Overall I really enjoyed the game. Brazil paid for their arrogance. All that possession wasted. great goals. Worst moment of the game and probably of the tournament on the whole - John Helm doing the commentary. Please John, retire!
John Helm is like international Dewhurst
Stoked with the quality and pace of the game. It made the trip up and sitting in the downpours well worth it.
Also the stadium food impressed me. Kumara chips, woodfire pizza and churros made me a happy chappy.
Two finals games that were good to watch (more so after half time in each).
Brazil did well to make the final and be so competitive throughout the tournament after all the turmoil surrounding the team in the weeks before the finals, replacing their coach two weeks out etc.
The new manager was stuck with players he hadn't selected and they played zero internationals in the month before the tournament.
If he'd had more time with the squad and played a few internationals in preparation, you'd think they would have been better.
It'll be interesting to see how Rogerio Micale's career progresses because he did bloody well in the circumstances.
Before this tournament Micale had only coached club youth teams and never been part of the Brazilian national set-up.
Serbia's superior organization and cohesiveness (and defence) paid off in the end. But they were strong in all positions.
Both goalkeepers were very good in the final.
I got Brazil goalkeeper Jean and midfielder Marcos Guilherme's autograph's on my program after the semi in Christchurch.
Both spent ages after the game signing things for fans.
I'd say we'll see several players from both sides lighting up European football over the next fifteen years.
I remember seeing Adriano play for Brazil in the u-17's in NZ in 1999 and go on to a big (if sometimes controversial) career.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
Arguably the biggest name from that 99 tournment was Landon Donovan based on world profile.
Arguably the biggest name from that 99 tournment was Landon Donovan based on world profile.
I'd say Adriano because of his status in Brazil, rest of South America and Europe.
The South Americans tend not to rate US players.
Donovan only had brief stints with Everton in the MLS off-seasons, otherwise his games in MLS attracted not so much international attention.
In contrast Adriano played 48 times for Brazil's senior team (27 goals) where he won the Copa America and Confeds Cup , as well as Inter Milan (123 games) where he won Serie A four times and the Italian cup twice.
Adriano was also top-scorer and best player in Brazil's national championship twice (and won two titles).
Adriano started in two of Brazil's group games at World Cup 2006, in the round of 16 and came on as a sub in the quarter-final loss to France. He played in qualifiers for World Cup 2010 but missed the final squad.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
Pepe Reina and Mikel Arteta were here too. Could definitely argue they are bigger names than Landon Donovan.
Three for me, and two for them.
I go Michael Essien.
Good candidate - I'd forgotten he was with Ghana here in 1999.
Two EPL titles and a Champions League vs. Adriano's four serie A titles, a Copa America and a Confeds Cup.
Like Adriano, his career has been spluttering out lately with no regular appearances for his club since his 20 game season on loan to Real Madrid in 2012-13.
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
Yeah. Forgot Essien.
Hitzelsperger another one with Premier League form.
Full match of final here (US English commentary):
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/2015/06/20/braz...
For second half, extra time etc. click on appropiate tab above video window.
Full match is also on YouTube with English Euro Sport commentary:
(small frame size however - skip past the guy filming himself as he fiddles with his equipment)
Full match Senegal v Mali 3rd / 4th playoff:
Big Pete 65, Christchurch
And the Champions have arrived home. According to some media in Serbia around 100,000 people came to greet them.
