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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Germany v Spain

Germany v Spain

by Randinho|  July 7, 20101:43 pm| 157 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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If this creature’s right, I think someone in Oberhausen, Germany is going to have krake for dinner.

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Reader Interactions

157Comments

  1. 1.

    EmmATX

    July 7, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Can’t wait can’t wait! Viva Espana!

  2. 2.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    No trivia question for the game? Can I offer a two-part one?

    Which are the ‘pioneering’ associations in world football, and when was the only World Cup all of them participated?

  3. 3.

    dmsilev

    July 7, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    I was going to say something sarcastic, but then I remembered that we regularly rely on groundhogs for long range weather forecasts…

    dms

  4. 4.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 1:53 pm

    Octopuses can open up boxes!?

    Where ever will we keep things safe from their nefarious tentacles? Oh right… on dry land. Whew.

    I think Germany will win since they’ve been playing the best of anybody, but obviously it wouldn’t surprise me if it went either way. No real rooting interest for me here… I adopted Spain during Euro 2008 to have somebody to cheer for, but I don’t have any particular fondness for them. In World Cups past I’ve found Germany’s style to be a bit boring, but this team seems pretty creative and exciting… and I like counter attacking football. So either way… just hoping for an exciting match.

  5. 5.

    Calouste

    July 7, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    I think Paul the Octopus will be in for a bit of a grilling the next time he tries to predict something.

  6. 6.

    Eric S.

    July 7, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I’m ordering calamari for lunch. Go Germany!

  7. 7.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    July 7, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    So it’s the winner who gets eaten by an octopus?

    See, if the actual matches were like that, I would have started watching even years earlier.

  8. 8.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    @SRW1: Wales. Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. 1958.

  9. 9.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 2:04 pm

    @Randy Paul:

    Wales. Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. 1958.

    Bingo! You know your stuff.

  10. 10.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    July 7, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    @SRW1:

    Which are the ‘pioneering’ associations in world football, and when was the only World Cup all of them participated?

    The English FA, Scottish FA and Welsh FA? The first World Cup was the only one they all participated in?

  11. 11.

    edmund dantes

    July 7, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    @SRW1: It also explains why the United Kingdom is one of the few countries allowed to have Multiple federations representing one country in the World Cup.

    I don’t believe there are any other exceptions to that rule, but I might be wrong.

  12. 12.

    Mike E

    July 7, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    Release the Krake!

  13. 13.

    Leeds man

    July 7, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Too Klose to call. Extra time goal. Can’t argue with the cephalopod. Let’s say Torres.

  14. 14.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:23 pm

    Go germany!

  15. 15.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    Question: Are those cute kids older than half of the German team?

  16. 16.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    oh noes Germany is wearing white!!!!!

  17. 17.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 2:25 pm

    OK you weenies!

  18. 18.

    wengler

    July 7, 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Go Barcelona!

    I mean Spain!

  19. 19.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
    Für das Deutsche Vaterland.
    Danach laßt uns alle streben,
    Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand.
    Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
    Sind des Glückes Unterpfand.
    Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes,
    Blühe deutsches Vaterland.

    Sing with me, you can even use the words for the Spanish anthem, they have no words

  20. 20.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:27 pm

    Is it just me, or is Puyol really Kathy Griffin in men’s clothing. Eerie, eerie similarity.

  21. 21.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Oh, and Germany’s pig-sticker will be the man of the match and will influence the end result.

  22. 22.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    @SRW1: Ich habe meine scheisse zusammen. Yo tengo mi mierda junta. :-)

    @edmund dantes: Denmark has the Faeroe Islands.

  23. 23.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm

    @edmund dantes:

    Don’t know either whether there are any other cases than the UK today. There is an interesting historical one though: In 1954 Saarland, which before WW II had been a state of Germany and in 1956 re-joined as the result of a referendum, had its own FA and participated as an independent association in the qualification for the 1954 WC in Switzerland. Oddly enough, they were drawn into the same qualification group as West-Germany, but failed to proceed because they lost twice against the big brother. However, since they managed to beat Norway in Oslo, Saarland ended up second in that qualification group.

