An Encouraging Start

Great to see Canada playing such positive, attacking football today. So many missed opportunities, though. They simply couldn't finish. When the Belgian keeper stopped the penalty shot early on, depriving Canada of their first-ever World Cup goal, it felt like a bit of a bellwhether. Still, they only allowed one goal against, which could be important when they do the final tally at the end of the group stage. Still fancy our chances to advance. I'll post into the void again if they get into the knockout round. Otherwise, provided I make it, you'll have to wait until 2026. GO CANADA!

Is there anybody out there?

Going to try as hard as I can to keep up my breakneck pace of posting at least once every four years. Peru, the most positive attacking side in the tournament, are already eliminated. Such a shame. Could this be the year for the Belgians? Are the Russians legitimate contenders after scoring 8 goals in two matches? Croatia really showed me something in beating Argentina, but Messi & Co. are clearly in disarray. After winning against the cup holders, Mexico may be poised for a deep run. I'll definitely but watching their remaining matches with interest. Still like Spain though, and if they could somehow put together one more championship run with their aging roster of world class footballers I wouldn't be disappointed. If I continue to live, I'll try to remember to post again in 2022.

spoiler alert: concerning today's games - June 13/2014

Any chance we can get this kick-started again? I'm reading for a doctoral prelim in American Lit. this summer, but I'm trying to catch as much of the crucial action as I can. Holland's play today reminded me of the form they used to have going back to Van Basten, and through Van Nistelrooy's Euro 2004 run. I've truly relished Spain's ascendancy over the last ten years, but they reminded me of their old selves from the late 90s and early aughts in this one. Can't wait to see the Flemish side and their golden generation. Please, no more bad penalty calls! Today's and yesterday's were atrocious.

Here it is. The final game of World Cup 2010. Spain-Holland. Whoo, boy. A new country will put their name on the trophy. Will it be the country of my soccer roots, Netherlands? Will it be the offspring of Dutch Total Football, Spain?

As everyone is saying, on paper, it's Spain. But as everyone also says, the game isn't played on paper. Spain has lost twice since November 2006. Holland has lost once since Bert van Marwijk took over after Euro 2008 and unlike Spain has won every game of this tournament. Spain has taken out Germany and Portugal, but the Dutch have eliminated Brazil. Spain has scored only 3 goals in the knockout round and 7 total, the Netherlands, on the other hand, have 7 in the knockout round and 12 overall, having scored in every game and being held to 1 only once. But, Spain has the defensive advantage with 4 clean sheets conceding only 2 goals, while Holland only has 2 clean sheets and conceding 5. So the numbers actually run counter to the relative impressions of the teams, Holland is a goal scoring machine with a leaky defense while Spain shuts teams down and has a hard time finding the back of the net.

This game is going to be a midfield battle. Will the Dutch be able to disrupt the possession play of Spain and establish their wing play? Or will Spain be able to wear down and frustrate the Dutch as they did to the Germans (hee hee hee, suck it, Germany)?

I will say this: this is exactly, EXACTLY, the final I wanted to see (after a miracle USA-anyone final). And I will be happy whichever team wins... as long as it's the Netherlands. HUP HOLLAND HUP!!!

Spain!


Great game.

Germany needed to score early. They are amazing on the counterattack, but they couldn't seem to create that momentum against a better midfield and defense.

Sets up a pretty great final (and a pretty curious 3rd place game).

And now Puyol the lucky.

Bad substitution. Should have been for Pedro.

And then he screws that up. Villa wouldn't have messed that up.

Fuerza Barca!

Puyol!!!!!!

That's a really bad tackle by Ramos. Yikes. Definitely a yellow, if not more. Nasty.

WOW!

That was a wonderful movement by Spain off that corner kick...

Spain are looking quite bright so far...

Ok. This will be a good one. Potential for best of the tournament, but....there is a lot at stake here. Still, Germany have been (deep breath) the in form team of the tournament, playing upbeat, attacking (and successful!) soccer. (deep breath) good to them. But missing Muller will hurt them.

Spain can be great. What will Xavi, Iniesta, and Fabregas (oh, nope, Pedro--not sure that is a good idea). We'll see!

La Furia!

Okay. Spain through. Yes! Holland through. Very cool! Germany still appear to be the in form side though. Could we be headed for a replay of the '74 final?

The Germans have a dynamic attack, led by Klose who, regardless of how you feel, has to be considered the international striker of the decade when it mattered. As was pointed out on television, however, they have a soft center, and will miss Muller. On the bright side, their encounter with Spain could, and hopefully will be an incendiary display of positive football.

The Netherlands came from behind to beat Brazil, which, combined with their string of consecutive wins, makes them clear favorites against Uruguay. I've got a funny feeling about this one though, despite my hope that the Dutch push through. Probably won't be able to watch the game live on Tuesday (depends when my boy goes down for his nap), but he's at daycare on Wednesday, so I'll be there with bells on. Viva Espana!

Recording both games today to watch tonight.

Go Messi, if not the rest of Argentina!

Go Spain!!!!!

Cruel game.

Ghana deserved to win.

Too bad.

Craziness!!

Penalties...

Ghana!

Goal!!

Muntari is great. Wow. What a shot.

Ghana were much brighter as this half wore on. Fully deserved lead.

