Monthly Archives: June 2006

In soccer, political overtones sometimes exacerbate the tension between nations (see England vs. Germany) during soccer matches, but sometimes even politics takes a back seat to the game. A USA Today reporter in Iraq sat with a group of family and friends during the Czech Republic’s demolition of the U.S. national team on Monday. Outside, […]

It was the first significant spat at this year’s finals; law enforcement officials in Dortmund were forced to detain 300 people following clashes before the Group A match between host Germany and its Polish neighbors. Police tried to move fans out of the center of the city, but German fans responded by throwing bottles, chairs, […]

Ronaldo continues to be blasted for his indifferent performance during Brazil’s first match against Croatia on Tuesday. Interestingly, the heaviest (no pun intended) criticism of the Phenomenal One has come from his own countrymen, who jeered him off the field after being substituted for Robinho on 69 minutes. Calls for replacing the out of form […]

A South Korean fan is in critical condition at a Sydney hospital after falling from a street sign during World Cup celebrations. The 25-year-old man was one of about 5,000 South Korean fans in Sydney who were celebrating their country’s 2-1 victory over Togo on Tuesday. He fell after climbing a street sign at the […]

World Cup TV ratings are hitting new heights and Cup-related Internet traffic is soaring, and The San Francisco Chronicle is saying “History may well remember The 2006 World Cup as the one in which technology helped Americans end their futbol isolationism and appreciate soccer on their terms — on demand.” What do they mean by […]

The U.S. Military was more or less resigned to missing out on watching the World Cup until media mogul Rupert Murdoch read about it in Tuesday’s New York Times. Infront Sports and Media, which acquired the rights to broadcast the games from FIFA, failed to secure funding from the U.S. Armed Forces Radio and Television […]

Perhaps, as the Guardian says, Brazil’s 1-0 victory over Croatia was “no statement of intent” from the world champions, but everyone in the tournament will note that the team of superstars, the overwhelming favorites, really didn’t look THAT good. They didn’t look bad either, but the Croatians, despite being forced into defending for most of […]

Ghana, apparently, is having a hard time picking itself up after the team’s 2-0 loss to Italy on Monday. Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic says no one is suffering more than defender Sami Kuffour, who gifted the second goal to Vicenzo Iaquinta after bungling his back pass to the goalkeeper. For those who remember Manchester United’s […]

The New York Times was surprised that Togo actually produced some good-looking soccer in its 2-1 defeat yesterday to South Korea. This, too, despite a host of off-field problems, including disputes over player bonuses and a coach who can’t seem to decide whether or not he wants to quit. Togolese players boycotted practice last week […]

The Korea Herald has several stories in amusing English about the feats of heroism performed by its countrymen in yesterday’s 2-1 comeback win over Togo. South Koreas top Group F following France’s 0-0 stalemate with Switzerland. Korea, confident now it can win away from home, likes its chances against France, which has have failed to […]

Spain put in the best team performance of the tournament thus far thrashing the hapless Ukrainians 4-0. It played the kind of nonstop, free-flowing soccer we expected to see from the Brazilians yesterday in 90 minutes of total domination. Luis Garcia, David Villa, Marcos Senna and Fernando Torres were all excellent in the victory, and […]

Diego Maradona wants to see greater competition for places in Argentina’s squad. The international Argentine legend visited training camp yesterday, declaring: ” It’s a marvelous team, but I want the team to be a bit more aggressive in terms of competition for starting places.” To be sure, Argentina’s coach, Jose Pekerman, has a wealth of […]