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World Cup Match Thread - Semi-Final - Wednesday

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
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If Holland go through I'll pick up another £120, but I had £50 on Argentina to win the WC at 4's before it all started so am torn. An instant £120 or a maybe £250 ?

An instant 120!

I can't see Argentina beating Germany. I know they'll be much better defensively than Brazil were but Germany's midfield is insane, and now he's moved Lahm back to full back I think Germany will win it in 90 minutes. They're just too powerful and they'll have an extra days rest having played in practically a training game with no extra time.

They're big favourites for me. Messi isn't at his sparkling best either.
 

cwy21

Well-Known Member
May 11, 2009
9,447
7,930
World Cup final referee

Betting odds via oddsportal:
Rizzoli: even
Irmatov 2-1
Proenca 3-1
Ricci 7-2
Eriksson 6-1
Haimoudi 9-1
Geiger 10-1
Webb 11-1


If betting was legal in the US I'd be all over this.

Rizzoli favorite? Not a chance. Has done Argentina twice already.
Irmatov - Not happening. Pissed off Argentina in 2010 and apparently Argentina already rejected him earlier in the tournament.
Procena- Maybe. Maybe 8-1.
Ricci - HAHAHAHAHAHA. Brazilian ref not getting a final with Argentina.
Eriksson - This is the favorite. I'd say greater than 60% chance he gets the game.
Haimoudi - Underdog. Maybe Blatter wants to throw Africa a bone.
Geiger - 2nd favorite IMO. Maybe 4 to 1.
Webb - Would be unheard of for a ref to get two finals. Don't see it.

Basically Eriksson and Geiger are ridiculous odds.
 

Hakkz

Svensk hetsporre
Jul 6, 2012
8,196
17,270
World Cup final referee

Betting odds via oddsportal:
Rizzoli: even
Irmatov 2-1
Proenca 3-1
Ricci 7-2
Eriksson 6-1
Haimoudi 9-1
Geiger 10-1
Webb 11-1


If betting was legal in the US I'd be all over this.

Rizzoli favorite? Not a chance. Has done Argentina twice already.
Irmatov - Not happening. Pissed off Argentina in 2010 and apparently Argentina already rejected him earlier in the tournament.
Procena- Maybe. Maybe 8-1.
Ricci - HAHAHAHAHAHA. Brazilian ref not getting a final with Argentina.
Eriksson - This is the favorite. I'd say greater than 60% chance he gets the game.
Haimoudi - Underdog. Maybe Blatter wants to throw Africa a bone.
Geiger - 2nd favorite IMO. Maybe 4 to 1.
Webb - Would be unheard of for a ref to get two finals. Don't see it.

Basically Eriksson and Geiger are ridiculous odds.

As a Swede I'm really proud of what Eriksson has done, has been a quality ref in this tournament (and in CL this year as well). Very diplomatic.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
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An instant 120!

I can't see Argentina beating Germany. I know they'll be much better defensively than Brazil were but Germany's midfield is insane, and now he's moved Lahm back to full back I think Germany will win it in 90 minutes. They're just too powerful and they'll have an extra days rest having played in practically a training game with no extra time.

They're big favourites for me. Messi isn't at his sparkling best either.

Argentina's promise it is then.

I think it's easy to get blindsided by that game against Brazil. They are a very positive team Germany but can be vulnerable, Argentina have less verve but are more canny.

In other words. Who fucking knows.
 

SargeantMeatCurtains

Your least favourite poster
Jan 5, 2013
11,764
61,758
Things i would have rather done than sit through that 120 minutes of pure garbage:

image.jpg
 

ohtottenham!

Well-Known Member
Aug 15, 2013
7,497
13,029
Argentina's promise it is then.

I think it's easy to get blindsided by that game against Brazil. They are a very positive team Germany but can be vulnerable, Argentina have less verve but are more canny.

In other words. Who fucking knows.
Agree!
This tie is so evenly poised; I can’t see why people think the Germans are favourites. A good team, but haven’t yet faced a team with both a solid defence and a real attacking threat. Closest was Ghana, which didn’t have a great defence - Portugal had a crap defence, and a half-fit Ronaldo. The U.S. nearly got a result at the end of their game against them. Algeria had several great chances, and exposed them for pace, and surprisingly in the air a few times. Brazil just went full insanity plea, so that doesn’t even count for me.

