We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
We wrap up the first round of World Cup 2010 today with Group G and H action, starting with what promises to be a cracker this morning - Brazil v. Portugal. Later in the afternoon, current European champions Spain have a lot to do in order to avoid the fate of France and Italy and to qualify for the next round. Join me if you're watching.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:21 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
304 Comments:
The best news of the week out of the England camp is that Don Fabio has been preparing the boys for the possibility of a penalty shoot-out. And he's already chosen his first five takers: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, James Milner and Gareth Barry. Excellent!
Here's the Group G picture right now:
1. Brazil GF 5 GA 2 GD 3 Pts 6
2. Portugal GF 7 GA 0 GD 7 Pts 4
3. Ivory Coast GF 1 GA 3 GD -2 Pts 1
4. North Korea GF 1 GA 8 GD -7 Pts 0
So, Brazil have already qualified but could be unseated with a Portugal win. The race for second, more realistically is between Ivory Coast and Portugal, who have a +9 GD advantage over them. If the goals start flying in for the Ivorians, it could get interesting.
Kaka is suspended from today's match after that absurd second yellow card against Ivory Coast. Ramires also carries a yellow into this match.
No suspensions for Portugal. Ronaldo, Almeida and Pedro Mendes carry cards into this match.
The teams are in for this morning's match:
Portugal: Eduardo, Ricardo Costa, Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Duda, Tiago, Pepe, Raul Meireles, Danny, Ronaldo, Fabio Coentrao. Subs: Beto, Ferreira, Rolando, Mendes, Liedson, Simao, Miguel, Veloso, Hugo Almeida, Fernandes.
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Dani Alves, Silva, Felipe Melo, Nilmar, Julio Baptista, Luis Fabiano. Subs: Gomes, Robinho, Luisao, Thiago Silva, Gilberto, Josue, Ramires, Kleberson, Grafite, Doni.
Our referee today is Benito Archundia Tellez from Mexico.
So, it looks like Dunga is resting Robinho and Gilberto Silva. Dani Alves and Luis Baptista come in to replace them. Nilmar takes Kaka's place.
It's a shame not to see Elano out there. He was stretchered off against Ivory Coast but the news reports were that he would be ready for today's match. Perhaps Dunga is saving him for the knock-out round. They certainly have plenty of depth in the squad.
I've got the North Korea v. Ivory Coast match up on Atdhe. Anthems playing at both grounds now.
This is the highest ranked match-up in this year's group stage: #1 Brazil v. #3 Portugal.
We're ready to go in Durban and Brazil will get us started.
Early corner for Brazil but Dani Alves wastes it.
And again Dani Alves hits the first man with his ball. He needs to find his range quickly.
Both Tiago and Luis Fabiano had two goals in their last matches and might be eyeing the Golden Boot stakes.
First decent hit - Dani Alves knocks it wide of the mark. Good amount of space for him though.
It's been all Brazilian possession so far. Total dominance.
Nice interchange there between Maicon and Dani Alves. Corner.
If the Ivory Coast is going to put some pressure on Portugal, they need to start pinging the goals in. Drogba is playing and must fancy it. Ten minutes gone - 0-0 in both matches.
Oh - across the goal-line there from the pacy Gervinho!
Interesting - Portugal have parked the bus, so some of the Brazilian defenders have taken it upon themselves to run out of the back and create chances.
GOAL! Okay, now it gets interesting. Yaya Toure with an excellent shot into the lower right corner for the first Ivory Coast goal.
1-0 IC!
The goal rush may be on but they'll need some help from Brazil here too. One Brazilian goal against Portugal might really encourage the Ivorians.
Oh - Gervinho is close to adding a second goal there. Off the post!
Tiago with a tasty volley after a nice move down the left. Portugal's first attacking flourish.
Martin Tyler has notably not mentioned the Ivory Coast goal going in. That may be a new policy he's adopted on his own. No - now he's mentioned it.
Decent hit from a North Korea at a free kick. Somehow the Asian players have got a feel for the Jabulani at free kicks. I wonder why?
2-0 Ivory Coast!
Drogba hits one that rockets off the underside of the bar and is followed in by Romaric. The goal difference is now down to +7.
