Hand of God vs 1945

[davek]

Keep smiling Diego mate. 2014 is just four years away. Keep the faith.

 

[manxtoffee]

The two Polish lads did well today..

 

[davek]

They are almost the perfect counter attacking side. Big thing I've seen is the defence has improved game to game.

As for Spain if they play them. . . Their defence is is poorly organised IMO. Germany will score against them.

Klose is one away from all time top goal scorer in a world cup ain't he?

Funnily enough, the consenus seems to be that the Spanish defence is immense and has been their pillar thus far. Pique is top class, as is Ramos, but I'm not sure I'd want to see Puyol getting pulled out of position too much these days if I was a Spanish supporter. Spain got a break in this match today though: their LB, Capdevilla, wont have to contend with Mueller. The Germans will probably want to test him with Ozil, though.

 

[kenada_blue]

Funnily enough, the consenus seems to be that the Spanish defence is immense and has been their pillar thus far. Pique is top class, as is Ramos, but I'm not sure I'd want to see Puyol getting pulled out of position too much these days if I was a Spanish supporter. Spain got a break in this match today though: their LB, Capdevilla, wont have to contend with Mueller. The Germans will probably want to test him with Ozil, though.

Nah, too many mass scrambles and panic when hit on the counter. The Swiss did it, Chilie had a good go at em. Their full backs get caught out of position too many times and the back 4 as a whole is usually all over the shop, especially when Pique goes for a wonder from defence into attack from time to time.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

I do feel good. Was watching that in a bar with my wife, son and father in law. Full of Argies. Fcuking great stuff. Come on zi Germans. As for Joachim Low. I think I'm in love

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Oh God, Alan Hansen has started his turd "analysis". 'Germany efficiency and organisation personified'. It was a bit more than that you cliched Thunderbird oaf.

FFS, the BBC gives this ******* idiot money to provide this?

Hansen's one of the worst pundits around to be honest. He's written the Germans off from the start.

"Two banks of four" is about the best he has to offer.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Germany are definitely a team that can cause Spain problems, it'll be a tight game though.

Argentina on the other hand would've been turned over by Espana, no question about it.

 

[Neiler]

Should be a cracking semi with Spain, i hope Germany get through they prob have the best balanced squad - i dont rate Puyol, or Ramos and i think they have their tactics all wrong. I have a feeling this one may come to soon for Germany though i hope not! Whats scary about them is the depth in this squad, Marin and Trochowski on the bench. Kehidia for me is their unsung hero. Thats the third time today they have scored 4 goals in his tournament. That said i dont think theyve really come up against a top top team yet who will stop them playing.

As for Holland i think they will conceade golas but their seem far more resilient then i have ever seen them.

 

[davek]

Two things weigh heavily on the mind if it is Germany v Spain in the semi:

1) have Germany shot their bolt?
2) is Torres going to come to life?

Re #1: I reckon it'll be a tough act for Germany to follow on from four against England and Argentina. There's bound to be a reaction in terms of (over)expectation on a young team.

Re #2: didn't Torres have a stinking Euro 2008 only to find his feet when it mattered most? You write class like that off at your own peril.

 

[davek]

Should be a cracking semi with Spain, i hope Germany get through they prob have the best balanced squad - i dont rate Puyol, or Ramos and i think they have their tactics all wrong. I have a feeling this one may come to soon for Germany though i hope not! Whats scary about them is the depth in this squad, Marin and Trochowski on the bench. Kehidia for me is their unsung hero. Thats the third time today they have scored 4 goals in his tournament. That said i dont think theyve really come up against a top top team yet who will stop them playing.

As for Holland i think they will conceade golas but their seem far more resilient then i have ever seen them.

WC 2010 was supposed to be the Latin American's tournament. Looks like the experts spoke too soon. That said, Mexco and Uruguay have been the most entertaining teams.

 

[Neiler]

Two things weigh heavily on the mind if it is Germany v Spain in the semi:

1) have Germany shot their bolt?
2) is Torres going to come to life?

Re #1: I reckon it'll be a tough act for Germany to follow on from four against England and Argentina. There's bound to be a reaction in terms of (over)expectation on a young team.

Re #2: didn't Torres have a stinking Euro 2008 only to find his feet when it mattered most? You write class like that off at your own peril.

There will come a point as well where they will loose the element of surprise as well, how many teams knew abought Keidher, Mueller and Ozil coming into this let alone plan for them. That said they answered a big question today in terms of mental strength in the last 15 mins of first half and the first 15 mins of the second - Argentina could have easily come back into that game during that time. Ze Germans have always seem to have that mental strength. It remains to be seen how far the fearlessness of youth and the expierence of Klose, Metstacker and Schienstegher can carry them through. The big test will come when someone devices a game plan against the way they are playing which has taken the whole tournament by surprise. The only thing is they have a few aces up their sleeves from the bench in Trochowski, Marin and Caucu!

Spains tactics are all wrong for me, Puyol and Ramos will conceade as well.

 

[Neiler]

WC 2010 was supposed to be the Latin American's tournament. Looks like the experts spoke too soon. That said, Mexco and Uruguay have been the most entertaining teams.

Very true, the pundits have all made teds out of themselves, discussing for 20 mins the strength of SA football against European with so many teams in the Quaters - fair play to Uruguay though they deserve their semi place - a proud footballing nation who won the first two world cups if im not mistaken.

 

[teppic]

Did the BBC really say only 3 German players would make the England squad before the 4-1?

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Should be a cracking semi with Spain, i hope Germany get through they prob have the best balanced squad - i dont rate Puyol, or Ramos and i think they have their tactics all wrong. I have a feeling this one may come to soon for Germany though i hope not! Whats scary about them is the depth in this squad, Marin and Trochowski on the bench. Kehidia for me is their unsung hero. Thats the third time today they have scored 4 goals in his tournament. That said i dont think theyve really come up against a top top team yet who will stop them playing.

As for Holland i think they will conceade golas but their seem far more resilient then i have ever seen them.

I was thinking how ironic it would be if a free flowing, entertaining German team were beaten in the final by a resiliant, pragmatic Dutch team

 

[kenada_blue]

Should be a cracking semi with Spain, i hope Germany get through they prob have the best balanced squad - i dont rate Puyol, or Ramos and i think they have their tactics all wrong. I have a feeling this one may come to soon for Germany though i hope not! Whats scary about them is the depth in this squad, Marin and Trochowski on the bench. Kehidia for me is their unsung hero. Thats the third time today they have scored 4 goals in his tournament. That said i dont think theyve really come up against a top top team yet who will stop them playing.

As for Holland i think they will conceade golas but their seem far more resilient then i have ever seen them.

I think Busquets isnt very good either. Alonso tends to do most the work for him.