World Cup fans, less than half an hour to the final

[nadinbrzezinski]

I can't wait... should be good soccer.

The Italian Captain just brought down the cup to be presented to the next winner.

[enlightenment]

1. Kinda sweet when he kissed it . . .

like a little boy giving up a treasured toy.

[leftstreet]

2. K&R

edit
meant to say Pretty Exciting!

:thumbsup:

[Mudoria]

3. Enjoy.. hope it's an exciting game

I'll be watching my Braves try and sweep the Mets.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. You enjoy too

[Synicus Maximus]

29. It is not suppose to be exciting, it's soccer.

[malaise]

4. BBC link for great coverage

http://www.tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=2173

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Well here we go...

and this British ref better do a good job. Damn yesterday's was well done...

And we are joining one in four residents of this world... truly a world cup.

[malaise]

7. Here we go

David Villa - let's go :evilgrin:

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Two fouls in the first five minutes

that does not bode well for a clean game.

And I will have to go make lunch in the middle of this...

GRRR

[malaise]

9. Make that three

Dream about a clean game :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. It's the final

and that was the comment from NPR this morning when I went to the market... that the dutch play very dirty.

OY the vuvuuzelas are LOUD.

[malaise]

13. Corner to Spain

into the side netting

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Spain is controlling

I am off to make lunch... my luck I will come to see a goal

[malaise]

10. Great header there Ramos

Damn almost in front

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Good save from the Dutch goalkeeper

[nadinbrzezinski]

15. Well deserved yellow to Van Persie

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. And a yellow to Puyol

Oh well, there goes a clean game...

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. Yellow to Van Bommel

[malaise]

18. One to Ramos now

Ridiculous

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. And yellow to Ramos

clean game... nope... I suspect we will see a red SOON... and that was lucky and good goal keeping

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. De Jong rightlfully so yellow, should have been a red card

[Upton]

20. Webb is giving out too many yellows..

several were iffy. I don't want to see either side go down a man

[nadinbrzezinski]

22. last should have been a red

[Upton]

26. BS

I haven't seen anything worth a straight red. This isn't ice dancing.

[malaise]

25. The Dutch have spoiled the entire first half with their

non-stop fouling. They play good football and there is no need for this rubbish.

[Upton]

27. Baloney the Spanish are flopping

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that's their MO..

[nadinbrzezinski]

31. I have no favorite in this

but a kick to the chest is usually a red...

The player left the field... but whatever. I guess if he did not come back and had a few separated ribs you'd get why usually a kick to the chest is a red.

[Upton]

33. Sure you don't

that's why you claimed "the Dutch have spoiled the entire first half"

Sounds REAL neutral to me :eyes:

[nadinbrzezinski]

34. BOTH teams have played dirty

JEEZZUS AGE, why am I wondering how long until EITHER looses a man, or if this is gonna be one of the dirtiest games ever.

Whatever...

But a karate kick to the chest usually IS A RED... live with it, OR NOT...

Oh and that was MALAISE not me... learn to read threads.

[Upton]

36. "this is gonna be one of the dirtiest games ever"

:rofl:

[nadinbrzezinski]

37. Keep laughing...

I am not.

By the way NOT JUST ME thinks that should have been a red... live with it. That was a BAD CALL from the ref. PERIOD...

[Upton]

38. This is the WC Final

you don't give out straight reds just for the hell of it. Thankfully, Howard Webb seems to realize that.

The Dutch are playing just the way they need too.

[nadinbrzezinski]

40. That would not be a straight red

that is the kind of kick that can lead to cardiac arrest

Search precordial thump...

But hey, whatever... I guess maiming is now allowed.

[Iggo]

23. Oh shit!

That goalie almost faced!

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Will this be amongst the dirtiest world cup finals?

They have some to go... but still

[malaise]

28. Good shot Robben

Half time - PHEW!

[nadinbrzezinski]

35. Both have had one clear chance

Ramos and Robben..

[Upton]

30. If I'm the Dutch I have to be pleased

they're the underdog and so far have not allowed Spain to dictate tempo like they did with the Germans..

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. And off to half time we go

Five yellows that is amazing

[nadinbrzezinski]

39. Second half underway, and personally I can use some

cleaner soccer.

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. Yellow to the dutch captain

oh well...

How long until we see the Red?

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. Yellow to Heitenger...

Yep we are going for the record of dirtiest game

[DCBob]

42. More yellow cards than shots on goal..

ugh.

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Been a very dirty game on BOTH sides

I expect to see a RED soon

[DCBob]

62. Spain is the best ball control team I have ever seen..

They dominated this game especially in the second half. Spain deserves to win this but it takes one in the goal.

