WORLD CUP 2014

[Rommie]

Ah well, next match I guess!

Fun night last night as the Dutch were the first to qualify to go on, and we all watched in disbelief afterwards as Spain imploded. I don't think anyone was guessing that was going to happen! Sorry about Australia though, they really had an awful draw this time around.

Think I'm going to skip today's games though in favor of giving my liver a chance to recover.

[squ1d]

60% of possession, 9 shots on goal and lose 2-1 again.

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE FAIL

[FZR1KG]

60% of possession, 9 shots on goal and lose 2-1 again.

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE FAIL

Who?

[FZR1KG]

Ah, Uruguay vs England.
You know the English just did the honorable thing because the tradition in Uruguay is that they shoot the team in the head for each goal they let pass...even if they win the World Cup overall.
Sucks to be a soccer player there.

[Rommie]

Funny detail btw, I have been #2 of 35 people in our office soccer pool this past week. #1 is some random MSc student- I need to start checking where our predictions differ!

You definitely know you're doing well btw when all the guys in the pool start consoling themselves by telling you "well if you're #2 that's just proof that it's all chance." Apparently no one remembers how I led the pool a few days two years ago during Euro Cup.

[squ1d]

Got some satisfaction watching dismal Italy lose to Costa Rica who will probably finish top of the group

[Rommie]

Using my post #1000 to check in here

Big celebrations last night as the Dutch secured their first place, and we are now in to play against Mexico on Sunday. I was actually going to go on a kayaking adventure on Sunday with some folks but may well cancel in light of the match- fun as it would be I've never seen a big match on Museumplein (ie the big square in Amsterdam where they show the matches) and while I'm an optimist who knows if there will be another chance?

I also had a fun time going out for the midnight US match- lots of Americans turned up in the bar I normally watch American football matches at in the fall (an Aussie bar of all things). Except damn, that game was dramatic to the end but not in the right way... we pretty much all agreed that before the match we would've been ecstatic to tie, and hell most of the match it was 1-0 so we would've been happy to just not lose, but it's quite disheartening to have that snatched away in the last 15 seconds of extra time.

Also, holy friggin hell, I have been #2 every day except one in the soccer office pool, and every day but that one this random MSc kid has been #1. We are separated by one point. Argh!

[squ1d]

Uruguay vs Italy was terrible, highlighting the filthy playing style of both teams at their worst. Uruguay stole an undeserved victory while Italian players were still complaining about Suarez biting Chiellini. The worst part was that after the biting incident Suarez fell to the ground holding his head as if he'd been fouled. Meanwhile, a draw between England and Costa Rica puts Italy out and Uruguay in. There has been some amazing one eyed refereeing in the favour of South American teams!

[Rommie]

Yes, lots of complaining about that in Europe too. Well on the bright side in 4 years time the bribes will be easier for the European teams to arrange in Russia...

Good news- I am now leading the office soccer pool! I get to wear a giant orange shirt all day that says #1 on it!

[Rommie]

Good lord, my liver can only take so much more of this.

I was joking yesterday as I went out to a bar where a bunch of Americans were to watch the game, and we all agreed it was the nicest loss ever as none of us cared much since USA is going on. To be honest I mainly am looking forward to hanging out with the American crowd again, as I met some nice expats! (Also, for the first time in years, I did not buy my own drink the entire night, as the American guys would not allow such a thing.)

Btw kinda a weird one, there's one other PhD student who's American in my dept so I naturally invited her to come out. She promptly accused me of "drinking the Kool-Aid" because she wanted Ghana to go through as "they'd enjoy it more than us"- something about how the US is already thinking they're #1 in everything, blah blah blah. Then before I left I jokingly asked if she was done being a cynic about her country, response was "well I don't know if I consider it my country..."

She's usually nice, but geez that was really pretentious. Basically before here she lived all her life in New York state, but then lived in Canada 2 years prior to moving here so now says she also considers herself Canadian, and moved here in September/ boyfriend lives in Germany.

[squ1d]

Now we both have no team left to support-itis.


Belgium are now my second team this world cup, mainly due to 3 of their players being from Spurs and the fact they make great beer. But I'm not liking their chances in the next round.

[Rommie]

We are? Need I remind you that I live in a country whose team is battling Costa Rica on Saturday night?

In order:

- Brazil vs Chile was the best match of the World Cup so far, no question in my mind. My jaw literally dropped when the ball hit the upper bar near the end, and after the penalty goal that won the match I joked to my friend "I'm pretty sure Neymar can now have any woman he wants in Brazil- including married ones, as their husbands wouldn't mind right now if that's what Neymar wants."
- Went to Museumplein to watch the Mexico vs Netherlands match on Sunday, giant open square with tens of thousands of people that felt like a festival. TBH that game was basically boring until the last ten minutes (until the Dutch team decided to start playing), after which we were jumping up and down in excitement and then dancing at least a half hour afterwards. Unfortunately all the matches from now on are 10pm matches here-time, so they're not doing live showings there again.
- USA was unfortunate but damn, dat Timmy Howard! (Fun fact, his mother is Hungarian!) I rather like the joke that circulated, "what's the difference between Jesus and Tim Howard? Jesus had 11 men he could trust." I mean geez, first half was even, second half was basically Belgium vs Howard, then once they were losing in overtime the US decided to play well again. Had the match been a few minutes longer it might've been tied again.
Really weird thing that never happened to me, was in a bar with a bunch of other Americans and a Dutch fan came over to harass me at the end of the game with rude gestures and saying "this is what Americans do when they win!" Belgium's really classy like that.

[squ1d]

Belgians or Dutch?

How douchey is that Dutch Keeper.

We both got 75% correct for the final 4.

[squ1d]

My wafflings and opinions on the last stretch..

