Day 5- Berlin		Match 13	Group F
	ITALY	vs.	SWITZERLAND

In lieu of traditional warm-up drills, Italy is bouncing the ball on his head repeatedly.

Eh... can we start now? Warming up's no fun. I wanna play with somebody!

Switzerland runs out of the tunnel urgently, already looking a bit winded.

	About time. Where were you?
	*defensive* Nowhere! I wasn't doing anything! Just... planning.
	Right... so how did she look? They just flashed her score up on the board.
	Switzerland grumbles. Busted.
	Let's just do this already.

Thailand gets the two together and has a brief chat, although Italy's distracted by an amusing sign in the stands. Switzerland grows more agitated but Thailand finishes up and puts the ball at midfield to begin play. Italy kicks it off and just starts passing around randomly. Switzerland can barely keep up.

	Not a lot of direction early on from Italy. Switzerland holding on defense, but can't get close to the ball.
	Passing it around can be risky. Worked okay for Spain, but Switzerland is far more disciplined than Latvia was. It'll be hard to throw him off.
	There's a kick into the box! Italy's got an open shot! Switzerland just barely got a piece of it! It's a corner kick.

Switzerland isn't completely helpless, mind you. When he gets a turnover, he quickly charges forward for a counter. Only Italy's there too and saves a shot with ease.

For the most part, though, Italy is bouncing around, barely considering Switzerland's position. Both his offense and defense seem to ignore Switzerland and focuses solely on the ball.

	Italy down the sides, under heavy pressure. Switzerland is not letting him get a cross off.
	No... tight, tight defense. Ball trickles away and Italy fires it up into the box. More clearance than cross.
	Switzerland heads it, but it goes backwards, off the side of Italy's head, IN! GOAL!
	What the hell? Both sides just trying to get rid of the ball and it ricochets off Italy's hair curl and finds the corner of the net. Unbelievable.

9' - GOAL (ITA) - Italy 1, Switzerland 0

When Switzerland gets the ball, he slows things down and tries to establish some sanity... or at least wait for Italy to create an opening. Italy has no such intentions, and continues to play with no awareness of anything but the ball and his own team.

	Italy trying for another cross, again under pressure. And again he just kicks it in blindly!
	Switzerland's ready for it and clears it away.
	Right back to Italy, who sends it back into the box. Has a man! Hard shot! Great save by Switzerland!

Finally, Switzerland is able to slow things down and set up an offense.

	Switzerland has two in the box waiting for cross. It's away towards the back. There's a shot! Punched straight up into the air. Comes back down for an easy header into...!
	Offside!
	Nope, guess again. Linesman's flag was up and the goal's called back. Italy's defenders were napping and Switzerland ended up behind them.
	What just happened?
	Are you kidding me?

Italy continues to keep possession, although whether he has control is debatable.

	Ball's at midfield and Italy sends a long, long ball into the box! He's got a striker there and onside who collects it and...
	...watches it bounce in front of him.
	Another attacker slides in and kicks it home! GOAL! Italy does it again and it's 2-0!

23' - GOAL (ITA) - Italy 2, Switzerland 0

Italy's not finished yet.

	Italy rushes past the defenders, he's got a fast break! Shot is knocked away!
	Gets the rebound and fires again! Off the defender! Switzerland cleans it up.

And a few minutes later...

	Italy along the edge of the box. Passes to center, off the striker's foot and IN! 3-0!
	Did that striker even see that coming? I don't even think he kicked it. It just bounced off his foot and went in! I don't think there's any logic to what he's doing and he's all but put this one away in the first half.

29' - GOAL (ITA) - Italy 3, Switzerland 0

Italy is dancing around happily and the crowd loves it. They're cheering like mad for him. It takes all of Switzerland's self-control not to punch him in the face. He knows he has to do something.

So he gets aggressive. Unfortunately, Italy anticipates his first two offensives and clears them easily and with nothing but a smile. It just pisses Switzerland off more.

	Here comes Switzerland again... nope, Italy's defense squeezes him out.
	Wait, no! The ball comes loose! Switzerland gets a shot off! Keeper knocked it away.
	Who gets the rebound though? Switzerland dives in! Header goes off the keeper's mitt... GOAL! Switzerland on the board with the second chance.
	Italy's making it look easy, but Switzerland really had to work for that goal. Either way, the gap's back down to two.

