Official General FIFA Thread

[Dutch]

This game is starting to become a yellow card fest.

[Schism]

Game has died on it's ass in the second half.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

There have been some Dutch teams that put Spain's talent to shame. And, for whatever reason, they've come up short. Some of those Dutch teams had players like Overmars, David, and Seedorf. Plus they had a lot more firepower at forward with both Bergkamp and Kluivert.

Spain itself might have had more individual talent in past years. They were kind of similar to the Netherlands for a long time. Talent isn't always what tips the scales.

The 90's Dutch teams weren't that great, honestly.

The 70's and 80's Dutch sides were vastly better.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Schism

Game has died on it's ass in the second half.

Getting a bit ragged without much possession or quality thus far in the second half. Also starting to get a bit chippy. Both sides looking a bit tight. Like no one wants to give up the big play. Got a hunch we are headed to an extra 30 and maybe PKs. I'll give the Portuguese credit. They don't looked as gassed at this point as most of Spain's opponents have. They've held the ball a bit more, and haven't chased the Spanish nearly as much as most have done up to this point.

[Beantown Bronco]

Originally Posted by Dutch

I'll give the Portuguese credit. They don't looked as gassed at this point as most of Spain's opponents have. They've held the ball a bit more, and haven't chased the Spanish nearly as much as most have done up to this point.

Having the extra 2 days off helped Portugal there.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Schism

The 90's Dutch teams weren't that great, honestly.

The 70's and 80's Dutch sides were vastly better.

Agreed, that is when I fell in love with their style of play. Rinus Michels' Ajax teams of the early 70's (46-0-0 from 71-73), and his Dutch national teams starting in '74.

The current Dutch national team coach just resigned according to the gents anouncing the match....no surprise there, but the players have a lot to answer for. It has almost become a case of ego management being the most important skill for a national team manager, sad actually.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

Having the extra 2 days off helped Portugal there.

I think the fact that they have at least tried to carry a bit of play forward, as well as the respect the Spanish have for Ronaldo have a bit more to do with it than an extra day or two of rest. The Portuguese are trying to carry the play forward, not just falling back into their own third and looking like deer in the headlights.

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by Schism

The 90's Dutch teams weren't that great, honestly.

The 70's and 80's Dutch sides were vastly better.

The early and mid 90s were owned by Brazil and Germany - those two were miles ahead of the rest of the world. The late 90s belonged to France who build that team around Zidane, Blanc, Djorkaeff and Thuram.

[Dutch]

Best pressure of the game put on by Spain in the last 5 min.

15 to go.......

[Schism]

Penalties...

Hope Portugal win to be honest.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Schism

Penalties...

Hope Portugal win to be honest.

Probably, looks like Portugal is starting to pack in the back 1/3rd. I have to say that I'd almost rather see Spain win and go on to play Germany. Spain has carried the better of the play today, especially here at the end. Not only that, I cannot stand Ronaldo. Dudes a crybaby.

[Beantown Bronco]

Spain wins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Beantown Bronco]

and Ronaldo has to watch. Doesn't even get to shoot. How classic is that?

[Smiling Assassin27]

Bingo Bango--fabregas finishes it off.

[Kid A]

Weird penalty line-up, counting on getting to the 5th taker to get Ronaldo.

Wanted Spain to win anyway; love to see Germany have a chance at a Spain rematch after '08 and '10. Plenty of work to do against Italy first, though.

[Kid A]

Also, a game featuring Germany can't come soon enough after these last two long slogs of games. Better team won each of them, but neither probably won over any casual fans in the States.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Beantown Bronco

and Ronaldo has to watch. Doesn't even get to shoot. How classic is that?

Heh Heh Heh.....

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Weird penalty line-up, counting on getting to the 5th taker to get Ronaldo.

Wanted Spain to win anyway; love to see Germany have a chance at a Spain rematch after '08 and '10. Plenty of work to do against Italy first, though.

Same here. Should be a much more compelling game tomorrow.

[Dutch]

Originally Posted by Kid A

Also, a game featuring Germany can't come soon enough after these last two long slogs of games. Better team won each of them, but neither probably won over any casual fans in the States.

One of the biggest complaints about the Spanish side has been the "quality" of the games they have won, especially over the last year and a half. That said, you have to respect what they have accomplished over the course of this run. That said, I want Germany to send home the Italians tomorrow. Then I want to see them take the game to the Spanish (who I still feel can be had with a strong attack) and get some payback for '08 and '10. Really looking forward to tomorrow's game. Should be much more entertaining.

[ludo21]

going to be a good game tomorrow, gamecasted this game. Did I miss anything, seemed like a borefest?

Classic that Ronaldo didnt get to kick hah

[Beantown Bronco]

At least Ronaldo and the rest of the Portugal team have their Olympic diving team duties to look forward to. That should keep them busy for the next few weeks.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Schism

The 90's Dutch teams weren't that great, honestly.

The 70's and 80's Dutch sides were vastly better.

The 90s Dutch sides had plenty of talent...more than this Spain side has. Im not really even commenting on the earlier Dutch sides.

[Schism]

Originally Posted by OrangeSe7en

The 90s Dutch sides had plenty of talent...more than this Spain side has. Im not really even commenting on the earlier Dutch sides.

No way man, with the exception of Bergkamp none of the players you listed earlier could get a game or this Spain side.

Maybe Davids... he and Busquets are a push.

[OrangeSe7en]

Originally Posted by Schism

No way man, with the exception of Bergkamp none of the players you listed earlier could get a game or this Spain side.

Maybe Davids... he and Busquets are a push.

On the contrary, Bergkamp and Kluivert were both better than any forward on this spain team. Seedorf, Overmars, and Davids were all very high level club players when not playing for Holland. They were at least on par with the bulk of what Spain has at midfield. And you also had the DeBoer brothers.

[s0phr0syne]

Originally Posted by ludo21

going to be a good game tomorrow, gamecasted this game. Did I miss anything, seemed like a borefest?

Classic that Ronaldo didnt get to kick hah

As you would expect, there was some beautiful football sprinkled in throughout, but mostly in spurts. If you're tempted to rewatch, I'd recommend the opening 20 minutes and then from 80 to 120 minutes. Spain had some really wonderful ball movement, all of it almost entirely on the left side with some great combos between Iniesta, Alba, and later Pedro.