We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Day 10 and I'm slowly coming out of my post-England funk and now firmly on the US bandwagon. In order to further this fairy tale, we need the German Mannschaft to make like Kraftwerk and do a robot number on Ghana this afternoon. Come on, the Teutons!
posted by The Blue Devil @ 11:49 AM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
259 Comments:
First up, though, is the Argies v. Iran. Should be ritual slaughter. Here's the team news:
Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Garay, Federico Fernandez, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Aguero, Messi, Higuain.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Lavezzi, Basanta, Andujar.
Iran: Alireza Haghighi, Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeghi, Pouladi, Shojaei, Teymourian, Nekounam, Hajsafi, Dejagah, Ghoochannejhad.
Subs: Ahmadi, Heydari, Reza Haghighi, Jahanbakhsh, Ansarifard, Hadadifar, Mahini, Alnameh, Rahmani, Beikzadeh, Beitashour, Davari.
Referee: Milorad Mazic (Serbia)
Wayne Rooney has apologized to England fans for England's abject performance against Uruguay. Writing on FB, Roon said, "Absolutely devastated to be out of the World Cup. Going into each game we had great belief in ourselves but unfortunately it hasn’t worked out. Sorry to all the fans that travelled and at home that we haven’t done better … gutted."
The year was 1978, and I was living in Germany. "(Wir sind) Die Roboter" came out, and I thought it was the greatest song ever. Be careful what you wish for, Blue Devil. Resistance is futile. You will all be assimilated.
As usual, Argentina are flattering to deceive here, making really hard work of Iran. A few decent chances but nothing that's really threatened.
Hiya, Red Devil - great to have you on board. How are you?
I have no issue rooting for this current German side as they're play really good stuff.
Kate and I are hosting a small backyard barbeque for tomorrow's game with the likes of Bond, Dani, Shazad and the McFalls. Wish you guys were here - the US need all the mojo that they can get.
Aguero knocks over the corner flag in a fruitless pursuit of the ball. He doesn't bother to put it back in its hole. Put it back! He doesn't, walking off like he doesn't care. In the end, the referee runs half the length of the field to do the job himself.
Messi lines up a free kick but it's well over. He's continuing to be the pretender to the throne of Maradona.
Some resolute defending from the Iranians so far.
It's fair to say that Romero hasn't had a whole lot to do so far. He could actually be having a siesta. But then that's not really the point.
That sounds like fun, tomorrow. I think it will be tough going for a counterpunching team like the US when it faces a fellow conservative team. I frankly see more possibility versus the Teutons.
The announcers use the expression that Messi is being "francobollato" or covered as tight as a postage stamp.
In any case, Messi slows down the play criminally when he is on the ball. I mean, S. Korea has more dynamic ball movement.
Oh - free header there from Messi's free kick. Shocking miss.
Hello Bob and Red Devil. I've been disappointed with the Argues in the first half. The. Barbeque sounds like loads of fun.
Frankly, it is more fun to put the stickers in my Panini sticker album at the moment.
The Gooner and I are not pleased with the commentary team of Efan and Ian.
You're probably right about the Germany game. If we can eke out a draw against a wounded Portugal, then maybe we can get a draw off Germany when they're resting players. The problem is that Klose may rotate in for Muller in the US game and will be looking to break Ronaldo's record.
Best part of the game is watching De Maria jink through tackles.
Agreed Red Devil.
The U.S. match will be my first back in Harlingen.
Definitely - this first half has been a real bore. Hoping for more fireworks from the Robots.
Unrelatedly, I may have to revise my previous skepticism about the French. Their counter-attacking has been a thing of beauty. However, let's see how they do if forced into a half-court game.
Will you be back in Harlingen by match-time or will Elizabeth DVR it for you?
I think Argentina's best bet for getting a goal would be to pretend that they are filming a science-fiction film.
Halftime. And 0-0.pure and utter rubbish.
That's half-time and not terribly impressive from Argentina. It's been interesting that, in a tournament that has seen some brilliant performances from South American and even Central American teams (Honduras notwithstanding), the two dominant powers on the continent (Brazil and Argentina) have been underwhelming.
I will land during the first half of the 3 PM match. I will be back in Harlingen in time to watch the U.S match.
What's been particularly embarrassing to see these real matches interspersed with the fake action of Nike and Adidas adverts with the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and even (sigh) Wayne Rooney running rampant over their opponents.
Hey boys
As you said, not too impressive from my pick for the title!
Sounds like you planned it perfectly. I hope you have a great last day in DC.
Afternoon, UWS. Have you recovered from the England debacle yet?
Agreed, Blue Devil. They are not that impressive. If they don't start getting some home cooking, they won't reach the finals like I predicted.
Agreed Bob. They have massively underperformed.
Not impressive at all from the Argies. After two consecutive World Cups where I predicted Argentina wins, I didn't rank them highly this time around, which probably means that they'll win it.
Good afternoon UWS. Hope you are doing well today.
Thanks Bob. I am having an awesome. Time at Gooner Central. Your dad will be here for the next match.
I am still gutted!
I still think England played well against Italy!
Not too pleased about the Uruguay performance
Great tourney still to enjoy!
I hope it continues the way it is going and not the cautious way teams have played in the past
Did you seen United signs up Valencia for another three years!!
WHY??
Bring in new blood!
Hi MUR
I am jealous!
Of course, I get the visit of our illustrious leader soon!
Did you hear that a brother of Kaulo and Yaya died of cancer in Manchester today
They are staying to play
Second half underway
The second half is underway. Can't be any worse than the first.
Struth… Iran almost scored
He should have done better with a header
Nearly the lead for Iran. Should have scored with that header.
Iran want a pen…not given
Too bad about Valencia. The other Valencia has been better than ours.
Another chance for the Argies with a header from a corner… they got in their own way
Never a pen. Mick De Jagger lost the plot.
I heard about the Toure brother. Really tragic.
Sorry you couldn't make it. You and your family will have a blast when Bob visits.
An atrocious effort of a cross by the Argentines
Then Messi breaks right down the middle but fails to hit the target
Just wide by Messi. Better from him.
I still have this week of school to go!
I am not in the class on Monday because I am grading the Algebra Regents
Tuesday is promotion for the 8th graders
Wednesday and Thursday are half days
Friday is staff only
THANK GOD IT IS ALMOST OVER
As for the US bandwagon, a German win today is what is needed. A draw against Portugal would be almost good enough
Struth… a scramble in the box could have very easily fallen to an Iranian foot… it didn't
Gago clears a corner after. A scramble in the box
I'm back after a quick nibble. I'm surprised that Argentina haven't changed things up. This is clearly not working for them.
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The Argentine keeper with a nice tip over the bar
They should be behind!
Hello Bob De Jagger had a header well saved by Romero.
Cor - that was close to an Iranian opener!
He was certainly moving like De Jagger there. Boom boom!
Only twenty minutes to go here!!
Absolutely .Gooner and I want Germany to win Would take a draw vs Portugal.
I do like the foam
Side netting by Messi
The shaving cream has been a success.
There has been only one free goal I think
That was low and hard by the Swiss yesterday
Any others?
Pirlo it the bar against England
Will we see it in the Prem next season?
You will have a well deserved summer vacation. I will teach Summer school for two weeks when I get back to earn some extra money.
If it weren't for the England disaster this would be my favorite World Cup since 1994 or maybe even 1982. I quite like what FIFA have done for a change. The lenient refereeing has spurred on loads of goals, I quite like the shaving foam on the pitch and the goal-line technology has been marvelous.
Argentina appear to have woken from their slumber. Di Maria - who has been busy today - breaks into the area and batters a low shot towards the bottom left.
The refereeing has not been that bad so far except for the opening match
I didn't see Webby work
One of the best referees is the american school teacher from NJ
Nope. That was it on the free kick scoring. Glad to see the foam coming to the Prem.
My fried is saying that he is hating how everyone is going gaga over Messi
His goal was not that good
He free kick wasn't that good
He says they go all crazy if he farts!!!
A late goal is a sign of a Champion
Webby had a decent match. mark Geiger did really well. The Argue ref had a good match. He will ref the U.S. match tomorrow.
Agreed, UWS - this match has shown conclusively that Messi is no Maradona. He's not even world class.
Gooner and I said the same about Messi.
Not just the free kicks on goal have been atrocious so have the free kicks into the box
That one from Iran was pisspoor
Another chance for Iran… a break well saved
Entering 4 minutes of added time
Argentina have been worse than England
Four minutes of stoppage time.
GOAL!!!
MESSI HAS DONE IT!!
GREAT GOAL!!
As I said, sign of champions!
Clinical finish!
GOAL Messi scores a late winner with a curler.
You called it UWS.
It is all over
Argentina escape with a lucky three points
Champions in-waiting?
1-0 to the Argues. Have clinched a place in the round of 16 but were really poor.
