The WORLD CUP FINAL!!!
Day 30 is here! The World Cup Final has arrived again. I can't believe how quickly these matches come up every four years!Will Spain become only the second team win the World Championship after winning the European Championship? West Germany won the Euros in '72 and the World Cup in '74 (France won both but the opposite order)
Will Holland become only the second team to go through an entire World Cup campaign, qualifying and tournament, winning all their games? Brazil did it in "70
Join me
UWS
posted by United We Stand @ 8:13 AM
403 Comments:
Fantastic graphic, Dave! Cheers!
But how does RVP get into the picture ahead of Arjen Robben? He's been complete pants. One goal in six matches? That's relegation striking form.
One of the narratives in the match today is whether the Spanish side will break the World Cup record of fielding players from one club side in a WC winning side. Torino had six players in the 1938 Italy side, Bayern had six in the 74 Germany side and Juve had six in the 82 Italy side. We could see seven from Barca today.
Just one reason why I'm supporting the Dutch today.
Hat trick for RVP to win it for the Dutch, a goal for Villa so that gives BDB his golden boot, and a straight red Van Bommel in the dying moments of the match so that thug can't collect his winning medal with his teammates. That's my dream scenario.
Hello Everyone .
Well , here we are again . World Cup
Final Day . Been here many many times before but it is still exciting . Hope it's a good one . Come on the Orange ! Sorry I won't be able to join in on LOB but I will read all the comments later . I'm off to watch it down the pub shortly . Have a good time on here and talk to you all later.
Hey Guys
I am back from Tom's tournament. His team made the final but it is at 2:15. Tom elected to leave to watch the match! We are going over to the Starks now. I'll be around for the Final
Hey Guys
I am back from Tom's tournament. His team made the final but it is at 2:15. Tom elected to leave to watch the match! We are going over to the Starks now. I'll be around for the Final
I appreciate your stumping for me for the GB, Gooner. I don't really deserve it after that gratuitous swipe at RVP earlier. I would actually love to see the boy score a hat-trick today, but I don't expect it. Also love to see van Bommel go off but he seems to have the referees hypnotized.
Every time I put a graphic on the website it always shows up huge... I do choose the small version
I wonder if they know which color each team is wearing.
Afternoon, Dave! We're here in Blue Devil HQ looking forward to a great match. Are you Spain or Holland today?
Thanks for the shout out, Chelskilad. I hope you and the others down the pub enjoy a great match!
The teams are in for today's final:
Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Pique, Capdevilla, Busquets, Alonso, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Villa
So that's 7 players from Barca. If they win, they break the record. No Torres, despite his begging.
Holland: Steklenburg, Van Bronckhorst, Matijssen, Van der Weil, Van Bommel, De Jong, Heitinga, Sneijder, Kuyt, Robben, RVP
Good Morning (and afternoon).
I have arrived at my friend's house and have his laptop running.
I am rooting for Holland
Our Prediction game is going down to the wire!!
No El Nino huh?
I can't believe these guys left Holland left in April!!! Did they just come to the Final? Lucky them!!
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague on BBC Radio 5 live "It's a strange decision to pick Pedro ahead of Fernando Torres because, for Barca, Pedro is a winger - he doesn't play in the hole like he will tonight. I'm surprised because I thought Torres could do loads of work for David Villa, allowing him space and opening to score. Now as the lone striker, Villa will have to do that work for himself and as we saw against Germany, he is less effective in that role."
A forlorn Fernando Torres has just strolled down the tunnel in a tracksuit, and is playing no part in the warm-up, even with the subs."
There is some speculation that Fernando Torres is injured and may not be able to play any part tonight. I guess we will find out in the course of the next couple of hours or so, but it is sad that a player of his ability has been short of fitness and/or sharpness for this entire tournament
Why would Del Bosque change a winning side? Spain totally dominated Germany with Pedro in that role. I expect them to do the same tonight. If they need a goal, then El Nino can come on, but he's been complete pants all tournament.
Only Jonathan picked Germany for 3rd place, so he gets two more points. He's on 38 points going into this one and has Spain as the winner. Matthew is still the favorite with both Spain as winner and Villa as Golden Boot.
Mueller is currently top with 5 goals and 3 assists.
Matt had Holland as winner
Sorry, Matthew has Holland winning and Villa as Golden Boot. Still a good chance of that. I've got Spain winning and Villa as GB. Chelskilad in second place has both sides in the final with Holland winning and Torres as GB. That's not happening.
This is the first World Cup Final that doesn't include
Uruguay, Italy, Brazil, Germany or Argentina
It is sad, but I don't know why so many players attempted to play injured. They want to play, of course, but they're also professionals and players such as Rooney and Torres should know when they're not up to it and shouldn't complain when they get dropped.
