What sports teams do you support?

[Lianachan]

I find myself in the unusual position of supporting Team Merka tonight. I have Portugal down to win (2-1) in our predictor, but I hate diving cheating poof Cristiano Ronaldo so much that I'm prepared to sacrifice my 3 points and shout U!S!A! U!S!A!

[Мастер]

Go Portugal!

[Heid the Ba]

'murica, I can't support the Dirty Diving Dago.

[Lianachan]

'murica, I can't support the Dirty Diving Dago.

Yes. Exactly this.

[Lance]

meh

[MM_Dandy]

Bah. Friggin' ties.

I should be elated that we didn't pummeled - and yet, not so much.

[Heid the Ba]

It would have sounded like a good result if you didn't know how it happened.

[MM_Dandy]

Of course, you're right. If only we had scored the desperation goal to tie instead

In the meantime, I've dug up an article that claims that due to an amendment made to the offsides rule, Saurez was offside - Duh Dun DAA!

[Мастер]

Go 'schland!

[Arneb]

Go 'Schland indeed!

And because of that tie, Germany is now almost certain to advance. Discussing the situation with my son today, I figured we could lose 2 - 0 to 'Merrca while Ghana could win 2 - 0 against the DDD (Dirty Diving Dago), and we would still pass on goal difference. With a 3-0 loss and a 2-0 win, things would be exactly tied, and lots would be drawn.

But anyway, as one of our defenders said, "we'll look at what went wrong, look at what the USA did, think about it, talk about it, and take home the three points on Thursday"- That's the right attitude.

[Arneb]

Oh, and we will need only a draw to win the group, while the U.S. will only need a draw to progress with certainty.

Gijón, anyone?

[Heid the Ba]

What you would need is someone high up in the US coaching system who speaks German and is on first name terms with your man . . .

[Enzo]

Murka?

As someone who grew up not all that far from Balmer, Merlin (Baltimore, Maryland), I get Murka. But of late I hear so many people refer to EYE-rack and EYE-ran, I have taken to saying AY-merica, just to be fair.

[Arneb]

What you would need is someone high up in the US coaching system who speaks German and is on first name terms with your man . . .

Now wouldn't that be nice. Any suggestion?

[Heid the Ba]

Oh my giddy aunt! I actually had typed a reply suggesting Bertie Vogts as an intermediary then checked and found he is part of the US coaching staff. The problem with using him is that somehow both teams would lose.

[Мастер]

Oh, and we will need only a draw to win the group, while the U.S. will only need a draw to progress with certainty.

If I understand the system correctly, a draw in either match results in both 'Schland and the Evil Empire advancing.

[MM_Dandy]

Netherlands 2 - 0 Chile

Way to go, Oranje!

[Arneb]

Oh, and we will need only a draw to win the group, while the U.S. will only need a draw to progress with certainty.

If I understand the system correctly, a draw in either match results in both 'Schland and the Evil Empire advancing.

Absolutely - there is a three point difference between us and Murka on the one hand, and Ghana and DDD on the other. But if Germany loses, they'll fall behind Big Brother, and I do not want this to happen, Klinsi or no Klinsi.

[Heid the Ba]

Speaking of draws, if Italy and ~Uruguay draw then England finish last in the group.

[Arneb]

Italy 0 - 1 Uruguay
Costa Rica 0 - 0 England

Final lineup:
1. Costa Rica 9
2- Uruguay 7
3 Italy 3
4 England 1

Costa Rica, of all teams, winning a group with three strong teams in it, all of them former World Champions, with no loss and all of two goals concede, is sensational, if you ask me.

I am ashamed that I was cheering on a team that has a racist, unsportsmalike, rabid, biting asshole like Luís Suarez on it, but seeing Italy go out means so much to me, I didn't care (too much). Now, how did that turn out?

[MM_Dandy]

Having a guy like Suarez on your team has got to be a little like having Kobe on your team. He makes your team better, but the cost is very high. As a Lakers fan, I couldn't have been happier when they won in 2010 despite Kobe being rather pedestrian. Unfortunately, there were no lessons learned, Kobe's washed up and significantly overpaid and the Lakers are a train wreck.

[Heid the Ba]

I hear Luis Suarez has asked to leave Liverpool to sign for Borussia Mönchencentreback . . .

[Lianachan]

[Lance]

Go U.S.A.! Kick the Germans' butts! Or tie them. That'd be okay too. (There, I'm caring.)

[MM_Dandy]

That's the spirit, Lance!

In preparation for our glorious victory over the sinister forces, I'll be listening to the Captain America soundtrack.

...and hoping with all my might that we can muster a draw.

Update: I don't know how unusual it is, but I just noticed that none of the eight teams playing today have yet to be eliminated. South Korea needs the earth to open up and swallow the Belgium team and then needs help, but they are still technically alive.