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You are here: Home / Sports / Italy v Costa Rica Open Thread

Italy v Costa Rica Open Thread

by Randinho|  June 20, 201411:50 am| 198 Comments

This post is in: Sports

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Can the Ticos beat the four-time champ?

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Reader Interactions

198Comments

  1. 1.

    Dave Ruddell

    June 20, 2014 at 11:55 am

    ¡Vamos Ticos!

  2. 2.

    ? Martin

    June 20, 2014 at 11:57 am

    I wonder if the Italians have a clause in the contract that pays them every time they fall on the ground when an opposing player gets close?

  3. 3.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Based on the luck that England have had at World Cup 2014 so far, I’m predicting a win for Costa Rica tonight.
    ETA: … Or a draw. That will still knock England out, right?

  4. 4.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 12:02 pm

    It will be interesting to see how good Costa Rica really is. I can’t imagine them winning though. 2-0 Italy.

  5. 5.

    raven

    June 20, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    @Amir Khalid: I look to you for answers!

  6. 6.

    mali muso

    June 20, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    (longtime lurker, first time commenter)

    After watching that first surprise Costa Rica win at the home of Tico friends who were ECSTATIC at the results, I have an emotional attachment for the team. But then again, my grandparents were Italian immigrants, so a win by Italy would suit me as well. Really just hoping to see a match that is more exciting than last night’s crapfest between Greece and Japan…

  7. 7.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    @Amir Khalid: The only way England go through is if Italy win both their next matches and England wins theirs. And probably they also need to win by more than one goal.

    A statistic I heard yesterday: England haven’t won a World Cup match in which they conceded the first goal since the Final in 1966.

  8. 8.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    @Dave Ruddell: si!!! Exactly!

  9. 9.

    Onkel Fritze

    June 20, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Right

  10. 10.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    @? Martin: also lots of elbows.

  11. 11.

    dmsilev

    June 20, 2014 at 12:10 pm

    Because playing with numbers amuses me, I spent some time thinking of ways of breaking the group ranking system. It turns out to not be all that difficult to contrive situations where there’s a three-way or four-way tie in a given group. The easiest is the 12-point solution: All group matches end in ties, all of which have the same score (say 1-1). There are also 15-point solutions (3 teams, each of which has a win and two ties, plus one team that gets shut out), 16 point solutions (all four teams have one win, one loss, and one tie) and a 18 point solution (three teams with two wins each, one loser).

  12. 12.

    piratedan

    June 20, 2014 at 12:17 pm

    @dmsilev: easiest way is to see which refs are bought by which associations and then do a cost comparison….. :-)

  13. 13.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    I hope Costa Rica win, although if you had asked me before they played Uruguay, I would have predicted a walkover for Italy.

  14. 14.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    I’d nearly side with Amir in re Italy, were it not for the sneeking suspicion this WC is animate and tweeking the upset and suspense dials. (or it’s all really about The UK and prolonging their mathematical hope.) As for the diving, I find it as much an affected performance of masculinity and signaling as the carefully squared jaw and belt-buckle swagger post ignored obvious concussions. Peacocks got different tails but the same end goal. And, as an advertising ploy to attact referees, there are worse. Both extremes can be overdone, that is manifestly true — refs must have perfected the eye-roll by now. “You? Off on a stretcher. You? Off to the Emmys. Play Ball!”

  15. 15.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    @Morzer:
    Even we thought that too! Now we are too excited as a country!

  16. 16.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    @scav:

    “Referee, I am blind. I can’t feel my toes! Tell me truly, will I ever play the violin again?!”

  17. 17.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:22 pm

    @Valdivia:

    Well then, for the honor of Costa Rica and Valdivia, ¡Vamos Ticos!

    Costa Rica to win 2-1.

  18. 18.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    @Morzer:
    :) I hope so. I think we are doing a good job so far defending.

  19. 19.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    @Morzer: If it gets a result, we’ve seen the equivalent in boardrooms, courtrooms and on the floor of the stock-market. Advertising, “sneaky” self-promotion and flash.

  20. 20.

    dmsilev

    June 20, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    @piratedan: I wonder how much it would cost to buy sufficient referees to arrange for one of these pathological results. Just for giggles and to see what sort of contrivances FIFA would come up with to break the ties.

