EnFuego

"Siempre he dicho que me encuentro muy bien en Barcelona y tengo ganas de seguir dando m

I have followed Major international Soccer events for over 20 years (Mexico '86) and I have never seen a more entertaining tournament ever. And this is being said only two games into the quarterfinals! Just the last two games played by Turkey, alone would make this a great tournament. My God, losing 2 - 0 against the Czechs with 15 minutes to go and scoring three goals, two of them with less than 5 minutes of regular time. Today's game was even more improbable, missing their regular goal keeper, they manage to keep the game scoreless through 117 minutes, go down one with less than a minute to go, tie the game on the last play and win on penalties. Hedo must must have lost his voice. I'm a Spanish fan and they have played great. This tournament has been incredible.

quote: Originally posted by Luca: quote: Originally posted by Carlitos Way: quote: Originally posted by Luca: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego:Spain has finally won a major tournament, it's been a long time (44 years) but I have a feeling we won't have to wait that long for the next one. Spain dominated this tournament and has a deep and talented team. I don't want to get ahead of myself but this is a young team. Fernando Torres is 24 David Villa is 26 Cesc Fabregas is 21 Sergio Ramos is 22 David Silva is 22 Andres Isiestas is 24 Iker Cassilas is 27 Xavi Hernandez is 28 Only two significant players are older than 28. Carles Puyol is 30 Marcos Senna is 31 In 2010, this team should be coming in, along with Argentina, as strong favorites to win. My early call for the World Cup. They won't be very old in 2012 for the next Euro and 2014 for the Next WC. The next WC will take place in Brasil... Way are you still at home?Go out and celebrate! LoL are you referring to me? Nice call by enfuego. Like he said this team is still young there gonna be a force to reckon with for years to come. Don't worry there gonna be a lot of celebrating being done by this fool... I was referring to EnFuego I live in Orlando, so I would have been the only one roaming the streets here. I have to wait for the Magic to win before I can go join in some wild street celebration.

quote: Originally posted by ChevyBallinHot:Can't lie its another World Cup I enjoyed. Team USA put forth a lot better effort this time around but I really felt they could of advanced over Ghana. My favorites to win it all coming into the start was Argentina, Germany, Brazil and Spain. I was pretty shocked to see Argentina and Brazil go out the way they did but oh well. I really grew onto Germany taking it after the way they demolished Argentina however went against them vs Spain. As for the overall officiating its been a pain to go from the NBA's to FIFA's. As ESPN discussed the use of technology clearly, FIFA has detested further usage of it. I'm not into the Premier League or any other clubs really as I'm too drawn into the NBA but I'm looking to get into it. Any recommendations where to start? UEFA Champions league is your best bet. The best teams from all the different Europoean leagues hold this yearly tournament running concurrently with their regular seasons. The best of the best. To top it off, they generally play on weekdays. I just set my DVR to Fox's Soccer channel and enjoy. If you start liking a particular team there, then you can dive into their regular league.

quote: Originally posted by TreyTime: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by Carlitos Way: quote: Originally posted by TreyTime: quote: Originally posted by crisby pancakes:No idea what the Dutch are whinging about, they were lucky to not have 2 sent off in the 1st half. Was a horrible game by the Dutch, they just spent half the game kicking Spain. Fixed. Half of those were flops by Spain. Fixed I want to kick you like the dutch kicked them all game long see if you would flop...Any way congratulations to Spain!!!! We finally won a World Cup... Thanks. Thanks. Homer, homer, homer, homer, homer. The one kick to chest was obviously a foul, but there were numerous times when a Spain player would fall to the ground after an attempted Dutch tackle and they were not even touched. To make it worse they were holding their shins like they had a career ending injury and then would spring up after the Dutch player was booked. Spain was the better team, but they were a disgrace out there with their flopping. They looked like the Celtics. I'm too happy to argue. . . . but . . . if you came out of that game thinking about how the Spaniards flop instead of how the Dutch tackled, you don't watch a lot of games. Two things to ponder on. 1. They all flop. 2. The Dutch where on a tackling rampage. Even the Dutch press is calling them out for just hitting instead of playing. The kick to the chest, by the way, was an obvious Red Card, not just a foul. The Dutch got lucky there.

