Ja, gut, aber... (The games of 6.20.2006)
Ecuador v. Germany
Germany struck late against Poland and pulled off an exciting 1-0 win against Poland. Ballack and co. looked strong the whole game and came frustratingly close to scoring on multiple occasions but couldn't find the back of the net. Germany was well-met by an underrated Poland side so the less-than-overwhelming win isn't as much of a concern, unlike other big name teams (hello England!) that have struggled early in the tournament. Ecaudor has turned out to be the snarling underdog and is sitting atop Group A (yes, even above Germany based on goal differential) after their 3-0 win against Costa Rica. Ecuador is a team that will continue to win if they can maintain their momentum. Even though their slot in the next round is guaranteed, expect them to throw it all against the Germans. They'll come up short in a 2-1 loss but go down swinging.
Costa Rica v. Poland
Poland's participation in the tournament has come to a frustratingly early exit as they succumbed to Germany in a 1-0 loss. Costa Rica is in the same situation after their 3-0 shelling courtesty of the rolling Ecaudor side. This is a game that matters only for fans of either side. Poland is the stronger team and will come away with a 2-0 win and something to build on in South Africa in 2010.
Sweden v. England
England is fresh off yet another unconvincing win (2-0) against yet another vastly overmatched squad. Without a goal line stand by Terry right before the halftime whistle, England would've gone into the locker room at halftime down 1-0. It took two strikes late in the second half to finally put the game away. Ericksson was forced to play his Rooney card, Owen was all but non-existant, and Lampard appeared to have something against someone 20 rows up behind the goal as that was where he continually blasted the ball. England supporters everywhere have to be concerned about how their team will perform in the knockout round. Sweden, on the other hand, appears to have improved their stock, if ever so slightly. While their advancement isn't a sure thing, it would take a big Sweden loss and a big TnT win to knock them out of the tournament. Sweden and England battle to a 1-1 tie and, rather than entering the knockout round with a big bang, enter it with a flat cola fizzle.
Paraguay v. Trinidad and Tobago
TnT have turned out to be the tournament darlings. With their inspiring 0-0 tie against Sweden and their spirited but unfortunate 2-0 loss to England, this is a team that is fun to watch. TnT is still in this tournament even if they don't have entire control over their own destiny. They will come out swinging against a Paraguayan side that has been statistically eliminated from advancement after a crushing 1-0 loss to the Swedes. Expect a 1-1 tie in this one; it won't be enough to advance TnT but it will be more than anyone had ever expected from this side.
Germany struck late against Poland and pulled off an exciting 1-0 win against Poland. Ballack and co. looked strong the whole game and came frustratingly close to scoring on multiple occasions but couldn't find the back of the net. Germany was well-met by an underrated Poland side so the less-than-overwhelming win isn't as much of a concern, unlike other big name teams (hello England!) that have struggled early in the tournament. Ecaudor has turned out to be the snarling underdog and is sitting atop Group A (yes, even above Germany based on goal differential) after their 3-0 win against Costa Rica. Ecuador is a team that will continue to win if they can maintain their momentum. Even though their slot in the next round is guaranteed, expect them to throw it all against the Germans. They'll come up short in a 2-1 loss but go down swinging.
Costa Rica v. Poland
Poland's participation in the tournament has come to a frustratingly early exit as they succumbed to Germany in a 1-0 loss. Costa Rica is in the same situation after their 3-0 shelling courtesty of the rolling Ecaudor side. This is a game that matters only for fans of either side. Poland is the stronger team and will come away with a 2-0 win and something to build on in South Africa in 2010.
Sweden v. England
England is fresh off yet another unconvincing win (2-0) against yet another vastly overmatched squad. Without a goal line stand by Terry right before the halftime whistle, England would've gone into the locker room at halftime down 1-0. It took two strikes late in the second half to finally put the game away. Ericksson was forced to play his Rooney card, Owen was all but non-existant, and Lampard appeared to have something against someone 20 rows up behind the goal as that was where he continually blasted the ball. England supporters everywhere have to be concerned about how their team will perform in the knockout round. Sweden, on the other hand, appears to have improved their stock, if ever so slightly. While their advancement isn't a sure thing, it would take a big Sweden loss and a big TnT win to knock them out of the tournament. Sweden and England battle to a 1-1 tie and, rather than entering the knockout round with a big bang, enter it with a flat cola fizzle.
Paraguay v. Trinidad and Tobago
TnT have turned out to be the tournament darlings. With their inspiring 0-0 tie against Sweden and their spirited but unfortunate 2-0 loss to England, this is a team that is fun to watch. TnT is still in this tournament even if they don't have entire control over their own destiny. They will come out swinging against a Paraguayan side that has been statistically eliminated from advancement after a crushing 1-0 loss to the Swedes. Expect a 1-1 tie in this one; it won't be enough to advance TnT but it will be more than anyone had ever expected from this side.
posted by STB at
6:08 PM
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