Page 26 of 29

It might have been a bit boring, but England easily did enough to take control of things in Group B, in a near perfect display of Italian football–find a way to score once, then hunker down. Except Italy rarely ever manages it. Any meager threat Paraguay tried to mount was quickly handled by England’s defense. At this point, it would be hard to say if that was down to England or just Paraguay’s complete lack of firepower. After the quick own goal, Paraguay seemed almost as content as England to keep things at 1-0.

England looked more workman-like than spectacular, but they didn’t need brilliance today. Owen was nonexistant. Beckham was only useful on set plays. Crouch did his usual share of flailing about. But, the midfield was very solid and the defense was never really tested.

A nice, easy opening round win which should set England on their way, as long as they don’t expect all the matches to be so easy. They’ll probably actually have to score if they’re going to win any more.

Poland looked absolutely atrocious losing 2-0 to ‘just happy to be here’ Ecuador. Group A essentially belongs to Germany now, as if there was ever a doubt. Unfortunutely, one of these other three teams are going to move to the next round. Despite losing today, I think it’ll be Costa Rica.

England hasn’t kicked a ball yet and things are already looking up for them. All they need to do is win their easy-ish group and they’ll walk any of these three teams in the next round. Rooney won’t even be needed.

Poland was practically playing a home game, and still was barely in the match. I’d been told by someone pretending to know that they were bad, but… I thought they looked okay losing 1-0 to the US a few months ago. Maybe everyone looks okay against the US.

Today was a nice warm-up to whet the appetites. The next few days should be more interesting. England generally take awhile to get things going, but they can’t afford a slip against Paraguay. I like that Mexico/Iran match Sunday. Monday, both matches are great. The US must get a point from the Czechs or they’re on their way home, and Italy/Ghana should tell us what the Italians are going to do.

Exactly as expected Germany got past an overmatched Costa Rican side 4-2. The offensive firepower from Germany was constantly on display, unfortunately so was their completely inept defense.

Germany will be able to outscore teams to easily get through a round or two, but unless some sudden transformation shores up the defense, they’ll struggle after that. Obviously their only philosophy on defense is to have a good offense.

The mouth, Michael Ballack, was shown to be completely unnecessary unless he wants to suit up in the back. Any team that makes Paolo Wanchope look like a stud, are in deep trouble when they face a real one.

One day to go before the massive spectacle finally begins. I need to write a mental note to myself to remind me to spend at least part of all future World Cups in England. Or Brazil. Or Tibet. Anywhere but here in the States would be better. No atmosphere here whatsover.

Why is the MLS still playing now? Can any soccer fan in the country–even the most die-hard Salt Lake fan, give a toss what happens in the domestic league? Start two weeks earlier, finish two weeks later, and take a month off when the biggest event in your sport is taking place every four years.

It is actually better around here than it used to be, though. At least the papers mention something is actually taking place–even if they don’t quite understand what the hell it is. Even all the matches are going to be televised, on ESPN no less. Unfortunately, they’ll be making do with baseball announcers whose apparent qualification for calling the games is that their daughters may have once played the game.

I’ll try to catch as many of the matches as possible in a decent soccer pub–type establishment. I think there might be 3 or 4 of those in the country. They might even show the matches on the Setanta channel so the commentary will be in German. I suspect that will be more bearable.

Michael Ballack will miss Germany’s first game at least. The official reason is some slight muscle problem. His real problem is that gigantic mouth of his. Klinsmann must be sick of hearing it by now. He needs to shut it and actually do something on the pitch for a change to earn that superstar reputation.

Speaking of big mouths and big egos, Wayne Rooney returned to the team after getting the apparent okay from the doctors to play in at least some matches for England. He promptly announced to all the reporters greeting him that ‘the big man is back in town’. He’s just asking for it. Confidence and swagger are one thing, but when you start spouting things like that, especially playing on one leg… Well, it tends to come back to haunt you. Of course, he could have just been alerting the brothels.

Cisse managed to break his leg in a friendly. That might be the only injury that actually improves a team. Surely, the French are at least as well off without him.

The Mexicans run of bad luck has already begun. Goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez will miss probably the whole show due to the death of his father. He could return later, but the Mexicans will be with him back at home after 3 matches anyway.

It’s finally time to get the show on the road. I don’t care what your favorite sport is, if you can’t get into the World Cup you’re just afraid to try. And that’s a shame, because this is as good as it gets.

Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

Group H should be the easiest group to predict in the tournament. The two top teams both have their issues, but the other two are so far behind they shouldn’t pose any threat. Spain, often considered the biggest underachievers, are still hanging around the fringes of greatness with a top notch team. Ukraine is solid up front, but have a few injury concerns and a suspect defense. Both Tunisia and Saudi Arabia, completely over their heads here, will be happy with just a win.

Spain has a nice combination of youth and experience. The Arsenal youngsters Cesc Febragas and Jose Antonio Reyes are among the most exciting kids in the game today. Raul, though, like Xavi, struggling with an injury right now, bring talented veteran experience. They also have seemingly half of Liverpool’s team which will benefit them since they play so many matches together. Spain has always been good, and the expectation is that they should have won something by now. But, they were never the best team in any tournament. They aren’t this time either. But, they shouldn’t be knocked as underachievers just because they never overachieve.

Even with Andriy Shevchenko nursing a knee injury, Ukraine is strong enough offensively to take second in this group. There are many questions in the back, but Tunisia and Saudi Arabia aren’t going to worry them. They’ll easily get through the group stage and might be able to spring a surprise or two if they get healthy and can tighten up the defense.

Like a handful of teams, Tunisia will be overjoyed with just a win somewhere in Germany. Other than Togo they are probably the weakest team in the field.

Saudi Arabia tend not to just lose matches in the World Cup, they lose by impressive scores. They are perennial shoe-ins to make the Cup due to a very easy qualifying group, but they have no chance here. Only something like two of their players have ever played outside of a Saudi club.

Once again, Spain, good but not great, should have a solid World Cup this time. They’re the class of the group and that should be the springboard to get them going. They won’t win it all, but they should go deep into the tournament. Ukraine is hobbling and concede too many goals, but they’re easily the second team in this group, and could even manage an upset or two further on. Tunisia and Saudi Arabia are just rounding out the field and won’t be factors in this Cup.