[DrunkMans]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-cup...701484296.html

Discover the joy of hex

June 20, 2006

"PUT a curse on the team you love to hate with this special set," read the instructions on a special World Cup voodoo set on sale in Germany, containing one doll, 32 national emblems and five needles. "Weaken any opponents. Simply attach the emblem, stick in the needles and off you go," says the maker, adding that there is, of course, "No guarantee!" it will work. It is a sign that the sporting apocalypse is upon us that football fans in Germany can't buy a match program - they simply do not exist - but have an unprecedented choice of bizarre, usually tasteless, sometimes toilet, souvenirs.

From voodoo magic sets to embossed "top shot" vibrators. From plastic World War I helmets to stick-on Hitler moustaches. From World Cup trivia toilet paper to ham slices decorated with dribbling footballers. Legally, only 15 companies bought rights to use the official World Cup logo. But even the almighty FIFA can do little to stop piracy and prevent footballs, goalposts and cups on everything from pots of potato salad to people-movers.

... And a market has been started in off-beat collectables, such as the piece of chewing gum spat out by Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann when Germany conceded their second goal to Costa Rica in the opening match of the finals. It was advertised on eBay last week for €2.50, or about $6. Just the gift for the football widow left back in Oz.

[drycleden]

... and another stein of lager for my friend with the funny accent.

There was a great article about how many Americans expected their team to win the Cup. Something like 60% of them actually thought they'd go all the way.

Some of the other nations were perhaps overly optimistic, but the Yanks really won it in their own heads.

... on second thought. Forget about that lager. I think he's had enough.

[BronUVT]

Terra Nullius sure seems to have an axe to grind against the FIFA world cup this year, doesn't he?

[AOE6q4bu]

Instead, I'll have a cigarette right now, laughing about US Soccer at every single puff

[Shiplyopidomi]

Ah. Found it.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world-cup...701553473.html

... and you'll notice there's more than just the US to laugh about.

Portugal, US and Dutch most confident
June 21, 2006

AMSTERDAM: Fans from Portugal, the US and the Netherlands are the most cocksure about the chances of their teams at the World Cup, a survey has revealed.

Nearly two out of three Portuguese fans expect their team to win the World Cup, according to the online poll by a US-based company. In America, one in three fans expect their side to walk away with the trophy, while 42 per cent of the Dutch reckon Marco van Basten's men will win it.

Spain, France, England and Germany make up the rest of the seven most confident sets of fans. Brazil were most often tipped as the winners but the range was wide, with 46 per cent of the French expecting the South Americans to win compared to just 20 per cent of US fans.

Reuters

[marcusdexz]

12 yellows and 2 reds and the game aint over yet. the ref is losing control/

[darieBarexish]

He didn't call anything in the first half.

ACK!

[sesWaipunsaws]

the game aint over yet

So what are you doing in the bar already??

Get back out there man! There's work to be done.

[JRixlcvF]

He didn't call anything in the first half.
The thing I get out of that is you need to pay your bar tab, Kid.






Aw heck. What'll it be? Another whuskey?

[oronozopiy]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
he gave 2 yellows in the first 15 minutes! I didn't see the first 15 minutes.......

ACK!

[CamVideoQl]

Originally posted by Lawrence of Arabia
12 yellows and 2 reds and the game aint over yet. the ref is losing control/ New World Cup record
4 Red cards in a match.

And 16 cards overall (including the red ones) is the equal highest number of cards ever handed out.