One step closer to my little pot of cash now

What a display by the Spanish midfield. The German's simply couldn't get the ball off them. Alonso was superb on both ends of the field, firing passes all over the field, and back defending whenever they didn't have possession. Xavi was creating chance after chance for the list of Xabi Alonso and David Villa whilst Iniesta constantly danced his way past the German defence. Pedro has a good second half bar his reluctance to give the ball to Torres who had the goal gaping in front of him. In fact, they were so dominant in this department that Busquets probably wouldn't have been missed had he sat on the sidelines to read the papers.

The first thought that came to mind after the final whistle was the posters that were labelling Spain as one of the most overrated teams after their opening loss to Switzerland. The knee jerkers claimed that the Spanish would choke again. Leads me to believe that these people only read about the results without watching the game. The Spanish dominated that game as they did this one. Then there are some that seem to have watched a different game all together. A poster in the World cup forum thought Alonso had a poor game this morning and that he is Spain's weak link. What???? Forget that there was only 1 goal scored, the fluid passing and movement whenever they went forward was a sight to behold. It was the same kind of performance I saw them dish out when they outplayed the French in their own backyard. The French simply couldn't get the ball of them and it was pretty much the same this morning.

I must admit that like many I was impressed by Germany's results against England and Argentina however like some of my friends, we wondered how they'd stack up against a team that actually had decent midfielders. Yeah, yeah I hear it already. Posters going, "yeah but England have Lampard wor, and Gerrard and...". Exactly. England have a bunch of individualistic primadonas and have never looked a decent side for the past decade. Argentina had no one in midfield bar Mascherano who kept himself busy chopping people down. This was arguably the first time in the tournament the German's came up against a side who could more than match them pound for pound in an area of the field where most battles are won or lost.

The only positive thing I can say about the German's is that Schwensteiger has come a long way since I first saw him predominantly on the right flank. Constantly involved in everything on both ends of the pitch, putting in crunching tackles and driving his way past Spanish defenders. Hmm... if Gerrard leaves for mucho mulah and Schwensteiger is looking for a new challenge...

This post has been edited by Duke Red: Jul 8 2010, 03:22 PM

i should have watch the game last night.. u made it sound so interesting =(

This post has been edited by Davidtcf: Jul 8 2010, 03:45 PM

Well it may not be everyone's cup of tea. I mean some people just want to see goals and that's it but me, I admired how well they kept the ball and moved it about.

I had Holland imploding in my one of my earlier posts, didn't think they'd make it this far. Must admit, them beating Brazil sure boosted confidence, and with GVB looking for a fairy tale ending, makes it look like a dream final for them.

I've also said Spain was impressive, and they still are. Funny thing is in this WC, Holland plays like Germany of the old, while Germany plays like Holland of the old. Germany had no answer to Spain's possession, they couldn't nick the ball off them how hard they tried, and this was the key to the Spaniards win last night. Argentina and England were simply not keeping possession v the Germans, and Klose & Co exploited the slowness of the Argentinian and English midfield and defense. In Spain, they had to contend with the likes of Pedro, Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi, etc and was found wanting when it keeps to nicking the ball off them and keeping it for themselves.

Trochowski was not up to mark as the replacement for Muller, holding up the ball too long as well as taking his time whenever he has the ball. Kroos would be better if not for his illness for the past 2/3 days, perfect replacement for Muller IMO.

I'd be rooting for Holland in the final, if not for GVB's swansong. One of football's Mr Nice Guy, deserving a fitting send off for his career.

I didn't bet on Holland making it this far either because I don't think they have a strong defense. Then again all you have to do to compensate is to score more then your opponent eh?

I'm on the other side of the fence. I've got some money riding on Spain not because they were ranked no.1 at the time but because they play some really neat football and I enjoy watching them. I can't say I'm particularly fond of the Dutch although Dirk Kuyt is in the side. I'm not exactly a fan of the likes of Arjen Robben, Van Persie or Van Bommel. Along with Sneijder, I can't wait to see them go up against Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso and Pedro. I think that Spain have the stronger defense and hence, expect them to win. Whatever happens, I hope it will be a great final.

good news, Paul will predict the final result if he survive attempt on his life and also are not too tired

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...pain-clash.html

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Added on July 8, 2010, 8:36 pmi think they will be rolling on the ground in pain constantly during the game, and van bommel will make on dangerous tackle after another without getting foul

more funny photo of Robben ball










This post has been edited by robertngo: Jul 8 2010, 09:11 PM

well spain can have a 2-0 lead...all thanx to spain num 18# pedro!

if the netherlands lost, they will be the worst team in world cup final history coz it'll be the third time they lost. and no team ever lost 3 world cup final without winning once. for record, germany are the only team lost more than twice in final (in fact - 4 times) but they winning it three times

Howard Webb??? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/ju...world-cup-final

gg.

The Finals will suck hard. A lot of wrong decisions coming.

Netherlands vs Spain
What's the colour of the jersey?
Orange vs Black? or White vs Red?

He and his team had done a great job so far....So, not surprising really.

yes, base on history, they will win it.

Well I've always said that I thought Howard Webb was probably the best ref in the Premiership although he did have a patchy season, where a lot of questionable decisions were made. That being said, he looks like a figure of authority being a police constable and all. Hmm the makings of the next Pierluigi Collina perhaps? The game has been lacking charasmatic and standout referees especially since Anders Frisk also stepped down eh?

Well based on history, a South American or African team should win it but that's no longer a possibility

Holland v Spain - Holland wearing Orange, Spain wearing Navy Blue

Uruguay v Germany - Uruguay wearing Light Blue, Germany wearing Black

too bad spain nt wear the traditional red...

Howard Webb should be carefully judge the final especially the Dutch team, always playacting on the field. But if Spain can keep the possession, then I think the Dutch side will have difficult time to playacting because they will go to chase the ball, so maybe the Spain side can play some playacting.

then uruguay wear white pant and socks ?

Webb is certainly not the best choice but a political one.

1. to 'compensate' England for a poor referee decision - ha!
2. for FIFA to get the opportunity to tell England : see your referee's not that great either?!

Comparison with Collina?! ... the only similarity is the bald head!

he must send off van bommel if that guy continue with his tackles like the last few game