Speaker by Various Artists

Here's Hursty's 2nd goal, the line ball one as mentioned in the blog:

And here's his third. Lovely stuff;

Some pretty awesome goals in the first two knockouts, eh, though Korea's defense was disastrous for one, sleepy defenders.

History? I vaguely recall France and Italy being good teams last time, doesn't seem to mean a damn thing in 2010.

History? I vaguely recall France and Italy being good teams last time, doesn't seem to mean a damn thing in 2010.

Perhaps, but consider that since 1970 only six teams have made the final: Brazil, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina and France. Two of them are out, but that's not to say it won't be two of the other four, again. (Hoping for some novelty, myself.)

Phew, that game made my musings on England vs Germany work quite nicely. Even a cross-bar travesty that will have German hearts round the world singing, a wrong finally righted in their eyes.

As for that German side, wow! I watched the Spain-Germany Euro Championship final while holidaying in Liguria 2 years ago and the German side today is unrecognisable from that one. It's the obvious message for England, a refresh is badly needed, but sadly I don't think they have the youth. My prediction is that England will struggle to qualify for the next finals.

Dear Lord, what a game! You have to love this from the Guardian minute-by-minunte:

67 min: THIS COULD BE IT FOR ENGLAND. Germany 3-1 England. The ball having bounced off the wall, four German players stream upfield, no red shirts bothering to chase back and help. Down the inside left, Schweinsteiger rolls the ball wide right to Muller on the right-hand edge of the England box. James gets a hand to the shot, but it was hit hard as you like and flies into the bottom-right corner.

69 min: England's four defenders make it back to their area.

69 min: England's four defenders make it back to their area.

You have to laugh really. Terry was appalling in defence.
You also have to laugh at this
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/27/england-germany-world-cup-2010

Golden generation? Maybe for their clubs, but for England? Two Quarter final exits, one second round, and failing to qualify for the last Euro comp. Hardly golden.

I have just posted about this but:

Even a cross-bar travesty that will have German hearts round the world singing, a wrong finally righted in their eyes.

Apparently the Germans don't put as much stock in the England rivalry as the English do. They really get worked up for the Netherlands though.

Dear Lord, what a game!

Oddly enough, thought that was the best performance from England in the tournament (granted off a very low base)

They played good patient possession football and created more chances in this game than in their previous three.

That said, the section in their scouts report that said, "this german team is really really really good on the counter-attack", must have been eaten by the dog.

Apparently the Germans don't put as much stock in the England rivalry as the English do

Just don't mention the war! Without trying to Godwin this thread, one English football chant in the fairly recent past has been '2 world wars, 1 world cup' - the English obviously only count the World Cup finals when it has been England v Germany.

The West German jersey seemed to be very popular in the 90's - I guess the wearers of those jersies are now driving a BMW, Audi or VW.

My comment about the West German jersey makes more sense in the context of this mornings Speaker post.

They really get worked up for the Netherlands though.

Sounds like you would enjoy Football Against the Enemy.