England vs. Germany Live!
Yes indeed! FSC are treating us all to a quite special "triple header" of international friendlies this afternoon. And as the gods would have it, my teaching semester doesn't start until tomorrow. Hurrah!It all starts at 12:30 with Brazil vs. Algeria and continues at 2:30 with the U.S. vs. Sweden. But the key match of the day is England vs. the old enemy - Germany - which will be shown on taped delay at 5 p.m. Lovely.
If you're around today, drop in for a chat, eh?
posted by gatorbob @ 12:43 PM
219 Comments:
Brazil are running out essentially the side that won the Copa America in July, fronted by Wagner Love and Robinho with Julio Baptista tucking in behind them.
Ronaldinho and Kaka are on the bench so you would hope to see them in the second half.
Brazil really dodged a bullet there. The Algerians broke the offside trap, their striker went to round Doni and hte giant Brazilian keeper seemed to bring him down. Nothing given.
Half-time - 0-0: Well, this has all been quite stale and drab. Someone needs to remind the Algerians that this is an exhibition match. They've just stuck all eleven behind the ball and looked to break quickly. They've effectively snuffed out the threat of Robinho and co. and Dunga really needs to go to the bench for a bit more guile in the second half.
Sure enough, Dunga has responded by throwing Kaka and Ronaldinho into the mix, replacing the disappointing Elano and Julio Baptista.
I've just checked the schedule again and it looks as if the U.S. vs. Sweden and England vs. Germany game are on at the same time but that FSC will be showing the England match on tape delay at 5 p.m. Sorry for the confusion.
The two superstars have made an immediate difference up front. A delicious volley from Kaka nearly bulging the old onion bag there.
GOAL! Brazil 1-0. In the end it's a scrappy goal, a near post header from Inter Milan right back Maicon from a corner by Ronaldinho.
Hey Bob, I am here. I haven't been watching much of the Brazil game but I am here the next two.
I don't know what your confusion was. Didn't you say the same thing both times about the game times?
I you going to keep away from the scores on the computer to keep the England score unknown?
Did you see that Portugal only drew in Armenia?
Ronaldo scored an equalizer. They must be struggling to qualify after this one.
The post two before this one should read... ARE YOU
Yeah, I went back and corrected it on the original post. I'd originally thought that the England game was on live at 2:30 and the U.S. game at 5.
I'm also going to just go with the FSC flow and stay away from the result. Now if I can only keep the missus away from the telly, I'll be golden.
Was that Portugal vs. Armenia match a qualifier! Terrible result for them, if it is. Couldn't happen to a nicer team. I hate them.
Ronaldinho has added a second goal for Brazil. He started the move, laid a lovely ball off to Diego who rattled the keepers hands and Ronaldinho pounced on the crumbs.
This'll be six wins since they lost in the first match of the Copa in June. The problem is that it reinforces Dunga's conservative predilections and keeps the press hounds away from the doors. I was hoping he'd be sacked early on for poor results.
According to Soccernet.com it was.
Estonia beat Astonia in England's group
England's team is being announced on Five Live as I type.
Robinson,
Shorey,Terry,Rio,Richards
Beckham, Carrick, Lampard and J.Cole
Smith and Owen
Crouch not even on the bench because he is suspended for Israel
Huh? Who did they actually beat?
Brazil end up 2-0. Up next - the U.S. boys in a rare friendly outside of the continental U.S., taking on Sweden. Our record in Europe is dismal; we've only ever won three times!
I heard about the Owen and Smithy partnership earlier today. Not keen on it. They didn't look sharp against Brazil. But I suppose just getting Owen through 90 minutes without getting crocked again would be victory enough.
I'm not happy that Becks is playing today. It's a meaningless game and the Galaxy have a match tomorrow night against Chivas. It's a slap in the face to all those fans who bought tickets for the NE and Toronto matches two weeks ago only to see Becks on the bench.
