“If [France] were going to beat Korea anyhow, I would much rather have seen some more spellbinding spectacle from them like we saw yesterday.”

It was a draw, not a win/loss! I meant, as long as Korea was destined not go on to the next round, I would have liked to have seen some more entertaining play from the team that would go on to the next round.

“I personally want to see Argentina/England in the final, and to have that game turn on a controversial call. I’m sure the outburst of nationalistic soccer frenzy either nation can produce would put Korea to shame.”

Man, that’s just sadistic!

Italy vs Ukraine: a bunch of primadonnas versus some pretty solid shooters (as seen in the penalty-kick shootout with Switzerland). Will Ukraine get undone by some strategic Italian diving?

England vs Portugal: could get ugly, eh? Can Beckham score on another penalty shot?

Brazil vs France: well, we saw stunning goals yesterday not only from Ronaldo and Ze Roberto, but also Zidane. I think of all 4 match-ups, this will be the most promising for some more classic moments.

Well, what do I know? I’ll admit I’m new to the whole football fandom thing, and yes, I’ll admit I only started following the World Cup in ‘02 because of Korea, but damn, I’m hooked now! Geez, two more weeks, then we have to wait 3 years and 11 months till the next fix….

It’s sheer delight watching Brazil, unless you’re supporting the opposing team. And the crowd has to have been even louder than any Korean crowd I’ve seen!

As for France, like JiMong said, what happened? Where were they in Round 1? If they were going to beat Korea anyhow, I would much rather have seen some more spellbinding spectacle from them like we saw yesterday.

I am really looking forward to the Germany-Argentina game for the reasons mentioned above, but also because I’ve been a fan of the DFB for decades and can remember watching Beckenbauer on the field.

Go Ukraine! Or any other team playing Italy. The Italians are great ball players that demean their abilities by all the cheap shots they take and all the acting they do on the field. It gets even worse in Serie A matches. Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll stick with the Bundesliga.

I think the Brazil-France game is going to be exciting, if France decides to play as well as they did yesterday. In the end, I don’t want to see Brazil get a sixth star, especially at the expense of the Germans, but until then, I’ll enjoy watching them play.

Dave, I second Lucia’s comments. I’ve really enjoyed your World Cup commentary.

1) I’m pulling for England primarily, being an EPL fan and a huge fan of the likes of Stevie G, Lampard, heck even Becks. They’ve got loads of talent and may even be better than Brazil on paper.

2) Then again, Zidane’s the classiest player of his generation, and if he and the rest of his geriatric frog teammates continue to up their games gracefully, peaking at the very moment most youthful squads are totally spent after having run their brains out, well….I wouldn’t mind seeing another trophy go to Les Golden Boys of ‘98. They’d uh, have to beat Brazil first of course. But who knows? Brazil still isn’t looking very sharp up front, and their defense–usually the best in the world, or 2d depending on where Italy’s is at–really isn’t looking too airtight. Maybe les vieux bleus have it in them to pull of an upset for the history books?

What’s up with team France? Was it same squad that struggled in first round?

Yup. Slow starters. Spain’s only goal was a dubious penalty kick, but hey! that’s part of the game

I’m happy Vieira could score a goal similar to the one he scored against Korea. This time, no bad call possible…

Experience over youthful frenzy, baby… Whether it’ll be enough to retire the Brazilian team early is doubtful. Judging from France’s last two games, a second title is possible, if not probable.

Europeans only bitch about the refs when they lose to non Europe or Latin teams.

As opposed to…? Koreans bitching all the time?

So, charging the goalkeeper inside the goalkeepers area wasn’t a foul? FIFA must have changed the rules since then.

But that’s probably not to be. I still like Argentina more than Germany, but could really care less for most of the other teams, since the teams I was actually rooting for went out already.