Unlike many cups where an obvious winner has emerged by this stage (such as Spain in 2010) I still think it is quite open. There are two South American teams left and we are in South America, so there are surely good chances of a South American team winning. Having said that ...

Any remaining side that digs deep and comes up with some inspired play can win the whole tournament. The Dutch started superbly and have been hit and miss since. Nonetheless, I think all things remaining equal they should beat Argentina, and could win the whole thing if they can return to the form of their second half against Spain. Brazil have been underwhelming, and without Neymar (at least his haircut was unharmed) I have to favour zee Germans, if they can keep their back line in order. Ze Germans were my pick at the start of the tournament in my local tipping competition. But again .. they've seemed good, but not great.... and that back line is quite vulnerable.

I don't really have favourites now, but I definitely would like to see a European team win to break the hoodoo in South America. If it does work out as Germany vs Holland... That would be so awesome ... red cards, riots, who knows

If Argentina win .... #VOMIT

[Rommie]

Eh, no one likes Belgium, good thing they're gone.

Regarding Krul, I don't get why people are so critical to be honest- he didn't do anything not allowed, and mind games are all part of the sport (especially at penalties- I mean if they weren't, we know all players can shoot the ball from there). Nothing previous goalies haven't done, and I can't imagine why anyone's complaining about what he did except for sour grapes.

And yep, looks like everyone in my institute office pool got 75% or so (most were guessing Spain- how long ago that seems now!). Slipped down to #5 but can still win it all with the right order.

Go oranje! As I said Saturday to friends, the real good thing about winning Saturday was we now get two more games regardless of the outcome. Also while I don't find it likely, the Dutch are seeking catharsis as they've never won a World Cup but have been to the finals thrice... beat Spain who bested them 4 years ago, Argentina took the victory from them in 78, and Germany in 74, so while I don't think it's likely they could finally payback all those losses.

Also, I've blocked out my Monday next week just in case as I'm assured if the Dutch win it all we're in for a giant street party the likes of which Amsterdam has never seen. Mainly it's blocked out because we were assured if we don't take out our boat it might get damaged, so why not have fun eh?

[Morrolan]

How douchey is that Dutch Keeper.

not douchey at all. absolutely brilliant. show me where it says you can't verbally joust with other players, when it is apparently fine to break someone's back.

mind games are a big part of the game. like Rommie said: anyone complaining about it probably has sour grapes for not thinking of it themselves...

[squ1d]

mind games are a big part of the game. like Rommie said: anyone complaining about it probably has sour grapes for not thinking of it themselves...

I don't have any sour grapes about that particular penalty shoot out, the rather obvious reason people would complain about it (and have in large numbers and quite vociferously) is because it introduces yet another unnecessary smack talking loudmouth douchebaggery element into the game. It was bad enough when penalty shoot outs were introduced, despite the fact the masses are now addicted to the drama, this just makes the result of 120 minutes of football even more farcical.

Maybe soon we will bring out WWE wrestlers as our goalkeepers, and they get to use the microphone for a 5 minute soliloquy about how they got the penalty takers sister pregnant. Yay ! (?)

There are a number of elements of sportsmanship that have declined rapidly over the last 25 years, diving being the main candidate, and I think it has been of great detriment to the game.

[Rommie]

mind games are a big part of the game. like Rommie said: anyone complaining about it probably has sour grapes for not thinking of it themselves...

I don't have any sour grapes about that particular penalty shoot out, the rather obvious reason people would complain about it (and have in large numbers and quite vociferously) is because it introduces yet another unnecessary smack talking loudmouth douchebaggery element into the game. It was bad enough when penalty shoot outs were introduced, despite the fact the masses are now addicted to the drama, this just makes the result of 120 minutes of football even more farcical.

Maybe soon we will bring out WWE wrestlers as our goalkeepers, and they get to use the microphone for a 5 minute soliloquy about how they got the penalty takers sister pregnant. Yay ! (?)

There are a number of elements of sportsmanship that have declined rapidly over the last 25 years, diving being the main candidate, and I think it has been of great detriment to the game.

Wait, since when is this the first time it's happened? I've definitely seen goalies use this tactic before, it's not new.

After having a discussion with my British friends btw, I've pretty much just concluded that they're too polite to ever employ such a tactic and that's why they're all shocked about it.

[squ1d]

That was the most overtly douchey display I've seen of its kind. I wasn't claiming penalty shoot out mind games are new. And yes, I remember Jens Lehmann's sock-note. Poor old Cambiasso.

Thinking it was a douchey display is a theory not confined to British people, if that is the new explanation for my objections.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I think that after today, the entire Brazilian Football team will have change their names and move to China.

Losing on the Semi-finals? at home? Well, shit happens, Against Germany? it's one hell of a tough opponent, 0-5 on the first half? they'll be murdered by their own fans at the exits.

[Morrolan]

HAAAAHAHA! 7-1!!

[FZR1KG]

HAAAAHAHA! 7-1!!

They did it just to prove Coulter is wrong, yet again. lol

[Rommie]

Finally a real football score- Germany won with a touchdown!

Went to a cafe around the corner and that was an insane couple minutes- total blitzkreig! I was joking at one point that they were just showing replays of the goals, and even though there's no German love here we started cheering for the 5th one just curious to see how far they could get. Glad I didn't decide to stay home!

And of course, the big game around here is tonight. Not an easy road but I still think there's a chance- Argentina has Messi, but the rest of the team (defense in particular) still has a few chinks in the armor to exploit.

I think both teams are almost more nervous about winning than losing now though, because the winner has to play Germany.

[Sigma_Orionis]

I guess they locked up those chinks..... we'll see what happens next, the Germans look more formidable than ever....