The World Cup ended last night, as Spain became the eighth World Champion, and the Netherlands completed a hatrick of final defeats. It was not a vintage game, but that was perhaps predictable - Spain haven't been an entertaining side this tournament, and the Dutch were never likely to decline the chance to make the final a physical contest against their diminutive opponents.
It was a fair result. Spain were deserving winners, not just of the game but of the tournament. They came in with the added challenge of being the red hot favorites for the title. That was enough to undo France in 2002 and Brazil in 2006. Every team knew the Spanish game plan inside out, and every coach had given hours of thought to stopping it. Yet no one could. They have been the best side in the World for several years now, and in South Africa they fulfilled their promise. Congratulations to them.
In the final Spain implemented the same game plan they have throughout the tournament. They passed and passed and passed until eventually the breakthrough came, while the Dutch fell into the same frustrated defensive mode that had condemned Germany. In contrast to the Germany game, the older and more experienced Dutch side brought some cynical tactics to the table. De Jong's kick on Alonso in the first half would be called assault off the field, and probably should have brought a red card, and Van Bommel was his usual snarling self in the midfield.
In a game of 14 yellow cards it is often the referee that gets blamed, but I think Howard Webb did everything right. None of the yellow cards was undeserved, and Webb treated the final with an appropriate sense of occasion in trying to avoid sending anyone off. When the red card came he really had no choice.
Spain seems to be in somewhat of a golden age as far as sport goes - Nadal just won Wimbledon again, Alonso won a couple of Formula 1 titles a few years ago, and now the football team is European and World Champion.
You wouldn't begrudge them the sporting success, because the rest of the country is in such a mess. With over 20% unemployment, the economy in the doldrums, and the country facing a Greek style debt crisis, they needed something to feel good about. Yesterday Andres Iniesta delivered it. I've read suggestions that when Germany won in 1954 it was the kick start to the economic miracle in that country. Maybe it can do the same for Spain.
Spain have been the perennial under achievers of World football. It beggars belief that the same country that produced Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, with 12 European cups between them, had never passed the World Cup quarter final. The rest of Europe will now be wondering whether the sleeping giant has been woken, and a new side will now join Germany, Italy and the Netherlands with a consistent international record.
For the Dutch, there is the bitter sweet feeling of reaching a final and losing it. The heart breaking moment of the final was, for me, when Arjen Robben finally decided to stay on his feet. Through on goal until Carlos Puyol bear hugged him, the man who has been accused of spending his entire tournament rolling around on the floor did everything to stay up and in the process let the Spanish 'keeper beat him to the ball. Had he gone down Puyol would have been sent off and the Dutch would have had either a dangerous free kick or a penalty. It may be to his credit that he stayed up, but he surely wouldn't do it again. Robben and Van Bommel join that elite list to lose the biggest games in both club and international football in the space of a few weeks.
We can ponder briefly the insanity of an event that captures the whole world, only to leave 31 nations bitterly disappointed and send one into ecstasy, but in truth, the end of a World Cup is always a relief. Finally, we can all breath easily again, thoughts can move to non football related matters. And in four years, in Brazil, we'll do it all again. If you've stuck with this blog to the bitter end, thank you for taking the time to read it - I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Semi-final heartbreak... again
o the World Cup dream of Germany's young side has come to an end at the semi-final stage, just as it did four years ago.
This time around the loss is less heartbreaking, both because it was not played at home and because, while Puyol's goal came late, it did not come in the excruciating circumstances of Italy's 120th minute winner in 2006.
Watching your side play against Spain is a frustrating experience, because while the score tends to be close (that is Spain's 3rd 1-0 win in this tournament), it still looks as if your team hasn't really turned up. That is Spain's great weapon - they are able to make even the best sides look poor.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports of the game called Germany lacklustre and claim that it was clear the Joachim Loew decided to play a packed defensive game with 9 players behind the ball. That just further highlights that understanding of football is still in short supply at Fairfax - maybe I should apply for a job.
The Spanish hold possession for such a long time that every team ends up looking as if they have set out a defensive game plan, and in truth many sides do just that. But Germany did not want to defend for the whole game - no matter how much attacking intent a side might have, if the opposition hold the ball in their attacking half for periods of up to a minute at a time even the laziest and most offensive minded of midfielders will track back and start to help out the defenders. And that is the essence of the Spanish game plan. By holding the ball in possession for such long periods of time, without ever risking a through ball that would potentially get them a good shot at goal, but also potentially give away possession, they draw the entire opposition back behind the ball, and nullify the threat of a counter attack.
