- This topic has 39 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Certainly on what we have seen it seems surprising Germany are not favourites to win. Even with the suspension if Spain continue to persist with Torres I can’t see them winning. I would give them a much better chance of combating the Germans if they played an extra man in midfield and left Villa as the lone striker.
For all the brilliant players Spain have, they seem to lack a killer instinct. When the German’s get the ball it’s BANG, attack. Lahm etc. bombing down the wings. Spain seem to get too bogged down overplaying the ball in midfield. I’m on the German’s to win the World Cup, and I think the Spanish style of play could suit their game. Paraguay had many chances last night, and if Germany get similar oppurtunities I think they’ll punish the Spanish defence.
Mrs CS is usually right on the ball with football, she backed Germany after the first of the group matches despite saying they were the last team she’d want to win.
For tactical reasons I’m not allowed to post her forecast score for the semi, other than to say Spain are going home.In my defence, my shout to win The WC (Euraguay) are still in the competition (just) but what do I know?
Bar Uruguay it’s who’s the best in Europe…and the best in Europe is Spain.
Germany’s test has been: can they hurt open and disorganised teams, and they have passed it handsomely. Spain have been tested mainly against teams with 11 men behind the ball, and passed it ok.
This game will be different for both teams, Germany lose a major threat in Muller, whereas Spain still aren’t clicking due to the time they’re giving Torres to get razor sharp..it’s been a gamble but I agree with the OP…would prefer to see Cesc in from the off supporting Villa and bring Torres on later. Very close call, maybe for once in this tournament genuine brilliance will decide it either way.
I tipped Spain to win the World Cup.
Yes, their defence is a worry ( Puyol in particular ) and yes, the Germans are looking mightily impressive. But a word of caution. No two games are alike, and the pressure cooker of a World Cup semi-final can alter even the best players’ mindsets. Spain totally dominated Germany in the final of the 2008 Euro final. I don’t think they will dominate them so much this time round, considering that too many of their star players seem out of sorts.
Germany are resolute and well drilled, and they hit teams hard and fast ( England & Argentina !
) but where I feel Spain may have the upper hand is in midfield. If their two excellent play makers, Xavi and Iniesta up their game to the level they are both capable of, and Torres wakes from his slumbers to aid the vibrant Villa, then watch out Germany. A fascinating match-up, where tactics and application will play a big part – and one where I hope Spain can raise their game. If they do, they can take this by one goal. If they don’t they could be swept away by a Teutonic tidal wave.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Bucksy i have covered both Spain and Germany in umpteen differnt ways! So long as one of them win the World Cup i"m happy! Shneider/Holland will cover all bets at 14/1 but if Uruguay win i"m doomed! Being gifted with the ability to spot talent i have to say my heart wants Spain but my head says Germany will mow them down like a Tiger Tank being driven by Michael Schumaker! Sorry mate!
TAPK Holland have no God given "Rite Of Passage" into the final and the "Profound Beauty" of the South American game may well come back to haunt you
TAPK Holland have no God given "Rite Of Passage" into the final and the "Profound Beauty" of the South American game may well come back to haunt you
Germany have a "Workforce" with a "Prime defender" who has a "Serious Attitude" to winning! They are more than just a "Fleeting Spirit" "Showcasing" their talents Cheltenham!
Hopefully Germany can come out on top. Obviously I wasn’t impressed by the sending off of Muller in the quarters, and even less impressed by the failure of the ref to send off Pique later that day. That IMO gives Spain more of a chance than they should have and Germany significantly less.
Much will depend on how Piotr Trochowski can slot into the Right Wing role, but think he scored 2 for Hamburg against Bayern Munich earlier in the season so may not be totally useless. Muller has been the man behind almost every german attack so far though.
Would absolutely hate to see spain make the final, after how the officiating has gone in their favour so far, and if it does end up that way, I probably wont even bother watching it as IMO spain entering tonights game (after Paraguays disallowed goal) with an advantage over germany which they shouldnt have, epitomises everything that has been wrong about this world cup, so will just be wanting holland to come out on top with little interest which way it goes.
The refereeing has been atrocious throughout, last night’s Holland Uruguay was no better, where do they find these officials? Come back Clive Thomas, all is forgiven!.
