The third place match is starting in about 15 minutes, so this is going to be short.
On the third place match, I think Uruguay will give Germany a much harder run for their money now that the Germans have flu, many of them are not starting and Uruguay have Luis Suarez and Diego Lugano back.
I think it's going to finish 2-2.
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Semifinals:
Basically Holland outclassed Uruguay.
The Dutch midfield got on top of the Uruguayan one by restricting their space and putting in tactical checks that, while allowing the Dutch to pass freely, stunted their opponents. As the Dutch passed around the static Uruguayan midfield, their forwards got into better scoring positions. All Uruguay could do was keep their shape, but what good is shape when you don't have the ball and your opponents are good at doing something with it.
I expected the first goal to come from close in but captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst reminded me of his long range thunderbolt against Chelsea in 2002-03 with another one here that absolutely scorched its way into the net. Note the foul by Van Bommel in the buildup.
Diego Forlan got things level with a great goal but it was mostly one way traffic. Holland went out of sight midway through the second half with two quick goals from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben before Maxi Perreira pulled one back at the death.
Holland were deserving of their win but the Albiceleste tried to give as good as they got. Sadly, except for Edinson Cavani, Suarez's replacement and Diego Forlan, they seldom had the skill or ability to do so.
Uruguay have done well to get this far, Holland, as expected are through to the final.
Holland 3 - 2 Uurguay
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Spain kept possession so well that Germany barely got a whiff of the ball. The Spanish also defended much deeper, reducing the amount of space their opponents got to pass and release the ball in. Thomas Mueller was absent for the Germans through suspension, and I didn't initially think he'd be missed much. But he was. With the final member of their successful front six, absent, Germany seemed to miss his outlet passing and running.
Spain of course just kept passing and passing and passing. Eventually when the goal did some it was off a set piece as Carlos Puyol thundered in a header of a set piece.
Germany had a great chance when Podolski was free at the far post but his shot was well parried by Iker Casillas.
Other than that, though the Germans, saw some of the ball and got some purchase around and in front of the Spanish penalty area, they rarely got the ball in between the defence and midfield, where they thrive.
Towards the end, Pedro, who had started his first game, had a great chance to square to Fernando Torres for an easy second. But he delayed, got tackled, fell and lost the ball. Immediately after Sergio Busquets yelled at the bench to get Pedro off. Three minutes later, David Silva replaced Pedro.
Not quite a war of attrition but only one goal in a world cup classic.
Germany are out despite notching 13 goals so far and thrashing several teams. Young, they will be back.
Barcelona, I mean, Spain, roll on.
Spain 1 - 0 Germany
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