Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

What a crazy match!!! I really hoped that Paraguay would walk away with the win... And for a while it looked like they would. But alas, David Villa strikes again lol.

The good news is that if Spain plays Germany like they played today... Germany will crush them.

Hey Fernando... How's that Germany v Netherlands game looking to you now? :D

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Spain got lucky, there is no way around that. The ref, as usual, was clueless on some calls, Pique should have been red carded on the spot and that would have changed the game in many ways. On top of that, Paraguay penalty should have been re-taken, Casillas moved prior to the kick as well as half the Spanish team was in the box before the ball even moved. That, in the nutshell was THE match, without Pique and one goal down there is no way Spain would pull the game out given how they played.

I am now routing for Germany all the way, seems like the best team left IMO (as much as I like how Netherlands play).

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Spain were definitely lucky today. Paraguay played a great game, really pressured Spain every time they touched the ball.

Iniesta was amazing creating the goal...

We'll see how things go in the semi's. Germany are looking like the team to beat.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Funny that now commentators are paying attention to Messi not showing much at WC. What about Torres? Complete zero as well.

McNanaman could not even pronounce players' names properly, how does one get a job like that? Sign me up, I am ready. Someone should point out to him that Viera plays for ManCity, Vera does not. And it is Ee-ker Cassilas, not Ay-ker. So, bad on rules, bad with names...

I hope remaining games get good refs, this WC is getting stupider by the day.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Torres has been no good but he had knee surgery a couple of months ago and clearly isn't his normal self. I'm not even sure why Del Bosque is starting him. There were a couple of times today when Iniesta and Xavi put the ball through and I expected Torres to get onto it but he just wasn't quick enough.

He's definitely not playing the way he plays for Liverpool.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

He's definitely uncharacteristically flat this tournament. Why he's starting I have no idea... But what I do know is that if they keep playing the way that they have thus far, Germany will make short work of them -- if Germany continues rolling the way they have.

edit: PS: If by some fluke Spain does beat Germany, this will officially be the most garbage final that I've witnessed.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Remind me, please, didn't Rooney fight with ankle injury for the last 2 months? Just saying...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Yup... But the key difference between Rooney and Torres is that Rooney went home early.

You better bet that the whole of the Argentinian squad is going home to some seriously bad press. Especially Messi and Maradona. Spain will too... but it won't be as bad b/c the DID make it to the Semis.

Rooney's getting bashed b/c England went home early. Press forgive star athletes so long as the team is winning. But when they aren't... The stars usually take all of the blame.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I doubt it. The point of this World Cup is now to highlight both how much work FIFA needs to do in terms of improving the caliber of its refs and just how badly the adoption of technology to aid the refs in making the correct call is required. FIFA continues to make the "premiere" sport in the world more and more of a joke and spectacle of ridicule. Hopefully this World Cup will be enough to convince the member nations to stand up and force FIFA to pull its head out of its arse long enough to try and put some credibility back into the game. If not, soccer is just going to go into further decline.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Although most of us want and expect improvements I am not sure we're on that road just yet.

Take today's Spain game, for example. Some replays were forbidden from being shown, this is how Blatter plans to "improve" things in the future and we had our first glimpse. Blatter resisted technology/extra refs for some time now, he will simply wait for things to calm down and carry on as before. Only because he stated a few days that the sport needs improvements in regard to officiating doesn't mean he will actually do something. "Masking" bad calls, as they did today, is Blatter's way of "improving" things.

Besides technology, they need to ban any and all refs from Third World leagues, but there is a fat chance of that since these leagues are the only reason Blatter has been elected time and again. He is not going to cut his own throat...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Look at the stats. Messi played just one more game, but took almost twice as many shots as Rooney (through WC). What someone needs to track is how many times Rooney, Messi and Torres (and others as well) actually had the ball, I suspect that Rooney's number will be way, way lower than others' due to the "wonderful" service provided by the Gerrard/Lampard/Barry "support girls". Gerrard and Lampard never could play together, I now hope Chelsea buy Gerrard so we have one less team to worry about in the future. And it looks like Barry's days playing at ManCity are also done with the latest buys, he will get well acquainted with the plank next season... That is, if he even makes the bench...

