Netherlands thumping Spain 5-1 seems like a season ago. We’ve had 24 different World Cup-match days since then, during which time most of us have watched close to a season’s worth of football. The dethroning of Spain, in such dramatic fashion, was an early portent of what we were in store for. Brazil’s humiliation at the hands of Germany provided one of the most memorable football events of our times.
While everyone seems to have nominated the competition as the best ever, the football has been of variable quality. Lots of strong football countries failed to show, including Spain, Italy and England. Africa promised early on, then fell. Russia gave no indication they were on-schedule to give the performance of a lifetime when they host the tournament in four years.
Brazil reached the semi-finals but this will surely be known as one of the worst Brazilian teams ever. Argentina have reached their first final in 24 years ago, but I can’t figure out how they made it. Performances against Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria, Switzerland, Belgium and then Netherlands never convinced we were watching eventual winners. The best they have achieved, so far, is a single goal victory.
Belgium’s golden generation were a mere shadow of their less-fancied Dutch neighbours, who under-promised and over-delivered, again. Germany are the team who deserve to take the trophy, and although Lionel Messi finds himself in a World Cup Final this evening, on the basis of what we’ve seen over the last four weeks, he’s no Diego Maradona.
Enjoy the final, the real stuff starts in two days.
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Burghbhoy
Robben, Diego Costa,van persie, Mueller are ruining the game in my opinion. They have the skill and physique to ride tackles but choose to fall when touched.
Tictaewin
Cheers
13/2
Danke schon !
Gary67- said at the time when James scored ‘that goal’ it would be best of tourney. :-)
A very unlike Brazil targetted him to scrape through.
Germanys Schueller (?) was impact sub of tourney although the wee goalscorer tonight might argue that point! :-D
Hamilton Dim last seen At the legion saluting lizzies cousins……oh to be a teacher
Disappointed argentina lost
Germany worthy winners and a great team
Messi still best in world more consistent week in week out than Diego – Pele never played in Europe and his goal scoring record was dubious
Macjay1, you made the point I replied to, there was no reference to another post, so it stood alone, I stand by my statement, poor post.
But heyho, I’ve made a few.
S&M- buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Warmer.
Oldtim67
Cant make fri but will call if things change.
Did todays tip come in after yestersays success?
HH
Grr yesterdays
Hutchybhoy.
Apols I’m just catching up. On sleeper to London after a frenetic post game shower and dash to the station.
Never leave home without my wallet but did tonight so mrs jamesgang raced doon the road and baled me out!
Well done Germany. Best team. Great goal. Feel for Messi. His body’s been trashed by the game I fear and I think he’ll struggle ever to recapture his magical best. Would love to have seen the 2012 Messi pit his wits against Germany tonight.
Mr N Braw esq and Mr Weefra. Condolences once again to you both.
Peace n love ghuys.
HH jamesgang
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
23:44 on
13 July, 2014
Good lad.
A bit of perspective.
Imbecilic chant? Bit like “zombies” ,then.:-)
WW1 Road to war ? Far more complicated than you suggest.
Britain was the last of the ” Great Powers ” to enter the War and did so because of its
obligations under the treaty with Belgium.
In the first weeks after invading Belgium,the Germans slaughtered 7.000 civilians.More than just a wee
Incidentally,I believe that Willie Maley`s father was a “Brit” and served in N.I.
” More than just a wee” family feud.:-)
Smoke and mirrors – what a shit post – what’s wrong ff slow tonight ?
prae
Twenty million for Germany, and Fulham get double so they can buy Ross McCormick?
SomethingWrongSomehwhere CSC.
Doc
23:56 on
13 July, 2014
No worries.
Johann Murdoch- being slow is a pre-requisite for FF.
MacJay1, good Mhan.
Love Messi, but old enough to know he’s never ever gonna be anywhere near Maradona.
@Smoke that’s the 2nd poor post of the night.your in exhalted company.
Best player I seen was Maradona.
I grew up being telt bout Pele
That 70 side was awesome.
Cruyff was a unique player,Genius.
Ajax & their 3 luggy cups and holland at that time were geeat but didnae win nowt
Cruyffs genius as a manager with Barcelona harvested many big cups and brought Spain national success.
Beckenbaur was a player, not as goos as George Connolly tho kil
HH
A few Germans out tonight, but in the main most wanted Argentine to win.
Decent game, two superb defences, the best team in the tourny rose to the top.
