Even though you a probably one of those infamious drive-by-bloggers, because I can not leave a comment on your post, I will grace YOU with a rebuttle to your response to my post.
You jsaglim9 are a smuk. Oviously you have not done your homework and read any of my other bogs. I totally "give credit were credit is due". ALSO, POSTING IN CAPS IS YELLING AND IT'S RUDE :P
A National team is only as good as the players that play. (I know just look at Englands World Cup Performance). You cannot tarnish Frances win over Italy because it wasn't the same starting 11 as the world cup. You cannot say, we lost because Nesta, Totti, Camoranesi, etc weren't there. THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT. You have to have more than just 11 players, it's called having a deep bench, and when it comes to national teams, that means having talented players available to represent your country. In Englands case it means having a manager creative enough to find those players and bring them to the tournament and play them.
The bottom line is France outplayed, out defended, out scored Italy, so there ;)
Also it was only a group qualifier, that doesn't mean too much anyway. 'cause Italy will get through anyway unless, Ukraine or Scotland beat them to it.
Also, DON'T blame Englands poor performance in the World Cup to our style of play. It was all Sven and his poor management. Squad he picked, players he played and didn't play, he's obession with the 4-5-1 formation, etc.
So Azzuri lovers, I said to bring it on, but before you attack me read my other posts first. I did (eventually) give you props for the WC, Odin beat it out of me. (BTW where is he? miss you)
Days after the unbelieveable 3 nil loss to Everton, I am finally able to write about it.
I am so glad I forgot to wake up at 4:30am to watch it LIVE (I love Sentanta). I caught it on my DVR (so hard not to say TiVo anymore, I miss it.)
Pepe is still the man, Rafa's golden boy, but I say the pressure is on. Jerzy is still on the bench ready to pounce. As we saw in the Champions League game against PSV, Rafa is not adversed to sitting players. Pepe is not focused, I blame it on his wedding during the summer, but that's just my green eyed monster showing, also probably the reason he wasn't the main man during the WC. BTW, Can anyone explain why he's not Spains #1 keeper? Everton aside he's got tons of clean sheets, the liverpool record of them.
Some (Nick Geber) are accepting that Rafa was benching Stevie, Xabi Alonso, Crouchy and Luis Garcia in anticipation of the Chelsea game this weekend. I am not that confident in Rafa to believe that one. I think he is still trying out combinations of players together, he hasn't had enough time to incorporate Kuyt into our line up.
Momo in the center alone during the PSV game wasn't enough to be a mastermind in the midfield, also when Alonso came in it only helped because he had fresh legs. WE NEED STEVIE IN THE MIDFIELD. I hate seeing him on the right. I think we are wasting his god given talent. My thought is we are trying to keep him in the England side by playing him there and allowing waste of a kit Lamps and the incredible Owen Hargreaves also in the line up. My solution bench loser Lamps! but thats England, we need to worry about Liverpool right now. Alternate Alonso and Momo with Stevie G in the Midfield. That's were he's the most needed right now at Liverpool. We need the man who creates plays and make magic in the midfield. Stevie to me hasn't been electric on the pitch yet. We need his dynamic personality on the pitch to get Liverpool through the season.
Also we CANNOT keep dropping these points if we've got our eye on the Prem. The loss to Everton, coupled with our draw of PSV, leaves us feeling pretty low coming in to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is coming of####reat win against Werder Bremen and against Chalton (well dur), so I'm not too optimistic about even drawing those Chelsea skum. Maybe if this game was a bit down the line, say in December, we would have our act together to make a go of it. Liverpool is just not match fit. They better start getting their act together, it's gonna be close one at the top of the fixtures again this year.
What a difference a couple of players makes on the italian side, ehh? No Materazzi, No Totti, No Toni, no Lippi (I know he's the coach). Where's all the Azurri Lovers now? I guess The World Cup winners were bit hung over from their win a couple of moths ago. The first half wasn't played too bad, but in the second they reverted make to their old simulation ways. France was on FIRE though. They definitely came into this game with something to prove. Though it was only a Euro Qualififer the group they both are in is pretty steep. If Italy doesn't watch out, Ukraine may beat them out, Scotland may also get a chance too. Hey it could happen! So yes, it was only a qualifier, but Italy only tied Lithuania so they are dropping points they'll need in the end.
So, Azurri lovers, bring it on. Hey Odin are you out there! or are you still sour after the World Cup? Let's move past it and look foward to Euro 2008.
My Group B Prediciton: France, Ukraine, Italy, Scotland, Lituania, Faroe Islands
Since my last blog, I have learned for the low price of $24.99 I could have purchased the England vs. Andorra game LIVE on PPV.
That still sucks balls. Since it's only a qualifying and Andorra I will wait untill Tuesday to see it on FSC. What's more sucky is that I already know the score thanks to tickers on the bottom on a couple games I got to see and whats even better I saw a couple of clips of goals during the half.
