***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (2 Viewers)

[El Floppo]

[sOCIAL MEDIA WATCH] With 35.6 million tweets, the Brazil-Germany match was the most-discussed single sports game ever on Twitter, smashing the previous record of 24.9 million tweets set during the 2014 Super Bowl.

Sami Khedira's goal in the 29th minute -- a record fourth German goal in six minutes and the fifth goal to cap the fastest five goals ever to start a World Cup match -- set a record for tweets per minute (580,166).

The previous record for most tweets at the 2014 World Cup was set during the Brazil-Chile match that went to a shootout: 16.4 million tweets.

I would hope/assume a massive game in the World Cup generates more social media twats than our country's football championship.

Say what now?

####

twats

eta- interesting

are Likes on a rotating mystery schedule? I think I've used 1 or 2 this morning, and yet...

An error occurredYou have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

the FBG day = last 24hr, not the current day , so some late night likes are costing you here. I've found going back and unliking any Sebowski posts help free them up

dammit

n error occurredYou have reached your quota of positive votes for the day

 

[The Gator]

It's easy to get hyperbolic at this point.... however does ARG or NED have a chance against Germany?

Yes they both do.

Don't forget, before yesterday people were talking about a German team who peaked in their first game and then struggled to look dominate again.

I think the best final would be Germany/Netherlands, but I'm pulling for Argentina to go all the way now

 

[Eephus]

Germany/Holland is one of the great rivalries in international soccer.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

It's easy to get hyperbolic at this point.... however does ARG or NED have a chance against Germany?

Before I get attacked...Of course they "have a chance", but generally speaking either would have to come in as pretty damn significant dogs to GER right now, no?

I don't know what the books would do. They're probably influenced a lot by recency bias. Based purely on the quality of the team as we could evaluate through the entire World Cup and leading up to it, Argentina would probably be at least even money and maybe a slight favorite considering the home continent advantage and assuming healthy teams. The loss of Di Maria might turn them into slight dogs. But it would be close.

On paper, the Netherlands aren't nearly as talented as Germany, but Robben is pretty much tailor made to torture a German backline that is likely to play high and is now probably without Hummels. So I think the Germans would be favorites, but not overwhelming favorites.

The semi tells us nothing about Germany will do against either of the other two possible finalists. Neither Argentina nor Holland are at all susceptible to the complete failure of discipline that went on for Brazil yesterday. Luiz seemed to blame himself for the first goal and took it upon himself to try to change things. He absolutely destroyed Brazil's shape doing it. That's just not going to happen again.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I think the best final would be Germany/Netherlands, but I'm pulling for Argentina to go all the way now

All three have been pretty tight defensively -- Germany (3 goals/six games), Netherlands (4 in 5) Argentina (3 in 5).

Would love to see Messi vs the German team's creative midfield force.

 

[Bonzai]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

 

[El Floppo]

It's easy to get hyperbolic at this point.... however does ARG or NED have a chance against Germany?

Before I get attacked...Of course they "have a chance", but generally speaking either would have to come in as pretty damn significant dogs to GER right now, no?

I thought Germany got outplayed by Ghana for much of their game- high pressure with physicality and speed in the MF and attack. Muntari pretty much owned them... Suli Muntari, the guy who's ok-to-good in Serie A (granted, had a fantastic WC... two games).

Germany against Brazil was an aberration. A strange confluence of all the shots going in, and Brazil really ####### up leading to all the shots going in. Most games, the GK gets some saves, the forwards miss the goal... something. This was bizarre and not to be taken as an shining example of what Germany will do to every opponent.

Yeah- Germany have to be considered the favorites, but both the Netherlands and Argentina have shown tremendous defensive discipline all tournament and have the two best game-changing players left. They are both more than capable of beating Germany and I wouldn't consider either of them winning a surprise or shock.

 

[GoFishTN]

Pornhub pleads with users to stop uploading videos of Brazil 'getting f***ed by Germany' in the World Cup

 

[dickey moe]

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/2350A740B91098402294506184704_2d5c7558432.1.0.6745795947523216433.mp4?versionId=nKxvXk6nmF9uUP4kxLBPD.gmje3Kc4_z

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

 

[El Floppo]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I'm feeling the same.

