LiveBlog: Germany-Costa Rica

June 9th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Germany wins 4-2 to kick off the start of the 2006 World Cup. Read the entire play-by-play below and feel free to leave your comments about the match.

Fulltime Germany 4-2. German goals by Lahm, Klose (2) and Frings. Costa Rica gets a pair of goals from Wanchope. Germany controlled most of the match but showed it has some vulnerabilities. What a start to the 2006 World Cup!

90:00 Three minutes of added time. Can Germany score another bomb? Podolski has a chance in the box but doesn’t hit it.

89:24 These Teamgeist balls are going to give keepers trouble all tournament. Those things sure do move in the air when they are hammered. Schneider comes off and Odonkor on for Germany. 4-2 Germany.

88:11 Don’t know the records but I can’t recall six goals ever being scored in an opener. The first goal by Lahm and this last one by Frings were both outstanding.

86:32 GOALLLLLL!!!! Torstern Frings with an absoulte bomb from 40 yards outside. Drills it into the corner. Wow, what a goal 4-2 Germany.

85:02 Germany leads 3-2 with five minutes to go. If you are just joining us at this point what the hell have you been doing the past 85 minutes? Interesting and exciting first game of the 2006 World Cup.

83:33 German teams in the past would close a game out like this no problem. Of course German teams in the past wouldn’t have put themselves in this position to begin with. Not super impressed with the host country’s chances in this tournament.

81:47 Germany maintains the attack. Costa Rica has really only had two chances and they have finished both. Close offside calls on each but the goals stand. Still 3-2 Germany.

80:21 Anyone else out there rooting for Wanchope to finish off the game with a hat-trick?

78:39 Klose comes out to a round of applause. Nueville in. Klose celebrates his birthday with two World Cup goals. Happy birthday to you, sir.

77:19 Solis in for Bolanos for Costa Rica. Do the Ticos have it in them to score one more in the final 13? This could be quite a finish.

76:25 The Ticos fans on their feet emploring their team to come up with one more. I’m not going out on the streets of Berlin if Germany folds the last 15 minutes.

74:05 Five goals in the first game. What a World Cup this could turn out to be! Klose and Wanchope vying for the Golden Boot.

72:16 GOALLLLLL!!! Paulo Wanchope busts lose for another one. Close to being offside but no call. He hammers his second goal of the game and suddenly it is interesting again. 3-2 Germany

71:11 World Cup Willy Kehl enters the game to replace Borowski in the midfield. Hope his shorts don’t malfunction.

69:02 Michael Ballack sits comfortably on the bench. Germany has hardly missed him. Can you imagine if Germany were actually playing a good team and Ballack/Klinsmann weren’t on the same page?

67:45 Weak corner kick from Costa Rica. I think we have seen all the fight we are going to see out of the Ticos. Play with some pride boys. There is only one World Cup opener.

65:43 The Pigman is down on the pitch with an injury. Drummod on for Cosa Rica. The dreadlocks make their first World Cup appearance.

64:14 3-1 Germany. Raise your hand if you think Costa Rica will come back to win. I’m not seeing many hands. The only suspense remaining is whether Klose will get a hat-trick.

62:14 Lahm and the Pigman have dominated Costa Rica on the left wing. Credit to Lahm for playing so well with a broken wing. Klose is the ultimate poacher.

60:44 GOAAAAAAL!!!! Klose finished off the cross from Lahm to put Germany up 3-1. Klose was stopped on his initial header but got the rebound and burried it home. Second goal of the game for Klose. Golden Boot anyone?

57:55 Just after I call him useless Fonseca comes up with a nice defensive play closing down Lahm near the box. Score is still 2-1 Germany.

54:54 Costa Rica with a set piece and the referee blows the whistle. Is there a more useless player in this game than Costa Rica’s Fonseca? Guy has done nothing positive out there for the Ticos.

51:57 Germany has 14 shots, Costa Rica 2. Still 2-1 to the host country with all three goals scored in the first 18 minutes of play.

51:07 Germany with the corner and it is cleared away. Do you suppose there is a typo on the Costa Rica keeper’s jersey? It says “Porras” but I think they mean “Porous”

48:45 Slow start to the second half as each side tries to feel each other out. You can bet both coaches talked about defensive mistakes at halftime.

46:30 Costa Rica looking to create something on the offensive end. They’ll need to control possession more this half. Can’t afford to start the World Cup with a loss. Only one team in the last two tournaments has lost an opening round game and advanced.

45:02 We’re underway in the second half. No changes for either side. Podolski skys a shot right away.

Halftime cont… Almost every commercial on German television involves Oliver Khan. I’m starting the second half with a very tasty German lager. Let’s hope for another great half.

Halftime Germany 2-1. Goals from Lahm and Klose for Germany. Wanchope for Costa Rica. I’m going to get more beer. Your thoughts on the first half?

44:45 Some random thoughts on the first half. Great start to the World Cup. Costa Rica’s right backs stink. Germany is very suceptible to counterattacks. The Pigman has had a huge first half. Wanchope is ageless.

