Semi-finals

[Guest]

Spain had two or three clear cut chances and a 3-0 scoreline wouldn't have flattered them. Germany were outplayed for the best part of 75 minutes and only had a late rally which wasn't even one, apart from a lot of long balls inside Spain's box.

[Shaggy]

Indeed it was a deserved win.

"That was exhibition stuff at times and the goal was just a matter of time. Xabi was imperious"

a) It was. Hansen said after the game "Their passing at times in the 2nd half was a joy to watch". Some of their passing and movement, the little angles they create, was sublime. For about an hour only the final ball was lacking but that changed as the game wore on.

b) It was, and so it proved.

c) He was. Yes he hit two, maybe three passes out of play...I'd guess out of not far off a hundred. He was fantastic and completely ran the show.

[wiw]

Villa Villa Villa, Villa maravilla

[Kenneth]

a) It was. Hansen said after the game "Their passing at times in the 2nd half was a joy to watch". Some of their passing and movement, the little angles they create, was sublime. For about an hour only the final ball was lacking but that changed as the game wore on.

b) It was, and so it proved.

c) He was. Yes he hit two, maybe three passes out of play...I'd guess out of not far off a hundred. He was fantastic and completely ran the show.

Yeah, well the Dutch will show em. Spain are like arsenal, overdoing it and trying to walk the ball in to the net. They'll blow it when it counts. Come on you oranges, or something.

I like Spain though.

[Shaggy]

Spain are winners, not like Arsenal at all. Yeah they overdo it occasionally but I admire them for sticking to their beliefs. Parts of their game is malfunctioning - I reckon they're playing at about 75%, not through choice obviously , and they'll still win it.

If Holland nick it though I'll be dead pleased for Dirk.

[-V-]

Any team that has Xavi and Iniesta in complete control is always going to go all the way. Can't believe people doubted them. They are always going to dominate possession and Germany were always going to struggle. Unlike england and the argies, spain don't concede possession. Spain all the way.

[Fosterbloke]

I thought Spain were quite boring.

There should be an alternative World Cup where you can only pick players from the lower leagues. Now that would highlight that country's football philosophy.

[Craig_H]

^^^

What a bizarre suggestion

The non league world cup - maybe some of us lot could get a game

[Harv]

The Dutch will be dangerous no doubt. Robben should play on the left to try and isolate and expose Ramos, he's the weak link I reckon. But Spain have far too much quality and Holland aren't great at the back. Spain 2-0.

I wish people would leave Ramos alone. He's far from the weak link in defence, he can get caught out of position at times when he bombs forward, but he doesn't make many mistakes. Capdevilla and Puyol take that mantle. Both slow as ****. Robben will start out wide right, and if he gets in behind these two have absolute zero chance of catching him.

[Reece]

I wouldn't call Puyol slow, certainly not in relation to a lot of centre backs.

[Harv]

He's not the slowest out there, but if he gets turned he gets left in the dust. Klose almost got past a couple of times last night, Puyol just managed to hold him up.

Pique is also slow as ****, but he's brilliant on the ball and can work his way out of trouble.

[Shaggy]

I wish people would leave Ramos alone. He's far from the weak link in defence, he can get caught out of position at times when he bombs forward, but he doesn't make many mistakes. Capdevilla and Puyol take that mantle. Both slow as ****. Robben will start out wide right, and if he gets in behind these two have absolute zero chance of catching him.

Puyol is brilliant, the slating he gets on forums is preposterous.

[Reece]

Puyol is brilliant, the slating he gets on forums is preposterous.

He is Barca's Carragher

[Rich]

He is Barca's Carragher

I can see why he gets a slagging but you can't play at Barcelona for all those years and be rubbish. He does a lot of the dirty work in defence which allows the others to play. A rock.

[Harv]

Puyol is brilliant, the slating he gets on forums is preposterous.

Don't get me wrong. He's a good defender, a bit brash at times yes (but so is Ramos). He's just getting on in years, and slowing down. Plus he's not great on the ball, but i guess they need players that can just sit back and defend rather than go forward like Pique and Ramos.

They really need to get a better LB than Capdevilla though. He's useless. I can't believe that in all the Spanish clubs he's the best LB they have :laugh: