Recapping Day 3:
The Fuller’s London Porter was fantastic, with complex flavors including notes of coffee, chocolate, and the tears of a working-class Londoner, as the long-suffering Brits got the heartbreak earlier than usual this year. The Italy-England game was a big surprise in how both teams went on the attack to make for an exciting game, which has become the norm at this World Cup.
19-year-old Raheem Sterling looks like the next Great Hope for England, as he turned in an incredible game, including the first beautiful pass that led to Rooney’s beautiful pass and Daniel Sturridge’s finish on England’s lone goal. There were good signs from both teams here, really, and England will still have a chance to move on.
The old standbys of Italy and England were overshadowed on this day, though, by Colombia and Costa Rica announcing their presence in this tournament. Colombia goes up against the stingy defense of Greece without their world-class striker, and put the ball in the net three times. That team looks explosive, though we’ll see if the defense can hold against the better teams. Tip of a hat to the Colombian fans, who made this like a home game for their team, which should be a boost throughout the tournament if they can keep that up.
Costa Rica turns in the surprise of the tournament so far, topping a Uruguay team that just did not look good, with three really nice goals. The word seems to be that Luis Suarez will be back for the England game on Thursday, but the fact that he didn’t even come into this game when they fell behind in the second half strongly suggests that he’s struggling with the knee surgery recovery. Even if he does play, how effective will he be? And can Uruguay earn any points from England and Italy without him?
Today’s Games:
Noon: Switzerland vs. Ecuador
3PM: France vs. Honduras
6PM: Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina
Today’s Drink:
Bourganel Aux Myrtilles. Brewed in southern France, this lager is infused with pure bilberry juice from the Ardeche region. What’s a bilberry, you ask? Well, it’s like a blueberry. French striker Karim Benzema is a Lyon native, not far from where this beer was brewed. With Franck Ribery out injured and with Benzema coming off a starring role for the European champs, Real Madrid, the pressure is on for him to put the ball into the back of the net for this French squad.
Highlighted Game
Switzerland-Ecuador should be really interesting, but I have to go with the Argentines making their debut at this tournament, along with Bosnia & Herzegovina as the only team in the whole field that is making their true debut, as this will be their first ever World Cup game.
B&H (lets just call them that) are apparently an attacking side. Not a total surprise since they do feature a starting striker for the Prem League champs, Edin Dzeko of Man City. That means this should be yet another up-and-down, attacking game.
It also means that Argentina need to put their stamp on this tournament right away and pump in a couple goals. Messi has just one World Cup goal to his name. He doesn’t have to score, there’s two other world-class goal scorers playing right alongside him, but he has to be a threat and be creating, if not scoring.
For B&H, there’s less pressure in this one. Their first World Cup game ever, and if they were to even grab a point here it would be great, as they then head into games with Nigeria and Iran.