42:00 Germany corner kick. Costa Rica concedes another corner. The Pigman takes it and it is plonked over the crossbar by Metzhelder.

39:01 Schweinsteiger (Pigman) looks like a freakin’ iguana. Too bad he is having a hell of a game because I really want to dislike hime. Podolski with a rocket over the cross bar off a set piece. What is up with the pigman’s hair?

36:15 Shot of the Costa Rica fans dancing in the stands. If only their backline could move so well. Germany is strong on their left attack.

35:26 Maybe the setting is really bad on this tv but that referee’s shirt blinds my eyes everytime he makes a call. CR with a set piece that goes over the endline.

33:00 After three goals in the first 18 minutes we’ve slowed down a bit. I was hoping this one would end 15-14. Score is still 2-1 Germany.

32:15 I need a nickname for SCHWEINSTEIGER. His name is waaaaaay too long to constantly type, especially since he is controlling this game on the left side.

29:57 Fonseca picks up the first yellow card of the 2006 World Cup. Does FIFA give him a special award for that? Still 2-1 Germany.

28:54 It hurts to watch Paulo Wanchope run he is so old, but he is causing some problems for the German defense. Remember when Germany has an impentrable backline? Those days are long gone. This German team is more vulnerable but also more fun to watch.

27:24 Podolski and Schweinsteiger working well together. That bastard Sepp Blatter shown chewing gum in the stands. Hot woman in front of him. Corner for Germany cleared away by CR. 2-1 Germany.

26:26 So what do you think. Will that first goal by Lahm be one of the top 10 of this tournament? It was a beauty.

24:57 When I was 7 years old my mom made me wear a striped shirt like the one worn by Costa Rica’s coach. Join the 90s buddy!

23:13 2-1 Germany. Wouldn’t want to be a keeper for either of these teams. Their backlines are playing like arse. Meanwhile they keep showing Oliver Kahn smiling on the sideline. Mine eyes have seen the horror…

21:27 Podolski rips a shot from outside the box but handled without a problem by the CR keeper. How old is #12 Gonzalez? He looks like my 5-year-old nephew.

19:03 I’m working up a sweat here. Three goals in the first 18 minutes. Lehmann possibly hurt. Oliver Khan smiling on the sidelines. My god it is coming fast and furious.

16:47 GOALLLLL! Miroslav Klose taps in a cross from Bastian Schweinsteiger and Germany leads 2-1. Where was the Costa Rica on that play? Great touch from Schweinsteiger.

15:00 Not many World Cup competitions start with this much firepower this early. Will this be the start of a high scoring competition? We shall see.

14:01 The German defense sure broke down on that Costa Rica goal. They might have been trying an offside trap but Wanchope was wide open. The veteran Tico playing in his final international competition breathes life into his side.

11:34 GOALLLLLLL. Paulo Wanchope breaks free for a clean goal. Was he offside? Close but looks like he was a step on. 1-1. What a start to the World Cup!

10:15 The only thing worse than the play of Costa Rica is there kits. Come on, Joma, you can do better than that! Still 1-0 Germany.

9:15 Schwinsteiger and Lahm are dominating on the left wing. Costa Rica has no answer. Klose almost breaks through. The Ticos defense had more holes than Swiss cheese.

7:00 The Costa Rica keeper was helpless on that goal. The new Teamgeist ball seemed to defy physics. This could be a long night for the Ticos.

5:10 GOAAAAAAAAAAL. Philipp Lahm with a brilliant cracker from just inside the corner of the box. Burries it in the corner. Lots of movement on the ball in air. Stunning start to the World Cup . 1-0 Germany

2:56 Frings with a cracker from outside the box just goes over the crossbar. An early German goal could spell doom for the Ticos.

2:05 Germany controlling the ball in its offensive end. Poor Lahm is playing with a cast on his arm. I did that when I was a little kid.

:37 The Argentine ref makes his first call. Wow is his shirt bright! He won’t be hit by any cars if he bikes home after the game.

Kickoff The 2006 World Cup is underway on a gloriously sunny day in Munich, Germany. The long wait is finally over and billions around the world can now rejoice. A month of football is now ahead of us. What a great time to be alive.

Pregame: If you are looking for an online stream of the game, check here.

3 minutes to go: All rise for the national anthem of Germany. A classic tune if there ever was one. The crowd is singing it in full voice. Even the players seem to know the words. Good job lads!

4 minutes to go: The Costa Rica national anthem is played. It is a nice upbeat tune, perhaps a little too heavy on the snare but otherwise quite pleasant, just like the country it represents.

5 minutes to go: The flags of both countries are brought out onto the pitch and the Argentina referee leads the players out of the tunnel, each holding onto a child’s hand. What a wonderful scene it is in Munich just minutes before the 2006 World Cup. Flags are everywhere and the crowd is electric.

10 minutes to go: The players are lined up in the tunnel. The Munich crowd is waving the flags of Germany. Captain Michael Ballack comes out of the tunnel. The crowd is simply amazing with a display of colored flags. Simply awesome.

