World Cup Semi's 6-7th July

[slick]

World Cup Semi's 6-7th July

[traeth]

It's been a poor world cup for me so these are my initial thoughts , ideal for doubting

Uruguay vs Holland
I'm considering Uruguay at that price but Uruguay to qualify is 5/2 .They will miss Sancez , Holland were outplayed in the first half versus Brazil , a second half blunder gave Netherlands the boost.

Germany vs Spain
Germany have surprised me in this world cup , they do well when they score first , after that defeat to Serbia I believed they were over-achieving and I've gone against them since , Gremans have gone on to prove me wrong each time.
I've been backing Spain -1 on the AH from the start and I'm running at a loss

in the semis I'm backing Uruguay and Spain ,
you can agree with my opinions or follow that German octopus' tips
good luck

[slick]

I think you mean Suaraez Traeth, the cheating bleeder who handled at the end of the game, Holland have a couple of players missing too De Jong and Van der Wiel both key players, as both are defensive mind they should be replaced like for like i imagine , whereas Suarez along with Forlan has been key for Uraguay and one of the few world class players they have, he will be a big miss for Uraguay.
Uraguay have done well to get so far and to be honest have had the easiest ride of all the semi finalists, this will be their biggest test to date and I just can't see anyway they will overcome the Dutch who themselves are packed with Quality players in nearly every position..
i have a feeling Uraguay will play this like the did the Ghanains and just be happy to sit back and take chances as they come along, not pushing forward unless they have to, quite happily prepared to take extra time if need be.

I Think the Dutch will prove too strong though and force there way into the final.

Germany v Spain is now a nightmare to predict, I've always fancied Spain for the cup but after yesterdays repective displays I just don't know anymore.
Germany were fantastic yesterday and I'm suprised to see them as slight outsiders for this game, their physical prowess and swift counter attacking football is going to give the Spanish coach nightmares, especially after the way they defended against Paraguay, do that against the Germans and they will go the same way as England and Argentina.

Spain need to raise their game up another level as so far they have only been cantoring through these Championships, if they can get to the same level as they did in euro 2008 then its game on, also Torres has to sit this one out as Spain cannot go into this match carrying anybody, Fabregas has to play to help Alonso to try and nullify Schweinsteiger who has been bossing matches throughout these games, the battle in midfield will be vital.
The first goal will also be vital too, Spain need to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible, if they go a goal down and start chasing the game the germans have shown they can be devastating on the counter attack, Spain need to score first to stand any chance of going through imo, I'm also quite concerened about how easily paraguay made space in the Spanish box and nearly got on the end of at least 4 crosses, the Germans have shown they can cross a decent ball and all their attacking players are good with their head, allthough I've just rememberd Mueller will be out for this one, he's a player the Germans will miss.

All being said I've still not decided who I fancy in this game, for my own selfish means money wise I want Spain to go through but footballing Wise I think Germany v Holland would make a great final.

[traeth]

Originally Posted by slick

I think you mean Suaraez Traeth, the cheating bleeder who handled at the end of the game

you're right there , don't know why I said Sancez , had a "discussion" after the game about him, my stance was "that what I would have done in any game , especially in the final minute" , so I find it difficult to call him a cheat , not many agreed with me , probably because most of my local were siding with Ghana , I think that those "divers" are bigger cheats

[slick]

I think anybody would have done the same under the cirumstances, its just instinct because it was shit or bust time, he's still a cheating bleeder though

Is diving a bigger crime? suppose it is really as its premeditated in such a way that your looking for a slight touch so you can dive, you must go out on the field from the off with that in mind, whereas handballing on the line is more instinctive because you know you'll be sent off if caught and it has to be in a situation like against Ghana where you have nothing to lose.

Maybe the way to go is to send anybody caught diving off too so it makes them think twice about it.

[rcgills]

I really can't see what all the big fuss is about with Suarez. There's no comparison with a diver - a diver is trying to trick the referee by making him believe there was a foul when really there was none. That's cheating. Suarez handled the ball on the line - he knows the ref's going to see it, he knows it's going to be a penalty and a red card, but if he doesn't do it, his team's going out of the world cup.

I can't remember ever hearing such a fuss about an incident like that, can only think that people are being influenced by feeling sorry for Ghana in some way. Yes, it's a shitter for them, but that's sport for you. If the incident had happened in the 20th minute rather than the 120th minute, no-one would've given a toss about it - Ghana would've had 70 mins against 10 men to compensate for the incident. You can't choose how to punish something based on what minute it happens in though. And of course, if Ghana had scored the penalty, no-one would've given a toss either.

He's no more a cheat than someone that sticks out a leg, pulls a shirt, or whatever else, inside the area. He broke the rules, he knew what he was doing, and knew what the punishment was, and decided it was worth the risk (if he had time to let all that go through his head, or maybe it was just instinctive). Whatever it was, he got his punishment according to the rules (red card, penalty conceded), the fact Ghana missed it is irrelevant. Harsh on them, but ultimately it's just tough shit. I can honestly say it would've even occur to me to call a player a cheat if they did that against England/Gillingham.

