We’re back! After too many painless days to count sans internet, we’ve returned just in time to liveblog the Italy-Germany World Cup semifinal game later this afternoon. We know the bulk of the nation is out of the office and parked in front of a grill or in a hammock, but we love a good liveblog. Plus, we love the soccer fans who frequent this blog, for they leave the most insightful comments and provide us with hilarious emails.

There’s plenty NBA talk to be discussed (umm, Eddie Griffin giving new meaning to the triple threat position), apparently we omitted the Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards when doling out draft grades last week (the horror!); we may dip into the MLB All-Star selections (though the only player who truly got shafted is Minnesota Twins Cy Young candidate Francisco Liriano); and we’ll talk some NFL to get the football junkies in the crowded revved up for our team previews, which are right around the corner.

While sifting through email, we came upon this video from a Texas Rangers fan, who noted in ALL CAPS that this was, unequivocally, the Catch of the Year. We agree. Well done, Gary Matthews, Jr. But it’ll take 20 catches like this – and a few pitchers – to save the Rangers season.

Gary Matthews Jr. robs Mike Lamb (YouTube)