Ahira's Hangar

We still have an African team in the competition!

Germany looked awesome last night, Argentina looked awesome.

Netherlands v Slovakia tonight. I should get some rest, but my addiction is strong... and then Brazil v Chile.

Ghana was a good team in the last WC; looks to be a good team again this year.

Only something like the third time ever an African team has even made the quarters. Could have a chance against Uruguay...you never know...

--A

Amazing win by the Netherlands, knocking off Brazil 2-1.

I have just finished watching it, and it's amazing how the Brazilians dominated three quarters of the game, but as soon as the Dutch equalised, the Brazilians fell apart! A massive implosion. I thought Brazil would come back hard, but it was the Dutch who pressed on and seemed to be buoyed by the situation, and in the end deserved the win.

Exciting!!

At the Watch, there are people that just can't resist coming in and giving their negative opinion of "soccer" in general, which I must admit irritates me a little. I mean, I don't go into the basketball or American football or baseball thread and say that I think it's crap and I don't understand it and why isn't there more action and blah blah blah... so what I'm saying is, I appreciate this not happening on the hangar. Thankyou!

AND, I'm hugely excited about the Germany v Argentina game tomorrow!

Just got to watch the Brazil-Netherlands game - and YES it was exciting!

Maybe I appreciate soccer more than some of my countrymen because my kids both play/played it in high school? Or maybe because I grew up in a part of America that considers ice hockey the ultimately exciting and watchable sport and it has some similar rules (off sides, etc.) and low scores to soccer?

I think that increasing numbers of Americans are starting to catch on to what a beautiful and challenging sport soccer is, as more and more and more of our children grow playing it.

Obviously there is still a long way to go, though.

Well, your performance in the world cup has certainly steadily improved over the years.

Anyway, yeah...Brazil out in a shock. Don't think they deserved that red card though. It was clearly an accident. Free kick, yes, red card, no.

Rooting for Ghana tonight along with most of Africa. Hope Germany take out Argentinia.

--A

Go Ghana--my Dad has a hospice nurse from there and her sister was over during the game-they both went nuts! Shocking re: Brazil (they were the Vegas favorites) too bad about Portugal, as well...

Damn...Ghana out to Uruguay on penalties. Ghana played damned well...squandered some real opportunities, including a penalty in the last seconds of extra time. Tensest match I've watched yet.

--A

I missed the Ghana game because I was at work - I really wanted them to win. Must have been a heck of a game, with it being decided by PK's.

Oh man, Ghana should have won that game!

The last minute of extra time and Ghana had a goal mouth opportunity - a header saved on the line by a deliberate hand-ball from the Uruguay player. He was sent off, and Ghana just needed to score the penalty to go 2-1 up and win the game. The Ghana player slammed the penalty against the cross-bar!

And then the lost in the penalty shoot out.

Oh well, on to Argentina v Germany - kickoff at midnight my time. Looking forward to it!

In the Brazilian game, I think it was a clear red card - he stomped on Robben after the tackle. It looked obvious to me.

Nah, he ran over him, right over his leg. Even as it was happening he was trying to help the guy.

Yeah, hell of pity about Ghana. And After the 1st half, I thought the keeper would do better on the penalties.

So! Germany thrashes Argentina 4-0. I'm up for a Germany-Netherlands final.

At least we're spared the sight of Maradonna running naked through the streets of Buenos Aires.

--A

I was going to say - soccer fans the world over will be relieved to know they will not have to watch TV footage of the Argentine coach running round naked.

Judge for yourself (well, I guess it's only Duchess reading this apart from Av ) - he wasn't unbalanced. He stomped him - the Brazilians fell apart like nothing I've ever seen before (although the Argentines did a pretty good job too) - that was a stomp and then a quick attempt to redeem himself after he realised his blatant act of aggression didn't look good. It was frustration. I don't like Robben, but this was too obvious for the ref to do anything else but give a red card.

There's no way he ran over him accidentally - I'd be happy for other opinions, but to me it was damn obvious!

With the wife been Spanish I,m shouting for Spain all the way , mind you they will find it hard to beat Germany .

Spain dominated and deserved the win in the end. Don't know why Germany suddenly changed their game - maybe it was just an off night. None of their passes came off, and they sat back and let Spain control the game, obviously looking at a counter-attack game.

So, Spain v Netherlands final. Interesting! The good thing is that the winner will be raising the cup for the first time in their history.