Sorry, I meant to say Andorra
The U.S. lineup:
Howard
Cherundolo
Oneywu
Bocanegra
Bornstein
Feilhaber
Mastroenni
Bradley
Beasley
Donovan
Dempsey
Very strong, filled mostly with the European based players.
Becks wants his 100th cap.
Five Live has just announce Gabby Heinze is being signed by Real Madrid
That doesn't really change much. Are there any important matches in our group today?
Sure, I understand that, but if he gets crocked in this match, there will be hell to pay back here. Did you catch the Becks show on Saturday night against the Red Bulls? Tremendous stuff. 66K in the crowd, 5-4 thriller, Becks laid on two. After the second one, he did the finger to the lips, sshhing the Red Bulls crowd. Lovely stuff.
Rep of Ir. are one up in Denmark
Wales are beating Bulgaria. Freddie Eastwood scored on his debut.
Northern Ir. have a qualifier at home with Liechtenstein
I'm also surprised to see Donovan on the pitch here. He's got to fly back for that Chivas match tomorrow night.
Early scare for the U.S. with a shot whistling past Howard's post. I'm not sure that he had that covered.
Kath and I watch the Red Bulls Galaxy live. It was so exciting!
Of course, the US media don't give it any credit at all
At least Gabby didn't go to Liverpool, eh?
Oooh, Beasley should've buried that one. A real sitter. Good move though.
Wow, Beasley should have put US ahead.
There is no way Gabby was going there. Of course, he could come back and hurt us in the Champions League!
I think Becks is starting to make an impact. There were loads of clips of his free kick goal in the Superliga and of the Red Bulls match on Sportscenter. I even heard an English guy call into 606 about the match on Sunday with Spoony!
Good battling so far from the U.S. lads; they don't look overawed.
Tonight's REAL games
Group A
Armenia 1 Portugal 1 (R)
Belgium Serbia
Finland 2 Kazakstan 1 (R)
Group D
A must see
San Marino Cyprus
Group E
Estonia 2 Andorra 1 (R)
Group F
North. Ire. Liechtenstein
England kick off at 3.
Are you going to make me not follow it?
Did you catch any of the Under 21 match with Romania yesterday. There are some good young players in the squad. I think Matt Derbyshire will definitely break through in the next two years or so.
Alright, go ahead then! I'll follow along with you.
Robbie Keane scores his second in Denmark
I don't want to force you.
I will keep away if you do as well but I was going to listen to 606 live
I really like Benni Feilhaber. I don't know why Derby aren't using him yet. They can use all the help they can get. They're rubbish!
Alright then.
I did see some of the U21s.
Unlucky goal conceded.
I agree with you about Derbyshire. Is he going to be bought by big un?
So, let's make it official
ARE WE FOLLOWING ENGURLUND OR NOT!!!
I should think so. He's not so great in the air, but could match up well with a big man.
An almighty scramble there but Gooch clears off the line. A bit shambolic leading up to the chance for Ibrahimovic.
Let's not and say that we did! Boom boom. Seriously, I'll stay away from it, alright?
Saved off the line by the US
David Healey has scored his tenth goal in this qualifying campaign. United should never have let him go. He always was an untouchable with Fergie until he all of a sudden let him to go to Preston
Ok, I will not let you know
Cheers. I don't want to hear about David "Bloody" Healey. What did he do for us last year, the twat. Now he's ripping it up for Fulham and N. Ireland. Don't want to know.
Sorry
That's alright; we've got Tresor Kandol ripping it up in Division One this season.
Did you hear me on WSD?
Oh, nearly a neat move there between Bradley and Feilhaber. Just needed a sharp edge there.
Well done for Wales.
They win in Bulgaria
I haven 't listen to it yet.
I told you that you shouldn't rock the boat
I wasn't gloating too much. They asked if I thought they'd get out of the division. I said that I thought the priority was stabilizing the club. Unless they take away the points deduction, I can't see us getting automatic promotion. Maybe the playoffs - maybe.
