*Official* Knockout Stages

[silentstriker]

I'll actually be supporting England, as much fun it would be to wind up English fans...I really support England in most things, so go Rooney. Obviously delighted it's the English facing Germany instead of US, but how awesome would a US-England final be (not that I expect either team to make it but still)?

Argentina will probably beat the winner of England/German so they are through to the semis... Although if USA beat Ghana, IMO they have a very real chance of beating uruguay or south korea to reach the semis too. Obviously rooting for South Korea there...

Obviously I'm optimistic about us being able to score on Uruguay...

[andyc]

Torn here. Would like to support England, but I also have Germany in a sweep going here. Money wins though, carn Germany.

Originally Posted by GeraintIsMyHero

Updated:

Uruguay V South Korea
Argentina V Mexico
USA V Ghana
Germany V England

Updated the first post.

[Indipper]

Nice draw. Two sides with totally odious support, one to go home early. Hope it's the Germs, they already celebrated winning the World Cup last night. Plus Beckenbauer might shut up for five minutes.

[GIMH]

Yeah, it seems everywhere I turn in this WC Beckenbauer is going on about something or another.

Actually quite confident about the Germany game. They looked awesome against Australia but I've seen very little since then. 5-0 England.

[Steulen]

Originally Posted by GeraintIsMyHero

Yeah, it seems everywhere I turn in this WC Beckenbauer is going on about something or another.

Actually quite confident about the Germany game. They looked awesome against Australia but I've seen very little since then. 5-0 England.

I'm not sure GIMH, I thought England were still desperately poor yesterday, apart from that 15 minute spell where they actually passed the ball and created chances. I'm thinking Germany will go through...

[duffer]

As much as I love Ozil and this German team, the prospect of Diego against the Poms again is just too good to be true. This needs to happen.

[sledger]

Very much looking forward to this tie. Hilarity bound to ensue.

[duffer]

Seriously, how can anyone doubt this tournament with a draw like this?

[GIMH]

Originally Posted by Steulen

I'm not sure GIMH, I thought England were still desperately poor yesterday, apart from that 15 minute spell where they actually passed the ball and created chances. I'm thinking Germany will go through...

I thought we were pretty good throughout the first half tbh. Second half was a bit flat and I don't think there was enough of a push for a second goal and with it first place. Definitely going in the right direction though and that's the main thing. The real business starts now and I can see us stepping it up.

[GIMH]

Originally Posted by duffer

Seriously, how can anyone doubt this tournament with a draw like this?

Tournament has been great aside from the first five days or so. Really enjoying it.

[L Trumper]

When was the last time england beat any of the ger, ita, arg, bra in knockout stages?
Has to be 66, isn't it?

[duffer]

The way Germany are defending England can take them this time. Have just as much faith in England's defence too so I guess it should be a great game if both teams really come to play.

edit: In other news:

Franz Beckenbauer believes England made a stupid mistake by failing to avoid a second-round match against Germany at the World Cup in South Africa.
The two sides will meet in Bloemfontein on Sunday after England failed to win Group C despite beating Slovenia 1-0.
"Stupidly, the English have slipped up a little by finishing second in their group," said German great Beckenbauer.
"The English look a little tired... they are burnt out. We respect them but we certainly don't fear them."
England's win over Slovenia made certain of their place in the knockout stages of the competiion, but they were denied a meeting with Ghana on Saturday when a late winner by the United States against Algeria put them on top of the group table.
Beckenbauer attacked England's style of play earlier in the tournament, saying they had "gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush", but admitted they looked better in their final group match.
"England's first two appearances at the World Cup were paltry, but they improved against Slovenia," Beckenbauer, who won the tournament as a player and a coach, told German newspaper Bild.
"What makes them dangerous is that their key players Lampard, Gerrard and Terry sense that this could be the last chance in their career to win a World Cup. And after all, England have been waiting since 1966 for a title.
"After they failed to qualify for Euro 2008, England hit rock bottom. Fabio Capello appears to have brought discipline to the troops, [he] has brought in a new structure."
Beckenbauer said "a game like this [England v Germany] should be a semi-final, not a last-16 game".
However, he believes the German players are fresher than England's, a situation he put down to the rigours of Premier League football.
"The Premier League players have got to play far more games than their Bundesliga colleagues, including two national cup competitions," Beckenbauer added.
"Therefore, when it comes to a World Cup or a European Championships, they are burnt out. Our players, on the other hand, seem to be in a physically better condition."

[Matteh]

Fair points.

Just realised how unbearable this country is going to be until Saturday afternoon. Really can't be bothered having to listen to all the fallout and antiquated slurs coming out of an England win so really hope Germany pull it off.

[GIMH]

Will be far more slurs should we lose

[social]

France out early, US late to the party, Poms left to battle the Huns

Remind anyone of another big event