Well my friends, it has come down to this. After a wonderful third place game today, as they almost always are, we are ready for the scrumptious main course of a World Cup Final. And a potentially marvelous one at that. For the first time since France in 1998, we are guaranteed of a new name to be etched on the face of good old Jules Rimet. And two quite fitting squads as well, the two consensus "Best teams to have never won the World Cup" That mantle is going to be quite lonely for one of these countries after tomorrow.
In this situation, I would brag about the fact that the team I picked to win the whole thing is facing off with the the team that I picked as the dark horse pick to win the tournament. However, I soon remembered that Alexi Lalas, in my opinion the worst soccer analyst in the history of American soccer broadcasting other than Marcelo Balboa, also picked this final pairing. So if I brag about myself, I would also have to brag about the big ginger buffoon himself. Must have been an easy pick then.
On to the matchup...
Spain vs. The Netherlands
This really is an incredible matchup, both because of the historical significance and because of how intertwined these two countries are footballwise. The father of the current Spanish football system, Johan Cruyff, happens to be the greatest ever Dutch footballer, one who was twice a bridesmaid at the World Cup, but never a bride. The sheer potential irony of his genius conception of total football preventing his own country from winning a world cup is ridiculous. And on the other side, the two best players on the Dutch side, Sneijder and Robben, both were cast off unceremoniously from Real Madrid less than 12 months ago. So i would think that they would have revenge on their minds.
However, neither team is going to need any other motivation for this game, because its the World Cup final. This Dutch team has been extraordinarily tough, and resilient, with flashes of quality mixed in. The Spanish team has been relentless, breaking teams down meticulously over the course of 90 minutes. The way that they completely overwhelmed Germany was incredible to watch. They neutralized a German team that had been absolutely en fuego over the previous two matches, making them run in circles for 90 minutes. This Spanish team is built to beat great sides, because they are just so incredibly good at keeping the ball. They move into spaces better than any team, making it almost impossible to take the ball from them. One thing that a soccer player learns from the beginning is that when playing defense, you want to condense the game as much as possible so that the other team doesnt have any space to maneuver. Spain not only is effective in these small spaces, they relish these small spaces. They create mismatches where it seems that they are outnumbered. And when they lose the ball, they are perfectly positioned to win it back. And one thing that was so startling against Germany was how effortless it seemed. Spain were strolling while Germany were sprinting, and somehow this was an advantage for Spain!
The Dutch will be a tougher test for the Spanish, because they are far better at holding the ball. They will not be surprised by the Spanish system, because it is a variation of the ball control system that the Dutch played for many years. The only way that the Dutch have a chance to win is if they are able to combine periods of ball control with incisive attacking moves. Germany was not able to hold the ball, so were never able to put themselves in a position to break out as they had in other games. The Dutch will have to be much better on the ball than the Germans were. I think that the Dutch will do a better job, but I think that, as I said at the beginning of this tournament, this Spanish team is the best national side that I have ever seen. They are built to win, and they do it more easily against better competition. Viva La Roja!
Prediction:
Spain 2-1
Check back next week for my ode to soccer.
Keep it real.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Semifinal Preview
Were down to the last four my friends! Chock full of powerhouse European countries, possible great matchups and great players, as well as the last Guay standing. Uruguay somehow scraped into the semis with a gutsy performance, a miraculous bit of unethical play, and a heartbreaking penalty miss from the best Cinderella story in a while. Its ironic that the biggest underdog to make the semis since South Korea in 2002 is also by far the most hated team in the final four, but thats Uruguay. The little nation that could has outlasted the giant South American powers of Brazil and Argentina, but now they face a Netherlands team that is focused on finally breaking their duck. And on the other side, a mouthwatering rematch of the Euro 2008 final pitting a resurgent Germany against a powerhouse Spain squad that hasnt even come close to hitting its stride yet finds itself in the unprecedented air of the semifinals. On to the preview!
Netherlands vs. Uruguay
I would have loved to be writing about how the courageous and precocious young Ghanaian team had beat the odds and became the first African team to make the semi-finals at a World Cup. Instead, after the most heartbreaking loss ive ever seen, the Uruguayans find themselves in the semis. I can't blame Suarez for doing what he did, most players would have, and it is devastating that Gyan missed the penalty, especially given how great he has been this tournament. However, it has definitely been in poor taste how much Suarez has been flaunting his "hand of god" save. Just put your head down, sit on the bench, and cheer on the team you put in the semifinals through an act of cheating. Its not right to shove it in Ghana's face by bragging about it over and over, especially when he wont even be playing in this game. I see little chance of them beating the Dutch, who can just focus on shutting down Forlan and playing their game. This Dutch team is incredible tough and talented, as well as being stronger mentally than any Dutch team ive ever seen. This team sees the end in sight and are playing like World Cup winners. In a lot of ways, they take the identity of their stalwart forward, Mr. Everything, Dirk Kuyt. They are a solid mix of skill, guile, and sheer will, just like the fisherman's son who never quits. They are better in every single facet of the game than their Guayan opponents, and will book a place in the final quite comfortably.
