Day 6- Dortmund		Match 17	Group A
	GERMANY	vs.	GREECE

Germany is mechanical as always in his warm up routine. Greece is awake at least, but kicking the ball around pretty casually. After some random dribbling, he fires a shot into the corner of his unguarded net. It goes in. He nods a bit and stretches out.

One thing we are missing is a referee. Germany stops his routine. He really has bigger things to worry about, but he is the host and this is something of a problem.

The good news is that he sees Thailand. The bad news is that he's sitting in the stands with a wurst and a beer mug. Germany marches up to him.

	Thailand! Aren't you supposed to be officiating?
	Nope! Got the day off! Thanks for that, by the way. Five matches in a row is pretty grueling.
	Who gave you the day off?!
	Um... you did. You're running the tournament.
	Yes, but since I'm playing as well, I do not designate officials. I put Cameroon in charge of that.
	Oh, well there's four games a day next week anyway, so I guess he figured we'd give the new kid a run now and give us a breather.
	Who?
	*pulls out a sheet of paper* Let's see... ooh, I've got Holland's match tomorrow... uh, Trinidad & Tobago.
	Who on Earth is he? Or she? Or they?
	I think it's a Caribbean nation, so you'd have to ask Cuba.
	Germany! We're ready to start the match!
	Sealand is standing behind Germany, but Germany ignores him.
	Ah, there he is. Off you go.
	Germany turns around and is forced to pay attention to Sealand.
	You aren't Trinidad & Tobago!
	I know, but I just fudged my flag a little bit and they let me right in! And when I told them I qualified for the World Cup in '06, Cameroon let me officiate!
	You didn't qualify for the World Cup in '06! You don't even have a football team! In fact, this stadium is bigger than your alleged nation!
	Aw, come on, Germany! I promise I'll work hard and do a good job. I read everything there is to know about football on Wikipedia!
	As tournament host, I cannot approve of this! Don't you agree, Greece?
	Hm? Whatever. Let's get this over with. It's late and I'm getting tired.
	*sighs* Very well. Since Thailand's in no position to step in, I suppose we have no choice.
	Aw, thanks! Just to be sure, this is goal football and not touchdown football, right?

Things do settle down, Germany glares a little at Sealand but starts the match proper.

Germany starts off as the early aggressor, but Greece does move the ball well when he gets it. He's mostly kicking it casually, unconcerned about actual progress, so Germany gets it back before any damage is done.

	Germany approaches the box, eight minutes in and it could be our first real test for Greece's defense. Kicked to the edge of the box. There's the shot! Keeper knocks it away but right back to Germany! Oh, the defender steps in to block the follow-up shot and get it clear!
	Consider that a passing grade. Not an A, but far from failure.
	Greece moving the ball up, and boy is he moving it up! Making quick progress down the pitch!
	He didn't seem all that urgent, but he's got a nice counterattack set up here!
	Gets a shot off! Oh, just off the crossbar! Germany gets it back.
	Scary moment there. Seemed pretty unassuming, but Greece strolled all the way down and almost got a goal there.

Amazingly, this becomes something of a pattern. Germany is a well-oiled machine that does everything with purpose. Greece tends to amble a little bit, and adds a certain unpredictability to his game that Germany can't prepare for. While he doesn't threaten Germany's defense much, Greece controls the ball for much of the next five minutes.

	Greece again has the ball in his attacking third, but doesn't seem to be looking inward.
	Actually now he's going backwards, away from the defenders.
	Oh, now he's turning back up, down the edge of the box. Looking for a cross? No, maybe not. Pulls it back a bit and there's a pass in! Shot! Keeper just gets a piece of it! Greece in with a header! GOAL! GOAL! Greece lulls Germany to sleep and takes his first lead of the tournament!
	Lulled him is right! He looks like he doesn't care whether or not he attacks in this possession, quietly gets into position, keeps Germany guessing and sets up a score!
	Lulls the crowd considerably as well. Let's see how well Germany responds.
	Yeah, remember that Hungary scored first back in the opener. Before she could blink he came back with two.

