World Cup 2010, the final, Sunday July 11th, 2010

The Dutch didn't come out to play. The Spanish can play all night and usually score. It took them some time to do so but they did score once in this World Cup final and they had to keep the ball until extra time to do so. It was enough. The Dutch finished with 10 men.
 As a resident in Spain I was delighted with the result.

Three really good descriptions below from English newspapers.
 The Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-the-football-finally-came-good-the-hosts-shone-from-the-start-2024416.html

The Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/news/7884419/World-Cup-final-Holland-0-Spain-1-match-report.html

The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/12/world-cup-final-johan-cruyff-holland

The second semi-final was last night: Germany and Spain. World Cup, 2010

The result was a repeat of the score in the European championship final two years ago between the same two nations. Do you remember what it was?

For most of the match Spain played their 'tiqui-taki', pass and move, game successfully keeping the ball for most of the time. There was an occasional break forward from Germany when they looked dangerous and one scoring chance for sub Kroos, saved by Casillas.


The Independent's report is an excellent one as usual. Remind yourself of this patient game of artistry by reading it ....as I will do myself from time to time.

If you want to know the result right now, then click below.

The first semi-final: World Cup 2010

Last  night little Uruguay met fat Netherlands - in terms of relative populations represented.

I was impressed by the spirit of a team which fell behind but never gave up. Uruguay went 0-1, then 1-1, then 1-2, 1-3 and near the end 2-3 when the Dutch managed to hold on. This quote from the Guardian shares my feelings:

"The opposition had too much pride, however, to let the game fade away and Maxi Perreira's perfect, curled drive cut the deficit in stoppage."

The Independent report gives background.

World Cup 2010, two more quarter finals

The semi-finalists are now assembled after yesterday`s matches.

A German flood and a Spanish trickle.

Read the match reports:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/03/germany-argentina-world-cup-2010

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/klose-enjoys-century-duty-to-humble-argentina-2017828.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/villa-snatches-glory-after-spots-of-bother-2017970.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/news/7870271/Paraguay-v-Spain-as-it-happened.html

World Cup 2010, two quarter finals, Friday 2 July

Image via Wikipedia

My World Cup blogs are primarily to remind me of what happened and how the tournament unfolded by using links to the reports from newspapers. However, I do not know how long these links will be sustained. I am hoping that they will always be there. How can I get information about this?

Brazil  v Netherlands
I had backed the Brazil defence to be too rugged for Robben and Van Persie by choosing Brazilian defenders in my team for the Deloitte Fantasy League. Good to watch: the moves, the spite, and then the falling to pieces of .....which team?

The Guardian


The Independent


Then Ghana and Uruguay entertained, with the former team lively and unafraid. The latter threatening often. Just at the end of  full time Ghana were awarded a penalty ............. a very dramatic ending as this penalty did not decide the match. Read what The Independent said.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Uruguay vs. Ghana: World Cup Highlights (VIDEO) (huffingtonpost.com)