In the words of Conan O'Brien "cool down my babies."
So what if Materazzi steals a line from a movie made by the creators of South Park and says "terrorize this you terrorist!"
If you are Zidane you are the best player in the world. The captain of a national team in the final minutes of the championship game, in overtime, in the greatest tournament in the entire planet.
Are you kidding me?
You are going to lose it now? I have played plenty of sports and have heard loads and loads of trash talk. Sure some things get under your skin more than others, but I usually keep my cool and rely on what I was taught at a young age that the best payback was to beat them on the field.
Now I can only imagine the immense difference in emotions and pressure that one faces playing at the highest level and hearing trash talk compared to the levels I have played at. But htat is why you are the captain. The leader. The three time World player of the year and two-time Golden ball winner. Because you know how to respond by beating them on the field not with a Street Fighter 2 Turbo Edition head butt.
I am still in shock from this game. Maybe I should not be so surprised. Zidane has head butted before and once a crazy head butt maniac always a crazy head butt maniac. Now he is supposedely retiring from soccer. What is he going to do know? Tour the world promoting peace and good will alongside Mike Tyson?
I can hear it now. You bite the Prime Minister and I will head butt the President. On Three!
Lets get back to Materazzi for a second. This man is no saint either. And apparently not very smart. He is not cultured enough to know what a terrorist is according to ... himself. What? That is not called being cultured or not cultured. That is down right stupid and clueless. You are telling me you are a grown man playing in a World Cup with some of the greatest numbers of security ever to protect you and your teammates from hooligans, riots, and terrorist!!! and you do not know what a terrorist is. Not buying it! Next question please.
In the end the Italians are World Cup champions. Lets face it the best team won. In tournaments like these you have to overcome controversy, be a little lucky, play well and fight for the prize. The Italians did that and even overcame their dreaded penalty kick demons. They overcame the pressure from overwhelming scandals at homeso and are once again World Champions.
And Zidanes legacy? Well I don't know. What do you think?
It is prediction time again. A month of crazed competitive play preceded by four years of preparation and trials will come to a close this Sunday. Two of the greatest Futbol countries history has to offer face off in a match that culminates in pride, glory, and some other spectacular word. I can not really do justice to all it has taken these two teams and countries to get to this point so I will end here. Lets get to the predictions.
The appetizer: Germany vs. Portugal A third and fourth place match that has two terrific teams trying to end their tournament on a positive note. Portugal's stingy defense and intense goalkeeper has been nearly impossible to score on in this tournament. Giving up only goals off PK's in the last three matches. Germany's defense has also has been tough to break coming off a 118 minute stuffing of Italy before finally faltering. That makes this a match that looks to be a very defensive one. it will be a battle featuring sparks from both offenses and spectacular saves from both keepers, but in the end the home crowd will will its team to victory. Germany wins a 1-0 game of####oal from Miroslav Klose. Giving Klose the golden boot and leaving the generous host with one last moment to celebrate.
Italy Gianluigi Buffon and Fabion Grosso have been the heroes for this Italian squad. Buffon has cemented his place as the best goalie in the world and Grosso has lead with his defense and his offense. Setting up or scoring game winners in two elimination matches. Francesco Totti has been the x-factor coming off a long injury he is still not at full fitness but has lead his team with several assists. Italy has not had the prettiest victories causing distress for diving amongst even the Italian fans, but it looks like that is all behind them after a hard fought and even pretty victory for the Italians against the home team Germany. The Italians are looking for their fourth World Cup victory and arch-rival France is all that is standing in the way.
France Zenedine Zidane is supposed to be aging and slower. Fans were hoping to see glimpses of his former self in this tournament, but instead are being treated to the full length feature. Zizou is back and dominating in a tournament that was supposed to further glorify the greatness of youngsters Ronaldinho and Torress. The three-time World player of the year came out of International retirement to help his team qualify for this World Cup and will retire at the end of this World Cup. Now the legend is one game away from not only making the greatest comeback of all time but growing his legend and placing his name near the greatest players of all time. Zidane is not all on his own though the defense shutdown Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. Makelele and Gallas continue to fight. Young Ribery has provided youth and speed to the attack, and Thierry Henry is finally on the same page as his captain. France is on a roll.
