Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

He really is that stupid.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

I was promised a recession.

Infrastructure week. at last.

People are complicated. Love is not.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

After roe, women are no longer free.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

If you’re pissed about Biden’s speech, he was talking about you.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

“woke” is the new caravan.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

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

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157Comments

  2. 2.

    SRW1

    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

    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

    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

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

  7. 7.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    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.

  10. 10.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    @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

    @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.

  13. 13.

    Leeds man

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

  15. 15.

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

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

  19. 19.

    HumboldtBlue

    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

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

  21. 21.

    HumboldtBlue

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

  23. 23.

    SRW1

    @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.

  25. 25.

    stuckinred

    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

  29. 29.

    Paula

    @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).

  37. 37.

    HumboldtBlue

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

  41. 41.

    Paula

    @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

    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

    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.

  47. 47.

    SRW1

    @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.

  53. 53.

    amorphous

    @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

    @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.

  58. 58.

    Alex S.

    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.

  62. 62.

    SRW1

    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)

  66. 66.

    Andy K

    @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.

  68. 68.

    otmar

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

  70. 70.

    otmar

    @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

    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)

    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

    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

    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.

  76. 76.

    Leeds man

    @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

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

  78. 78.

    J.W. Hamner

    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

    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.

  82. 82.

    You Don't Say

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

  84. 84.

    Andy K

    @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.

  86. 86.

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

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

  87. 87.

    HumboldtBlue

    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

  93. 93.

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

    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.

  102. 102.

    MattR

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

  106. 106.

    Paul W.

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

  115. 115.

    SRW1

    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)

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

  117. 117.

    HumboldtBlue

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

  123. 123.

    You Don't Say

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

  124. 124.

    J.W. Hamner

    @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)

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

  127. 127.

    HumboldtBlue

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

  128. 128.

    Alex S.

    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

    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)

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

  135. 135.

    HumboldtBlue

    @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

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

    Yeah…I thought not.

  138. 138.

    HumboldtBlue

    @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.

  140. 140.

    Mark S.

    @SRW1:

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

  142. 142.

    SRW1

    @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.

  144. 144.

    Steeplejack

    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.

  147. 147.

    Steeplejack

    @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

    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

    @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)

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

  152. 152.

    Eric S.

    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

    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.

  155. 155.

    superfly

    @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

    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

    @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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