32' - GOAL (SUI) - Italy 3, Switzerland 1

Switzerland does not react. He's pissed and ready to let off some frustrations now.

	Switzerland working hard on offense. Passes into the box is gathered up and Italy clears it...
	...clears it right back to Switzerland! Long shot! Italy tips it over the bar! Close play!
	Switzerland is peppering the box now. Italy's defense is starting to show some holes.

Switzerland continues to persist on offense and finds several chances against an Italy defense that may or may not know what it's doing.

Although Italy still is having a blast on offense.

	Italy has an opening! Into the box! What'll he do with it?!
	...he's going to kick it straight at the keeper for an easy save.
	Um, yeah.

Switzerland dominates possession in the latter stages of the second half, partially because Italy has lost interest in dominating possession. Switzerland's intensity has rubbed off a little bit, as an exchange of fouls leads to a warning from the referee and a booking for Switzerland.

	Things are really heating up in the final minutes of the first half. Italy leads 3-1 but Switzerland is really pouring it on.
	Rushing forward now, Switzerland gets an open shot! Takes it! Knocked away.
	But Italy forgets to clear it! Switzerland collects! Fires! SCORES! Back to a one goal game as Italy shows a major lapse on defense!
	Yep, a little too care-free that time. Switzerland is far too stubborn to go into the locker room trailing that much. Suddenly, it's a ballgame again.

43' - GOAL (SUI) - Italy 3, Switzerland 2

That takes us to halftime. Despite Switzerland catching up, Italy jogs off happily. Thus, Switzerland is still pissed. Probably not the best time for him to run into Vietnam.

	Things started out looking pretty bad, but you seemed to have found some rhythm late in the half. How did you turn things around?
	That mug of his pissed me off, that's how I turned it around! I don't care about winning this game anymore. I just want to wipe that damn smirk off his face.
	Something tells me that intensity continues in the second half.
	Damn right. I just hope he notices that I'm kicking his ass.
	Great, uh... I think I'll leave it at that. Guys?
	This is why nobody messes with Switzerland.
	Quite a turnaround. Down 3-0 at one point and Switzerland's turned it on and brought it to within one. How does Italy respond?
	You're asking me? I don't know even know if Italy will. He's just been doing his thing and kinda ran out of karma for a bit. He'll need to regain the momentum somehow.
	He's getting a test now, that's for sure. Let's get going with the second half!

Both sides come out energized in the second half, including Italy moving the ball well once more. Switzerland continues to try to advance the ball, but runs into Italy every time, either playing defense well or standing still in just the right spots. The reverse holds true as well, as Switzerland plays excellent, disciplined defense that counters even Italy's most random attacks.

For the first fifteen minutes of the half, attacks are generally rare and harmless.

	Switzerland searching... good pass into the box. He chests it, turns and fires! Off the crossbar!!
	Italy's right there and skies it back downfield before Switzerland could do anything else with it.
	Italy wasting no time setting up his own offense. Can the Swiss get back?
	Yaaaah!!
	Good hustle! Switzerland's back on D and closes the door.

Both sides start to get some very good opportunities, and make very good saves to counter the other sides... among other things.

	Italy presses forward, gets past the defense! Has a breakaway, he... stops? Kicks it back out and Switzerland's there to recover.
	Either he's a complete idiot or there's a method there. His angle of approach wasn't great there. Must have seen that and wanted to try something else.
	Switzerland at midfield now, looking, looking... Italy charges in! Takes him out with a dangerous slide.
	Whistle blows and Thailand's got a yellow card for him.

Italy smiles vapidly at Thailand. Switzerland just wants to put the ball back in play.

Switzerland's increasing determination to equalize does put his defense at risk, however. Good use of the offside trap minimizes that, but doesn't eliminate Italy's offense. He gets several good shots and wears down Switzerland's defense.

	Italy under some pressure on the side. He gets the cross off anyway!
	He's good at that. Now where's it going?
	Has a man! The header! Over the bar!
	Give him this- he's not cowering on defense. He wants to score again.

Switzerland's doing similar things on offense and tries to step it up with twenty minutes left in the game.

	Switzerland really pushing men forward now. Passing around. Italy's not letting him into the box!
	Oh, there's a cross! Gets enough space and lets it fly!
	There's a header!! Off the keeper! The post! IN!! Lucky bounce but Switzerland doesn't care! It's 3-3!!
	Unbelievable! Ball bounces Italy's way for most of the first half, but Switzerland finally catches some luck to erase a three goal deficit! That took some fortitude.