16' - GOAL (GRE) - Greece 1, Germany 0

Germany does respond by seizing control of the ball and persistently hunting around the box. However, Greece has returned to his typical strategy- duck under a shell of defenders and ride it out. Eventually Germany's attack peters out and Greece gets it back. Again, he seems to kick it around aimlessly, then randomly decides that he wants to play.

	Greece down the sides. Normally a spot for a cross, but I don't know-
	Nope. It's a cross. Strange one though, curling out of the box.
	Still a man there for Greece, heads it up. Striker waiting in the box! Keeper goes out to meet the threat! The shot! Past the keeper and FINDS THE NET! 2-0!!
	Wow, what happened to wake up Greece?! That all looked arbitrary, but it gave him a split-second window to get the perfect strike. Is it me or is Germany scratching his head?
	He's scratching his head all right. Greece isn't doing anything fancy, but so far he's keeping Germany guessing and has jumped out to a big lead!

21' - GOAL (GRE) - Greece 2, Germany 0

Germany's gameplan had revolved around assuming Greece would emphasize defense and force him into mistakes. So far, Greece has been so indecisive about whether to think offense or defense that Germany has always guessed wrong. Germany assumes Greece will play defense with a 2-0 advantage, but his defenders are still playing forward and looking to support the offense. They only retreat when Germany gets the ball back.

Which gives him an idea.

	Battle at midfield here. Looks like Germany has it. Hello! Deep ball way downfield! Past all of Greece's defenders... to a wide open German!
	Heh, too open. No way he's onside.
	No flag up! Germany's alone in the box! The shot! GOAL!
	That can't be right! How can Germany be onside when the ball's kicked but that open when it arrives? If it looked like he gave a damn, Greece would be having some serious words with our official.
	No, look at the replay! He was on! The Greek defense thought the pass was to a second attacker farther back. They didn't see the actual target sneak behind them and receive the pass until it was too late.
	Yep, I saw him onside when the ball was kicked! Most people would assume it was offside, but it was actually perfect timing and a little deception.

Sealand is not adding to the commentary. He's talking to Germany. Germany is irritated.

	Why are you telling me this? Of course he was onside. I knew he was onside. I designed it that way!
	I was hoping Greece would complain about it, so I could explain how I got that call right.

24' - GOAL (GER) - Greece 2, Germany 1

Now that Germany is a little more situated, he's more likely to mark Greece no matter what he's doing. Greece is still able to kick it to unexpected places, so the next ten minutes or so is marked by a lot of midfield back-and-forth. Germany does manage to break through again using a similar tactic, but Greece's goalkeeper dives on the ball before a shot is made.

Other than that, nobody's having an easy time with possession.

	Greece down the sides, under pressure from two German defenders. Boxed in now, looking for something to do with it.
	A cross is really the only thing to do, and Germany's just not letting him.
	He's going to try it anyway! It gets through! Greece's striker is wide open! Ball bounces in front of him and he taps it in! Another goal for Greece!
	Germany's double-teaming backfires as it leaves a man unmarked in the box! I don't know how Greece got that cross off, but once he did it was a foregone conclusion. This is something else.

35' - GOAL (GRE) - Greece 3, Germany 1

Greece continues to enjoy increased possession as Germany hedges between pressure and zone coverage. He also rushes back into his shell whenever Germany takes over. After an attack fails, Germany's frustration is let loose on Greece at midfield. Sealand rushes in with a a yellow card.

That was a dangerous challenge. I have to book you for that!

Sealand's raised hand combined with the card itself is about at Germany's eye level. Germany just stands there, forced to acknowledge what is a very fair call. He's not sure what's more humiliating- the score or being booked by a pint-size.

Nearing halftime, Germany finally gets a key steal.

