July 10, 201411 yr I said before the tournament that the Dutch would be crap, and bar the first match I really don't see what they've done to be impressive, and even in that they could (probably should) have been 2-0 down, especially in the knockout stages. Last night was a diabolical performance, at least Argentina tried to create chances. They're not brilliant but Netherlands have no place to be in the final at all, particularly after the way they disgraced themselves in it last time. Only team to beat Chile.
July 11, 201411 yr Ron Vlaar's penalty (the first in the shoot-out) very nearly spun back into the goal :o It came within inches of being the most hilarious penalty shoot-out goal ever with the goalkeeper too busy celebrating his save to notice what was happening :lol:
July 11, 201411 yr Ron Vlaar's penalty (the first in the shoot-out) very nearly spun back into the goal :o It came within inches of being the most hilarious penalty shoot-out goal ever with the goalkeeper too busy celebrating his save to notice what was happening :lol: Vlaar touched the ball with his shoulder tho :kink:
July 11, 201411 yr Vlaar touched the ball with his shoulder tho :kink: I've seen it from another angle and I don't think he did. It looks as if he dipped his shoulder to avoid contact.
July 11, 201411 yr I've seen it from another angle and I don't think he did. It looks as if he dipped his shoulder to avoid contact. http://zippy.gfycat.com/AccurateBackDowitcher.webm This one shows it clearly
July 11, 201411 yr Only team to beat Chile. True, though two late goals against a team who'd already met their objective and had rested their best player. Both teams were coasting in the bits of it I watched.
July 11, 201411 yr Golden Ball shortlist: Di Maria, Hummels, Kroos, Lahm, Mascherano, Messi, Muller, Neymar, Robben, Rodriguez Golden Glove: Navas, Neuer, Romero Young Player: Depay, Pogba, Varane Would love Rodriguez to win it, though I can't imagine he will. If they have to give to someone who went further I'd say it has to be Kroos, but bookies favourites are Messi and Muller, probably will be one of those two.
July 11, 201411 yr http://zippy.gfycat.com/AccurateBackDowitcher.webm This one shows it clearly I don't think that is conclusive. Vlaar clearly dropped his shoulder to avoid making contact. It isn't totally clear whether he succeeded or not. To my eyes anyway :lol:
July 12, 201411 yr Loved how Louis gave Vorm some playtime to make sure every player got some Netherland deserved this third place
July 12, 201411 yr Netherlands looked one of the best teams of this tournament with their thrashing of Spain, Van Gaal must be happy of getting as far as third of the competition, at least he goes out on a high.
July 12, 201411 yr And now Hiddink takes over with Van Nistelrooy as his assistant and Danny Blind in charge after the Euros. Some countries are just too organised.
July 12, 201411 yr Netherlands looked one of the best teams of this tournament with their thrashing of Spain, Van Gaal must be happy of getting as far as third of the competition, at least he goes out on a high. Thrashed Spain, but Spain were shit. Beat Brazil, but Brazil without their talisman are nothing. That's why I think it's hard to gauge just how good the Germans actually are. Embarrassing for Brazil. Luckily they've so many good players that Scolari didn't take to the Euros, so they should be ok in the Copa America next year.
July 14, 201411 yr Sad it's over :( No more sport to look forward to this summer. The Commonwealth Games ;)
July 14, 201411 yr The final ranking: Rank/Country/Compared to last WC 1 . Germany (+2) 2 . Argentina (+3) 3 . Netherlands (-1) 4 . Brazil (+2) Eliminated in final 8 5 . Colombia (RE) 6 . Belgium (RE) 7 . France (+22) 8 . Costa Rica (RE) Eliminated in final 16 9 . Chile (+1) 10 . Mexico (+4) 11 . Switzerland (+8) 12 . Uruguay (-8) 13 . Greece (+12) 14 . Algeria (+14) 15 . United States (-3) 16 . Nigeria (+11) Eliminated in Group Stage 17 . Ecuador (RE) 18 . Portugal (+7) 19 . Croatia (RE) 20 . Bosnia and Herzegovina (NE) 21 . Ivory Coast (-4) 22 . Italy (+4) 23 . Spain (-22) 24 . Russia (RE) 25 . Ghana (-18) 26 . England (-13) 27 . South Korea (-12) 28 . Iran (RE) 29 . Japan (-20) 30 . Australia (-9) 31 . Honduras (-1) 32 . Cameroon (-1) The drops for Spain, England and Ghana :o The rise of France :o The fact that Italy did even worse in 2010 :o
July 14, 201411 yr For all the predictability of the knockout stage matches, that we ended up with 3 quarter-finalists who weren't at the last World Cup and one who did terribly last time is pleasing, shows at least things aren't staying static. I just realised, with you showing Italy's rise, that none of the 3 teams who came above them in their group in 2010 were present this time. Poor Paraguay 3
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