World Cup 2010

[ProudNissanFreak]

Congrats to España. Defense was awesome. Excellent header by Puyol.

Finals champ: España

Wouldn't count on it

[asoomal]

Germany :'(

My sentiments exactly.

I wonder how different the outcome would have been had Mueller not gotten that yellow in the Argentina game that kept him from playing today.

Penalties for sure man.

Neuer played awesome as well.

[SarahLovesHer300zx]

[asoomal]

[RCA]

Ghana Rick Roll...

I wonder how different the outcome would have been had Mueller not gotten that yellow in the Argentina game that kept him from playing today.

This!

Well if everything goes wrong we are all set for a miserable World Cup.

Uruguay vs Spain

[serg-z32]

[ugharin]

Fuk! Was hoping Germany would have sneaked by and then lose to Holland....Spain are damn tough. They were going to beat germany anyway with their game....seems like Germany had no proper strategy for Spain's passing game or couldnt implement it.

At times the 6' plus players seemed rather clumsy as well except for ozil. It was rather pronounced between Iniesta and players like Boeteng or even Bastien for instance. None of the Germans seemed to be able to move with the ball. Scoring on the counter with one touch or first time is fine. But moving forward with the ball and breaking through the defense is another and thats where spain and holland are particularly good at. Brazil and Argentina too but they are out. They missed muller yeah but they still never created any plays and chances. I dont believe, muller would have made a difference. Rather, torres would have made more of a difference for spain if he was in form which thankfully he isnt in. Go holland!

[ugharin]

Congrats to España. Defense was awesome. Excellent header by Puyol.

Finals champ: España

I agree. Spain would likely win for a reason that Holland tend to lose their concentration every now and then especially in their defense and thats enough for any opponents at this level, especially spain who I also suspect want this cup much more than holland.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Well if everything goes wrong we are all set for a miserable World Cup.

Uruguay vs Spain

Netherlands is already in the finals lol

[RCA]

Derrf... lol

Yeah I slept in during the Uruguay Netherlands game so I guess my mind denys the game's existence.

Kind of like "if a tree falls in the woods"...

[Poyzinous]

Arriba México!

[dre1507]

As i said maybe a page back, Netherland's defense wasn't as bad as it seemed in the match versus Uruguay. They always seemed to somehow manage to tighten up at the last few seconds to prevent a shot on goal or completely reflect the shot. However, if Spain is fast enough, this could be Netherland's achilles heel. So their best best is to keep their defense tight through and through.

[packerjd04]

especially spain who I also suspect want this cup much more than holland.

How so? The Netherlands have never won a world cup, been twice, never won. I'd say they want it pretty badly.

[breadbox]

I was expecting a different playing style then what they touted on the field. They seemed overly cautious of their 18.

After the Spanish Goal I saw the team I was expecting from the very first minute. After minute five I knew spain was gonna make it boring to watch. The Germany team should not have started Piotr Tro... whatever his name is. Jansen should've had his spot even though I feel hes not the most consistent player. Neuer is a machine, and I think they were playing way to close to goal a majority of the game. IDK why the keep taking out Boateng. he does fine he just need a quick runner to watch his back.

I don't even care who wins anymore, I'm routing for Holland and I hope they control the pace, not pass you to death spain.

[ugharin]

especially spain who I also suspect want this cup much more than holland.

How so? The Netherlands have never won a world cup, been twice, never won. I'd say they want it pretty badly.

There was an interview I read recently of one of the players. He explained about their internal issues, players not getting along etc. And also explained about how they are the gallant losers, in that they are the best team to have never won the world cup. His explanation was that the people in Netherlands have a "rich and satisfied lifestyle and they are not that passionate about winning". They want to win, but its not that bad if they dont. And those were his words, straight from the team which kinda gives you an idea about their mindsets. That being his explanation kind of made me think that ,well, its possible that they dont want it as bad as spain. Besides this is the first time spain have even been to the finals and also, this is one of the best ever spanish teams and they are likely aware that this may be their best chance. Id hate it though. Ajax and Netherlands have always been my favorites.

Ill try to find the link...

[ProudNissanFreak]

I read another interview from that which was quite the opposite. Who was being interviewed? The one I read was with Sneijder, van Persie, and the coach. The stuff about players not getting along is true, but they said they have respect for each other, which ultimately is what matters. Recently, it seems that they've all be pretty close, no arguments or anything. Either way, this is a really dedicated team; knowing they lost in the finals twice only gives them that much more motivation to finally succeed and bring the cup home. Sneijder is tied with Villa for the Golden Boot, apparently.

