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DeBlog: Group Stage
June 25, 2006 - Spain tops the Group Stage!
Spain (9,7,8) followed closely by Germany (9,6,8) top the Group Stage with Serbia & Montenegro propping the base. Before we move on to a new blog page, we present below an extended version of the Ultimate Couch Potato 2006 World Cup Spreadsheet's Group Stage Awards and Raspberries. But let's get one thing out of the way first:
It's just a folly - like the Comments Section of our spreadsheet; words headlining simple criteria for the fun of it. (a) It's based on intra-Group matches of only four teams lumped together by the vagaries of the draw. (b) The original FIFA rankings are distorted by geographical considerations that don't function too well on a global basis. (c) Take away partisanship and you'll find that some of the most interesting matches had low-ranked participants or low scorelines. Ghana - the top Rank-Climber - comes to mind immediately, but Cote D'Ivoire, Costa Rica, Trinidad & Tobago and even Angola provided plenty of suspense and thrills. In other words, take the following with a grain of salt:
The Ultimate Couch Potato Group Stage Awards & Rapsberries
| Top Scorers - Goals Scored (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
8 |  |
Spain | (9,7,8) |
|
8 |  |
Germany | (9,6,8) |
|
8 | |
Argentina | (7,7,8) |
 |
7 |  |
Brazil | (9,6,7) |
| Top Defenders - Goals Allowed (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|
0 |  |
Switzerland | (7,4,4) |
|
1 | |
Spain | (9,7,8) |
|
1 | |
Brazil | (9,6,7) |
|
1 |  |
Portugal | (9,4,5) |
 |
1 |  |
Argentina | (7,7,8) |
|
1 |  |
Italy | (7,4,5) |
|
1 |  |
Netherlands | (7,2,3) |
| Most Thrills - Goals Scored and Allowed (G,GA) | ||||
 |
12 |  |
Costa Rica | (3,9) |
 |
12 |  |
Serbia & Montenegro | (2,10) |
|
11 |  |
Cote D'Ivoire | (5,6) |
|
10 |  |
Australia | (5,5) |
|
10 | |
Germany | (8,2) |
| Most Boring - Least Goals Scored and Allowed (G,GA) | ||||
|
3 |  |
Angola | (1,2) |
|
4 |  |
Trinidad & Tobago (actually fun to watch) | (0,4) |
 |
4 |  |
Paraguay | (2,2) |
|
4 | |
Netherlands | (3,1) |
|
4 |  |
France | (3,1) |
|
4 | |
Switzerland | (4,0) |
| Low Scorer - Least Goals Scored (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|
0 | |
Trinidad & Tobago | (1,-4,0) |
|
1 | |
Angola | (2,-1,1) |
|
1 |  |
Togo | (0,-5,1) |
| Goal Sieve - Most Goals Allowed (G,GA) | ||||
|
10 | |
Serbia & Montenegro | (2,10) |
|
9 | |
Costa Rica | (3,9) |
|
7 |  |
Saudi & Arabia | (2,7) |
|
7 |  |
Japan | (2,74) |
| Rank Climbers (Tournament R1 --> R2) - (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|
+17 |  |
Ghana (29 --> 12) | (6,1,4) |
|
+16 | |
Switzerland (23 --> 7) | (7,4,4) |
|
+14 |  |
Ecuador (24 --> 10) | (6,2,5) |
|
+14 |  |
Ukraine (25 --> 11) | (6,1,5) |
| Rank Droppers (Tournament R1 --> R2) - (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|
-18 |  |
USA (8 --> 26) | (1,-4,2) |
|
-18 |  |
Czech Republic (2 --> 20) | (3,-1,3) |
|
-15 | |
Japan (13 --> 28) | (1,-5,2) |
|
-14 | |
Costa Rica (17 --> 31) | (0,-6,3) |
| Didn't Want To Be There (tail ender) (Pts,GD,G) | ||||
|
|
Serbia & Montenegro | (0,-8,2) | |
|
||||
June 24, 2006 - Switzerland to Play Ukraine and Spain to Play France.
UKRAINE 1-0 TUNISIA
Both Tunisia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia could've qualified: Tunisia by a one-goal victory over Ukraine plus an extra goal for every goal above two that KSA scored in beating Spain; KSA by a 3-goal victory over Spain if Ukraine tied Tunisia 1-1, plus a goal for every additional goal Ukraine scored in the tie; or a win by 3 goals if Tunisia won by one plus a goal for every extra goal Tunisia scored. Still with me? With Spain or Ukraine more likely to do any scoring, it's academic.
SPAIN 1-0 SAUDI ARABIA
Full credit to Saudi Arabia and in particular goalkeeper Zaid for holding the scoreline well south of six to a Spanish side under no pressure to qualify. In fact, the Saudis even threatened to equalize but could only come close - very close, sometimes - to scoring. Not that Spain slept through the match; they came equally close to scoring a handful of goals.
SWITZERLAND 2-0 KOREA REPUBLIC
Korea threatened but failed to score throughout the closely fought match. Instead it was Philippe Senderos who opened the score for Switzerland with a header in the 23rd minute that rebounded on Choi's head (his head, not the ball) and left the happy 21-year-old Arsenal player with the Korean Republic colours streaming down his face (red as in blood). Frei sealed the contest in the 77th minute, steering the ball around the goalkeeper as the linesman signaled offside then changed his mind. The goal was ruled valid despite strong protests by the Korean side that led to a flurry of yellow cards. It wouldn't have made any difference anyway; the Swiss topped their Group and the disappointed Koreans go home with four points, three goals and our thanks.
FRANCE 2-0 TOGO
With only one French and one Togo goal scored in two encounters, and with the France—Togo scoreline blank at the half-time mark, we switched off to catch some Zs. France scored twice in the second-half, but it wasn't worth the risk, if you know what I mean. France (5,2,3) will get its comeupp... er, chance to show its true colours in a match against the side that topped the Group Stage: Spain (9,7,8). We won't miss that one! Togo goes home sans un point but with a goal and our thanks.
Drawing Lots for Group G was narrowly avoided when Switzerland and not Korea scored the match's second goal. With France—Togo ending at 2-0, a 1-1 Swiss—Korea draw would have resulted in both Switzerland and France ending up (5,2,3) and Korea going out with (5,1,4). Head-to-head would not have applied as France drew 0-0 with Switzerland. While pleased that the Swiss topped Group G, we are somewhat disappointed that our spreadsheet missed its chance to settle a tie.
June 23, 2006 - Australia to Play Italy and Ghana to Play Brazil.
ITALY 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC; GHANA 2-1 USA
Neither the Czechs nor the Americans got the win they required to qualify. The Czechs went down to Italy 0-2 and the Americans went down 1-2 to upstarts Ghana, but Group E was all but decided earlier when Ghana beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in that famous match. Even if the controversial penalty awarded to Ghana were to be cancelled, Ghana would still have qualified with a draw. The USA simply failed to deliver the goods though they came close around the 65th minute when a McBride header struck the upright. Close...but no cigar.
AUSTRALIA 2-2 CROATIA
To qualify for Group F, Croatia needed a win while the Socceroos only needed a draw. Controversy mired the match - a desperate affair that saw the Socceroos come back twice to draw-even by the close. Croatia took the lead in the second minute, but Australia played an attacking game that gave them almost 60% possession in the first half. Constant incursions into the area eventually earned Australia a penalty equalizer when Tomas handled the ball. Croatia went ahead again in the second half when Kalac fumbled an easy save. They threatened to score throughout the period, but it was Kewell who finally converted for Australia while Croatia escaped from a second penalty for another hand ball in the area.
The game saw Australia fire 7/12 balls on target to Croatia's 3/8, corners went 7:3, fouls 24:21, yellow cards 2:6 and red cards 1:2 — not including a missed red card to Simunic who remained on the field after his second yellow. Kewell may have been offside when he struck the equalizer, but Australia had at least two strong claims for a penalty that went unrecognized, and Cahill scored Australia's third goal as the referee, a thoroughly bewildered Graham Poll (busy showing Simunic his red card), blew the final whistle. Poll must now face a committee of referees, just as FIFA must also face scrutiny for its resistance to improving technical support for referees. In the end, it all ended up in the wash as Australia qualified — hence our tribute above to the late, great Johnny Warren.
BRAZIL 4-1 JAPAN
Japan needed a 3-goal-margin of victory against Brazil to qualify — an all but impossible task. They drew first blood in the 37th minute but were lucky to not be down 0-2 at the time. Then it was all Brazil, with the Samba Stars finally producing the magic expected of them.
So Australia and Ghana make their mark on World Cup History while giants Italy and Brazil advance on their flanks to assert their authority. Famous battles won ... the contest goes on.
June 22, 2006 - Argentina to Play Mexico and Portugal to Play Netherlands.
PORTUGAL 2-1 MEXICO; IRAN 1-1 ANGOLA;
ARGENTINA 0-0 NETHERLANDS
For about five minutes, Portugal had a 2-0 lead against Mexico, leaving Angola with a mere 2 goal-margin deficit to make up for qualification. It was too much to ask of first-timers Angola, who had yet to score in a World Cup. The matches finished 2-1 and 1-1, killing any chance for a bruising Argentina-Netherlands encounter. That anticlimactic game finished 0-0 with the crowd doing Mexican waves to stay awake. Coach ["Don't spell it with a C"] Pekerman rested Saviola and Crespo, starting still-18-year-old Messi to the delight of the Albiceleste supporters. "Esta es mi bola," rewarded Messi, promptly displaying arrogant ball ownership and light footedness worthy of Cristiano Ronaldo sans stepovers.
COTE D'IVOIRE 3-2 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO
The match-to-watch turned out to be Cote D'Ivoire—Serbia-no-Montenegro — more entertaining than the other three matches combined! Freed of the pressure to qualify, it was a sizzler quenched only by the heavy downpour. The Elephants owned the ball: 68% possession(!) and 10/20 shots on goal versus the Serbs' 3/6. With the Ivorians sending all but the goalkeeper north in a dash for glory, the Serbs scored twice by the 20th-minute. Yet the Ivorians still surged forward in a battle between two physical sides that saw fouls go 13:22, yellow cards 4:5, red cards 1:1 and injuries aplenty, including a broken arm for Krstajic.
The turnaround came in the 37th-minute when Dudic raised both hands and batted the ball in his area, earning a penalty and a yellow card. Dindane steered the goalkeeper left and pushed the ball right to convert, just as an Ivorian player rushed into the area. "No dice," said the unflappable Mexican referee, barely flinching at a loud thunderclap and whistles from the crowd. Take it again! Now Dindane had to think fast: Left, right or middle? Well, it worked the first time so... right went the ball and left again went the goalkeeper as the Elephant supporters threatened to stampede.
Now only one away from an equalizer, forward again surged the Ivorians only to be thwarted by rain, the down-to-10-men legendary Slavic defense, and former-Montenegrin-apparently-turned-Serbian goalkeeper. Not until the 67th-minute did Dindane head the equalizer in to the roar of the crowd. The clincher came in the 86th-minute when Dudic again handled the ball in the area! Faced with what was probably a non-deliberate hand ball that nevertheless could have thwarted a goal, referee Marco Rodriguez made a snap decision worthy of Solomon: Penalty but no second Yellow Card. Dindane ceded the chance to cousin Kalou, who, having learned what works, steered the goalkeeper left and the ball right and into the net for the third time in the match. And that's how it ended: 3-2 and all wet.
So Groups C and D will go to the Eliminations Round split by geographical considerations. Argentina will face North-American cousins, Mexico, while the Netherlands will face fellow Europeans, Portugal. Angola goes home with two-points and a goal; Iran returns with a point and two goals to search for a replacement for their just-fired IFF chief. As if they ever stood a chance.
Tonight you'll get to see whether Australia and Ghana can qualify for the Knockout Stage to break the Euro-Latino stranglehold on the tournament. Miss either and you might just end up kicking yourself again!
June 21, 2006 - Germany to Play Sweden and England to Play Ecuador.
ENGLAND 2-2 SWEDEN; GERMANY 3-0 ECUADOR
The 2-2 result from England-Sweden has some pundits saying that "neither can win the Cup." In fact, Sweden owned the second-half and deserved the win, but that's football for you. Germany's 3-0 result against Ecuador gives some comfort to England but must worry the Swedes.
PARAGUAY 2-0 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO; POLAND 2-1 COSTA RICA
Tiny Trinidad & Tobago bow out from the World Cup without scoring a goal though they captivated a few more hearts. Costa Rica go home with 3 goals and a few hearts of their own. Both participants entertained, while Poland and Paraguay got their consolation wins.
The Argentina-Netherlands match should be a friendly one as they are competing to see who plays against who in Group D, right? Don't count on it! The dream scenario is to top the Group and play Angola! in the Eliminations round. Can the Netherlands (6,2,3) stop the (6,7,8) Argentinian juggernaut?
A Portugal-Mexico tie OR Angola-Iran tie would send Angola home, full-stop. If both Portugal and Angola win then it depends on the combined goal margin of both matches. Angola would need to beat Iran by a margin of 3-goals if Mexico falls by 1; by 2-goals if Mexico falls by 2, or just 1-goal if Mexico falls by 3. Mexico, of course, has its own plans. One thing is certain: a Group tie requiring drawing of lots can't happen.
June 20, 2006 - Swiss send Togo home; Ukraine claims 2nd spot; Spain makes 2nd-half comeback.
SWITZERLAND 2-0 TOGO
Switzerland dispatched Togo with ease to claim Group G's top spot over Korea by (4,2,2) to (4,1,3) [Points, GD, G]. France (2,0,1) is third with a match against Tunisia left which they must win by a good goal difference to qualify. Korea and Switzerland will vie for the first spot in a match where the loser may go out to France. A tie could send Korea home on Goal Difference if France wins.
UKRAINE 4-0 SAUDI ARABIA; SPAIN 3-1 TUNISIA
Ukraine almost gave the Saudis a nightmare with a 4-0 win that could've easily been 6-0 or 8-0 had Ukraine been in better form. The Sons of the Desert were outclassed: outplayed, outsized and out-muscled. The question is: Will Spain be that generous? The Spaniards made a late comeback after ending the first half at 0-1 to take Tunisia by two goals. Tunisia can still make it by beating Ukraine.
The third round of Group Matches is about to start with the last two matches per group played simultaneously. At two groups per day, the league competition has only four days left. Check out the Overview Page in our Spreadsheet. The World Cup winner is likely to be one the first eight teams! Argentina tops the ranking with (6,7,8) followed by Spain with (6,6,7) — each have allowed only one goal in. The bottom 16 are in danger of going out. Where is France?
SPREADSHEET QUESTIONS.
What does FR mean in in your Group Tables?
Final Result — takes into account any tiebreaks by drawing of lots. It's in the Help Page (bottom of middle pane).
Why no Goals-Against in your Group Tables?
It makes it easier to compare teams. What counts are: (a) Points, (b) Goal Difference, then (c) Goals — and we displayed them in that sequence so you can easily read them as (4,2,4) : (4,2,3) — "pipped by one goal." If you need GA, subtract the middle GD from G on the right. For example, (4,2,3) means 1 goal against (3-2); (1,-4,2) means 6 goals against (2-[-4]).
Why are the Awards empty in your Overview Page?
They will appear at the completion of the Group Stage - all 96 matches. Any earlier and they would be over-influenced by match order.
Does the change in Regulations make any difference?
Only when there is a tie in a Group. At this stage [end of second group matches], for example, changing the Model by entering [3] in our Group Tables page will show the following difference: Ghana (3,0,2) displaces Czech Republic (3,1,3) for second place because Ghana beat them 2-0 head-to-head. The tie will probably be gone by the end of the Group Stage, but there could be others. (Don't forget to set the Model back to [2].)
June 19, 2006 - Two draws and a valiant effort.
JAPAN 0-0 CROATIA; BRAZIL 2-0 AUSTRALIA
FRANCE 1-1 KOREA REPUBLIC
Japan and Croatia draw to nil-all after Kawaguchi stops a penalty-kick. Korea's late charge to stop France at 1-1 puts them at the top of the Group G with 4 points to France's 2. After a scoreless first half, Brazil secured its first goal against Australia early in the second half. The Socceroos threw caution into the wind to get an equalizer, allowing Brazil to score again at the full-time mark.
Brazil should top Group F while Australia play their Croatian cousins for second spot. To qualify, Croatia needs a win; Australia only needs a draw. In the latter case, Japan could send both home by beating Brazil by (cough) three goals.
June 18, 2006 - If you missed the Ghana - Czech Republic match ... KICK YOURSELF !
GHANA 2-0 CZECH REPUBLIC
Okay, they scored the quickest goal of the tournament. Go back to our June 13 comment below: "...a lively match that could have gone any way if only Ghana could've finished." Well, they still couldn't finish! They even missed a penalty! Attack after attack was heroically beaten back by outstanding goalkeeping (on both sides) or uncountable offsides - some completely unnecessary.
For their part, the Czechs refused to accept the possibility of defeat and tried to level the score. Even down to ten-men, they rushed forward time and time again - all in vain. Ghana was on fire — and blazing to the extent that not even the world's No.2 fire department could control. So how did they get the second goal? In a moment of pure insanity, Sulley Muntari broke the pattern. He didn't make the unnecessary pass that everyone was (by now) sure he would. He simply forgot. And shot. And scored. And the rest as they say is history.
The Czechs went down by two goals, but a lesser team would've ended the match with nine men and four goals against. Many who thought Ghana would be writing its ticket home today are now wondering if they are just warming up!
PORTUGAL 2-0 IRAN; ITALY 1-1 USA
In other news, Portugal sent Iran home 2-0 and Italy is down to ten-men as we write this, with the scoreline at 1-1 and with American blood on the field. More later.... And that's how it finished: 1-1 with Italy scoring both goals! The USA collected their point, as well as two red cards against Italy's one, while fouls went 24-13. Italy had 3 out of 10 shots on target; USA had 0/8. In no way could it be called a "pretty match." Don't take it from us, get all your game statistics from the Fifa Matches and Results Page by clicking on More then drill down to the Match Report.
June 17, 2006 - Holland Qualifies; Argentina Overqualifies; Angola Hangs On!
ARGENTINA 6-0 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO;
NETHERLANDS 2-1 COTE D'IVOIRE; MEXICO 0-0 ANGOLA
We got it partly right, but backwards. Group C is indeed the Group of Pain, but the pain was inflicted on Serbia & Montenegro by a lively Argentinian side - six goals! In contrast, Cote D'Ivoire had many chances against Holland, ultimately falling by a respectable 1-2 (for the second time).
With Argentina and Holland playing each other next to see who plays against Mexico or Portugal, common sense would suggests it'll be a "friendly" rather than "bruising" match. Heh! Tell that to the Argentinians. As for the Ivorians and S&M, expect a display of individual skills to attract Club attention.
Angola holds Mexico to a nil-all draw to hang on to a chance of qualifying. Mexico's inability to score against a side down to ten men could see them fail to qualify depending on the last two group matches. Group D is going down to the wire!
June 16, 2006 - GERMANY, ENGLAND and ECUADOR QUALIFY !
ECUADOR 3-0 COSTA RICA; ENGLAND 2-0 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO;
SWEDEN 1-0 PARAGUAY
Another day of late finishes. England gets its first of two goals against the Soca Warriors in the 83rd minute while Sweden waits until the 88th to score their only goal so far. Ecuador was leading Costa Rica 2-0 when Costa Rica almost scored in the 87th minute. Instead, it was Ecuador who scored a third goal in stoppage time.
Germany and Ecuador go through with five goals each. Whoever finishes first gets to meet Group B's second-finisher - likely to be Sweden who, scored only once in two matches. To qualify, the Vikings need a tie with England — or for Paraguay to not fall by a two-goal margin to the Soca Warriors. The reverse holds for Trinidad & Tobago; Sweden needs to lose to England — or tie while TnT beats Paraguay by two goals. The odds favour the Swedes.
June 15, 2006 - Que viva España !
SPAIN 4-0 UKRAINE
Spain's power play puts them at the top of the first match rankings in our spreadsheet's Overview Page. Nothing went right for Ukraine, but no one could've withstood the constant attacks from an inspired Spanish side. Ukraine's 4-goal loss kicked the USA up one spot from last place, courtesy of a 3-goal loss to the Czech Republic who finished second.
TUNISIA 2-2 SAUDI ARABIA
The Saudi Arabia—Tunisia match saw a number of exciting lead changes, with Tunisia's Jaidi securing the draw in stoppage time. Both teams now face tougher tests with European sides. Although Ukraine is at the bottom of its Group, two convincing wins could see them survive.
GERMANY 1-0 POLAND
The hosts are virtually in after securing their second win. The Poles were playing for time after Sobolewski's second yellow card, and the Polish goalkeeper - aided by the crossbar - defeated every German attempt to score until Neuville succeeded in stoppage time! That's two matches going down to the wire in one day!
June 14, 2006 - Groups F & G get interesting.
KOREA REPUBLIC 2-1 TOGO; FRANCE 0-0 SWITZERLAND;
BRAZIL 1-0 CROATIA
Australia leads Group F after Brazil's perilously narrow victory over a tough Croatian side. Australia needs a tie with Croatia; Japan must beat the same to survive. Croatia plans to take 'em both.
