Saturday, June 24, 2006. Mexico stumbled to round two, while Argentina stormed to it straight out of the fence. Earlier today, we saw how a German train ran over a shaky contestant. Will Mexico be able to what Sweden could not, and stop a freight train? Mexico takes the kick off, and sends the ball high into the Argentinean penalty box. A defender clears it for the first corner kick. An Argentinean defender deflects the header, over the crossbar. Mexico answers with a long range sh.

Saturday, June 17, 2006. After the draw of Mexico against Angola, all contingencies in group D are still open. Only Portugal can, with a win, qualify for round two. It would, and some fairy tale it would be. The referee blows its whistle, speculation time is over, this is for keeps.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006. Angola can live the dream, if they beat Iran, and if Portugal beats Mexico. True, they only play for honors, but considering their two defeats so far, they will fight for it. The match starts shaky, for both teams. Passes fail to connect, and possession switches frequently. Angola first attempt is a long shot of thirty meters, still the keeper needs to stretch in the grass to stop it. The second half is exten.

Sunday, June 11, 2006. Iran qualified twice for the World Cup finals, but never made it to the second round. The Croatian coach Ivankovic Branko will have his eyes on achieving better results for Iran, here in Germany. In the first minutes Mexico seems to struggle to gain control over the game. They make a hard tackle on an Iranian striker, only inches outside the penalty box. Mexico gets more possession of the ball and start passing it calmly around.

Saturday, July 01, 2006. The champions of 2002 meet the champions of 1998. Neither champion arrives flawless into this match, but either nation plays like a champion. Nonetheless, winner of today will become the last semi-finalist, looser goes home. Brazil kicks off, and is send back by France. The nations quickly discover each other respect, circulating the ball into tornados with no shots. Brazil cannot find their rhythm. Zidane cannot find Henry onside. France is on a high, a striker tricks a Brazilia.

Google all but ignores this tag DONT STUFF IT! Google all but ignores this tag DONT STUFF IT! Sunday, July 09, 2006. My screen shows the cup, the conveyance of soccer. Italy takes advantage and they invade French territory. Still, France twists the plot on a counter. A striker dives, and fools the referee. Italy thrives on the momentum, but the French r.

Tuesday, July 04, 2006. The Italian players sing from the chest. One of the German players is booked and suspended, after the penalties against Argentina. The rumor is the Italian mafia is involved, adding to the soccer-scandals in Italy. The temperature of the match peeks even before the kickoff. Italy counters the same minute.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006. Portugal defeated the Dutch and the English, while France sent home Spain and Brazil. It is time for Portugal to measure up against France. Portugal stumbled in the past over France in the European cup. Can they start a different trend for the world cup? Portugal counters with a run on the left.

Saturday, July 08, 2006. Germans gather in millions in Berlin, one last time. No cup, but honor is the price. In round one, I referred to the wooden spoon. Well, in this case, this would be the match for the golden spoon. Luiz Scolari, the coach for Portugal, belches his opinion .

Friday, June 30, 2006. Today two freight trains collide. Germany meets Argentina to clash for the first semi-final ticket. The teams are no stranger of each other, this is a classic meeting. Germany plays at home, and black-red-yellow covers most of the stadium. When the Argentinean anthem plays, I see none of the Argentineans sing along. Germany cannot force an early goal and Argentina grows into the match.