What do you think, mate? Should we do a similar Prediction Game for the Premiership next season? It's been a lot of fun, especially with so many participants.
Morning or afternoon, AZ! Great to hear from you. I hope you and yours enjoy the match today!
Predictions for the Premiership sounds fun. There is probably a wen site that would take care of the accounting and tracking.
That's a nice touch. Fabio Cannavaro brings the Cup out and gives it a wee kiss. I like that.
That was a nice a touch
Players in the tunnel and so is Howard Webb
All Orange for Holland
All Bluee for Spain
Here comes the flags
Well, there are a lot of Fantasy competitions and predictions games that require people to continue to update them or to buy and sell players and it's hard for most people to keep up. That's why I kind of like this format of just picking, say, the top four CL spots, the UEFA spots, the relegated teams, perhaps the promoted teams from the Championship, the FA and Carling Cup winners and the top scorer. Something like that would be fun and would only require one prediction at the beginning of the season and would be easy for one of us to tot up.
Players meeting Jacob Zuma, Sepp Blatter and his entourage now.
Make sense. I am in a couple of fanatsy (amercian) football leagues and it often seems like a job. However, someone [you :)] would need to track and publish a manual system. This is an even larger commitment.
Football365 comments: "Early points to the Dutch for me: their tracky tops are vastly superior." I agree.
I appreciate your concern, but it's been relatively easy for me during this tournament. I just keep the predictions in a file on my laptop and I can see updating on a Sunday afternoon fairly easily.
My 15 year old daughter just woke and plopped down on the couch. She is wearing the orange netherlands offical kit. Guess I am now for the Dutch. And looking forward to buying a new jersey with a star.
Let the games begin.
Cute - I'll bet she looks great in the orange kit. That's always been my favorite color. You may remember, AZ, that my Portal Close bedroom was painted orange.
The Dutch kick us off!!!!
This will be the 10th World Cup Final that I remember watching..Hope it is memorable
We're off
Martin Tyler with the scripted line to start with: "It hasn't been Total Football but it could be Title Football for the Dutch."
That was nasty by RVP
Bit of nastiness there from RVP from the off.
Come on Webb... Jack Taylor had already given Holland a penalty by now
Wow, yes. that brings back memories. Maddie's high school team is orange as well. I'll send my favorite pic to you via email.
The expected cagey opening here. I do hope that Holland won't be afraid to have a go at Spain.
Great save!!
Nice one, Dave! I enjoyed your Webb reference.
I suppose that Holland need to get near the Spanish box before Webb can give them a pen, right?
I think Holland have started like Germany... not a good sign for the Dutch
Spain is making an early statement.
By the way, the Gooner wants United to pick up the Argentina keeper Sergio Romero so that Steklenburg can go to the Emirates. What do you think?
Mistake by Busquets but Kuyt is never going to score from that distance.
Horrible pass by the Spanish and goes right to Kuyt..he should have done better there!!
The Spanish seem to winning the midfield battles already.
Villa nearly in there, onside. Come on, boy!
15 year old Maddie thinks there are too many mistakes and not enough push. Nerves?
Oh - Heitinga could have stuck that in his own net when Ramos fizzed it across.
Sergio Ramos with a great move but his cross/shot could have done better
Villa hits the side netting
Was that a pass or shot?
...
Nice cross. Spain is still dominating.
By the way, I can't believe that Maddie is already 15 - that really makes me feel old.
Old? I was 30 when she was born. if we started a little earlier, she would be out of college. :(
RVP nobbles a Spanish again and he's in the book this time.
RVP in the book... ouch.... that looked bad on the standing leg
Sure, I'm just remembering the time we met up in the Mexican place in Phoenix, but of course that was probably 7 years ago now. Times flies....
Puyol gets RVP back... Robben makes the most of it
And now Robben has gone down as if shot and Puyol goes into the book.
I agree, UWS. There wasn't much contact here. Sneijder over this one.
Sneijder pings one in on goal and Steklenburg handles well.
Sneijder with a shot from far far away... keeper didn't do a Green
Chris Waddle
"The Netherlands beat Brazil en route to the final so they have nothing to fear tonight. But they've got no answers so far; Spain are dominating in all areas and the Dutch can't cope with their movement. I want to see the Netherlands working the ball through midfield because at the moment they're flinging it straight from defence to attack - I don't think Van Bommel's had a touch yet - and it's coming straight back at them."
Robben's first contribution with a nice run... corner...cleared
Finally - Van Bommel goes into the book early in a match.
Van Bommell in the book...about time!!!
That was nasty!!
He's out of the next game... ooh, no next game
Hello UWS and Blue Devil. I arrived back from San Antonio much earlier than I had anticipated. I saw Van Bommel booked for a nasty challenge on Iniesta.
Ramos in the book... has Webb had any other choice?