It is an unusual strategy, because it is immensely difficult to execute. The Spanish players are, after all, being chased around the field by 10 superb athletes. Yet they have been able to execute the strategy in game after game. It is not a traditional defensive strategy, such as the Italians or the Greeks like to employ, but it is not the swashbuckling attacking plan that people expected from Spain. It is in fact a very defensive approach, and explains why they have progressed through this tournament with a succession of steady, low scoring wins.
Germany couldn't find a way to get the ball and move it up field quickly enough. They will be devastated that they managed to repel attack after attack from Spain and then conceded to a simple set piece, but when the defenders are working that much in a game, the mistake has to come eventually. Germany also sorely missed Thomas Mueller, one of the few players who might have had the speed and stamina to keep offering a counter attack option without neglecting his defensive duties. A player who has contributed 4 goals and 3 assists is irreplaceable, and so it proved.
While Spain and Holland will fight it out to bestow the other with the undisputed title of best side never to win the World Cup (a title they share at present) Germany is starting to lay down it's own history of major tournament heartbreak. As the only side to make more than one World Cup semi final in the 21st century (Germany have been there all three times) they are still without the big title, and they can add the Euro 2008 final defeat to their list as well.
While that may seem like the mark of a team struggling with the big occasion, a more accurate interpretation is probably that the team has over performed for an entire decade. The 2002 and 2006 teams were average at best, yet made the final and semi final respectively, driven, it seemed, by the sheer will power of players like Oliver Kahn and Michael Ballack. The 2010 side looked superb at times, but before the tournament started no one had heard of half the team. The problem is that by the time you reach the semi final of the World Cup, you run into teams that are both high quality and in form, and the scope to play above yourself starts to narrow considerably.
And, without wanting to make excuses, it was the third consecutive World Cup near miss where Germany's tournament ended in a game with one of their best players of the tournament absent through suspension. In 2002 Ballack missed the final, in 2006 Frings brawled with Argentines and missed the semi, and this year Mueller's absurdly harsh yellow card for hand ball cost him his place.
It is too early to predict anything about 2014, but things look rosy for Germany. The leadership group of this side, in Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Podolski will all still be under 30, but with over 100 caps each to their names, while, if their progress continues at the expected rates Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos will be established super stars in 2014. Assuming Loew stays (he can just about name his price now, so I am pretty sure he'll stay) this side are very likely to belong to the favorites in four years time. Of course, with Brazil hosting the top favorite slot is probably already taken.
For now the German's still have the third place playoff. Usually a fairly meaningless affair (and therefor often a better game), this time it does present an opportunity for a fairly significant piece of history. Watch the Germans feed everything to Miro Klose in an effort to get him the two goals he needs to become the highest World Cup scorer of all time, and potentially the first player to win the Golden Boot twice, a magnificent achievement for a player that was never blessed with extravagant talent, but seems to grow above himself when he is really needed.
So to the final. Spain will take the same approach. The ability of their midfield to hold the ball also gives them the luxury of dictating how each game will be played. The Netherlands will be underdogs, but they will take hope from two elements of the game. The first is that for all their possession the Spanish still look a little toothless. WIth so much emphasis on passing, the goal is sometimes forgotten, and Holland know they only have to hold out for about 20 minutes longer than Germany managed. Holland also have one thing Germany lacked - several players who can score goals from outside the box. Arjen Robben, Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and even Gio Van Bronkhurst (did you see that goal?) could just conjure a goal without actually beating the Spanish defense. If they can manage that, their chances are good. Overall though I still have to pick Spain, 1-0.
The final thing that is important to predict at this stage is of course the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player of the tournament. Bastian Schweinsteiger deserves an honorable mention - there were times in the Argentina game I thought more than one player must be wearing the number 7, such was his work rate - but FIFA tradition seems to demand that it be awarded to a player in the final. It will be interesting to see if FIFA persist with their preference for announcing the winner before the final. It has been somewhat of a cursed award in recent years, with Oliver Kahn spilling an easy catch and giving Brazil a goal in the final in 2002, and Zidane celebrating his award by impressing his skull on Marco Materazzi in 2006. My tip would be Wesley Sneijder, for orchestrating everything the Dutch have done in this tournament, though David Villa, for scoring 5 of Spain's 7 goals, has a strong claim too.
