FIFA World Cup 2014

[ToolJoe]

   Both teams played their butts off yesterday.

[Top-Gear-24]

   Both teams played their butts off yesterday.

Indeed, and although it was a tough fight, it was a fair one, and no serious fouls were committed. 

I loved how the coaches were talking to each other during the second half, lots of respect between those two.  Also the reaction from De Bruyne when he accidentally kicked the ball into the face of Jones ..., both Team USA and Team Belgium showed soccer at its best, just my humble opinion of course  .

[kkokkolis]

Next round. I would like to see France vs Colombia and Holland vs Argentina in semifinals and Holand beating France in the final but I am neutral now. Colombia deserves to beat Brasil 20 years after Escombar's self goal and murder. France was denied a World Cup twice when it was the best team, 1984 with Platini and 2006 with Zidane. Holland three times,  1974, 1978 & 2010. Argentina might be a mess or a Messi. It is difficult for Colombia, Costa Rica or Belgium to make a break to the final but if they have the grit to do it I will be happy for them. I support Germany only against England but they are always among the best teams and I admire that. I just don't like their style after KH Rumeninge left the team. But they are always capable of a title.

[bmot]

I'd like to see Belgium Vs. The Netherlands in the half finals

[kkokkolis]

Hey, that's a cheat. Flemmish vs Flemmish, Flemmish will definitely win!

[RT1969]

The german slogan today:
On ne passe pas!

 

[Sweety-Sama]

The whole day I didn't thought Germany would win. After that early goal I gathered hope! Go, Germany go!!


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Using a future communicator stolen from the NCC-1701

[Etherealicer]

I'd like to see Belgium Vs. The Netherlands in the half finals

+1
It could happen, Belgium played very well...

[CanadianLMfan]

The whole day I didn't thought Germany would win. After that early goal I gathered hope! Go, Germany go!!


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Using a future communicator stolen from the NCC-1701

I thought Germany would win.

[Billy Ruffian]

I support Germany only against England but they are always among the best teams and I admire that. I just don't like their style after KH Rumeninge left the team. But they are always capable of a title.
[/quote]

I may regret asking this kkokkolis, but really I'm intrigued, what's behind that sentiment? You can't still be sore about that Beckham free kick at Old Trafford in, like, 2001 or whenever it was?!

Anyway, congratulations to Germany, you've got to say they have a great chance of winning it now.

[CanadianLMfan]

I want Costa Rica to beat the Netherlands.

[jerseydevil]

I live in a town with a large Colombian population.  You can see the restaurants and bars filling up right now in the center of town as the game is coming on in a few.  I'll have it on as well.  Don't care really who wins, but there's nothing else much sportswise on right now.  The Mets suck and hockey doesn't start for another 97 days......

[kkokkolis]

I support Germany only against England but they are always among the best teams and I admire that. I just don't like their style after KH Rumeninge left the team. But they are always capable of a title.

I may regret asking this kkokkolis, but really I'm intrigued, what's behind that sentiment? You can't still be sore about that Beckham free kick at Old Trafford in, like, 2001 or whenever it was?!

Anyway, congratulations to Germany, you've got to say they have a great chance of winning it now.
[/quote]
I just find football played north of France boring, however effective it may be. With the exception of Holland's ofcourse. Please, don't let me be misunderstood. Greek football is among the most boring in the universe and Germany has a south too, Bayern Munchen mainly. Nevertheless, South America, Italy, Spain, Portugal and France are the football schools I enjoy the most. Holland offered the total football in the world and many great Dutch players played in Italy and Spain, so they are a mix of northen and southern styles. Dutch have always been cosmopolites.
England and Germany have very strong and rich local leagues and most good local players play in their respective countries. Maybe it is just that.
I liked the traditional British football, that with the tall and powerfull center that scored headers, the style Aston Villa used to win their European Cup. But after Liverpool of Keegan Rush and Daglish it became obsolete I think. Later, teams like Arsenal were based mostly on players from France and southern Europe. English excel in club level but they are mediocre in national team level, according to titles. Many great British players were not English anyway.
Rumeninge (I spell it wrong I think) was something different, as was Novitski in basketball.
From time to time teams from Hungary, Polland, Chechia, Russia, Sweden and Denmark played interesting or amazing football but they didn't last for that long. Southern teams, clubs and narionals, are always competitive.
Maybe I shouldn't use the north and south division, it is mainly german or slavic and latin speaking countries more correctly.
Just personal preferences.
Bottom line, it is a personal preference.

