World Cup and European leagues

[Ralph Turner]

Netherlands, because I was a Johan Cruyff fan when I was growing up.   

[Mr. Ypsi]

Netherlands, because I was a Johan Cruyff fan when I was growing up.   

I figured there would be some rooting for the Dutch, but do you have any reasoning to THINK they will win?

[sac]

Despite my schools affiliations with the motherland, the limited Dutch genes in my family just don't run deep enough for me to really care one way or the other.

(Curiously, Spain seems to be the only European country I don't have family ties to)

I'll be happily munching my chips and sipping my Coke's with my eyes glued to the television.  Hoping the game winner for either side is a memorable one.

[Ralph Turner]

Netherlands, because I was a Johan Cruyff fan when I was growing up.   

I figured there would be some rooting for the Dutch, but do you have any reasoning to THINK they will win?

No.  But the Dutch are professionals and they are underdogs. 

[BoBo]

I hope the octopus gets a perfect score, since I already picked Spain as well.  Anyone picking Holland, and if so, give me your reasoning?

I have no particular rooting interest in either side, but my gut feeling is that the Dutch are going to do it this time. In a WC full of surprises, with many of the heavy weights bowing out early, it would be fitting, to end this with a Dutch win and Paul making a wrong pick. That way, the lasting image of this tournament might shift back to where it should be -- with Larissa Riquelme!!        

[Hoosier Titan]

About predictions:  I have only ONCE, in my ENTIRE LIFE, gone public with a prediction about any sporting event.  That was on this board, when YOU, Mr. Ypsi, asked something like "Does the US have a snowball's chance in he** of beating Spain in the Confederations Cup?", and I said NO.  I was happy to be wrong, but I am not going public on this one!  For the record, however, I hear that octopi (or octopuses or whatever) are said to be very intelligent!

 And as a Liverpool fan, I note that whichever side wins, two members of the Liverpool team will be represented.

[Ralph Turner]

Good points about Suarez, although for me Forlan's excellence at set pieces puts him a step above.  I was wondering more if anyone wanted to suggest players from other teams as being the most valuable for their teams.

I thought the crowd's treatment of Suarez today was shameful--a bit like the students who keep chanting "airball, airball" throughout a basketball game.  The handball was called, the penalty awarded, and Suarez was suspended.  End of story--or it should have been.

I agree. That was the play of a true champion!

[Mr. Ypsi]

De Jong should have been red-carded.  Good grief - if that kung fu kick had been two inches higher, it might have been fatal!

[Hoosier Titan]

De Jong should have been red-carded.  Good grief - if that kung fu kick had been two inches higher, it might have been fatal!

The Dutch should have three reds by my reckoning--van Persie and van Bommel, in addition to de Jong's (who might well be in police custody!).  As Steve McManaman said, this is not a great ad for the game so far.

[Ralph Turner]

Congratulations, Spain.

[Mr. Ypsi]

While I was rooting for Spain anyway, after seeing the game I am especially pleased.  The Dutch played one of the dirtiest games I've ever seen at this level of competition.  The ref did a pretty good job of trying to keep control, handing out what has got to be a record number of cards in a final, but he could easily have given twice as many.

If this was 'the beautiful game', teams better hire MMA coaches!

[sac]

While I was rooting for Spain anyway, after seeing the game I am especially pleased.  The Dutch played one of the dirtiest games I've ever seen at this level of competition.  The ref did a pretty good job of trying to keep control, handing out what has got to be a record number of cards in a final, but he could easily have given twice as many.

If this was 'the beautiful game', teams better hire MMA coaches!

To be fair, Spain (and Holland) had some nice play acting in there as well.......and both teams constant demands for cards was tiresome......and I thought Italy had been sent home early?

At any rate the best team won and it was a solid goal that did it.

[Hoosier Titan]

Looks like others agreed with the thoughts on Diego Forlan:
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_uruguay-s-diego-forlan-named-player-of-the-world-cup_1408619

[Mr. Ypsi]

Looks like others agreed with the thoughts on Diego Forlan:
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_uruguay-s-diego-forlan-named-player-of-the-world-cup_1408619

Agreed - well deserved.  I just was offended by the earlier writer's implication that Forlan was virtually a one-man team for Uruguay, when they would not have made the semis without Suarez.

I see also that Mueller won the Golden Boot, based apparently on total points (goals + assists) as the tie-breaker, since 4 players had 5 goals each.  And, geez, he's only 20!

[Hoosier Titan]

Looks like others agreed with the thoughts on Diego Forlan:
http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/report_uruguay-s-diego-forlan-named-player-of-the-world-cup_1408619

Agreed - well deserved.  I just was offended by the earlier writer's implication that Forlan was virtually a one-man team for Uruguay, when they would not have made the semis without Suarez.

I see also that Mueller won the Golden Boot, based apparently on total points (goals + assists) as the tie-breaker, since 4 players had 5 goals each.  And, geez, he's only 20!

The earlier writer was the author of a piece on ESPN, and I posted it.  I wasn't necessarily saying I agreed, and I don't think he said Forlan was a one-man team--he said "Has any single player done more for his team?"  I couldn't think of anyone, and I wondered if anyone else could.  I guess it was a pretty good choice!

Mueller also won Best Young Player--bright future for him!  And there was some kind of tie-breaker involved for the Golden Boot.