World Cup Thread.

Hoping for a Netherlands/Germany final. I love me some Messi, but matchup wise I think Netherlands/Germany could be really entertaining with both sides playing off their front foot. And even though it will be for a 3rd place finish, a Brazil/Argentina World Cup match is also going to be great.

Though I picked Germany to win this WC< I am still in shock that Brazil went down so badly.

I was there in Recife (watched Mex-Croa, US-Germ, and the Costa Rica-Greece) and the locals in the bars did agree with my preliminary impression that Brazil looked shaky. So, I was never sold on Brazil. In fact, I was so sure Columbia would wipe them out in the QF but was taken aback to see how well Brazil played. I thought maybe the team upped the ante once the playoffs started.

Based on their strong performance against Columbia - and even allowing for them missing two key players suddenly (similar to Harrison and Welker) - I expected them to lose 1-2 or 1-3.

Feel sad for them.

Looks like it will be an European final because Arg looks overmatched IMO.

Hope Germany doesn't overvalue this W and keeps its concentration and win it all!

NYCPatsFan said:

Though I picked Germany to win this WC< I am still in shock that Brazil went down so badly.

I was there in Recife (watched Mex-Croa, US-Germ, and the Costa Rica-Greece) and the locals in the bars did agree with my preliminary impression that Brazil looked shaky. So, I was never sold on Brazil. In fact, I was so sure Columbia would wipe them out in the QF but was taken aback to see how well Brazil played. I thought maybe the team upped the ante once the playoffs started.

Based on their strong performance against Columbia - and even allowing for them missing two key players suddenly (similar to Harrison and Welker) - I expected them to lose 1-2 or 1-3.

Feel sad for them.

Looks like it will be an European final because Arg looks overmatched IMO.

Hope Germany doesn't overvalue this W and keeps its concentration and win it all!

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I thought Scolari did a lousy job with that team but i do have to wonder how much not having to qualify effected their readiness for the tournament?

Ivan said:

I thought Scolari did a lousy job with that team but i do have to wonder how much not having to qualify effected their readiness for the tournament?

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Scolari employed a high line on defense. To play that high defenders HAD to be in sync, disciplined and committed. What game has Scolari seen to think his guys were ready for that kind of game? Those guys were not organized enough to play that way and and it created so much space.

He played the wrong guys from the beginning too. He shouldn't have played Fred and instead go with another midfielder to clog up the middle to disrupt Germany's midfield control. Ramirez should have been in from the start and so too Willan. Those guys track back better defensively and have enough pace to cause havoc on counters.

condon84 said:

Scolari employed a high line on defense. To play that high defenders HAD to be in sync, disciplined and committed.

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At a simple level, he might have figured out that the line had to go across the field and that allowing the Germans to overlap at will down their right wasn't a great idea.

But, hey, he was too busy orchestrating a pity party because, after his players had handed out cheap shots all night, one of their own had gone down to a cheap shot.

Can you imagine BB doing that? No -- there's the difference between a tough coach and a blowhard.

BTW: Any statement from Gisele?
I don´t believe, she like what happened yesterday. And if Germany wins this championship, Gisele will give the Trophy to Team Germany.

Mike the Brit said:

At a simple level, he might have figured out that the line had to go across the field and that allowing the Germans to overlap at will down their right wasn't a great idea.

But, hey, he was too busy orchestrating a pity party because, after his players had handed out cheap shots all night, one of their own had gone down to a cheap shot.

Can you imagine BB doing that? No -- there's the difference between a tough coach and a blowhard.

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I can't imagine BB being as ill-prepared for other scenarios as Scolari was when things started to fall out of favor for Brazil. It's not like Brazil is bereft of talent.

Most of the people knows the picture from the left side, but there is a story part 2.
This old guy handing the trophy to a german fan with the words:" Take it to the final! As you can see, it is not easy, but you deserve it, congratulations"
Classy gesture!

condon84 said:

I can't imagine BB being as ill-prepared for other scenarios as Scolari was when things started to fall out of favor for Brazil. It's not like Brazil is bereft of talent.

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That's what i was thinking when i wrote my earlier post, no way Belichick gets caught with absolutely no plan for dealing with an opponent defensively. It may not work but there's always a plan, Brazil looked like they had no idea what to do and that's inexcusable for a team with that much talent and skill.

FoxWhiskey said:

Most of the people knows the picture from the left side, but there is a story part 2.
This old guy handing the trophy to a german fan with the words:" Take it to the final! As you can see, it is not easy, but you deserve it, congratulations"
Classy gesture!
View attachment 6701

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It would be pretty hard to be rude to her.................

FoxWhiskey said:

BTW: Any statement from Gisele?
I don´t believe, she like what happened yesterday. And if Germany wins this championship, Gisele will give the Trophy to Team Germany.

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I am sure she was upset but she will have it together to present the winner with the trophy, that woman is too smart to screw that up.

Ivan said:

I am sure she was upset but she will have it together to present the winner with the trophy, that woman is too smart to screw that up.

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And, BTW, her last name is Bündchen. I wonder what language that is. . . .

Ivan said:

I am sure she was upset but she will have it together to present the winner with the trophy, that woman is too smart to screw that up.

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Yeah, i know. And i´m fine with that. Finally, she is representing her country. I just want picture the scenario.

FoxWhiskey said:

BTW: Any statement from Gisele?
I don´t believe, she like what happened yesterday. And if Germany wins this championship, Gisele will give the Trophy to Team Germany.

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This was her reaction:

Gisele Bündchen @giseleofficial · 21h

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Any predictions for the Argentina - Holland game?

I got Argentina winning 2-1.....

AzorianPats said:

Any predictions for the Argentina - Holland game?

I got Argentina winning 2-1.....

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I hope Argentina wins. I think, they are the easier opponent for Team Germany.

Sorry Guys.

F I N A L E
F I N A L E I'm still drunk

Looking forward to this, there isn't a defence Messi can't unpick but then the Dutch forwards aren't bad themselves.....it will likely come down to who makes the least mistakes at the back.

I think the Dutch are drilled better than Argies and are organised better, although this talk of Van Gaal as some master tactician, after getting lucky against Australia, Mexico and needing penalties to beat Costa Rica is laughable. Crucially, I think they look more of a team and with more of a plan. If Argentina are to win it's going to take their best performance of the tournament, team-wise. But......Messi.

Never count him out.