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.