THIS WAS MY E-MAIL TO FSC: WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?
Can someone please help me understand your coverage of the Euro 2008 Qualifying. You are broadcasting LIVE Romania vs. Bulgaria, but you showing England VS. Andorra Tape Delayed, by several days. Is that so you can get more people to watch? I can understand wanting to have more viewers for a particular program but all it means to true fans, is that we have to resist the temptation to check the internet and avoid all news casts to be able to watch the game at pretend it is LIVE. I also understand that they are only playing Andorra, so it's not like they are playing a fierce rival, but it is still England. And that is who I want to see. I have already come to terms with that logic with FSC not broadcasting Liverpool FC unless they are playing a good opponent. While I understand the logic of playing the more competitive games, it is still #### because I want to see England LIVE. Anyway, that is my opinon and thanks for taking the time to read my rant. Also, when are you going to broadcast England Vs. Macadonia, in October? :P
This is a comment that I wrote in response to an article that Odin had posted on his blog. I thought that it was so well written (If I don't say so myself) that i reposted it on by own blog. Please feel free to comment. Bring it on.
begin:
I do feel I must comment on the articles views of the Italian football league. I am aware of the Italian football culture of playing at home in their own league, but that in no way make their league better than anyone else’s. The EPL is by far the best football league in the world, to the detriment of the English National team. It only takes a minute to look at the "Super Teams" of Chelsea, Man. Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool to see that the best of the best play their football in England. Spain and Germany both (IMHO) have better leagues than Italy. Yes, AC Milan had a very good "Super Team" in the past (with Sheva, Dida, Cafu, Crespo (on loan) it is proven in their champions league final vs. Liverpool and their previous CL wins. But again they were a "super team" not relying on Italian players alone. Yes, I think that is unique for a country to have this culture of only playing in their home country, and I do think it does help when it comes to National Team Titles, Euro/WC etc. But as far as everyday league matches or club teams on a whole, no country can outmatch England.
I've had several weeks to ponder the World Cup Final. There just arn't any words.
ZIzou, Matterazi. Crazy ending to a otherwise crazy world cup.
Someone knows something, I mean al the mikes on that pitch must have caught something, otherwise why the ban for Matterazi. I too believe it was very bold of FIFA to ban him for trash talking. But it really dosn't matter all that much does it? The game of a life time IS OVER! It doesn't change the outcome of the game, the moment is gone, lost forever.
Any talk about stripping of Zizou of the golden ball is a load of ####! The WTF football moment of the decade (well, besides the actual head butt). There's no way you can do that, though I do believe Cannavaro deserved it as well. It's too late! People voted honestly and fairly, it's not like striping a olympic medal for doping. Zizou carried the hopes and dreams of a nation and the strength and heart of an entire squad the whole tourney. The same can be said of Cannavaro. Zizou is older and it was his last game, so give a brotha a break.
Anyway, it was awesome World Cup, much more entertaining than the Japan/Korea one, though not only for the the actual playing of the game. My most memorable moments, not in any particular order.
* Netherlands vs. Portugal - not the most beautiful game, it was down right ugly, but entertaining none the less. Cristiano in tears, figo head butt, yellow and red cards flying.
*John Terry in Tears - After England's gutting loss. That man is a freaking work horse.
*Henry knocked out - many people will forget the other 100 minutes of the Final match, but not me! Thierry Henry running flat out into the (beautiful) chest of Cannavaro, was hilarious and scary at the same time. They had to use smelling salts.
*Maxi RodriguezGoal - Brillant.
*David Beckham Goal - well mostly for posh celebrating, and becks celebrating.
*Steven Gerrard and Crouchy scoring - Liverpool Lads done good.
*Michael Owen injury - A tourning point for England.
*Rooney/Cristiano - Please read previous blogs.
* Zizou - The man, the myth the head butt.
*California Klinnesmen - You show all those nay sayers, well done.
Okay so they fixed it since 2002 when Oliver Kahn was given the golden ball before the last match, to now when they will decide then announce after the match on Monday. But how about the young player of the tournament?
Podolskli is great, top notch, but did he really win it, or did Cristiano Ronaldo lose it.
Please, please can everyone out there take their heads out of their behinds and listen to me for a sec. Was it the Rooney incident or was it all the diving? If it was for the England match , you all should be ashamed. He was calling for the foul! or even calling for the red card. It shouldn't be named illegal. Everyone has done it, Gerrard, Rooney, Becks etc.. I've seen them do it in the EPL. They were not teamates, it was not a Man. United game, It's the frickin' World Cup. He deserves a slap for the wink to the Portugal bench after the send off but again, that's not illegal, it was just him being a smuk. Also by the mock head butt at the begining of the match, I really don't think they were friends before the incident, even though the Portuguese player who was watching thought it was funny, Rooney did not.
