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DEL.ICIO.USFantastic finishes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Off the Ball was going to use Wednesday as a Cool Her Jets day, given the gargantuan matches in upcoming days, but as always happens in the World Cup, magic moments occur when least expected.
Was anybody seriously excited about Tunisia and Saudi Arabia before they clashed in Munich? But it would be hard to match the last few minutes of what transpired there, as Radhi Jaidi earned a 2-2 draw for Tunisia with a stoppage time goal, wiping out all the good work of the Saudis to nail down three points.
Not so fast. Against a heated backdrop of more than 120 hooligan-related arrests in Dortmund prior to the game, Germany stole a 1-0 win from Poland and a spot in the second round on another stoppage-time stunner from the 89-year-old Oliver Neuville.
Good grief! You just can’t turn your head in this tournament without something bizarre, dazzling and unexpected happening. Perhaps the most shocking thing that occurred on Wednesday, however, was Spain’s 4-0 throttling of the Ukraine that was over by the time Off the Ball awoke and groggily tuned in with 20 minutes gone. It was clear that the Ukrainians, making their first World Cup appearance, never got the wake-up call, and the splendid Andrei Shevchenko got precious few meaningful touches.
Does Spain even need Raúl, who came on as a sub after David Villa did severe damage with two goals? It’s still early, and this looks like a very weak group. About as weak as Fernando Torres’ lame-o mullet.
At least the USA no longer bears the mantle of having suffered the worst loss thus far. Until Saturday, maybe.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s clash (12 noon, ET) between England and Trinidad & Tobago, it’s never too early to go looney over Rooney, as the laid-up English striker wonderboy may be ready. Then again Sven, maybe not.
And as is the English way, this one’s going to be especially ramped up with a nervous nation desperate for three points against a World Cup neophyte that has nothing to lose.
Comments
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By Nicholas Irwin
June 15, 2006 3:22 AM | Link to this
Yeah, it really was quite a day considering that it looked like this was pretty much gonna be a transitionary day from the first round of games to the second. I expected the Poland-Germany match to be worthwhile, if for no other reason than to soak up the atmosphere(as much as I can through a TV set, that is), but really didn’t hold out high hopes for the other games.
I also woke up late for the Spain game…about midway through the second half, I guess. Just in time to see the ridiculous red card. From what I could glean from the last bit of the match and highlights though, Spain looked pretty darn good. Although they normally do before crashing out, don’t they?
Hell, even the Tunisia-Saudi Arabia match turned out to be entertaining, and I wouldn’t have wagered a penny on that beforehand. In fact, I didn’t even watch most of the first half. I decided I’d give it a shot but after 10 minutes or so of terrible play, I went off to lunch mumbling to myself about how if FIFA would seed the whole field instead of just the top eight, not only would the U.S. not be in a group with two of the top 10 teams in the world but we wouldn’t have to put up with things like Tunisia vs. Saudi Arabia in a World Cup. However, I came back in time to see most of the second half while waiting for the Germany-Poland game and, although not very crisply played, it was certainly exciting, which I must admit is more than I expected I would ever say about that match.
And then of course the Germany-Poland match didn’t disappoint at all. I can’t imagine what being in the stadium would’ve been like. It must’ve been really amazing, because Dave O’Brien actually managed to call a good game somehow.
Anyway, funny how what I thought would be one of the more boring days turned out to be one of the better ones.
By Henry
June 15, 2006 8:19 AM | Link to this
First round done. Hard to say which were the best games. You are right the game between Saudi and Tunisa was to be used as a brake to do other chores. So much for assumptions.
Best team by far so far ar the Spaniards.
Bruce should use this one as a training device for the boys in Germany. This is the game to be used for training purposes for all American youth coaches. Sorry I did not tape this one.
Suprise performance also goes to Italy, they did not played a defencive game as they are known for. The Swiss copied them and performed in the most boring game to date.
Anyone counting Germany out obviously was disappointed with their performance Wednesday. I’m affraid it is going to be Brasil vs Germany again. With an outside chance of Spain being there. After all soccer is 50% skill and 50% luck. The Germans had the skill but only 45% of luck and the Poles had all of the luck but only 40% of the skill, hence the 1x0 score.