Hitting The Bar
As I pointed out before, the bars here in Tenerife have not reaped the cash bonanza they hoped for, partly due to the credit crunch and cheap beer (22 cents a can) by the lorry load in the supermarkets. One thing you could guarantee though was during matches the local police could be found closely inspecting the plasma screen telly in their nearest bar, it was like Donnington Park pits outside some bars with those tell tale motorbikes parked up.

Action Replay Replay
The Brits out here just have to have the home comforts of their familiar channels and by a technical miracle it arrives here thanks to some poor bloke sat on the top of Mount Teide holding up a coat hanger. Watching BBC or ITV in various bars was a weird experience as their signals are beamed in slightly behind the live feed of the Spanish channels. At several games a loud cheer for a goal came as the build up play was going on in the English bars. I did wonder if I could speed dial a bookies during that short delay and win a fortune – well it was just a thought.

A Trophy Not To Be Sniffed At
Some pre match routines became a little boring and I found my mind wandering and imagining other possibilities. The TV shots always showed both teams marching out of the tunnel before a match and the ref grabbing the World Cup trophy from a small display table – quite a simbolic shot. Surely some joker could have squeezed some super glue in place just so we could see the surprised look when the ref picked up trophy and table in one unexpected swoop.
I liked the story about the drug smugglers using World Cup merchandise to traffic their goods. Replica copies of the World Cup trophy were shown being broken by the police and crumbling into a pile of nose candy. So is that why Pickles the dog found the stolen Jules Rimet trophy so easily when it went missing in 1966.

Well hope you enjoyed this World Cup journey, there will be another along in four years. Don’t just sit on the sidelines waiting, get out and support your local team, you still can’t beat the live experience. I can’t wait for the new CD Tenerife season, now thats what I really call atmosphere. The vuvuzelas ruined the atmosphere in South Africa, we only got rare break throughs of terrace singing and chanting.
There’s a taste of South American skill and passion when Venezuela are the pre season opponents for CD Tenerife on 19 or 20 August (TBC) Enjoy your football.

Holland 0 , Spain 1
Spain started strongly with Villa pushing to break his country’s all time scoring record. Xavi was busy too with a floated free kick that Ramos bravely got a head too but Stekelenburg turned it aside. Holland seemed overawed but Kuyt decided to try his luck after Busquets lost the ball in midfield, nice idea but no power to threaten Casillas in goal. the best chance of the half fell to Ramos, he looked odds on from the right only to see Heitinga clear his shot.
The game became ragged with both sides failing to produce their trademark passing style and the tackles became loose and niggly as English ref Howard Webb gave his yellow cards an airing. The ref didn’t have a clear view of the worst challenge, De Jong went in on Alonso with his foot high and studded him in the chest, it should have been a sending off. Sneijder looked dangerous from free kicks but Casillas was equal to him, the keeper was caught napping though when he miss judged a back pass and failed to stop it going out for a corner. Robben and Sneijder both tested the Spain defence down the right and the lively Pedro managed to shake off four markers before shooting wide of the goal. Robben nearly sneaked in just before the break with a low shot that was heading for the corner of the net before Casillas got a hand to it.

The second half was little better, Puyol opened with a good header down that fell just behind the feet of Capdevila in a great scoring position. Sneijder broke for Holland but Ramos made a vital tackle to stop him in his tracks. Robben was looking threatening and had the clearest chance going one on one with Casillas but waiting too long and Casillas stuck a foot out to deny him. Navas had come on for Pedro and he breathed some life into Spain but Villa was not on finishing form. Ramos was unmarked when he had a free header but sent it over the bar. Extra time was calling Iniesta looked on for goal but a perfect tackle by Sneijder cleared the danger.
So extra time and Zavi and Heitinga clashed in the Holland penalty area but despitr claims for a spot kick, ref Webb said no. Van Bronkhorst in his final game showed his defensive qualities with a supreme tackle on Iniesta and a deflection of a Navas shot before going off to begin his retirement. Fabregas could have nicked the lead, this time it was the Dutch keeper to the rescue saving with his legs.
Villa gave way for Torres at the start of the final 15 minutes in a last throw of the dice. There was always going to be at least one sending off and Heitinga was the man for Holland for pulling back Iniesta but Fabregas wasted the free kick putting it over the bar. Robben, already on a yellow could have gone off as well for dissent after putting the ball in the net after being called offside. Iniesta saved us the lottery of penalties nipping in from a Fabregas pass and hooking the ball into the Holland net with just 2 minutes left on the clock. The hero was nearly burried under an avalanche of bodies as the Spain bench emptied and started to celebrate.