And now it's another free kick chance for the Ivory Coast. Ah - Drogba had a free header there. Could easily have been 3-0. It's on!
As it stands, Portugal are on 5 points with a +7 goal difference. Ivory Coast are on 4 points with a 0 GD.
Luis Fabiano had a glimmer there. Corner.
Michel Bastos tries an extravagant left-footed volley from distance. Blocked out.
Juan picks up a yellow card for a deliberate hand-ball. Very cynical there. Also cynical from Duda who asked for the red card to be produce and he picks up a yellow as well. Nice bit of refereeing.
Ronaldo tries one from about forty five yards at the free kick.
Meanwhile, a North Korean hits one just wide. The keeper was prone there. A few inches to the right and we'd have been at 2-1.
A long ball finds Drogba who wins a corner. Ivory Coast need to keep pushing for goals here.
As usual, Brazil are playing well within themselves. They just seem to be able to push up a gear now and again during matches in order to win them.
I am here and I am officially DONE!!!
I won't have to miss another game!
Brazil look most dangerous when the defenders come bursting forward, as Maicon did there. Corner, which Dani Alves wastes again.
Coming up on the half hour mark, this is still very tight in Group G.
Oh - Nilmar was nearly in there. Hit the post and it just wouldn't go in.
And Portugal have a 4 on 3 down the pitch. The attack ends with Tiago taking an extravagant dive and he's booked for simulation. More nice work from the referee.
oh, almost in the there by Brazil!!
Portugal break and then there is a complete dive by Tiago... good decision
How about stop trying to cheat and take a shot!!
Oh - Drogba hits a left footed volley just over. This is really heating up.
Now Maicon tries a ridiculous near post volley effort. Some of the skills on display in both matches are breathtaking.
At this rate of scoring, Ivory Coast would end up winning 6-0 and would need Brazil to score three goals against Portugal. It's possible but not likely given what's happened so far.
It is Yeovil Town again versus N. Korea
I wonder if the North Koreans at home know what is happening over here? I wouldn't want to be on that team and go home!
Nice move ends with an excellent cross that Luis Fabiano is inches away from connecting with.
Morning, Dave! Welcome to your summer vacation!
Not even an hello from you BD?
About time... thank you
Sorry - I missed you coming on there. But I did just say hello. I'm hoping that your entrance usher in goals from Brazil here. I'd love to see some pressure put on Portugal.
And of course the beginning of your summer vacation will also correspond with wins for the US and England this weekend and the start of a goal rush for one Wayne Rooney, right?
Have a look at the first comment on this thread and give me your comments, please.
Still 2-0 Ivory Coast but Gervinho is close to finding a third goal there. Whistled by the post. They'll need a third goal before half-time for sure.
Oh - Luis Fabiano is inches away from heading Brazil into the lead. The cross over from Maicon was a difficult looping one to judge but you would expect Luis Fabiano to hit the target there.
Pepe picks up a yellow for a nasty drag of the studs on the Achilles of Felipe Melo.
Ronaldo tries a pop from distance. Easily saved by Julio Cesar.
The first half winding down here. A Brazil goal before half-time would really change the complexion of this group.
And there's the yellow from Felipe Melo. That was payback but silly from the left back.
Now it's Martin Tyler who's repeating the idea that cards picked up now will come back to haunt players. Am I incorrect in thinking that cards picked up today will be wiped out in the knock-out stages?
Dunga has wisely removed Felipe Melo who was looking likely to be sent off. He'd lost his head there.
The ref's getting a bit card happy now. Fabio Contreiao is the latest.
Corner now to Brazil. I'm hoping that they focus on the football again soon.
Half-time in Mbombela Stadium: 2-0 Ivory Coast. It's true that Portugal were only 1-0 up at the half, but Ivory Coast need to pick up the pace.
I am back from the loo just at half time
Nil Nil
And 0-0 in Durban. We need a goal here to open things up.
Welcome back from the loo, Dave. The second halves have started up.
Have a look at that first comment on the thread about penalties. What do you think?
Oh - Ronaldo was free on the left there. Lucio recovered well to block the cross.
This time Ronaldo did beat Lucio but the cross was blocked out by his partner Juan.
Are you there, Dave?
