Bent Corner

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has put the kabosh to the idea Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama giving a political speech in front of the historic Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. This would put an end to the long held tradition of American presidential candidates speaking in front of the gate made famous during the cold war for dividing East and West Berlin.

It’s unknown why Merkel would deny the German people the chance to attend a political rally for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. For years the German people have enjoyed attending political rallies for American presidential candidates held at the historic Brandenburg Gate.  Being that the Germans came up short in the recent Euro 2008 soccer tournament, basking in the glow of Barack Obama would most certainly bring much needed cheer to the German people.

German Chancellor Angela Merkelis is wrong to deny her people the pleasure of being in the presence of Barack Obama.

It turns out I’m not the only one getting into the Euro 2008 football (soccer) championships. An internationally wanted Nazi war criminal has been spotted supporting his national team at the Euro 2008 football championships in Austria.

Milivoj Asner is wanted by Interpol for alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during his service as a police chief in Croatia during the Second World War, when the country was ruled by a Nazi puppet regime.

But Mr Asner, 95, who now lives a quiet and undisturbed life in Klagenfurt, Austria, has been seen taking leisurely walks, sipping wine with his wife Edeltrat and mingling with Croatian football fans prior to the matches of his country’s national team.

He is the number four on the most wanted list of the Nazi-hunters and Croatia has demanded his extradition.

You’d think being #4 on the Nazi-hunter most wanted list would make a person stay at home and watch the games on ESPN. Do they have ESPN in Austria?

They are the worldwide leader in sports.

Link

The Czech Republic was up 2-0 with 15 minutes left in regulation.  They had arguably one of the best goal keepers in the world with Petr Cech in front of the net. Turkey didn’t stand a chance, right?

Wrong.

This has got to be one of the most exciting soccer games I’ve ever seen. Unbelievable.

It even included Volkan Demirel, the Turkish goal keeper receiving a Red Card in the final seconds requiring him to remove his distinctive goal keeper jersey and leave the field. A Turkish defender then had to put on his sweaty jersey and Hamburger Helper gloves and take on the goal keeping chores.

Exciting!

Czech Republic 2-3 Turkey: Nihat seals a thriller [ESPN]