Uruguay 2, Germany 3

Maybe Mueller was the difference between Germany winning or losing to Spain, he was back for this game and showed what a force he is. Muslera in the South Americans goal had a mare of a night starting with the germany opener after 19 minutes. Schweinsteiger unleashed a shot from over 35 yards and the keeper spilled it leaving the alert Mueller to race in and net the rebound. Germany should have punished Uruguay and given the dodgy keeper more to worry about but they sat back and paid the price. Perez did well to rob the ball off Schweinsteiger in midfield and set off Forlan, his ball to Cavani was perfect and popped into the net to level the scores.  Suarez was back for Uruguay and causing lots of damage and even the heavy rain couldn’t dampen the Uruguayan spirit. Forlan had a great chance on the stroke of half time when a corner came flying in with his name on it but he shot over the bar.

The striker made up for his miss in the second half when he struck a great volley after good work from Arevalo. Germany were struggling to get back into the game but got a gift when Boateng put a tempting cross in and Jansen rose above the static defence to head a goal as the keeper flapped. That put new life into Germany as they pushed for the winner. Kiessling came on as sub and had a couple of decent chances but Khedira won the match with another header after Ozil had turned on the style. Even then Uruguay could have taken it to extra time with Forlan hitting the crossbar with the last action of injury time.

Everything stopped for Spain’s vital semi final game tonight. In Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the Beach Boys even put their concert back an hour to allow fans to see the game on giant screens. Now the car horns are blaring and the parties have started. Maybe they will win the final on Sunday  “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”

Germany 0 , Spain 1

Two notable striking changes before the game, Torres was dropped by Spain and Tenerife born Pedro replaced him while Germany’s suspended Mueller gave way for Trochowski. Pedro made an instant impression with a run down the left that was halted by Lahm. The new boy followed up with a tempting ball to Villa that was smothered by oncoming keeper Neuer. Spain were stroking the ball around but couldn’t find the end product, Germany sat back and soaked it up like their teams of old. Iniesta set up Puyol with a well drilled pass across the goal but he couldn’t make his diving header count as it sailed over the bar.

Germany started to be more adventurous, Trochowski let go a long shot that Casillas turned away with his finger tips and Ozil caused problems down the left flank. Pedro was relishing his first start for Spain and forced a corner but it came to nothing, much of Spains work was just a bit too intricate and Villa was well bottled up by the German defence. The half ended with a penalty appeal from Germany, Ozil ran through into the box and went down after brushing with Ramos. The ref didn’t blow for anything so the last few minutes drained away.

Pedro was a livewire again as the second half started, his showed all his trickery on the right before setting up Alonso but his finish wasn’t quite good enough. One of the best passing moves of the game came from Capdevila to Xavi and Pedro who forced a save. Germany looked subdued but managed a break from Podolski that Piquet did well to clear. The chances kept coming for Spain, Ramos missed twice and just when it looked like they might regret the spawned chances Puyol came to the rescue. Iniesta buzzed around at trhe byline and forced a corner, Zavi fired over an outswinging cross and Puyol drifted in and rose high to head the ball powerfully into the net.

Germany woke up and were forced to finally push forward, substitute Kroos looked lively and from his free kick Klose had a sniff but Casillas made a clean catch. Villa having a quiet game by his standards was through on the Germany defence but Friedrich made a strong tackle. Spain took a big gamble and brought on Torres for Villa, Pedro should have gifted him a goal but tried to go it alone. As the clock ticked down Torres had a good chance but Friedrich was there again and the whistle signalled a first World Cup final for Spain.

