Day in 100 words or less It was supposed to be a day without drama. A day the bookmakers told us would be rudimentary, seeing France and Germany breeze by Nigeria and Algeria respectively. We should have known better. France were average for 70 minutes and good for 20, scoring late to prevent Nigeria from moving on. Germany, on the other hand, were pathetic for 70 minutes, average for 20 and marginally better in the extra time they needed to see off Algeria. Germany 2-1 Algeria (AET) Germany are in Brazil to win the World Cup. They may be only three wins away but based on this display those victories are going to be very difficult to find. World Cup winners are allowed slow starts and mixed performances along the way, but Joachim Lows side have a lot of work to do between now and July 13. In the end they, just, deserved the win in Porto Alegre but Algeria played a huge part in an enthralling match. They also did a great job at targeting Germanys high defensive line. The problem for Germany was not the position of the line, but the amount of things they did wrong while playing with it. It was clear they didnt want playmakers dropping in between the lines and with Algeria playing deep, Germanys high line made sense. Except, the players didnt orchestrate the game-plan properly. The full-backs are supposed to drop deep to cover any attackers in behind but their positioning was poor. In front, the midfield of Germany did little to press Algeria into a mistake and far too often balls were easily played over the top, forcing Per Mertesacker and Jerome Boateng to regularly turn and face their own goal, an area many centre-backs are not comfortable with. Thankfully, they had Manuel Neuer in behind and he made an incredible amount of clearances outside of his box. Stats powered by Opta Germanys problems continued in possession. They head into the quarter-finals with too many of their key players either not fit or not playing well. This is a team that became obsessed with Spain after losing to them twice at Euro 2008 and at the last World Cup but at the moment they have a balance issue with their front six. Bastian Schweinsteiger, so crucial to their hopes, limped off in extra time and will desperately be needed in the quarter-final. Philipp Lahm is a fine midfielder but his value is much higher as a full-back. Forced into that change when Shkodran Mustafi was stretchered off, Lahm at full-back gives Germany an outlet his teammates trust in a wide area. It also unleashes Sami Khedira into midfield, a player, himself, who is not fully fit but who brings something completely different to the midfield with his penetration. Think Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso from 2010 - that is what Khedira and Schweinsteiger can be. A pair with great strength who can dictate the tempo and direction of a match. Germanys Xavi, Toni Kroos, is a fine player who can dictate the pace and tempo but demands calculated and intelligent movement in front of him. He is not a true playmaker who will beat two or three men and score an individual goal. This puts tremendous pressure on the front three. Again, thinking of Spain, these three are essential for success. Mario Gotze and Mesut Ozil are not natural wide players. They like to operate centrally in spaces between the lines but that makes Germany easy to defend against. Germany needed width, much like Spain did in 2010, and on came their Pedro, Andre Schurrle for Gotze. Ozil, however, was no Andres Iniesta. He is a defensive liability when an opponent is not in possession of the ball and when in possession he is not at his best on the left flank. Ozil likes to make quick movements, quick passes to feet, and out wide that requires full-backs to get forward, something this German team does very little of. Thomas Muller, one of the bright spots for Germany against Algeria, is a vital player for Lows system. However, the jury is still out on what his best position is. Germany started with a false nine in this tournament, then went to Muller as the target man, but it was clear how valuable he is on the Schurrle goal, as his direct running into space and creativity set up the Chelsea man for a moment of brilliance on the goal. Their next opponents, France, may just be exactly what they need. France are a talented team but they have not been tested enough when forced to defend a lot, they tend to play slowly in possession and Germany should control possession and could do what Spain did to France two years ago at Euro 2012. That is easier said than done, however, and Germany will need to be far better to stay in Brazil. What they do have, though, is a cast of characters who are genuine world class stars. If any team can turn this around quickly it is this one. France 2-0 Nigeria There is a very thin line between success and failure at World Cups. The line is different for every team. Frances victory over Nigeria saw them jump over that line. Whatever happens from now on, this World Cup has become a success for a French team some thought wouldnt qualify after their loss in Ukraine last October. Against Nigeria they were far from perfect but their maturity came through. Under Didier Deschamps there is no room for complacency and France were a united front. For the second successive day, a European team grew stronger as the game wore on and a key tactical switch made the difference. Deschamps chose to play Karim Benzema with Olivier Giroud but Nigeria exploited this, creating overlaps out wide on the left where the Real Madrid man operated. This forced Blaise Matuidi to cover and help Patrice Evra, opening up spaces in midfield. During the second half Antoine Griezmann was introduced for Giroud and the balance of the side was much better. Benzema was not at his best but, importantly, France were able to pull through in a game where he didnt carry them. The goal came from a set-piece and the Nigerian goalie, Vincent Enyeama, who had