  24. 24.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    is Torres playing?

  25. 25.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 2:31 pm

    I will not fall asleep
    I will not fall asleep
    I will not fall asleep
    I will not fall asleep
    I will not fall asleep

  26. 26.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    Is Germany playing a 4-3-1-2?

  27. 27.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    @J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford:

    The first World Cup was held in Uruguay in 1930. 1958 (Sweden) was the sixth World Cup tournament (None in ’42 and ’46 for obvious reasons).

  28. 28.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    Torres is out, Pedro is in.

  29. 29.

    Paula

    July 7, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    @valdivia:

    Oh noes indeed.

    No horse in this race. I want a good match is all. The teams have such contrasting but equally entertaining styles.

    Juergen Klinsmann essentially told all of America that Miroslav Klose is a little boy who needs to be hugged and coddled before he can play well. I’m kind of embarrassed for the dude (Klose).

  30. 30.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    WTF?

  31. 31.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    @Paula:

    huh? what a jerk Klinsman. where did he say this?

  32. 32.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 2:35 pm

    That vile octopus should be eaten anyway. Traitor to the national cause.

  33. 33.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Lovely thru ball to Villa

  34. 34.

    Bill Murray

    July 7, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    @J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford: England’s first world cup experience was 1950 and not one of their best. They felt they were too good for the rest of the world pre-WW2

  35. 35.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    The vile octopus could well be right, though.

  36. 36.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: ESPN claims they are playing with 3 forwards and 3 midfielders, but I’m pretty poor at telling the precise difference between an attacking midfielder and a forward.

  37. 37.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    The vuvuzelas are horrendous today. Thank goodness we’ll never have to listen to them again after the final.

  38. 38.

    wengler

    July 7, 2010 at 2:41 pm

    @edmund dantes

    Don’t forget Puerto Rico. And the infamous America Samoa.

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Kathy Griffin just missed a header

  40. 40.

    folkbum

    July 7, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    @J.W. Hamner: Not even on land!

  41. 41.

    Paula

    July 7, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    @valdivia:

    Well, I’m harshing Klinsi’s words a bit … It was in answer to the question of why Klose doesn’t perform well for his club but for some reason scores a lot for Germany in the World Cup. Klinsmann said that it was the amount of positive reinforcement that he got from the team and whether the rest of his personal life is going well.

  42. 42.

    Calouste

    July 7, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Spain reminds me of Holland in their less successfull campaigns: lots of nice passing at the back and then you lose to Germany.

  43. 43.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    Sheesh, no wonder the Poles can’t qualify, three Germans on the field are from Poland. The Germans just can’t help themselves, raiding Poland never gets old.

  44. 44.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    @Paula:

    so Klose is the anti Messi? :)

  45. 45.

    amorphous

    July 7, 2010 at 2:54 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: And now Ghana, and Turkey, and Italy, and Spain, and Croatia…

  46. 46.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    @amorphous:

    Weren’t the Boateng brothers born and raised in Germany?

  47. 47.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    @IM:

    Octopussi has a problem with Germany – Spain games though: predicted Germany to win over Spain in the Euro 2008 final and, as we know, that didn’t quite come to pass.

  48. 48.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    I know the Germans are a counterattacking team, but you’d think they’d need to posses the ball at least a little bit.

  49. 49.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 2:57 pm

    @Andy K:

    Yes. They are half-brothers though, father is Ghanean, mothers are German.

  50. 50.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    @SRW1:

    Yeah, and after I looked it up, they both have German mothers, too.

  51. 51.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    @amorphous: Well at least Kevin Prince Boateng was actually born in Germany.

  52. 52.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    @SRW1: I want to see their birth certificates!

  53. 53.

    amorphous

    July 7, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    @Andy K: Yeah sure, but Klose’s father (or mother, too lazy to TheGoogle it) is German. So it’s all the same.

  54. 54.

    Paula

    July 7, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    @valdivia:

    Poor guy. He did what he needed to do other than score, though. It’s kinda hard when you’re being marked tighter than a tick w/ every match you play.

    He’s young yet! More World Cups, hopefully w/o the insanity that is Maradona.

  55. 55.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    @stuckinred:

    Which one, the long form?

  56. 56.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    @Paula:

    yes I was just kidding. I think Messi got a bum rap.

    come on Germany!

  57. 57.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    @SRW1: :)

  58. 58.

    Alex S.

    July 7, 2010 at 3:11 pm

    So far, Spain’s attacks have been too predicatable and Germany didn’t put on enough pressure. I don’t get a sense of danger from either team at the moment.

  59. 59.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 3:13 pm

    @valdivia: In England a bum rap sounds like the sort of sandwich one doesn’t want to eat.

  60. 60.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:15 pm

    @Randy Paul:

    you’re going to make this girl blush :p

  61. 61.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    That was a penalty!

  62. 62.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    I think what we have seen in the first 45 minutes, at least from the German team, is called ‘Rasenschach’ in German. (Rasen = the green, Schach = check)

  63. 63.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Well, they there lucky to have reached the second half 0:0.

  64. 64.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    @valdivia: I just meant to make you laugh.

  65. 65.

    otmar

    July 7, 2010 at 3:17 pm

    Now: Günter Netzer’s comments on ARD.

  66. 66.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    @amorphous:

    I’ve never had a problem with that sort of thing. Do I wish Giuseppe Rossi would have chosen to play for the US rather than Italy? Sure, but at least he’s had dual citizenship since he was born.

    What gets me is the players- mainly Brazilians- who choose to play for another country because they couldn’t land a spot on their home team’s roster.

  67. 67.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 3:20 pm

    @IM:

    I dunno… he was pretty out of control when the contact came. I think a penalty call there would have been somewhat dubious.

  68. 68.

    otmar

    July 7, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    Either Spain is that much better than Argentina or Germany really has a problem once they don’t get their early goal.

  69. 69.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    @Randy Paul:

    you did that, for sure.

  70. 70.

    otmar

    July 7, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    @IM: Even the German TV commentator said it wasn’t a penalty.

    Edit: the Austrian commentators disagree. The ref in the studio said a penalty call was not that unrealistic.

  71. 71.

    MattR

    July 7, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Boy is Germany playing a bunker defense. I feel like I am watching the women’s national team play about a decade ago where all most teams could do is play defense, hope not to give up a goal and maybe get lucky in the counter attack. Germany has quite a bit more offensive skill than those teams, but it is still quite a boring strategy to watch.

  72. 72.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    I’m looking forward to a final between the Dutch and either one of these teams. Germany and Spain are disciplined. My impression is the Dutch like to play helter-skelter. (I’d say “undisciplined” or “out of control” but it’s hard to dis a team on a 24 game winning streak.) They’re willing to risk making a mistake in the hope of forcing you to make one.

    Who can force the style of play?

  73. 73.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 3:27 pm

    I was joking a bit about the penalty. In the replay it didn’t look much like one.

    And I think Spain is better than Argentine.

  74. 74.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    And conversely, what I find most admirable are players who have the option to play for either a powerhouse or a team that has a tough time qualifying, and goes with the latter choice out of love for his country and countrymen. Prime example of this is Ryan Giggs, son of one English and one Welsh parent, raised in Wales, who sacrificed the higher profile and attendant international endorsement deals to represent Wales on the pitch.

  75. 75.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    @MattR: I’m glad you said that!

  76. 76.

    Leeds man

    July 7, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    @Bill Murray:

    They felt they were too good for the rest of the world pre-WW2

    I think that only, maybe, applies to the 1934 Cup. Uruguay was too far away in 1930 (only 4 European sides went), and I believe 1938 had more to do with politics (although England played a friendly in Berlin that year).

  77. 77.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 3:39 pm

    This game has all the excitement, drama and action of marathon match of the “quiet game.”

  78. 78.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    I guess Muller is a big loss for the Germans? They don’t really seem all that dynamic without him… but maybe that’s just Spain.

  79. 79.

    Paula

    July 7, 2010 at 3:43 pm

    Ugh … based on my own visceral reactions, I think I’m rooting for Spain. Why? I don’t know.

    That tackle of Oezil was fugly, though.

  80. 80.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    Well, that was close.

  81. 81.

    Mark S.

    July 7, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    Spain should have scored there.

  82. 82.

    You Don't Say

    July 7, 2010 at 3:48 pm

    At least it’s getting more exciting. Don’t know if I’m soccered out or …

  83. 83.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    why are they bringing Torres in?

  84. 84.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    @J.W. Hamner:

    Nah, Germany’s playing pretty much the same counterstrike game that they played against Argentina. The difference here being that Germany isn’t playing with a lead, so Spain feels no need to take dangerous risks in attacking, patiently looking for space instead.

  85. 85.

    Alex S.

    July 7, 2010 at 3:51 pm

    Spain plays like a handball team.

  86. 86.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    @Andy K: I think Spain is also playing a lot better than Argentina did, independent of tactics.

  87. 87.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    Spain has grabbed a bit of control, they’ve kept the German counter attack in check and as I type that the Germans get a great chance on the counter attack

  88. 88.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    at least germany finally made it into the spanish side.

  89. 89.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    There’s that, too, also, but I didn’t want to come across like some kind of Mr. Know It All.

    ;)

  90. 90.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    Well, Germany is still in the game.

  91. 91.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    There it is … Kathy Griffin scores

  92. 92.

    IM

    July 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    As expected.

  93. 93.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    Given Lahm’s comments about wanting the captainship, is Michael Ballack not popular among his teammates? Given what I think I remember of him from 2006, that wouldn’t surprise me.

    Of course, they now have to figure out how to tie it up.

  94. 94.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 3:59 pm

    ok I am saying it: this is over. and I recognize now why people were saying Spain was the favorite.

  95. 95.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    And now the game strategy of the two teams invert.

  96. 96.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 4:01 pm

    Well now they have to score… so I guess we’ll see if that opens things up.

  97. 97.

    folkbum

    July 7, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Vindication for the octopus, it seems.

  98. 98.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    Is it me or is Germany’s midfield being wholly out-played?

  99. 99.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    No subs yet for Spain

  100. 100.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    Here comes Torres for some reason.

  101. 101.

    Alex S.

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    Spain brings Torres… that will probably have been a bad decision.

  102. 102.

    MattR

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    Germany is definitely showing that they have the ability to score. But do they have enough time?

  103. 103.

    Leeds man

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    @valdivia:

    Never, ever, count out the Germans until the whistle blows.

  104. 104.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    And for Villa no less

  105. 105.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    What’s the big deal about Torres?

  106. 106.

    Paul W.

    July 7, 2010 at 4:07 pm

    Torres is in, let’s see if he can make a difference or at least hold the balance of the game together for Spain.

  107. 107.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Not even getting a shot on a 2-on-1.

  108. 108.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    Sheesh Pedro pass the fucking balll

  109. 109.

    MattR

    July 7, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    @Leeds man: Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

  110. 110.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    Germany just subbed on Mario Gomez. That’s almost like throwing in the towel.

  111. 111.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:09 pm

    He’s still recovering from surgery

  112. 112.

    folkbum

    July 7, 2010 at 4:11 pm

    F’in weather. Thunderstorms killing my satellite!

  113. 113.

    Nethead Jay

    July 7, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN): According to a German cow-orker, it’s a case of Ballack being a large ego who doesn’t quite fit in the team collective and besides is getting somewhat old.

