Auf Den Viertel-Finalen

Yesterday the Group of 16 officially came to a close, and that means that the Quarter Final confrontations are all in place. Today we had Brazil take on Ghana in Dortmund, Germany, and Spain faced off against France in Hanover, Germany. Although I had high hopes for the Ghana squad, when you meet up agains Brazil, you're as good as gone, especially when it all comes down to winning or going home. And this was definitely no expection. The Brazilians were in fine form, and Ronaldo even managed to become the new record holder for most World Cup goals by any player, with 15. He opened up the scoreboard, and it was all Brazil from that point on. Ghana, of course, played their hearts out, but we definitely saw why Brazil is the reigning World Cup champion. The South Americans found the net twice more during the match, and ultimately it all came to an end for the Africans. Final score, 3-0. (Thanks for the show Ghana!) Next, Brazil awaits its opponent, which would emerge in Hanover, Germany as Spain battled France for Quarter Final advancement. Personally, I was really liking the way the Spanish team had been playing, especially their opening game against the Ukraine where they won 4-0. They had one of the most beautifully executed plays leading up to a goal that I've seen in this World Cup. That being said, I was not surprised when they opened up the scoreboard almost 3/4 of the way through the 1st half. I was already celebrating their advancement, when the French managed to connect before the half was through. They went into the locker rooms all tied up at 1 apiece. But as the Spanish team took the French goal as a fatal blow, the French seized the opportunity to take it as a victorious one. I was never very impressed by this French team. A lot of hype and expectation, but not very much delivered. But they certainly brought their "A" game this time around. The Spanish team never truly recovered from the French goal. Before the end, the French would find the Spanish net 2 more times. And, in what I thought to be an upset, the French win it 3-1. Spain, always a strong World Cup contender, is sent home. So, at the end of Group of 16 play, here is the Quarter Final schedule:

Friday, June 30th:
Germany vs. Argentina (Berlin, Germany)
Italy vs. Ukraine (Hamburg, Germany)

Saturday, July 1st:
England vs. Portugal (Gelsenkirchen, Germany)
Brazil vs. France (Frankfurt, Germany)

By weekends end, 4 more teams will be sent home. Then, its on to the Semi-Finals.