Awards of the Day: June 12th

Player of the Day: Artur Boruc. Utter brilliance to begin the game, he’s the biggest reason Poland got the result they did. Plus his son was born last night. What a tribute.

Angling For A Move To A Big Team Award: Artur Boruc, who has looked by most accounts fantastic over the first two games of this tournament. It’s no secret he wants to experience horizons outside of Glasgow and it looks like he’s putting on a show to ensure that he does. With Milan seemingly out of the race because he’s too expensive (uh huh), Arsene Wenger might be the guy to step in. Poor Lukas Fabianski. I bet he’ll get mighty tired of Boruc’s backside.

Coach of the Day: Slaven Bilic. They’d be lining up had he not just signed an extension to coach through 2010. Hell, they might line up anyway.

Fan of the Day: The Dutch Elton John over there, enjoying the Germany - Croatia matchup. You go, girl.

Team of the Day: Austria. Croatia was good, but if officials had any idea what an offside looks like, the would have won and gone up against Germany with three points.

Does This Game Actually Matter? Award: For the upcoming fixture between Germany and Austria. Raise your hand if you saw this coming. Now put it down, because you’re lying. Germany was expected to be sittin’ pretty right now and Austria was supposed to be pancaked with “Welcome” written across their backs. Now there’s everything left to play for.

Bargain of the Century: How the hell the Croatian FA pulled this off I don’t know, but they signed Bilic to a deal worth £35,000 per year in 2006. He recently signed an extension which surely saw that number soar, but damn, that’s one helluva bargain. That’s like paying $20,000 for a brand new Ferrari.

Dumbass of the Day: Bastian Schweinsteiger. It was a harsh red, but anyone who’s ever played any sport ever knows you never retaliate. NEVER. As dumb as it may be, you’re always going to get caught and you’re always going to be the one punished. Maybe he can console himself by coloring his hair.

Dumbass of the Day II: Jerko Leko. Have to say, that was a helluva substitute appearance from him. Getting a German red carded? That’s impact. However, the guy got pushed in the chest and was then apparently shot in the face by the imaginary sniper in the stands. Come on.

Offside Non-call Goal of the Day: Seems to be one in at least every group day so far, doesn’t there? And today’s was the Roger Guerreiroski goal.

Where ya at, Platini?

Matchup of the Day: We’re going to have to look ahead to Sunday’s game between Austria & Germany. Just because.

I also can’t confirm that the first two girls are at this tournament, not WC 2006, but I can confirm that I don’t care.

V