FIFA World Cup

Cacophonix · « **Reply #300 on:** 10 Jul 2010, 10:03 pm »

Great match today!

Congrats to germany on finishing third (once again).

It was great fun to watch a game where the players came out with a free mind, and basically played attacking football all 90 mins. No strategy here except for one - go forward and put as many balls in the net

I had mixed feeling when i saw suarez getting booed loudly everytime he touched the ball ...

Great irony (or call it poetic justice) towards the end when forlan's free kick in the dying seconds hit the crossbar and cost Uruguay the equalizer. Remember, they beat ghana largely due to Gyan's PK hitting the cross bar in the dying seconds of the match

But still, a greatly enjoyable game!

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #301 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 03:41 pm »

Just a short time to go....

So....who wins today ?

I'll go with the Netherlands....

...the red, white, and blue.

macrojack · « **Reply #302 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 03:52 pm »

The Dutch will need a hell of a strategy because they are greatly outclassed and out manned. Too bad the ref matters more than the teams in many matches. Germany might be playing today if not for a phantom hand ball called against Thomas Mueller in the Argentina game.
On second thought, I believe the Dutch will be handed a victory by the FIFA ref.
In the end the Apatheid architects will be rewarded in the land they enslaved.

mjosef · « **Reply #303 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 03:53 pm »

2 hours forty minutes to kick off...
I am with the Netherlands...the Lands of Never.

Go Orange

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #304 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 04:09 pm »

Quote from: mjosef on 11 Jul 2010, 03:53 pm

2 hours forty minutes to kick off...
I am with the Netherlands...the Lands of Never.

Go Orange

Your missing Jimmy Cliff at SummerStage (C.Pk.).

satfrat · « **Reply #305 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 04:12 pm »

Considering what the German's were architects of in years past, I wonder why anyone would even care that they're not in the championship match. So on that note, I'll be rootin' for for the Spaniards, if for no other reason than to contradict MJ's BS.

Cheers,
Robin

Cheers,
Robin

mjosef · « **Reply #306 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 07:32 pm »

Quote

I'll be rootin' for for the Spaniards, if for no other reason than to contradict MJ's BS.

Whaaaaat?

Careful...I may just root for any team vs. the Sux...

Well...seeing that Spain is playin' the style of total football that the Dutch sorta "invented", and are doing it quite well..the Dutch will need some luck to pull off the upset, they are still sloppy with their passes...come on Dutchmen, man up

kick some matador's azzes...

After the match I am heading to Prospect Park Wolfy, there is an African music event going on...

satfrat · « **Reply #307 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: mjosef on 11 Jul 2010, 07:32 pm

Whaaaaat?
Careful...I may just root for any team vs. the Sux...

Well...seeing that Spain is playin' the style of total football that the Dutch sorta "invented", and are doing it quite well..the Dutch will need some luck to pull off the upset, they are still sloppy with their passes...come on Dutchmen, man up
kick some matador's azzes...

After the match I am heading to Prospect Park Wolfy, there is an African music event going on...

The paint's drying mighty slow today Martin, at this rate the game will be going on long after 5pm.

Martin, I do root for any team,, that's playing against the skankees. No need to be careful, it just comes naturally.

Cheers,
Robin

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #308 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 08:28 pm »

OT....

Hey ho....let's go !!

Got the Heineken on ice....

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #309 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 09:39 pm »

Spain Defeats the Netherlands to Win First World Cup

Spain's Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring a goal, with the words "Dani Jarque, always with us", written on his undershirt, during the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010

mjosef · « **Reply #310 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 09:46 pm »

Well done Spaniards...outplayed the Dutch to win your 1st World Cup...18K gold, wonder if its solid gold?

Good thing I don't gamble, I'll be a sore loser.

Time to go listen to some music...sooth the soul.

macrojack · « **Reply #311 on:** 11 Jul 2010, 11:32 pm »

The Dutch have a number of very good players and decent team play but apparently they feel that isn't enough because they resort to a brawling, intimidating, cheating style that I find very unbecoming. Isn't soccer meant to be a graceful finesse filled sport borne of skill and rapid decision making? The game that the Dutch brought today was disgusting and should have been severely punished. As it was, they received 8 yellow cards.

chadh · « **Reply #312 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 12:43 am »

Did anybody notice that only one team finished the World Cup finals undefeated? Of all teams, only New Zealand managed to avoid a loss. I hope somebody won a bundle of money on that.