Uruguay 2, Holland 3

You expect some class in the World Cup semis and it shone through in this game with two well matched sides having to work hard to beat well drilled defences. Sneijder was first to catch the eye, breaking down the right and drilling in a firm cross, Uruguay keeper Muslera punched at it and knocked the ball onto Kuyt who put it over the bar. Kuyt set up Robben a few minutes later but he was blocked out at the post. Uruguay were missing the suspended Suarez but had other threats, Cavani did well on the left flank but his pass found Forlan offside. The Dutch turned back the clock to the shoot on sight sides of 1974 and 1978 as captain Van Bronkhorst hit a stonking long range goal after 17 minutes that brushed the goalies fingers.

It got a bit lively on the half hour when Uruguays Caceres made an ambitious scissor kick that caught De Zeeuw in the face. Sneijder ran over to discuss the error of his ways with him as he pushed him over and picked up a booking along with the instigator. Caceres didn’t let it ruffle him, making a strong and timely tackle on Robben in his penalty area. Cavani was coming more into the game for the South Americans but their main man levelled with a brilliant goal. Forlan picked up a long clearance 35 yards away from the blues goal and unleahed a howling curling shot that made a fool of Stekelenburg whose hand wasn’t enough to stop the goal.

Holland looked nervous at the start of the second half, Van Bronkhorst cleared off his goal line and they seemed vulnerable. Forlan was always a menace, his free kick had the keeper frantically beating the shot away. there was a touch of controversy about the Dutch goal that broke the deadlock, Sneijder curled his shot in as Van Persie stepped over the ball while trying to get back from a marginally offside position, a slight deflection from Pereira fooled the keeper and gave Holland the lead. There was no doubt about the third goal, Kuyt on the left put in a perfect cross to the head of Robben who nodded it into the net. Holland relaxed a little now but Uruguay made them sweat in injury time when Pereira cut in and stroked his shot around Kuyt and past the badly sighted Stekelenburg, but it was not enough to save the gallant Uruguay. Now where’s that little paintbrush and the tin of orange Humbrol.

Argentina 0, Germany 4

There was no council notice, no early call, the demolition crew started from the kick off. Sweinsteiger may be a writer’s nightmare but what a player. His floated free kick after three minutes found Mueller who headed down past the flailing leg of keeper Romero. Mueller set up Klose soon after but his shot couldn’t find the target. Messi couldn’t get into the game, Sweinsteiger had him in his pocket and Argentina were out marked and out fought.

The  half time mauling from Maradona seemed to wake Argentina up and they produced something nearer their best play.  Di Maria let fly from just outside the box and saw the ball go wide, Tevez took on Messi’s creative mantle and forced good saves out of Neuer. The Germans soaked it all up and then sprung forward, Podolski raided down the left and squared for Klose who had the easiest of finishes for a 2-0 lead. That man Sweinsteiger got in on the act also choosing the left channel before laying the ball on for Freidrich. Ozil was having a quiet game by his standards but put in a telling cross to give Klose a last minute goal to complete the rout.

Paraguay 0, Spain 1

Maybe Paraguay are not the flashiest team but they have steel and quick forwards and they were straight at Spain from the off. Santana warmed Casillas’ hands in the first minute and a wild free kick from Morel should have been a lot closer. Torres again looked sluggish and Paraguay wouldn’t let Spain settle on the ball to play their crisp passing game. Alcaraz couldn’t quite connect with a free header from a smart free kick as Spain struggled to throw off the chains. Xavi had a quick witted attempt, turning and firing in a long shot that went over the Paraguay goal and a Capdevila free kick at the other end was cooled down as it took a deflection for a soft pick up from Villar. The South Americans finished the side stronger, Valdez put the ball in the Spain net but was just offside and then he curled a shot just wide before the break.

