Posted by spubbbba on 2010-07-03 14:29:08

It would be nice if a new team won the world cup, it always seems to be the usual suspects (Brazil, Argentina, Italy & Germany). Good thing 2 of them are out already and the other 2 face each other in the 1/4's today.

Posted by PurpleChest on 2010-07-03 14:31:10

i actually hope you're right.

But as an Arsenal fan let me warn you that Van Persie, while an excellent footballer, is actually made of glass.

Stayiing fit for 7 entire games might prove beyond him.

Posted by Garion on 2010-07-03 14:35:16

RVP has been rubbish anyway, drop him for the next game anyway. Holland have an excellent chance but my money is on the Germans this time

Posted by Woodstock on 2010-07-03 14:41:01

RVP is probably injured. But yeah, he is not in his greatest form.
The final however will be the Netherlands versus Germany, and we will win of course ;)

Posted by Malmir on 2010-07-03 14:52:13

I think it is more likely Germany will be out in about three hours time...

Posted by avien on 2010-07-03 15:15:20

Grats, while I enjoy Brazil's style of football, I must agree with Spubbbba.

Posted by asharak on 2010-07-03 15:32:09

Brazil havn't been great this time, thought the game would be close. Well done Netherlands.

The real game is the one starting in 30 mins - the two stand-out teams. Winner has got to be favourite for the title. Spain have been uninspired so far...

Posted by Cavetroll on 2010-07-03 18:45:27

Go Dutch! \o/

Posted by PurpleChest on 2010-07-03 19:29:43

The world cup:

A 4 yearly celebration of football where the worlds elite players represent their country and fight through group stages and knockout stages to contest the right to lose to an unfacied by highly organised germany in the final.

Posted by JanMattys on 2010-07-03 19:32:12

I still think the final will be Netherlands - Spain and Spain is going to win in the end.

But anyway, it's very nice to see fresh faces in the world cup. Go Orange!

Posted by Wreckage on 2010-07-03 20:38:00

the final can't be netherlands spain... they will meet in semifinals or never at all

Posted by Melmoth on 2010-07-03 21:26:38

not true wreck...semis are netherlands vs Uru and germany vs spain/Para (playing right now)

Posted by Wreckage on 2010-07-03 23:56:05

I'm very confused now... the scedule I have clearly shows semi otherwise... but after rechecking.... it seems thats clearly wrong :/

Posted by Luohghcra on 2010-07-04 08:23:06

Germany will outclass Spain all the way. Paraguay showed Spains weaknesses, and you can bet Germany will take full advantage. Good news is, a Netherlands v Germany final will be hard fought, tense, and highly enjoyable.

Germany to win, of course ;)

Posted by Optihut on 2010-07-04 14:41:09

Final is going to be Germany vs Netherlands, 3-1.

Posted by KJG on 2010-07-04 14:43:59

I'm rooting for the Dutch, but I think they'll have a hard time v Germany in the final. Spain will get steam-rolled by the Germans in the semi final, just like they steam-rolled england and argentina. England isn't particularly good, but argentina is a top team and they were no match. The Dutch play entertaining football, but they've had, apart from brazil, a fairly easy road to the final. I saw it coming already after the group stage. In any case, the final has a good chance of being a good game this time around. Most of the time it feels like it's Italy v Brazil, 0-0 at full time, then Italy loses on the penalty shoot out. This time I think the final will be decided at full time, which is nice.

Posted by Synn on 2010-07-04 20:22:53

Too bad both Germany (Mueller) and Uruguay (Suarez) are playing short in the semis.

Either way, is it me or is Germany just plain terrifying? They lost Ballack before and have steamrolled an overrated England and Argentina, who was overall the most consistent side during the group round.

__Synn

Posted by Postie on 2010-07-05 02:33:29

Germany surprised me sure, but if they have enough to beat Spain is a coin toss. However i really like germany modern football.

If you watch their midfielders and Mueller in special, they amount of distance they cover in a match. Its The reason they beat argentinia was the running power in their midfield. Argentinia had none. Mueller, schweini and that other midfielder(kheidira or something) kept sowing extreme panic in the defence with their running game. Awesome!

But Holland still wins

Posted by Gromrilram on 2010-07-05 14:21:22

germany is really impressive. not only this years performance... but these guys will play like this together for another 8 years, just minor changes are needed. and the german youth coming after them steamrolled through the world cups and european cups in theyr age classes... so more to come.

what i dont know yet is:
what happens if germany is 0-1 behind. do they allready have the class to force a match to turn? they didnt vs serbia, though they were damn close, but serbia isnt as high class as spain eg is. ballacks loss seems like a small one at the moment, but he was the one scoring the 1-0 vs austria in the european championship, what wasnt the first deciding goal he shot for germany.

however: i think if germany scores the 1-0 vs any opponent left in the cup, theyll be a pain in the ass to be beaten.

Posted by Wreckage on 2010-07-05 20:39:44

the one player loss against serbia made all the difference... klose would normally be able to draw 2 or 3 players on him and to open the midfield... by losing an eleventh man the effective midfield couldn't break through anymore... a team efford requires every player on the field...

if germany sees red it will be very difficult for them to change anything... but i think that applies not only to germany... brasila got knocked out of the tournament in the same way... and lets be honest... it wasn't because holland was so terribly superior...

in fact most of the smaller teams in this worldcup are damn good and every game is a fight... a few teams are a little bit better... but if you get a player short, you are done as a team

Posted by Shimin on 2010-07-06 10:55:44

Germany wins the cup.

Spain hasnt been too impressive, and with Torres not performing, a lot lies on Villa, but against Germany he will fail.

So, Germany wins and in the final they will meet Netherlands, but they cant really match Germany.