15 minutes to go: Jurgen Klinsmann looking very good in a button down blue shirt without a tie. He looks fit enough to play today. If Podolski and Klose don’t come through maybe Klini should lace them up.

20 minutes to go: Oliver Kahn sighting. My eyes recoil in horror. Time to crack open a beer. In honor of my friends in the US I we will be partaking in a little Budweiser – the Czech version. Stuff tastes much better than the paint thinner in your country.

25 minutes to go: I see a lot of you are picking Germany to win this game. Did you know that Costa Rica has never lost an opening match in the World Cup? They won both their opening matches in their two previous World Cups.

3o minute to go: It is a beautiful day in Munich. The sun is out and the temperature is 70F/21C. Ideal football weather.

36 minutes to go: German television shows a handful of Costa Rica fans in the crowd. They will be greatly outnumbered tonight but what a thrill it must be for the Ticos fans to see their team in person at the World Cup.

43 minutes to go: Germany’s starting lineup announced. Michael Ballack will not be starting. Tim Borowski takes his spot.

1 GK LEHMANN Jens – (Arsenal, ENG), 3 DF FRIEDRICH Arne – (Hertha Berlin, GER), 16 DF LAHM Philipp – (Bayern Munich, GER), 17 DF MERTESACKER Per – (Hanover 96, GER), 21 DF METZELDER Christoph – (Borussia Dortmund, GER), 7 MF SCHWEINSTEIGER Bastian – (Bayern Munich, GER), 18 MF BOROWSKI Tim – (Werder Bremen, GER), 8 MF FRINGS Torsten – (Werder Bremen, GER), 9 FW HANKE Mike – (Wolfsburg, GER), 11 FW KLOSE Miroslav – (Werder Bremen, GER), 20 FW PODOLSKI Lukas – (FC Cologne, GER)

48 minutes to go – A parade of flags has marched through the satdium and there has been plenty of lederhosen spotted. Guys playing giant cowbells. Random music from around the world. The stadium is alrady filled with fans. It is a time to make friends.

1:15 minutes to go – They are parading champions from all the former teams. It is awesome to see the players from teams like ‘66 England, ‘78 Argentina, etc. Pele and Claudi Schiffer led the parade carrying the trophy all the teams are playing for.

Our men in Munich report long lines at security to get into the stadium. Tickets and identifications are being checked. There is a festive feeling as the host country gets set to kick off the competition.

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

carl

on which webpage will i be able to see the live blogging matches?
Very interesting for me while spending most of the worldcupdays at work.
greetz
Carl
http://www.iguanamar.com Edgardo

where i can watch live the matches?, no option?
http://www.ua-football.com Maximka

I didnt understand how it works…
http://www.ua-football.com Maximka

forecast is 4-0 for Germany
http://www.iguanamar.com Edgardo

forecast
3-0 for germ
DrRyu

Forecast

Germany 2 – 1 Costa Rica
http://google costa rica

go costa rica

from warda
Pery

Germany 2 – 0 Costa Rica
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com Milo Riano

Go Germany. German Pride is going to win this won.

http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/german-pride.page
http://www.propagandapress.org al

awaiting patiently to catch the games live all day :-)
matthew

Costa Rica 2 – 1 Germany
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/germany-vs-costa-rica.page FIFAworldcup.com – The Un Official Site of Fifa World Cup 2006

Germany vs Costa Rica

The much awaited FIFA World Cup is fast approaching and good news since Michael Ballack has declared fit to play for the game. Call it miracle or will of determination; this is going to be an exciting time for the host country and for Germany. The be…
matthew

Eww. We football fans in the states do not drink Budweiser, at least I don’t think many do. Make mine a Boddington’s!
mkokic

any webcasts for the matches?
Germany will win I am sure, the question is will Ticos be able to score at least once??? it will be difficult against German defense.
Long Live Football!!!
Stuart

REAL Budweiser crushes the American variety like a grape…
rob

True, True!
N e way d match is almost kicking of ware can I watch it?
Roland

They just sang the anthems. I’m so psyched. Let’s do this!
http://www.rinconlatinosf.com Dennes Hernandez

The time has come where the world is once again at the mercy of our feet…long live futbol!
Al

I have posted my predictions on itoldyouso.com, that Germany will win 3 – 0. So don’t be surprised when you get a certificate from that web site that I was right and that I told you so. You can do that as well, it is free.
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/liveblog-germany-vs-costa-rica.page FIFAworldcup.com – The Un Official Site of Fifa World Cup 2006

Liveblog: Germany vs Costa Rica

Liveblogging: The FIFA World Cup is now Live. Boom…

Technorati Tags: FIFA World Cup, World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2006, Germany, Costa Rica, Liveblog
…
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

What an absolute cracker. Incredible shot.
Roland

My Costa Rica prediction is starting to pan out. We’ll see. I still say Costa Rica 2 – Germany 1.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Oh my lord, I’m going to die here. What a start!
NewJerseyBrit

Alright

Was just listening to the game on BBC radio (I’m in princeton) and they cut me off. Does anyone know who has the live radio rights
zé

My G 2:0 CR prediction is already dead.

Germany is looking better by far, but Costa Rica isn’t that bad. The CR goal was a mistake by their defense though… that was what, just their 1st goal shot?

If G can just keep cool, they’ll still win by a landslide.
Mike

I think XM will be broadcasting all the games, but I don’t know if thier rights are exclusive
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Ahhhhhhhhh! Heart attack!
zé

Oh, about CR’s goal: from the replay, it wasn’t offside. It was on the nick of time, but when the pass was made he was perfectlly legal. The guy was too fast, that’s why it looked like he was actually offside. The first time I saw it on TV I was like “WTF? Is that referee BLIND? The guy was like one kilometer forward!” but on the replay I saw he was right.

Oh, here it comes Germany – 2:1.
http://propagandapress.org/?p=966 propaganda press » Wanchope puts one in the net for Costa Rica

[...] football. football. football. Wanchope puts one in the net for Ticos…check out worldcup blogging. these guys are doing play by play [...]
Roland

Well, so much for my pick. The CR defense is just too porous, even with five men back. At least the game is entertaining!
Michael

You knew the 1-1 could not last for long.
Ben

Wow. What else can you say. Brilliant so far, shaping up to be an interesting match.
shakester

someone tell me where I can get an explanation of the so called new off side rules???
cheers
thats a great first 16 mins though
http://www.bannockburnbridge.com/wanton.html kc

2-1 and growing. Fascinating. The fact that Costa Rica slipped past Lehmann is a bit disconcerting, though.
Come on the Boys!
Michael

CR could be down much worse.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Was that Blatter’s wife?
http://www.filthyelite.vze.com Brian

i want Costa Rica to wion even if im Mexican…i go for evry Latin American team!!
Roland

Guys, I know Germany is home, but the Ticos aren’t that bad. Don’t be surprised if they score another one.

Germany does look better than expected, ‘though. Should have known they’d be ready for a cup match; but this isn’t over by a long shot.
pf

What’s up with no attackers from CRC? How can you win if you don’t try to take shots at the goal?

I still think CRC has a chance, just get some mor guys up front!
Stuart

Call him SCHWEINY… :)

This pirate streaming is killing…had it going for a bit, then it collapsed and I’ve not gotten it back. :(
SteveG

Bob,

As far as I can tell, Schweinsteiger translates to “Pig Foreman” – so how about just Pigman?
zé

Costa Rica’s coach Guimarães is using a striped shirt? I can only see him using a blazer. He’s brazilian, though – born in Brazil, moved to CR when he was 11 (his father was a medic and had to move to there at the time). Played on their national team before, and now’s the national team coach.
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Terrible offside call.
Laufer

What website can you watch the World Cup from if you are in the U.S.?
tomchaps

SCHWEINSTEIGER can be anagrammed into “Energetic Swish.” I’d just call him Swish.
zé

HUGE pressure by Germany now at the 38 min mark. If CR doesn’t get their stuff together they’ll lose by a landslide.
Rut

Swine .. comes to mind. ;-)
Razzle

Germany is controlling the tempo, have 300 x 10(8) shots on goal and are leading 2-1. I just dont see them losing.
zé

News Flash: Lahm is brazilian, probably traficked to Germany when he was still a baby.
Roland

CR will be very lucky not to be down by 2 at the half. The Germans are picking it up.
Lunchmeat

We’ve been calling him “Pigf*cker” in our office
Lloyda

the costa rican defence is asleep. i predict at 4-1 or 5-2 finish
Lloyda

the costa rican defence is asleep. i predict at 4-1 or 5-2 finish in favour of Germany.
rodrigobarba

someone knows a place to see the world cup in the net?
http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/liveblog-germany-vs-costa-rica.page Milo Riano

Adrenaline pumped up first half that settled down…
BruceN

What an awsome first half of the opening game in world cup ever, hope everyone enjoyed it
Stuart

Germany sounds dangerous but porous as well. They’ll surely score and be scored upon. I don’t think they’ll get to the final without tightening their defense a bunch What did Lothar say?…4-years too early on their defense? Sounding optimistic at this point.
http://yahoo carolina

i new germany was giong to win
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Seeing some of those german 30-yeard shots, maybe Jens was right about the Teamgeist ball. Screamers.
Luis

Germany better watch that offside trap. They’re leaving 30 yards of space open behind them.
zé

Well, Germany is playing a nice game, attacking all the time. They’re trying to keep their defense line set for offside but as usual with offensive teams they’re open to quick counterattacks, which is all CR can hope for – they had like 3 or 4 chances like that, one of them being their only goal and the others a bunch of offsides (one of them wrongfully noted).
http://yahoo carolina

maybe gwermany will win this game but spain might win the cup whut do you think?
Tommy

I can see this being a 3-2 finish for Germany.
Joel

what a start to the world cup!!! whoever said the opening matches are dull
Ashok Sharma

hi!

plz mail me the site addresses where i can see live continuous match on internet on my lap while working.

