World Cup Watch
By Nick Barbaro, Fri., June 27, 2014
The Remaining Schedule
All games shown live on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2, and in Spanish on Univision or Galavisión, and are also streamed live on the WatchESPN and ESPN3 services.
Thu., 6/26: 11am USA-Germany, Portugal-Ghana (G)
3pm S. Korea-Belgium, Algeria-Russia (H)
No games Friday. Round of 16 starts Saturday:
Sat., 6/28: 11am Brazil-Chile
3pm Colombia-Uruguay
Sun., 6/29: 11am Netherlands-Mexico
3pm Costa Rica-Greece
Mon., 6/30: 11am France-Nigeria
3pm G1-H2 (Germany-Algeria?)
Tue., 7/1: 11am Argentina-Switzerland
3pm H1-G2 (Belgium-USA?)
Fri., 7/4: 11am QF: Monday's winners
3pm QF: Saturday winners
Sat., 7/5: 11am QF: Tuesday winners
3pm QF: Sunday winners
Tue., 7/8: 3pm Semifinal: Friday winners
Wed., 7/9: 3pm Semifinal: Saturday winners
Sat., 7/12: 3pm Third Place
Sun., 7/13: 2pm Final
Continental Scorecard – First Round
Outstanding results from the host continent, and our own. Africa and Asia could both be shut out.
(Region: W-L-D; Teams Advancing)
S. America: 13-3-1; 5 of 6 advance
N. America: 5-3-3; 3 unbeatens out of 4
Europe: 15-14-6; 13 entries: 6 in, 6 out
Africa: 3-8-3; Algeria last chance of 5
Asia: 0-8-3; Korea last chance of 4
What to Look For
As we go to press, there's just one day left in the World Cup group stage, but it's a big one: Thursday and the U.S.A.-Germany game that may send the Americans into the next round out of the Group G "Group of Death." The U.S. wins the group by beating Germany, and finishes second with a draw, or even with a loss, depending on goal differential and the Ghana-Portugal result.
In the afternoon game in Group H, Belgium is safe, and will probably win the group; the Russia-Algeria winner almost surely takes second. South Korea, Asia's last hope for the final 16, needs a miracle.
Quarterfinals
Note that the winners of each day's games meet each other in the Quarterfinals next weekend.
Saturday is an all-South American affair: Brazil has yet to play a beautiful game, but they won their group, and are the favorites in every match they play. Colombia's three wins in group were inspired; they'll be favored over an Uruguay, who will likely be without Luis Suarez (el vampiro).
Sunday: Holland swept their difficult group, including that demolition of Spain, but Mexico looks serious, as well. Costa Rica is this year's feel-good story, and they got a favorable draw in unconvincing Greece, who's very lucky to have gotten this far.
Monday: France was another team that looked absolutely electrifying in their two wins and a draw; they should handle Nigeria. The afternoon game's still not set at press time: The Group G winner, either Germany or the U.S., faces Algeria or Russia.
Tuesday: Argentina has to be another favorite, off their three dominating wins in group play, and Lionel Messi's form; they should light up Switzerland. If the last game of the quarterfinal round does turn out to be U.S.A.-Belgium, I like our underdog chances, especially if we get Jozy Altidore back.
Look for World Cup Watch Daily every morning at austinchronicle.com/sports.
Select Viewing Options
Well, the real story here is, World Cup fever has completely taken over Austin. Every bar and restaurant with a television has it tuned in to Brazil, and there are crowds watching. So this list could be 10 times this long, and still not cover everyone. That said, here's an offering of some of Austin's best places to watch fútbol.
BD Riley's (204 E. Sixth) Waiting for Ireland to get back in again.
Bar 96 (96 Rainey) is a casual sports bar with lots of serious fans.
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. Haymaker has been packed to way overflowing for U.S. games in particular.
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, even with England out.
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, and more, plus excessive fútbol fanaticism (selected games only).
Justine's (4710 E. Fifth) specializes in French games of course, but the owners are big fans in general.
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.
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."
Satellite Bistro & Bar (5900 W Slaughter) has food and drink specials for all USA and Greece games.
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) has big screen TVs everywhere you look. Go see Colombia-Uruguay Saturday, then stroll over for the Aztex game, next door at House Park, at 7:30.
