Germany is my "pick"

We woke up just in time this morning to watch the Germany v Argentina game. Well, we actually missed the first 10 minutes and therefore the first goal, but we saw most of the game.

I've liked Germany in World Cups since I was a kid. Like most Australians of my generation, I had to wait until my mid-20s to see Australia make the World Cup finals. Until then I had to have another favorite team - we were taugh German at school so Germany was a logical choice for me.

In the Australia v Germany game at these finals, I really wanted Australia to do well. I told Liz that I liked Germany, but still wanted Australia to play well, win or draw, but at least not go down in a one-sided affair. Well, that didn't happen, so I switched my hopes to both teams making the second round. That didn't happen either.

Since then I've been following the Germans, and Liz has started following them with me. She likes Müller, because to her he plays like a little kid - he smiles a lot and looks like he has fun out there. She strongly dislikes Özel, who around here has earned the nickname "Sketchy McGee" thanks to his bugged out eyes and sketchy appearance. I'd like to see Miroslav Klose equal Ronaldo's record for most goals in World Cup finals before the end of the tournament, and the way that Germany have been scoring goals lately that could happen (he needs 1 more goal).

But until this morning I wasn't a total believer: when Germany met England in the round of 16, I thought it would be close, but they blew them out of the water. I figured that Argentina would probably have their number, but Germany outplayed them. They're already in the semi-finals, and I hope they go all the way. If they can't go all the way, I hope they at least go as deep as their coach did: