Spain Vs The Netherlands

[KRAM1]

Well, so now we have the finals set. The "South American World Cup" turned pretty much into a European World Cup after all was said and done. Two team who have never made the finals will get a chance to win the Cup on Sunday. Spain absolutely deserved its win over Germany yesterday as the Germans were clearly outclassed by the Spaniards. A bit of a surprise to me was how much Spain dominated the game as if the Germans were "afraid to lose" instead of "out to win". But it will be interesting against the surprising Dutch. I would love to see the Dutch win, and I do think they have a good chance of doing just that as Kuyt and Robben are playing the leadership roles for the Dutch. They handled Brazil and the pressure that brings, so they should not be afraid of the favored Spaniards. On the other hand, how do you bet against David Villa? I am not sure that Villa is not the player of the tournament.

So, for me, I will be pulling for the Dutch to win the World Cup Sunday...what say you?

[Censored by Laurie]

ga Oranje!!!

I just returned from an Amsterdam trip and I've taken the Netherlands as my new adopted homeland.

And as a note, the Netherlands has played in 2 World Cup finals, losing both, in 1974 to West Germany and in 1978 to Argentina...in both cases the champion was also the host country.

[Eagle1855]

ga Oranje!!!

I just returned from an Amsterdam trip and I've taken the Netherlands as my new adopted homeland.

And as a note, the Netherlands has played in 2 World Cup finals, losing both, in 1974 to West Germany and in 1978 to Argentina...in both cases the champion was also the host country.

West Germany? Never heard of it.

[KRAM1]

ga Oranje!!!

I just returned from an Amsterdam trip and I've taken the Netherlands as my new adopted homeland.

And as a note, the Netherlands has played in 2 World Cup finals, losing both, in 1974 to West Germany and in 1978 to Argentina...in both cases the champion was also the host country.

Oops sorry...should have said "never won" not "never played"...appreciate the good catch CBL...thanks! GO ORANGE!

[Army of Dad]

I thought Germany was trying to be coy and play for the counter against Spain as teams have absorbed the Spanish pressure and beat them on the counter and set pieces. They very nearly succeeded in this, and missing Muller certainly hurt them.

Kram, what did you think of the kick to the face in the Uruguay-Netherlands game? Red card for serious foul play?

I am not sure who I want to see win. Spain are a bunch of diving pretty boys, but the Dutch have a couple of those and some disgustingly filthy players in their midfield (de Jong will not be forgiven for breaking Stuart's leg)...

[KRAM1]

I thought Germany was trying to be coy and play for the counter against Spain as teams have absorbed the Spanish pressure and beat them on the counter and set pieces. They very nearly succeeded in this, and missing Muller certainly hurt them.

Kram, what did you think of the kick to the face in the Uruguay-Netherlands game? Red card for serious foul play?

I am not sure who I want to see win. Spain are a bunch of diving pretty boys, but the Dutch have a couple of those and some disgustingly filthy players in their midfield (de Jong will not be forgiven for breaking Stuart's leg)...

I mentioned it at the time to my son (former college goalie and current ref when not on duty) that it would be a certain yellow only for dangerous play if I was doing the center in that game as I saw no "intent" at all in the play (even on the many replays). However, OUCH! That had to hurt. I did not think the player was intentionally trying to kick the opposing player, but rather tyring to make a solid play on the ball. If I noticed any...any intent at all I would throw the red in a heartbeat!

[UNTLifer]

I predict a 0-0 tie.

[Censored by Laurie]

I predict a 0-0 tie.

Prove it, brah.

[KRAM1]

I predict a 0-0 tie.

So, Lifer, have you learned nothing at all during the Cup? I know you like to watch the games, but are just trying to keep up the charade. You know, for all your buddies who can't figure it out because the players do more than just stand around for 3+ hours.

So you want a 0-0 draw so it can go to PK's after two 15 min. extra periods????? Man, you must love the game to want it to last even longer than normal.

[Army of Dad]

I mentioned it at the time to my son (former college goalie and current ref when not on duty) that it would be a certain yellow only for dangerous play if I was doing the center in that game as I saw no "intent" at all in the play (even on the many replays). However, OUCH! That had to hurt. I did not think the player was intentionally trying to kick the opposing player, but rather tyring to make a solid play on the ball. If I noticed any...any intent at all I would throw the red in a heartbeat!

The lack of intent is why I didn't say violent conduct. I don't know what I would have done, but sending the player off for serious foul play is the way I am leaning and probably what I would have done had that been my game.

A slide tackle from behind doesn't always mean a player intentionally trying to hit his opponent, but it is still serious foul play.