I m in saudi arab nd indian. crazy for it
plz do mail me
http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Leif/ Leif (in Romania)

This http://www.livefooty.doctor-serv.com thing is crap. It’s been buffering for 20 minutes. I’m gonna go watch the second half at the pizza place.
zé

There are a number of audio and video broadcasts available (that’s one of them), but they’re probably all slashdotted to hell due to the demand. Not even FIFA’s website is working anymore. With nearly 1billion (or so) people watching this game on earth, if 0.1% of them try to access one of this streams, you can bet it’ll be the death of the server.
ETucker

Leif-

i just moved to Santo Domingo and want to know where a good place is to watch footie.

i went to Beerhouse last night and it seemed good.

also, do u know of any pickup games? I heard there is a nice pitch at the universidad autonoma….

Go Ticos!
Paula

Are you hoping Americans will gain more interest in futbol? I’ll venture a guess that calling the most popular beer in the US “paint thinner” is not a way to make friends and influence people! Hope you know more about the sport than you do about interpersonal relations……
julian

man go argentina
ETucker

Yeah, dont make assumptions about quantity vs. quality. Especially in the licour context.

when i want to “lose my legs” i can buy a few budweisers at a good price. The taste is worse, but the alcohol content is high.

when i want to just kick back and relax, then I go for a single, but more expensive, beer from a local microbrewery, like a Pyramid Apricott Heifezen or a Boulevard Brewery Wheat.

the point is, its all about your personal tastes and the context of the situation. i obviously would not want a budweiser to go with a filet mignon at a nice restaurant, but I also would not want to tailate at a north american football game with a bottle of red wine.

and the microbreweres in teh US have amazingly high quality beer.
pf

Schweinsteiger

PIG CLIMBER

Really!
http://talksportsnow.blogspot.com Richard

hello,

I am trying to get a live audio feed of the game, but in the usa I can’t seem to find one. We’ve got World Cup fever going!
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

At least the CR ‘keeper is giving a good effort. I mean, he’s wearing pink and white paint brush strokes. It’s hard to overcome that.

And yes, Budweiser is terrible.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Three goals in the first 17 minutes…what a splendid start for World Cup 2006! Will it rain goals this time?
claire

my TV is broken :( i’m so depressed
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Klose might do it. I thought he was going to in 2002 after netting five in three games.

Also: claire, that IS sad.
Lloyda from Guyana

what a start. things now settle down but germany playing a real nice attackiing game. but it look like 4 -2 to me.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Birthday Boy Klose’s 2nd goal should close out Costa Rica now. The man with a big reputation to score with his head, used his feet this time.
Rolf

Hey Paula – Bob is American. I think he knows about Budweiser. Have one yourself and lighten up. it is all a joke.
zé

Looks like CR isn’t even trying anymore. :(

I predict Germany 5-1 by now.
http://www.akc77.com AKC77

Klose’s 2nd a Hattrick for his B’Day would be nice.
Ilse

Germany is going to win this first game over Costa Rica
Roland

Hah, told you! CR is dangerous on the counter-attack. Maybe this will rouse them out of their torpor.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Can Costa Rica pull off a miracle now?
http://www.akc77.com AKC77

Offside, but Here you can see Germanies biggest weaknes exposed.
Claudio

OFFSIDE !

Second Costa Rica goal was a clear offside.

What a shame, first game and the first offside error.
Keyser

3-2!!
Germany will win this one, but playing line defense like this they are going nowhere.
The costa ricans have bricks in their legs and managed to score (so far twice!)
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

Wanchope is too cool to live! V. smooth.
Roland

Yeah, it was offside. But luck has always been a big part of the WC, hasn’t it?
Claudio

Germany defense plays in line all the time, like we say here in Brasil “linha burra” (dumb line).

Man, it will be easy to a good team score against this defense.
alex

Germans are losing their cool. you want to play the offside – ya pay the price. when was the last time you saw a german player or coach shouting goals like today? feeling the pressure?
Dan Lourenco

This sounds like quite a game. Why am i at work??? :(
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

I’m a bit late to the party, but de.wikipedia says Schweinsteiger’s nickname is Schweini. But I think Pigman has stuck.

Wow, Wanchope just pulled back to 3-2. Good for the old man (and for CONCACAF)! CR getting a miracle point here would seem undeserved, but maybe not if Germany plays badly enough to give this away….
zé

Grr, just when I said CR was looking lazy…
http://www.akc77.com AKC77

With that defense, Germanies strategy can only be always score one more then the opponent. It could work.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

5 goals in World Cup opener…is it a record ?
zé

Oh man, let Klose play…
aneis

80:21 Anyone else out there rooting for Wanchope to finish off the game with a hat-trick?

NO!
Claudio

Man, to be very honest, this German team is terrible. They would be very lucky if they get into the quarter finals.

Such a terrible defense, they can’t defend against a bad team like Costa Rica ! Imagine when they crash against Brasil, Argentina or England ?
Ekul

I don’t think we’ll be seeing anymore goals from either team.
Claudio

Now the german guy should get a yellow card for diving.
Roland

I expected nothing from this German team, so they’ve already surprised, and let’s not forget the Ticos two goals were a little suspect.
zé

Just because you said it Ekul… :)
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

6 goals must surely be a record for an opening game
Claudio

WOW !!! What a goal !!! Nice !!!
http://ecuador.worldcupblog.org/ Trent

These balls aren’t ’rounder’, they are remote-controlled.
Roland

Golaso! Wow, very nice.
zé

Wow, did you see the curve that ball made? What a shot. Impossible to catch.
Hex

That last goal was insane as if it was a movie shot and the goalie was only centimeters away from the ball….
Ekul

Man, I didn’t see that goal coming at all. I was mistaken in my last post.
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

3 Goals by Bremen Players. What a Goal!!!
Keyser

OK,
Mental note: Germany is not winning this WC unless Klinsmann changes absolutely all the defense. Wanchope can’t run and he scored twice!!
as someone said: unless they make sure to score at least one more than their opponent…
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Germany wins 4-2, but Klinsmann has plenty to worry !
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

That was me and I think a 7:6 Scoreline in the Final between Germany and Brazil is not out of the Question. Seriously once Germany will come up against a Brazil or England. We will see what they are made of.
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

How stupid was MLS back in the first years of its existence? They thought they needed gimmicks like the shootout to get Americans to watch soccer. All they really needed was the wacky-ball — six goals per game or your money back. And it’s FIFA-approved!

On that point I love what DJ Gallo said on his page 2 satire rundown:

Sweden averaged three goals per game during World Cup qualifying. And while the irrational soccer haters who think the sport is too low-scoring may not think three goals per game is all that impressive, irrational soccer haters have never been accused of being especially bright. So look at it this way: the Super Bowl champion Steelers averaged only about three touchdowns per game last year, it’s just that each touchdown was awarded seven points (yes, I realize it’s officially only six). So if it helps, let’s say Sweden averaged 21 points during World Cup qualifying. Wow! Amazing! Soccer is so high-scoring!
Claudio

Stop the LINHA BURRA Germany ! Klinsmann, if you’re reading this, the name of the thing is DUMB LINE and not SMART LINE.

But you can do it against us :D
Kelvin

WOW! What a game to start the World Cup. Awesome goal by Frings at the end. Really excellent start for the hosts. Looking for more things to come.

Cheers.
Roland

A very important win for Germany. The goal difference could be the clincher down the line, and this German team can use every one they can get.

What a great start to the greatest sports event on Earth.
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

Yeah right the Ball. That excuse is as old as football itself. Hahaha.
http://bvtblogs.blogspot.com/ tripper

Thanks!! It was fun to have a live update with a personal touch. I would still prefer HDTV and a pint at my favourite pub but alas some of us have to work.

Tripper
Matt

Great job on the play by play. We need to find a live feed on the net. Anyone…
Mark Rosenkranz

Lets keep racism out of the world games. For further information look at Amazon.co.uk and look at White Male Privilege
Laura

I’ve seen better defensive games, but this was an exciting way to open the WC – at least it wasn’t a 0-0 snoozer. My dad even watched most of the second half, and we both agreed that Frings’ goal was unstoppable.
http://www.thedorkzone.com Chrissy

What an amazing, amazing game! A great way to start the World Cup!
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

Thank you Bob. Well done. Lot’s of fun. See you guys next time.
Ali Siddiqui

Yup game over! Thanks Bob for providing this awesome play by play commentary. I don’t have a tv and i’m using wireless internet from my university here in Canada. BBC wouldn’t allow me to watch or hear their programs. :(

All in all good game for Germany! 4-2 Wow! Costa Rica certainly proved themselves well this time around! Ole Ole!
Lloyda from Guyana

told u 4 – 2 great start
Keyser

AKC77, yes, it was you, but I think a 7-6against brazil is out of the question.
I thought GERMANY WAS ON THE LIST OF SIDES WHO CAN AVENTUALLY BEAT bRazil. But after seeing their skills with de line defense (I liked ‘linha burra’, Claudinho!) I’m tempted from getting them off the list and leave only argentina, italy, england (perhaps) and netherlands (perhaps perhaps).
It was good fun folks. see you tomorrow maybe. Vamos Argentina!!!!
http://sports.godblessthefreaks.org Philip

AKC77:

No doubt, but there really was some controversy over FIFA introducing this new ball. Although come to think of it, that happens every four years.

