Practice Counting to 13

By: Bob | September 7th, 2006

For those naysayers like Arsene Wenger who complain that most Euro 2008 qualifying matches are a waste of time because the small countries can’t compete with the football powerhouses, all we have to say is rubbish. If UEFA adopted a two-tiered qualifying approach where the small teams have to play each other first and then advance to take on the traditional powers, we may never again delight in seeing Northern Ireland knock off Spain or Germany score a baker’s dozen against San Marino (no relation to former NFL quarterback Dan Marino).

Sure the San Marino goalkeeper will probably suffer from a permanent case of whiplash, but watching the highlights below fulfills our goal fix for the entire month.

Every game from here on out can be a 0-0 draw and we won’t feel cheated. The best part of watching Germany score so many goals is the tremendous effort the players make to try not to celebrate. You know it is in their blood to rip off their shirts and prance around like they are models on a runway, but scoring the 9th goal of a match against the 191st ranked team in the world is hardly worthy of a backflip. And its not like they put 21 on the board.

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Category: Europe

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Wendall

The bigger story of the night is the new look German haircut rule under Coach Low. Frings was the only one left with hair over the ears. Perhaps he is not long for the chop - either in the squad or in the barber's chair.

Having Lehmann take a penalty was a bit of a pisstake and I'm glad the San Marinites (?) got in his face about it.