What was the ref thinking when he gave a foul against Higuian, don’t think it merited a red against the keeper, but to give it to Germany was bizarre.
HH
macjay
Of course it was a wee bit more complicated than that
But just a wee bit.
We had contractual obligations to Belgium who were slaughtering millions of Africans in order to prevent Germany from expanding into the African slaughtering trade.
Portraying the WW1 Germans as uniquely bloodthirsty and expansionist will not wash.
Not only was Willie Maley’s father a Brit but so was he himself.
Willie Maley infamously encouraged young Celtic supporters to volunteer for the carnage that was WW1, which sadly they did in their thousands.
Willie Maley is no Celtic hero in my eyes.
Was I the only one who got kick-off time wrong?
An Tearmann
Beckenbauer’s achievements must be pretty unique in the game. Apart from the Big Cups he won with Bayern, he played in 2 World Cup finals, winning one.
He then managed W. Germany in 2 finals, winning one.
A hard record for anyone to match.
Doc
Surely United Kingdom is more controversial than Great Britain? The island is Britain and it comprises of England, Wales and Scotland. If Scotland votes yes in September Scotland will remain part of Britain but not part of United Kingdom.
One hundred years ago Irish Home Rule was the principal political topic in Westminster – the German hunger for war got in the way of that.
That war incidentally ended with the victors looking to provide a principle of self determination for nations. Only one country was refused at Versailles and that was Ireland.
So the United Kingdom you mention took six counties in Ireland to create an artificial Unionist majority and we have lived our lives with this the newest member of the United Kingdom: Northern Ireland.
Driving northwards last week I was taken by the complete lack of recognition for this term in the road from Dublin.
So like it or not geography says you are a Brit while you only have UK on your passport due to some rather unsavoury political decisions taken a century ago.
Art of War
I posted a warning before kick-off that the usual 9pm had moved to 8 for the final. At least one poster who replied hadn’t been aware either.
Well, Argentina, that’s what happens when you switch to Hun blue after wearing the beautiful sky and white stripes the whole tourney.
1 – Maradona
2 – Pele
3 – Messi
The wee fella had it in the palm of his hand tonight and never produced. His free in injury time drew the picture. Damn shame.
But a superb Germany squad showed what it’s all about; interchangeable efficiency, clinical execution, total professionalism all over the park.
Neuer’s challenge on Higuain was technically ‘fair’ – played the ball with his fist before crunching him; correct decision was a straightforward throw-in for the Argies but ref drew attention to himself and his decision-making by giving Germany the free kick.
Messi never player of tournament – a bit embarrassing for him at the end there. Young Rodriguez out too early to claim that so I’d plump for a German – Muller or the keeper.
Overall a really goodWorld cup. Always sad to see it end and the final was a bit frustrating given the potential out there.
No time for hangovers, the Hoops are up Tuesday!
Kilbowie Kelt
How are you doing there? Will you be Donegal-ing this year?
HH
Portugal had Ronaldo
Brazil had Neymar
Argentina had Messi
Germany had a team
And beat the lot of them
Germany best team in the world
….. Now it’s official
Gloat Gloat Gloat
Beatbhoy- thx. My ma & da were wondering why I was visiting just before kick-off. I’m like….whit????
Had Argentina backed from the start, not disappointed though as I got a good wee run for my money.
The best team won.
Diego Maradona is the greatest footballer of all time.
Weefrathetim – God bless your dear Mother, you are a credit to her.
Strongly fancy Celtic to win on Tuesday, great opportunity to recoup some loses.
HH.
hey guys,heading for the gallogate tomorrow ,would thank you for ,place for lunch,afterwords,bit of a sing song,thanks,chas
WC, aye, you go and complicate it!
I was getting at the legal entities.
Great Britain is no longer one, at least to my understanding.
UK and NI is. Now I would rather the UK was England and Wales.
Ireland as a free entity to do as it pleases, and Scotland?
I’ll wait to do as the OO tells me:-)
Seriously though, the break up of the Union for me.
I spoke to a Professor in Germany who was surprised by my opinion until I mentioned England may well vote to leave the E.U. In2016, then he saw my point.
Britain never existed, not by my interpretation of the popular definition.
The British Isles always will, but that’s geography not politics.
Art of War
Aye. . .dinner plans here were quickly altered too once I realised.
Dear Ms McGill, you did predict that:-)
I heard you say it.
Margarita mcgillinha
Whatever floats yer gloat, hen!