The culmination
The cast is final. Brazil faces the Netherlands for third place, Germany battles Argentina for bragging rights. One whole month of football, not without quirks and controversies, will have its curtain call this weekend.
Very early tomorrow morning, Netherlands might be taking home 3rd place without breaking a sweat as there were talks and rumors that the Selecao won’t be playing. I hope these rumors will stay as they are as FIFA most certainly will levy some very hefty fines on them.
It is the first meeting between the Brazilians and the Dutch for third place. Brazil will be playing for third place for the fourth time overall. This will be the second outing for third place for the Netherlands.
The Netherlands reached the most finals in the FIFA World Cup without ever winning. Had they won over Argentina, it could have been their fourth appearance. This WC most likely will be Arjen Robben’s last.
On Sunday, Argentina goes up against a well-oiled, highprecision German machine. I’ll let the experts do the analysis but in my own personal opinion, Messi and company will have a very hard time with their opponents. Pure luck is all I can say if they prevail over Germany.
Argentina and Germany will meet for the third time in the World Cup finals. Argentina, starring Diego Maradona, who else, prevailed in WC 1986. Germany had revenge four years later and took the trophy during the WC 1990.
Finals Trivia England’s Jeff Hurst, in the WC 1966 finals versus Germany, scored three goals, the only player to do so. It was England’s only World Cup title.
Luis Monti appeared in two World Cup finals for two different nations. In 1930, he represented Argentina in their losing effort versus Uruguay. Monti was on the Italian national team when Italy won the World Cup in 1934.
Uruguay won the first WC in 1930 and had their second WC title in 1950. Italy also has two WCs, winning the title consecutively in 1934 and 1938. Argentina also has 2 (1978, 1986). Germany has 3 titles (1954, 1974, 1990). They could have their fourth title on Sunday. England and Spain have one each. Brazil is top with 5 WC titles.
bobbytoohotty@lycos.com