This time around the loss is less heartbreaking, both because it was not played at home and because, while Puyol's goal came late, it did not come in the excruciating circumstances of Italy's 120th minute winner in 2006.
Watching your side play against Spain is a frustrating experience, because while the score tends to be close (that is Spain's 3rd 1-0 win in this tournament), it still looks as if your team hasn't really turned up. That is Spain's great weapon - they are able to make even the best sides look poor.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports of the game called Germany lacklustre and claim that it was clear the Joachim Loew decided to play a packed defensive game with 9 players behind the ball. That just further highlights that understanding of football is still in short supply at Fairfax - maybe I should apply for a job.
The Spanish hold possession for such a long time that every team ends up looking as if they have set out a defensive game plan, and in truth many sides do just that. But Germany did not want to defend for the whole game - no matter how much attacking intent a side might have, if the opposition hold the ball in their attacking half for periods of up to a minute at a time even the laziest and most offensive minded of midfielders will track back and start to help out the defenders. And that is the essence of the Spanish game plan. By holding the ball in possession for such long periods of time, without ever risking a through ball that would potentially get them a good shot at goal, but also potentially give away possession, they draw the entire opposition back behind the ball, and nullify the threat of a counter attack.
It is an unusual strategy, because it is immensely difficult to execute. The Spanish players are, after all, being chased around the field by 10 superb athletes. Yet they have been able to execute the strategy in game after game. It is not a traditional defensive strategy, such as the Italians or the Greeks like to employ, but it is not the swashbuckling attacking plan that people expected from Spain. It is in fact a very defensive approach, and explains why they have progressed through this tournament with a succession of steady, low scoring wins.
Germany couldn't find a way to get the ball and move it up field quickly enough. They will be devastated that they managed to repel attack after attack from Spain and then conceded to a simple set piece, but when the defenders are working that much in a game, the mistake has to come eventually. Germany also sorely missed Thomas Mueller, one of the few players who might have had the speed and stamina to keep offering a counter attack option without neglecting his defensive duties. A player who has contributed 4 goals and 3 assists is irreplaceable, and so it proved.
While Spain and Holland will fight it out to bestow the other with the undisputed title of best side never to win the World Cup (a title they share at present) Germany is starting to lay down it's own history of major tournament heartbreak. As the only side to make more than one World Cup semi final in the 21st century (Germany have been there all three times) they are still without the big title, and they can add the Euro 2008 final defeat to their list as well.
While that may seem like the mark of a team struggling with the big occasion, a more accurate interpretation is probably that the team has over performed for an entire decade. The 2002 and 2006 teams were average at best, yet made the final and semi final respectively, driven, it seemed, by the sheer will power of players like Oliver Kahn and Michael Ballack. The 2010 side looked superb at times, but before the tournament started no one had heard of half the team. The problem is that by the time you reach the semi final of the World Cup, you run into teams that are both high quality and in form, and the scope to play above yourself starts to narrow considerably.
And, without wanting to make excuses, it was the third consecutive World Cup near miss where Germany's tournament ended in a game with one of their best players of the tournament absent through suspension. In 2002 Ballack missed the final, in 2006 Frings brawled with Argentines and missed the semi, and this year Mueller's absurdly harsh yellow card for hand ball cost him his place.
It is too early to predict anything about 2014, but things look rosy for Germany. The leadership group of this side, in Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Podolski will all still be under 30, but with over 100 caps each to their names, while, if their progress continues at the expected rates Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller and Toni Kroos will be established super stars in 2014. Assuming Loew stays (he can just about name his price now, so I am pretty sure he'll stay) this side are very likely to belong to the favorites in four years time. Of course, with Brazil hosting the top favorite slot is probably already taken.
For now the German's still have the third place playoff. Usually a fairly meaningless affair (and therefor often a better game), this time it does present an opportunity for a fairly significant piece of history. Watch the Germans feed everything to Miro Klose in an effort to get him the two goals he needs to become the highest World Cup scorer of all time, and potentially the first player to win the Golden Boot twice, a magnificent achievement for a player that was never blessed with extravagant talent, but seems to grow above himself when he is really needed.