And now it's Sergio Ramos in the book. Howard Webb having a card happy few minutes there.
Welcome MUR... haven't missed much
Casillas gathers easily from a Schneider free kick.
Thank you UWS. It is great to be back.
Welcome, MUR! Great to have you around.
Boom ball. WTH!
Those four yellow cards could have an impact in the second half when things tighten up.
Spain kept possession and Schneider broke up the rhythm by committing a foul in midfield.
Thank you Blue Devil. I was determined to get back for the final.
Nearly half an hour gone now and that Sergio Ramos header is as close as we've got so far. I've got two house guests who have a seven hour drive home after the match. They're plenty anxious not to have this go to extra time and pens.
I thought that was Van Bommell at first!!
OW!!!! That should have been a red!!!!!
De Jong is booked for a high boo on Alonso.
Nigel de Jong becomes the fifth yellow card of the day. I don't really think it's been that chippy and still five in the book. That was a bit nasty, I have to admit. Studs straight into the chest.
a kick in the chest. That's the moment of the match. Grow up guys.
Most Yellows was six in '86. We have 5 but that should have been a red!
We've got Mandela and the guy who played him (Morgan Freeman) at the match today.
Hello AZkicker.
Now it's getting chippier. Come on, lads. Play football!
BTW, Matt said that Robben was going to score in the 33rd minute... be warned!
That was a foul on Robben
Busquets fouls Robben. That appeared to be an elbow in the chest.
Here is the 33rd minute
Hey Manu. glad you're here. Now, maybe the game will get interesting.
Oooh -- that could have been a goal there!
Struth... that was close... RVP gives the ball back
Here's a question for you - has there ever been an own goal in a World Cup Final? I can't think of one.
We're curious, UWS, about what exactly the birthday message from Joel was. Can you enlighten us?
Corner to Holland and two WHIFFS!!!
He always calls me... He usually swears on the message. This time he sounded more mature
I cannot think of an og in a World Cup Final either. Maybe 1930. Spain broke and Pedro shot wide . That was a decent effort.
So much for the Total Football - Mathijssen swings at and completely misses the ball.
Would the Duth have let the Spanish score if that long shot went in?
Van Bommel fouls Xavi.
More nastiness from Van Bommel. Getting close to a second yellow now.
The Dutch clear the free kick at the third attempt.
5 minutes to go til half... this isn't the Final I wanted
I don't think the Dutch would have let the Spanish score. They have been on the back foot and would have been pleasantly surprised with a lead.
Sneijder goes in high there. Send 'im off, Howard!
Schneider and Busquets are down. Schneider appeared to be late.Schneider receives a verbal warning.
Long range strike from Xabi Alonso -- well wide.
A long range effort from Alonso swerves wide.
The Dutch are playing as if they are desperate and happy to play for a draw.
Van Bronkhurst last ever match!!
Two minutes of stoppage time.
Into stoppage time now. Two minutes. It's been a dull first half, tbf.
2 added minutes.. what happened to 30 seconds for each yellow!
Yeah - Giovanni is retiring from football after this one.
Robben with a nice shot.. corner
Casillas saves well at the near post after a spell of Dutch pressure from the free kick. Spain clear the corner. The Dutch are flagged offside.
Gooner asks "where's the quality?" after Robben hits the first man on the post from the corner. I think he may have stolen that phrase from someone.
Holland has come into lately
Spain haven't really created anything except for the header from Ramos
Halftime and 0-0 in a dull final.
HALF TIME!!
I agree with Steve...where's the QUALITY!!
More yellows than shots
Ridiculous - it was clear that was the last chance of the half and Van Bronckhorst plays it square instead of pumping it into the box, as if he's dying to have a slash. Webb duly blows up for half-time. Not happy with that at all.
Reminds me of Ivory Coast with a corner with no time remaining against Portugal... they take a short one and the ref blows
Roberto Martinez stays in South Africa until the FINAL!!!
BBC Sport's Alan Shearer "If this had been a group game, the Netherlands would probably already be down to nine men - at least."
I would leave to see Spain win. They are the only team attempting to play. The Dutch have been cynical in the time that I have been watching. I agree with everyone that there has been a lack of quality which we would expect in a World Cup Final.
I agree with Alan Shearer. ESPN stated that Roberto Martinez was being interviewed from his home in Bolton. He must have wanted to be back due to pre-season training.
The previous three matches involving Spain were scoreless at the half and they won each match 1-0. I am sticking with my original prediction.
Spain have managed to go through their entire World Cup campaign without conceding a goal in the first half
BBC Sport's Lee Dixon "From a spectacle point of view, you have to say the Dutch have ruined it. They've done well to react after Spain's dominant opening, but they're killing the game."
Has that ever happened in a World Cup tournament?
