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Today's Games
By TIMES WIRES
Published June 25, 2006
England vs. Ecuador
THE SKINNY: All has not gone as planned for England. There has been the Wayne Rooney injury saga, three mediocre perf romances and the loss of Michael Owen to a knee injury. Ecuador, which has done well to get this far, does not have the same pedigree. Sooner or later, England will find its stride.
Netherlands vs. Portugal
THE SKINNY: The last time these two met, Netherlands won in the semifinals of Euro 2004. Portugal moves the ball well, making full use of the field, while the Dutch can attack down the middle and on both flanks. Attacking soccer is in store.
COUNTRY OF THE DAY
Ecuador
Capital: Quito Language: Spanish Motto: God, honor, homeland World ranking: 39 How it qualified: Tied Paraguay for third in South America Previous World Cups: One Best finish: First round in 2002 Noteworthy fact: Among the field, only one non-African nation (Paraguay at 18.9 per 1,000 citizens), has fewer Internet users than its 42.6. The U.S. is third at 537.6.
SECOND ROUND
SATURDAY: Germany 2, Sweden 0; Argentina 2, Mexico 1 (OT).
TODAY: England vs. Ecuador, 10:30, Ch. 28; Portugal vs. Netherlands, 3, ESPN.
MONDAY: Italy vs. Australia, 11, ESPN; Switzerland vs. Ukraine, 3, ESPN.
TUESDAY: Brazil vs. Ghana, 11, ESPN; Spain vs. France, 3, ESPN.
QUARTERFINALS
FRIDAY: Germany vs. Argentina, 11, ESPN; Italy-Australia vs. Switzerland-Ukraine, 3, ESPN2.
saturday: England-Ecuador vs. Portugal-Netherlands, 10:30, Ch. 28; Brazil-Ghana vs. Spain-France, 3, ESPN.
SEMIFINALS
JULY 4: 3, ESPN
JULY 5: 3, ESPN
JULY 8: Third-place game, 3, ESPN
FINAL
JULY 9: 2, Ch. 28
it's our trophy
Brazil won't get to keep the World Cup trophy if it wins its sixth title. FIFA's communications director, Markus Siegler, would not entertain speculation that Brazil, or any other team, would get to keep one of the most globally recognized prizes in sports. Brazil kept the original Jules Rimet Trophy in 1970 after becoming the first three-time winner of the World Cup. The Brazilians have won it twice since, and so have Argentina and Germany, leading to the perennial question about FIFA handing over the existing cup for the team that wins it three times. Thursday, Siegler responded with a single word: "No."
[Last modified June 25, 2006, 04:36:48]
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