[Karenina]

108. Holland was hot on forced turnovers but I'm glad they lost...

I dislike "thug" fußball. They set that tone from the top and I was not at all certain someone wouldn't be seriously hurt. That kick to the chest has NO PLACE in the game. Nor the revenge move by the Spanish striker. It was a crappy game. It's OVER.
I'm happy for Spain as the country can very much use a morale boost right about now.
I'm THRILLED for South Africa's success as host!!!

[Upton]

45. That last yellow was BS

Howard Webb has lost control of this match, players are diving all over...the least little contact sends them down

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. Hell of a save by Casillas

[malaise]

48. Super save

by Cappo Casillas

[rufus dog]

47. The Rufus Dog is not a big soccer fan

Too much flopping, anyway, not knowing anything about either team I went in hoping for a Netherlands win, Spain has had a good run in sports over the past few years. Anyway, I have switched.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. It hasn't been a clean game

Clean beautiful soccer is far better than this. Yesterday's game was far better... and far more enjoyable. Finals are either beautiful or VERY DIRTY.

[malaise]

52. Eight yellow cards is ridiculous n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

53. We are going for the record

let me google which was the dirtiest word cup final.

[nadinbrzezinski]

50. Yellow to Capdevilla

what is now NINE?

[Upton]

51. Robben HAD to finish that

bad sign for Holland

[nadinbrzezinski]

54. Here WC records

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_World_Cup_records

Most cautions (match, both teams)
16 – Portugal vs Netherlands, 2006;<22> and Cameroon v Germany, June 11, 2002<23>

We are going for a record here.

[nadinbrzezinski]

55. Both sides have blown chances

we may still go to OT...

I wonder if... Paul had this right?

[nadinbrzezinski]

56. Robben booked

[rufus dog]

57. This sucks worse than the NBA

Why the hell do they reward flopping and not hustle.

[Upton]

58. Because the referee is letting them

If he wasn't giving out free kicks and yellow cards every time somebody went down, they wouldn't do it.

[rufus dog]

60. Which is my point

Like the NBA they call BS flops thus ruining the flow of the game.

[nadinbrzezinski]

59. Three minutes to OT

and a record for clean play

[nadinbrzezinski]

61. And off to OT we go

[nadinbrzezinski]

63. And here we go...

nine yellows, six for holland three for spain

[nadinbrzezinski]

64. Ah well, more questionable calls in a WC final

:-)

That is the way it goes

Yes it should have been a PK.

[nadinbrzezinski]

65. Another hell of a goal keeping this time by the dutch

keeper.

One on ones should go in... and we have had one from the Spanish and one from the Dutch

[malaise]

70. Red card at last

Come on Spain - score this now

[grantcart]

66. question for more well informed soccer fans

During the first half there was a long distant shot by the Dutch and it almost bounced in and the Spanish goalie touched it slightly creating a corner kick. The Dutch didn't take the corner but kicked it to the Spanish goalie.

Was this because there was a Dutch player off the field?

They didn't explain it, or I missed it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

92. Didn't catch it but sometimes the players

feel the officials made a mistake and hand it over to the other side.

[nadinbrzezinski]

67. The last ten minutes of regulation and so far

have been pretty clean... why oh why couldn't the rest be like this?

Still this is a good game and Spain has dominated...

We will see if this goes to... Penalty Kick shoot out. Those are ALWAYS dramatic.

[DCBob]

68. I am amazed Spain has not scored yet even though they have dominated this game.

Holland's only weapon is Robben.

[nadinbrzezinski]

69. Heitengert GETS THE RED

I was wondering how long? Further in, that would have been a PK

[nadinbrzezinski]

71. Van der Field yellow

now we are to twelve yellows and one red, and WHAT A SAVE.

[malaise]

72. Another foul

This is actually way worse than the Italy v France final in 2006. Of course Zidane lost it and was sent packing.

[nadinbrzezinski]

74. They are going after the record, it seems

[SunnySong]

73. Is it the air pressure that causes the Spanish players to fall down without contact...

what a silly sport like a combination of hockey and synchronized summing. :evilgrin:

[malaise]

76. Most people in the world love it

so your 'silly sport' comment doesn't matter.

[SunnySong]

75. Is it the air pressure that causes the Spanish players to fall down without contact...

The Spanish team are like synchronized swimmers

[tabatha]

77. The game yesterday was beautiful in comparison.

[malaise]

78. GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

Iniesta scores - Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Viva Spain!!!

Iniesta has been the player of the match.

[DCBob]

87. He played an outstanding game.. great he got the winning goal.

Congrats to Spain! Salud!

[nadinbrzezinski]

80. YEP, this been LONG AND DIRTY

but hey, Paul the Octopus was right, AGAIN!!!

[nadinbrzezinski]

79. SPAIN SCORES!

THey will get the world cup I think... Dutch arguing now about OFFSIDE...