Both Messi and Torres had plenty of support and saw the ball plenty a time and yet both fell flat. Hell, Torres could not even pass.

I suspect there will be a run on Paraguay players after WC. They made Roque Santa Cruz irrelevant. Defenders, in particular, were very collected and unperturbed on the ball what with vaunted Spanish mids running around.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Until FIFA wants to enter the modern world by allowing video technology, expect and enforce both compete/fair ref'ing AND fair play without all this pansy diving and acting for advantage (read: cheating and dishonourable play) soccer is just going to continue on being more and more of a joke. That's why I say the member nations need to step in. If you have the major soccer nations of the world coming out and publicly saying they won't participate in test soccer until FIFA pulls it's act together then they'll be forced to act. Blatter may be kept in power by pandering to the 3rd world nations, but the money is still in Europe and parts of South America and a boycott by France, Brazil, England, Argentina, Spain, Germany, etc will send the message really quickly.

The reality is that would never happen, but it really needs to if test level soccer wants to retain any legitimacy as a real sport. Either way, this World Cup does serve a purpose.... it's something to kill time and talk about at work, and something to take the piss out of the World Cup starts in 13 months.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Unfortunately, the diving is integral to the sport. There is usually no way to tell that you were fouled unless you go down. Why would you not want your penalty if your were fouled?? It's an advantage.

Granted... I am NOT referring to the bullshit diving and wallowing when no one touched you to either waste time or get a free kick when YOU screwed up. That's one of the reasons that I have so much respect for the Japs and this USA team. They consider it dishonorable to dive. Of course, there were a few times... but nothing like the S. Americans, Ghana, the French or Italians. Which is why the refs are supposed to book players for acting... they just don't do it b/c they don't want the game to get out of control.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

If you have to dive to get a penalty you weren't fouled and you're not entitled to the penalty in the first place, it's as simple as that. Staying that it's ok if it gains you an advantage is exactly the same as saying it's ok to cheat on school exams, that gains you an advantage too. One of the major thing that turns me off about soccer right now is the lack of ethics and honour with which it's played (at least at the elite level).

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Still think it will be Spain vs The Netherlands.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Spain will need way more than luck versus Germans, they ain't no Paraguay. Torres will finally be benched, but I don't think Fabregas will make that much difference.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Germany ain't no Paraguay, that's true, but the kind of football Germany is playing suits Spain better than the kind of football Paraguay is playing. We'll see on wednesday who's right.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

This is unfortunately very true. I once had a ref tell me 'if you want the call go down' in a local competitive league. I couldn't believe it.

The other issue is that players will go down easy to prevent injuries too. If someone comes in hard and you don't go down easy you take a much harder impact...so players prefer to take the foul and preserve their shins rather than go for it. I know Ronaldo and Pires have even mentioned this in press conferences when being accused of diving in games.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Totally...and he was just as garbage as Torres has been. The difference is that Torres has enough quality around him that it hasn't mattered for Spain.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

The Netherlands almost have this wrapped up!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Congrats to the Netherlands!!!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

worldcup final herf at my place on sunday :D

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Grats, Fernando! Hope to see your boys in the final!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Congrats to my nephew Fernando and to his beautiful country. Best of luck in the finals.:tu

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I thought on the whole it wasn't that great a game. The first Holland goal was amazing and the second Uruguay goal was REALLY nice as well.

Holland were the better team though, I'm happy they made it through. Should be a great final regardless who makes it from the other semi.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

the outdoor parties last night were great, I think the whole country will stop to move if we win the final, everybody will call in sick on monday with a hangover :D

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Well... If Germany beats Spain today, and Netherlands plays as sloppily as they did the second half against Uruguay, then you won't have to worry about it lol. But I think that was more of a fluke than anything. I look forward to a tough match between us. Of course, if the Soccer Gods show Spain favor and they advance I'll be pulling for Netherlands.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Grolsch and Amstel will come out with orange bottles to celebrate.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

and all the girls will be wearing Bavaria dresses ;)

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Oh how I wish I could be in Holland this weekend. Especially if they win it all. I bet it would make May 1st look like a backwater carnival. And that it is not!

