World Cup General Comments

[Unnamed Trialist]

Thought we needed one of these for general overall commentaries, and for bits and pieces not fitting in anywhere else. So here we go....

Been a pretty horrendous World Cup so far. Like watching lower level first tier teams in February. Makes you think we should be giving out extra points for goals scored, or maybe 4 for a win (I know this is not feasible).

The only way I have been able to deal with what I have seen is by reminding myself that 2 thirds of the teams are going to play to not lose in the first match, while by Thursday things will heat up a bit because the defensive shells won't work. Slovenia first in their group, the only story of any interest so far, the conclusion to the England debacle.

[Jeremy]

Yes so far most of the games are dreadful to watch. The Germany game today was cool for obvious reasons, but other than that I think I've fallen asleep 2 times, when I'm too comfortable in my sofa :D

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Been a pretty horrendous World Cup so far. Like watching lower level first tier teams in February. Makes you think we should be giving out extra points for goals scored, or maybe 4 for a win (I know this is not feasible).....

Or that FIFA should concede that the move to 32 teams hasn't worked and move back to 24 again. Couldn't believe how bad Serbia were against Ghana yesterday but I guess it makes sense that another generation of players like Dragan Stojkovic was unlikely to emerge in an environment of war and economic collapse. The African countries also haven't advanced as quickly as most people thought they would when Roger Milla and Cameroon were doing so well 20 years ago.

[Canuck Oranje]

Personally, I don't think reducing the number of teams down to 24 solves anything. Anyone who is old enough to have watched the Italian snorefest at the group stage in 1982 will know what I mean. And they won that year. Two goals for and against over three games isn't exactly anything more than what we're seeing now. In Italy's group that year, there were three goalless draws in six games. BTW, it also doesn't guarantee against blow outs. In that same year, Hungary beat El Salvador 10-1 in the group stage.

I think the the group stage, no matter how many teams start out, is a way for each team to get themselves settled for the later rounds. And most likely, the majority of teams that would be cut to reduce the numbers would still end up being European because you still need representation across the World.

[Jeremy]

I'm already so tired of the slow motion replay. As much as I hate having no replay during Impact games on the Internet, this is overkill. Especially the fouls.

[JamesW]

The lack of goals is not what I'm disliking so far, it is the last of any drive from the teams. With the exception of Germany, what team has really pushed for a full 90? I'm hoping this lack of initiative is more down to these all being the first games for each team and no one wants to get it handed to them like Australia did. But when the second and third games roll around certain teams will be forced to go for the win and that is when I'm expecting some really good football.

But even with the lack of any excitement, I've been enjoying the games.

[Free kick]

I have to agree. So far its not been a great WC. I think that the problem is that the sides have gotten a grasp of what works best in 32 teams tournament where you have a round of 16 that is a single knock out format.

It used (even up top the last WC) to be that the group stage provided some of the best games. But when you would get to single knockout stage, teams would bunker down and slam to door. Those who had the teams best suited to this kind of game would thrive in the round of 16 but look sluggish on the group stage. And the reverse was true also. The Hollands and the like would bow out in the knockout phase all the while having looked good throughout the tournament. Its seems like the type of play that we would normally see in the next phase has filter down to the group stage beacsue many teams have built their squads around a bunkering style that means "Playing not to loose" rather than "playing to win" having figured out that this is the ultimate secret to success.

This proves that there was some value in have a second round consisting of pool, rather than single knockout with 16 teams, because teams had to force the issue and get results and wins rather than play no to lose. I know that this presented serious problem such as conspiracies (eg.: Argentina 1978), conspiracy theories and corruption. I do think that 32 teams is a bit of problem but 24 teams creates a even worst scenario beacsue end up with that wild card (3rd place entry). That aspect sucks because: how do you determine the best 3rd place finisher? You can't do it by points IMO because the points you get is a reflection of the group you are in.

[kj52]

It would never happen, but I like the way hockey does it. One top pool of the best teams worldwide with say, 16 teams. Of course they would end up being mostly Euro and S.A. but from a spectator's viewpoint it would be better than the European Championship (which I much prefer watching than World Cup). Obviously a lot less money for FIFA and many other issues but I really haven't enjoyed any of the matches so far that I've been able to see.

[Free kick]

But I thought that 1982 was the best World Cups ever. The most memorable soccer games were played in that WC:

France - Germany semi final
Brazil - Italy seocond round matchup

Even the Argentina Brazil game was classic.


the biggest snorefest was Italia 90 which produced a record number for fewest goals and forced FIFA to change teh off sides rule. Recall that prior to 1994, the attacking player had to be in front of the defender (as opposed to today where he has to be, at least, level), to be on side. World cups to to go in cycles IMHO. from good... to average... to poor.

1978 - Poor due to suspicions of curruption
1982 - Good
1986 - Average
1990 - Poor - very very low scoring
1994 - Good
1998 - Average
2002 - Poor - Two average sides (korea and turkey)into the semis. Korea got there becasue the reffs. The other, germany, was in rebuilding phase where the worst was expected and yet still managed to reach the finals.

[SCF08]

95% of the teams are playing to not lose instead of playing to win. The managers are making the game way too difficult by poisoning the players mind with defensive crap.

Luckily they are getting punished as the most defensive teams have went on to lose.

''2nd round'' of the group stages will be much better as teams have to go for it. Cameroon cannot stick Eto'o on right midfield anymore, Australia cannot afford to play with 5 defenders, 5 midfielders and a goalkeeper etc.

[Canuck Oranje]

My point was more about the preliminary group stage. I would agree that the later rounds got better in 1982 and 1990 was forgetable unless you are German and especially forgetable if you are Dutch. I really don't think the fact that the tournament includes 32 or 24 teams makes a whole lot of difference at the group stage if the second phase is a single knock out group of 16 as was the case from 1986. Personally, I think the serious part of the tournament begins with the group of 16 and this tournament will be judged by what happens from that point on.

[Canuck Oranje]

Out of curiosity, I did a quick comparison among all the six World Cup Tournaments that had a single elimination group of 16 as their second phase. From 1986 to 1994, the tournament began with 24 teams and 1998 to 2006, there were 32 teams. I compared the overall average goals per game and the number of times three or more goals were scored in a game from the quarter finals on (excluding the third place game). Generally, it shows there is little difference between a 24 team tournament or a 32 team tournament on those two measures.

Year = 1986 QF to Final - times three goals/game or more = 2 Tournament Av. goals / game = 2.5
= 1990 = 1 = 2.2
= 1994 = 5 = 2.7
= 1998 = 5 = 2.7
= 2002 = 1 = 2.5
= 2006 = 1 = 2.3

[Free kick]

Worth also bearing in mind that in this year's WC, the draw pitted many of the top heralded sides in each group against one another in teh very first games. Unlike teh past. Hence being fully aware of their opponents, teh common sence approach was to make sure you dont lose out of the gate. a couple of examples:

Fra-Uru
Eng-USA
Arg-Nig
Ita-Par ???


In each of the above, its expected that each of these sides will have viewed their opponent as the most serious challenger in their group and that a draw would have more than suited their needs given that ther are easier opponents where you can "go for it" inth rest of the group. You clearly saw this with England after the americans drew even. A loss would have been devasting and forced them to open things up against Slovenia, so when the US tied things up, they played to make sure they didn't lose. same thing happened with Argentina. They could have really forced matters agaist Nigeria (they have the playesr to do it) but why bother and risk losing .

The only one of the favourities who got, who they could view as an also ran, was Germany. And look what happened.

[Unnamed Trialist]

I really was excited before the tournament, but have been dozing since it started. Some poor play, and no discoveries yet, no big surprises in terms of players. Except maybe Oezil, and England's Johnson, who I really did not know well either.

I was only really gripped by US-England because of the upset in the making. Missed 1st half of Italy-Paraguay, but I did not consider Paraguay such an underdog. I am not really enjoying it, mostly because the defensive play is excessive and there is little offensive talent or system.

And I hate those vuvuzelas, because they wipe out any crowd singing or chants, it makes every game have the same atmosphere and quashes the fans audio contribution.

[Free kick]

And I hate those vuvuzelas, because they wipe out any crowd singing or chants, it makes every game have the same atmosphere and quashes the fans audio contribution.