Back from a walk
Didn't miss much
I thought you'd gone back to work ther for a moment, mate - you're a dark horse this morning!
Still waiting for your comments on the England penalty question. I'll give up in a moment. I have the feeling that you're watching the tennis again.
Decent cross over but a bit behind Luis Fabiano. He did well to steer it on goal.
Oi - you've buggered off again!
England will play against Germany in their all-red strip after the colour brought Fabio Capello luck against Slovenia.
As group winners, the Germans are technically the 'home team' when the old rivals meet in Bloemfontein on Sunday to dispute a place in the World Cup quarter-final and they will wear their traditional white shirts, black shorts and black socks.
England could have opted for red shirts, white shorts and red socks, the combination they wore in the 1966 World Cup final, but have decided to stick with all red after Wednesday's 1-0 win.
Simao, the second half Portugal sub, tries a pop and it's well covered by Julio Cesar.
Baptista gave that one away and it's about time for a Robinho run out. The Beast has been rubbish.
You're back again but you still haven't answered my questions, which I've repeated three times.
Concentrate, Dave, concentrate.
England won their last meeting.
It was in Germany and Terry and Upson scored the goals
Before that there was the 5-1 er... have they met more?
Oooh, Portugal almost in there!
If Portugal win this, they will win the group and Brazil would be in ENGLAND'S HALF!!!
I like the idea that England will go with the all-red. It brought them luck the other day and red always does well against the Germans.
You're just ignoring me, aren't you?
Yes - Brazil would be another big team in England's section of the bracket if they were to lose here.
Julio Cesar is really feeling that back right now. He might need to come off.
Sorry about that
I am glad they are practicing. I am glad Terry doesn't have a chance to slip again
Not sure about Barry, he has been struggling passing twelve yards let alone shooting
Changes coming from Sven now. Kalou is coming on for Keita and Gervinho is also coming off for Pompey's Dindane.
Pedro Mendes on for Pepe now. More Portsmouth interest here.
I have a feeling that the wind has been taken out of the Ivorians sails by the 0-0 scoreline here. If Brazil were to score, they might perk up a bit. 2-0 still.
I don't know about Martin Tyler's comment that Julio Cesar is considered the best keeper in the world. Really?
Lucio is having difficulty handling Ronaldo's pace now. Might have picked up a yellow there.
Free kick Ronaldo...dribbles wide.
Hopeless free kick by Ronny
I'm getting more than a bit fed up with the South African fans at this point. They don't seem to have any understanding of football at all. The cameras keep finding them in the stands and they're always jumping up and down and blowing vuvus. It doesn't matter whether it's 0-0 or 10-0 or 5-4 - it's the same moronic reaction.
Don't know why Portugal got that free kick there. Unless the ref thought the Beast was faking. Get him off!
I have heard that comment a lot about Julio Cesar during the Champions League season
I don't agree
Totally agree with you again about the SA fans
Tough for Spain
They are going to either meet Brazil or Portugal
Why so about the SA fans?
Well - it was always going to be a tough Round of 16 match for Spain because they were matched up against the Group of Death.
Did you see that Bollocks has joined Bayer Leverkusen?
It sounds as if the SA fans have started the Wave now. I hate that too.
No - I hadn't seen that. But it makes sense. At his age he's got to start thinking about a move back to Germany and possibly coaching or doing media work after retirement.
Oh - and don't get me started on the oversize Lenny Henry style glasses. Rubbish!
For the exact reasons you mentioned.
Those vuvas are blowing all the time. There is no change when a goal is scored
Ronaldo nearly in there at the near post from Simao cross. Over the bar.
What did your last comment mean?
Oh - thank you. I thought you'd said that you didn't agree with me. Cheers.
Oh, the fans!!!!
I agree... is it New Year's Eve at Times Square!!
Have you seen the big, oversized glasses that the SA fans are wearing. Kind of like the ones Lenny Henry used to wear in the 70s/80s. They have nothing to do with football. Rubbish!
Right - I'd say that they've just adopted a kind of generic celebratory style and brought it to football without thinking too much about it. And their enthusiasm doesn't seem to be dampened by their side going down to defeat. Bizarre.
I know Elano isn't playing
Is he okay for the next round?
