the past two tournaments it hosted
SAO PAULO, Brazil -- The World Cups second semifinal was supposed to put the silky skills of Lionel Messi and Arjen Robben in the spotlight. Instead, a goalkeeper and two rock-solid defences stole the show. Argentina goalie Sergio Romero saved two penalties Wednesday to send Argentina into the World Cup final with a 4-2 shootout win over the Netherlands after tough defending and a lack of creative spark from either team consigned the match to a 0-0 stalemate. In a twist of fate, Romero credited Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal with helping launch his career when he arrived as an inexperienced youngster at AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league. \"I will be forever grateful to the coach for helping me out in a country that is so different from ours,\" Romero said. A day after Germany lit up the World Cup with its clinical 7-1 destruction of host Brazil, the Dutch and Argentines could not manage a goal between them in 120 minutes before the shootout. Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, will have to do play far better in Sundays final at Rio de Janeiros Maracana Stadium if he is to engineer a win over the powerful German team. The Barcelona star was muted throughout the match and extra time, rarely managing to shake off his markers. At the Itaquerao Stadium, he was overshadowed by his goalkeeper and the man he replaced as Argentina captain, Javier Mascherano, who bossed the midfield for his team the way surprise starter Nigel de Jong did for the Dutch. When Robben looked like deciding the match in stoppage time, Mascheranos perfectly timed sliding tackle blocked his shot at the near post. \"I would say that he is an outstanding player,\" Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said. \"He is an emblem within our national squad, on the field as well as off it.\" Romero -- thought to be a weak link for Argentina and not even a starter for his Monaco club most of last season -- had almost nothing to do during the match, but blocked penalties by Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder in the shootout. For Argentina, Messi, Ezequiel Garay, Sergio Aguero and Maxi Rodriguez all converted their spot kicks. \"Its luck, thats the truth. You can dive (the right way) and not make it, like happened to their goalkeeper,\" Romero said. \"I had confidence, thank God things turned out well.\" A Germany-Argentina final means an extra bitter end to the tournament for Brazilians, who will have to watch their fiercest rivals play for the world title in their most hallowed stadium against a team that humiliated their nation in the semifinals. \"We have a final to play, but with one day less rest and against Germany,\" Sabella said. \"Well do everything possible to make it all the way to the top.\" It was the second straight penalty shootout following a 0-0 draw for the Dutch. Against Costa Rica in the quarterfinals, Van Gaal brought on substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul in the last seconds of extra time to replace Jasper Cillessen and Krul saved two spot kicks. This time, Van Gaal had used up all three substitutions by the end of extra time and Cillessen had to face the shootout. The young Ajax goalkeeper collapsed onto his knees and sank onto his back when Rodriguezs powerful strike ended the shootout. Krul walked across the pitch to console him. Van Gaal also said he had a hand in Romeros heroics from their time together at AZ Alkmaar. \"Penalties are always a matter of luck,\" he said. \"And I taught Romero how to stop penalties so that hurts.\" Many of Argentinas players stripped off their shirts in the rain at the Itaquerao Stadium and danced in front of their fans. Argentina reached its fifth final, and its first in 24 years. It won the title in 1978 -- beating the Dutch -- and in 1986. It lost the championship matches in 1930 and 1990. It played West Germany in both the 86 and 90 finals. The Netherlands, which has never won the World Cup, was seeking to reach its fourth final. After scoring 10 goals in three group matches, the Dutch scoring dried up in the knockout rounds. The team managed two late strikes against Mexico but failed to find the net before eliminating Costa Rica in the quarterfinal shootout. \"The issue in a championship like this one is that you score one more goal than your opponent, which we didnt do,\" Van Gaal said, \"We didnt create very much.\"
Lineups: Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen; Dirk Kuyt, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi (Daryl Janmaat, 46), Daley Blind; Nigel de Jong (Jordy Clasie, 62), Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie (Klaas Jan Huntelaar). Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez (Rodrigo Palacio, 81); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Maxi Rodriguez, 101), Gonzalo Higuain (Sergio Aguero, 82), Lionel Messi. nike roshe one flyknit womens black . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Nike Roshe One Flyknit Grey UK .The sensational case will go to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which will review the murder trial of Pistorius, who fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through the closed door of a toilet cubicle on Valentines Day last year.Judge Thokozile Masipa, who convicted Pistorius and sentenced him to five years in jail, acknowledged that chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel had raised legitimate questions of law that should be studied by the appeals court. http://www.nikeflyknituk.com/2015-nike-flyknit-air-max.html . He earned a couple days off. Johnson had three hits, including his third homer in two days, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 10-7 on Sunday to keep pace with Washington at the top of the NL East. Nike Flyknit Air Max Cheap . The glamour shot of soccers poster boy hoisting the MLS Cup on Sunday night was seen across the globe. But there was much more for the Galaxy to celebrate than just a feel-good story for Becks. nike roshe one flyknit womens . A two-time MVP, Nash has spent the most dominant years of his career in the Phoneix Suns back-court. In 1,152 career NBA games with the Suns and Dallas Mavericks Nash has averaged 14.PARIS -- Host France will play its first match of the 2016 European Championship at Stade de France, where the final and five other matches