spinachdip's guide to the 2006 World Cup: Matchday 11 - battle of who could care less

music:
Ben Folds Five - Battle of Who Could Care Less (Live from Sessions at West 54th)

I'm not going to tell anyone not to watch soccer, but this might be a good day to stay at work and Tivo the games in case anything happens. But that's just me. And I don't have Tivo.

Matchday 11 - Monday, June 19
Togo vs Switzerland (9 am ET ESPN2/Univision)
I'm going to plead complete ignorance on this match. Sorry, I didn't watch either of these team play and I can name maybe one player involved in this game. I just know Togo made Korea work for the three points and the Swiss neutralized (see, get it?) the French attack. So it could be good. Maybe.

Saudi Arabia vs Ukraine (12 noon ET ESPN2/Univision)

Key player: I like watching games on Univision because when the announcers decide they like a player's name, they'll shout it out, like "SHEV-CHENKOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!" Which is to say, Shevchenko is the key for the Ukrainians. Sheva is also married to an American model named Kristen Pazik, whom you shouldn't do a Google Image search for at work.



Reasons to watch this game: The Saudis looked fairly credible against Tunisia while Ukraine couldn't get anything going against Spain. But Spain is a little bit better than Tunisia, so who knows which is the better team?

Reasons not to watch this game: I have a feeling we're looking at the two teams that will be going home early from this Group of Snooze.

Verdict: Both teams need a win here, so it should be a compelling matchup. That usually makes for good soccer.

Spain vs Tunisia (3 pm ESPN2/Univision)

Key player:
Fernando Torres and David Villa showed Spain doesn't need Raul in the lineup to hand out a beating. That's a scary thought.

Reasons to watch this game: When Spain is on, they can play some lovely football as they showed against Ukraine, while Tunisia looked very dangerous (and alternately sloppy) against the Saudis.

Reasons not to watch this game: Not that big a game for either team, to be honest. Spain looks like it's going to wrap up this group sooner or later with either a draw or a win here while Tunisia should be happy with a draw.

Verdict: I'm going to say Spain rolls. Which was fun to watch the first time, but two games in a row? Maybe not. Although Tunisia could be the underdog that Spain trips over. That could be fun.