72' - GOAL (SUI) - Italy 3, Switzerland 3

	And I'm not done yet. Get ready to surrender, pasta brain!
	Ehhh? We can surrender in football?

Switzerland sulks: Italy's cluelessness even prevents proper taunting.

Switzerland is not going to be satisfied with a draw. He charges forward again and tests Italy's defense. It passes and Italy counterattacks.

	Italy down the field in a hurry! Past defenders! He's got a breakaway! Fires! Oh, just knocked away!
	Nobody's going to be happy with just one point tonight. Good to hear.

Indeed. Both sides continue to pour it on offensively. Switzerland seems to be better at midfield during this span, as he gets balls into position quite often. But...

	Another Swiss attack gobbled up. Italy's thinking offense, but his defense has been preventing Switzerland from any organized attack.
	A disorganized attack would probably work fine, but since when has Switzerland ever been disorganized?

Back on offense, Italy heads down the right side quickly.

	Down the side of the box, what's Italy looking for here? Gets a low, weak cross off... there's an open man! Italy fires! SCORES!! Oh, Italy regains the lead!
	Caramba! Just a quick jab in there finds the net! All that work Switzerland did and it's for nothing! With just 6 minutes left, that should decide it right there. Disappointment all around for Switzerland.

84' - GOAL (ITA) - Italy 4, Switzerland 3

Switzerland looks up at the scoreboard, dumbfounded. Italy walks by, smiling at all the fans cheering for him. He waves deliriously.

When the game resumes, Italy's still not finished. He wins a corner kick.

	Corner kick for Italy. Not wasting any time! There it goes! Goes to the front, no- back of the post! Shot! Right at the keeper!
	Good job by Switzerland to stick with that one. Very deceptive, that one.

Switzerland doesn't care. Almost out of frustration, his keeper launches it to midfield.

	Switzerland hustling downfield. Collects at the halfway line and just booms another one into Italy's box.
	So much for organized...
	Fifty-fifty chance here... Italy wins it! He turns and fires! GOAL!! Miracle shot from the top of the box! We're square again!
	No way! Switzerland does the impossible! He somehow collects that long ball from halfcourt and just drills it into the top of the net! Just a miraculous goal!

85' - GOAL (SUI) - Italy 4, Switzerland 4

Switzerland is seething now, hell bent on getting a result. Italy's mood seems to have dampened a little bit, but both sides still keep fighting for chances. Even with such little time left, it seems like either side could score. Despite some harrowing bounces in front of Switzerland's goal, however, that stands and the game ends in an incredible 4-4 draw.

Switzerland falls to his knees, sighs and nods, and rushes into the locker room without another word. Italy lingers for a bit, still smiling and vacant. He waves to the crowd a little more as he slowly shuffles under the tunnel.

Day 5- Berlin		Match 13	Group F
	ITALY	4:4 FT	SWITZERLAND
9' 23' 29' 84'	Pirlo Totti Camoranesi Gilardano	Referee THA	Frei Frei Vogel Frei	32' 43' 72' 85'

After the match, Vietnam attempts to get something useful out of Italy.

	A rousing start to the match, Italy, but it has to be disappointing blowing the lead twice and settling for the draw.
	That was fun! Who do I play next?
	We'll get your next game in a bit, but what did you do early on that Switzerland shut down?
	I scored a lot of goals! Then I couldn't score a lot of goals. Then Switzerland did.
	Was Switzerland's use of the offside trap in the late stages a factor?
	The off-what?
	...let's talk about your next match against Egypt. He looked pretty good yesterday and he's given you problems in the past. Any thoughts watching him beat Estonia?
	I didn't watch it. I was taking a nap.
	Do you even know what the final of his match was?
	Nope!
	Do you even know what the final of your match was?
	Switzerland won, right?
	*sighs* I think I'm done here.

Australia and Cuba are shaking your heads.

