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World Cup: Spain v. Germany

This afternoon brings the most anticipated game of the World Cup yet - Spain v. Germany.

Germany (3 time champions, 7 time Finalist) destroyed the rudderless Argentinians, who recklessly threw away their chances in the World Cup by naming Maradona as their coach. But all credit to Germany, which has been the best team in the World Cup. But 20 year old star forward Thomas Muller is unavailable today due to an unmerited yellow card (a handball that wasn't)in the game with Argentina. This is a huge loss for Germany.

Spain, as it has throughout its World Cup history (never been to a Final) has underachieved, dragged down by the poor performance of their center-forward Fernando Torres. Torres, clearly off form due to slow recovery from a serious injury, should have been benched a while ago. Spanish coach del Bosque won't do it. Thank God for David Villa - the best player in the tournament, who has put in all but one of Spain's goals so far.

On form, Germany should win - they have been the best team in the tournament. But Spain has the potential to reach higher than any other team. If they play their A game, they can win. History and current form points to Germany. Hard to go against that. I like Germany in this game (though I will be rooting for the mother country Spain.)

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  • Display: Sort:
    damnit! (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CST on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 11:05:13 AM EST
    Pick Spain!

    Now Germany is really $crewed.  The Octopus (for Spain) and BTD (for Germany) have spoken.

    Don't worry pal... (none / 0) (#2)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 11:20:44 AM EST
    I think the chief indicator here is Quint from "Jaws"...

    "Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies..."

    Parent

    i agree. (none / 0) (#10)
    by cpinva on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 01:44:25 PM EST
    however, by rooting for spain, and only lukewarmly endorsing germany, BTD may still keep his record intact.

    Parent
    ugh (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by CST on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 03:23:25 PM EST
    1-0 Spain.  I knew the Octopus/BTD curse would be right.

    Silver lining, I can now root whole-heartedly for the Dutch in the final.  No conflict of interest there.

    Rooting for Spain, too (4.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Coral on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 11:54:53 AM EST
    I love the world cup. Actually I don't care who wins. Both teams are terrific. They both deserve it, but it would be nice to see Spain come out ahead, since they've never been to semi finals before.

    Is this an Open? (none / 0) (#3)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 11:40:58 AM EST
    If yes, check out the cruel and unusual punishment Big Brother San Fran edition is laying on city employees...no more regular soda in vending machines on city property...but you can get some diet with possible cancer causing artificial sweeteners, and soy milk (yuk!).

    Why not keep the good soda, add the soy milk option, and let the city worker decide for themselves what refreshment they seek from the vending machines?  

    if you want to be nit picky (none / 0) (#9)
    by cpinva on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 01:41:36 PM EST
    about it, the city isn't obligated to have vending machines in its buildings at all, it's done as a convenience for the employees. they're also not obligated to obviously provide the means for their employees to adversely affect their health.

    maybe they should just stock the machines with fruit juices and water.

    Parent

    ah ha (none / 0) (#11)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 01:57:51 PM EST
    The perfect demonstration of the differences between a Libertarian and a Left Wing Demo.

    lol

    Parent

    If it is done for employee convenience, (none / 0) (#12)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 01:59:13 PM EST
    why inconvenience the employees by banning the most popular soft drinks?  That makes no sense...just rip 'em out if you can't tolerate delicous Coca-Cola Classic and provide a water fountain.

    Parent
    hmmm (none / 0) (#13)
    by jondee on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 02:03:16 PM EST
    if it's anything like the way it was here for years, the city may be "obliged" by Vinnie the Fish to have vending machines through the partial auspices of a couple of his "friends" in the city budget allocations department.

    Parent
    LOL... (none / 0) (#14)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 02:07:50 PM EST
    The vending machine business in NY...man have I heard stories!

    If it is at all the same out west, I wonder who Vinnie San Fran is gonna strong arm in the government for his lost revenues when the soy milk sits in the machine so long it grows mold.

    Parent

    Those who patronize city vending machines (none / 0) (#16)
    by Anne on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 02:29:20 PM EST
    would do better to buy their own soda of choice by the case - it's a lot cheaper that way than what it costs to get them from the vending machines - and quit complaining that the mean city government is infringing on their freedom to drink high-sugar, hidh-sodium drinks.

