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WC 2006 Match Chat: Germany vs. Sweden, 8 am PT
2006-06-24 04:00
by Bob Timmermann

Live from Munich!

The Round of 16 gets underway. And now there is no tomorrow. The winner moves on, the loser catches the next flight back home.

Unless it's the Germans. They'll take a train probably. Except maybe coach Jurgen Klinsmann since he lives in California.

And the Swedes could take a train, but that takes a while.

Sweden and Germany have faced each other 32 times and the Swedes have 13 wins, the Germans have 12 wins and there have been seven draws. Their only previous meeting in the World Cup was back in 1958 when Sweden beat Germany 3-1 in the semifinals in Gothenburg.

Germany won all three of its group matches, while Sweden had a win and two draws.

You have until kickoff to enter the contest!

Comments (109)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2006-06-24 05:16:15
1.   Sam DC
Now, that Bad Altitude guy who actually knows stuff about soccer -- er, football -- he's not allowed to enter. No inside trading or something like that?

I'm not sure my bracket could withstand the challenge of someone knowledgeable actually entering.

2006-06-24 07:39:36
2.   Ken Arneson
Heja, Sverige, friskt humör,
det är det som susen gör!
2006-06-24 07:43:21
3.   Ken Arneson
Heja grabbar skjut som satan,
genom nätet ut på gatan!
2006-06-24 07:48:27
4.   sam2175
Heh, I missed the contest! I could have been the George Costanza of the contest.
2006-06-24 07:50:12
5.   Bob Timmermann
You have about 10 minutes to enter!

There are 13 entries.

2006-06-24 07:53:38
6.   Mark T.R. Donohue
I'm not in the contest. But given as how many NCAA bracket tournaments are won by people such as my mother, who just picks the schools my sisters' friends go to, I don't know how much of an unfair advantage I would have. Watch, Mexico will upset Argentina and I'll look just as clueless as the rest of you.
2006-06-24 07:55:32
7.   Ken Arneson
Hey, the Swedish national anthem has a new title!
2006-06-24 07:56:05
8.   Bob Timmermann
Actually, Mark holds a deep and abiding grudge against Togo.
2006-06-24 07:59:17
9.   Ken Arneson
I entered the contest, but my whole bracket has a huge underdog winning. Guess which one!
2006-06-24 08:00:32
10.   Greg Brock
9 Surinam?
2006-06-24 08:01:31
11.   sam2175
Duh, too late for me to figure it out. Game on!
2006-06-24 08:01:43
12.   Bob Timmermann
Contest closed.

14 entries.

2006-06-24 08:03:34
13.   Mark T.R. Donohue
I propose in the event of a tie the contest be decided by a World Cup proper name spelling bee. Umlauts count!
2006-06-24 08:04:34
14.   Greg Brock
Uh oh
2006-06-24 08:04:43
15.   sam2175
Wow, an early strike from a seemingly harmless possession.
2006-06-24 08:04:51
16.   Ken Arneson
There goes my bracket.
2006-06-24 08:05:26
17.   sam2175
Beautiful opening by Klose. Is that an own goal?
2006-06-24 08:06:08
18.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Uh-oh, four minutes in and my Sweden pick already looks shaky. What the hell was Isaakson doing?
2006-06-24 08:07:10
19.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Argh, I'm out of the bee. It's "Isaksson." Hoisted by my own petard!
2006-06-24 08:08:59
20.   sam2175
17 Podolski gets the goal, not an own goal.
2006-06-24 08:10:20
21.   sam2175
It is fun to see five straight headers without the ball touching the feet or the ground.
2006-06-24 08:12:32
22.   sam2175
Sweden has bigger holes in their defense than the Mediterranean Sea.

2-0.

