My Mate Lawrenson

World Cup Final

Germany   1       Argentina   0

Gotze (113)

This is how it feels to score the winning goal in the world cup.

So the world cup is over and the best team won.  It's very rare that this happens in a world cup, and no one would have been surprised if it had gone all the way to penalties and the Argies had stole it at the end, but luckily we were saved that injustice and Germany won it for the 4th time, the first as a unified country, and in a world cup of firsts, the first time a European team as won in South America.  Yep the last time Germany won it they were West Germany, David "the Hoff" Hasslehoff hadn't even stood on the Berlin wall and sang his heart out as it crumbled to the ground by that time.

I was looking at twitter as the game was on last night and I have to say I was getting a bit pissed off with people slagging off Mark Lawrenson, now I understand that he is a bit boring and sounds like he is a bit pissed but he is also quite comical as a pundit and says it as it is.  Twitter get off his case!!  Also as Neur walked up to collect his award for being best goalkeeper of the tournament, I turned to my son and girlfriend and stated "that looks like something out of the Adam's family" just as I finished saying those word's Lawrenson piped up and said the exact same thing, which left both my son and girlfriend in fits of laughter.

The best moment of the night was definitely when they wheeled Sepp Blatter out for the presentation and he got absolutely caned by everyone in the crowd.  The whole stadium filled with boos as the head of FIFA walked in to view, and rightly so, what a cretin of a man.  I wonder if this complete lack of belief and support in him will finally convince him that the whole football hate him and it is time to do the decent thing and do one.

I wouldn't be too surprised if it was Blatter's decision to name Lionel Messi as the player of the tournament, I mean what the fuck!  Who was second then Glen Johnson?

Your not very popular are you Mr Putin

It's been a brilliant world cup, but just like all world cups by the time the next one comes around I will struggle to remember much about it.  

3rd Place Play Off

Holland   3                                 Brazil  0

Van Persie (3 pen)
Blind (16)
Wijnaldum (90)


The most pointless of games but it ended up being the most costly for big Phil as the 10th conceded goal in two games and a lucky fourth place costs him his job.

We have seen some great things at this world cup and some things that will never be forgotten, like Brazil losing 7-1, Costa Rica making the quarter finals, James Rodriguez, Spain losing their crown and of course Suarez biting again.  One thing I will forget though was that England were even taking part in it, the fact that we went out so early made this world cup as good as it's been, because I can tell you that if we had gone out in the quarter finals on penalties, I doubt I would have got into it as much as I have, I certainly wouldn't have continued with this blog.

So thank you Brazil for such a good world cup.  Well done to Yogi Love and his German's for winning it and thanks to anyone who took the time to read this blog.

Sportsday

Semi  Final

Argentina   0         Holland   0

Argentina win 4-2 on penalties

Normally I would write a post a day after the game, but I was a bit busy, yesterday I had to go to my kids sports-day.  I couldn't write it in the afternoon yesterday either because I had a little kip due to staying up on Wednesday night watching the negative Dutch playing the boring Germans in the most boring semi final in the history of world cup football.  I so hope Germany win on Sunday.  Argentina do not deserve to win the world cup.  

Anyway back to sports-day.  

 

The dad's race, that time every year you get to show your kids up.  When the dad's stepped up to the line you could see the hunger in their eyes, the race was so competitive that as I stood on the line the bloke next to me started jostling for position and gave me a little elbow to the ribs.  After receiving my little dig I turned round to see some of the contestants stretching out and warming up, I thought what the fuck are these people doing, as I was under the impression it was meant to be a bit of fun.  The bloke who stood next to me on the other side had taken off his trainers and had decided to run in his socks, he looked very nervous as his wife was telling everyone who would listen that he was going to win and that the other lot might as well not bother.   I seriously wondered what I had dropped myself in to here, this was not what I signed up for.  After a bit more jostling on the line and a bit of an argument and handbags between Socks and Elbows the P.E teacher rung his bell to start the race.  Elbows was off like a flash but Socks was left standing on the line and decided to pull out.  Elbows finished the race in second place and as for me I finished about second from last.  It was always going to be big ask from me as my 10 year old son really struggled to keep hold of my legs as we wheelbarrowed our way  down the running track.

