The FIFA World Cup Thread #2/Sports Thread Special #3 For 6/23/10: Germany And Ghana Progress, As Disappointing Serbians And Brave Aussies Go Home

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

The Final Early Analysis
The Australian spirit, and the brilliance of Mesut Ozil are the headlines in another captivating conclusion to another group.

The full review to come, but what can you say more of Pim Verbeek and his side's resilient effort, and almost, almost, someone recovered from their opening match disaster to Germany to advance for a second straight World Cup.

It was a very tame performance by Ghana though, outside of a few bright spots. And considering they have only scored via penalties in this tournament, that has got to be a little concerning for them going into their last 16 match with the United States. But the fact that they have progressed without Michael Essien, an in-form and happy Sulley Muntari, and Stephen Appiah (whose best days are far behind him now it seems), the core of their team for the last several years, is a testament to what a bubbling force that nation is.

And Serbia, well, they just didn't get anything from their forwards this tournament, and Milos Krasic and Milan Jovakovic had moments of brilliance but not enough consistency to sustain it. Most importantly today, when it came time for their defense to be counted on the most, their big names of Vidic, Ivanovic, and Subotic didn't stop inspirational Australia from scoring those two massive goals.

The full group review is to come later, but what a fascinating day it was for this World Cup ladies and gentlemen.

The review of Ghana-Germany, and the review of Australia-Serbia

The man of the Match for Serbia and Australia, "The Heading Headliner" that is Tim Cahill:

The Man of the Match for Germany-Ghana, the rising force that is one Mesut Ozil...or Oezil, or whatever way in the right way to spell it: