Cugalabanza

Wow! Cheers, CBF.

Drake sucks

You can't do this: https://usatthebiglead.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/grab-2016-07-07-14h56m25s141.png?w=1000&h=600&crop=1

I agree with the call. Schweinsteiger stuck his hand up right where the opponent’s head was about to make contact with the ball. It was in the box and it was a potential chance for a good shot on goal if Schweinsteiger didn’t interrupt the play. I’m not 100% sure that he meant for his hand to contact the ball, but he had no business sticking his hand in there. The fact is that he did handle the ball and it affected the play and it was inside the box. Result: penalty. German’s own Michael Ballack, now a commentator, had the correct take. He wondered what the hell Schweinsteiger was thinking in that moment. He’s an experienced player. He should have known better than to stick his hand out. The ref had to make that call.

Yeah, Wales has done well. I remember it was a shame at the last WC that a player as great as Gareth Bale was not there. Same for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as Sweden also did not qualify. Well done, Portugal! I can't believe they're in the final after barely squeezing out of their group. But, they are peaking at the right time.

If they qualify. They are one of the nations on the fringe. Wales has not played at a WC since 1958.

Tomorrow (7/6), Portugal vs. Wales, 3 pm ET Which not-so-dominant team will emerge from the super-easy side of the bracket to face the winner of Germany vs. France in the final?

My favorite: "A bad arrangement is better than a process." The company I work for has made this into a core principle.

Props to Iceland. They didn't bunker or shy away from playing straight up with France and it made for a fun game to watch.

I think it did cost Italy. They consistently struggled to make those outlet passes from their own back line and through central midfield. This game was not quite the classic fans might have hoped for. I think Germany was the better team, by a narrow margin, and they deserve to advance.

I think it will be a very good game today.

Wales! That surprised me a bit.

Damn, Portugal keeps squeaking by in the narrowest ways possible.

Ouch. It's like getting a call from Charlie Brown.

Poland vs. Portugal tomorrow (6/30), for the right to get beaten by Belgium next week.

Outstanding!

Have a great birthday!

They played quite well, just couldn't get the finish. 3 or 4 very solid chances.

They did just enough. Well done.

Round of 16 Saturday, June 25 Switzerland vs. Poland -- Saint-Etienne (9am ET, ESPN) Wales vs. Northern Ireland -- Paris (12pm ET, ESPN) Croatia vs. Portugal -- Lens (3 pm ET, ESPN) Sunday, June 26 France vs. Ireland -- Lyon (9am ET, ESPN) Germany vs. Slovakia -- Lille (12pm ET, ESPN) Hungary vs. Belgium -- Toulouse (3pm ET, ESPN) Monday, June 27 Italy vs. Spain -- Saint-Denis (12pm ET, ESPN2) England vs. Iceland -- Nice (3pm ET, ESPN2) Quarterfinals Thursday, June 30 - Match 45 Switzerland/Poland vs. Croatia/Portugal -- Marseille (3pm ET, ESPN2) Friday, July 1 - Match 46 Wales/Northern Ireland vs. Hungary/Belgium -- Lille (3pm ET, ESPN2) Saturday, July 2 - Match 47 Germany/Slovakia vs. Italy/Spain -- Bordeaux (3pm ET, ESPN2) Sunday, July 3 - Match 48 France/Ireland vs. England/Iceland -- Saint-Denis (3pm ET, ESPN) Semifinals Wednesday, July 6 W45 vs. W46 -- Lyon (3pm ET, ESPN) Thursday, July 7 W47 vs. W48 -- Marseille (3pm ET, ESPN) Final Sunday, July 10 W49 vs. W50 -- Saint-Denis (3pm ET, ESPN)

Here's Ronaldo's flashy goal from today... http://digg.com/2016/cristiano-ronaldo-goal-hungary-portugal-euros

Don't forget: Undefeated Iceland is also in the bracket side of death.

crazy

Portugal advances, yes