You'd have to say that South Africa have had the worst host team and the worst set of fans the World Cup has ever seen.
GOAL! Salomon Kalou knocks in Ivory Coast's third goal there from a free kick. Nice finish.
3-0!
IC have gone three up
Kalou with the goal
Finally Julio Baptista limps off. He's been terrible today. Ramires is on a card but he takes his place.
Jung Tae Woo is still desperate to get his first goal of the tournament for North Korea. Apparently the striker has a blog up (cleverly named "I Am North Korea's Striker") on which he claimed that he'd score in every match.
boom boom Martin!!
Far too late now for even a Brazil goal to make any difference. It's not a +6 goal difference for Portugal.
A Brazil goal would bring it down to +5. Not going to happen.
Martin trying to liven things up here.
I don't know what Dunga expects - he keeps starting with two defensive mids - Gilberto and Felipe Melo. They're not going to get loads of goals that way.
How far is the travel in the SA?
These commentators are traveling to all these matches day after day
Lucio gets a header on target but not with the kind of power necessary.
I think it's only an hour or two by car for most of them.
Again, Brazil failing to impress but won't be chastised for it
Tyler sounds like he is right off to the airport
Needs the recognition
Well put Martin
Perhaps he is. I hope he's on the job for tomorrow afternoon.
5 added minutes
Oh - Ramires nearly won it there with a deflected effort. Eduardo did well.
Brazil almost snatch it at the end.
Horrible shot but deflected and well saved!
Even if Brazil had won this, Ivory Coast didn't come close to scoring enough goals against North Korea.
Brazil will end up top but are likely to be delivered a Spanish surprise for their efforts. They might have been better off throwing one in the net here.
Almost a mistake there by Brazil
Neither of these teams scare me!
Actually, NO team has scared me... of course England wont scare anyone either
Ivory Coast have won 3-0
Full-time: Ivory Coast 3 N. Korea 0
Both sides are out.
Only three teams scare me for England's sake - Argentina, Brazil and Spain.
Full-time: 0-0 What a load of rubbish!
That is it
Brazil 0 Portugal 0
Carlos Q is happy... should have won!
So Brazil top, Portugal second
Portugal are in England's half
I'm off to do some errands and grab some lunch, mate. I'll catch up with you this afternoon. Hoping for more thrills and spills in Group H action.
Off to lunch
I will be back for the next round of games
I'm back at 2pm for what I'm hoping will be a thrilling conclusion to the group round. It was much ado about nothing in Group G this morning with Brazil and Portugal advancing as expected. One more African and one more Asian side out; a fourth SA team through along with another European side.
Things should get pretty interesting this afternoon. Here's what Group H looks like now:
1. Chile GF 2 GA 0 GD 2 Pts 6
2. Spain GF 2 GA 1 GD 1 Pts 3
3. Swiss GF 1 GA 1 GD 0 Pts 3
4. Honduras GF 0 GA 3 GD -3 Pts 0
So, Chile are just about there and Honduras just about out. The real drama is likely between Spain and their first match conquerors Switzerland. That said, if Spain beat Chile easily and Switzerland beat Honduras, then the impressive Chilean side are out.
I'll be watching Spain v. Chile on the telly and following Switzerland v. Honduras on-line.
The team news is in:
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta, Torres, Villa
Bang - that's their first side.
Chile: Bravo, Isla, Medel, Ponce, Jara, Vidal, Estrada, Gonzalez, Sanchez, Valdivia, Beausejour
The other potential drama is that there is a lot of incentive on these sides to take top spot in order to avoid Brazil on Monday afternoon. Lots of questions about how Chile, who have been very attacking, will approach this match.
Spain have no suspensions today. And no yellow card trouble either. Wow!
Chile, on the other hand, have Carlos Carmona and Matty Fernandez missing through suspension today. That could be crucial.
Martin Tyler made the interesting comment this morning during a lull in the match that five of the eleven players sent off so far - Khune, Keita, Klose, Kewell and Kaka - have names starting with the letter "K." Hmmmmm.....
I'm amused that every time there is a discussion of Spain on ESPN, the producers drag out some really tacky, sub-Gypsy Kings flamenco music. I expect Lexi Lalas to yell "Aye yayayaya!" at some point.