Yup. That has to be the number one story of this world cup. Yet, the protests over the plastic horns came up during the Confederations cup but Danny Jordan (organizing committee) and FIFA vowed to do nothing about it. Now, isn't that what the confederations cup is primarily for? (ie, a trial run for the actual WC). What I found annoying about his argument and ultimate decision was that it was based cultural factors. But these are plastic horns for christ sakes!!!! You used to be able buy them anywhere in Canada for something like fifty cents to a a couple of bucks. Its got to the point where, when they show people in the crowd, you'd see people in visiting colours blowing on those things.

I have no objection to anything that produces a rythm, A damn garbage can lid and a stick would at least product some rytym but these F****** thinks things only produce a buzzing sound.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I'm already so tired of the slow motion replay. As much as I hate having no replay during Impact games on the Internet, this is overkill. Especially the fouls.

and what is with all the slow motion replays of facial expressions? I find that really weird. They show Capello's mouth wide open for a good 4 seconds.... why?

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

...I do think that 32 teams is a bit of problem but 24 teams creates a even worst scenario beacsue end up with that wild card (3rd place entry). That aspect sucks because: how do you determine the best 3rd place finisher? You can't do it by points IMO because the points you get is a reflection of the group you are in.

That's definitely the main drawback of having 24. Maybe the first round could be eight groups of three, then there could be a second phase with four groups of four, quarters, semis and a final?

[nolando]

Agree with much that has been said including the odd video replays, the generally lacklustre football on display and the dreaded vulvapaloozas (sp?).

I wouldn't mind if they were only used during the matches played by the home nation, but to lose out on some of the most treasured sounds of the game at their expense is a shame, like looking at empty seats in the stands in a World Cup finals match.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Already more than half a million downloaded. On the iPhone it is fine, because it is personalized. Don't like it in the stadium, but in the future we'll look back nostalgically on this month with that buzzing in our ears. Or not.

http://itunes.apple.com/en/app/vuvuzela-world-cup/id349168254?mt=8

Talking about the Confed Cup last year as a dry run: Xabi Alonso came out publicly saying they should be banned in late June 2009, and took a lot of flack for the comments. The guy played in Anfield mind you, so maybe Fifa thinks he has a distorted idea of what a football crowd ought to be.

[Vic]

South African soccer fans who prefer their matches to be vuvuzela-free can now take three easy steps to sonic freedom.

A user on social networking site Twitter has posted simple instructions for resetting your television's sound equaliser - a move that will drown out the drone of vuvuzelas without muting other sounds.

The instructions are:

Enter the sound settings for your TV and find the equaliser.

Drop the 300Hz channel (which Samsung TVs have, second from left), and raise the adjacent levels.

Save as a custom set-up (if you can).

Eric Smit, the assistant manager at Samsung Store in Canal Walk, did a spot test and found that it worked on both low-end and high-end TVs.

"I can relate to the people who are saying the equaliser can lower the sound of the vuvuzela on your TV because vuvuzelas are blown at a specific frequency. On the TV you can set the frequencies at high, mid and low level," he said.

Meanwhile, the BBC has said it is considering offering "vuvuzela-free" coverage via its red button after hundreds of complaints.

Fans say the droning sound of the plastic horns, which has been likened to the buzzing of millions of angry bees, is drowning out coverage and leaving them with aching eardrums.

Now the BBC is looking into providing "clean" coverage, which would strip out most crowd noise.

A BBC spokesman told Britain's Daily Mail on Monday night: "We have already taken steps to minimise the noise and are continuing to monitor the situation. If the vuvuzela continues to have an impact on audience enjoyment, we will look at what other options we can take."

[jpg75]

and what is with all the slow motion replays of facial expressions? I find that really weird. They show Capello's mouth wide open for a good 4 seconds.... why?

On the flip side they showed a slow-mo of a Danish player heading the ball and a shower of sweat blasting off him after contact with the ball. It was a ridiculously clear and awesome action shot in HD, like a commercial.

[Free kick]

and what is with all the slow motion replays

I love the super slow Mo replays on fouls. For the first time ever, you are getting replays that leave no doubt on whether or not a foul is legitamate. You can see legitamate fouls (from superb close-up angles) that in the past you might thought were not.

[yomurphy1]

I remember someone complain about the CBC picture quality earlier.
If you get your HD channels from cable or satellite your company compresses the picture. To avoid the compression, if your HDTV has a digital tuner (ATSC) and you live close to a major urban centre, whip out the bunny ears and you can get a free uncompressed signal.
The improvement is marginal but its better what the service providers offer.

