Great WC, However, Glad It's Over

[TijuanaTim]

We can get back to our real love now - Southampton Football Club.

[Doctoroncall]

Great WC? You must have seen different games to the ones I saw. Awful WC, too much negative play, shoddy passing and a few dodgy pitches.

 

New Zealand were the only unbeaten side in the WC, which just illustrates what happen at this WC - endeavour, negative tactics and organised teams may get good results but are a bore to watch.

[chrisobee]

Easily the worst WC I have ever seen capped by a truly dire final. Holland admitted to setting out to "disrupt" Spain's passing game but took it to an extreme and then blame the referee for the fact they lost. Suggest they look much closer to home.

[keithd]

I agree with one part of your post Tim, we can get back to Saints. But great World Cup? Bloody awful, and not just Englands diabolical display either.

 

Plus point

 

Right team won

Germans Attacking/Counter attacking football against us and the Argies

erm...

 

Bad

Bloody vuvuzelas

Crap pitches

Holland in the final

The ball

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Not a great world cup - very much below average. Lacking in atmosphere and spoiled by too much lateral and defensive play. Seriously, if that's the way football is going people will turn away from it in droves. Fortunately our domestic game has a lot more vibrancy and looking forward very much to the forthcoming season.

[Toomer]

The World Cup was over for me the England went out.

[TijuanaTim]

I think almost everyone hated it because their team went out early ('cept Javi) and in our case by England's abysmal and embarrassing showing.

 

Here's is a few of the things I will choose to remember.

 

GVB's goal

The SA opener

Lando's Hollywood ending

The Ghana - Suarez stunner

Martin Tyler's excellent commentary

Ruud Gullit and Jurgen Klinsman's wonderfull analysis

The best team actually winning

The wonderully spirited, undefeated Kiwis

The embracing of 'soccer' over here

DIEGO FORLAN!!!

The cavalier Germans and Argentines

Joy in Africa

 

Things I'll let slip from my mind

The refereeing (goal-line technology/offside/handball in walls/lame yellows)

Agony/diving

Asking for cards

WAYNE 'TRAILER-TRASH' ROONEY, people spent their life's saving to watch you not try Wayne.

Efan Ekuko

Ian Darke

Vuvawhatsits

Septic Bladder and Miserable Platini

Ricardo Clarke

Low's outfits and his 'partner's'???

[St Landrew]

Can't honestly say it was a great World Cup, for me. On the supporter front, England went out early, which I expected anyway, as my opinion of English players capabilities is very low, generally. But then Italy went out too, so all I had left was NZ, who were a little ray of sunshine, in not getting beaten. But that was it. Unexpectedly, along came the Germans and dazzled with their fast, entertaining football. In the past, Germany have been known for their slow possession football with fast bursts of pressure. Basically, European football at its technically strong, but very boring on the eye, if you want to see a cut and thrust match. A bit like Spain have been all tournament. Admirable, skillful stuff, but please don't let me have to watch it for too long. But anyway, not this time, and I love fast counter attacking football. For me, it's the best form, and the Germans played it almost to perfection. Which was another thing that surprised me. The fact that I didn't just grudgingly accept how good the Germans were, but eagerly awaited their next match, was down to the fact that they were so bloody entertaining. I think they will be the team to emulate, and beat in 2014, and not Spain.

[Dark Munster]

I think almost everyone hated it because their team went out early ('cept Javi) and in our case by England's abysmal and embarrassing showing.

 

Here's is a few of the things I will choose to remember.

 

Martin Tyler's excellent commentary

 

Things I'll let slip from my mind

 

Ian Darke

Hi Tim, different opinion from me. I thought Martin Tyler (as always) was a tedious bore. Blathering on with boring facts while the game is going on (too lazy to keep up with the game), and from his tone of voice barely looking up from his prepared notes of boring facts when a goal went in, often just muttering that the ball is in the back of the net in a dull matter-of-fact voice. He certainly did his job to turn off Americans from "soccer."

 

On the other hand Ian Darke (along with Derek Rae and Adrian Healey) were excellent IMHO.

[Dark Munster]

Can't honestly say it was a great World Cup, for me. On the supporter front, England went out early, which I expected anyway, as my opinion of English players capabilities is very low, generally. But then Italy went out too, so all I had left was NZ, who were a little ray of sunshine, in not getting beaten. But that was it. Unexpectedly, along came the Germans and dazzled with their fast, entertaining football. In the past, Germany have been known for their slow possession football with fast bursts of pressure. Basically, European football at its technically strong, but very boring on the eye, if you want to see a cut and thrust match. A bit like Spain have been all tournament. Admirable, skillful stuff, but please don't let me have to watch it for too long. But anyway, not this time, and I love fast counter attacking football. For me, it's the best form, and the Germans played it almost to perfection. Which was another thing that surprised me. The fact that I didn't just grudgingly accept how good the Germans were, but eagerly awaited their next match, was down to the fact that they were so bloody entertaining. I think they will be the team to emulate, and beat in 2014, and not Spain.