Useless shot there from Landycakes. Should've struck it across the keeper.
Good pressure from the U.S. here. You've gone really quiet. I have to assume that you're following the England match.
I looked on the FA website.
England are in white and Germany are in Red. There's a switch
It hasn't started yet.
Great save by Howard!! Then off the crossbar!!! That was lucky
What a save from Timmy there. And then Zlatan hits the post with his follow-up header. If we had a Zlatan up front, we'd be in front already.
Even Soccenet comment on Germany wearing Red
The omens aren't good there. Why on earth would Germany wear red? I've never seen that.
I know
RoI have scored a third in Denmark
Gordon Brown has been spotted at Wembley
Belarus and Israel are drawing 1-1. Let's hope a lot of them get hurt.
Good stuff from Gooch against Zlatan.
The All Blacks would be happy with that tackle
I will keep you informed with all the games except the Big One
Croatia are 2-1 up in Bosnia.
Hope they get hurt as well
That guy you don't want to talk about has scored again for N. Ire.
Thanks, mate. Yeah, it would be nice to see Croatia pick up some key injuries today.
Half time in Sweden.
The US have held their own quite comfortably
Did you see that commercial?
CLASH OF CHAMPIONS!!!!!
USA vs Brazil
What are the US champions of?
R o I are FOUR up in Denmark. I bet they wish this was a qualifier.
Spain are losing 2-1 in Greece
I love how FSC is promoting the upcoming Brazil vs. U.S. friendly in September as the "Battle of the Champions." Yes, we won the Gold Cup, but honestly - I ask you!
King's Lyn are beating Corby at half-time 1-0 in the Southern League Premier Division.
Have you seen that Cambridge United have won their first three games and are riding high on the top of the Conference.
They're setting it up as the clash of the champions of South America vs. the champions of Concacaf. But it doesn't really work, does it? I had the same reaction that you did.
I stand corrected.
We were watching the Gordon Ramsey "Kitchen Nightmares" show on BBC America the other night and he was helping out a restaurant in King's Lynn. It was great to see the town again. Apparently Andy's Records closed down a few years back though. Shame. Were you on that bike ride where Phil took a header off his bike?
We were riding back from Bury St. Edmunds not King's Lynn
France are beating Solvakia. Some guy named Henry scored
The Swiss are beating the Dutch 2-0
You're absolutely right - my bad.
I was with you at your house when the phone kept on ringing.
Convey has come on for Beasley, who was probably the U.S.'s best player in the first half. Mastroenni has also come out; not sure who came on for him.
Another great save from Timmy. He's kept us in this one.
And Dempsey really should've scored there. A week shot there from him. Donovan flicked it on quite nicely.
This is the problem with starting without recognizable strikers. We've created chances but no one's capable of finishing them with sharpness.
Sorry, Beasley's still on - he just switched sides.
The Swede's have finally beaten Timmy Howard. Ajax's Kim Kallstrom with the goal. Poor defending with Cherundolo and Gooch missing tackles.
Jonathan Spector and Kamani Hill are coming on for Donovan and Bornstein. Never seen Hill before - he apparently plays for Wolfsburg.
I had to pick up Thomas' friend.
Just looked the goal. A corker but didn't he push before the shot?
Still no cutting edge from the U.S. What I've love to see is a debutante from some obscure Dutch club who happens to be a 6'4" striker. With Brian McBride retired, we could really use one.
N. Ire are three up in their qualifier.
A good start for Worthington
Yeah, that's what the homers on FSC thought too, but I reckoned it was reasonable.
Dangerous free kick for Sweden....
And Kallstrom rifles it just past the post.
Israel are losing to Belarus
Italy have taken the lead in Hungary
Jay Demerit's come on; I reckon he's a better choice than Gooch.
And Sal Zizzo (sp?) has come on for his debut. I hope he's a center forward.
Never heard of him
Nice overlap there from Spector but a hopeless cross.
I haven't either. We could use either Brian Ching or Eddie Johnson in this situation. I just can't see this side ever scoring.
Hungary have equalized against the Italians
Norway beat the Argies 2-1
Hungary are now beating Italy
Russia drew 2-2 with Poland
Glad to hear that the Israelis are losing. We'll need to hammer them at Wembley this fall.
Did I mention that my Dad and I took a tour of the new Wembley? It's magnificent. The Wembley Way is just about the same. I'm hoping that they'll include the towers at some point, but it's a fabulous stadium nonetheless. I'll look forward to seeing a ball kicked in anger there some day.
Yikes, Croatia beat Bosnia 5-3
Don't worry about Croatia. They'll finish top of the group. We'll need a win against them but beyond that it doesn't matter.
Wow, I wish I could have done that. I did drive right passed it on the way home from Heathrow
This one is petering out with the U.S. running out of gas. They just don't have the guile to be able to break down an organized Swedish defense. If Beasley or Dempsey had finished their chances, it might have been a different story.
The Swiss did beat the Dutch but RVN was back in the team
Nice header from the US
The US game has ended.
Not bad for the US. They should have scored some early goals
Spain scored a 93rd minute winner in Greece
Full time: 1-0 Sweden; another loss for the U.S. but a respectable performance.
Next up, the big one. Karen's having a nap so I might just be able to sneak it in if I'm quiet about it.
Good Luck
Sssh...you'll wake her up.
Scotland have scored
Italy lost 3-1
That's torn it - you've woken her up now. I've had to resort to muting the volume. Max Bretos's voice was getting on her tits. To say nothing of the same ads over and over.
Ah, doesn't Wembley look grand.
It sure does
What does he mean the roof closed??
It doesn't have a full roof, does it?
No it doesn't
I didn't see one. He must be hallucinating again.
Here we go - here we go - here we go!
Come on wee Mikey! Come on Smithy!
I am just going to watch what you say.
I know what happens
Nice turn there from Joey Cole.
Okay, then.
Steady one, Micah!
All England so far. Are the Germans playing any strikers today?
Yakubu has gone to Everton for 11 mil
That is a lot, isn't it?
Very tight at the back there for the Germans, a solid wall of red so far.
Was that deflected?
Yes! Goal! 1-0 England! Just as I was typing the above, Micah Richards steals down the right, slips a ball to Lamps who thunders home.
Didn't look it to me; it's about time that Lamps hit the back of the net for England - he hasn't hit the target in yonks!
By the way, was that the new German coach? He looks like a forgotten member of Duran Duran. Very ab fab!
I thought the same about the German coach. I actually thought Oasis
That's got to have cemented Micah's position at right back. You wouldn't see that kind of skill from the Neviller, would you?
It's Frank's 14th goal in 56 appearances, btw.
Real and Chelski agree fee with Robben
More great stuff from Micah - he had no right to win that ball and a free kick. Becks over it...
And's it's cleared out.
I agree about Micah. I would even think he might play in the center.
Neville does make attacking runs!
Just as well for Robben. No way he was going to get back in the Chelski side unless he murdered Malouda.
It's a shame too. I heard someone on 606 talking about how he'd never done anything for Chelski. Have they forgotten his first season? He completely ripped it up until he got injured in February. Then everyone was predicting they wouldn't win the championship without him!
He falls as much as Ronaldo
Yeah, but at best Gaz trundles up and down the wing with neat overlaps. You wouldn't see him beating a man like Micah just did. Why waste him in the middle when we have JT and Rio...and Woody and Carragher and on and on.
No one falls as much as Ronaldo. His new Wallbanger is horizontal!
Thomas has his Wallbanger and it hasn't fallen ONCE
Crikey, that was close from Hitzlsperger. Don't they know to shut down that geezer?
And Ledley King's wallbanger comes with an extra one of the physio. Boom boom!
Thank you Basil Brush
What a shocker by Robinson
Oh dear, that was hopeless from Robbo. Just what he didn't need to crush his confidence. I can only imagine the comments from the hacks tomorrow.
