Official FIFA U-20 World Cup thread

[Hatman 🍁]

Begins tomorrow.

Woot! I'm going to some of the games. The biggest in Ottawa will be Brazil vs USA on July 6th.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_FIFA_U-20_World_Cup

[Sensei]

Let's go Panama.

[afleitch]

Come on Scotland! We made it to the European final last year against Spain. We have a strong squad and I hope we can progress.

[Hatman 🍁]

Let's go Panama.

Panama's in the group playing in Ottawa. I'll be cheering for them against North Korea.

[Sensei]

Let's go Panama.

Panama's in the group playing in Ottawa. I'll be cheering for them against North Korea.

If Panama goes any farther than the group, then the people will be going nuts in the street.

[Hash]

Go Canada/Jordan/Portugal/Poland/Panama/Scotland in their respective groups.

[Hatman 🍁]

Poland 1-0 Brazil

A shocker in Montreal!

My parents are at the Panama - North Korea game, and hopefully I'll be able to re-enter on my dad's ticket for the Argentina-Czech game

[Hatman 🍁]

Panama 0-0 North Korea

Unfortunately, I wont be able to go to tonight's game, as they wont let my parents leave! Oh well, Tuesday's our next games here.

[Tender Branson]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

[Tender Branson]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

1:1 Yeah ok ... Then we can beat Canada and lose against Chile.

[Hatman 🍁]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

1:1 Yeah ok ... Then we can beat Canada and lose against Chile.

That's not allowed!

[Tender Branson]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

1:1 Yeah ok ... Then we can beat Canada and lose against Chile.

That's not allowed!

Nothing better than beating the host I expect a 2:1 ..

[Hatman 🍁]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

1:1 Yeah ok ... Then we can beat Canada and lose against Chile.

That's not allowed!

Nothing better than beating the host I expect a 2:1 ..

Well, on the bright side, a 3rd place finish in the group might mean they play here!

[Tender Branson]

Today Austria vs. Congo

I think this is winnable. Our U-20 team is by far better than the current standard national team. Maybe in 10 years or whatever we are back in the regular WC´s.

1:1 Yeah ok ... Then we can beat Canada and lose against Chile.

That's not allowed!

Austria 1 - Canada 0

Yeah baby !

(But we´ll lose against Chile, maybe but only maybe a draw is possible)

[Hatman 🍁]

We gotta beat Congo to have a chance. Let's hope!

BTW, some photos I took for Wikipedia:





I took some more, but I'll only show them if anyone's interested.

[CultureKing]

US beat Brazil!!!!
Whoot!

[Hatman 🍁]

US beat Brazil!!!!
Whoot!

Right here in Ottawa. Saw some of it on TV, as my dad went in my place.  I liked the Brazillian goal.

I didn't know who to cheer for, since it is customary for me to cheer against both teams.

[Tender Branson]

Austria could play against the US in the quarter finals if we get a draw tomorrow against Chile and survive the last 16 stage

[Tender Branson]

Alright. Austria played a 0-0 draw against Chile yesterday (even scoring a legitimate goal, but the referee didn´t gave it ) and now we play Gambia in the round of 16. I think Gambia is beatable too.

The US plays Uruguay in the round of 16. If Austria and the US both win their games, they play each other in the Quarter Finals. Yoo-Hoo

[Tender Branson]

Yeah, Austria (unbeaten since 4 games) kicked Gambia's ass yesterday 2:1 and will now meet the US, who also beat Uruguay 2:1, in the 1/4 finals. This will be a great match, everythings possible and it´s the first game that is shown on Primetime in  Austrian TV, so about 500.000 to 1.000.000 people will watch the game, as compared to 100.000 who watched the last games on 2am ...

Prediction:

Austria 2 - USA 1 (after additional time)

[Hatman 🍁]

USA! USA! USA!

[Tender Branson]

USA! USA! USA!

Austria! Austria! Austria!

Btw: Is this 1/4 game on Saturday between the US and Austria shown on US-TV ?

[Hatman 🍁]

USA! USA! USA!

Austria! Austria! Austria!

Btw: Is this 1/4 game on Saturday between the US and Austria shown on US-TV ?

Dunno. It's definitely on TV here in Canada.

[Tender Branson]

Austria vs. US starts in 1.5 hours. I predict a 2:1 win for Austria, if the team has a good day

Game preview:

Austria out to stop Adu's US

The United States go into their quarter-final against Austria in Toronto on Saturday in buoyant mood after a storming start to Canada 2007. The US boys turned on the style against Poland and Brazil in the group phase and battled back in determined fashion to overcome a resilient Uruguay outfit in the Round of 16. Having exceeded most expectations in coming this far, Austria now have their sights set on the semi-finals.

The game

Austria vs. USA, Toronto, 14 July, 14:15 (local time)

The stakes

The USA have looked strong from back to front, with Michael Bradley, Danny Szetela and Freddy Adu operating as well as any midfield in the tournament and providing ample service for the likes of Josmer Altidore up front. For Austria, the key to success lies in neutralizing this trio. The compact central European outfit have an impressive playmaker in Zlatko Junuzovic and an ever-present goal threat in Erwin Hoffer.

The players

Both sides should be at full strength, with Altidore and keeper Chris Seitz likely to be back from injury and available once again for the USA.

The past

This is the first meeting between Austria and the USA at a FIFA U-20 World Cup. In 1997, the two nations met at the FIFA U-17 World Championship, with the United States running out comfortable 4-0 winners.

The words

"Our task against the USA is by far the toughest of any we've faced so far. They are a robust, hard-working team and tactically astute. I think it will be very close, one way or another. We won't be able to match them for strength, we'll have to rely on technique and keeping possession of the ball. If we can keep Adu under control, we've got a chance." Paul Gludovatz, Austria coach.

"I haven't seen them play, but I'm sure they are a very tough and talented team. We'll just have to prepare for them in the next couple of days. If we play with the heart we showed against Uruguay, we've got a great chance." Josmer Altidore, USAforward.

[Tender Branson]

In your face !

1st half of the game over, it´s raining like mad there in Toronto and it´s

Austria 1 - 1 USA

It was a pretty even game until now, Altidore scored for the US, then Austrian player Harnik shot the ball right into the US goalkeeper's face and later on Okotie went for 1:1. Pretty interesting game.

Go Austria, go !