/ 
Sheesh. This was a weekend of non-stop footie action, not all of it riveting all of the time, but exciting stuff nonetheless.
Once again, the Netherlands disappoints. I couldn’t be too upset about their loss because Russia simply blew their doors off. It would have been cruel and unfair to them for the Dutch to have somehow contrived a win in the last twenty minutes or so. The Dutch never got into gear whereas the Russians flew out of the gates. There was only one moment of inspiration from the men in orange near the end of the second half where some nice one-touch passing opened up a chance, but wayward passing and ill-advised long-range shooting was the norm. You can’t play like that and then complain about going out.
Spain vs. Italy proved once again that sometimes the team that deserves to win actually does. To quote from Football365, Italy spent two hours playing for penalties whereas Spain actually tried to win the game. In 6.5 hours of football (4 games + extra time) the magnificent Italians scored a whopping 3 goals (one was a penalty) and finished with a -1 goal difference. They did, however, bring an unparalleled level of diving to the tournament, happily rewarded for their efforts by today’s referee. Good riddance, boys.
Spain wasn’t anything to write home about though. They looked good at times, poor at times, and I didn’t like the double substitution for Xavi and Iniesta for Cazorla and Fábregas, nor did I like the sub of Torres for Güiza, who was awful. Spain vs. Russia will be anything but a cakewalk, even though Spain dispatched them with aplomb 4-1 in the opening round. It’s almost too close to call—if the Russians can keep playing like this. And you’d have to believe they can.
Germany’s through to the finals, except for that pesky game against Turkey between then and now. If Turkey, devastated by injuries and suspensions, can beat the Germans in the semis they would need to make up a new word for “upset.” I would look forward to either a Germany vs. Spain or Germany vs. Russia final, and I do sort of hope that the Turks take their miracle run and kind of go away heading into the semis. Turkey vs. Russia would not be a final to get the blood pumping.
Current Mood: Tired, Tired, Tired | 
2 Comments
Germany vs. Spain
Germany vs. Russia
Turkey vs. Russia
It’s the “Replay Your Favorite 19th-Century Regional Conflict” final. That’s so hard for Americans to get a grip on. I hate the Yankees, but not because New Yorkers ever invaded Cincinnati and burned down the capitol. (Although I guess that explains the blind popularity of the Atlanta Braves from Richmond to New Orleans.)
I think Turkey would need more than a miracle to beat Germany at this point: they’d need a complete failure on Germany’s part. Seems unlikely, but that’s why they play the games.
Yeah, we were saying the same thing. I said to my friend, “Didn’t Germany and Russia have a tussle not too long ago? I seem to remember something like that…”