World Cup Soccer/football thread

[MichaelB]

Not easy to quiet the Brazilians, but Germany just did. For sure they'll be talking about this match for years. The Brazilian defense was confused and disorganized. Silva's absence had an impact but there was no defensive leadership to be seen. Very unusual, but Germany sure knew how to take advantage of it.

 

[Chuckanut]

I tuned in for the WC game, but apparently they are showing an exhibition match between the German team and a Brazilian high school team.

 

[Meadbh]

I think I saw where you first posted "a cursing defeat for Brasil." I'll bet a bazillion Brazilians are doing just that.

Yes, damn spellcheck! But that's what Edit is for.
I have some very unhappy relatives in Rio.

 

[Chuckanut]

It seems the Brazilian authorities are escorting the German fans out of the stadium to protect them.

 

[Alan]

It seems the Brazilian authorities are escorting the German fans out of the stadium to protect them.

I think it is the Brazilian team that will need the protection.

I had it set to record on my daughter's DVR as we are staying at her place at present and DW and I went out for a long walk along to Venice Beach and while walking back up Santa Monica Blvd we approached a British Pub that had a crowd all the way out to the edge of the sidewalk when a big cheer went up. I looked at the time, showing about 30 minutes into the game and said to DW "I guess that means Brazil have scored". When we got back and watched the game I realized that the cheers must have been for goal #5. Incredible, 5 goals for Germany between minute 10 and 28 of the game.

 

[Alan]

As we've been busy this last couple of days I hadn't realized until watching the game that the Brazilian star Neymar was out with a cracked vertebra after a heavy challenge in the Columbia game.

Apparently the Columbian player has been receiving a load of racial abuse since the incident, much to the embarassment of the Brazilian president who wanted to change Brazil's image of being a very racist country, despite there being more people of African descent in Brazil than any other country outside of Africa. (over 200 million Brazilians are from Africa, more than 50% of the population).

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/08/w...sidelines-effort-to-end-world-cup-racism.html

RIO DE JANEIRO — After an episode in Peru earlier this year in which Peruvian soccer fans subjected a Brazilian player to racial abuse by imitating the sounds of monkeys, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil swiftly pledged a “World Cup against racism,” declaring, “Sports should be no place for prejudice.”

 

[robnplunder]

Wow. This is a crushing defeat for Brasil.

The biggest shocker yet. I knew Germans were ready and can beat Brasil. But 5:0 in the 1st half in Brasil where they had not lost in how many years? No one could have ever imagined that.

 

[Chuckanut]

I figured it out. Brazil decided to apply some American Football psychology to their game. Unfortunately, they consulted with the Denver Broncos.

 

[BTravlin]

I figured it out. Brazil decided to apply some American Football psychology to their game. Unfortunately, they consulted with the Denver Broncos.

Ouch!!!

 

[george76]

As we've been busy this last couple of days I hadn't realized until watching the game that the Brazilian star Neymar was out with a cracked vertebra after a heavy challenge in the Columbia game.

Apparently the Columbian player has been receiving a load of racial abuse since the incident

It is uglier than simple racial abuse.

Brazilians have issued death threats to Zúñiga on social networks
The view from Brazil – as they prepare to face Germany in the semi-final | Jonathan Watts | Football | The Guardian

 

[MichaelB]

Getting back on topic . Brazil still have a match to play, Saturday, vs the 2nd place team this afternoon. The match for 3rd place is not as suspenseful but is still entertaining.

Coming up next, Argentina vs Netherlands.

 

[george76]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that if Holland wins today, this will be the first World Cup ever on South American soil (there has been six) where we will have a European team winning the Cup. South American teams until this Cup had won all six.

 

[steelyman]

I didn't know Holland was playing. I thought it was The Netherlands.

 

[george76]

I didn't know Holland was playing. I thought it was The Netherlands.

I never knew there was a difference between Holland and the Netherlands. So I decided to look it up. I guess I showed my ignorance about the Netherlands.

There is often confusion about Holland. Some people call the Netherlands, Holland, but it is not the same. Holland is only a small part of the Netherlands. In summary, Holland gave up its individual independence a very long time ago, so calling the Netherlands "Holland", is much like calling Great Britain "England." Wrong in both cases.
holland map and map of holland history information page

So if the Netherlands wins today, it will make World Cup history...

 

[Midpack]

I watched Brazil v Germany live, and I was so shocked I found myself laughing. At least the Germans let up after 5-0 with 5 goals in 18 minutes, 4 of them within 7 minutes. I've never seen anything like it at that level.

Now Brazil can only hope to face Argentina in the consolation game and win. If they face them and lose, I can't imagine the (further) damage to the national psyche.

 

[Chuckanut]

Brazil, as bad as the loss was, certainly looked better than other futball power houses such as former champs Spain and Italy.

 

[Alan]

I'd like to see the Netherlands win it as they they have been 3 times the bridesmaid but never the bride. However they are going to have to play out of their skins to beat Argentina and Germany.

 

[george76]

Germany looks very solid. I guess a big kudos to Ghana, which is now the only team in the tournament that hasn't lost to Germany.

 

[MichaelB]

I've never seen anything like it at that level.

Now Brazil can only hope to face Argentina in the consolation game and win. If they face them and lose, I can't imagine the (further) damage to the national psyche.

You may never see anything like it again. My guess is Brazilians will be rooting for Argentina to win and move on, and face Netherlands for the consolation match. Nothing unites unfriendly Latin American countries like a common non-Latin invading force.

I'd like to see the Netherlands win it as they they have been 3 times the bridesmaid but never the bride. However they are going to have to play out of their skins to beat Argentina and Germany.

Good luck, then. Unfairly or not I have the impression that Netherlands has a rough, hard fouling style, I enjoy more the quick flow of South American football. I'm looking forward to Germany vs Argentina.

Germany looks very solid. I guess a big kudos to Ghana, which is now the only team in the tournament that hasn't lost to Germany.

+1

Referee is Cuneyt Cakir of Turkey, he'll have his hands full for sure.

 

[robnplunder]

I watched Brazil v Germany live, and I was so shocked I found myself laughing. At least the Germans let up after 5-0 with 5 goals in 18 minutes, 4 of them within 7 minutes. I've never seen anything like it at that level.

Now Brazil can only hope to face Argentina in the consolation game and win. If they face them and lose, I can't imagine the (further) damage to the national psyche.

How does a team comeback for a consolation prize after such unheard of defeat? They didn't look too good leading up to the semis to begin with.

5 goals in 18 minutes, 4 in 7 is a score line you see in a pro vs high school team exhibition match. I played a lot of soccer until age 45 and don't remember my team ever losing by 6 goals, or giving up 7 in a 90 min regulation match.

 

[audreyh1]

I never knew there was a difference between Holland and the Netherlands. So I decided to look it up. I guess I showed my ignorance about the Netherlands.

There is often confusion about Holland. Some people call the Netherlands, Holland, but it is not the same. Holland is only a small part of the Netherlands. In summary, Holland gave up its individual independence a very long time ago, so calling the Netherlands "Holland", is much like calling Great Britain "England." Wrong in both cases.
holland map and map of holland history information page

So if the Netherlands wins today, it will make World Cup history...

Spanish language TV still refers to the team from "Holandia".

My brother lives in Amsterdam, which is in Holland (North Holland province), which is in the Netherlands. So at least for my SIL I am never wrong when I say she's from Holland. I've heard her say that occasionally.

 

[Tailgate]

So generous:


After Nigeria was eliminated from the world cup
​
the Nigerian captain personally offered to refund all the expenses of fans that traveled to Brazil.

He said he just needs their bank details and pin numbers to complete the transaction.

 

[MichaelB]

It's heartbreaking to see a team return home due to penalty shootout. I thought Netherlands played the better game, but not by much. Next up - Argentina vs Germany. Third time's the charm...

 

[robnplunder]

It's heartbreaking to see a team return home due to penalty shootout. I thought Netherlands played the better game, but not by much. Next up - Argentina vs Germany. Third time's the charm...

I will support sudden death format. Keep taking a player out after every 5 minutes (10 vs 10 after 5 mins, 9 vs 9 after 10 mins, etc) and the match will end in no time.

 

[Alan]

Today was much more typical of a semi final I think. Neither team wanted to concede and there were very few chances in the game. Pity that all the subs were used up and The Netherlands couldn't bring Tim Krul on again in goal as they did against Costa Rica to use him as a penalty saving specialist.

My son said that Costa Rica went out of the tournament in the Krul'est way possible