2014 World Cup

[BonnieShels]

Just look at the Swiss keeper as well, one of the worst at it. He couldnt catch a ball to save his life!

But that's cos he doesn't play for Basel... we all know they are the true holders of the beautiful game's candle.

Also, waiting on this game today has been interminable.

[BonnieShels]

I want whoever wins this match tonight to win the World Cup. I would like the Dutch to win based on the tournament overall.

But given the quality of the games down the years, I honestly don't think I have been as giddy before a semi-final in a long time.

Watch it be a twitchy nil-nil.

Also on last night's debacle, I think there's going to be a super pressure on Germany now... which is something they haven't coped with over the last few years. Euro 2012 anyone? Like Mayo last year v Tyrone... I have a feeling their load has been spunked.

A Dutch-Deutsch final will be a nasty affair. Lets' hope it happens.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Based on the past, Germany/Argentina has just as much chance of being a scrappy affair.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Lavezzi making some beautiful runs for Argentina.

[Stuttgart88]

Based on the past, Germany/Argentina has just as much chance of being a scrappy affair.

Like the 3-2 final in Mexico? :)

[Stuttgart88]

Does the WC ever get won by a consistently impressive team? Isn't it more normal for a winning team to hang on in and then play well in the last week or so?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Mascherano and Kuyt pretty impressive. Sneijder and Messi have had their moments. Robben and Van Persie have been extremely quiet. Argentina shading it in terms of threat but both teams very organised.

Enzo Perez has been pretty good since considering he began the tournament very much a squad player.

Amazing how much Argentina have chopped and changed and yet remained consistent in their approach. 5 at the back no more and no sign of Campagnaro, Maxi Rodriguez and Aguero since the early stages.

You question whether V. Persie has the stomach for this fight. Huntelaar would be a strong deputy off the bench.

[BonnieShels]

Does the WC ever get won by a consistently impressive team? Isn't it more normal for a winning team to hang on in and then play well in the last week or so?

2006 is the only that I recall that was won impressively and even that was down to dodgy refereeing in the Oz match and it was penalties in the end.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I dunno, I think Spain in 2010 got off to a bad start in their first game and then played to a high enough level for the rest of the tournament. Kind of the same for Brazil in 02 and France in 98. I think most winners have at least one unexpectedly difficult game at some point (Brazil/Turkey in 2002 springs to mind as an example) and Germany/Algeria could be that game this year, or Netherlands/Costa Rica or Argentina/everyone.

Seems like both teams just spent a half feeling each other out and probing for weaknesses. Argentina doing far better than I expected at the back, Robben and RVP have gotten zip to work with.

[Stuttgart88]

Agree with all 3 posts above.

I think this is a very tactical affair so far, enjoyable in its own way but such a far cry from that (for me) life changing night in 1978. That contrast of colours, the paper, the crowd, Mario Kempes. One of the best nights of my whole childhood.

[gastric]

Messi to score a beauty, Argentina to win 1-0.

[BonnieShels]

I dunno, I think Spain in 2010 got off to a bad start in their first game and then played to a high enough level for the rest of the tournament. Kind of the same for Brazil in 02 and France in 98. I think most winners have at least one unexpectedly difficult game at some point (Brazil/Turkey in 2002 springs to mind as an example) and Germany/Algeria could be that game this year, or Netherlands/Costa Rica or Argentina/everyone.

Spain had enough dodgy games in 2010 let's be honest. Paraguay and Portugal could've beaten them.



Seems like both teams just spent a half feeling each other out and probing for weaknesses. Argentina doing far better than I expected at the back, Robben and RVP have gotten zip to work with.

Agree with all 3 posts above.

I think this is a very tactical affair so far, enjoyable in its own way but such a far cry from that (for me) life changing night in 1978. That contrast of colours, the paper, the crowd, Mario Kempes. One of the best nights of my whole childhood.


I love games like this. Tough taut affairs with real sense of weight and strength. This is pure football for me.

[Stuttgart88]

That's a proper tackle by Vlaar

[NeverFeltBetter]

The Dutch defence has gotten some flak in this tournament, but Vlaar's been one of the tournaments best defenders in my opinion. Just stopped an onrushing Messi dead in his tracks.

This looks like an enthralling stalemate to me. I think it'll be a PSO, and it'll be the Dutch again, Krul or no Krul.

[BonnieShels]

Janmaat on Higuain was great there too. Both defences have been excellent.

[pineapple stu]

Did Trevor Steven just say "you could get penised for that"?

Merging penalised and punished.

I can't share others' enthusiasm for this game. It's awful. That pass from Blind was spectacularly inept. I'm liking that the crowds haven't been slow to get on the teams' backs when the games have been bad.

[BonnieShels]

Did Trevor Steven just say "you could get penised for that"?

Merging penalised and punished.

I can't share others' enthusiasm for this game. It's awful. That pass from Blind was spectacularly inept. I'm liking that the crowds haven't been slow to get on the teams' backs when the games have been bad.


I think you're all World Cup'd out.

[pineapple stu]

At best, I'm spoilt from last night.

At worst, I'm right and this is drivel.

And as another free goes aimlessly wide, I get more to leaning towards the "drivel" side.

Can't see either side doing much against Germany

[gastric]

I'm with you Pineapple. The dog sh#t all throughout the house, and I have half cleaned it up, might just do and finish it now!

[pineapple stu]

I'm reading a Dan Brown book while keeping a quarter of an eye on the game.

And it's one of his worst books. That's how bad this game is.

[bennocelt]

Spain had enough dodgy games in 2010 let's be honest. Paraguay and Portugal could've beaten them.





