Re-Cupping The World Cup: Brazil Survive, Dutch Flop, & James! James!

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Brazil 1 Chile 1 (Brazil 3-2 penalty kicks) - In all sports, there are teams where they inflict pain on the opposing team in all sorts of fashion. Chile has now been eliminated four straight times in the knockout round by Brazil. This one might have been the worst.  Chile had the game-winning goal in extra time in the 119th minute before a ball hits the post and doesn't go in leading to penalty kicks where once again the posts were not nice for Chile. Brazil went up one and Chile needed a goal to survive yet once again, the post became their cruelest part of the game. Brazil is lucky to be playing in the Round of 8. Neymar's thigh injury has to be a concern for Brazil moving forward. They are fortunate to have five days off before their next match, but a non-100 percent Neymar might hurt Brazil.

Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 - El Tri looked like they were finally advancing into the Round of 8 as they have been denied in the last five years with Giovani Dos Santos' great goal, and Guillermo Ochoa playing his ass again.  But Netherlands wouldn't be denied as Wesley Sneijder broke through with his first goal of the World Cup. In the Extra Time, things got weird as Arjen Robben dove in the box and got the call leading to a penalty kick from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to put Netherlands up late. I don't understand why Robben apologized for the dive after it. I mean it is not going to make the Country of Mexico ecstatic because he said 'Oh my bad dudes.' Like own the dive, whatever it happens in soccer and other sports. Netherlands got the call at the right time and won the game.

Costa Rica 1 Greece 1 (Costa Rica 5-3 penalty kicks) - If Greece had any sort of offense, I don't know the Ticos are advancing. Costa Rica played with 10 men from the 66th minute on, and it did allow one goal making it a tied game. But Costa Rica and its goalie, Keylor Navas held strong being able to hold on in penalty kicks. There are so many great stories, but Costa Rica might be the most improbable story of them all. No one expected them to get this far, and they are playing with house money. The teams the have beat is an impressive list with Uruguay, Italy and now Greece. Netherlands will be their toughest test.

Colombia 2 Uruguay 0 - Somebody cue up the 'I'm So Paid' theme music for James Rodriguez because that's happening this transfer season. He will be the sexy pick without question. Rodriguez has been all sorts of magical for the Colombia side helping them advance against Uruguay for a showdown with Brazil. Both of his goals on Saturday were great,  and he is now the leader for the Golden Boot. Rodriguez leads this Colombian bunch as another team not many people expected to be in the Round of 8, and honestly, they are dangerous enough to get through to the semifinals without question.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: El Tri Stays Hot, Oranje Stays Strong & Neymar!

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Mexico 3 Croatia 1 - I realize this is sacrilegious to say as an American, but is Mexico one of the most dangerous teams left in the World Cup. We talk all the time in sports about the hot team in the playoffs and wouldn't it be Mexico right now?  They break out for three goals in 10 minutes including a goal from Chicharito whose been under much criticism. They allowed one goal in the final five minutes of game with a three goal lead. They face another red hot team which we will talk about in a second, but do not count out Mexico in this one. I would have beers with Miguel Herrera without question. I don't care if he is the Mexican coach, whatever, dude is the balls.



Brazil 4 Cameroon 1 - This is the game where we revel at Neymar. Despite having a truly awful haircut, Neymar dominated this game with two goals and being in control of this game until leaving for precautionary reasons. Neymar has four goals already in this World Cup. He looks like one of the best players in the world if not the one whose ready to take the throne from Lionel Messi in the coming years. Even though they beat Cameroon in rousing fashion, I am still not all in on Brazil. They look really good, but something about them makes me think they do not make the semifinals, maybe I am nuts.  (H/T @FlyByKnite)

Netherlands 2 Chile 0 - One of the things I had no idea about was the fact Netherlands had never won a World Cup. They are basically the Buffalo Bills of the futbol world. Netherlands has finished runners-up in three different World Cups in 1974, 1978 and 2010 with a fourth place finish in 1998. But right now, it seems like they are one of the four best teams in this tournament. Arjen Robben is playing at such a high level right now and helped set up Leroy Fer for the first goal of the game. Memphis Depay delivered his second goal of the tournament as a cherry on top of the World Cup sundae. Video quality is terrible, but I cannot find a GIF to save my soul.

Spain 3 Australia 0 - Spanish side have a nice finish to their disappointing trip to the World Cup. David Villa's tears though were a little tough for me. One of the best for the Spanish side in the last five years, and a huge factor for the 2010 World Cup winners.