So to the final. Spain will take the same approach. The ability of their midfield to hold the ball also gives them the luxury of dictating how each game will be played. The Netherlands will be underdogs, but they will take hope from two elements of the game. The first is that for all their possession the Spanish still look a little toothless. WIth so much emphasis on passing, the goal is sometimes forgotten, and Holland know they only have to hold out for about 20 minutes longer than Germany managed. Holland also have one thing Germany lacked - several players who can score goals from outside the box. Arjen Robben, Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and even Gio Van Bronkhurst (did you see that goal?) could just conjure a goal without actually beating the Spanish defense. If they can manage that, their chances are good. Overall though I still have to pick Spain, 1-0.
The final thing that is important to predict at this stage is of course the Golden Ball, awarded to the best player of the tournament. Bastian Schweinsteiger deserves an honorable mention - there were times in the Argentina game I thought more than one player must be wearing the number 7, such was his work rate - but FIFA tradition seems to demand that it be awarded to a player in the final. It will be interesting to see if FIFA persist with their preference for announcing the winner before the final. It has been somewhat of a cursed award in recent years, with Oliver Kahn spilling an easy catch and giving Brazil a goal in the final in 2002, and Zidane celebrating his award by impressing his skull on Marco Materazzi in 2006. My tip would be Wesley Sneijder, for orchestrating everything the Dutch have done in this tournament, though David Villa, for scoring 5 of Spain's 7 goals, has a strong claim too.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
The cruelest stage
In terms of results, I got 3 out of 4 of the quarterfinals correct, and it would have been a perfect four but for one of the more dramatic finishes in World Cup history in the Uruguay Ghana match. For those who missed it, in the last second of extra time Luis Suarez of Uruguay used both his hands to palm away a goal bound effort that was definitely going in. He is not the goalkeeper. He was instantly sent off, but Ghana missed the resulting penalty an then lost the penalty shoot out.
How to judge Suarez? He acted on instinct, and many players, if not all, might have done the same thing. I don't think the act itself goes down alongside the worst offenders in World Cup history, like Maradona's hand of god goal and Thierry Henry's offense earlier this year. In those cases the offenders conned the referee, and the act went unpunished. Suarez knew instantly he was being sent off, despite the feigned surprise when the ref pointed at him.
Nevertheless, the result left a bad taste in the mouth, and Suarez has made it so much worse by publicly praising himself and defending his actions. If he had kept quiet it would be forgiveable, but to hear him claim that he is the new god (because surely that is the claim you make when you say you have the new hand of god) and to see him being carried around on a victory lap by his team mates, is offensive.
That incident means that, despite Uruguay's underdog status, the Netherlands are surely the sentimental favourites for that semi final. To see Uruguay move on to the World Cup final, and Luis Suarez return from suspension to play in the final, would be galling to all African fans, and reinforce a perception that this World Cup is delivering plenty of drama but not a huge amount of justice.
Fortunately, from a footballing point of view, Netherlands will also be the favourites. Arjen Robben didn't score the goal I predicted in the last match, but his presence, and his theatrical way of falling, so frustrated the Brazilians that they lost their composure and were lucky they finished with only one red card. A pleasing aspect of that game was that it might, temporarily at least, end the nauseating press coverage that Brazil get everywhere they go about playing such beautiful football. The amount of kicking and elbowing they did throughout that game was anything but beautiful.
With Robben again looking to create trouble, and Wesley Sneijder looking like a candidate for the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, the Netherlands, who must still be shocked to be playing such a modest opponent in the semi final, should prove too strong.
My prediction: Netherlands, 2-1
Now to the one everyone is looking forward to, pitting the tournaments most in form side, Germany, against the team that started the month as almost unbackable favourites. The bookmakers are tipping Spain, barely, just as they tipped Argentina and England. The problem with this Germany side is that they are still largely an unknown quantity, so after each big win, its hard to know how much further they can go. And their victories over England and Argentina were so comprehensive that it becomes natural to question whether those sides were as good as thought, which in turn casts doubt over how good the Germans really are.
On the other hand, how can you bet against a team that has thrashed Argentina 4-0, scored the most goals in the tournament, conceded only 2, has one player chasing the all time World Cup scoring record, and another, in Bastian Schweinsteiger, who must be the favourite for the Golden Ball?
