Penultimate World Cup Update

Germany 3-1 Portugal

Well, that was a good game, wasn't it? It's always interesting to watch the third place game, because, since neither team has anything to lose, they can give their all. No need for dives (except for Cristiano Ronaldo, but that is expected of him), no need to slow the game to get to penalty kicks. Just two teams playing cleanly, trying to end their run decently (i.e., scoring a last goal). Like the Turkey-South Korea game four years ago, ending 3-2 for Turkey, including the fastest goal scored in World Cup match (11 seconds, by Sukur).

And what a game. Both teams played very decently, which was expected from Portugal and Germany. One major revelation (for me) was Schweinsteiger, who scored two goals for Germany (the third one being a self-goal by Petit, in a manner very reminiscent of the way Italy allowed one goal in), with the way he dribbled past three defenders each time and scored right outside of the penalty area. Another beautiful goal was Luis Figo (who really should have been in the starting line-up) crossing the ball apparently to Ronaldo (who missed it), then to Nuno Gomes, heading it into the goal cage, much to Oliver Kahn's surprise.

All of which gives me much faith in the coming generation of football players. I don't have many good memories of the 90s (beyond Chris Waddle, Roberto Baggio, Eric Cantona and David Ginola). Diego Maradonna was obviously getting old and beyond Eric Cantona, no one was really stepping up to the plate (and France didn't even manage to qualify for the '94 World Cup!)But looking at Franck Ribéry, Deco, Cristiano Ronaldo, Schweinsteiger, Miroslav Klose, Podołski, ... Yeah, the next World Cup (and Euro Cup) should be exciting. All those players need to mature a bit more.

Now, if only we didn't get to hear about John Harkes's meal ...

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A Patrick Herron donated money to Aaron's reading series. Would it be the same Patrick Herron who happens to be Claire's sousaphone?

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It only happens every four years. Me reading the sports page in the newspapers and mingling with my fellow ex-pats. I am not a big fan of French ex-pats, at least, the ones who live in the States (with the exception of those who work at the Consulate). They usually tend to be more conservative, in the US because it's easier to make a buck. They like the multiculturalism of the national team, but only because they wish that children of immigrants could be more like Zinedine Zidane or Patrick Viera. And they're always surprised when I tell them I studied English Literature and Philosophy (instead of Business Administration, Engineering or Science. Okay, as most of you already know, I started as a Biology student. And I dropped my Philosophy major six hours short of my degree requirements).

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The new issue of BOTH BOTH is apparently ready. It's guest-edited by Jessica. You people should be begging for a copy of BOTH BOTH. Because it's good. I'm still carrying the issue featuring poems by Michael Koshkin and Suzanne Stein.

Why are you still reading?