Waiting For Cinderella: Will The Glass Shoes Fit?

Leave it to Disney to afflict generation after generation with unrealistic hopes of rescue by knights on white horses and ugly ducklings going to the ball and slipping into what must be uncomfortably fitting glass pumps.
In World Cups past we've always had at least one team that exceeded expectations and captures our imagination. Senegal's victory over France in 2002 was just the latest result in a long line of over achievers being fit for very breakable and non-sensible shoes. But Germany 2006 has gone pretty much according to plan. Even Group C, 2006 GROUP OF DEATH, will finish pretty much as everyone thought.
So with a Group stages almost half over, where will 2006 get it's Cinderella story from?
Well, Ivory Coast should win the runner -up award. Though 0-2 many people believe they deserved at least a point from their first two games. They made both Argentina and Holland work hard for their victories and only a lack of class in the final touch kept from making some headway in the tournament. The attacked without fear and pass the ball with freedom and spirit.
As I type this Angola are holding Mexico scoreless and nearly made a complacent and flat looking Portuguese side the embarrassment of the group stage. Ecuador have played with flair and passion and it's ashame their final group meeting with Germany will lack the edge it might have had had Poland not hit two posts in the last 5 minutes during their first group game, thereby tying the game and making the final group game much more meaningful. As it is they might both try and throw the game so they can meet a lackluster England in the group stage.
Croatia nearly played spoiler against Brazil but one can't help but wonder if Brazilian minds weren't still on the training pitch. Perhaps Spain, a talented and till now chronic under achieving team, will light up the tournament after their best-team-of-the-tournament performance against Ukraine.
As it stands it's looks like the Prince Charming looking for his Cinderella team may be going home empty handed from the ball.

Great Games or Great Halves?
Is it just me or does it seem like there have been a lot of great halves as opposed to great games? To take nothing away from the tournament so far but have we really seen any great games from beginning to end or simple great 45 minute performances.