We Must Stop Europe Now!

To borrow from Star Wars, Help me Paraguy, you are our only hope.

Brazil is out. Argentina is out. Netherlands is in. Germany is in.

It will be an injustice for the overall superior futbol that South America has shown if Europe gets 3 teams in the semifinals, and South America only gets 1. It's bad enough that we won't see more of "El Diego", we can still hope for a second "guay" in the semifinals.

Paraguay has its work cut out for them, however. Their biggest problem is that they don't know how to score goals. As noted by the brilliant John Harkes, "In soccer you need to score goals." (Thanks, John) They certainly seem to be missing Salvador Cabanas. Maybe the Paraguayan coach should inform his players before the match that the guy who shot Cabanas was a Spaniard ex-pat who had predicted a Paraguay/Spain quarterfinal. That would be excellent coaching.

Alas, Spain is too good and will likely win this one. They haven't played well yet in the tournament but they still managed to get to the quarterfinal. They do just enough to win, and will do that again today. The futbol hotline expects a 1st half Spanish goal followed by a drab second half where Spain plays keep away and Paraguay shows that it has no one on its roster who can create goal scoring chances.

Spain: 1

Paraguay: 0

Adios, nuestros hermanos americanos

Germany vs Argentina

Who would have thought that Diego Maradona would be among the 2 best dressed coaches at the World Cup? Granted, Maradona looks like a 6 year old who had his mom dress him, but the suit is a good look - much better than the Bob Bradley track suit.

As I typed this Germany scored an early goal, and coach Joachim Loew danced around in his Sprockets gear, but the futbol Buffet still likes an Argentina comeback.

Since it's too late to preview a game that has already started, the futbol Buffet would like to share some of its favorite Diego Maradona quotes of the World Cup (as compiled by the London Telegraph). Go Albicelestes!!

Diego Maradona on his rival to the 'world's best ever player' award, Pele...
"Pele should go back to the museum."

Diego Maradona on the entire nation of France and its greatest football star...
"We all know what the French are like and Platini as a Frenchman thinks he knows it all."

Diego Maradona on fatherhood...
"My legitimate kids are Dalma and Giannina. The rest are a product of my money and mistakes."

Diego Maradona on sportsmanship...
"I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me and no one came, ... I told them, 'Come hug me or the referee isn't going to allow it.'"

Diego Maradona on smashing the car of a photographer...
"I did it with the hand of reason."

Diego Maradona on being voted Fifa's joint Player of the Century...
"The people voted for me. Now they want me to share the prize with Pele. I'm not going to share the prize with anybody."

Diego Maradona on World Cup 1998, and clearly not anticipating this one...
"The players have all got square feet. They are like Robocops, they have more need of lubricant than massage. I don't believe the tournament could be worse."

Diego Maradona on his political affiliation...
"I believe in [Venezuelen President Hugo] Chávez, I am Chavista. Everything Fidel [Castro] does, everything Chávez does, for me is the best."

Diego Maradona on his team's work ethic...
"I have 23 wildcats prepared to leave their skins on the pitch."

Diego Maradona on American politics...
"I think Bush is a murderer. I'm going to head the march against him stepping foot on Argentine soil."

Diego Maradona on proving the doubters wrong...
"To those who did not believe: now suck my d**k - I'm sorry ladies for my words - and keep on sucking it. I am either white or black. I will never be grey in my life. You treated me as you did. Now keep on sucking d**ks. I am grateful to my players and to the Argentinian people. I thank no one but them. The rest, keep on sucking d**ks."

Day 1 of Quarterfinals

At risk of this blog turning into a lovefest for Uruguay, Luis Suarez is a hero. There aren't many of those, so it's nice to add a new legend. And Suarez is not a cheater - he simply extended the game. It's like a basketball team trailing by 4 fouling to extend the game. The amazing part is that Suarez had already blocked one goal on that play with his feet, and somehow had the foresight to decide that if he couldn't block a second with his body, he'd do it with his hands.

After Suarez's 120th minute handball saved a goal-bound shot by Ghana, John Harkes was incredulous ("What was he thinking?"), but the referee saw it and did what the rules require: red card for Suarez (he misses the semifinal) and a penalty kick for Ghana. It would have been a horrible injustice if the ref had not seen the handball. But this handball was so obvious that it was clearly strategic, and not meant to trick the ref.

The futbol Buffet readers might notice that I haven't written anything about "poor Ghana." Poor Asamoah Gyan. Have we already forgotten that this is the team that eliminated the U.S. 1 week ago? I'm not rooting for Kobe after he eliminates the Suns. And I'm not rooting for Ghana after they eliminate the USMNT. Ghana choked - so sad.

Uruguay vs the Netherlands preview coming soon!