2010 World Cup Part 3

[toscano]

A couple things:

1. There are too many situations where it's advantageous for a player to commit a foul but where a red would be inappropriate; it has to be disincentivized somehow.

2. You have to understand that soccer was meant to be played over a long season (38 games, home and away in a 20-team league in England, Spain and Italy). Suspending a player for yellow card accumulation makes perfect sense there. Similarly, you can assume that bad penalties/red cards/offside decisions/etc. come out in the wash over the course of a season. Soccer is really poorly suited to single-elimination tournaments, which is what makes the World Cup so exciting and so maddening at the same time. I'm not sure you really want to come up with radically new rules specifically for a playoff setting (well, other than PKs, which I think are the worst way to resolve a tie in a playoff match, except for all the others).

Spain also had 2 of their, arguably, best players out due to not being fully fit/match ready after serious injuries from their club season in Fabregas and Torres.

They have a lot of talent AND depth.

 

[toscano]

So, what's to look forward to ?

2 of the dirtiest teams in the tournament.

Holland : "Bonecrusher" Van Bommel and diver Robben

Spain : David Villa, Pedro, Capdevila and a host of other play-actors and divers.

Spain's boring narrow aimless possession of ticky tack square passing will meet it's match in Van Bommel et al who will break up all attempts and you can be sure Puyol won't win the air battle against those guys.

Most important man of the match ? Referee.

 

[U2girl]

Well done Spain, you were the better team. Rooting for Holland in the finals.

Definitely hoping Germany can now get the bronze medal...they deserved to be in the top 3 for their games.

 

[Vlad n U 2]

Lets see if the octopus will be correct for the playoff and the final.

 

[last unicorn]

It's good to see the better team winning, so congrats, Spain

I was disappointed in Germany, but also a little sad for them. On the other hand, they were not good enough, I have no idea what kind of "tactic" their game was supposed to be, but it didn't work out. Spain was dominating the game beginning to end. I'm surprised they only scored 1 goal, there were so many opportunities.

I'm very delighted that Spain is in the final, since it's a first for them. Also, the Netherlands are in a world cup final for the first time, so it will be a good game and there will be a fresh world champion, no matter what team will win. Looking forward to the game on Sunday

 

[Purplereign]

4 more sleeps

 

[Miringeltje]

Also, the Netherlands are in a world cup final for the first time

3rd time in the final.
Lost 2 times before ('74 and '78)

Whoever wins, will indeed be a first time world champion.

 

[last unicorn]

3rd time in the final.
Lost 2 times before ('74 and '78)

Whoever wins, will indeed be a first time world champion.

Really?

Our tv commentator kept repeating yesterday that Spain as well as the Netherlands have never been in a WC final.

 

[mad1]

I think Spain will win.

I was a little shocked to hear Germany didnt make it BUT in the end we all kinda know just how great they played, they have good energetic tactic.

 

[Galeongirl]

Lol. Holland have Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben on their side, you know.

Van Persie hasn't gotten a proper chance this tournament yet. I would swap him for Huntelaar. Robben is awesome, just that. And maybe he ruined one action vs Uruguay cause he wanted to go for himself, but still, he did plenty of teamwork.

 

[Galeongirl]

Really?

Our tv commentator kept repeating yesterday that Spain as well as the Netherlands have never been in a WC final.

He must be very young then.
We lost the final in '74 vs west Germany, and the final in '78 vs Argentina. We've never won a final, but have been in two(now three).


Is that octopus pic a photoshop or real? Nevermind, I heard Paul will speak saturday on the finals.

 

[Popmartijn]

And maybe he ruined one action vs Uruguay cause he wanted to go for himself, but still, he did plenty of teamwork.

The same can be said of Van Persie. He hasn't scored much this tournament, but he has been important in allowing others to score (see also his movement in the Slovakia game which enabled Robben to score).

 

[Miringeltje]

He must be very young then.
We lost the final in '74 vs west Germany, and the final in '78 vs Argentina. We've never won a final, but have been in two(now three).

Really hope the 3rd time is the charm!

Is that octopus pic a photoshop or real?

Which is why I -ed

Is that octopus pic a photoshop or real? Nevermind, I heard Paul will speak saturday on the finals.

Hahaha! A real psychic octopus already knows. Why wait till Saturday?

 

[coolian2]

if netherlands lose, there will only have been one undefeated side this world cup. lmao.

 

[DrTeeth]

The same can be said of Van Persie. He hasn't scored much this tournament, but he has been important in allowing others to score (see also his movement in the Slovakia game which enabled Robben to score).

Absolutely, even though it's disappointing he hasn't scored, he's proven himself very valuable in confusing the defense and giving assists. He's a force to be reckoned with so he often ties up two defenders.

