Posted on 07/05/2010 11:22:02 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper
Brazil won the cup in 2002 and in 1962. Add together and you get 3964 They also won in 1994 and 1970. Add together, you get 3964 Argentina in 1986 and 1978 = 3964 Germany in 1990 and 1974 = 3964 Now - deduct 2010 from 3964 and you get 1954.. West Germany won in 1954.
(Excerpt) Read more at mirror.co.uk ...
Martino was disappointed at seeing his side have a good goal ruled out in their 1-0 quarter-final defeat by European champions Spain at Ellis Park on Saturday night.
..."We feel fine because Fifa will apologise tomorrow and everything will be alright," Martino said.
Though Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan have shown the understanding of a judge and his stenographer, Uruguay has largely relied on the dour, the drab and the shirt-grab.
In the past, unlikely countries that have burst into the semi-finals have enjoyed hopeful, engaging football. Think Croatia in 1998 or Turkey In 2002.
Uruguay plays the sort of workmanlike football than real workmen don't actually like watching. The team shamelessly celebrated Suarez's last-minute handball, which (though it shouldn't have) ensured their survival in the quarter-final against Ghana.
They could have accepted their good fortune with grace. Instead, Suarez left the field being hoisted on the back of a teammate, as if something had been won rather than lost.
One might call them overachievers. One might also call them Little Italy.
The joy of the cynic expressed to its fullest.
In truth, they do seem like nothing more than the fan who goes to a Nine Inch Nails concert, evades security and runs up on stage to sing twelve words with Trent Reznor, before being manhandled away.
LOL!
Each time Loew has worn the sweater under his black blazer, the Germans scored four goals -- against England and Argentina. His assistant coaches have asked him to keep wearing it, and are insisting he doesn't wash it.
``My staff has forced me to wear this sweater,'' he said. ``It is no longer an option for me to change my sweatshirt. I must wear this same shirt and I am not even allowed to wash it.''
Am hoping for a Germany v Netherlands finish.
The major city in the U.S. with the largest TV rating
for the World Cup is here in San Diego.
Webb, 38, will get the chance to take charge of football’s biggest game only if Holland beats Uruguay in tonight’s semi-final.
Webb hopes to become the first English referee to take charge of a World Cup final since the legendary Jack Taylor oversaw the 1974 showpiece between Holland and West Germany.
FIFA want to avoid any fallout following Uruguay’s referee Mauricio Espinosa’s goof-up during the crucial England-Germany tie, so Englishman Webb will not be allowed to take charge of Sunday’s final if Uruguay get through.
well said!
Their triumph two years ago, when they beat Germany in the final in Vienna, was their first major trophy in 44 years but goalkeeper Casillas said that was now part of history and the Spanish people wanted more.
"People are not telling us how good we were at Euro 2008," Casillas said in an interview published on the Spanish soccer federation's website (www.rfef.es) on Monday.
"People are saying we have to win the World Cup. The people want the World Cup," he added.
"We know that the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more than the Euro 2008 final in Austria."
Spain have already made history by progressing to a World Cup knockout semi-final for the first time and play the Germans on Wednesday in Durban for a place in the final at Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium on July 11.
Spain have rarely had good fortune in major tournaments, not to use that as an excuse for their poor international trophy count. But they seem to always either run into the wrong opponents in the knockout rounds, exit on penalty shoot-outs or get robbed by poor refereeing decisions. But so far in South Africa 2010, Spain have been lucky to be guided through to the semifinal.
Even in the game against Paraguay, La Furia Roja seemed to have their luck deserting them as they failed to carve out a meaningful attack in what was a poor first half by their standards.
"This question is disgraceful," he replied after being asked during a news conference if Uruguay were embarrassed about the incident in which Suarez handled on the line and stopped a certain Ghana winner in the last minute of extra-time.
Suarez was sent off but Ghana missed their penalty on Friday, the match finished 1-1 and Uruguay won the shootout.
"We are proud of what we have achieved in this World Cup and the way we have overcome the difficulties we have faced, not just because of the way we have played but also because of our behaviour," said Tabarez.
"Uruguay played for more than two games without receiving a yellow card so don't come to me and say that we're a team who cheat, I don't accept that at any time."
La Roja are in the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time, while they were also crowned European champions in 2008 for the first time since 1964.
The Spaniards have almost always arrived at major tournaments with quality sides, but have constantly failed to deliver on the biggest stage.
Hierro said: "What has changed is the mentality. After 44 years, Spain are now the European champions. This is showing now in this tournament with the team reaching the semi-final.
"The team now has momentum, but what the win in 2008 has done is give the team more confidence and they have matured as well."
Vicente del Bosque's team will play Germany in the last four tomorrow after a not entirely convincing campaign so far.
After losing to Switzerland in their opening game, they bounced back with wins over Honduras and Chile, before battling to 1-0 victories over Portugal and Paraguay in the last two rounds.
David Villa has been the outstanding player by far with his five goals almost single-handedly taking Spain through.
Me too!
Me, I’m waiting for Paul the Octopus to weigh in.
Just wondering -
if goals are so rare and valuable in soccer, when you have a chance to take your time with a shot - i.e., a penalty kick or shootout - why wouldn’t you always go for the top corners every time?
Farthest distance for goalie to move = greatest chance for success
If you shoot along the ground, you’re basically betting against the goalie’s movement; aim for the top corners and you gotta have a better chance! So why do we see players with their stupid ground shots?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.