At any rate, I don’t really care for Germany, and I have to agree that they look awfully porous. Klinsi may want to catch the first flight back to LAX and never come back once they get eliminated.
Stuart

Germany has issues on defense, but if they had their trap together it would be 4-0. Can’t wait to see the highlights of Lahm’s and Fring’s goals.
Tommy

The scoreline was close to what I predicted lol, the 4th goal was amazing by Torsten Frings did a hell of a job on that rocket.
http://d nate

Great game and some great goals by Costa Rica. Germany were just to strong today even without Ballack.
zé

I don’t know if the balls are to blame. Like I said before, they didn’t change much in the ball – size, weight are under regulation and have been like that for decades – and the biggest change was the fact that the ball doesn’t change its format *during the match* (it still does on the middle of a shot obviously) and the fact that it doesn’t absorb as much water as the old ones used to (up to 10% of their weight or something).

We see shots with “effect” like that all the time on football as long as the striker knows hot to do it. Remember that Roberto Carlos goal?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C83X7UBqXAE

That was a “normal” ball.
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

Keyser:

I agree, but they are still n my list. I would not have Italy on my list after all that happend in the past month and I also think Portugal stand an outside chance.

Phillip:

I know about the controversy, but as you said every 4 years. I actually have the Ball here and played with it. It is not necessarly a goalies ball, but I think that’s the way it should be.
ashabeen

Great start to the World Cup.
Thanks for the Live Blogging Bob.
It is great for guys like us stuck at work here in US.

Thanks again!!
http://www.werder-online.de AKC77

Thanks Ze:

One of the great goals of all time.
Stuart

Sports Illustrated’s soccer site is reporting 6 goals as a new WC opening game record. Bodes well for the tournament, lets hope this scoring trend holds up.
juras

hmmm, i don’t believe that these posts/comments here are actually entered in chronological order…no matter..just finished watching the opening game..
imho both goals for c-r should have been disallowed as they were shot from off-site position..the second one blatantly so..bleeding umpire is a wanker and a blind fool..he likely resolved himself so much not to be accused of potentially being german-friendly, he in fact wound up being very costa-rica friendly and made some bad calls [and failed to make some good ones]…
regardless, in the end the [much] better team won so all turned out to end fairly but what if germany only scored 2 points fair and square? they’d be unjustly hurt by the referee’s decisions o allow false goals and some other very uestionable calls [including a very possible penalty kick against c-r]..
germany played a precise, solid football and c-r’s ’strategy’ seemmed to revolve around lobbing passes waaay forward to wanchope and hopefully let him ambush the last line of german defense..a task at which he’s still great but both goals were in fact off-site..on the second one i believe that both he and another c-r forward were in off-site position..
lastly-that last goal of the game was poetry in motion and what every ambitious player’s dreams are made of…what a beauty….boooomm..!!!!
now on to the game that REALLY concerns me as i’m polish in heart and soul..
poolskaa goolaaa….!!!![x3]
;))))
Jezza

Two distinctly rickety outfits on this evidence. Germany did well on the attack, but defensively they were all over the shop. Conceding two goals to a Premiership has-been (from only two chances, too) will hardly inspire confidence in the Mannschaft faithful.
http://theeyeblog.wordpress.com TheEye

Well I guessed right about the two goals difference in the first game. Although if not for a referee mistake, it should have been three.
Click on TheEye up to check out my entire analysis of the group stage at theeyeblog.wordpress.com
USA

great opening game!

This is not your father’s (or even my childhood’s) German team. These guys push forward with abandonment. They also make uncharacteristic mistakes in the back, but it is certainly fun to watch. Both the first and the last goals were just gems.

Costa Rica did better than I expected. They might have kept it even closer had they played with a little more discipline in their own half. A couple of times they lost the ball near their own goal by simply not passing the ball off quickly enough. Also, their goalkeeper looked a bit suspect. If I were their next opponent, I would test this guy more than a few times.
Randir

One of the best opening games seen in a long time. From the opening ceremony to the start of the game, I think the Germans can pride themaleves. A job well done. It was good to see ll the heros of yester years at the opening ceremony.
Lynne

Matt … no live web coverage that I can find anywhere … not in English anyway! I was hoping to be able to listen to the BBC coverage, whilst watching the spanish channel, but we can’t even get that!
Croat

Congrats to both Teams, They both played attacking. Germany has some problems in defense. I hope thry will fix that
Lainary

Great game! No words. Good play from German team, nice goals from both teams… Incredibly pleasent impression from opening game.
http://www.topdrawersoccer.com RobertZ

May the rest of the matches be as entertaining as the opening encounter. Great stuff to watch from the beginning.

Now on to match 2!!!
Henry Lwanga

Great team,great goals.Germany proved to be great in want they did,Lahm,Klose were all brilliant though to me Wachope seemed to be man of the match,imagine a side being defeated and one man only able to escape these hungry Germanys to get themselves “two” goals.thanx to WACHOPE man of the match.
Joman Rana

Wel done German team.It’s a step to world cup winner…What’s the aim of good player Mr.Kahn Oliver and Mikael Ballack not giving their service.Hope to see them next mach.Klosee have nice performance and Philip too.Weaknesess i think,Goal keeper needed more active ness… and mainly defence not strong as costarica.Anyway it’s good match…Thanx
Aldo

Hey Bob!!! Great JOB with the Live Blogging!!!!

I really enjoyed it!!!

