Who's ready for the World Cup?

[TheRiddick]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

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

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.

[Don Fernando]

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.

[landhoney]

GER - SPA ; 0-0 at the half.

[TheRiddick]

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...

[3SmokesaRound]

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.

[ade06]

Spain vs. the Dutch...

[Don Fernando]

what a great header by Puyol!

[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.

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

I'm hoping for Spain vs The Netherlands. Can't stand Brazil, not their national team nor their tobacco

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

[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.

[Don Fernando]

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

[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.

[Don Fernando]

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

[Chingas]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

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

Partagas Charolette followed by a Cohiba EL 2003 Double Corona.

[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...

[Don Fernando]

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.

[mosesbotbol]

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.

[Pass]

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

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.

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.