been excellent, made one error in judgment and allowed Paul Pogba to nod home the winning goal into an empty net. Laurent Koscienly, a menace to defend at set plays throughout, played a huge part by attracting two defenders that the goalkeeper didnt trust to deal with the Arsenal man. It was a fitting goal for Pogba, who was the best player on the pitch. In all, many French players who have excelled at the highest level, the Champions League, performed very well like Mathieu Valbuena, Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Varane and Pogba. Nigeria go home with their heads held high with many of their players having had an excellent World Cup. Man of the Day Nominees Ahmed Musa – The Nigerian attacker has had a fantastic World Cup and his speed on the counter caused France a number of problems. Paul Pogba – The Juventus man had easily his best performance at the World Cup so far and scored the crucial goal. Andre Schurrle – Once again another substitute at this World Cup made a big impact on the game. Manuel Neuer – The German goalkeeper was sensational, often playing as an 11th outfield player, sweeping up behind his defence. Essaid Belkalem – The Algerian defence was brilliant, led by the 25-year-old Watford defender. The winner... Manuel Neuer – Arguably one of the best goalkeepers in the world today had a monumental match when his country needed him the most. What comes next? Argentina vs Switzerland (12pm et/9am pt) and Belgium vs USA (4pm/1pm) Burning question for Tuesday Will Belgium start a game better than they have done so far in this World Cup or will they once again start slowly and allow the USA confidence to build? Key stat of Day 19 With 10 games remaining, we have now had 150 goals at this World Cup. That is more than we had in 2006 and 2010. Air Max 270 Saldi . Phoenix originally signed Barbosa to a 10-day contract on Jan. 8 after Eric Bledsoe injured his knee and then signed him to another 10-day deal. Scarpe Scontatissime Online . The team sent out a press release on Friday stating Poile was resting and recovering and that he will remain in hospital for further observation. The Predators were preparing for the game against the Wild when Poile was hit by a puck that flew off the ice at him where he was standing in a tunnel behind the bench. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/nike-air-max-720-italia-scarpe-outlet-c3266.html . Johns IceCaps erased an early two-goal deficit to come from behind and defeat the host Portland Pirates 5-4 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. Scarpe Outlet Italia . Globo TV and other news outlets said early Monday that Scolari will not remain as coach after the national teams failure to win the World Cup at home. Air Max 90 Scontate Outlet . That further limits the options of Australia coach Ewen McKenzie, who on Monday suspended six players who were involved in a night out in Dublin ahead of the Saturdays 32-15 win over the Irish. The Wallabies play Scotland on Saturday before facing Wales on Nov.When youre in Toronto, what are some of the things you like to do? I know you like to bike around Toronto.For sure, my first time in Toronto was in 1997 when I was in high school. The thing I remember about 1997 was all the underground tunnels we got to go through. The next time I got to go Toronto was 2006. I enjoy riding bikes, the rental bikes, I think it used to be called bike share it used to be known as Dixie for a number of years. Ive also spent time up there in Yorkville for the film festival. Ive been to Kensington Market. I enjoy walking up and down Queen a ton; I enjoy the boutiques and shopping and also some of the sneaker sports west of Spadina. I just enjoy being around the city; I think its one of the great cities certainly in North America and in the world.Sticking on the topic of shoes, you have a shoe vault?I do, I have a shoe vault in my house just a concrete room. We put a vault there on it just to top off the look.How many sneakers do you have? Whats your favorite pair?I have around 400 sneakers. Most of them are Jordans, I got some of my Air Jordans when I was in high school and my first pair were black and white patent leather concord 11s which came out in 1996 and I still have those in the original box. I have my original Air Jordan 4s from 1989 that I kept, but those are obviously falling apart and crumbling. Ive also collected a number of pairs that I like since than as well.Sticking with Canada, youre a big fan of Avril Lavigne, no?Yeah I am. Great Royals win & perfect concert to top off the night! Be good @brian_littrell @skulleeroz & @kevinrichardson #BSB pic.twitter.com/jRnAhwohfr — Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) June 8, 2014I really enjoy her music. Shes one of those artists, one of four people, that Ill actually go to the store and buy their record. The four are Avril Lavigne, I really enjoy The Backstreet Boys, I really like Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber. Ill go buy all of their music, the hard copies. Avril is one of those artists I can listen to all of her songs on all of her albums, and I have them all. Her voice is unique and I really enjoy her music.Whats your go-to Avril song?I like all of the albums, they are all different, so the most recent album Avril Lavigne my favorite song by far on that one is Falling Fast.Its a slow song, one of those ballad type songs that I really like when she has those. Going back toGoodbye Lullaby, I really like the song I Love You.When you get a chance to listen to the songs, she has so many great records that every album I appreciate all of them.Shes been getting a lot of flack for the Hello Kitty song, critics have been calling it racially insensitive, what are your thoughts on it?I didnt take it that way [laughs], and ironically Im half Japanese. I didnt take it offensively. One thing I do know about her is that whenever she goes over to Asia and she