Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying

Today the German soccer team plays Italy for a berth in the World Cup final. However, Germany will be playing without Torsten Frings. Frings was suspended after FIFA reviewed video of the disgraceful brawl that took place after Germany defeated Argentina in their quarterfinal match. On the video, Frings is shown punching Argentinian striker Julio Cruz. However, it also appears from the video that Frings threw the punch in response to being slapped by Cruz.

Regardless of Cruz’s actions, Frings should not have responded violently. However, FIFA also needs to take action that protects the interests of the game as well as its integrity. Denying Germany a crucial player in such a pivotal game seems to me to be an overly harsh punishment for Fring’s offense. In the event that Germany loses to Italy in a close game, FIFA’s decision will become the controversy of this World Cup. A more fitting punishment for Frings would have been to allow him to serve out his two game suspension after the World Cup. As it is, if I were FIFA, I would be rooting hard for a Germany win.

[Disclaimer: As you probably know I am rooting for Germany over Italy.]

Click below to view videos of the incident and let me know what you think (via The 3rd World View):

A close-up view of the Cruz slap and the Frings punch.

Another angle on the slap and punch.

Yet another perspective of the confrontation.

Finally, to give some context, here is what television viewers saw of the entire brawl. It was a disgraceful end to a beautiful game. Argentina will regret that they left the 2006 World Cup in such fashion.

Holland just defeated Serbia Montenego 1-0 in a hard fought game. Arjen Robben was the most dangerous man on the field as he followed up his wonderful goal with a magnificent display of attacking football.

In Robben’s honor, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite moments from any World Cup. In the 1998 World Cup, the Dutch "Orange" defeated Argentina 2-1 in a game that ended with one of the most sublime touches in all of soccer. Dennis Bergkamp, one of my favorite players of all time, took a long 50 yard lob sent from the Dutch side of the field deftly with one foot, turned the ball on his second touch to beat the Argentine defender, and drove the ball to the back of the net. Bergkamp made it look so easy that the skill involved took a backseat to the beauty of the move. The best video I found on YouTube unfortunately is not the best quality, but the quality of the video is more than compensated for by the Dutch commentator who definitely could have used a sedative.

Click on the image above to see the video. The first part of the video is other goals by Bergkamp. The second part of the video with the crazy Dutch commentator is the World Cup goal in question.

The Iran versus Mexico game is about to begin. Watch for Iran’s Ali Daei to have a big day. This game will put Mexico to the test.