	Stolen at midfield! Here comes Germany! Trying to catch a rare numbers advantage against Greece's defense. Up the middle! Finds a man! Shot in the box! Leaping save by Greece! Oh, that was huge!
	Yeah, something tells me Germany's going to be making a lot of adjustments in the locker room. Greece has a two goal lead and really needs to keep it that way going in.

The halftime whistle comes soon afterwards. The crowd has been hushed, Germany is beside himself, and Greece just shrugs and heads in for a quick catnap before the second half.

	First games feature Germany looking spot on and Greece looking totally hapless. Yet Greece leads 3-1 at the half. Cuba, mate, what is going on?!
	Germany plans meticulously for each of his opponents based on observations and expectations. Greece is known for his defense, and his lack of focus did him in against Russia. So Germany plans around that and draws up a strategy based on what he expects Greece to do.
	Only Greece isn't really playing with a strategy today. He's just kicking it around, doing what comes naturally and not really thinking too much. And it's working!
	It's working great! Germany can't predict something that random.
	And let's not forget that Greece is very talented. Despite his performance against Russia, he won Euro in 2004 and qualified for the World Cup in 2010. He's got natural ability, and he's really tapping into it tonight.
	Not that Germany won't come up with a plan now that he's seen Greece in top form. Vietnam's down there with him, so let's see what he's come up with.
	Germany, other than that one goal, it was a hard half to stomach for you and your fans. How do you get control of this game?
	We have to start showing some aggression on both offense and defense. Too often, I sat back and set a trap for him, only to have him stumble around and avoid it. It's now time to dictate the terms of the game.
	What is it that Greece has been doing to move the ball so easily?
	Unpredictability. I plan my defense based on what an intelligent, goal-seeking footballer would do. He is acting contrary to textbook football.
	And beating you in the process.
	We will see if that continues.
	Good luck in the second half.

Germany lives up to his words as the second half begins. He's far more assertive with the ball, not only in his advancement, but also controlling possession and disrupting Greece when he has the ball. Still, Greece doesn't seem to notice, kicking it around, oblivious to Germany's increased marking. He also gets into his shell and plays outstanding defense whenever Germany threatens. While the next ten minutes take place primarily in Greece's half, Germany never really gets close to scoring.

	Germany up with the ball, but too many defenders there! Greece knocks it back to the goalkeeper. Quickly releases, off a defender's leg! Oh no! Ball gets past the keeper into the net for an own goal!
	No! Disaster for Greece! Just when we were starting to compliment a much-improved Greek defense, another terrible, terrible miscue gets Germany right back into this game!
	This one was simply unforgiveable too. Makes all the errors against Russia look like child's play. The crowd is cheering, Greece looks forlorn and I smell trouble a-brewing.

54' - GOAL (GER) - Greece 3, Germany 2

Not sure if Greece is forlorn or just sleepy-eyed as always. Either way, you know Germany's pouncing on the opportunity. Generally, Greece still does a good job of evasion, but Germany's efforts are starting to pay off.

	Greece ambling around Germany's box, looking for opportunities, but Germany is trying to get into his face, preventing him from seeing anything.
	Think I saw a couple, but Greece must have missed them.
	There's a cross into the box, but Germany's there to collect it. Kicked up field. Through ball to the half line to a speedy forward! He charges up! Past the Greece defense! Dribbling half the length of the pitch! Nobody's catching him! Into the box for a shot! Keeper's ready and knocks it away!
	Caught Greece napping again. It's not a goal, but he's getting the crowd back into the game. Greece is playing great, but Germany is really raising the bar now.

Indeed. Even though he appears to be idling around, just trying to stay away from Germany, fact is that Greece is moving forward and looking for another goal. He produces several shot opportunities, but Germany's re-invigorated defense and keeper are not letting anything past.

Likewise, Greece's penchant for defense is coming through as Germany hunts for an equalizer. His attacks are stopped cold. Even when he gets a shot off, it's not an ideal one and Greece's keeper refuse to give him a second chance at it. This back and forth continues for ten minutes.

