Germany demolished Australia which looked one step behind the Germans. Ghana, in the same group, won in a wide open game versus a Serbian team that probably wished they had put their shoes on the correct feet. The Europeans had plenty of chances but seemed to miss-kick or miss-time each cross. The 1-0 final score was from a well taken Asamoah penalty.

Tomorrow one of my favorite teams plays—the Netherlands. The Dutch clash against Denmark, then Japan plays Cameroon, and the day finishes off with an interesting Italy versus Paraguay. I am not predicting, but hoping for Dutch, Japanese and Paraguayan victories.

Many messages from friends came and went, from South Africa to Holland, Atlanta to Tallulah. I even got a message asking for an explanation regarding that white flag with the Red Cross during the England/USA game. We watched the game at Atlas Pizza in downtown Gainesville while eating a great pesto based pizza with grilled chicken, red onions and a request from my daughter of the addition of pepperoni. Their service went above and beyond from making sure we had the right channel for the marquis game to constantly filling our glasses with sweet tea. My daughter drinks like I do. My wife and daughter wore their red white and blue and I nervously watched the game. Steven Gerrard was all over. He led by example, but he could not grab the green jersey of the English keepers or he probably could have saved the pre-4th of July gift from Robert Green. Tim Howard kept the North American squad in the game and this seemed to give Michael Bradley and Donovan a greater focus to cause pressure on the ailing back line of the three lions.

I got a call during half time and we realized that Wayne Rooney was missing in action. That changed in the second half. Glen Johnson seemed to be bursting constantly through the right. England did have the ball the most but really weren’t convincing. Chances weren’t capitalized—Emile Heskey and a miss-timed run by Rooney in the box after a lovely Lennon pass. The USA even had a great chance from Jozy Altidore after he sprinted past Jaime Carragher. He made Robert Green redeem himself with a diving save to the right only for the ball to hit the post. The final score was a 1-1 draw but I think anemically benefits the US more than England. My wife and two other friends predicted 1-1. Slovenia can defend and Algeria is very athletic.

This is the World Cup. We shall see…

There was a moment of controversy but contrary to coach Aguirre’s reaction and some of the later heard comments from some fans- Carlos Vela was offside on the disallowed goal. The rules by FIFA are clear. “A player is not in an offside position if: he is level with the second-last opponent.” Khune’s desperate and missed intention of clearing the ball saw him miss and Vela put it in only to be called offside due to the presence of only one opposing defender and he is past the closest second player- Khune. The final score could have been 2-0 but the woodwork denied an Mphela counter on the dying minutes of the game. The final score 1-1, thanks to a Rafa Marquez equalizer.

The next game was as predicted 0-0, full of hard tackles, and cautious tactics. The Uruguayans had a solitary Diego Forlan being hounded by a tight defense and Hugo Lloris alert to any ball. France on the other hand seemed as if it was expecting space to be ceded for their outside shooters- Malouda, Ribery, and Toulalan. The game was tainted by the first red card of the tournament on the 81st minute after a cleats-up tackle by Nicolás Lodeiro on Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.

Tomorrow brings us South Korea vs. Greece, Argentina vs. Nigeria and the late game is England taking Bob Bradley’s athletes. Predictions for tomorrow? Let me know. Here are mine- South Korea 2-1 over Greece. Argentina 2- 0, and England 2-1 with Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney giving Bradley a headache.

Brief observations- I have just finished watching Univision and ESPN- Jose Chilavert is not very balanced in his comments and Alexi Lalas’ microphone needs to malfunction.

By the way my brother Kurt might be roaming around in as we speak—grab me a loaf, some cheese and a jugo de naranjilla. How will you be able to deliver it to this neck of the woods? Talking about woods, the lightning bugs are out this time of the year and I offered to catch some with my daughter. The problem here is this daylight savings practice. She goes to bed while it is still light and these members of the insect family wait until dusk. I will have to convince the wife into a delay of bed for a lifelong lesson in entomology.

Returning to the reason for this post, the World Cup starts with the hosts South Africa vs. Mexico. My prediction is 1-0 to Mexico. Javier Aguirre the Mexican coach is managing a player like Cuauhtémoc Blanco into a leadership position that many other coaches of the Aztec team failed to do. This just proves Aguirre’s tact and psychology with the players. The constant debate for this team with my friends and colleagues is who will start in goal. My call is Ochoa. My good friend Pablo “the theologian” Perez predicts Oscar Perez, not because of his last name but for his experience.

The next game is Uruguay vs. France. Uruguay is a team that epitomizes “playing with guts” or how we called it “garra.” Forlan will come close but French keeper Hugo Lloris will continue to prove one of the best in the World—prediction 0-0.

In regards to Liverpool, Rafael Benitez has departed. I grew frustrated last year, but that happens. I hope we made the correct decision and whoever takes the reins of Liverpool FC can bring back some stability, pride and honor. How about Rafa donating $96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group? http://bit.ly/rafaforhillsborough

What are your predictions for tomorrows matches?

Liverpool looked lost at times, not to take credit away from Roberto Martinez who at the end of the day took the victory from his fellow countryman with joy and the pride of a bullfighter. The prize was not the ears of the bull but a lifeline away from descent. While Rafa and his team looked like a schizophrenic group on an emotional roller coaster. Final score- Wigan 1- Liverpool 0.

http://www.empireofthekop.com/anfield/

Now some of the MLS fans out there can finally be relieved to see that Landon Donovan has retaken the challenge of the German Bundesliga. Donovan will be playing for part-time Californian Jurgen Klinsman at Bayern Munich until March. I hope he does well- especially for all those critical of the lad. Now wher will Jermaine Pennant go to? He did not go to Stoke, rumored at Wigan, incredibly interested by Juande Ramos in Real Madrid and now the latest is AC Milan. Emily Benaammar, writing for the UK Telegraph describes the unexpected interest-

According to the Express, officials from the San Siro have already approached Pennant’s representatives and presented a pre-contract deal.
The 25-year-old is out of contract this summer and as such can now sign for any club outside of England. Milan are not the first elite European club to express an interest in Pennant, who, until last week, had been under the watch of Real Madrid’s new manager Juande Ramos.

I don’t think Dossena will be leaving Anfield as the rising Argentine- Emiliano Insua has been called to serve his country in the mini Copa America. Somebody needs to hide his passport.

Now this leaves us with someone who did not even take his post as Secretary of Commerce under the new administration-New Mexico state governor Bill Richardson. I liked him when he was part of the Saturday Night Live crew and he would be the leader of the SNL Christmas band. Very talented fellow. He needs to go back to music.