Who's ready for the World Cup?

[mosesbotbol]

Too bad for Alemania.

[Pass]

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.

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by Pass

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.

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.

[Pass]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

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.

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.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Pass

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.

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

[Pass]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

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

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...

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

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

We most likely watched different games. Up to the goal, Germans actually had more scoring opportunities, but didn't press nor follow through enough. A non-call at the end of first half also helped Spain, would have liked to see how it turned out. German defense comfortably handled Spanish attack, actually re-play the game and see how much smaller and slower Spain looked against bigger and faster German defenders. Germans simply fell asleep for long stretches, Villa simply had no one on one chances as time and again Germans provided cover tracking back at speed. Same for Torres, even that fast break away of 2 against 1 was quickly taken care of with Spain losing the ball.

I am routing for Holland in the final, Spain simply got to the final on pure luck in a number of games so far. I just hope De Jong, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar all start (with Elia, Robben and Dan Persie coming in at 70 minute mark).

I thought Germany got schooled today. They kept the same strategy, defend deep and counter, but Spain contained them. They weren't able to transition because Spain was on the ball carrier the second they got possession. Really good strategy on Spain's part.

And the goal they let in was awful. Puyol ran in unmarked from the top of the box and got a free header. Very poor defending, someone fell asleep on that play.

Anyhow, it should be a good final. Germany are a young team, it will be interesting to see them at Euro in 2 years.

[Don Fernando]

Originally Posted by TheRiddick

I am routing for Holland in the final, Spain simply got to the final on pure luck in a number of games so far. I just hope De Jong, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar all start (with Elia, Robben and Dan Persie coming in at 70 minute mark).

I think Robben should always start. Elia and Van Persie at the 70 minute mark sounds like a good plan. My team would be:
Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijssen, Gio, Van Bommel, Sneijder, De Jong, Robben, Huntelaar, Kuyt.