After the race I went back to my place in the crowd where I saw Socks and his wife having a bit of a row, she was telling him that he had not only let his son down, he had let her down and most importantly he had let himself down.  Socks was trying to explain to his wife that he didn't hear the bell,  otherwise he would have won and those other cheating fuckers wouldn't have stood a chance.   Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to see the teachers race because the event came to an abrupt end when Socks' wife took umbrage to a comment that Elbows made about Socks.  It then escalated as Socks' wife started shouting at the bell ringing P.E teacher who she blamed for her husband not winning, suffice to say the children were then hurried back to their class rooms as the sports-day annual punch up took place in the centre of the playing fields.

How I love sports-day.

Braaaaaaaaaaaaaaazil!!!!!

Semi Final

Brazil    1            Germany  7 (seven)

Oscar (90)                   Muller (11)

                                    Klose (23)

                                    Kroos (24, 26)

                                    Khedira (29)

                                    Schurrle (69, 79)

This world cup has been so full of surprises, but nobody could have seen this one coming.  Although Brazil have been poor by their high standards and they have been awful in defence in this tournament, they were doing what champions elect tend to do, they were winning games but not playing well.  I had a feeling the German's were going to win last night but nowhere near as comfortably as they did.  As poor as the Brazilian were, the German's were at their most efficient and clinical best, they just didn't take any prisoners.   I have never witnessed Brazil being so outclassed by another team in all the years I have been watching world cup football.  The closest I have seen to an embarrassing defeat  involving a Brazil team was when the great Brazilian side of 1982 went 1-0 down to tiny Scotland in a first round group game.  I remember Dundee United player David Narey scoring the opening goal and the Scots going absolutely ballistic, I also remember the headlines of the paper the next day stating that "Narey Rocks Brazil", well he may of rocked them but within minutes the class showed and the Samba boys turned the game on its head and romped home as 4-1 winners, I remember Zico scored an overhead kick in that game.  

Last nights result though was completely and utterly embarrassing,  to be beaten in your own country for the first time in 62 games is bad enough but to have that record ended by such a humiliating scoreline must have been cringe-worthy for the loyal Brazilian fans.  It's a defeat that I think will be so hard to take for some of these Brazilian players and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the under-performing flops of this campaign never put on the famous yellow shirt ever again.  The likes of Fred who was booed off the pitch in the second half must be expecting the worst as other than the one goal he scored he has contributed absolutely nothing.

As for Germany my girlfriend has got them in the sweep-stake. at work so she is guaranteed £30, £50 if the win.  Never thought I would be rooting for the German's but after last night's performance there is only one winner in my eyes.

Here is a little montage of events from last night.

1-0

2-0

3-0

4-0

Your not helping Fonzie.  5-0

6-0

7-0

Yay, Oscar scored 7-1

And there's the final whistle.
Bye Bye Brazil.

Not This Time

On this day 32 years ago I had just arrived home from Spain after witnessing my England team being cruelly knocked out of the tournament the night before.  It was the first time I had suffered the experience of being dumped out of a world cup, I wouldn't mind but we never lost a game and only conceded 1 goal.  The way the tournament worked in 1982 was absolute bollocks.  The winners and runners up of the 6 groups went in to 4 more groups of 3 where the winners of each group would reach the semi finals.  England's second round group consisted of Germany and Spain.  England drew with Germany in the first game and then Germany beat Spain, so it meant that we had to beat Spain to go through.

The England squad for this world cup was probably, no definitely the best squad Ron Greenwood could have picked.  The only problem was that in this squad were two injured players who had been taken to Spain, in the hope they would regain fitness as the tournament went along.  Those 2 men were Trevor Brooking and former 2 times European player of the year Kevin "mighty mouse" Keegan.  In qualifying Brooking had scored 2 goals against Hungary one of which was the iconic goal that got stuck in the gap between post and crossbar (not stanchion) and in the final qualifier against Hungary again, it was Brooking's shot that was heading for the corner flag that hit an on rushing Paul Mariner's shin, who then  fell over as the ball trundled over the line to confirm England's participation in the world cup for the first time since 1970.  As for Keegan he was not only England's star man and captain, he was England's Roy Race.

Due to their injuries Brooking and Keegan had not been used in any of the three group games nor where they used in the first of the second group game, but running up to the make or break game with Spain rumours were rife that either one or both of England's star men were going to have a part to play.

