Oluseyi: Iniesta falls because he's between two players, then IMMEDIATELY GETS UP after no foul was called. I'm sorry, falling, asking for a call, acting as if youre hurt, then immediately getting up is such an obvious sign. The key is the face. A hurt player who plays on will still give away the pain in his face. Netherlands did not expect to make it this far, they were nervous, and I feel that was a large reason why they were so physical.

I understand about fair play, that had nothing to do with any of the situations (though it was humorous that the spain keeper failed hard in judging a bounce, giving a corner kick, in which van persi (i think?) was STILL the bigger man and gave spain TWO opportunities to get the ball back).

Also, I thought doing any sort of physical aggression when the play is stopped or the ball is nowhere near the players resulted in automatic red card. Am I wrong on this? (Zidane last world cup, the nigerian this one, the brasilian this world cup and I'm sure others) We're arguing over silly things. I honestly think the ref wasn't fair in this game, and I dont expect any ref to be perfectly fair. Spain won, nothing can change that. I'm happy a new team (so either spain or holland) is added to ranks of world cup winners, but I am very sad it seems that the refs had a little too much say in this. Its not like spain was the clear cut winner, it wasnt 2-0 or 3-0 before overtime.

Honestly, there is a fine line between being physical and being just plain violent. There is a fine line between playing control football and completely erasing the tactical sense of a team. The Dutch have crossed both lines tonight with their "let's break the game and maybe a leg or two" approach.

Also, Iniesta a pro diver? Really? That is just ridiculous in my opinion, specially in the context of tonight's game.

The atmosphere here in the streets is amazing. We finally made it! If only I didn't have to get up early tomorrow...

Both teams had great scoring opportunities that they failed to capitalize on. Twice Iniesta had the ball in the penalty area and didn't know what to do with it, but thanks to what he did with it the third time, those will be forgotten. Given the record number of yellow cards dispensed it's a wonder that no one was sent off earlier (especially after that boot to the chest). It seems to me that this game was dominated by the fear of losing more than the desire to win. Yesterday's third place match was a far more entertaining game.

Now is the time for soccer withdrawal pains! [bawling]

At least for a couple of weeks. [smile]

The MLS is in mid season. The MLS All-Stars play Manchester United in Houston on July 28 (ESPN2). The US Men play Brazil in a friendly in New Jersey on August 10th (ESPN2). Inter Milan plays Manchester City in Baltimore July 31st. There are rumors that Man City wants to sign Landon Donovan. Inter Milan faces the LA Galaxy on August 7th in LA. I don't know if those games will be nationally televised, but they probably will be. Several similar match ups were televised last year (Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid, AC Milan...). Tottenham has some exhibition games schedule for the US too. Their game against the San Jose Earthquakes will likely be televised here in California.

PS. Iniesta ain't no diver, much less a pro diver. Midfielders don't have the luxury of diving less they lose control of the ball. They leave the theatrics to the strikers. Iniesta's passing ability is key to Spain's success. That made him a target for a lot of rough play. Congrats to Spain.

Quote: Original post by Crazyfool
Oh well, both teams played their best, and spain might have still won, but its frustrating to see a ref make so many mistakes towards one side.

Um...really? I mean, the DeJong thing? The man broke Holden's leg few months ago in a friendly match, and today he delived nothing less than a freakin kung-fu kick on an opponent's chest and he gets a...yellow card? Seriously? The yellow card would be deserved if he hadn't even touched the opponent, just for extremely dangerous play, but the way things went, a red card should be issued and nothing less, and then let FIFA decide about the rest, because players have gone to the disciplinary comittee and got extra punishment for much less. The guy is a bastard, even 4th graders know you don't stretch your leg like that when the ball is claimed in such tight space. And the ref lets him get away with a yellow, so maybe next time he'll kick an opponent to the head or something.

Other than that, I myself like both teams, maybe Spain a bit tad more, so I just enjoyed an intense but not very impressive game, as big finals usually are(at least we didn't have that dreaded penalty shootout). But I have to say that showing a lot of yellow cards only hurts the game in many levels...I don't consider that to be a positive for a referee to use them as a discriplinary method in such frequence...but again a World Cup Final is something bigger than life...so I won't be too harsh :)

Midfielders don't have the luxury of diving less they lose control of the ball.


