Because, right, they are still playing games in this tournament.
Brazil 2, Netherlands 1. I'll be pulling like mad for Holland, but I don't think it's going to happen -- Brazil is too big, too deep, too sturdy, too fluid. If the Dutch do win only by taking all the air of the game and sneaking away 1-0, or winning on scoreless penalties, I will feel slight tinges of both guilt and betrayal. I want to see game that is as juicy on the field as it looks on paper, but I fear extreme caginess on both sides.
Uruguay 2, Ghana 0. An early strike and then a late game-ender for the unflappable Uruguayns. But I'm rooting for the Black Stars.
Argentina 3, Germany 2. Both teams have played joyous, wide-open football all tournament, and I don't think that's going to change here. It could go either way, but I can't bear to lose Maradona before the semis. Could well be the best game of the Cup.
Spain 2, Paraguay 0. I'm swallowing my earlier anti-Spanish prophecies. If they can crack the Portuguese nut, they can crack the Paraguayan one, too.
Brazil 2, Netherlands 1. I'll be pulling like mad for Holland, but I don't think it's going to happen -- Brazil is too big, too deep, too sturdy, too fluid. If the Dutch do win only by taking all the air of the game and sneaking away 1-0, or winning on scoreless penalties, I will feel slight tinges of both guilt and betrayal. I want to see game that is as juicy on the field as it looks on paper, but I fear extreme caginess on both sides.
Uruguay 2, Ghana 0. An early strike and then a late game-ender for the unflappable Uruguayns. But I'm rooting for the Black Stars.
Argentina 3, Germany 2. Both teams have played joyous, wide-open football all tournament, and I don't think that's going to change here. It could go either way, but I can't bear to lose Maradona before the semis. Could well be the best game of the Cup.
Spain 2, Paraguay 0. I'm swallowing my earlier anti-Spanish prophecies. If they can crack the Portuguese nut, they can crack the Paraguayan one, too.