Again Spain toiled in the second half, Torres was off again, this time for Fabregas and on the hour the game exploded into life. Piquet held Cardozo and wouldn’t let go of his arm, a clear penalty for Paraguay but Cardozo hit it softly and Casillas saved. Villa broke away and Alcaraz clattered him down in the other box to give Spain an instant spot kick reply. Alonso despatched the ball into the net but the ref made him take it again and this time Villar saved. Spain used that to spur them on, Iniesta and Fabregas made a great incisive raid that Villar ended. It was looking like extra time but Iniesta conjured up a late attack, sub Pedro could only hit the post from his pass but Villa was on hand to score off the inside of the post. Spain were through but it was hard going.

There’s an extra bit of local interest for CD Tenerife fans in today’s Paraguay v Spain game. Not only is Pedro, the boy from Abades, on the Spain bench hoping to come on for some goal glory, the Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino is a former Santa Cruz player. The mastermind of this Paraguay campaign played 15 games for CD Tenerife in 1991, I’m sure he remembers it fondly.

Debut For Twin Strikers?

She has become the “face” of the World Cup, Larissa Requelme is a top model in Paraguay and always seems to catch the camera mans eye a she celebrates on the terraces with their army of fans. The young lady, who famously keeps her mobile phone tucked in her cleavage, has promised that if Paraguay make the semi finals she will do a full strip. That’s something to look out for, John Motson may even lose interest in his endless stats and take an interest.

Harry Bungs In A Good Delivery

The pundits are all jostling for top billing but Harry Redknap leads the way with the best one liner so far. After Japan midfielder topped a great game with a stunning free kick, Harry’s BBC colleagues teased him that he would have the cheque book out and be making a bid. The Spurs boss quipped back with “yes i was thinking of doing a swap , Honda for Bentley” David Bentley being one of his out of favour strikers.

The odds are tumbling, the reputations are crumbling and this World Cup continues to be the most unpredictable for years.

Holland 2, Brazil 1

This game was so set up for Brazil to triumph but nothing should be taken for granted and stupid basic errors proved to be their undoing. Even in the warm up the odds seemed stacked against Holland, centre back Mathijsen was injured and Ooijer was drafted in, the new recruit and partner Heitinga had a torrid start. Robinho has clawed back some of his tarnished reputation so far and he continued, exploiting the wide open Dutch defence, latching onto a long pass from Melo to score after 10 minutes. Kuyt tested Cesar in the Brazil goal but he coped well with that low shot and a Sneijder free kick.

Brazil looked tight in defence and started the second half in a comfortable position, but then they hit the self destruct button. Sneijder whipped in a cross from the right that hung in the air, Cesar and Melo couldn’t decide whose ball it was and as they collided the ball flew into the net off Melo’s head. Kaka could have put Brazil back in front after a poor clearance but he put the ball wide. Time for another defensive lapse, Robben flicked on a corner and the Brazil defence was all over the place  leaving Sneijder to head it into the net. Things got worse when Melo completed a bad day at the office by stamping on a grounded Robben, a clear sending off. The Dutch couldn’t believe his stupidity and tucked in to play out the remains of the game for a famous victory.

Uruguay 1,  Ghana 1 (Uruguay win 4-2 on pens)

What a cracker of a game. Uruguay looked the only side in it for the first 30 minutes and then a corner for Ghana and a Vorsa header just over the bar lit the fuse for the Africans and they were fizzing. Forland was everywhere early on, first setting up  Fernandez and then forcing a corner with a raid down the left and sending the ball into Cavani whose shot was scrambled clear. Once Ghana had started they were impressive, Gyan led the line superbly and Muntari scored a belter. back to goal he turned into space and unleashed a curling shot that was unstoppable.

