Day 12: Two world wars and what?
20 June 2006, 23:42
I had been hoping for an England Germany match-up in the second round. Whenever they meet, the English chant, “Two World Wars and one World Cup,” which I always think is a little bit sad since Germany has won three World Cups. They won two in the forty years since England’s lone championship (a victory over Germany in London). England had failed to reach the final since. Regardless, the rivalry – and all its weird socio-historical hoopla—is hard to resist.
But we’ll have to wait. The monstrous boy wonder Wayne Rooney did little worthy of note in the England-Sweden match. His strike partner Michael Owen hobbled off injured in the early minutes. But the English proved competent, if not dazzling. They finished top of the group with a draw.
Ecuador did not prove competent against Germany. They rested many players including star striker Augustin Delgado and central defender Ivan “Bam-Bam” Hurtado. The players on the field seemed to be resting as well. They lost 3-0. Now they must face England in Stuttgart on Sunday while Germany goes to Munich to meet the Swedes on Saturday.
Trinidad, meanwhile, succumbed to the Paraguayans. Brent Sancho, who was so strong in the first two matches, will sadly be recorded for an own-goal. This, after the ignominy of the hair-pulling incident. Then again, as Enzo wrote:
You know what they say, “If you don’t want your long ass dreadlock tugged on the pitch, don’t be bringin’ it around.”
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Day 12 Preview: La Tri meet the hosts
Day 13 Preview: Portuguese matinee