World Cup 2014

Because Zidane never let passion and intensity get to him.

Okay, that was a cheap shot, and I can certainly see where you're coming from. I love to see that kind of thing as well. But even an "ugly" game can be extremely engaging and suspenseful if both sides are really throwing themselves into it like Holland and Australia (and Chile) were. In fact, I prefer that kind of thing to, say, the detached and cool way Spain has played in the last few years. Sure, it's more technical (and it works, or rather worked), but after watching the ball bounce from Iniesta to Xavi to Alonso to Silva back to Iniesta to Alonso to Busquets to Ramos to Silva to Xavi to Iniesta again...I think it's pretty dull, to be honest (but not as bad as Italy's catenaccio - and yeah, I'm aware they don't play that as much anymore, but still). Give me a team that makes mistakes, but also puts the pressure on, plays offensively and tries to get things done, any day of the week.

What I really don't like to see is when both sides seem unwilling or unable to take chances, fight or be creative and technical. There's a huge difference between Brazil-Mexico's 0-0 (which was pretty eventful despite being scoreless, and being one myself, I love matches where the keeper ends up being a hero) and Nigeria-Iran's 0-0 (which can be summed up thus).

But in the end, it's all football and I pretty much enjoy watching any game, technical or not.

So, anybody watched Greece last night? It was 1 in the morning here so I didn't. I listened a bit on the radio. My boyfriend told me we played way too defensive and that after Katsouranis was expelled we were better. It comes as no surprise to me. I can't understand why the coach keeps calling the same players all the time! I mean we have better ones for sure. And I hate it when a team is constantly on the defense ! Anyway, one more game and we'll know!

Tschüss England! See you! Take Care!

Germany and the Netherlands have looked decent and France too, but yeah, generally, South Americans have been the most impressive - and, surprisingly, not the two South American teams you might have expected! (I know Brazil didn't lose either game and Argentina won their only one so far, but they were hardly brilliant.)

Really? Netherlands wobbled a bit against Australia, but other than that they, Germany and France strike me as by far the most assured and confident sides so far.

Costa Rica is a great story this time around, though. They were the one team everyone wrote off in that group of death and now look what's happened!

I prefer Starbucks.

Germany were shockingly superior against Portugal in every phase of the game! They defended magnificently and attacked with pace. But they have a tendancy to open tournaments with a blast, then fatigue a little throughout the competition, while other nations, such as Italy, tend to develop their game throughout the competition and deliver their strongest games when the stakes are at their peak. The psychology of these things are sometimes fascinatingly consistent.

I'm glad to see France performing again. Even as finalists in 2006, their game was weak. The weight of their performances then relied on defensive organisation and a revitalised Zidane who navigated his team to some of the most intelligent football ever played, however passive their game was. Now they're suddenly the best counter attacking team in the tournament, and no longer as interested in dominating possession as they used to. What a radical and vital transformation! New coach Deschamps seems to have made some important cultural changes. But I do hope they defend a little less naively when the "real" opponents come in the playoffs...

Finally a see-worthy match! Germany-Ghana was great (except for a few down periods, like the beginning of the second half). More of that, please!

I agree that the last 10 minutes where good and that was mostly because Kevin Miralas got in. I remembered him from when he was playing in Olympiakos the team I support here in Greece. He is super! As for teams who don't deserve to win... that's football!

CRAP! Portugal steals away the second US victory in the last possible second.

Still, it would have been pretty lucky for the US (again). At least now a tie between my two teams will be enough to ensure what I thought would be impossible - that both advance to the round of 16. Although I don't think the two former colleague coaches will agree to that, somehow. and it wouldn't be right. So the best I can hope for is that desperate Ghanaians and Portuguese come to a tie themselves on Thursday, which would seal the deal no matter what.

Excellent goal from Jermaine Jones! Best long-distance goal of the cup so far (not that there have been a whole lot).

The Thing is Edmund, everyone is baffled why we're playing so poorly. So result wise. We played amazing games in the qualification rounds, offensive technical and demanding football. One of the reasons why so many people (even the big names) saw us as an outsider. We honestly don't know why it goes so poorly now.

Why was?

Volker

I apparently coincided my trip to Romania with two games of my own country. Or perhaps this was not by accident. Who knows. Need to find an excuse for the game on Thursday.