Prediction:
Holland 2-0
Spain vs. Germany
We really are running out of adjectives to describe this incredible German team. They've not only had the hardest road to the semis of any of the teams left, but theyve absolutely dismantled everything in their path since the group stages. They've gotten better and better as the tournament's progressed, and don't look like stopping now. Losing Muller will hurt, but while he has been great, this has been the consummate team effort from the Germans. The way they just completely took apart Argentina was unbelievable. It was an absolutely complete performance. However, although they haven't been even close to their best, Spain is not Argentina. Against Argentina, the Germans exploited the very individual nature of the Argentinians play and destroyed them on the counter-attack. Because Argentina attacked in such a random and unorganized manner, they were completely unequipped to deal with the German counterattack. Spain, on the other hand, is built to keep the ball, and will not be caught out that easily. Their strategy of playing both Busquets and Alonso, which stifled them so much against the lesser, more defensive teams, will now be an advantage for them, allowing them to win the second balls that the Germans thrive on, pinning Germany in their own half. I picked Spain to win from the beginning, and firmly believe that one of the biggest reasons that they haven't hit their stride yet is because they have been stuck playing the most defensive sides in the draw. This team is built to excel against the best squads, but has a tendency to get stifled against lesser ones. Germany is a great team, but I think La Furia Roja will rise to the occasion and make their way into a mouthwatering final matchup with the Dutch.
Prediction:
Spain 2-1
Are we having fun yet!?
Keep it real.
Netherlands vs. Uruguay
I would have loved to be writing about how the courageous and precocious young Ghanaian team had beat the odds and became the first African team to make the semi-finals at a World Cup. Instead, after the most heartbreaking loss ive ever seen, the Uruguayans find themselves in the semis. I can't blame Suarez for doing what he did, most players would have, and it is devastating that Gyan missed the penalty, especially given how great he has been this tournament. However, it has definitely been in poor taste how much Suarez has been flaunting his "hand of god" save. Just put your head down, sit on the bench, and cheer on the team you put in the semifinals through an act of cheating. Its not right to shove it in Ghana's face by bragging about it over and over, especially when he wont even be playing in this game. I see little chance of them beating the Dutch, who can just focus on shutting down Forlan and playing their game. This Dutch team is incredible tough and talented, as well as being stronger mentally than any Dutch team ive ever seen. This team sees the end in sight and are playing like World Cup winners. In a lot of ways, they take the identity of their stalwart forward, Mr. Everything, Dirk Kuyt. They are a solid mix of skill, guile, and sheer will, just like the fisherman's son who never quits. They are better in every single facet of the game than their Guayan opponents, and will book a place in the final quite comfortably.
Prediction:
Holland 2-0
Spain vs. Germany
We really are running out of adjectives to describe this incredible German team. They've not only had the hardest road to the semis of any of the teams left, but theyve absolutely dismantled everything in their path since the group stages. They've gotten better and better as the tournament's progressed, and don't look like stopping now. Losing Muller will hurt, but while he has been great, this has been the consummate team effort from the Germans. The way they just completely took apart Argentina was unbelievable. It was an absolutely complete performance. However, although they haven't been even close to their best, Spain is not Argentina. Against Argentina, the Germans exploited the very individual nature of the Argentinians play and destroyed them on the counter-attack. Because Argentina attacked in such a random and unorganized manner, they were completely unequipped to deal with the German counterattack. Spain, on the other hand, is built to keep the ball, and will not be caught out that easily. Their strategy of playing both Busquets and Alonso, which stifled them so much against the lesser, more defensive teams, will now be an advantage for them, allowing them to win the second balls that the Germans thrive on, pinning Germany in their own half. I picked Spain to win from the beginning, and firmly believe that one of the biggest reasons that they haven't hit their stride yet is because they have been stuck playing the most defensive sides in the draw. This team is built to excel against the best squads, but has a tendency to get stifled against lesser ones. Germany is a great team, but I think La Furia Roja will rise to the occasion and make their way into a mouthwatering final matchup with the Dutch.
Prediction:
Spain 2-1
Are we having fun yet!?