Quote from: macrojack on 11 Jul 2010, 11:32 pm

The Dutch have a number of very good players and decent team play but apparently they feel that isn't enough because they resort to a brawling, intimidating, cheating style that I find very unbecoming. Isn't soccer meant to be a graceful finesse filled sport borne of skill and rapid decision making? The game that the Dutch brought today was disgusting and should have been severely punished. As it was, they received 8 yellow cards.

Actually, I thought the Dutch played a pretty clean game today, relative to their previous efforts. Not so many horrible fouls, and not nearly as much flopping as usual. I put that down to the fact that the Spanish players don't hold the ball long enough to get whacked, but the Spanish team holds the ball for so long that the Dutch didn't get much of a chance to flop.

It seems that a lot of commentators found it an ugly game - but I was totally absorbed from the outset, and enjoyed the game immensely. I'm glad that Spain won though.

After the game, I thought back on all of the soccer I'd seen both teams play, and I realized there were very few positive memories I had of the Dutch. That stunning goal from Van Bronckhorst against Uruguay was breathtaking. I thought Sneijder played well (while also standing out as the player who always knew where the TV cameras were), and Kuyt played his heart out through the tournament (only to have a quiet game today). But Robben spent more minutes on the ground, rolling in feigned agony, than he spent in possession of the ball, while Van Bommel must have been blackmailing the referees throughout the tournament not to be sent off every single game. I don't think he made a single clean challenge. Ever. However, De Jong's effort with the boot to the chest of Alonso today was almost bad enough to make you forget Van Bommel's misdeeds.

The Spanish weren't perfect. But I have far more positive memories of them - the sublimely executed passes and crosses of Xavi, the flying efforts of Puyol and Ramos when stretching for headers, David Villa in front of goal, Jesus Navas looking dangerous on the wing in each of his few chances, as well as Iniesta's goal in extra time that capped a really good game for him in the final.

More importantly, it was just wonderful to see a team win by trying to play good football. I coach the teams for my 5 and 7 year old sons, and I can't think of a better team to demonstrate the value of good positioning and support for the man in possession, and the wonders you can achieve with well-directed, controlled passing than Spain.

In 2014 it all happens in Brazil. No doubt Brazil will start that tournament as favorites. But if they can avoid injuries in the lead up to that tournament, the Germans will look formidable. If I were a gambling man, I'd be looking to place a few bets on Germany to win in 2014 while the odds are still long.

Chad

macrojack · « **Reply #313 on:** 12 Jul 2010, 12:59 am »

Thanks, Chad - That was a wonderful synopsis.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #314 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 02:10 am »

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #315 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 03:38 am »

Quote from: chadh on 12 Jul 2010, 12:43 am

In 2014 it all happens in Brazil. No doubt Brazil will start that tournament as favorites. But if they can avoid injuries in the lead up to that tournament, the Germans will look formidable. If I were a gambling man, I'd be looking to place a few bets on Germany to win in 2014 while the odds are still long.

Chad

Which uniform will they pick?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyhDbV9wHo

JerryM · « **Reply #316 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 04:01 am »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 11 Jul 2010, 09:39 pm

Spain's Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring a goal, with the words "Dani Jarque, always with us", written on his undershirt, during the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010

One of the greatest sports tributes ever.

Daniel Jarque was named the Team Captain one month before his death following a pre-season game in Italy this past August. He died of cardiac arrest at the age of 26. He and Inesta were best friends.

Andres Inesta was the only player in the stadium with this written on his undershirt. He scored the only goal.

Here's to Dani Jarque!

chadh · « **Reply #317 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 04:13 am »

Quote from: toxteth ogrady on 13 Jul 2010, 03:38 am

Which uniform will they pick?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSyhDbV9wHo

Fantastic! Thanks.

Chad

werd · « **Reply #318 on:** 13 Jul 2010, 06:05 am »

Canada's next !!!!!!

woodsyi · « **Reply #319 on:** 11 Aug 2010, 06:43 pm »

Didn't we say N. Korean players better play well or else?

Now there are allegations of mistreatment to the players and the coaches. I would predict that the next team going abroad for international match defect en masse.

BTW, watching the finals of the WC in Italy was really fun. I had hoped the Italians would make it to the finals which would have made it real festive in Italy.