Goal keepers... That's right. The more they're shot at from far, the more chances they have (if they're good), to extend themselves and catch or deviate the ball. A good (good in virtual football terms) goal keeper is the one that has a defense eager enough to prevent strikers to approach them while offering the midfielders the possibility to shoot several times from far. And missing. To get discouraged.
So many variables, to misquote someone's signature.
I'd bet many national goal keepers facing the English can get a bundle of points, with Gerrard, Lampard, even if Erikson's boys score once or twice.

Exactly. I only realised after the Italy vs Czech Republic game: The Czechs attacked a lot and my goalkeeper for the day, Buffon, finished with 16 points due to eight saves. So even if the Czechs had scored two of those, he would have finished on 6 points.

Korea - Switzerland game was biten by the bad call bug as well. Too bad for Korea. Switzerland have been very impressive, they probably should have finished with three wins. Maybe Switzerland is this years Croatia or Turkey?

The Swiss are offered a big opportunity to reach for the 4th since the Ukranian game has been quite dull. But what could they do next?

Not a whole lot .....

I think Switzerland will go further into the tournament than England, Holland, or even BRAZIL. For real.

All my teams are dead. I hate soccer.

Well, I honestly think the best teams are left stading. And besides not having a team of real interest playing still (maybe Ukraine), the rest of the tournament should be ace! Great match ups for the Round of 16 from top to bottom. No clear favorite either.

I still have Mexico to root against!

I wish Portugal good luck (I liked that team). First comes Holland, then, maybe, Italy. Rough.
I would have never expected Australia, Ukraine, Ecuador & Ghana (even though I hoped so) to be there.

Great match-ups tomorrow!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday + no work + World Cup soccer = Shangri-la

the last 16 teams:





italy seems to have a relatively easy way to the semi-finals...

I've been keeping it all up-to-date on my little BBC printout. Very handy.

that's exactly what i need... i think i will print it as soon as i have a printer at hand...
it would also remind me the time when i had some panini albums for the world cup, and religiously writing the scores every day...

Sure, it looks like Italy has an easy route to the semifinals. I don't think any of those teams are just going to lay down and let Italy through.

After the group stage all players will select a new squad from a revised player list.

I had taken this to mean what it said - that we pick an entirely new squad - but I can't see how this can be done! Any help?

I couldn't make Klose my captain, as ntl's internet service for my area failed for 24 hours! Grrrrrrrrrrr :mad:

Germany 2 - 0 Sweden

Dull for the most part. Germany has been fun to watch so far, lots of goals. They are starting to look very dangerous. How oh how did Larrsson miss that PK?

I missed most of that game. I'm looking forward to Argentina vs Mexico.

As much as I want to see Mexico go down in a flurry of goals, I think it will be closer than that. Though last year Mexico took Argentina all the way to PK's in the Confederation Cup. There is no reason this should not be a good game.

I don't know, I really should pull for Mexico. Either way a team from the Americas will advace. Hooray!

From what I gether, Germany deserved the win today, although I understand that the refereeing was once again somewhat below-par. Will there be anyone up to officiating in the final? It's almost as interesting as the football!

I couldn't make Klose may captain today (see above!) so I've brought in Crespo and givem him the armband - hopefully, he'll remember my kindness and bag the tournament's first hat-trick tonight...

yes, of course, i didn't mean to say that they were already in the semis... maybe guus hiddink will eliminate italy 2 WCs in a row...

this morning, i nearly used one of my new transfers to get podolski in my team, but then i thought i should wait that some of my players' teams are out, before using those transfers... well, now i can transfer ljungberg and ibrahimovic...

the german team really made an amazing number of shots, from all kinds of positions on the field...