[Top-Gear-24]

I'd like to see Belgium Vs. The Netherlands in the half finals

You and me both my friend  .

Hey, that's a cheat. Flemmish vs Flemmish, Flemmish will definitely win!

Although we both speak dutch, Belgium vs the Netherlands always makes for an intense game .

Both teams will have to get in the semi finals first of course ... 

Belgium vs Argentina will be a walk in the park for us, but I fear for the Netherlands vs Costa Rica ...

 

Show content

I hope everybody here knows sarcasm when they read it  .

[Billy Ruffian]

Well, you make some fair points kk. This is a thread about the World Cup, not the failings of the England team, but as a last word I would agree that they are a team looking for an identity. Spain - we know how they play. Italy - I can tell you how they will set up. And yes Greece - for better or worse, they have a plan and they stick to it. But England change like the wind and always seem to be trying to copy whatever style or shape or team was successful a couple of years before. England need to come up with one formula of their own and stick to it.

So...who do you fancy to go through, Brazil or Columbia?

[kkokkolis]

Brazil is 2-0, so...

[Sweety-Sama]

this will be drama...


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Using a future communicator stolen from the NCC-1701

[Whoey]

Neymar out with a back injury, Silva carded... might be tough for them to survive the next round now.

[kkokkolis]

Colombians played quite cruelly the last 20' or so. Silva is out too, Germans have a chance. We might get a 1974 Holland-Germany revenge eventually. Or Argentina-Germany 1986 and 1990 remake. Or a Brazil-Argentina war. In America usually a South American team wins.
But Holland, after the Spanish revenge, has the chance to beat also Argentina and Germany in the same tournament, the three teams that beat them in WC finals. I find it fascinating.

[RT1969]

I was not impressed with the referee's decisions - in both games yesterday.
I am not sure if a stricter ruling would have prevented this serious injury but to give two highly motivated teams free reign in one of the most important games does change the tactics. There is a reason why a American Football quarterback will play with guards, something not usually done in Association Football.

With the PC discussion out of the way:
  We are in the semi finals! And against a weakend opponent! Couldn't have been better for Die deutsche Elf! 

[Sweety-Sama]

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Using a future communicator stolen from the NCC-1701

[bmot]

Colombians played quite cruelly the last 20' or so. Silva is out too, Germans have a chance. We might get a 1974 Holland-Germany revenge eventually. Or Argentina-Germany 1986 and 1990 remake. Or a Brazil-Argentina war. In America usually a South American team wins.
But Holland, after the Spanish revenge, has the chance to beat also Argentina and Germany in the same tournament, the three teams that beat them in WC finals. I find it fascinating.

  You're forgetting all about Belgium 

[archerwin]

Neymar being injured is cruel for Brazil! Just a few minutes left and it was not even a critical ball possession.

[kkokkolis]

Colombians played quite cruelly the last 20' or so. Silva is out too, Germans have a chance. We might get a 1974 Holland-Germany revenge eventually. Or Argentina-Germany 1986 and 1990 remake. Or a Brazil-Argentina war. In America usually a South American team wins.
But Holland, after the Spanish revenge, has the chance to beat also Argentina and Germany in the same tournament, the three teams that beat them in WC finals. I find it fascinating.

  You're forgetting all about Belgium 

Belgium doesn't have a WC final history (yet). Good luck to Belgium nevertheless.

[enki_ck]

That was fast.

[styx]

still a chance for belgium to even it out

[enki_ck]

still a chance for belgium to even it out

Not the way they are playing. They get lost when they come in front of the Argentinian goal. No idea what to do next. Hope Wilmots finds a solution in the break.

[Top-Gear-24]

Not a nice game to watch, neither team played a good game in my opinion. 

Guess we'll have to go Orange instead of Red from now on  .

[Billy Ruffian]

That Belgium game was strange to watch, for a neutral. It reminded me very much of the France game, I just the feeling of, it's a WC quarter final, you may never be involved in another, WHY AREN'T THEY GOING FOR IT?

[Billy Ruffian]

I also thought Holland would run away with this one, what do I know?