Match Day 2 Update

Who ordered up this incomprehensible mess? We did, of course! Conventional wisdom is definitely out the window in this world cup as we have transitioned from "quirky" in match day 1 to "willy wonka's boat ride scene" in match day 2.

It's one thing for France to stumble out of the gate and gain only 1 point in the first game. But to lose the second, kick out their star forward for swearing at his lame-duck coach, and then have the rest of the team go on strike? Well, it wouldn't be summer for the French without someone being on strike I guess. My money was on the public transit union, certainly not the men's national football team...

Argentina is composed and willful, Germany is picking up red cards and losing games?

N Korea plays the role of plucky underdog in game one, then plays ole defense in allowing 7 goals the next? Our Supreme Leader just got a supreme spanking.

And then there's New Zealand, who I called in my 3 word preview the Detroit Lions of soccer. They now have more points than France and Cote d'Ivoire....

Awards:

Best goal: David Villa (#1) against Honduras. One man vs. 3 including a slide around the last man while shooting and the ball in the corner of the net. Not too shabby.

Most egregious dive: That dude from Cote d'Ivoire who ran right into Kaka and then recoiled like Lady Gaga from Laura Ashley sundresses and held his face as if he was trying to piece it back together. Granted Brazil were way ahead in the dive count at that point in the match, so the poor guy was staging a hopeless diving comeback... Runner-up: Suarez from Uruguay for his tumble after the slight toe tap from the South African goalie. A penalty kick and a red card on the goalie. Not a bad trophy haul for selling your soul.

Best re-interpretation of the rules: Luis Fabiano of Brazil, who decided that if you touch the ball twice with your hands, they cancel each other out and you can then score your goal. Jogo Bullcrapo.

Worst call: Need I even say it? Koman Coulibaly, you are a bad bad man.

As for the Challenge, the leaderboard has been upended (see attached standings). Dr. Norway is now in the lead thanks to Mexico and New Zealand. Close behind is The Hall and Sneakey Peakey both thanks to Uruguay. Louis Louis no longer needs to worry about last place as Brokeback Alex has corrected me on his picks. BBA is going with a maverick anti-logic selection - hoping for big things out of North Korea, South Africa, and Japan. Actually, it's not the worst idea ever. (That claim is still held by whoever green-lighted Ishtar.)

Enjoy the simultaneous action this week. I will keep posting scenario previews and random screen-grabs from 2:00am on the poolmaster blog.

Good Luck.