will also be played. Every team will rotate and play their three group games in different stadiums during Euro 2016, organizers said on Friday. Stade de France, which hosted the 1998 World Cup final when France beat Brazil 3-0, has the most games during the June 10-July 10 event. Six matches will be played in Lille, Lyon and Marseille, five in Bordeaux and the Parc des Princes in Paris, and four in Lens, Nice, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Lille, Bordeaux, Marseille and Stade de France will host a quarterfinal each, and the semifinals will be held in Marseille and Lyon. It is the first Euro with the expanded 24-team format. The final games in each group will be played at the same time. The group winner and the team finishing second can meet again only if they reach the final, and there will be at least two days between matches in each stadium to help preserve the quality of the playing surface. The government will invest 160 million euros ($220 million) to help complete the renovation of stadiums.dddddddddddd UEFA president Michel Platini, who is French, was at the news conference at the FFF headquarters. He confirmed he would be there for Frances opening group game. \"I will most certainly be there,\" he said. \"In what function, I dont know ... maybe as a volunteer.\" Platini, who is also a FIFA vice-president, has been touted as a potential successor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is considering whether to stand for a fifth term next year. France won the past two tournaments it hosted, with midfield great Platini starring with nine goals in six matches when France won the European Championship in 1984. \"The pressure isnt the same when youre playing (away) or at home,\" Platini said. \"You have to win it when youre at home. Theyll do well at the 2014 World Cup and there will be big pressure to win it here.\" All teams have total freedom to choose their training camps. A catalogue featuring 50 possible training bases will be made available after the World Cup in Brazi. Tickets for Euro 2016 will be on sale from next spring. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys china cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '
Lineups: Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen; Dirk Kuyt, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi (Daryl Janmaat, 46), Daley Blind; Nigel de Jong (Jordy Clasie, 62), Georginio Wijnaldum, Wesley Sneijder; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie (Klaas Jan Huntelaar). Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez (Rodrigo Palacio, 81); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Maxi Rodriguez, 101), Gonzalo Higuain (Sergio Aguero, 82), Lionel Messi. nike roshe one flyknit womens black . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Nike Roshe One Flyknit Grey UK .The sensational case will go to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which will review the murder trial of Pistorius, who fatally shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp through the closed door of a toilet cubicle on Valentines Day last year.Judge Thokozile Masipa, who convicted Pistorius and sentenced him to five years in jail, acknowledged that chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel had raised legitimate questions of law that should be studied by the appeals court. http://www.nikeflyknituk.com/2015-nike-flyknit-air-max.html . He earned a couple days off. Johnson had three hits, including his third homer in two days, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Chicago Cubs 10-7 on Sunday to keep pace with Washington at the top of the NL East. Nike Flyknit Air Max Cheap . The glamour shot of soccers poster boy hoisting the MLS Cup on Sunday night was seen across the globe. But there was much more for the Galaxy to celebrate than just a feel-good story for Becks. nike roshe one flyknit womens . A two-time MVP, Nash has spent the most dominant years of his career in the Phoneix Suns back-court. In 1,152 career NBA games with the Suns and Dallas Mavericks Nash has averaged 14.PARIS -- Host France will play its first match of the 2016 European Championship at Stade de France, where the final and five other matches will also be played. Every team will rotate and play their three group games in different stadiums during Euro 2016, organizers said on Friday. Stade de France, which hosted the 1998 World Cup final when France beat Brazil 3-0, has the most games during the June 10-July 10 event. Six matches will be played in Lille, Lyon and Marseille, five in Bordeaux and the Parc des Princes in Paris, and four in Lens, Nice, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse. Lille, Bordeaux, Marseille and Stade de France will host a quarterfinal each, and the semifinals will be held in Marseille and Lyon. It is the first Euro with the expanded 24-team format. The final games in each group will be played at the same time. The group winner and the team finishing second can meet again only if they reach the final, and there will be at least two days between matches in each stadium to help preserve the quality of the playing surface. The government will invest 160 million euros ($220 million) to help complete the renovation of stadiums.dddddddddddd UEFA president Michel Platini, who is French, was at the news conference at the FFF headquarters. He confirmed he would be there for Frances opening group game. \"I will most certainly be there,\" he said. \"In what function, I dont know ... maybe as a volunteer.\" Platini, who is also a FIFA vice-president, has been touted as a potential successor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is considering whether to stand for a fifth term next year. France won the past two tournaments it hosted, with midfield great Platini starring with nine goals in six matches when France won the European Championship in 1984. \"The pressure isnt the same when youre playing (away) or at home,\" Platini said. \"You have to win it when youre at home. Theyll do well at the 2014 World Cup and there will be big pressure to win it here.\" All teams have total freedom to choose their training camps. A catalogue featuring 50 possible training bases will be made available after the World Cup in Brazi. Tickets for Euro 2016 will be on sale from next spring. cheap jerseys cheap jerseys china cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '