WC 2010 SF: Uruguay vs Netherlands [P + R]

[Galaxyman]

Dude, Uruguay just got lucky with their side of the draw. Had they been at the side of Germany they would've been eliminated in the second round, maybe quarter final at best. And let's also not forget the luck they had during the Ghana match, where Ghana should've scored atleast 3 goals with all the chances they had.

Don't get me wrong, they did well to get this far and I'm not saying they don't deserve it but the teams you mentioned there(Korea 2002, Croatia 1998, Greece 2004) had a far bigger achievement.

Um, I'm sorry mate. I might have not made myself clear.
What I meant about it being bigger , is (in Canadian terms) the equivalent of the Maple Leafs going to the Cup final (or Montreal Canadiens) compared to ...say, Carolina Hurricanes. Just culturally/historically irrelevant football nations.
The fact that a legendary football nation is in the top 4, a nation with tradition with the means to challenge the world powers all the time, is MUCH bigger than Bulgaria/Croatia's once in a lifetime achievement.
It's just.....not even an argument. I'd even use this as a parodic example if we were talking about another sport.

+ a nation of 3 million (!) with that much history beating out France, a great Mexican team, hosts South Africa ....the best Korean team of all time, and the entire continent of Africa .....with their famous comeback attitude .....has been legendary and captured the hearts of people around the world.
***you should hear the Italian broadcast (RAI) of the guy in tears, screaming "Welcome back Uruguay! We've been waiting for you"

I don't think people batted an eyelash for Bulgaria in 94. It's another stratosphere of difference.

 

[Galaxyman]

Great points though

But case in point for me, the sheer ecstasy that Uruguay's run has caused worldwide is incomparable to anything we've seen ever. I'd go off and say this is the most significant underdog run in the history of the world cup, simply because of what it means to football.

When Croatia made it to semis, few outside Croatians actually cared (or felt emotionally involved with it). In South America, it has been unbelievable (where my best friend is from and I have visited). Every single nation's media treated the win vs. Ghana as if their country had done it. In Argentina and Brazil there is nothing but jubilation for their derby rivals (Including today Argentina's president urging everyone to watch the game downtown in their respective cities and support the sky blues). Mexico too.

- In other traditional football nations (Spain, Germany <where my father is from>, Italy)... Countries that are very close to Uruguay (Spa and Ita) culturally and because of football history.
And basically anyone from any nation that has football as its main sport.....or any purest, this is a dream come true.


Just incomparable to anything I've ever seen or read about.


And with all due respect, and no major offense intended (just telling you how it is), but as a Dutchman you can't understand what it means to be a past world champion. I speak t Germans, Uruguayans, Argentineans. It means the universe. You can see it in the faces of reporters and BBC analysts. From indifference to : "Oh WOW. URUGUAY IS BACK". It's immortality for your country. Holland is mostly a footnote in the history of football. There's no way you could understand (this is why my father never really paid attention to the dutch. Until you win a world cup, you will never "Get" what it means to belong to this illustrious group.

 

[mnj2x]

Dude, Uruguay just got lucky with their side of the draw. Had they been at the side of Germany they would've been eliminated in the second round, maybe quarter final at best. And let's also not forget the luck they had during the Ghana match, where Ghana should've scored atleast 3 goals with all the chances they had.

Oh like the dutch didnt have any luck on their side? They played slovakia in the round of 16 dont forget. On top of that, the performances have been mediocre and have been getting away with wins. They were hanging on against 10 man brazil just to remind you.

 

[night]

I want a Germany - Holland final. That's all

 

[Zlatan]

Oh like the dutch didnt have any luck on their side? They played slovakia in the round of 16 dont forget.

Did I say that we didn't have luck with our draw? No I didn't, did I? Read before you write. And on top of that I believe we knocked out the 5-times world champion, while Uruguay knocked out who? South Korea and Ghana? I think that's a little easier.

On top of that, the performances have been mediocre and have been getting away with wins. They were hanging on against 10 man brazil just to remind you.

We didn't hang on against 10 man Brazil, we wasted so many chances after that red card(Kuijt dribble to the heart of the defense, Sneijder shooting unguarded from almost the penalty spot, Huntelaar and Robben free for the Brazilian keeper without anyone marking them). It could've been like 4 or 5-1 if we had been a little bit more careful with the chances we got. The only thing Brazil did in return, was that Kaka shot which was blocked by Ooijer. That was it. We weren't hanging on at all. If anyone was hanging on it was Brazil.

 

[jimorrizon]

allez Holland....

 

[fender]

Here we go its now or never! Hup Holland Hup!!!!!

 

[gasper000]

what a stunning shot...!
very good goal
Uruguay 0-1 Netherlands
V. Bronckhorst 18'

 

[ShiftyPowers]

I'll be excited to see Galaxyman's posts after the game.

BTW, most of Croatia didn't care about their run in 1998? FIFA recognized Croatia in 1992 after a Civil War in which they gained their independence. Many Croatians were scattered across Europe and the World because of the violence. Plus, Croatia was at that time a nation of about 4 million people. If you don't think that team in 1998 meant a million times more to Croatia than this run means to Uruguay, you're completely wrong. That team was the embodiment of Croatian independence. Uruguay is playing for what? Nothing really, no higher meaning.

 

[gasper000]

I think if Uruguay win today, that would be because Netherlands have Stekelenburg as a GK

very disappointing for dutch if Netherlands lose because of that mistake
good shot by Forlan

Uruguay 1-1 Netherlands
Forlan 41'

 

[ShiftyPowers]

It's not all on Steklenburg, the whole team has looked terrible since the goal. The Dutch have a habit of treating 1-0 as 5-0, and it sure looked like that again today.

 

[ArgVega]

Did I say that we didn't have luck with our draw? No I didn't, did I? Read before you write. And on top of that I believe we knocked out the 5-times world champion, while Uruguay knocked out who? South Korea and Ghana? I think that's a little easier.



We didn't hang on against 10 man Brazil, we wasted so many chances after that red card(Kuijt dribble to the heart of the defense, Sneijder shooting unguarded from almost the penalty spot, Huntelaar and Robben free for the Brazilian keeper without anyone marking them). It could've been like 4 or 5-1 if we had been a little bit more careful with the chances we got. The only thing Brazil did in return, was that Kaka shot which was blocked by Ooijer. That was it. We weren't hanging on at all. If anyone was hanging on it was Brazil.

Brazil could have been 3-0 up at half.

They outplayed you first half by far, and it took an own goal to wake u up.

Lets not act like you kicked the sh*t out of Brazil, as much as I hate them, they beat themselves...



Man of the Match:

5 Felipe Melo (Holland)

 

[Arnau]

Jabulani

 

[fender]

The swerve on the ball fooled Stekelenburg.

Holland still look the better team to me Uruguay hardly threatened the Dutch goal apart from that shot, finger crossed Go Oranje!

 

[Galaxyman]

I'll be excited to see Galaxyman's posts after the game.

BTW, most of Croatia didn't care about their run in 1998? FIFA recognized Croatia in 1992 after a Civil War in which they gained their independence. Many Croatians were scattered across Europe and the World because of the violence. Plus, Croatia was at that time a nation of about 4 million people. If you don't think that team in 1998 meant a million times more to Croatia than this run means to Uruguay, you're completely wrong. That team was the embodiment of Croatian independence. Uruguay is playing for what? Nothing really, no higher meaning.

lol Mate learn how to Read. I said no one BESIDES Croatians batted an eyelash. South America just exploded with Forlan's goal. Record viewings in Brazil / Argentina. Even Spain (just recently heard from my best friend)

Point is . Uruguay = Boston Celtics / LA Lakers ...Montreal Canadiens ...NY Yankees of soccer.
Croatia= Carolina Hurricanes.
The meaning of this to the game is unmatched.

I live in Australia, and you had to see Aussies on SBS (mortal enemies of Uruguay) talking about the rare significance of this to football.
It's incomparable. lol. (Like it's a parody of itself that you're even arguing it )

 

[Galaxyman]

lol Diego. Wow. Uruguay without half their team. And the whole world knows this BTW.
Great game!!! Knew both would not let me down.

 

[gasper000]

It's not all on Steklenburg, the whole team has looked terrible since the goal. The Dutch have a habit of treating 1-0 as 5-0, and it sure looked like that again today.

the ball went exactly where Stekelenburg was standing. He saved a very hard shot by Kaka last match, I really wonder how did he missed Forlan's shot..!

 

[Dah Shinin']

Uruguay are great man i hope they win this one..

 

[gasper000]

GOOOOAAAL
Sneijder 70'
Uruguay 1-2 Netherlands

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Hmmmmmmmmmmm