SEMI 1- Netherlands v Uruguay 6:30am 7/7 SS2, Tv1

I know they've had their moments but I've been backing the Dutch ever since seeing Robben and Sneijder dominate the champions league final, there's a reason Inter and Bayern both did well this season

How is it that certain refs feel it is their perogative to add on as much added time as they want beyond the official amount? There were no substitutions, no injuries, no time wasting but he somehow managed to add an extra two minutes which almost had a major effect on the game.

Yes.

Uruguay's late goal meant more time was added on. Calm down.

Erm, there was an injury to a Dutch player that took over a minute right on the 90 minute mark...the board advertising 3 added minutes went up as the clock showed 91 minutes. That alone should have suggested to everyone (but not to the dumbarse commentator) that there'd be at least 94 minutes played.

Plus the added time advertised is not the absolute limit to be added on, but the minimum - when the game ends is still entirely up to the referee's discretion.

that's a nice cover story but actually SAF was assisting the Uruguayans 

bl Uruguay, yay Cloggies!

As for the game, I found it strangely underwhelming, especially considering it was the highest scoring semi-final since I've been following the World Cups, and some cracking goals were scored. Always looked that the Dutch had an extra couple of gears to go to when needed, Uruguay just not enough quality all accross the pitch to stay in it for the whole game. Forlan was immense for them though, not just in this game but the whole tournament. They wouldn't have gone far without him.

Uruguay has some cause to be aggrieved though - I'd have disallowed the second Dutch goal for offside, although I can also see an argument for allowing it. But I'm not buying it.

And as for the commentator. Not sure if this is the same guy who did Spain and Paraguay, but if it was he should start looking for another job, as commentating football ain't for him. The bit that really pissed me off was Forlan's goal - Forlan hits the ball with his instep, the ball curls normally like any other ball would, the keeper initially misjudges Forlan's intention and by the time he recovers, it's too late and he can't get a strong enough hand on it, goal. Keeper's mistake, but noooo, this dumbarse blames the ball. And then to add to his idiocy, points to the fact that the ball has been 'deceiving' keepers the whole tournament (what?), including England's Robert Green. Erm, no deception there Sherlock, just sh*tness. Please do us all a favour and retire somewhere in the Amazon so I don't have to listen to your crap at Wimmin U20 World Cup later this month. Ta.el grapadura2010-07-07 09:25:09

I think FIFA love him though EG, which is unfortunate.

I'm kind of with you though. I found it a little underwhelming. I can't figure out why either because it was very enjoyable but like you say for such a high scoring semi final (same number of goals in this match as the last four combined) it just wasn't a classic. Maybe it was the teams involved, i'm not sure but i won't remember it in the same way i remember Germany-Italy in 06.

obviously I'm biased but Forlan has been #1 attacking player of this tournament.

if he can 3 next up I'll be happy

There was a moment around the 60 minute mark when the Dutch goalie came out and stuffed up the clearance and the ball had to be headed for a corner to avoid a goal.  If that had made it 2-1 Uraguay, what a different game it would have been.

I didn't know Germany were already in the final. What was the score against Spain?

Paul has predicted Spain...

I find the commentator is a bit naive on what the players are thinking when he comments on their decision making and has little idea about tactics or about a particular playing skill. But then what commentator understands it without being a top coach and what top coach can commentate?

However I wonder how much of a swing/dip the ball pathway has compared the other ball types. As you have said for Forlan's goal, the keeper misjudges the general curve. I wonder if the curve of the ball has a much steeper swing than it looks at the end of the curve as if it starts to dip late. Correct me if I am wrong but if a bowler in cricket attempts a reverse swing on an old ball and it dips too late, you don't get the reverse swing, it's a normal swing but occasionally have a steeper curve but if it dip early there is time for it to reverse swing at the end. Although we can understand the cricket ball dynamics in regards to the ball surface, the football ball is still a bit of a mystery.

I wonder how sensitive the ball surface is when it is kicked, whether the place where the ball is kicked leaves a temporary indention on the surface (giving an cricket equivalent of shiny and non-shiny surface) but since the ball speed is greater at initial impact compared to previous balls, the indention travels a distance before it self-corrects back to it's normal ball shape and combined with the spin it therefore dips suddenly whilst correcting the indention and where the indention corrects, that is the ball exaggerate a certain plane different to the normal curve. In which case, it is a matter of how hard the ball was stuck and when and what plane the indention pops out.

Anyway I have absolutely no evidence, but it would be a hypothesis worth testing with multiple sets of very slow motion high resolution camera with close up focus surrounding the ball pathway.

As I understand about the ball so far, players have a hard time get some tactile feeling with the ball as though there are less contact time and the ball speed propels the ball quicker away from the foot to the intended target, leaving less tactile feel of control and so less ball manipulation than desired. This I think, is due to the elasticity of the ball giving a "supermarket" type ball but allowing more ball sensitivity and so demanding more ball skill from the players for accurate control.

Anyway, I enjoyed the match and the goals were legendary as too the step up in skill and some of the passing combinations.

Nah, he was well off - at least one of his legs is about half a yard in front. Easily spottable (is this a word?) by the AR too. The question is whether he's interefering with the play - I think he was, but I guess an argument could be made he was trying not to touch the ball (although I sense he was trying to flick it on but made no contact, though can;t be sure of this from the replays I saw) so as not to be invoved in the play. But my general feeling is that if you're in an offside position in front of the keeper when the shot comes in you're probably interefering with the play...but a tricky one nonetheless.

I like that commentator

I would say, they look like they could have taken another half step or full step up. If Robben doesn't get side tracked a bit and go a bit more of an instinctive edge and Van Persie having a few more clearer chances fall his way, then the Sneijder would link with them even better on attack. Kuyt is at his limit on the left but it good to see him switch to the right a few sides to compensate with the other two attacking midfielder gaps.

no disputing the issue of interference. if he was in offside position, then def interfering by being so close to and trying to get contact on ball.

but i didnt think the offside was at all clear. looked extremely close to me (dont remember the leg being in front as you do, but ill have to look at another replay). too close for the AR to be certain imo.

here is a replay - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSEIKqWwSTY

Just had a look at the replay - the leg is clearly off, but perhaps by not as much as I initially thought.

its very tight. i think that replayed is also paused a fraction after sneijder's contact, which is significant given how close it was and van persie's movement. Marius Lacatus2010-07-07 11:32:27

Guess video replays aren't the answer, and it's better to leave it to the on-field officials...

The leg he was standing on was onside...

Just couldn't resist it throwing it out there. Will behave from now on.

sh*t, I wanted to see this, but just love sleeping too much.

Well, am glad Netherlands got through. I want them to go all the way.

Was that his genuine pick, or the photoshopped fake??

The genuine one.

Agree with EG, would have called him offside. I was screaming at the TV at first, but the replay showed it to be closer than I initially thought. Still was unhappy about it though. I thought it was a good game, although it was pretty clear the netherlands were going to win. Really pleased for the Uruguayans that they got the second goal, because I thought 3-1 would have flattered the Dutch.

3-2 flattered Uruguay tbh.

Obviously pretty happy about this result. Been a good day, spent most the morning at the pub and most the afternoon in bed. Bring on Monday, pretty happy I haven't had to change my prediction in my signature prematurely! I still feel like we haven't reached top gear so am confident if we defend well we can win it. Nederland kom op!

Ps. If RVP isn't just plain sh*te, then he is well overdue a goal or even some sort of contribution would be nice!

If Uruguay had won today they wouldn't have stood a chance in the final. Netherlands are much more likely to win from this side of the draw.

Uruguay have been awesome at this WC.