Spain show why they were installed as the WC favorites

I am not one to blow my own vuvuzela (read: horn) but the game played out almost exactly as I thought it would and alluded to in my previous post: Spain vs Germany: Proactive and reactive styles collide

Spain was masterful in the semi-final. This is the sort of game that installed them as one of the favorites for the tournament and if they have a half-decent game against the Dutch, I don’t see the Dutch keeping the trophy away from Spain. As I said in the previous post, the key thing is to keep the Germans from scoring early and Spain managed that rather easily by just hogging possession and making the Germans run around in circles all game. Germany seemed a little scared of being opened up by one of those incisive passes from Xavi or Xabi Alonso and almost seemed happy to let Spain have the possession. On the left for Germany, Podolski was negated as an attacking threat by Sergio Ramos constantly bombing forward and I was surprised on more than one occasion to see Sergio Ramos in the German penalty box. This was made possible by the inclusion of Pedro as a right sided forward or winger. He was constantly making wide runs and was being supported by Ramos. The German left back Boateng had his hands full with Pedro and so the responsibility of tracking Ramos’ bombing runs fell on Podolski which maybe one of the reasons that the Germans couldn’t play their counter-attacking game which they did successfully against England and Argentina.

Iniesta had a good game as well and Sergio Busquets stuckl ike glue to Mesut Ozil and thereby neutralized him from the game. Much has been made of Thomas Mueller’s absence but I can’t seem to think it would have made much of a difference since he was likely not to receive the same support as he did against other teams with both Podolski and Ozil effectively being shut out of the game. Toni Kroos had an excellent opportunity but his feeble shot was never going to beat the best goalkeeper in the world in Casillas.

Spain’s goal was wonderful in its simplicity and the credit goes to Puyol. Xavi took the corner and Puyol dashed in from the edge of the box where he was left unmarked and powered through a flying header which again showed the vulnerability of the zonal marking system that the Germans used for defending. I have never been a big fan of this and at the very least Puyol should have been marked by someone. The one disappointing thing for Spain might have been Pedro being very selfish and not giving Torres a chance to score in an open goal and thereby kill off the match. I’d still be very surprised to see Pedro not starting the final considering the impact he had on this game.

All in all it was a masterful performance by the Spaniards and I’d be very surprised if the Netherlands are able to stop them from claiming a first ever World Cup. It is about bloody time.

About Selwyn Frank

The future of FIFA World Cup

With the success of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which broke barriers and records, several countries are now bidding to organize and host the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Eleven bids were submitted in 2009, covering 13 nations, with two joint bids: Belgium-Netherlands and Portugal-Spain. Mexico also submitted a bid, but withdrew theirs in 2009, while Indonesia had their bid rejected for lack of government support.

For 2018 and 2022

England

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said he would welcome a 2018 bid from "the homeland of football." England has previously hosted the 1966 World Cup which it won and Euro '96, as well as previously bidding for the 2006 World Cup. Should England succeed, it would be the sixth nation to host the World Cup for a second time.

United States

With all good audience results, soccer gaining more popularity and supported by the financial and attendance records of previous hosted 1994 FIFA World Cup, the United States are going to be a big England's competitor for the 2018 bidding. The US Soccer has submitted two bids: one for 2018 and in case they don't get it, another for 2022. The 18 host cities were already chosen: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington DC.

Russia

Russia comes strong for the bidding due to the FIFA's rotation policy. However, they are not as well structured as the USA and England, but the country is ready to spend some $10 billion on the tournament, especially to build stadiums following FIFA standards. Russia hopes to have five stadiums fit to host World Cup matches ready by 2013, which will be used for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Portugal and Spain

The joint-venture consists in Spain leading a 12-stadium project with eight of the venues, and the opening and final games would be held in Lisbon and Madrid, respectively. Spain has previously hosted the 1982 World Cup, while Portugal organized the Euro 2004. If the Portuguese-Spanish joint bid succeeds, Spain would become the sixth nation to host the World Cup for a second time.

 

Belgium and the Netherlands

Using the same model as per Portugal and Spain, Belgium and Netherlands would share the building of stadiums which comply with FIFA standards. Luxembourg will also help in the World Cup organization in case the bid is the winner, however it will not host any game neither be automatically qualified for the event.

 

 

 

For 2022 only

Australia

Initially Australia confirmed a bid for 2018, which was eventually withdrew months later. One possible stumbling block to the bid is that almost all of Australia's largest stadiums are used by other major Australian sports (Australian Football and Rugby) whose domestic seasons overlap with the World Cup. Australia has hosted several tournaments: U-20 Soccer World Cup, 2000 Summer Olympics, 2003 Rugby World Cup among others.

 

Japan

Japan is bidding to become the first Asian country to host the World Cup twice; they co-host the 2002 World Cup with South Korea. They have also withdrew the bid for 2018 and analysts say that their chances for 2022 are very low as well.

 

South Korea

As their previous partner of 2002 World Cup, South Korea has put forth an offer to host the 2022 edition. Due to the rotation policy and FIFA willing to take soccer to places that it needs to be developed, the likelihood is not good for South Korea's (and Japan's) bid.

 

 

Qatar

Qatar is attempting to become the first Arab nation to host the World Cup. Qatar is planning to promote this bid as an Arab unity bid and hope to draw on support from the entire Arab world, and are positioning this as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the Arab and Western worlds. Some concerns with Qatar's bid deal with the extreme temperatures especially in June and July, but according to them, this is not a problem at all, stadiums with controlled temperature will be built, once they win the bid for 2022.

Canada Soccer Association was also willing to pull together a bid for 2022 edition. With the expectation that the United States will land the 2018 or 2022 event, while other continents will also get to host it as it rotates from one region to another, they decided that it does not worth to move forward with an official bid. However, the 2015 Women's World Cup is more likely.

Whether Canada's chances to host or not a World Cup is low, I do hope see Canada team being part of the 32 nations in Brazil 2014.

About Paulo Porto

Germany: best of the rest?

 
"You know we missed the final by this much, right?"

I suppose that there's a reason that we don't see the technical awards given out at the Oscars.  They're full of technobabble, they're a pale comparison to the awards where you get to see quick shots of Jack Nicholson sitting in the crowd with sunglasses on at six in the evening, and no one cares about them.

Seriously, do you want to hear a guy drone on-and-on about how he figured out how a fish-eye lens works?  Here we have the third-place game of the World Cup and you'd think that at least there should be some build-up to this. 

One of the two teams is going home knowing that, in terms of the competition, anyway, they're third-best in the world.  That can't be that bad, truly.  Sadly, the banner that should be displayed beside the score and clock on the TV screen is not the CBC logo, but the words "Oh, to be Spain or Holland." 

It seemed to get worse for Germany coming into it, with Klose out with a back injury, so denied a place in the match that would allow him the goals to get top scoring spot in the World Cup ahead of Ronaldo (the fat one, not the jerk one).  With him being 32, he may still have a World Cup in him, but those goals will have to be waning.  It will be possible, but far from probable for him.

As the teams line up for the match, most-to-all have a look on their face like there's a load of sister-dating about to go on.  But no matter, there's a game to play.  Everyone's a professional, let's get on with this.  Germany line up with a 4-5-1 formation with someone named Cacau up front.  I don't know much about the sole forward, other than the fact that his name sounds about as German as the name "Cheryl".  Regardless, he's the guy that will be dealing with the balls from the nine guys behind him.  The Uruguayan side lines up with a 4-4-2 with a front pair that I'm sure they'd have loved to have against Holland, desperate, vital, yet over-talked handballs notwithstanding.

[Aside:  The Suarez Handball.  It's no worse than someone taking the legs out from underneath a bounding striker going for goal when there's no one else back to defend and getting a yellow card for it.  There, it's called "a good foul to take".  In this case, it's a "we should look at the rules again" situation.  Nonsense.  They're both the same.  The rules dictate the response to the action.  It was a foul committed in the course of the rules.  The referee response was both accurate and correct.  This is nothing new.  The only thing that should have happened is that Suarez should have shut up about it.  Comparing his action to "The Hand of God" is ludicrous.  Phrase coining like that should be left to cheating coke-heads that couldn't manage a Sunday pick-up game.  I appear to digress...]

The match begins and feels like a true friendly match; teams facing each other that normally wouldn't in the course of conference qualification, and the fouls don't seem to be right.  They seem to be over the top for a mean-nothing game, but suddenly, it appears that everyone involved is slugging it out for the third place ribbon.  That said it doesn't appear that everyone's playing to win it.  It seems they're playing to not lose it.

Ten minutes in and Friederich fires one off the crossbar, showing that if nothing else, Germany are well up for it.  And it shows eight minutes later as Müller gets his fifth goal of the tournament, showing that at the very least, he's playing for it.  And he's got company, it seems.  Twenty-fifth minute, and Forlan et al are trying to push one in to equalize.  Equalize!  In a game that means as much as Lady GaGa's hat...They're making this their final.  Fantastic.

Finally, Uruguay's work pays off.  A ball taken from Schweinsteiger as though it was candy and he were a two-year old leads to Uruguay scoring through Cavani on the wing and it's official.  It's game on.  The sides finish the half and leave the field in a rain that is coming down so hard, the players should be leaving in pairs and entering a big boat.

The second half begins with none of the usual foreplay, both sides taking it to each other where they left off.  In the forty-eighth minute, Butt parries a shot-rebound combo from Uruguay successfully, and it strikes me that this match is going to be way more exciting than anything Sunday has to offer.

To prove that point, the fifty-first minute happens.  Uruguay sustain pressure into the German end, and Forlan picks up a cross and one-times it off the pitch into the back of the net.  If anyone has been paying attention in this tournament, they'll have to recognize that Forlan has stood out as the scorer of some incredible goals.  This one definitely adds to this tally.

And then there's Germany.  Jansen scores a delightful header...and yes, that was delightful...in the fifty-sixth minute and it really is hitting home that this match will eclipse the spectacle tomorrow between Holland and Spain.  It has to.  Four goals scored in less than an hour, still a deadlock, and all I can picture is the dreary drab ten-man-clogged midfield from Wednesday that brought Germany to this game in the first place.

The teams trade blows throughout the following minutes and Schweinsteiger's attempts at goal are strongly saved, soaked up, and countered by Uruguay. 

Still fighting his way inside the box repeatedly, he continues on looking to grab Man of the Match once again.  That said, the substitution that sees Kiessling seems inspired, forcing his way forward and getting every part of his body on the ball in front of net.  It leads me to wonder why he didn't start in fact.  The pressure mounts further and in the eighty-second, it all happens. 

A German corner sees a flurry of activity inside a very inert Uruguay defence that is as flat-footed as a 1920s collection of constabulary on a beat.  Suddenly Khedira slots home what could be the German winner.  After much end-to-end action, a Friedrich free kick giveaway found 25 yards out, it comes down to the final boot of the ball in the match.  Forlan hits the crossbar, and given one last goal, this game would have finished any hope I had of a decent game tomorrow.

Full-time is blown, and were it not for the two losses that led up to these two teams playing each other for third place, I could have seen the best final in World Cup history.

Yawn.  Roll on Sunday.  Hup Holland Hup.

About Todd Van Allen

Semis Fever in Downtown Toronto

I was lucky enough to watch the semis between Germany-Spain at the Real Sports Bar & Grill inside the recently constructed Maple Leaf Square. The restaurant is home to the largest indoor HD screen in North America! The crowd inside was a evenly mix cheering for both sides, but all left satisfied knowing they watched a good game of football.

Outside the restaurant many people sat on the pathways to the ACC watching the game on the 50x30 feet jumbotron attached to the Air Canada Center

About  Huzaifa Dohadwala

World Cup All-Star team: What's yours?

The end of the World Cup is approaching and now comes that time when everybody starts to elect the players who will be part of the FIFA’s All Star team. Normally a lot of good players are left behind, because only 11 are selected, but since the national teams are comprised of 23 players, I will give it a shot and list my 23 top players:

Formation: 4-3-3 - The World Cup new formation trend is the 4-2-3-1, but offensive football.

Goalkeepers

IKER CASILLAS (Spain) – the best goaltender of this World Cup (maybe top 3 in the World)

Backups: MAARTEN STEKELENBURG (the Netherlands); RICHARD KINGSON (Ghana) ; LUISITO SUAREZ (Uruguay) – just kidding

Defenders

PHILIPP LAHM (Germany) – Small man with a big role reputation. Very strong defensive skills. (The Argentinean Di Maria had to play in the other side of the field, because Lahm wasn't allowing him to do so).

JOHN HEITINGA (the Netherlands) – A multi-task player given his ability to play at centre-back, full-back or as a holding midfielder (Perfect in the second half against Brazil)

LUCIO (Brazil) - the sheriff. (Brazil's greatest ever defenders).

ARNE FRIEDRICH (Germany) – Very consistent and classic defender with the ability to play right back as well as in the centre.

CARLES PUYOL (Spain) – Ferocious work and talented player.

Defenders Backups: MAICON (Brazil); SERGIO RAMOS (Spain); MOREL RODRIGUEZ (Paraguay)

Midfielders

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (Germany) – one of the best players of this World Cup. Classic, talented and elegant midfielder, very technical defensively and offensively.

WESLEY SNEIJDER (the Netherlands)* – the Netherlands' attacking keystone. (Main responsible to the historical victory over Brazil). Another good candidate for the World Cup best player prize.

MESUT ÖZIL (Germany) – a sprightly and technically gifted playmaker. The World Cup’s revelation player.

Midfielder Backups: THOMAS MÜLLER (Germany), DE JONG (the Netherlands) ; ANDRES INIESTA (Spain); LIONEL MESSI (Argentina)

Forwards

DAVID VILLA (Spain) – cold blood striker.(Running for the best player's prize as well).

MIROSLAV KLOSE (Germany) – A perfect pivot in the attack. Precise kicks.

ARJEN ROBBEN (the Netherlands) – Lethal left leg shot from the right corner of the box.

Attackers Backups: ROBINHO (Brazil) ; LANDON DONOVAN (USA)

Coach

JOACHIM LOEW (Germany) - his team didn't play well in the semi-final which was lethal for them, however Germany had a tremendous performance during this World Cup, tactically disciplined and perfectly executed.

Auxiliary Coach: BERT VAN MARWIJK (the Netherlands)

PS - I read the post and saw the pictures of my fellow bloggers at Real Sports Bar and it seems that they had a lot of fun. I wish I was there, but unfortunately I couldn't make it.

About Paulo Porto

World Cup bloggers come together at Real Sports Bar

I can't believe the World Cup tournament is almost over! 

I've had so much fun with this over the past month and I expect to endure some serious blogging and football withdrawal after Sunday.   So, when the Toronto Star invited all of the World Cup Voices bloggers to Real Sports Bar to blog the semi-finals, I couldn't resist.

Real Sports Bar is a new venue in Maple Leaf Square that opened this past June.  I took a look at its website in preparation for the blog fest and came to the conclusion that Real Sports Bar is the lovechild of 24's CTU and Eurovision - lots of TV screens and neon.  After being there, I still feel comfortable in making that assertion.

When I arrive, there is a long lineup snaking out of the entrance and I pass a trio of disappointed Spain fans who have been unable to secure a table, one of whom mumbles:  "Oh well, we tried..."

I have to admit to being slightly overwhelmed by the turnout but notice a large sign welcoming the Toronto Star bloggers so I take that as an invitation to bypass the queue and introduce myself to a hostess who quickly shows me to blogger central. 

I settle in on a stool at a long, counter height, table directly in front of the biggest TV screen I have seen in my life.  Our location is like being in the front row at an Imax theatre.

 

Some of my virtual colleagues have already arrived and I am happy to finally meet them in person. Almost everyone is rooting for Germany in this match against Spain; John tells me that his mother is Dutch and his father German so he's hoping for those two teams to be in the final.  I haven't decided who to cheer for yet.  I figure my emotions will take over at some point and then I'll know.

John, Louise and Nabil 

We are soon joined by Todd and Stefan and a photographer from the Star does a quick interview with each of us.  First the welcome sign, now a photo op?  I'm starting to feel kind of special...

Welcome to the other side of the lens!

By the time we all have our laptops and cameras unpacked and drinks in hand, the match has begun.

The crowd at Real Sports Bar is definitely the biggest I have watched a match on yet, and as far as I can tell most people are Germany fans.  Another blogger, Jane, arrives and tells me that there about 200 Spain fans outside, in the sweltering heat, watching the game on another giant screen TV mounted on the Air Canada Centre.  The conclusion I draw from this is that Germany's fans like to plan ahead and make reservations.

Germany fans 

Spain fans 

As the match progresses, Spain is dominating the play, and I'm feeling pretty invested in everything that team does; the names I'm remembering are Villa, Ramos, Xavi...  When Spain scores in the second half I jump off of my stool and cheer, arms raised high.  Looks like I'm rooting for Spain in this one; and it turns out there are at least a few Spain fans who managed to make it into the bar after all.

 

Soon after Spain scores, our waiter arrives with dessert that Jane and I have ordered.  My slice of cake is akin to the TV screen - the biggest piece of dessert I have ever seen.  I remark to Todd that my cake looks like a house; he responds, more specifically, that it looks like a ski chalet.  Todd is right.

 
10-layer chocolate cake, 2/3 of which currently resides in my fridge

Too soon, it's all over.  Spain has defeated Germany 1-0 and is advancing to the finals.  I try to console John by joking that now his family can watch the game, united.  He laughs, joking:  "Yes, now my parents can stay together."

As for me, I say my goodbyes and Jane and I walk together to Union Station.  Remembering that there are only two games left, I feel a little sad.  However, I'm also excited because I have decided to go to Brazil for 2014!  The planning starts now... Who's with me?

Jane, Tara and the sign 

About Tara Howe

If you thought the Dutch had clogs, check the GER-ESP Midfield...

Real Sports: If You're Looking for Recliners, Go To The Brick

Yes, I'm supporting Holland.  Yes, I'm reviewing Germany.  Yes, I'm licking my lips at a chance to see Germany face the already advanced Dutchmen into the final.  When the call came out for the Toronto Star bloggers to congregate for the semi-finals of the World Cup, let's face it, you begin to feel a bit like a professional sports hack.  I half wanted to have some form of Fedora with a press card tucked into the ribbon, a butt-filled ashtray at the table, and a bottle of whisky left at the table by the wait staff because I asked them to leave it there.  This was not the case.  This is Toronto, we're all polite, and you can't smoke inside anywhere unless the building is on fire.

Call Yourselves Reporters? Not One Fany Hat Among You!

So, I'll continue to be a low-rent blogger.  The call came out to review Germany v. Spain at the Real Sports Bar across the street from the Air Canada Centre.  To call itself the ultimate sports bar and be so close to the home of the Maple Leafs makes it very suspect.  One would hope it would eventually be in the neighbourhood of winners.  Regardless...

I walk in and the place is massive, reminding me of the ESPN Zone in Times Square in NYC.  The only thing missing is the recliners that dot the front of the New York sports haven.  Once they have that, we're good to go. 

Instead of ruing the absence of comfy chairs, I settle in for the last semi-final match of the entire World Cup, Germany v. Spain.  As much as I'm typically not a Germany fan, I've fallen in love of this team and their style of play.  My Dutch already into the final, I would love to see nothing more than the Germans slide into the final slot, making the previous final encounters slightly more vindictive.  The Spanish?  I'm sure they're great as well.  I've begun to love the way this German team works and it would be great to see them scramble against a sea of Oranje.  Or more likely, it would be fantastic seeing both European sides crash against each other, with similar sides taking swings at the other.  And of all the days to have my Herta Berlin shirt in the wash...

Not Actual Size...Much Much Much Bigger

Inside the Real Sports bar, I move to an analog means of work, preferring a book and pen to a laptop since no outlets are available.  That and I figure that's what the Germans would do if they had their druthers as well, mechanic over high-tech.  I am sat down beside fellow blogger Tara Howe who I met ages ago at the Fox and Fiddle for a comedy show.  I'm sure we were both fantastic.

I settle in with my fellow Toronto Star bloggers at a table at the base of the massive HD screen.  The vantage point is such that we might as well be watching from the swing set at the base of a drive-in movie screen.  It is gigantic.  Shifting my glasses in the play where possible, I tend to focus at the smaller screens nearer the bar which up to the 10-minute mark still have darts on instead of the World Cup semi-final.

Both teams show their line-ups and both adhere to a 4-5-1, meaning that there is going to be a clog in the middle of the field that has BP execs licking their lips at.  Both teams open the game with their cards close to their chests, making this a cagey match at best from the onset.

Four minutes in, and we have our first pitch invasion of the tournament.  Why it took so long, and why it wasn't Roger Milla from the Coke commercials either beggars belief.  It still makes me think that England have a chance.

The two monolithic 4-5-1s attack each other like elephants fighting over peanuts.  It's a clunky affair that has the elegance of bumper pool.  This sadly will be the theme for the outing.  That said, 14 minutes in, and Spain have the first chance.  The place swoons and already I'm concerned that I'm the only German blogger in the place.  I'm not, but it does feel like it, the majority I'm sure having found refuge in The Musket.  The bulk of the possession lands in the Spanish hands, but that makes it easier for the Germans to counter, doesn't it?  And they do.  A few corners go Germany's way, many are close, but it's still a stalemate.

As the first half wears on, it appears more and more that the German defence has become more resolute and unforgiving, allowing no Spanish creativity at all.  Germany is not playing the game that they've become famous for in this tournament, but nor is Spain afforded the opportunity to play the game they've yet to play in the tournament.  Tit for tat at this point.  All in all, thready play from both sides, Germany still stable and resolute, unable to capitalize.

We head to the second half, and already I'm thinking what's this blog going to look like with penalty kicks written all over it.  The more I see of the match, the more I realize a mistake will have to be made by one of the sides to resolve this.  That's when the dam beings to crack.

Germany becomes more and more questionable, wondering more how to not only counter but hold back the Spanish.  Spain advances, and Germany soaks up the pressure, but more and more, Germany look for a counter that never seems to come.  And then there's Puyol...

A Spanish corner results and an unmarked Puyol lurches forward to head home what ends up being the winner.  Good for Spain.  Bad for me and the Germans.  The Germans appear to have nothing left in the tank, having left Puyol as open as a day pass.  Me, I've never liked Puyol, always thinking he looks like a guy that eats his lunch at a Woodbridge Wal-Mart.  Regardless, 1-0 Spain.

And so it stays that way.  Spain close down at the end making it impossible for Germany to play the way you'd fancy they could.  Germany now face Uruguay on Saturday, and with that loss, it is guaranteed that there is a new country to add to the list of World Cup winners.  With the Dutch not being able to face Germany, I hope the future still remains Oranje.

Spoedig zal er acht zijn.

See? I Am A Real Journalist...Honest!

About Todd Van Allen

Goodbye to the most entertaining team in this year's tournament.

Ouch! This was not the game that we were all expecting. Where was the German team I have been watching?!?

You know, I think that the German team was actually doing better with Michael Ballack missing. I honestly think that was a plus (by subtraction)... until today that is.

Then I thought that maybe people were making too much of Thomas Muller but I think that Der Mannschaft was not the same with him sitting in the stands.

The Germans tried to change things around by subbing out Boateng and Piotr Trochowski but I think those were the wrong players to switch.  It should have been Klose and Podolski for Cacauand Gomez.  Putting Kroos in was a good choice.

What is interesting is that Germany was the 'Cinderella team' this year.  In four years they will be one of the favourites.  This is a team to watch in Euro-Cup in two years! 

The Spanish team is one made up of superstars, and those stars lost to Switzerland and struggled in every one of their games... until today.

This game was all Spain's and the score could've been 3-0 or even more lopsided for La Furia Roja. Well the one thing that I am very happy for is that we are going to have a brand-new, World Cup champion and both sides are very deserving, now and in their past appearances as well.

Paul the German Octopus correctly predicted this outcome and it is a little weird. Just a side point here but he does have a pretty good record.

Now here is an idea that I just want to throw out there (but it may be nice if it gets to FIFA).  I, personally, think that is weird that losing teams immediately head home.  I mean, in the Olympics, everyone stays for the closing ceremonies.  It is also no shame that one country loses to another one because all 32 teams have had years of qualifying and they are all deserving of winning although so many nationalities feel it is a disgrace unless they win every game but a wide margin. 

My thought is that if the teams and coaches would stay until the final, there could be a further game made up of 'dream-teams and coaches'.  This would add some pure fun and camaraderie to the whole thing, (money for FIFA and the hosts) and it would prevent "losers" from having to sneak home.  They could wait until everyone is laughing again and the heat is off.

Well it is going to be very nice to see either Spain or Holland win this whole thing and they both deserve it.

