World Cup 2014

[Panta Rhei]

Webb and Kuipers were the best. Kuipers is home now because of Holland in the semis.

What I don't understand is that there still is a Brazillian ref even though Brazil made it to the semis as well. Some grand plot for the final lol? Or perhaps the third place match lol. They can get that one for free if we lose today.

[EJG1980]

Whatever happens I hope the remaining matches are as memorable as last night, although I'd rather some epic 4-3 back and forth battles instead of more one sided thrashings.

Well tonight's semi-final hasn't quite gone like that... Last gasp winner or penalties coming up.

[ETC]

Well that doesn't really matter based off tonight Germany will rip them a new one

[fallenangle]

I was so hoping the game wasn't going to be about two well matched sides cancelling each other out but it was and the long drawn out slog towards the inevitable penalty shoot out lottery was mostly hideously boring to watch.

The Dutch lost, which was disappointing but if Germany show anything like their attacking form against Brazil in the final I can't see them losing it whoever had gone through. But, if they sit back and defend, then I fear it will be like the match tonight, maybe a one goal win by either side due to a mistake or, again, going all the way to penalties.

[Panta Rhei]

No goal in 240 minutes, rightfully out. Van Gaal is human, he made some grave mistakes and the goalie switch has bitten him in the ass I think as this goalie must've been insecure before the shootout (he knows there is no faith in him at all). That, plus Vlaar being a kick taker knocked us out.

I just think Argentina doesn't deserve to be in the final. Its sad how it all went. Colombia or even France should've been here. Not them.

Germany rightful winners though, and they will win. I'm sure of it.

3 weeks ago I would laugh my ass off if someone said we would reach the semi's so its an excellent result.

[EJG1980]

Hopefully the final will be more like their 1986 encounter than their 1990 match (in terms of scoreline and excitement, I don't mind who actually wins).

[MarioMark]

I don't mind. As an England fan this is the worst possible final. Two of England's arch rivals playing each other.

Here's hoping for a good final, after a good world cup the semis were a bit flat. One was one sided and the other was dull.

It will be interesting to see which Brazil team turns up for the 3rd place play off.

[fallenangle]

I think the Dutch will be up for that third place game and won't let the Brazilians off easily. If the Brazilians really have been psychologically affected by the Germany defeat there's an outside possibility of another collapse and drubbing but I'm not really expecting that. Still, as a neutral, I think it has the potential for being a more interesting watch than the actual final if just to see if the Brazilian can bounce back or not.

[Panta Rhei]

I think not. LVG doesn't even want to play it. A lot of bench warmers will probably play, they might try because they want to prove themselves. Brazil will no doubt try to avenge their hammering and perhaps their 2010 loss. I expect them to play for the win because they're at home and have to redeem themselves somewhat.

I think Brazil will win. And no one here would care.

I hope its back to the drawing board, we should probably drop this reaction football. Its really all we can do with this mediocre generation but its not our style.

[Panta Rhei]

Vlaar actually converted his penalty kick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43-EtYWhhAc#t=11

He didn't hit a second time did he?

He actually hit it with his hand, lol. But hard to see from this angle.

[eastyy]

oh dear....brazil its not getting better

[ETC]

Here we go again 2 down before 20 mins for Brazil , the 50 million or whatever chelsea got for luiz looks like daylight robbery now his defending in the last 2 games have been Sunday league quality at best (and after 12 pints the night before )

[VR46]

Martin O'Neill summed him up perfectly, "he hasn't got a defensive bone in his body", woeful Brazil team all round really.
In to injury time and it's 3-0 to the Dutch.

[fallenangle]

Hate to say I told you so but I did.

The Dutch did what they needed to do in the first half hour and then took their foot of the accelerator for most of the rest of the match. It almost felt like they were throwing the Brazilians a bone. Yet, apart from the odd free kick in a good position, I think they still only had a couple of shots on target and the same number of half-chances.

The Dutch simply did a professional job containing them, passed better, defended better and with a cutting edge of Robben and Van Persie always looked likely to score on the break, exactly what happened for the third goal.

Also wanted to add my praise to Dirk Kyut, as one of the ITV commentators also mentioned, his work rate and contributions in all the games has been top class throughout the tournament.

[Panta Rhei]

I didn't want to watch this until I got a call. And I'm sort of glad I did. It was a fun game, perhaps even one of the betters ones this cup. In 1998 we didn't care and the team gave it away. But I do see some sort of happiness now, the guys realized they went against all odds this cup. Actually didn't lose a single game. One with pens, that is.

Brazil was a sad joke that should've been ended during or after the group phase. What did they get from advancing to the semis? Total humiliation from 2 well organized European squads and their country in shambles. Their football has been murdered. They can't live off the past forever, they need vision.

We soundly beat them even though they had the ref on their side. I am still puzzled why Oscar didn't get a penalty for his dive because it would fit in perfectly today. Thiago no Red is ridiculous, Maxwell's elbow and the crazy charges by Hernanes and Fernandinho. And all those bonus free kicks from the side of the box. Oh, and Silva just slipped and was saved by the ref. Would've been an earlier 3-0 for sure. Robben not getting a second penalty is understandable although it was one, you don't really get 2 in the same match.

Dirk work rate was fantastic. But he can't really pass nor can he beat his marker. But his presence was important to the team. He played everywhere, the goalie joked that he should hide his gloves or Dirk would run with them.

TL;DR, Brazil joke: