I noticed that this group of blogs are now #3 on Google for "World Cup Chat" - and I thought that was odd. Not as odd as #1 for Kerry + policies for a whack of weeks during the 2004 election but no one was really paying any attention to policies I suppose. But chat responsibly as the world is watching. I knew I should have signed up for those Toshiba and Bud ads when I had the chance...

The Dutch game yesterday was a real dud, though the guys in orange did show they were up to holding off some pretty good play in their own end. vd Sar made a fantastic save and the bench got a good work out which will serve them well as they go forward. I think Tevez for Argie is part orc - which made me wonder what orcs do for recreation in LOTR...I should have watched the Ivory Coast game as Serbia got another thumping. Today the games are:

• Czech Republic vs. Italy
• Ghana vs. United States
• Japan vs. Brazil
• Croatia vs. Australia

The first two are ripe with meaning as the States need Ghana and the Czechs to lose if they are going to get through. I would like to see Ghana surprise again just because I like the little guys. Oz and Croatia are playing for a second round position, too. Sunday is looking like a day of excuses as both Engerlant and het Nederlands are playing.