    Some years ago, my firm, which had been providing vending machines with drinks and snacks at a reduced cost, decided that, if they were providing coffee and tea for free, they should offer the soda and water and other drinks for free, too.  Seemed fair to me.

    When we moved into a new building, the policy reverted back to subsidized drinks - with coffee and tea and hot chocolate still free; when tough economic times saw a change to full-price drinks, I started buying my own by the case - since I only drank one soda (caffeine-free diet Coke, or as my kids refer to it, "that brown water you drink") a day, with my lunch, a case lasted a long time.

    Not only did my employer never have an obligation to provide me with free drinks, it never had an obligation to offer them at a reduced price or to stock the machines with all the drinks I wanted; if I didn't want to pay, or I didn't like what the choices were, I knew what to do: buy my own or do without.

    I'm sure those who patronize the City of San Franxisco vending machines will bear up under the not-even-close-to-being-intolerable burden of doing the same.

    Parent

    Of course City Hall... (none / 0) (#22)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 03:58:22 PM EST
    has the right to do what they want, and employees can bring their own drinks or quit...just questioning why they think so little of their employees ability to make their own beverage decisions, and why they would forbid the most popular drinks and inconvenience their employees...aka play the arsehole power trippin' bossman.

    It's a scary precedent when City Hall plays personal nutritionist...I mean what's next?  Soda sin taxes are just about here...after that, outright prohibition?

    Parent

    Diet soda? Yeck. Doesn't that cause (none / 0) (#4)
    by observed on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 11:51:04 AM EST
    diabetes too?
    I'd be in favor of stocking the vending machines with healthy options; diet soda doesn't cut it.


    I'm all for healthy options too... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 12:01:21 PM EST
    "options" being the key...a vending machine without regular Coke or Pepsi is taking the nanny state way too far.  

    Not to mention not every high fructose corn syrup drinker is obese or unhealthy...all in moderation. Except that diet sh*t:)

    Parent

    I see no reason the City should be (none / 0) (#7)
    by observed on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 12:04:57 PM EST
    obligated to stock unhealthy drinks, although I have no particular objection if it does.
    That is, unless kids are involved, when I believe it is the duty of the nanny state NOT to offer shiit for food and drink.


    Parent
    The city should stock... (none / 0) (#8)
    by kdog on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 01:10:34 PM EST
    what the vending machine customers want...sh*t throw some Pabst in there!

    Maybe soy milk is big in San Fran, but if the vending machine guy put that stuff in the machine we've got in my office, I'd bet my bottom dollar that sh*t ain't gonna sell...it would drive business to the deli around the corner if all he stocked was soy milk and juice...and I believe vending machine guy is in it to make some cash, not to be the health patrol.  

    Parent

    Spain has been (none / 0) (#15)
    by CST on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 02:27:33 PM EST
    more than holding their own.  But I still think the Germans have the prettiest passing game in the world right now.  It really is something else.  And they sure aren't gonna give up anything easy.

    I'm kind of in love with Neuer the German goalie.  Some soccer trivia here, Neuer won the spot because the favorite to play for Germany in goal - Enke - commited suicide by jumping in front of a train last November.

    The way this game is going (none / 0) (#17)
    by scribe on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 02:46:21 PM EST
    it's either going to be 1-0 or decided on penalty kicks.

    Germany can't seem to get free, and Spain can't shoot straight.

    Told you so. (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by scribe on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 03:25:33 PM EST
    I tired to change my pick (none / 0) (#20)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 03:40:53 PM EST
    when I knew Torres did not start, so I call myself a winner today.

    You just had to pick Germany huh? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 05:55:14 PM EST
    I didn't get to watch the game, but really wanted Germany to win and thought they would.  You are wrong though as to which team has been the best team this Cup.  The best team has been the Netherlands :)

    And evil fun making (none / 0) (#24)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 06:06:47 PM EST
    Germany's coach has some strange snacking habits.

    Rooting for Spain (none / 0) (#25)
    by Saul on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 08:46:19 PM EST
    My first choice was Africa.

    Time to move this cup from Europe and South American but looks like Europe will win again.

    Was glad that Brazil and Italy were beaten.  Time for new blood.  

    Your streak continues. (none / 0) (#26)
    by Maryb2004 on Wed Jul 07, 2010 at 09:12:48 PM EST
    But at least you've learned to pick the team you aren't rooting for.