2-0 it's over. we await Spain in semi finals.

Worst game so far, boring as hell. Looks like France didn't really try and Spain just made the minimum.

Sadly, I have to agree with you :( Yet, who knows?

Spain and Germany Final..

Germany will win through Pens

uhm.... im betting on a german win, but not trough penaltys. that is from analytical point of view.

i would rather see a portugal vs Germany, with a portuguese win, or Spain win agaisnt germany.

Wednesday we will have a great match for sure. Im betting on a early score from the spanish, the the portuguese team wakes up and tries to flip the tables. Maybe we can win, maybe not. hope we do :grin:

9pm English time, I predict crying... ;)

The game yesterday was not overly inspiring, really. I am seriously curious how Spain will manage in the Semis. Germany "may" pull this off, but that was said last WC as well. Everything's open. If Portugal finds a recipe against that Tiki Taka play, the more impressive :)

But one after the other, let's see which team moves on tonight, England or Italy.
I suspect Italy will make it, but I am going for England here again anyways, hehe.

Tonight England and Italy will hopefully make for the football show that France and Spain missed so miserably, both for French shyness (or fear) and for Spain cynism to defend the 1-0. And their goal came at the very first opportunity with a giant mistake on the left defensive side. A gods gift.
IMO if Spain will make it to the final it will be only for the chronic individualism of the Portugal players, individually more talented but too much prima donnas. And football is a team game ...

Ehehe the Tiki Taka play reminds me of one of Sacchi's recipes: as long as you keep the ball possession the other team cannot score ...

Pressing - another piece of Sacchi's credo - is the countermeasure. Italy did it on the first half against Spain and closed 1-0. In the second half they defended the score - tiredness - and gave a chance to Spain to equalize.
And pressing is what France didn't do at all yesterday. Spain applied it and constantly doubled the men on the French ball bringer forcing them to loose the ball or fail the pass.

Cheers!

Yeah, same way Germany lost last WC. Too much respect for the Spanish. Though France did not only look too respectful, they also appeared to lack any will to win this. Tired playing by both sides.

Italy plays like it does for ages, bunker defence, attemtping to score in the counter attack. They are coherently good but a rather predictable team.
England adopted a similiar style here, but they lack the routine and professionalism of the italian team.
Then again that may make them more flexible, really depends on their determination. I have a feeling the english do not yet trust themselves enough to pull this off, but stranger things have happend.

Football is 50 percent psychology, will be interesting for sure.

So England, get your superiourity and inferiority complexes in control, develop some fun and deliver a great game! :D