result.
oh, ok.
Nigerian goal!
Both at the same time I mean.
Interesting
So if Nigeria and Argentina win the second qualifier from this group will only have three points
i don't really see why the 3pm games couldn't be on bbc and itv and then the same again in the evening.
Because fans of Eastenders and Corination Street would just get annoyed.
it's once every four years :)
Then you are a true sports fan. ;)
The Eastenders and Corrie fans would be up in arms, and there's unfortunately a lot of 'em.
i keep forgetting there are channels and schedules. i live in a world where you pick stuff of the internet you want to watch.
Theywould argue that so are the Olympics, football European championshps, Ryder cup etc etc and they are already having to deal with Wimbledon
I wish corrie was too.
Ooooh, what a run by Aguero.
save!
Easy save really, nice little height for him.
Nice save by the greek keeper there! Fantastic!
Whats a strike by Juan sebastian vettel!
ip streaming is clearly the future. you could watch eastenders online now, no problem. bbc have the bandwidth.
Gaaaaaaaaahhhhh. Veron.
Stupid habit.
looked great from here :)
:P
I think its with me being a keeper, a lot of saves don't look as impressive.
It reminds me - I love the way Schweinsteiger shortens his name to Bastian instead of Seb.
Wayyyy cooler. ;)
Oh yeah. never thought of that!
Have we had a goal from a free kick yet?
replay says you're were correct.
I'm calling all the Seb's, Bastian now.
:D
I'm hopeful the Canvas thing will deliver it to the masses. I really do think people are attached to their TVs so they want a box to attach to it. I have the BT box which works via IP and it works a treat for on-demand, when you find what you want (that could use work).
Bugatti?
Come on ARgentina... we don't want Greece going through
More like RGentina ;)
we don't?
:D
;)
:D
Apparently Greece don't play good football...
Boring football. Too defensive, not good for the tournament.
to me, things like this show the whole things needs a rethink. why have football on a specific channel? why isn't just online?
it'll take years to shake people out of the current state of mind though, even if it is for their own good.
But they are starting to attack now. We don't want them to revert to being ultra-defensive because their trial at attacking football fails, do we?
i thought argentina are always mean to us though?
Tell that to my grandad who doesn't have a computer
He broke the corner flag :)
Ops. :D
i know. we're years and years away from it. to me though, it makes no sense that anyone is angry about too much football, when there's plenty of bandwidth for all.
I hope they sell selotape in south africa. if we're a corner flag down we could always get peter crouch to stand there with a flag.
:)
The Nigeria game s really exciting....
(Just saying)
i knew i'd pick the wrong one.
Lionel Messi is going for the Beatles look tonight
Nice to see Enyeama getting involved in a bit of blocking.
*switches*
I thought that was going to be the first goal
Ooooh, not sure how Argentina didn't score.
oooh good chance for the RGies
But I like watching the defensive Greeks more. Especially when they actually look good on the counter-attack now. :P
Watch them both like me then ;)
Wow, off the post!
South Korea goooooooooalll
South Korea equalise..
GOAL KOREA!!!
sod it :)
That will force Greece to attack more
I have one eye on Gre vs. RG and it's very stop-start defensive like a Serie A match is---
Yep, SK go through on goals scored.
Right now Argentina win the group and South Korea go through in 2nd place with the same goal difference as Greece but having scored more goals
So if it isn't Greece, who do we want through?
I hope South Korea go through just for Park ji sung's awesomeness
I have a few Nigerian and Argentinian colleagues so I'm cheering for them...
Nigeria ideally.. Though wouldn't mind South Korea either.
eeeek. Tennis distracted me. #stupidwimbledonscheduling
S. Korea going all out then?
It was such a bad header he ended up volleying it from close range
Greek goalkeeper brilliant so far!
he's been kept busy.
Half time: Greece 0 Argentina 0
0-0
Greece can't sit in like that in the 2nd half though
so which to watch in the second half?
Both!
i can't enjoy both. i need commentary to know what's happening.
I am sticking with the Argentina game. I want to see how Argentina cope with Greece and how Greece respond. If South Korea take the lead in their match Greece have to win here so they have to be ready for that
Heheh, side-effect of two BBC games is that the BBC1 guys are in the football studio - so the BBC3 guys look like they are in a corridor with a window
forward planning fail?
I saw Dan Walker's twitpic of where they were and it looked like they had nicked the ITV studio...
:D How fun.
hi everyone,
just back in the door; 0-0 and 1-1 i see...
FIrst time I have seen this. Click on heat map and choose the whole Greek team. Absolutely nothing in the Argentina box
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/gamecast?id=264042&cc=5739&ver=global
sneaky people have employed an invisible shield, clearly.
They say a keeper should make the box his own... but thats taking it too far.
Have they learnt ninja skills from the japanese?
hehe
:D
Greece, going even more defensive.
Kick off!
NOOOO! Greece miss a golden opportunity! :(
They must have been scared of going into the box.
Goaaaaaaaaalllllll Korea.
Nah. He just missed the far post by a little bit.
ooooh! Korea goal!
Now Greece have to attack
You're a bit ahead of the interwebs ;)
They are. Amazingly.
Who scored?
Hold on.... did Argentina and Greece swap shirts at half time?
Lee or Park something...
