First up: For those of you who cannot see the USA-Honduras match live at your local bar (click the link for an article explaining the mess and where to see the games) FSC is here to help. We will be carrying LIVE play-by-play text of the game action as it happens on our website, as well as taking your comments and questions at halftime. Log on here when the game kicks off. This link also should work for your mobile device and we will also offer goal flashes and major news via @championsonfox, our Twitter service.

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Some big weekend World Cup games, of course [see the television slate below] but there is another FIFA event hitting high gear this weekend as the World Youth Cup for Under-20 players reaches the quarterfinal stage in Egypt.
    Today's games match South Korea against Ghana (10:30 a.m. Eastern) and Italy against Hungary (2 p.m.) while the Saturday pairings are Brazil vs. Germany (10 a.m.) and Costa Rica vs. the United Arab Emirates (2:00 p.m.). All of them are available on ESPN360.com.
    Thanks to the way the pairings broke. the tournament is certain to have an unusual semifinal lineup. Costa Rica, for example, only advanced to the second round because they scored one more group stage goal than did the United States after both teams lost two of three in the first round. Costa Rica began the tournament getting walloped 5-0 by Brazil but will reach the last four with a victory over the UAE.
    The UAE is the real outsider, West Asian teams not have fared especially well at any level in FIFA events. Their win over Venezuela in the second round was earned and deserved, especially since the South Americans jumped ahead quickly.
    The showpiece of the quarterfinals would appear to be Brazil's match against Germany. The Brazilians have been the most attractive side in the tournament with an enviable attack, but they have also looked rather loose at the back. The Germans staged a comeback to kayo Nigeria in stoppage time although down to 10 men in their second round clash Wednesday night.
    The all-European battle between Italy and Hungary is noteworthy not for the appearance of the Azzurri, who always grow in strength through a tournament, but for the Hungarians finally making a splash after so many years outside the top ranks.
    South Korea could be the program which has shown the most growth in recent years. They appear to have finally taken the step beyond being hard-working: this is a team which finishes effectively and shows little of the frailty which has often afflicted Korean teams at all levels.
    Ghana has always done well in youth events and has finally translated that into back-to-back World Cup finals appearances. They will start favorites in their match with the Koreans but it should be a balanced match between two very strong sides.
    The main lesson from this event really isn't about the teams -- we told you before it started that the World Youth Cup throws off misleading projections about players and teams -- but surely about the venue.
    It's the first of three straight FIFA events on African soil, ahead of the U17 in Nigeria later this year and the big show in South Africa next summer. There were four African teams in the field and all four reached the knockout stage.
    If you take that as significant, remember that there will be six African qualifiers for the World Cup -- don't be surprised if at least five advance to the second round at the expense of some favorites. Yes, there will be a continental home advantage.


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Who needs what: European tables and permutations


TV: (All times EDT; our picks in bold)
TODAY
U20WC: Korea v Ghana    1030    ESPN360
U20WC: Italy v Hungary    1400    ESPN360

SATURDAY (All WCQ’s or friendlies unless otherwise noted)
U20WC: Brazil v Germany        1030    ESPN360/Galavision
Russia v Germany        1100    Setanta
Bahrain v New Zealand    1130    FSC
Armenia v Spain        1200    FSE
Ukraine v England        1215    PPV
Denmark v Sweden        1400    FSE
Liechtenstein v Azerbaijan    1400    ESPN360
U20WC: UAE v Costa Rica    1400    ESPN360/Galavision
Czechs v Poland        1430    Dish
Greece v Latvia        1430    Dish
France v Faroes        1500    FSC
Portugal v Hungary        1545    Setanta
Ireland v Italy            1600    Dish
TFC v SJ            1600    CBC/DK
Argentina v Peru        1800    Dish/PPV
Colombia v Chile        1800    Dish/PPV
Ecuador v Uruguay        1800    Dish/PPV
Venezuela v Paraguay        1800    Dish/PPV
Mexico v El Salvador        1800    Telemundo
Revs v Crew            1930    FSC/FSE
Honduras v USA        2200    bit.ly/39WU3c
Costa Rica v T&T        2200    TBA
Chivas v KCW        2230    DK

SUNDAY
Bolivia v Brazil        1600    Dish/PPV
San Luis v Atlante        1700    Univision