FIFA World Cup 2010 - Predictions/Discussions/Updates

[Angra]

Originally Posted by roshiq

The referee is on dope through his whistle. :D

God bless him. :D

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Originally Posted by AUSTIN316426808

I see what you're saying, but Brazil wasn't so surprising. They were too confident, didn't know what to do with themselves once they went down, and started playing like a bunch of pissed off kids. And yes, the Netherlands hadn't been impressive, but they did what they had to in order to win all their games. After the second goal yesterday they settled pretty well, but up until that point they didn't look any more or less vanilla than they did all tournament. If it doesn't wow you that doesn't mean it isn't good play.

On the other hand, I don't think anybody thought Argentina would lose the way they did. They were just out of sorts from beginning to end.

True. They stopped playing football when they conceded the own goal, and the second one only added to their frustrated ego-play. Too bad, because they are a very talented bunch. Just need that flair back.

Agree with the Holland part too. Not impressive, but effective. The fact that they held out Brazil till the end wins a big point in their favor.

Team play has been a huge factor in this tournament, apart from the FIFA referees.

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AND THERE WE GO!!!!!!!

Its DAVID VILLA AGAIN BABY!!!!!!!!! :D


1 - 0 to Spain! Weehaw!

[roshiq]

Now that's may call a bar-to-bar goal.:)

Anyway, Eusebio & Muller can now confirm the golden boot winner, I guess.

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FULL TIME - Match #60 (QUARTER - FINAL #4) -

PARAGUAY - 0


SPAIN - 1
(Villa 83')

I was right in my half-time prediction of a late goal being scored and that being the decider of the game in the end. And was it surprising that it would come off the legs of a certain David Villa?
Spain are through into the Semis, and lock up a date with Germany. Should be one hell of a cracker.
Paraguay tried a different combo this time by bringing in Oscar Cardozo instead of Roque Santa Cruz for this match, because of Cardozo's goal scoring reputation and because Santa Cruz has been ineffective in the previous 3 matches he started so far. Wrong decision, because Cardozo was far from impressive. They tried out Santa Cruz as a substitute in the second half, but by then Spain had gained the momentum and the decider all but sealed Paraguay's fate.
And that fantastical minute in-between which saw TWO Penalties being awarded to both teams and both failing to score?! What a moment indeed.
Although Paraguay did score but it was deemed ineligible because of encroachment inside the penalty box. The second effort was saved by Casillas.
All in all, a more entertaining second half which ultimately went to Spain, the deserving winners. Paraguay go home with their heads held high, because they performed exceedingly well in WC 2010.

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And so folks, we go into the big SEMI-FINALS after yet another 2-day break in WC 2010...

NETHERLANDS - URUGUAY


GERMANY - SPAIN

After all the unpredictability WC 2010 has provided so far, it would be a brave heart to keep predicting away and guessing correctly, but then what would a hotly-anticipated set of matches be without any predictions?

Let's see them.

My picks - Netherlands and Germany.

Uruguay are a very talented side and play some solid team football but Netherlands should be very capable of shooting them down, now that they have edged out Brazil.

And Spain has been super impressive too. Iniesta, Ramos and Xabi Alonso combine with David Villa superbly to keep getting Spain past their opponents.

But you have to wonder about Villa's luck running out sometime?
Or maybe the law of averages catching up with him?

The dude is running on some really solid steaming form right now but can that be good enough to take Spain past a side who is both young, hungry and raring to tear you apart? Not to mention that their main forward, Fernando Torres, looks woefully out of form and has been repeatedly substituted by Fabregas in almost all of Spain's matches.

Germany have looked unstoppable, and apart from that shocker against Serbia in the group stages, pretty formidable too. All their players are young, fit and in superb form and they all compliment Miroslav Klose pretty nicely. So much so that a certain Michael Ballack hasn't been missed so far.

Either way, the second Semi-Final should provide some real fireworks on the field. One of the best matches of this WC, I daresay.

And finally, with THREE European teams in the fray right now, it would be a safe bet to assume one of them will take the WC home.

Good night, folks.

[roshiq]

I'll be glad if Spain wins the Cup, it'll be fair if Germany becomes the champion and it won't be surprising at all now if Netherlands finally wins for the first time but I have a feeling that Uruguay will lift it for the 3rd time.:D

[Angra]

Uruguay (Coz that side of the knock-outs has been quite unpredictable)
Germany (Coz they deserve it)

[scouse mac]

Germany are playing easily the best football, 4 goals in three of five games so far. Spain have been disappointing and yet are still through to the semi-final which says alot about their durability. The winner will come from the Germany Spain match, probably Germany.

[AUSTIN316426808]

Still going with the Netherlands.