[Bigkegman]

dont think cheat is the right word either although "trying to break the rules" and "cheating" basically is the same thing

as already said everybody would do the same

Uruguay have impressed me although they have had the easiest draws (think this could be England if they had won their group) and i can see them giving the dutch a game as long as the south american tactics dont come into it if things go wrong - if they 'keep the heid' then they've got a fighting chance

toss a coin for the germany v spain game

[Swooperman]

Totally aree with RC tbh, ludicrous.

If he'd have done done that 4 england he'd have been a hero. get over it

[Suir Thing]

Holland v Uruguay, I agree with those that say Uruguay have had a relatively easy ride so far, with a rub of the green! Uruguay's tatics all along has been to feed long balls to Forlan and Suarez, Ghana were the first team to put a stop to this and made it very difficult for Uruguay to create anything. Holland should progress but Uruguay will be stubborn and will play it very tight, therefore I will go for the 45 minute result being
a draw 0-0, 6/4 PP.

Germany v Spain, BKM says a toss of a coin and this I agree with, very hard to call, the Germans have beaten England and Argentina easily, 2 teams who had their tatics all wrong, England bad preparation and clueless manager (Capello after the Slovenia game 'I gave my boys freedom' you play with freedom against the Germans and they will cut you a new arsehole as Argentina also found out) Maradona in fairness is not a manager, too much antics on the touchline and kissing his players etc, he kissed Messi so much, he just made a big pet out of him! When it started to go all wrong against the Germans, Maradona had not got a clue. Ghana who were well schooled by there Serb coach, gave the Germans a test and only lost 1-0 after missing a load of clear cut chances. Spain who are tactical will be a different story, but their are chinks in their armour too....Switzerland beat them remember.....difficult to call. I am shouting for the Germans as I backed them as outright winners when they were 14/1!

The best advice for the Germany v Spain game is to see what team Mick Jagger supports,....Brazilian fans have blamed him for their flop, they issued a warning for him to stay away but he still attended with his Brazilian son from his relationship with a Brazilian model...He is now known as 'Le Angel de la Muerte' , he was with Bill Clinton at the USA/Ghana game, USA lost, He was at the England/Germany game!!, he was at the Brazil/Holland game cheering Brasil, he then turned up to cheer Maradona and Argentina against the Germans! The papers ask ¿Quién será su próxima víctima?
www.20minutos.es/noticia/755549/0/mick-jagger/gafe/mundial/

[Gavster]

As long as Uruguay go out I'll be more than happy!

I've got Germany e/w to lift the cup @ 12.0
I've got Holland vs Germany final @ 41.0
And I have Spain vs Holland @ 23.0

That'll do nicely thank you very much Paddy.

Here's to a Germany Holland final with Germany winning

[Betfly]

I'm on Germany @ 2.05 AH 0 with Bet365.

This is the same bet as Germany DNB which is priced at 1.90.

Just feel the germans are still underated.

On tuesday game that also looks tighter than bookies have got

I'm on Uruguay on AH +1.5 @ 2.05 meaning that a draw or Uru win will be good. if they lose by 1 goal I get half stake back...
Could be Forlan's seson of a lifetime!

[worldcupblogger]

Germany won me a bit of cash in the quarters so i'm staying loyal and backing them in the semis. Spain were fairly uninspiring against Paraguay and I think Ozil & Co. have the quality in the final third to cause them some real problems.

What's the octopus saying?

[edtkh]

Originally Posted by Betfly

I'm on Uruguay on AH +1.5 @ 2.05 meaning that a draw or Uru win will be good. if they lose by 1 goal I get half stake back...
Could be Forlan's seson of a lifetime!

Just to make sure we're on the same page, do you actually mean "Uruguay +0.5, 1" (also interpreted as "Uruguay +3/4" or "Uruguay +0.75" on the AH lines)?

Uruguay +1.5 actually means you win at 2.05 so long as Uruguay lose by 1 goal or better (ie. draw, Uruguay win). It's impossible for you to find such odds in the market - let me know where you've taken it...

[deeloughran]

Think he means +1.25...

[Suir Thing]

Originally Posted by edtkh

Just to make sure we're on the same page, do you actually mean "Uruguay +0.5, 1" (also interpreted as "Uruguay +3/4" or "Uruguay +0.75" on the AH lines)?

Uruguay +1.5 actually means you win at 2.05 so long as Uruguay lose by 1 goal or better (ie. draw, Uruguay win). It's impossible for you to find such odds in the market - let me know where you've taken it...

There was a general unwritten rule before that it was recommended that you quoted the odds and the bookie.....maybe even copy paste the slip! I could paste my slip that shows I have Germany and Holland backed to win the tournament before it started!....... but that would only be showing off