Who's watching the game tonight?
I'm not sure who to root for here.. I like Spain much better as a team, and I think the Netherlands would have a better chance beating them in the final.
On the other hand, winning from Germany would be incredible, and the ultimate revenge for the lost world cup final in 1974.
But I think Germany will win.
I'll be out of town for the next three days and driving while the game is on. Still I hope to be back in time to cheer the Netherlands to a victory over Germany on Sunday.
I'll probably watch at least parts of it. I'm quite curious about the outcome. Viva Espana!
"No scripture can mean that God is not love, or that his mercy is not over all his works" (John Wesley - Free Grace, 26)Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 LaughingJohn Brickley - "thanks" for this post
I'll catch the 2nd half if traffic treats me well. Don't have much preference in winner with Switzerland out, so I'll probably cheer for Spain in hopes that Hans and Steve M. will be @ each other's throats for the next 4 days
Germany is fun to watch. I've never been a big fan of Spain. I think I have to root for Germany. Even if its tougher for Holland to beat them, at least then Spain won't win, which is really the most important thing right now.
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Well, the octopus was right again!
And I'm relieved! No losing from Germany in a World Cup final again. I'll be happy if we win, and proud of our team all the same if the don't. But no new trauma.
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The biggest rule change that needs to be changed is exposed again at Germany's peril. Two of the last three World Cups has seen Germany's best player miss a vital game due to the yellow card penalty. First Ballack and now Mueller. I thought it was a great match but it would have been nice to see Germany's best play maker on the pitch. It is a shame that someone who receives a yellow card in two matches gets the same ban as someone who gets a straight red. I personally think that all yellows should be erased after the quarter finals so that the best players are assured of starting in matches unless they get red carded.
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So long as they're doing the erasing, why not do it after the end of group play?Originally Posted by Steven Martinez
I am down with that as well. Overall I think that the rule for the knockout stage should be yellow cards in two consecutive games warrants a suspension.
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So with Spain winning the final will pit it against its former colony. Go Orange.
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Well I have to admit I found myself cheering for Spain during the match, and that I was really happy to see them win. They played well, the Germans didn't stand a chance. It wasn't as exciting a match as I'd expected, but it was nice to watch, with a good outcome.
I would say it's a bit more complicated than that.. what about players who get two yellow cards in one match? They get a red card, but it's not that different from getting two yellow cards in two matches. Besides that, for players who get a straight red, if it was a very nasty foul, the FIFA can decide to suspend them for more than one match.
For a long time the rule was that all single yellow cards were erased after the group phase, for this tournament they moved it to after the quarter finals. So at least there is a smaller risk that players miss the semi-final or the final (unless they get a red card). To me it seems like a fair solution.
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They should be willing to review yellows in cases where the player will miss a game. I don't have a problem with the rule itself, two yellows equals missing a match. However, Mueller's second yellow was a mistake. He was given the card without actually even touching the player. I know referees make a mistake, but when it costs a player and a team that much in such a crucial game, it should be reviewable after the fact.
...just my $.02.
But Mueller got a yellow card in the group stages and one in the quarter finals and missed a semi final match. How is this even remotely like a red card? Most UEFA leagues have a rule where after the 4th yellow a player is suspended one game. Also in most UEFA leagues a player who receives a straight red receives a 3 game ban.
I think the case of Mueller is just a very unfortunate one, given the current rules. True, it's not like a red card at all, but where to draw the line? I don't think they should complicate the rules in order to avoid this. But a suspension after three yellow cards in three games instead of two sounds reasonable. Also, reviewing afterward in any case of suspension, like Ryan suggested, would be a good idea.
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