The Fab 5 of the World Cup

While we enjoy the first intermission in the Word Cup, and the embarrassment of the English tabloid press - the fabricated stories about Portugal, and the proper reaction of the Portuguese, made England yet again the laughingstock of the world – I decided to concentrate on the Players who have already left their mark in the competition:

From France, it’s unquestionable that Zizou (Zidane) and especially Patrick Vieira have been instrumental in the progress and maintenance of the French team in the world cup;

In Brazil, we have Ronaldo – under suspicion of not being fit, from the beginning, he has proven that he doesn’t need to hustle to score for a ever-strong Brazil, and he is already the all-time best scorer in World Cups.

Then we have David Beckham –maybe the less impressive of the “stars”, but still influential and the best in his team so far.

Last but not least, Portugal’s Luis Figo – he is fundamental in Portugal’s team and has resurged at his best, as unanimously recognised. He’s been under the spotlight since the first game (where he’s been Man of the Match), and in all other games he’s been preponderant. Not even that “head-butt” episode can blemish his role on the world cup.

They all have in common being veteran players, playing probably their last world cup.
They have justified their notoriety, and are, so far, the individual faces of Germany 2006.
Of course, they couldn’t achieve their prominence without a team supporting them; but they have made the difference in the cup, having contributed significantly to the success of their teams.
As usual though, Germany is awesome on its own, as a block.
That’s why, like Greece in the Euro, they are going to be difficult to beat, and will be no surprise if they win in the end.
Now go back to your lives and have a brake on your hangover.
Like football, I will rest.

It's 11 against 11 and in the end Germany Wins

At the end of the second round, it’s time for a new balance:
Germany’s has gone back to the good days and is, so far, the team displaying the best football; I think only Jurgen Klinnsman expected such a strong Germany…maybe because their results prior to the World Cup were not famous; but the same happened to Portugal before Euro 2004.
We will have the first anticipated final in Germany v Argentina. In the beginning of the competition, I was leaning more towards the South-Americans; but now I have to go with “The lean, mean, Klinsmann Machine”– they enjoy home factor and they are in a crescendo …
Then we have the other 6 teams…
England v Portugal – The Brits have yet to put on a good show and I don’t think it will be in this next game; no matter how depleted Portugal will be, it won’t be easy, but I recon we have a good chance to overcome and go through to the next stage – I want to meet Brazil!
Italy v Ukraine – the former have failed to impress, the latter have done the part, considering it’s their first presence; but alas, I think Italy with it’s customary luck and cynical football will prevail. And they can stop bitching about being robbed by the referee in the 2002 W. Cup, now… too bad for Australia, they didn’t deserve to pay for that…
Brazil v France - the boys from Brasil will probably face their big first test, against what I (and many people) thought it would be Spain, but turns out – it’s France… seems like the “old” geezers can still pull their weight around quite well! That brings me back to Brazil ( weight / Ronaldo) - although they’ve been winning, they haven’t been too convincing. Be as it may, I’m still having to go with Brazil on this one… they are both very experienced teams, but I think Brazil will have the edge this time… but you never know – they may want to make sure the Cock is roasted before they go for a bite…(no pun intended)... (maybe just a bit).

Soon enough, we’ll see if I’m right and the teams I pick go to next round/go home.
I want to be right, more than ever in the Portugal match, due to who the adversary is – it would be such a pleasure, not to say a relief for the German authorities, to get rid of those troublemakers!
I know the Germans will be on our side once again, like they’ve been against their rivals, Holland.
I am sure to reattribute by supporting the German squad in every game till the final, unless we’ll be there too, obviously (yet I doubt it…).
Danke!!!