Best of luck to the men in orange.

T

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Congrats on the win!

That said, if they fall asleep late in each half, as they seem to be doing in most games so far, whoever plays them will take advantage (and Uruguay did both times). They need a better captain to crack the whip last 10 minutes of each half. And play Elia for 70 minutes, then bring Robben on.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Robben is on his best at the right side, Elia on the left, so that will never sail. We need a real striker, Van Persie isn't in the best shape (just like Torres, Kaka, Rooney and they all came back from serious injuries right before the worldcup), I would love to see Huntelaar play.

We missed De Jong and Van der Wiel agains Uruguay. Boulahrouz as a replacement for VdW was terrible and De Zeeuw got injured pretty quickly. With those two back (especially De Jong), I am not worried about falling asleep at all.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

GER - SPA ; 0-0 at the half.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

De Jong was definitely missed. And I am with you on Huntelaar, I think he is a better option.
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Refs are still screwing up. That was an obvious foul on Ozil (not a penalty, just out side the box) in the additional time and no call. BS, as usual, and now we see no instant replay per new "Blatter regulations" ("... I am sorry people witnessed refereeing mistakes...".

Germans will prevail, IMO, as Spaniards seem to tire already and there is still (at least) one more half to play... Muller is definitely missed by Germans. While Spain seems much improved without Torres. Hmmmm...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

I really didn't care who won, just wanted to see a good game. Personally, I thought that was a good no call by the ref at the end of the 1st. Muller was sorely missed today. Spain absolutely dominated possession and should have had another goal if Pedro wasn't so greedy. Spain did look better without Torres though. Klose wasn't even a factor for Germany and Spain's defense shut them down. Looking foward to a good game on Sunday. I hope anyway.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Spain vs. the Dutch...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

what a great header by Puyol!

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Too bad for Alemania.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Not sure who Spain just beat... B/c Germany wasn't even on the field. For the life of me I can't figure out what was going on with them. Sloppy passing, easy give aways, clustering in the middle, entirely too conservative play... etc. Spain was the better team today, which saddens me to say. Germany should've stopped trying to play like Spain and played like Germany.

....and yes, the official did blow the call inside the box in the final minutes of play.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

6-30-10, I'm not a betting man....but I should have been and followed this advice.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Most likely coaching mistake. For 70 minutes Germans looked like they had instructions to simply contain Spain. Too bad, they should have played their usual strategy at this WC.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Yup. That was my thinking as well. Which is really disappointing. These kids have what it takes... Lowe should have unleashed them and followed their winning strategy.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

No Muller, that youngster is so important for the Germans.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Espana's offense was on fuego. Score should've been 4-0 if they weren't so selfish.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Now I need to pick a special cigar to light in case we win the WC, has to be something special.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Partagas Charolette followed by a Cohiba EL 2003 Double Corona.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Doesn't that make Spain's offense the opposite of on fire? Instead, foolish and off target?

Besides, if Germany had been unleashed it would have been a MUCH different game w/ Spain under much more pressure -- which they aren't accustomed to. But Lowe --I think Riddick is dead on here-- made a tactical error which allowed Spain to hang out in their comfort zone w/o pressure. Frankly, I wasn't impressed at all. Granted, they did play a tick better than they have been... But not what I'd call great. Their offense was a damn mess to be perfectly honest. Germany's mid-field playing too much behind the ball simply allowed Spain more opportunities than they should have had and allowed to the defense to basically nap.

Provided that Netherlands comes out swinging and NOT repeating the same damned mistake that EVERY team to face Spain has made --stay behind the ball, contain, and wait for mistakes -- I fully expect the dutchmen to win it. I only wish that Lowe hadn't repeated the same mistake as everyone else...

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

well Switzerland stayed behind the ball and wait for mistakes and won, so it can be done that way. But it's not the Dutch nature anyway.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

If Spain wins it, it will really cement them as being the European super country of sports. If Netherlands wins it, Shell will take 10 cents a gallon off gas for one week.

Re: Who's ready for the World Cup?
 

Honestly, they caught a lucky break. Besides, it is also the way they seem to have tactically set their team from the get go. Germany doesn't play that kind of ball.