Keep it real.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The (Mostly) Elite 8
Alright folks, now were really getting to gut-check time in this tournament, and almost in an almost unprecedented occurrence at a World Cup, the cream has risen to the top. The eight teams left in the tournament are all very deserving of being there, and the only teams that you could possibly say deserve to be in the final eight instead of any of the teams that made it, the US and Chile, both gave valiant efforts in their round of 16 teams but in end lost to teams that deserved to win. By this time at a World Cup there is usually a team that has played tough defensive football and scuffled their way into the quarterfinals by stifling more deserving competition. The fact that this didnt happen creates the potential for a classic end to the tournament. The potential for incredible matches, starting with a couple great ones in the quarters themselves, is staggering. You have teams that have great pedigree not just getting by on their reputations, but playing great football. On top of that, there is a real chance of an African team getting to the semi-finals, which would set the continent alight with excitement.
Without further ado, the quarterfinal preview:
Brazil vs. The Netherlands
This is a mouthwatering match-up of two countries that have given us the best attacking football over the years, but both seem to be much more organized this time around. Its wierdly ironic that a Germany Argentina match-up promises to be much more wide open than this game. That could all change however, if Holland can score an early goal. Brazil has managed to get by mostly on their laurels so far in this tournament, sitting back most of the game and then ripping their opponents apart when they see any opening. It has been scary how machine-like they have been. They have been like the Terminator (the scary original version from 1984, not the super friendly one from Judgment Day) of this tournament. The Dutch also have been mostly cruising through this tournament so far, winning four games in a row without really breaking a sweat. I would love these two teams to really let the shackles loose and go at each other like the two great heavyweights that they are. The fact that neither team has really let loose yet in this tournament or been challenged by quality competition makes this game extraordinarily hard to predict. Going by the tale of the tape, one would have to choose Brazil, because of how relentless they seem to be and how they are truly built to win. However, I rarely pick by logic, and as a mentioned at the beginning of the tournament, this entire season of football has seemed to have a very orange tint to it. This might just be the year of the Dutch.
Prediction:
Netherlands 3-2
Uruguay vs. Ghana
What had seemed like a miracle draw for the US turned into a tough quarterfinal match-up for two second-tier, but quite deserving teams. Uruguay has managed to plow their way through the tournament by playing quite well, but never great. Suarez finally woke up in the last round, which should make them tough to beat, but I dont see them getting past any of the top teams. However Ghana is not one of the top teams. What they are is an very young, incredibly athletic group of players who are starting to truly believe that they belong in this stage of the tournament. The way they didn't give up against the US when they gave up the penalty and looked like they were teetering was amazing. Instead of folding like many young teams would, they stepped right back up and dominated the rest of the game including extra time. With the young teams in this tournament, mainly Ghana and Germany, you just get the feeling that they dont even think about the potential of losing. Thats a championship quality, and I think the home-crowd advantage will send them into the semifinals and a date with destiny.
Prediction:
Ghana 2-1
Germany Vs. Argentina
Flash back four years ago, Quarterfinals of World Cup 2006 in Germany. The two most impressive teams so far in that tournament were facing off in what should have been a final matchup but instead due to random bracketing was coming in the quarterfinals. The two teams did not disappoint, going all out for 120 minutes before one team eked into the semifinals on penalty kicks, losing to an Italy team that fed off their mental exhaustion. The two teams that faced off that day in the quarterfinals? Germany and Argentina. Now its four years later and the two most impressive teams in the tournament so far are yet again Germany and Argentina. And yet again, through a seemingly simple twist of fate, they are meeting in the quarterfinals. Germany was relentless against a tired and unimaginative England side, whose disallowed goal in the first half would have just delayed the inevitable German buzzsaw. The Germans have had by far the best movement of any team in the tournament, and have just picked teams apart with their sharp runs and incisive passing. Argentina on the other hand is full of irrepressible creative talents that seem to have been let out of a cage like a swarm of angry bees by the one and only Diego Maradona. Both teams are breathtakingly ruthless attacking sides that break opponents down in very different ways. This game has a chance to be incredible, and I do not think it will disappoint. I expect a goalfest, with the Argentinians switching the script from four years ago.
Prediction:
Argentina 4-2
Spain vs. Paraguay
Spain showed great toughness and patience in slowing taking apart a very organized and resolute Portugal squad (since when did they become the new Italy?). They have chosen to stick with the three holding midfielders formation that is not overly effective against defensive teams. While I was against that tactic early in the tournament, I think it will help them in the later stages, when they play against the juggernaut attacking teams. Alonso and especially Busquets have been phenomenal at keeping the ball so far, and that will be very helpful in tighter games when holding onto the second ball becomes incredibly vital. I think that sticking with Torres is a good idea too, because against the better teams there will be much more space for him to move around in, something he really needs to thrive, especially without his finishing touch being there. However, this is another matchup they will have to stutter through on their way to facing the top teams in the tournament where their tactics will be vindicated. Yet another team that will play 10 behind the ball and try to beat Spain on counterattacks and set pieces (where they have actually been very dangerous) I am very confident the furia roja will be triumphant yet again, but I just hope they score earlier this time around so as to avoid stressing out their supporters so much.