[Free kick]

I remember someone complain about the CBC picture quality earlier.
If you get your HD channels from cable or satellite your company compresses the picture. To avoid the compression, if your HDTV has a digital tuner (ATSC) and you live close to a major urban centre, whip out the bunny ears and you can get a free uncompressed signal.
The improvement is marginal but its better what the service providers offer.

Rogers also has special camera or vantage point that you can choose, through your remote, to view on different channels. I haven't tried them yet but noticed that they are available on the guide menu right next to the World cup mix option.

Does anyone have a review of this feature?

[SCF08]

I love the super slow Mo replays on fouls. For the first time ever, you are getting replays that leave no doubt on whether or not a foul is legitamate. You can see legitamate fouls (from superb close-up angles) that in the past you might thought were not.

Super Slow-mo's on the fouls are indeed great but I hope SA TV will leave the shouting and the open mouths behind. Seen a bit too many of them and it's not pretty.

[CanadianSoccerFan]

I love the super slow Mo replays on fouls. For the first time ever, you are getting replays that leave no doubt on whether or not a foul is legitamate. You can see legitamate fouls (from superb close-up angles) that in the past you might thought were not.

You just cut out the context of my sentence in that quote. I was only talking about the facial expressions. Slow mo replays of tackles and game action are great. Slow mo replays of Capello's mouth wide open are dumb

[Jeremy]

I'd LOVE to have a montage at the end of the WC of all the shots that went wide, it would be awesome. Players just forgot how to shoot correctly, or what? And I'm not talking about shots 1 meter away from the goal, but rather 10 meters or more wide. Very ugly

[Grizzly]

So far the only African team that looks decent has been Cote D'Ivoire. One would expect better with the Cup being played in Africa.

[the biologist]

Unfortunately there's always sad news that come in the way.

Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG -- Police say a South African man who wanted to watch a World Cup match instead of a religious program was beaten to death by his family in the northeastern part of the country.

David Makoeya, a 61-year-old man from the small village of Makweya, Limpopo province, fought with his wife and two children for the remote control on Sunday because he wanted to watch Germany play Australia in the World Cup. The others, however, wanted to watch a gospel show.

"He said, 'No, I want to watch soccer,'" police spokesman Mothemane Malefo said Thursday. "That is when the argument came about.

"In that argument, they started assaulting him."

Malefo said Makoeya got up to change the channel by hand after being refused the remote control and was attacked by his 68-year-old wife Francina and two children, 36-year-old son Collin and 23-year-old daughter Lebogang.

Malefo said he was not sure what the family used to kill Makoeya.

"It appears they banged his head against the wall," Malefo said. "They phoned the police only after he was badly injured, but by the time the police arrived the man was already dead."

All three were arrested Sunday night, but Lebogang was released on $200 bail Tuesday, Malefo said. The other two are still being held in custody.

Malefo said the mother and son will reappear in the local Seshego Magistrates Court on July 27.

"He was always a happy man, never violent," Makoeya's nieces, Miriam and Anna, told the Daily Sun newspaper. "On Saturday, we saw him the last time at a funeral."

The World Cup, being played in Africa for the first time, started Friday and runs through July 11.

[loyola]

So far the only African team that looks decent has been Cote D'Ivoire. One would expect better with the Cup being played in Africa.

I thought Ghana looked OK and could very well be on their way to the second round if they can beat Australia.

[Grizzly]

^^ Yes forgot about Ghana. Still so far 2 decent teams out of 6 in your own continent is not very impressive.

[amacpher]

World Cup is really starting to pick-up some steam now...

[masster]

^ Yep...finally got good today!

[Trillium]

So that would be USA and Mexico ?

[nolando]

Anybody still bored? I highly doubt it. Crying in their beer/cappuccino, perhaps, but no longer napping at halftime.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Anybody still bored? I highly doubt it. Crying in their beer/cappuccino, perhaps, but no longer napping at halftime.

There hasn't been a great football performance yet though Nolando, not one after so many games. Not one player really standing out, except in games vs. truly inferior opponents. Lesser names raising their level, that is true, but no emerging stars yet, and no great soccer stories. For me this is like watching the early round of the UEFA Cup, about the same quality.