Spain as an opponent may suit Germany. The big wins against Argentina and England (and Australia) were all started by an early goal. Once the opposition was forced to attack in numbers because they needed an equaliser, the Germans are so fast and so precise with their counterattacks that they are almost unstoppable. Against Spain Germany won't need that early goal - the Spanish game plan is always to control possession and attack from the start.
Spain will also think they are playing an opponent that suites them. Everyone from Switzerland to Paraguay has tucked ten men behind the ball and defended dourly in search of a draw or a lucky winner against Spain. Germany won't do that, so the Spanish will at last be able to show their attacking flair.
Germany are playing with some extra motivation. At the last World Cup an entire nation was reduced to tears as Germany lost a truly classic encounter with Italy at the last second. Lahm, Scweinsteiger, Podolski, Mertesacker and Klose will all remember it well, and another semi final loss will be unthinkable to them. Losing a semi final is probably the cruelest way of all to exit the tournament, with a final appearance so near, and the inevitable 'what if' scenarios that will haunt both players and fans for the following four years at least.
As a result, this should be a great game. My heart and my head agree on the result though - I think Germany have done enough to show they can beat anyone, and Spain's opponents have done enough to erase Spain's aura of invincibility.
My prediction: Germany 3-1.
How to judge Suarez? He acted on instinct, and many players, if not all, might have done the same thing. I don't think the act itself goes down alongside the worst offenders in World Cup history, like Maradona's hand of god goal and Thierry Henry's offense earlier this year. In those cases the offenders conned the referee, and the act went unpunished. Suarez knew instantly he was being sent off, despite the feigned surprise when the ref pointed at him.
Nevertheless, the result left a bad taste in the mouth, and Suarez has made it so much worse by publicly praising himself and defending his actions. If he had kept quiet it would be forgiveable, but to hear him claim that he is the new god (because surely that is the claim you make when you say you have the new hand of god) and to see him being carried around on a victory lap by his team mates, is offensive.
That incident means that, despite Uruguay's underdog status, the Netherlands are surely the sentimental favourites for that semi final. To see Uruguay move on to the World Cup final, and Luis Suarez return from suspension to play in the final, would be galling to all African fans, and reinforce a perception that this World Cup is delivering plenty of drama but not a huge amount of justice.
Fortunately, from a footballing point of view, Netherlands will also be the favourites. Arjen Robben didn't score the goal I predicted in the last match, but his presence, and his theatrical way of falling, so frustrated the Brazilians that they lost their composure and were lucky they finished with only one red card. A pleasing aspect of that game was that it might, temporarily at least, end the nauseating press coverage that Brazil get everywhere they go about playing such beautiful football. The amount of kicking and elbowing they did throughout that game was anything but beautiful.
With Robben again looking to create trouble, and Wesley Sneijder looking like a candidate for the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot, the Netherlands, who must still be shocked to be playing such a modest opponent in the semi final, should prove too strong.
My prediction: Netherlands, 2-1
Now to the one everyone is looking forward to, pitting the tournaments most in form side, Germany, against the team that started the month as almost unbackable favourites. The bookmakers are tipping Spain, barely, just as they tipped Argentina and England. The problem with this Germany side is that they are still largely an unknown quantity, so after each big win, its hard to know how much further they can go. And their victories over England and Argentina were so comprehensive that it becomes natural to question whether those sides were as good as thought, which in turn casts doubt over how good the Germans really are.
On the other hand, how can you bet against a team that has thrashed Argentina 4-0, scored the most goals in the tournament, conceded only 2, has one player chasing the all time World Cup scoring record, and another, in Bastian Schweinsteiger, who must be the favourite for the Golden Ball?
Spain as an opponent may suit Germany. The big wins against Argentina and England (and Australia) were all started by an early goal. Once the opposition was forced to attack in numbers because they needed an equaliser, the Germans are so fast and so precise with their counterattacks that they are almost unstoppable. Against Spain Germany won't need that early goal - the Spanish game plan is always to control possession and attack from the start.
Spain will also think they are playing an opponent that suites them. Everyone from Switzerland to Paraguay has tucked ten men behind the ball and defended dourly in search of a draw or a lucky winner against Spain. Germany won't do that, so the Spanish will at last be able to show their attacking flair.