This is what it is all about. This may be the hardest match of the tournament to confidently predict, and I guess that is what makes it such an appealing final. The best goalie in the world versus the best player in the world. The best striker in the EPL against the best striker in the Italian league. Midfield geniuses Zidane and Totti face off. Slightly insane Gattusso against slightly insane Ribery. The luxury of having Del Piero or Trezeguet, Saha or Gilardino coming off the bench. I think this game will end in a 0-0 tie. I don't think it will see PK's. I have to look at history to find the winner. Something about Zidane just creats champions. The 1998 World Cup champion and the 2000 Euro Cup champion (that beat Italy in the final) will do it one last time. Zenedine Zidane ends his career in glory scoring in overtime to beat Italy to become the 2006 World Cup champion and seal his title as player of the tournament and one of the best players in history.
Ok join in with your predictions. This is going to be a wild final.
I disliked Cristiano Ronaldo long before you did. But now we all hate him. Unless we are Portuguese and then we love him. I first disliked him for being named Ronaldo. There is only one Ronaldo and he has three Fifa World player of the year trophies, a World Cup trophy, is the World Cup's all-time leading goal scorer, and has some golden boot's laying around. I still did not hate CR though, I was just not a fan. Then he joined Manchester United which heightened my dislike, since I am not a Man U fan. They are the Yankees of soccer although Chelsea and Real Madrid are fighting to "buy" that title.
I have always joked that I don't like athletes that gel their hair. A big reason I never liked pretty boy Beckham. CR wears earrings, colors his hair, fohawks his hair, wears makeup, and uses a full bottle of aquanet and hair gel before every match. Look up mandingo in the dictionary and you will likely see this picture -
None of these annoying things are worth hating though. I will not be a fan of a man for the above reasons, but I will not hate them. The more I watched CR the less I liked his style of play. Sure he was fast and had spectacularly quick feet, but the majority of the time his stepovers did not do the damage they could. I also quickly recognized his quickness to dive. He did draw plenty of fouls by juking the snot out of defenders, but he fell on his own a good amount too. I hate diving. I realize every team has a token diver or two but it should not be the star and it should not happen too often. Worse than diving though is faking injury. In the 2004 Olympics Portugal did phenomenal and were lead by CR. Unfortunately he also lead the team in dives. The man could have won a medal on the olympic diving team just as easily as he did for playing soccer. As a young leader and star for your country I would expect better. Carlitos Tevez lead Argentina with hard physical play and flashy goals and they rightfully won gold. Still CR was only 18 and we could only expect that he would mature. Instead he has continued his diving for Man United and for his country in this World Cup.
Still at this point in time Manchester United fans and Portugal fans and alot of unbiased soccer fans loved CR. He is young, flashy, and exciting. There is alot to like about his ability and his cockiness. Plenty of cocky players are still loved. I respect that he has made two PK's in a World Cup where the PK has not been a gimme. I do not respect the way he head butted Rooney, egged on the referee, and then winked after Rooney was red carded. CR made the world hate him after that incident. All caught on tape, all in one match, and all to someone he considers a friend.
His biggest mistake. Is that he did it to the English. They already feel cursed and they never forget. CR will probably never play another match for Manchester United and probably will not be in the EPL. He will porbably never endorse another product in England as well.
Does the whole world hate Ronaldo now? There is now a site dedicated to hating him. www.ihateronaldo.com. The whole thing is kind of funny.
Germany vs. Italy This will be an all out battle on the futbol pitch. The always physical Germans against the sneaky and feisty Italians. I expect Germany to continue their uncanny ability to score early with a goal in the first 20 minutes. The Italians will try desperately to counter befor the half but instead it will be the Germans who take a 2-0 lead. One of the two goals will be a Klose goal. Italy will get one back in the second half and make the final 15 minutes extremely interesting, but will be unable to find the net and lose a close one 2-1.
France vs. Portugal After a scoreless first half Thierry Henry finds the net early in the second half. After the Portuguese try all their dirty dives and other cheater moves in desperation for a good 20 minutes Zidane will break down the defense with wonderful dribbles and a pass that leads to a tap in goal for Ribery. France wins 2-0.
Germany vs. Argentina The Germans are playing at home and playing the best futbol of anyone in this World Cup. The Argentinians are is deep as anyone with superstars like Tevez, Messi, and Aimar coming off the bench. Argentina an epic duel with Mexico will need to be at their best to win what surely will be another epic duel. I like everything about Argentina's squad this World Cup, but I just do not see anyone beating Germany just yet. In a game that will have goals and glory. Its the Germans winning 3-2. Klose is man of the match with a goal and assist.
