Friday 21 June 2002

Germany Defeats U.S. 1-0. The best United States soccer team in 72 years finally met its match. [AP World News] Ah well, another dream bites the dust. I must admit that I was among those who thought the US should never have been awarded the staging of the World Cup back in 1994, since their involvement in soccer was less than recognised. But this year's team certainly did their country proud. They played some terrific football and richly deserved to advance as far as they did in the tournament. So now it's up to South Korea and Senegal to keep the hopes of the underdogs alive (though Turkey also aren't exactly a team many people would have bet on beforehand). With France, Italy, Argentina and England gone, what are the bets on Germany/Brazil for the final?       Unfortunately, work commitments finally meant that I missed the US/Germany game, but the report suggests that once again Oliver Kahn was the hero of the German team. His performance against Ireland in the first round was certainly magnificent, and the people I watched that game with were unanimous in considering him Man of the Match on that occasion. It will be fascinating to see what contribution he makes against Spain or Korea in the semi-final.       Meanwhile, farewell USA and thanks for the memories. 3:30:30 PM  Your view

Arafat Said Ready to Accept Plan. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is prepared to accept a Mideast peace plan put forward by then-U.S. President Bill Clinton in December 2000, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported Friday. [AP World News] If accurate, I wonder if this could prove to be a first step towards a real negotiated settlement? The saddest thing about all the killing which is happening currently, of course, is that everyone knows that some form of compromise will eventually be reached, which effectively means that none of these lives need have been lost. The report mentions that the breakdown of negotiations coincided with the changeover in Israel from Barak to Sharon (whose cynical, provocative tour of a Jewish settlement was the calculated catalyst which ousted Barak and brought on the intifada).       So, rather than speak in terms of getting rid of Arafat, why not get rid of Sharon instead? Maybe then we'd have some real chance of a lasting peace. 3:17:05 PM  Your view

Supreme Court Bars Executing the Mentally Retarded. A court reversed itself today and ruled, 6-3, that executing the mentally retarded amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. By The Associated Press. [New York Times: NYT HomePage] Of course, what I can't understand is how the death penalty can be considered justifiable in any circumstances! 10:16:58 AM  Your view

Brazil 2, England 1  Despite best intentions to be in front of the television by 7.30 am it was almost 9.00 when I caught the World Cup quarter-final match. Brazil were down to 10 men and were leading 2-1. What I saw wasn't exactly riviting football. Brazil were certainly very good at keeping possession, and belied their 1-man deficit. England never really looked like scoring, really. So it's the end of the line for England and Brazil progress to meet either Turkey or Senegal in the semi-final.       The second of the quarter-finals is on later, when Germany meet the United States. Perhaps this has the potential of being a better match. Certainly, judging from the US's performances so far in the tournament, they must stand a really good chance to go further. I'll watch with interest. 10:03:12 AM  Your view

		© Copyright 2002 Jim MacCormaic . Last update: 29/09/2002; 06:03:06 am .