World Cup Thread Friday 20th June

[MSP]

Did I hear the commentator mention in the first half that someone for Switzerland was criticized by Dzeko for choosing to play for them rather than Bosnia?

If so just wondering who the player was and the situation with his nationality. I'm not a fan of instances like Costa, Thiago Motta etc

Not sure if he was born in Switzerland but he lived there for ages and was one of three players with Bosnian roots that were part of Swiss team that won U18 World Cup. Other two are Hajrovic brothers and they picked Bosnia later.

To be honest, the single reason he picked Switzerland is because he would never play for Bosnia as long as Dzeko and Ibisevic are playing so he took easier option.

 

[halpo123]

Martin ''I've won two European Cups, me'' O'Neill. Not a lot of love between him and Paddy

I thought that was quite funny to be fair
"When I played football I didn't wear spectacles". Lots of time for MON ex blue an all

 

[deegee33]

Are there any USA blues who are embarrassed by Alexi Lalas as much as I am. Please, ESPN do not force this idiot on us, as the voice of American soccer.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

it's incredible but equally pathetic that Costa Rica have got out of this group.

 

[kara54]

Did I hear the commentator mention in the first half that someone for Switzerland was criticized by Dzeko for choosing to play for them rather than Bosnia?

If so just wondering who the player was and the situation with his nationality. I'm not a fan of instances like Costa, Thiago Motta etc

Not sure if he was born in Switzerland but he lived there for ages and was one of three players with Bosnian roots that were part of Swiss team that won U18 World Cup. Other two are Hajrovic brothers and they picked Bosnia later.

To be honest, the single reason he picked Switzerland is because he would never play for Bosnia as long as Dzeko and Ibisevic are playing so he took easier option.

Well, about a year ago Dzeko had a verbal fight via media with Izet Hajrovic, who meanwhile fortunately plays for Bosnia. Acc to the media Hajrovic was first considering his options to play for Switzerland or Bosnia, bet then he choose Switzerland in the end. Dzeko therefore criticised him on his FB/Twitter profile. There was quite a media hype about at, in Bosnia but in Switzerland, too.

Though, Hajrovic was left on the bench in the next freindly, so he used maybe his last opportunity to switch the sides. Actuallly, there were rumors thet Edin and his clique in the team didn't really like Izet in the begin. But after he did this: Slovakia - Bosnia 1-2, I don't think there have been any more problems between them at all.

That was, if not the most, then for sure the 2nd most important goal of our qualification campaign. And without any doubt the most beatufil one. We lost our points cushion at home when losing to Sovakia 0-1. Four days later, in Slovakia we had to win, but fell behind at the and of the first half. Then Izet scored that screamer. And I was there, just a few yards right to him, pretty close to the pitch, when he pulled that one. That feeling cannot be desribed.

Btw Sead, Izet's younger brother, plays for the U21 Bosnian team, and I think he spent some years at the Arsenal's youth.

PS: Have to leave home now and spend the time somehow till the Bosnian game, without getting too drunk :)
I really hope we make it to the next round, and this game is crucial. Keep your finger's crossed.

 

[nijinsky's fetlocks]

it's incredible but equally pathetic that Costa Rica have got out of this group.

Why is it pathetic?
They have played better football than anyone else, so they go through on merit.
Pathetic is when you are the host nation and favourites, yet still need a kindly Japanese referee to progress.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

it's incredible but equally pathetic that Costa Rica have got out of this group.

Why is it pathetic?
They have played better football than anyone else, so they go through on merit.
Pathetic is when you are the host nation and favourites, yet still need a kindly Japanese referee to progress.

It's pathetic from the perspective of the other 3 nations, as they should be performing far better, from a Costa Rica PoV it's unbelievable but absolutely brilliant and refreshing at the same time.

It's shameful from an England perspective though.

 

[Marvin]

it's incredible but equally pathetic that Costa Rica have got out of this group.

Why is it pathetic?
They have played better football than anyone else, so they go through on merit.
Pathetic is when you are the host nation and favourites, yet still need a kindly Japanese referee to progress.

It's pathetic from the perspective of the other 3 nations, as they should be performing far better, from a Costa Rica PoV it's unbelievable but absolutely brilliant and refreshing at the same time.

It's shameful from an England perspective though.

Costa Rica raised their game. See also Ecuador and Honduras last night. That game blew me away. Very ordinary players who we have seen struggle for their clubs in the Premiership playing with great intensity and commitment (and a lot of skill too).

I don't think Costa Rica are that good. Uruguay and Italy were very ordinary and disappointing in their games. Players like Cavani, and balotelli sleep-walking through a World Cup game. Sad to see. If only every player had the heart and will of Suarez

 

[cleavers]

See also Ecuador and Honduras last night. That game blew me away. Very ordinary players who we have seen struggle for their clubs in the Premiership playing with great intensity and commitment (and a lot of skill too).

Glad it wasn't just me that enjoyed that game, pretty average players, but they gave their all, that's all you can really ask, neither will qualify from their group, but they played like it mattered.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I honestly think that a huge amount of the credit for France's performances goes to Deschamps. He was never the most technically gifted footballer, but he is as hard as nails, he's a winner, and he's got what is a fairly ordinary team — and I say that as someone who's friendly to France — welded into a terrifically efficient machine. I don't think they have a cat in hell's chance of actually winning the tournament, but all credit to them. They'll be found out, I think, when they come up against the big boys. One interesting tendency that' s emerging very firmly —  a huge number of Latin American countries either have gone through or seem to be on the point of going through. I don't think anyone can seriously claim the refeering's bent right across the board, for the whole tournament (whateve you might think about the first match). It just seems to be the case that it's almost impossible to cross the Atlantic and win the thing. It's only ever been done once, in either direction.