World Cup Group D

Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia...

This is a group I do not care about too incredibly much.  I do not like the lack of flair of Germany.  They are too mechanical.  There are no jubliant celebrations, merely quick thrusts of hands in the air, or even nothing.  Their persona doesn't even have a hidden wrinkle of joy.  This is no joga bonito.  This is boring.  Cara on the other hand will watch this solid determination all day and provide enough joy to fill the entire nation of Germany.  Uggh. Not looking forward to having to watch that game.  At least Podolski is kind of cute, in a Bambi-like way. 

I will get to see Nemanja Vidic play in this group.  Mmmmpphfff. Yes. At least there is Vidic. 



Pregame
Germany
This group houses Cara's beloved, boring, and reserved Germany.  I expected some calculated workhorsery.  I expect brief moments of smiling and robotic celebrations.  And, I expect Germany to make it through with few floundering mishaps if any. 

Players to Watch:
Miroslav Klose
Phillip Lahm
Lucas Podolski

Australia
In 2006, I adopted Australia as a backup team, mostly as a result of seeing Tim Cahill play.  Everton's Cahill I still believe will create the most beautiful of chances for the Socceroos throughout the group stages.
   
Players to Watch:

Tim Cahill


Ghana

As the only African nation represented in this group, I am hoping for something miraculous, merely for the location of the tournament  I know little to nothing about this team.
 
Players to watch:
Kevin-Prince Boateng
If Michael Essien hadn't been injured, he would have been the man to watch

Serbia

I know one player on this team, and he happens to be one of my favorite defenders, Nemanja Vidic.  He is a no nonsense, brute of a defender.  He can also score if given an opportunity.  I am hoping they will be the second team to make it out of the group.

Players to Watch:
Nemanja Vidic
Dejan Stankovic

Predictions:
1.  Germany
2.  Serbia


Postgames:

Ghana/Serbia

Although I want some significant elements of shock, horror, and surprise in this tournament, I was dumbfounded at the final score.  Considering that Michael Essien was missing from injury, this was a pure shocker.  Muntari is gone too.  I didn't think the chances looked great for this team.  Surprise.

Nothing too eventful happened until the73rd minute. There were plenty of chances, but the teams looked rather even in the first.  Ghana looked like they had more control in the second.  Chances abounded.  It was the 73rd that brought a red card for Lukovic, the defensive partner for Vidic.  Vidic can rule the roost without that guy right?  Mmmm?  I don't know.  There was a major chance for Serbia in the 78th minute, but the brilliance of the goalkeeper, Kingson,  kept Ghana safe.  Vidic had another chance in the 79th.  Serbia was still alive and apparently thriving.  Ivanovic had another chance in the 81st.  It all went to hell for Serbia in the 82nd.  Kuzmanovic received a yellow card for a handball.  There was a penalty shot given to Ghana as a result.  The tension in the crowd rose immensely.  This was a game changer.  Ghanaian Gyan knocked it in perfectly.  Ghanaian spirits rose; Serbian's were crushed.  Oh Vidic, do you need a hug?  I know someone that would gladly give you one.  That did, in fact, suck.  Kuzmanovic, that was just plain stupid.  Opportunity in the 86th for Serbia to level the score, no avail.  Grrr.  AS Ferguson would say, this is sticky-bum-time.  The tense expectation has everyone on the edge of their seat.  Everyone is on their feet in the stands, as each opportunity to score fails to come to fruition.  Serbia has another chance in the 89th with Kingson leaving the goal to catch one that slipped away.  Ghana had a great chance in the 92nd minute.  It hit the post and bounced off in a lucky miss for the 10 remaining Serbians.  Final whistle blown at the beginning of the 94th minute.  With a man down, Serbia really held it down and had some opportunities. 

Germany/Australia

Cara and I geared up for this one by stating that once again it is the rock vs. the hard place.  I will not root for Germany, and she couldn't care less about Australia.  I will root for the underdogs, while she will cheer on this German Machine.  Oh Australia, you descendants of Britain's roughest rogues, I hope you can secure a proper upset.

Australia had chances early on in this game.  They could have led 1-0.  They seemed at first to really be in the game, until Podolski produced the first goal (much to my chagrin) in the 8th minute for Germany.    Klose could've brought it to 2-0 in the 24th minute.  Then displaying the full, German determination, Klose completes his mission in the 26th minute, combined with a quick growl of satisfaction. Nothing incredibly exciting throughout the rest of the first half.  Second half...AKA buck up Australia...  Minute 56: WHAT??? Cahill...RED-Carded?  That's not a red-card.  He was going for the ball.  HARSH...harsh.  That means he will be out for how long?  That could be the rest of the time that Australia is even here.  Dang it, there goes my guy.  Australia down to 10 men.  More cautions for Australia.  Oh no, minute 68, and it is goal 3 for Germany.  Muller kicked it in and raised a quasi-triumphant hand in the air.  Oh wait, no way, I think I saw a passing smile.  Minute 69, Goal 4.  Cara must be jumping for joy.  Wait, good little girls from German stock don't do that.  She is probably looking half-bored, smirking, but pleased on mom's couch. Well at least the Aussies have played the toughest competition in this group.   That will have to be the consolation for this spanking.