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Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Frayed Knot Jun 04 2010 08:26 PM

Denmark - a nation of 5.5 million people, of which, I believe all except for maybe like seven people are blond. It makes them very tough to tell apart and them kind of people all look alike anyway you know. Making their 4th WC appearance - all since 1986 - despite establishing a national association back in 1889 Team name: Danish Dynamite (the whiter they are the more boring the names) Group E - along with Cameroon, Japan, Netherlands - a group where the Dutch are the favorites but appears to otherwise be fairly balanced FIFA Ranking = 35 They got to the quarterfinals in the 1998 WC but then ran into Brazil who are not only better soccer players but considerably better dancers. Just like their star striker Nicklas Bendtner - perhaps best known for being thrown out of a London nightspot last year with his pants around his knees - the worry for Denmark heading into their fourth World Cup campaign is that the coming month will leave them further exposed. The problem for national coach Morten Olsen - now in his tenth year - is that while he can rely on the relatively solid back line of Liverpool’s Daniel Agger, plus the hugely promising 21 year-old Simon Kjær (go ahead, pronounce that - I dare ya) who is coming from a second straight outstanding season at Palermo, Denmark has little more to offer beyond this defensive stability and are looking at an uphill struggle at the other end of the pitch. Olsen has just three strikers in his squad – Bendtner, Søren Larsen, and captain Jon Dahl Tomasson - and whether their firepower combined with an aging midifeld (save for 18 year-old Ajax prospect Christian Eriksen) will be enough to put some in the net is a pressing question for the Dynamite. What we could see is Denmark giving up only four or five goals in the preliminary round but still not advancing unless the offense holds up their end at least a bit better than Niklas Bendtner’s belt. Sked: 6/14 vs Netherlands -- the weather forecast for this game calls for lots of pale white people with a good chance for a heavy downpour of consonants 6/19 vs Cameroon 6/24 vs Japan Skuad: 1 - Thomas SORENSEN - GK - Stoke City (ENG) 2 - Christian POULSEN - MF - Juventus (ITA) 3 - Simon KJAER - DF - Palermo (ITA) 4 - Daniel AGGER - DF - Liverpool (ENG) 5 - William KVIST - MF - Copenhagen (DEN) 6 - Lars JACOBSEN - DF - Blackburn Rovers (ENG) 7 - Daniel JENSEN - MF - Werder Bremen (GER) 8 - Jesper GRONKJAER - FW - Copenhagen (DEN) 9 - Jon Dahl TOMASSON - FW - Feyenoord (NED) 10 - Martin JORGENSEN - MF - AGF Aarhus (DEN) 11 - Nicklas BENDTNER - FW - Arsenal (ENG) 12 - Thomas KAHLENBERG - MF - Wolfsburg (GER) 13 - Per KROLDRUP - DF - Fiorentina (ITA) 14 - Jakob POULSEN - MF - AGF Aarhus (DEN) 15 - Simon POULSEN - DF - AZ Alkmaar (NED) 16 - Stephan ANDERSEN - GK - Brondby (DEN) 17 - Mikkel BECKMANN - FW - Randers (DEN) 18 - Soren LARSEN - FW - MSV Duisburg (GER) 19 - Dennis ROMMEDAHL - FW - Ajax (NED) 20 - Thomas ENEVOLDSEN - MF - Groningen (NED) 21 - Christian ERIKSEN - MF - Ajax (NED) 22 - Jesper CHRISTIANSEN - GK - Copenhagen (DEN) 23 - Patrick MTILIGA - DF - Malaga (ESP)

metirish Jun 04 2010 09:19 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Excellent work FK. Denmark's 1986 team is a much beloved one, they were great, it might be expected that both Denmark and Holland get through here but it should be an interesting group.

A Boy Named Seo Jun 06 2010 11:47 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Nickie Bendtner is also known for his extensive collection of colorful game boots. Hope he breaks out the pink ones. They're the coolest for my money. His actual shoes:

metirish Jun 06 2010 11:53 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

FK is really stepping up here , ah the pink boots, remember the days when they all looked the same, they were black with a white stripe or three....I remember in 1986 Gary Lineker the then england striker...a brilliant one at that , he was so superstitious about his boots that he had a cobbler fix them up for him..they were in tatters after a long season....imagine that, a top soccer player going to the WC using boots that a cobbler fixed up....

The Second Spitter Jun 09 2010 09:43 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

[quote="Frayed Knot"] Just like their star striker Nicklas Bendtner - perhaps best known for being thrown out of a London nightspot last year with his pants around his knees -.

Frayed Knot Jun 10 2010 10:43 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

[quote="The Second Spitter"][quote="Frayed Knot"] Just like their star striker Nicklas Bendtner - perhaps best known for being thrown out of a London nightspot last year with his pants around his knees -.

Have we got folks here on the ball or what!!

BRILLIANT!

