Watching the World Cup Final completely stress free

[malaise]

Truthfully Germany looks good but I want Argentina to win because this WC is in South America.
I am also looking forward to the seating arrangements of the politicians - CFK, Merkel, Putin and whoever else shows up.

Here's an interesting first - both countries in the final have female leaders.

[mcar]

1. Hope it's a great game, Malaise

It's been a terrific tourney.

[malaise]

3. World Cup winners this Century

2002 - Korea/Japan



2006 Germany


2010 South Africa


2014 Brazil
we shall we

[malaise]

101. You've been terrific on these threads

[mcar]

102. It's been great having another soccer aficionado to share the experience

Thanks for all your great threads.

[LittleBlue]

2. Yeah I want Argentina to win too

It's a big task to beat Germany. Italy showed how it's done during Euros: stay defensively solid and take your chances. They can be beaten.

Argentina 1 Germany 0

[malaise]

4. One great chance and now

offside.

[LittleBlue]

8. Am I wrong in thinking

Argentina have looked the better team so far?

They could easily be up 2 with the chances they've had

[malaise]

9. Yes they had more chances and the defense was sharp.

Both teams are using the offside trap well.
Good first half.

[Louisiana1976]

5. Me, too! Go Argentina!

[suffragette]

6. I'm slightly for Germany in this one

I like that they've gone from the stolid, boring defensive first style to their more active offense style and don't want them to change back.

That said, I'm fine with Argentina winning for the reasons you named.

[malaise]

10. Still Germany is lucky - they made one major defensive error

And they have two yellow cards. Argentina has been more accurate on goal so far.

https://www.google.com.jm/?gws_rd=cr,ssl&ei=LuPCU9_zMKjmsAT55oLoBQ#q=germany+vs+argentina&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAGOovnz8BQMDQy-H0CPGdkZugScXeyWl6oREuNgck0sy8_OEuLg4wvOLclKcSwuExLk4gwvyi0r8EnNTQRL6ufoGRmUVJkKqXGw-qYnppalC0kKSXNxuRampSYnFqb6ZKTBlxgaF5kJqXKy-iSXJGUKyQtKoqni4uECq4ovijUuSeXbMY3DpLb2ykeN_Q3GWzTF_c-FeYwD2mvTeqgAAAA

[suffragette]

14. Agree with you there. I really just hope to see a good game with lots of offense.

[malaise]

43. Something has to give

about now or it's PKS

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. This ones tough

I like Germany - especially when they could have taken Brazil 14-1. They totally backed off in the second half. Showed a lot of class to the host country not to go for the throat when the handwriting was on the wall that they were going to advance.

BUT!

Its hard not to root for Argentina.

I guess my best hope is for a close/exciting second half.

[mcar]

11. I feel the same way

I liked how Germany backed off too. Argentina's defense is impressive.

Pretty evenly matched thus far.

[malaise]

12. One more serious foul on Messi and the German team will be in deep trouble

Those two yellow cards are a problem and remember they already brought on one sub.
Germany had more possession but Argentina used the ball better. Should be up one goal at least by now

Let today not be the day when a European team wins in South America.

[Ruby the Liberal]

20. Mueller started it

and then got pissed because they took a shot at him.

Definitely leaning Argentina at this point.

[IcyPeas]

13. please pardon this intrusion from a football newbie

what if the score ends up 0-0? is it just the cumulative winner that wins? All of a sudden I am into this game.

[malaise]

15. If that happens after 90 minutes (regulation time)

there is extra time of 30 minutes - fifteen minutes each way. If scores are tied after that 0-0 or even 2-2, it's down to penalty kicks. That happened in 1994 when Brazil beat Italy in the USA

The 1994 FIFA World Cup Final was a football match that took place at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, United States, on 17 July 1994 to determine the winner of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Brazil beat Italy 3–2 on penalties to claim their fourth World Cup title when the match finished 0–0 after extra time;

[IcyPeas]

16. thank you!

[malaise]

18. Messi just had a glorious chance

Come on Argentina - that's two goals you should have scored

[malaise]

39. Extra time - you saw it coming

for the third time in a row. Eighth game in this world cup with extra time.

[Jenoch]

17. Why would there be any stress? It's Argentina vs. Germany.

There might be some stress on the many Germans in Argentina.

[malaise]

19. No stress because none of my teams made the final

That's why it's stress free.

[AngryOldDem]

21. That's the best kind of championship game to watch.

You can just sit back and enjoy -- no vested interest at all.

It's been a good game so far.

[malaise]

22. Yes and yes

although I'd like the South American record to remain intact.

[blueamy66]

23. It seems to me that the soccer players whine alot to the refs...

What do you think?

[malaise]

24. The truth is that the refs miss an awful lot of foul

There should be five refs - two running the lines on either side and the on field one.

[blueamy66]

27. I'm new to the sport, but am watching right now...

There also seem to be alot of fouls!

[malaise]

30. Oh yes

Football is a contact sport

[blueamy66]

32. Oh yeah...

Those guys are true athletes though.

[Ron Obvious]

25. I think one thing we learnt

...yesterday that it wasn't that Germany were that good, but that Brazil were that bad.

