Cup Crazy - 26 June
Monday, June 26, 2006
Day 18 saw one of the favorites just squeak into the quarterfinals and our very first game decided on penalties. Brian, who always shoots low and right, shares his thoughts once again...
Tottigol!
Italy were fortunate to earn a spot in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win today over Australia. The goal came off of a somewhat controversial penalty in the 93rd minute when Lucas Neill fell in the box and inadvertently tripped up Fabio Grosso. Totti, who did not start the game due in large part to his inconsistent form after returning from injury, confidently stepped up to the spot and slotted home the winner. It was a cruel way to lose for the Socceroos. Australia was not as attack-minded as they were in their previous three games, but they played smart football. With Italy a man down due to Marco Materazzi's red card early in the second half, Australia was in much better shape heading into extra time. But thanks to the penalty and the goal from Totti, extra time never happened. Italy
struggled troughout, even with 11 men, to control the tempo of the game. The midfield seemed a bit lost without the talismanic Totti. Toni and Gilardino had a few good chances, but didn't get much service. Del Piero was largely anonymous. But at the end of the day, it's the Azzurri that will be going on to the quarterfinals. After years of not getting the breaks, Italy finally did and took full advantage.
4-5-1 + 4-5-1 = 0
Not a pretty contest, but still a hard fought one today with Ukraine battling Switzerland for the right to play Italy in the quarterfinals. Both teams cancelled each other out by playing 4-5-1 formations. The midfield was congested all game, and neither team was able to break out on the attack. Predictably (although I didn't predict it), this game was scoreless after 90 and still scoreless after 30 minutes of extra time. So, we went to penalties for the first time at World Cup 2006. Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine's golden boy, missed the first kick (not a good record from the spot in the last year or so, Sheva). But his teammates, and some terrible spot kicks from the Swiss, bailed Sheva out and Ukraine went on to win the shootout 3-0. While the shootout provided great drama for we casual observers, it was far too much for the Ukrainian manager to watch - he actually walked down to the tunnel because he couldn't bear to watch. Fortunately for him, Ukraine is now on to the quarterfinals in a successful maiden voyage at the World Cup.
Tomorrow's Predictions
I got the first blemish on my Round of 16 scorecard, as I picked the wrong winner between Ukraine and Switzerland (although I did say it would go to penalties). Let's see what we have tomorrow:
Brazil 3, Ghana 1
Spain 2, France 1
Goodnight now.
Pics courtesy yahoo.com and fifaworldcup.yahoo.com. Send your emails to bookableoffense@gmail.com.
Tottigol!
Italy were fortunate to earn a spot in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win today over Australia. The goal came off of a somewhat controversial penalty in the 93rd minute when Lucas Neill fell in the box and inadvertently tripped up Fabio Grosso. Totti, who did not start the game due in large part to his inconsistent form after returning from injury, confidently stepped up to the spot and slotted home the winner. It was a cruel way to lose for the Socceroos. Australia was not as attack-minded as they were in their previous three games, but they played smart football. With Italy a man down due to Marco Materazzi's red card early in the second half, Australia was in much better shape heading into extra time. But thanks to the penalty and the goal from Totti, extra time never happened. Italy
struggled troughout, even with 11 men, to control the tempo of the game. The midfield seemed a bit lost without the talismanic Totti. Toni and Gilardino had a few good chances, but didn't get much service. Del Piero was largely anonymous. But at the end of the day, it's the Azzurri that will be going on to the quarterfinals. After years of not getting the breaks, Italy finally did and took full advantage.4-5-1 + 4-5-1 = 0
Not a pretty contest, but still a hard fought one today with Ukraine battling Switzerland for the right to play Italy in the quarterfinals. Both teams cancelled each other out by playing 4-5-1 formations. The midfield was congested all game, and neither team was able to break out on the attack. Predictably (although I didn't predict it), this game was scoreless after 90 and still scoreless after 30 minutes of extra time. So, we went to penalties for the first time at World Cup 2006. Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine's golden boy, missed the first kick (not a good record from the spot in the last year or so, Sheva). But his teammates, and some terrible spot kicks from the Swiss, bailed Sheva out and Ukraine went on to win the shootout 3-0. While the shootout provided great drama for we casual observers, it was far too much for the Ukrainian manager to watch - he actually walked down to the tunnel because he couldn't bear to watch. Fortunately for him, Ukraine is now on to the quarterfinals in a successful maiden voyage at the World Cup.
Tomorrow's Predictions
I got the first blemish on my Round of 16 scorecard, as I picked the wrong winner between Ukraine and Switzerland (although I did say it would go to penalties). Let's see what we have tomorrow:
Brazil 3, Ghana 1
Spain 2, France 1
Goodnight now.
Pics courtesy yahoo.com and fifaworldcup.yahoo.com. Send your emails to bookableoffense@gmail.com.
posted by Brian at 6/26/2006 05:12:00 PM 
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