Italy vs. Ukraine Odin is going to like this pick. The Italians finally play to their full ability. Luca Toni the great striker who has been unlucky so far in this World Cup will break through with a thrilling goal. Ukraine will try to awnser for a while, but things will run away as the Italians out play the Ukranians and add two more goals in the second half. Del Piero gets the third goal late in the game. Italy wins 3-0.
England vs. Portugal I can not pick Portugal after how ugly that win over the Netherlands was. They will miss Deco and Christiano Ronaldo will be slowed by his quad injury. I think Wayne Rooney finally breaks out in this game with two goals and England wins 2-0.
Brazil vs. France The last time Brazil lost a World Cup game was against a Zidane lead French team back in the 1998 World Cup final. Now Zidane in his last tour of duty for France is taking on a hot Brazil team once again. This is going to be a nail biter but the Brazilians will pull it off in the end with a Ronaldinho fast break and beautiful chip of the hands of Bathez in the 80th minute. Brazil wins 2-1.
Ok we all know I did horrible the first time around lets see what happens this time.
The upset of a century was underway in Germany today. The scorching heat favoring the fit Australians who were outplaying the mighty Italians at an anything but friendly game of football.
The 90 minutes was expired and it was still 0-0. The Australians were up a man after a controversial red card sent off the expensive sports car Mazerratti. The funny thing is the tackle was so wreckless it took out a fellow teammate more than the Australian.
The Italians feisty defense was only outclassed by the incredible ability of the Australians to get their butts, chest, legs, or feet in the way of many dangerous Italian shots. The momentum had to favor the Australians in a game that was sure to go to overtime. Not only might they be the fittest team scoring 4 of their five goals in the last ten minutes of the game in this World Cup, but they were up a man and had two substitutions left. The Italians had used all of their subs but could not be counted out because the rare times they were able to attack they were far more dangerous than the Australians.
Surely we were headed for another overtime thriller comparable to the Mexico vs. Argentina game a couple days before. Surely it would take a flash of absolute brilliance to win this battle of defense and goalkeeping. Surely it was not to be.
Instead once again the referee took the game into his own hands and with time expiring in injury time he awarded a PK to the Italians. A bold move even if there had been anything near a foul. Instead Grosso did a gross thing. He juked one Australian and then juked another (Lukas Neill) who slid in front and past Grosso. Grosso could have been a real superstar and side stepped the defender he just juked and blasted a shot in the back of the net. Sure it would have been off-balance, sure it would have been a tough angle, but it would have been a goal and a real way to win. Instead Grosso steppend over the helpless Austalian on the ground and dived. A pure bred unforced flop that would make Vlade Divac jealous. Surely the ref could see that this was not even close to a foul, let alone away to get knocked out of the World Cup. No but that was not the case. Instead it was the worst call of the World Cup. With time expired Francesco Totti netted an unstoppable PK. Just like that the great socceroo story had ended. Cinderella's wicked stepmother was the referee and he just shattered the glass slipper.
I do want to give credit to Totti. He came in the game late and helped the Italians get some offensive spark back. A man whose World Cup was in jeopardy a few months ago after a broken ankle came off the bench and made spectacular heel flicks and passes that gave the Italians hope that they could still score a man down. It is just too bad that the game ended the way it did, and that we were all robbed of seeing the players do something special to win the game. Instead it was the actor and the referee.
The sweet sixteen starts tomorrow and as Tommy Smythe put it the matchups are "mouth watering." If you hate soccer then you don't know or care what is going on and I guess you will probablyy skip this blog, but if the salivating sixteen makes you #### all over your keyboard then take a look at my Preview and Predictions and join me with your own.
Germany vs. Sweden A matchup of two European power houses is enough to keep any futbol fan glued to their television. I love Sweden and Ljundberg has been phenomenal but Germany at home is going to be too much for the Swede's to overcome. Look for Klose and Ballack to find the net in a 2-1 win. Ibrahimovic will bounce back from a dissapointing World Cup with the lone goal for the Swedes. Germany wins 2-1.
Argentina vs. Mexico Un guerro de futbol. Mexico is quick, talented, and motivated. Argentina has looked as good or better than any team in the world. Mexico has looked great in the second half of all their World Cup games, but it will be their slow start that ruins them against the explosive Argentina. Crespo will score on a ball from Riquelme in the first ten minutes and Saviola will add a second goal before the first half ends. Mexico will awnser with another brilliant second half with a goal from Fonseca, but it will be too little too late as Carlitos Tevez comes off the bench to drop in one more for the Argentines in a 3-1 victory. Argentina wins 3-1.
England vs. Ecuador Rooney is back and England finally has some offense. This is bad news for Ecuador, but they are not scared. After resting their star strikers and captain against Germany the Ecuadorians are too fresh and confident for England to handle. Ecuador wins a 1-0 battle that features a frustrating plethora of near misses and post clangers for the English. Ecuador wins 1-0.
Portugal vs. Netherlands Young superstars Christiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben duel off in a game that features some flashes of brilliance from individual stars. The Dutches defense is the difference maker in a 2-0 win for the Netherlands in a game that could have gone either way. Netherlands wins 2-0.
Italy vs. Australia The Italians once again overlook a World Cup opponent and come in way too confident. The Socceroos capitalize on this mistake and take an early lead off a Tim Cahill goal. A refocused Italy comes out in the second half with Pirlo tieing it up with one of his infamous blasts. The first extra time game of the World Cup is a real thriller and the Socceroos wear there glass slipper for a little longer after shocking the Italians in the 12th minute of overtime off of another Cahill goal. Australia wins 2-1.
Switzerland vs. Ukraine A game that is a little boring for the casual fans but a real nail biter for the hardcore. The Swiss defense post another shutout and wins 1-0 on a goal in the 68th minute by Raphael Wicky. Swiss win 1-0.
Brazil vs. Ghana A match that everyone will enjoy. the Ghanians shock the world with another early goal. This one by Stephen Appiah in the 8th minute. All of Brazil is in dismay as Kingston stops shot after shot in the first half. The hopes of the black stars are high going into half up 1-0. Brazil will not be stopped this early though. Ronaldinho makes a run from midfield complete with a give and go with Ronaldo before squirting a shot just out of the reach of Kingston. Ghana knows they are in trouble and the floodgates open wide. Robinho scores from 25 yards out, then Ronaldo breaks the World Cup all time scoring record off a brilliant chip from Kaka. Ghana has a glimmer of hope when Gyan breaks away for a goal, but that is quickly put to rest by a goal from late sub Juninho. The Brazilians win a shootout 4-2.
Spain vs. France France comes out of the gates looking strong but Ribiero fails to find the net after getting a few pretty passes from Henry. The French panic and try to play everything through the aging Zenidine Zidane and the Spanish feast on their weakness. Spain wins easily getting goals from Raul, Torres, and Villa. It is not until the 80th minute that the French stop relying on Zidane and get the ball to Henry who bends a beauty around the blond headed Spanish keeper to keep France from being completely embarassed. Spain wins 3-1.
OK join in on the fun and lets all see how incredibly wrong we all are. And brag our heads off if we get one right. : )
The World Cup is over for the USA and I am not even sure who to blame.
Is it Arena's fault for starting 5 midfielders three games in a row?
Is it the team's fault for playing flat in game one?
Do you want to blame this on the red card happy referee against Italy?
Do we blame it on the PK out of nowhere call the ref made against Ghana?
Is it all Reyna's fault for turning the ball over and gifting Ghana a one goal lead?
Is it Landon Donovan's fault for being the worst "star" of the World Cup?
Truth is that all of these things had a huge impact on the USA taking an early flight home, but that is not what this blog is about. I want to actually look for a second at what the United States did right and who deserves some props.
DeMarcus Beasley. No one played worst in that first game and no one made it worse by complaining all week, but just when you thought Beasley should never play for the Red White and Blue again he comes off the bench and scores the game winner against Italy (we won't go into how the goal got called back on another shaky call). Then in a must win Beasley starts and really gives it his all for 90 minutes. Setting up play in the midfield and eventually making the perfect assist to tie the game at 1-1. Beasley you regained my respect.
Oguchi "Gooch" Onyewu. Lead the defense and was everything he was hyped up to be. Even after getting a yellow in the opening game against the Czech "Gooch" bounced back and played physical but smart in the remaining three games. He played near flawless defense for 270 minutes in his first World Cup. The CB position is locked up for the US for a long time.
Clint Dempsey. Dempsey fans will always wonder why he did not get to play in the first game? Dempsey brought attitude, offense, and most importantly a goal to the United States World Cup team. Another young player we can look forward to seeing in the future.
Brian McBride. The bloody face will long be remembered and it should be. The older McBride gave it everything he had in all three games playing up front all by himself. We never should have made him be the lone striker but we did and he did the best he could. It just was not good enough. Future World Cup teams can look back at the heart McBride played with and try to equal it.
Jimmy Conrad Another youngster filled in for the big shoes of Eddie Pope and played his heart out. Conrad is big, young, smart, and proved he is not overwhelmed on the worlds biggest stage. Conrad alongside Gooch is something the U.S. can look forward to in the future.