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Spanish Disappointment, Dutch Hold On, Cameroon's Collapse

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Chile 2 Spain 0 - Just like that, the defending World Cup champions are eliminated. They gave up two goals in the last World Cup, and in this one, they gave up seven in two games. It sent shockwaves through the soccer community as people expected the Spanish to at least make it to the knockout stages. Instead, the upstart Chile group led by Alexis Sanchez get another win in their group giving Chile six points for the tournament thus far. Not taking anything away from Chile, but Spain seemed like a team whom only played with each other for about two weeks before taking the pitch. Sloppy, disorganized and deserving of the last two outcomes. The scene in Chile's capital, Santiago, was absolutely wild. (H/T @JulioWright for the pic)

Netherlands 3 Australia 2 - Easily, the most entertaining game of the day by far. Australia and Netherlands went back and forth for the whole game with the Aussies taking a quick 2-1 lead on a questionable handball leading to a penalty kick which Mile Jedinak buried home. Netherlands would strike quickly as Robin Van Persie came through again with a great turn and finish tying this game again. Australia missed an opportunity to go-ahead again, and Memphis Depay made them shortly after it giving Der Oranje their second win of the World Cup.



Croatia 4 Cameroon 0 - While we should spend some time talking about Croatia and their ability to battle back after a heartbreaker against Brazil, this was more about the unraveling of the Cameroon team. Alex Song headbutts a player putting Cameroon with only 10 men for 50 minutes of the game. Croatia took full advantage in the second half with three goals putting them up by four and then things for Cameroon got worse as two teammates headbutted each other during extra time. Cameroon had a full meltdown.  Croatia is now thrown into the mix with Brazil and Mexico with all three having a shot at winning the group.
 

Re-Cupping The World Cup: Dutch Surprise, Super Mario, Magical Messi

We are going to do a short blog each weekday about the World Cup. There will be a little more on United States obviously, but when it comes to the other games, we will talk about the different games in short recaps like we used to do with the NBA. I am no expert, don't pretend to be, but I want to compile a blog featuring some tweets, GIFs, videos and a couple thoughts from yours truly. If you hate it, let me know or think you could do it better, you know where to find me @SnoTap12 

Friday
Netherlands 5 Spain 1 - Even though this was a couple days later, Holland's beatdown of the defending World Cup champs on Friday is the biggest news of the World Cup this far. Arjen Robben added two goals with a beauty for the fifth goal of the night plus Robin Van Persie's first goal is one that will be on the montage at the end of the World Cup.

Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 - El Tri is one of the more talked about teams given the way they backed into the World Cup, but they played world class defense against an attacking Cameroon in a driving rain. Mexico had two goals called off with offside calls, but Orbie Peralta put one home in the 61st minute. Mexico needed this one badly before their showdown with Brazil.

Chile 3 Australia 1 - Chile came out fast and furious with two goals in the first 15 minutes of the game with Alexis Sanchez in the 12th minute and Jorge Valdivia 14th minute.  Tim Cahill did add a goal for the Socceroos at the 35th minute splitting the lead in half before we even reached halftime. Chile held on as Australia tried to equalize throughout the second half of the game. Finally in the extra period, Jean Beausejour gave Chile the dagger.

Saturday
Italy 2 England 1 - This was a really fun game of high level football.  Italy got the scoring started with a beautiful strike from Claudio Marchisio in the 35th minute including a great dummy run by the legend Andrea Pirlo. Daniel Sturridge came right back with a quick equalizing goal in 37th minute with a great dance afterwards which is featured below. Mario Balotelli had the game-winner in the 50th minute with a wonderful header. Wayne Rooney had a chance to equalize again for England but pulled the ball wide. Both teams look very dangerous moving forward.

Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1 - TICOOOOOOOOS. As someone whom put many eggs in the Uruguay basket, this was a nightmare scenario. Edinson Cavini got an early goal, but after that it was all downhill like that New Found Glory song. Costa Rica had three second half goals including two in three minutes changing the course of this game. To add insult to the injury of the opening loss, Uruguay's Maxi Pereira was sent off with a straight red in extra time meaning he will miss at least the next game against

Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1 - LES ELEPHANTS. I need myself a 1000 percent Elephants scarf by Cote D'Ivore's next game honestly. This whole game changed on a dime when Didier Drogba came into this game. It really did seem to open things up leading to second half goals from Wilfred Brony and Gervinho. Japan really didn't have an answer for them.

Colombia 3 Greece 0 - Arguably the strongest statement by a team not named Netherlands was Colombia. They are without their star player Radamel Falcao, but it didn't phase them with a quick goal in the fifth minute from Pablo Armero. Colombia had control of the entire game adding another goal in the 58th minute along with one in the extra time. Greece didn't really have any sort of chance against the Colombians

Sunday
Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 - MESSI MESSI MESSI. Everyone wondered if the pressure was getting to Lionel Messi, and he responded with a 'Hi haters' moment with a beautiful goal in the second period putting Argentina up two. Bosnia-Herzegovina didn't play too poorly, but the early own goal hurt their chances in a major way.

Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 - Many people thought the Swiss were overrated with them being sixth in the FIFA rankings. Many people thought they would be comparable to their famous cheese with lots of holes. The critics seemed right early with Enner Valencia adding an early goal, but the Switzerland battled back with an early second half equalizing goal from Admir Mehmedi and then Haris Seferovic gets a goal in the final 30 seconds of extra time for the incredible win. Big time three points.

France 3 Honduras 0 - The story could be about how goal line technology still didn't look like it did its job despite what ESPN might tell you. The story could also be how Honduras played with 10 players most of the game. But what it's about is Karim Benzema's two goals and causing an own goal. Benzema started to wash away the bad taste South Africa gave Les Blues.

