URUGUAY 2-3 GERMANY

Extensive notes taken on this one (I had such great intentions!):

A couple of things really bugged me here, during what would have been my match of the tournament if it wasn't essentially a friendly, although my annoyance was probably cumulative.

Firstly: the amount of foul throws. Not just in this game, but during the entire World Cup. I was always taught at school: "feet together (behind the white line), two hands on the ball, throw from behind the head, keeping both feet firmly on the ground". Referees seemingly couldn't give a shit: "just lob it in and get the game restarted".

But referees have more on their minds than the legality of a throw in. For one: "where should I be stood on the pitch to most impede the team currently with possession?" This drives me up the wall of my armchair.

The number of times moves have broken down because the official is standing (or running) directly in the line of the perfect through ball or slide rule pass is astonishing. It's like they've never watched a football match. Surely one of the main attributes a professional referee should have is the ability to read the game? To second guess what might happen next. They don't have to be psychic - just follow a basic law of averages. And don't stand THERE!!!

Aside from that, this was a thoroughly good game - primarily because neither side played with any fear. The Third Place Play-Off is a game so irrelevant that I watched the first half with the volume turned down (for the record, it's soundtrack was provided by the Sia album "We Are Born"). But then came the rain...

Football is better in the rain - no question: the ball skidding off the surface, players looking wet and miserable. Lovely stuff.

And, looking like a bedraggled poodle in a thunderstorm, the follically agile Deigo Forlan was a whisker away from finishing as the outright leading goalscorer in the tournament.

Rather than rattling the crossbar, I wish his 'last kick of the tournament' free kick had gone in. But then, I think that about a lot of misses...



THE STORY SO FAR

Match of the tournament: Germany 0-1 Spain

Player of the tournament: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)

Goal of the tournament: Tevez (Argentina v Mexico) - [2nd goal]