	Ladies and gentlemen, your 2006 FIFA World Cup champion.
	Hell of a match though. Switzerland did a hell of a job coming back from three down against someone that skilled, then equalized again in the final minutes. If it were anybody but Switzerland, he'd be happy with the draw here.
	Best match of the tournament so far, if you ask me. But that may be short-lived with Sweden-Poland due up.
	Oi, you're right about that. Here's two more World Cup finalists in '06. Sweden is a strong, disciplined player that's made the knockout stage in each of his last two World Cups.
	Yep, and while Poland's under-performed in the last two tournaments, give him credit for getting there. His trick seems to be losing the first two matches, then kicking ass in the third game when he's already out of it.
	Like the way he beat a really hot America team in Korea in 2002.
	There is no such thing as a really hot America team. But there is a really hot Taiwan and she's with Poland in Stuttgart.
	Aw, I'm charmed, Cuba, but you know how I feel about communists. Anyway, Poland, your first match will pretty much decide the winner in Group G. What's the strategy?
	Strategy? Since, like, when have I needed a strategy to beat Sweden? I'm, like, always fighting Sweden.
	This isn't the 17th century.
	Whatever! I'm totally cool against Sweden. No prob.
	Actually, in competitive matches, he's beaten you six times and you've only beaten him once.
	Yep. World Cup '74, right here in Stuttgart. Totally kicked his butt.
	The final was 1-0. But glad to know you're not behind on the times. Good luck!

Day 5- Stuttgart		Match 14	Group G
	SWEDEN	vs.	POLAND

As promised, Poland doesn't seem to have a strategy. He moves up the field carefully, making some very good passes in his advancement and getting the ball towards Sweden's box early. Sweden's keeping things close to the cuff and plays a tight defense. Poland tries, but can't figure out a way past it.

Still, he has the ball long enough to test Sweden and look for openings. He just doesn't spot any. Sweden doesn't touch the ball much, but when he does he marches down the field and creates a fast opportunity, although without enough force to trouble Poland. Poland gets the ball back and resumes the hunt.

	Poland searching for something along the side of the box. Tries to take it back out and... he's taken down from behind! Foul called! Was that in the box?
	Nope, guess not. Just outside it, according to Cameroon. That was close to a penalty there.
	Either way, it's a free kick for Poland. Sweden sets up a wall. There's the kick! Past the wall! Into the box! Defense gets a hold of it and clears. Sweden not letting anything through early on.

Still, against a team as skilled as Poland, hanging back can't work forever.

	Poland driving, passes into the box! Forward again! Shot from the side! Knocked out of bounds! That was a good look there.
	Yep, Sweden is playing great defense, but it's only a matter of time before Poland stumbles onto a chance.

With the ball, Sweden slows down his own possessions to space things out a bit. Still not a whole lot of offense out of him yet. He seems to be biding his time.

Not that it matters. Good scoring chances are few and far between for Poland. Nothing seems to open up for him.

About fifteen minutes in, Sweden at least thinks about attacking.

	Down the line and there's a cross for Sweden! Curling out to the top of the box! Sharp header from long range! Oh, just off the keeper's fingertips! Poland falls on top of it!
	Wow, that was close. That header was from 18 yards out and still came at him like a rocket.

Sweden gets the ball back.

Sweden gets it back. Quick through ball up the middle! He's got a breakaway! Shot! Knocked away! Poland's defenders get back in time to clear it!

One more time!

	Sweden looking down the left side now. Good cross... fantastic cross! Striker's wide open in the box! Collects it, shoots it- GOAL! Sweden strikes first! How did he get that open?!
	Maybe Poland thought he'd be called offside, but he was actually behind the ball. That crossed away from the net. Either way, fifteen minutes of playing possum and Sweden just totally checkmates Poland with that one.

19' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 1, Poland 0

Poland continues to look for chances, but Sweden is really playing tight defense. Worse yet, Sweden is now getting a rhythm on offense, getting several good looks over the next few minutes. One thing's for sure, Poland's careful to guard those crosses now.

	Poland with the ball again, looking for a way into the box. Trying to get around Sweden and passes back to the outside. Oi, he's trying a shot from there! Long shot, but it's curling! Just wide!
	Ooh, close though. Sweden's really stopped Poland's offense, but if he can hit those long shots like that, it might loosen things up.

One thing that emerges is that as Sweden develops a stronger attack, all the while remaining cold and calculated, Poland defends it quite well. Neither side gets a shot in for the longest time, and the half dwindles down to the final minutes of an epic defensive battle.