Germany are playing with some extra motivation. At the last World Cup an entire nation was reduced to tears as Germany lost a truly classic encounter with Italy at the last second. Lahm, Scweinsteiger, Podolski, Mertesacker and Klose will all remember it well, and another semi final loss will be unthinkable to them. Losing a semi final is probably the cruelest way of all to exit the tournament, with a final appearance so near, and the inevitable 'what if' scenarios that will haunt both players and fans for the following four years at least.
As a result, this should be a great game. My heart and my head agree on the result though - I think Germany have done enough to show they can beat anyone, and Spain's opponents have done enough to erase Spain's aura of invincibility.
My prediction: Germany 3-1.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Now the real tournament begins
The boys have been separated from the men, the wheat from the chaff. It is quarter-finals time at the World Cup. While all the losing teams will be bitterly disappointed, only Brazil and Spain will, once the dust settles, consider a quarter final exit a failed world cup. The Germans have done enough to satisfy the home press, while Argentina and Holland, though full of ambition, haven't been past the quarters for a long time. Uruguay, Ghana and Paraguay are already in hero territory back home.
I've said before that any attempt at predictions in this World Cup is futile, but, because I managed to pick all of the quarters, and win a penny in the process, in 2006, I'm going to have a crack at doing it again this year.
Uruguay v Ghana
The sentimental favour surely lies with Africa's only remaining side, the Black Stars of Ghana - named for the star on their flag, not their skin colour, though I'm sure the double meaning is not lost on the side. Ghana dispatched the USA with two very well taken goals, putting to rest questions about their ability to score, after they qualified from the group stage without scoring from open play. Uruguay haven't looked stretched yet, but they came through an easy group, and certainly didn't dominate Korea in the last round. They do have a prolific striker in Luis Suarez, who turned the game against Korea and can do the same in any game.
It's a tight game, but Ghana look the fitter and more determined of the sides, and the will be playing with a virtual home ground advantage. If it comes to penalties, some of the Uruguay squad may well think back to the dramatic events in Sydney in 2005, where they lost a shoot out to Australia to miss out on the Cup all together.
My prediction: Ghana in regular time. 2-1
Netherlands v Brazil
Allegedly the game that pits La Joga Bonito against Total Football, this quarterfinal is the first clash at this World Cup between genuine contenders for the crown. In reality, Brazil haven't played 'the beautiful game' at all this tournament, unless you count Fabiano's best Thierry Henry impression as beautiful, while the Dutch stopped playing Total Football a long time ago. Nevertheless, it promises to be an entertaining game with some players of genuine quality on the field. If you were to look at this years Champions League Final, you would find that the main protagonists were Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, backed up by Lucio, Maicon and Julio Cesar. On this occasion Sneijder changes sides to join Robben and see if, unlike in the Champions League, he can find a way past the Brazilian defense.
Brazil will start as favourites, as they do in every World Cup game they play. There is a swagger about this side at the moment, and anything less than first place will be considered a failure in Brazil. However the Netherlands have a weapon up their sleeve that Brazil will know all about, but may still not be able to stop.
Every defender in the world knows what Arjen Robben will do when he gets the ball. You will see it in the game tomorrow, at least three times. He picks up the ball on the right wing, runs at the defender, then cuts in field toward the corner of the penalty area, and then unleashes the best left footed shot in the world. His goal against Slovakia in the last round was a text book example. The problem is that knowing it is not the same as preventing it. Robben can run faster than just about any player in the game, and he can do it with the ball at his feet. Defenders don't know how to stop him, because if they block off the way to cut back inside, he can go round them to the base line, where it becomes easy to square the ball for a team mate to tap in.
Brazil look the better balanced of the sides, with an excellent defensive line behind their fabled attack, but I think the Netherlands can nick this one, courtesy of a Robben special.
My prediction: Netherlands, in regular time. 2-1
Germany v Argentina
With five world cups between them, and the history of playing two consecutive World Cup finals against each other, in 1986 and 1990, with one win each, this would have been a huge game anyway. But both camps have added fuel to the fire with their pre game comments.
