They were beaten by Germany, because they are always beaten by Germany, and then in their second match they were leading Austria in stoppage time, only for England's Howard Webb to deny them all three points by awarding a controversial and hotly-debated penalty against Poland.
Two weeks ago, the Academy of Country Music Awards essentially strong-armed Swift into appearing at the annual ceremony by awarding her with a Milestone award.
They rise and stand poker-straight, as they have always done, to sing a passionate version of Jerusalem, and after awarding a cup for flower arranging and being presented with something called the "federation centenary link baton", Her Majesty is pressed into cutting the centenary fruit cake, a piece of which will be distributed to each member as she leaves.
The doctors' union has sparked anger by secretly awarding its senior figures pay rises of up to 137% and doubling its leader's salary to £172,000 at a time when most medics are suffering pay restraint, the Guardian can reveal.
The stories covered a referee in Scotland, Dougie McDonald, who admitted lying about awarding a penalty in the Scottish FA Cup.
Like the IFC, most proposed awarding a single giant water company a long concession in return for providing technical expertise and millions of water connections.
"Awarding huge salary increases in secret to very senior members of the BMA, at a time of pay restraint in the health service, is misguided and wrong, and does a disservice to doctors around the country working hard for their patients.
In addition to the allegations of corruption that have surrounded Fifa for decades, the organization has been sharply criticized for awarding World Cup hosting rights to Russia and especially Qatar, where construction for the sporting facilities is being completed by laborers under conditions compared to slavery.
After swearing off coal a few years back, the Brazilian government has helped it stage a comeback last month, by awarding a contract for its first new coal power plant in nine years.
Though it's an obvious sadness that they will not at this stage be supported by famously sane sibling Janet - or indeed misunderstood Pied Piper Michael - it is hoped the venture will clear the way for shows in which Paris Hilton offers pastoral care to novice nuns, and Rio Ferdinand is charged with awarding fellowships of All Souls.
It is a thought that occurs when listening to senior politicians awarding themselves powers which they claim are so laden with safeguards that they can never be abused.
