AJC.com > Sports > Soccer blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 30 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGermany’s dream, Argentina’s nightmare
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Off the Ball figures that the only worse way to determine the outcome of a game than penalty kicks is college football’s overtime rule.
Some think the way Germany and Argentina played in their quarterfinal match Friday made PKs an especially appropriate clincher. Still, the soccer gods always seem to rain down a cruel, mysterious fate, and that’s all OTB can point to for Argentina’s no-show from the spot as Germany moves on following a 1-1 draw (4-2 pens.).
And what about that fracas between the two teams afterward? That’s the sort of stuff that goes on in the stands and the streets. Ah, those wide, lovely, cafe-lined boulevards of the German capital is where OTB is spiritually habituating right this moment, far adrift from her physical proximity on the decidedly unlush Marietta Street.
Ah, to be strolling gaily along the Ku’damm right now, or sidling up to the outdoor patio at the famed Hotel Adlon, ordering up a Berliner Kindl or three.
Seriously, what can Germany do for an encore after this? After falling behind for the first time in the tournament, Klinsi’s boys tied it up as Klose finished off a double-header play, set up on a terrific cross by Michael Ballack.
No matter what Germany does after this, Klinsmann has been a raging success, and it will be hard to hail him as anything but the rest of the way. It might be hard to pry him away from this job now. Even Beckenbauer can’t touch him with criticism.
Flag-waving and American-style patriotism have never been post-World War II staples in Germany, but that’s not going to be the case for the next few days as Germans revel in an unexpectedly strong Cup showing.
Argentina looked like the best team at the Cup, but had to dig out a tough second-round win over a Mexico team that often looked stronger. Ayala and Cambiasso have to wonder how they managed such weak attempts on PKs, and what it was about their attempts that keeper Jens Lehmann read like a beach novel. He was there almost before the balls were struck.
Next up for Deutschland: a Tuesday semifinals date in Dortmund against Italy, which drilled the Ukraine 3-0 thanks to Gianluca Zambrotta’s inspired performance. Say what you like about Team Italia, but these guys have had to play against a gloomy backdrop. Zambrotta was one of several team members to spend a day this week in Turin after ex-Azzurri international Gianluca Pessotta fell from the Juventus HQ building in a likely suicide attempt related to the growing Italian match-fixing scandal. He’s not implicated in the mess, but may have felt heavy pressure as an interim replacement in the Juventus front office, which is at the center of the probe.
Saturday is the end of the road for England, most likely, but don’t be surprised if revved-up France has a surprise or two waiting for Brazil. The champs are coming under heavy fire for not playing all that pretty, or convincing. Only perfection will do.
And the Brazil mystique is starting to become a bit of a bore. Even Roberto Carlos says The Beautiful Game is a marketing contrivance.
Know what’s been the one of the most beautiful things OTB has seen during this Cup? An ad from Brazil’s Nike archrival adidas, with the two kids picking up dream team side in a dusty Barcelona sandlot, until little Jose’s mother wrecks it with a shriek from the balcony. This is what it’s all about, soccer kiddies in the USA — dreaming — and playing unfettered, not in the Elysian Fields of Westchester via minivan, etc. Think the coaching directors and resident moms and dads of Precious Cargo Youth FCs in America will take the hint? Don’t expect that.
And when the poster boy for American soccer isn’t about to challenge himself beyond his own comfort zone, then what can you expect, really? Especially when he admits that he wasn’t ready to play in the World Cup.
Donovan hides out in his first game back with the L.A. Galaxy, sitting not on the sidelines in support of his teammates but with his actress girlfriend in a luxury box. And he’s skipping the ESPYs because “I don’t want to get asked questions.”
It’s time to get a new poster boy.
Here is Zinedine Zidane coming out of retirement when he clearly wasn’t crazy about the idea, putting up with more humiliation and criticism than Donovan could ever dream of, and enjoys a few moments of glory against Spain. He’ll be a banged up for Brazil, but nothing will keep him from being out there. Like Jose’s sandlot pal, I’d pick him on my team every time.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Chris
June 30, 2006 3:42 PM | Link to this
A Hasselhoff injury and a German loss in the same week would have been sure to cause mass depression in Germany.
“Hasselhoff, 53, hit his head on a chandelier in the men’s room after using the gym at the Sanderson Hotel in London’s West End on Thursday.”
By sicem
June 30, 2006 5:02 PM | Link to this
Who cares its freking soccer.
By ilovefootball
June 30, 2006 6:32 PM | Link to this
sicem: Who cares its freking soccer.
Hey Troll, work on your freking speling before you post.
I will be one of the 1.3+ Billion people watching the final. Game on.
By the way, I’m saddened that Donovan has been rocked by this experience. Maybe he can bounce back in a year and get it together. We need a leader / playmaker in the midfield and a decent striker to follow McBride. Right now the outlook is bleak. Maybe an inspired coach can turn things around.
By TBFlowers
June 30, 2006 7:03 PM | Link to this
I’m still watching. But still bummed about our (USA) lack of spirit in our matches - no doubt hampered by the defensive-mindedness of playing a 4-5-1 (twice!).
Now I find out that Donovan wasn’t up for it? Geez… I can understand being out of form (I think) but it’s the friggin WC!
Will be interesting to see where we go from here. Arena’s no village idiot, but he’s lost a lot of capital in terms of support post cup.
By Henry
July 1, 2006 7:45 AM | Link to this
Looks more and more like a final between Brasil and Germany. The Germans played just like the Brasiliens. Do just enough to winn the game, even if it takes penalties. That is the sign of a champion. However I would like to see them play like they did in the previous games, typical old English style, fast and furious. The german youngsters obviously are feeling the pressure. Looks like Klinsmann is up to the task. Oh what a bit of success can do.
By sicem
July 1, 2006 1:38 PM | Link to this
To I love football, First of all you are in America and the sport you love IS NOT football here it is soccer which is a sport played by people in the USA who`s mommy would not let them play REAL FOOTBALL because they were afraid they would get hurt. This is obvious when they stump thier toe and get taken off the field on a stretcher as if they had been hit by a car. Is this because they are wimps or some strange rule that this boring game has? Oh and another question is it required that the officials be limp wristed? I bet they wear lace on thier undies!! By the way thanks for calling me a troll I wondered how vicious a soccer hooligan would get with an NFL veteran.
By sicem
July 1, 2006 2:54 PM | Link to this
By the way ilovefootball you didnt spell spelling properly.
By Henry
July 1, 2006 5:41 PM | Link to this
Hy dumb troll Scism, who ever you are, insulting people and other sports realy makes you an ignorant. You are so afraid, stupid amd ignorant by not given your first name. Shame on you. I have more to say to you but not in the newspaper. Don’t watch the games and don’t read this blogs you are to undereducated. By the way, I never went to school in the US and nobody has insulted my writing. Get it, that is what is called respect. You don’d deserve any. I love Football but it has become to boring and commecialized to watch and it is so overrated that the NFL is planning to stop playing in Europe. I have never sat through a game of Football that was riviting, everytime it becomes interstting commercials hit the air, Commecialisme. American like you are to easyly fooled by the press.
By sicem
July 2, 2006 8:59 AM | Link to this
Man I have you guys going now!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!
By dph
July 2, 2006 9:21 AM | Link to this
Sicem is right, soccer will never be big in the USA because we have so many other more entertaining things to do such as watching paint dry!