Plus- #### Germany. amirite?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I would love to see it - either would be good for me, having lived in both countries and exchanging multiple emails per day with nationals in Holland and Germany the past month or so. One thing is certain, there would be no exchanging of shirts after. As the topless image of Ronald Koeman reminds us, the hatred runs very deep (and honestly, I think the hatred stems more from football than from Ann Frank among the current generation of adults).

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

I'm happy just rooting for performances. I think any winner now would be a cool, vindicating story.

Jogi Low probably deserves to win the big one after being close for so long.

Messi obviously deserves the big check mark on his legacy.

For me, Robben has been the most electric player in the tournament. Way back in 2006, when I found myself drawn back into following the sport again, I remember being captivated as I watched Robben dribble past everybody in Germany. And I remember cooling on him when I realized he had no end product after running past everyone. To see him now as the finished product is strangely satisfying.

 

[roadkill1292]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I would love to see it - either would be good for me, having lived in both countries and exchanging multiple emails per day with nationals in Holland and Germany the past month or so. One thing is certain, there would be no exchanging of shirts after. As the topless image of Ronald Koeman reminds us, the hatred runs very deep (and honestly, I think the hatred stems more from football than from Ann Frank among the current generation of adults).

Backstory on this? Is Koeman shaking his butt disdainfully at the Germans after a big win? If so, that's pretty cool.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I would love to see it - either would be good for me, having lived in both countries and exchanging multiple emails per day with nationals in Holland and Germany the past month or so. One thing is certain, there would be no exchanging of shirts after. As the topless image of Ronald Koeman reminds us, the hatred runs very deep (and honestly, I think the hatred stems more from football than from Ann Frank among the current generation of adults).

Backstory on this? Is Koeman shaking his butt disdainfully at the Germans after a big win? If so, that's pretty cool.

I believe he has a German jersey in his hand, so you can kind of guess what he's doing.

 

[Mario Kart]

The parady commercials should be a blast. Ideas?- dad partying with hookers.

- dad with a bunch of blow.

- ?

 

[roadkill1292]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I would love to see it - either would be good for me, having lived in both countries and exchanging multiple emails per day with nationals in Holland and Germany the past month or so. One thing is certain, there would be no exchanging of shirts after. As the topless image of Ronald Koeman reminds us, the hatred runs very deep (and honestly, I think the hatred stems more from football than from Ann Frank among the current generation of adults).

Backstory on this? Is Koeman shaking his butt disdainfully at the Germans after a big win? If so, that's pretty cool.

I believe he has a German jersey in his hand, so you can kind of guess what he's doing.

 

[Short Corner]

I am sure it has been stated here but just in case....NL has lost 3x in the finals....to Germany, Argentina, and Spain. They pounded Spain in the group stage......

Setting up nicely for them avenge all 3.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I would love to see it - either would be good for me, having lived in both countries and exchanging multiple emails per day with nationals in Holland and Germany the past month or so. One thing is certain, there would be no exchanging of shirts after. As the topless image of Ronald Koeman reminds us, the hatred runs very deep (and honestly, I think the hatred stems more from football than from Ann Frank among the current generation of adults).

Backstory on this? Is Koeman shaking his butt disdainfully at the Germans after a big win? If so, that's pretty cool.

I believe he has a German jersey in his hand, so you can kind of guess what he's doing.

Olaf Thon's jersey I think. I wonder whether Thon kept Koeman's?

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Anyone but Holland for me. Robben, DeJong, the 2010 Final and no one I really like.

 

[Native]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

 

[El Floppo]

I am sure it has been stated here but just in case....NL has lost 3x in the finals....to Germany, Argentina, and Spain. They pounded Spain in the group stage......

Setting up nicely for them avenge all 3.

hadn't thought about that- interesting

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

I suppose that's true in the media, but I've read some accounts that basically say that many Brazil fans were kind of philosophical about the whole thing. Its a footballing nation, which at least means that they weren't delusional. A lot of Brazil fans understood very well that this was not a particularly strong team by Brazil's standards. As one fan explaining why the defeat was easier to take than the one in 1950 said, "The difference is [the 1950] team was good. This team sucks."

 

[QuizGuy66]

Is it really worse losing 1-7 than 1-2?