	Germany into Greek territory. Greece, as always, defending with almost everybody. Kicked up, but it's not a great touch and Greece takes over.
	Whoa, suddenly he's moving.
	Yes, Greece charging forward with an aggressive counterattack! Where did this come from?! Germany can't get back in time and Greece has a numbers advantage! Into the box, takes a shot! Knocked away but right to another Greek! He finishes the job! Greece gets his goal back!
	Wow, talk about unpredictable! Greece hasn't really been using a counterattack at all this half and just breaks it out randomly and seemingly for the hell of it. It catches Germany off guard and regains Greece his two goal lead!

67' - GOAL (GRE) - Greece 4, Germany 2

Greece's unpredictability only extends so far. Four goals and a lead on Germany suddenly appears to be more than adequate for a day's work. Greece suddenly drops all pretenses of offense and plays exclusively for possession, moving forward only to get the ball away from his goal and taking random harmless shots because he might as well. Funny thing is, with twenty minutes left, this would be considered 'textbook football' as Germany describes it, but the abrupt change in focus catches Germany off guard and it takes about five minutes for him to really threaten again.

He does, however, stealing the ball from Greece and getting a narrowly-missed shot off before Greece can establish his defense. And he's just started.

	Greece really bunched up in the box, while Germany looks for an opening.
	All those players for Greece are making it really hard for Germany to get a useful shot off.
	Germany rears back and fires it anyway! Speculative shot from 20 yards out goes off Greece and pops into the air! Greece is under it! Off his head and NO! Oh, it's off the post! Greece collects it and gets it the hell out of there but that was inches away from a second own goal!
	Way Greece is defending his box, the only thing that can stop him is himself. At this rate, that could be a pretty good fight.

Greece plays keep ball when he can, but Germany is just relentless, refusing to let Greece hang onto the ball for more than a few touches. This is where Greece's defense earns its reputation.

	Germany kicking it around constantly!
	Jeez, I can barely follow the ball!
	Passed! Passed again! One more into the box to an open man! Hard shot!! Caught by the keeper! Smoking ball but somehow Greece hands onto it!

Oh, Germany's not done.

Germany sends it to the side! Open for a cross! It's away! Gets off the header! No, a diving save!

Not by a longshot.

Another open cross! It's away! Masses lining up underneath it, but Germany with the header! Off the post! Greece clears it away!

With five minutes remaining, time is running out, but Germany can't just loosely take shots. Greece's goal is far too secure for that and that's not Germany's nature anyway. Nearing the final minute, Greece gets the ball and moves forward a little bit before Germany steals it back.

	At the half line, Germany lobs one deep, almost to the box. Passed up, good angle and someone's there to get it!
	Hey, he's got an opening! Greece's keeper goes out to play it.
	Bad angle for him! Germany dives forward and heads it past him! Into the net! It's a late goal!
	Man, Greece's defenders must have figured it was over and just let him sneak that one by. And what was that keeper thinking? Just a bad route to the ball, left too much of the goal exposed. Germany will punish you every time.
	A miscue indeed, but those defenders might be right. Just one minute left and Greece still clings to a one goal lead.

89' - GOAL (GER) - Greece 4, Germany 3

Indeed, Greece does his best to hold onto the ball and Germany's few opportunities do not get past the defense.

Can't be much left in stoppage time now. Greece gets it, crosses midfield and there's the whistle! He has done it! Greece has awoken, stunning Germany and this partisan Dortmund crowd! The final score- Greece 4, Germany 3!

The crowd is silenced. Many would certainly be in tears if Germans were capable of crying. As they shuffle out of the stadium, Germany stares at the carnage and tries to put on a bold face. It was difficult, given the impact of this. Advancing to the next round was supposed to be a virtual certainty for the host. After the first set of matches, it seemed like it. Now Germany knew his life in the tournament hinged on one thing... the one thing he had never been able to achieve in his lifetime...

Germany was going to have to conquer Russia.