Prediction:
Spain 2-0
See you in the semifinals everyone. Keep on enjoying what has been a phenomenal tournament!
Keep it real.
Without further ado, the quarterfinal preview:
Brazil vs. The Netherlands
This is a mouthwatering match-up of two countries that have given us the best attacking football over the years, but both seem to be much more organized this time around. Its wierdly ironic that a Germany Argentina match-up promises to be much more wide open than this game. That could all change however, if Holland can score an early goal. Brazil has managed to get by mostly on their laurels so far in this tournament, sitting back most of the game and then ripping their opponents apart when they see any opening. It has been scary how machine-like they have been. They have been like the Terminator (the scary original version from 1984, not the super friendly one from Judgment Day) of this tournament. The Dutch also have been mostly cruising through this tournament so far, winning four games in a row without really breaking a sweat. I would love these two teams to really let the shackles loose and go at each other like the two great heavyweights that they are. The fact that neither team has really let loose yet in this tournament or been challenged by quality competition makes this game extraordinarily hard to predict. Going by the tale of the tape, one would have to choose Brazil, because of how relentless they seem to be and how they are truly built to win. However, I rarely pick by logic, and as a mentioned at the beginning of the tournament, this entire season of football has seemed to have a very orange tint to it. This might just be the year of the Dutch.
Prediction:
Netherlands 3-2
Uruguay vs. Ghana
What had seemed like a miracle draw for the US turned into a tough quarterfinal match-up for two second-tier, but quite deserving teams. Uruguay has managed to plow their way through the tournament by playing quite well, but never great. Suarez finally woke up in the last round, which should make them tough to beat, but I dont see them getting past any of the top teams. However Ghana is not one of the top teams. What they are is an very young, incredibly athletic group of players who are starting to truly believe that they belong in this stage of the tournament. The way they didn't give up against the US when they gave up the penalty and looked like they were teetering was amazing. Instead of folding like many young teams would, they stepped right back up and dominated the rest of the game including extra time. With the young teams in this tournament, mainly Ghana and Germany, you just get the feeling that they dont even think about the potential of losing. Thats a championship quality, and I think the home-crowd advantage will send them into the semifinals and a date with destiny.
Prediction:
Ghana 2-1
Germany Vs. Argentina
Flash back four years ago, Quarterfinals of World Cup 2006 in Germany. The two most impressive teams so far in that tournament were facing off in what should have been a final matchup but instead due to random bracketing was coming in the quarterfinals. The two teams did not disappoint, going all out for 120 minutes before one team eked into the semifinals on penalty kicks, losing to an Italy team that fed off their mental exhaustion. The two teams that faced off that day in the quarterfinals? Germany and Argentina. Now its four years later and the two most impressive teams in the tournament so far are yet again Germany and Argentina. And yet again, through a seemingly simple twist of fate, they are meeting in the quarterfinals. Germany was relentless against a tired and unimaginative England side, whose disallowed goal in the first half would have just delayed the inevitable German buzzsaw. The Germans have had by far the best movement of any team in the tournament, and have just picked teams apart with their sharp runs and incisive passing. Argentina on the other hand is full of irrepressible creative talents that seem to have been let out of a cage like a swarm of angry bees by the one and only Diego Maradona. Both teams are breathtakingly ruthless attacking sides that break opponents down in very different ways. This game has a chance to be incredible, and I do not think it will disappoint. I expect a goalfest, with the Argentinians switching the script from four years ago.
Prediction:
Argentina 4-2
Spain vs. Paraguay
Spain showed great toughness and patience in slowing taking apart a very organized and resolute Portugal squad (since when did they become the new Italy?). They have chosen to stick with the three holding midfielders formation that is not overly effective against defensive teams. While I was against that tactic early in the tournament, I think it will help them in the later stages, when they play against the juggernaut attacking teams. Alonso and especially Busquets have been phenomenal at keeping the ball so far, and that will be very helpful in tighter games when holding onto the second ball becomes incredibly vital. I think that sticking with Torres is a good idea too, because against the better teams there will be much more space for him to move around in, something he really needs to thrive, especially without his finishing touch being there. However, this is another matchup they will have to stutter through on their way to facing the top teams in the tournament where their tactics will be vindicated. Yet another team that will play 10 behind the ball and try to beat Spain on counterattacks and set pieces (where they have actually been very dangerous) I am very confident the furia roja will be triumphant yet again, but I just hope they score earlier this time around so as to avoid stressing out their supporters so much.
Prediction:
Spain 2-0
See you in the semifinals everyone. Keep on enjoying what has been a phenomenal tournament!
Keep it real.
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