[UNTLifer]

So, Lifer, have you learned nothing at all during the Cup? I know you like to watch the games, but are just trying to keep up the charade. You know, for all your buddies who can't figure it out because the players do more than just stand around for 3+ hours.

So you want a 0-0 draw so it can go to PK's after two 15 min. extra periods????? Man, you must love the game to want it to last even longer than normal.

Honestly, I stopped watching after the U.S. was eliminated except for a few moments here or there. The baseball players on defense could run around in circles at their position and it would be more entertaining than soccer, err football on the pitch.

[forevereagle]

Honestly, I stopped watching after the U.S. was eliminated except for a few moments here or there.

Wow, you are a better man than I, I never started watching.

[KRAM1]

Wow, you are a better man than I, I never started watching.

But you continue to read this thread...interesting.

Edited July 8, 2010 by KRAM1

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

---Go Dutch..!! [ my last name is Dutch ]

I have been to Amsterdam and it is a very interesting place. Very different that most European places. Most people there speak American-English and not the British-English version...

Edited July 9, 2010 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[NT03]

Does the winner play FC Dallas ?

[Censored by Laurie]

Does the winner play FC Dallas ?

Baltimore Blast.

[forevereagle]

But you continue to read this thread...interesting.

I was surprised that it was still going on, so I clicked in.

[Army of Dad]

As I type this five minutes left in normal time and it is still 0-0.

Lifer might be right!

[Green Mean]

Was not the best game to watch but it had some good moments. Spain is like the Spurs...boring style of play but they find a way to win and the final was no exception. The Dutch had plenty of chances and just blew it.

[KRAM1]

Agree. You knew what you were going to get with Spain and they did not disappoint. However, it makes for a fairly predictable game and not a lot of fun to watch at times...unless, of course, you are a big time fan of the Spaniards and their style of play. Can't take anything away from them as they were clearly the better side yesterday. I just wish the game was a bit more "user friendly", so all the "I don't like soccer" folks who were watching would have enjoyed it a bit more. If you don't know what's going on between the two styles of play, I can imagine that you were not overly excited about the final.

Pretty rough game, but also a bit too much "playing for the ref in the hopes of drawing a foul". Too many cards...but the ref did let 'em play as there could certainly have been a few more red cards handed out for the stuff going on. Messy game.

OK, four years from now we get to do it all over again...can't wait for the world's biggest game to hit the world's biggest stage once again.

Next time...USA...USA...USA...USA!!!!!!!! You heard it here first!

[UNTLifer]

I predict a 0-0 tie.

I was close.

[KRAM1]

I was close.

All games are 0-0 at some point. Close doesn't count for much. Heck, even the octopus beat ya! If you followed the Spaniards at all, you could definitely predicted a 1-0 finish. Let then get up a goal and it can be pretty much over as they hold possession and defend. Not really great to watch if you are not a team fan, but effective none the less. As winners of the World Cup they can prove it worked for them.

[forevereagle]

All games are 0-0 at some point. Close doesn't count for much. Heck, even the octopus beat ya! If you followed the Spaniards at all, you could definitely predicted a 1-0 finish. Let then get up a goal and it can be pretty much over as they hold possession and defend. Not really great to watch if you are not a team fan, but effective none the less. As winners of the World Cup they can prove it worked for them.

You said it, I didn't.

[UNTLifer]

All games are 0-0 at some point. Close doesn't count for much. Heck, even the octopus beat ya! If you followed the Spaniards at all, you could definitely predicted a 1-0 finish. Let then get up a goal and it can be pretty much over as they hold possession and defend. Not really great to watch if you are not a team fan, but effective none the less. As winners of the World Cup they can prove it worked for them.

Nothing like 116 minutes of mind numbing, 0-0 soccer for the world championship! Maybe this year the Super Bowl can end in a 0-0 tie, 0-0 after sudden death, etc... Man, now there's something to look forward to.

[UNT90]

I actually watched this game because a friend wanted to watch it. Some observations from a completely non-soccer guy:

1) Boring. Took a 30 minute nap in the 1st half.

2) Eliminate off sides. Reward a team for speed and athleticism. The games will end up 8-7 or 9-8, but just think of some of the incredible, one on one goals that could be scored.

3) Immediate red card for flopping. Iritating as hell to watch Spain fall down like they had just been hit by a truck when they were barely touched.

Also, having to listen to the after-game analysis on sports radio today (as if the game wasn't enough of a whipping), all I here is a bunch of whining about how physical the Dutch played. Really?!?! That was a physical soccer game? Aside from the chest kick, it looked about even both ways, with the Spanish flopping much more than the Dutch. Why don't we just put the girls on the field?

You know something is wrong with your sport when post game analysis is ripping a player for not taking a dive to ensure a penalty kick.

All in all, 2+ hours of my life I'll never get back.