Germany should win, of course, but who knows?

[malaise]

28. Just remember that German game against Algeria

They aren't that good. The Brazilian defense was always going to be a problem and losing Neymar didn't help. Argentina should have at least three goals by now.
The Germans foul a lot.

Come on Messi - damn!!!

[Ruby the Liberal]

31. Just heard the play call say Messi hasn't had a goal since group round

[malaise]

33. True

Four goals in the first three matches and not one since.
That said he scored none in 2010 in South Africa so this is a massive improvement.

[2banon]

88. gotta ask, are you from the south?

[Ron Obvious]

90. The South of what? I'm not even American

Baffled at why you'd think I'm from Dixie, if that's what you're asking.

I'd state my background but it's so unusual it would make me uniquely googleable, I fear.

[2banon]

92. LOl! I thought I picked up a certain twang in your post, that's all..

I live in California (for the past 40+ years) but I was born and raised in the South.. and yes, I meant south of the "Mason-Dixon" line.

[Ron Obvious]

97. In that case, I'll take it as a compliment!

I did live in Texas for 8 years. It might have contributed to my speech patterns, which is rather a forensic challenge to any linguist!

[2banon]

106. yeah.. take a looksie at "learnt' and there was another one, can't see it right now..

that is soooo southern... wondered if you were doing tongue in cheek but I couldn't figure out the context... which prompted the question..

[malaise]

110. Learnt is very British and it's used in the English-speaking Caribbean n/t

[malaise]

109. You know your football

[Ruby the Liberal]

26. Germany is really playing sloppy

Maybe they need to go back to their stoic defensive mode. This isn't a good look for them.

[malaise]

29. ROFL

Go South America

[malaise]

35. Respect due Klose

a great footballer

[Ruby the Liberal]

36. I teared up at the reaction when he was pulled.

Hope he lands a coaching gig.

[malaise]

41. He will

Same here

[suffragette]

44. No, please not back to stoic mode

Much prefer the more open play under this coach.

I think these teams are just well matched.

[Ruby the Liberal]

45. And OT, but when was the last time the Super Bowl

went into overtime?

Germany has stepped up their game, but this is OT now. Second wind?

These guys must be exhausted!

[malaise]

50. That is one great goal

Damn!!

[Ruby the Liberal]

56. Oh hella yeah

That was precision.

[suffragette]

59. That was a beautiful shot

Off the bench and one for the replays!

[Ruby the Liberal]

69. And substituted for Klose

just minutes before on his (Klose') last World Cup?

Thats a story for the grandkid's grandkids.

Congrats Mario Gotze and Germany!

[suffragette]

79. That was one that will be retold often

Brave move from the coach and very symbolic given the outcome.

[suffragette]

53. At this point, they must just pull on sheer will

I think that goal woke everyone up though

[Blue_Tires]

34. Messi is a bottler and overrated...

#TRUFAX

[malaise]

37. One goal in these three minutes and you'll change your tune

I have long maintained that he is no Diego Maradona but if he scores here no one will care

[Ron Obvious]

38. Is he playing today?

I hadn't noticed.

[Ruby the Liberal]

40. They are on him like flies on shit

Drew at least 1 German yellow card. May have been both. Malaise?

[malaise]

42. One for sure

I'll have to check the other

[TransitJohn]

85. Well, actually....Lionel Messi is impossible

Please read the rest at Five Thirty-Eight:
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/lionel-messi-is-impossible/

[Ron Obvious]

46. I think I've torn my anus

yawning....


Don't pay attention to me. I'm skyping people in Germany who are at the edge of their seats.

[malaise]

47. Germany scores to blow wow!!

Damn this is trouble

[Ron Obvious]

54. Mario Goetze!!!

This might be an exciting game but certainly not a good game, my father would have sniffed.

He's long ago joined the sausage, beer, and polka fest in the sky, so we don't have to hear rubbish like that any more.

[malaise]

60. You think any German on the planet cares

There's a great football saying - an ugly win is better than a pretty loss.

Great sub move by the coach.
two minutes added time - congrats Germany...unless.

Oops foul on Messi.

[Bosonic]

48. Argentina please turn right NOW!

[Ruby the Liberal]

49. Goaaaaaaaaaaaal!

Ok, Argentina - you have 17'



Edit - ack! Off by 10 minutes. Come on Argentina!

[malaise]

58. Great substitute change

Mario Götze

Come on Argentina

[LittleBlue]

51. Argentina have done this to themselves

No complaints, they fucked themselves over missing so many golden chances

[malaise]

52. Yes indeed

They blew way too many chances

[msanthrope]

55. Super Mario! nt

[malaise]

65. J. Löw made a brave decision to take off Klose

and bring him on. It was a lovely goal

[Ruby the Liberal]

71. Indeed - that was a very gutsy move

Congrats Germany!!

[suffragette]

61. Golden boot standings

http://www.cbssports.com/world-cup/golden-boot

Got to say, I'd like to see James get this.

[malaise]

89. James won the boot

Messi the ball and Neuer the glove

[suffragette]

91. Nicely done

[Ruby the Liberal]

62. Was Messi trying to hit Caracas?

That was a tad high...

