Total Football 2010

Spain pass their first ever World Cup Semi-Final test

The Spanish Trio of Xavi, Busquets and Alonso completed 93%, 97% and 80% respectively, incredible totals against such a strong German team. Xavi and Alonso are obviously particularly crucial to Spain and Alonso's attempted range of passing definitely limits his percentage. Spain are undoubtably setting new standards of technical ability.

Germany completed 416 passes in total (77%) which is an impressive total against a team that has an overall pass completion of 85%. Germany leave the tournament with nothing but respect after some wonderful performances and a lot of hope for future tournaments - which is saying something for a country that were beaten finalists in 2002 and semi finalists in 2006.

Images generated using Total Football 2010: http://www.totalfootball2010.com

Download it now from the App Store: http://bit.ly/dt21sl

Congrats to #PAR, the first penalty shootout victors of the 2010 #worldcup! (2 of their pens hit the same spot btw)

Generated using the Total Football 2010 iPhone app.

Download it now from the App Store:http://bit.ly/dt21sl

#bra v #chi That Fabiano knows how to play, see image:

Generated using the Total Football 2010 iPhone app.

Download it now from the App Store:http://bit.ly/dt21sl

@worldcuppodcast just a couple... get loads of stats with this iPhone app:

Generated using the Total Football 2010 iPhone app.

Download it now from the App Store:http://bit.ly/dt21sl

England v Germany - Total Football 2010 analysis

Although FIFA won't use technology, we can! Here's some analysis of today's game from the Total Football 2010 iPhone app:

http://www.totalfootball2010.com

The interplay and movement of Ozil, Muller and Klose caused England loads of problems in the first half and contributed to the two goals, but obviously Terry playing out of position as the right centre half rather than his usual left was more of a factor:

England should have seen this coming, as demonstrated in the group games you can see how biased Germany are to playing down their right hand side, perhaps Capello should have played his first choice centre half in his usual position and the area to best deal with this?

But it was the effectiveness of possession that was telling during that early period, Germany creating twice as many passes with a great deal less of the ball:

Once England did get back in the game through Upson's header they really took charge and it was easily the best they've played in the tournament. Notice how little influence Germany's key men had had during that spell:

But despite their dominance, England's passing was never up to scratch and didn't hurt Germany enough in the final third. Rooney in particular was a shadow of the player we expect him to be, only completing 18 of 35 attempted passes and 2 of the 3 chances he created only came after England were 4-1 down:

But despite all this tactical analysis - it was suicidal decisions by Terry and Upson that cost England. For the third and fourth goals, both the centre halves were up in the German penalty area despite there being half an hour to go and Germany were ruthless on the counter attack. Why so many English players were in the penalty area for a free kick Lampard was going to do nothing other than belt (and probably hit the wall with) is unexplainable. Schoolboy and pub football shouldn't be done the disservice of a comparison!

Two other things to finish up on - David James talked about video research in his preparation for the game, but perhaps ze Germans isolated a weak spot in his goalkeeping, all their shots hit the same spot?!

And although I started by saying we can use technology, unfortunately even some technology has it wrong...

Unfortunately I think it would be wrong if my app said Lampard actually scored! But I doubt I would get many complaints...

Generated using the Total Football 2010 iPhone app. Download it now from the App Store.

Spain pass their first ever World Cup Semi-Final test

Congrats to #PAR, the first penalty shootout victors of the 2010 #worldcup! (2 of their pens hit the same spot btw)

#bra v #chi That Fabiano knows how to play, see image:

@worldcuppodcast just a couple... get loads of stats with this iPhone app:

England v Germany - Total Football 2010 analysis

Ozil & Schweinsteiger were different class and once again at the #worldcup quality trumps reputation

@oliverkaytimes yep, but in a lot of non-threatening areas for #eng, see image:

Apologies to #eng fans, but this image of Lampard's shots is what FIFA sees, not what everyone else sees...

The interchanges between Ozil, Muller & Klose are causing #eng lots of problems. but who cares, it was a goal right?!

Feilhaber has been great in the second half for the USA