Mueller says he’s fine
Porto Seguro: Germany’s Thomas Mueller would like fans to know he’s just fine after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye at the end of Saturday’s draw against Ghana. A smiling Mueller posted a picture of himself — complete with bandaged right eyebrow — on Twitter. He wrote: “Thanks for the many get-better wishes. Everything fine with me, even if I look a bit like a boxer.” Germany plays the United States on Thursday in the Group G finale, needing a draw to assure advancement.
DUTCH CElEBRATE
Amsterdam: The streets of central Amsterdam were abandoned and nearly silent during the first 69 minutes of the Netherlands’ game against Chile on Monday. Fans huddled around television sets at home and in cafes. Around 20,000 people, nearly all in orange, watched on giant screens in Amsterdam’s Museum Square. But a deafening roar echoed around the city when leroy Fer scored the first goal, and horns and cheering continued through the rest of the 2-0 victory that clinched first place in Group B. After that, partygoers spilled out onto streets and canals, some shouting, others dancing. An estimated half of the country’s 17 million population watched the match, and that percentage is expected to increase as the team progresses further.
CATCHING ATTENTION
Fortaleza: On Brazil’s waterfront, getting people’s attention at the World Cup is hard work. Fans visiting Fortaleza have to work their way past cotton candy sellers, nearly life-sized cut-out figures of football stars, inline skaters, outdoor projectors set up by evangelical Christian groups. But a circus performing in the city may have figured out a way to top them all: It’s using a small airplane, fitted with loudspeakers to tout “tonight’s grand spectacle.” The circus puts on nightly performances, featuring clowns, acrobats, high-wire acts, and antics with performers in two-man zebra costumes.
AVOIDING BRAZIl
Sao Paulo: Fans sporting Chile’s red and The Netherlands’ orange streamed into Itaquerao Stadium on Monday. But it was another colour they had on their minds: yellow. With both teams having already comfortably advanced to the next round, even the most loyal fans were less interested in the opponent of the day but rather who they would face next. The consensusIJ Avoid host Brazil at any cost. Even though Brazil has not impressed thus far, its vast experience and home field advantage is something to fear, said Jeroen Klink, a 51-year-old Dutch fan wearing the No. 10 jersey of star midfielder Wesley Sneijder.