Skip to main content

Semi excited

Writing after the Dutch semi-final... Birchy, hats off to your predo at the outset of the tournament.... would have got a decent price at that pt for a NL v ESP final.

Many random thoughts from another engaging game....

- Had taken the day off (and tomorrow) to devote to the games... only to be met with a NYC heatwave. 103 degrees meant I did not leave my air conditioned man cave, but suspect it was nuts (and sweaty) in the Dutch bars in town
- There's another party in Ruud's hotel room tonight
- Did all of the goalkeepers review "Diego Forlan, the Man Utd years" when researching their Uruguayan opponents? This is the only explanation for every goal he has scored this summer being the result of goalies thinking.... "ahh, he's not going to score from there......sshiiiittt!" Kudus though for being the only player to really tame the Jubalani
- The Dutch starting to actually look like the Dutch for 20 mins in the second half, with Van de Vaart in the team. Back to German efficiency for the final...
- I don't like Robin Van Persie. Maybe the lone striker is not his position, but he looks shit and ineffective. What is more telling though is his reluctance to go over and celebrate with his teammates after they score....
- Gooooooooooooooooooooooooal of the tournament. A willneverhappenagainifItrythat100times belter from Van Bronckhorst...absolutely tremendous. (now, if I was pulling for the team and my captain scored a goal like that I would go nuts! RVP didn't seem all that arsed to be honest)
- Less theatrics from Robben. Well done son. And a very good header.
- All round panic in the last couple of minutes when the Dutch thought they were going to blow it

That's about it - a deserved win, but great effort by the sole Sth Americans left in. They're underdogs for Sunday, whoever they will play, but trying to get a plane ticket and join the 50,000 people in Museumplein for the weekend is this weeks must have fun accessory!

If you don't believe me, check this out - Brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB3uejiBuU4

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Arriving late at the far post...........

Well, out from behind a rock I come. Like Batman responding to the spotlight over Gotham, the sight of Alexi Lalas relaxing on ESPN's swanky new World Cup set spouting 'knowledge' of the beautiful game immediately triggered me into action. A personal excitement for me is the returning punditry on this side of the pond of one Roberto Martinez. 4 years ago, I listened to this polite young man with light enthusiasm....now I find myself hanging onto every word from Bobby Brown Shoes. A supremely classy guy, just hoping for the "and Neymar is close to signing, which is phenonemal (Bobby's most used word - quite impressive for a Spanish native) " Sooo, what have I missed so far (Brazil own goal aside).... - Roy Hodgson in old man sunglasses - An amazing lack of planning from team England organizing a friendly in Florida at 5pm in June and being surprised as a thunderstorm - Scapegoating of a key England player (Rooney) before a ball is kicked in anger - Overplay

Never give up (unless you are Brazil)

I'm sat watching the world's most meaningless football match, the World Cup 3rd place playoff - two teams who just want to go home, forced instead to play out a dead rubber. Even the Community Shield had more meaning. This time around, however, we have the morbid excitement and voyeurism of watching Brazil's very public meltdown. They are an object lesson in falling apart once things start to go against them, like the Newcastle of international football. As things stand they are two goals down and there's no chance I'm switching off as they could easily fold and become a laughing stock, just as they could suddenly find form and claw things back. Tomorrow sees the final and a surprising amount of people rooting for Germany, probably because they look the best team by some margin. I'm gunning for Argentina (a) because I'd win £50 if they win (b) because I predicted on this blog that they'd win and (c) because I want to see Messi lift that trophy. He's

Prediction time

Two great games today - a real South American affair. I really like Chile (and have money on them to get to the semi finals), but I was hoping they'd avoid Brazil at this stage. Almost an England v Germany mental block  - Brazil has beaten them every time they've met in the finals.  Think Chile will score, but a nervy (maybe even needing extra time) Brazil to win 2-1. As for the second game, 2-0 Colombia against the siege mentality of the Uruguayans. Feeling bad for the lunatic who likes to eat people doesn't detract from the fact they were undone by Costa. Rica when last without Chewy Luis. Liking the look of Colombia - could be a cracking quarter final vs Brazil