Spain . . . It is really still hard to believe. From the greatest underachievers to having a cup of our own. It's going to take awhile. With the Euro '08 and the World Cup in 2010, they now join Germany '72/'74 and France '98/'00 as the only Europoean clubs to hold both titles at the same time. Not a great world Cup from the perspective of beauty but obviously, I'll take it. Players that impressed me the most; Diego Forlan Thomas Muller Javier Hernandez Andres Iniesta Clint Dempsey Paul the Octopus Muller - 5 World Cup goals and only 20 years old. Wow The team I didn't know about that I grew to like the most - Uruguay. Who ended up being overrated - Brazil - Beat North Korea, Ivory Coast and Chile. Got sent by Holland - Played ugly, ugly result. Who ended up being underated - Germany - the future is bright. I'm going to keep enjoying this for awhile now.

quote: Originally posted by Carlitos Way: quote: Originally posted by TreyTime: quote: Originally posted by crisby pancakes:No idea what the Dutch are whinging about, they were lucky to not have 2 sent off in the 1st half. Was a horrible game by the Dutch, they just spent half the game kicking Spain. Fixed. Half of those were flops by Spain. Fixed I want to kick you like the dutch kicked them all game long see if you would flop...Any way congratulations to Spain!!!! We finally won a World Cup... Thanks. Thanks.

quote: Originally posted by EnFuego:Spain has finally won a major tournament, it's been a long time (44 years) but I have a feeling we won't have to wait that long for the next one. Spain dominated this tournament and has a deep and talented team. I don't want to get ahead of myself but this is a young team. Fernando Torres is 24 David Villa is 26 Cesc Fabregas is 21 Sergio Ramos is 22 David Silva is 22 Andres Isiestas is 24 Iker Cassilas is 27 Xavi Hernandez is 28 Only two significant players are older than 28. Carles Puyol is 30 Marcos Senna is 31 In 2010, this team should be coming in, along with Argentina, as strong favorites to win. My early call for the World Cup. They won't be very old in 2012 for the next Euro and 2014 for the Next WC.

J.A. Adande, ESPN.com: No. Three is a great start, but it's not enough. Who will be their James Posey, their P.J. Brown, their Derek Fisher? Need some savvy vets and depth before I'm ready to proclaim them champions. Not better than the Magic yet, and the Celtics might be able to hold them off for a year.

quote: Originally posted by crisby pancakes: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego:I am so happy right now. We'll see what happens Sunday. The Octopus will tell us. It hasn't been wrong yet has it? He and the Dutch are the only undefeated left.

Welcome to the boards. You bring the clear and concise Basketball knowledge we've been waiting for.

I am so happy right now. We'll see what happens Sunday. The Octopus will tell us.

quote: Originally posted by ManuGinobili: quote: Germany has won in '74, '90 and if they win 2010 do they get to take the trophy home permanent like Brazil did in 1970? Or did FIFA changed that thing that if you win it 3 times it's yours. I think they changed, and this cup will still be in play until 2018, or sth like this. "The current FIFA World Cup Trophy cannot be won outright, as the regulations state that it shall remain FIFA's own possession. The World Cup

quote: Originally posted by ManuGinobili:IMO, Spain will win it all. They have the best striker in the Cup, they got lucky (the invalid offside on Paraguay's goal, the last 2 Villa goals), they have a GK in top form and they will face a Germany team already tired from beating 2 candidates and without its best player, Mueller. The game between Holland and Uruguay is a toss-up. Uruguay will be without Suarez and Lugano, but the balls they have can more than make up for it. Lets also see how Holland plays when it has the ball, because thats precisely what they didnt do against Brazil. My Top 5 Players of the Cup so far: 1- Mueller 2- Villa 3- Forlan 4- Stekelenburg 5- Maicon It was an offside. Valdez was not offside but Cardozo was. As soon as Cardozo made a play for the ball (and he jumped towards the ball), the offside is called.