  21. 21.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    @scav:

    My wife and I enjoy imagining the impassioned appeals uttered to the referee by the latest cripple who will be miraculously healed 2 minutes later. Simple pleasures, but they entertain us.

  22. 22.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    @dmsilev:
    A few World Cups ago, my memory tells me (but I could be wrong about this), one group finished with each team having one win, one draw, one defeat, and one goal to its credit. I don’t remember how they sorted that one out.

  23. 23.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    @Valdivia: Hey, you are around. People have been asking about you – specifically in regard to the recent DC meet-up thing.

  24. 24.

    raven

    June 20, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Didn’t England have some guy that was about 6′ 7″ in the last WC?

  25. 25.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    Liz Windsor breathes again as Balotelli just misses.

  26. 26.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    @Morzer: see? a complete entertainment package!

  27. 27.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Can the Ticos beat the four-time champ?

    Nope. SATSQ. Azzurri!

  28. 28.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 12:33 pm

    Why are Italy so nervous?

  29. 29.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    @scav:

    Don’t ever say that Feefer never did anything for us!

  30. 30.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name): hi!
    I was off line as I was traveling in Scandinavia. First vacation I’ve had since my dad got sick. It was great! :)

    I’m going to have a heart attack in this game. That was close!

  31. 31.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 12:34 pm

    @raven:

    Peter Crouch

  32. 32.

    dmsilev

    June 20, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    @Amir Khalid: Wikipedia says:

    If one considers all possible outcomes (win, draw, loss) for all six matches in a group, there are 729 (= 3^6) different outcome combinations possible. However, a certain number (115) of these combinations lead to more than one team occupying the second place in the group. In such case, the ranking among these teams is determined as follows:[43]

    Greatest combined goal difference in all group matches
    Greatest combined number of goals scored in all group matches
    If more than one team remain level after applying the above criteria, their ranking will be determined as follows:
    Greatest number of points in head-to-head matches among those teams
    Greatest goal difference in head-to-head matches among those teams
    Greatest number of goals scored in head-to-head matches among those teams
    If any of the teams above remain level after applying the above criteria, their ranking will be determined by the drawing of lots

    So, the ultimate tie-breaker is indeed ‘pick numbers from a hat’.

  33. 33.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    Might be that they watched the Uruguayan humiliation and would prefer not to be victim #2.

  34. 34.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    Ticos courting disaster with that off-side trap, Pirlo is gonna carve them up from 40 yards out

  35. 35.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    That was in the 1990 World Cup, and it was between Ireland and the Netherlands. It was resolved by drawing lots.

  36. 36.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    @Valdivia: Cool – about the Scandinavia trip not the heart attack, of course.

  37. 37.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name):

    So there was a meet up here and I missed it? :( I haz a sad.

  38. 38.

    raven

    June 20, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    @Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again): Thanks!

  39. 39.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    @Valdivia: Just a week or so ago. Dee Loralei was in your neck of the woods and people got together in Alexandria. You were asked about and missed.

  40. 40.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:43 pm

    I am really enjoying Costa Rica’s approach to this game. Italy are wise not to underestimate them.

  41. 41.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    @Calouste:

    Actually, 1994 had quite a few instances of teams finishing on equal points but being separated by goal difference, goals scored or head-to-head results.

  42. 42.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    @Morzer: Costa Rica is no joke, they are most certainly on par with the second tier South American teams and they play the best defense in the Western hemisphere

  43. 43.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Should have been a penalty, and a yellow card, at least.

  44. 44.

    raven

    June 20, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    Tico’s!!!!!!!!!!!

  45. 45.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Si!!!!!!!!

    And even with that jerk of a referee who stole the penalty from Campbell

  46. 46.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Ole, Ole, Ole!!!

    Sorry, that’s the only Spanish I know.

  47. 47.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL , well done!

  48. 48.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Don’t start pouting like a little kid, Mario. He needs Marlon Brando to grab his face and say – You can act like a Man!

    And the gambling high line pays off. Son of a bitch

  49. 49.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    Really impressive, if Costa Rica can keep this up, they’ll be the biggest (positive) surprise of the tournament.