Yes. It is worse by 5.

-QG

 

[TheIronSheik]

If Neymar didn't have a Verta-brazil™, I believe Brazil would have won 8-7. Thanks a lot, Colombia.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Is it really worse losing 1-7 than 1-2?

WAIT A SECOND!Is this proper numerical prose in the world of soccer fandom to refer to box score results with the losing score first? ... or is Rohn Jamo a lifelong resident of Long Island who lacks a little awareness? ... or other?

Futbol, I will not carry this baggage.

Home team first

I'm out.

Wait until you see their standings aren't W-L-T .. .. .

I'll cop that this still drives me nuts. Too used to W-L-T and when you factor in things like the EPL having like a zillion ties it still annoys.

-QG

 

[Mjolnirs]

https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/2350A740B91098402294506184704_2d5c7558432.1.0.6745795947523216433.mp4?versionId=nKxvXk6nmF9uUP4kxLBPD.gmje3Kc4_z

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Anyone but Holland for me. Robben, DeJong, the 2010 Final and no one I really like.

 

[QuizGuy66]

OK, rewatching the game up through 5-0....

1-0: Lots of blame to go around here. Luiz is the primary culprit, but Marcelo deserves plenty of blame here as well, as does Scolari. Marcelo's caught far too up field after taking a pass from Hulk, and is dispossessed by a combination of Khedira and Schweinsteiger, who rampage down the right side. Marcelo's able to recover and force the corner, but it could've been worse right there.

On the corner, Luiz is marking Mueller, Fernandinho is marking Klose near the goal. Klose drifts in behind Luiz, who isn't sticking closely enough to Mueller, and effectively sets a pick. By the time Luiz reacts, he cant fight past Klose (Fernandinho gets in his way too, they literally run into each other) and by then it is too late.

Cesar can't do much with it, but Marcelo is inexplicably standing inside the goal line. Seems like he could have been deployed much more effectively by Scolari on situations like this.

3 demerits: Luiz

2 demerits: Marcelo

1 demerit: Scolari

1 demerit: Fernandinho

2-0: Right before this goal, Marcelo is again caught too far upfield (22'), and Khedira starts the break through Mueller down the right side, leading to a deep throw-in.

Upon the throw in, Mueller plays a pretty simple pass to Kroos, which Fernandinho gambles on trying to intercept, and doesn't get to in time. At this point Kroos has control, is 25 yards out, and has Fernandinho on his back and the Brazil back four has no cover. He comes forward and Dante comes out to challenge him. Kroos plays a lovely ball through Dante to Mueller, who has cut in from the right, and at the same time, Klose has darted from the 18' towards the middle of the box. Mueller controls and taps to Klose, who is merely being watched by Luiz at this point (he never even tries to hustle) and pursued by an out-of-position Maicon, who can't do much but watch. Cesar might have done a bit better here, but again most of the fault lies on the shoulders of Luiz again.

3 demerits: Luiz

3 demerits: Fernandinho

2 demerits: Dante

1 demerit: Marcelo

1 demerit: Cesar

3-0: Far too easy to penetrate again down the right side. Khedira has room in front of him up until about 25 yards, where Hulk is in front of him. Gustavo is playing way too far off him at this point, jogging in his general vicinity and giving him plenty of time to make a pass. Hulk stops tracking Lahm so he can step up to Khedira, and Marcelo is poorly positioned and too slow slow to recognize and close out on Lahm. He's nowhere near the one time pass that Lahm plays back through the box. Fernandinho is again out of position to stop Mueller who it comes to initially, but he scuffs at it. Maicon is sucked in all the way to the middle of the box, Luiz is standing hopelessly at the six, nowhere near Klose, and Bernard is slowly jogging towards the action, presumably. Kroos takes it one time and beats Cesar with a saveable shot.

2 demerits: Marcelo

2 demerits: Gustavo

2 demerits: Luiz

2 demerits: Cesar

1 demerit: Fernandinho

4-0: This one is all Fernandinho. Dante plays him a simple pass with his back to the Germans, which he handles casually, and Kroos catches him from behind, steals the ball cleanly, and is off to the races. Dante does his best, but a simple 1-2 with Khedira leaves both he and Cesar woefully out of position, leading to a simple finish for Kroos.

