The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Main Street]

No, they set out to defend, that game plan changed after the first goal.  The second half, neither side particularly impressed until the dutch scored their two goals.

Whether they impressed you or not after they had the wherewithall to score a credible equaliser,  they certainly went about their non-impressiveness on the offensive after they equalised and were not pegged back until the minutes before the Dutch scored their lead goal, under somewhat fortunate circumstances.

They undoubtedly did well, but remarkable progress?  They drew with France (ranked above them) and beat Mexico (ranked 1 place below them), their other victories were against S Africa (67 places below them), South Korea (31 places below them) and Ghana (16 places below them)

This is the World Cup Finals, a team generally tops their group and gets through the last 16 and 1/4 final on merit and then get to the semi final on merit.
The merit of Uruguay's remarkable progress was evident in their performance of distinction in the semi final against Holland and they did it with a patched up team and a 1/2 injured Forlan. So all in all, Uruguay on merit deserved their place in the s/f, a truly remarkable effort for a small population.

[Billys Boots]

If Holland win, will they be the country with the smallest population to do so, since Uruguay?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

If Holland win, will they be the country with the smallest population to do so, since Uruguay?

Haven't checked but I'd say comfortably.  Pop of Holland about 16 mill??

[Bogball XV]

This is the World Cup Finals, a team generally tops their group and gets through the last 16 and 1/4 final on merit and then get to the semi final on merit.

Main Street, I'm agree with you that they're a good well organised side with a bit of class up front, but I think this is a bit controversial

[Will Hunting]

I think we'll see a Spain victory tonight.

By and large, the success of Germany in their last two games has been based on the openness of the opposition's midfield. Spain are much better organised defensively, and the likes of Ozil will get bottled up by Alonso and Busquets. They will miss Mueller in this regard also. The like of Cacau for example just isn't in the same class.

When Germany have come up against reasonably well organised sides they have struggled - Serbia and Ghana. Despite playing quite well in these games - dominating possession, they weren't able to deploy their counter-attacking game, and couldn't display the potency that was key to the wins against England and Argentina.

Spain have stuttered their way to the semis, but they're there. And how many times have we seen teams struggle early in tournaments before sparking into life at the semis/final stage? Spain have yet to play really well, but i expect to see it tonight. They have the greater experience, and the belief from Euro 2008. It may not be enough just yet to carry them to the title, but it should take them to the final.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

I think we'll see a Spain victory tonight.

By and large, the success of Germany in their last two games has been based on the openness of the opposition's midfield. Spain are much better organised defensively, and the likes of Ozil will get bottled up by Alonso and Busquets. They will miss Mueller in this regard also. The like of Cacau for example just isn't in the same class.

When Germany have come up against reasonably well organised sides they have struggled - Serbia and Ghana. Despite playing quite well in these games - dominating possession, they weren't able to deploy their counter-attacking game, and couldn't display the potency that was key to the wins against England and Argentina.

Spain have stuttered their way to the semis, but they're there. And how many times have we seen teams struggle early in tournaments before sparking into life at the semis/final stage? Spain have yet to play really well, but i expect to see it tonight. They have the greater experience, and the belief from Euro 2008. It may not be enough just yet to carry them to the title, but it should take them to the final.

I take your point but against Serbia Podolski missed three great chances and a penalty and Khedira hit the bar all with 10 men.

[Will Hunting]

I think we'll see a Spain victory tonight.

By and large, the success of Germany in their last two games has been based on the openness of the opposition's midfield. Spain are much better organised defensively, and the likes of Ozil will get bottled up by Alonso and Busquets. They will miss Mueller in this regard also. The like of Cacau for example just isn't in the same class.

When Germany have come up against reasonably well organised sides they have struggled - Serbia and Ghana. Despite playing quite well in these games - dominating possession, they weren't able to deploy their counter-attacking game, and couldn't display the potency that was key to the wins against England and Argentina.

Spain have stuttered their way to the semis, but they're there. And how many times have we seen teams struggle early in tournaments before sparking into life at the semis/final stage? Spain have yet to play really well, but i expect to see it tonight. They have the greater experience, and the belief from Euro 2008. It may not be enough just yet to carry them to the title, but it should take them to the final.

I take your point but against Serbia Podolski missed three great chances and a penalty and Khedira hit the bar all with 10 men.

I agree with you there, and that's why i said they played quite well in that game. But the confidence wasn't there, and they looked nervous - because they weren't able to carry out their natural gameplan.

[ross4life]

Torres out pedro in..

[ONeill]

Thought the Bilbao lad would've gotten the nod, Llorente.

[ross4life]

For those that don't already know.. if Spain win tonight then we'll have new name in the list of World cup winners

[supersarsfields]

"there's someone who's been drinking on an empty head"

[A Quinn Martin Production]

"there's someone who's been drinking on an empty head"

Who's that, Lawro??

[supersarsfields]

Yip commenting on the guy who ran on to the pitch. He's a gas man for the one liners!!

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Notice the way the German captain is almost always referred to by his full name "Philip Lahm"

[pintsofguinness]

spain are putting me to sleep