Drama for Germany, Argentina...
Trash talking. Mind games. Maybe even a little outright deception.
Germany and Argentina have the Oscar for best World Cup drama locked up — and they’re just getting started. Imagine what’s in store when they’re actually on the field for today’s quarterfinal, a grudge match four years in the making.
“We have no lack of respect for Argentina,’’ Germany coach Joachim Loew insisted yesterday after days of back-and-forthing.
Don’t like ’em much either though.
The Germans and Argentines may not exude nastiness in the same way as, say, the Raiders and the Chiefs, but their relationship has been testy since they traded World Cup titles in back-to-back finals 20 years ago. It’s been downright ugly lately. After Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago, also in the quarterfinals, the teams traded punches and kicks in a scuffle.
No one’s decked anyone in South Africa — yet — but mild-mannered German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger ratcheted up the buzz on what’s already one of the best matchups at the World Cup by accusing the Argentines of not showing respect for opponents and referees.
Nigeria to be ousted?
FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said that FIFA will tell Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan he has until Monday evening to back down on his threat to pull the Nigerian soccer Federation out of international competition for two years or Nigeria will be suspended from world soccer. FIFA rules protect soccer from government intervention.
Klose to play 100th
Germany striker Miroslav Klose is set to play his 100th international game in the quarterfinal against Argentina. Klose has scored 50 goals in 99 games for Germany and his 12 World Cup goals put him equal with Pele in fourth place overall . . . Dunga has hinted he will not stay on as coach of the Brazilian national team following the quarterfinal elimination to the Netherlands.
Boston Globe
Trash talking. Mind games. Maybe even a little outright deception.
Germany and Argentina have the Oscar for best World Cup drama locked up — and they’re just getting started. Imagine what’s in store when they’re actually on the field for today’s quarterfinal, a grudge match four years in the making.
“We have no lack of respect for Argentina,’’ Germany coach Joachim Loew insisted yesterday after days of back-and-forthing.
Don’t like ’em much either though.
The Germans and Argentines may not exude nastiness in the same way as, say, the Raiders and the Chiefs, but their relationship has been testy since they traded World Cup titles in back-to-back finals 20 years ago. It’s been downright ugly lately. After Germany eliminated Argentina on penalty kicks four years ago, also in the quarterfinals, the teams traded punches and kicks in a scuffle.
No one’s decked anyone in South Africa — yet — but mild-mannered German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger ratcheted up the buzz on what’s already one of the best matchups at the World Cup by accusing the Argentines of not showing respect for opponents and referees.
Nigeria to be ousted?
FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot said that FIFA will tell Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan he has until Monday evening to back down on his threat to pull the Nigerian soccer Federation out of international competition for two years or Nigeria will be suspended from world soccer. FIFA rules protect soccer from government intervention.
Klose to play 100th
Germany striker Miroslav Klose is set to play his 100th international game in the quarterfinal against Argentina. Klose has scored 50 goals in 99 games for Germany and his 12 World Cup goals put him equal with Pele in fourth place overall . . . Dunga has hinted he will not stay on as coach of the Brazilian national team following the quarterfinal elimination to the Netherlands.
Boston Globe
