2014 World Cup

[Grey Fox]

After such an exiting group phase, this knockout stage has brought back the boring world cup

[Monoriu]

After such an exiting group phase, this knockout stage has brought back the boring world cup

1990 was really quite boring.  This one is fine.

[DGuller]

WTF was up with the referee in the Brazil match?  Did he bet his life savings on when the first yellow card would come out?

Apart from that, I was a little surprised that soccer medics don't use a backboard.  It was clear that Neymar's back was injured, possibly seriously.  I winced when they were just rolling him into that box like a rag doll.

[Syt]

Looks like Neymar isn't going to be ready for the semis.

They're now saying he has a fractured vertebrae and will be out of the rest of the Cup.

I guess that increases Germany's chances of advancing, though. And if Brazil loses in the semis, they can always say that it was only because of Neymar not being there.

[dps]

After such an exiting group phase, this knockout stage has brought back the boring world cup

In group play, it seemed like everyone was actually trying to win, instead of the stereotype of the strong teams just playing for a draw against each other and then beating up on the weak sides.  But now in the knockout stages, they seem to be trying to get to penalties.

[Admiral Yi]

In group play, it seemed like everyone was actually trying to win, instead of the stereotype of the strong teams just playing for a draw against each other and then beating up on the weak sides.  But now in the knockout stages, they seem to be trying to get to penalties.

I have a different read.  I think the both teams have been playing cautiously in their first halves: the favorites because they think they can win any game, except one where they dig themselves a 2-0 hole, and the underdogs because they think they can win a compressed, one half game more easily than if they go end to end for 90 minutes.

[Zanza]

[The Larch]

Important stuff, who folds his arms better in the player presentations?

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/07/03/world_cup_player_introductions_a_deep_analysis_of_how_soccer_players_fold.html

[Liep]

Important stuff, who folds his arms better in the player presentations?

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/07/03/world_cup_player_introductions_a_deep_analysis_of_how_soccer_players_fold.html

I was wondering from day 1 why they made the players do that, it looks ridiculous. The only one not looking stupid might be the winner, so I guess slate is on to something here.

[The Larch]

Important stuff, who folds his arms better in the player presentations?

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/07/03/world_cup_player_introductions_a_deep_analysis_of_how_soccer_players_fold.html

I was wondering from day 1 why they made the players do that, it looks ridiculous. The only one not looking stupid might be the winner, so I guess slate is on to something here.

It can look cool, but the potential for ridiculousness is very high. 

[Liep]

Apart from that, I was a little surprised that soccer medics don't use a backboard.  It was clear that Neymar's back was injured, possibly seriously.  I winced when they were just rolling him into that box like a rag doll.

At least they stopped running with him when he almost fell off and screamed out in pain from bouncing all over in the stretcher.

[Monoriu]

Tonight is the night.  The World Cup belongs to the Europeans and South Americans. 

[sbr]

In group play, it seemed like everyone was actually trying to win, instead of the stereotype of the strong teams just playing for a draw against each other and then beating up on the weak sides.  But now in the knockout stages, they seem to be trying to get to penalties.

I have a different read.  I think the both teams have been playing cautiously in their first halves: the favorites because they think they can win any game, except one where they dig themselves a 2-0 hole, and the underdogs because they think they can win a compressed, one half game more easily than if they go end to end for 90 minutes.

I heard one of the British analysts on ESPN radio say that the group round is about winning to advance.  The knockout round is about not losing.

It makes sense to me.  I don't know enough to know whether it is true or not.

[FunkMonk]

Important stuff, who folds his arms better in the player presentations?

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_spot/2014/07/03/world_cup_player_introductions_a_deep_analysis_of_how_soccer_players_fold.html

I was wondering from day 1 why they made the players do that, it looks ridiculous. The only one not looking stupid might be the winner, so I guess slate is on to something here.

It can look cool, but the potential for ridiculousness is very high. 

Benoit Assou-Ekotto always struck me as a really cool guy who plays professional soccer just for the fun of it. His picture just confirms that. 

[Josephus]

My day today.

Watch the Argentina game at my brother's house at noon.

Take train to downtown Toronto to watch 4pm Holland game.

Take streetcar to BMO field to watch Bradley return for Toronto FC game at 7 pm.