Group D (D for Death)

With Czech Republic, Holland, and Germany this group has been dubbed the Group of Death. Three big names competing for two places in the quarterfinals. And with poor Latvia in there as well. After the first two games, the Czechs have qualified and the other three still have a chance to go through. For Holland to go through they need to win from Latvia while Germany has to win against Czech Rep.

Since the Czechs are through, they fielded the B side - as expected. So the Germans don't have to beat the likes of Nedved and Koller, now they are up against the likes of Plasil and Heinz.

I was watching both games, nervously. Holland took the lead and the Latvians seemed like a second rate team. My head sunk a bit when Ballack scored the goal for Germany. Van Nistelrooy scored a second one, but I was celebrating when Heinz scored that awesome free kick. 1-1 for ze Germans and Holland is through.

Then Baros came in and in the second half he ran half the field, with only two defenders chasing him, shot on goal, Kahn saved it but the ball bounced back to Baros and he scored the second Czech goal. WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! And then Makaay gave the icing on the cake with a third goal. Holland are in and Deutschland is out!!!!

Holland made Latvia look like what they are, a small country from Eastern Europe. Germany didn't make any impression against Latvia and lost against Czech B. They deserve to go home. For now, Holland is through and barring any stupid subtitutions by Advocaat, they might have a shot at it.

"Schande Deutschland, alles ist vorbei!"