Thanks thanks thanks
http://www.worldcupblog.org/daily-wrap-up/june-09-the-daily-world-cup-wrap.html June 09: The Daily World Cup Wrap – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] Germany 4-2 Costa Rica | LiveBlog -Score/details/summary -Photos/videos-both ours and fan submitted (fan submission section?) -Photo of the day -Discuss the game: Go to the team pages -Did we get it Right? – Not one of the five man World Cup Blog prediction panel saw this coming. Nick, Sean and Chris all predicted Costa Rica would fail to score (they obviously reckoned without Paolo Wanchope). Peter predicted a 1-0 Costa Rican victory (he obviously reckoned without the magic, swervy ball) and Bob predicted a 15-2 German win (he obviously had a bad case of World Cup fever). [...]
http://www.greatsportsnews.com/worldcupg.php Mark

Great early goal by Lahm…

There’s a nice profile on him here: http://www.greatsportsnews.com/germany.php
hoa

Germamn defense has a problem!
Claudio

The defense in line was created by that great (Mechanical Orange) Holland team from the decade of 70, and in those days was astonishing: players just couldn’t avoid to be caught in offside.

Some time later, the players learnt how to avoid this defense system in most of times, and not only that. Besides avoid the offside, they took advantage in let the striker alone with just the goalkeeper, without get caught in offside.

So, the defense in line got a infamous nickname here in Brasil of “linha burra” (dumb line). And it’s VERY rare to see any defense using it, just in some extreme cases.

Somebody needs to tell the Germans that this line defense is quite old-fashioned, and if they are really planning to play like that in the whole Cup, it’s better they score many goals, because they will suffer a lot.

Today they were lucky because they played a quite weak team, but I can imagine how it’ll be when they face a stronger side.
carrie

fairly easy game for Germany. The fourth goal was awesome. But, I should add Costa Rica did not have as many opportunities as Germany, yet scored 2 goals even though the second goal was offside. My perdiction is Germnay won’t last long in the World Cup.
http://yahoo adnan hasoni

What a beatiful fourth goal …i jumped high of happiness as i love Germany…my favourite team
I hope they will get the cup for germany….A palestinian footbaal lover. PLEASE GIVE ME A CHANCE TO VISIT gERMANY AN KISS THE PLAYERS
http://www.ocincome.ws Becktemba

Get a Website!
Generate Income!
Be your own Boss!

Get a personalized address on the WWW, Free Web Hosting, a Web Site you can design yourself, and up to 10 custom email accounts.

Start today for FREE! Plus MAKE MONEY!

How?
Refer people to the New Domain hosting and Internet services of the New .WS (web site)

Take 7 Minutes of your time to check it out

http://WWW.OCINCOME.WS

info@ocincome.ws 1.800.MY.DOT.WS
Becktemba

Germany’s coach is has vision. He is preparing Germany to be the top contender in the next world cup!
Steffen

Er, let’s see how the almighty Brazilians – and the other favorites – play before we forecast Germany’s early exit from the WC. Because as I see it, there really isn’t one team out there that looks impeccable on both offense and defense. Brazil’s best player after the big four is probably Lucio, whom I’ve seen screw up badly quite a few times for Bayern this season. Roberto Carlos is old and not that fast anymore, and Ze Roberto is simply not a defensive midfielder. So it’s not like Germany couldn’t manage to score 2-3 goals against them id it came to the matchup. By all accounts, they should have scored 5-6 today.

The German defenders always make me cringe, especially Friedrich, who has no business being on this team, but I felt like our forwards and midfielders did a really good job keeping the ball out of the “danger area” with some nice pressing today. Like Klinsmann always says, defense starts with the forwards.
Shao

The biggest problem of German is their weak defence. The coach must do something to change this situation otherwise they will not go so far as they expected. Most of the players are too young without much international match experience. My suggestion is they can use their strong stamina to make up their weakness. They should learn how to control the match with different rhythms.
govinda paudel

what a miracle!Germany will obviously go through it.is there any doubt in my frens?
http://www.nello13.com Nello

Germany won a deserved match although Costa Rica walked away with their heads held high
ryu

a great kick off for the cup!!6 goals for a match….
germany laid out a bunch of handsome teenagers….great in wings…though stil not as strong in their defense…
as for costa rica….wanchope was set for goals..and there he was…scorin two for his nation…great effort!!
http://www.my-conference-call.com Neeraj

Where can i see the live matches online??
SAJA

I LOVE YOU GERMANY I LOVE YOU MIROSLAV KLOSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
http://www.friendlytourscr.com/index.html Tony

“Costa Rica Friendly Tour” have opened again(See my website)! Welcome!
http://www.comex.go.cr/negociaciones/usa/default.htm Si al progreso de Costa Rica

Tiquete gratis one way a todos los sindicalistas para Cuba o Venezuela, estudiantes de la UCR 50% de descuento… Mas trabajo, mas oportunidades= Progreso de Costa Rica
kabababrubarta

Nice design! kabababrubarta