A Little Nervous

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae - who if I may say, would look great walking around the streets of Boston in this little number today.

The round of 16 continues today in Germany - the hosts and the Argentines booked their spot in the quarter-finals by winning yesterday; two more games today.

England 2 - 1 Equador - I can't see England losing today. While Michael Owen's knee injury has left England thin up front - they still have Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard to control the game. England will look to play a slower, controlled game against a quicker Ecuadorean team - their set pieces will be particularly important today as they will look for 6'9" striker Peter Crouch to impose himself on the game. England wins out today to set up a quarter final game against...

Portugal 2 - 0 Holland - Of course I like Portugal to win today - in a game against two teams that are very similar, both in terms of talent and tactics; there isn't much to choose from in this game.

• Goaltending - Edwin van der Sar is one of the better goalkeepers in the world; but Ricardo has played well and finally started to mature as a goalkeeper at the international level. His challenges on corners are still a little scary...but he's getting better. Slight advantage Holland.
  
  
• Defence - not much to choose from here, the difference in this game may be that Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira (if he plays) are familiar with Arjen Robben and his style of play/tendencies. Even
  
  
• Midfield - Portugal's strength is in the midfield; with Figo and Ronaldo attacking from the wing - and Deco pushing up the middle. The Dutch rely on Robben to create opportunity for their attack - he will be neutralized today. . Advantage Portugal.
  
  
• Striker - Van Nistelrooy is an opportunist and one of the best in the world - though there are questions about whether or not he plays today. Portugal goes with Pauleta, who isn't the quickest striker in the world, but gets the job done. Slight advantage Holland.
  

The difference in today's game, much like the last time these two met in 2004, will be the play of Portugal's midfield. This Dutch team is a little younger and less experienced than the group that lost the last time around. In a game between two evenly matched team - the difference may be in coaching.

Luiz Felipe Scolari coached Brazil to a World Cup win four years ago - and guided Portugal to the finals of Euro 2004. The team is confident, and most importantly, united; they have bought into Scorlari's system. Captain Luis Figo said Scolari is the best coached he has ever had.

All this said...I'm would still welcome a little bit of Hazel Karma to put us over the hump...
Have a great one peeps...I'll be living and dying with Portugal this aft - likely stuck with a bunch of drunk England fans at a local watering hold this afternoon.

HAZEL'S SUNDAY HOROSCOPE
Plan an outing that will stimulate you physically and calm you down mentally. You need a break and time to relax with the ones you love. Romance will develop if you are receptive. 4 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world...we could really use some of your good karma this afternoon against the Dutch.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - The national anthem would be the obvious choice...but we've done that one.

Cheira Lisboa - Amalia Rodrigues

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!