Day 6- Dortmund		Match 17	Group H
	GERMANY	3:4 FT	GREECE
24' 54' 89'	Podolski Dellas (OG) Asamoah	Referee SLD	Gekas Katsouranis Charisteas Gekas	16' 21' 35' 67'

Vietnam catches up with Greece, who may or may not know the consequences of his actions.

	Greece, I spoke with you after your loss to Russia and you seemed completely stunned by what had happened. You look the same way now, but I imagine it's for a completely different reason. Describe what's going through your head right now.
	Um... kinda sleepy. Maybe a little hungry too.
	What changed between that game and this one?
	Well, I said that I had to play better and beat him. So I did. I played better... and I beat him.
	Given the defensive problems against Russia and the fact that it was the first day of the tournament, it seemed like a very high-profile embarrassment. Did that motivate you to work harder for this match?
	Um... sure.
	*leery* Did you work harder for this match?
	Not really.
	Do you have any idea what you just pulled off?
	I guess I don't pay much attention to stuff like getting back up after a loss or avoiding elimination or playing the hosts. I just play football. Guess I did okay today.
	Okay only begins to describe it. Whether you realize it or not, just an incredible win today, Greece. Congratulations.

She leaves Australia and Cuba to make some sense of the madness.

	Perhaps that is Greece's biggest strength and his biggest weakness- he is oblivious to the world around him.
	He completely lost focus against Russia in his first game. This time, that lack of focus helped him tune out his critics, all of Germany's fans, and at times, Germany's tactics. He played the game his way, and got three huge points out of that.
	And that is what it all boils down to as we take a look at the updated standings:

They close it out dissecting Group A heavily, but Belarus topping Group H is still frightening.

	This result really, really opens up an Olympus-sized door in Group A. We knew Greece was talented, forgot about it, but now he reminds us and makes for a three-way tie on top. Back at the draw we pegged this as the Group of Death and now we see why.
	Except nobody's dying! We thought Greece was out of it, but he threw himself back in the picture. This even opens the door for Hungary if she can somehow get points against Russia tomorrow. Fact is, no matter what happens tomorrow, Russia cannot clinch and Hungary cannot be eliminated.
	But a Russia win would almost certainly hand him first in the group and Hungary's chances of advancing would be slim to none. All eyes will be on that one tomorrow afternoon in Hamburg.
	Yes, they will. Meanwhile, Group B's already upside-down thanks to Canada's upset win over Japan. That scrappy Canuck will face Holland while Japan looks to recover against Belgium.
	That wraps things up on a momentous day six, one which we will not soon forget. For Cuba, this is Australia... g'nite, mates!

As you could imagine, watching the real World Cup has made for some very interesting parallels while writing this. In particular, I hadn't really paid much attention to individual players before, but it's fun to see participants in this World Cup have a presence in the real thing. Germany's Podolski and Greece's Gekas and Katsouranis, all goal-scorers in tonight's match, have figured prominently into their team's fates in South Africa.

Also, probably like most of you, I was stunned when Greece upset Germany in the game, and wasn't sure how to write that, particularly after their first games both here and in the real event (Germany destroyed Australia and Greece stood idly in a loss to Korea). Then wonderful things happened- the hosts lost badly (the country hosting the World Cup had reached the knockout stage every single tournament and almost never loses a match), Greece's eyes snapped open and won game two, while Germany caught some bad breaks and lost its match. Also Switzerland beat Spain. No bearing on these matches but what the hell was up with that?

And for the sake of continuity, this tournament takes place before the FIFA World Cup actually began, but after qualifying. While I'll still make vuvuzela jokes (and there's no way I'll be able to resist making fun of the goal England gave America), just assume there's some other logic or prophesy at work. After all, they had vuvuzelas at last year's Confederations Cup. It's just that nobody paid attention to it. How else could America come that close to winning it?

Finally, there's a similar color scheme and motif between the flags of Sealand and Trinidad & Tobago. Since the Soca Warriors really did qualify for the 2006 World Cup, even earning a draw with Sweden, they were the perfect mark for Sealand's scheme.

To Be Continued!

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