Could be UWS.
Still not a patch on Maradona. Diego was rampant in '86. I don't see Argentina getting further than the quarters.
He could get on a roll!!
So when are you heading eastward young man?
Excellent analogy. That could very well happen.
Argentina's embassy in Tehran is in lockdown!!
I'm not surprised, UWS. That was highway robbery by the Argies.
Now on to the Germans against Ghana. We need a Teuton rout in this one, boys. Here are the teams:
Those line-ups again, this time with added substitutes
Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 20-Jerome Boateng, 5-Mats Hummels, 17-Per Mertesacker, 4-Benedikt Hoewedes; 6-Sami Khedira, 16-Philip Lahm; 18-Toni Kroos, 8-Mesut Ozil, 19-Mario Goetze; 13-Thomas Mueller
Substitutes: 2-Kevin Grosskreutz, 3-Matthias Ginter, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 9-Andre Schuerrle, 10-Lukas Podolski, 11-Miroslav Klose, 12-Ron-Robert Zieler, 14-Julian Draxler, 15-Erik Durm, 21-Shkodran Mustafi, 22-Roman Weidenfeller, 23-Chrisoph Kramer
Ghana: 16-Fatawu Dauda; 23-Harrison Afful, 21-John Boye, 19-Jonathan Mensah; 20-Kwadwo Asamoah, 7-Christian Atsu, 11-Sulley Muntari, 10-Andre Ayew, 17-Mohamed Rabiu; 3-Asamoah Gyan, 9-Kevin-Prince Boateng
Substitutes: 1-Stephen Adams, 2-Samuel Inkoom, 4-Daniel Opare, 5-Michael Essien, 6-Acquah Afriye, 8-Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, 12-Adam Kwarasey, 13-Jordan Ayew, 14-Albert Adomah, 15-Rashid Sumaila, 18-Abdul Majeed Waris, 22-Mubarak Wakaso
Not surprisingly, Simon Le Bon's younger brother Jurgie Loew has named an unnamed side. Lots of stories here. Mueller is tied top scorer in the tournament after merely one match and a hat-trick. He could easily add to this one and then probably sit the third match in preparation for the knock-out rounds. Klose will be eyeing another chance to break Fatty Ron's record of 15 goals in World Cup tournaments.
what about my 2:01 pm question?
The BBC have just broadcast footage of Ghana's players making their their way from the team coach to the dressing room, all singing a jaunty harmony. It's a well-documented habit of theirs, as Middlesbrough's Albert Adomah explains.
The plan is Friday, hitting you by dinner time. How does that sound?
They were doing that before the US game too
Only at dinner… will you be missing a match or is that a day off before the knockout stages?
Watch party at some ground in Germany…. looks like couches on the pitch!
Teams on the steps in the tunnel now....
We are back. Gooner, dad, and yours truly.
Right then, time to see the Teuton robots take charge. I want 8-0!
I believe that's Leverkusen who have transformed their pitch into a living room for fans. Good idea, as long as it doesn't rain, right?
A big hello to all at Gooner Central. Enjoy this one!
They're off .
Adrian Healey has just described the Argentina v. Iran match as "thrilling." He's having a laugh.
Cheers Bob. Great to chatting with you.
It was a laughable Argue performance.
It's of course the Battles of the Boatengs this afternoon. Kevin Prince is starting tonight after a lively match off the bench against the US.
A lot of booing of the German players now. Why?
Germany can't score against Ghana… USA scored six minutes ago!!
First chance… Ghana could have taken the lead
For the US, a Ghana win is totally not wanted
A warning sign for Germany with Asamoah Gyan ghosting into the box for a half chance.
Gyan high and wide from close range as he did against the U.S.
Well, that's because of the Domino's shirt policy - if they don't score within 30 minutes, your pizza is free!
Dempsey scored in 27 seconds - fresh and piping hot!
The Boatengs faced each other in 2010.Germany won 1-0 that time.
BOOM BOOM Bob.
Oh - great move there ends with a blocked shot by Kroos.
Another decent effort from the Africans
They have already played better than they did against the US
Great save by Never from Atsu.
Ghana giving this a right go. Atsu drives at Neuer who saved well.
They dominated us after Dempsey scored. They just can't finish.
Its Ghana be tough for the Germans. Goober and I had German cuisine yesterday to prepare for the this match.
Time to end this nonsense. Ozil romps down the pitch and then lays it back for Khedira whose tame shot is easily saved.
Too soft a shot from Khedira.