  50. 50.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    Per the Beeb, former England striker Gary Lineker tweets:
    “I know we’re reliant on them, but that’s no excuse for Italy to play like us.”

  51. 51.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    And the gambling high line pays off. Son of a bitch

    No shit. They are also winning more than their share of 50-50 balls

  52. 52.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    There, what did I tell you guys?

  53. 53.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Costa Rica, fuck yeah!

  54. 54.

    Baud

    June 20, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    @Valdivia:

    Welcome back. You were missed. Don’t leave again without telling us!

  55. 55.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name):

    Sorry I missed it. I’m always up for one. Even if I’m not online here. But this time I was enjoying the white nights of Helsinki and having lots of beer! :D

  56. 56.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    @Baud:

    Could the Ticos have been holding Valdivia in reserve? Sort of like a super-sub?

  57. 57.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    You jinxed the jinx!

  58. 58.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    @SRW1:

    I think that’s known as reverse-jinxing.

  59. 59.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:55 pm

    Wow, tunnel-fight between the two teams!

    Give them the chair! Or maybe the bench.

  60. 60.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: Italia looks like the Brazilian night life has got their claws in them. I hear that can happen but, boys, you make a shitload of money and can party in Rio whenever the fuck you want. On the other hand, maybe they just want England to not go through. I can get behind that plan, if a plan it be

  61. 61.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    This is the Guardian’s summary of the half:

    http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jun/20/italy-v-costa-rica-world-cup-2014-live-england

    Half-time: Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
    Time for England players to make a decision on that always-tricky moral dilemma: to sneak some hotel towels and toiletries into your case before check-out or not. Unless Italy change dramatically in the second half, England are homeward bound. Costa Rica don’t look like letting this slip – they have been mostly solid at the back, dynamic all over and incisive going forward. They should really be two goals in front, Campbell having been refused a blatant penalty.

  62. 62.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 12:57 pm

    @Morzer:
    I jumped up and down and screamed so much my cats went to hide.

    Ps lol, I’d be a super terrible sub ;)

    @Baud:
    :D I promise! It was such a hard year it was difficult to do anything but lurk and when I finally got the chance to get away I just took it. But I’ll tell next time.

  63. 63.

    lol chikinburd

    June 20, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    A denied clear penalty, and moments later ESPN gets to go to Ruud van Nistelrooy in studio. “Where was that penalty call?” “Um…, I eated it back in the 1990s.”

  64. 64.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:58 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    You realize that if Italy lose this game and then lose to Uruguay, they’ll be joining England on the long flight home?

  65. 65.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    @Valdivia:

    Valdivia the Terrible doesn’t sound like a bad sub to me.

  66. 66.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    @Amir Khalid:
    @Morzer:

    If only English footbal were as good as English snark is dry.

  67. 67.

    Baud

    June 20, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    @Valdivia:

    I’m going hold you to that! ;-)

  68. 68.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    @Morzer:
    Biggest grin. I kind of like that. :)

  69. 69.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    @Morzer:

    Man, I tipped Italy to top the group, but I wouldn’t mind to have egg in the face if that is how it plays out.

  70. 70.

    Paul in KY

    June 20, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    @Morzer: That would be wild!

  71. 71.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    @Morzer: Haha. You got jokes. Unlike England, Italia will not be letting Suarez run free.

  72. 72.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    Italy is far from done, they are one long Pirlo pass that opens the back line and Balotelli finishes

  73. 73.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    Ticos can counter attack with Italy upfield

  74. 74.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    @SRW1: Why the hate for Italy? I know the diving is completely insane but Italy IS my first soccer love and I don’t like anybody talking shit about my baby.

  75. 75.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:11 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: From your voice to the futbal Gods ears

  76. 76.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:13 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    Well, Suarez is no Joe Campbell…

  77. 77.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    Dude, you talk plenty of smack about other teams. You’ve got no right to complain if other people talk it about the Flopping Berlusconis.

  78. 78.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Navas is having a good tournament. Especially noteworthy since he’s maybe the seventh best keeper in CONCACAF.

  79. 79.

    Onkel Fritze

    June 20, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    @tsquared2001: The Italian team is history`s greatest monster,

  80. 80.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:15 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    Nothing to do with hate. It’s just that tournaments like this live from underdogs doing the impossible (as long as it doesn’t happen at the expense of the baby I take no shit about, of course).

