Euro 2012 Qualifiers - 03 June 2011

03 June 2011 | Highlights | GER | 720x400= Group A =Austria v GermanyDuckload : 1st Half | 2nd Half ............. FileKeen : 1st Half | 2nd HalfHotfile : 1st Half | 2nd Half ............. Fileserve : 1st Half | 2nd HalfBelgium v TurkeyDuckload | FileKeen | Hotfile | Fileserve= Group C =Italy v EstoniaDuckload | FileKeen | Hotfile | Fileserve= Group D =Romania v Bosnia-HerzegovinaDuckload |

Rare Images of Hitler's Wife Eva Braun

Rare Images of Hitler's Wife Eva BraunEva Braun made up as jazz singer Al JolsonBraun sunbathing and semi-nude behind umbrellaHitler's long-time companion seen partying and smokingPreviously unseen images from the fascinating private albums of Eva Braun have come to light.They give us incredible retrospective access to Hitler’s little known companion and her extraordinary life.Hitler and Braun

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COGH Quarter Finals - The Big Beasts start to clash...

Cup of Good Hop - The Final Countdown

There are only eight matches left in COGH - eight countries left - eight beers that have admirably displayed their attributes, their strength and all the ingredients that make them among the best brews on the planet. To reach this stage, every single one of them are winners, but ultimately seven of them will lose. Here's how the quarter-finalists line up:-

France (La Choulette) versus

Germany (Erdinger)

Japan (Sapporo) v

Spain (Alhambra Mezquitza)

Nigeria (Guinness Foreign Extra) v

Australia (Coopers Sparkling Ale)

Paraguay (Palo Santo Marron) v

Switzerland (Samichlaus)

Match 57:

France 2
Aznavour 34, Mitterand 69

Germany 1
Hasselhoff 67

A mammoth pan-European encounter produced drama a-plenty, with the French Blonde Bombshell winning our over the Weissbeer. 'This is like Special Brew for Kings,' said Peter of the Gallic £3-a-bottle concoction. Erdinger won lots of plaudits but just fell short in a titantic, tight battle. 'Ooh la-la,' was all Dan had to say, and let his tastebuds do the judging as La Choulette took a well deserved berth in the semis.

Match 58:

Japan 0

Spain 2

Chavvy 23, Burrito 80

To be fair, Sapporo had enjoyed a relatively easy passage into the last eight - winning the frankly awful Group E. Consequently when it was time to face some proper beer in top-flight competition it was found wanting. 'Essentially it doesn't taste of anything much,' says Stu. Conversely Mezquita was pulling up taste-trees, a strong yet finely balanced beer that can hold its own with the best - is among the bookies favourites for the COGH trophy.

The Knock-Out Phase - No Second Chances

What next for Cup of Good Hop?

As the World Cup rolls towards the beginning of its end, our thoughts here at COGH turn to what should become of the site. We've had suggestions that we should run a Champions League version next season, and we are currently sizing this up. We could also run occasional Premier / Football League Beer face-offs. What do you think? Write and tell us what we should do, even if its to take a long run off a short pier.

Oh dear... well, we'll see tomorrow won't we?

Match 49:
France 4

Marceau 13, 57 Merci-Beaucoup 70, Cissy (pen) 85
Argentina 1

Galtieri 49

Sweet, hoppy with a touch of spice. We're not talking about a Skippy the Bush Kangeroo porn flick - this is La Choulette, and its thorough beating of Quilmes. 'This is going to be one tough mother to beat,' says Deaks approvingly. The Argentines may be having a stunning WC2010, but their beer oddessy came to an end, as one of the last 'Bog-Standard Lagerland' entrants bites the dust. Peter's parting shot was that Quilmes tastes like 'something your dad would drink in the 70s with a bit of lime cordial in it.' Ouch.

Barbie drink's from Cindy's furry Cup of Good Hop -
Obviously too much Jelen Pivo

Match 50:
Slovenia 2
Rektal 36, 48
Germany 2
Mullered 12, Geradehaus 50
(Germany won on penalties)

Weissbeer (Erdinger) vs quality ale (the Slovenian hops of Broadside) - not exactly comparing like with like but we had to go there, and there was barely the thickness of a beermat to separate them at the finish. 'They're so different,' says James, 'one's a summer beer and the other is one for around Christmas.' Stu comes up with a suggestion - 'well as its summer then we should give it to the Germans, and thus one of the toughest decisions yet in COGH is reluctantly made.

Dramatic Finale to Groups C + D - What's the Story Golden Glory?

Group C

Match 37:
Slovenia 2
Bojangles 70, Pistilic 81

England 1
Runny 9

England make a bright start - Peter: 'Its lovely. So long as you like peaches. Lends itself to duck pate or cheesecake.' James responds with 'that sounds like a recipe for gout,' and similar feeling amongst the lads means the writing is on the wall for the Three Lions. The Slovenian Hops in Adnams' Broadside are a more conventional hit 'would warm you cockles any old day,' (Dan) and patriotism is put aside in favour of scientific enquiry. It is found to be eminently drinkable - with a punch without the pungency. This could well have disastrous consequences for England's chances.

