Congratulations to The Netherlands on a supreme thumping of Spain. I actually like a lot of the players on the Spanish team, but it is good to see the pundits squirming in their predictions. My final four included the Netherlands, along with Germany, Brazil and Switzerland. Karen disagrees about Switzerland so we will see. If the US makes it out of their group it will be a miracle, but they are probably better than their world ranking indicates.

That was a fantastic game.

Poor Antonio.  

Not the start that Spain was hoping by any means. Defense needs to come together, otherwise, no hope, IMO

 

In every game there have been shoody calls, yielding penalty situations. The level of "diving" and injury faking is getting irritating.

 

So far, Netherlands has been a very impressive team.

  Well, this is just the first game and I'm still confident the team can make the next phase. In South Africa they also lost the first game against Switzerland. Main problem would be crossing against Brazil. If they're going to get the same referees' help than at their first game against Croatia...

Chile! is certainly setting things on fire!

Edited June 13, 201412 yr by CD44hi

  Well, this is just the first game and I'm still confident the team can make the next phase. In South Africa they also lost the first game against Switzerland. Main problem would be crossing against Brazil. If they're going to get the same referees' help than at their first game against Croatia...

Absolutely! Vamos España!

Chile! is certainly setting things on fire!

 

That's going to be the match indeed. I was somewhat expecting a bad result vs. Holland, not this bad, but was mentally prepared for a draw or a minimal defeat. I knew Holland would kill for a revenge after the 2010 Cup defeat at the final.

Chile made things really difficult for us last tournament, and if Spanish guys don't overcome today's game, they won't win either. They've been really worried for what happened to France after their title in 1998 and the 2002's debacle.

If your team let you down, you can always see how well they did in the "other" world cup.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/worldcup2014/article-2640886/Holland-lift-lingerie-World-Cup-former-Dutch-international-Andy-van-der-Meyde-referees.html

Edited June 13, 201412 yr by Grahame

That diving header from Van Persie was just redonkulous.

Truly incredible.  

To help you get in the right frame of mind

http://www.minimalsworld.net/BrazilName/brazilian.shtml

Yay, finally got to sit down to watch a game. Go Costa Rica!

Ticos did very well!

.....

Great game, another surprise. Now to see England - Italy. That should be a good one too.

Good luck England! We wouldn't want Grahame to suffer Antonio's opening game fate, now would we?

Maybe it's Italy sinking...

I don't know what you mean by that, but Italy sure does a lot of diving.

Who dives better? Fred or Diego Costa? Both Brazilians. 

1 - 1

(Half candied, half plain)

I don't know what you mean by that, but Italy sure does a lot of diving.

Just speculating with the idea of Italy losing the match by more goals than it seems appropriate, as Spain did yesterday

Now that the second half is starting and both look equally dangerous, that idea seems more unlikely.

Wow. Congrats to Costa Rica, the Concacaf teams are undefeated in the World Cup!

Now, my favorite part of the World Cup, listening to the pundits explain why England lost with all the talent they have. Here's a clue, who is their coach? How many championships has he won?

Looks amazing, Grahame.  Hopefully consolation enough for Italy beating the home side today.  I trust those are onion rings beneath the lovely bacon exterior?

So sorry to be missing the commiseration party and those bacon onion rings G. Have fun without me and I'll drop by tomorrow for leftovers!

Watch out for the Swiss! This is one of the most exciting World Cup's in recent history. No ties, 4 stoppage time goals, surprising parity. O jogo bonito!