[malaise]

73. Wins the Golden ball though

Congrats Messi

[Ron Obvious]

105. Farcical decision

At least he had the class to look ashamed about it.

James Rodriguez for me.

[malaise]

108. There are three titles -James won the Golden Boot

Messi win the Golden Ball and Neuer won the Golden Glove.

[Ron Obvious]

112. And Louis van Gaal won the Golden Willy

This is a joke from Dutch television based on the fact that "The Golden Pick (or selection)" could also be a play on words meaning The Golden Penis in Dutch.

I think they actually presented him with a trophy of a Gold Willy. Dutch people (who doesn't love them) are pretty strange.

[LittleBlue]

63. IIRC this makes Germany the first European country to win a WC in South America. nt

[malaise]

66. Yes

That hurts

[malaise]

64. Merkel celebrates - first World Cup since unification

first European team to win in South America.
Congrats Germany - well played.
Next Russia 2018

This is the part I love - when the kids and wives join the squad.
Crying is a big part of losing - you'd better cry for those fans

[suffragette]

67. And Klose finishes with a record and Goetze comes off the bench to kick in the next generation

And James should win a well-earned Golden Boot. I'd love to see his newest celebration dance

[malaise]

68. The sad truth is that Argentina had way too many chances

and did not get it done.
Yep I love the celebrations - did you see that they dressed up Christ of the Redeemer in German colors?

[suffragette]

72. Yes, they had many chances, but let them get away.

I haven't seen that got a pic?

[Ruby the Liberal]

75. Light show?

Have a link?

[malaise]

77. Here

http://www.goal.com/en-ca/news/4217/world-cup-2014/2014/07/13/4956417/pope-behind-argentina-but-christ-the-redeemer-shows-support

[Ruby the Liberal]

80. Cool - thanks!!

Brazil did a great job hosting this year. Hats off!

[malaise]

82. Gone back to Brazilian colors

Ha

Great world cup - loved it.
Congrats Brazil - now to pay the bills

[Ruby the Liberal]

96. Don't they convert to the summer Olympics in 2016?

Serious cash, there.

That came up at work the other day - one coworker was talking about all of the stadiums that were built and another remarked that the infrastructure for the WC is what likely landed them the Olympics. I may have heard wrong though?

[malaise]

70. For all the Argentinian fans

[suffragette]

74. That was an interesting look on Messi's face as he was given the Golden Ball

Not the way he wanted to win it, for sure.

[malaise]

81. Merkel is hugging the entire squad

LOL

[suffragette]

84. And the German coach actually let himself smile

But just for a moment

[muriel_volestrangler]

76. Brit commentator: "the Golden Glove award looks like the hand from the Addams Family"

[malaise]

78. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

ESPN????

[muriel_volestrangler]

83. BBC

I think it was Mark Lawrenson, but I'm not sure.

[mcar]

86. Germany earned that

An amazing goal. And very classy to applaud the Argentines as they went to get their medals.

I'm ready for the next Cup!

[malaise]

87. Truth be told Argentina blew

They had several chances.
Russia here we come

[mcar]

95. It'll be a long wait

But there's lots of soccer to watch in the meantime.

[tavernier]

93. Born in Germany, although not German

Congratulations to the winners!

And three cheers for the excellent sportsmanship shown by USA when we lost. I realize Argentina came closer, but for Pete's sake, what miserable faces. #10 looked like he wanted to spit on his trophy.

[malaise]

103. You have to understand the football culture

If one camera catches one of the squad members smiling, the tabloids will devour him for a week
Crying is part of the culture. Better to bawl than face the wrath of the media.

If a single one of the Argentinian players is seen at a party tonight, the Argentinian media will eat him alive.

[tavernier]

104. How sad.

Thousands... millions of kids... would give their eye teeth to be so honored. (Not to mention adults).

That "football culture" is just a convenient way to dismiss very poor manners.

[malaise]

107. Not true - the players and coaches

congratulated the winners and commiserated with the Argentinian players. Didn't you see the two coaches together? These players are friends -they play for the same club teams in a variety of leagues.
The culture is simple - do not look like you're OK losing.

[2banon]

94. Thanks malaise, for this thread and contribution..

as "newbie" to the sport, it's been an education.. thanks to your threads on the subject!

[Ruby the Liberal]

98. +1

[malaise]

100. Couldn't work without all of you

[malaise]

99. We sure had a nice group of DUers

who joined the threads - it was fun.

[Ron Obvious]

113. Seconded

Thanks, Malaise! Hope to see more of you in the Football (soccer) group!

The European pre-seasons are almost upon us already. Sanchez signed for Arsenal and that makes me a very happy Gooner.

[BeyondGeography]

111. A brilliant Cup decided by a brilliant goal

Last edited Mon Jul 14, 2014, 06:10 AM - Edit history (1)

Fitting.

Messi will be back; unfinished business for him. Game was there for him in the second half and he missed a shot he normally buries. I think Neuer was in their heads all day; they had plenty of chances and they never fired away. And then they ran out of gas.

The best team won in an honorable fashion; doesn't always happen.