At least Nick Rhodes is happy on the bench.
Spitting Image of Nick Rhodes.
Nice one
Easiest goal that Kuranyi will ever score, that.
That'll surely knock Robbo out of the next qualifier. He's just made too many mistakes recently. We can't afford another in a big match.
Come one Becks - nicely set up for you...
Great cross by Becks
Ohhhhh, surely someone should've stuck that one in. Rio just needed a couple more gangly inches on those legs.
Lamps should have scored
Oh dear, a bit cynical there from Joe Cole. Well deserved yellow card.
Crikey, Robbo's come for that one and he wasn't even close to it. Could easily have been a second for the Germans.
Another great run by Micah earns another dangerous free kick opportunity for Becks.
Surely he can't hit this on straight on. Nope, he launches it far post, but it comes to nothing.
Becks has almost been what the Yanks call a "Special Teams" player; he hasn't added anything to open play, just taking free kicks and corners.
Good stuff from Shorey.
Ouch, a scorcher there! 2-1 Germany.
What a corker!!!
Could you please stop the shot from the top of the box!!!
And Owen shouldve scored straight from the restart. Good save from Mad Jens.
I agree - whose the holding mid? Carrick? That's his job for sure. They've had way too much space in the middle of the park.
Another free kick for Becks here...he could have a pop...
Dismal effort by his standards...tamely into the bottom of the wall.
Nick Rhodes looking pensive there. I'm sure he's Hungry Like a Wolf for that half-time snack.
What a miss by Owen
Oh, wee Mikey should've buried that one. It was a gift from Lehman but all he could do was hit the side netting.
Get Carrick off!
Half-time: It was all going so well too. But then two disappointing goals leaves England behind to the Germans again at Wembley. Must be the curse of the Russian linesman.
Norway beat the Argies?! How does that happen!?
Nocito Score Central already posted that score.
I think Lamps shot deflect off his planted foot
Sorry, I missed it.
I looked at it frame by frame. I don't think it did.
What a miss by Owen
Let's see if Calamity can do any better in the second half. Please not one through the legs like against Bolton on Saturday!
Can you believe it.
In blinding form, get a recall and let one in like that
Nice ball from Becks to Smithy there; I'd forgotten that he was on the pitch. Owen's hauled down there, but he's flagged offside.
Why isn't Hargreaves playing today? Didn't he start on Sunday?
What are your predictions for subs? For who?
Bad knees
Smith and Owen head the attack for England. Neither of them started up front for Newcastle
Well, Barry just came on for Carrick. Don't really see the point of that when we're trailing. You'd have to see Bent coming on for Owen at some point. And I hope that Becks doesn't think he'll be playing the full 90. He's got a plane to bloody catch!
Wait a minute - I thought that Crouch was left out of the squad. But here he is coming on for Smithy. That's how much I know.
NOW, is Dyer a forward?
I don't think so.
I didn't think Crouch was even on the bench. That is what Five Live said.
Oh, and Dyer has come on for Owen. Where's Bent?
Bent dropped out of the squad with knock. Defoe is available
Yeah, what about Defoe? I see him sitting there behind Owen. He must've fancied it. And why didn't they start Crouch with Owen? Hopeless from McClown as usual.
Didn't hear that. But it is idiotic.
Well, Crouch is suspended for the Israel match
When did the Orrible Orange come on - I missed that. Who'd he come on for?
I would have put that away
Hopeless from Kuranyi there - it could so easily have been 3-1.
That one as well
No doubt. Good ball there from Becks to Dyer. Nearly.
What a miss by Dyer.
HE IS NOT A FORWARD
Oh, what a miss from Dyer! It was put on a plate for him by Becks.
Steady, there, Joe. He's already on a yellow card.
Why is he coming on for Cole and Becks is still there
SWP for Joe Cole. A straight swap, I suppose. But why not withdraw a defender and put him on. Just not good enough.
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