Group E: Italy, Ghana, USA, Czech Republic

[roseboy64]

US looked awful today. Granted I've seen them play much better. Looks like they never really recovered from Koller's goal.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Motson: Oh it's a pearler from Pirlo


Someone please put him down, it's for the best.

 

[superkingdave]

well, i have Pirlo to score the first and 2-0, so fingers crossed (i've made a profit anyway so long as Italy win)

 

[BoyBrumby]

I've gone 2-0 Italy, so 1-0 @ HT looking useful, bet-wise.

Another very good half of football. Italy playing a far more open style than in their recent past.

This is the first look I've had @ Toni & I was about to dismiss him as a carthorse, but then he showed great technique to bring the ball down for his thunderbolt.

The standard of footy has been worthy of the occasion in every game thus far. Well, every game not involving leaden-footed Anglo-Saxons, any road!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Another good game involving an African nation and a tournament favourite, really. Italy were the better side by a reasonable distance, but Ghana put up a good fight. Much like the Ivory Coast lot, they'd be a good chance in a more friendly group. With Italy and the Czechs looking so good today though, there's not much chance of either of the other teams getting through.

Not a great prospect for Australia to face one of them in the second round either, if we get through.

 

[roseboy64]

well, i have Pirlo to score the first and 2-0, so fingers crossed (i've made a profit anyway so long as Italy win)

Well somebody made a lot of money.

 

[aussie]

Great to see the Azzuri getting of to a good start, the czech's were also very good Rosicky looks good Arsenal are lucky to have him.

 

[Blaze]

I agree with what someone else said earlier in this thread, the Czech's have been the most impressive side so far. Anyone know how bad Koller's injury is?

 

[Craig]

I've gone 2-0 Italy, so 1-0 @ HT looking useful, bet-wise.

Another very good half of football. Italy playing a far more open style than in their recent past.

This is the first look I've had @ Toni & I was about to dismiss him as a carthorse, but then he showed great technique to bring the ball down for his thunderbolt.

The standard of footy has been worthy of the occasion in every game thus far. Well, every game not involving leaden-footed Anglo-Saxons, any road!

If somebody does score 31 goals in Serie A you know he can play just a bit and he was really unlucky not to score.

I felt Ghana were a little bit unlucky at times, with Kuffor (lucky laquinta was ruled offside or otherwise he would have been shown red) and Mensah having good games, before he lost his balance for laquinta to score his first goal for Italy and Richard Kingston had an impressive game for Ghana, and I hope he puts Buffon jersey away in a safe place, as that really will be something special to have in future years. If he wasn't in goal then IMO Italy could have scored 4 or 5 goals.

Another thing I would like to say is that for his price tag Michael Essien is a little bit over-rated, well he certaintly didn't have a great game (went MIA, and I know one game doesn't make somebody over-rated, but this is something I have noticed). And I thought the ref had a good game as well.

For Brumby (and anybody else) , Italy left back Fabio Grosso roughtly translates to Fat Fabio if I am correct

 

[Craig]

I agree with what someone else said earlier in this thread, the Czech's have been the most impressive side so far. Anyone know how bad Koller's injury is?

I heard he is out or at least for most of the World Cup.

I bet Monaco are pleased...

(For those who don't know Koller recently signed for 2003 CL runners up Monaco)

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Ghana had their chances, but were woeful anywhere near the box. Bit of a warning for Italy there, Essien had shooting practice all day, someone like Rosicky will make them pay. US of States were *****! Czechs were pretty good, their match against the Azzuri should be decent, the loser of which may well face Brazil. Could go to goal diff of course.

Oh and can I just say "Pimpong", name of the tourney so far surely.

 

[Matteh]

BBC website has news on Koller.

Apparently it's not a tear - so he might be back before the end.

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Good news, I like the Czechs.

 

[TT Boy]

Jan Koller has been ruled out of the remaining group games but if the Czech Republic progress, he could be available for the latter rounds though it looks increasingly likely that Milan Baros will miss most of if not all of the tournament.

 

[GIMH]

The Czechs are today saying that he'll be fine and dandy soon

 

[luckyeddie]

Good news, I like the Czechs.

I can think of one I'm not that keen on.

Famous last words....

"The Maxwell Empire is unsinkable...ble...ble...ble"

Favourite ever Private Eye headline....

"Maxwell's last flotation"

 

[Craig]

In Italy related news, former Italian striker is set to join Sampdoria.

What is it with him and switching clubs every two minutes.

 

[aussie]

Ghana playing some top Football, the Czech's better be careful they need to win to be sure of progressing.

 

[luckyeddie]

Ghana playing some top Football, the Czech's better be careful they need to win to be sure of progressing.

I don't think that being careful comes into it.

Being played off the park does though.

 

[aussie]

Cech has been superb, he's safing his teams skin.