World Cup 2014

England or Urugay possibly out, Spain that will have to win against Chile or its over, it could be over real soon for some big teams.

Let's hope our own Belgium isn't with them, tomorrow the first game against Algeria!

England played very well though (playing badly and winning seems to be an Italian football specialty). I'd never heard of Raheem Sterling but he had an excellent match, very talented young player. If they can keep up that form while becoming more effective with their opportunities they shouldn't have too much trouble.

Germany today.

And the US.

GERMANY !!!

4:0. Nice game.

^ Ich hasse diesen Ausdruck! Haben keinen Respekt vorm Vaterland, die besoffenen Proleten, die!

Aber dir sei's vergeben.

Volker

Well done Germany. You almost scored as many goals as The Netherlands.

And the USA too! Good day for me.

well, naturally the result is perfect. We won and the other teams lost points, but our first half was absolutely miserable. Luckily the second was at least good enough to win it deservedly. The Algerians played really defensively, but they also have a strong physical team, which resulted in a lackluster performance of us in the first half. However we won through our subs and it shows we will be able to use them if need be.

Let's hope the pressure that definitely paralyzed us has now been shaken off so that we can play much more relaxed in the following games.

Go Belgium.

Ps, the Brazil / Mexico game was really entertaining. Sadly no goals (0-0)

Phew... only just managed to scrape through that one.

Brilliant stuff!

World champions Spain seems to exit the competition early after 0-2 for Chile at half time. What the fudge is happening to them?

But the game itself is all over the place. All intensity and no actual gameplay. Must have been a world record in throw-ins.

Come on Chile!

Excellent pair of games today - this is what the World Cup is about for me. Never expected Australia to put up that kind of a fight against the Netherlands, but Cahill's goal is surely in the running for the best of the tournament. And the Spain game, though not exactly pretty to look at, was entertaining for no other reason than the sheer incredulity of football's most dominant national side of the last five years being thoroughly and comprehensively tossed out of the cup. I was kind of hoping Spain's streak would end in this cup but I expected them to make at least the quarterfinals!

At this stage I wouldn't be surprised if even Australia manages to beat what must be a thoroughly depressed Spanish side in their rather meaningless final game. Unless del Bosque gives some of the reserve players a chance to prove themselves. It's clearly time for a generational shift in Spanish football.

I thought the 1:0 was a elegant as it gets on the football field.

V.

No, for me it is more about creativity, ingenuity, original choices, quick plays and technicall skills. Not too physical. It's not accidental that Zinedine Zidane is my alltime favourite footballer.

Passion is fine and so is intensity, but when it's ALL about that -- like in those two matches (more the latter than the former, granted), it's just one big mess. Incredibly ugly and boring. But by all means -- there is a 'nerve' if that's all you're after.