Neuer has received the Golden Gloves.
Well deserved. He had an outstanding wc.

http://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/Image_Ar...42_p880722.jpg


http://www.dfb.de/fileadmin/Image_Ar...38_p880722.jpg


Apologies for the size of pictures :D


Argentina did indeed push them all the way.
I and many others knew before the game that they have a very very tough defence.
Similar to how the Italians played in defense.

Bad luck Argentina, you played a good game.

I felt Germany was a little lucky, yes, it could have gone either way.

I think you could see that the usual effective passing game and the finishing touches just weren't there for us, but through perseverance, a great goal by Mario Götze!
Great positioning, excellent ball control with his chest and then to line up the shot and situation as cool as a cucumber with the whole world watching? Wow.
Let's not underestimate that goal.

Boatang good solid defense, saved many a Konter from Argentina.

How Höwedes missed that header is beyond me.
Should have been won there and then.


Golden Boot award goes to:
James Rodriguez, Columbia with 6 goals

Golden Ball award goes to:
Messi (best player at wc 2014).

Nothing against Messi, I like him, look up to his skills... but ffs, how is he "player of the tournament"???!! :stare:

This World Cup I had low hopes of my national team from the off, and that wasn't unfounded. When it came to the final I was clearly in a dilema, which my the favoured team for a Brit won. :woot:

Beats me. I think there were better players that consistently performed.

He faded towards the latter stages of the final, hardly saw him.
So couldn't have been based on this performance.

I think Arjen Robben, Neymar, James Rodriguez and Thomas Mueller can be a little disappointed in this decision.

Thought that kinda fits here... :D
http://i.imgur.com/48nInfu.png

:stare: He kept the Germans busy all time long, hd several dangeorus runs and attacks, at the end had the chance to score via a standard, and attracted major attention throughout the match! Had you fallen asleep in midgame? :)

Yes, and some others, Kroos for example, but it is a political decision, probably. With Germany claiming goalie and trophy, and the other teams absent, there was only the Argentinians left to be presented before the cameras. And undeserved for Messi it is not.

But remembering the Tv pictures I assume the Argentinians would have preferred to not get silver medals and Messi trophy, but to simply disappear in the catacombs.

Just because someone gets extra attention during a wc match, any match, doesn't automatically qualify them for a golden ball.
Of course this 'decision', is not based on this match (alone).

I am talking consistently Sky, not attracting attention because of the skill level.

He scored 4 goals.
Sure, he played well, but, consistently, there were players that certainly rivalled this decision.
Political? Maybe.
Keep the stats and fans happy.

Had it have been then a roar of disapproval would be justified.

Yes he was dangerous, as you would expect from the supposed No. 1 player in the world (another decision, this time by players, perhaps more justified?)



I failed to mention:

The young player award went to France's midfielder Paul Pogba.

Disappear into the footballing never never land now, with their idol, the hand of drugs!

Congrats to Germany! I'm glad they were able to decide the game without penalty kicks.

I agree, Messi is the best player of the world, but he was not the best player in this World Cup.

But Robben? Come on! He is a diving artist, but not much more (anyway, he is in his late fifties???)

Regards,

As mentioned earlier, I am an outspoken Robben "fan" (note the sarcasm, please).
But even I have to defend him here.
While he IS a diver (class A diver man!), he is also a very skilled and fast player who can turn a game around by his actions. He has proven that in the German Bundesliga and also in this tournament. He IS a very good player... unfortunately he is just as good as a diver...

Yeah, it was a great game to watch - and I do have to hand it to Argentina, they really did do well and were equally deserving, shame they had to end with such a visible feeling of disappointment, almost shock really.

The tension in that whole game was palpable - especially for the 2nd half. Schweinsteiger was practically the official punching bag of the match. And then you had that moment at I think about 110 minutes where the German bench nearly rushed out onto the field in frustration - for a team that's been methodical, confident and cool throughout this tournament, that definitely says a lot. Only Argentina managed to put Germany on edge like that.

That i believe was a blatant foul that was missed by the ref.
The moment happened right in front of the German bench.

When everything is on the line and match was as tight as it was, it's understandable to do that.
I did see the whole bench erupt in anger at not getting the foul.

Did they lose their cool? No. Did they show too much emotion? No.
It's a wc final :D

The reffing was not a stand-out performance.

That moment was i think the 111th or 112th minute.
113th Minute was when the goal was scored.

From frustration to euphoria in the matter of a minute or two.

This may have been the moment:

http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/31/11/14.../3/628x471.jpg


And it's Oracle time with kleiner Paul, or little Paul.

http://s2.djyimg.com/n3/eet-content/...48-676x450.jpg

He picked the right winner:

SOURCE

The refs were really conservative in this match, reluctant to pull cards on a lot of nasty moments. In this case, yeah, it definitely benefited Germany more than it did Argentina. It seemed like they were resigned to letting the teams play on with a full 11 players until the end.

And BTW, I may not be an octopus, but I supported Germany from the start of all of this :D
There's actually a lot of support for Germany here (the town I live in was founded by German immigrants and still retains its roots), so it sure is a good result for the locals.

You mean when we got two yellow cards where one was a complete joke?
Don't see how that was a help to Germany.
Also, he didn't make use of his perfectly fine whistle where he could have, when some German players where nearly making saltos because they got knocked over...:hmph:

Messi reminded me why I don't watch soccer that much...
I've never seen such 'bad sportsmanship' in such a high profile game before.

He literally snubbed everyone (officials included), and worst of all, his supporters. A hard match and disappointing for the Argentinians. Have a few moments to cry about it, sure it has been a long road, but don't act like a spoilt brats.

I switched off the tv at the point where the Germans received the 'ball'.
At that point Messi and the Argentinian side were still 'crying' and showed no appreciation to their supporters - totally unprofessional as far as I'm concerned.

Well done to Germany.. it was a good match.