# Brasil 2014 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 6, 2014, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840 "2014-05-06T21:19:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 151
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3001 "2014-07-09T00:46:35Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Enjoy it! It’s a long wait until Sunday,but I’ll be hosting a party. Thanks and cheers! There’ll be an annual local fest at my town (or rather, village) coincidencing with the final on Sunday, and they’ll be painting the town if we’re going to win this thing. I’m surely taking a day off on Monday. But now I’m really off to bed (I’m sure I’ll be late this morning, but I won’t be the only German). ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3002 "2014-07-09T00:51:02Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Enjoy it! It’s a long wait until Sunday… Some of us have been waiting since 1966… :o ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3003 "2014-07-09T01:20:24Z")
[quote=“amanset, post:2997, topic:687840”] Yep, same here. I have had a strong dislike of them after their goalkeeper against France in 1986 introduced a twelve year old amanset to the concept of the professional foul. [/QUOTE] And the referee didn’t even give a foul. :eek: If ever a referee deserved to be punched in the face it was then. No wonder players fall over at the slightest touch with incidents such as that. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3004 "2014-07-09T02:45:05Z")
Wow. Has this World Cup had more strange bounces than any other? I mean, I’m not sure if the Brazilian defense knew this was a real game, not some kind of drill, but aside from what Brazil did in their own penalty area, this wasn’t too far from a fairly close game. Germany had, what, two decent chances that didn’t hit the net? While Brazil could easily have had four more goals with just a tiny bit better bounces. I mean, nobody seriously thinks the US was 6 times better than Brazil… ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3005 "2014-07-09T02:59:07Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Also, Hulk plays for the Zenit in Russia, and I’ve lost a lot of respect for him. And how he begged out of the second half of this game after pretty much no-showing for the WC. Explain, please? ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3006 "2014-07-09T03:01:28Z")
Scolari is really regretting inviting the 2014 AFC Champion Denver Broncos into the training facility to give his team a pep talk. I also wanted to dredge this up back from July 4, before we even knew Neymar would be out: > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I hope Germany grind this Brazil team to paste in the semi-final. And how! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3007 "2014-07-09T03:38:14Z")
Germany hasn’t pulled off an attack like that since… oh, hell, the jokes write themselves. Seriously, though, it’s difficult for me to ascertain from that exactly what we’d expect Germany to accomplish against Argentina-or-Netherlands. I thought the Germans were the best team in the tournament, but today’s game did not resemble any high level soccer match I have ever seen; the Brazilians were so utterly, totally confused and terrible that I don’t really know what to think. I’ve no doubt they would have lost today to ANY other team in the tournament - not 7-1, but they would’ve lost, be it 4-1 or whatever. It was a performance of staggering, jaw-dropping ineptitude and there’s no chance Germany will face such amateurish play in the final. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3008 "2014-07-09T03:49:08Z")
Men in Blazers: “Brazil were like “The Office” after Steve Carell left” “Brazilian players always act as if they’re being interviewed by Barbara Walters” They have been easily the most enjoyable source for after-match “analysis” anywhere. They raised one interesting point: the Uruguay defeat in 1950 was a national tragedy, still very much felt after 64 years. That score was 2-1… ---
**Author:** ![planetcory](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/planetcory/32/1032_2.png) [@planetcory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/planetcory)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3009 "2014-07-09T03:55:18Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Interesting here. Ex-Brazil player Juninho says: > > [World Cup 2014: Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari on 'worst day' - BBC Sport](http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28222899) > > But not a week ago everyone was telling us that the Brazilian way, learning close control in the game of Futsal, was what made them so special. > > [World Cup 2014: Futsal - the game behind Brazil's superstars - BBC Sport](http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27980859) > > What a difference a week makes. You can’t really say this team was playing ‘traditional’ Brazilian football, though. Other than Neymar. ---
**Author:** ![bldysabba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3010 "2014-07-09T04:00:29Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > They raised one interesting point: the Uruguay defeat in 1950 was a national tragedy, still very much felt after 64 years. That score was 2-1… Maybe, but I think close hard fought matches tend to generate more emotion and stick around longer than utter whitewashes like this one. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3011 "2014-07-09T04:07:52Z")
Neymar is vastly overrated as a footballer thus far. He was having a decent WC but wasn’t at Mueller or Messi’s level. His involvement in this game wouldn’t have changed anything. Germany utterly dominated the midfield. Oscar Pistorius has a better defence than Brazil. They were show ponies who were deservedly found out. They got away with it for far too king (with help from the officials). ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3012 "2014-07-09T04:09:19Z")
