We are now 4 goals away from equalling the record for the most goals in a world cup. I really hope we make it! At any rate, nobody can say Germany didn't do its part!

(Also: so glad Klose got the record!)

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"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

Now fingers crossed for Oranje tomorrow! Go Netherlands! A Germany-Netherlands finale would be classic and a good opportunity for revenge for '74

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"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon

quote:

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Originally posted by chaos021:
I'm praying so hard that Holland crushes everyone.

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Fixed.

quote:

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Originally posted by flophaus:
I've had my money on Germany the whole cup, so it was pretty fun to watch

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sadly, me too. Didn't think we were gonna make it so far, but now I wish I didn't put the jerries up for winner. Well, first things first, Argentina is in the way though I'm quite confidant so far about that.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:
Fixed.

sadly, me too. Didn't think we were gonna make it so far, but now I wish I didn't put the jerries up for winner. Well, first things first, Argentina is in the way though I'm quite confidant so far about that.

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My expectation is that the Netherlands will defeat Argentina. Argentina is much more solid (at the core) than Brazil, but I think they suffer from the same problem that Portugal has--they're kinda mediocre, but have Ronaldo (Messi). He (they) can make magic happen, to be sure, but I think the Netherlands just have more overall in terms of resources.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:
7-1. Brazil finally got the clobbering they deserved (though a little too much, I don't like the Germans. For me this was a match between two evils). The only real opponent they've had so far was Colombia and they had the ref on their side that match as well. I said it before, they are a mediocre team. Without Neymar they are lost on offense.

Now fingers crossed for Oranje tomorrow! Go Netherlands! A Germany-Netherlands finale would be classic and a good opportunity for revenge for '74

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Originally posted by oneofchaos:
I can deal with the US losing 1-0 to Germany after that. In fact, despite not advancing that far America has something that Brazil currently doesn't, Pride.

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I'll say it again, the US are always a good team, but sadly not good enough to make it far. They have potential to get into the QF at least.

ARG-NED sucks so far. Van Persie is invisible (why is nobody noticing that he's not that good..), our offence stops at our defensive midfield. I'm glad we have Ron Vlaar (I never thought I'd say it) otherwise we would be out by now. Overtime.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:
It wouldn't be a problem if we had a better striker than Van Persie (no, I'm not a fan. He sucked last World Cup when we played with 10 players each match as he was non-existent. He has his moments but not nearly enough for a top player).

I held my breath when I saw he would be taking a penalty. Only thing he did right.

Wednesday the clash vs. Argentina! Last time we encountered them on a WC we won by a brilliant pass of Frank de Boer handled majestically by Bergkamp. Now THAT was a striker.

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quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:
Arg-Ned is putting me to sleep, and I cannot believe that I missed out on Ger-Bra due to a work-related course that I had to attend

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Originally posted by wayne:
Van persie has not performed in the knockout rounds but you do realise that his record for holland is a goal every two matches right? Also, that record is better than that of a certain Mr Bergkamp.

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Correct. But Bergkamp was a magician. He performed to his abilities almost every match, while Van Persie only shows his once in a while. Besides his great goal in the first game, what has he shown from his skills?

quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:
Arg-Ned is putting me to sleep, and I cannot believe that I missed out on Ger-Bra due to a work-related course that I had to attend

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Same here. We're out on penalties. Considering the chances each team had (we only had 1 friggin'chance!!) it's a fair thing Argentina went through. We were unable to set up our advance, our crosses into the box all went flying over defenders each time. A sad performance. Now we have to play another nonsense game for 3rd place.

My guess is Argentina gets clobbered in the finals by the Germans, though I hope it's the other way around. (not likely) A win on the home soil of their arch enemy would be something to start rioting over..

__________________
I'm a geek, you're a geek. Let's trade.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
Wow, that was painful to watch.

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Maybe for you. I loved it personally.

__________________
"Message to women worldwide: Girls....we're stupid. We don't like games. We don't know games. We can't read minds. Say it like you mean or STFU." -rockondon

quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:
Correct. But Bergkamp was a magician. He performed to his abilities almost every match, while Van Persie only shows his once in a while. Besides his great goal in the first game, what has he shown from his skills?

Same here. We're out on penalties. Considering the chances each team had (we only had 1 friggin'chance!!) it's a fair thing Argentina went through. We were unable to set up our advance, our crosses into the box all went flying over defenders each time. A sad performance. Now we have to play another nonsense game for 3rd place.

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Performance is a highly subjective measure of how well a player played.

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Originally posted by chaos021:
Maybe for you. I loved it personally.

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I'm happy watching quite a few different styles of play (hell, I love Germany, which people usually complain plays a boring game!), but that game... the ball was stuck in the middle of the pitch, and hardly ever made it to either end. Messi was heavily (and effectively) marked, and the Dutch seemed to lack inspiration. As a result, I too found it uninspiring.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
I'm happy watching quite a few different styles of play (hell, I love Germany, which people usually complain plays a boring game!), but that game... the ball was stuck in the middle of the pitch, and hardly ever made it to either end. Messi was heavily (and effectively) marked, and the Dutch seemed to lack inspiration. As a result, I too found it uninspiring.

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quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:

Germany revamped its style of play after Klinsmann took over as head coach.

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Yes, I know. The complaints I'm referring to refer to their current style of play, even after Löw took over from Klinsmann.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by wayne:

Performance is a highly subjective measure of how well a player played.

Anyway, say what you want about Van Persie, but it might have been so different had Van Persie been on the pitch to take the first penalty for the Dutch.

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Correct. Though 4 years ago he did exactly the same thing, but he was a little better this time around. I'm still wondering how we made it into the finals then by just having 10 players and a supposed striker somewhere.

It might. You can never know. But it messes with the mind, yes.
There is some controversy on the penalty kick by Ron Vlaar, the first guy who missed though. If you watch the penalty then the ball rolls back after being stopped by Romero to what seems to be across the goal line..

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:
Yes, I know. The complaints I'm referring to refer to their current style of play, even after Löw took over from Klinsmann.

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Ehm, what am I missing? The Germans play like the Dutch did when we were credited for playing the most beautiful soccer around (though not winning any tournaments). I actually enjoy watching the style they play (and me saying that after having stated a few times I dislike the Germans, to say the least, is a big thing).
You can defeat them by putting pressure on them continuously, but that is a hard feat to accomplish and you know that with their quality, if they sneak by you once, you have a problem.

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quote:

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Originally posted by AEther Storm:

Ehm, what am I missing?

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I don't know. It's not an opinion I share, but it is one that's been expressed to me regularly. There's no accounting for taste. Shrug.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari

quote:

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Originally posted by Iluvhyppies:
I'm predicting that Germany wins the final by a score of 3-1

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I'm not. It'll be a small win (1-0 maybe 2-0 just before time) or a draw to penalties. Argentina is not stupid, they'll close the door like they did against us and not play oblivious like the Brazilians did. Hoping for a counter that won't come, maybe the odd chance for Higuain and focus on countering/penalties. Though the Germans have Neuer.

quote:

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Originally posted by Goaswerfraiejen:

I don't know. It's not an opinion I share, but it is one that's been expressed to me regularly. There's no accounting for taste. Shrug.

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I suppose. I think the finale will be boring. Germany don't want to run into the counter with Messi and Argentina just sits and waits for their counter/free kick into the box.

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German victory predicted, I'm guessing 2-1.

__________________
"I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think they will sing to me." -T.S. Eliot

RIP Ari