Soccer birthdays: Well isn’t this precious: two days before his team gets back on the field, facing co-host Ukraine in a Euro 2012 contest, French international Florent Malouda turns 32.
Big Important Story of the Day (North American version): How about that result last night from Guatemala City? You know, we should probably talk about that.
Big Important Story of the Day (Global version): A pre-tourney favorite at Euro 2012 (and a longtime favorite of fans who favor soccer that’s easy on the eyes) may be done by the time you pack up at the office today. We’re looking at you, Netherlands.
Ahead on the blog today*: Plenty of reflection on the U.S.-Guatemala match, plus a crazy-massive match from Euro 2012, where one of the tournament favorites, the Dutch, will go crashing out ingloriously if they lose today to the Germans. And since the Germans are another of the tourney favs, don’t be shocked it if happens. Richard Farley, our point man on all things EUFA European Championship (pictured, you know, fans and all), will be your guide on this one.
Meanwhile, I’m sure we’ll be talking about this, sorry upheaval in Warsaw.
Plus, our man on the crazy Ukrainian streets of Kiev, Noah Davis, will check in with his latest dispatch – assuming he and his buddies have remained in the good graces of the Ukrainian authorities, that is. Ahem. I’m sure everything is fine.
What we should all be watching on TV:
Denmark-Portugal, noon ET, ESPN
Germany-Netherlands, 2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
RASNoD (Random American Soccer Name of the Day): Joe-Max Moore
Twitter daps: ESPN analyst Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas): Good morning. I sense a disturbance in the force. Must be the return of the Group of Death. #Euro2012
Houston Dynamo and U.S. international center back Geoff Cameron (@GeoffCameron), who returned early this morning to the States, along with the rest of his national teammates: Headed back to H-Town! Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed but not so much the Houston heat! #HOUSTON
We’ll leave you with this: You forget how long ESPN analyst Kasey Keller was around the game as a player until you hear him at one of the Euro 2012 matches – and listen to the man talk about how many of these guys are former teammates. Well done, sir.
*Always subject to change; you know how it is
