Netherlands v Argentina (Semi Final) Wednesday 9th July 2014

[Kaka Tim]

Argentina looking more dangerous.

 

[Minnie_the_Minx]

We're supporting the Dutch on the grounds that the Argentinians sunk the Titanic

 

[twentythreedom]

Hup Holland!

I was there last week, they're going mad for the footy - orange stuff everywhere. Well into it

 

[Lord Camomile]

At this point yesterday, Germany had just gone 3-0 up. Two minutes later it was 4-0, then three minutes after that it was 5-0.

Fucking. Mental.

 

[ska invita]

"he doesnt get the contact he's looking for"

understatement! unless he was looking for a kick in the head

 

[editor]

Nice one, goalie.

 

[twentythreedom]

We're supporting the Dutch on the grounds that the Argentinians sunk the Titanic

Belgrano

But yeah fuck them

 

[friedaweed]

Quality end to end stuff from Dirk

 

[friedaweed]

Takes a lot to take Masch out

 

[Lord Camomile]

Would it not be worth teaching footballers basic first aid, given that they're usually closer to any injured player earlier than the medical team? I wasn't sure about Mascherano being moved there, as he was by... sod it, whoever the Dutch player was.

 

[Corax]

The way Mascherano (sp) staggered and fell there, he should be straight off for a CT. Hopefully it's all fine, but just imagine if it's not... Football's not worth that - not even the World Cup.

 

[Kaka Tim]

lucky offside

 

[belboid]

I like the way that the electronic billboard ads don't animate and flash like the fucking annoying ones in the Premier league.

I think they change every fifteen minutes. It is sooooooo much better.

 

[Corax]

If he has a bleed, it won't necessarily be immediately obvious...

 

[goldenecitrone]

Argentina look a bit Messi. Do the Dutch give a dam?

 

[editor]

Looks for the 'gulley'...

 

[quimcunx]

So are football matches not normally on the 5th goal by now?

 

[pocketscience]

Looks for the 'gulley'...

I think it's somewhere between the wicketkeeper and silly mid on.

 

[Favelado]

Mascherano has been impressive so far.

 

[Lord Camomile]

So are football matches not normally on the 5th goal by now?

Absolutely. To be honest, this match is a bit of a freak result at this stage. It happens, every now and again.

 

[Kaka Tim]

hope things open up in the 2nd half

 

[Supine]

Looks like Germany stole all the goals

 

[ska invita]

asking this again for halftime incase anyone missed it
would maradonna be able to make the runs that he used to, taking on the whole world, in todays game? I get the feeling in modern football theres a lot less room to play, and modern tactics are all about reducing that space. Would be curious if people who know whats what could confirm that - or is it all much the same

 

[belboid]

Mascherano has been impressive so far.

He always is.

Good game, and the Dutch haven't been too niggly cheaty either. Even martens indi's booking was kinda harsh.

 

[Favelado]

even though hand of god etc, i still liked argentina because of maradonna...which got me thinking, would maradonna be able to make the runs that he used to, taking on the whole world, in todays game? I get the feeling in modern football theres a lot less room to play, and modern tactics are all about reducing that space. Would be curious if people who know whats what could confirm that - or is it all much the same

Messi is still able to perform Maradona-esque miracles at Barça against strong opposition. Ronaldinho was able to put people on their arse with a shimmy and beat 4 of the opposition as he slalomed his way down the pitch. There is less space and unlike Maradona, you haven't just got Peter Reid huffing his way 25 yards behind you as you advance on goal, but in rare cases of supreme talent you can still play like that. Neymar would also being doing it if he wasn't in the same side as Messi.

Maradona was so talented he'd be able to do it even today too. That space is shrinking and shrinking though.

 

[ska invita]

someone was saying how modern football is favouring shorter players with lower sense of gravity...cant remember who said that...they had a stat too, might have featured average height of barcelona players, i really cant remember now. i wonder if that relates to the lack of space somehow.

 

[TitanSound]

Holland to score, then Argentina, extra time, penalties.

 

[Favelado]

someone was saying how modern football is favouring shorter players with lower sense of gravity...cant remember who said that...they had a stat too, might have featured average height of barcelona players, i really cant remember now. i wonder if that relates to the lack of space somehow.

Shorter players don't have a lower centre of gravity. It's a myth.

 

[big eejit]

Shorter players don't have a lower centre of gravity. It's a myth.

Surely they do. I mean it may be in the same place as a tall player relatively, but absolutely their COG will be nearer the floor.

 

[ska invita]

Shorter players don't have a lower centre of gravity. It's a myth.

i disagree about that - may not relate to gravity, but i know whats meant by it and its a thing