World Cup 2010

[Azazel]

Technically, it's a very good game so far, but damn, I want to see a goal from either side to open the game up.

[Hoax]

Great match so far, so much composure and class from every player. Despite how terrible he is Spain is really missing the presence of Torres and how he forces a central defender or two to keep an eye on him giving more room to everyone else. Germany should have scored on one of their two counter attacks, Ozil has blown both of them and in general looks like the pressure had gotten to him in the first half. Spain also wasted several quick pushes forward by not finding Villa two or three times in loads of space especially that Spanish counter down the left where Capdavilla never looked up.

[Abagadro]

Iniesta has now put 2 across that should have been goals.  Can't believe Spain hasn't scored yet. 

[Azazel]

I find the amount of dicking about on the edge of the penalty box that's gpoing on to be extremely frustrating. Both Holland and Uraguay showed last night that sometimes you just need to take shots because sometimes they go in. We're getting to the point that if one of these sides just takes a shot and gets lucky enough to have it go in, the other guys will be fucked.

LIke that German shot just now which almost got lucky.

[Azazel]

....and unless Germany get the lead out, Spain goes through to the final.

[Abagadro]

And the old man makes up for the earlier missed header with a beauty.

[Azazel]

And Pedro's bit of selfish play stops Spain from stitching it up - and could still cost them the game if Germany equalise.

[Abagadro]

Talk about dinking around.  You got a 2 on 1 with a fresh Torres waiting to put it in and you do that?

[Azazel]

And with 90 seconds to go, on their just about final run forward, Germany dick around again.. 

[Abagadro]

Great match.  The Playa Catalunya will be rocking tonight!

[Hoax]

I agreed with commentators that it sucks to watch Germany go out without ever playing the type of attacking style that got them to the semi. I'm not sure they could have done it against this Spain side though the control of every aspect of the game is just amazing.

[Paelos]

Germans simply got out-played. The final is going to suck for the casual soccer fan.

[Azazel]

Nod Hoax, Spain just outclassed them. Which was pretty surprising considering the previous games from both teams.

Not sure why you think the final will suck for the casual soccer fan? Holland has shown int he last two games that they can put on games that don't put the viewers to sleep, and both sides have skills out the wazoo. We just need to hope for an early goal to get both sides going and keep them from dicking about at the edge of the box.

[ghost]

Spain has a heck of a team, when they put it all together.  And they should, what with all the talent on the team. 

The power mullet led to a power goal.  That was a beautiful header.

[Amarr HM]

I agreed with commentators that it sucks to watch Germany go out without ever playing the type of attacking style that got them to the semi. I'm not sure they could have done it against this Spain side though the control of every aspect of the game is just amazing.

Yep this. Xavi is a god amongst midfielders.

Now the final, I wonder is the ref gonna see fit to book Van Bommel for persistent fouling.

[Paelos]

Nod Hoax, Spain just outclassed them. Which was pretty surprising considering the previous games from both teams.

Not sure why you think the final will suck for the casual soccer fan? Holland has shown int he last two games that they can put on games that don't put the viewers to sleep, and both sides have skills out the wazoo. We just need to hope for an early goal to get both sides going and keep them from dicking about at the edge of the box.

I should have said the casual US fan. The teams involved aren't even close to traditional powerhouses or have any international rivalries with the United States. I really have nobody to root for in the matchup beyond just wanting it not to bore me to tears with Spain trying to lock down Holland.

[Amarr HM]

I should have said the casual US fan. The teams involved aren't even close to traditional powerhouses or have any international rivalries with the United States. I really have nobody to root for in the matchup beyond just wanting it not to bore me to tears with Spain trying to lock down Holland.

Iraq, Iran and Vietnam have yet to assemble a decent soccer team. But when they do....

[Righ]

There's still three whole days to start a war against Holland and/or Spain.

[Abagadro]

We did have that war with Spain a hundred years or so ago but I don't think there are many lingering bad feelings about that one.

[Teleku]

It's hard to maintain ill feelings towards somebody over a war when you kicked the ever loving shit out of them.

[01101010]

Someone kill that fucking octopus already 

Oh well... good on Spain.

[squirrel]

There's still three whole days to start a war against Holland and/or Spain.

Well the Netherlands and Spain are pretty much at war now. The two best teams in the world who've never won a WC? In the final? If you don't find this game exciting you don't give a shit about soccer. And no-one fucking cares if America decides to like footy. It's being doing well for a while without the support of the stars and stripes. Although I think the MLS is showing that perhaps that's changing, but again no-one cares.

EDIT: If you're a fan and you can't pick Holland or Spain - um, pick Holland ;) . Both teams have a crazy WC history and are awesome teams.

[HaemishM]

The two best teams in the world who've never won a WC? In the final? If you don't find this game exciting you don't give a shit about soccer.

This. Both teams have fantastic, technical players. Spain has some of the best players in the world, and should win the game, and play some of the prettiest football around. They have so much talent there are world class players on the fucking bench who can't get a sniff. It will certainly be a better final than that goddamn Italy/France snorefest from 2006 (headbutt notwithstanding).

Germany played well, but I think the lack of Mueller really hurt them, and Osil let the pressure get to them. They should have started Marco Marin instead of Trochowski - that little midget is faster than Mueller and just as good IMO. Even so, they still could have won it. And Pedro? Wherefore Pedro?

[Jeff Kelly]

Well I'm pretty bummed :-(. It doesn't help that the better team has won.

The spanish midfield and defense were so ruthlessly effective, at times it seemed like there were more than 11 players on the pitch. They played a similar style than my german team but turned up to eleven. Lahm and Schweinsteiger never had anything resembling space to move or to pass. I am positive that we saw the new World Cup champions win yesterday.

Holland will have a really tough time if Spain keeps it up.

But damn now I don't have anybody to root for in the final

[Ingmar]

I'm picking the Netherlands to root for, it can't be easy growing up playing soccer in wooden shoes.

[Murgos]

Barcelona is easily my favorite city in the world so it's easy for me to root for Spain, especially since the Spanish national team is 80% Barca.

[Paelos]

As long as the final isn't decided by penatlies, and the score isn't 0-0 through 60 minutes, I'll be happy.

If either of those things happen, 

[HaemishM]

Holland, despite playing attractive football, does way too much diving and play-acting, and Van Bommel should have had about 6 yellows from his last two games alone. So root for Spain!  

And goddamn Barcelona for buying David Villa from Valencia then not having the money to pay its players.

[Hoax]

There is a good chance it goes scoreless 60 minutes, that is how this Spain side operates when its in lockdown mode unless the other side makes a bad mistake.

[Paelos]

There is a good chance it goes scoreless 60 minutes, that is how this Spain side operates when its in lockdown mode unless the other side makes a bad mistake.

Yeah, the concept of a lockdown final between two teams who've never won playing ultra conservative doesn't really get me going. I'm praying against that.

[Sir T]

My virtual worthless money is on Spain in this one, tbh. Hopefully they both drop the overcaution in this one though

[01101010]

As usual, the semis are my demise. That said, I am not breaking that trend and going to go with the Dutch. You all have been warned.

Germany should take third unless they have completely fallen part.

[Sir T]

Agreed on Germany taking third.

[Abagadro]

Paul the Octopus is now apparently receiving death threats.

[Trippy]

Do any of the recipes look tasty?