Frayed Knot Jun 14 2010 07:47 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

My not-so-great Danes just took a 2-0 beating at the feet of Netherlands on goals in the first and final minute of the 2nd half. The two goals scored total actually brings UP the WC average so far as, except for the 4-0 drubbing the Germans gave the Down Under Socceroos, no game has totaled more than two goals and there have been several 1-0 and 0-0 scores.

metirish Jun 14 2010 08:16 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

I'm home today , watched the Dutch game, a dull affair to say the least. The Dutch had all the possession , the Danes created IIRC one chance.

Willets Point Jun 14 2010 08:40 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

I owe you all some Netherlands (and Algeria) knowledge. I promise to have them up before their second matches.

Willets Point Jun 14 2010 08:44 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Stunning development in the Japan-Cameroon match as Honda scores a goal to put Japan up 1-0.

Frayed Knot Jun 14 2010 08:46 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Would I be right in assuming that 1st round WC games tend to be a bit more conservative/low-scoring on account of the good teams just wanting to advance and the lower ones hoping that a couple of ties plus maybe a fluke goal/win somewhere will move them on to round 2 and basically improve the nation's mood for the next 18 months or so - and that knock-out round matches are more likely to be more wide open? I mean I hate to sound like a typical American (OK, I don't) and complain about lack of scoring, but this is low even by soccer standards. At one point there were 7 total goals scored over 8 games.

metirish Jun 14 2010 08:56 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Shoot , if anything teams get more conservative the more they progress. The games I have seen so far have been quite bad , what this tourney needs is a superstar to grab a game by the balls and score three or four goals .....there has not been any great games , the Dutch game today was played in the area between the penalty boxes..horrible to watch. I expect Cameroon to come out here in the second half and "go for it"....of course playing on African soil might do strange tings to them.

metirish Jun 15 2010 07:02 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

The best thing about the Dutch games These lovelies were kicked out of the game by FIFA because they were suspected of "ambush marketing" in promoting an unlicensed beer brand. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010 ... fa-dresses

metirish Jun 15 2010 08:32 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

The above lovelies have taken down ITV pundit Robbie Earle ITV sacks Robbie Earle for breaking ticket regulations

Willets Point Jun 15 2010 10:16 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

This thread has a man with his trousers down and women with a generous display of decolletage. Group E is the skin flick of the World Cup.

Willets Point Jun 17 2010 01:46 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Netherlands Nickname: Oranje for their brilliant orange kits because orange is the historic national color of the Netherlands, originating from the coat of arms of the Dutch founding father William of Orange-Nassau. They are sometimes known as The Clockwork Orange due to the Netherlands tactical emphasis on precision passing. Logo Kits Home = Orange/Black Away = White/Blue World Cup History The Netherlands may have the most storied and successful history of any side in World Cup competition that has never actually won the championship. The 1970's were the golden age for Dutch football when under coach Rinus Michels the team introduced a style of play known as Total Football, a fluid system where no player is in a fixed position and can change from attacker to midfielder to defender in the midst of game play. Total Football helped the relatively small country of the Netherlands to become a force in international football. The Dutch national team appeared in the championship in consecutive World Cup tournaments only to fall to the host nation each time, West Germany in 1974 and Argentina in 1978. Since that time, the Netherlands has not been quite the dominant force but continue to be a top footballing nation, qualifying for 4 of the previous 5 World Cups, advancing to the knockout round each time and often considered among the favorites to win the Cup. For more about Dutch soccer and what it says about Dutch culture, I highly recommend the book Brilliant Orange by David Winner. All-Time Greats * Johan Cruyff - voted European Player of the Century in 1999, Cruyff is unquestionably the greatest Dutch football player of all time, and according to Brilliant Orange, the most famous living Dutch person in the world. Cruyff epitomized the Total Football style of play in a long career with Ajax, Barcelona, and even the Los Angeles Aztecs and Washington Diplomats of the NASL. Current FIFA Ranking Netherlands is ranked #4 behind only Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. How They Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2010 The Oranje had no trouble qualifying as they won all 8 matches in their UEFA World Cup qualifying group against Norway, Scotland, Macedonia, and Iceland. They also outscored their opponents 17-2. Previous matches versus Group E Opponents The Dutch have a long history of facing their fellow Europeans the Danes dating back to the 1912 Olympic Games. The Netherlands win in the opening match improved their all time record to 12-10-7. The Netherlands have only met Japan once in a friendly last year won by the Dutch 3-0. Cameroon has faced the Netherlands twice in friendly matches with a scoreless draw in 1998 and a Dutch 1-0 win in 2006. Manager Bert Van Marwijk -after nearly two decades of coaching club teams in the Netherlands and Germany, Van Marwijk took over the reigns of Oranje in 2008. Van Marwijk instilled discipline on the Dutch side while not sacrificing the traditional Dutch attacking style. The results so far are good with the Netherlands undefeated in 8 qualifying matches as evidence. Star Players * Wesley Sneijder - the team's leader on the field, Sneijder is known his passing ability, set pieces, and long-range shooting. He'll be a key part of any Dutch attack. His current club is Inter Milan. * Arjen Robben - A talented winger, Robben has had a career of brilliance mixed with nagging injuries. He's found success for his club teams Real Madrid and current club Bayern Munich as well as in international play since 2003. * Dirk Kuyt - A stalwart of the Oranje since 2004, the forceful forward lead the Dutch side with three goals in qualifying, plus he scored the Netherlands' first goal against Denmark in the 2010 World Cup. When not wearing blaze orange for his home nation he suits up for Liverpool. Roster Goalkeepers * 1 Maarten STEKELENBURG * 16 Michel VORM * 22 Sander BOSCHKER Defenders * 2 Gregory VAN DER WIEL * 3 John HEITINGA * 4 Joris MATHIJSEN * 5 Giovanni VAN BRONCKHORST * 12 Khalid BOULAHROUZ * 13 Andre OOIJER * 15 Edson BRAAFHEID Midfielders * 6 Mark VAN BOMMEL * 8 Nigel DE JONG * 10 Wesley SNEIJDER * 14 Demy DE ZEEUW * 18 Stijn SCHAARS * 20 Ibrahim AFELLAY * 23 Rafael VAN DER VAART Forwards * 7 Dirk KUYT * 9 Robin VAN PERSIE * 11 Arjen ROBBEN * 17 Eljero ELIA * 19 Ryan BABEL * 21 Klaas Jan HUNTELAAR