It should be noted that as this breakdown is happening, Luiz is slowly jogging to the action and is out of position the whole time, far off to the right. Watch a replay, it is seriously galling.

5 demerits: Fernandinho

2 demerits: Luiz

1 demerit: Dante

5-0: Luiz chips another pass forward to Germany's backline, presumably towards Hulk but its badly played. Hummels chests it down, and easily skips past Fernandinho. Inexplicably, Luiz comes all the way out to challenge him and he and Gustavo almost collide into each other, but not before Hummels slips a pass to Khedira, who breaks in with Maicon and Marcelo trailing out of position, and only poor Dante left to try and stop him. Dante challenges him effectively, but Khedira lays off a pass to Ozil on the left. Dante turns to him, and the ball is back to Khedira, alone, who puts it home. It should also be noted that Marcelo completely lost track of Mueller during this break, but he wasn't even needed.

3 demerits: Luiz

3 demerits: Fernandinho

2 demerits: Marcelo

1 demerit: Maicon

I'm assigning an additional 3 demerits to Scolari for picking such a defensive XI that lacked playmakers/ballhandlers that could've provided relief from Brazil's pressure, and two additional demerits to Cesar for not martialing his back line better. But make no mistake, this doesn't fall on Fred or Scolari, Brazil was undone by Luiz and Fernandinho primarily, with plenty of help from Marcelo. Perhaps Silva would've been able to wake them up after the first couple, but Dante wasn't Brazil's primary issue, nor was Maicon.

To provide some perspective, Fernandinho was widely considered to be the best defensive midfielder in the best domestic league this year, Manchester City won the EPL and he was rightly credited for helping their defense stay so steady. Opinions are more split on Luiz, who wasn't a first-choice CB for Mourinho at Chelsea and was sold to Paris St. Germain for the highest transfer fee ever for a defender. He takes pk's, he's capable of scoring on free kicks, and he advances forward from the CB position, which few CB's ever do. But he also isn't considered great in terms of his positioning/defensive acumen.

Marcelo is the starting LB for Real Madrid, who won the UEFA Champions League this year, and is also considered one of the best LB's in the world.

Final total:

13 demerits: Luiz

13 demerits: Fernandinho

7 demerits: Marcelo

5 demerits: Cesar

4 demerits: Scolari

3 demerits: Dante

2 demerits: Gustavo

1 demerit: Maicon

1 demerit: Bernard

Was going to make the conventional DeMerit joke here - then I did an image search and this was 3rd. Seems appropriate.

http://i1.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/514/383/1d9.jpg

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

All very true.

I do think that people (I know you understand this) underestimate how big the WC for the players and fans. It's not every year. It's not one city. It's 4 years of grind/stress/microscopic-analysis for an entire country culminating in a handful of games that bear the weight of that. Add that it's generational at best that the thing gets played at home and not on another continent.

I think the "I'm not a troll, but I'll piss in here and act surprised that soccer people get so upset" crowd really, really, really don't get the distinction between the above and say... yet another "World" Series, NBA Championship or Superbowl. Except for Cubs fans.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Is 1-7 the worst loss in WC semifinal history?

yes.

6-1 happened 3 times. Twice in 1930 and once in 1954

Note that in 1950, 1974 and 1978 there were no semi finals due to a different organization of how the tournament was played.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

I've sort of gotten the feeling that the sociological/political problems in Brazil right now have put the national team in perspective somewhat, and that this World Cup wasn't considered as much (relative term) of a life and death matter as it has been in years past.

There's a guy I'm FB friends with who's alternately rooting for the Dutch and the Germans. I just...I dunno.

 

[QuizGuy66]

@BrianMFloyd: Oh man, Brazil (via @Newseum) http://t.co/7HQ4WbMNth

@BrianMFloyd: This Brazil front page... (Via @Newseum) http://t.co/CWlcQVQngf

The front pages in Brazil are amazing today.

That first one is amazing- perfect shot.

I like the ones that used Scolari holding up 7 fingers

-QG

 

[Native]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

I suppose that's true in the media, but I've read some accounts that basically say that many Brazil fans were kind of philosophical about the whole thing. Its a footballing nation, which at least means that they weren't delusional. A lot of Brazil fans understood very well that this was not a particularly strong team by Brazil's standards. As one fan explaining why the defeat was easier to take than the one in 1950 said, "The difference is [the 1950] team was good. This team sucks."

