The 2010 World Cup Thread / South Africa

[Bay Hill]

The biggest sporting event in the world starts Jun 11. After the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, it's time for another sporting event on the world stage. The opening match is RSA/MEX at Soccer City in Johannesburg. There are 8 groups of 4 teams and 2 teams advance to the next round. The key to the first game in the first round is to win...3 points or get a draw...1 point. Team USA gets our rival the British (ENG) team in the first game. The Groups A-H...

Group A...RSA, MEX, URU, FRA
Group B...GRE, ARG, KOR, NIG
Group C...USA, ENG, SLO, ALG
Group D...GER, AUS, GHA, SER
Group E...CAM, JPN, NED, DEN
Group F...ITA, PAR, NZL, SLO
Group G...POR, BRA, CIV, PRK
Group H...SPA, SUI, CHI, HON

The family of ESPN networks will air the games in the US. Telemundo airs the games in Spanish. CBC gets the coverage in Canada.

The odds on favorite to win is either Spain or Italy.Team USA does have a shot of going to the elite 8. I am rooting for the Socceroos (Australia) as the underdog. The host nation South Africa is ranked somewhere around 70th in the FIFA world rankings.

Should be a great month of watching the beautiful game.

 

[gometros]

Can't believe your post didn't spur any responses. As a proud member of Sam's Army, I can't wait for June 12th! My favorite to win it all, though, is Spain or England. Just as long as it's not Brazil or Germany.

 

[DisneyFed]

U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A...

Can you believe Armed Forces Network does not have rights to any games yet and those of us deployed to the Middle East might not get to see a single game?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

[FireDancer]

I am eagerly awaiting the start of the World Cup Finals. I will have every game DVR'd during the day and it is like torture avoiding the scores.

Of course the US is my team of choice but they are followed closely by Italy. While my name isn't Italian my mom's family is all Sicilian and I grew up very close to my Sicilian born family.

I'd never discount the power of England but after beating Spain last year, outplaying Brazil for 45 minutes, and the way England sputtered to victory against both Mexico and Japan I think we can realistically top the group, though I wouldn't say we are favorites to do so.

I loves me some World Cup Football!

 

[bdoyledimou]

SO is Portuguese with Brazilian parents and is so upset that her two teams are in the same opening bracket...

She has no idea who to cheer for when they meet.. she just knows that she will cheer against France in every game they play..

 

[FireDancer]

SO is Portuguese with Brazilian parents and is so upset that her two teams are in the same opening bracket...

She has no idea who to cheer for when they meet.. she just knows that she will cheer against France in every game they play..

I had the same issue last WC with the US and Italy. I was hoping both teams won both of their other games and drew each other so they both got true. Oh boy did that not happen.

 

[Sparx]

I'm really excited! The last major cup that I watched was the Euro cup and I'm looking forward to getting back into actively watching again.

 

[BEloveDisney]

My DH is so excited that he has deleted all of the shows we had saved on the DVR to make room for games. He has a countdown app on his IPOD and considered taking time off work to watch, but decided not too. I, however, am considerably less excited!

 

[JohnMouse]

A correction to OP--

The US Spanish-language telecasts are on Univision.

In the UK, the BBC and ITV share the matches, with both screening the final.

 

[Bay Hill]

>>A correction to OP--
The US Spanish-language telecasts are on Univision.<<

Sorry about that...Hope to hear Mr. Cantor yell out goooal!

http://futbol.univision.com/

Also, TV5 USA had the French feed to the 2006 World Cup. I have no idea if they have the French 2010 rights.

Forgot to post the website for FIFA...

http://www.fifa.com/index.htm

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Woo hoo! Come on England!!!

The last World Cup, England went out the day of my 21st birthday party! We had the game on at the party and everyone was sort of somber afterwards!

 

[gometros]

U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A U S A...

Can you believe Armed Forces Network does not have rights to any games yet and those of us deployed to the Middle East might not get to see a single game?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

That stinks. Is there anything those of us holding down the homefront can do? I can at least copy games to DVD if you're interested. Anything for soldier and soccer fan.

 

[gometros]

My DH is so excited that he has deleted all of the shows we had saved on the DVR to make room for games. He has a countdown app on his IPOD and considered taking time off work to watch, but decided not too. I, however, am considerably less excited!

I went and bought a 1TB My DVR Expander to hook up to my TIVO. I have no cnerns about space now

A correction to OP--

The US Spanish-language telecasts are on Univision.

In the UK, the BBC and ITV share the matches, with both screening the final.

I thought ESPN Desportes had the games too. I'll have to double check. A friend of mine does a lot of the Spanish coverage for ESPN. Here's a link to the ESPN Media Guide with all the broadcast info:

http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2010-fifa-world-cup-rankings-and-schedule/

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Can't wait for next Friday!!

Seeing as I do IT/networking work at my office, I get the luxury of being able to use ESPN3 online to watch the matches live (no filters for me)!

I really think this is the year for the Spanish, but whenever the World Cup rolls around, Italy always seems to find a way to win, regardless of their talent. I usually take a minor rooting interest in Germany & France, but, of course, the USA is my team.

As to the chances for the USA? I think they can win their group and find their way all the way into the Quarterfinals. At that point anything can happen. I'm just hoping they keep their heads on straight and avoid the 2006 debacle.

 

[kerstfan1]

im sorry but nederlands are going for the cup

 

[Bay Hill]

The USA/Australia match is on this morning at 8:30 am EDT on ESPN2. This is the USA last match before England next week.

 

[suzanna1066@comcast.]

Rooting for Germany!!!

 

[DisneyFed]

That stinks. Is there anything those of us holding down the homefront can do? I can at least copy games to DVD if you're interested. Anything for soldier and soccer fan.

Thank you ma'am, but my mom has already volunteered to take care of us

Wouldn't want to upset mom, even at 36

**Edited for Accuracy**

Actually, I'm a Federal Agent, not a soldier, though I do deploy over here. I don't wish to steal any thunder from our hardworking men and women over here.

DF

 

[Uuaww]

I will be leaving for South Africa in 9 days! Heading to Johannesburg to see Argentina vs South Korea, USA vs Slovenia and Brazil vs Ivory Coast. I cannot wait!!!

 

[skater]

Just dropping by so I can get a little educated. I don't want to sound like a total idiot to my son . Any predictions?