Which five teams in the World Cup have you watched

[Andy @ Allerton]

So far I've enjoyed;

 

1. Japan - loads of guts and endevour and really played well - unlucky to lose so heavily last night - but for a moment the dream was on that "IF they could just get another goal they might be through"

 

2. Australia - good to see this side shaking people up a bit - and with more than a little skill in the side as well. Not to mention one of ours being involved.

 

3. Brazil - who wouldn't want a side with as many talented players as this - plus a world-record sharing goal scoring tally in the competition - here's hoping Ronaldo (The real one!) can bag a few more in the competition. Sly digs from the commentators about his 'porkyness' didn't stop him banging in a couple last night.

 

4. USA (!) I actually wanted to see the US progress into the next round - they try and play the game - and although lacking in some areas - they do give it 100% - did well against Italy the other day - and didn't have the ref on their side with their last game. Winning would have meant a few more Americans getting involved in 'Soccer' - which would have been a good thing methinks.

 

5. Spain - With a couple of our lads involved - plus some skill in the team - I'd like to see Spain do well.

[nvdm]

1. Ghana. They're the best team Africa has turned out for years. Stephen Appiah is one of my favourite players, ever.

 

2. Argentina. I like their style and that team has World Cups written all over their future with young stars like Mascherano, Tevez, Messi, Saviola and co peaking over the next few years. They're a joy to watch when in flow but aren't afraid to get stuck in if need be.

 

3. Spain. They'll underachieve, obviously, but I'd like them to do well for Garcia, Xabi, Pepe, etc. Similar team to Argentina in that they're very young and consequently absoloutely stacked with talent for the forseeable decade.

 

4. Australia. If for no other reason than it seems to piss my friends off.

 

5. Switzerland. They're unbearably dull, almost destined to draw 0-0 with every team they ever play. They'd probably pull off a boring penalty shootout, if that were possible, but my missus is Swiss and she goes bananas when they do anything remotely exciting so that's worth watching in itself.

[Gilps]

Argentina - So many classy players, making up a well drilled team, playing sumptuous football. A joy to watch.

 

Spain - For our boys, obviously. Nice kit and play good stuff too.

 

Italy - Because I love the country and have been tipping them to win something for years and want top be right for once.

 

Australia - For Harry, but also because (ignoring other sports) its always struck me as deeply unfair the ridiculous play off FIFA put them through. The only continent without an automatic place and its hardly their fault they're the only decent side there.

 

Angola - got them in the sweepstake.

[Guest 3an86]

1. Spain. Obvious reasons Reina, Alonso and Garcia playing. Always liked the Spanish sides over the years who underachieve massively. Have depth in their squad in this World Cup and have a strong chance of pushing themselves right to the end after having a previous very unlucky tournament by being dubiously knocked out.

 

2. Argentina. I've loved the quality of football thats been put out by them in this World Cup. They've set the standard required to be the champions of the world but whether they've peaked to early or not, I'm not sure but what great football to watch, the entertainment value has been of highest during the tournament. There's still a great rivalry and bitterness between England and Argentina so therefore I would love to knock them out.

 

3. Australia. Harry Kewell. They've played with the most passion I've seen so far. Huge underdogs, thats the feeling I get when I look at them and could they go far with this? Just like we did in Istanbul 2005. Harry looks a different player since his return from the plaguing injury at Liverpool and I think the haircut has put the icing on the cake, he can maybe see the ball a bit more easier. (I have longer hair myself but his looks ridiculous)

 

4. Brazil. The excitement from watching Brazil makes me rate these lads. It's just like watching them in training. They struggled to get going in the first two games but last night against Japan showed Brazil are just about to get things going and I would be a fool to write them off.

 

5. Netherlands. I've been wanting them to do well because of Kromkamp and for the simple reason that I've not seen a lot of Kuyt. They've been pretty average and done whats been asked of them. I've not seen Kromkamp play yet and Kuyt hasn't done an awful lot either, but I'm sure there's a lot more to see from him if the Netherlands can progress.

[John am Rhein]

Not sure I can name five but:

 

1. Germany - want to see them do well for the likely feel-good factor which will follow, but can't really get all that excited when they score: cheerful applause rather than jumping out of seat/punching the air, etc. as opposed to:

 

2. Argentina - I really fundamentally and deeply want them to win. Not even sure why, but it goes back to liking their sides in earlier seasons and, in particular, the service they did the world by eliminating England in 1986.

 

after that, err...

 

3. Paraguay

4. Trinidad and Tobago

5. Sweden

[Kahnee]

Why five?

[Andy @ Allerton]

Why five?

 

 

Because it equates to the same number of decades that it'll take you to grow a decent beard

[Ostrich Man]

[Herbie von Smalls]

germany - my default side when ireland aren't involved in a tournament

 

australia - for similar reasons to gilps. plus the missus is one of them

 

spain - our boys

 

ghana - great spirit, oh and don't like the other teams in their group

 

mexico - soft spot, really

 

i pretty much hate brazil. they're favourites every time and most times don't live up to the hype, yet end up winning.

Edited June 23, 2006 by Herbie von Smalls

[Figaro]

Spain.

 

England - to laugh my b******s off at Beckham, Lampard, Neville and SGE and to see how Xabi, Jaime, Peter and Stevie are doing

 

Argentina - Messi mania - also interest in Saviola as he will probably be at Sevilla CF next season

 

Brazil - waiting for them to get a good hiding so that I can see Roberto Carlos' face when he finally realises that he's not God's gift to football and that he doesn't have a divine right to win the WC.

 

Netherlands.