Other news

So, its do-or-die day for England in WC2010. Great story here from The Daily Mash about John Terry's frame of mind before the big game. Other news:- Apparently an Algerian witch doctor sent the pigeon behind the goal to cast a spell on England last Friday. Elsewhere Raymond Domenech is to write a book entitled How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Possible explanation found for poor Croatian show in qualifiers

Match 38:
USA 3
Measley30 (pen), Hold'em 40, Bubble 57

Algeria 0

The States' entry - Sierra Nevada Glissade - racks up an easy victory against the Algerians who leave COGH without so much as a goal, let alone a goal to their name. 'Fruity, lingers like a good'un,' says Dan about the US of A. Skol, the biggest, if shortest name in lager in parts of North Africa, has a torrid time. 'Light and refreshing my arse,' says Dan, whilst Stu describes it as 'flavoured water. In fact, I don't think they've bothered to flavour it.' The Executive Beer Tasters were going to ring the Skol Consumer Helpline on the side of the can, but ultimately we couldn't be bothered.

Final Group C Table

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Slovenia	3	3	0	0	10	3	7	9
2	USA	3	1	1	1	7	5	2	4
3	England	3	1	1	1	6	4	2	4
4	Algeria	3	0	0	3	0	11	-11	0

COGH Analysis: England go home due to scoring one fewer goal than the USA - the cruellest form of elimination known to man. The Slovenians triumphed after a couple of narrow wins over their main rivals and annihilation of the Algerians, who never really stood a chance in the company of three strong opponents. England can take a lot away from this experience, but must be bitterly disappointed to be going home at this early stage.

Group D
Match 39:
Ghana 0

Germany 2
Bierhoff Jr 39, Geradehaus 90+2

Yet again there's a shutout for Star - and Erdinger does more than enough to ensure safe progress. 'It's a lovely contrast to have a bit of white beer,' says Peter, who by now has drunk enough generic piss to last a lifetime. 'Nice lid. has five stars on it, shame you can't say that about the beer,' says Stu about the African also-ran. It's plain to see by this point that beers such as Star are going to get little sympathy as we've sampled most of the big guns three times.

Match 40: Australia 4
Chippyfeel 9, Kewl 41, Floater 49, Molehill 80

Serbia 2
Yearic 29, Alcoholic 64

Coopers Sparkling Ale very well received all round. James sums it up 'Interesting and tasty. Smallest bottle in the group but packs a big punch.' Jelen Pivo also has its fans, with Dan noting it was 'very nice, which was pleasing as it came in a bottle the size of a battleship.' However, the antipodean class shone through, and it was arguable there was possibly just too much Serbian Beer knocking around to be impressed by it. At the end of the day, Coopers is a speciality world-renowned ale as opposing to above-average mass market lager. No contest really.

Final Group D Table

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Australia	3	2	1	0	10	5	5	7
2	Germany	3	2	1	0	8	5	3	7
3	Serbia	3	1	0	2	7	8	-1	3
4	Ghana	3	0	0	3	1	8	-7	0

COGH Analysis: Australia top the table on sheer fire power ahead of a German side who'd have won most COGH groups hands down. Serbia's Jelen Pivo can also count themselves unlucky due to the company they've kept, as they have found the net nearly as many times as those who have qualified. Ghana were outclassed on a regular basis, looking the epitome of average throughout.

Group D - Triumph of the Big Two...

Africa's World Cup?

A cursory glance at the match stats so far suggest it's been anything but Africa's World Cup. Of eight matches involving teams from the host continent (up to Friday 18th) only Ghana have managed to win, and every other game has resulted in a loss apart from South Africa's draw on the opening day. South America are the most successful continent by a country mile, with five wins and a draw from six matches. European teams are drawing more often than they are chalking up wins, but who would ever have thought that Germany, Spain and France would have trouble in the group stage?

Germany miss from the spot for once

Match Breakdown (as of June 18th, in order of success)

South America
Matches 6
Won 5
Drawn 1
Lost 0

Europe Matches 11
Won 4
Drawn 5
Lost 2

North America
Matches 4
Won 1
Drawn 2
Lost 1

Asia & Australisia
Matches 6
Won 1
Drawn 2
Lost 3

Africa
Matches 8
Won 1
Drawn 1
Lost 6

Jelen Pivo: Big, but not one of the Big Two

The Jelen Pivo World Cup lounge...

Cup of Good Hop Match 23:

Germany 3
Mullered 41, 51, Badstubby 77

Serbia 2

Crossstic 13, Zigzagic 43

Two words sum up Erdinger for Deaks - well engineered. The Serbian beer is both big and well received 'it's much nicer than Stella - gets you in the mood,' says Stu, but ultimately it doesn't have enough to match Die Nationalelf, as the Germans are sometimes known. Peter seems to be failing to keep up with the pace when he says 'I might need a little time to finish Germany off,' and the double entredre is well received. James considers Erdinger to be 'subtle but powerful', with the team in full agreement that they should shave a narrow win.

Stuart with the trophy they are all lusting after

Our Team

Just in case you've forgotten or didn't know what our EBTs (Executive Beer Tasters) look like - here they are again...