 

True, if it were held in Europe. But with Messi in his prime, and assuming they have a semi-decent manager (unlike the clown Maradonna), I reckon Argentina (and obviously Brazil) will be the teams to beat when it's held in Brazil.

[Ponty]

It says something when arguably the best game of the tournament was the third place playoff game.

[chrisobee]

It says something when arguably the best game of the tournament was the third place playoff game.

 

It was definitely one of the best games and very good for what was essentially a glorified friendly.I'm really struggling to think of many good games though in spite of the result England v Germany was a good game, Germany v Argentina as well which tends to suggest Germany were the most enjoyable team to watch. Can't really believe I just said that !

[Thedelldays]

Easily the worst WC I have ever seen capped by a truly dire final. Holland admitted to setting out to "disrupt" Spain's passing game but took it to an extreme and then blame the referee for the fact they lost. Suggest they look much closer to home.

 

the world cup was awful...that is even before we go on about England..

 

the yanks were poor (considering they were going to do something special)

the ball was poor

the atmosphere was poor

the tactics were poor

the constant patronising of africa was poor

 

Germany

spain

ghana

Uruguay

and the crazy chillians

 

were about the only shining lights

[Eastcowzer]

Easily the worst WC I have ever seen capped by a truly dire final. Holland admitted to setting out to "disrupt" Spain's passing game but took it to an extreme and then blame the referee for the fact they lost. Suggest they look much closer to home.

 

The game was allowed to deteriorate by an overated referee, who seemed determined to 'book' the whole lot, after all he only missed nine.

If he had 'flashed' a couple of Red cards after the sixth Yellow things just might have improved.

If Webb is England's best, it does'nt say much for the rest, and by God we've seen some cowboys at SMS.

I think he should have stuck with his day job, that was.

[Thedelldays]

The game was allowed to deteriorate by an overated referee, who seemed determined to 'book' the whole lot, after all he only missed nine.

If he had 'flashed' a couple of Red cards after the sixth Yellow things just might have improved.

If Webb is England's best, it does'nt say much for the rest, and by God we've seen some cowboys at SMS.

I think he should have stuck with his day job, that was.

you are right..he should have sent off 3 dutch players in the first half....that would have deffinately stopped him from getting any stick wouldnt it..

 

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Can't honestly say it was a great World Cup, for me. On the supporter front, England went out early, which I expected anyway, as my opinion of English players capabilities is very low, generally. But then Italy went out too, so all I had left was NZ, who were a little ray of sunshine, in not getting beaten. But that was it. Unexpectedly, along came the Germans and dazzled with their fast, entertaining football. In the past, Germany have been known for their slow possession football with fast bursts of pressure. Basically, European football at its technically strong, but very boring on the eye, if you want to see a cut and thrust match. A bit like Spain have been all tournament. Admirable, skillful stuff, but please don't let me have to watch it for too long. But anyway, not this time, and I love fast counter attacking football. For me, it's the best form, and the Germans played it almost to perfection. Which was another thing that surprised me. The fact that I didn't just grudgingly accept how good the Germans were, but eagerly awaited their next match, was down to the fact that they were so bloody entertaining. I think they will be the team to emulate, and beat in 2014, and not Spain.

 

Germany were certainly far more fun to watch than they have previously been.

 

Come the final I had my hopes on the Dutch because of how they are known for playing and a tad of Dutch in my blood.

 

I quickly tired of their physical style which, to be honest, was bloody crude at times.

 

I think Spain were fair winners of an overall poor world cup.

 

I'll not get started on England as we don't have enough bandwidth, even on this new forum!

[chrisobee]

The game was allowed to deteriorate by an overated referee, who seemed determined to 'book' the whole lot, after all he only missed nine.

If he had 'flashed' a couple of Red cards after the sixth Yellow things just might have improved.

If Webb is England's best, it does'nt say much for the rest, and by God we've seen some cowboys at SMS.

I think he should have stuck with his day job, that was.

 

Thanks for your valuable input, nothing to add to TDD's comment above.

[chrisobee]

Germany were certainly far more fun to watch than they have previously been.

 

Come the final I had my hopes on the Dutch because of how they are known for playing and a tad of Dutch in my blood.

 

I quickly tired of their physical style which, to be honest, was bloody crude at times.

 

I think Spain were fair winners of an overall poor world cup.

 

I'll not get started on England as we don't have enough bandwidth, even on this new forum!

 

Noted for future reference

[Frank's cousin]

Uhm

 

I actually enjoyed it! They just need to think about the points system during the group phase to encourage side going for wins - possibly no points for draws, but bonus points for 3 goals or more?

