Germany vs the Bargies

Well we have one RC nation in the SWC final. A diminished Argentina missed the pace of Di Maria down the wing, allowing the big Dutch defenders to maintain shape. A shoot out is a cruel way to decide things, but on balance Argentina created the better chances in a tight game. Both Messi and Robben were well solved by the defences . Messi had a strangely off game, hardly showing any of his magic until he brilliantly started the move where   Higuain side netted a great chance. His set piece balls were also heavy footed and well off his usual standard.

Germany will be a tough nut, hopefully Di Maria can play, if only off the bench.

Deutschland uber alles.

My son is going for football trials with a local semi pro club this evening. He and his mates were having a kick around on the field after school and the manger of the club who's grandchild is at my sons school, came up to him and invited him for a trial.

My son just laughed at him asking if he was taking the piss - he informed the gent that he does not play football, the last time he did play was 6 years ago as a 10 year old - the gent informed him that he was the most impressive non playing footballer he had ever seen.

Its all very strange, he is going to give it a go with no expectations - if he makes it, they will pay him £125 a game.

Its funny how opportunities present themselves at times. My little man is a rugby and cricket player who loves football as a fan.....that's been him up to this point. Apart from him messing around with a football at home, I know nothing of his football skills. 

All I do know is that he is a handy left handed bat and a rugby player with the gift to create........but football????  

I also had the typical South African view that soccer is boring. Then during my first stay in London in 1970, I watched a bit of the World Cup on TV with Pele', Mueller and Jairzinho....and I had a quick conversion. It's not rugby, but it's a tactically fascinating game.

In the eighties back in London I went to many Tottenham games, saw Hoddle weave his magic...it was all very enjoyable. And I saw the Bargies win the WC in 86 in Mexico City. We were driven to the game by our local sub guys....it took 2.5 hours to get back to the hotel, through all the tiny streets of the supposed short cut....but it was immense. Only the Olympics or for us rugby folk, the RWC, would compare.

Again in the nineties we had several of the 94 WC games in Chicago, including the Germany vs Belgium RD of 16 game. The attendances were huge....but the notion of watching a continuous game was foreign to US audiences. They kept filing past to get beers during the action. 

For me rugby is the king of team games. It tests speed, strength and endurance...as well as vision. And it tests so many aspects of each of those. It's a marvellous thing we have. But for those willing to make the ef fort to understand the chess game that happened yesterday between Argentina and the admirable Dutch.....there are great rewards.

And just think how many young okes Dave could discover in soccer.