Official General FIFA Thread

[maven]

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

ESPN Stats and Info: Spain owns the top three passing days of the tournament. La Furia Roja completed 810 passes against Ireland, 675 against Italy and 649 today against Croatia.

I thought Spain played absolutely stupid today.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Agreed. Robben aside (if he's half the petulant child he comes across as on tv...), it seems harsh how international soccer can play out - a few games against 3 of the top 10 teams in the world leading to a total house cleaning? I mean, if it's a situation like 4 years ago with England failing to ****ing qualify for the Euros, yeah, time to reevaluate things. Or even France in the last WC, bowing out early and making total a-holes of themselves off the field.

But 2 years off a trip to the WC final for the Dutch, I think the fan and media sensationalism can make out a couple mediocre performances to equal some deep, systemic problem. That's why they had a qualifying system to even make it to this point - these are the best teams in toughest continent the sport has. You'll go out early occasionally. Unless you're Germany.

I agree with everything you stated here, but I think there are quite a few of the Dutch fans that are still embarrassed over the way they went out of the WC final 2 years ago. That was not Dutch "Total Football" in their minds and this early exit has built on that frustration.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

I agree, the Dutch played a good tournament but just didn't get the results against 3 of the world top 10 teams.

The one thing I would say is that it does appear that there is a rift between the coach and the players, of course the situation was undoubtedly exacerbated by early loss to Denmark in a game the Dutch controlled.

The Dutch do need to find some defensive quality, their backline outside of Heitinga is pretty pourous and I am not sold on a midfield with Robben, Sneijder and Van der Vaart, I think both Robben and Sneijder are best when they play in a central position behind the forward(s). Their current midfield reminds me a bit of the Sven Goran Erikson mess that was the Beckham, Lampard, Gerrard midfield.

Great observation and I agree completely.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Originally Posted by maven

I thought Spain played absolutely stupid today.

I have no idea what Del Bosque is doing. It's clear that this team is totally inferior without Villa and Puyol. But instead of sticking some strikers out there that can fly AND are taller than 4 feet (Llorente), he clogs the middle with more midfielders. Granted, those midfielders are probably all top 10 in the world, but without legitimate strikers, they're just good passers.

At this point, Spain's just trying to survive and advance, but without puyol back there to anchor the defense, they'd better score some goals, which means Llorente and Torres flying up the sides. Still, i see the likes of France and England gaining false hope after watching yesterday, not understanding the skill difference that would exist with Spain.

[s0phr0syne]

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

I have no idea what Del Bosque is doing. It's clear that this team is totally inferior without Villa and Puyol. But instead of sticking some strikers out there that can fly AND are taller than 4 feet (Llorente), he clogs the middle with more midfielders. Granted, those midfielders are probably all top 10 in the world, but without legitimate strikers, they're just good passers.

At this point, Spain's just trying to survive and advance, but without puyol back there to anchor the defense, they'd better score some goals, which means Llorente and Torres flying up the sides. Still, i see the likes of France and England gaining false hope after watching yesterday, not understanding the skill difference that would exist with Spain.

To me, if you bring on somebody like Navas as a sub, you have to have either Torres or Llorente out there to capitalize on the crosses he will send in. It ended up working out without a striker yesterday, but it just seems like a waste to bring in the pace and skill of Navas on the wing without someone to finish up top.

As close as the game was yesterday, Spain still were generating the most opportunities and were close to having some real chances.

I have to give it up to Modric though. That guy was just a magician in the midfield and that hold-up-play-cross to Ratikic was just unreal....so accurate.

[maven]

Last of the group stage today! Game on in 30 minutes!

[Smiling Assassin27]

I'm gonna watch the Sweden-France match. The female swedish fans are easy on the eyes.

[Kid A]

Oh, come on England - you owe Ukraine a goal and it would knock out the French. Just concede one here late.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Oh, come on England - you owe Ukraine a goal and it would knock out the French. Just concede one here late.

oh hell no!

at least we advance!

[Smiling Assassin27]

that non-goal loomed large. french looked a step slow all day long.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

that non-goal loomed large. french looked a step slow all day long.

Absolute sh1t all day. Well, at least the spaniards do not look invincible.

[DenverBrit]

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

I have no idea what Del Bosque is doing. It's clear that this team is totally inferior without Villa and Puyol. But instead of sticking some strikers out there that can fly AND are taller than 4 feet (Llorente), he clogs the middle with more midfielders. Granted, those midfielders are probably all top 10 in the world, but without legitimate strikers, they're just good passers.

At this point, Spain's just trying to survive and advance, but without puyol back there to anchor the defense, they'd better score some goals, which means Llorente and Torres flying up the sides. Still, i see the likes of France and England gaining false hope after watching yesterday, not understanding the skill difference that would exist with Spain.

You're right, neither team has a clue about Spain.

[Swedish Extrovert]

So now that my beloved Oranje are out, I'm watching the recording of France-Sweden.

All I can say is Heja Sverige!

[ZachKC]

After their shameful WC display I welcome any bad things that befall Oranje.

[Kid A]

The right team went through in the Portuga-CR quarterfinal. Felt like the Czechs didn't even touch the ball in the 2nd half and Ronaldo had a handful of good chances, burying the last one. They played Germany pretty even, beat the Dutch, and look fully capable of beating whoever comes out of the Spain-France game.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Agreed. Portugal carried the play all game long. With Spain missing Villa and Puyol, Portugal has the creativity and skill to get past Spain or France.

[canadianbroncosfan]

Given the possession dominance, Czech's lucky it took til the 79th to only leave with a 1-0 loss.

[OrangeSe7en]

It seems like the group of death really helped Portugal. They're a quality side regardless but playing Czech really looked like a step down for them. It seems like all the teams in their group presented a tougher challenge than did Czech. That group B that they came out of has to be one of the toughest ever.

[OrangeSe7en]

Germany really stretched out there legs once Greece leveled the game. It's like they tugged on Superman's cape.

[Kid A]

Reus pours it on, 4-1 with 15 minutes to go. Top 2 from Group B just dominated the Group A quarterfinalists.

[brncs_fan]

Germany finally closed it out at the end. I was absolutely loosing my mind the first 25 minutes at the missed chances.

Going to have to be a really good game next round regardless of who goes through to play them.

[ludo21]

looking forward to the Spain vs. France game.

should be a great game, maybe Spains dominance will end?

[Requiem]

God damn Dutch. ****!

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

Germany really stretched out there legs once Greece leveled the game. It's like they tugged on Superman's cape.

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Reus pours it on, 4-1 with 15 minutes to go. Top 2 from Group B just dominated the Group A quarterfinalists.

Just proves that Group B was the group of death.