Frayed Knot Jun 17 2010 07:45 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

'Total Soccer' and Johan Cruyff from his Aztec days

Frayed Knot Jun 19 2010 07:43 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

My Danes come from behind to beat Cameroon 2-1 (not exactly one of those games where you had to ask which side was which). Thursday's game v Japan will most likely determine who joins the Dutch in moving on to the knockout round.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 19 2010 10:54 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

The Danes finished better than Cameroon, and counterpunched effectively; plus, the Kuyt-to-Bendtner goal was a textbook cross/one-timer combo. But Eto'o and the Lions were fascinating to watch on the attack, shooting and making threatening turns from all manner of weird angles. Eto'o himself nearly had three goals (including the one he wanged off the post).

The Second Spitter Jun 20 2010 07:12 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Game of the tournament, so far. It's amazing when Danish players turn-out for their country, they seem to grow a third leg. (I know, but Fman doesn't read soccer threads). [quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":1lbhnxhv]The Danes finished better than Cameroon, and counterpunched effectively; plus, the Kuyt-to-Bendtner goal was a textbook cross/one-timer combo.[/quote:1lbhnxhv] That would have been Kjær-to-Rommedahl-to-Bendtner. (Kuyt is fricky, dicky, Dutch) MEMO to Arsène Wenger: Buy Simon Kjær (notwithstanding his screw-up for the Cameroonian goal)

Frayed Knot Jun 24 2010 06:39 AM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Netherlands are already through and it's very unlikely that they can be caught as group leader even if they pull a stinker against Cameroon today so that match is essentially meaningless. But my Danes face off vs Japan in a fight to the death to see who'll move on with the Dutchmen. Both squads have a win and a loss coming in although Japan with the better goal differential would move on in the event of a draw.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2010 01:38 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

So either Japan's unlocked the cheat code to the Jabulani, or that's some bad Danish free-kick D. They've got a half to play catch up, and firepower to do so, but...

metirish Jun 24 2010 01:41 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

[quote="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr"]So either Japan's unlocked the cheat code to the Jabulani, or that's some bad Danish free-kick D. They've got a half to play catch up, and firepower to do so, but...

Yeah really

48 min: Japan hit the post with another free-kick! From about 60 yards! It was just an overhit cross from Yasuhito Endo, but Sorensen doesn't move an inch until it's right on top of him and he pushes it, desperately, onto a post.

they say the first two goals were peaches

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2010 01:50 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Missed Endo's. But Honda's was definitely some crazy shit-- it broke down and away from the keeper like a screwball or a Johan change... from 30-something yards out.

Frayed Knot Jun 24 2010 01:58 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Maybe he kicked a "shuto" Not looking good for my Danes, particularly seeing as how they need a win and not a draw

metirish Jun 24 2010 02:01 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Good game going on here between Holland and Cameroon http://futbol.univision.com/fifacopamun ... s-en-vivo/

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2010 02:22 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

Japan's keeper saves Tomasson's PK... but the ball bounces directly back to him. Denmark edging closer? Not so much. Honda slices through the Danish like it was a... um... pastry of some sort, before laying it off to Ozaki (sp?), who taps it in like a two-foot putt. 3-1. Danes looking desperate, and playing rough as time wanes.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2010 02:45 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

First place is Orange-tinted. Second place is turning Japanese.

Willets Point Jun 24 2010 02:49 PM Re: Know your World Cup Group 'E' Teams

My Netherlands go through with 9 points. You can't touch the Dutch! They did allow their first goal today. I think now only Chile is undefeated and untied and defending a virgin goal.