[Cobs]

England - cos i want England to win

England - cos i want Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch & Carson to come home to Anfield as World Champions

England - cos of the feel good factor it will generate in the country

England - cos it'll help turnover/profits at my business

England - cos it will piss some feckers on here right off

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

anyone the Brits have been to war with.

 

 

Oh, that'll probably be all of the teams, then

[Nebraska Red]

USA, I was really hoping that this year they would get to the next round and shut up all the miserable footy haters over here. However, their woeful showing only adds more fuel to the fire as the media pundits pour scorn over USA soccer.

 

 

Brazil, as they have the ability to play fantastic footy, and I live in hope they will do so for a full 90 minutes.

 

 

England, having lived there for most of my life, I want them to do well. However a team of primadonnas managed by a clown is hard to root for at times.

 

 

Argentina, a team with so much talent and capable of breathtaking play at times. Yet, they still resort to bullying and cheating so much of the time. I hope someone beats them with a hotly disputed penalty or an offside goal.

 

 

Australia, it is fun to watch a team made up of a little skill and alot of brute force do well. The exact opposite of England. The Italians will not be looking forward to their next game.

[_00_deathscar]

England - cos i want England to win

England - cos i want Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch & Carson to come home to Anfield as World Champions

England - cos of the feel good factor it will generate in the country

England - cos it'll help turnover/profits at my business

England - cos it will piss some feckers on here right off

 

WHAT? No mention of Lampard?

 

Spain.

 

England - to laugh my b******s off at Beckham, Lampard, Neville and SGE and to see how Xabi, Jaime, Peter and Stevie are doing

 

Argentina - Messi mania - also interest in Saviola as he will probably be at Sevilla CF next season

 

Brazil - waiting for them to get a good hiding so that I can see Roberto Carlos' face when he finally realises that he's not God's gift to football and that he doesn't have a divine right to win the WC.

 

Netherlands.

 

Eh?

[Cobs]

WHAT? No mention of Lampard?

[Des]

England - cos i want England to win

England - cos i want Gerrard, Carragher, Crouch & Carson to come home to Anfield as World Champions

England - cos of the feel good factor it will generate in the country

England - cos it'll help turnover/profits at my business

England - cos it will piss some feckers on here right off

 

I'd buy your face paint now Cobs, it's likely to get pretty expensive after you yet again make a pig's ar se of beating much inferior oppo on sunday.

[Alonso]

Spain - Our lads, plus play decent football.

 

Brazil - My 2 best mates are Brazilian, the parties I've had so far in this World Cup and others since 94 have been unbeliveable, plus I was at the 98 final in Paris.

 

Holland - Their fans were brilliant at the 98 finals and had plenty to drink in bars with them. They also play decent football, liked Gullitt and Van Batsen growing up and even tho their kit should be detested cos of the colour it actually works!!

 

England - Our lads.

 

Argentina - The football they play.

[Cobs]

I'd buy your face paint now Cobs, it's likely to get pretty expensive after you yet again make a pig's ar se of beating much inferior oppo on sunday.

you're writing off the Equadorians already, Des ?

 

 

how arrogant.

 

 

[RBM]

England - Because I'm english and loving the fact thst Neville isn't playing if only beckham would break his leg

 

Australia - Because they aren't expected to do anything and have deserved everything they have done so far

 

Spain

 

Czech republic

 

South Korea

[Benzo-13]

1. Australia. Having some great times out watching them. Harry playing well is good to see.

 

2. Germany. Der Fatherland were always my team growing up in a game of World Cup! Ballack has been impressive.

 

3. Argentina. Brilliant to watch. Great young players and Messi is the ultimate joker in the pack..

 

4. Spain. Our lads and their team ethic make them a good watch.

 

5. Italy. Watching them get hatcheted against the US of A was gas.

Edited June 23, 2006 by Benzo-13

[berdoing]

England - because I'm English

 

Ghana (v Czech Rep) - because they attacked

 

USA (v Ghana) - because Ghana were a disgrace

 

South Korea - because their fans are great

 

Ivory Coast - because I didn't want Holland or Argentina or Serbia to win

[BDB]

Argentina - been enjoying every game, great free flowing football

 

Spain - Again our boys, but I've always had a soft spot for the Spanish, must be all those exchange students coming to Ireland every Summer.

 

Australia - Nice to see them get through to this next phase, they appear to be loving it. Aussie fans remind me of the Irish on tour.

 

S. Korea - the best fans by far, huge support, and fantastic atmosphere when they play.

 

Sweden - Like the swedes as they typically have England's number, and have a few players that I really like, Ljungberg, Larssen. Plus they have nice loooking female supporters.

[Hassony]

Iran - although they were disappointing and too negative

tunisia

argentina - for beating the ivory coast

holland - for beating the ivory coast

south korea - for being the only asian team who have impressed at this world cup

[Guest Jako]

Germany - I grew up there and love the country. Klinsmann is leading the team in the right direction and they're a good side with great players like Schweinsteiger, Podolski, Lahm, Klose and the sellout c*** Ballack.

 

Ivory Coast - I know Drogba is a disgusting player but they just fought bravely and played some wonderful football. If they hadn´t started all their games with conceding two goals, things might have ended differently. Also Didier Zokora is just bloody brilliant.

 

Spain - Our lads have been decent and they are a fun side to watch.

 

Australia - Because of Harry Kewell and Guus Hiddink. Harry has been good and he deserved to score that goal.

 

England - My supportmanship is dubios in their case. I have a Gerrard no. 4 shirt but I'm just frustrated about the managing. Carra should be in his proper position and Gerrard should play as their leader in the midfield. Also their attacking play has not been pretty to watch. Aaron Lennon should be in the first XI and Captain Gucci should make his crosses and free kicks from the wing back posistion. Also, Frank Lampard is the most over-rated player in history.