I love games like this. Tough taut affairs with real sense of weight and strength. This is pure football for me.

Really, this is pure muck to me:o

[NeverFeltBetter]

I suppose its lacking in chances, let alone goals, but I like watching these two sides try and break the other down. Maybe the tension is making up for lack of entertainment in other areas.

[BonnieShels]

Kuyt is having a stormer.

[gastric]

Surprised Robben didn't dive in the box.

[Stuttgart88]

Wonderful tackle by Mascherano. Keeper had gone the other way.

[Stuttgart88]

Kuyt is having a stormer.he's flying alright.

[gastric]

Just like 78 Stutts, extra time. The Argies look tired, the Dutch seem stronger. Hopefully, it opens up now.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Mascherano and Kuyt have been outstanding today. Vlaar and Demichelis have been rocks at the back. Van Persie has been the quietest player on the pitch and is clearly not close to fully fit.

Both defences becoming gradually more brittle as we reach the end stages but I'd say Germany will have a much harder task breaking either of these teams down.

Galling lack of goalmouth action but I don't think either team will be on the receiving end of a hammering on Sunday. Should be an intriguing final.

[BonnieShels]

Really, this is pure muck to me:o


Second half has been rather error prone. Can see the Dutch shading this now. Having more joy against the Argies in the last few minutes.

Messi pretty anonymous for the last 15 there.

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe it's because I was a keeper but low scoring games, even no scoring games, can be good games. I used to love playing in one of these. You couldn't give a hoot whether it had any aesthetic quality. I think this is still fascinating, though that pair of overhit frees from two excellent players certainly gives credibility to the "it's rubbish" faction!

[BonnieShels]

Mascherano and Kuyt have been outstanding today. Vlaar and Demichelis have been rocks at the back. Van Persie has been the quietest player on the pitch and is clearly not close to fully fit.

Both defences becoming gradually more brittle as we reach the end stages but I'd say Germany will have a much harder task breaking either of these teams down.

Galling lack of goalmouth action but I don't think either team will be on the receiving end of a hammering on Sunday. Should be an intriguing final.

I agree with most of what you said.

I don't think Germany are gonna hammer either of these. I'd fancy the Dutch against Germany if I'm honest.

[bennocelt]

Not due to the lack of goals, but lack of creativity. Kuyt is doing the job of 2/3 players in his position, I am a little disappointed with the Dutch today tbh, they should be way more attack minded.

[pineapple stu]

that pair of overhit frees from two excellent players certainly gives credibility to the "it's rubbish" faction!

It's not just those two frees though. Kuyt and Sneijder with two awful crosses in the last two minutes for example.

The two defences have been excellent, the two midfields have been invisible and the two attacks have been inept.

Only difference between the two is that Cillessen is holding everything while Romero is tending to punch needlessly. :)

[Stuttgart88]

Mascherano and Kuyt have been outstanding today. Vlaar and Demichelis have been rocks at the back. Van Persie has been the quietest player on the pitch and is clearly not close to fully fit.

Both defences becoming gradually more brittle as we reach the end stages but I'd say Germany will have a much harder task breaking either of these teams down.

Galling lack of goalmouth action but I don't think either team will be on the receiving end of a hammering on Sunday. Should be an intriguing final.

For anyone complaining about the wow factor, just imagine one of these teams was your country.

The four players you mention have been great. I think most recognise that Demicjelis turned a corner during the season but Vlaar looks a different player.

[bennocelt]

For anyone complaining about the wow factor, just imagine one of these teams was your country.

The four players you mention have been great. I think most recognise that Demicjelis turned a corner during the season but Vlaar looks a different player.

Yeah but Ireland dont go on about total football every ten minutes.

Who is hoping for penos, and an important substitution with a minute to go!

[gastric]

Robben's whinging annoys me so much.

[pineapple stu]

For anyone complaining about the wow factor, just imagine one of these teams was your country.
No problem with that. But this is basically Ireland v Egypt in a World Cup semi. Up there with Nigeria v Iran and Japan v Greece as the worst game in the tournament. Such a disappointment given the great players on the pitch

[BonnieShels]

Robben's whinging annoys me so much.
He's lost a man twice after whinging.

The other thing is if he wasn't so bloody selfish this game would be over.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah but Ireland dont go on about total football every ten minutes.

Who is hoping for penos, and an important substitution with a minute to go!
All six subs are on I think. Certainly three for Holland

[BonnieShels]

No problem with that. But this is basically Ireland v Egypt in a World Cup semi. Up there with Nigeria v Iran and Japan v Greece as the worst game in the tournament. Such a disappointment given the great players on the pitch

Nothing will ever come close to that.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Looks like ARG are gonna finish with ten...

[bennocelt]

All six subs are on I think. Certainly three for Holland

oh yeah see ur right, ok ha

[NeverFeltBetter]

What a chance that was.

[DannyInvincible]

Cillessen has never saved a penalty in his life, according to ITV.

[BonnieShels]

Robben's whinging annoys me so much.


He's lost a man twice after whinging.

The other thing is if he wasn't so bloody selfish this game would be over.


There was another two opportunities where he managed to go alone instead of passing wide.

Ass!!!!

[pineapple stu]

Awful penalty to start. How apt

[BonnieShels]

Cillessan has never saved a penalty in his life, according to ITV.

And Krul was 2/20 in the EPL.

Meh.

[pineapple stu]

Great save. This looks all over

[pineapple stu]

Liking that line from George! "The awful realisation has dawned that it's all down to Dirk Kuyt"

[gastric]

Dutch deserved that after Krul's behaviour in the quarter finals!