> [@bldysabba](#): > > Maybe, but I think close hard fought matches tend to generate more emotion and stick around longer than utter whitewashes like this one. This is much, much worse. This was a humiliation. Germany could have scored ten. In the modern era this is unprecedented and with easy access to Video and the net it will be dragged out time and time again. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3013 "2014-07-09T05:53:45Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Scolari is really regretting inviting the 2014 AFC Champion Denver Broncos into the training facility to give his team a pep talk… FWIW, this was exactly what I was thinking as I watched it just now (and avoided spoilers). What the unholy f\*#k was that I just watched? I FF’d when it got to 3 -0, not expecting it’d hit 7-1. Seriously?! That was embarrassing. And I though Brazil looked the superior team 10 minutes in: they had a corner in the first minute, they were winning nearly all the 50-50s. WTF happened! That said, and it may be the Hakusan whisky (a good Islay-style, if you like your smoke piney, not peaty), I’m calling my shot: Argentina will beat this German team in the final. But the last Super Bowl was exactly what I was thinking of before I got fed up at 3-0 and FF’d to the end EDIT: y’all are more informed football fans than I am: can any of you remember a similar beat down in even the quarters, never mind the semis? I can’t think of one in the Euro championships, the Champs league, I’m a loss. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3014 "2014-07-09T06:01:46Z")
Oh, and I realize my previous post implies Argentina makes it past Holland. I think they will, later today, 2-1. Gotta have some Alfajores Santafesinos, well… just because… And I’m really craving caramel. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3015 "2014-07-09T06:59:51Z")
I’m not sure where the certainty for Argentina comes from. They’ve been as uninspiring as Brazil. Holland have certainly carried more attacking threat and Argentina’s defence have not faced anyone like Robben yet. You can’t rule out a one-man masterclass from Messi as he is a footballing genius, but do they have enough in support? I think not. I reckon Holland take it easily. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3016 "2014-07-09T07:54:24Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > And the referee didn’t even give a foul. :eek: If ever a referee deserved to be punched in the face it was then. No wonder players fall over at the slightest touch with incidents such as that. Yep. 1986 was not a golden World Cup for refereeing decisions. Was the one where Maradona showed what a cheating shit he is too. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3017 "2014-07-09T08:02:27Z")
With Di Maria out and Aguero probably not fully fit even if he plays, if the Netherlands can control Messi then Argentina don’t have many other outlets. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3018 "2014-07-09T08:55:14Z")
Reports of Van Persie having a stomach bug and may not play.The Netherlands have been hit and miss for me, mostly miss. They have shown themselves competent at most(apart from the first match). Im hoping for a Dutch win. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3019 "2014-07-09T11:46:58Z")
I think the Argentines will sneak it. Messi to score from range and they will grind out a 1-0 win. And Brazil were never in that game. First few minutes that ran a lot but did nothing with the ball and has no shape. Germany just imposed themselves and that was that. Liuiz was terrible (50M!!!) as was Fred but it was a shambles from the get go. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840/3020 "2014-07-09T12:22:11Z")
Being a fan of a traditional South American powerhouse that has so far shown itself to be very shaky at the back, this result has me scared about the game later today. Argentina’s defense has been pretty poor so far, though it looked slightly better against Belgium. Rojo has served his suspension and will probably return to the starting 11 with Gago. I’m not tactically smart enough to say why, but they always look worse with Rojo and Gago in there, not to mention Rojo’s penchant for hard fouling which likely arises from being caught out of position. Combined with Robben’s, er, _precarious balance_ issues when he’s in the box, and I predict we’ll see a couple controversial refereeing decisions. From what I’ve seen so far, I think Argentina are going to have their hands full just trying to survive today, let alone any thought of beating a very organized German team. I also wouldn’t want to meet a pissed off Brazil in the third-place game. That one might end up with 5 on 5 with all the stretchers used up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840.md?page=150) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brasil-2014/687840.md?page=152)