Are Germany really this good?

McBain · July 4, 2010

Four past the Aussies. You all had a bit of a snigger lets be honest.

Four past you Poms. Did we see that coming? No.

Four past the Argies. What is going on?

Are Germany really this awesome? Are they really a four goal better team than all the above?

I'm going to put it to you that they've had an unfair advantage with the ball. They had months of training and playing in their domestic league with the Jabulani. More than any other team.

I'm pretty shocked that they have been allowed such an advantage really, and that no-one else seems to really care. I want to see heads roll here. Fuming I am.

Add opinions to taste.

chicoazul · July 4, 2010

They're ace. Boss sausage, fraulines, bier and fusbal.

Ace country and no mistake.

bluebastardo · July 4, 2010

I have lots of German friends, so I don't mind them playing well with the new kids. They've easily been the best team at the competition. We have German lads at our club too, and have been linked with some of their players, such as Marin etc. The ball can be an advantage, but it's their team work, desire, and enthusiasm that is shining through for me.

TX Bill · July 4, 2010

*TX Bill holds hand up

I completely underestimated the German side. And I do mean "completely underestimated."

Jondi10 · July 4, 2010

TX Bill said:
*TX Bill holds hand up

I completely underestimated the German side. And I do mean "completely underestimated."

Same here. Even after they put 4 past the Aussies I doubted them since the USA put in 3. But after that they put my foot in my mouth. Started rooting for them after the US got put out.

Andriy.EFC · July 4, 2010

Yes, they are a ******* ACE. I'll be pissed if they don't smack Spain.

Rook · July 4, 2010

You could thank Price-Boateng for making them ace. With Muller out I think the Spain matchup is a tossup now. Their D is soft enough to give up a goal even from Torres. Unless the Spain that showed up against Paraguay shows up I don't think they'll have as many opportunites on the counterattack either.

Rook · July 4, 2010

McBain said:
I'm pretty shocked that they have been allowed such an advantage really, and that no-one else seems to really care. I want to see heads roll here. Fuming I am.

Add opinions to taste.

They've skied it into Row Z as much as anyone else. The only team that has seemed to get any kind of movement on the ball is Japan and to a lesser extent Forlan.

The jubalini ball didnt send off Cahill, the crap ref did and the Aussies were threating and could have made a match of it. The Jubalini Ball wasn't responsible for Gareth Barry jogging back as 5 Germans ran past him. The Jubalini ball also wasn't responsible for Argentina's frailities in the back.

McBain · July 4, 2010

Rook said:
They've skied it into Row Z as much as anyone else. The only team that has seemed to get any kind of movement on the ball is Japan and to a lesser extent Forlan.

The jubalini ball didnt send off Cahill, the crap ref did and the Aussies were threating and could have made a match of it. The Jubalini Ball wasn't responsible for Gareth Barry jogging back as 5 Germans ran past him. The Jubalini ball also wasn't responsible for Argentina's frailities in the back.

I'd say it did, has and will continue to be an advantage.

FOUR GOALS against England and Argentina.

I want an enquiry.

Rook · July 4, 2010

McBain said:
I'd say it did, has and will continue to be an advantage.

FOUR GOALS against England and Argentina.

I want an enquiry.

Don't get me wrong the ball is crap, it doesn't bend and it takes long range shots and free kicks out of the equation. A team like Germany is taylor made for the ball as they seem to be the only team with a pure goal poacher that gets his foot or head on the ball anytime its played into the box. Teams had had over a month with the ball now so they have a good idea of what it does. So I don't think its as big of advantage. Germany purely outworked England (they were tired), and Argentina was a mess at the back giving up stupid foul after stupid foul. Youd think a player like Cambiasso would have broken up some of the counterattacks.

Coaching during free kicks has been idiotic as well. Given that the ball is going to sail why would any coach let any player take a shot on goal? Chip it into the box and see if someone can get a head on it.

teppic · July 4, 2010

The movement from the Germans is why they are winning. With one midfielder bursting forward there are options on each overlap and square and forward passes.

It's so fluid.

Without this German team the World Cup would have been one remembered as one with the least quality on display .

It's just a shame there are not 4 or 5 teams playing like the Germans.

MrMatt · July 4, 2010

Couldn't other teams/leagues have chosen to play with the Jabulaini for months, like Germany did? I think it's good management on the part of the national team and Bundesliga for thinking 'Right, let's get in some practice so our players know the ball.' as opposed to just going to SA and playing with it for like, 2 weeks before the start of the competition. I could be wrong though, did Bundesliga have like, unique rights to playing with that ball? Like no other league could use it I mean.

Dutch Toffee · July 4, 2010

What I Understand, it had something to do with sponsor contracts. most leagues have contracts with the suppliers of match balls. The Dutch league have such a contract with Nike, so they certainly won't allow their biggest rivals Adidas to advertise their ball during the league season. Makes perfect sense to me.

Rook · July 4, 2010

MrMatt said:
Couldn't other teams/leagues have chosen to play with the Jabulaini for months, like Germany did? I think it's good management on the part of the national team and Bundesliga for thinking 'Right, let's get in some practice so our players know the ball.' as opposed to just going to SA and playing with it for like, 2 weeks before the start of the competition. I could be wrong though, did Bundesliga have like, unique rights to playing with that ball? Like no other league could use it I mean.

Wait until Nike buys off FIFA and changes the rules to: 1) Anytime a player not in a US shirt gets within 5 ft of the ball its a foul.

If you watched the NBA you'd know that what I just said isnt far fetched.