About John Kurtz

Spanish and German fans make Real Sports the hottest spot

Could there be a more fitting way to start a Toronto-centric football adventure than being stuck on the subway line?  Thankfully, the reported problems between St. George and St. Clair West did not delay me for too long, and I was soon comfortably situated at the beautiful new Real Sports Bar and Grill.

The crowd at Real Sports included a healthy mix of both Spanish and German fans, along with what seemed to be a number of neutral observers.  While the bar itself was at standing room capacity, there was an equally large gathering braving the heat outside and watching on the Air Canada Centre's big screen.  Not surprisingly, the crowd outside consisted primarily of younger fans, and was decidedly supporting Spain.

Spain started the match very patiently, rather content to hold the ball and occasionally prod the German defence.  They clearly feared the dangerous German counterattack, which had previously ripped through both England and Argentina.  While the crowd was engaged for the first half, it seemed that a lot of people were still settling in, and everyone was anxious for a goal at the start of the second.

Spain continued their string of near misses in the second half, generating a loud groan from the crowd when David Villa just missed getting his foot on a beautiful cross from Andres Iniesta.  The intensity of the match was taken to another level both on the pitch and in Toronto when Spanish keeper Iker Casillas robbed German substitute Toni Kroos of a wonderful scoring opportunity. 

With the crowd still buzzing from Casillas' save, Spain finally managed to solve the German defence when veteran Carles Puyol got his head on a Xavi corner and made no mistake in putting it in the back of the net.  Puyol's effort was met with a roar of approval from both the crowd in Real Sports and the large Spanish contingent outside. 

While Germany did put up a valiant effort in trying to pull back even with the Spaniards, it seemed as though they had expended too much energy trying to defend for the first 70 minutes of the match, and were unable to sustain any pressure.  Kudos to the German fans however, who stayed supportive until the final whistle and never stopped believing.

While the match was hardly the classic many envisioned it could be going in, it was still great theatre to be enjoyed with the gathering at Real Sports.  While there were some unruly German fans outside of the bar after the game, they were thankfully few in number and dispersed quickly.  Overall, it was a great crowd to experience a game with, and the perfect way to spend a hot afternoon in the city.

About Nabil Dhirani

Spain vs Germany: Proactive and reactive styles collide

I'm still of the opinion that Germany have been made to look better than they are by the tactical (Argentina) and technical (England) naivety of the teams they've faced so far in the tournament.

It has also helped that the Germans have scored first in all their matches that they've won, allowing them to play their favoured counter-attacking style for the rest of the match and finishing off teams trying to get on level terms. We saw that against England and of course, Argentina.

Even when watching the Argentina game I couldn't imagine Spain being outclassed in this manner.

The manner of defeat inflicted on Argentina was more to do with the absolute tactical naiveté of Diego Maradona at not being able to see that they were losing the midfield battle completely. And in contrast, it is almost impossible to win the midfield battle against Spain with Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets each capable of holding his own against any opposition.

The key in this game would be to prevent Germany from scoring first. The only game where they didn't score first and had to chase the game was against Serbia (they lost).

You have to get teams to change from their favored approach which is exactly what the German coach is proposing when he says his team has to get Spain to make errors. This leads me to believe they might play a quick pressing game and we know how it threw the Spaniards off their game against Paraguay. Swiss won against the Spaniards by scoring a fluke goal and then just  defending in numbers and keeping it narrow.

If the Germans score first, I think Spain would have a very difficult task of breaking them down. On the other hand if Spain do actually get to half-time with 0-0 or a 1-0 lead, Germans would have to change their plan and do away with their counterattacking style. This would seem to suit Spain because they're technically much superior to the Germans.

With Mueller out of this game, there is one less headache for Spain and I'd have been a little concerned with Capdevilla's ability to pickup up Mueller. Busquets can control Ozil with his deep lying role and I am confident in Sergio Ramos' ability to keep Podolski in check.

The threat of Schweinsteiger, in particular, and Khedira could be negated by Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas with their pressing and neat triangles. The German backline also hasn't been really tested so far and I have my doubts about Jerome Boateng, the left-back and the center-back pairing of Freidrich and Mertesacker. The one big threat that the Germans do pose, however, is free-kicks and corner-kicks and here they have a clear height advantage against the smallish Spaniards.

All in all it makes for a terribly absorbing semi-final clash and here's hoping Spain win this to make it to the finals.

About Selwyn Frank