Round of 16

[Lude]

I can’t wait for England to smash Germany 5-1 in the Final, with Rudiger at fault for all 5 England goals.

Nice dream.

but it won't happen.

Neither England nor Germany will make it to the final.

Spain vs. Austria...

Hear my words...

 

[Drico]

Remind them they play Spain next

It's funny. The pressure is off Germany now. That could make them a whole lot more dangerous. And they never fear the Spanish.

 

[Walken]

It's funny. The pressure is off Germany now. That could make them a whole lot more dangerous. And they never fear the Spanish.

Think they will need to stop playing with ten man, drop that passenger upfront and they could stretch the spaniards

 

[Lude]

Remind them they play Spain next

Haha.
Yes, Spain will stop the Germans.

Thats right.

 

[Drico]

Think they will need to stop playing with ten man, drop that passenger upfront and they could stretch the spaniards

I think they have plenty of problems - but they also have potential solutions for most of them, and of course they have that shirt.

I make Spain - if they get there - favourites, but wouldn't be one bit surprised if the fact that the Germans have avoided falling flat on their faces and achieved their basic objective of making the last 8 means they get stronger from here.

The very fact that Spain are playing a 16 year-old - and he's their best player - males me wonder if they are putting too much pressure on a child. Wouldn't be unlike the Germans to pick away at that kind of thing and go on from here.

 

[Walken]

I think they have plenty of problems - but they also have potential solutions for most of them, and of course they have that shirt.

I make Spain - if they get there - favourites, but wouldn't be one bit surprised if the fact that the Germans have avoided falling flat on their faces and achieved their basic objective of making the last 8 means they get stronger from here.

The very fact that Spain are playing a 16 year-old - and he's their best player - males me wonder if they are putting too much pressure on a child. Wouldn't be unlike the Germans to pick away at that kind of thing and go on from here.

That german style of play is what broke tikitaka/pepball in europe so they have the tools, its a great match up (assumming Georgia don't pull off a shock)

 

[Walken]

There is not a neutral fan in the world that likes that handball decision or that type of handball decision, how on earth the offcials and bodies can be so far away what the majority want is amazing.

 

[pfim]

I can’t wait for England to smash Germany 5-1 in the Final, with Rudiger at fault for all 5 England goals.

More likely Schlotterbeck at fault. Can’t say Germany have looked that great, no team really looks the clear favorite at this point.

 

[Walken]

While the tubsters on comms were poor, the ITV studio pundits are pretty good, far stronger than BBC

 

[Drico]

That german style of play is what broke tikitaka/pepball in europe so they have the tools, its a great match up (assumming Georgia don't pull off a shock)

Living here in Berlin - and having been somebody who always loved German football - I have been and remain a pretty severe critic of this current German generation. But we've been here before. In 2006, Germany - on a low after the nadir of 1998-2004 - were underdogs against a brilliant side with a genius-level teenager. Sound familiar? For Argentina then, read Spain (probably) now.

I make Spain favourites, but this is Germany's first quarter-final in 8 years, unbelievably. They might only be getting started.

But I need to be consistent. I said I would do the undoable and write off the Germans before the tournament, so I am sticking by that. Even that 2006 effort - and it was some achievement to eliminate THAT Argentina and run Italy to the pin of their tailored collars - ran aground eventually. I think this one will, too. But where is the question. One thing they won't lack, God love them, is self belief. I sort of admire that. It's not like their record of achievement doesn't justify at least some genuine hope...

 

[Alan Whittle]

Interesting that IFAB instructing referees with regard to consistency of decision making and that proximity is not a factor in handball decisions any more.
IFAB effectively taking decision making away from on field referees in some circumstances.

 

[TyphooToffee]

It's pathetic the way the officials try to justify VAR. The offside and the penalty decisions were a joke. Neither were given by the referee and neither were clear and obvious errors. They're ruing the game.

 

[Drico]

Why the tubsters on comms were poor, the ITV studio pundits are pretty good, far stronger than BBC

Completely agree. I haven't watched ITV in years - they were magic in the 1980s with the Big Match, Brian Moore, etc. - but the joys of a VPN mean I have been following some of their coverage here in Berlin. And it's been brilliant.

 

[Obes]

Sadly we’re going to see more penalties awarded for similar incidents after listening to that Christina Unkel. She did a great job explaining IFAB’s procedures and how they want games refereed. They’ve absolutely botched it.

 

[summerisle]

Completely agree. I haven't watched ITV in years - they were magic in the 1980s with the Big Match, Brian Moore, etc. - but the joys of a VPN mean I have been following some of their coverage here in Berlin. And it's been brilliant.

Pity it's all ruined by having the boring, boring Matterface commentating.