Bastian Schweinsteiger accused the Argentines of a lack of respect, referring to the Argentines antics before, during and after many games, but in particular the 2006 quarter final. In that game Germany progressed on penalties, and the Argentines reacted by starting a brawl, which had terrible consequences for Germany, as Torsten Frings, one of Germany's most important players in that tournament, allowed himself to be provoked and was suspended for the semi final. Maradona has returned fire by asking, in an attempt at a mock German accent, if the Germans are scared. Maradona had already raised eyebrows when he refused to begin a press conference, after a friendly game against Germany in March, as long as the ball boy was seated at the same table. The ball boy in question was in fact Thomas Mueller, who has scored three goals at this world cup.
Given Argentina's history, Schweinsteiger's was not an unreasonable accusation. Argentina play the game in a very poor spirit. In 1986 Maradona scored the infamous hand of god goal, and had the brazen arrogance to name it that as well. In 1990 they kicked and fouled their way to the final, and Germany were in the unfamiliar position of being the sentimental favourites. In 1998 Diego Simeones appalling play acting saw David Beckham sent off and forced to return home to a storm of unfair condemnation. And then there was the brawl in 2006.
As to the footballing qualities of the sides, they are a long way apart. If Argentina were to go on and win the World Cup, it would be proof that the role of the coach is almost meaningless. In Maradona the Argentines have a parody of a coach, a puerile man who attracts, and enjoys, a circus everywhere he goes. Consider the Thomas Mueller incident - even if it had been a ball boy, what kind of a person would refuse to do a press conference because of the presence of unworthies. To see just how low Maradona has stooped, enjoy this video of a Maradona press conference after Argentina narrowly qualified for this World Cup. It is a shame that such an idiot was gifted with such immense football skills. He may be considered an inspirational figure in his homeland, but he simply hasn't got the brains to be a good coach. He is however blessed with the most talented line up in the tournament.
Germany on the other hand would offer proof that a coach can take a team far beyond the sum of its part by instilling a good system in the team. While Ozil and Mueller are emerging, the team has no true stars in the mould of Messi and Tevez. One thing both sides have in common is an attacking bent and a weakness in defense. Germany will be fitter and faster, Argentina undoubtedly have more skillful players. And in Lionel Messi they have one player that no defense can entirely stop - Germany will have to hope that this is not the game when he gets to his best.
Expect goals a plenty in this affair, but in the end I think the score will be close and the Germans are more likely to hold their nerve when it gets tough.
My prediction: Germany, in extra time, 3-2, or on penalties.
Spain v Paraguay
Little to say here. Spain are warming up, and looking harder and harder to beat. Only Spain have the depth of talent to shrug off the poor form of a player like Fernando Torres. When they get into trouble they can bring players of the quality of Cesc Fabregas off the bench. Paraguay have had an easy run to the quarter finals, and Spain will be much to good for them.
My prediction: Spain, in regular time, 3-0.
I've said before that any attempt at predictions in this World Cup is futile, but, because I managed to pick all of the quarters, and win a penny in the process, in 2006, I'm going to have a crack at doing it again this year.
Uruguay v Ghana
The sentimental favour surely lies with Africa's only remaining side, the Black Stars of Ghana - named for the star on their flag, not their skin colour, though I'm sure the double meaning is not lost on the side. Ghana dispatched the USA with two very well taken goals, putting to rest questions about their ability to score, after they qualified from the group stage without scoring from open play. Uruguay haven't looked stretched yet, but they came through an easy group, and certainly didn't dominate Korea in the last round. They do have a prolific striker in Luis Suarez, who turned the game against Korea and can do the same in any game.
It's a tight game, but Ghana look the fitter and more determined of the sides, and the will be playing with a virtual home ground advantage. If it comes to penalties, some of the Uruguay squad may well think back to the dramatic events in Sydney in 2005, where they lost a shoot out to Australia to miss out on the Cup all together.
My prediction: Ghana in regular time. 2-1
Netherlands v Brazil
Allegedly the game that pits La Joga Bonito against Total Football, this quarterfinal is the first clash at this World Cup between genuine contenders for the crown. In reality, Brazil haven't played 'the beautiful game' at all this tournament, unless you count Fabiano's best Thierry Henry impression as beautiful, while the Dutch stopped playing Total Football a long time ago. Nevertheless, it promises to be an entertaining game with some players of genuine quality on the field. If you were to look at this years Champions League Final, you would find that the main protagonists were Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, backed up by Lucio, Maicon and Julio Cesar. On this occasion Sneijder changes sides to join Robben and see if, unlike in the Champions League, he can find a way past the Brazilian defense.
