Football: World Cup 2014

Lets see what happens today in the Netherlands-Argentina game.
I am liking the idea of a Germany-Netherlands final. Its a rematch of the 1974 classic Beckenbauer-Muller-Netzer vs Johan Cruyff.

Those were the all time greatest teams in their time. These could be the greatest in this time.

That means there would be a Brazil-Argentina grudge match for 3rd place.
 
Argentina v Germany will be the final.

I just have a feeling Messi is going to pull the strings and the Netherlands' lady luck will disappear into the humid night... Van Persie also might not start, which won't help.
 
sunsoul said:
Argentina v Germany will be the final.

I just have a feeling Messi is going to pull the strings
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Somehow relying on their superstars is not always a good strategy. I remember how Germany destroyed them in 2010; Argentinians had even more stars that year and they were lucky result was not 6-0.
 
Smejmoon said:
Somehow relying on their superstars is not always a good strategy. I remember how Germany destroyed them in 2010; Argentinians had even more stars that year and they were lucky result was not 6-0.
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Agreed. Two humiliations in series would actually be a bad thing for football. Netherlands players can take defeat very well. They have a chance to tie Germany's record for most defeats in the World Cup Final at 4 apiece.

Now if Robben can pass the ball to someone who can actually put it in..aka not RVP...

RVP was as bad on attack as Brazil was on defense. Incredible was how many chances he missed against Costa Rica - most World Cup teams did not have that many chances in an entire game.
 
I wouldn't say Argentina rely on Messi, but he is better to have in the team than not! He has also bagged four goals and some assists, and World Cups are made for stars like him..

Whoever plays Germany is going to have to fight the odds as the Germans are in form, and have the extra day of rest. They also probably rotate more players than any other squad: Klose started against Brazil for the first time, and Mertesacker was rotated out against France.... What other teams would start a 36-year-old up front and replace their starting centre-back? (Look what happened when Brazil lost Thiago Silva...)

Should be a good game tonight!
 
I would say 2-1 or 3-1 to Germany, the former being more likely. Messi hasn't come alight in the knockout stages, and the Argentinian strikers are not so good. I think that Germany have better players in all areas of the pitch, and are clinical in front of goal..

I don't think the final will go to extra time.
 
bailar y tocar said:
Now the question in the Finals: Who are Brazilian fans to root for in the final ?

Argentina is the archrival and Germany caused the greatest humiliation in recent history.
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The answer:
Unscientific street poll on NPR "All Things Considered" in Rio de Janeiro:

Majority of Brazilians will root for Germany in the World Cup final in spite of the 1:7 humiliation. Their rationale: if archrival Argentina wins the cup on Brazilian soil, they will never hear the end of it from everyone from Argentina. Germany, on the other hand is far away.
 
World Cup Titbits 1

In 2009, England played Germany in the U21 Euros knockout stage. The final score was 4-0 to Germany.

How many players made it to the starting line-up in this World Cup?

England: Hart (who didn't play that day), and Milner who made this World Cup squad but not the starting eleven.

Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Khedira and Ozil.
 
sunsoul said:
World Cup Titbits 1

In 2009, England played Germany in the U21 Euros knockout stage. The final score was 4-0 to Germany.

How many players made it to the starting line-up in this World Cup?

England: Hart (who didn't play that day), and Milner who made this World Cup squad but not the starting eleven.

Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Khedira and Ozil.
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Add Benedict Howedes for Germany and Fabian Johnson who played for USA (he could do that because dual nationals can switch after U21). There were 5 US-German dual nationals on the US team. I don't know if any of the others were on the German U21 roster.
 
If histort is any guide, it will be Argentina.

Since the first world cup was held in 1930, an European team has never won when the cup was held in the Americas, and vice versa. It's an incredible curse.
 
Ron Obvious said:
It's an incredible curse.
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I see your curse and raise it one German beer. Did not see the discipline and creativity in Argentina's game that will be necessary. Netherlands neutralized their attack and I think Germans are better.

I will bet a German beer, for every goal that Argentina scores. :)
 
Ron Obvious said:
If histort is any guide, it will be Argentina.

Since the first world cup was held in 1930, an European team has never won when the cup was held in the Americas, and vice versa. It's an incredible curse.
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History for what its worth.
The above is true...but Argentina playing in Brazil is like playing in enemy territory.

Btw, watch for the German midfield pass triangle with 4 (!) players. NL's Kuyt got caught every time on the left side because no one else from NL came up to help him open up a passing lane. Robben figured it out towards the end of the 2nd half but it was too late by then. Watch the guys that no one notices: Howedes and Kroos create the lane for Ozil and Mueller.

Btw2; a bottle of Malbec for every German goal ? hmmm... you do realize that Brazilian fans want Germany to destroy Argentina at least as badly as they were humiliated - By the Brazilian calculation, 4 German goals would be equivalent to the 7 they collected as Argentina are at full strength and Brazil were missing 2 of their best players. Its a mind game for sure but 4 bottles of Malbec are a lot to drink in one session.
 
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