    ETA: Actually, I am an admirer of Prandelli. That guy is a tactical genius.

  81. 81.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:16 pm

    It’s so easy to hate the Italians. And enjoyable.

  82. 82.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    @Onkel Fritze:

    After the German Second XI (sorry, I meant to say the Argentinians) and Barack Obama, of course.

  83. 83.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    @Burnspbesq: He’s the third best keeper in La Liga

  84. 84.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Are you including Eek.. er… Casillas in that assessment?

  85. 85.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    Diaz bombing down the left flank has been key, he’s got a great stride

  86. 86.

    NotMax

    June 20, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    Howzabout a short ‘n’ swift Brazilian interlude?

    Tico Tico

  87. 87.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    @Morzer: Iker was a backup, he hasn’t played in a year

  88. 88.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Forcing Italy to take off Candreva is a big win for the Ticos. He’s been the architect of most of Italy’s better moves in this WC.

  89. 89.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    @Morzer: So not a biter? That is a low bar but he did get over it. Well done Campbell.

    Right now Italy looks slow and old and the defense looks like shite.

  90. 90.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Irrespective of the outcome of this match, does anyone see England beating this Costa Rica team? No takers? I thought so.

  91. 91.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Poor Igor! I was actually joking about him. It is an ex-Iker, it has ceased to be.

  92. 92.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    @Morzer: Good point, he was the one who drove Italy to the win over England as well by attacking Rooney

  93. 93.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    @Calouste:

    Poor old Roy Hodgson, reflecting on how this is the way his universe ends, not with a bang but a whimper.

  94. 94.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    If you were building a team from scratch, would you take him ahead of Howard, Ochoa, Guzan, Peneido, de Jesus Corona, or Rimando?

  95. 95.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    @Burnspbesq: Nope

  96. 96.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    What are the local conditions?. Hot and humid I supose, and not very conducive to European gentlemen, some of whom close to retirement, chasing after a ball. Any more detailed info available?

  97. 97.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Well, not Howard, Ochoa and Guzan, but only because Ochoa has been standing on his head and has opened a lot of eyes, he wasn’t even going to be on the WC squad

  98. 98.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    Italy’s last chance: Del Piero!

  99. 99.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    @Onkel Fritze: I think that is going a bit too far. How about the 78 Argentina side? How about Goddamn Germans? Seriously, everybody has got to hate the Germans.

  100. 100.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Super Mario not looking so happy today. I guess Liz Windsor isn’t going to have to smooch him after all.

  101. 101.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    And yes, Costa Rica’s Yeltsin Tejeda is named for the former Russian premiere.

  102. 102.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    Costa Rica does a great job in transition when they lose the ball. They get seven back in a big hurry.

    And Mario the Petulant Child makes an appearance.

  103. 103.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:30 pm

    @Morzer:

    You think Mario B. might know how to spell hubris if this is how the game ends?

  104. 104.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    Right now the Germans are rolling over and laughing at this performance by Italy. They must be seeing themselves strolling through to the finals now that their main European rivals have apparently collapsed. Spain have fallen, Italy look empty, Portugal are a one trick pony without its trick, and England.. well, probably not considered a rival these days.

  105. 105.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    Michael Umana, who was an absolute bust in MLS, is holding his own against the best that Serie A has to offer. Go figure.

  106. 106.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    @SRW1:

    I am sure her Maj will be happy to send him a polite note of condolence.

  107. 107.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    @Morzer: I got NO problem with smack talking but just a little bit (you know, like on the side) respect for the FOUR time champions.

    All the time with the giveaways. Just killing me.

  108. 108.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    @Burnspbesq: They’re composure has been excellent as well. Italy can add pressure to pressurized situations and the Ticos are handling it very well

  109. 109.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    Is there a certain populist underdog unexpected theme developing all in all? Or is this par for the course?

  110. 110.

    Onkel Fritze

    June 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    @tsquared2001: Ich nicht. I love ’em.

  111. 111.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    @Burnspbesq:

    He’s probably not distracted by a detaching wig and sagging plastic surgery. That has to help in the heat.

