SEMI FINAL #1!
Sadly, I will not be home for the match. I am going to a party to watch the match. I look forward to reading your comments after the fact.
posted by United We Stand @ 10:13 AM
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Sadly, I will not be home for the match. I am going to a party to watch the match. I look forward to reading your comments after the fact.
Lakenheath Old Boys
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Contributors
Previous Posts
- World Cup Predictions Game Update
- Hands Off Our Roon!
- Let's Try Again
- Is anyone going to bother watching?
- THE BIG ONE!!!!
- THE BIG ONE!!!!
- Come On, England!
- Italy vs. Ukraine
- Germany vs. Argentina
- World Cup Trivia Question of the Week
94 Comments:
Thanks for posting the graphic, Dave.
Here is the German side for today:
1. Jens Lehmann
3. Arne Friedrich
21. Christoph Metzelder
17. Per Mertesacker
16. Philip Lahm
18. Tim Borowski
13. Michael Ballack
5. Sebastian Kehl
19. Bernd Schneider
11. Miroslav Klose
20. Lukas Podolski
It's an unchanged side with the exception of Sebastian Kehl, who comes in for the Pig Climber, who's been dropped.
And the Italian side:
1. Gianluigi Buffon
19. Gianluca Zambrotta
5. Fabio Cannavaro
23. Marco Materazzi
3. Fabio Grosso
16. Mauro German Camoranesi
20. Simone Perrotta
8. Gennaro Gattuso
21. Andrea Pirlo
10. Francesco Totti
9. Luca Toni
It's the same side that beat Ukraine in the Quarterfinals.
I have to admit that I don't really have a side in this one. I haven't liked the Italians since I was a kid watching games at the beach in Bellaria. As for the Germans, well, you know the story. Old enemies.
I have to admit, though, that this side under Klinsmann has turned my head - much more attacking, much less defensive minded. Yet, as the penalties showed the other day, still with a German heart beating underneath.
I suppose I should side with the Italians for the sake of my Predictions Game score, but I'd just like to see a good open match with some goals. Wouldn't we all?
Yeah, I caught that too Trev. Not exactly the spirit of "Let's Make Friends in Germany."
BTW, the coverage in the NYTimes yesterday was hilarious. Before the WC they were all up in arms about the sex trade in Germany. In yesterday's paper they had a front section story about how the brothels had been empty and the pubs packed to the gills.
Johnno, that whistling could be for Italy's role in making sure that FIFA spotted Frings giving Cruz an undoubtedly deserved slap. It's the Italian FA that combed the film of the fracas and spotted Frings' part in it.
I just want to see a strong side come out of this semi just in case the Portuguese manage to slither their way past the French tomorrow.
Nice pop from Totti but he's not gonna beat Mad Jens from that distance.
Univision showed the clip in slo-mo before this match. Good stuff - especially Cruz's shocked reaction in freeze frame.
You're absolutely right Gooner, Kehl is in for Frings and it looks as if Borowski is on for the Pig Climber. He came on in the last match and even scored a pen - even their subs put the pens away!
Yeah, turn Motty up!!!
with one up top, can you blame them for struggling? is Gilardino unfit? haven't seen him since the round of 16.
Interesting after all of 'Cello's criticism for Ericksson's 4-5-1 formation the other day that he hasn't had a word to say about the Italian's 4-5-1 with big center forward (Toni) up front alone today. Bring back the 4-4-2!
here's a poser for you now.
does it matter a whit if the national coach doesn't live in the country that he's coaching? what are the critics thinking...that lippi drops round after dinner from time to time for a sambuca and an espresso with each italian player in the frame for their national side?
klinsman could live on the space station and manage the us better than Arena did.
Nah, Gilardino's fit but Totti was given a second chance after potting that pen against the Aussies. They reckon he's a talisman now. I expect to see Gilardino off the bench if it stays scoreless. He's a good player.
obviously 'cello's minder hasn't pointed that out to him yet. there's no synapse action there at all.
I agree - "California Klinsy" - it's got a good ring to it.
Unfortunately I hear that Siggy Schmidt is the front runner to take over from Arena. Shame.
Oooh, that would've been a great goal for Podolski. I really like this kid.
It's short for Skipiano - a nickname that Cristiano Ronaldo got from Premiership for his habit of skipping past opponents using the stepovers, right Gooner?
Siggi Schimdt's on a coronary before the year is out. Have you seen him? He was at a United game this year he's so big now, I thought he was some sort of mascot before I realized it was him. Jabba the Hun.
No, we have to go big picture. That rules out all MLS coaches.
Very good explanation Bob. Skippy because he started out more interested in how many stepovers and flicky-flicks he could do rather than take a shot or make a pass.
Got to be the Germans. After the Vatican is it's own separate nation-state within the city of Rome. I wouldn't be surprised if he weren't in the stadium today cheering on Der Mannschaft.
Trev, you can take the German out of Germany, but you can't take the Germany out of a German. He's got his lucky lederhosen on right now under that cassock.
How about Stevie Nichol and Paul Mariner as the coaching staff for the U.S. team? I love those guys!
The Lucky Lederhosen - great name for a rock 'n' roll band!
wouldn't want to disrupt that love-fest up in new england.
no bob, big picture, b-i-g p-i-c-t-u-r-e.
nearly there from Italy. looking dangerous from the flank.
Yeah, Camaronese has been keeping Phillip Lahm busy on the right hand side.
'cello with the explanation for a miss from a player who never scored from open play. so crap.
I like his comment just then about how "the overacting has gotten to be a bit too much in this World Cup." Has he just woken up from a long nap?
The ref's letting it go a bit now. Could boil over.
Now Borowski's picked up a yellow for a fairly innocuous challenge that Totti made a meal out of - no consistency.
... and if anything, he's one of the biggest over-reactors in this world cup.
just remember the raptures 'cello went into when grosso fell over lucas neill.
oooh, nasty challenge from Borowski.
Excellent - JP and Harkes on the match tomorrow!
can't agree with your view of the totti challenge. from behind, never got the ball, got totti's standing foot, late as hell. nothing good about it except the ref's decision to ticket it.
It is a man's game, Gooner. No excuses for the Totti swan dive. That a foul but no more.
observation -- fabio grosso and andy townshend. separated at birth?
Yeah, definitely.
Here's a good game for the 2nd half:
Spot the most suggestive sentence used by the commentators with the word "Bollock."
ooooh, good one. and take a drink each time? jesus, i'll be smashed within a ten minutes of the restart.
Half-time: 0-0; Predictably tight with organized defenses nullifying each other. Camaronese is getting some joy down the right flank and Podolski is looking lively as ever.
As with most of these latter stages matches, this one will turn on one incident more or less.
I'd add that the Germans are getting the ball to Klose everywhere but somewhere where he can do something with it. If they can open him up, they'd be happier.
Gross too is keeping Schneider and Friedrich busy.
And you have to say that Keihl is not as dominant as Frings.
Trev, during the semi-final, no less. Yeah, that's a bit shocking.
another observation.
one of Eric's friends used to style her 'my little pony' figure's hair exactly like how Camaronese does his. What's with the Argies and their hair?
Better from Klose.
Good stuff from Buffon and Jens.
attention tim borowski. lahm just showed you how to successfully tackle from behind. great stuff from the wee man.
make it a pink card Stevo because that would be more appropriate.
I agree, AZ. I like the Beige card idea - although not beige. Maybe green?
or a pink pinifore that they fit over their jersy. By the way, that Grosso is looking down the barrel of a pink card. Get up dammit!!
by the way, Stevo and Trev. The pink discussion is no comment on your girls' teams because in my experience, the women conduct themselves with a hell of a lot more dignity than these divers.
at the 70th minute, you have to wonder why the italians look so content to see this into extra time and possibly penalties. have they not noticed how the germans stick with it and then put on a penalty clinic? poor strategy.
Here comes the Pig Climber!
unfortunately yes.
Carlos Ruiz has not distinguished himself in the MLS with his pathetic diving. He's the classic hate figure. Diving, whining, limping off and popping up like toast, all the while dealing out the elbows and punches and hair pulling. Ruiz is the worst.
But DCUnited has it's babies too. Freddi does a triple sowchow every time someone gets close to him and Facundo Erpen frequently makes up for defensive mistakes by falling over and appealing for a foul.
Really, England is the only league I know of where it's really reviled.
"bollock on gattuso again."
Can I take a drink for that?
The MLS plays in the summer. They're not giving Phoenix a franchise!!! Forget it.
Rubbish free kick from Bollock.
Here comes Odonkor - I like the look of him.
Jens recreating the Schumacher-Battiston moment. Elbow to the chops.
Trev-I did not see the incident
Notice how Perrotta kept looking up until it was clear that the ball wasn't going to come back to him and then started gripping his ear. Disgusting!
That's the sort of thing that FIFA should review after the match and give out a Pink Card.
Overtime now. I really don't see what's in it for Italy to have played the 4-5-1 to the end like they did. If they had an attacking tandem of Gilardino and Toni, or Iaquinta who has played a lot better this tournament, why not see how that works?
The difference between Schumacher and Lehmann is that Jens was clearly making an effort to go for the ball and connected with Perrotta after clearing the ball whereas Schumacher just took Batiston out without coming close to the ball. No foul, no yellow, no nothing there. Perrotta should just get up and stop being a baby.
Full-time: 0-0; Not exactly the advertisement for the game that FIFA were hoping for.
The Italians must realize that they have to throw everything at the Germans now. They have no hope of beating the Teutonic Robots in the penalties. I have a feeling that they'd go right through the side - including Mad Jens - and each player would score easily.