	Sweden concedes a corner kick here. He's been a little more open to giving Poland corners today.
	Poland tries the short corner here. Up a few feet and there's the cross!
	It's at the edge of the box... close enough! There's the shot! Curls! Keeper knocks it away just to be safe.
	Just to be safe is right. That looked wide, but Poland's showing a knack for that long shot. Way Sweden's been playing defense, that might be the only chance at an equalizer.

Sweden gets one really good shot in before halftime, but Poland combines a good save and heads-up defense to take care of it. The half ends with Sweden up 1-0.

	Well, the last game had a flurry of scoring. This one's more of a defensive battle, but it's still a right good one.
	Oh yeah. Sweden is playing a hell of a game tonight. Top form both on defense and offense. Gotta give it up to Poland too: after giving up the goal, he's found a way to keep Sweden in check and create chances out of thin air.
	Think he can get back into this one?
	Totally. He's not playing quite as polished a game as Sweden, but he's finding a way to keep up. All it takes it one. I'm looking forward to this second half.
	Right. Let's get back to the action!

Once again, Poland emerges as the aggressor in the second half. Early on, he gets a couple chances.

Poland goes in! Nope, Sweden clears it. Sends it back out, but Poland intercept! Crosses back into the box! Long header! Just tipped away!

Sweden doesn't seem to be bothered by Poland stepping up the attack, but after Poland steals it back, Sweden commits a hard foul.

	That's a booking, Sweden!
	Hm.
	Like... ow, man. Watch the cleats.

Sweden does get a few shots here and there, but Poland's defense is holding well. Poland is slowly finding better angles and the shots are troubling the keeper more and more.

	Poland looking outside the box and a sliding tackle from Sweden! Foul called; this'll be a free kick.
	Good range for Poland. He's been doing well from about this distance. A free kick should be interesting. Might as well go for it all with this one.
	Sweden has his wall set up. Poland eyeing things, rears back, and it's off! Over the wall straight at goal! Oh, diving save! Can Poland get anything get past this guy?!

The back and forth continues until Sweden earns a corner kick.

	Interesting... Sweden hasn't had a lot of corners today. That's one area where Poland really has the advantage tonight.
	Kicks up, but Poland's right on top of it, heading it out of there. Passes forward, thinking counter-attack? No! It's stolen! Sweden passes up into the box! Open shot! GOAL! A quick interception gives Sweden a 2-0 lead!
	Oh wow, that came out of nowhere. Poland's been hanging in there all match, but the way Sweden's playing, two goals is a lot to ask for. Tough, tough break.

59' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 2, Poland 0

To make matters worse for Poland, Sweden starts to do a better job controlling the possession and killing the clock. Poland's offense is stalled simply because they can't get the ball! Worse still, Sweden does go on the attack once he's done stalling.

	Lot of bouncing back and forth now for Sweden. Only kinda thinking offense, but more concerned with not letting Poland have it.
	Still, he's in Poland territory. Quick pass! Wow, Sweden forces his way through! It's a breakaway! Shot deflected off the keeper and the defense clears.
	Jeez, he's good at that. One moment it's quiet and the next, ball's flying to the net.

Once there are only twenty minutes left, Poland starts to concentrate solely on offense when he has the ball. He gets looks, but Sweden's goalkeeper always comes through.

He's also left scrambling to get back on defense.

	Sweden moving down the pitch quickly! Takes a shot! Knocked away by the keeper but Sweden gets it back.
	Wow, nice job by Poland to get back on defense. Doesn't allow a follow-up shot.
	Sweden takes it to the side of the box. Thinking cross? No, he dribbles in! Stops! NOW it's a cross! Header! GOAL!!
	Man, Sweden with all sorts of mind games there. He faked twice there before that cross. Poland's just all sorts of confused and suddenly it's becoming a rout!

73' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 3, Poland 0

Cuba has no idea.

	Poland's attack goes nowhere and Sweden up the middle quickly! Passes up! Through the defense, wide open down the sidelines! There's the cross! Header's knocked away! Still in along the goal line. Sweden's there first! Shot and IN! Sweden follows up with another goal!
	Yikes. Poland not getting back on defense quickly enough and Sweden's finishing all these suckers.

74' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 4, Poland 0

Heh. Heh heh heh. Like... no big whoop, you know?

Yeah, Poland's pretty much falling apart now. His offense is thrown completely out of whack, as he's called offside several times. This added to the fact that Sweden is still playing incredible defense.

And yet, he still counter-attacks when opportune.

