Rattling Around

Oh, and I love those Adidas ads for World Cup. They are simply charming. And their website has more fun stuff to do (and you can watch the ads as well).

First, how were my predictions? Which advancements did I miss?
Group A- I picked Poland, but Ecuador looked great and advanced. No longer around...
Group B- I was correct
Group C- I was correct
Group D- I was correct
Group E- I picked the Czechs, but was delighted with Ghana's performance! No longer around...
Group F- I thought Croatia would go through, but Australia squeaked by. No longer around...
Group G- Did Korea stage an upset? Nope, the favored Swiss went ahead. No longer around...
Group H- I was correct

So I missed four picks, but none of those teams survived the knockout round.

Time for my quarterfinal predictions, now that everybody left is a potential WC winner. Each of the remaining matches promise to be great! (and I only have to skip two more days of work to watch them all...)

Germany-Argentina: Although Germany has looked good so far, and has that wonderful host country support, this year Argentina is just too strong.

England-Portugal: No doubt that Portugal is a hard fighter, but Rooney looked very healthy, Beckham can still do set-pieces, and I have to go with England.

Italy-Ukraine: Ukraine has done admirably to get this far, but the Azzurri are simply wonderful, and will survive the challenge.

Brazil-France: Now this is a tough one. Brazil has so many wonderful players, and Cisse is missing; though Zidane is not quite ready to retire and both Ribery and Henry looked good. If everything clicks for them, Brazil would be unstoppable, but France will be so fired up after their excellent victory over a really formidable Spanish team. I suppose I have to pick Brazil here, but would also be happy if France won one more.

Florida has decided to add a requirement for a major and minor for all high school students. But students can choose either an academic route (English, Math) or a trade route (Carpentry, Auto Repair). I will be fascinated to watch the outcome. What majors will the students choose? How will the different groups perform? What will be their success upon graduation? Will future employers or unions provide any assistance, guidance, or support to the students? Will there be work-study opportunities, or any apprenticeships? I hope this proves successful. Good luck, Florida!

Even without their captain, Germany was able to handle Costa Rica, though it was a tie or one-point game for some time. But Germany just had so many more shots, and so many more shots on goal... Wanchope certainly gave a brave fight. Now, does Poland perform well?