World Cup 2002

[Dragon Phoenix]

So... who will win and why?

[Cadmium]

I voted for Brasil. I don't really have a reason, it's just a hunch.
France won both the European Cup 2000 and the Wold Cup 1998. But they got their arse kicked in the opening game last friday. Brasil won from Turkey yesterday with 2-1. And they won the World Cup 1994.
I think those two are the favorites this year.

[Neo]

I said Italy because I think the coach's restrictions on sex are just crazy enough to work

[Mike Amok]

In the spirit of Mafia, I will join the first and biggest bandwagon, despite knowing next to nothing about the sport.

Vote: Brazil

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[Dragon Phoenix]

I voted Italy. Before the start, France and Argentina were my prime candidates, but Italy made the biggest impression so far. Other countries will find it difficult to score against them, and their offense is world class.

[rOver]

France's defeat was a shock, but I still think they have a great team. And Zidane could make much worse teams work. See Juve in 99

[Cadmium]

France and Argentina were my prime candidates

[verge_of_taboo]

vote:antarctica

what do you mean, they don't have a soccer team?

[Mentat]

A bit of hindsight is a wonderful thing. My choice before the tournament was France, so take the following comments with that in mind.

Up until now, the only team who has shown any kind of flair is Brazil. Note that a European team has never won the World Cup outside Europe. England qualified having scored 2 goals (one from a "penalty" that wasn't). World champions? I think not.

Italy have a chance, as do Spain. However, the boys from Brazil have it wrapped up

[Cadmium]

Hey, Dragon Phoenix, now that Italy is out too, should we maybe put our money on South Korea? It would be great if they can make it. And there's a dutch guy involved in their team .

[crackerjack]

The winner of the Brazil/England match will likely win it all. I would love to see a Senegal/US final. It will likely be Spain and Brazil in the finals, although England looks tough.

[Corsato]

I'm competing in some sort of soccerpool, and I only have 2 teams in the QF correctly . I can kiss my 5 euro goodbye

Brazil has the biggest chance of winning, Spain and England are great too.
But Spain always manages to get out of the tournament in a lame way. Look at the match against Ireland, they almost lost it, though they were much stronger.

I have to agree with crackerjack. The winner of the tournament will come from the match between England an Brazil.

Right now I'm a big South-Korea fan, just because they kicked that annoying Italian anti-soccer team out of the tournament. (I hope I haven't offended someone right now).

[Mentat]

I reiterate my earlier post. Brazil will win. England were easy.

[Cadmium]

w00t!!

South Korea in the semi-finals .

[Mentat]

What price a Brazil v Germany final?

[Cadmium]

Congrats to 40% of the voters .

But I have to say that the game for third and fourth place (South Korea vs. Turkey) was ten times better than the finals. They both wanted to win badly, even though it was only third place. The finals didn't really have a lot of action, though Brazil did have quite some chances. Anyhow, honest win by Brazil!

[Ningal]

As far as the lesser final went, I kind of pitied South Korea; ERT's (national Greek TV) announcer guy evidently agreed, mentioning several times that it was "like the Korean defense doesn't exist". Of the few games I watched, my personal favorite was Brazil vs. Turkey, though I wouldn't be able to tell exactly why. In any case, I got to watch my mother, who is Greek and very racist against Turks, support Turkey in an international sporting event. Which in turn meant that she spent quite a while making up stories about how the stars of the proceedings (Rüstü, Mansiz, Sas, and a few others) must really be Greek or German or something, as actual Turks are, in her mind, incapable of doing anything good, including playing decent football. Amusing in the extreme.