I think that Argentina have had far more of a test throughout the tournament, playing Switzerland, Nigeria, Belgium and Holland, and their defence, despite some scares, looks more solid than the Germans. Also, they’re the best team at defensively tracking any attacks from midfield, which is where Germany gets its success and why Robben never got any distribution yesterday. Messi’s presence will just mean Germany have to rein in their attacking midfield just like Holland had to do.

IMO, 4 possible outcomes to cover all bases...1) a moment of magic = Argentina win. 2) A moment of madness = German win. 3) Penalties = ??? 4) Something else.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,330
Argentina's promise it is then.

I think it's easy to get blindsided by that game against Brazil. They are a very positive team Germany but can be vulnerable, Argentina have less verve but are more canny.

In other words. Who fucking knows.

For me the Germans have got stronger because they've recorrected their balance issue. Playing a proper CF and putting Lahm back to full back has made them a lot stronger.

I thought they looked better against France as well and in truth they cruised it and should of won by more.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,330
Agree!
This tie is so evenly poised; I can’t see why people think the Germans are favourites. A good team, but haven’t yet faced a team with both a solid defence and a real attacking threat. Closest was Ghana, which didn’t have a great defence - Portugal had a crap defence, and a half-fit Ronaldo. The U.S. nearly got a result at the end of their game against them. Algeria had several great chances, and exposed them for pace, and surprisingly in the air a few times. Brazil just went full insanity plea, so that doesn’t even count for me.

I think that Argentina have had far more of a test throughout the tournament, playing Switzerland, Nigeria, Belgium and Holland, and their defence, despite some scares, looks more solid than the Germans. Also, they’re the best team at defensively tracking any attacks from midfield, which is where Germany gets its success and why Robben never got any distribution yesterday. Messi’s presence will just mean Germany have to rein in their attacking midfield just like Holland had to do.

IMO, 4 possible outcomes to cover all bases...1) a moment of magic = Argentina win. 2) A moment of madness = German win. 3) Penalties = ??? 4) Something else.

They've changed their line up and made critical changes that have affected their balance. In other words they've become stronger.

The Germans have a far better midfield than Holland, no comparison. Technically better, much more powerful with better movement ahead of them.

Holland have relied on Robben, deal with him and you deal with Holland. The Germans have a multitude of players that have to be screened, they're just a superior team in every sense.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
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For me the Germans have got stronger because they've recorrected their balance issue. Playing a proper CF and putting Lahm back to full back has made them a lot stronger.

I thought they looked better against France as well and in truth they cruised it and should of won by more.


The moving of Lahm to RB and introduction of Khedira along with Schweinstieger does give them more purchase in midfield for sure, but I actually don't think the Klose and Muller combo is great or balanced, they both generally like to be in similar areas and Ozil doesn't look his best from the left. I'd much prefer something like:

Khedira Kroos/Schwe
Ozil Gotze/Kroos Drexler/Gotze

Muller​


or

Schweinstieger Khedira Kroos

Ozil Muller Gotze/Drexler


I think Argentina, with Messi not playing as a CF a la Barca, look pretty balanced (but not as dynamic as the Germans). They were excellent until Perez went off last night.

Germany are a very positive team, there's much to admire about them, they are more Dortmund than Bayern in approach I think. Argentina are tactically well organised and are set up to maximise their strengths, the biggest being the best player around right now.

It's a fascinating tussle, I hope Germany play their natural game because I think it could make for one of the best finals we've ever seen of they do.

On a football level I'd like to see a good final and the best team win, on a punting level I'd quite like the £250 that Messi & Co can bag me.
 

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
27,719
54,929
The moving of Lahm to RB and introduction of Khedira along with Schweinstieger does give them more purchase in midfield for sure, but I actually don't think the Klose and Muller combo is great or balanced, they both generally like to be in similar areas and Ozil doesn't look his best from the left. I'd much prefer something like:

Khedira Kroos/Schwe
Ozil Gotze/Kroos Drexler/Gotze

Muller​


or

Schweinstieger Khedira Kroos

Ozil Muller Gotze/Drexler


I think Argentina, with Messi not playing as a CF a la Barca, look pretty balanced (but not as dynamic as the Germans). They were excellent until Perez went off last night.

