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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I'm not sure my bracket could withstand the challenge of someone knowledgeable actually entering.
det är det som susen gör!
genom nätet ut på gatan!
There are 13 entries.
14 entries.
2-0.
Brazil - 5
England - 3
Argentina - 2
Netherlands - 2
Italy - 1
Sweden - 1
Argentina - 6
Brazil - 3
Germany - 3
Italy - 1
England - 1
Too bad about Lučić!
At least they are closing down their own. Doesn't seem to be working though.
"So, Alexi, are you picking Mexico because more Mexicans buy Galaxy tickets than people from Argentina?"
Or maybe it will be Klinsmann?
One of the two.
Oh, and Klinsmann...Please, oh please, oh please.
It really is difficult to not root against Germany just by default, isn't it?
Australia.
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?
Thoughts?
Oh lord - not a good kick.
If the singing bothers you, get Sam to play Le Marseillaise.
That usually shuts them up.
That missed PK may have really killed Sweden. They seem sad and lost ever since
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.
Is he wearing something to make it look like he has breasts or is he just unfortunately endowed?
Sweden's going to need a miracle here.
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.
velut luna
statu variabilis,
semper crescis
aut decrescis;
vita detestabilis
nunc obdurat
et tunc curat
ludo mentis aciem,
egestatem,
potestatem
dissolvit ut glaciem.
C'monnnnnn Argentina!
After one game standings:
11 tied with 1
Booo!
Can I still enter and take this one as a loss?
They play it at the end of every match.
It's widely despised.
I might make an exception unless you were going to tell me that you planned to have Sweden win the whole thing.
Send me the email before 10:30 am PT.
Write "Sweden" as your first pick.
Such are the benefits of being the sole referee.
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