The World Cup moved onto the quarterfinals today with two matches. And what a two matches they were.

In the first, Brazil self-implodes like no other Brazil team ever. Their opponents, the Dutch, are normally the ones to freak out and now they are in the semifinals. Their first in 12 years. Needless to say, with Brazil gone, lots of brackets got blown up.

In the first half, Robinho puts Brazil up, 1-0. Then, in the second half, major confusion gives Holland the equalizer. I'd hate to be in the meeting to explain this one.

Uh...That's A Howler



So, with the score 1-1, what a beautiful goal by the Dutch. Arjen Robben with the corner to the near post. Dirk Kuyt, with page 6 of the Spalding Guide, flicks on a header to the rear and Wesley Sneijder heads it in. World Cup Soccer is Fa-a-a-n-tastic.

Sneijder Gamewinner



With Brazil trailing now, 2-1, Felipe Melo gets himself sent off with this nonsense. Not a good day for Melo. He had an own goal, got beat by the gamewinner, and then stomped on Robben. See ya!

Melo's Stomp



So, Brazil, a major threat to win the whole thing...Gone!

Hard to explain the second match. But let's keep it in perspective. I needed Uruguay to win to keep my hopes of winning the pool alive. I was dismayed when after 90 minutes, it was Uruguay 1, Ghana 1. They were obviously moving toward Penalty Kicks, when Ghana got a free kick that would surely end extra time in a tie, if only Uruguay defended the play. Then all hell breaks loose. We have a Ghana shot on goal, then another, then I see an intentional handball by Uruguay to stop another shot and you know what that means. An automatic red card. All Ghana needs is to ram the Penalty Kick in and it's over. Did you hear me yell this?

"He Missed It!"



I am still alive in the pool and so is Uruguay in the match! Quickly, we go to Penalty Kicks. Uruguay makes its first 3 PKs and Ghana has made their first two. Then John Mensah steps up...for this...

Worst PK, Perhaps Ever



After a Uruguay miss and another Ghana miss, it all comes down to the fifth player for the win. The sub, Sebastian Abreu. Can you believe Abreu's touch on the gamewinning PK? As Jerry Caesar would say, "Reverend, you got balls as big as church bells."

You Cheeky Bastard



Today's Results:

Brazil 1, Holland 2

Uruguay 1, Ghana 1 (Uruguay through on PKs)

Meal of Links

This weekend's TV marathons. "A-Team" on a channel I don't think I get.

18 things you should know when you are 18. I'd like to think Number 9 is the most important.

Pre-existing conditions? Thing of the past.

The worst thing about the current jobs situation is it seems the government's attention is meandering elsewhere. Oddly enough, if Sen. Byrd hadn't died, the latest extension would have passed.

Hitch has cancer. But he seems to be taking it well. "I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me."

The Dems should be even more worried about the mid-terms. At least, Charlie Cook thinks so.

While I have been absorbed with the World Cup (Concludes 7/11, bear with me), an old topic seems to have been making a comeback. Sarah Palin's Pregnancy with Trig.

Aw, geez. Here comes the metric system. Again.

Food courts.

Exercise Yard

Kreskin thinks he can save the Pittsburgh Pirates. Think about it, shouldn't he have made this offer in 1993?

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