  112. 112.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 1:35 pm

    @Morzer:

    and England.. well, probably not considered a rival these days.

    I envy your gift of understatement.

  113. 113.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: we have a tradition of using world famous names. It can be quite amusing. ;)

  114. 114.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    @tsquared2001: They may be four-time champs but they’re still Italy and easily hateable. Just because.

  115. 115.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    This team aren’t four time champions. Right now they look like first round busts. Sorry, but them’s the facts.

  116. 116.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    @Morzer:

    ‘We were not amused”

    Best

    Liz

  117. 117.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:37 pm

    @Morzer: No chance in hell. The Germans, as history has shown, are front runners.

  118. 118.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Somewhere, Paulo Wanchope and Hernan Medford are shaking their heads and smiling.

  119. 119.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    Had England defended like Costa Rica are doing today, they’d likely be top of the group.

  120. 120.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Pirlo seems to be compulsively flattening an uneven part of the pitch. Now that’s public spirit for you!

  121. 121.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    @scav:

    A giant tripping up always results in an oversupply of Schadenfreude. Nasty people, these football afficionados.

  122. 122.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    @SRW1: XX might be gilding the lily.

  123. 123.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    Great run, great pass … Not so great shot.

  124. 124.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    @Burnspbesq: Other than Honduras, CONCACAF has had an outstanding first round

  125. 125.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    @SRW1:

    We need more bipartisan centrists in the beautiful game, because, as we all know, both sides do it.

  126. 126.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    @SRW1: The hoi, the hoi-manity.

  127. 127.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Dang.

    @morzer @humboldtblue @onkel fritze – obviously, I came to the wrong open world cup thread.

  128. 128.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 1:44 pm

    @Burnspbesq: we are dying here counting the minutes down.

  129. 129.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    @Morzer:

    Almost as in real life.

  130. 130.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    As Americans, we shouldn’t be surprised by Costa Rica. They’ve kicked our ass a time or two.

  131. 131.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    @scav:

    It’s a working class ‘sport’. What you expect?

  132. 132.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    @Morzer:

    Belgium, France and Switzerland are all capable of giving the Germans hell. Maybe Croatia is, too.

    @SRW1:

    I can’t stand Italy, either, but I’m not taking them lightly. Three points (at worst) after the first two games of the group phase? Heh. Italy has looked worse than this at the same point in some recent major tournaments, only to end up in the finals.

  133. 133.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Italy’s very last chance: Maldini!

  134. 134.

    Onkel Fritze

    June 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    @tsquared2001: To the wrong World Cup, maybe?

  135. 135.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    @tsquared2001: Gesticulates madly with both hands while head and body shake with faux-rage while exclaiming in a loud voice the poor moral character of your mother

  136. 136.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    Always look on the bright side of life…

  137. 137.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    @SRW1: Wondering actually about a little extra oomph to it given the current economic situation actually.

  138. 138.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    @Burnspbesq: I am not surprised at all. I have commented earlier that the international gap in quality play has closed dramatically over the past 8 years

  139. 139.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    It warms the heart to see the fraternal embraces in the Costa Rican penalty area.

  140. 140.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Cassano needs to call the cops over that mugging

  141. 141.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    @Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again):

    Well, this doesn’t knock out Italy. It merely turns Italy-Uruguay into a win-or-die game for both sides.

    Given the squads, and especially the coach, I’d actually consider Italy the favorite in that game.

  142. 142.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Diaz on defense has been outstanding

  143. 143.

    Alex S.

    June 20, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    Interesting. In the group of death, with 3 former world champions, nobody gave a thought to the fourth team.

  144. 144.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    @tsquared2001:

    That’s the Umana that Galaxy fans thought we were getting in 2005: commanding physical presence in the box.

  145. 145.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    If I could whistle, I would be whistling my ass off right now. Like call the cops whistling

  146. 146.

    Onkel Fritze

    June 20, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    England and Spain can share a ride now.

  147. 147.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Yes yes yes

  148. 148.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    That was not on the horizon. Well done Costa Rica!

  149. 149.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    @SRW1:

    Yeah, I would, too. If Forlan was the same player he was four years ago, I might see it different, but…

  150. 150.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Hijo de pera. Costa Rica is through.

