The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Schkite]

Paco, you don't want to see North Korea play? I can't wait!

I'm sure they can provide some sort of entertainment. Did anyone hear Spillane mentioning them yesterday? Something about their star striker having to play nets, if I remember. I also heard that Kim Jong Il isn't letting them watch live games at home unless they win it! They're going to alter highlights to make them look like the better side, good luck with that

Some boys alright, they named one of their strikers as their third goalie, trying to pull a fast one and get and extra outfield player in the squad. Badly backfired though, FIFA have ruled that players named as goalkeepers can only play in goals! 

[tyroneboi]

Don't know if it has been mentioned in the thread yet but holy god them horn things (called vuvuzuelas) are going to be annoying as f**k throughout the tournament. They will make the thing unbearable to watch.

[gallsman]

I think they're great. It's held in South Africa and that's part of how they create atmosphere at matches over there. Fair lay to them.

[gallsman]

The Guardian's Football Weekly Podcast team will be doing a daily version during the World Cup. Normally full of astute, unbiased commentary and you'll hear little in the way "England are among the favourites" from the lot of them.

Their preview can be found here http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/audio/2010/jun/07/world-cup-daily-south-africa-2010

[The Real Laoislad]

I think they're great. It's held in South Africa and that's part of how they create atmosphere at matches over there. Fair lay to them.

I hate them,they hurt my eardrums the same way a Nordie accent does..

[gallsman]

I think they're great. It's held in South Africa and that's part of how they create atmosphere at matches over there. Fair lay to them.

I hate them,they hurt my eardrums the same way a Nordie accent does..

Pity you'll just have to put up with them in the same way then, isn't it!? 

[Rossie11]

some boys alright, they named one of their strikers as their third goalie, trying to pull a fast one and get and extra outfield player in the squad. Badly backfired though, FIFA have ruled that players named as goalkeepers can only play in goals!

Its harsh on them I think.  By the same reckoning and the genius that is FIFA a defender or midfielder shouldnt be able to play up front if needed...
If they are on the way home in the final game they should bring him on in full goalie gear, play him outfield and go last man back for nets. 2 fingers up at FIFA..

[A Quinn Martin Production]

The Guardian's Football Weekly Podcast team will be doing a daily version during the World Cup. Normally full of astute, unbiased commentary and you'll hear little in the way "England are among the favourites" from the lot of them.

Their preview can be found here http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/audio/2010/jun/07/world-cup-daily-south-africa-2010

Agree gallsman the Guardian's WC site is pretty good.

Italy will not be replacing Pirlo in the squad but he will miss the first two games.  Italy are in probably the weakest group so maybe not such a big loss.

[Minder]

Nani out of World Cup with shoulder injury.

[gallsman]

Nani out of World Cup with shoulder injury.

Excellent news for my Fantasy Football - if possible, they'll give the ball even more to the metrosexual one.

[Rossie11]

Trying an overhead kick.. The clown...

[Billys Boots]

Trying an overhead kick.. The clown...

Can't say that comes as a massive surprise. 

[Capt Pat]

Just another United and Chelsea player taking the tournament off. It is not a coincidence is it? The players out of the tournament are Ferdinand, Nani, Ballack, Essien, Drogba etc. All the other injured players from other clubs are going to soldier on  Pirlo and Robben etc, with the exception of Drogba the United and Chelsea players know where their priorities lie.

[Schkite]

A few of the injured are international captains, I really doubt they'd pass up the chance to captain their country in a World Cup if they weren't totally fcuked for the month. I would say it's the long season taking it's toll but some of them seem like freak, unfortunate accidents like Drogba and Nani, while in the case of Ferdinand, Essien they're just injury-prone.

[Olly]

Nani is the strangest name for a footballer. It'd be terrible for a goalkeeper to tell his grandchildren in years to come"
"Yes, well, at that World Cup I just conceded the one goal"
"who was it scored by, granda?"
"erm, it was a boy called Nani."