The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup

[Main Street]

You are looking for fantasy football O'Neill.
Free Kicks  and in general set pieces have been an issue, though there have been some top class free kicks.  When the ryder cup was on, every  5 minutes, when act of sportsmanship was done, the commentator would repeat "that's what the ryder cup is all about".
The World cup is much more than one dimensional, it's multi dimensional.

International football is different to club. At the WC, at least  the squads are together for a month, the standard is way better than the qualifiers. It take time for a squad to really gel. Here they play tough games every 3 or 4 days until they lose. To get to the final would be the equivalent of running a marathon every other day at optimum speed.
If anybody didn't find the semi finals at least to be gripping encounters, then the World cup is not for you, go watch re runs of your favourite examples of the beautiful game.

[paco]

MS, Paraguay worked their socks off in midfield putting pressure on Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso and also the defence, causing them to lose possession much more often. This was evident towards the end of the game when they all looked completely shattered, they should have taken the lead but for a tired looking penalty. The Germans just didn't have the energy to pressurise them. They're great at working back to win the ball but seemed happy to let Spain play amongst themselves in midfield and maintain possession, maybe Khedira's "injury" had something to do with this as he's normally full of energy but just didn't look it tonight.

The energy excuse does not hold water. This is a WC semi final. If other teams can at least run themselves ragged until they drop, then so can the Germans.
Goalkeeper Neuer  gave an honest appraisal "We had little courage and little chances, we attacked more in other games"

Whether it was energy or, as Neuer points out, a lack of courage, they never seemed to pressurise the midfield and high up on the defence like Spain did. Neuer has a point, another thing is that it's very rare that you would find attacking players like Germany (or any other country) have with huge technical prowess who also have the same commitment and work ethic.

[ONeill]

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/world_cup/33956/world-cup-memes-arjen-robben-curled-into-a-ball.html

[Doogie Browser]

Was I going mad or did ITV not have a co-commentator for the 1st semi-final?  Turned it over for the first goal and it was only Clive Tyldslely analysing the goal - very strange and shit!

[nrico2006]

Will any goals Klose scores in the 3rd place match count towards his overall tally?  Just checking, can't see why they wouldn't?

[Rossie11]

Yes they will..

[Denn Forever]

As an aside - having a discussion at lunch time and someone reckoned the 3rd/4th place game doesn't count in the top scorer list... I argued that it does. Anyone confirm this?

it def does[/size]

[mackers]

Was I going mad or did ITV not have a co-commentator for the 1st semi-final?  Turned it over for the first goal and it was only Clive Tyldslely analysing the goal - very strange and shit!

You weren't going mad...........he said that Jim Beglin had been ill earlier in the day and was unable to co-commentate....you'd think they'd have a back up plan for these things.

[ONeill]

Does anyone know if the goals scored in the 3rd place play-off count?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Does anyone know if the goals scored in the 3rd place play-off count?

If the ref awards a goal then it definitely counts

[Doogie Browser]

Was I going mad or did ITV not have a co-commentator for the 1st semi-final?  Turned it over for the first goal and it was only Clive Tyldslely analysing the goal - very strange and shit!

You weren't going mad...........he said that Jim Beglin had been ill earlier in the day and was unable to co-commentate....you'd think they'd have a back up plan for these things.

It was absolutely shit to listen to, I am sure the stadium would be heaving with ex-pros who could have stepped in.  Think Robbie Earle was busy though advertising some Uruguayan condoms so could not step in

[ross4life]

Après Match Crew are gonna present the 3rd place play off, should be a bit of craic

[ONeill]

Pedro through on goal. Torres unmarked. Hold on, if I pass it he might start the final. Bollocks to that.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Pedro through on goal. Torres unmarked. Hold on, if I pass it he might start the final. Bollocks to that.

or based on his WC form Pedro thinks "Well he's definitely gonna miss"

[ross4life]

Pedro through on goal. Torres unmarked. Hold on, if I pass it he might start the final. Bollocks to that.

or based on his WC form Pedro thinks "Well he's definitely gonna miss"

Or fall over again