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WC 2006: Meet the semifinalists
2006-07-03 15:28
by Bob Timmermann

There are just four teams left. The semifinals start tomorrow at noon, PT in Dortmund as Germany takes on Italy. The other semifinal between France and Portugal is Wednesday at noon, PT in Munich.

Background on the the nations left.

1. Germany, population estimated at 82 million people. Winner of three World Cups (1958, 1974, and 1990). Loser of two World Wars (Numbers I and II). Team is coached by Jurgen Klinsmann and country is run by Chancellor Angela Merkel.

2. Italy, population estimated at 58 million people. Winner of three World Cups (1934, 1938, and 1982). Split two World Wars (won Number I, lost Number II). Team is coached by Marcello Lippi and the country is run by Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

3. France, population estimated at 60 million. Winner of one World Cup (1998). Split two World Wars (won Number I, lost in Number II). Team is coached by Raymond Domenech and country is run by President Jacques Chirac along with Premier Dominique De Villepin.

4. Portugal, population estimated at 10 million. Winner of no World Cups and sat out both World Wars of the 20th Century. Team is coached by Luis Felipe Scolari and country is led by Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

Match these present day countries with their former colonial overlords listed above:

A) Libya
B) Namibia
C) Lebanon
D) Mozambique

Comments
2006-07-03 16:30:12
1.   Linkmeister
D - 4
C - 3
B - 1
A - 2

When I realize that A matches with 2 the invasion of Ethiopia makes more sense than it ever has before.

2006-07-03 16:31:53
2.   Bob Timmermann
I should have put the USA down as the answer for France.

But full marks for Linkmeister!

2006-07-03 18:15:33
3.   ddger
If Germany wins WC 2006, then it will be every 16 years since 1958.
2006-07-03 19:04:20
4.   confucius
I will be pulling for Portugal because my Grandpa is from there. Although, my family is not on speaking terms with him so should I root for someone else?
2006-07-03 19:27:08
5.   Bob Timmermann
Portugal, in theory, should be the favorite for people backing underdogs, but they aren't exactly the feel good story of the World Cup.

The Germans are the feel good story.

Go figure.

2006-07-03 20:03:22
6.   Suffering Bruin
5 I beg to differ (though differing with you usually ends up with me wiping egg off my face).

The feel good story is France; Zidane's last game, a roster that looks like we are the world, Thierry Henry who led the Premiership in goals and suffered racial taunts while doing so, an elf with fast feet named Ribery (?) and they beat Brazil!

In order of emotional attachment, the teams rank this way with me:

1) France
2) Germany
3) Portugal
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10) Italy

2006-07-03 20:33:49
7.   Bob Timmermann
I can see the case for France too.

Italy will go and win out of sheer spite.

2006-07-03 22:45:11
8.   Greg Brock
Sorry SB, as much as I adore you, you have Italy ranked WAY TOO HIGH on your list.

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