Yawn

The Swiss have justifiably been called the Greece of the World Cup for their defensive football – they go out of the World Cup having conceded only the 3 penalties against Ukraine...
They are excellent clockmakers, chocolate producers, etc but they suck big time shooting penalties – they couldn’t net even one!
I can’t recall any other team failing to score a single penalty…
Such a waste of space in the World Cup, whitch could have been occupied by so many competitive teams like Australia, undeservingly out; or Ireland – which narrowly failed to qualify in favour of Switzerland…
Is it me, or is this World Cup becoming depressive and boring???
I’m even losing my once-lethal sense of humour…

Unbelievable Refereeing

I know I shouldn't but I couldn't resist - I've just been exchanging insults (mine were classy, of course) with some rude Brits, in one of those open football-forums.
It is the picture of the unsavory behavior English fans have in the streets - except there's no Police there.
It’s been a fun waste of time, but there’s nothing like one’s blog…

Unfortunately, for Australia and the World Cup, another referee’s bad judgement has spoiled the moment and given an undeserved ticket to Italy to ride on…disgraceful! Obscene, the way it all happened!!! In stoppage time!!!
There was NO penalty whatsoever, in a mile around the stadium! The Aussie player was lying on the ground quietly, and the Italian dived clearly over him!!!
Where is it all going, this way?
With the Italians under suspicion in their league, one is tempted to think something’s is going on under the table here as well…

Portugal is a Dwarf Trying to Walk in the Giant’s Footysteps.

So, the short-sighted English tabloid press is claiming Figo’s head… I wouldn’t do that, if I was you – you may get head-butted, alright…
I guess some people in her majesty’s kingdom are getting nervous, having to face a depleted Portuguese team…
Well, a maimed animal is twice as dangerous; the poor Portuguese geezers have one good trait – they unite and excel in adversity – remember Mourinho? That’s his trade mark.

Portugal is a dwarf trying to walk like a giant.

We have been the smallest nation holding the most extensive empire;
We have kept our country together over 8oo years and counting;
We have tried to keep up with the best and overcome them;
We may not have the best country, the best people, the best team, but we have our dignity!

May I remind you of what Beckham did to Simeone in that famous England v Argentina; not to mention that Rooney is a time bomb ticking and waiting to explode…
Figo is 33 y.o. and in his long career, he’s never been known for incorrect behaviour – quite the contrary.
It can happen to the best, and who can blame them when tempers soar? He saw the yellow card for it. Was it an “aggression”? No.
Was it proper of him? No. Was it proper of the sour-losers Dutch-divers? How many Dutch “aggressions” went unpunished???

The Dutch, in the immortal words of John Rambo, “drew first blood”, not to mention tears from C.Ronaldo – whom was not crying because he had a boo-boo, but because he felt frustrated ‘cause he couldn’t play – courtesy of the orange manglers…

Déjà Vu

So, England, indeed, we meet again.
Someone up there has a sense of humour!
Nothing against it, but it is getting a bit repetitive…
Still, it’s better than having to play against Brasil, Argentina or Germany, at this point; these teams we fancy meeting in the final…

We will not have some key players in that game, but England seems to be lacking a few things, as well – creativity, talent…
One thing England is not missing is luck; the woodwork saved them twice against Sweden and once again in the game against Ecuador.

Anyway, Beckham had the key that eventually opened the Ecuadorian volt, in a match that only England tried to win.
They will have to do much more, if they want to beat us, and we'd have to let them; hopefully, we won’t! We have a date with destiny – we need to beat England again, and then it’s Brazil or Spain!
Bring on Brazil!!!

Game of Cards

When the things get tough, the tough get going… but it didn’t need to be that way; what was Costinha thinking, handling the ball like that??? Definitely, t was not his day…
We won fair and square, with all merit, and 9 players – actually, there could be only one winner – Portugal – and two losers – Holland and Fair Play…

The Dutch have probably the nicest supporters – they have great fair play, sense of humour, know how to enjoy themselves and sure make a colourful crowd.
Shame that the Dutch team doesn’t share the same qualities; instead, they acted like yobs, trying to get by force what they couldn’t do with skill.

It’s perfectly clear that the Dutch players didn’t even consider the remote chance they could loose, to the Portuguese geezers – we may be poor, we may be insignificant, but we play fair and we give the ball back to the other team, after interruption to assist a player…
If we don’t, Deco gets sent out…

I think Josef Blatter, surprise, said it all, after the match – in his words, “The referee should have seen a yellow card for his unfortunate exhibition”… if you ask me, there were more than enough cards already (and ever); but that one to the referee should count - but make it red – and one more to FIFA- after all, who appointed the referee???

