LiveBlog: Poland-Costa Rica

June 20th, 2006 | by: WC Bob | View Comments

You might not have watched it, but we did. Poland comes away with the victory and sends Costa Rica home with three World Cup matches. You can read the play-by-play below and leave your thoughts on the match.

Final: Poland 2-1 Costa Rica

Full time In a game that was exciting at times but largely lived up to the lack of pregame hype, Poland got a pair of goals from Bartosz Bosacki off of corner kicks to come away with three points for the World Cup. Costa Rica didn’t put up much of a fight and will go home with three losses and passports that contain Germany stamps. Thanks for joining me and for your comments. Come back again for some games that will count more than this one.

89:56 Costa Rica free kick is way, way, way off the mark and we are almost over here.

89:12 I am betting this game will finish just a minute ahead of the Germany-Ecuador match. Kind of fun watching them both at the same time.

88:14 Poland wasting time but not doing a good enough job. Fans everywhere are rooting for no added time.

86:54 Pawel Brozak almost gets his head on a cross in front of the goal but he is a day late, a dollar short.

86:12 Wanchope almost gets sprung but they don’t connect. Poland very content to come away with the win and to come away with a little respect in their final game.

85:56 The clock is ticking but not fast enough.

83:56 Poland going through the motions while Costa Rica mounting a bit of an effort to get the equalizer. Don’t want to go three games without at least a tie.

82:06 Wanchope heads one home but he was clearly offside. No question about that one. Will Paulo get one more before he retires from international play? We shall see…

82:02 Carlos Hernández on for Gomez who is seranaded with whistles.

80:00 If it is any condolence the Germany-Ecuador game hasn’t been a thriller. Three German goals and a good peformance for the host country. Party tonight in Berlin.

78:34 Alvaro Saborio on for Bolanos as the Ticos try to inject some offense for the final 10 minutes. Good luck with that.

78:10 What is your greatest memory from Costa Rica’s 2006 World Cup campaign? Give up? Yeah, I don’t have one either.

76:44 Gonzalez is booked after a bad tackle and we almost have a fight. Both teams cool down and not blood is spilled other than the blood on my fingers from all this typing.

75:00 We have 15 more minutes to go and I will be watching every second tick by. Not an awful game but not an out of control thriller. Poland deserves to be on top.

74:12 Gomez wins a corner for the Ticos. It is taken. It is caught by Boruc and that is about all that happened.

73:15 Good sound from the Polish fans as they finally have a reason to celebrate. There are a lot of them here and they wanted a better result from their team, but a win today will have to do. If they win…

72:12 Shall be interesting to see how hard England plays tonight against Sweden. If England loses they will face Germany next. We’re going to liveblog both of the next games so stop on by again and have some fun.

70:34 The second goal has woken up Poland and has put Costa Rica into a trance. I think I am somewhere in between at this point. A commanding performance from Germany as they will win Group A.

69:45 Harold Wallace on for Drummond for Costa Rica. Defense for defense.

68:45 Costa Rica looking like they are ready to return to their beautiful country and sit on a beach for the next month.

67:56 That was the second time Bartosz Bosacki scored off a corner. Perhaps it is two games too late but Poland finally has figured out how to score. Terrible marking by Wanchope on the goal.

65:18 GOALLLLLL!!! Bartosz Bosacki heads in the corner to give Poland the lead.

64:56 This game has reached the paint drying stage. Nothing happening. Still pleasant to watch football, drink a few brews and type like crazy. Thanks for your comments.

64:07 Wanchope tries to split two defenders but he would be better off thinking about his post-football career. Maybe go to a trade school or something. Mariusz Lewandoski on for Poland

62:24 Fans starting to whistle and not because they just saw a hot woman walk in front of them.

62:12 Costa Rica gets a little attack going but both teams are playing like a draw will get them to the next round instead of a one-way ticket home.

60:14 When Podolski scored for Germany I could hear a huge roar through my window in Berlin. Very cool.

59:16 Another yellow card, this time to Marcin Baszczynski. The only one awake this half is the referee.

58:03 Podolski scores for Germany. He was born in Poland.

57:12Miroslaw Szymkowiak on the ground in need of a leg amputation. He got the call and suddenly will live. Miracles do really happen.

56:12 Gabriel Baddilla gets a yellow for the Ticos. You might as well do it now, everyone else in the World Cup has been booked. Still no action.

55:35 Starting to think that we should all receive sainthood for watching this game. The first half wasn’t bad but this last 10 minutes has been less fun than a visit to the dentist.

54:34 Four years from now we will all have little memory of Costa Rica even being in this tournament. No highlight reel goals, no wins, not much indeed….Too bad. Costa Rica is a wonderful country to visit.

52:11 Looks like something interesting going on in the Germany match. A hard foul or something. Meanwhile we slog on with this one which has started off at a slow pace.

51:12 Cost Rica seems like the more interested side this half but neither team showing much in the way of motivation. Their summer vacations will begin soon enough. Let’s see some action, fellas.

50:23 Berlin is officially a twilight zone with no traffic as everyone watches Germany beating Ecuador. They are missing the real game of the day here.

48:45 Cristian Bolaños almost brings in a long pass but it is off his foot and Boruc takes it from him.

48:34 Normally by this point in a game I have adopted a team to root for secretely but neither team has won me over. I’m open to suggestions if you have a good bribe.

47:34 Shot off the mark for Poland’s Jelen. There is a shot of Janas on the Poland sideline and he looks like a lame duck.

46:23 Sounds like the fans aren’t back from their halftime smokes. It is dead there after a first half with good Poland support.

45:56 There does not to appear to be any changes in the lineups. The same 22 who did so well the first half is back on for an encore.

45:01 I was hoping both teams would shake hands and call it a draw at halftime, but alas they have come out to play another 45 minutes. They are at the World Cup so they might as well enjoy it. Thanks for joining me for this game. You can go back and forth on the liveblogs with Trent laying down the play by play for Germany-Ecuador. It is looking like Group A will finish 1. Germany 2. Ecuador. Who will finish third? We’ll find out after this half.

Halftime After 45 minutes the two teams are tied. They’ll pack their bags at halftime and come back to play another 45. I’m off to contemplate the meaning of life and will be back at the start of the second half. Go ahead and give your thoughts on the first half and/or the meaning of life.

45:00+ Luis Marin shown a card for having the Poland player dive like a swan going underwater.

45:00 There will be added time because even though this game counts we have to play by the rules. Damn you rules, damn you.

43:45 Klose scores again for Germany. My fantasy team is going to go from 335th place to 245th!

43:03 Costa Rica leads 55%-45% in possession. That shocks me. I thought Poland was passing around more often.

42:45 Just a reminder that we are liveblogging every game this tournament so please stop by again. I’m pulling a double header today with the T&T – Paraguay game also on my slate. Finders don’t fail me now.

41:15 Both teams playing hard which isn’t something you can take for a given in these games.

40:34 José Porras couldn’t play keeper for my men’s league team but he starts for Costa Rica.

39:42 I am hot just looking at the Ticos’ Jervis Drummond’s hair. He has some serious dreadlocks that must be very hot in this weather. Also add about 10 kgs to his weight.

38:12 Corner kick Poland. They scored on the last one, can they make it two in a row? Not quite but they are going to win the most improved corner kick award soon.

37:35 Costa Rica really needs to consider new kits next tournament. That is what is keeping them away from a spot in the final 16. That and about four more players with talent.

36:02 On second thought, this isn’t the best game ever but it has kept me awake which is no small feat given the lack of sleep I am getting in Germany. Almost an own goal from the Ticos but the keeper saves the day.

34:56 Poland on the attack again and now it is Costa Rica’s turn. Take that Ecuador and Germany. This is the best game ever.

33:34 Hey, this game is starting to heat up. Let’s keep the goals coming and the beer flowing. Poland players trying to get their fans pumped up. Costa Rica looking as dispirited as always.

31:55 GOALLLL! Poland corner is hit in by the right foot of Bartosz Bosacki. Poland finally gets on the board in the World Cup.

31:15 Another Costa Rica cross that should have been punched in but there is little punch from this team. Still 1-0 Ticos. Starting to see a bit more of end to end action. Thankfully.

30:15 Cross by Costa Rica that is almost directed in but it isn’t. Close call. Poland would have quit right then and there.

30:01 Poland has played the better game so far but Costa Rica able to convert on their one opportunity.

28:40 Yellow card to Poland. Do these roll over to summer vacation?

27:45 Poland trying to find some answer up top. They have yet to score in this competition. Last place anyone?

26:45 They are starting to print up Fire Janas shirts in Warsaw.

25:56 If you are just joining us, why are you so late? It is 1-0 Costa Rica and 1-0 Germany.

25:12 Boruc should have stopped that one. The wall also failed to do the job. Costa Rica takes its first lead of the 2006 World Cup. Poland is on the losing end again.

24:02 GOALLLLL!!! Rónald Gómez drills the free kick through the wall and into the net. Poor goalkeeping.

22:49 Wanchope taken down outside the box by Bak and he is shown a yellow card to his back. Best chance yet for Costa Rica.

21:45 Wanchope with a lazy player that shows he is thinking about retirement. Midway through the first half and I am thinking about retiring this liveblog. Thanks for the courageous ones reading and commenting.

21:03 Poland attacks again and gets yet another corner. They have had lots of practice with these so let’s see if there is any improvement. Slight but it is cleared away. No score.

20:00 I think I can go another four years without caring about Costa Rica. They really are a bland team. This beer isn’t bland though. Tastes good on a warm German afternoon.

18:32 Poland player with a yellow. Sorry I was watching the other game and didn’t see who it was. I’m sure it was deserved though. Shame on him.

16:37 Michael Umaña shown a yellow and Poland has a good opportunity from outside the box. Zuraski hits it over the bar. Still no score.

15:34 On a positive note, neither team has received a yellow card. Maybe they are going for the FIFA sportsmenship award.

14:23 Is there a doctor in the house? Neither team appears to have a heart.

13:12 Wanchope offside by a country mile, which roughly is the equivilant of half a football field. Anyone care to do something in this game? Please boys, please…

12:02 Poland keeping it deep in Costa Rica’s end but still not able to come up with a threat. I suggest we take a player off every five minute so by the end of the game we are playing 4-on-4.

10:46 Corner kick Poland. Wow are they bad at corner kicks. The crowd whistles as the ball goes from one sideline to another. Four years from now they’ll have to do better. By then I will be able to liveblog two games at once.

10:02 Rónald Gómez heads it off the mark for Costa Rica. Your grandmother could have done better on that one.

9:31 Thanks for those of you who are joining me while you could be watching the other game. Give Trent some love on his liveblog too. The man bleeds Ecuador yellow. I just bleed beer.

8:15 Direct kick from far out for the Ticos. Artur Boruc has not played poorly for Poland this World Cup. He isn’t tested as it hits the wall and goes out for a CR corner.

7:02 It is deadly silent right now in Berlin. Everyone is watching the Germany game except for me. Costa Rica finally gets into their offensive end.

5:56 Ireneusz Jelen fights down in the corner and gets the corner kick for Poland. The referee tells the playes to love one another. The kick is off the mark and this game remains scoreless.

4:56 Klose with the goal for Germany. I just picked him up for my fantasy team. Boy do I feel smart. Still no goals in this game with Poland controlling the ball.

3:56 Worth mentioning that Poland might not be first in the World Cup but they have a fair number of players with mullets. Slow start in this one. Germany just scored. 1-0 Germany

2:45 Ebi Smolarek with a run but the ball squibbles away at the end. Kind of a metaphor for Poland’s World Cup thus far.

2:10 Serious multi-tasking trying to watch both games and liveblog. Are you guys watching two games at once too?

1:15 Poland on the attack. Two games too late but against this Costa Rica defense it probably isn’t a bad idea to take your chances.

0:15 The two games start at almost the exact same time. There will be no match fixing today. A pity, because I could use Poland to win this one by 8 goals for my tournament predictions to come true.

Kickoff: We’re underway in Hanover where Costa Rica and Poland are playing for pride. Thanks for joining me for this one. You can jump back and forth as Trent liveblogs the Ecuador-Germany match. I’ll try to update both games if there are scores. Your comments are always welcome. Have fun, keep it clean and love one another.

3 minute countdown: Poland players locked shoulder to shoulder as their anthem is played. The crowd does a nice job filling in the singing gaps.

4 minute countdown: Costa Rica anthem is played. The players sort of mumble through it. A few really sing it. One player wearing a do rag on his head. Nice anthem. A pity it won’t be heard for another four years if the Ticos qualify for 2010.

5 minute countdown: The stadium in Hanover is full and both supporters showing class by cheering for their teams despite their premature eliminations.

7 minute countdown: Both teams are lined up in the tunnel. The Poland players look nervous, like there is a lot riding on this game. Costa Rica wearing their 80s red kits and Poland in their Puma white.

10 minute countdown: Have secured the location of the game on German television so for better or worse I will be able to liveblog while I also watch the Germany – Ecuador game on the other television. You can juggle both liveblogs. Lucky you.

15 minute countdown: I’m hoping that this game is at least wide open without yellow cards and with a few nice goals. Along the way I’ll have a few beers and read your comments. That should make the 90 minutes fly by.

20 minute countdown: Not even sure if this game will be shown in Germany. If it isn’t on television I’ll just make some stuff up and you can fill in the blanks.

25 minute countdown: Poland coach Pawel Janas says he wants to stick around after the World Cup, but I think I have a better chance of coaching the Poles than he does. Talk about a lackluster World Cup. On the Costa Rica side of things, I’m still waiting to see if their players are remotely interested in being at the World Cup. They looked asleep their first two games. This will be Paulo Wanchope’s last international match so if you are looking for a reason to watch…

30 minute countdown: Leif in the comments asks about the little kids who escort the players onto the field. As far as I know these are contest winners of sorts and probably also children of the corporate bigwigs. I think it is an excellent tradition that has to be a thrill for the kids. Leif also asks about spitting. I don’t know why the players spit, but when I liveblog I work up a real sweat and sometimes I just need to let loose with a good, juicy spit.

35 minute countdown: Boris Becker once again on German television. I don’t think he is playing for any of the teams today but he looks fit enough to lace them up and play as a striker. Poland could use some help in its attack.

50 minute countdown: You might be shocked to hear this, but people in Berlin are slightly more interested in the the Germany-Ecuador game than they are interested in the Poland-Costa Rica match. Bollocks, I say. Actually, I don’t say that but since I have been charged to liveblog this game I might as well be fired up about it.

Pregame: Admit it, you really want to watch this game. What is your prediction?