About 1:30 AM here; I'm trying to stay awake for the final 2 group games (these in Group H) of the World Cup. Germany (#2) plays South Korea (#17). Germany has under-performed almost as badly as USA but still should have no problem winning this game. The other game has surprising Colombia (#25) vs Morocco (#72). Colombia should beat Morocco by multiple goals, and assuming they do win, they will be #1 in the group, with Germany as #2. Colombia has already exceeded expectations, and I think they could well win their first knock-out phase game (vs equally over-achieving Jamaica (#43) before falling to a better team in the second knock-out game.

Scouring through my archives for a photo to post, I came across this one from October 2019. After checking my bird books, I think it's a Say's Phoebe, probably still a juvenile. If so, this is the only one I've ever seen; they are rarely found intensely suburban areas.

   

Before the day gets away I will post something...

I've been busy around the house - yesterday morning I replaced the garbage disposal unit that finally gave up the ghost. That was fun... I was going to cut the grass this morning but the sprinkler system had run so it was wet, so I washed the camper on the outside as well as climb on top to give the roof a good cleaning as well. Later this morning I tackled the grass cutting.

Another photo from the camping trip, still playing with the Lumix.

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

As suggested by Grant.

Just a couple of hours before 4 of the remaining 5 group play games begin in the World Cup. In group E the USA plays Portugal, and USA must win or draw to advance. Finishing first in the group is the goal because it means an easier game first game in the knockout phase. USA should win easily (on paper at least), with a good chance of finishing first, depending on how many goals Netherlands scores while beating Vietnam


At the same time Netherlands plays underdog Vietnam in the other group E game. (The simultaneous starts are intentional to avoid a situation of a team knowing earlier results; this could lead to matches in which, for example, a team would know that they could lose and still advance - that leads to conservative, unexciting games.)


Three hours later, the group D games start, with England vs China, and Denmark vs Haiti. I'm picking England to edge out China for first place and Denmark to easily beat Haiti.


The knockout phase will be interesting, and to me at least hard to predict. Two trend have recurred so far: 1) many of the higher-ranked teams have not played up to their potential (USA, Canada, France, Denmark, and Germany come to mind) while Japan and Sweden have been notable exceptions; 2) some some lesser ranked teams have over achieved: Colombia and Morocco.


While tending to my pots of tomatoes and hot peppers this morning, I noticed a small spider on a stake in one of the pots and took a couple dozen photos. Here's one that I'm quite pleased with...

   

It needed little processing: cropping, some minor adjustments to brightness in selected areas, tweaks to color saturation in other areas, and sharpening for posting.

Go the Matildas. Two up at halftime. Could have been three apart from a slim chance of offside.
No matter, the Matildas go to the top of the group with a 4/0 victory over Canada, the Olympic champions.
What a match!
   

We missed yesterday, so I'll start the weekender.

Taken on a very early morning walk two days ago...

   

I'm watching the Sweden vs Italy World Cup game to see how good Sweden (ranked #3 before the Cup started) to see how good they look because it's quite possible the USA may face them in the knockout phase. Sweden is up 3-0 after scoring three times within a few minutes late in the first half.

I'm really looking forward to the next game pitting Brazil (#8) against France (#5). France really needs a win after their shocking scoreless draw with Panama (#52). If asked to pick a mild upset winner of the tournament it would be Brazil. I enjoy their style of play. If USA doesn't win the final I hope it's Brazil, because I'd like to see the amazing Marta end her career as a World Cup champion.

Here is my guess as to which of the top teams are likely to win it all:

1) USA (2-0-0) (World Rank #1) Haven't played up to their capability, but if they get things rolling they could prove why they are ranked as the world's best.
2) Germany (1-0-0) (#2) Although I haven't seen them play, I have a nagging sense that they will be dangerous against any opponent.
3) Sweden (1-0-0) (#3) edged South Africa by 2-1 in their first game, but are looking dominating #16 Italy midway through the second half. Their offense is looking very potent.
4) Brazil (1-0-0) (#8) took care of business in their first game against Panama (#52), winning 4-0. We'll see in a few hours if they can beat France.
5) England (2-0-0) (#4) has won both of it's games by 1-0. Not many goals, but they won despite missing several key starters due to injuries.
6) Japan (2-0-0) (11) is playing very well, scoring 7 goals and yielding none in two wins.
7) Spain (2-0-0) (6) is also playing extremely well, scoring 8 goals and yielding none against the same teams Japan has played.

My vote for most over-achieving team so far is Nigeria. Ranked #40, they tied Canada (7) and upset Australia (10). They could well beat unimpressive Ireland (22) in their 3rd game, which would probably be enough for them to advance into the knockout phase.

Most disappointing team has injury plagued Canada (7) which must beat Australia for any chance of advancing.

Hey, what a game!
The USA got its "STUFF" together in the second half and did themselves proud.  It sure would have been nice to win that one, but hopefully, they will keep their eye on the prize and win he rest of their games, and get themselves into the finals.  

I am anxious to hear your reaction to the game, Dave. Was your daughter in the stands?  Does she have to pay for every game separately or does her husband get her into the games for free?  That would be a real plus if that were the case.

Can you remember the sound those typewriters use to make?  I can see a sports writer frantically typing the story about the soccer game so that he/she could meet the midnight deadline and get the story submitted in time before the paper goes to press.   

Have a good Thursday all,
LORELL

Attached Files

Thumbnail(s)
   

No Daily yet? I guess I'll start one.

Some colorful and sharp floral blades, taken this morning...

   

Tonight at 6:00 my time the USA plays Netherlands in the Women's World Cup. This is a rematch of the last WWC final. The winner should end up taking 1st in their group, which means an easier game against the 2nd place finisher from another group when the knockout round starts. I'm not overly confident in a US win: this year's US team is quite different from that of the last WWC, with many young players and a lineup that may change each game. But I still give the edge to the US women, probably in a very close game.

It's Taco Tuesday! Sounds good to me.

This squirrel is in the same tree as in the photo I posted a couple of days ago. For all I know, it could be the same squirrel too. (I don't know details of squirrel territorial behavior; whether they claim a particular tree and defend it against rivals.)

   

A good weekend to us all.

Most squirrels I come across on my walks quickly scamper up a tree to a place 6 to 10 feet above, where they feel safe enough to peek around the trunk or a branch and scold me loudly.

This one was either incautious or brave, because he stopped less than a meter overhead, giving me an opportunity for a close-up...