  Me and my mates Hula Hoop, Tag Nut and Penfold waited with anticipation along with all the other England fans as the starting 11 were announced and to our despair neither Brooking and Keegan were in it.  The game was deadlocked at nil nil when with about 15 minutes remaining all eyes were attracted to the touchline and England's dug out, and there could be seen the unmistakable figures of Brooking and Keegan stripped and ready for action.  My mate Hula Hoop started going into one and shouting at the Spanish supporters about the fact that Trevor was gonna kill em'.  I was not aware of what was going on as I had just noticed that Tag Nut was wearing my hat and I think my mate Penfold was having trouble seeing anything as he had a problem with his eye.

From L to R  Hula Hoop, Me, Penfold and Tag Nut wearing my hat.

So on come  the players we had all been waiting for and the stage was set for one of these boys to get us through to the semi final.  Within a few minutes of coming on Brooking picked up the ball I think it was on the right and put in a typical Sir Trev cross which was pinpointed on to his mate Keegan's head, Keegan rose to meet the cross with his tight bubbly permed covered bonce.  The crowd stood silently as the ball seemed to travel in slow motion toward the Spain goal and went wide.  A massive cry of  OH NOOOOOOO  rings around the stadium from the England fans, and there on the pitch holding his head totally crestfallen was the man who would have been king, Kevin Keegan.

I would've loved it if I had scored that goal.

That was the real first disappointment I ever had as an England supporter, unfortunately it would not be the last.  Maybe one day we will be able to celebrate again like we did in 66, but after this years shower of shit I can't see it happening anytime soon.

Krul on Costa Rica, as Bryan Ruiz wishes he was lucky.

Quarter finals

France    0          Germany   1

                                    Hummels (12)

Brazil       2        Colombia   1

Silva (7)                     Rodriguez (80 pen )                                                    

Luiz (68)     

Argentina     1           Belgium    0

Higuain (9)

Holland     0               Costa Rica  0

Holland win 4-3 on penalties

The big four have made it through to the semi finals and if we are all honest it is probably the the line up we all wanted.  I was quite disappointed with the Germany France game it promised so much and ended up being an early goal defended by an ever efficient German team.  It certainly wasn't great to watch and I think France will look back and think if they just went for it a bit more they may have got the win.

Belgium similarly to France didn't give enough against Argentina, who I still think they are a one man band, although a very tidy finish from their striker Higuain was the telling factor in the game.  Belgium will be right up there with the favourites for Euro 2016 and this tournament will be a very good learning curve for them.  I was really hoping for a repeat of the semi final of 1996 when Maradonna  tore Belgium apart all by himself.

Ok, I want you six to man mark Maradonna.

 

Brazil are still on course for their first home win in the world cup after they saw off the Colombians.  It was a brave fight from the Colombians and really did we expect anything else.  David Luiz's freekick was a worthy winning goal and unfortunately for the enthusiastic Colombians they did not have enough on the night.  People will point to the referee and his assistants for not booking certain Brazil players,  and maybe showing a little too much leniency toward the hosts.  Brazil were the better team on the night and it was probably the right result, it is a bit harsh for James Rodriguez and his mates but they can leave this tournament very proud of their efforts.  They have certainly been a breath of fresh air.

Costa Rica the so called whipping boys of Group D  managed to take the Dutch to a penalty shoot out in the quarter finals of the world cup.  Only a last minute of extra time save from the Dutch keeper and an amazing goalkeeper substitution from Dutch manager Van Gaal is what ultimately saved the Dutch from going out.  Of course Holland were the dominant side and had all the best chances but if you don't take them it can bite you on the arse, luckily for the Dutch it didn't.   Although Bryan Ruiz's penalty was saved by Tim Krul he said he had no regrets about this world cup and the way he had performed.  He also added that a move abroad from Fulham was on the cards and that it would mean he would have to give up his other career as  Marky Pillows in  the West London based Wet, Wet, Wet tribute band he sings in called Moist, Moist, Moist. 

Marky Pillows.  He feels it in his fingers, he feels it in his toes.

 

                 

Not another rest day!!

Knockout  round of 16

Argentina   1       Switzerland   0

Di Maria (118)

Belgium     2            USA    1

De Bruyne (93)                 Green (107)

Lukaku (105)

If Argentina go on to win the world cup it will be down to one man and one man alone, Lionel Messi.  The Argies are without doubt a one man team, and its not the same as in 1986 when they had Maradonna pulling all the strings, although that team wasn't the greatest there were a few players who popped up and helped out a bit.  This average at best team rely heavily on Messi and if he hadn't been involved in this game against Switzerland, then the Swiss would more than likely have won this game, although they will be disappointed  that the didn't put a little bit more in because Argentina were there for the taking.