  151. 151.

    piratedan

    June 20, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    congrats to the Ticos, well deserved three points!

  152. 152.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Well, heartiest congratulations to Costa Rica, both team and people. Valdivia the Terrible comes off the bench to lead the team to glory.

    Roy Hodgson, you might want to register a pre-emptive appeal for mercy.

  153. 153.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    What a win. Fantastic, way to go, Ticos!

  154. 154.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 1:56 pm

    After his failure at Liverpool, I figured Woy Hodgson didn’t really have the tactical nous or the force of character England needed in a manager. I was surprised at his appointment to this job, but not so much at the results he got. Hmm. I wonder if Mike Bassett is available?

  155. 155.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Elizabeth Windsor @Queen_UK
    Text from Roy Hodgson: “Football’s not coming home”. Neither are you lot, one can assure you. #WorldCup2014

  156. 156.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 20, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    @Morzer: I believe you have started an internal and WC specific meme — The Ticos have an unheralded and previously unsuspected special weapon — Valdivia The Terrible.

    I hope Randinho is paying attention

  157. 157.

    Hill Dweller

    June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Bob Ley and Mike Tirico are soooo self-conscious about their lack of soccer knowledge. They over-compensate by shoehorning superfluous stats into every damn sentence. It’s annoying.

  158. 158.

    tsquared2001

    June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Italia got undressed like a lady of the evening who was bought for the night.

    That was…….quite disappointing.

  159. 159.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    OK, that VW spot with Andres Cantor is awesome.

  160. 160.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    @SRW1:
    Hannibal Suarez could win it for Uruguay. Just the other day, he helped send half his club’s starting eleven back to England.

  161. 161.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    @Hill Dweller:

    It makes for some damned amusing syntax though. They sound like the first run at a translation of a German manual for “how is the football to discuss”.

  162. 162.

    Valdivia

    June 20, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: @Morzer:

    Ok guys now I’m taking up the moniker for sure ;)
    I’ll be there for the next game!

  163. 163.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    It might sound harsh, but this could be the failure that English soccer desperately needs. No more of the Olden Generation, for starters.

  164. 164.

    burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    Ticos need a result against England to win the group. And they’ll want that result. You would much rather play Ivory Coast than Colombia in the round of 16.

  165. 165.

    KG

    June 20, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    @Hill Dweller: i think the problem is that American viewers are so used to sports that actually have more than three stats, so the announcers don’t know what to talk about.

    also, was listening to the game on the radio, the Irish color commentator said one of the players was out there with no “jizz”. There was a bit of awkwardness in the booth for that one. then he had to explain what jizz meant in Irish slang.

  166. 166.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    From The Guardian:

    Luis Suárez has said that Roy Hodgson made him more determined to beat England when he denied the striker was worthy of being called a “world-class” player.

    Woy lit a fire under the wrong guy.

  167. 167.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    @KG:

    Spunk, as used by Americans, always amuses the British, since for them it has the same meaning as “jizz” in the non-Irish sense of the word. Thus, to say that a girl “has a lot of spunk” is not quite the compliment one might intend to offer.

  168. 168.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 2:09 pm

    Headline at ticotimes.net:

    “How You Like Us Now!”

  169. 169.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    @Amir Khalid:

    No doubt, Suarez is Uruguay’s weapon and as we have seen against England, Cavani is capable of delivering a fine cross.

    I just think that Uruguay’s back line is somewhat suspect and Prandelli will find a way to neutralize, or at least diminish, the threat originating from Surez.

  170. 170.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    @Morzer:

    Who are they to be amused? They’re a nation well known for their seamen.

  171. 171.

    KG

    June 20, 2014 at 2:11 pm

    @Morzer: yeah, I’ve heard that one before… but it was just great because the play by play guy was like “um, what?” and when it was repeated he just says “oh, ok…”

  172. 172.

    Amir Khalid

    June 20, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    @Morzer:
    Woy’s plainly out of his depth, and England need a new manager as well as a generational change in the team. But alas, England’s FA can’t hear you.

  173. 173.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    tiki-taka -> tico

    ?

