World Cup Day 10 Open Thread

Submitted by Yeoman on

Without futher ado:

Group E:

12pm EDT (ESPN)

Argentina vs. Iran

Argentinien

 
Iran
 
Schiedsrichter: Mazic (Serbien)
 
 
 
Group F:
3pm EDT (ESPN)
Germany vs. Ghana
 
Deutschland
 
Ed.: And that's what I get for posting the lineups early. Hummels in after a late fitness check; Mustafi out.
 
Ghana
 
Schiedsrichter: Ricci (Brasilien)
 
 
Group E:
6pm EDT (ESPN)
Nigeria vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
 
Nigeria
 
Bosnien-Herzegovina
 
Schiedsrichter: O'Leary (Neuseeland)

Yeoman

June 21st, 2014 at 8:10 PM ^

...as much as it's limiting situations where both teams lie down. When both teams go into a game knowing that a certain score gets them both through, the scoreline magically gravitates to that score. This way it's a moving target.

They don't ever want Germany/Austria to happen again. UEFA's had quite a few of those, doing it the other way.

The one that really sticks out in my mind is 2002. Denmark beat Bulgaria and tied Italy 0:0; Sweden beat Bulgaria and tied Italy 1:1.

In the last round Italy had Bulgaria and Denmark played Sweden. If Italy won they'd have five points; if Denmark and Sweden tied they'd also have five points. And since the first tiebreaker was head-to-head, all that would matter was the number of goals scored in the matches among the three teams. Italy's result against Bulgaria didn't matter; they'd already posted their number and all Sweden and Denmark needed to do was to beat it. If they had a draw of at least 2:2, they'd both go through no matter what Italy did.

Sure enough, the game finished 2:2.

 

Mr. Yost

June 21st, 2014 at 7:42 PM ^

Breaches into stadiums

On 18 June, around 100 Chilean supporters who had gathered outside Maracana Stadium forced their way into the stadium. During the breach Chileans broke through security, after one fan pretended to be sick to distract the guard. They proceeded into the media centre, smashed the glass door, knocked over two partition walls and entered the stadium. Military police reported that 85 Chileans were detained during the events, while others reached the stands. Earlier on 15 June, about 20 Argentinians made a similar breach during the Argentina–Bosnia match.[115][116]

blackstarwolverine

June 21st, 2014 at 8:03 PM ^

Germany probably should have won that game; they were very un-German, meaning they weren't clinical when it mattered. But I'm very happy with the response by the Blackstars. You see, this what happens when you start KPB and Afful, who can actually defend. This is actually how I expected the U.S. game to play out, a press and bend-but-don't-break defense followed by swift counterattacks. Of course Dempsey's early goal wasn't expected. It's a shame that Kwado Asamoah has to play defense instead flying down the left wing, but my goodness what a tackle to stop Muller from a certain goal. Still hope to get through with the Germans.