  114. 114.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    @folkbum: espn 3

  115. 115.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    The Germans are not as good as Spain in the Spanish style, i.e. patiently building an attack, and the Spaniards are not as good as the Germans in the counter attacking style. Spain is 1:0 up though, and in the end that is all that counts.

  116. 116.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    Germany’s not going to win from their own end.

  117. 117.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:16 pm

    You know what’s awesome, if Spain hold on we’ll have a first time cup winner since …. 1986?

  118. 118.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    France was the last, yes? ’98?

  119. 119.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: 1998 it is.

  120. 120.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    July 7, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    oh man I can hear Madrid getting ready to explode from here…

  121. 121.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    Viva Spain! Well done.

  122. 122.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    I’m sad. But the Spain team played a better game.
    Next: Go Holland!

  123. 123.

    You Don't Say

    July 7, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    Well, I’m glad the final winner will be a first-time winner. Think I’ll root for Spain.

  124. 124.

    J.W. Hamner

    July 7, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    @Andy K:

    It does look like I gave them too much credit for how well they play from ahead.

    And also too little credit to the psychic cephalopod. I will never underestimate their powers again.

  125. 125.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    I was rooting for Germany, but the Spanish played one hell of a game.

  126. 126.

    Randy Paul

    July 7, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: It’s the first time since 1978 when both teams have not won the WC.

  127. 127.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    There is nothing in sport more heart-warming then watching a nation celebrate a WC win … that never gets old.

  128. 128.

    Alex S.

    July 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Germany will always have the problem that Spain is 2 years ahead in the formation of their team… I guess Spain doesn’t need the glitter anymore and they’re just satisfied being one goal ahead, no matter if it’s against Germany or against Chile. They deserved to win though, of course.

  129. 129.

    Andy K

    July 7, 2010 at 4:22 pm

    Well, here’s where it gets tough for me. I’ve had Spain winning the Cup since ’08, but I always cheer for the Netherlands (unless it’s against the US, of course). Jus hoping for an exciting game. More exciting than this game, for sure.

  130. 130.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    Does Klose have one more World Cup in him to try to overtake Ronaldo?

  131. 131.

    stuckinred

    July 7, 2010 at 4:23 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: Ha.

  132. 132.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    Klose may still have the game for place three, though the Germans tend to award the bench players in that game. I doubt that Klose will feature in Brasil 2014.

  133. 133.

    Calouste

    July 7, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    Don’t know, but he will have the third place play off, and that is traditionally a free flowing, high scoring affair.

  134. 134.

    otmar

    July 7, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    @Bill E Pilgrim: My wife would give a lot to be in Madrid right now.

  135. 135.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    @Randy Paul: That’s what I was looking for and that either means we’re going to see to very nervous teams in a snoozer or an early goal that leads to a wide open contest.

  136. 136.

    wengler

    July 7, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Anybody anticipating the third-place match on Saturday with Germany v. Uruguay?

    Yeah…I thought not.

  137. 137.

    Mark S.

    July 7, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    Eighty Years War–The Rematch!

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    Klose has got the third place game.

  138. 138.

    HumboldtBlue

    July 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    @otmar: My buddy and his wife just returned from a 3-week trip to Spain. He watched two of the early matches and swears he’ll do it all again in 2014.

  139. 139.

    otmar

    July 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    Whenever I see http://soccernet.espn.go.com/manager/_/id/130/vicente-del-bosque I have to think of
    http://ebj-prof.net/DESCUBRIR/MortaFile/super.jpg

  140. 140.

    Mark S.

    July 7, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    @SRW1:

    I’d be shocked if the Germans didn’t play Klose when he’s chasing a record like that.

  141. 141.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    @wengler:

    I am! I want to see Klose break that record.

  142. 142.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 4:33 pm

    @Alex S.:

    Not sure about that. Given the age of most of the German players I think they are still on an upward trajectory, whereas Spain is probably at its peak right now (maybe even slightly past it).

