GERMANY v. COSTA RICA [4-2]

HIGHLIGHTS

A fine beginning to any tournament. Six minutes in, a goal of the highest quality, courtesy of Philipp Lahm, one of the young stars of the European Tournament of 2004. And a prompt reply from Paolo Wanchope, which only made it easier to root for the Costa Ricans, especially when surrounded by 55 German male field hockey players and their girlfriends at a private party (yep, for those who don't already know, dudes rock them curvy sticks and short shorts out here on the regular -- no skirts though). Though the Germans put two more in succession past the Costa Rican keeper, the Ticos didn't give up, showing spirit reminiscent of their performance against Brazil in the last World Cup that resulted in a second goal for Wanchope. Cue my smiles, and dirty looks from the rest of the room. But the equalizer was not to be, as Torsten Frings unleashed a shot somehow more impressive than Lahm's, and even I can't hate on that. 4-2.

Golden moment: Oliver Kahn, the deposed German 'keeper, seated on the bench, chuckling to himself and Chelsea defender Robert Huth, and loosening his pants like Al Bundy in front of the television.