2014 World Cup

Once again the guys from ESPN Radio come through. Listening through the first half, and they kept saying that even though Uruguay was ahead, Costa Rica was dictating play and dominating ball possession. Based on that, it was just a matter of time before they put one (and then two) in the net.

I've had my doubts about Uruguay all along. They really struggled in qualifying, having to win the play-in series in what was essentially a walkover against Jordan, they don't appear to have much young talent on their roster and their best player, Suarez, didn't play because of an injury.

 

It's only been three days, but this World Cup's been dramatic and then some. Damn. First the Netherlands and now Costa Rica?

 

Mexico-Cameroon was a good one, too.

 

BBC graphics guys put the Goal! splash on the screen after the Sterling chance. I thought it was in too, to be fair.

England still aren't going very far in this tournament (though opposite Group C in the second round ...), but at least they're a bit better to watch than in recent years.

 

Hopefully Italy throttles 'em in the second half and sends football home.

;D

 

The "Clemson of South America" reference from the other day kept coming to mind every time I saw a score update.

 

Balotelli. Shit.

 

Is this great soccer or great drama, or both? Don't know enough about soccer, is this soccer at the highest possible level?

 

It's pretty high, particularly with England and Italy (though you wouldn't know it the way England is executing so poorly). The absolute highest is undoubtedly the superstar club level in Europe and Britain where most of the world's top stars play.

 

Next to Mexico, I cherish no team's defeats more than England. Thank you Mario Balotelli.

 

Having a BBQ at my house tonight. Consensus among the fairer sex is that the winners of the night are Ballack and RvN.