Netherlands v Uruguay

[Roland Hearn]

Well here I am 4:25 AM and up waiting for the start of the game. Go orange. What's going to make this game really hard to watch is the fact that Australia is playing Pakistan in a game of cricket in England. I guess I'm going to be channel jumping for the next hour until that game is over.

[Ryan Scott]

Just some spectacular play in the first half. Netherlands was dominant until they scored, then seemed to let up a bit and allowed Forlan too much space. 1-1 at the half. It will come down to tactics, I believe - what will the managers do during the break?

[Roland Hearn]

Pakistan beat Australia in the last over but to be fair they didn't look like loosing for the last half hour. So after the first half is done in South Africa with the score at 1-1 I guess it is game on.

[Roland Hearn]

The commentary team here is saying that the Netherlands is lacking the normal creativity.

[Roland Hearn]

That was pretty cool, sustained pressure bringing about a goal to Sneijder as he threads the needle. It seems to me Uruaguay will have to get lucky or find a way of gaining significantly more possession.

[Benjamin Burch]

It's over now. What a header.

[Roland Hearn]

Oh 3-1 to a header from Robben, are they through?

[Ryan Scott]

Forlan and Sneijder have been the two best players in the tournament - it's great to see them head to head.

(Apologies to Philip Lamm and David Villa)

[Roland Hearn]

How long is this last 10 seconds? aghh over now. It's on now, Germany or Spain? Does sport have a chance of redeeming your childhood frustration Hans?

[Ian Gentles]

well germanies octopus saying its gonna be spain, weird

[Hans Deventer]

How long is this last 10 seconds? aghh over now. It's on now, Germany or Spain? Does sport have a chance of redeeming your childhood frustration Hans?

It has a chance, but I don't believe it. I have no faith. The Dutch will have to play a LOT better still to beat Germany.
I'll give them a chance against Spain though, so that's what I hope for.
They really should get more out of their chances. Against Brazil, and same again tonight.

[Hans Deventer]

well germanies octopus saying its gonna be spain, weird

Found it! http://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/football/07/06/germany.octopus.semifinal/index.html?fbid=Pl7jHjf6THZ

[Roland Hearn]

It has a chance, but I don't believe it. I have no faith. The Dutch will have to play a LOT better still to beat Germany.
I'll give them a chance against Spain though, so that's what I hope for.
They really should get more out of their chances. Against Brazil, and same again tonight.

I'm betting that if Germany makes it to the final and the Netherlands beats them the entire country would shut down, both countries.

[Hans Deventer]

I'm betting that if Germany makes it to the final and the Netherlands beats them the entire country would shut down, both countries.

If that happens, total lunacy would break out. I wasn't home when they took the European Cup in 1988, but I understood the country was one big party.

Interesting detail: I am to preach next Sunday. Some friends from church suggested we remove some pews in the front to allow for more room at the altar :-)

[Edwin Deventer]

Wow, what a game it was! Almost had a nervous breakdown the last couple of minutes, after the 3-2 goal. But we made it..
I think it was a fair score, the Netherlands played better than Uruguay, but not THAT much better. So far, in every match, we've played slightly better (every match was won by a one goal difference, except against Denmark). If only we can keep that up in the final.

Highlight of the match: the beautiful goal by Giovanni van Bronckhorst: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR5hQL8bRgE

[David Graham]

Now that Australia is out of the running, I say: "Go the Netherlands"!!!