FIFA World Cup 2010 (including fantasy football!)

[Droo]

It doesn't matter what you're taught. I imagine every single professional football player is trained in how to make dramatic dives but just because it is the standard doesn't make it right. I think it is a very cynical view to take and one derived from years of being a part of sports or spectating sports in which sportsmanship and fair play has fallen by the wayside.

Frankly I find this notion of it only being cheating if you try to get away with it to be absolutely laughable. Is it alright if a man repeatedly steals if he always admits to it? A wrong doesn't stop being wrong just because you confess to it, you just get a clean slate which, for a player's reputation, is very convenient.

Anyway, on the topic of tomorrow's game, I'm sorry Crusader, but Germany are doomed:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10521867.stm

:uhoh

[Lykaios]

I will agree with you that it isn't right to break the rules, as a matter of fact is so not alright, that you get penalized for it; where I don't necessarily agree is that breaking a rule in itself is cheating.

Now as for diving, that was something I was never taught, quite the opposite, I was told that if I had to break a rule I should take my punishment and move on. With that said, I don't doubt there are many players out there who are taught to dive and deceive refs (but like Mr Miyagi said "there aren't bad students, just bad teachers).

But again, we'll have to agree on disagreeing, save for the fact that indeed Crusader's team is done or so says Paul

[Yog]

An amusing historical fact is, the only time Paul was ever wrong was the Germany-Spain WC finale in 2008..

I suspect his psychic powers may be clouded (http://www.sciway.net/photos/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=609&g2_serialNumber=3) on this particular matter. :p

[Crusader]

Anyway, on the topic of tomorrow's game, I'm sorry Crusader, but Germany are doomed:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/10521867.stm

:uhoh

The Spanish get Paul for a paella if he is right on this one.

Löw is going to wear his blue pullover tonight and this is going to get us our victory. The boys had a great tournament so far and Klose still needs his two goals before he retires.

[Droo]

Löw is going to wear his blue pullover tonight and this is going to get us our victory.

It still hasn't been washed!

[Crusader]

Well it even smells like victory by now or at least like napalm in the morning.

[Yog]

Game is on!

0-0 after the first half. It's been an even game, with about equal play. Huge opportunity for Ozil at the end there though.

[Yog]

Looks like Paul the Octopus will be turned into a paella. :(

I can't say it was not deserved either. Spain really pushed it in second half and maintained strong ball possession far into German territory, while keeping that defensive discipline Argentina, and other teams did not have. And when you're under by one goal, it is hard to win vs such strong ball possession team like Spain, because to score, you first have to get the ball, then you have to get pass Spain's defense, which was solid. Hell, their defense seemed to start at the middle of the field.

Spain even managed to push Germany against the ropes for most of that half, because of constant threats caused by their midfield and strikers.

[Lykaios]

Poor Paul :(

Great game on both sides. Too close to call in the first half but Spain simply dominated ball-posession in the second half. Great save by Casillas in the 69th minute to keep Spain in the fight. Barcelona's Carles 'Tarzan' Puyol wanted that ball and man did he go out to get it. Great goal.

[Droo]

Well, I am absolutely thrilled! My dream final came true and I think both Holland and Spain truly deserve it - how wonderful it will be for them since neither side has ever been World Cup champions.

Commiserations to Germany, who have provided such fantastic football entertainment throughout the tournament but, in fairness, they were a shadow of the team they were once they came up against Spain, what with their defense, ball posession, and in the second half, that sublime passing.

The final on Sunday is surely going to be a cracker, and while I lean towards supporting Spain by default, I will be a very happy camper whoever lifts the cup in the end.

[Barton Henning]

Well it even smells like victory by now or at least like napalm in the morning.

Oh, Peter. Maybe next time.

[Crusader]

OK I am a sad panda now.

Germany couldn't keep up with Spain and so they deserved to win.

I feared this game the whole week but I told myself that this could not happen to us twice but Spain dominated the German team once again.

I still think this the best team we ever had but it seems like they will either have to wait four more years or they will never get the title in this formation.

I just hope that Klose gets the chance to score at least one more goal in this cup so that he can go into his well deserved retirement.

[Morgan Evanar]

We doing a voice chatty? I mean, it is the final.

[Yog]

I watched the finale in a 3D theater. Quite an experience.

Netherlands fought bravely, but I must say Spain was better overall. Paul the octopus was right as usual.

[Sanis Prent]

Damn it, now I have to listen to bandwagon FC Barca fans prattle on about this shit for a really long time. I need to get real drunk, seal myself in a pod, and wait for (real) American Football, dammit!

[Crusader]

I think the NL did a great job breaking the Spanish game.

I think Fight Club is right sometimes you have to destroy something beautifull.

But is it just me or is Spain the most minimalistic World Cup Champion ever?

Have they won one a game with more than just one goal difference? EDIT: Acutally they did in their second game against Honduras.

OH and btw congrats to Thomas Müller for being the top scorer.