Nice one, MUR. But I reckon that Ghana are gonna be Mullered today.
Credit as Germany's opponents are Ghana go for it.
Statto time: Germany have twice as many passes so far but Ghana have created the clearer chances.
Oh - Ozil threaded a ball in and Mueller was nearly on to it.
Not sure Bob. Its been tight so far. Great tackle on Mueller.
Great stat Bob. Thats what I've observed.
As the US Outlaw gang says, "I believe that they will win!"
Red Devil has gone silent during this match. He must be in a darkened room biting his fingernails.
Is Germany Ghana Kroos today?
Him or his wife?
Germany making heavy weather of this one so far.
Oh - Goetze got free there but should have run toward the near post and had a shot rather than looking for the cross.
Goetze wins a corner off a mistake from Asamoah. The keeper caught the corner.
Doesn't sound like a Muellering.
Half an hour in now and my heart is starting to sink again. The World Cup has been no good on my mood.
Not a Mullering yet but the floodgates could open if Germany were to convert one of their many chances.
Neuer pushes away a to let from untari who should be serving a suspension today.
Oh - Gyan got free there but Neuer did well to pull out of his challenge.
Ozil has a pass cut out for a corner.
Gooner calling for Schurrle Temple to come on.
Schurrle he'll come on in the second half.
Goetze should have scored but failed to connect on a tasty pass from Mueller.
Well - this half has been a bloody disappointment.
BOOM BOOM Bob.
Just like the previous match.
Cheers, mate!
And the cameras have found the ghostly white Ghanaian guy with the dreadlocks in the crowd.
It's 0-0 at the end of a really dull first half. Your dad slept through part of it.
Popcorn and diet coke at Goober Central.
Here's how multiculti these sides are getting. Boateng has gone off and Mustafi has come on for him. That's the German side!
The brothers no longer in opposition as Jerome Boateng is replaced by Mustafi,
Well in, lads. You're making the best of it, I can tell.
Mutafi of Turkish descent? Only his second cap. Ian says that he is an Everton reject.
Goetze just not getting the job done. Schurrle it's time for a change soon. Perhaps Klose?
Cheers Bob. We're having a great time.
GOAL! Oh - that's quite briliant! Mario Goetze ghosts into the box and Ozil finds him brilliantly.
1-0 Germans!
GOAL Goetze heads in a cross from Mueller.
Open the floodgates, lads!
Gooner cheering loud enough to be heard from downtown DC.
Some idiot has wandered on to the pitch. He could have at least gone streaking just for the fun factor. Sulley Muntari has led him off.
Jordan Pele on for the other Boateng brother.
Oh balls! Ghana have equalized through Andre Ayew!
How does tiny Ayew beat the likes of Mertesacker in the air. That's a shocker.
Goal !1-1 Andy Pele heads in a great cross.
I was asking Goober that question.
The Pele brothers doing better than the Boateng brothers. Is it the pedigree?
I suppose it is.
GOAL 2-1 Ghana as Gyan scores off a through ball from Muntari.
COME on Desmond!
Jordan Pele through the German defense that is a shambles. It shoots straight at Neuer.
I'm starting to feel cursed in this World Cup. When I want "A" to happen, "B" happens and so on. How on earth can Ghana be beating Germany?
A cross from AsamoahIs headed out for a corner.
We need at least a couple of German goals now. The last thing the US want is Germany wanting to beat them in the last match.
GORDON BENNETT!!!
Indeed, UWS - this is a nightmare.
As Bob says, this is the last result we want!
Doesn't matter what we do tomorrow if this holds up
Unleash the Klose! Let's hope he can break his record today. The Pigclimber is on as well.
Pig Stick on for Khedira.
England are no worse than any of these teams in this World Cup!!!!
I know - this result would blow the whole group open again.
Oh - the Pigclimber gets clear at the near post and Ozil nearly found him. How am I reduced to supporting bloody Germany!?
DESMOND!!!
AND IT KLOSE!!!!!!
KLOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's #15 - he loves scoring in the World Cup!
Wow!
I agree. GOAL !Klose in on the record as he taps in a corner headed on by Hummel's.
Instinctive goal poaching there. He knew just when to ghost off the shoulder of the defender and stab home from Klose range. Fantastic - let's have another one.
I thought the same… how do I cheer a German goal… it was like that with Liverpool during the Prem season!!
Fatty Ronaldo just woke up from a feijoada induced coma.
Now Desmond. Ozil wins a corner.
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