[ugharin]

It was ronald de boer who said it. Remember Frank and Ronald de boers? The former is a striker who scored one of the best goals in the 98 cup. I will try to search and post the link....

[ugharin]

here:

http://netherlands.worldcupblog.org/eur ... -will.html

I may have my facts mixed up here though. The thing about internal fights or disagreements among players that I read about was by somebody else....but looks like you have come across that article as well.

I wouldnt read too much into ronald's interview as, looking again, it was from 2008. But I would certainly not discard it either...

[ProudNissanFreak]

I honestly don't remember that WC. I was, 12 then I think lol. This WC though, I'd have to say Gio von Bronckhorst has the best goal so far. I never expected that to go in.

I wouldn't discard it either, but I think these guys know that they have to put all that garbage aside and really use effective teamwork to get things done, and quickly. Relying solely on counter-attacks isn't going to work against Spain, as demonstrated by Germany. So far, Netherlands have been scoring through their own possession. They have to keep doing so or else they're toast. I have faith in them though. I think they'll win it.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Bump for final today. Go Netherlands!

[RCA]

^^

Except I am torn...
I am going to watch them game at my buddies house and his wife is Spanish so if things don't go right it might make for a sh*tty afternoon. But I hate Spain's style, they remind me of Italy. Very slow pace when they are up. They are good at it and it's frustrating. Both teams are great but I think the Netherlands are the underdogs.

[ProudNissanFreak]

The Dutch are underdogs in this match. And you're right, Spain pace is so slow, and that may hurt them this match. From watching all their matches, I can say that the Dutch are pretty quick in forming an attack. Van Persie has to step it up big time for this match, he's gotta put out full effort.

[DJButton]

VIVA ESPANA!!! I wish Torres was starting though... Oh well, if the Dutch take it I will be almost just as happy, long as Dirk Kuyt gets a goal! lol

[ProudNissanFreak]

Man, Spain won. That ref made so many s*** calls and yellow cards against the Dutch. 3 cards when Spanish players tripped over nothing.

[ugharin]

Fu##Kkk....Al they had to do was drag it out for the penalties....I knew they would lose their composure and concentration. Holland and Argentina are the two teams who do that....I wonder if the stupid referee had an effect on the holland palyers as well...nevertheless, a deserved win Id imagine....It may well be that spain have invented a new kind of soccer although barca have been playing with this short passing/possessive football philosophy for a while now...

[Steady_One_S13]

haha, Paul, the oracle...lol, chose wisely.

España conquistó Afirca!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Man, Spain one. That ref made so many bullsh*t calls and yellow cards against the Dutch. 3 cards when Spanish players tripped over nothing.

I was rooting for Spain, but I agree here. There were some calls for tripping that were clearly unintentional and shouldn't have been carded.

[ProudNissanFreak]

Fu##Kkk....Al they had to do was drag it out for the penalties....I knew they would lose their composure and concentration. Holland and Argentina are the two teams who do that....I wonder if the stupid referee had an effect on the holland palyers as well...nevertheless, a deserved win Id imagine....It may well be that spain have invented a new kind of soccer although barca have been playing with this short passing/possessive football philosophy for a while now...

I think emotions took over for the Dutch. Will the ref f*** throwing out fouls and yellows against the, I'd imagine they'd get more and more pissed with each one. Elia should have gotten a free kick there, and it wasn't right for the ref to act like it never happened.

One other thing...stupid f*** referee. When you want to give a foul, you blow the f*** whistle right away. You don't f*** continue the play and then stop when the Spanish players b**** and then give a foul and yellow. What an a$$. I hope he doesn't ref for future cups.

[ugharin]

One other thing...stupid motherf***ing referee. When you want to give a foul, you blow the f**king whistle right away. You don't f**king continue the play and then stop when the Spanish players b**** and then give a foul and yellow. What an a$$. I hope he doesn't ref for future cups.

+1

That was another ridiculous one with iniesta...

[ProudNissanFreak]

Also, I really wish Robben didn't decide to prolong those 2 perfect chances. He should have shot it at goal instead of trying to get too close. At least it could have bounced off a pole or goalie deflect/drop for another chance. Sneijder had little ball time which was another problem. But overall it was that damn ref...I'm so pissed.