Binge Media Sports: 2014 FIFA World Cup Final Preview (and 3rd Place)
Okay, here we go. Welcome back to Binge Media Sports coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and what an incredible World Cup it’s been. 4 is now down to 2. Well, I suppose it’s still four with the third-place game, but we’re down to two teams left with a shot to win the biggest sporting event in the world. After a semifinal that gave us two completely different games, we’re left with Germany and Argentina to decide a true world champion. But before I get to the final preview, let’s first take a quick look at the third place match between Brazil and the Netherlands.
3RD PLACE MATCH
TV BROADCAST: Saturday, July 12th-4:00 Eastern/3:00 Central-ESPN
SEMIFINALS:
BRAZIL- lost to Germany 1-7
NETHERLANDS- lost to Argentina 0-0 (2-4 in penalty kicks)
SEMIFINAL POLL RESULTS:
40% picked Brazil to advance-WRONG!
50% picked Netherlands to advance-WRONG!
MATCH PREVIEW:
Obviously, both teams didn’t want to be in this game. The title of World Cup champion isn’t on the line here, but pride will be, especially for the host country.
Let’s face it. Brazil got absolutely rolled by Germany. Making it to the third place game would have been a great accomplishment for so many teams in this tournament, but that’s not the case for Brazil. Picked by many to win this World Cup, the hosts will be looking to save face after a 7-1 drubbing by the Germans. Sure, they had some chances in the semifinal, but they were just outmatched. I think the Neymar injury just deflated the entire country and it showed on Tuesday. They’ll look to pick up the pieces on Saturday afternoon.
Is it better to be beaten to a pulp like Brazil was or to lose in penalty kicks? The Netherlands are asking themselves that question going into this game. They gave Argentina all they could handle as they tried to get back to their second straight World Cup final, but came up short in penalty kicks. But a third place finish is still better than fourth and the Dutch certainly won’t feel sorry for Brazil on Saturday.
Sure, I know it’s the third place game and many people won’t care about it, but remember that these are still two great teams who are still playing for national pride.
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WORLD CUP FINAL
TV BROADCAST: Sunday, July 13th-3:00 Eastern/2:00 Central-ABC
SEMIFINALS:
ARGENTINA- def. Netherlands 0-0 (4-2 in penalty kicks)
GERMANY- def. Brazil 7-1
SEMIFINAL POLL RESULTS:
50% voted for Argentina to advance
60% voted for Germany to advance
MATCH PREVIEW:
Before this World Cup got underway, Germany and Argentina were two teams that were among the favorites to win it all and here they both are.
I could give you a full breakdown here, but we’ve been through all of that in the rounds leading up to this match. We know how good these teams are. We know that both teams will do anything and everything to win this match, so instead allow me to give you a little history lesson.
Argentina is looking to win the World Cup for the third time. They were champions in 1978 and 1986. They’re in their first World Cup final since 1990 when they lost to………Germany. In fact, Argentina and Germany played in two consecutive World Cup finals. Argentina won 3-2 in 1986. Germany won 1-0 on a late penalty kick in that 1990 final. As far as this game goes, Lionel Messi’s legacy can be be fully cemented with a win here. He’s been under the microscope this entire tournament and has played brilliantly. Speaking of brilliant, goalkeeper Sergio Romero was just that in the shootout win against the Netherlands.
Germany is gunning for their fourth World Cup title, winning in 1954, 1974, and 1990. They’ll be playing in their first final in twelve years, losing to Brazil 0-2 in 2002. I think they were able to feel a little bit better about that after the 7-1 beating they gave the hosts on Tuesday. Five different players scored in that match as Thomas Muller started it and Andre Schurrle finished it. The Germans haven’t won a big tournament in nearly two decades, but they looked unstoppable in their semifinal.
We could be in for yet another historic battle between these two world powers. Playing not only for country, but for continent as well, Argentina and Germany will battle in the final match of what has been a tremendous tournament. I don’t have a rooting interest either way. All I want to see is another great game, and I’m sure we’ll be given just that.
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This has been an incredible month of soccer. Sure, it’s not for everyone here in the States, but between the run by the Americans that got the country riled up and just the overall intensity of so many great matches, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed covering this 2014 FIFA World Cup and I hope you’ve all enjoyed the coverage. Thanks to all those who read and also to all those who voted. Binge Media Sports will be back next week to cover the MLB All-Star Game. If you have any comments on your picks, feel free to leave them below or follow me and tweet @THElukenorris. Also, don’t forget to come back this weekend to check out my new weekly feature, “Working the Weekend with Luke”. If you missed the first installment last weekend, click HERE. Now I’m done.