And Mathiesen gets a YELLOW

[malaise]

81. Paul the Octopus strikes again

:rofl:

[malaise]

89. 13 tries to finally win

Congrats Spain - you deserved this - best defensive football in the entire tournament.
Next time tell the Netherlands to come and play football and not fouls. Casillas is the best keeper in the world. Barcelona should be proud - they dominate the Spanish team.

http://www.fifa.com/live/competitions/worldcup/matchday=25/day=1/match=300061509/index.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

82. 'nother yellow

13 so far? I lost count

[malaise]

83. Torres pulls up

hamstring again

[nadinbrzezinski]

84. And SPAIN wins

Paul got it right

[flvegan]

85. Madness ensues in Madrid!

Congrats Spain!

[tabatha]

86. I was neutral, but I think Spain deserved the goal.

[nadinbrzezinski]

88. I was as well, and they played better soccer

[malaise]

90. The Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica is not crying today

He's hugging everyone on the set. Spain deserves this one - European Champs and now World Champs.
Ole Ole Ole!

[nadinbrzezinski]

91. And there is a Dutch lady

who is secretly going... PHEW!

[malaise]

105. Not if she was watching the Spanish Ambassador

He's movie star handsome with a gorgeous accent :D

[malaise]

93. The Dutch have real class to form a guard of honor

for the Spanish team. That is lovely.

[nadinbrzezinski]

99. Yeah they do

and I feel for their Captain, last day on a pitch...

[Upton]

94. Too bad the Spanish felt it necessary to fall over

at the slightest contact, otherwise we would have had a more free flowing match. Spain did deserve the win however, so I congratulate them and their supporters.

[DCBob]

96. I hate the fake dives.. it seems to have gotten out of control..

That issue needs to addressed or the game will be ruined.

[nadinbrzezinski]

98. The dives have been around since the game started

but there were real fouls ON BOTH SIDES that were called rightly so.

In my view if there was a red card earlier in the game, it might not have gotten this bad... or it could go the other way.

Why I enjoy the 3-4 match more usually. The pressure is off, and they tend to be far more entertaining, and less... foulie.

[DCBob]

100. Well, regardless its not good for the game..

Hockey had/has the same problem but I think they have it under control now by giving penalties for faking a hit.

[nadinbrzezinski]

101. Soccer has the rule too

but these were real fouls. And a kick to the chest should have been a red.

I have seen refs yellow card players for acting by the way.

[DCBob]

102. For sure.. but its the obvious dives to a TV viewer with replay that are called fouls..

by the officials are the problem. Fortunately none of them resulted in a goal today.

[nadinbrzezinski]

110. A kick to the chest is a foul

walking or running on a leg is a foul...

Sure there were a FEW today that were good acting, but this was truly a dirty game. Frankly I was expecting far more red cards than we saw.

[Upton]

103. There were some real fouls

but the majority of the time it was the Spanish diving and faking. I know Robben and RVP do it for the Dutch too, but Spain seems have it down to an art...you ever watch La Liga?

[nadinbrzezinski]

111. And the premiere league

and the Mexican League, and I will still say, they were lucky there were no more red cards. I know you were for the Netherlands. I had no favorites today, and damn it, first time minutes set the tone for a DIRTY game. Greene should have reached for more red cards.

[Name removed]

95. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nadinbrzezinski]

97. And a good day to you too!

[malaise]

106. Photos and awards

http://www.fifa.com/

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1272865/index.html#forlan+scoops+golden+ball+prize
Diego Forlan from Uruguay won the Golden Ball - well earned.

http://www.tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=2173
BBC coverage

corrected

[Upton]

107. Muller won the Golden Boot

not Forlan...he won the Golden Ball..

[malaise]

109. Corrected

Thanks :D

[nadinbrzezinski]

112. Well he deserved it...

[uppityperson]

104. "They are just as barbaric as the friggin' Japs"? WHAT the FUCK?

[Mudoria]

113. Recorded it for watching after the baseball game

I've seen better games. Robben is probably having nighmares tonight because he had a couple of excellent chances to have won the game for the Dutch in regular time. But congrats to Spain for winning. Also for being the most whiny team I've seen in the cup.

[nadinbrzezinski]

114. Both Robben and one of the Spanish Players

I have never seen that many one on one with the keeper not go in.

[nadinbrzezinski]

115. And yes it was THE RECORD for cards in a final

The Yorkshireman departed this arena having flashed a record 14 yellow cards, the two shown to Johnny Heitinga duly becoming red, and with the deafening boos of the defeated Dutch ringing in his ears. The supporters' displeasure was inevitable as he collected his post-match medal. The grumblings of the normally deadpan Bert van Marwijk as he addressed the media will surely have hurt more.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/12/howard-webb-final-nightmare-yellow-cards