World Cup, Part II

Started for the purpose of discussing the tournament, the outcome, and rants if there be any.

Rolf, in the other thread, I was referring to the fact that Argentina was tired, having played 120 minutes plus penalties against Nederlands, and the fact Germany had "a walk in the park" against Brazil that didn't tax them or wear them down. Which is why I said, "Maybe there ought to be a week between the semis and the final." Particularly given that Germany had one more day of rest than Argentina.

 

But again, Germany had an extra day of rest form a game that was a walk-over, whereas Argentina's game was a scoreless draw also, until penalty kicks. They played an additional 30 minutes to Germany's ability to take it down a notch or two for most of the game, after that five-goal flurry midway through the first half.

Typically, though, there is six to seven days between matches, though you will get the occasion four-day rest period in between two teams who played the previous Saturday against other opponents. Kind of like the NFL's Thursday game after a weekend schedule for both of the teams involved.

Absolutely true. I just think Argentina's shorter recovery time from a much more difficult match made it harder on them, and it showed in the last 20 minutes of regulation and throughout extra time. Germany seemed to plod in the extra time, as well, but I think it was more of an effort to regather energy rather than being exhausted as I saw Argentina being.