World Cup Final Open Thread

I am going to miss the World Cup. there have been a large number of soccer posts here mostly because it is the summer dead season and there is not much to talk about. As fun as it was to watch the U.S., we're nowhere near the best in the world. That is what is on display today.

It is Die Mannschaft vs. La Albiceleste. Germany, arguably, is the most successful national team in the world. A title would be their fourth, just one shy of Brazil's five, but the Germans have reached at least the semifinals in four straight World Cups (something never done before) and in seven of the last nine. Since 1954 they have reached at least the last eight in every single World Cup.

Then you have Argentina, who has arguably the best player in the world right now in Lionel Messi. they would love to take a dump on their bitter rivals' (Brazil) front porch by winning the World Cup in the Maracana by beating the team that flat out embarrassed Brazil earlier this week.

Personally, I will be pulling for Germany. I was in Germany during Euro '96 and was blown away by the way the entire country stopped during their games. Also, Germany also plays attacking soccer and not the defensive sit back and wait style so many others do. Their idea of their best defense is a 4-0 lead and their dismantling of Brazil was a thing of beauty.