I don’t even want to think that it was in their minds to hurt C. Ronaldo intentionally; but there’s really no justification for such brutal act!!!
I don’t even want to waste more space in the blog dedicating another line to the orange menace…

PORTUGAL!!!

PORTUGAL!!! PORTUGAL!!!POR -TU -GAL!!!!!!

YESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Against all they could throw at us, and more - WE ARE through!!!
Shame on you Holland!!! Shame on you Mr. Ivanov!!!
It wasn’t the best game, the best night, but we have a date with England, and we will be there!!!

PORTUGAL!!!

Will the Best Stand-up, Please

It’s turning out quite a competition, this world cup 2006…
Not many shocking surprises, yet, but enough emotion and upsets to break the monotony and wake most of you from alcoholic coma.
While Germany disentangled itself quite easily from Sweden and is looking more and more like they’re gonna be unstoppable, Argentina had a busy night, having to go into overtime to leave behind a die-hard Mexico.
Argentina can consider itself lucky, for the referee was quite lenient, to put it mildly – Argentina’s Heinz should have been sent out, just before half-time, when he fouled a Mexican player just outside the box, seeing just the yellow card… that was a goal situation, and if it had been some other team less influential, the player would get red carded.
There was at least, one other situation where the referee should have showed a yellow card to an Argentina player, but was coy about it… little things that you only notice, or suffer, when you’re playing a “big” side…
Then again, there was a last-minute goal disallowed to Argentina... bad call.

Anyway, we’ll have Germany v Argentina in one of the Quarter-finals, as everybody expected, and hoped for.

Later today we will find out who are the next tow quarter-finalists: we have England v Ecuador; and Portugal v Holland.

As for the first game, I and the rest of the world would like to see Ecuador win the crap out of the English, and send the Swede and the rest of the team and the yobbish boozers back to blighty!

As for the second match, anything can happen, just as long we peel the orange out of the Dutch and send them to their cannabis cafes in the appropriately called “Low Countries” – just like we did in Euro 2004.
Speaking of “low” – reporting to that Holland v Ivory Coast match, where many Dutch supporters had to be in their undies to see Holland play, because FIFA didn’t allow them to wear their sponsored-jeans… later the Dutch will loose more than their pants…
Força PORTUGAL!!!

The Best Player, by a Fingernail!

If you really wanna see the handiest player of the world, then check out:

http://www.fingerskilz.tv/DasBlog/PermaLink,guid,53a8c7c9-02ab-4f4a-9014-6c4f889c887f.aspx

I give it a big hand of applause!

I Say, Old Chaps…

Out of consideration for the two or three English who don’t go to the pub, the hundreds who know how to drink but can’t still cook, and in honour of Shakespeare, the bald-headed, probably queer, English poet whose language I use to write this blabber, I say that not all English football fans are stupid-yobs- pricks-drunken-hooligans-wankers and pig-fuckers. Ok, I withdraw pig-fuckers – that one I stole from South Park...

All other non-English fans – just because some English are prats let’s not put them all in the same basket, please! We need to lead by example, so play ball and play fair!

It Ain’t Over Till the Fat Man Scores

Brazil has finally showed a glimpse of what they can do – not so much because they won against Japan 4-1, but because the team was able to feed “fat Ronnie” Ronaldo with enough chances for him to score two goals – which makes him the biggest (fattest) scorer in world cups, of all time!... And a team which can do that for a player who is not running or jumping, can do lots!!! Beware!!!

Right about now, the President of Brazil, who had recently been discussing flabby Ronaldo’s apparent weight problem, is eating is own words - but not to worry, they are low-carb, just carrying some harmless flatulence… typical Brazilian food.

Ronaldo shows his teammates the size of the sandwich he had for breakfast.

Winners and Losers

When there are only 3 more spots available (Spain already qualified), in the last two groups, a word or two about those that have gone home and those that are through:



Well done Australia, AND Ghana – the only African team to go through – although they didn’t need that bullshit penalty against the USA, to qualify with merit.
As the Americans didn’t deserve to go home with only one point, of the two they could have won.

