Live Blog of the European Grudge Match First Half

Coming to you live from the Fortress of Solitude. Watching Italy v. Germany in HD thanks to the Filipino Houseboy (Yes, to all you people too caught up in being PC I call EA the Filipino Houseboy).

Just starting with the preshow. Eric Wynalda, Julie Foudy and Brett Musberger. During commercial breaks you know Wynalda is pestering Julie with questions; "what's it like to be a world champion," or hell to win an international game. The Berger is asking Julie for Mia's number so he can get Dodgers tickets. Interesting dynamic, do you know of any other sport where they bring a woman to do the color commetary/ expert opinion for the men's sport. I mean can you picture Barkley sitting down with Lisa Leslie to talk hoops before the NBA championships. No.

Oh, while the commercials are on, I love the addidas commercials with the two kids getting to choose their dream squads. (The chubby kid stopping on the ball and later celebrating the goal is just good entertainment). The Houseboy just switched to the end of Tora, Tora, Tora. So now we have seen the sinking of the pacific fleet and are getting ready to switch to Italy verse Germany. It is a reagluar axis powers kind of day. The House Boy seems very excited about Damnation Alley being on Encore. Something about a gigantic vehicle. More as this story progresses.

Switched back to the game, well to the uncomfortable panning shots while one of the national anthems is being played. In this case the Italian anthem. We are now hearing the German anthemn. After looking at both teams during the panning shot I have decided to cheer for the Germans. Well, actually I had decided along time ago because I HATE the Italian side. But now looking at both teams closely the Germans pass the drink test. Based on the look of the German players I would sit in a bar and get a drink with, while I would just want to punch one of the Italian playes in the mouth.

Germany is in White the Italians in blue. Both playing for a shot to win their nations fourth world cup.

Dave O'Brien and Marcelo Balboa are announcing which is awful. No one, but Adrian Healey and Tommy Smythe should be allowed to call big games on english speaking channels. Balboa will probably mention the officiating in the US v. Italy game at least 127 times and about his experience sucking it up on the US National team 223 times.

Six minutes gone and no excitement so far. I have always liked the soccer convention of kicking the ball out of bounds when an opposing player is down and then the other team giving the opposition a goal kick once the injured player is back up.

Surprising, a screenshot of Michael Ballack, but Balbo didn't call him the Little Kaiser.

Sloppy play by Lahm, really just too easy. I am trying to restrain myself from making the obligatory joke (or twelve) about the Italian team look. So let's just say I did and it was particularly witty.

O'Brien just let us know that one of the Italian players admitted not knowing the Italian national athemn when seen on tv not singing. Balboa's excuse for the player is that he is not really italian because he was born somewhere else. Oh that's a lot a better thanks for that Marcelo.

15:30- Great save by Lehman.

The Houseboy commented about the Italian jersey numbers being done in gold, yet another reason to hate them. Shocker and Italian just fell down, cried and got a penalty. This should come as no suprise, but I also hate diving. I don't think you should be carded, but instead the opposing player should be allowed to kick the diver in the shins as hard as he wants.

20:52-Podolski attempted a volley. Swing batter, Swing!

O'Brien just made the stupidest comment ever. "Apparently, the German born, Pope Benedict is having a hard time of it in the most exclusive address in Italy." Let's not even get into more sublime levels of stupidity in this statement, but go directly to the obvious. The Pope doesn't have an Italian address, because the Pope lives in the Vatican City a separate and independent state. I am not expecting O'Brien to be an expert in international affairs or geography, but he could of at least read the Da Vinci code, right?

27:18 an Italian player just got leveled, but still no cards.

Germans playing pretty well, but need to be a little quicker ont he counter.

We're getting some commentary about the matching fixing at Juventus with no real substance. When I really want to hear why Klensman, and the rest of the German coaches always seemed to be dressed like they are tourist heading up to the parthenon or a waiter at Rocco's.

35:16-Schneider couldn't get to it.

Just noticed one of the Italian players has a topknot. Sweet.

37:05-Ballack just swept the leg .

The Houseboy just made an excellent point, "How hard is it to put the ball on the spot the ref points to for a penalty kick."

Lahm, I am looking for a one armed man. Surgery on the elbow tendons will do that, yet he takes throw ins.

39:24- We have our first booking. Borowski made a tackle straight from behind. Obviously a foul, but the Italian player fell wiht a delayed reaction.

Almost halftime and I just opened my first beer. (I'm trying to cut back). Bell's Oberon. (Best summer beer).

Only one minute stoppage time, not the normal three minutes.

Looks like we're going to the locker room nil-nil.

More to come for the Second Half.