Besides, if he scores the winning goal this sunday he'll be the man of the tournament.

 

[speedracer]

Van Persie hasn't gotten a proper chance this tournament yet. I would swap him for Huntelaar. Robben is awesome, just that. And maybe he ruined one action vs Uruguay cause he wanted to go for himself, but still, he did plenty of teamwork.

That wasn't the point, the point was that Robben and RvP's douchebaggery (van Bommel too) easily matches that of any Spain player.

 

[DrTeeth]

Well I certainly have to admit I'm not a big fan of Robben because of his dives and especially that annoying face he pulls when things don't go his way.

Besides, he comes from the same village as a girl that once rejected me so fuck him.

I like Van Bommel, he comes in a bit rough at times but you see that from most players in his position. And this is not a game for little girls anyway.

Spain can be beat. They are good when they control the midfield but run out of ideas very quickly if you disturb their game. Besides, their strikers have had problems finding the net. Only one goal against Germany from a dozen or so chances.

 

[A stor]

He must be very young then.
We lost the final in '74 vs west Germany, and the final in '78 vs Argentina. We've never won a final, but have been in two(now three).


Is that octopus pic a photoshop or real? Nevermind, I heard Paul will speak saturday on the finals.

That's what I heard too,...Spain has never been in the finals. The Netherlands, twice.

I wonder who Paul will choose?

 

[Galeongirl]

That wasn't the point, the point was that Robben and RvP's douchebaggery (van Bommel too) easily matches that of any Spain player.

It was exactly the point, as their possible douchebaggery is in no way a match of the constant display of huge egos of the Spain players.

 

[U2@NYC]

I think Paul can only predict matches where Germany plays so I am afraid he will not be predicting the final...

But regardless...

 

[Galeongirl]

 

[Drea]

I wonder who Paul will choose?

That's if he survives I heard on Twitter that some Germans are calling for him to be publicly grilled...

 

[Vincent Vega]

Oh the team was totally outmatched. First I thought they just needed a little to get into the game. But then the minutes passed and they didn't get better. Then a goal after a corner kick through a header. So again it was Spain. Now playing for third place Saturday.

I also like the fact though that now no matter what a team will claim the title that never has done so before. I think both played well enough to deserve it. Sure, not always perfect, but still at a level that was well above most of the other teams.
And if the Netherlands win I'll win my little sweepstake.

 

[U2girl]

I think Spain will win.

I was a little shocked to hear Germany didnt make it BUT in the end we all kinda know just how great they played, they have good energetic tactic.

Can't wait to see them in the next Euro, with Ballack (if he will still play by then) or next World Cup or two, with some more experience...

 

[Salome]

So, what's to look forward to ?

2 of the dirtiest teams in the tournament.

Holland : "Bonecrusher" Van Bommel and diver Robben

Spain : David Villa, Pedro, Capdevila and a host of other play-actors and divers.

I thought Van Bommel has been pretty decent this tournament
well, he has actually been excellent and a major factor in The Netherlands making the finals, but also relatively calm
then again, he never was a psycho warrior like Materazzi

The Netherlands haven't hit any real form in this tournament
but excellence in attack makes up for it

Spain play the best, and by a landslide, football when in possession of the ball of any team in this tournament
they hardly create great chances and even fewer goals though

since Spain seems to be unable to score more than once and The Netherlands unable to score less than twice I vote orange

 

[nielsgov]

If Spain plays like yesterday in the final Holland doesn't have achance but anything can happen in final.

Paul the Octopus is the man organism of the tournament.

 

[Purplereign]

Referee system to change for next Cup, says Fifa | Stuff.co.nz

interesting

and ditto - Spain holding possession of the ball will be their key . . . I still can't decide who I'll be cheering for yet . . . mebbe I'll wait for the giant cephalapod to make up his pretty little mind and then head the opposite way . . . just because

either ways it should be a cracking game and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they all behave and keep the theatrics and fouls to a minimum


oh and GG . . . lovely find . . . *rightclicksave*

 

[Salome]

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they all behave and keep the theatrics and fouls to a minimum

to be completely honest, that's what disappointed me most about Germany yesterday
not that I wanted big, nasty fouls
but Germany should have made the game a lot more physical on the midfield (some fouls included) when they found out Spain just overclassed them there
it almost felt like Germany didnt realise it was a World Cup semi final

 

[purpleoscar]

Referee system to change for next Cup, says Fifa | Stuff.co.nz

This is great news

 

[Purplereign]

it almost felt like Germany didnt realise it was a World Cup semi final

I was suprised at how underwhelming Germany seemed to be yesterday - maybe a combination of hype, but I actually think it speaks more of the amazing game Spain played . . . just exerting quiet control and playing steady, committed football . . .

This is great news

well if it's actually implemented it will be all kinds of good