Ahh, Amsterdam. You are one of my favorite places. Clean, efficient, yet cool, calm and creative. Your national team (Netherlands) has made it to the quarterfinals by playing with those traits. And yet, there may be trouble brewing. Robin van Persie giving the coach attitude when being subbed in the game against Slovakia and rumors of conflict with Sneijder. Get this under control, Orangies, or you will be gone in the next round.

Have a beer, share some pannenkoeken, drop by a coffeeshop. Remember what makes you special, what makes you Dutch: the ability to get along.

Ahh, Rio de Janeiro. You were my first international destination. I remember it still, barely sixteen, a good Mormon boy who had never been outside of Utah, walking through throngs of beautiful bronze people for a morning dip on Copacabana beach. You changed my life.

You are captivating: exciting, energetic, free. And yes, your team is playing with all of those traits and more.

In fact, in a controversial break from the totally free style you usually employ, Dunga, your coach, is bringing a bit of discipline to the party. Guess what? It is working. Not unlike the discipline that liberalizing and modernizing your economy over the past decade have done for the rest of the country, this approach may be exactly what you need to take the cup once again.

Spain. You are getting better with every match. You ruled the field against Portugal, even if you did just win 1-0. But you are not there yet - you need to crank up the scoring. David Villa is on fire, but Torres needs to get to where he can be. And why isn't Fabregas playing?

Your passing magic appears to be back, but you will need even more to keep moving on. Paraguay is next for you, and they won't just roll over. After that (if you make it) there will be Germany, or Argentina. God help you. And God bless the mighty Casillas.

From this point on, things are going to get even hotter. The rest of the tournament is going to be great.