World Cup 2014
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., June 20, 2014
Opening Week Schedule
All games shown live on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2, and in Spanish on Univision or Galavisión.
All games are also streamed live on the WatchESPN and ESPN3 services.
Thu., 6/19 11am Colombia-Ivory Coast (C)
2pm Uruguay-England (D)
5pm Japan-Greece (C)
Fri., 6/20 11am Italy-Costa Rica (D)
2pm Switzerland-France (E)
5pm Honduras-Ecuador (E)
Sat., 6/21 11am Argentina-Iran (F)
2pm Germany-Ghana (G)
5pm Nigeria-Bosnia/Herze. (F)
Sun., 6/22 11am Belgium-Russia (H)
2pm South Korea-Algeria (H)
5pm USA-Portugal (G)
Mon., 6/23 11am Australia-Spain, Holland-Chile (B)
3pm Croatia-Mexico, Cameroon-Brazil (A)
Tue., 6/24 11am Italy-Uruguay, Costa Rica-England; (D)
3pm Japan-Colombia, Greece-Ivory Coast (C)
Wed., 6/25 11am Nigeria-Argentina, Bosnia/Herze.-Iran; (F)
3pm Honduras-Switz., Ecuador-France (E)
Thu., 6/26 11am USA-Germany, Portugal-Ghana (G)
3pm South Korea-Belgium, Algeria-Russia (H)
End of Group Stage. Round of 16 begins 11am Sat., June 28.
Sat., 6/28 11am Round of 16: 1A-2B
3pm Round of 16: 1C-2D
Sun., 6/29 11am Round of 16: 1B-2A
3pm Round of 16: 1D-2C
Mon., 6/30 11am Round of 16: 1E-2F
3pm Round of 16: 1G-2H
Tue., 7/1 11am Round of 16: 1F-2E
3pm Round of 16: 1H-2G
Fri., 7/4 11am Quarterfinals: Mon. winners
3pm Quarterfinals: Sat. winners
Sat., 7/5 11am Quarterfinals: Tue. winners
3pm Quarterfinals: Sun. winners
Tue., 7/8 3pm Semifinals: Friday winners
Wed., 7/9 3pm Semifinals: Saturday winners
Sat., 7/12 3pm Third Place
Sun., 7/13 2pm Final
Through the groups: Day by Day
Group C: Top seed Colombia looked great in a 3-0 romp over Greece. They face Ivory Coast, a 2-1 comeback winner over Japan. Expect Japan to take the losers' game.
Group D: Uruguay and England both lost their openers; surprisingly, England looked much better doing it. Costa Rica's surprised to be here; can they surprise Italy?
Group E: France completely dominated Honduras; the Swiss came from behind to shock Ecuador in the 93rd minute. In the losers' game, Ecuador romps.
Group F: Argentina had to come from behind to beat their biggest rival in the group, Bosnia. Iran-Nigeria's drab scoreless draw marks them as cannon fodder.
Group G: Germany had the most complete performance thus far in dismantling Portugal. U.S. chances certainly go up with that result; lots of injuries on both sides.
Group H: Belgium and Russia are still group favorites, but both had to come from behind against Algeria and South Korea. This is wide open.
Group B: Holland and Chile are already through to the next round; they play Monday to avoid Brazil in the Round of 16. And in the end, one would have to say that reigning Spain looked really rather plain.
Group A: Host Brazil has looked shaky and tight, but they and a suddenly revived Mexico have the inside track; don't rule out Croatia, who can knock Mexico out with a win Monday.
Some Top Stories so far
Spain: The defending champs are out after two games, thoroughly outplayed by Holland and Chile.
Goals: The first 16 games saw: 49 goals, 13 games with at least three goals, only two draws, and no less than seven come-from-behind wins.
Controversy?: A couple of "questionable" calls in the opening game, continuing (and justified) socio-political protests across Brazil, and major cracks in the archaic FIFA power structure. Tudo bem. Play on.
The new, young England strike force: Sterling, Welbeck, and Sturridge were a revelation, despite the loss to Italy. I hope they get a chance to go on.
USA Thumbs Up: A gutsy performance to beat Ghana despite four injuries, but they've got a problem if Jozy Altidore's out for good. Next opponent Portugal melted down physically and mentally against Germany, and will be missing two starting defenders due to injury and a stupid, stupid red card. Will they and Cristiano Ronaldo show up for this next game?
Select Viewing Options
BD Riley's (204 E. Sixth) Waiting for Ireland to get back in again.
Bar 96 (96 Rainey) hosts Austin FC's WC Kickoff party Friday at 5pm, with reps attending from the Austin Aztex and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole's office.
Blackfinn Ameri-pub (11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Domain) is open for all games, and accepting viewing party reservations.
Black Sheep Lodge (2108 S. Lamar) and Haymaker (2310 Manor Rd.) both have beer specials for selected teams playing that day. The American Outlaws have been hanging out at Haymaker, so expect huge crowds for U.S. games.
Blackbird and Henry (3016 Guadalupe) The owner is of English/German heritage, so expect fireworks.
Champions Sports Bar (300 E. Fourth) has $4 import beers, a full menu, and the volume up for every game.
El Sol y la Luna (E. Sixth) is showing games en Español.
Fadó Irish Pub & Restaurant (214 W. Fourth) will show every game – of course – and will no doubt be a madhouse for England's dates.
Gabriel's (1900 University Ave., in the AT&T Center) Food and drink specials, plus a special drink for each game from one of the competing teams.
Holy Mountain (607 E. Seventh) promises trivia contests, drink specials, free Jim Beam shots for every U.S. goal, plus excessive fútbal fanaticism (selected games only).
Justine's (4710 E. Fifth) will be specializing in the French games of course, but the owners are big fans in general. No 5pm games.
Lavaca Street Bar (405 Lavaca) will offer $12 domestic buckets throughout the tournament.
Liberty Tavern (Austin Hilton, 500 E. Fourth) will have all the action on 11 big screens; Austin Men's Soccer Assoc. player cards get 10% off.
Licha's Cantina (1306 E. Sixth) has co-owners from Mexico and France; no 11am games, closed Sun.-Mon.
Midway Field House (2015 E. Riverside) is the former Antone's space on East Riverside, near Emo's, now redone as a sports bar.
Mister Tramps (8565 Research) is showing all the games – with sound, they stress – plus they have a cool countdown clock on their home page. Also drink specials, etc.
Mohawk (912 Red River) is showing the games on TVs and a projector, with live production sound. Plus "Frosty Beers + Original Cocktails + Food by Frank." Austin Coed Soccer Assoc. members get a discount with their valid player card.
Mr. Natural (1901 E. Cesar Chavez) is showing games en Español.
Nomad Bar (1212 Corona) is a cozy neighborhood bar off Cameron Road, with big-screen TVs, beer specials, and all-day happy hours on Sunday.
The North Door (502 Brushy) is open for all matches, projected on the 25-foot HD screen in the main room, and in the lounge – "an air-conditioned haven for soccer fans to take in all the action," plus drink specials and pizzas.
Opal Divine's Freehouse (3601 S. Congress) has drink specials all week, and a terrific whiskey selection, in case things go horribly wrong for your team.
Rio's Brazilian (408 N. Pleasant Valley) recently closed, and just reopened under new ownership, so, not sure what to expect.
The Russian House NaZdorovye (307 E. Fifth) will be streaming games and have drink and food specials, including "Half Time Happy Hour."
Sagra (1050 E. 11th) welcomes fans for Italy games.
Star Bar (600 W. Sixth) will show every game during operating hours, though they don't open until 4pm, Mon.-Thu. Free queso during USA games for customers dressed in American colors.
Sherlock's Pub (9012 Research) and Baker Street Pub (3003 S. Lamar) claim "the longest happy hour in Austin," and will be open for all games.
The Tavern (922 W. 12th), home pub for Austin Aztex fans, has big screen TVs everywhere you look.