performs shes over there in front of huge sell out crowds and arenas, I know that shes really appreciative of her fans over there. I dont know how exactly how you would take it, but when I first heard it, it seemed like she was writing it for her fans overseas. Its a catchy song.Whats your go to Bieber song?Oh man, all of them, theres not a bad song on any of the albums. Before games Ill usually pop in All Around The World, As Long as You Love Me or Boyfriend on occasion. Actually, one of my favorite songs hes done is the one hes recorded with Chris Brown. Obviously hes had his struggles outside of music, but in terms of just the music, I definitely think hes come up with some of his best songs on his latest albums.So what about The Backstreet Boys, is that a band you grew up with and its just stuck with you through the years?When The Backstreet Boys had just become popular in the U.S, they were already popular in Europe prior to their arrival here in North America, they had just come out with As Long As You Love Me, right as I was graduating high school in 1997. That song was catchy and they released a few more singles when I was in college and I got to here it a bunch. Than I moved to Spain, and over there I heard a bunch more of their music, and around that time thats when Millenium came out and although I wasnt in the U.S., I heard and saw a lot about them and they released more albums that I enjoyed. I was intrigued by them and watching them be interviewed and talk, they just seemed like a good group of guys..dddddddddddd.Do you ever take any flack from your teammates regarding your music taste?Oh yeah, all the time [laughs]. I appreciate the fact I can listen to the music I like with my kids and listen in front of anybody and although they may not like it, you cant really be offended by it. Where as a lot of the music my teammates like is music that you wouldnt probably play anywhere outside of a clubhouse or in your headphones because it can get a little bit rough.Whos got the worst music taste on the team?For sure [Royals outfielder] Jarrod Dyson. I cant even listen to their songs, whenever their songs come on I tell them "That was my favorite song, please play it again," and they actually take me seriously and replay it and its like the worst song Ive ever heard.You had some words for Fifty Cent after that pitch, what did you think of it? @50cent Ummm, 50? Clearly that pitching lesson did absolutely NOTHING for you tonight! Time to regroup haha. pic.twitter.com/q5oejhPGEZ — Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) May 28, 2014Well, it was terrible, really bad. You just take for granted that someone can put a ball in their hand, be it a baseball, softball or any type of ball, and that they should be able to throw it somewhat straight. Mechanically, they may look funny, they may have a funny arm motion or whatnot, but it just seems it would be relatively simple or elementary to be able to throw it straight. So to see how that came off of his hand, the trajectory towards the camera man, it was just really funny. It was so bad I was wondering if he was just joking or if he wanted to make it funny, because if it was just to be funny it was really good. If it wasnt than it was pretty bad.What pitching advice would you give him?Practice, you need to practice [laughs]. If thats what you got youve got practice a bit more.If you werent playing baseball what would you be doing?Id like to design shoes. Thats what I always wanted to do. Im not real artistic but Id like to think that if someone else could help me or I could tell them yes or no on what things I like. I always planned on working for Nike, which was kind of my childhood dream. Whether its an actual shoe design or just retail or advertising, its something Im passionate about and I would love to dedicate time and thought towards a job involving sneakers and the growth of a brand I really appreciate.What would a Jeremy Guthrie sneaker look like?Hm.. Im not totally sure. It would probably have patent leather, thats one of my favorite materials that they put on any of the shoes. I just recently learned that Nike has this big book with hundreds and hundreds of different materials that you can put on different shoes, and I never knew that. You get kind of used to seeing the same ones over and over, whether its a safari print, patent leather or flywire which weve seen more recently on shoes. So Im not totally sure what the shoe would look like but Id certainly mix in some of the different materials that youre not accustomed to seeing as often.What would someone be surprised to know about you?They would be surprised to know that in fifth grade I was Oregon State chess champion and that in sixth grade my four-man team competed in the national tournament in Westchester County, New York, where we placed eighth out of more than 300 elementary six grade and younger chess teams.Changing topics a bit, are you a big movie guy?Im relatively diverse, my favorite movie, which will probably make you laugh its kind of like my favorite music its a little bit different, is probably Serendipity with Kate Beckinsale, John Cusak and Jeremy Piven.I love the story of it, I love the humor and I dont mind seeing Kate Beckinsale in the movie either. I also like A Few Good Men, Back to the Future and The Social Network, the latter I was fascinated with the storyline and how they tell it, and I thought it was so well done, Justin Timberlake and the other actors were amazing in it. I really like Iron Man, I dont really care for the sequels, but the first one if probably the best action hero movie in my opinion.What other sports are you a big fan of?I love basketball, I played it growing up and I also love American football. I cheered for the Los Angeles Rams in Football, and the Chicago Bulls in basketball.Jeremy also shared some of his favorite pictures hes taken when hes been in the Toronto area. Check them out: ' ' '