Belgium will now face Argentina in the quarters after they narrowly squeaked past the USA.  I say squeaked past, Tim Howard was by far the busier keeper and had to pull off save after save to keep the Americans in the game, but it was the strength and depth of this Belgium side that ultimately put them through. Now I am no USA fan not by a long way but I have to say those American boys put in one hell of a performance and just like the Algerians the day before, when that final whistle went every single one of those players had given every last ounce of effort into trying to get something out of that game.  You could see that they were physically and mentally broken.  Jurgen Klinsmann must be a very proud man, and it was there for all to see on his face after the game, first came the disappointment of losing but then came the uncontrollable pride and sense of achievement after he had realised what he and his team of  unheard of hardworking players had done.  It even put a lump in my throat.  It just goes to show that if you put the effort in you can come away with something, for Algeria and USA they may not of won but come away with the admiration of the footballing world.  

I wonder if any of the England players watched those two games, if they did I dare any of them to say that they were 100% happy that they gave everything for their country in the two games they played in, in this world cup.

England players watching Belgium v USA
wishing they had as bigger Bollocks!!

   

So we have reached the quarter final stage of the world cup and I can see a few upsets.  Colombia have a great chance against Brazil, Belgium have an even bigger chance against Argentina and could little Costa Rica surprise everyone and beat the Dutch.  I don't know what will happen next in this fantastic world cup, but I can't wait until it all kicks off again tomorrow.

Bloody rest days!!! 

Lucky German's? Plucky Algerian's.

Knockout    Round of 16

France   2            Nigeria   0

Pogba (79)

Yobo (og 90)

Germany    2       Algeria   1

Schurrle (92)               Djabou (120)
Ozil (119)


France left it late but showed their class in the end to dump Nigeria out of the world cup.  It wasn't the best performance but they seem to be able to grind out results, a bit like how Germany do.  Paul Pogba, who was touted before the world cup as one to watch, is starting slowly to live up to his reputation.  The former Manchester United player is starting to show what a mistake it was for Sir Alex to let him go when he had him at Old Trafford a few years ago.  How Man Utd could have done with a midfielder of his quality last year.  Nigeria put up a fight in this game but it was always going to be a French win, especially the longer the game went on.


The game between Germany was somehow 0-0 after 90 minutes, but it was one of the best nil, niller's I have seen.  Algeria put up an absolute monumental effort to try and beat the German's but it just came down to in the end the poor decisions made by Algeria in the final third.  Algeria  broke on the counter many times in this game, but a wrong pass or one too many touches at the crucial stage, meant that the German's as lucky as they were just had enough to kill off the poor plucky Algerian's.  Before this game I was reading an article about Mesut Ozil in the local rag.  It was all about the fact that the Algerians being Muslims were all fasting before the game, however Greman Mesut Ozil is also a practicng Muslim but has decided not to fast due to the fact that whilst he is in the world cup he is doing hard labour.  What does Ozil do for a living?  oh yeah he kicks a ball about and does a bit of running for a couple of hours.

Hard Labour

 
      














So all the Algerian's didn't eat or drink all day before yesterday's game, which was probably one of the reasons that they kept cramping up late on in the game.  Whilst they are preparing the best they can ol' Mesut Ozil is taking advantage of this situation by porking up on his pre- match meal.

Mesut Ozil's pre-match meal

                                                                       














So what a surprise it was when Ozil pops up in the 119th minute and scored what proved to be the winning goal.

The German' s have also been moaning about the fact that they have not been staying in any 5 star hotel whilst in Brazil like other teams have, namely England.  Apparently they have had to put up with less comfortable accommodation along the lines of a travel lodge.  I can see his point I suppose, I mean who really wants to share a bed with Lennery Hennery.

Night, Night Mesut.  Wake me up for breakfast.

                                   















So the German's get through and it is the French they will meet in the last 8, just like in 1982 when they meet at the semi final stage.  That of course was the famous game when German keeper Schumacher nearly killed French defender Patrick Battiston.  I wouldn't rule out another coming together like this, if the German goalkeeper comes out as many times as he did last night, although I doubt he would act as appallingly as Schumacher did 32 years ago.