It seems quite difficult to an American sports fan that a 1-0 game can be exciting. After all, the NFL tinkers with its rules annually to make playing defense harder, and the major leagues have built stadiums that cater to home run hitters and high-scoring games. The NHL tried to ban the clutching and grabbing that filled hockey for a decade all so that scoring would be increased. And the NBA introduced the 24-second clock and changed defensive rules to make the game higher-scoring and more interesting. And yet yesterday, while more or less idly watching the Italy versus Germany World Cup game, I at least could understand have a 0-0 game could be exciting. The tension was there - I couldn't imagine what the tension would be like if you were a zealous fan of either country - even for a lay-fan. The attacking was interesting, watching as the players tried to move the ball through and around all those defenders, and how each team seemed to be able to choke off the offensive attacks so easily. When either team was able to attack - like Germany in the 60th minute - the ability of the Italian defenders to slow him down and force the attacker aside made for interesting watching. Then, the overtime, and the 89th minute. It looked rather harmless, but oh so deft. With a quick, perfectly placed no-look pass to a left-footed kick, the ball soared past the goalie and into the net. Hell, I wasn't even taking sides and I threw my hands in the air at the goal. What a shot - I watched, amazed, as replay after replay showed the perfect strike on the ball, and how the ball bent past the outstretched hands of the German goalie. Then, the second goal in the injury time, and how it was set up only because Germany was trying so desperately to tie the game...and how the goalie had only one chance to make a move, and made it...but the attacker was ready and just pitched it home... Anyway, it hasn't made me a fan of soccer - I'll always be loyal to football (the American version) - but every time I watch a World Cup game, it makes me think how enjoyable that watching the sport can be.