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Even the Germans loseSoccer Betting Lines07/08/2010 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Germany manager Joachim Loew abandoned his strategy at the wrong time. Loew said before Wednesday's FIFA World Cup semifinal against Spain that attacking was the only way Germany could win the title. Loew's plan worked to perfection in the first two games of the knockout stage with wins over England and Argentina by combined scores of 8-1. Despite having the second-youngest team in the tournament, Loew created the most dynamic side to descend upon South Africa. "We could only win the World Cup by playing attacking football and making life difficult for other teams," Loew told Bild after Germany's 4-0 win in the last eight against Argentina. Germany's more recent success, however, was built on solid defense and 1-0 wins, exactly what it did eight years ago to reach its seventh World Cup final. Loew, coaching in his first World Cup, felt it was time to alter the German style. For a pair of games, Germany looked unstoppable. Loew's old plan was executed perfectly in the semifinals Wednesday, only by Spain. Spain kept the pressure on Germany for 90 minutes and, besides one good chance from Toni Kroos, goalie Iker Casillas had the day off. "We didn't have enough belief in ourselves," said Germany's Miroslav Klose. Obviously, credit goes to Spain for enforcing its style of play. Vincente del Bosque's team, the pre-tournament favorite, continued to do what they do best - dominate possession. Xavi again orchestrated the play from midfield and Germany was chasing the ball all match. Despite its third straight 1-0 win in knockout play, Spain didn't win ugly. No other country, it seems, is Spain's equal in talent or ability. "Spain's organization and tactics are in a different league," said German defender Marcell Jansen. Spain previously proved it to the Germans with a 1-0 win in the Euro 2008 final. The Spaniards proved it again on Wednesday, this time, on a bigger stage. Now, Spain is on the verge of its first World Cup title, and with a win over the Netherlands would match Germany's feat of winning consecutive Euro and World Cup titles. Germany missed 20-year-old emerging star Thomas Muller, who was suspended. But what the Germans really lacked was Loew's plan. Germany did try to attack, but the times it actually got the ball away from Spain, the Spaniards won it back. Almost immediately. Almost every time. "We lacked the courage of our convictions going forward," said Germany captain Philipp Lahm. Yes, but the Germans also failed to commit enough people forward. They relied too heavily on counter-attacking. That worked well against England and Argentina, but it also worked because Germany took an early lead in both games. Spain is too well-organized and disciplined to get caught on the counter. Loew and the Germans failed to adjust. But as Loew said, it was simple: attack. The Germans were enjoyable to watch when they opened up. Muller, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski and Klose created some of the best goals in the tournament. Not based on individual effort, but through fast, smooth build-ups with pinpoint passes. Germany didn't do that against Spain. For a team that lost influential Michael Ballack to injury just weeks before the tournament, you could hardly tell. The Germans used a lineup including nine starters 26 or younger, three 21 or less, but extended their streak of advancing to knockout play in every World Cup. Spain's Carles Puyol ended Germany's quest for a record eighth final with his game-winning goal with 17 minutes remaining. But except for Klose and defender Arne Friedrich, the Germans will likely have the same core of players four years from now in Brazil to compete for the country's fourth World Cup title. If Loew continues to build on the style of play Germany displayed in the first two matches of the knockout stage in South Africa, his squad will be again be entertaining to watch - and among the favorites. Had he stuck to that plan in South Africa, Germany could be playing for that title Sunday, instead of being in the third-place match Saturday against Uruguay. Former England striker Gary Lineker once famously said: "Soccer is a game for 22 people that run around, play the ball, and one referee who makes a slew of mistakes - and in the end Germany always wins." Sometimes though, even the Germans lose.
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FOOTBALL BETTINGAfter all the trouble that’s ensued since Braylon Edwards allegedly punched one of LeBron James’ homeboys in the face at a club, the Cleveland Browns have sent away their last remaining player of worth to the New York Jets. This is a great move for Dirty Sanchez and all, but it’s even better for the Knicks. Now Donnie Walsh can say, “You get to haunt Braylon Edwards with your posse if you sign here!” next summer. Putting that aside for a moment, the move is a clear indication that the new-look Jets are gunning for the Super Bowl this year. I don’t think that New York thought that Dirty Sanchez was going to be such a rock star. With a 75.2 passer rating that was killed against the Jets, Sanchez is doing an admirable job of managing games and putting the Jets in a position to win. The defense has been the major story in New York thus far, but the acquisition of Braylon Edwards makes this offense loaded with talent that can dent any defense…as long as Dirty Sanchez continues his meteoric rise. Thus far, Edwards has been a non-factor in the NFL piling up just 139 receiving yards on 10 catches. He has yet to find the endzone, and with the Browns mired in the most unsexy quarterback controversy of all time (Anderson vs. Quinn...yawn), there going nowhere fast. Edwards is two seasons removed from a career year which saw him catch 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns when the Browns were the spread killing monsters of 2007. In 2008, injuries slowed the receiver down to just 873 yards and three touchdowns though he played in all 16 games. So that being said, we really don’t know if Braylon Edwards is just a flash in the pan, or a legit threat. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he is a prototypical receiver. But he’s also shown a strange, and unwarranted, talent for dropping passes. Lining up opposite Jericho Cotchery, a speed demon with 23 catches, 356 yards and a single touchdown, may give Braylon the open looks he needs. A change of scenery may also rejuvenate the star receiver. In return, the Browns will receive Chansi Stuckey, online football betting a special teams player you’ve never heard of and a pair of draft picks. That’s a tall order for a guy whose only real value right now is in his name, and it shows no promise to the Browns that they can rebuild around those acquisitions. Braylon was the only reason to hope for the Browns to go 3-14 SU this year. Without him, they don’t have a single guy on offense that can scare any team. For the Jets, it’s a response to the pounding that they took at the hand of the Saints. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington have averaged around 4.0 yards per carry each on the ground, but striking a fair balance between the passing and rushing attacks in New York has been a struggle. You have to believe that the trio of Dustin Keller, Jericho Cotchery and Braylon Edwards will give Sanchez the weapons he needs to unleash through the air. Theoretically, that would open up holes for the rushing game. But the proposed public option health care plan works in theory too. We need to see the proof in the pudding before we start loading up mega bucks on the New York Jets to take the AFC. The one wrinkle in this whole thing is that Braylon could very well be suspended by the league for disciplinary action due to his “brawl” with LeBron’s friend. If that’s the case, the Jets may have to bench him for a few games leaving them with a somewhat depleted receiving corps for a few games. Also, this is a guy who gets in fights with people at clubs. New York may not be the best place for him. Just sayin’. The Jets have a long week before they meet the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football Betting in a virtual pick ‘em game. Braylon’s excess baggage may be a distraction, and his curiously low production may be what we should be expecting of him overall, but for the Jets, taking a chance to strike gold is well worth it. At the end of the year, they can simply just blame it on their rookie quarterback. To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs. |
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