That referee (you know what you did two summers ago, and you know who he is) has showed more than once what a complete arse he is - not intentionally, though; he just can’t help himself.

The problem with some referees is that they crave attention and let power go to their heads. Other times, they just really stink.
Worst of all is when a good technical team is mauled constantly by the less gifted opponent, with the blessing of the referee. Or when the whistle-maniac interrupts the game repeatedly, to give every little foul or simulation…and then, the icing on the cake – the pretence penalty! No wonder they’re the most-hated people in the universe – after tax-collectors.

Anyhow, I agree with the general opinion, that refereeing in this world cup, is in general, much better than it was in the last world cup, in Korea/Japan…
Well, try saying that to the Ivory Coast team, for example – their chances have been terminated undeservedly early, after a perfectly good goal against the Netherlands was disallowed, which would give them the equaliser in that game… with all the consequences that would have later in the group and in the final qualification result!
That’s why FIFA (sounds like a French prostitute’s nickname - and rightly so) don’t want to go into it – error is part of the game, they say.
Like showing 3 yellow cards. Or insisting on error when video replay is available all around the stadium...
Play on!!!

That little factor

Confession: I actually look forward to the moment Portugal will be sidelined from this w. cup, so that I can go back to humour – the cornerstone, the central pillar, the alpha and the omega, supposedly, of the blog… football is only the excuse, the subject.
Nevertheless, in the build up to Portugal’s each match I find myself loosing focus, losing my objectivity – not to be confused with impartiality, something that has as much place here, as England yobs in the world cup.
Yesterday to today’s morning, still distilling that frustrating Portuguese exhibition, I was feeling sceptical about the team’s chances; now, as time passes, I start believing again, the trust grows back to the levels of Euro 2004… but we all know what happened in the final; so in every Portuguese supporter, there’s a schizophrenic trying to get out… as this blog proves.

Time for Excuses

I have to say I even thought of closing the blog after the last game of Portugal… but that wouldn’t be proper of me (see former post for reasons, points 2 and 5), or fare on you lot – I can’t leave you orphan of my wisdom and kind guiding hand… you read here, in awe and silence, all the important stuff you won’t find anywhere else.

So, we’ve passed the group stage and we’ll be playing Holland, next Sunday.
At this point, if we loose, it will be normal and won’t be heartbreaking.
Personally, I rather play against Argentina – if Portugal, crashed out after that game, it wouldn’t be a big deal; if we won, oh it would be sweet! And we’d most likely go all the way, driven by a victory against the best team in the competition, so far!

Against the Netherlands, we have a better shot, no doubt. We beat them in the semi-finals in Euro 2004, but they’re an improved side now.
It will depend on the way Portugal will play and the commitment they’ll show. However, after the way the national team has been playing, I fear we may have kicked the ball as far as we can…

On the other hand, if we pass, then we may have waiting in line England and then Spain - teams we beat in Euro 2004, as well - thus eager as heck to get one back at us… but the alternative would probably be Germany, Italy and Brazil… the road to the final is a thorny and long one, indeed!


So, we may begin practicing excuses as why Portugal, or other small countries, by that matter, will hardly win a big competition:

0-Stamina, variety and quantity of human resources (versus population number) are key factors in such a long competition.
0-Referees tend to favor the “big” ones.
0-History and Home factor are not negligible

Specifically Portuguese excuses:

0-We have a key player injured (which is true)
0-It was raining/cold/hot/snowing/windy
0-Grass was wet/short/tall/not there
0-Player was pushed by invisible hand

If I had to guess the teams that go all the way to the final, I’d say Germany (they been growing in confidence game after game, plus they have house factor) or Argentina, raking a lot of favoritism from start…

Only one question mark stands, as for the other team – Brazil; they may just make it to the final, with the usual luck and the right choices by the coach….
After all, it’s not by accident that the Brazilian say : “Deus é Brasileiro” - God is Brazilian”…
If that they comes, the way I expect, I'll see which team I'll "support"...

