Um Zwei

Today saw the debut of the final four teams in this World Cup, and the beginning of the second round of competition. Let's get to it. First off, we head over to Leipzig, Germany where highly favored team from Spain took on the European team from the Ukraine. Although there were high expectations for the Ukranians, this match was heavily one-sided. Spain skillfully mastered the ball, and Ukraine, became quickly frustrated with it. There was a red card which resulted in the first penalty kick of the tournament. That gave Spain a 3-0 lead. But the 4th and last goal by Spain, was truly a mastery of soccer skill. The drive began from midfield, where the Spanish team gracefully avoided tackle after tackle from the Ukranians which resulted in a pass, a header no less, that set up a perfect goal scoring opportunity. If it wasn't the best goal so far, Germany and Brazil may still lay claim to that, it definitely was the best drive for a goal. Final score 4-0 Spain. Next up, we look towards Munich, Germany where the final two teams make their debut, Saudi Arabia vs. Tunisia. What I was expecting to be a fairly average game, ended up being an exciting match between two skilled teams. What looked like a Saudi victory, shortly became a tied match when Tunisia scored during stopage time. Final score 2-2, each team walks away with a point. And finally, we see the beginning of the second round of competition, as Germany took on Poland in Dortmund, Germany. Poland was in a tough spot, having lost to Ecuador during the first round of play 2-0. Poland had to win today in order to keep any hopes of advancing to the next round. Ultimately, the game became something of a farce, between a lackluster German team, and a strangely unmotivated Polish team. Not until the Polish lost a man due to a red card, did the Germans appear to gain any true momentum. And ultimately, the winning goal came deep into stopage time. Germany narrowly clenches victory, 1-0. So, as of today, Group H looks like this:

1. Spain (3 pts.)
2. Saudi Arabia (1 pt.)
3. Tunisia (1 pt.)
4. Ukraine (0 pts.)

Tomorrow: Round 2 continues with Ecuador vs. Costa Rica, England vs. Trinidad and Tobago, and Sweden vs. Paraguay