Lichtenstein - World Cup Qualifier for Germany

On Saturday Germany played a World Cup qualifying game. Early in the game, with Germany leading 2-0, Mario Gomez, a star for the German team, missed a shot from close range. The commentator noted that Gomez hadn't scored in an international game for the German team in over a year. He then noted that the Lichtenstein team hadn't scored in an international game in over a year. The last goal Lichtenstein scored was in a 1-7 loss against Malta a year ago.

Needless to say, the German team had an easy time beating Lichtenstein 4-0. The led 2-0 in the 10th minute.

The Fever Lives On

Germany's dream of a European Championship in 2008 lives on. The German team beat Austria 1-0 last night on a penalty kick from about 30 meters from the goal by Michael Ballack, the German team captain.

The great thing for me was that me and Spencer got to watch the game together and enjoy the goal together. Spencer was supposed to be in bed, but came down at halftime and said he couldn't sleep. He was just too uneasy. He usually sleeps just fine, so It must have been due to the Germany game.

I said he could stay up and we watched the 2nd half together. In the 49th minute Ballack scored the 1 and only goal of the night. It was a sweet blast to the right of the fence the Austrian players made and into the upper right hand corner of the net. The clocked the ball at 130 kilometers per hour (about 80 m.p.h.).

It was sweet and even sweeter since Spencer was there.

EM Fieber (Cup fever)

European Cup that is (Euromeistershaft or EURO 2008).

The fever has begun here in Germany. It is fun to see. There are flags every where. You see them on every 3rd or 4th car and in many houses, bars, restaurants, etc.



One interesting thing happened when the flags came out a week and a half ago was that I got homesick. I associate flag waving with America, where it is much more common. Here is occasional and unusual, and made me think of home.

Enough for homesickness. I hope Germany can win tonight. It's 0-0 at the half and the 2nd half is just starting. Germany is playing fairly well and the coach got sent off of the field (into the stands) where he exchanged a few words with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Hopefully that helps motivate the team for the 2nd half.