I guess thats what makes the reaction that much darker. The fans knew this team doesnt compare to prior generations yet the country still unanimously views the loss as a national catastrophe. Of course the WAY they lost was the real kick in the gut. Brazil desparately needed a morale boost and what they got was humilation.

 

[NewlyRetired]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches.

Bill Buckner might be a better example.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I'm feeling the same.

Plus- #### Germany. amirite?

I am going for Argie myself.

I was not old enough to watch Pele

Soccer was not popular enough to see Maradona at his peak in 1986

Messi might be my best chance to say I got to watch "the best player ever". That would be pretty cool.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Gustavo has to get demerits for goal #2. He's ball watching when Muller makes the telling run.

Good call. There was just too much bad defending to keep track of, even with rewatches. Updated.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches.

Bill Buckner might be a better example.

There was a lot of vitriol towards Buckner, but that seemed to be more a culmination of decades upon failure heaped on a guy who made a lapse deserving of some (but not all of the blame).

All of the anger and resentment from Brazil is stemming directly from this game. There is no well of pent-up frustration in Brazil regarding the Selecao.

 

[Native]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

All very true.

I do think that people (I know you understand this) underestimate how big the WC for the players and fans. It's not every year. It's not one city. It's 4 years of grind/stress/microscopic-analysis for an entire country culminating in a handful of games that bear the weight of that. Add that it's generational at best that the thing gets played at home and not on another continent.

I think the "I'm not a troll, but I'll piss in here and act surprised that soccer people get so upset" crowd really, really, really don't get the distinction between the above and say... yet another "World" Series, NBA Championship or Superbowl. Except for Cubs fans.

Spot on.

If you think about it, this year's World Cup until now has been a massive worldwide celebration. Until yesterday. The entire mood of the Cup was turned on its head. Even the German players were consoling the Brazilians after the defeat rather than celebrating their victory. You could FEEL the pain of the players and the fans and the stadium. Just incredible moments that you dont see very often.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Germany's 7-1 shocking margin of victory over Brazil in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday paid dividends for bettors who collected on the 999-1 odds of it happening.Barry Orr, a spokesman for England-based Betfair, told ESPN.com that three bettors, who placed a total of $11 on Germany beating Brazil 7-1, raked in approximately $11,000.

Bookmakers around the world didn't even list the improbable score as an option, but Betfair offers an exchange where fans can set up a wager on its platform.

The odds of 999-1 are the highest value that can be set on the exchange. The firm administers the payoff for a price of in between 2 and 5 percent of the winnings.

"The guys I feel sorry for are the punters who had 31 pounds [$53 U.S.] at 999-1 on 7-0 Germany," Orr said.

 

[QuizGuy66]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches.

Bill Buckner might be a better example.

I like the first "dream team" that lost in the Olympics - at least in terms of the US that's pretty close as it was a sport we invented (I know Brazil just feels like it invented it) and that we would always be best.

Perhaps the Miracle on Ice game from '80 (from the Russian perspective) but we didn't blast them.

And neither was a perceived match-up of equals.

It's hard for analogies to hockey, pro basketball, or baseball because those are series. The humiliation takes at least a week.

Maybe the proper analogy really is war - I mean Custer had to be considered a favorite at Little Big Horn, right?

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

I suppose that's true in the media, but I've read some accounts that basically say that many Brazil fans were kind of philosophical about the whole thing. Its a footballing nation, which at least means that they weren't delusional. A lot of Brazil fans understood very well that this was not a particularly strong team by Brazil's standards. As one fan explaining why the defeat was easier to take than the one in 1950 said, "The difference is [the 1950] team was good. This team sucks."

I guess thats what makes the reaction that much darker. The fans knew this team doesnt compare to prior generations yet the country still unanimously views the loss as a national catastrophe. Of course the WAY they lost was the real kick in the gut. Brazil desparately needed a morale boost and what they got was humilation.