[nolando]

There hasn't been a great football performance yet though Nolando, not one after so many games. Not one player really standing out, except in games vs. truly inferior opponents. Lesser names raising their level, that is true, but no emerging stars yet, and no great soccer stories. For me this is like watching the early round of the UEFA Cup, about the same quality.

Oh I agree that it's not brilliant football, but that is what the top leagues and the Champion's League are for, right? The WC is generally more like old school ground warfare - scattered, brutally ugly, tedious at times but full of a different sort of passion that you can't get at club level, capturing the imaginations and frustrations of a nation.

Personally, I think there are lots of great stories - human ones rather than football ones, for sure. New Zealand and North Korea competing (and disapperaring), the French imploding, the home nation with Mandela, their salvaged point. Giant nations flopping. Lots to grasp on to unless you are cheering for or living in one of the nations underperforming, I suppose.( Not a shot at you, BTW)

For me the Denmark Cameroon match was as exciting in stretches as any football I have seen this year. There will be more to come, to be sure.

I also think it there is a realisation that some of the upsets in '02 were not one-offs - Japan and Korea playing well, Mexico and the US (and now even Oceania emerging on the world stage). No more tisk-tisking this trend away with crybaby talk of fixed matches and an arrogant European flick of the risk to imply incomptetent referreeing. Surely, that still is there, and the traditional superpowers will dominate the quarterfinals and that point on, but it is nice to see more competition all around, and that's worth following in itself., if you ask me.

[nolando]

When was it changed so that all of the extra 12 players sit on the bench, meaning that no substitutes had to be named/excluded? Is it the same in any major league?

[robsam]

Today's match - Portugal Vs Korea.

Guys what you think who is gonna be the winner. I thing Portugal will be the winning team. Already game in progress at this time its 2-0. Portugal is leading. Well done P. :D

[Trillium]

I must admit i am enjoying tv coverage here in Brasil...the depth of coverage far exceeds what i have seen in Canada.. lots of on location coverage in Brasil at various fan fest locals... lots of after the game slow mo highlights of plays and analysis... lots of stories on the ball... Jabualannnnni.. Its very good and the panels of talking heads seem to be thoughtfull and knowledgeable .. ( yes i miss some of it in portugese but get enough to make it worthwhile )

Watchng games live in the bars is fun too... Brasil yesterday was a party..lots of celebrations in the beach bar.. and yes Grizzly lots of girls in bikinis for you ..

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Oh I agree that it's not brilliant football, but that is what the top leagues and the Champion's League are for, right? ....

The World Cup used to be viewed as the pinnacle. Is it just because of the ball that we are not seeing top players scoring free kicks from the top of the box the way players like Zico, Gheorghe Hagi and Hristo Stoichkov used to or could it be that the quality at the very top level of the sport isn't quite as high as it used to be?

[Eric]

I think the quality is the same or even better than what it used to be, simply because the game is much faster and players need to find solutions much quicker than what they used to. I think the ball is a new item that players need to get use to and eventually they'll catch up and we'll see better free kicks, crosses and overall shots on target.

[socceronly]

I think it's the ball.

No free kicks on net.
Multiple goalie errors across the spectrum.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I think the quality is the same or even better than what it used to be, simply because the game is much faster ....

That didn't have much to do with my point about what is happening with dead ball situations around the box. :) But now you've mentioned it, do you think the pace of the game is much faster in this tournament even with so many teams routinely having eight players behind the ball whenever they lose possession due to the relative absence of overlapping fullbacks or libero style sweepers compared to 20 or 30 years ago? As tactics evolve the game moves in cycles either opening up and becoming more fast paced or slowing down with the action getting bogged down in midfield. Personally think we are looking at the latter right now. I don't think the tempo of the games is as high on average as it was back in the mid-80s when coaches started trying to break down 4-4-2 by switching to a 3-5-2.

[Unnamed Trialist]

Listmania, how about a couple of lists of teams based on first two group stage matches.