Krickey!!
The letter K!!!
What a silly Bunt
Good afternoon Robert
Teams are coming out of the tunnel
I hope it is a good game and Chile get a draw
I don't think there's anyone in either the England or US squads with names starting with "K." Am I right?
Welcome back, Dave!
So, you'd like to see Spain knocked out? I'm hoping that England can do the job later on in the tournament.
Chile's national anthem sounds like a circus tune
I'd like Spain to knock out Brazil
Ledley King! Good thing he's crocked then.
I've just checked - no one on the US roster with a "K" name. Germans have Klose, Khedira, Kiessling, and Kroos. A good omen?
I'd be fine with that. With a hat-trick from my Golden Boot boy David Villa, please. I'm on "Villa Watch" today, of course.
Let's have three of them off next game then!
I guess I need Torres to open his account
Roon with four on Sunday
Nice one about the Chilean anthem. All I caught in the lyric was "Oh Chile, blah blah blah..." My Spanish has never been good.
Yeah - you really do. So far it's not a sausage, bugger all. Are you at all disappointed with that result?
Spain in changed colors tonight
We're off
I'm confused - Chile look like Spain and Spain look like, well, I don't know. Really dark blue shirts with yellow trim.
Not at all......YES
It is unlucky for Chile that they could win their first two games and not go through!
The nice thing about this match is that Spain can't rely on a draw. They have to come out and play.
If that through ball wasn't over hit...
"A dream that will last for as long as you live..."
I am rooting for Roon and Torres to do a Paulo Rossi and score all of his goals in the knock out stage
Rubbish header there from Torres. Ian Darke is blaming it on a haircut. No spring from El Nino at all there.
A Honduran player has already been booked early doors.
STRUTH TORRES.... BIG RECTANGLE... HIT IT
I can't get used to his hair!
Bloody hell - Torres ghosted in there while the Chilean defense had a nap. Jabulani effort.
You'd have scored there, eh Dave?
Is the Honduran a K man?
Yes I would
By the way, Yakubu made the ESPN blooper reel this afternoon. I thought he might. He'll be living that one down for quite some time.
Nope - shame about that. Thomas Hendry.
Torres made a good move and then can't run with the ball.... that is not his first
Ref is already tell the keeper not to waste time!
I think the referee is warning the Chilean keeper about time wasting there - in the 8th minute!!
Do you think that Torres has become a worse player under Rafa at Liverpool? Discuss....
Trick free kick but the bloke should have made more of the cross
Great move by Chile
That deserved a goal
Great dummy
Oh - that was a lovely move but Liverpool's Mark Gonzalez not able to finish. WTF!?
He was brilliant last season but not this season
And Switzerland nearly scored there. That could have been a nightmare opening for Spain!
I'll tell you what - Chile look good again. They're not sitting back. Spain will do well to beat them today. Could be curtains.
Spain really pinned back now. You don't see that all that often.
Cassillas looked shaky there
We've already got at least three rather unfancied sides that are guaranteed a spot in the quarters:
Winner of Uruguay v. S. Korea
Winner of USA v. Ghana
Winner of Paraguay v. Japan
Could we get another?
I really don't rate Casillas. The issue is that he's usually a spectator for 80 minutes but whenever he's called into any action, he looks really shaky.
Spain NEED to win!
Gary Medel goes into the book. Would not be suspended for the next match.
Torres didn't score in qualifying?
Neither did Ronny
I know - that is interesting.
Oh - the Swiss striker just put a header wide. Close there.
Gonzalez goes up but doesn't get the header in there.
That was an odd throw - why not a foul throw?
That should be a foul throw
Now it's a yellow card for Waldo Ponce for a kick out on Torres. Silly boy - he will be suspended.
I was thinking the same thing... Becks was sent off for that
The difference between that one and Beckham's is that the Argie went down like a sack of spuds.
Now it's a yellow card for Marco Estrada. They can't really afford this.
Chile are starting to lose it
I don't know why, either. Spain haven't threatened and they've been useful up front.
Come on, Villa! Pull your finger out!
Surely Cesc Fab should be in this team?
If not, why would he want to go to Barcelona? He wouldn't play?
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