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The final match of the Round of 16 matches up 1998 champion France against the World Cup's most notable underachiever in Spain.
However, the Spanish are showing signs that they want to make a run in this year's Cup. The Spanish won all three of their group matches, whalloping quarterfinalist Ukraine 4-0, spotting Tunisia a goal and then winning 3-1, and then waltzing past Saudi Arabia 1-0.
France did not control its own destiny in order to make it on to the next round. France played a scoreless draw with the Swiss and a 1-1 tie with Korea. France needed to beat Togo by two goals and hope that the Korea-Switzerland match had a winner. And that's what happened as France beat Togo 2-0 and the Swiss beat Korea 2-0.
These two European powers have met each other 27 times. Spain has won 11 times and France has won 10 times with 6 draws.
As for the history of these two countries in matters outside the pitch, pick up a book on European history. You'll find them mentioned soon enough. Check the parts about Napoleon for the good parts.
In recent times, Spanish coach Luis Aragones and French player Thierry Henry have had a history. Aragones's statement about Henry makes him extremely unlikely to ever coach on these shores.
But you're going against your pick! If you were an economist, you wouldn't be making that choice!
The fact that I hate the English team and their fans is the only reason I have them winning it all.
I don't think there are any Basques on the Spanish team. Or at least not one with a name that stands out. Most seem to have either Castillian or Catalan names.
So say we all!
(At least all of us in the middle of Battlestar Galactica season 2)
But I lived in France for a while, so maybe I should think a little more about it . . .
Ah well.
I also can't understand Argentines and I imagine that Uruguay would present similar problems.
But the Mexican guy working in my apartment right now and I have no problems.
As for my friend's wife, I find it odd that someone with such strong views decided to marry a Korean-American. Well, at least they're both Catholic, though they don't really practice it.
I have also learned that Argentines like extraordinarily violent mysteries.
I lived just south of Lyons; when I came home, my French teacher took to calling me "Rivierien" because I had developed an accent she didn't much like.
And I probably talk to the wife more than the husband.
That's what happened to me! But I have no complaints. I was happy two of my friends married each other as it eliminated the possibility of one or both of them marrying a loser.
Anyway, Thierry Henry is 6 feet 2 inches. He looks taller.
60 -- It's Delacamera and Harkes. JP drives me nuts.
So maybe it's if they make the next game against Brazil? So they're working on the offside trap. But Ghana got pretty torched by that trick.
And France has seemed a lot more lively than in the two halves I've seen before.
Fortunately, I have one non-Platonic female friend.
65 -- In many ways, this game seems backwards to me. France has been a somewhat slow, ball-control kind of team for a long while, as far as I can tell; Spain usually runs and guns.
And the offside trap seems to be a really good way to get torched by Brazil, if you ask me.
And I've learned that Bruno the Bear was killed.
I'm pretty sure he's my brother. Being that he looks like me and all.
If he's not my brother, someone's got some explaining to do.
They likely speak English or Italian.
But it looks like French speaking referees will be needed!
If I'm Brazil, I'm happy with this result. I'd rather play France, which is comparatively old and slow, than Spain.
I'm officially out of it now. And I started out so promisingly.
Anyway, Zidane may have scored the last goal, but Ribery was easily the man of the match. He was on fire tonight.
To pay Catherine Zeta-Jones endorsement contract.
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