Last night there was a foul worth at least a yellow immediately before the first Dutch goal, if the defender had stayed down he might have got the foul.
The second was clearly offside as the Dutch player in an offside position took a fresh air swipe at the ball. As the late, great Brian Clough once said "If he’s not interfering with play, what is he doing on the pitch?"Some may say I’m talking through my pocket, maybe, but that doesn’t alter the facts and anyway I don’t think so …….although I did have the first football bet I can ever remember having, I took the 14-1 on offer about Uruguay after the first Dutch goal
PS On the subject of refs/linesmen, Nobody up here is convinced Lampards shot was over the line
That Van Bommell is a dirty B*****d and should have been sent off last night for the stamp on the shin tackle!The Germans will mow him down if he trys it on with them,the Spaniards will get fiery and that would cost them dearly as Holland couldn"t lace either Germany or Spains boots as a football team! Tonights match needs goals from Villa and Klose and should be a cracker! The Golden Boot is too close to call now though!
Would absolutely hate to see spain make the final, after how the officiating has gone in their favour so far, and if it does end up that way, I probably wont even bother watching it as IMO spain entering tonights game (after Paraguays disallowed goal) with an advantage over germany which they shouldnt have, epitomises everything that has been wrong about this world cup, so will just be wanting holland to come out on top with little interest which way it goes.
What an odd thing to say
Spain are the cleanest team in the tournament and have tried to play honest open football at every turn, often against massively negative teams. Barely a yellow card absorbed and THEY had a clear goal from the penalty spot wiped out for NO REASON 
Things will always happen over the course of a tournament, if Germany beat Spain tonight (doubt it mind) I’ll applaud them loudly and cheer them on to beat the Dutch.I too will applaud germany if they beat spain 2nite as germany have unfairly lost their cest player and are thus unfairly having 2 play 2nd choice players against a spanish side probably shouldnt even be there and who have a key player there who shouldnt be (pique). Spain have been a big disappointment 2 watch the whole world cup, and have had a few officials who have kept them in it. Now they go into the semis with what i see as an unfair advantage in being able 2 field their first team when the germans cannot. Like I say, if they make the finals i have no interest in watching as IMO it wont be a meeting of the two best teams but who the refs have favoured and who they have not. I also dont agree that they have played fair. When under pressure their last 2 games weve seen foul after foul on ronaldo (none of which were awarded to portugal), diving from villa at one end of the pitch and pique trying 2 pull cordozas arm out of its socket at the other. Not a team who i think deserve 2 be in the final, just my opinion, the best result would be that holland put a team that shouldnt be there in their place, the worst result would put me of ever watching another world cup. The full strength german side would demolish spain as they have everyone in this world cup when theyve had the full strength team.
I have to say, that’s the biggest load of total utter sheeite I’ve ever read on this tournament.
Pocket talking at its best.
Good luck.
Bulwark,(Loyal German) v Big Bucks ( Loyal Spaniard)! TAPK has split loyalties here,so my unbiased opinion is if ever a game has a score draw 2-2 written all over it,its this and the only thing that will seperate them will be penalties. In my opinion this should have been the final as these two teams are clearly the best in the world and whoever gets the break will go on to win the final! There"s only one player capable of breaking the German defence and thats Villa,he is the best striker in the tournament and it will be an injustice if he doesn"t get the Golden Boot,but one man never won a World Cup and as far as the best team in the world is then Germany dont have a weak link anywhere and there Penalty taking is on a par with my Ante-Post betting! Lethal! May the best team win and the best of luck with your bets guys!
I disagree with that actually. I’n not biased due to my bets, I can see clear weaknesses in both teams and have tried to predict how it might unfold, slightly against perceived wisdom.
Not a clue what Bulwark is prattling about tho!
Good luck D.Villa (hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat?
) and us either way, TAPK The Spanish team could have lost vs.Portugal (what a weak first half!) and was a bit lucky vs. Paraguay. "
Due to form
" there is only few hope for this team today – did they ever play like a future world-champion during the tournament? GER did thrice (AUS, ENG, ARG). Not to mention that the GER-team doesn’t want lo lose another semi-final after 2006 and has improved much since the final of the Euro 2008 vs. Spain.
Hope, there is not another match like vs. Serbia.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.