Well, I thought I would write more, but I have been lazy 
So, the first round is over and the biggest surprise for has been that England and Brazil have not lived up to their expectation. I would venture to say England has just been lucky. They have not played well at all. And Brazil, I keep waiting for the magic to show up on the field. So far it has just been plain. Maybe it is unfair to have such large expectations of Brazil. Argentina still looks good. But we did not get to see it in the Dutch game. Italy has not been looking good. After after watching them again today against Australia, there is no way they will win the World Cup. You just don’t play like that and expect to win. Spain also looks good with those two strikers of theirs. Fun to watch.
I watched the Germany game against Sweden. What a first 30 min. If Germany can play like that throughout the tournament, we have a REAL good chance. Argentina looked plain in their game against Mexico. If they were to play like that against Germany, I think we have a chance. I hope the game Germany vs. Argentina is going to become a classic — oh, who am I kidding. We just need to win!!!
England continued their sub par performance against Ecuador. They need to really lift their game or they don’t have a chance. And then there was the little war that was played between Portugal vs Holland. 4 red cards. Insane. And the foul that was committed against Ronaldo buy the Dutch guy was criminal. That should have been a red straight away. I was glad to see the Dutch go. Just because when the Dutch play Germany the Dutch still think it is WWII all over again and it comes a real difficult game. And, England has to play Portugal. I think Portugal will win that game. But, the English have players that can pull off miracles.Â
When France played Togo in the first round, we went to the Stadium. We did not have any tickets, but thought we would go checkout the atmosphere. And of course, it was great. All the fans singing and just having a great time. You would see the French fans jump in with the Togo fans, get their picture taken and then start singing. I recorded some of it and will post it as soon as I can get my laptop running again.Â
Every day Germany continues to be in this great party mood. On Saturday when Germany played Sweden, they had a million people in the fan zone in Berlin. Cologne had something like 70,000 people in the city watching it the big screens. I am going to try and go on Friday to watch the Germany vs Argentina game with the ‘people’  It is so much fun to watch how everyone is so excited about our team. If Germany does not make it, you are going to see a lot of crying in Germany.  They really want to see us get into the final.Â
Finally I must say something about the refereeing. Man are there some strange calls being called. The US games comes to mind. There are countless more examples. And then you have the English ref who yellow carded a player 3 times. Good referees are referees that at the end of the game you only notice them. They don’t become part of the game. That has not been the case and they have become integral in some of the outcomes of the games. Pity.
I have turned off the registration when leaving comments. Would love to hear what others think of the WC so far.
Â
Germany vs Argentina to me is the final before the final. Go DEUTSCHLAND!!!
G000000000aaaaaaaalllllll!
Shouldn’t you be drinkin’?
I left you voice mail after the first 12? minutes of the Germany game. That was incredible! I was fully expecting it to be 5-0 or something crazy. I have to say those first few minutes of that game and the last 5 minutes of the last game with Germany were the best ones I have seen.
I have to agree with on England, France & Brazil. What is going on? When are they bringing on their A game? Can’t wait for Spain/ France in a few.
We’ll be watching the Germany vs Argentina game on Friday probably at Champps. Brent is going to call you long distance if Germany loses. Actually, I think Argentina is a fun team to watch. Should be an awesome game!! Can’t decide who would win.
It’s great that you’re having fun. A few comments:
1. Brazil: Why do everybody expect magic out of them? Brazil never in their history played fancy. They always play sort of boring, then a sudden attack and often a goal. They use their great skills with the ball to have those quick attacks. I remember earlier Brazilian teams who played exactly the same. But it’s hard to argue with 5 world cup trophies. The way I see it is like this: If they don’t have the lead then they play slow and boring until they’re suddenly attacking and scoring. It almost looks coincidental. If they do have the lead, then they don’t go to a bunker, but they just hold the ball in mid-field. The end result is that everybody’s yawning, but they go home with the W. It’s been like that for years.
2. I agree that Germany looks strong. Many people say that Germany can’t compete with Argentina, especially in mid-field. I disagree. Argentina is very vulnerable, as Mexico showed.
3. I’m too, happy that Holland went home. In the beginning I was behind them, but as I saw them play more and more I realized they don’t belong there. They played terribly.
4. England: DUH!!! Every tournament there are high expectations from them (why???), just like Brazil. Unlike Brazil, they never, never deliver.
5. Ghana is (was) the nicest surprise of the tournament.
6. France is strong. Ribery is so fast and P. Viera looks like the young and hungry Viera. Their defense is strong. Their weakest link, believe it or not, is the mid field. Yes, Zidan is there, but can he compete with the very fast Ronaldinho/Kaka?
7. Spain: This is incredible. Many thought that Spain is one of the candidates for the cup. I didn’t see them against Ukraine or Saudi-Arabia, only against Tunisia. Except for 15 minutes late in the game they didn’t look good. What is incredible is that, despite a great team on paper, Spain exited exactly in the same stage and the same fashion they exit every Mondial. And it’s a different team every time. Very interesting.
8. Mexico: I’m disappointed. I wanted them to go further.