Peter Styles

James Byford

Dan Last

Lee Deacon

Stuart Fuller

Twitter Titter #4

An occasional COGH series revealing the tweets that make us titter

@billybragg USA continue their winning streak with a brilliant 2-2 victory over Slovenia

What! Another Drinking World Cup!

We've had an email from Tom Drummond , an app that allows you to pledge allegiance to your telling us about the Drinking World Cup allowing you to pledge your allegiance for your nation - indeed any nation of choice - by saying that you are going to drink on their behalf. Seems eminently sensible to us. Cheers!

John Travolta putting a scientologist curse on the Australian team last week

Match 24:

Ghana 0

Australia 3
Kewl 27, Molehill 50, 52

Australia, like the Germans, consolidate after cancelling each other out in the first round of games. Ghana have no answer to the Aussie firepower, with very little by way of attack. Peter thought that Coopers 'beat Star pants down' and Deaks described it as 'special and refreshing. It's a top performer - good bowling Shane.' As far as Star was concerned, Dan picked up on their marketing message. 'They promise a million sparkling bubbles - and deliver considerably less.' James thought Star was 'lacklustre' and 'metallic', and it was clear to all that Star was going to be the whipping boy of Group D.

Group D Table

		P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Australia	2	1	1	0	6	3	3	4
2	Germany	2	1	1	0	6	5	1	4
3	Serbia	2	1	0	1	5	4	1	3
4	Ghana	2	0	0	2	1	6	-5	0

COGH Analysis: Germany have almost guaranteed themselves a place in the last sixteen with as their final fixture is against the lowly Ghana, but the tie that's going to wet many whistles is the one between the Socceroos and Serbia, with the Eastern Europeans needing all three points to progress.

Bring on the Germans... that's right - it's Group D time

Dan interviewing Peter about permutations in the COGH Group of Death

Three big beery nations in this one - someone's gonna get it... Ouch! Would have to say Ghana are underdogs in the group before the off...

Serbia
Jelen Pivo, 5%
'Extremely pale in color. It pours with a sizable, very white head of foam that dissipates relatively quickly. There is minimal lacing on the glass as the head shrinks down to form a film on top of the beer. Surprisingly, and quite pleasantly, Jelen Pivo is moderately bitter in flavor.’ deliciousattack.com

Ghana
Star, 5%
‘A million sparkling golden bubbles with a uniquely rich foamy head and crisp excellent taste.' Awoko Newspaper

Germany
Erdinger Weiss, 5.3%
'Medium gold colour, with lots of swirling yeast haze in the glass. The nose is really quite clean, crisp and citrussy, with a little hint of yeastiness and grass, but rather neutral overall. On the palate the texture is creamy and dense, and this is a very smooth, sleek, tasty beer that is nevertheles a touch non-descript.’
Beernotes.com

Australia
Cooper’s Sparkling Ale, 5.8%
‘A little hint of cinammon, fine hops and fruity notes. On the palate it is medium-bodied and smooth, with a rich moussy attack, and subtly toasty character. It is a very classy beer, with a tight-grained, bitter hoppiness and a lovely focus of quite fruity, herbal flavours and that subtle toast held in check..'

Beernotes.com

Match 7:
Germany 3
Bierhoff Jr. 8, 52, Badstubby 89

Australia 3

Kneel 24, Chippyfeel 45 (pen), Galesalesovic 90

Takes virtually no time for this one to catch fire - a real classic for the archives. James asks Deaks how he's set for time - only for Big D to reply 'I've got two weeks off...' But the beers themselves are of course the focus. Coopers is described as having beautiful body and compared to Elle McPherson by Peter, whereas Dan's response to German Weissbeer Erdinger is 'Ding Ding Ding!!!' The Aussies have a tangy frontrunner that packs a punch, though the Germans hit back from Stu's derogatory 'it's like a flat Hoegaarden' and managed to more than wangle an enthralling draw. Comfortably the best match of COGH so far.

Match 8:
Serbia 3
Zigzagic 1, Alcoholic 32, 77

Ghana 1
Gowaan 55 (pen)

Careful consideration of Jelen Pivo

Serbia's Jelen Pivo was impressive from the start - not only did it come in a two-litre bottle but it was lively, lively, lively. It looked like we were going to be subjected to a gassy uprising from the Balkans, but then the only COGH beer with a stag in the logo locked horns with our tastebuds and easily outclassed the fading Star, which was considered bland and then dipped into further obscurity. JP managed make some firm friends, and there was still more than plenty of the bottle left to sup...

Mass hilarity caused by JP... splendid

Barbie and Sindy join in the fun - god knows where they came from

Stay tuned for two more posts today, by which time we should be bang up-to-date with events over in South Africa and in the COGH Lounge. Laters,

Peter...

Declan Ganley hides his American flag before TV interview watch here

I have received a few requests to post the Ganley video where he rolls up the American flag and hides it before doing an interview for German TV tagesthemen, 15. Oktober 2008
The piece starts at 17.14 You can see Libertas Grunden Declan Ganley folding up his American flag and hiding it under the table starts at 21.32. Which flag is he flying today?

Click link below to view.

http://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/sendung/tt908.html