    What is obvious though is that the Spaniards have learned how to come together as a team and successfully go through a tournament. Their Euro 2008 title was no fluke in that regard.

    I think they are the favorites for the final on Sunday.

  143. 143.

    SRW1

    July 7, 2010 at 4:36 pm

    @Mark S.:

    You’re probably right, because, as I said, I think this is his last WC.

  144. 144.

    Steeplejack

    July 7, 2010 at 4:38 pm

    Who was it who noted that the white jerseys were unlucky in this World Cup? Violet? Kudos again.

    After seeing the finesse of the Spanish today, I am really looking forward to the final with the Netherlands. Two extremely well matched teams.

  145. 145.

    Gozer

    July 7, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Germany lost and I has a sad.

    I’ll be rooting for Holland on Sunday.

  146. 146.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    the white curse indeed progresses! why I said oh noes! when i saw them wearing white. plus the octopus was right.

  147. 147.

    Steeplejack

    July 7, 2010 at 4:42 pm

    @Gozer:

    Well, too bad they won’t be playing. It’s the Netherlands, I tell you. Uh, either them or the Dutch. Definitely one of those two. But Holland is right out.

  148. 148.

    Paula

    July 7, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Wow for that octopus.

    Impressive German side, though. And young yet.

    I have no idea who I’ll be rooting for on Sunday.

  149. 149.

    Calouste

    July 7, 2010 at 4:53 pm

    @Steeplejack:

    No white in the final. The Dutch are the “home” team and will play in orange, and the Spanish will play in their dark blue away kit. (Unless of course their is some rule that makes an exception for the final and they draw lots or something.)

  150. 150.

    That's Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN)

    July 7, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    What would have happened had the octopus picked the team in white?

  151. 151.

    valdivia

    July 7, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    superstitious cognitive dissonance?

  152. 152.

    Eric S.

    July 7, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    One of my coworkers thinks it is already too late but what’s the possibility of getting the octopus to select 6 numbered ping pong balls for me?

  153. 153.

    SLKRR

    July 7, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    I was favoring Germany going into this game, mainly because Spain (like Brazil) really hadn’t played a complete game up to their level of talent yet during the tournament. They finally did, and damn did they shut the Deutschen down.

    One of Randy’s trivia items is no longer going to be valid… up until now, Brazil was the only Cup winner not to have won at home, but this year there is guaranteed to be one more.

    The white jerseys thing is bunk – Germany whupped England while wearing white. The octopus, however, is GOLDEN.

  154. 154.

    SLKRR

    July 7, 2010 at 5:21 pm

    @That’s Master of Accountancy to You, Pal (JMN):

    What would have happened had the octopus picked the team in white?

    The octopus picked the team in white in the Germany-England game and the team in white won.

  155. 155.

    superfly

    July 7, 2010 at 7:40 pm

    @Leeds man:

    They felt they were too good for the rest of the world pre-WW2
    I think that only, maybe, applies to the 1934 Cup. Uruguay was too far away in 1930 (only 4 European sides went), and I believe 1938 had more to do with politics (although England played a friendly in Berlin that year).

    No, the English really did think they were too good to play against the rest of the world in an actual competition, or just too scared.

    It wasn’t until Hungary, the Magnificent Magyars, came to Wembley in 1953 and kicked their ass 6-3, that England figured out that maybe the rest of the world had passed them by.

  156. 156.

    Irritable Liberal

    July 7, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    The British FA’s got into a dispute with FIFA in 1928 over payments to amateurs in the Olympics and all left FIFA so they weren’t eligible for the World Cup. They rejoined after WWII although they did use to think they were better than everyone else.

    They played their first international in 1872 and only lost their first home game to a foreign (non British team) in 1953

  157. 157.

    Leeds man

    July 7, 2010 at 8:46 pm

    @superfly:

    or just too scared

    Well, they beat Germany 6-3 in ’38, in Berlin, so I dunno ’bout that. And I’ll get my history ex-blogcommentariat.

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