Germany, Argentina Advance to Set up a Match for the Ages

-Leipzig, Germany (n) Germany already has a slight advantage over Argentina having played earlier today and knowing the outcome much earlier than Argentina. Podolski netted two early goals within minutes of each other to seal the deal on Swedens tournament life. Argentina on the other hand, needed to rally from 1 down and then survive an overtime period that featured the Goal of the tournament from Maxi Rodriguez.
I think the biggest upset of the tournament was Mexico even forcing an overtime with Argentina. I still have them slated as the No. 2 team in the round of 16 but Germany is awfully close, and you can count on their Friday game to by far the highest rated, most scrutinized, viewed, analysed game of the tournament thus far. Winner of that game easily becomes favorite to win the tournament, even over Brazil.

You want storylines for this game? How about the beautiful stadium and city of Berlin serving as host and what a history these two clubs have. Last meeting, 1990 finals. Meeting before that, 1986 finals. They split, this is the deciding match. Some might even complain that a match of this magnitude is being played in the Round of 8, when it is clearly championship caliber.
Talk about the group of death all you want, this is clearly the bracket of death.

npoc says "1 win 3 losses"
Tough day, who would of thought that Argentina would be forced to overtime and that the goal scoring machine of Sweden could get blanked. Certainly not npoc.

Sunday 11 a.m.
No. 4 England
No. 16 Ecuador

England (-227)
Ecuador (+650)
Draw (+265)

Under 2.5 (-140)

Michael Owen or not, England needs to take care of business and calm their fans down. After another few hundred have been arrested, the crowd support may be lacking a little bit, but the upstart Ecuadorians should not be a problem. An early goal will surely put them away, but the longer you let them stick around, the more confidence will build and the pressure will mount and mount like a fat kids buttons at a buffet.
npoc says "England 2-0"


Sunday 3 p.m.
No. 7 Netherlands
No. 9 Portugal

Netherlands (+130)
Portugal (+200)
Draw (+200)

Under 2.5 (-175)

The recurring theme of this second seems to be less goals being scored. A lot less, from the two games that have already happened and from what is expected from here on out. This game appears to be no different, with one goal enough to win it. This is clearly the most evenly matched game of this round.

npoc says "Portugal 1-1"
Winning on penalty kicks

-n