Slovenia?!  That tiny blip on the northeastern corner of the Adriatic.  Scenic certainly, but the nation of 2 million wouldn’t make our top-25 list of States (wouldn’t likely make top 35).  For that matter, they don’t make the top 25 ranking for FIFA either.  With that said, this tiny little country clocked in at 26 in FIFA rankings; and with bodies flying everywhere, number 26 Sweden just beat number 2 Spain. Further, the trash talk might be as much or more FIFA marketing through creative interpreting.  If Slovenia wins, they’re into Round 2 and we’re almost certainly not absent an English collapse.  Go Algeria!

North Korea versus Brazil had a surreal feeling to me.  These Korean men playing their hearts out for a brutal, personality-cult dictatorship.  On the other side, the smooth Brazilians, persistent and smooth and unstoppable like a river.  The Brazilian’s first goal was magical … did that really go in?  How?  The debate will endure whether Maicon intended that goal, unless he tells, which I hope he doesn’t.

Okay, as a colleague pointed out, perhaps that was Robert Green’s way of apologizing to the US  for the whole BP troubles we’re experiencing.  In negating what would have been the first goal of the World Cup, the refs in the first match taught many (to include the announcers) that offsides is based on two players in front, regardless of where the goalie is.  South Africa played inspired and their goal should be part of the permanent World Cup highlight reel.   The Italians apparently forgot their coffee and were decidely uninspiring in the pouring rain against tiny Paraguay, who tied the reigning Cup champs.  Germany practised the soccer Blitzkrieg in demolishing Australia.  The most noticeable thing about the Netherlands remains their vibrant orange notwithstanding their high ranking.  No one from North Korea has defected from their soccer delegation and with their loved ones held hostage, it’s unlikely any will.  Brazil plays today.