What I Have Learned So Far, or: What You Will Have Learned So Far

1. I am wasting my time writing about tactical analysis. 

It is a B**** to write all that stuff (not to mention the links), plus our friends over at Zonalmarking.com do a far better job than me. If you're real interested in how each team is set up, head over there. You won't be disappointed. So less of that, and lighter fare from now on. If you wanted a preview of the last four groups...sorry. It's too hot outside, and I have no air conditioning.

2. This may be the tournament that solidifies Tim Howard's place among the world's best goalkeepers.


The American goalkeeper kept his team in the game after England took the lead early through Steven Gerrard. He made several excellent saves, despite needing a painkilling injection at halftime after a studs-up assault from Emile Heskey. After this World Cup, the rest of the world may well learn what American (and Everton) fans have long known about Howard's skills.

3. There is a little substance to the criticism of the new ball.


The Adidas Jabulani ("celebration" in Zulu) is new for the World Cup, and no one seems to be happy with it (except, coincidentally, those players with fat Adidas advertising contracts). The ball does seem to move strangely in the air, especially when struck with any velocity. Headers have looked a bit difficult for everyone (not Gabriel Heinze against Nigeria). But it seems to me that the complaining is a bit much. When sporting companies go all-out to emphasize their new, hugely significant, space-age technological innovations, it gives the players an easy scapegoat for any mistakes. So, to all players lodging complaints about the Jabulani: Yes, the ball is different. No, not just for you. The ball is different for everyone. Get over it.

4. Germany's kids are all right!


A young Germany team came to this tournament missing Michael Ballack, Torsten Frings, Oliver Kahn, and Bernd Schneider. Much of 2006's team has fallen out of favor, to be largely replaced by youth. However, the core of this team is experienced. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Phillipp Lahm, Lukas Podolski, and Per Mertesacker all played significant roles in 2006, and Lahm, at 26, is the oldest. They are joined by six of the squad that won the 2009 Under-21 European Championship. Of those six, four started in the opening 4-0 win against Australia, with a fifth seeing time as a substitute. Mesut Ozil sliced Australia's defense apart from his position behind the striker, while Thomas Muller scored a beautiful goal. An unusually entertaining Germany seems on the cards for this year's tournament.

5. The home-field advantage isn't just for South Africa.


When Ghana beat Serbia today, the entire stadium was behind them. The same can be expected when any African team plays. Six teams represent Africa this year, the most in World Cup history. Ghana beat a Serbia side that was EVERYONE's dark horse pick, including mine. South Africa's draw with Mexico was less unexpected, but they could have easily won, striking the woodwork near the end. African teams are surely a better bet than we first thought.