Well, about the only consolation for the US team with their winning the third-place game over Norway was the fact that their beating Norway brought to a merciful end this utter total fiasco of this 2007 women's World Cup Tournament for the US team!!

** Note to head coach Ryan: Please remember to play your BEST goalkeeper IF you ever get a chance to win a major tournament again!! **


Chess Fan

Why was it a total fiasco? Okay, they were hoping to win the title, but being eliminated in the semis by a very strong opponent and clinching third place isn't a shame. It's not like the US team was expected to dominate the tournament, they weren't in the final last time either. And I don't know why you keep insisting on the goalkeeper issue. They lost that game 0-4, the goalkeeper made an error at one of the goals. That hardly decided the game.

Just my opinion, littlefish, just my opinion!


Chess Fan

Littlefish:

Do you think that Germany's winning this 2007 women's World Cup Tournament made Wolfgang Ebendorfer a happy man?

** Wolfgang Ebendorfer... man oh man, I just LOVE that name!! **


Chess Fan

I don't know about Mr. Eberdorfer, but in general Austrian sports fans are very unhappy when Germany wins. Incidentally, Brazil's Rosana is playing for a club from a small Austrian town called Neulengbach (which I know quite well because my grandparents live nearby). That's another nice German name for you.

I watched a bit of Russia-England today, but switched off after an hour when it looked like there was no way Russia would win - and when I tuned in again they were leading 2-1. How did that happen? Anyway I was glad they won, hope we'll see them at the European championship next year. Meanwhile even Austria played a decent game and won the friendly against the Ivory Coast 3-2. Maybe there's some hope after all that our team won't be a complete embarrassement at the European championship?

Littlefish, you are glad Russia did beat England, but now probably Croatia and Russia will qualify at the cost of England. The key match is Israel - Russia. Israel is strong at home, but Russia will be very motivated, and will probably win. Group E. I like the England game, will miss them. (On the other hand, some malicious plesure in England having to have a more down to earth assessment of their side's strenght.) Anyway, great to see Rooney in form, great goal yesterday.

Norway has good chances of visiting Austria-Switserland next year, at the cost of Turkey. Turkey a bit suprisingly lost at home to Greece, while we beat Bosnia away. Norway - Turkey next, and Turkey will have to win.

Hmm, I went to a pub after work yesterday to watch the England-Russia game. When I arrived England were ahead and in control of the game. 5 minutes later, Russia were ahead and England looked like badly co-ordinated school children.

I am embarrassed at how tactically foolish McClaren seems to be. I read today that Hiddink saw how our left back was drifting into the middle of the pitch and leaving lots of space, which Hiddink told his right-side players to exploit. Meanwhile, McClaren shook his head in disbelief and blamed the referee... :rolleyes:

Hehe, South Coast Kevin, the manager is always to blame in England. The possibility of the English players not beeing good enough is out of the question. Well, mayby you are right about McLaren though. With Sven-Göran Erikson you would most probably have qualified already.

Good point Akselborg. I do think the English players are over-rated but I think the bigger factor is the manager's incompetence. Sven probably would have got England qualified by now, but then we all know what would have happened at the tournament itself - England would get to the quarter-finals and lose on penalties and / or to Scolari's team!