Day 3 Recap - Germany v Australia & Ghana v Serbia

Just a few thoughts on today's other matches before bedtime. I've got to catch up on sleep before tomorrow's Netherlands v Denmark match, though I'm sure the Dutch offense will provide a much-needed jolt of Adrenaline.

Germany v Australia

Speaking of jolts of adrenaline, that's exactly what Germany provided in today's match against Australia. In this World Cup's first real barn-burner the floodgates were finally opened for outright goal-scoring. And who better to deliver that to us than the Germans. At it's best moments today the German attack resembled not so much a team of young, skilled, incredible athletes, but a swarm of deadly bees, summoned by the vuvuzelas and striking incessantly with a single mind. On almost every rebound, there was a German boot, and at the end of nearly each through ball, there were usually two boots. Podolski's goal surprised the crowd, and the keeper, all the more because the pass from Muller seemed to have been intended for, and missed by, Klose. This was only the first such example of Germany's dogged and systematic support for their attacks that we saw today. On the whole, the system was reminiscent of a world-class Rugby back-line, in the sense that whenever Germany needed one last man on the wing to beat the defense they had him.
There were some minor negative points to touch on. Bastian Schweinsteiger did very little today. Maybe I'm just picking on him because he's on my fantasy team, and I'm pissed that he didn't score any points, but it's clear that Osit Mezul is playing more of an attacking role in the German midfield. Thomas Muller's strong showing today (13 points), with a goal and assist, assures him as an undervalued fantasy player (7.5 credits). Germany should have no trouble handling Serbia and Ghana. Australia, on the other hand, had better pray to not finish last in the group.

Ghana v Serbia

Earlier in the day, Ghana and Serbia faced off in a match that Serbia was favored to win. Neither team distinguished themselves tremendously, except, of course, for Serbian Defender Zdravko Kuzmanovic's horrendously unnecessary handball in the 83rd minute which led to the penalty responsible for Serbia's defeat. There was no danger and he should have simply aborted his misjudged header, rather than flailing, but today was a day for absurd handballs in the box, as evidenced by Ghezall's absurdities for Algeria this morning. Serbia had some great looks at goal, but alternated between shots aimed directly at Ghana's Richard Kingson, and shots aimed directly over the crossbar. As for Ghana, while they may not have put any goals of their own making on the board, they played well for a young African team. As Sean said in the match liveblog, they "...showed no signs of nerves and forced the Serbian team into an uncharacteristic series of errors!" I say both Ghana and Serbia look worthy to make it out of the group. At this point, though, Ghana have a pretty hefty head-start.

That's it for now, check out the match liveblogs for more details and color. Let's see how the Oranje do against the Danes