Group B Thread

[Dagger5]

This group contains powerhouse Argentina, Korea, Greece and Nigeria. Argentina would be the clear favourites from this group you would think but they have been shaky under Maradona.

Match times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time.

Korea Republic vs Greece 12 June 21:30
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

Argentina vs Nigeria 13 June 00:00
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Argentina vs Korea Republic 17 June 21:30
Soccer City, Johannesburg

Greece vs Nigeria 18 June 00:00
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Nigeria vs Korea Republic 23 June 04:30
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban

Greece vs Argentina 23 June 04:30
Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

The winner of this group faces the runner up from Group A and the runner up faces the winner of Group A.

 

[Dagger5]

Greece provisional squad:

Keepers: Michalis Sifakis (Aris Salonika), Alexandros Tzorvas (Panathinaikos), Kostas Chalkias (PAOK Salonika);

Defenders: Giorgos Seitaridis (Panathinaikos), Loukas Vintra (Panathinaikos), Evangelos Moras (Bologna), Socrates Papastathopoulos (Genoa), Sotiris Kyrgiakos (Liverpool), Avraam Papadopoulos (Olympiakos), Vasilis Torosidis (Olympiakos), Nikos Spiropoulos (Panathinaikos), Stelios Malezas (PAOK Salonika), Giorgos Tzavellas (Panionios), Kostas Manolas (AEK Athens), Giorgos Galitsios (Olympiakos), Stergos Marinos (Panathinaikos);

Midfielders: Kostas Katsouranis (Panathinaikos), Alexandros Tziolis (Siena), Giorgos Karagounis (Panathinaikos), Sotiris Ninis (Panathinaikos), Christos Patsatzoglou (Omonia), Grigoris Makos (AEK Athens), Sakis Prittas (Aris Salonika), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Panathinaikos);

Strikers: Angelos Charisteas (Nuremberg), Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos), Pantelis Kapetanos (Steaua Bucharest), Theofanis Gekas (Hertha Berlin), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic), Kostas Mitroglou (Olympiakos).

 

[Dagger5]

The players cut from Maradona’s original list of 30 are Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle) Jesus Datolo (Olympiakos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Juan Mercier (Argentinos), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus) and Juan Insaurralde (Newell’s).

Finally he had some common sense and kept Milito but then he undid that by keeping Maxi Rodriguez.

Still think they will flop though.

 

[belfast_bomber]

Typical understatement from Maradona as he announces his world cup squad:

The Argentina coach Diego Maradona insulted an injured cameraman after accidentally running over his leg ahead of announcement of the albiceleste World Cup squad.

Driving to yesterday's news conference in Buenos Aires, the 1986 World Cup winner was surrounded by journalists. One was hit and he fell to the ground.

According to a witness, Maradona's car rolled over the lower part of the cameraman's leg. "What an arseh*le you are," Maradona shouted from the car. "How can you put your leg there where it can get run over, man?" Paramedics attended to the cameraman, who was taken away for further treatment.

God love him.

 

[ashley12]

Argentina are still IMO a lock to win this group. While they aer missing some quality players, and they have Maradona as the worst manager of all time, the competition in the group is weak IMO.

South Korea havent been great for a while, and they like most other teams will struggle to contain the Argentina forward line, while Greece and Nigeria, despite being well balanced compared to some of the other African teams, arent up to it in overall quality. Had they had a team such as France or Serbia in their group, I wouldnt be so sure, but IMO Argentina win this group pretty easily.

Also, LOL that players in the second division of England Coloccini and Gutierriez) made the 30 and Jonas the 23 while potential UCL winners Cambiasso and Zanetti didnt get the chance to go the the Cup...

 

[cesc fabregas]

Maradona has the hardest job in the world right now. Choosing which players to put in his forward line. He has Messi, Milito, Higuain, Tevez, Aguero and also a few others like Spiderman Gutierrez, Angel Di Maria and Maxi.

If i were to pick their team, i think it would be a 4-2-3-1.
--Mascherano----?????-------
---Messi---Higuain---Tevez---
------------Milito-------------

 

[Dagger5]

 

[Dagger5]

The Argentina World Cup squad has received a conditional green light to have sex during the June 11-July 11 tournament provided it is on non-match days with regular partners and no champagne.

Argentine team doctor Donato Villami, speaking to Radio Del Plata, said: "The players will be able to have sex during the World Cup in South Africa, but with regular partners and without champagne or other drinks.

"Sex is part of everybody's social life and it's not a problem in itself. Problems arise with the excesses: all the extras, a non-regular partner or in hours reserved for rest."

As if Maradona wouldn't have allowed it.

 

[belfast_bomber]

Will the England players be allowed sex as long as it's with the rest of the side's regular partners?

 

[Dagger5]

Will the England players be allowed sex as long as it's with the rest of the side's regular partners?

I think JT would have chalked a few extra off even before they leave for South Africa.

 

[Godzke]

http://www.goal.com/en/news/1863/wo...tina-fitness-coach-fernando-signorini-blasts-

Apparently Messi is burned out.

Mascherano: duuuude, how did we end up with him as coach?
Tevez: begs the question doesn't it?
Messi: the guy's a headcase
Veron: tell me about it
Aguero: AYE! That's my father-in-law you're talking about!

 

[sporterer]

Next game Korea Republic vs Greece

Good luck to them - hope to do what they have done in 2004 !! I am a great fun

 

[daics_35]

Korea will and should beat Greece and i hope they do.

 

[Deledio2Conca]

I actually think Greece might sneak past them, I also give Nigeria a chance to hold out for a draw against the Argentines as well.....there is something about the African nations playing in their own continent that I like...

 

[Alpha1]

Argentina v Nigeria should be a great game tonight, free flowing and very attacking, looking forward to see some quality on both sides, great match up this one.

 

[Dirtywhirl]

Greece will win, I can feel it in my bones

 

[Deledinho]

Come on you mighty South Koreans!

 

[DB10]

a lot of empty seats ...

 

[Dirtywhirl]

Greece playing three front men, wouldn't have picked that

 

[TheStinger]

I turned on late. Is that the Kiwi ref who does some of the A-League games?

 

[DB10]

Greece playing three front men, wouldn't have picked that

no, they're playing seven defenders.

 

[Deledinho]

Yes!

 

[ObaMartins]

Goooaall. Greece look pretty poor.

 

[The_Todd07]

I don't think that will be the last goal in this match. Has been free-flowing and both teams have had chances after 8 minutes.

 

[Alpha1]

Good game so far, both are attacking and its very open.