Gutless Gringos Chingones

After loosing Texas to the Texans, Mexico lost 2-1 to a dismal Portuguese side, albeit the chillies go through to the next faze - and deservedly so.
Nevertheless - only because they didn’t face tougher competition (Ivory Coast, already out, and others probably following suit e.g. Croatia or Australia, France, Tunisia, or any team from Group E, could quite easily be in Mexico’s position, if only they had more luck in their group composition...

Except for the 1st half, where a Portugual 2nd side (no excuse) won the game and shown some attitude, the rest of the time we had a clear display of all the reasons why Portugal will NOT go far in the world cup, nor will EVER win any major competition, unless our mentality changes.
In spite of the blog’s title, I never expected the team to win the cup; but I never expected Anti-football…

The message we sent to the world was the following:

o -it is less our merit, but basically the other team’s demerit;
o -we strive to be mediocre and are proud of it;
o - players without courage or ambition;
o -we take good fortune for granted
o -last but not least, we don’t have CHAMPION attitude!!!

In line with what we’ve been doing in the easiest of all groups, we’ve been lucky as hell and practically stole the points from weak, but more determined teams.
It was so bad, I don’t even want to talk about it.
Worst than that, only the drunken slobs rioting in the otherwise peaceful German streets…

HEXA-rated

When one wears the 5 stared jersey of Brazil, one is always expected to do a little Samba, a little something extraordinary – they surely have some big soccer-shoes to fill… and the Brazilians usually fill them with a lot of hot-hair... in place of the "Hexa" you better ask for an Enema...
Teams usually fear the name, the past, the legacy of Brazil – but they’re playing against a different Brazil…
The 2006 Brazil may still make it to the final and reclaim the title, but will hardly do it in style or be widely acclaimed, I recon.
This to say that they haven’t been brilliant like Argentina, but the best football not always wins in the end…
Just think of the last European Cup winner…

No Worries, Mate!

Again I have to say, a game of Brazil was my favorite, so far – not because of Brazil, but because of the fight other teams put up against the South-American giant!
The convicts did quite well, although the final score is a bit harsh for the Aussies.
Nevertheless, they gave Brazil a good run for their money. Moreover, they should have scored as they created a few good chances.
Nothing is lost for Australia; the odds are still good for them to qualify, against Croatia – so no worries!
And what about that Guus Hiddink? He’s second only to Mourinho, in taking a team of underdogs and turn them into premier dogs! Or should I say Kangaroos?

Now excuse me, while I send a message to our Brazilian “brothers”, in a language they understand:

Oi, Brasil - como é que é galera?
Todo mundo festejando, aí? Claro, né? - mais uma grande vitoria para o escrete (nome bem escolhido, parecido com escroto, como suas caras).

Só para dizer, viu, que podia ser todo o povão daí, mais 10 milhões aqui de Portugal a apoiar o vosso time (e bem precisam…) ao mesmo tempo que puxamos por Portugal e Angola; mas porque ‘cês são, no geral, uns tremendos caras-de-pau, arrogantes e desaforados, vamos antes torcer pela Argentina! - A não ser que eles joguem contra nós… viu?!
PS - O melhor Ronaldo da Copa, é o nosso - 17 Cristiano Ronaldo!

The Best Supporters

The best supporters should always be generous, stand up firmly and stay steadfast in place,

from the 1st minute to the last second!
That’s what I call supporters…

Dude, Where's my Cup?

As I feared, it was a pale exhibition from Portugal, adding a new dimension of crap to the copious filling already in the WC…
Portugal did win, scored 2 goals but played like amateurs – I though I was watching a minor league match, so bad was the defending, inconsequent attack, and worst of all, the poor general attitude in the middle field!
Everybody seems satisfied enough with the result - after all, we did qualify; but the team’s football is not convincing, and further ahead that’s going to cost us dearly… hopefully, that day won’t come so soon; but when it comes, I fear it’s called Argentina.

Much different was the match between the Czek Republic and Ghana – excellent, vibrant football, displayed by both teams!
A special mention to Ghana; not only they were the first African team to win in this cup, they were also the only team who lost the first game, to win the second, so far. Impressive.
Ghana is still in the race to qualify, and so are all others in the group.
It's somewhat refreshing to see a group where everything will be decided in the last game… bloody early-qualifiers, they spoil all the fun!
Totally Bogus!