All that aside, the boy has skillz. He has flare and ran at every defender he faced. Okay, so he had no goals or assists and his finishing needs work. I'm thinking he's at 90%, he just needs a little more knowledge dropped on him (like a good kick in the a**) to be a complete player.
Um, okay I'll relent. Podolski is light years more mature a player than my boy.
Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo is the world next Beckham, hot as hell, the sexiest man of the world, but hey, Becks has made a career of it, right?
BTW, I swear I'm not a 16 year old teenybopper that listens to 'NSYNC.
I'm 23. :)
Also if FIFA or Gillette raised they age to 23. Lahm or Ribery would have won it for sure! Also what was Messi doing in the running, he played like 10 minutes all tournament.
Let me just get this off my chest before I praise the Italians.
I don't care if you are bleeding from your eyes, your leg is literly falling off, YOU STAY in the World Cup Final match. Vieira, Henry and Ribery were subbed out, like wimps. I'll give Ribery a pass, I knew before the game that we would come out at the end of the 90 or in extra time. That man is a maniac on the pitch, crossing and up and down, he is all over it like white on rice. I know that man is plain tuckered out. Veira with a hamsting, Henry with a cramp is down right insulting.
Zidane and Materazzi both deserved red cards. Zidane for the obvious, and Materazzi for whatever he said to cause the reaction. I am in shock at Zidane, but whatever that dude said must have been really REALLY bad. I disagree that his actions will tarnish his otherwise legendary name. I'm still in awe of him and I stand by him behind in his actions.
Italy really didn't play that well during the game, but when did that ever stop a team from winning a match.
Italy to all their credit have come into this tournament with something to prove. United in all of their evilness. Cannavaro totally deserves this win. Buffon deserves this win. They have shown from the begining that they were a powerful advessary to all that oppose them. Maybe that's why I hate them so much. I knew once Portugal lost to France that all hope for Italy losing was lost. Portugal Vs. Italy would have been something to see (although the fire of portugal was out during their third place match).
I prayed this match would end in regulation or OT. I hate penalty kicks with a passion. Unless you have a spot on Keeper and all your best men on the field, only then will you be confient enough to pull it off. Italy had that in ####s today.
If anyone is in doubt that Italy should not have won this game and thus the whole World Cup, please someone name one team out of the 32 that played better. As much as I hate to say it (type it) I can't name of one.
I'd have to say that this was a very good game, and well matched. At least to me. Two of my heros Figo and Zidane, you've got hottie Cristiano Ronaldo over coming the booing england supporters and Barthez that gave us heart attacks at every turn.
Zidane didn't play as well as he did against Brazil, in fact neither did the whole team, but that is why Ribery was there to do all the leg work. Poor thing was tuckered out again.
Cristiano was attacking like a mad man on the right, but Vieira had him well covered. Until Simao came in he was only one launching an attack. Figo and Pauleta just look fustrated and old.
How great would it have been if Portugal went through, it would have been their first time in the final. I suggest letting the kids out, Tiago, Cristiano, etc. Figo as I have said before is fantastic, but he's a little long in the tooth and not a dynamic personality on the pitch like Zidane.
THE FINAL: For France to have a sliver of a chance against the mighty Azzurri, they must play hard the whole 90 minutes! Down to the damn wire, they must continue to attack. If we AntiAzzurri have learned anything, it's that the Italians have great D (Cannavaro) and love to score in the last 2 to 5 minutes of a match. It's going to be a tough emotional match for me, because I want Zidane to win, but Cannavaro and his crew will prevail. So, even though it pains me, I must put some money down on those irritating Azzurri.
There Odin, I've finally submitted to defeat.
THIRD PLACE MATCH: Does this match even matter? I don't think I've ever seen one before. Exactly how hard will these players play to win? Germany V. Portuagal. I say treat this as a friendly and start all the dudes you haven't before. But what I am I kiding, hopefully they'll go for the bronze knowing that the bonuses from 4th to 3rd are substantial.
I must admit that I've had a huge crush on Cannavaro. They had the best game plan out there, and were extremely will matched (finally some competition) against the deutchen hotties. I'm totally going to make poster in their honor, a huge one for hottie Totti.
I really wanted Klinesmen to win this one, to shut all the germans up for talking hella #### about him. They were almost in there, it was a great game.
So now it's all about the Azzurri, 'cause they will totally smash France or Portugal.
Yea, Italy! Let's all eat pasta and wine! I'm going to wear the Italian flag everyday leading up to the final! Go azzurri!
There isn't enough I can say about England loss to Portugal on Saturday. I've talked about it with everyone of my friends and family who called to give their condolences. Between Ronney's hotheaded bad decison, becks exit, Lampard not showing up, Sven's continued 4-5-1 line-up, and our weak bench, I've had enough of the could of should of's.
