THE Game

Some call it the "Pope Derby" or "Holy Derby" while others call it the "Adidas Derby." Regardless of the nickname people called the Germany vs. Argentina match in the 2014 World Cup Finals, this match was The Game of Games.

The 2014 World Cup is indeed full of dramas and a number of heart-attack moments. Late goals, (30-minute) extra time and penalties? This year's World Cup had it all. Football is the beautiful game, but it should come with a warning. Football is never for the faint-hearted.

As if I haven't had enough of the Netherlands vs. Costa Rica reaching the penalties to determine which team would make it past the quarter-finals (I was rooting for the former) and the and another PSO at the semis during The Netherlands vs. Argentina slash King Wilhelm vs. Queen Maxima match (I was rooting for the latter), not to mention the massacre of Brazil courtesy of Germany, here came the finals with extra time.

If it was another day and match, I'd be rooting for Germany. Deutschland is the team I root for after España. It's a default because of silly reasons. However, I don't know why I couldn't fully support this team during the finals. Perhaps it's because of Messi or, more importantly, it's because Argentina represents the South America. So I was pegging Switzerland. Go Football! 

I was at peace when Mario Gotze hit the back of the net (113'). And I found myself smiling after that. Except for Brazil, it seems like all the teams I've been rooting for to win since the quarterfinals did win. Btw, I was actually just rooting for David Luiz. If it was another day, it'd be for Germany. But I guess that just tells that the original teams I'd root for are the ones that won. By elimination, Germany would top them all. And Germany did. Deutschland is now the World Cup Champions.

Congratulations, Germany!

First set of 2014 World Cup Quarter Finals

Some may not believe it, but today is my first time to watch this year's World Cup. How lame, right? But I've been really busy last month and too tired to stay up until the morning. Even on weekends. It's awful because I've missed a lot of the late goal dramas, not to mention La Roja's matches. It's tough living in Asia when the World Cup host is on the other side of the planet.

But since it's already the Quarter Finals, I've been hoping to really watch the games. Thank goodness it happened.

FRA vs. GER

Germany won this, courtesy of Hummels. It wasn't really exciting. My friends were even 'complaining' for France's lack of zeal to give it all.

I was pegging Switzerland for this until I remembered which team I was rooting for next to Spain back in 2010 World Cup. Chancellor Andrea Merkel also played a part on this.

BRA vs. COL

I was also thinking of pegging Switzerland until David Luiz hit the back of the net after a free kick (69'), adding another goal to Thiago Silva's at the 6th minute. I like the guy, David Luiz. I'm not particularly keen for Brazil but I want to see him in the finals. I actually thought I was only seeing an "actual" imagination when he scored because I was wondering what it'd be like if he sends the ball (I thought about this while the ball was in midair) past the goal keeper, between and inside the posts. Then I saw David Luiz running for joy. It was actually a goal, a real one. A very beautiful one.

The feeling of rooting for Brazil became stronger when James Rodriguez of Columbia scored on penalty. I was hoping so hard that they will not equalize against the host country. Even though Brazil was leading against Colombia, the 5 minute added time was still torture. So I was definitely glad when the 2-1 score stayed until the final whistle.

Brazil off to the semis and that means I'm going to see David Luiz again. Unfortunately for Neymar, he won't be able to make it because of injury. It was his back that got hit but I'm not sure if he's also hurt somewhere. As a nurse, I'm particularly "alarmed" if the injury involves the back. I'm scared of spine injuries. Let's just hope for the best.

So next will be NED vs CRC and ARG vs BEL.