2006-06-24 08:12:34
23.   Ken Arneson
Man, the Swedish defense has been terrible. I expect way better than this.
2006-06-24 08:12:35
24.   Greg Brock
Goodness gracious. What's going on with the leaping Swedes?
2006-06-24 08:12:59
25.   Mark T.R. Donohue
I was just about to say something about Germany's unwillingess to change styles with the lead coming back to the haunt them. I guess the "d" key on my laptop picked a good time to break.
2006-06-24 08:16:05
26.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Wow, the top strip of the field looks pretty bright. Is this the same stadium where they played a couple games with the roof closed in good weather for that very reason?
2006-06-24 08:18:02
27.   sam2175
Phew, almost 3-0.
2006-06-24 08:19:29
28.   sam2175
Sweden cannot protect against the wall passes? All the defenders are on the same line. Horrible defensive plan.
2006-06-24 08:21:33
29.   sam2175
At least two players are being left unmarked in the penalty box when Germany is operating from the left.
2006-06-24 08:24:24
30.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Well, it looks like Sweden are going to get their chances. They need to get at least one goal this half, probably more. This has the look of a real barnburner.
2006-06-24 08:26:31
31.   Ken Arneson
Defense looked a little better there, finally.
2006-06-24 08:26:42
32.   sam2175
Better defensive organization there from Sweden. They have settled down a bit.
2006-06-24 08:28:24
33.   sam2175
BS yellow card there.
2006-06-24 08:30:43
34.   Greg Brock
The Swedes are second to every single ball. Their getting their bearings a little bit, but the energy just isn't there.
2006-06-24 08:31:34
35.   sam2175
Brilliant save.
2006-06-24 08:31:48
36.   Bob Timmermann
The Toaster favorites to win:

Brazil - 5
England - 3
Argentina - 2
Netherlands - 2
Italy - 1
Sweden - 1

2006-06-24 08:34:34
37.   Greg Brock
Surprising number of picks for England.
2006-06-24 08:35:36
38.   Mark T.R. Donohue
More people picked England than Argentina? That's wishful thinking. I do like the Dutch, though. Geez, this game is about to get ugly. Is the Swedish strategy to have the Germans wear themselves out with excessive goal celebrations?
2006-06-24 08:35:38
39.   Bob Timmermann
The favorites among teams finishing second:
Argentina - 6
Brazil - 3
Germany - 3
Italy - 1
England - 1
2006-06-24 08:35:42
40.   Greg Brock
Are you kidding me? A second yellow for THAT!?
2006-06-24 08:35:42
41.   Ken Arneson
Oh, totally bogus.
2006-06-24 08:35:44
42.   sam2175
Both cards t Lucic were not yellow-worthy.
2006-06-24 08:36:57
43.   Bob Timmermann
Some of the English support comes from Canadians.
2006-06-24 08:36:58
44.   Greg Brock
I think the Dutch win it. But I have no capital since I didn't enter the contest.
2006-06-24 08:39:09
45.   Bob Timmermann
Since this is likely the last time I will be able to use my knowledge of the diacriticals

Too bad about Lučić!

2006-06-24 08:39:37
46.   Mark T.R. Donohue
By the standards applied on the Lucic yellow cards, that shove should have been a booking too.
2006-06-24 08:40:27
47.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Oh, look, Ibrahimovic IS playing.
2006-06-24 08:40:46
48.   sam2175
Good attempt from Ibrahimovich.
2006-06-24 08:41:34
49.   Greg Brock
If the Swedes can steal a goal before the half, anything is possible.
2006-06-24 08:43:07
50.   Mark T.R. Donohue
The more I watch this game the angrier I get about FIFA's big yellow card trip. At equal strength, this could be a 5-4 classic. Instead, it's probably going to be a 4-0 laugher.
Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2006-06-24 08:44:15
51.   sam2175
Sweden is awfully outnumbered in the penalty box.

At least they are closing down their own. Doesn't seem to be working though.

2006-06-24 08:44:29
52.   Mark T.R. Donohue
Boy, imagine where the Swedes would be without Isaksson. That's at least five top-drawer saves already.
2006-06-24 08:44:37
53.   Greg Brock
There also seems to be a bit of a disparity between what is card-worthy for Sweden and what is card-worthy for Germany.
2006-06-24 08:44:47
54.   ABreck
I'll admit to having to watch Univision in prior Cups (and I don't understand Spanish). Is there more complaining about the referees now? (Yes the Lucic was bogus). Just not sure if it's a chippy US thing to whine about it, or one of the time-honored positions.
2006-06-24 08:46:48
55.   Ken Arneson
Ibrahimovic is a Ewing theory waiting to happen. Sweden plays better as a team with Allbäck in there.
2006-06-24 08:47:27
56.   Mark T.R. Donohue
FIFA sent some directives to the officials before the finals began to "clarify" the rules. It's widely agreed that this has resulted in a ridiculous number of bookings, although it's unclear whether that was the intent.
2006-06-24 08:47:31
57.   Greg Brock
54 Referees open themselves up for criticism when they absolutely refuse to keep the cards in their collective pockets.
2006-06-24 08:49:26
58.   Greg Brock
And when the head of the organizing committee is publicly vocal about it, that doesn't help the referee's cause either.
2006-06-24 08:50:18
59.   Mark T.R. Donohue
You know...things went almost as bad as they possibly could for Sweden there and they're not out of it by a long shot. I don't think Germany can completely deny them scoring opportunities in the second half even in the unlikely event that they decide to play that strategy. Sweden's defense played much, much better after that initial onslaught though they're still going to get exposed on the counterattack down a man. But, it's not over.
2006-06-24 08:50:18
60.   Mark T.R. Donohue
You know...things went almost as bad as they possibly could for Sweden there and they're not out of it by a long shot. I don't think Germany can completely deny them scoring opportunities in the second half even in the unlikely event that they decide to play that strategy. Sweden's defense played much, much better after that initial onslaught though they're still going to get exposed on the counterattack down a man. But, it's not over.
2006-06-24 08:59:08
61.   Bob Timmermann
Wow, a rare insightful comment from Brett Musburger:

"So, Alexi, are you picking Mexico because more Mexicans buy Galaxy tickets than people from Argentina?"

2006-06-24 09:00:34
62.   Bob Timmermann
Is Jose from the adidas commercial going to to be the next US national coach?

Or maybe it will be Klinsmann?

One of the two.

2006-06-24 09:02:09
63.   Greg Brock
Bob, you know my thoughts on Jose. Control freak, dirty player, and horrible manager. I'll take the fat kid.

Oh, and Klinsmann...Please, oh please, oh please.

2006-06-24 09:02:50
64.   Ravenscar
JUST turned the game on.

It really is difficult to not root against Germany just by default, isn't it?

2006-06-24 09:03:41
65.   Ravenscar
I would also like to chime in on my dark-horse pick:

Australia.

2006-06-24 09:05:32
66.   Bob Timmermann
Only one of the 14 contestants picked Australia to beat Italy.
2006-06-24 09:06:01
67.   Ravenscar
Yay! An actual good call.
2006-06-24 09:07:08
68.   Greg Brock
Bob, I believe your brother referred to a reluctance on the part of American players to "buy into" international coaches. Isn't that an indictment of the players, rather than a reason to chose an American manager?
2006-06-24 09:07:29
69.   Mark T.R. Donohue
I think Australia is lucky to be in the knockout stages this time around but I wouldn't call you crazy if you said you liked their chances in 2010. Starting after this Cup they're switching over from the Oceania Federation to play their qualifiers against Asian teams, and their biggest problem to this point has been playing nearly all of their international matches against the likes of American Samoa and the Solomon Islands. And of course the Cup isn't in Europe in 2010.
2006-06-24 09:07:53
70.   Ravenscar
Well, I'm picking them to beat Italy as well.

They've looked really good so far, I think.

Out of curiosity, Bob, did you get my email on Gary Thorne announcing the Boston/Minnesota game the other day?

2006-06-24 09:09:25
71.   Greg Brock
There is hope yet for the Swedes.
2006-06-24 09:09:31
72.   Ken Arneson
Please don't miss this PK.
2006-06-24 09:10:11
73.   Mark T.R. Donohue
OH NOOOOO!
2006-06-24 09:10:20
74.   Greg Brock
LEAN OVER THE BALL YOU #($*#$)!!!!
2006-06-24 09:10:20
75.   Ken Arneson
OMG, what a choke.
2006-06-24 09:10:20
76.   Ravenscar
Hmmm.... that didn't look like a great call, from the replays. A make-up call, perhaps?

Thoughts?

Oh lord - not a good kick.

2006-06-24 09:10:46
77.   Bob Timmermann
Wrong type of football there Larsson.
2006-06-24 09:11:30
78.   Ravenscar
There is just no need to kick the ball that hard on a penalty kick.
2006-06-24 09:14:28
79.   Ravenscar
A stadium full of Germans singing in unison is still enough to make me feel scared.
2006-06-24 09:17:29
80.   Bob Timmermann
Germans just sing a lot in unison. They all sang on a tour bus I was on in Hamburg.

If the singing bothers you, get Sam to play Le Marseillaise.

That usually shuts them up.