quote: Originally posted by Caco:EnFuego, this kind of teams I was refering to when I told you there are many teams that can make life difficult for Spain even though Spain dominates the ball. And when I talked about how Spain lacked a world class player capable of creating a goal out of nothing, I was thinking of something like what Iniesta did. What a play!!! Feel free to disagree with me, I don't want to make this post any longer LOL. Every team, it seems, has made life difficult for Spain, yet they are still here, having outlasted all the other favorites. If you are looking for a world class player capable of creating a goal out of nothing, look no further than David Villa who has scored in almost every imaginable way during this world cup. If he wins the golden boot, he'll be only the second European in history to do it in the World Cup and the Euro cup. Germany is playing beautifully and they are the one remaining superpower left. We'll see what happens but I am proud on my Spaniards for having reached the semis. It is an interesting foursome if you follow the history of the world cup. Germany wins - 4th championship, matching Italy and one behind Brazil. continuing to separate the top three from the rest of the world. Uruguay wins - 3rd championship and first one in 60 years. Would bring back the one cup winner that has not been a consistent contender in the last 40 years. Holland wins - 1st championship. Holland finally joins the fraternity after two heartbreaking losses with the "total football" squads of the 70s. The best team never to have won truly deserves one, for Cruyff's sake. Spain wins - the great under achiever finally gets the monkey off it's back. With perhaps the best generation of players the country has ever had, either Spain or Holland joins England and France as one time winners, but does it in foriegn soil.

quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego:It's Villa time! Ok, I missed it by one game. Villa time again. Tough one against Germany but I have faith.

quote: Originally posted by Caco: quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO:Read this http://soccernet.espn.go.com/w...inals?cc=5901&ver=us Yeah, I saw they changed the ref. I know the Uruguayan Association had something to do with it. I guess I'm out of excuses now. GO URUGUAY!!! I am happy for you Caco. I am glad to see Uruguay moving on. I feel bad for Ghana but that's futbol. This World Cup is lining up for me because not only are my Spaniards still in the hunt, but either Holland or Uruguay will go to the finals and I think either country is deserving of a world Cup and I would be happy for either of them if they do. Germany and Argentina, that's a different story and I don't think I could root for Paraguay if they eliminate my team. And Caco, you were right about Forlan when you brought him up back in November, he IS a world class player.

quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO: quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO: quote: Originally posted by TreyTime:I want to see Brazil and Germany play each other, both look unstoppable. I want to see Argentina and Brazil even more. I am happy to see the Dutch play Brazil. no one seems to be paying attention to them, but that is going to be a great game. I would love to see the Dutch win. The Dutch are like my favorite European team. I really like their style of play and I really like Robben. Too bad they have to play Brazil and lose. The Dutch proved that Brazil was overrated. I am happy to see Brazil go and I have always liked Brazil's teams, except this one. And it is not so much their style of play, they still had flare. Is that this is the first Brazil team that I remember being arrogant and mean spirited. What you could always count on when Brazil played in a world cup was fun players, fun plays, plently of smiles, and many wins. This team was arrogant starting with julio Cesar, just knowing that I don't have to see that mug the rest of the tournament gives me pleasure. Robinho screamed madly at the referee all game long and Lucio wanted to pick a fight with everyone. Ronaldinho and Adriano would have made this team better and a more traditional Brazilian fun and won type of team. Everyone counted Brazil going all the way to the finals but at the end of the day, all they accomplished was beating North Korea, Ivory Coast, and Chile. Believe me, history will look back at this team and the Dunga reign as a big failure.