  174. 174.

    big ole hound

    June 20, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    @Morzer: L’Orange will beat the Germany for the last European team which will lose to a team from the Americas

  175. 175.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    @scav:

    Shouldn’t it be the other way round?

    tico > tiki-taka

    and for the particular combination of countries it should be

    tico > catenaccio

    (though catenaccio is more the Greek style these days)

  176. 176.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    @scav:

    Tico-taco, with a Uruguayan filling and an Italian sauce.

  177. 177.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    @big ole hound:

    Don’t put too many bets on that. Germany has a more complete team and the Dutch are notoriously inconsistent.

  178. 178.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    @SRW1: I used my arrow for movement but yours might even be better as it looks like munching! so @Morzer is getting quite into the spirit of things.

    ETA forget lego animations, let’s do recaps using lunchfoods.

  179. 179.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    @Morzer:

    I’d support that. Holland looked like the absolute world beaters in the group stage of Euro 2008 and then they got dispatched 3-0 by Russia without any resistance.

  180. 180.

    SRW1

    June 20, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    @Morzer:

    What’s the English desert gonna be?

  181. 181.

    cokane

    June 20, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    @burnspbesq: they have a 3 goal edge over italy, 4 over uruguay. they just need for that gap to not be crossed.

    to clarify, at best italy or uruguay can tie CR on points. and CR has a big edge on the first tiebreaker.

  182. 182.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    @SRW1:

    Rhubarb Crumble.

  183. 183.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    @SRW1: England doesn’t have deserts. Okay, culturally speaking, Essex qualifies, but still…

  184. 184.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    @SRW1:

    That’s been the Dutch story in most major tournaments since they lost in the ’78 WC final: They look magnificent in the group phase, they get shut down in the first round of the knockout phase. 2010 was the outlier.

  185. 185.

    scav

    June 20, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    @Morzer: V. good. all I could think of was Trifle, as Besos are South American, sigh, Reinas or no Reinas. How about Gooseberry?

  186. 186.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    @big ole hound:

    That only works if one of them doesn’t win their group. If they both win their groups the first time they can meet is in the final.

    I think Brazil-Germany and Argentina-Holland look like the most likely semi-finals at the moment.

  187. 187.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name):

    There’s always Chelsea. A desert of parked buses…

  188. 188.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    @scav:

    Gooseberry Fool, perhaps?

  189. 189.

    Calouste

    June 20, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    @Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again):

    Well, most major tournaments except the 88, 92, 2000 and 2004 Euros, and the 98 and 2010 World Cups.

  190. 190.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    @Calouste:

    Hard to bet against that, although I have a feeling that Mexico might spoil someone’s party before all is said and done.

  191. 191.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    @Morzer: There are a lot of very nice pubs in Chelsea. Not at all a dry place.

  192. 192.

    mali muso

    June 20, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Well, my first comment got held up in moderation until the game was over, but I did get my wish. A very exciting game! Enjoyed the commentary. Sorry England. No luck today.

  193. 193.

    daveNYC

    June 20, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    @Amir Khalid: That’s pretty insane. You’d think that the smart move would be for Hodgson to resign with the the standard “I take responsibility for our poor performance… blah blah blah.” Right now he’s just setting himself up to be the most hated person in the country unless England crushes at the 2016 Euro Cup.

    Nut up, take responsibility, fall on your sword, get a fat severance package. It’s the best way to go out looking somewhat good.

  194. 194.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name):

    I was thinking in soccer terms.

  195. 195.

    Omnes Omnibus (the first of his name)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    @Morzer: I know, but what fun is that?

  196. 196.

    Morzer

    June 20, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    @daveNYC:

    I don’t agree with you. England has some promising young players coming through. If they can find a way to strengthen the defense and give Sturridge a partner up front, Hodgson might well have a good team on his hands, just as Italy and Spain are fading.

  197. 197.

    Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)

    June 20, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    @Calouste:

    You’re right. My memory has conflated a couple of disappointing knockout phase losses into all of ’em.

  198. 198.

    Burnspbesq

    June 20, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    @Morzer:

    The Spanish fade is likely to be temporary. They’ve won the last two Euro U-21s. At the U-20 worlds last year, they went unbeaten in a group that included eventual champions France, Ghana, and the US, before being upset by Uruguay in the quarters.

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