2006-06-24 09:18:07
81.   Mark T.R. Donohue
You know what I miss when watching US soccer announcers? Searching crosses. If just once these guys would call a long wild one over the box a searching cross, it would make my viewing experience that much more satisfying.
2006-06-24 09:18:12
82.   Ken Arneson
Ibrahimovic is just one turnover after another. Argh.
2006-06-24 09:23:52
83.   Ravenscar
If they only sang more Bach or Brahms, I'd be thrilled. A stadium of that size on "Ruht Woll" would be lovely. ;-)

That missed PK may have really killed Sweden. They seem sad and lost ever since

2006-06-24 09:29:37
84.   Bob Timmermann
Freude, schöner Götterfunken,

Tochter aus Elysium,

Wir betreten feuertrunken

Himmlische, Dein Heiligtum.

Deine Zauber binden wieder,

was der Mode Schwert geteilt;

Bettler werden Fürstenbrüder,

wo Dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

2006-06-24 09:29:57
85.   Ken Arneson
Let's go, Ewing theory!
2006-06-24 09:34:21
86.   Bob Timmermann
So the Swedish fan they keep showing with the phony blond locks and Viking helmet out of a Wagnerian opera?

Is he wearing something to make it look like he has breasts or is he just unfortunately endowed?

2006-06-24 09:34:33
87.   Ravenscar
I did that one with the Portland Symphony under James DePriest. My favorite recording is the one Bernstein did when the Berlin Wall came down.

Sweden's going to need a miracle here.

2006-06-24 09:39:05
88.   Ravenscar
10 minutes

A crazy lucky goal by Sweden in the next 3 or 4 minutes is really the only chance to get them feeling like a miracle is possible. With the ball seemingly stuck in the Sweden box, however, and that's not likely.

2006-06-24 09:44:01
89.   Ravenscar
You know, in retrospect, I have to say this is the first game in which I REALLY noticed how bad the announcers were. They haven't bothered me in previous games, but they are pretty bad here.
2006-06-24 09:44:55
90.   Bob Timmermann
O Fortuna
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
2006-06-24 09:45:39
91.   Greg Brock
I actually e-mailed the ESPN ombudsman, and asked him if ABC/ESPN was under the impression that O'Brien and Balboa were the "A" team.
2006-06-24 09:48:02
92.   Ravenscar
Maybe they can score 2 goals in injury time like Man U did 3 or 4 years ago to win.
2006-06-24 09:50:45
93.   Greg Brock
Sorry Ken
2006-06-24 09:51:22
94.   Ravenscar
I have to admit, Bob, I've had enough of THAT one to last me a lifetime. ;-)

C'monnnnnn Argentina!

2006-06-24 09:52:12
95.   Ravenscar
Hmmm.... what the heck was THAT song they were singing at the end there?
2006-06-24 09:53:39
96.   Bob Timmermann
If you have a Loden Heute, throw it to the sky!

After one game standings:

11 tied with 1

2006-06-24 09:54:14
97.   Ravenscar
DAMMIT I'm too late for the contest!

Booo!

Can I still enter and take this one as a loss?

2006-06-24 09:54:19
98.   Bob Timmermann
I think the song is called "Tribute to the Champions".

They play it at the end of every match.

It's widely despised.

2006-06-24 09:55:19
99.   Bob Timmermann
97
I might make an exception unless you were going to tell me that you planned to have Sweden win the whole thing.
2006-06-24 09:57:06
100.   Ravenscar
Wynalda getting a little snarky with Arena there in the commentary.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2006-06-24 09:58:54
101.   Bob Timmermann
Wynalda has been far snarkier about Arena. That was pretty mild.
2006-06-24 09:59:15
102.   Greg Brock
Wynalda = Not an Arena fan.
2006-06-24 09:59:36
103.   Ravenscar
If I can further convince you on the exception, tell me where to go and what to do as far as sending you my picks and I'm there. If it won't work, no big deal.
2006-06-24 10:00:16
104.   Ravenscar
I was in the Bay Area when Wynalda was causing all kinds of problems, I've never really been a fan.
2006-06-24 10:03:40
105.   Bob Timmermann
There are instructions on the link at the top.

Send me the email before 10:30 am PT.

Write "Sweden" as your first pick.

Such are the benefits of being the sole referee.

2006-06-24 10:04:15
106.   Greg Brock
I find Wynalda refreshingly candid. Yes, he has a bit of blowharditis, but he does offer some insight. Considering the alternatives, I'm quite happy with Foudy and Wynalda in the studio. At least Tony Meola isn't in there.
2006-06-24 10:04:28
107.   Ravenscar
woohoo! Thanks
2006-06-24 10:24:24
108.   Ravenscar
Bob - if you happen to still be there, I sent the picks
2006-06-24 11:44:58
109.   das411
Hey Ken, did you see those "Sweeds" on Letterman last night?

Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.