Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
Email me at btimmermann@gmail.com
Select a date:
Germany and Italy meet for the fifth time in the World Cup and for the second time in the semifinals. The last time they met at this stage was in 1970 in Mexico City and Italy won 4-3 in overtime in what FIFA has dubbed "The Match of the Century". The teams also met in the 1982 Final and Italy won that time 3-1. They have also played two scoreless draws: in 1962 and in 1978. The two sides have each won three World Cups.
Overall, the two national teams have faced each other 13 times, with Italy winning five times, Germany three times, and five draws. Italy beat Germany 4-1 in a friendly in Florence on March 1.
Each team will be missing one player. Germany will be without midfielder Torsten Frings, who was suspended for his postmatch actions after Germany's PK win over Argentina. Italy is without Daniele De Rossi, still serving a suspension for elbowing Brian McBride of the USA in the face.
Germany is a slight favorite in this match with the home crowd advantage. However, the Italians are not easily intimidated.
The road to here for both teams:
For Germany:
For Italy:
German media reported Monday that the Italian soccer federation gave FIFA the TV footage that sparked the investigation, hoping to have the hardworking midfielder suspended for the semifinal. FIFA and the Italian federation denied the reports.
Granted that some German media make the Enquirer look like the Economist, I am still accepting this as fact and further proof that the Italian soccer team is the personification of evil, a satan with spikes.
Things I hope will happen:
1) The Italians will get three yellow cards for diving. I think this is likely.
2) The Italian coach, after 70 minutes of continuous whining, will spontaneously combust.
3) The Germans put five on 'em and then and only then do they start toying with them.
Is this too harsh? My friends, is this too much to hope for? Let us remind ourselves that this Italian team tied the US only because a referee decided to "get even." Let us remind ourselves that the noble Socceroos deserved to be here were it not for one of the most dramatic falls since Carmen.
Today, my friends, we are all Germans. God save sauerkraut, beer, weird movies and weirder haircuts. Viva Alemania!
If Italy wins, the contest will go on to the final game.
go italy!
I hate them, I hate them, I hate them!
It was hard to type that last sentence because I was smiling so much.
Go figure.
Seeing ANY noun in German in lower case would be very very very wrong.
Mike Lopresti on why he's rooting for Portugal:
http://tinyurl.com/esyp5
I would think that Linkmeister has probably eaten his fair share of Portuguese food living in Hawai'i.
When I ate dinner at a restaurant in Lisbon, the waiter offered me seconds. I have never seen that in any other country.
Totti jumps on a guys back, spikes high, looks for a foul and the referee just laughs at him. I'd buy the guy a beer for that alone.
Mother language: Spanish
Other languages: English
Occupation: Lawyer and economist
General interests: Playing football, video games, reading
Best memory: Friends made during tournaments in which I have participated
Quite the Renaissance man!
Wait a minute...
or
Gewinn einer für das Gipper!
Victoire une pour le Gipper !
or
Vitória uma para o Gipper!
Where's Roberto Baggio when you need him?
Have a nice holiday!
1) Penarol1916 - 15
2) yankee23 - 11
3t) minxtscore, Phil Birnbaum - 10
5t) Los Longhorns, ddger - 9
7t) Abreck, humma kuvala, John Matthew - 8
10t) adg, Sam DC - 7
12t) jen, Ken Arneson, ravenscar, Suffering Bruin - 6
16) Mr. Customer - 5
minxtscore has Italy winning the final which is worth 8 points. Nobody else can earn any more points.
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.