World Cup 2006 Day 1

Ok soccer fans, here we are -- Day 1 of the world's biggest event. This is the World Cup, the most passionate event in sports.

Today we get two matchups; Germany with their teutonic efficiency will meet Costa Rica in game 1, the opener.

Some may think this will be a closely contested game and should be interesting for the first 15 minutes or so. The BundesBoys will be short star Michael Ballack but will still have enough stars out to light the sky. Costa Rica (nickname the Ticos) on the other hand will be out to replay the glory of Senegal when they unceremoniously clipped host France in the opener in 2002. I am going to pick the BundesBoys in this one, 1-0 (1-0 is the most common opening game score, so I might be safe). However, Bundes-striker Klose may just have a thing to say about that score being higher.

Poland takes on Ecuador in the second match. These two met in a friendly just this past November with Poland claiming victory 3-0. I don't expect that margin will be the final, but, I think a 2-1 Polish win is likely.