<p>Yes, but France is still in the tournament. </p>
<p>Since one of the players is ineligible to play in the next game though, he should be enabled to participate.</p>
<p>Wartsandall, France is out. Mexico and Uruguay will play to draw, knowing that a draw would safely qualify both of them. Why would they risk playing to win/lose? The only reason I can think of is that the if they draw, Mexico would have to play Argentina in the next round, which is not as appealing as playing South Korea or Greece. </p>
<p>Even if Mexico and Uruguay play to win, and one beats the other, France must beat South Africa by more than 1 goal to qualify. France has not scored a goal in three games. The team has a lot of talent, but Domenech is a horrible coach. However, next World Cup, this team will be a contender with players like Gourcuff, Malouda, Nasri, Riberi, Toulalan and Gignac in the Medfield and up front (France will have to find good strikers to replace aging Henry and perhaps even Anelka, although he perhaps has another good 4 years left in him), and with a solid defense, all France needs is a good coach.</p>
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You provided the exact incentive both teams have to win this last group stage game
v</p>
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<p>Okayyyyy, so what time did you all get the US pre-game adrenaline or are you still waiting? Happened at 6:00 PM for me today. For the England game, the pre-game adrenaline probably started around 10 AM day-of-the-game.</p>
<p>It started from about yesterday evening. The England started right now.
I love the USA.</p>
<p>Damn! Yesterday evening? That’s dedication! It didn’t really hit me that the game was “soon” until today. This week went by fast.</p>
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<p>My statement was more in relevance to the fact that France was actually able to attend and participate in the tournament, as opposed to their defeated opponents. As the remaining portion of your statement indicates though, they are still mathematically “alive.” However, they likely will be eliminated.</p>
<p>I’m hoping that the U.S. obtains a goal on its own. I suppose that any goal for them would ultimately be preferable though.</p>
<p>I believe the US national team is underrated.</p>
<p>It’s overrated in the US though.</p>
<p>They play a lot of games, so they’re more of a team. That advantage is under appreciated internationally</p>
<p>Eh, so is any other non-Top 6 power. The non-Top 6’s all make that claim because we hold the Top 6 on such a high pedestal. For instance, I’m sure Slovenia will be first to jump out to make the claim that they don’t get the respect they deserve. Their coach even mentioned it in his press conference today, saying that, contrary to popular belief, his team is not there because of luck.</p>
<p>That is the nature of all ranked sports though. For instance, UConn is very under-appreciated by opponents, fans, and the media. How could any magazine’s pre-season rankings leave UConn unranked yet put South Carolina #21 whom UConn demolished in the PapaJohns.com Bowl last year? It’s not like UConn has lost all their starters, because they really haven’t lost many at all.</p>
<p>^Because all of them but France and maybe Italy now, deserve to be on a high pedestal.</p>
<p>No Italy should be only a slight step below the pedestal. I didn’t have France on the pedestal, but they are one of the few overrated teams that knows it.</p>
<p>My pedestal is Brazil, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, England, and Argentina (not in that order). You could make an argument that Portugal belongs on the pedestal as well.</p>
<p>Matt, France has accomplished a lot in the pitch in the last 15 years and in the last 30 years:</p>
<p>2 European Cups
1 European Cup Runner-Up
1 World Cup
1 Work Cup Runner-Up
2 World Cup Semi Finals</p>
<p>France is 3-0 vs Brazil in World Cup play in that period. I cannot think of many countries that have done as much and I cannot think of any other than Brazil that has done more.</p>
<p>But in the last 3 years, they have struggled. Italy is the same as France (although I obviouly hate Italy). England is really overrated. What have they accomplished in the last 30 years?</p>
<p>I’m taking England off until I can see a better team spirit. Every other team on there is potent, even though I believe Maradona doesn’t coach. He just tells his best players to play.</p>
<p>^ Don’t you dare hate on my beloved Italy.</p>
<p>England has had a lot of good players over the years, but they’ve struggled with the pressure. By the same standard you could say Spain is overrated.</p>
<p>Spain has not won any major other than the European Championship. Spain cracked under the pressure of a major WC game. Let’s see if they rebound.</p>
<p>England is not overrated. They will win out in groups and progress and I would presume have a nice run in the knockouts for they are one of the Top 6 teams in the world at the moment.</p>
<p>**** the US defense, and **** Slovenia. We look like ****.</p>
<p>If Slovenia’s defense hadn’t made some nice plays, the US could be winning this one - though I missed the first 20 minutes.</p>
<p>First 20 minutes = Hell. Slovenia’s 1st goal was effortless.</p>
<p>**** African Referees. This ref is a <strong><em>ing dumb</em></strong>. Horrible calls.</p>