Saturday, June 26, 2010

The elimination round of the World Cup will begin without some traditional European powers. Bill talks with Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl about the surprising first stage and how the rest of the tournament will shake out.

The Goethe Institut in Boston usually offers the opportunity for intellectual stimulation – people can come in to learn German or discuss Nietzche. But during Germany’s World Cup matches the Institut provides a different sort of excitement. It transforms into a raucous venue for the nation’s fans to gather and show their passion for Deutschland. Only A Game’s Curt Nickish has the story. To see photos courtesy of the Goethe Institut from Germany's first match against Australia, click here.

Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, full of traditions like all-white uniforms and strawberries with cream. But it’s not all about high-brow culture only fit for the Royal Family. They also have poetry! Bill speaks with official Wimbledon poet Matt Harvey.

The Williams sisters are currently ranked as the top two women’s tennis players in the world and they have no plans to loosen their stranglehold on the sport anytime soon.  Once they do, two young sisters in Florida who call themselves Tornado and Hurricane hope to step into that spot. Only A Game’s Ron Schachter reports.

Bill responds to listeners’ questions in Only A Game’s electronic mailbag.

Charlie Pierce is so mad he could SCREAM! And he will. In between, he’ll talk with Bill about the NBA Draft, Wimbledon’s never-ending match and more.

Henry Louis Gates, John Updike, Malcolm Gladwell…the list of accomplished and talented writers won’t surprise anyone reading a collection of pieces from The New Yorker. What may be surprising is that all these authors are featured in a collection of the magazine’s best sportswriting. Bill chats with David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker and the new book, titled The Only Game In Town.