Your World Cup Viewing Guide
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The World Cup final takes place in the morning and the two best sides are probably there. After the 1990 final the world collectively hoped we would never see another Germany v Argentina final. But time heals and, no matter what gets served up tomorrow, it will not be as vulgar as that match in Rome.
Here are the things to look out for in the FIFA commentary feed.
German Efficiency
As with every tournament it’s German efficiency. But efficiency indicates a safe approach, and this German team has been anything but. Their passing has been superb throughout, and often very imaginative. Imagination does not equal efficiency.
And, in the modern world of efficient football, a team would sit on a 3-0 lead inside 25 minutes.
Clinical might be the better word, but that doesn’t have the same Cultural Stereotype narrative going on.
The Best Team v The Best Player
This may actually be true; the best player in this tournament has been Javier Mascherano, but that isn’t what they mean. Watch for the Messi hype…..
Messi Magic
Lionel Messi has had a good tournament, possibly a very good tournament, but the premeditated hype around his every movement is just a bit silly really. Any time he goes on a dribble it is described as magic in a tired overuse of alliteration.
The commentary during the stalemate against the Netherlands was pretty awkward. A small pass to a team mate was described a genius delivery, errant passes were greeted with silence.
Should he score, or even have some nebulous hand in a goal, count the number of times magic is mentioned.
England 1966
…will be mentioned. It even got referred to in the 3rd place play-off today.
Completely bizarre historical references
This has been a real feature of the tournament. Brazil not losing at home for 39 years was probably the only one of any relevance; the Dutch got all kinds of stats aimed at them.
And with this being a replay of two previous finals, with contrasting results, is perfectly set up for statistics to supports a theory.
No European team has ever won a World Cup in The Americas
Should Germany prevail, allow yourself a small drink when that gets mentioned. And then take the day off.
And in the NZ Aftermath. All Black analogies
That Germany v Brazil semi-final hadn’t even got to half time before radio stations were trying to chisel in Rugby World Cup comparisons. Suddenly we were back at Eden Park and Australia was up 35 – 0, 48-0, or whatever.
The real window here is if Argentina nullify and off-colour German team. Will Germany have played their final too early, 1995 etc? You have been warned.