The Official RFF FIFA World Cup 2010 Thread

Tompas said:
I hope he and every Argentinian and every Argentina fan will support Germany now in the next two games! (But I imagine both Paraguay and Spain might be nearer to your heart.)
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As an Argentinean, I think Uruguay is closer to our hearts, being our Rioplatense brothers. However, I believe Germany will win the World Cup...
 
Netherlands v. Uruguay will feature my two heart favorites; Netherlands is my head favorite, too.
Uruguay will be without Suarez, correct? I think Forlan is the man-of-the-cup so far because he has meant more to his team than any other single player has meant to his team.
Forlan will not be enough against the Netherlands, though. The Orange should win that semi.
I think Germany will win the other semi. The midfielders and fullbacks will pick the pockets of Spain's forwards just like they picked the pockets of Messi, Tevez and company.
Orange v. Black in the final ...
 
I am still rooting for the 'guay... but you are correct, Suarez is out. They have a huge mountain to climb against an excellent opponent who is playing at a level only rivaled by that of Germany. Spain has all of the talent in the world, but they just haven't put it all together. They need their A game, and even that may not be enough if Germany brings theirs.

Ok, my most enjoyed sporting events... The first weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, World Cup Soccer, not necessarily in that order.
 
I can't remember if Germany has any guys in yellow-card trouble. I know the Orange do. A card or two in the semi could put the Orange defense or offense out of order. Still, the Orange is my pick to win the cup - finally ...
 
FIFA changed the rules for yellows/suspension for this tournament. If you get a second yellow in a quarter-final then you're banned for your semi-final if your team progresses. Suarez & Mueller are examples. But if you're in a semi on one yellow and you get a yellow in the game you're not banned from the next game.

The rationale is FIFA want the two teams in the final to be at full strength, or so I believe. I assume the rule applies to both winners and losers of the semi-finals, although I don't know that for sure.
 
Having Germany against Holland in the WC Final game would be an awesome match of the giants from the 1970's again. That original match changed how football was played in the world. Attacking reached a new level due to the Dutch mastery of football then. Will we see such a game again this world cup? Maybe such a final game will help the EURO to bounce back? Europe will be King again.
 
That would be a great match-up. I first got really interested in the World Cup in 1998. I have been a fan of the Dutch since then because of the slashing attack ...
 
Both teams have very high physical fitness, and both are on the attack. They are also neighboring countires.
 
Argentina-Germany

Argentina-Germany

M8 1932 Elmar 3.5/35 wide open



Congratulations Germany! We'll meet you in the final next Sunday:D....
 
Well, it looks like Germany is unbeatable in current form, but we all remember Greece becoming the Euro Cup winner... It's football...
 
I'm rooting for Uruguay to win the World Cup. Here's a tiny country of just 3½ million people and they're in the semi-finals. They are technically good, have hard men at the back ;) a quality midfield and forwards who can break. They're well coached and organized, and they're lucky.

I like Diego Forlan enormously, he spent two years at my club and was treated badly by the coach who is very limited in some ways. He's been incredibly gracious about these lost two years and to his credit has flourished in Spain where they play his kind of football; they can actually pass the ball accurately and think about the game too.

They'll miss Suarez, but if they can get past Holland (a big if) who knows? This is a one-off cup competition and anything can happen! :)
 
Vic said:
On current form, it looks as if it might be:

Holland 5 - Uruguay 0
Germany 7 - Spain 0

Very lopsided semifinals.
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I'm Dutch and can assure you we do NOT underestimate Uruguay. From what I've seen they play a very nice game of football. They'll miss Suarez more than simply for his mastery play. Playing for Ajax, Amsterdam he knows the Dutch very well. It's a pity he can't play along.
 
Some friends of mine have a cat. When it is hot he comes in and flops on the cool tiled kitchen floor. When the children saw this yesterday, the older one said 'Look ! He's doing a Suarez!' . . .

As I haven't seen the relevant games I'm not sure if the cat deserves the new nickname ??

;)
 
This has been the most enjoyable World Cup of my memory, even with the often-lousy officiating. So many good match-ups and varying styles of play. As an adult convert to the game (I grew up watching only the American sports trinity of Baseball, American football and Basketball) I have finally figured out that, unlike the highlight-friendly nature of the dominant American sports, Football really rewards your undivided attention. The highlights of Germany v. Argentina, to name one example, tell you nothing if you didn't see how patiently and methodically Germany picked Argentina apart as the game went on.

As an American, I'm not sure I'll ever completely understand the point of the "offsides" rule; it seems to punish initiative, and that runs counter to our culture. It is thoroughly enjoyable to watch a half of play without commercial interruption, though. And unlike, say, the NFL or the NBA with their endless time-outs and coaching interference, it's wonderful that once a football game starts, the players are free to play the game. Lovely. I do think it's an accurate and not culture-dependent observation to note that the officiating in the major American sports is so much better than what we've seen in this World Cup, though. FIFA really needs to do something about this, and some sort of instant replay wouldn't hurt, either.

I was sorry to see the American team go out, but there was no shame in losing to Ghana. They were so fun to watch. Germany seems the clear favorite now with their combination of disciplined defense, brilliant counter attacks and athleticism. But what do I know, I thought Brazil would win it all just a few days ago. :p
 
Thanks, Peter! Besides being an excellent player, Forlan is a very nice human being.

Given that this World Cup is full of surprises, it does not feel so bad to be the official underdogs! In any case, if we lose it won't hurt too much. As you say, anything can happen.

I will have the camera ready again next Tuesday.
 
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