World Cup

now the little Belgium against the big USA

 

what a beautiful game

 

Indeed a brilliant game by both sides the American keeper was great

 

I can only say respect for both teams, a lot off balls, and indeed the American keeper was great sadly there must be a winner, both deserve it

 

Very nice, indeed. I had hoped for Switzerland to move on, and they did what they could to get into the penalty shooting (I admit, there was not much else they did...), but they missed their chance. The US really held up very well, I had a feeling the public here was underestimating Belgium quite a bit, and they showed that they can play ball - just not score goals if the goalie is as good as Howard But a very entertaining game, and in the end, both Argentina and Belgium, moved on with deserved wins. Now getting some work done for two days, and then it's back to the games. Very interested to see the Germans after the horrible game on Monday. The coach thought the game was o.k. and they won, after all, so he doesn't have to make many changes. His stubbornness may lead to an uprise of the people in Germany as far as I hear from my friends... All 4 Q-final games look interesting, I really look forward to them. Took the week off work, too, so I can watch in piece.

Stefan

 

Ok here we are ready to start the next round quick picks for today a France hangs on over Germany, think the host finally falls, Belgium playing a great game no way Messi alone beats them and as my 11yr old niece whom plays and watches more footie than my the Dutch take this round. What say you guys?

 

Well I was wrong today....

 

Yippiieee!

Stefan

 

Though you might like todays outcome

 

Yep. Just sorry to hear about Neymar, looks like he got broken one of his vertebrae and is out. I would prefer that everybody could let their strongest team play. That Spanish referee today was way too lenient and responsible for the rough going.

Stefan

 

So much excitement. Excellent game between Costa Rica and the Netherlands. On we go. Both semi-finals with a Europe - South America pairing, that is also interesting. And all four teams struggled a bit to make it into the final 4. I think it's totally open from here on.

Stefan

 

They should be interesting games. I'm not even going to venture a guess after how I thought how this round would go.

 

Big day today @apicius9 should be a good match.

 

One of the best games I have ever seen live was Germany vs Brazil in a friendly sometime in the early 1990s. Germany stormed to a 3-0 lead in the first half using their superior discipline, precision and technical ability. Brazil came back the second half and tied it 3-3 using their superior creativity and individual excellence. And I also got to attend a closed practice session for Brazil the evening before. The talent level was incredible. They split into pairs and juggled spaced ~25 yards apart, and every pass and touch was perfect. You don't really get to see the skills that well in the run of a game, so this was really an eye-opener. I knew at that point any dreams I had of turning into a world-class soccer star were pretty much, well, dreams. 2

 

I have to work during today's game - it's at 10am out here - but had hoped to occasionally glance in and let it run in the background. There is a clear difference between Germany and the US: Ignorant people keep trying to set up meetings during the game and I have been trying for days to fend them off. That would never happen in Germany because everyone is either watching or at least aware of it, and it is obvious that there is no work that cannot wait 2-3h while the game is on...

Stefan

 

well that was something to watch

 

I was away from the screen for 10 min and missed 4 goals....

 

Germany did Brazil like surgeons

Like a freight train with no breaks.

 

The USA Germany game should have been a blowout with a crazy score. (Says something about the goalies, yes?!) The Germans came to win it all!

 

Ive enjoyed most of the matches so far, but there is the ever present problem with soccer and it's popularity catching on in America. Too much flopping! Just when I start getting involved in the match, some guy will go down, arms flailing and a look of terror on his face. The replay shows no contact, and after the penalty is awarded, or not, he hops right back up and goes on playing as though nothing happened, because it didn't. To me it's cheating, at the very least degrading to a man who was taught to play through the pain and with honor, in any sport. I hate it that it's becoming more common in basketball, its just pathetic to watch grown men pretend to be hurt to dupe the officials. Anyway, rant over. I guess im pulling for ze Germans to win it, but I really don't care either way.