Go Ghana!

Well, having predicted the first game, I thought I'd try with this one, but it is a real toss up. I think Uruguay are the clear favorites and should probably win, but you never know with Ghana. They are fast, strong, and quite good tactically, if a bit defensive. I see pressure from Uruguay and an early goal for them. Ghana will be drawn out and I think they will score. Hmmm...2-2 Uruguay through on penalties?

Not sure what pleases me more, the fact that Holland are through, or that Brazil are going home.

ORANJE!

Hup!

Kuyt!

The dutch can taste it now. They are really taking a grip of this game.

And, a completely a deserved red.

Wow!

Red Card. I have never liked Melo. At all. And he is through and through a Dunga player.

Wow! Straight red!

WOW. This is getting crazy.

Final score:
2-1 Netherlands
or
3-2 Brazil

I'd say it's about 50-50.

YES!!!

Great, great goal. Perfect touch on the near post.

Unbelievable!

How big does that first half save look now?

Off Melo's head.

Lucky. scrappy. But, now with a little more confidence... This is getting good.

Told you not to worry.

GOAL NETHERLANDS!

Brazil are really pushing for a second.

Never seen that trick play on the corner. Too bad it didn't amount to something.

That save could give the Dutch some confidence though. There's still more than an hour to play.

WOW!

Robinho, unreal.

Yikes!
Almost two.

Oh boy. I think my pre-game analysis is good, just switch the teams.

Other than those two magnificent strikes by Japan, we really haven't seen much in the way of set piece goals.

Oh boy.

Well, it looks like I might be wrong....

oh dear!

what? no yellow card for that offside goal after the whistle?

Yikes! Brazil are looking pretty good...

Oh, yeah: De Jong. Forgot about him. He's why the Netherlands are going to win. He's been very good this tournament. If he can cut out some of the service to Fabiano, Robinho, end of Brazil attack. Yeah, De Jong vs Robinho.

Will today be a day of upsets?

I think so.

I know Brazil have been pretty dominant in every game, but I just don't like them. I can't stand Kaka, drives me nuts or more accurately he dives me nuts. And Lucio, I'm not a fan. In general, I don't love the philosophy of the team, no matter how effective it might be. I know they've scored some goals, but I think their midfield is going to have some problems with the dutch. Sneidjer, Van Bommel, Kuyt, they are quick in transition, but also hard-nosed enough to slow Brazil. Brazil's midfield is pretty banged up with lots of injuries, so they won't have their first or even second choices in there. In past games, teams have ceded the midfield and Brazil was waltzed through in attack. But if you do go through Brazil's midfield, they foul you. That is the Brazil game: attack beautifully, and when it breaks down Gilberto or Lucio fouls, slows play, the defense gets back, and then attack again. I think they are going to get into card trouble early in the midfield, then the dutch will impose on the midfield, and they'll get a couple goals. Of course Brazil will score too. I say 2-1 Netherlands. Hup Oranje!

In the second game: go Ghana! As far as pressure goes, Ghana has none. They have done wonderfully and are happy to be here. The support of the continent doesn't come with many expectations, so they are going to be much looser. Uruguay think they have a real chance and I think it will get to them a little. If Ghana can frustrate them, or even get an early goal, as they did against the US, game on. But, Uruguay have some serious talent, so they should overcome Ghana. Ghana has a few worrying injuries and yellow card suspensions that could dampen their chances, most notably Gyan, the goal scorer. We'll see if he is fit. I'm guessing he won't miss this. But, oh, if Ghana had Essien healthy, this would be a completely different story (and the brackets would have been different, as they would have beaten Germany).

Either way, great day of games. Go Oranje! Go Ghana!

Following up on my tirade of last week, I'm looking into where national team players play their club ball and if there is any correlation between that and how successful the national team has been in the World Cup. So, first things first, what are the elite club leagues? My initial thought is that the list is very short: English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and Italian Serie A. That's it. But then what is the criteria for determining that? Champions League? Club World Cup? Various other tournaments? Player salaries? The number of national team players in the league? So, what is your list of the top leagues? Does it include any leagues outside of Europe, such as Brazil's or Argentina's? What about the French, Dutch, Portuguese leagues? Give me your list of the elite club leagues.

Wow, that was quite a marathon of games. Got a little exhausted towards the end, sort of disappeared from the blog. I was recording games to give myself time to work on the stacks and stacks of things I need to do, so I couldn't post on the site, in case I saw something, then the games were starting up again.

Anyway, some great stuff in the quarterfinals. Spain was awesome against Portugal (Ronald-who?). Xavi+Ineasta+Villa=lots and lots of silverware for Barca. The dutch looked very efficient, though, uh oh, Van Persie has caused a ruckus with some comments about being withdrawn in that game. Team fight! There goes Holland. Brazil, efficient too against a bright Chile side. But, ugh, I can't stand Kaka. And then Messi: could he completely dominate this world cup, as he is doing, and not score a goal? That would be pretty great.

Ok, more during this lull: recaps, forecasts, thoughts about the game, etc.

What do you think?

Chile would be dominating just about any other team, but Brazil is looking unstoppable.

FIFA's response to the travesty of the first Argentine goal? Ban big screen replays in the stadium. Talk about missing the point.

Ouch, that was ruthless.