Brazil will start as favourites, as they do in every World Cup game they play. There is a swagger about this side at the moment, and anything less than first place will be considered a failure in Brazil. However the Netherlands have a weapon up their sleeve that Brazil will know all about, but may still not be able to stop.
Every defender in the world knows what Arjen Robben will do when he gets the ball. You will see it in the game tomorrow, at least three times. He picks up the ball on the right wing, runs at the defender, then cuts in field toward the corner of the penalty area, and then unleashes the best left footed shot in the world. His goal against Slovakia in the last round was a text book example. The problem is that knowing it is not the same as preventing it. Robben can run faster than just about any player in the game, and he can do it with the ball at his feet. Defenders don't know how to stop him, because if they block off the way to cut back inside, he can go round them to the base line, where it becomes easy to square the ball for a team mate to tap in.
Brazil look the better balanced of the sides, with an excellent defensive line behind their fabled attack, but I think the Netherlands can nick this one, courtesy of a Robben special.
My prediction: Netherlands, in regular time. 2-1
Germany v Argentina
With five world cups between them, and the history of playing two consecutive World Cup finals against each other, in 1986 and 1990, with one win each, this would have been a huge game anyway. But both camps have added fuel to the fire with their pre game comments.
Bastian Schweinsteiger accused the Argentines of a lack of respect, referring to the Argentines antics before, during and after many games, but in particular the 2006 quarter final. In that game Germany progressed on penalties, and the Argentines reacted by starting a brawl, which had terrible consequences for Germany, as Torsten Frings, one of Germany's most important players in that tournament, allowed himself to be provoked and was suspended for the semi final. Maradona has returned fire by asking, in an attempt at a mock German accent, if the Germans are scared. Maradona had already raised eyebrows when he refused to begin a press conference, after a friendly game against Germany in March, as long as the ball boy was seated at the same table. The ball boy in question was in fact Thomas Mueller, who has scored three goals at this world cup.
Given Argentina's history, Schweinsteiger's was not an unreasonable accusation. Argentina play the game in a very poor spirit. In 1986 Maradona scored the infamous hand of god goal, and had the brazen arrogance to name it that as well. In 1990 they kicked and fouled their way to the final, and Germany were in the unfamiliar position of being the sentimental favourites. In 1998 Diego Simeones appalling play acting saw David Beckham sent off and forced to return home to a storm of unfair condemnation. And then there was the brawl in 2006.
As to the footballing qualities of the sides, they are a long way apart. If Argentina were to go on and win the World Cup, it would be proof that the role of the coach is almost meaningless. In Maradona the Argentines have a parody of a coach, a puerile man who attracts, and enjoys, a circus everywhere he goes. Consider the Thomas Mueller incident - even if it had been a ball boy, what kind of a person would refuse to do a press conference because of the presence of unworthies. To see just how low Maradona has stooped, enjoy this video of a Maradona press conference after Argentina narrowly qualified for this World Cup. It is a shame that such an idiot was gifted with such immense football skills. He may be considered an inspirational figure in his homeland, but he simply hasn't got the brains to be a good coach. He is however blessed with the most talented line up in the tournament.
Germany on the other hand would offer proof that a coach can take a team far beyond the sum of its part by instilling a good system in the team. While Ozil and Mueller are emerging, the team has no true stars in the mould of Messi and Tevez. One thing both sides have in common is an attacking bent and a weakness in defense. Germany will be fitter and faster, Argentina undoubtedly have more skillful players. And in Lionel Messi they have one player that no defense can entirely stop - Germany will have to hope that this is not the game when he gets to his best.
Expect goals a plenty in this affair, but in the end I think the score will be close and the Germans are more likely to hold their nerve when it gets tough.
My prediction: Germany, in extra time, 3-2, or on penalties.
Spain v Paraguay
Little to say here. Spain are warming up, and looking harder and harder to beat. Only Spain have the depth of talent to shrug off the poor form of a player like Fernando Torres. When they get into trouble they can bring players of the quality of Cesc Fabregas off the bench. Paraguay have had an easy run to the quarter finals, and Spain will be much to good for them.
My prediction: Spain, in regular time, 3-0.
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