2014 World Cup

[Maladict]

I just saw a replay of the first Dutch miss, it almost rolled back into the goal because of spin and ended up on the goal line. It would've been one for the YouTube legendary archives if it had gone in. The goalie was completely unaware in his celebrations.

http://www.dr.dk/sporten/fifavm2014/nyheder/20140711085034.htm

EDIT: And I just saw it again, did it touch Vlaar?

I completely missed that.

[celedhring]

Looks like it touches Vlaar's shoulder, imho. So it wouldn't have counted.

[Maladict]

Looks like it touches Vlaar's shoulder, imho. So it wouldn't have counted.

I think so too, in the second video the trajectory changes slightly on the way up.

[derspiess]

Spicy, isn't this like a dream final for you? Your family hails from Germany, doesn't it?
And with an Argentinian wife, I can imagine you are suppressing the inner Kraut Fallujah-style.

Yeah, kinda.  When they played each other in 2010 I was evenly split.  But with Argentina making the run they've made thus far I'd like to see them finish out on top.  They're due, and it would mean more to Argentina with all the troubles they currently have.  I do get the impression among Argies that they are happy enough with getting to the final that they won't have anything like the Brazilians' meltdown should they lose.

I snagged an Argentina away jersey on the cheap yesterday to replace the size medium Messi jersey that no longer fits me (and really never properly did).  The stores here are discounting all World Cup stuff to get rid of it, despite the fact that there are two (I guess techically four) teams still playing.  I may get a German one for the hell of it.  The Netherlands shirt was sold out when I went back.

[Syt]

I saw a statistic in Neue Zürcher Zeitung today: during the Argentina-Netherlands semifinal, the only two people on the pitch who ran less than Messi (measured in km) were the two goalies. 

[Zanza]

[derspiess]

I saw a statistic in Neue Zürcher Zeitung today: during the Argentina-Netherlands semifinal, the only two people on the pitch who ran less than Messi (measured in km) were the two goalies. 

He was resting for the final

[Grey Fox]

I saw a statistic in Neue Zürcher Zeitung today: during the Argentina-Netherlands semifinal, the only two people on the pitch who ran less than Messi (measured in km) were the two goalies. 

What is it still more than Fred?

Is Messi any good a stealing the ball from the opposition midfield?

[Syt]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/germany-went-easy-brazil-second-3834359

Germany went easy on Brazil in second half of 7-1 World Cup pasting claims Mats Hummels

Joachim Low's men already lead tournament hosts 5-0 at halftime in their semi-final and agreed not to humiliate them further in the last 45 minutes

Germany's players made a half-time dressing room pact not to "humiliate" Brazil ‎during their World Cup mauling.

Defender Mats Hummels ‎revealed he and his teammates spoke in the dressing room in Belo Horizonte after storming into a 5-0 interval lead.

They agreed not to 'show-boat', and, after their historic 7-1 semi-final win, Manchester United target Hummels explained: "We just made it clear that we had to stay focused and not try to humiliate them.

"We said we had to stay serious and concentrate at half-time. That's something you don't have to show on the pitch if you are playing.

"You have to show the opponent respect and it was very important that we did this and didn't try to show some magic or something like this. It was important we played our game for 90 minutes."

Brazil were left completely stunned ‎by Germany's rampant victory but Hummels insists they must repeat their World Cup masterclass if they are to win the final on Sunday.

He added: "‎After our second goal they got confused. They were not organised on the pitch and after that we didn't miss a chance until we scored the fifth goal. This doesn't happen too often. You just have to enjoy it.

"We must keep our feet on the ground, but that's no problem for us. We know how hard it will be on Sunday. It doesn't matter who the opponent is on the day. It will be a hard fight and the only chance we have of winning is if we know that from the start.

"We know we are one of the best teams in the world but you always need a bit of luck and for us it was a good day. We must enjoy what happened, but if we lose the final, this semi-final will not be worth anything.

"The game does not have any impact on the final on because it will be a totally different game. It was nice how it went, but it will be no problem keeping our feet on the ground."

Hummels and his teammates were praised by their former manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

The current USA coach, who scored 38 goals in 80 appearances for Germany as a player and managed them at the 2006 World Cup, urged Joachim Low and his players to go on and win the tournament.

Klinsmann tweeted: "The best German performance ever in a World Cup! Simply fantastic! Now get the Cup JOGI and TEAM!"

And former Germany and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann was equally impressed, saying: "Master-class from Germany. Clinical, organised, hard-working, unselfish and humble. Very proud of the team. One to go."

I'm rather surprised how scandal free the team is this time around. No divas jockeying for the limelight. This seems to really be one of the rare cases of all for one and one for all. I'm really impressed by Lukas Podolski who has been on the bench the whole time, but still projects a lot of joy and positive energy during this tournament.

[DGuller]

If you're going to "not humiliate" someone, a crucial part of that plan is not saying that you chose to not humiliate someone.

[Sheilbh]

This Germany team are exceptionally loveable. They're like the anti-Dutch.

Though, needless to say, I'll be cheering on Argentina

[Norgy]

This Germany team are exceptionally loveable. They're like the anti-Dutch.

Though, needless to say, I'll be cheering on Argentina

Papist. 

Get behind Europe!

[derspiess]

If you're going to "not humiliate" someone, a crucial part of that plan is not saying that you chose to not humiliate someone.

Yeah.  When it's already 5-0 at the half it's a done deal.

[Maladict]

If you're going to "not humiliate" someone, a crucial part of that plan is not saying that you chose to not humiliate someone.

And then score another two goals.

[FunkMonk]

Germany should have let Brazil score 4 in the second half and then unleash another 5 goals in the last 6 minutes to fully break Brazilian's spirits.