La angOLA Mexicana

The only sub-Sahara African team not to loose, so far, has been Angola – well done, cotas – especially ‘cause the draw was against Mexico, our direct opponents (not any more, apparently) in the race for qualification to next round.
Amigos, better hide under your big sombreros, ‘cause that was disgraceful! You clearly underestimated our African friends…
It was a much-deserved draw, and the first point EVER for Angola - brilliant, from the first-timers! Olé!!!

The Good, the Bad and the Crap

Nearly a week into the world cup and we now have teams going home, teams proceeding to the next round, and the world teeming with football-obsessed fans – it’s all over, you can’t go anywhere without stumbling on empty beer glasses, drunken yobs and people rioting in the streets… but then again, that’s a normal Saturday night in England.

Dramatic end for Poland in the game against the hosts, Germany; most of all, the Polish goalkeeper didn‘t deserve to suffer that injury minute goal… that was tough.
Following their first defeat, against Ecuador, a Polish supporter apparently wanted to sue the coach for alleged moral injuries, which he claims, he sustained while watching Poland loosing the opening game; I guess only the capital penalty for all team will ease his grief now…

(In the meantime, it’s already one week since the WC started, but who cares, I have other things to do and you are all too drunk to read this drivel, anyway – that’s why there’s 0 comments to my deep, insightful posts.)

So Germany, Ecuador, England, Holland and very-much-especially Argentina (which might just be waiting for Portugal, in the next round) have all qualified already; Sweeden, nevertheless, has only one foot in the next round.
Shame about Ivory Coast - if they had beenin a different group, certainly they'd qualify...

Anyway, Portugal is playing tomorrow and I have a feeling it’s either going to be a great game (Portugal could be the 4th European team to qualify, this Saturday!), or a dastardly, awful match – ‘cause when Portugal plays a non-European team, the weakest ones in particular,they don’t win or play like crap… usually both, at the same time.

MORE

More than soccer results, more than football, more than babes, more than contempt for hooligans and yobs, more than insults to other nations, more than anything or anyone, MORE, just more!
So here’s more (while we waite for the really important thing – Portugal playing Saturday).

Just a few things I’ve been meaning to say, but haven’t had the chance yet (I have a life; I don’t drink the pub dry all day like you lot):

It was a g’day indeed for the Socceroos as the Aussies skipped over the samurais in style; great display by Cahill, who single-handed, turned the game around and made the Niponic loose face, and more than that, loose points.
That put some justice on the result board, since Japan’s goal should have been disallowed as the Aussie goalie was fouled.

Good result for Spain, as well; they’re definitely not saving the best for last (and just as well, ‘cause they usually don’t stay in competition long enough…).

To me, the game of the week – and of the tournament, so far – has been Brasil v Croatia.
If ever there was a match deserving to end a draw that one was it! What an amazing reply by Croatia!

I was rooting for the boys in checkers to score… in the end, they didn’t get the point they so well deserved, but they showed the Brazilians (not so much the team but the people) some humility and won our respect… for today.
Anyone else I didn’t provoke or even mentioned, forget it – you’re just not worth it.
Play ball!

Place your Bets

Three more games today, day four of the W. C. in Germany – WC indeed, ‘cause so far nothing but turds have ran down the pitch, compared with what’s still to come:

Tomorrow (knees are trembling already) the beast is unleashed - almighty Brasil is coming into competition, and other potential winners such as France, Spain (and Italy, playing as I write) are in my shortlist to play the final, in Berlin. Maybe Argentina too. These should be the best teams in the tournament and if you have some money to spare, I’m opening a betting joint right here on this blog – just say how much you're putting down to loos… I mean, bet, and let the Teamgeist* roll!

