Video: Platini vs. Zidane
Zidane was lucky to win the Cup, but Platini was incredible. Zizou looks old this time around…
Category: Soccer Culture
The New German Patriotism
While the politicians are trumpeting our new found German patriotism, I hope we don’t lose site of the big...
Why Germany lost to England in 1966 (includes video)
I was talking to my father about this (these days all we talk about is football) and he gives...
Ergebnisfussball: Made in Brazil?
We Germans have a term for teams that play for a draw: Ergebnisfussball. This is a word that is...
The story of soccer in Oz: How the Socceroos made it.
The Socceroos last made it to the World Cup in 1972 and they scored no goals and made a...
Video: Brazil 2, Australia 0
A moral victory for Australia, despite the score line. Cruzeiro, your guys are looking lame!
Video: Japan 0, Croatia 0
A moral victory for Zico and Japan; they even saved a penalty kick!
World Cup coverage: ABC’s Dave O’Brien and Marcelo Balboa muddle through
Dave O’Brien on the Italy- USA match must have repeated “Italy is a powerhouse in the soccer world” and...
Referee Jorge Larrionda was suspended for the 2002 World Cup
Wikipedia’s entry says that Larrionda was suspended for 6 months by the Uruguayan football federation after being selected for...
US Global Strategy: Kissinger versus Condi Rice
I have always thought that the student of global strategy must also be a soccer fan. Thus, I found...
The Future of American Soccer or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Illegal Immigration
One of the threads in Soccerblog.com has been the unique nature of American soccer and what needs to happen...
The Hand of God, Part 2: Crouch’s Goal
Crouch has studied his Maradona…
Video: England 2, T&T 0
England miss chance after chance after chance. Finally, “The Robot” scores (and cheats!) – we’ll talk about the “Hand...
Marcos Senna: Brasilian- Spanish genius
Brasil’s Marcos Senna (Villareal & Spain midfielder) I want to add that I am proud of Spain’s Marcos Senna....
This is it: England can put up or shut up
We are a nation in disarray. And I can tell you we are not feeling too good, English hooligans...
Is Raymond Domenech in control? Arena appears to be.
The US got blown out by the Czech Republic 3-0. A result that prompted much soul searching. And Bruce...
The World Cup referees: Who are these guys?
David Beckham being sent off by Luis Cantalejo The quality of refeering can influence any sport, and soccer is...
The Best Soccer players in Germany are Polish!
The irony of it all is not lost on us Germans. Today’s game brings new meaning to the phrase...
Video: Korea 2, Togo 1
In case you missed the party, see the previous post >>
Soccer is Truly Global: Case Study – Korea
This is the celebration in Seoul Plaza as fans celebrate Korea’s second and game winning goal vs Togo in...
More Bizarre Soccer Tales
Deutsche Welle has a story on the bizarreness of the World Cup. Not as bizarre as my wife’s email...
Soccer Miracle: Dead German Woman Backs Germany All the Way
My wife just emailed me this funny piece of news: A 94-year-old declared dead suddenly sprang up and asked...
How have the new kids on the block done so far in the WC?
The 2006 World Cup has 8 new qualifiers amongst the 32 teams. A quarter of the total. The largest...
Halftime: Spain 2 Ukraine 0 (Fulltime: Spain 4 Ukraine 0)
Spain minus Raul who is on the bench and they still score 2 goals in the first 15 minutes....
Halftime: Togo 1 South Korea 0 (Fulltime: S.Korea 2, Togo 1)
Great goal by Abdel Kader! Otto Pfister is back on the coaching sidelines, so the visit by the Togo...
Brazil vs Croatia: The Jogo Bonito boys start their campaign
Brazil meets Croatia today (June 13) in a Group F encounter in Berlin at 9:00 PM German time (3:00...
Let’s focus on improving soccer standards: In the MLS and National teams
I think as Steve points out, enough with the doom and gloom of soccer ever supplanting the big three...
The World Cup: The Economist is gloomy on the future of soccer in the US
The Economist is a reliably right wing rag but sometimes they do get pretty close to the truth. And...
Video: USA 0, Czech Republic 3
I’m still looking for the bright points… Goal 1: Koller Goal 2: Rosicky Goal 3: Brilliant! Another Rosicky goal...
World Cup Quote of the Week
“Before the Paraguay game we’ll all shake hands. At Madrid we all kiss each other before we go out....
Will we miss Taylor Twellman today?
Nice profile in the Boston Globe on the player who should’ve, could’ve but wasn’t and didn’t. What was really...
America on the touchline
The United States play their opening game today. “Unlike the Olympics, where Americans tend to dominate, the US has...
US- Czech Republic WC game: Oguchi Onyewu vs Jan Koller
“Hey Gooch! Will you get off my back or do I spell it out in English for you.” Key...
ESPN’s World Cup coverage: Good job done, folks!
Tommy Smyth- ESPN analyst Its gotten to the point that I now look at who is broadcasting the World...
Mexico 3 Iran 1: A goalkeeper’s homage to his father, Nuremburg, and a Brazilian-Mexican.
Zinha- Mexico’s Brazilian born hero (L) Oswaldo Sanchez- Mexico’s goalie who lost his father recently (R) Iran’s goalkeeper, Mirzapour...
The Arjen Robben show: Netherlands 1 SMT 0
Robben Hood! Arjen Robben had his way with the Serb-Montengrins, tieing up the the SMT defence in knots. I...
What Productivity? Soccer @ Work
Based on an average hourly wage of £12.50, the law firm Brabners Chaffe Street calculated that during the tournament,...
Rob Colonna’s “notes” from the field
09 june frankfurt is a very modern-looking city, with a striking skyline quite atypical for europe. after getting here...
Video: The Trini Moral Victory (TT 0, Sweden 0)
The Soca Warriors did everyone proud. Vibes it up!
Halftime: Good game, Sweden 0, T&T 0
Shaka Hislop at goal has kept T&T in this game. About 6 saves already from the likes of Freddie...
Ho-hum: England 1, Paraguay 0 at halftime (Fulltime: England 1 Paraguay 0)
Carlos Gamarra scores an own goal from a wicked bender from David Beckham within the first 10 minutes. And...
Video: Ecuador 2, Poland 0
Ecuador 1, Poland 0; Carlos Tenorio – 24th min Ecuador 2, Poland 0; Agustin Delgado – 80th min See...
Video: Germany 4, Costa Rica 2
A quick summary:
Video: Opening Game Anthems
I didn’t think anthems were important before this!
Atmosphere
The Germans: The Costa Ricans:
Soccerblog opening day analysis: The World Cup begins with a bang
Miroslav Klose, Torsten Frings, Paulo Wanchope, Phillip Lahm Augustin Delgado, Carlos Tenorio (Opening day heroes) Nobody could have asked...
A few thoughts on the Germany- Costa Rica opener
As Zach points out- that Adidas ball can fly. It is going to be a goalkeeper’s nightmare but it...