[Perdogg]

[Perdogg]

[Berlin_Freeper]

PSYCHIC OCTOPUS Paul picks Spain to beat Germany
It took the two-year-old a while to decide but he picked the mussel in the container with the Spanish flag. So far, the Oberhausen-based octopus has correctly predicted all his country's World Cup results, including the shock 1-0 loss to Serbia. Live on German television, Paul first went for the Spanish container, then hovered briefly over the German one before dismaying the home support by going with his first instinct. German fans can console themselves with the fact Paul has been mistaken once before when he picked Germany to win the final of Euro 2008. That game, too, was against Spain.

No Berlin reception if they lose to Spain
There will no reception for the German national team upon their return to Berlin if they lose to Spain in the World Cup semi-final. Oliver Bierfhoff, the team manager, made this clear before departing for Durban, where Germany will take on Vicente del Bosque's side at 8.30pm CEST on Wednesday evening. Bierhoff refused to go into details, saying: "We have decided first of all to wait for the game on Wednesday, and then start thinking about plans for afterwards."

A crying shame: Wet eyes at the World Cup

[Berlin_Freeper]

Fidel Castro thinks refs are biased against South America
Fidel Castro is apparently still alive. And he's been watching the World Cup! According to Goal.com, he even has some views on the tournament that are exactly what you'd expect from the Puma jacket-wearing former Cuban leader:

"The vast majority of football fans do not even know what continent Uruguay is in but it seems to me that the referees are biased against the South American sides," Castro was quoted as saying by reporters.

So, wait, do the referees not know what continent Uruguay is in, either? If so, it sounds like that might be good news for Uruguay.

"It happened when Brazil lost to Holland, when all the decisions went against them and they were sent down to 10 men at a crucial time, which should never have been done."

I'm going to assume Fidel dozed off during the part of the match where Felipe Melo stomped on Arjen Robben's thigh while the Dutchman was laying on the ground.

"But a final now, between two European countries, will be as colorless and unhistorical as any since the sport was born in the world."

[Berlin_Freeper]

Two small nations pursue World Cup glory
Uruguay, who are in their first semi-final for 40 years, are harking back to glory days when they won the trophy in 1930 and 1950.

The Dutch are the best team never to have won it despite a style of open soccer that is famous around the world and will start as favourites, spearheaded by the deadly midfield trio of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt.

Uruguay will likely be without three key players, and a heavy burden will fall on striker Diego Forlán, who scored a sublime free kick against Ghana.

[dfwgator]

GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT BY VAN BRONKHORST!!!!

1-0 Holland!

[SmokingJoe]

What a goal!

[Berlin_Freeper]

Both captains score from distance in an even game.

But one needs to have their nut cracked. I think Holland has more chances.

Some of the Dutch looked depressed going in the lockers at halftime though.

[SmokingJoe]

It’s over now.
Holland is now virtually in the Would Cup finals.

[dfwgator]

It’s Over 3-2 Holland.

Where is all that talk about South American dominance now?

It will be an All-Europe Final!