With France and Switzerland settling for a goalless draw, Korea leads Group G after coming back from a abysmal first-half performance to take Togo 2-1. Korea needs a tie or another win to go through, but the Europeans plan to get down to the business of dispatching their group rivals.
The first column of the Ultimate Couch Potato World Cup Spreadsheet's Overview Page should fill after the Tunisia—Saudi Arabia match. With everyone's first match complete, the Comments engine goes into early qualification (or failure) watch.
June 13, 2006 - Australia makes history in 10-minutes !
AUSTRALIA 3-1 JAPAN
After a controversial goal in the 26th minute, Japan held firm against Australian pressure. Late substitutes in the searing heat finally broke Japan's defense, and Australia scored thrice in the last ten minutes of the match. While a tie with Croatia would probably do it for the Aussies, Japan must now beat Croatia to survive. Croatia, on the other hand, has its own plans.
CZECH REPUBLIC 3-0 USA; ITALY 2-0 GHANA
The USA, victims of an unfortunate draw that gave them the second-seeded Czech Republic as their first opponents, must at least draw with Italy to survive after falling 2-0 to the Czechs. Ghana proved no match for Italy, but entertained in a lively match that could have gone any way if only Ghana could've finished. They couldn't. The Czechs and Italians should go through in Group E.
June 12, 2006 - Halfway through the first group matches.
NETHERLANDS 1-0 SERBIA & MONTENEGRO; MEXICO 3-1 IRAN;
PORTUGAL 1-0 ANGOLA
The most entertaining matches so far: Sweden—Trinidad & Tobago and Angola—Portugal— virtually goalless but full of movement and excitement. In the Group of Death, Serbia & Montenegro and Cote D'Ivoire could go out in their next matches, while Group D is all but decided unless Angola can upset Mexico.
If you want stats, you'll find lots in FIFA's Statistics page. Check out the leading scorers here, for example, and click the table headers to choose sorting criterium if you can decypher the terms. Each player gets a page with a mug shot and his vital statistics. The amount of information available in the FIFA-Yahoo site is mind boggling!
June 11, 2006 - Paraguay Scores for England! Group B is wide open.
ENGLAND 1-0 PARAGUAY
The only Group B goal was an own-goal? Sad but true; England didn't deserve the win [but it got it anyway, eh?]. Bear with me now, because if England wants to beat the likes of Germany or Argentina, it'll have to stop sending volleys into the stands and control the ball more. A loss or a tie might have had that effect.
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 0-0 SWEDEN; ARGENTINA 2-1 COTE D'IVOIRE
If the first match was a disappointment, the next two were real corkers: Trinidad & Tobago held Sweden to a lively draw, and Cote D'Ivoire put some fear in Argentinian hearts. Both matches were spectacular !
The solution for Sweden is dietary: less caffeine; for England it's the reverse. Or put Rooney in. Trinidad & Tobago and Cote D'Ivoire need some pre-match scream therapy: Scream in anger while imagining running up to the ball and slammin' it into the back of the net.
June 10, 2006 - Not with a whimper but with a BANG !
GERMANY 4-2 COSTA RICA; ECUADOR 2-0 POLAND
Amazing start with eight goals in the first two matches! Germany is certainly a contender for the Cup. With the first two winners sporting GD=2, Group A is all but settled unless Costa Rica and Poland can secure a tie or better in their next matches. It'll be a question of exerting maximum effort !
I don't know what you think, but the Opening Event smacked of political incorrectness. I'm talking about the girls wearing why~hide open aerodynamically-vented and mechanically-spread skirts hoisted high overhead, underneath which a parade of old heroes — guided by a future generation of potential winners so they don't stray — made their entrance. So what if they were too moved to look up; what about the poor girls with their 8-foot modesty-bloomers left hanging in the breeze? Decoration; mere decoration. Privately, I'd protest [about the bloomers]; publicly, I have no choice but to take their side. Closely too [always a good policy — one never knows when one might just get lucky]. This being a secular affair, thankfully, there were no howls of protest.
So did Germany successfully pull off their Opening Event á-la-cheap? I'd say so. But let's not get complacent. Watch the tabloid press for divisive, unsporting articles. Watch the politicians try to slip unpopular legislation through while everyone is distracted. Watch for pickpockets working the crowds. Watch the blog...er, never mind. But do watch the girls. You never know when you might just get lucky.
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