Iaquinta on for Camaronese - striker for midfielder. I'm not sure that's positive enough for Italy.
ooooh, Gilardino off the post.
Now Zambrotta off the post.....!
'Cello doesn't get it when he says that Germany have to step up. All they have to do is protect the 0-0 draw now.
Bob, I think it's pretty clear now that 'cello is a dimwit that isn't capable of analysis. I'm frankly surprized that he's got enough upstairs to organize a four man wall. And who was the unlucky coach that had to explain the off-side trap to him?
The problem isn't intelligence, it's the sad fact that any of us here knows more about the international game than these two pretenders.
'Cello wouldn't know that the Germans are penalty experts unless the ESPN stattos put the facts in front of his nose.
According to Nick and Steven, the Germans have the full video dossier on all their opponents' penalty taking, including shots of which way the penalty takers tend to go and the "tells" each one inadvertently exhibits. Why can't the FA do this?
I doubt it, Trev. After the Queen has knighted you for "services to the national game."
The FA aren't organized enough. They allowed a lame duck to take Theo Wolcott, Jermaine Jenas, a just-recovered-and-certainly-not-match-fit Owen, and Rooney in a soft cast to Germany. If they can't get that right, what chance the details?
Trev does get by with his silky inoffensiveness.
BTW - Nicely done with the subject pronoun usage with the comparative case there, Trev. Most make mistakes with that. The Grammar Police approve!
when we hear from the grammar police, it's a bad sign that the match is crap.
Oooh, bad move there putting Del Piero on for the penalties. He's a bottler, if I've ever seen one. Again 'Cello is clueless about that. You never use a flair player for penalties. Always the plodders - defensive midfielders, fullbacks and sniffers.
You said it, Gooner!
Pink card for Totti!
Oh, what a sitter for Podolski!
what does it matter bob who for the italians are on the pitch? you said it all when you referred to the teutonic penalty taking robots. it's so done for italy if it goes to pens.
what a horrible header from podolski!!!
Klinsmann's reaction is: "Oooh, I'd have had that one." And you know what - he's right!
The Italians might stay with the Italians for a few rounds of penalties if they go with people like Zambrotta and Pirlo. If they stick in Totti and Del Piero for the pens they won't beyond five. That's my prediction.
not only that bob, but you know that the italians have heard about "the dossier" on their penalty taking habits. now they'll be second guessing their best instincts too.
Does Mad Jens talk to himself as much when he's playing for the Arse? Honestly, he's kept up a constant commentary with his imaginary friend there.
"Ja, I haf collected zee ball vell zere und now I haf to distribute it to mein teammate...."
You're right Gooner and that's exactly how not to take a pen. Did you notice how Carra tried to change his side on the second pen? Wrong idea - he should have stuck it exactly where he'd put the first one. Ricardo knew exactly what he'd do.
no, in england he's too busy raging about getting his foot stepped upon.
ok, with the neuville sub, the only one of the four that took penalties in the quarters that's off the pitch is borowski. I imagine that they can find a few more volunteers.
These two goalkeepers are just too bloody good. They should be made to play with one arm strapped behind their backs in extra time. Now there's an idea that Sepp Blatter could get behind!
The only German I could imagine being a bottler is "Bollock" because of the intense expectations on him. The others are clinical, especially Neuville.
uh-oh, t-storms in dc. if i get cut off, i'm calling bob on with my cell-phone.
i'd make odonkor one of the last guys too. he looks a bit fancier than your average german.
What's up with you Mid-Atlantic lot and the thunderstorms? That's supposed to happen down here on the peninsula. Next you'll get manatees washing up in the Potomac!
manatees ok, gators not.
AZ: I'm betting not. Here's a stat that I repeated before the penalty kicks against Argentina:
No German player has missed a penalty in any major tournament since 1976 when they lost to the Czechs in the European Championships!
Unbelievable, the Italians pulled it out!
Grosso - nice bending shot.
yeah, that's quite possible. he's big and imposing. bob's and my point is that he'd have to stop all of them to make up for the fragility that the italians will display in their penalty taking.
But then, there's Grosso!!!!!!!!!
I prefer this to penalties. Good goal.
What a class goal from Del Piero. I didn't think he had it in him.
holy crap. Now del piero..
germans were just rocked and lost their composure.
It's all over. Wow! Another eight points for me on the Predictions Game. Thank you, Azzurri lads.
Yeah, good stuff today. I'll be on it tomorrow and I reckon Davey boy will be back on too. I'll be up in D.C. for the weekend, so I hope to see some of you.
Johnno, we don't have anything set yet. We just finalized that Bob would come up here because of an office conflict that's come up making it impossible for me to continue to go to Jax.
We'd love to get together with you, at my place, yours, or TBA. Steve
I am very jealous with this last part.
I wish I could be there.
I will be here for tomorrow's game but I am having another soccer team party for the final.
Two great goals to win it.
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