Quaterfinals Half-time

So the quarter-finals have started. Germany and Italy are through for a semifinal match up. Tonight we have England-Portugal and France-Brazil. Who will meet? Time will tell...

The Germany-Argentina match is not the classical match we hoped for. Stifling for most of the time, and eithr side hardly had any chances during the first half. Even after the Argentines scored the opening goal, the Germans hardly mustered anything. Think the German equaliser was the one clear chance they had in the whole match! Extra time was drab as well. Penalties are, well, a lottery and it was unfortunate that the Argentines failed this time. Pekerman's gamble to try to hold the lead failed; the time when they needed a spark in midfield and attack, they lacked the quality that Riquelme and Crespo would have possessed. No wonder he resigned after the match.

The Italy-Ukraine match? The outcome was never in doubt once Italy scored early on. The Ukranian team, even with Schevchenko in attack, was hardly inspired. Didn't help with their most famous player well off form, and at most times, singled out for attention. So the Italians enjoyed a relatively comfortable game, and a chance to get to the finals since 1982 I think.

Tonight are the two big games. Damned Eriksson: will he get rid of Beckham for an attacking England side or not? Probably not, and that may prove the undoing of the English side despite a weakened Portuguese team. Brazil and France may be a bit close to call after a largely uninspiring Brazil performance so far and French heroics against the Spanish. But I still expect the holders to go through...with Ronaldinho exploding into action tonight.

More after tonight's matches. Good luck England and Brazil! Adieu Argentina and Ukraine.