Can’t right now my octopus has escaped from the tank and my bird is missing.
I thought only Netherlands and Spain were left?
And today will be only the eighth nation to win a World Cup.
Not because he's English but because referees have been the bane of this World Cup.
$8 million – To each team exiting after the group stage (16 teams)
$9 million – To each team exiting after the round of 16 (8 teams)
$14 million – To each team exiting after the quarter-finals (4 teams)
$18 million – Fourth placed team
$20 million – Third placed team
$24 million – Runner up
$30 million – Winner
I might root for Espana since I want Paul the octopus to have a perfect record, hee hee.
Many commentators pointed out that the young Germany side should have a bright future after they enjoyed commanding victories over England and Argentina with thrilling attacking play before getting knocked out by Spain in the semi-finals.
They also noted with some satisfaction that it was the second straight World Cup that Germany took the 'bronze' medal and their third consecutive World Cup among the top three after they finished runners-up to Brazil in 2002.
"Thanks lads for giving Germany one last World Cup celebration," wrote Bild am Sonntag. "What a wonderful World Cup summer you've given us. Joachim Loew has put together a team that has captivated the imagination of all Germany."
Webb, who is now a full-time referee having previously been a police sergeant, will be the man in the middle when the Netherlands face Spain in the World Cup final in Johannesburg today.
The 38-year-old from Rotherham, northern England, will be the first Englishman to take charge of the showpiece match since Jack Taylor refereed the 1974 World Cup final between West Germany and the Netherlands.
Kay Webb, in an interview with Britain’s GMTV television programme, said her husband’s refereeing career was a source of mystification given his difficulties controlling son Jack and daughters Holly and Lucy.
“I don’t know how he does it,” Kay Webb said. He can’t take charge of his own children. I don’t know how he manages it on a football pitch.”
We often hear the commentators repeat their astonishment that Spain and the Netherlands have never been matched before in a major soccer tournament. The nations have, however, a long and distant history of bloodier conflict. The rest of the world is largely unaware of it. But if Germany had beaten Spain, and got to the final, the Dutch would face relatively trivial rivals. War against Spain moulded the Netherlands, created the nation, launched the Dutch Golden Age, and left an enduring legacy in the cultures of both countries. Before the game begins, the national anthem – a modified version of an anti-Spanish propaganda piece of the 16th century – will already have reminded the Dutch that their real historic enemy is Spain. There is no time for more than truncated versions at sporting events; so Spaniards will be spared the unfortunate 10th verse, which goes:
And when the Spaniard harms thee
Perhaps the trophy should be re-fashioned into a golden octopus grasping the globe...
I’d love to see Netherlands win but I think it will be Spain.
Cindie
Karate kick to the chest of some Spaniard - ouch!!! Dutchie lucky to not get the red card.
German commentator twice called the game “hideous” because of all the fouling and I have to agree.
Paul the octupus!...????
How cold is it there? The entire stands are all wearing coats and the coaches and players all have blankets?