2014 World Cup

[NeverFeltBetter]

Flu in the German camp apparently, not saying who is ill and who isnt.

Just some sore throats and mild symptoms says Low. If true it wouldn't be much of a factor, but who knows if Low is being honest.

[geysir]

Germany peddling a sympathy card. You'd have to be some sucker to swallow that one.
Not unlike a big bad wolf dressed up in the clothes of a granny feigning some ailment or another.

[DannyInvincible]

Not if you'd seen photos of him from 'real life'! Nothing wrong like, just rather more in touch with reality than the average judge I reckon...

You missed the gown and wig ones?!

(Phew!) :p

[DannyInvincible]

Flu in the German camp apparently, not saying who is ill and who isnt.

Do they have a French chef or what? Conspiracy!

[Stuttgart88]

Goal Germany. I love how Hummels just ploughed into the French defender's space. He was going to get that ball no matter who was in the way. The defender will be embarrassed when he sees himself offering no physical resistance to Hummel's momentum. He was like a beachball getting carried on a wave.

[Crosby87]

Chaps I found the german drivers license of a german girl and brought it to the german embassy.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Nicely balenced game. Nice header from Hummels, but the French seem to have made a few more proper chances.

[Crosby87]

I must be starting to get world cup fatigue. I just dont care anymore.

[centre mid]

Thought it was a poor enough half, Germany in control.

[pineapple stu]

The way Neil Lennon was looking at Whelan there was a real "What the **** is this guy even talking about?" look

[Stuttgart88]

I must be starting to get world cup fatigue. I just dont care anymore.
Anymore?

[centre mid]

Lot of empty seats, it was the same for Spain v Holland - must not like the European teams. Still, it is a quarter final.

[pineapple stu]

Proper old style World Cup so!

[pineapple stu]

Anyone else waiting for the first manager or sub to spot themselves on the big screen and go from pensive to a big waving grin?

I would love to see that.

[BonnieShels]

The way Neil Lennon was looking at Whelan there was a real "What the **** is this guy even talking about?" look

Whelan's pre-game comments were so full of cliche that I actually had NO idea what he was saying. I recognised the words but in context they meant nothing.

[bennocelt]

For our German lesson early this morning we got to learn the first few bars of the German National Anthem, the french students were a bit nonplussed about it though, ha
I foolishly thought it was Deutschland Uber Alles, but there you go!

[pineapple stu]

I was on student exchange in Berlin in 96 and that came up; I asked my host family if that was the anthem. An awkward silence followed. I asked what the anthem was and they had to look for coins to read it off the edge. They didn't know it off hand. always struck me as strange.

[BonnieShels]

Poor from Schurrle.

[pineapple stu]

Yep. And don't call me Shirley.

Oh, wait...

[pineapple stu]

Neuer is the calmest person ever

[NeverFeltBetter]

I know, right? He saved that like it was nothing, I thought it came off the bar first!

Germans just bossed much of that game. Even when France were dominating possession near the end they looked more likely to score on the counter.

[geysir]

That was one of the best classic defensive displays by Germany out there. The dirty diving c***s do have a bit of class.

[Stuttgart88]

I thought they kept the French at bay almost without breaking sweat. Very disappointed in the French.

[Crosby87]

That match sucked. Do you fine Chaps reckon that Colombia will give the hosts a tough time?

[pineapple stu]

I know, right? He saved that like it was nothing, I thought it came off the bar first!
Same here.

And he completely put to bed any arguments as to whether it's better to catch or punch. An absolute colossus.

[BonnieShels]

He didn't put it to bed. He merely demonstrated that he's terrific at it.

[pineapple stu]

I disagree. If you can catch the ball, it's better than punching. He showed that by calmly catching the ball and immediately ending France's attacks on a number of occasions.

And yes, he is terrific at it.

[BonnieShels]

I disagree. If you can catch the ball, it's better than punching. He showed that by calmly catching the ball and immediately ending France's attacks on a number of occasions.

And yes, he is terrific at it.

Along with his punches, which I actually thought you were referring to. Catching is standard goalkeeping fare. Well, it should be, but his punching was superb too. A couple of times in the last few minutes he ably quelled a French attack by punching clear and relieving pressure rather than catch.

So we agree. He's not a bad 'keeper.

[pineapple stu]

No, there was a bit earlier in the thread about how punching was better than catching because it was less risky. Simply not true, imo. There's absolutely a time for punching, but it you can catch the ball, do it. Too many keepers seem to have lost that skill. Lots of utterly stupid punches so far this tournament.

[Hitman]

Anyone else waiting for the first manager or sub to spot themselves on the big screen and go from pensive to a big waving grin?

I would love to see that.

Close enough?

http://youtu.be/nGAzEPZOuTs

[Crosby87]

The Colombian manager is named Pekerman. We should hire him so he could coach Cox.

[BonnieShels]

What was Sanchez doing? BAWLLS!

[pineapple stu]

Close enough?


It's a damn good start alright; thanks!

Colombian defender on goal kick duty. Never trusted that. Reminds me of my own days as a goalkeeper. Never trusted me either. :)

[Crosby87]

This is over already. Im going to get some Chinese food. I suggest you all do the same. What do you chaps think about Szechuan dishes? Keep in mind I dont eat duck.

[BonnieShels]

Colombia are rattled and in awe of the occasion.

[pineapple stu]

Brazil have not lost a competitive home game since 1975?!

Sweet Jesus. Did I hear that right?

[BonnieShels]

Fernandinho, blessed. Yellow all day.

[BonnieShels]

Brazil have not lost a competitive home game since 1975?!

Sweet Jesus. Did I hear that right?


Apparently so.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2095000-brazil-aiming-to-extend-39-year-home-winning-streak-with-world-cup-title

[BonnieShels]

Cuadrado having a 'mare.

[BonnieShels]

Tension is incredible. I can only imagine what it would be like to be there.

[BonnieShels]

At the risk of talking to myself, does encroachment not count any more?

[pineapple stu]

Not when the foam is there. It's impossible to move beyond it.

Ref could have given out four or five yellows, but hasn't given any. What's been a decent game so far could disintegrate if players think they can get away with more of the tackles we've seen so far.

[BonnieShels]

Not when the foam is there. It's impossible to move beyond it.



But there are players who were not behond the line nearest the camera's touchline who were about a metre away by the time the ball was kicked. Anyway... Some first half.

[gastric]

Ye weird okay, but the Colombians didn't even whinge about it. Can't believe no yellow cards were given out, might have slowed the game down which would have helped the Colombians.

[BonnieShels]

Ye weird okay, but the Colombians didn't even whinge about it. Can't believe no yellow cards were given out, might have slowed the game down which would have helped the Colombians.

Well some of the decisions have been homers.

The tension is amazing. HON COLOMBIA!

[pineapple stu]

But there are players who were not behond the line nearest the camera's touchline who were about a metre away by the time the ball was kicked. Anyway... Some first half.
The foam acts as a magical force field. Like the velvet rope in the Simpsons.

The velvet rope!

(Just in case it wasn't obvious I was being sarcastic!)

[pineapple stu]

Just after seeing there that the Colombian manager was in charge of Argentina's under-20s when they beat us in the World Cup semi final in Malaysia in 1997.

The ref really needs to book someone soon. He's ruining the game.

[BonnieShels]

Ref is taking the proverbials now.

[pineapple stu]

A yellow!

For blocking a goal kick.

Even more ridiculous than what went before. But maybe it'll start a few more yellows. This half has been awful.

[pineapple stu]

James quite rightly pointing out how often he's been fouled with no action.