*** Official World Cup 2010 Semi-Final Thread: Spain v Germany ***

[DerbyGull]

Gutted my team has gone out. Spain were the better side and deserved to win. But i am hopeful of this german side only getting better. Even though we're out at last i have a new side to support after giving up on england 6 years ago. Up the germany and Albion!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

My point is that while Spain undoubtedly play beautiful football a lot of it is totally POINTLESS football.

But that football won them the last Euro's and has got them to a world cup final. I wish England could play that sort of pointless football!

 

[Sarisbury Seagull]

I'm not saying they're ineffective! I just think they could absolutely steamroller teams if they really went for goal rather than pissed about stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started. They're a very, very talented team, but because of the way they play they're not unbeatable, which with their players I think they should be.

Fair comment, I do think its too easy for them at times!

 

[perseus]

I don't think even he would have saved Germany tonight. Full time all over

Kroos stopped Spain from being Müllered. If Müller was there it would have been 1-0 to Spain.

I think Germany v Holland would have made a better final because of the contrasting styles.
I found Germany a fraction better to watch. The Spanish were too ponderous and I don't mind the tactical matches.

 

[alan partridge]

Quite. Not as one-sided as everyone makes out tonight. Holland have been more comprehensive than Spain in this tournament, but I wouldn't bet against Spain getting another marginal victory.

Germany got nowhere near Spain what are you on about?

 

[MJsGhost]

I'm not saying they're ineffective! I just think they could absolutely steamroller teams if they really went for goal rather than pissed about stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started. They're a very, very talented team, but because of the way they play they're not unbeatable, which with their players I think they should be.

I think you're missing the point of the way they play. It's all about patience, keeping the ball, not taking undue risks and crafting the chances. Whenever they are "stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started", they are not going to concede a goal are they? If they try to steamroller sides, they will leave themselves susceptible to counters so they don't.

I agree that it could be more entertaining if they threw the kitchen sink at it, but therein lies the problem of the Premier League and British football in general. People want the high-octane thrills and spills, but then wonder why we are taken apart by the technically and tactically superior sides. It is nigh-on impossible to have both in my opinion, though at times (against us & the Argies) Germany showed signs that they're on their way there.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

I think you're missing the point of the way they play. It's all about patience, keeping the ball, not taking undue risks and crafting the chances. Whenever they are "stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started", they are not going to concede a goal are they? If they try to steamroller sides, they will leave themselves susceptible to counters so they don't.

Yes - and if they tried to play a different way they might not look quite so good. Just admire and applaud.

 

[Mellotron]

I think you're missing the point of the way they play. It's all about patience, keeping the ball, not taking undue risks and crafting the chances. Whenever they are "stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started", they are not going to concede a goal are they? If they try to steamroller sides, they will leave themselves susceptible to counters so they don't.

I agree that it could be more entertaining if they threw the kitchen sink at it, but therein lies the problem of the Premier League and British football in general. People want the high-octane thrills and spills, but then wonder why we are taken apart by the technically and tactically superior sides. It is nigh-on impossible to have both in my opinion, though at times (against us & the Argies) Germany showed signs that they're on their way there.

Perfectly explained.

 

[Cecil]

Germany 0 Spain 1

:

 

[NS Herald]

I think you're missing the point of the way they play. It's all about patience, keeping the ball, not taking undue risks and crafting the chances. Whenever they are "stringing 100 passes together and ending up where they started", they are not going to concede a goal are they? If they try to steamroller sides, they will leave themselves susceptible to counters so they don't.

I agree that it could be more entertaining if they threw the kitchen sink at it, but therein lies the problem of the Premier League and British football in general. People want the high-octane thrills and spills, but then wonder why we are taken apart by the technically and tactically superior sides. It is nigh-on impossible to have both in my opinion, though at times (against us & the Argies) Germany showed signs that they're on their way there.

Spot on. The other aspect that really impressed me was how when they didn't have the ball they pressed the Germans all over the pitch. For the first 25 minutes the Krauts were harried and hassled deep into their own half and kept giving the ball back. Again in the second half they did more of the same and hence why Spain had 61% possession and more than double the number of shots. That performance was not far off perfect football and if they replicate that on Sunday they will be the new World Championes....

 

[Mellotron]

Spot on. The other aspect that really impressed me was how when they didn't have the ball they pressed the Germans all over the pitch. For the first 25 minutes the Krauts were harried and hassled deep into their own half and kept giving the ball back. Again in the second half they did more of the same and hence why Spain had 61% possession and more than double the number of shots. That performance was not far off perfect football and if they replicate that on Sunday they will be the new World Championes....

The great thing you know FULL WELL if Brighton played like that our fans would be booing within seconds;

"get it up there!"
"launch it you mug, FORWARD!"
"what the f**ks he passing backwards for?!"
"not sideways, get it in the box!"

etc

 

[MJsGhost]

The great thing you know FULL WELL if Brighton played like that our fans would be booing within seconds;

"get it up there!"
"launch it you mug, FORWARD!"
"what the f**ks he passing backwards for?!"
"not sideways, get it in the box!"

etc

Sad, but true.