Football World Cup

[JackRiddler]

Halftime for Arg-Ger. Looks bad for Arg. Germany was much faster for a quarter hour and it could have been worse than the instant goal to start. The whole German team seems to be on defense against two Argentineans, then the Germans get the ball and send it down to the Arg side, where the whole German team is already waiting. It's like Argentina's playing two Germanys. The Germans slowed down but were still stronger. Arg had some initiative, but they never seem to build a mass on the German side, except for the bit where four of them were offsides on the disallowed goal. Okay, maybe only three. Even I knew that wasn't going to stand. I finally saw what was meant above by whoever said the Args foul more professionally. Subtle bastards. The gruesome death scenes acted out on falls are superb on both sides. It's like crucifixion-to-resurrection in 15 seconds. I expect the second half to go the same, the Args have to withstand an initial onslaught and then try to trick and luck themselves into a goal.

[JackRiddler]

Au contraire, the Germans have come out with the Festung Deutschland strategy. Looks impenetrable, but it means Arg will be having more of the initiative.

[JackRiddler]

Nope. Arg opened up for a while and had good attack but with all the shots visible from a distance. Then they got exhausted and the Germans are back to full press, up 2-0 with 20 to go. And there's the 3-0. So much for the story until now about South American dominance and European decline. It's down to the Guays. Moody's, take note: I'm upgrading the euro! (Ich bin doch ein Berliner.)

[Belligerent Savant]

.


Zhe Gehrmans were clearly the better team today.

Argentina's suspect defense has been exposed, facing a top-tier team.

Still, they have a strong core and can go farther in the next cup, with an improved defense.

Germany looks like a Final winner right now -- good mix of veterans and youth.

[Jeff]

Oh, Diego.

Now pulling for a Netherlands-Germany settling of accounts.

[JackRiddler]

Oh, Jeff.

You seriously expect any team left that you've seen in this tournament to stop these guys?

Maradona may have to wait another four years before his presidential run.

[Jeff]

You seriously expect any team left that you've seen in this tournament to stop these guys?

Perhaps not seriously, but that's Lord Halifax-worthy defeatism. I'm lighting a candle for the Clockwork Orange.

[Stephen Morgan]

You can never write off them Germans. Brazil-Holland Briefly over took Denmark-Cameroon as match of the tournament for me, but it's now Uruguay-Ghana. Skill, tactics, excitement, end to end stuff right to the end, dramatic finish and penalty shoot out. Pity Asamoah Gyan missed that penalty. Didn't like seeing that cheating little shit Suarez celebrating after he'd been sent off. At least he'll now be banned for the next match, the semi with holland. I'd like to see Holland win it, certainly the greatest footballing nation to never win the world cup, and whoever put that money on Uruguay has reasons to be cheerful.

[kenoma]

Poor Diego - but I'm backing the Germans now - they were magnificent against Argentina, and a victory for Germany would be something of a moral victory for the semi-socialised, sensibly-regulated Bundesliga, which is good news for the exploited fans of the other European club football leagues.
Holland - the ugliest team left in the tournament, I'd be really disappointed - gutted, I should say - if they won.

I'm lighting a candle for the Clockwork Orange.

It's the Germans who invite comparisons to the Dutch '74 side: this shower haven't earned that nickname, except insofar as Van Bommel and Robben play like droogs.
I've put a few quid on Uruguay to win - Suarez has made them the least sympathetic underdogs I can remember, but 11/1 is a good price at a stage when anything can happen.

[JackRiddler]

I am at peace with the idea of Germany as champions. They're playing really beautiful football.

[stefano]

Right! 2 hours to go. Lots of vibe on quite a chilly night, I wanted to walk to the stadium one last time then laughed it off when I couldn't feel my fingers any more. I call 2-0 for the Netherlands. Everyone here's behind them, I think the only Uruguay supporters are actually from there. Hope it's a good game.

[kenoma]

Half-time: von Bronckhorst scored a wondergoal (which I missed - oh the joys of parenthood), but Uruguay settled down after about 25 mins, earning a fantastic goal by Forlan. They look dangerous now, and Holland, rattled and a bit shapeless, look like they might repeat the Brazilian meltdown they benefited from in the quarters.
Very close now - I'll be shocked if this game ends with 22 players on the pitch, and the sending-off may decide matters.

[kenoma]

Well 3-2, probably fair - Uruguay were the better team until Holland scored from nowhere (and from offside), at which point they fell apart until a surreal injury time, when Uruguay almost looked like they might pull off a comeback - but Forlan had gone off by then.
Uruguay could have won this with Suarez, but then they wouldn't be there without his handball.
The hyperventilating about that handball is a bit silly when you look at Van Bommel's ugly game today - should have been carded 4 or 5 times tonight (got one at the end, but for timewasting). And it's not a matter of temperament or whatever - he is deliberately sent out there to act like a thug. And he gets away with it every time, unlike Suarez.
Holland play an awful game, but they are lucky with referees, and I get a bad feeling they may just win this.

[Jeff]

It is time...

[stefano]

The two goals in the first half were fantastic, among the best of the tournament. Good result. The ref wasn't very good, I agree. I actually quite liked Uruguay without that shit Suarez, Forlan is class as a striker and as a captain. I was hoping for a late equaliser but not to be.