2010 World Cup Finals Open Thread: Spain v. Netherlands
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 8:05 AM PDT
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The fun ends today with Netherlands v. Spain. Photo Credit: AP (via Tampa Bay Online)
As promised in the hoops roundup this am we are marking the end up of another fantastic World Cup with an open thread taking in the Finals. The Finals matchup in South Africa is kind of like the recent finals we saw in the college world series in Omaha. Just like the matchup up between UCLA and USC, the game features two teams with lot of talents and chunks of contributions to the overall history of the game, who have never won the Big Prize. The match between Netherlands and Spain starts at 2:30 pm EST on ABC (pre-game gets going around 1:30 pm EST).
Up until this tournament, Spain never even made it past the Quarterfinals, while the Dutchmen have had their hearts broken multiple times in the Finals game. The Spainish team is perhaps the best team in the World given they are the Defending European Champions and were coming into this tourney ranked number 2 in the World. Overall they have been the best squad IMO in last 2-3 years. In many ways, they are a more polished version of Brazil with dazzling footwork, ball control, and deadly strikers like David Villa and Fernando Torres (although he is going to be on the bench) up front. They also have Xavi, the center forward from Barcelona, who basically has been the lynch pin behind Spainsh domination around the midfield.
Meanwhile, the Dutch are on a RIDICULOUS hot streak. They have won every one of their games in South Africa and coming into the tournament IIRC they had 8 straight Ws during the European qualification round. They have their share of superstars such as Wesley Sneijder, who is having an unreal year. He is one of the co-leaders (along with Villa, Diego Forlan (Uruguay), and Thomas Mueller (Germany) in goal scoring with 5 strikes in this tourney. He has already won the UEFA cup and the domestic league and cup titles via his Italian powerhouse Inter-Milan. Now he is on the verge of winning a fourth major title in this game. He is going to be helped out buy guys like Arjen Robben, who has been Mr. Clutch for the Dutch team the whole tournament.
More on the game check out the coverage on SBN and ESPN. This should be a great game between two powerhouse teams who have never won the big prize. With that let's open up what I believe is our last game thread for the summer of 2010. Fire away.
GO BRUINS.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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me too.
Although as a Mexican, I really don’t feel any particular attachment for Spain. I rooted for Germany over Spain. At this point, however little attachment I have to Spain is still that little bit more than I do for Netherlands.
Mostly I just hope for a good game like yesterday.
The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden
well not sure what this means
The head ref has UCLA colors on today.
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 11:34 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I will pass on the most boring sport in the world.
If it rocks your world, great. Vive la difference.
Sorry the USA lost, but that’s about it.
Can’t wait for Bruin football.
GO BRUINS!
Soccer @ Rose Bowl
the boring sport is expecting 90,000+ for
LA GALAXY TO FACE REAL MADRID
IN FRIENDLY MATCH ON AUG. 7 AT THE ROSE BOWL
then
Why did you bother commenting in this thread and try damper other people’s fun?
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 11:53 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I did not dampen others' fun at all.
I said vive le difference, if it rocks your world.
Am I not allowed to say I prefer to concentrate on Bruin football on Bruins Nation?
Do I have to be silent that it doesn’t rock my world unless the USA is in it?
I could have kept my opinion silent, but then why have a Bruin blog at all if only positive comments are allowed?
I am sure many others share my opinion about soccer. Are we not welcome to say it? Or are we only allowed to give it when no one is listening or will not be offended?
I do try and like soccer. I admire the athletes and the effort. It’s still boring to me unless my country or fellow Bruins are in it.
Believe me, a true soccer fan, like LA Bruin, is confident enough in his love for the game to be unaffected by what critics like me think.
GO BRUINS!
Perfect shot
right up to when it hit the outside of the net
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
All the yellow cards are a good sign of the tempo
lots of back and forth. Looks like a pair of heavyweight wrestlers…slow while you watch them look for advantage, then lighting strikes.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
dude
That should have been a red card.
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 11:59 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Well, the Dutch should be a man down now
How that is not a red card, I have no clue.
formerly bruinhoo
Yes
That definitely should have been a red card. No question about it.
Spain's playing the same way they played against Germany
pass pass pass pass ad nausium
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
ok..my heart stopped for a moment...
that was just supposed to be a back pass
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
that was cloooose
And nice counter from Pedro.
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 12:09 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
The winner so far
The Ref. He has handed out what, 5 cards?
Seriously, from a neutral standpoint I wish it was Germany and Uruguay, Germany was the most fun team to watch (except against Spain) and Urugray had Diego who was amazing on free kicks and the underdog vibe.
Also, I think the Dutch are doing a bit better because they have disrupted Spain from their possession game.
You got that yesterday!
Ned’s physical play is making Spain play a bit tentative. We’ll see if halftime changes them.
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
That should have been a foul outside the box..
on the wrong side away from the linesman
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
this reminds me of watching basketball...
and the ref calls a foul every time the ball gets rebounded.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
That was a terrible call
I hope the ref does not determine this game. But right now . . . His style is encouraging diving.
I meant the Yellow card on the Villa Tackle
When the ref was looking the other way
Yeah but this ref is giving Yellows for it
I wish he would give less Yellows.
If I want to defend soccer
Unlike basketball which rewards flopping on Charges sometimes or faking a foul when shooting, you can be penalized for faking.
However, if I want to be honest, unlike Basketball, players don’t just flop they claim mortal injury often. Some free kicks are rewarded on acting ability more than the alleged foul. That is much worse than basketball.
I think a further quality innovation
would be to review matches afterwards and award yellow cards for obvious diving. It’s almost impossible for a ref to call it, but they could give out punishment afterwards (they already do that for violent plays that the ref doesn’t see)
by britishbruin on Jul 11, 2010 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be great
Would not help in the final but would make for a better Tourney. I saw one Yellow for diving. I think it was Paraguay whose forward took a dive in the penalty area as if he had just been shot and was not touched. It would be great if they could review that post match and give yellows.
If you liked this game...
you got another 30 minutes coming.
If you didn’t like it, you get the time anyway.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
an hour and a half of boredom followed by 5 minutes of terror
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Dutch team
Playing w fire but overall have played like Ben Ball warriors. Lack of scoring might note be fun but still just as exciting as a pitchers’ duel.
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 1:38 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
I give it to Spain, too.
Dutch have had good counters, and the spanish have answered each time.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
kind of like our offense in the red zone :)
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 1:41 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
He'd have to learn to keep the ball *below* the crossbar
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Quality of play in OT much better than during regulation.
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
RED card for Dutch
free kick at the top of the box
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
There will be lot of babymaking in Spain tonight
by Nestor on Jul 11, 2010 2:04 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
true
they did a study recently where they demonstrated that male sports fans have a 20% increase in testosterone after watching their team win; losers have 20% decrease.
by britishbruin on Jul 11, 2010 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
My friend in Spain emailed me yeaterday
He said if they won, no one was going to work on Monday.
I told him, “You’re Spanish. You never work anyway”.
No siesta tomorrow for sure!
greg in denver - UCLA guy for life
Red jerseys for the award ceremony...
Stars already included :)
My two favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing $C.
Congrats to Spain
I was rooting for the Dutch (my dad’s side of the family is Dutch), but I thought Spain deserved to win the game.
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