Just don't get hurt....just don't....

It was July 9, 2006 and I was standing in the viewing room of the French consulate in Chicago, weeping alongside a room full of other fans of Les Bleus. Yes, I had won the Chicago Tribune’s World Cup pool by betting my heart (Les Bleus all the way, as I will bet again this time out, if they make it.) rather than my mind, because I just knew.

I knew that Zinedine Zidane had one more magical tournament in him. That Patrick Vieira would be able to hold down the midfield, Yaya-style, while Zidane sashayed about on his Xavi-esque flights of fancy, giant feet flapping and distributing. I knew that Thierry Henry had more magical goals in him.

I just knew.
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Today is an important day for many teams around the world and many of our blaugrana players. I’d like to highlight the more important games and then let you have your say throughout the rest of the afternoon in the comments section.

Ukraine - England: Crucial points for the Ukrainians, who are trying to finish second in the group. (PPV, 12pmEST)
Armenia – Spain: We are all hoping del Bosque gives our boys a rest, but Marca thinks Puyol and Xavi will start and thus probably play 90. (Fox Soccer en Espanol, 12pmEST)
Denmark – Sweden: Zlatan takes one the Danes and their 4-3-3, though he’s in a bullish mood about it and expects victory. (Fox Soccer en Espanol, 2pm EST)
France - Faeroe Islands: This should be a gimme for Titi and Eric, but we’ll see what things Dumbenech can do to make it harder. (Fox Soccer Channel, 3pmEST)
Argentina - Peru: Must win, obviously, but will Maradona realize that and start 11 players or will he handicap himself with Heinze? (PPV, 5:30pmEST)
Mexico - El Salvador: Rafa returns to El Tri, but can they qualify? (6pmEST, Telemundo)

Mali and Brasil play tomorrow.

In earlier action, the Ivory Coast drew with Malawi 1-1. The Yaya played only the final 12 minutes, which was obviously the problem for them. Still they’ll move on in the qualification process quite handily.

Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war goeth the famous literary quote by Shakespeare, with an amendment (and all due apologies) by Kevin:

Cry incompetent, and unleash the dyspeptic dogs of war, gibbering, drooling, accusatory beasts thou art, to take a chunk out of the oh, so deserving backsides of Ruh Roh Dumbenech and Diego Maradumber.

Now, cules everywhere can be in some small part, thankful for the coaching ineptitude of Raymond Domenech and Diego Maradona. After all, once they do the trick and France and Argentina are out of the competition, those pesky international obligations will be over, once and for all, right?

Right?

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