It sounds like Lee Dixon was reading of my comments on LOB.
I am starting to lean towards Spain. The Seventies side deserved to be World Champions.... these guys don't!
I hope they improve like they did against Brazil
Hard to imagine that it's ever happened. They'll also break a record for scoring the least number of goals for a winning side.
ABC come back with the teams already in formation! They could have come back earlier
We're off
The teams kick off.
The Spanish start the second half. I agree with MUR. They've come to play. Holland have come to clog.
Sneijder had a chance to put in RVP
Spain would also become the first World Cup winning side who lost their opening match.
Gooner was disappointed that RVP wasn't anticipating that ball. Even he's getting fed up with Van Persie.
Puyol almost connects to the corner
The penny has dropped for Steve about RVP
Van Bommel leans on Alonso right on the edge of the box. Should have been a foul if not a pen.
That could have been called against Van Bommell
No one in the box from the Dutch cross!! GET IN THE BOX!!!
I agree . It must be frustrating to make that run and have nobody to pass to.
Why wasn't Dirk Kuyt nipping around the back post there on the cross? He's been very quiet today. Not enough Alpo for the Labrador this morning.
Van Bommel must be close to a red.
Both Gooner and I want Kuyt off and Elia on at this point.
Van Bommel starts close to a red for me. How does he continue to get away with it?
COME ON GUYS!!!
THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!!!!
Kuuyt did better and found Robben. His near post shot was easily saved by Casillas.
Here, here - UWS. It's a bloody entertainment after all!
Free kick chance for Spain
Yellow number six
Free kick Spain after Van Bronckhorst cynically brings one down. Yellow to him. #6.
Spain win a free kick just outside the area after a foul by Giovanni. He is booked.
Xavi over this one....come on! Pop it in!
Reasonably close but not really good enough to trouble Steklenburg.
Xavi's curling free kick just failed to bend enough to go inside the post.
David Villa is down hurt... he got whacked on the shin
I saw Heitinga intentionally body check Villa. That was nasty. He is booked. That is yellow #5 for the Dutch.
Villa went down hard there. Heitinga goes into the book. Robbie Mustoe doesn't understand why Howard tried to play an advantage there and then gave a yellow. Good refereeing to my mind.
How is Webb giving a yellow card when he didn't call a foul
Not much of a foul there... again, how was the yellow given when a foul was not given
Not good Howard
This is really getting out of hand now with Iniesta an innocuous challenge and Sneijder rolling about like a little girl.
Schneider is wacked by Iniesta. The Spanish players are fed up with the Dutch tactics. Heitinga heads wide, but the flag is up for offside.
oh, just wide by the dutch
That could have been a foul by Sergio Ramos
I disagree, Dave. That's what you want to have a referee do - play advantage and then go back and card a player.
I really don't think the Dutch deserve this!!!
Nice block, Howard as the Dutch attempt to clear and Webb is in the way.
Jesus is coming on!!!
Off goes Pedro
I agree,UWS.
Jesus Navas replaces Pedro, who had a really quiet match.
I agree. I'm not sure either side deserve this one. I'd award the trophy to England.
OH MY GOD!!
ROBBEN MISSED!!
Robben misses a great chance as he has only Casillas to beat, but has his shot blocked by the keeper's feet.
Wow - Robben gets through alone and Casillas does really well to save with his boot. Amazing. Still 0-0.
The corner broke to Robben and he blasted well over.
uuhhh, THEY DEFINITELY DON'T DESERVE IT!!
Bring on Van Nistelrooy!!!!
great play there. Robbens had a fine shot. The saved was phenomianl. Give us more!
As poor as the Dutch have played, the brilliant pass from Schneider to Robben was the best move of the match. The dutch should play like this more often.
True, MUR. And the Spanish have really fallen off this half. They need to freshen things and Navas isn't the guy. Maybe El Nino and Cesc?
RVP was fouled there but he faked the dive!! HE WAS AWAY!!!
Gooner says he wants this to be a "Cesc-less match."
Capedevilla is booked for a cynical challenge on RVP.
And that's Capdevilla into the book. That's #8 of the match.
BBC Radio 5 live's Graham Taylor "The second half has been no different to the first so far. Very poor. The Dutch players are 'putting themselves about' in football terms. Quite frankly, I can't see this game finishing without a red card or two."
I would say Cesc. He made a difference against Paraguay. Will Spain score a late winner like they did against Paraguay?
who's winning the yellow card sub-plot? Spain or Netherlands?
ooh, how did Villa not score that!!
OH - DAVIDDDDDDDD!!!!
How could he miss?!
20 to go!
How did Villa not score? Navas broke down the right and Heitinga cleared off the line. A great block.
Reasonable turn and shot by Capedevilla, smothered by Steklenburg.
Post a Comment
<< Home