“As the European Union gathered in Brussels to name its first permanent president Thursday night, Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen pulled French President Nicolas Sarkozy aside to broker an urgent backroom deal: Would Mr. Sarkozy back Mr. Cowen’s call for a replay of the previous night’s soccer game between their countries? It was no ordinary match. France’s victory Wednesday evening propelled Les Bleus to next year’s World Cup in South Africa and sent Ireland home. But the French victory has created a firestorm around the world, thanks to the manner in which it was decided.” (WSJ)