Park Chu Young
Park Chu-Young
#needsmorejisung
heehee
But really Greece aren't playing all that bad now. I suspect RGentina may be taking things a little too easy.
The kitchen sink for Greece now. Double substitution because their players are starting to cramp up. :(
Nigeria should have scored there...
Samaras is useless
He will be lucky if that shot styed in the stadium
Korea pushing too
Really glad I chose this one - much more entertaining ;)
Definitely. Argentina don't need to win and the bit I watched earlier, they didn't seem to care
Yeah - no need to push and injure/card players...
I think that is unfair. Argentina are creating loads of chances but are being snuffed out by Greece packing the defence
How did he miss??
oooh what a miss...
Did he just miss from there?
HOW DID HE MISS THAT??? HE COULD HAVE WALKED IT IN!!!
Maybe..
Nigeria and Korea are at each end of the field, each going for goal, attacking all the way. Defensive is as boring as it is in F1 :)
Brian Blessed commentary should be approved
Oh dear oh dear from that Korean player
Nigeria and Korea are playing liquid football...
Surely Nigeria can't miss this???
very calmly placed!
2-2!!
2-2. Fantastic stuff.
Best game so far!
And he's run straight back to the centre spot with it, no celebrations.. they're in a hurry!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8752379.stm
?
oh my goodness :D
WOW.
A-MA-ZING.
Jenson and lewis too!
his appearance on Have I Got News for You was the best episode ever!!
:D
Excellent :)
Tend to think the battle cry stuff works better for rugby, mind!
Brian Blessed should be allowed to do anything to be fair
I'll vote for that!
oooh Park Ji Sung nearly scored.
He should be Mayor of London
I think F1 needs this,
Can you imagine him shouting "Gentlemen, start your engines"?
True brilliance
he wouldn't even need a mic!!
Argentina score
Argentina scores!
Argentina score..... its the slightly rubbish Demechalis!
#crapHair
oops. thread fail.
finally.
Out of curiosity... was it because you used the quick comment button?
Obafemi Martins, my word.
You can see why he played for Newcastle there...
i gave up following comments, cause i can't cope with two games.
when they scored i opened doohickey and hit quick comment. i needs to remove it. or block myself from using doohickey :)
Cannot believe it!
I agree. I stopped using it, I stopped getting the wrong thread.
I used it once ... and I got the wrong thread.
With the ugraded Daily posts, there's no need for it IMO....
It's handy when there are a few threads going at the same time and no comments for a while on the one you want to post a comment on. That's the only time I use it
What if there aren't comments on the page in the thread you want to write in?
Same for me.
Replace it with a link to the post so you can open it in a new tab/window in Brand New Ye Olde Comments...
Great move Argentina
Messi just can't score. Why?
I have been told by my RG colleagues that he's not bothered about playing for his country...
Having seen some of the stuff he's done before shooting, I'd argue that.
No goals =/= bad performance
Well that's what they tell me. What would I know? I've only seen him play twice this year and nonce for Argentina.
2-0 Since Greece opened up Argentina are tearing them apart
Argentina scores again, and again it is not Messi!
Oooooh, Nigeria so...soo close.
Great goal though!
It's like they're destined not to score now...
Great hit... wide... come on Nigeria
nooo come on park! ;)
LOL Greece is pouring in the shots on target now but it is too late...
Full time: Greece 0 Argentina 2
Yeeayyy!
So, are any African nations going through to Round 2?
FT: Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
SK are through
Can't see Ghana getting anything from Germany...
So.... Uruguay v South Korea, Argentina v Mexico
I like how they've chucked the BBC3 people on a street corner in the middle of nowhere with no lights on the street
A tiny chance for Ghana. and by that, I mean reallllyyyy tiny. ;)
Tinier chance for Algeria and Ivory Coast too.
Did the BBC budget not extend to tables or chairs?
Adrian Chiles stole them
All the money was spent on Glasto.
I can't believe Yak-a-boo, missed that chance. Terrible miss
Garth Crooks is about to enact a hulk smash!
A graph for the World Cup: http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/funny-graphs-world-cup-mistakes.png
Hanson thinks he would have scored it. What an insult. He never made it into the opposition's 6 yard box in his entire career
Not true. In 1986, he got disorientated (once again) mid-game and wandered into Norwich City's 6-yard-box by accident
IS A LIE
Referees made plenty more mistakes than that I am sure.
I think a referee made the graph.
What kind of mistakes? Just mistakes or ones that led to goals being scored?
I am sure the unmerited red cards and (un)given penalties count as ones that led to goals being scored (or not scored). :(
Domenech is being mad again. Claims he wants to salute the players after all he has put them through. Why doesn't he just leave them alone?
Just listened to the BBC World Cup Daily podcast from yesterday - excellent song called "We're not as bad as France", very funny :)
This guy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLglFSV88w4&feature=channel
First heard him when Yann Kermogant chipped in the Championship playoff match, brilliant parody of the Total Eclipse of the Heart one
Stat of the year: http://twitter.com/danwalkerbbc/status/16757013085
"Since 1982, England have won 62% of all World Cup games on the BBC and 30% of those on ITV."
I (accidentally) saw this in The Mirror today, who believe this is why England have a better chance tomorrow than they did last week
They are also playing in a lucky all red kit...