John Terry's tears post match will haunt me forever, or at least untill Euro 2008.
Emotionally I was a wreak for this one. Of 'course theres no doubt that England is my team. but I can trufully say that I've and a place in my heart for Portugal since the last WC in 2002. I even featured Figo and Beto in my Sims neighborhood along with Oliver Kahn, Becks, Dietmer Hamman.
There's not one person out there who can deny Christiano Ronaldo was the man of the match for that game. He totally killed us, that super hottie. I don't know how he's going to come back to Man. United to play along with Rooney after this. I think he played on the right and Becks of course has bad D and only stopped him a couple of times and Neville was trying to attack and Christiano would alway counter. Simao was killer after he came on and how cool was it for him to get the captains band.
All in all, for England to have any saving grace Portugal must win the whole GD thing, so atleast we can say "well, we got beat my the champs, so, yeah".
Portugal will have their hands full with France, but if France plays like they did in their win over Brazil, Portugal is soo out of here. France dominated the entire match, leaving everyone (except me, 'cuz I never like them anyway) to say "Brazil who?" On the attack from minute une, there was no stopping them. Zidane is the gipher, and Cisse it's all for you buddy. I gave France not chance in the early rounds after their so so perforances (I didn't see them but I heard about them), and thought they'd again make an early exit, but WOW. I usually don't care much for Henry (he's an arsenal man, you know), and with all those offsides calls, I didn't think he'd ever put one in the back of the net that would be called fair. If it weren't for the magic master himself Zidane, I'd be over. I don't know what that man is on, but I want some. Everyone else is Fantasic as well, (don't feel like looking up all the spellings, except Makelele I know that that spelling).
I still hope Germany will kick the Azzurri in the pants (hey odin) and It'll be France and Germany in the Final, and France giving Zidane a happy retirement gift. But I way my favorite teams are going, I shouldn't root for anyone and just wish for a good game instead.
Oh and Becks stepped down as Captain. Maybe they'll pass the band to Gerrard, Terry is another good choice. All I know is that whenever Gerrard steps on to a Liverpool Pitch or even Carragher (who subs for Gerrard as Captain at Liverpool), they light up that field and they take charge of that pitch. I haven't seen Becks do that In a long time. So a change of guard is a good thing.
Ukriane and The Swiss basically cancelled each other out then, huh. So boring I was falling a sleep. The Penaltys were good though. Poor Sheva, glad he was bailed out. Well they've got to face Italy. Whom I dispize with a passion. I hate cheaters, and divers and anyone who believes their league is better than the EPL. So I'll wish Sheva and the gang all the best and good luck against the azzurri (btw the coolest knickname in sports).
Well, xabi alonso, pepe reina and that hottie Torres anyway. What happened out there? France is not that formidable, but when you add all the racial controversy they had a lot more passion to win out there.
If there is anything that can ruin a sports reputation, it's racisim. I wanted Spain to win, I had friends on the team, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina and Luis Garcia, so I wanted them to win and go far, but when you add the whole racisim thing. You've got the whole world wanting you to lose. Just look at that france team, there's like 12 big black guys out there and Thierry Henri kicking a loser racisist coaches ####, i don't care who you are, you wanted them to win.
What's up with the whole racisim ####? #### noises and all that. It's freakin' 2006 get the F over it. Racisim is so last century.
Read the book "How Soccer explains the world". It's awesome. Whole much of bull#### that's happening and has happend in the socer world that I never was a where of.
Anyway it's a shame France is going to lose to stupid Brazil. I can't wait until someone kicks them off their throne. I hate rooting for the favorites. I do like Kaka and Dida and Cafu though..
and um, by the way Thierry that was a dive bubba. Super dive, you lucky duck. I thought that yellow was going to be for you. Poor Puyol he had a good game. Thierry couldn' not be offsides even he he wanted to, that back line did good.
Poor Aussies! I cried for you buttheads. Your stupid coach needs to take the blame for this one. He was relying on it going into OT instead of trying to end it all in the 90 minutes. The sub Aloisi was a great choice to come in but he was a bit late, we needed him 10 minutes earlier to change the momentum. He had 2 unused subs he could have used as well. Also I think he used Cahill badly, they needed him more up front with Viduka.
All in all they played a really good game, and should have taken more of an advantage with Italy having one man down. It didn't help that the stupid azzurri are dramatic diving a-holes, they #### me of with their stupid cheating league and players.
It really sucks even more because the lower left bracket is super easy (The Swiss or Ukraine is a cake walk), and now they will make it to the semi finals playing against Germany. And Klose will totally score on them and that means germany is in the finals.
The Aussies had a chance of a life time today and the didn't capitalize on this one. It also sucks for Harry Kewell to have missed out the game. I missed you my boo!
All great footballers aren't all hotties, but the one who are R a gift from GOD.
