For the sake of winning one of my pools, would like to see Argentina but fear Germany might be too strong. No Di Maria for Argentina is a big blow unless he miraculously recovers.
Brazil2014 (Soccer, sex and samba)
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
13 out of 14 in the play-offs (only loss was Greece) Germany 3 - 1.
The toughest call is the third place game.
The toughest call is the third place game.
That 3rd place game is the most pointless exercise in sports, why would you drag out Brazil after what happened to them and expect them to show up for a match? I mean I could see a team rising up to the occasion that was an unexpected final 4 finisher, say Costa Rica or Turkey in 2002 who would be up to prove something. A 5 time winner vs a 3 time finalist are just 2 dejected teams.
south korea and turkey made the 3rd place game in 2002.. both were very happy to be there as you said...
yes I know just said that incorrectly, what I meant to say was that if Costa Rica this year had reached the semis and lost, they still would have been up for the 3rd place match as was Turkey who won it in 2002, I cant for the life of me imagine David Luiz thinking to himself, yeah I am gonna go out there and give 100% to finish 3rd on Saturday. Speaking of Luiz, try holding back the tears after reading this:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...id-luiz-reveals-3844124#.U8AGAqB-a0o.facebook
Mascherano tore his anus trying to block Robben...literally. That would be a big loss for Argentina.
Javier Mascherano’s game-saving slide tackle in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal match came at a heavy price.
The Argentine player, who likely suffered a concussion earlier in the game, says he later tore his anus when he stopped Netherlands forward Arjen Robben’s attack late in extra time.
He shared the unfortunate news in a post-match press conference.
A rough translation of his remarks: “I do not want to be rude … I tore the anus that play. That’s why I felt so much pain””
It’s not clear whether Mascherano can (or should) play in Sunday’s final against Germany, but his stellar performance against the Dutch did not go unnoticed. The Guardian’s Michael Cox hailed the Barcelona midfielder as the “man of the match by some distance,” although the official honour went to the Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero for his superb performance during the penalty shootout that secured Argentina’s win.
http://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/javier-mascherano-torn-anus-482637
Javier Mascherano’s game-saving slide tackle in Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal match came at a heavy price.
The Argentine player, who likely suffered a concussion earlier in the game, says he later tore his anus when he stopped Netherlands forward Arjen Robben’s attack late in extra time.
He shared the unfortunate news in a post-match press conference.
A rough translation of his remarks: “I do not want to be rude … I tore the anus that play. That’s why I felt so much pain””
It’s not clear whether Mascherano can (or should) play in Sunday’s final against Germany, but his stellar performance against the Dutch did not go unnoticed. The Guardian’s Michael Cox hailed the Barcelona midfielder as the “man of the match by some distance,” although the official honour went to the Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero for his superb performance during the penalty shootout that secured Argentina’s win.
http://o.canada.com/sports/soccer/world-cup/javier-mascherano-torn-anus-482637
Yeah but thats because neither teams were expecting to make it that far.
Brazil and Holland will not be motivated to play for 3rd place like SK and Turkey were
Which denied Robben a goal scoring opportunity too.
Talk about taking one for the team :thumb:
Before the final lets have a post mortem on Brazil and Holland.
Against Germany the players gave up on their country, against Argentina Van Gaal gave up on his team. You don't play for a shoot-out against the Albiceleste, they traditionally produce some of the best goalies in the world and they don't lose shoot-outs. Holland had more than enough chances to win the match had they pressed the issue. For all his technical brilliance Van Gaal showed a yellow streak, playing not to lose. Without risk there is no reward. Van Gaal now takes over Manchester United - they deserve each other.
Against Germany the players gave up on their country, against Argentina Van Gaal gave up on his team. You don't play for a shoot-out against the Albiceleste, they traditionally produce some of the best goalies in the world and they don't lose shoot-outs. Holland had more than enough chances to win the match had they pressed the issue. For all his technical brilliance Van Gaal showed a yellow streak, playing not to lose. Without risk there is no reward. Van Gaal now takes over Manchester United - they deserve each other.
I have to admit that I get a kick (no pun intended) out of the analysts on the various networks. They all have some strong English accent bloke giving his opinion on the games and players. Aside from the World Cup every 4 years, these guys will never be on TV in this market.
For all the general public knows they could have had some actor sit in with a fake English accent, spout off a few hoity-toity words and voila! You have an instant credible soccer analyst.
For all the general public knows they could have had some actor sit in with a fake English accent, spout off a few hoity-toity words and voila! You have an instant credible soccer analyst.
Brazil is going down in shame, which raises questions about Scolari. Why didn't he call up Kaka, he would have given a better account of himself than the invisible Fred or the ineffectual Hulk. And why does he insist on starting the woefully inadequate Lois Gustavo when he has Hernanes?
Just goes to show how important a strong holding midfielder is. Throughout this tournament Mascherano and Schweini have never once rested their sphincters.
In the "oh what a surprise" category, Nicola Rizzoli will officiate The Final, tomorrow.
Just goes to show how important a strong holding midfielder is. Throughout this tournament Mascherano and Schweini have never once rested their sphincters.
In the "oh what a surprise" category, Nicola Rizzoli will officiate The Final, tomorrow.
What a World Cup!
England, Spain and Brazil humiliated in one and the same tournament!
But I think I will remember it most by how incompetent the officiating has been!
Perry
England, Spain and Brazil humiliated in one and the same tournament!
But I think I will remember it most by how incompetent the officiating has been!
Perry
Argentina kept it closer than I thought they would, that defense was awesome and they had many chances to win.... Better team won, great World Cup.
your xenophobic perception of your neighbours is what makes you think that.. i personally would absolutely support Canada over my home country , anyday... and many other would too, if they had a team in the WC