 

Italy were abissmal, but I expected that, old tired and playing a style that is so negative, I am glad they went out early. Argentina had a good run and but did not live up to their reputation, Brazil...er played like Germany used to play, solid, and efficient, but lacking a bit in enteratinment value.

 

NO problem with the Vuvuzuelas, its part of their culture and that should be celebrated. What woyuld we get if held in England? chorus after chorus of Great escape theme? far mor bloody annoying IMHO.

 

African sides a bit dissapointing - would like to see 'penalty goals' awarded - for such a blatent goal line hand ball, but maybe the pressure got to them a bit or they are just not that good? seems many have gone for European coaches who seem to have stiffled their creative talents in favour of a more robust approach.

 

Holland - sneaked under the radar unti, teh Brazil game in which they deserved their result, but horrible in the final - rminded me of Argentina in the Italia 90 final trying to kick the Germans off the park... but maybe they had seen that Spain v Germany semi and realised that that was perhaps their best chance, and would we be as complaining had England played that way and won?

 

Spain - interesting - only scored 8 goals and conceded 2 - best players and passing side, but I had to admit not the most exciting - great technical abilty and skill, but why dont they attack more? deserved winners, on a skill level, but not from an entertainment perspective, that has to go to Germany who surprised me and most with their approach - there were signs of a change in 2006, when they were the only team to play with two up front throughout and their semi againts italy was a classic, but this time they seem to have gone a bit mad! yup still a bit dodgy at the back at times, in that had tehir defenders not had a good world cup they would possibly have shipped a few more, but that is inevitable when you attack with 5 or 6 players. Their 4-2-3-1, was a bench mark and although Ozil and Muller were rightly praised as young talent, for me Schweinsteiger and Lahm came of age - what would Schweinsteiger cost you now? That perfect blend btween holding and attacking midfielder - the last one of which was probably another German in Mattheus (in his 1990 prime)... but with younger attacking flair up front the breaks were at times sublime...

 

So its back to the domestic scene, the prem ..... which for me is the problem for England. We coach English players the English way and place the main emphasis on power, strength and pace, and bring in the skill from abroad which makes our boys look better than they are - no surprises that Liverpool dissapointed when Alonso left...

 

Question is, would the English game have been good enough to win had all players performed to at ther best? Thing is I think yes, we could even have made the final, but for me, the question should really be would we want to reach the final playing that way, or look to be more entertaining, skillful? I dont buy this 'cultural difference' ******... its simply down to the way kids are encouraged to play the game and how they are eventually coached - nothing more. Our pampered 16/17 year old talents with their diamond studded earings and the like, do have an attitude problem as success and money come too early... thats also down the the premiership and its emphasis on cash.

 

2012 Germany and Spain again for me - hopefully on opposite sides of the draw

 

2014 Brazil as hosts, Argentina and Germany...Spain will have another crop by then as well. England have the opportunity. the U17s just won their Euros, if they are devloped teh right way and we have the courage to play young kids in a blend, as teh Germans did, we could well do well... now thats a thought.

[Thedelldays]

vuvuzelas is not really part of their culture..they have been around for about 10 years or so...they are from china

[The Kraken]

I don't know its part of me getting older, or the globalisation of the game now, but the last two or three World Cups have really given me nothing unique to remember them by. My first proper memories are of Spain 1982, the Naranjito and Paolo Rossi; then the ticker tape, mexican waves, hand of God and general brilliance of Maradona in Mexico 86; follow that by Roger Milla, World in Motion and Gazza's tears in 1990; the whole spectacle of the Yankee doodle festival WC of 94; then France 98 and the genius of Zidane and the Frenchies. Onwards they really all start to blend into one for me.

 

Because of the worldwide scouting network and extensive player migration these days, the former mystery of watching teams such as Cameroon 1990 upset the Arentinians has long gone; I think we (and the teams) know so much about every other team now that the entertainment of the games have become so diluted by negative stopping tactics. This tournament has been a triumph of spoiling tactics and defensiveness, encapsulated by Spain's record breaking low total of scoring only 8 goals on the way to the title.

[Frank's cousin]

vuvuzelas is not really part of their culture..they have been around for about 10 years or so...they are from china

 

Football culture - that should have read - any everything is made in China these days so thats not surprizing ;-)

[TijuanaTim]

Hi Tim, different opinion from me. I thought Martin Tyler (as always) was a tedious bore. Blathering on with boring facts while the game is going on (too lazy to keep up with the game), and from his tone of voice barely looking up from his prepared notes of boring facts when a goal went in, often just muttering that the ball is in the back of the net in a dull matter-of-fact voice. He certainly did his job to turn off Americans from "soccer."

 

On the other hand Ian Darke (along with Derek Rae and Adrian Healey) were excellent IMHO.

 

Martin is a huge Big Ron fan and gives him a call and offers him support, so I probably have a soft spot for him...