I dunno... this is essentially the team that dominated the last Confed Cup in dramatic fashion. yeah- maybe an indication that Spain was done, but to that point, nobody else had been able to do to them what Brazil did. They were almost German in that win with a level of determination that they just lacked this entire WC.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Post-mortem from ZM, which catalogs Marcelo's horrific performance:

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/07/09/germany-7-1-brazil-germany-record-a-historic-thrashing/

 

[NewlyRetired]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches.

Bill Buckner might be a better example.

There was a lot of vitriol towards Buckner, but that seemed to be more a culmination of decades upon failure heaped on a guy who made a lapse deserving of some (but not all of the blame).

All of the anger and resentment from Brazil is stemming directly from this game. There is no well of pent-up frustration in Brazil regarding the Selecao.

agreed.

But I think the failure in 1950 is so ingrained in the Brazilian football culture that they saw this as a way of removing that stain forever, and instead of removing it, they added one twice as bad.

 

[Slapdash]

Anyone but Holland for me. Robben, DeJong, the 2010 Final and no one I really like.

Agree. I really don't want another final like 10.

 

[El Floppo]

Really want to see Germany v Netherlands and Brazil v Argentina. Two of the biggest rivalries in the world.

Germany v Holland is a great, hateful rivalry, but seems more of a UEFA rivalry for me. We can see that in France 2016. Germany v Argentina has great FIFA history, would be a rubber match of sorts having split the 86 and '90 finals.

Holland finally winning the big one over the country that denied their greatest team in 1974 would be an awesome story. Holland has won the European Championship before. There are no demons to be exorcised there.

I'm feeling the same.

Plus- #### Germany. amirite?

I am going for Argie myself.

I was not old enough to watch Pele

Soccer was not popular enough to see Maradona at his peak in 1986

Messi might be my best chance to say I got to watch "the best player ever". That would be pretty cool.

I got to see him... you didn't?

 

[Slapdash]

For some comparaive perspective:

The Broncos were thoroughly humilated in a similar manner in the Super Bowl yet the city of Denver didnt lash out with any kind of vitriol against the team and coaches. Of course everyone was massively disappointed but there was none of the hysterical crying or existential questioning of the team by the city. The only time I can remember a US team be so derided was when the US Mens Basketball team lost in the Olympics and were labeled selfish primma donnas. The media had a field day with them because it made a good story but it didnt come with any of the theatrics, drama or on-the-brink societal breakdowns were seeing in Brazil. There was no emotion in that defeat by the fans, just resentment.

In Brazil its completely different. Just goes to show you how deep soccer/football runs in people's blood there. That country is a pressure cooker right now due to social and political unrest and those players were, unfairly, carrying the yolk of a nation on their shoulders. They simply wilted under the pressure. Ive seen lots of teams melt down on big stages, but never with the fallout like were seeing in this instance. Social media only compounds things. The venom coming out of people's mouths (and keyboards) is really upsetting.

I suppose that's true in the media, but I've read some accounts that basically say that many Brazil fans were kind of philosophical about the whole thing. Its a footballing nation, which at least means that they weren't delusional. A lot of Brazil fans understood very well that this was not a particularly strong team by Brazil's standards. As one fan explaining why the defeat was easier to take than the one in 1950 said, "The difference is [the 1950] team was good. This team sucks."

I guess thats what makes the reaction that much darker. The fans knew this team doesnt compare to prior generations yet the country still unanimously views the loss as a national catastrophe. Of course the WAY they lost was the real kick in the gut. Brazil desparately needed a morale boost and what they got was humilation.

I dunno... this is essentially the team that dominated the last Confed Cup in dramatic fashion. yeah- maybe an indication that Spain was done, but to that point, nobody else had been able to do to them what Brazil did. They were almost German in that win with a level of determination that they just lacked this entire WC.

Really not sure what the #### happened to Oscar in the last year to cause such a dramatically different tourney.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Maybe Fischer dispatching Spassky after losing the first two games?

Really hard to press for an example.

-QG

 

[El Floppo]

Anyone but Holland for me. Robben, DeJong, the 2010 Final and no one I really like.

Agree. I really don't want another final like 10.

To be fair- Holland played that goonish way pretty much throughout 10... I have not seen them play that way this time. except for ####### De Jong. but thankfully there's no more van Bommel