To the Semis

Big day, big game(s).  Let’s start with the 1st game:
Germany-Argentina @ 17:00 Central European Time
Both teams are playing well and this would have made a great final.  Actually was the final in ‘86 (Argentina won) and in ‘90 (Germany won).  So these teams have history.  Which means absolutely nothing to this game except for cool [...]

The Last (16) Roundup

After a scintillating round of group play I thought the WC was only going to get better.  However, the momentum seemed to stall a bit for this last slate of 8 games.  Time to separate the wheat from the chafe. 
Saturday June 25.
Germany 2 Sweden 0:  The Swedes inexplicably survive the group stages in big tournaments and then get exposed in [...]

Joga Bonito

I received probably my favorite email ever on Saturday when I got confirmation from FIFA for two tickets to match 55 in Dortmund on Tuesday.  Back in May when I put my name and money down on the waiting list for this game, I had hoped against all odds for Brazil-USA.  But Brazil-Ghana was almost as excellent.  And this is how [...]

Not so Fair Play

Portugal-Netherlands was not a good game but was certainly gripping entertainment.  16 yellow cards and 4 reds was the final tally in Portugal's bitter 1-0 win.  And it was exactly what this WC needed.  This game was a stark reminder of how much players need to improve their behavior.  It was like recess time for kindergartners.  [...]

The Spirit of Togo

The last 16 is set.  The harsh reality of overtime and the heartbreak of penalties looms over every game now.  Two teams enter and one team leaves.  But before we enjoy WC football at its finest here is an ode to Togo. 
Yesterday we made the short 2.5 hour drive from Brussels to Cologne to see France-Togo.  This game [...]

The Day After

Here are some musings on the USA while I wonder why Japan would want to make Brazil so angry by daring to score 1st in their game? 
Yes, the penalty was a terrible call.  But both Ghana goals were preventable.  Don't know what Reyna was thinking on the first.  Never play with it in the back, [...]

Do you believe in Miracles?

Big, big day for USA soccer.  If we somehow advance today, we'll have to make the rest of the world change the name from football to soccer.  More on the game below, but first some unfinished business.
I thought people would be able to access the link for the Top 3 goals but I guess not.  [...]

Halfway There

I've recovered from my WC hangover.  The USA game was so exciting and emotionally draining that it clouded my enjoyment of the latest games.  Also, the server crashed and I lost my entire post, so that was why there was no update yesterday. 
We are officially halfway there (to Berlin) as 32 matches have now been played [...]

USA game

Had some server problems yesterday and I lost my entire post so I hope you enjoyed this photo that somehow got posted despite the problems. 

Originally uploaded by flair24 but photo courtesy of Bob K.

Proud to be an AMERICAN!!!

Before you read this post, you should know I haven't seen one highlight of the USA game, read any recaps or heard any analysis.  I just want to express as best as I can what it was like to be there when the USA finally arrived on the world stage. 
Jumped into the car for the 4 hour drive [...]