Germany are a very positive team, there's much to admire about them, they are more Dortmund than Bayern in approach I think. Argentina are tactically well organised and are set up to maximise their strengths, the biggest being the best player around right now.

It's a fascinating tussle, I hope Germany play their natural game because I think it could make for one of the best finals we've ever seen of they do.

On a football level I'd like to see a good final and the best team win, on a punting level I'd quite like the £250 that Messi & Co can bag me.

Agreed fully on Perez, I though it was madness to take him off. I'd keep him in even if Di Maria returns to fitness (perhaps moving him central and sacrificing Biglia who doesn't really do too much). I was watching Perez all evening, and in the previous game when he came on, and thinking to myself how perfect he'd be for us actually.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,330
The moving of Lahm to RB and introduction of Khedira along with Schweinstieger does give them more purchase in midfield for sure, but I actually don't think the Klose and Muller combo is great or balanced, they both generally like to be in similar areas and Ozil doesn't look his best from the left. I'd much prefer something like:

Khedira Kroos/Schwe
Ozil Gotze/Kroos Drexler/Gotze

Muller​


or

Schweinstieger Khedira Kroos

Ozil Muller Gotze/Drexler


I think Argentina, with Messi not playing as a CF a la Barca, look pretty balanced (but not as dynamic as the Germans). They were excellent until Perez went off last night.

Germany are a very positive team, there's much to admire about them, they are more Dortmund than Bayern in approach I think. Argentina are tactically well organised and are set up to maximise their strengths, the biggest being the best player around right now.

It's a fascinating tussle, I hope Germany play their natural game because I think it could make for one of the best finals we've ever seen of they do.

On a football level I'd like to see a good final and the best team win, on a punting level I'd quite like the £250 that Messi & Co can bag me.

If the Germans win in 90 minutes they'll get me £350!

I just think the German midfield will be too strong for them.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,770
99,330
When did you back them ?

Just single bets really. Put down a big bet on them to beat Brazil, as soon as I saw the odds I couldn't believe it, literally. They still had Brazil as favourites so I put down a big bet for them to win in 90. So have just used some of my winnings to back them in the final. I've still made a handsome profit regardless though!
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Just single bets really. Put down a big bet on them to beat Brazil, as soon as I saw the odds I couldn't believe it, literally. They still had Brazil as favourites so I put down a big bet for them to win in 90. So have just used some of my winnings to back them in the final. I've still made a handsome profit regardless though!


Yeah I've had a decent WC overall I think. As it stands I'm about 350 to the good, 600 if Argentina win. I'll probably do a couple of silly bets for the final like a scorer or a correct score for shits and giggles. But I'm not going to lay off anything on Germany, I'm going to just stick with Argentina, as good as Germany are are still fancy Argentina to win.

I actually thought Neymar's injury might prompt big twat Phil to go with a more team centric ethos, try and match up Germany's 433 and play Willian:


Alves Dante Luiz Marcelo

Paulinho Gustavo Fernandinho

Oscar Hulk Willian


Once again he fucked up royally (wat the fuck is Maicon doing out there, said the same last game - and that fucktard Fred is a joke)

The other problem for Brazil was they were too emotionally wired. It was like watching 11 Gaza'a circa Notts Forest cup final. They just about got away with it in the Columbia game but they had Silva at the back with his head screwed on right.

None of us have ever seen anything as crazy as that first half and probably never will again. Brazil aren't that bad and Germany aren't that good, they just both were for that crazy 20 minutes. Even if you factor in all the stupid decisions by Scolari, the poor discipline and organisation, players, tactics, you just can't explain what happened that mental 20 minutes.
 

markieboy

Well-Known Member
Aug 1, 2013
1,356
1,471
I thought Argentina would win at the start of the World Cup but on the whole they have been pretty negative and hard to watch.
I think Germany will beat them and beat them easily.
Germanys midfield will wreck havoc,Kroos has been imperious,Schweinsteiger has been steady and even though Ozil has been anonymous,it now looks like Khedira is back to his best.
Even with a limited strike force of Muller and Klose,they will still have too much for Argentina.
When you also add in the fact that they have 2 of the best defenders in the world in Lahm and Hummels as well as the best keeper in Neuer,I really don't see Messi getting a kick.
That leaves Argentina with no hope.
 
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