Takes guts to trust another keeper in a quarter final shootout esp after the original keeper did well, boy did it work!

Glad Holland won through the penalties ...

And after all the usual talk about the rise of new footballing nations (which we hear every 4 years  ) the semis will be contested by Argentina, Brazil, Holland and Germany. 

Costa Rica were poor IMO, despite all the plaudits from Hanson et al. Despite Germany using the tactic fairly succesfully over the years, you can't defend your way to the title.

I think Germany v Netherlands final, because the solid, traditional European style will win over flair and passion in the end

That's what I'm hoping for.

Would have been great for the neutral if a smaller nation got through, but at least the Dutch have a better chance of beating the Argies.

This tournament has taken on a somewhat depressing hue, given my detestation of all of the teams remaining. On the basis that I utterly despise both Brazil and Argentina the most I'm 'hoping' for a Fritz - Netherlands final.

If only it would have panned out so that Chile were playing Colombia.

Oh well.

I'm also hoping for an all Euro final.....Germans to edge it for me

Having so many rest days means any tournament loses momentum. It would have been better to spread the quarter finals over 4 days, but of course there would complaints about some teams having an extra days rest

I agree with earlier sentiments, After a good start, the tournament has become all too familiar. With all the corruption scandals with FIFA and match fixing, and general disaffection with the way money and commmercialism have ruined the game, I wonder if the next World Cup in Russia will be a disaster in terms of attendance and interest.

There's probably a lot of interest and excitement in Brazil, Argentina, Holland and Germany. For some reason there seemed to be less excitement than usual for a World Cup in England. Possibly because expectations were so low or may be because the whole sport thing has had massive coverage in the last few years with the Olympics, Murray winning at Wimbledon etc. Specifically with football a lot of our players seem to be as dull and boring off the pitch as they are on it. We also couldn't have a a blander and greyer manager if we tried. Even John Major would be more entertaining.

If it is those two, I just hope it's a far better game that when they met in the 1990 final in Rome. One of the worst games of football I've ever watched. Mind you, Spain v Holland in 2010 was as bad, if not worse. The World Cup needs a good final IMO.

It has been dificutl this world cup for me due to time differences and work commitments.

However next week will be easier and I should be able to see both Semi finals.

I would like to Dutch to win it. Don't like Germany or Argentina and Brazil are a bit meh. The Dutch have had some great teams / players, probably the team of the 1970's and could / should have won it in 74 and 78.

Maybe this will be their year, they are due one and a chance for revenge on Germany for 74 and Argentina for 78.

I think that has certainly been the case with World Cups since 1990. Prior to that time, every World Cup Final in history had seen at least 3 goals with both sides always managing to score, but since Italia 90 there has only been one final in which both teams found the net in normal time; the Italy v France game in 2006. I have the 1982 and 1986 finals on DVD and both were high scoring compared to recent ones, although the first half in both games was fairly uneventful.

Best World Cup ever. Regardless of upcoming results, football wins.

(for balance)

Malcolm
Wakefield & Gothenburg, SWE

Best one since 1994 IMO, although I hope the final is better than the one we saw that year! '86 is my all-time favourite World Cup, although I suspect that if I'd been old enough to remember 1982, especially the Brazil games, my opinion would likely be different.

I was being a little sarcastic, but looking at it a little deeper I have enjoyed this World Cup more than any other, but I've also watched more of this one too, often with good company and plenty of drink too! 

The knockouts have need that drink in order for me to tolerate them though. Dire.

Malcolm
Wakefield & Gothenburg, SWE