p not facts, stats. they don't take into account that many of these "injuries" may actually have been genuine and also for example that attacking teams tend to get fouled more
p not facts, stats. they don't take into account that many of these "injuries" may actually have been genuine and also for example that attacking teams tend to get fouled more
I don't speak Dutch, but I bet on the oranges, as they are my favs since I was a kid. Plus, the finesse of the Dutch team put them in control of this championship. Let's say that previously they just had to set some things straight.
article about the impossibleness of Lionel Messi: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/...is-impossible/
It's a shame Honduras went out of the tournament. I had too much fun saying "that was costly!" whenever Carlo Costly gave away the ball.
my jinxing works in reverse.
Messi has now played the same number of games for Argentina as Maradona, despite only playing half as long...he's scored 42 goals while Maradona only got 34
It would have been a total travesty if Costa Rica had won that. I once lost a final against such a team...one of the most frustrating things ever.
Only argentina stands between us and a deserved voctory on germany ^^
http://fivethirtyeight.com says that Brazil have a 54% chance of winning now, Argentina 19%, Netherlands 14%, and Germany 13% although their model doesn't take into account the effect of Neymar's injury and Thiago Silva being suspended. They obviously rate Brazil very highly, in combination with the impact of home advantage.
Some popular singer named "Rihanna" is supporting the Netherlands.
they'll probably still win though
The US's Tim Howard made 16 saves against Belgium (and still lost)...a World Cup record
Don't be too hard on your team - I think the US team plays good football, their defensive players are somewhat not 100% up to par with their top international counterparts, but it's doesn't seem to be due to any tactical flaw, they're simply not as "qualitative". Things will improve when more people will play soccer.
Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit
they need something better than penalties really!
I just think the world cup is going okay, but teams seem to be playing at a very low level in general, and this goes for all of them. I also think Brazil are going to lose to Germany tuesday. Teams seem to be playing chaotically and missing goal chances which these players usually wouldn't miss. Netherlands going to penalty kicks against Costa Rica is a very bad sign for football in general. Football is levelling itself down, like Communism.
I think the way England are going wrong with penalties is kicking the ball right after the whistle is blown. Other countries don't do this -- others take their time, and don't kick it as a reaction the referee's whistle. Of course, you don't want to leave it too long before you kick it because you may eventually convince yourself you can't score.
you gotta admit their technique at schwalbes has improved markedly.
Germany are going soft. They haven't scored in the last 10 minutes.
Sixes and sevens...
I did Nazi that coming
Brazil's flag has been redrafted
it will be quite astonishing if Germany now doesn't go on and win the whole thing, especially with an extra day's rest
some stats I've heard or read:
that was Brazil's first home defeat in 12 years
their first competitive home defeat since 1975
the first time they had conceded four or more goals in a World Cup match since 1954 (when they lost 4-2 to Hungary)
the first time they had conceded five or more goals in a World Cup match since 1938 (when they beat Poland 6-5 after extra time)
the first time they had conceded seven goals in a game full stop (it was their joint record highest defeat: alongside a 6-0 defeat to Uruguay in 1920)
Their 1950 defeat in the final against Uruguay at the Maracană has been forever known as The Maracanazo and been considered a catastrophic national tragedy... this time, they didn't even get to the final (also at Maracană)...and they certainly lost more severely this time. That defeat was so bad that it actually motivated them to change their kit...I can't really see them doing that this time.
I'd prefer Netherlands to Argentina for sporting reasons if only because Argentina have been more boring...they haven't won a match by more than one goal so far. Also, if the Netherlands win, it will make it easier for England to overtake Germany's three victories
I don't know what the Dutch were thinking sending a defender up to take the first penalty
...so then they go and score another 2 goals before letting the Brazilians have one...