2014 FIFA World Cup Thread

[FarawayFairways]

There is I believe, a lot of rubbish spoken and written about tactics and formations (usually by ex players trying to lend some intellectual gravity to something that provides them the oxygen of publicity). This game however is an exception I feel, and the tactics will make the difference. Argentina have all the charisma of an Italian team, and the Germans have struggeld historically against them.

[Abu3baid]

There is I believe, a lot of rubbish spoken and written about tactics and formations (usually by ex players trying to lend some intellectual gravity to something that provides them the oxygen of publicity). This game however is an exception I feel, and the tactics will make the difference. Argentina have all the charisma of an Italian team, and the Germans have struggeld historically against them.

Who do you give the first half to?

[FarawayFairways]

I don't think there's anything in it. Fitness and discipline could settle this yet (and when i say discipline I mean sticking to systems and continuing to do your job under fire)

[Chilli Dipper]

Mario Goetze has a face that instinctively makes a person want to punch it. That face is going to be on every billboard in Germany now. I hope the ad companies are well-insured.

[Reval14]

Fireworks here in Germany!!!

[yrew]

Congratulations.

[FarawayFairways]

Fireworks here in Germany!!!

I'll resist the obvious line, as it is bit too 20th century now .......

Right team won, and although Germany wouldn't normally be top of our popularity stakes, they're certainly ahead of the dirty cheating Argies (who weren't as dirty or cheating as some of their predecessors)

I know after timing is frowned upon, but I did back Germany at 13/2 at 20 mins into the very first game when Brazil were clearly average (losing to Croatia at the time). The bookie actually had the market suspended at the time and I had to argue with him (and call them a few names) before they agreed to lay me the bet

Pleased for Germany actually, and of course they become the first Euorpean team to win in South America. Not so sure myself that the Dutch missed their chance a bit here

[yrew]

Not so sure myself that the Dutch missed their chance a bit here

Stop messing with my feelings.

[FarawayFairways]

The missing ingredient very often is bravery and strength of character to seize the big moment. It's what England always lack because their players are essentially feckless. Germany by contrast are big stage players who never tremble in the face of the task

[Abu3baid]

Congrats to the machines! What a finish! See you guys in 4 years! Nice job @jamo Kick starter of the month has to be yours right?

[Abu3baid]

The missing ingredient very often is bravery and strength of character to seize the big moment. It's what England always lack because their players are essentially feckless. Germany by contrast are big stage players who never tremble in the face of the task

That's how thy are at work too.. Go figure!

[nevets88]

I was rooting for Argentina because they're the underdogs but in actuality I don't know much about the history of either team. Germany got a well deserved win I like a well balanced team not dependent on one star.

[yrew]

Messi the best player. Who would have thought..... If think the group phase was the most fun to watch this cup. Didn't see a lot of finals that stood out appart except for Germany - Brazil off course.

[FarawayFairways]

Messi - surely not?

Another totally above the board and honest FIFA decision, probably taken months ago when they sat down and decided who was the most marketable product they had.

The same thing happens week in week out when 'matchday sponsors' are given the chance to name the MotM and invariably go for 'the name' so that they can make a presentation and take the photo opportunity for their own corporate publicity.

I thought the way Messi faded after 60 minutes in both the semi and final was significant to its result. If memory serves me right he was barely a factor in the first matches Argentina played either other than scoring at the end

One thing for sure, Messi is no Maradona. Dirty Diego remains the only player I've ever seen who has single handedly won a world cup. There were others who were key players in very good teams, principally Pele, but Maradona was in a very average team. Zidane wouldn;t be far off being the next nearest, but that French team was really built round a very good defence

You only really need to look at the path that Germany and Argentina had before bumping into each other

Germany = Portugal, Ghana, USA, Algeria, France, Brazil

Argentina = Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland

[Zeph]

Germany were the better team through the tournament, but any team could've won yesterday. Argentina had a lot of big chances to score.

Messi was one of the best players for Argentina through the tournament, but not exactly sparkling yesterday. The best player in the tournament though? I don't think so and it's sad that they seems to have given it to him based on his career, not performance in this WC.

[Abu3baid]

One thing for sure, Messi is no Maradona. Dirty Diego remains the only player I've ever seen who has single handedly won a world cup. There were others who were key players in very good teams, principally Pele, but Maradona was in a very average team. Zidane wouldn;t be far off being the next nearest, but that French team was really built round a very good defence

+1

[Chilli Dipper]

Messi won the Golden Ball on reputation moreso than what he did on the pitch. It's hard to identify any moment from the last two games where he had much of an impact. Granted, Leo's presence alone prompted the Netherlands to largely sacrifice their own attack in the semifinal to keep him in check. Really, I think Javier Mascherano was Argentina's best player during the knockout stage, but defensive midfielders don't win MVP honors. I'm disappointed that the knockout rounds could not live up to the exciting play we saw in the group stage. The nature of elimination matches turns them into slow-moving, tactical affairs, and a succession of 1-0 or 0-0 matches isn't all that much fun to watch. I'm starting to think that the World Cup would be better off if the first two knockout rounds were done away with, and replaced with a second group stage that determined the semifinalists.

[FarawayFairways]

Messi won the Golden Ball on reputation moreso than what he did on the pitch. It's hard to identify any moment from the last two games where he had much of an impact. Granted, Leo's presence alone prompted the Netherlands to largely sacrifice their own attack in the semifinal to keep him in check. Really, I think Javier Mascherano was Argentina's best player during the knockout stage, but defensive midfielders don't win MVP honors.

I'm disappointed that the knockout rounds could not live up to the exciting play we saw in the group stage. The nature of elimination matches turns them into slow-moving, tactical affairs, and a succession of 1-0 or 0-0 matches isn't all that much fun to watch. I'm starting to think that the World Cup would be better off if the first two knockout rounds were done away with, and replaced with a second group stage that determined the semifinalists.

I'd agree completely. I don't think Messi was even Argentina's best player and ultimately when he was required to step up for the big one moments, he didn't

The second stage used to be group based. I think they changed it in 1986. Certainly 1982 was group based, and in 1978 we saw some highly questionable scorelines that allowed Argentina to qualify for the final at the expense of Brazil. I've got a feeling there's some question marks over 1974 too, although that might have been West Germany throwing a game against the East in order to avoid Brazils qualification group