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ORIGINAL: Erkki

I've watched most of the games so far and this went to the worst 3. Team France looked like it more or less gave up somewhere around 80 minutes... As if they were morally beaten, some of the players even stopped running... Huge, huge contrast to the fast paced and very enjoyable Brazil-Chile, USA-Belgium and Argentine-Swiss where both teams gave their everything to the last minute.

Sorry,

cannot go with this comment. IMHO it was a game on even level, with twi teams which both were very disciplined, not allowing too many chances for the other side. Germany was lucky to score early, but France did keep the pressure high until the very end. Remember the great chance Benzema had in minute 94, a few seconds before the end. They definitely did not give up this until it was over.

Woof !! This one was strange. Lowe had Muller, Kroos, Ozil, and Klose (Schurrle) facing Matuidi, Valbuena, Benzema, and Griezman. Gotze was still out, as was Podolski. This match was almost a midfield rugby scrum. Neither team showed much breakaway aggressiveness, butt … Very surprisingly, given their lineup, when Germany spread, they played the field and the creases very, very well. Kinda guess Lowe knows what he’s doing.

Well,

here in Germany the discussion before the game mainly went about the role of Philipp Lahm. Up to the match against Algerie, he had his position in the defensive midfield, but from his origin he´s a right defender - and he´s one of the best worldwide on this position. With this match Loew did put him on his original position, and switched Mertesacker for Boateng in the defense center. These changes made a huge difference, because our defense today was rock-solid - something we did not see too often before. This allowed him to bring both Khedira and Schweinsteiger for the defensive midfield, and they were the strategic directors for the offense.

This next match is going to be awesome! I feel a Colombia victory but that may just be because a co-worker is Colombian and thus I've kept a close eye on Colombia this Cup. Brazil just hasn't impressed yet, but of course today could be the day they pull it all together.

Germany - France felt odd. I couldn't say it was a poor game but somehow it felt off a bit. Germans did enough to win but they will need more in the next match.

Perhaps it's my Arsenal showing, but lord I feel like the announcers have it in for Mesut Ozil in this tournament. He hasn't been excellent, I grant, but in most games he has had several accurate, well-weighted "Ozil" passes that could have been assists. For example, his final run and pass at his intended target's feet that was just plain whiffed on. To hear the announcers, though, he is going to single-handedly take Germany out of the Cup. For example, when a pass to him was overcooked and too long, Ozil chases it down into the corner and the announcer testily says something disparaging about "Mesut Ozil turns his back to goal."

ORIGINAL: margeorg
Well,

here in Germany the discussion before the game mainly went about the role of Philipp Lahm. Up to the match against Algerie, he had his position in the defensive midfield, but from his origin he´s a right defender - and he´s one of the best worldwide on this position. With this match Loew did put him on his original position, and switched Mertesacker for Boateng in the defense center. These changes made a huge difference, because our defense today was rock-solid - something we did not see too often before. This allowed him to bring both Khedira and Schweinsteiger for the defensive midfield, and they were the strategic directors for the offense.

Good thoughts. And yes, midfield defense was solid, and you all haven't seen much of that yet. I like what you think about midfield, that's important, but Khedira and Schweinsteiger are going to have to go up against some nasty midfielders that also play striker. Your game will open deeper and wider. Think you can do it, but the soccer gods will rule.

I predict at least one red card in this game... all 22 players are fired up!

ORIGINAL: Symon
Yes. I feel for you and Francois, and the other French fans.

Don't be sorry for me, I didn't follow the world cup, and besides, today was blackcurrant wine day, which takes precedence over football.

So, OT inside this OT thread, here's the recipe, just in case you grow blackcurrant in Alabama (or in Chile).

Harvest the blackcurrant as late as possible, when the fruits begin falling on the ground, the sweeter the better.
Crush them gently in a large pot. Don't overdo this, you just need to break the skin of the fruit, so that it mixes with the wine, if you squash them to pulp, the wine will taste sour.
Add red wine, one liter of wine per kilogram of fruit. The wine should not be too strong (12% or so). This year, I'm using Bourgogne grand ordinaire, which is a light burgundy made with pinot noir.
Add a few leaves of blackcurrant (it makes the thing tastier)
Cover, and let the mixture macerate for two or three days. When it is ready, it should no longer smell of wine, just of fruit (three days are usually enough, I know people who wait for a week).

Press the mixture, filter through a cloth or something thin, so that you only keep the juice
Add 750 g of sugar per litre of juice
Put on the oven, low fire, until it boils, turn with a wooden spoon so that it doesn't stick
Let it boil lightly for about five minutes
Remove from the fire, let it cool, and bottle. Don't close the bottles
Leave the bottles for a week in a cool and dark place, then cork them.
The wine is ready, you can drink it now, but it will get better over time, and will keep for two and three years in a cool and dark place (don't lay the bottles flat, keep them standing)

You can drink it with water, it is refreshing, and the cooking éliminates most of the alcohool, so it is safe for kids and teatotalers.
You can also mix it with white wine or champagne, it is then called "kir", and is nice before a meal
Some people use it as a base for deserts, sauces, anything blackcurrant flavored.


Francois

Wow, Brazil came to play today. This is a wild match, but the Selecao are almost unlucky to not be ahead by 2 or 3. Still, the brave (foolhardy?) approach by Colombia has certainly made this exciting to watch.

there is definetely a red card waiting in the second half. this is a wild match...

Brazil v Germany next! No road to a championship is ever supposed to be easy.

The Brazil v Colombia was poorly officiated as he blew the whistle for fouls, but didn't use any cards until things were out of control and the game was a do what you want to do affair since there were no consequences. Neymar is in the hospital for tests.

I think the referee let the game become a bit too physical... But Columbia fought to the end and there was no lack of pace. David Luiz was also seen to be a great winner! I think he spent more time hugging the Colombians than his own team. [:)]

Neymar has been ruled out of playing any more in the Cup as he has a cracked vertebrae.

Total fail by the ref. Kept his cards in the pocket and lost control of the game and now Neymar is out. Yeesh, we really have had to talk about poor refereeing after too many matches in this otherwise great tournament.

ORIGINAL: tocaff

Brazil v Germany next! No road to a championship is ever supposed to be easy.

The Brazil v Colombia was poorly officiated as he blew the whistle for fouls, but didn't use any cards until things were out of control and the game was a do what you want to do affair since there were no consequences. Neymar is in the hospital for tests.

warspite1

Pretty amazing fact considering they have won the World Cup 8 times between them - and in the case of Brazil have appeared in every finals, and Germany have only missed a couple (iirc) - these two footballing powerhouses have only ever met once before in the World Cup!

2002 Final Brazil 2-0 Germany

ORIGINAL: tocaff

Neymar has been ruled out of playing any more in the Cup as he has a cracked vertebrae.

Huge loss, and the play was poor by the Colombian, knee up right into the back. Yikes.

This takes some of the creativity out of Brasil, but what does it give? Who will step up and what different tone will the game take with Neymar out?

Argentina into the semis.

My god... this game is not good for my nerves...

Costa Rica are playing like wild men. Penalty kicks begin right now.

Good guys dont win in this cup...

WOOHAA... I think the Baseball "Closer" has just been introduced to football.....