Ok flying out to Durban tonight (through Dubai). I really hope we will make it to the finals, but in my mind, Spain is 100 times stronger than Argentina, so it will be really, really tough.
Damn you lucky dog!! how much does a tix cost for that? You must be a billionaire like YaosDirtyStache.
No way Spain is better than Argentina. This German team is the most promising one and I think your team can win it all.
that's really wrong. there's 2 types of bet with soccer. One is win in regulation and outright win in ot or pk. for outright : Germany +100 Spain -130 for regulation win: Germany +170 Spain +155 Draw +255 So Spain is a small favorite
Spain is definitely better than Argentina, Argentina had great players but a terrible (or non existent) system. I still think Germany can beat Spain, but it will be more difficult than beating Argentina. SJC Like I said from the Beginning see you in the Finals :grin:
You are spot on about Argentina having no system, it seemed like they were playing a freelance style against Germany. The only concern I have with Spain is its defense, they just happen to be playing the best offensive squad of this world cup so lets see what happens. They havn't really shown much confidence in the back so far. I expect this to be a high scoring game. Probably 4-3 or 3-2. Muller will be missed for Gernmany, but I think a healthy Ozil (was sick against Argentina) should be able to pick up the slack. Also don't count out Uruguay, anything can happen in one game. I would give them a 10% probablity of making the finals.......low but still possible.
Nope ... I'll go on record and say they have no chance against the Netherlands. I'll personally own up and eat my crow if that game even manages to go to overtime. Without Suarez they have no chance. Arjen Robben will have that defense for lunch.
I would give Uruguay a 40% chance against Holland, like you said, anything can happen. Unfortunately Suarez' red probably brought that chances down a few notches. Still pulling for them though. GO [i dunno what their mascot is]!! I think despite Muller's absence Germany is still the heavy favorites to win. Spain has been wayyy underachieving and Villa has been LerBon-ing them throughout the tournament. Let's hope Germany can stop him. Don't need to worry about Torres, he's all hype, he won't do much but flop.
40%? Really? From what I recall Forlan and Suarez have been the only player to score for Uruguay, none of their other players have even looked slightly competent as a viable threat. With the guy out it allows Forlan to be covered more easily, don't see how he will be able to carry the whole squad on his shoulders. I assume they will play a defensive game and lob passes to him from afar, hoping they get him in a good position. As I said, possible but unlikely. Holland don't seem to be playing in sync offensively but it seems like they have got it together on the back-end, for them that is probably the best probable outcome they could have hoped for, as their defense was questionable going into the tourny. I don't see Germany as the heavy favorites. Spain may not have put too many balls into the back of the goal but they've looked mighty dangerous at the most important position, the midfield. However I agree with you that they need someone other than Villa to come through for them or they might be going home because of it. Spain has had to play against teams that were stacking players in the back, Germany isn't going to do that, so it'll be interesting to watch what happens.
Well I was thinking maybe 40% chance with Suarez, because he seems like the type of guy who could hit impossible shots under pressure. Not so much with an aging Forlan though. I'd say their chances now are slim to none. However I'm still a little hopeful that Holland gets beat. Maybe on penalties. A Germany-Holand finals would be golden though. I was thinking Spain could do a 4-5-1 again vs Germany like they did against the Swiss, but that might be too difficult for Villa to do it alone against a strong German defense. Maybe a 4-3-3 with Villa, Torres, and Llorente up front. Their midfield would be very weak though, but it works on Winning 11 :grin:
Germany vs. Spain is 50/50. In contrast to Chris Bosh, I expect a low-scoring game. First team to score probably wins. Uruguay does not have any chance against Holland. Low likelihood that it goes to overtime.
I've said it to many people since the first game against Switzerland: Spain's problem is Fernando Torres. He is the poison pill in their attack. Everything Xavi, Iniesta and Villa work for dies when it arrives at Torres' feet. In the Paraguay game, they looked dull and lifeless until Del Bosque finally stopped being a players coach and had the balls to bench Torres early and insert Fabregas. Instantly the offense picked up and the game was interesting again. They need to stop wasting time with Torres and play 4-5-1 with Fabregas up front behind Villa. Maximize the creativity of Xavi and Fabregas and give Villa more chances to do what he does best instead of laboring hard all day long trying to make up for Torres' lost skills. Indications are that Del Bosque will finally bench Torres for the semifinal. Let's hope the rumor is true.
If this happens, I would be torn between Germany and Spain. The only reason I went for Germany is because Torres is such a pain to watch. I hope it's true, then we'd really see some good football. Better than the Netherlands vs Argentina game. Goooo Torressss!...to the bench.
Spain and Germany play a similar game - I think the Spain-Paraguay match has some similarities to the Germany-Ghana match in that both PAR and GHA used very stout defenses to limit good opportunities... Accordingly, I don't think it fair to criticize Spain too much for their lack of offense (although I did think they would be much more effective against Portugul...) With Mueller out this game is hard to call. I'm going to go with Germany, but I have a bad feeling this one is going to be really close.
It's funny how a couple of days ago It was going to be Germany winning in a laugher and now things seem to be evening out.
