... is when the result seems to depend a lot on the referee. In the germany vs. italy game, an intentional handball close to their own goal by italy didn't gain the germans a penalty shot (which could have given them the lead). And in the france vs. portugal game, the french goal was a debatable penalty kick.

It's also disappointing when one team makes a goal in the 119th minute, when the teams were of equal strength. Thats when you feel a penalty shootout would have been more appropriate.

But thats life, and it just reminds me why I don't really like watching sports. And this probably means that both the final and the "small final" will be interesting to watch. Just don't pay attention to the final results.

Still I think that soccer is more fun than e.g. basketball. In the basketball games of "march madness" I watched last year, most games were actually decided in the last 2 minutes of game time (which took them more like 20 minutes), which usually was one team trying to make a quick foul, so the other team gets two free throws, then trying to make a quick 3 point throw. And fouling again when the other team has the ball. Repeat until time is actually up, or you have the lead. Or your players don't manage to get the 3 point throws right, but the other team is too successful with their free throws. It's much like the actual game before that didn't really matter. I guess basketball could benefit from an extra time handling like in soccer.

What I hate most about sports is that people who have just been watching the game on TV celebrate as if they had won themselves. There is no skill in cheering a team on TV... So please, don't sing "we are the champions", but more accurately "they are the champions".

On the other hand, the "worldcup party" here in germany has been outstanding. It's like the whole country is celebrating with its visitors. We've raised the bar too high for south africa in 2010, I guess.