You can check it for yourself. I'm going to give you the Globe's predictions before I retire to watch the U.S.
Early games:
Looks like the Globe has Germany falling down in the soggy pitch, while Portugal and Ghana play to a 0-0 draw.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: US fans look past loss as team advances in World Cup
Germany was able to score a goal, and Portugal also has reason to celebrate.
Late games:
Globe says Belgium and South Korea also play to nil-nil draw, while the Russians defeat Algeria, 2-0.
NEXT DAY UPDATE: I was wrong about the Russians, and the Korean goals seem to come a little late.
Enjoy the matches, readers.
"With success of US, Boston all in for World Cup" by Peter Schworm | Globe Staff June 26, 2014
As the United States faces Germany in a pivotal match Thursday, interest in the World Cup is at a fever pitch, energizing hard-core and casual fans alike.
The city is hosting a watch party at City Hall Plaza, and sports bars expect legions of fans for the noon start.
Great time to start drinking!
With the United States poised to advance to the round of 16 with a win or a tie, many fans will take the day off, or at least enjoy an extended lunch. Work can wait, they say. After all, the World Cup only comes every four years.
Seems like the last one was just yesterday. How sad I'm still here.
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The strong performance by the US team so far — a heartbreaking draw with Portugal notwithstanding — has sparked enormous interest, winning huge mainstream appeal that seems to have taken the sport to a new level....
In Boston sports bars featuring World Cup games, the US matches have brought droves of pumped-up fans in patriotic garb — team jerseys, scarfs, bandanas, even flag-like capes....
Fans celebrate soccer as a great sport in any setting. But watching in a energized crowd that lives and dies with every scoring opportunity takes it to another level, they said.
“I can’t even imagine just watching ESPN at home.” said Harrington, Fran Harrington, 30, who lives in Jamaica Plain [and is] the cofounder of the Boston chapter of the American Outlaws fan group....
That's what I do.
Fans said that interest in soccer has been on the upswing for years, bringing the sport from the fringes to the mainstream, particularly during the World Cup, soccer’s grandest stage.
But this year, when even baseball-oriented bars air the Croatia-Mexico game, feels different, fans said.
“I think we’ve reached a tipping point,” Harrington said. “Every World Cup, it gets bigger and bigger.”
AJ Andreucci, 22, said the World Cup has become more of a media event in the United States this time around, leading to wall-to-wall coverage of the tournament.
“There’s been a lot more hype,” he said....
I haven't helped.
Since the 2014 World Cup began, watch parties have sprung up across the country....
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Your lead cheerleader there.
Hate to say it, but I think they are going to lose out after being so close.
A tribute to the defeated former champions who have abdicated after today's play:
"Princess Christina of Spain charged in corruption case" New York Times June 26, 2014
MADRID — The Spanish monarchy was dragged deeper into a corruption case Wednesday when Princess Cristina was charged with tax fraud and money laundering by a judge investigating whether her husband and business associates embezzled millions in public funds earmarked for sports events.
The royal household had hoped to contain the scandal to the princess’ husband, Iñaki Urdangarin, who has been at the heart of the inquiry.
The charges come less than a week after Cristina’s brother ascended to the throne as King Felipe VI, succeeding his father, King Juan Carlos I. In his proclamation speech in Parliament last Thursday, Felipe VI promised lawmakers integrity and transparency, as part of “a renovated monarchy for a new time.”
Cristina and her husband have denied wrongdoing in previous court appearances and are expected to appeal the latest charges.
The investigation has already lasted three years and has been led by José Castro, a judge based in Palma, on the Mediterranean island of Majorca. It has centered on whether Urdangarin used his royal credentials to secure inflated sports contracts from regional politicians for a foundation that he chaired, and then siphoned off millions to send to companies and offshore accounts that he and his business associates controlled.
Looks like theft to me.
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