It was that other great forward Forlan who levelled the scores 10 minutes into the second half, his long range free kick deviated in the air before settling in the Ghana net. Suarez had his moments including a point blank save by Kingson when one on one. Both teams looked a little tired as the game went into extra time but then they dug deep and came again. Gyan wasted the best chance in the first extra 15 minutes and headed over again just inside the second phase. Forlan tried to do too much on his own when Suarez was free and at the other end Prince was deied by a two fisted save. Both sides battled and were a credit to the game but as the minutes ticked away there was late drama. The ball pinged around in the Uruguay gola area and Suarez used his hands to clear a goal bound shot, he got a red card and Ghana a gilt edged chance. Gyan stepped up and blasted the ball but it bounced off the bar and out.

It was all so cruel but thats football and Ghana two poorly taken penalties from Mensa and Adiah were easily saved handing the semi final place to Uruguay.

Spain 1,  Portugal 0

Like a raging bull, Spain came charging out at the start of this game, Villa forced an Eduardo save and Torres forced a tip over from a corner. Portugal said is that it and took hold of the game with tight marking and strong possesion. Tiago had a great chance and found Casillas in uncertain form shovelling his long shot up into the air and scrambling it clear as he was charged at. Ronaldo put in a testing free kick and again Casillas seemed to panic, catching the ball as if it was a red hot potato. The keeper and captain did make amends running out 35 yards  to deny Simao as he bore down on him.

The second half had barely started before Almeida tried a goalmouth cross and Puyol got in the way, his deflection causing the ball to bounce threateningly in front of Casillas before going out wide. As Ronaldo blended into the background, another great player Torres was taken off, a pale shadow of his best form. Replacement Llorente made an instant impression getting into a clear position before heading it straight at Eduardo. Villa is always lively and after putting a shot wide he came back for another go forcing a strong save from the Portugal keeper but snapping up the rebound for a Spain goal. Ramos nearly doubled up, flashing his shot across the Portugal goalmouth. Portugal should have upped the pace but didn’t , Llorente had another headed chance for Spain, this time flicked wide. There was a bit of controversy near the end as Costa was sent off for Portugal after a passing glance of players saw Capdevila rolling around with his hands over his face, when he got up there were of course no signs of contact. Alves squared up to him briefly but it was a distraction from Portugals lack of playing ambition and the overall quality of Spain.

Paraguay 0, Japan 0 (Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties)

Sadly a game where a bit of a gamble could have tipped it for either side but both played safe and penalties ruled the day. Barrios threatened to turn on the light in the first half, beating two Japan defenders with a clever turn before hitting the crossbar. Even the highly skilled Honda couldn’t fire Japan’s imagination in the second half, his best being a low shot that was easily saved. So penalties were needed to split the sides and Komanos miss off the crossbar proved to be the turning point.

Holland 2, Slovakia 1

They are a very economical side the Dutch, always just doing enough to get through, you keep hoping there may be more of the old sexy football to come. Arjen Robben finally started a game for the orange army and soon made his mark. Sneijder welcomed him with a perfect pass and Robben ran at the Slovakian defence and unleashed a 25 yard drive low into  the goal. The dynamic duo were joined by Van Persie, although he could only put a weak header wide he contributed much to the offfensice threat.

In the second half the Slovakians continued to be outshone but at least Stoch tested Dutch keeper Stekelenburg who tipped it over and Vittek had a go but put his shot straight at the keeper. Sneijder ensured the win with a neat finish from a Kuyt cutback. It took Slovakia until injury time to find the net, and that was via the penalty spot, Vittek was brought down in a scramble of bodies but got up to grab the consolation.

Brazil 3, Chile 0

I was expecting a little more from Chile but faced with Brazil, it’s like standing between two big blokes in the gents and finding you just cant go. Lucio was well through for Brazil when brought down by Contreras but no penalty was given. Never mind, a few minutes laterMaicon, not just a brilliant full back, floared in a corner for Juan to head into the goal. Then the best move of the game saw Robinho carve Chile open, lay off to Kaka, and his pass found Fabiano perfectly placed to score the second.

Brazil have added a steel to their flair and crushed the life out of Chile giving them few chances. In the second half, born again Robinho added a well taken goal from the edge of the area after 59 minutes and Brazil coasted after that.