SEMI-FINALS: Match Topics

Now we are talking.

Brazil - Germany
Argentina - Netherlands




I'm hoping for Brazil - Argentina in the final.

I'm hoping for Brazil - Argentina in the final.

I'm hoping for opposite turn 

Would love to see Holland finally on top 

Di Maria is out of the tournament. I feel like Argentina already lacked creativity in midfield, now will only be a bigger issue. I think we have a good shot.

Will be tough for Brazil without Neymar and Silva.

Brazil-Argentina or Germany-Holland would be great games.

Germany-Holland would be better in a football sense but I want to see Messi lift the trophy.

Desperately don't want Holland to win (sorry Bier!) would never heard the end of it when LVG goes to the mancs.

Brazil-Argentina or Germany-Holland would be great games.

Germany-Holland would be better in a football sense but I want to see Messi lift the trophy.

Desperately don't want Holland to win (sorry Bier!) would never heard the end of it when LVG goes to the mancs.

Strange isn't it mate.  In years gone by I'd have been wanting Holland to win from that group of teams but because of LVG being the Mancs manager in waiting I hope they crash out big time.

Sorry Bier but like all footy fans, we're very fickle 

Strange isn't it mate.  In years gone by I'd have been wanting Holland to win from that group of teams but because of LVG being the Mancs manager in waiting I hope they crash out big time.

Sorry Bier but like all footy fans, we're very fickle 

I'm exactly the same, I've always loved them right up until this WC when I've been against them from the start ....one more reason to hate the mancs, making me turn on the Dutch!

I'm exactly the same, I've always loved them right up until this WC when I've been against them from the start ....one more reason to hate the mancs, making me turn on the Dutch!

Yep, it's pissed me off too mate as I've always enjoyed watching the Dutch play 

It's alright, with Van Persie and Van Gaal that was likely to happen. Hopefully Van Gaal won't bring more Dutch players to that club.

It's alright, with Van Persie and Van Gaal that was likely to happen. Hopefully Van Gaal won't bring more Dutch players to that club.

Depay and Blind are rumoured to be targets for them over here Bier, not sure whether it's the same in Holland.

Depay and Blind are rumoured to be targets for them over here Bier, not sure whether it's the same in Holland.

Yeah, but nothing but rumours yet. Depay is a big talent but still needs a few years to really come good.

Yeah, but nothing but rumours yet. Depay is a big talent but still needs a few years to really come good.

Let's hope they stay just rumours mate, I'd hate for the weeds to grow higher than the flowers 

Said it from the start I think the Germans will win and I think it will be a replay of the final of 1974 with them beating the dutch to win it!

Said it from the start I think the Germans will win and I think it will be a replay of the final of 1974 with them beating the dutch to win it!

No! Just, no.

Not sure I'd survive that game.

Would make a great final for us though, our biggest rivals. If we'd manage to win that then we're good for the next few decades.

No! Just, no.

Not sure I'd survive that game.

I just fancy the two European teams to make it through from the semis - but I think the Germans are the most organised 'team' in the tournament. You can tell your lot are fired up after four years ago - but I can't look past Germany.

For all the upset and wacky results over the past 3 weeks these four sides are pretty much the ones most expected to be left at this point of the competition. I would think a Brazil-Argentina final would be great event to see but I had to put money on it I would say it is going to be a Germany-Argentina final.

The reasons i want to see Brazil x Argentina in the final:

1- I'm Brazilian
2- Argentinians are literally robbing tickets from the brazilians(they group up and take down Brazilian guys with tickets)
3- Those fuckers are totally disrespectful.
4- Some of the biggest crowds of Brazil's team are planning to group up to beat the hell out of the Argentinians (Even crowds that hates themselves for decades. Corinthians and São Paulo, Vasco and Flamengo are examples of it.
5- Blood
6- Blood in Rio de Janeiro (Where I live).

I would love it if Dirk became a world champion. If ever hard work and graft deserved reward then dirk is the man.But I really don't mind who wins as long as they are great games the last hour of Holland.and .Costa Rica was great. Has Van persie been on a go slow or something he looks fu**ed.

My prediction is Holland will win the WC. They will avenge both the '78 and '74 losses.

Close call.

I think this year none of them really stand out. Anybody could win.

The German are discipline & organised.
The Dutch are full of cheats (sorry).
The Argentinian have Messi.
The Brasil are unpredictable.

Can the European team break the curse?   

Take your pick.     

With a few days to go, poll added to see who you think will be in the Final.

No prizes, just self satisfaction, and inner contentment if you guess right.

Germany are the ones to beat IMO, think they have the best balance and players out of the 4 teams left. Brazil will be lucky to score without Neymar. They obviously scored through their 2 CB's last time out but chances of that happening again I think are remote and Germany have more than enough players to cover any threat in the air. Brazil can't try to rely on Hulk and Fred and I really can't see where they will get any goals from.

Argentina have gotten this far by the skin off their teeth and look vulnerable at the back.

Holland I think are relying too much on Robben and I can't stand RVP or LVG so would hate to see them in the final.

Throw this one in here which has been brought up by a few journalists especially from the NYTimes Sam Bowden - Brazil's persistant foul play set the tone for Neymar's injury. Do they only have themselves to blame?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/sports/worldcup/for-bellicose-brazil-payback-carries-heavy-price-loss-of-neymar.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Do they only have themselves to blame?

I agree the way Brazil has been playing, it does set the tone for a physical game. But to take the blame away from an irresponsible player that puts his knee to the back of an opposite player isn't a bit too much? Zuniga probably didn't want to take Neymar out of the competition but it was a mean foul, meant to hurt him. Just like he did a little before to Hulk.