Check out the odds:

			TEAMS TO WIN/ODDS
Argentina 99.9/1	Brazil 10/1	England 69.999/3	France 13/30	Germany 20/3	Iran 6.6/6	Italy 5/8	Portugal 1/100	Spain 1/30
to win with the help of a short, chubby guy, who some call God	to win dental care programs	to win better cuisine and drinking habits	to win trust back on their own sneaky media	to win Wurst-eating competition	to win nuclear bomb	to win more bribes	to win by 2010, coached by Mourinho	to win title "More arrogant and unthoughtful peo ple of Europe"

* (Team Spirit – The official W. Cup ball)

Round the Cape of Good Hope

First game, first goal, first victory for Portugal: 1 - 0, against a feisty Angolan team; not the best exhibition of the European runners-up, but definitely a much entertaining game!
Two teams playing at probably the highest speed seen so far in this Cup…maybe because they speak the same language…
Portugal squandered a handful of good chances, including one in the first 14 seconds - what could have been the fastest goal of all World Cups…
For many, it was an emotional game, since the ex-colony met the ex-coloniser – more than that, most of Angola players play in Portugal and know many of the Portuguese players as their teem-mates, adversaries, or simply friends.
All Portugal wishes Angola all the best in the rest of the competition – not less because they can help Portugal, if they get results against our next opponents…
By the way, good-old Figo was man-of-the-match... like Port Wine, only gets refined.
More (and better) of that next Saturday…

Wakie, wakie!

And on the third day, Portugal will play!

But that comes later.

Earlier today, two games took place - In group C, Holland beat Serbia & Montenegro (1-0), and in the Group D (or P for Portugal), a reall stinker, one of the worst games of the W. Cup - Mexico 3 Iran 1.

The "Mariachis" won the game after Siesta time; a game that is only remarkable for the first seconds before the initial whistle - just after the national anthems of both countries, the teams exchanged greetings and the captains of the squads exchanged souvenirs; in an unprecedented gesture of generosity and handicraft, the Iranians gave a flower tribute to the Mexican goalkeeper, who had recently lost his father, and a framed Persian rug, woven especially for each game!... (yet to know if the Iranian gifts were contaminated with uranium...) don't be surprised if all countries in the group will accept the kind Iranian offer, and will walk all over the Iranian team, on the pitch!

Anyhow, it's Portugal v Angola in just a few minutes, so get your hands out of your shorts and watch some Portuguese Footicraft!!!

Even Steven

At the end of round 2, here's how things stand:

- 2 wins for European teams (Germany and England)

- 2 wins for American teams (Ecuador and Argentina)

- 1 draw for Europeans and Americans (Sweden and Trinidad and Tobago)

The only African team in operation so far, Ivory Coast, has one defeat.

Tomorrow a second African team, Angola, will play its debut game in World Cups against Portugal - that is, if the Portuguese team can make it through the traffic and in time to the game; because today, their bus was held in traffic over hour and half, with compliments from the Deutsche Polizei...

Hooray for the Girls!

Sweden – it was heart breaking to see so many babes sad and frustrated by a gutsy Trinidad & Tobago – but it’s this kind of shockers that make the appeal of the World Cup!

If it’s any consolation, you have the highest-rated babes in Europe, and ABBA!...

Mind the Violence

Second day of the competition and any yob with half a brain cell still alive can already see that EURO2004 in PORTUGAL was much better organized, celebrated and exciting – plus the beer was cheaper!
Everything about the EURO was thus far superior, and I don’t need to wait for the Final in Berlin to say it vehemently.
Well, everything except one thing – we didn’t win it!

Good start for England, as well. No one got killed, yet – that’s always a good sign!
As for the game, good first 15 minutes, then they (and us) entered in snooze mood; but who can blame them? Paraguay was completely deflated and didn’t put up much fight... but the Germans will, so beware on the streets!

Kick-off

I was feeling a bit split over the opening game, because I like German Beer and sausages so much, but I'm also rather partial to Costa Rican Coffee... so I decided to go dutch, and have our very own Portuguese-Chinese take-out. Excellent choice.

Not bad result for Germany, too.

Come and get It - Only while stocks last (i.e. until the end of the Cup)

In accordance with our rightly stereotyped Portuguese tradition, I start one day late, reporting from the World Cup - or futblogging - as I call it.

Portugal doesn’t play ‘till Sunday, so no news ‘till then.

If you’re lucky, maybe tomorrow I’ll write some more insults to your country and some frightening truths about mine.