Charlie.

How Milwaukee Relates to All 32 World Cup Teams

Everyone has some sort of creative World Cup preview.  I am pretty much out of options at this point because all of the corners of the Internet have been taken. Needless to say, I am pretty disappointed with this one because I want to have something about the World Cup besides Mitch and I bumbling through an audio preview around the 30 minute mark of our latest podcast.  Here's my idea, and we are going to try to do it to the best of our abilities. We are going to try and relate every single World Cup country with the City of Milwaukee. Godspeed.

Group A
Brazil - General Electric, one of the biggest companies in Wisconsin and the Milwaukee area , has a major office in Sao Paulo where roughly10,000 people work in a variety of different occupations for the company. Harley-Davidson has major involvement with Brazil as well.  OH and people are pissed at Milwaukee when it comes to Brazil right now.

Croatia - I had no idea Croatian Eagles Soccer Club here in Milwaukee is the oldest North American Soccer club. They first started in 1922.

Mexico - There are so many great things about Mexico and the City of Milwaukee. They are a major part of this city without question. El Rey is one of the most heralded grocery stores in the city.

Cameroon - This is a very recent story about a Alverno College professor whose bringing laptops to Cameroon to young women here. Fantastic to see.

Group B
Spain - Santaigo Calatrava, a Spanish architect, created Milwaukee Art Museum which was his first American building and a staple of Milwaukee architecture.

Netherlands - Surprisingly, not very much from this country ties to Milwaukee, but Maxwell Wassacher, a junior at MSOE, will be playing for Netherlands' National Team in Lacrosse this coming julu.

Chile - When Chile had an earthquake in April 2014, a Milwaukee seismic meters picked it up from well over a  1,000 miles away. That's pretty neat science.

Australia - Milwaukee Tool has a major factory in Australia. They have all sorts of advertisements, YouTube videos, everything.



Group C
Colombia - I don't know when this occurred or if it is still going to happen, but the Milwaukee Ballet Company was headed to Colombia to compete in the International Ballet Festival.

Greece - GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO!!!!  That's really all that needs to be said, but also, Milwaukee has a strong Greek population rooted in the city.

Ivory Coast  - Wilfred Bony, one of the players for the Cote D'Ivore, will be playing for Swansea at Miller Park against Chivas FC this upcoming July.

Japan - Milwaukee has a stronger Japanese culture than anyone probably thinks about or considers. Here's a look at the Milwaukee Japanese Association.

Group D
England - I don't always like lists, but the BBC America has 10 British things about America which I will say is close enough. And if it's not, Michael King is the obvious answer.

Italy - Huge Italian presence here in Milwaukee, and the Italian Community Center is a great place in the city of Milwaukee. Additionally, Brady Street used to be considered Little Italy shortly after World War II and also home to Gloriosos, one of the best ethnic grocery stores in the area .

Uruguay - Easily the hardest one thus far, but we ended on finding the Milwaukee Guitar Duo whom won some awards in Uruguay in the late 90's. Yeah I don't know either.

Costa Rica - In March, we had two smugglers trying to bring in Milwaukee's Best Premium into the country from the Panama border. In fact, they tried to bring seven cases in because this beer would only cost one American dollar versus the two to four dollar prices they pay for beer. And at Taylors: Costa Rica, they still pay five dollars.

Group E
France - The United States Futsal team is playing the French's national team in Milwaukee this Saturday at MSOE. Big-time event on Water Street and Juneau all day. From everything I read, top notch day to day-drink on Saturday.  

Switzerland - Simon Moser, one of the players for the Milwaukee Adrimals this season, played for the Swiss National Team at Sochi this February.

Ecuador - I had no idea they had their own fly fishing technique but apparently they do so now we all know this information. Why it matters for this piece, some guy did it in the Milwaukee River.


Honduras - Another one where I had some big-time trouble with finding something Milwaukee-related for this country. The best I can do is the USS Milwaukee spent some time in Honduras during the 1910's.

Group G
United States - A city in the United States. Boom. Easiest one yet.

Germany - There is SO much of Germany in Milwaukee. We all know it is a major part of our overall culture as a city. I would like to give a special shoutout to my favorite German restaurant, Cafe Bavaria.

Ghana - Ghana Milwaukee Association seems like a really cool thing to check out in order to learn more about the country right here in the City of Milwaukee.

Portugal - This is the first one to have me completely stumped therefore we are going with a performance from Portugal. The Man at Pabst Theater.



Group H
Belgium - I should be on the PR staff for Lowlands. Cafe Hollander is one of the more popular restaurants in the city known for its Belgium cuisine.

Russia - Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church is one of the more famed churches around the area with their website still having the Russian language.

South Korea - I have not eaten at the Stone Bowl Grill on the Eastside, but it is a new Korean restaurant to the area.

Algeria -  This happened last year, but pretty cool stuff from NPR: Milwaukee reuniting an Algerian Buena Vista Club after 50 years of separation.

Charlie.