Strong candidates, good play, no downside:

Holland
Brazil
Argentina

Quality play, few doubts, still need a group stage result:

Paraguay
Chile
Portugal
Uruguay
Mexico
Ghana

Still a strong candidate despite a slip up, need a group stage result:

Germany
Spain

Biggest disappointments amongst the favourites, still with a chance:

Italy
England

Biggest surprise for results and play:

Slovenia

Biggest disappointments:

France
Cameroon

Most undeserving sides to still have a chance to go through:

New Zealand
Switzerland

Chance to go through despite losing points, little chance past the next round:

US
Japan
South Korea
Denmark
Serbia

My sleeper for a surprise run to quarter finals:

Paraguay

That is how I see it at least.

Check out the team stats on fifa.com (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/index.html), interesting to see shots and passing stats (we all know goals):

Most shots: Spain, followed by Argentina
Most shots on goal: Argentina, followed by Spain
Most attacking plays: Spain, then Greece (!) and England
Least attacking plays: New Zealand, Switzerland
Most passes: Spain, then Brazil
Least passes: Switzerland (by far), New Zealand
Best passing %: Brazil, Holland, Germany
Worst passing %: Switzerland, New Zealand
Most corner kicks: Spain, Italy and Greece
Least corners: New Zealand, Uruguay (!)
Most fouls committed: Switzerland, followed by France and NZ
Most fouled teams: Japan, Chile, Mexico

[earlimus]

Nice chart. Needless to say I'm excited for the next 4 days. It's nice to see Spain topping a lot of those statistical categories dsepite not hitting their full stride.

I've been pleasantly surprised with how well the south american teams have been doing.

[Unnamed Trialist]

From some of those stats you see Greece is an attacking team, or at least gets deep. No one I have read has taken this into account.

Surprise in a few hours in their group?

The Swiss and New Zealand are undeserving of being so close if their play is really as deficient as the stats suggest (Swiss worse passers and worse foulers).

[Vic]

Strong candidates, good play, no downside:

Holland
Brazil
Argentina

Quality play, few doubts, still need a group stage result:

Paraguay
Chile
Portugal
Uruguay
Mexico
Ghana

6 of those 9 teams are from one geographic area of the world. I would love to read a good analysis of why that is.

[Vic]

Compared to Tangos, Fevernovas or any paneled balls - even the previous generation Teamgeist balls used in Germany had an enormous amount more movement. Think about when you kicked that kids wiffle ball and it went out about two or three metres and then bent right at 45 degrees. It's nothing that extreme, but the Teamgeist glue sealing and millimeter seams was the revolution in design that delivered all the play. The Jabulani just perfects it.

[Jeremy]

The feed has been lost...

[the biologist]

Interesting stats: Only 1 of the last 12 games has ended with a draw.

[Jeremy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS_Qi8TB3v4

[Sam]

Just wondering have we had any updates from the Voyageurs who are actually in South Africa?

[socceronly]

Just wondering have we had any updates from the Voyageurs who are actually in South Africa?

Rudi has a blog going on the USector board.

http://u-sector.ca/wp/

[Unnamed Trialist]

My son noticed this morning that there is a new setting option on youtube, a little soccer ball beside the full screen. ON almost all videos, a few exceptions I see.

Crazy and hilarious.

[earlimus]

Amazing video...

[Jeremy]

Which anthem is the longest? Uruguay's is pretty long.

[thescottc]

http://www.national-anthems.org/facts.htm


Longest National Anthems:
GREECE - lyrics - has a total of 158 verses!
URUGUAY - music - 105 bars of music

[kododude]

I would say that this year’s world cup has been a disaster. Most of the good teams that many of us have high expectations on them didn’t perform well. Teams like Brazil, Argentina, France, and England did not even make it to the semi finals. I guess they could have played better. But I liked Germany’s matches a lot. They are performing very well and they showed a great amount of team work during their play, which is incredible.

[EddieGuerrero]

Biggest Disappointment:
1.Brazil
2.Italy
3.Argentina
Most Unexpected teams:
1.Uruguay
2.Netherlands

[yanfeng]

I support this thread

[Kathleen2311]

Spain give everything they got to be the champion.. Well see them again in the Brazil world cup (http://www.braziltouristdirectory.com/).. Oh well yeah Canada will be there too.. I hope... :)

[The Ref]

Spain give everything they got to be the champion.. Well see them again in the Brazil world cup.. Oh well yeah Canada will be there too.. I hope... :)
We hope so too. Thanks for your support.