Well, meet the exception to the rule, out very own Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis(played in Inter and Benfica too):

http://www.game1010.com/video/video/dEEWqEy-Qwc/Giorgos-Karagounis-The-best-diver-in-the-world.html

He plays in the team I support, and even we fans make jokes about his antics. His moto seems to be that of the team leader in 'A-team'...'Overkill is underrated'. When this guy dives, he DIVES. There's no 'trying to look real' with this guy...he launches from the ground like he's stepped into a mine, usually does about 10 barell rolls, and then uses his vast arsenal of facial expressions to convey 'pain' ranging from 'i got hit in the testicles with a bulldozer' to 'someone is scratching my insides with a katana'. Usually, the poor ref just can't let the game go on after such a supershow...and most times they are thinking 'okay I know he's a diver, but the guy looks like he's genuinely suffering before my eyes, it's GOT to be real this time"!

Iniesta, a "pro diver". Pffffft. Please. :)

What a dissapoinment :( I thought the game had penalties written all over it to be honest. I don't think either team really seemed to have the balls to finish the game off. The mood here is...probably not as good as that in Madrid ;) But I guess 2nd in the world isn't so bad :)

EDIT: I am going to miss the world cup though :)

[Edited by - _moagstar_ on July 11, 2010 6:04:38 PM]

I wanted the better team to win, but by the end I was just happy to see the less bad team win, and avoid penalty kicks.

:(

Third final we lose. I think Spain was the better team overall.

The change of style, playing to win rather than playing to be admired was certainly interesting. But I now realize I prefer playing great, attractive football and getting knocked out in the quarter or semis like it has always been. O well...

Quote: Original post by Crazyfool
Oluseyi: Iniesta falls because he's between two players, then IMMEDIATELY GETS UP after no foul was called. I'm sorry, falling, asking for a call, acting as if youre hurt, then immediately getting up is such an obvious sign. The key is the face. A hurt player who plays on will still give away the pain in his face. Netherlands did not expect to make it this far, they were nervous, and I feel that was a large reason why they were so physical.

He didn't act like he was hurt. That seems to be an American misconception, that football players always act like they're hurt. They stay down and sometimes raise their arms as if to say, "Hey, ref, you're not going to call a foul or book him for that one?!" I watched that play. Iniesta didn't act hurt. Yes, it happens in footie. No, it didn't happen that time.

Quote: Original post by Crazyfool
Also, I thought doing any sort of physical aggression when the play is stopped or the ball is nowhere near the players resulted in automatic red card. Am I wrong on this? (Zidane last world cup, the nigerian this one, the brasilian this world cup and I'm sure others)

Yes, you're wrong. Zidane wasn't ejected simply for aggression, but for egregious aggression - a headbutt to a man's chest in a dead ball situation. Keita (the Nigerian) was also ejected for egregious aggression - raising his cleats and trying to stomp on his opponent's thigh in a dead ball situation. It's a question of degree.

Quote: Original post by Crazyfool
I honestly think the ref wasn't fair in this game...

You might be alone in that. The Dutch created the ugly, physical nature of the game and were clearly the initiators of most aggression. And you still haven't responded to that De Jong assault on Xabi Alonso!

Quote: Original post by mikeman
Well, meet the exception to the rule, out very own Greek midfielder Giorgos Karagounis(played in Inter and Benfica too):

http://www.game1010.com/video/video/dEEWqEy-Qwc/Giorgos-Karagounis-The-best-diver-in-the-world.html

He plays in the team I support, and even we fans make jokes about his antics. His moto seems to be that of the team leader in 'A-team'...'Overkill is underrated'. When this guy dives, he DIVES. There's no 'trying to look real' with this guy...he launches from the ground like he's stepped into a mine, usually does about 10 barell rolls, and then uses his vast arsenal of facial expressions to convey 'pain' ranging from 'i got hit in the testicles with a bulldozer' to 'someone is scratching my insides with a katana'. Usually, the poor ref just can't let the game go on after such a supershow...and most times they are thinking 'okay I know he's a diver, but the guy looks like he's genuinely suffering before my eyes, it's GOT to be real this time"!

That video was epic, and your paragraph... priceless! Thanks, you made my soccer evening. [smile]