	Corner kick now. Sweden intent on riding this out with more offense.
	Hey, take what the opponent gives you. And Poland's giving a lot.
	It's a short corner to a man nearby. There's the cross! To the center of the box! Header! Oh, it's IN! Sweden is just not letting up!
	Wow, to think this was such an even game at halftime.

83' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 5, Poland 0

And just in case it wasn't clear...

	Sweden clears Poland's attack. Sure enough! He rushes forward! Has a breakaway! Shot's knocked away! Gets it back and puts it back in for goal number six! Four scores in the last twenty minutes as Sweden's just putting on a clinic now.
	Poland really should have dropped that whole offensive urgency thing after number three. It's giving Sweden too many chances and the best Poland can manage is a consolation goal. Credit him for not giving up but... well, seriously, give up already.

87' - GOAL (SWE) - Sweden 6, Poland 0

Poland's practically handing Sweden these opportunities, so Sweden continues to try for them. Poland stops the last couple and time mercifully expires on this game. Poland still doesn't know what hit him as he wanders off.

Day 5- Stuttgart		Match 14	Group G
	SWEDEN	6:0 FT	POLAND
19' 59' 73' 74' 83' 87'	Larsson Larsson Svensson Ibrahimovic Larsson Ibrahimovic	Referee CMR

Taiwan's backstage with Sweden. Wish her luck.

	Congratulations on the win, Sweden. Although wasn't that a bit of overkill at the end there?
	Hm?
	Were all those goals really necessary?
	Maybe.
	In light of that, what were you more impressed with? Your offense or your defense? A clean sheet against Poland isn't easy.
	Defense.
	I bet. Poland really fought hard offensively. Did you feel threatened much at goal or were you generally comfortable the whole way?
	Yes.
	That wasn't a yes/no question.
	Hm.
	Uh... well, anyway, good win today. Just please go easy on Liechtenstein, okay?
	Mmm hmm.

Australia and Cuba wrap things up.

	Oh God, that's right. Liechtenstein has to play him next. Now who's winning 10-0?
	No kidding. And the sad thing is that Poland didn't play all that badly until he panicked at the end. This was anyone's match for the first hour.
	Yep, and even if the group's probably out of reach, Poland still shouldn't have much trouble advancing to the knockout stage. Not with Iceland and Liechtenstein ahead of him.
	Right-o. But for now, he's at the bottom of the group table. Let's take a look:

 

Group A Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Russia 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3   Germany 1 1 0 0 3 2 1 3   Hungary 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0   Greece 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0	Group B Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Canada 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3   Holland 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1   Belgium 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1   Japan 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
Group C Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Norway 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3   England 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1   Austria 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1   Korea 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0	Group D Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Spain 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3   Turkey 1 1 0 0 4 2 2 3   Latvia 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0   Lithuania 1 0 0 1 2 4 -2 0
Group E Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Denmark 1 1 0 0 7 3 4 3   France 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3   Hong Kong 1 0 0 1 3 7 -4 0   Finland 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0	Group F Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Egypt 1 1 0 0 5 2 3 3   Italy 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 1   Switzerland 1 0 1 0 4 4 0 1   Estonia 1 0 0 1 2 5 -3 0
Group G Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   Sweden 1 1 0 0 6 0 6 3   Iceland 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3   Liechtenstein 1 0 0 1 1 2 -1 0   Poland 1 0 0 1 0 6 -6 0	Group H Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts   America 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   Ukraine 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   Belarus 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0   China 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

That's right: thanks to goal differential, Liechtenstein's not in last place!

	That just about wraps it up for us today. And tomorrow, we'll wrap up the openers as the last four countries in action takes the field. It'll be Belarus vs. China and an intriguing tilt between more World Cup teams as America and Ukraine hash it out.
	We'll also see the hosts back in action as they take on Greece in the nightcap. Germany can all but lock up a trip to the second round with a win.
	Until then, this is Australia and Cuba signing off! G'nite!

The England/Liechtenstein thing stems from two unrelated media. The first is from the webcomic, where England notes that Liechtenstein has the same national anthem as him (different words and language, of course). Thankfully for him, he wins, but gains a healthy respect for Liechtenstein's effort in the process.

The second is an English author's comedic recounting of Liechtenstein's qualifying campaign for the 2002 World Cup. Despite her losing every match without scoring a goal, it's practically a love letter.

To Be Continued!

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