quote: Originally posted by adsm: quote: Originally posted by Debonair:Hope Ghana beats Uruguay on Friday. I wanna see me African brothers do well. I have no connection to ghana but sincerely hope they win - better for the tournament, and suarez (and others) fall over far too much - I think the sniper that has been shooting ronaldo mid-canter for the last few years has taken to a new target Uruguay! It's good to see the old power come back after nearly 60 years. They won't get past Brazil/Holland, but I want them to beath Ghana.

quote: Originally posted by TreyTime:Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude, Spain vs Portugal is going to be sick tomorrow. Ronaldo me. I'm nervous about it. I think Portugal is going to try to replicate what the Swiss did. Play back and look for the odd counter attack. Spain had 14 shots on goal vs. Switzerland, the Swiss had two. I think Portugal would be happy to let penalties decide the victor. Yikes.

quote: Originally posted by COLOMBIANO: quote: Originally posted by TreyTime:I want to see Brazil and Germany play each other, both look unstoppable. I want to see Argentina and Brazil even more. I am happy to see the Dutch play Brazil. no one seems to be paying attention to them, but that is going to be a great game. I would love to see the Dutch win.

Did the best teams win? Argentina and Germany maybe would have won anyway but it is a shame that the bad calls affected the way the game was played after. Germany scored twice on counters. I hope I don't have to carry that anger when Spain plays. Four years is a too long a time. I still remember South Korea and how upset I was for uch a long time. Sorry to the English and Mexican fans. You may have lost anyway, but I hate how it went down.

quote: Originally posted by VCplusD12:Rooney is not overrated, but he choked, sometimes these things happen (cough *Orlando Magic* cough) That was a clear goal, but FIFA is stubborn not to use technology. Now it's time to chear for Portugal, not just me but all of you! You don't see spanish guys posting here Not so fast, please read this thread. Espana gana 2 - 1!

quote: Originally posted by Debonair:The george carlin argument of "pride" I love it. and hey....I told you kids. put me on ignore if you don't like what i have to say. I'm not gonna stop talking my ****. Put you on ignore? Nah, I would rather read your pathetic attempts to get people upset until you get banned. And you will get banned. It's just a matter of time jsicamore, elmayi, debonair. Spending time on a message board because you like conversing with people that share your affection for a sports team is a guilty pleasure. Joining a board for the simple objective of arguing, insulting, and making an *** of yourself, is the surest sign of a total loser you will ever find. Please post often.

quote: Originally posted by Caco:USA will never take the next step unless they start playing more international games at club level. MLS will always suck, because most foreign players are second or third tier players, and its teams don't play international cups. They could play Libertadores like mexicans do. On our draw, I'm happy Ghana won, I think we (Uruguay) have a better chance against them than against US. Uruguay pretty poorly today, because when we took the lead we stopped attacking. Our defence didn't play as good as other matches so we suffered a lot. Once Korea scored, we took control of the game again, and created many chances, until Suarez scored. After that, we lost control again. I think our biggest sin was to not keep attacking after getting the lead. It should have not been so close if we did that, we are the better team. On a side note, there was a clear penalty on our favor in the first half, and an offside ruled to Suarez in which he had a clear path to the goal. The US is on a slow, but steady climb up the ladder. This is a country that did not qualify for the World Cup for over 40 years, fielded teams upon their return comprised of local talent or back-ups in minor European teams. Fast forward to today and they are a bonafide world team, not in the first tier yet, but certainly among the second tier teams. As a follower of Spain's national team I can attest that their performance during the confederation cup beating Spain and playing Brazil tough convince me of their credibility. The next step is a homeground bonafide world superstar. Someone who'll crack the Fifa top 10 and play for a top European team. I don't believe Altidore is the guy, but that guy is coming. Imagine if Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo where from New Jersey or Califonia, that would move the game in the USA more than anything else. As far a Uruguay, I am hapy for them and props to Manu for calling them underated last year.