Plenty of other players gave it there best shot as well. All nine men that were left on the field to face Italy's ten, deserve credit for the effort they put forth. Eddie Pope fought hard from a poor injury riddles year in 2005 to do a solid job in 2006. Bocanegra and Mastroeni deserve some mention even though Mastroeni was not great in the first game and got red carded against Italy. He was a spark plug in that Italy game and played with fire. Keller was not the wall we needed him to be. Most of the goals he could not really be blamed for but we needed three miraculous performances out of him and we got about one.
We have to wait four more long years for USA to be back, but I believe the team in 2010 will be a great one.
1. World Cup or Stanley Cup or NBA Finals? Chose one to write about and tell why.
2. Make an all-star lineup of any sport (exp. NBA- C- Bill Russel; PF- Tim Duncan; SF- Larry Bird; SG- Michael Jordan; PG Magic Johnson). You have to fill up all positions too (that includes DH for Baseball)
1. I would be lying to myself if I chose anything besides the World Cup. If you read my latest blogs it is obvious that I am most interested in the event that truly crowns the world champions. In a grueling process that happens once every four years and takes almost two years to qualify for, this is the one tournament that brings the entire world to a stand still. But I would also be lying to all of you if I said I was not interested in all three. I am a sportsnutt after all.
I like most of America have not been watching much of the Stanley Cup although if it were not for the World Cup I would be watching it a lot more. I like playoff hockey for its speed, intensity, physical play, and goal tending. Maybe it comes back to my appreciation of World Cup soccer that I do not need to see a goal to be enternained, but can be equally and sometimes more entertained by the brilliance of one man's sheer will to keep a ball or puck out of his net. It is this position that can make nobodies like Hislop of Trinidad and Tobago and Dwayne Roloson of Edmonton into heroes for there teams, cities, or even nations.
NBA Finals are a blast. This year has been a great NBA postseason and again it has been something else to see how often a game can come down to the final minute. Game three of Heat and Mavs for example. Gary Payton, the old almost washed up ex-Super Sonic, hit the game winner over the Miami Heat in the final seconds last night for a moment of glory in a game and series that looked to be all but over a few minutes earlier. Who would have known that across the world a half day later Tunisia would tie Saudi Arabia in the final minutes of there match and that Germany would break the hearts of an entire country in the final minute of there match. And lets not forget the Stanley Cup. Game 1 seemed like it was all over when the Canes tied it up with 30 seconds left and then went on to win in OT.
So whats my awnser? I guess I don't have one. I am a sportsnutt to the core. I love the drama, unpredictability, passion, and competitiveness of all sports. Even the ones I don't like I have a deep appreciation of the hard work it took to get to there level. This is why I will make sure to see Stanley Cup highlights, watch the NBA Finals, see all of the World Cup, and even tune in for the U.S. Open. Its my life.
2. Ok this is my all-star steroids using baseball team.
C. Pudge, I mean slim, Rodriguez
1b. Rafael, I did not do steroids, Palmiero
2b. Brett, chix dig the long ball, Boone
3b. Ken, RIP, Caminiti
SS. Every quick fielding 40 homer hitting shortsop since 1993
LF. Barry, I take the good stuff so you will never prove it, Bonds
CF. Alex, first to get busted for steroids, Sanchez
RF. Sammy, I apology, Sosa
DH. Mark, lets not talk about the past, McGwire
PH. Jason, I am back on the good stuff try to catch me, Giambi
P. Jose, I taught you how to Juice now I am telling on you, Canseco
RP. Ryan, cheapest roids ever, Franklin
That is one solid steroids team. Some of you forgot Canseco pitched in a game?
With the first weekend of World Cup behind us and the USA's first game in the rearview mirror, I thought I would give a little recap.
Best game:
Germany vs. Costa Rica would have gotten my vote before this morning. It had some great goals, fired up fans, and individual stars Wanchope vs. Klose. But after seeing the Socceroos pull off the win from Down Under I have to say that was the best game yet. Japan scored in the first half on what was kind of a weak goal. While a certain american announcer was whining for a penalty it was really more of an awful read by the Aussie keeper than anything else. And just when you thought the team with the best nickname in the tournament was out of it. Tim Cahill comes on and scores a goal to tie it in the 85th minute. Then instead of being satisfied with the late tie the Socceroos score two more for a total of three goals in the final 6 minutes. Australia beats Japan 3-1 in a phenomenal game.
Best super sub
Tim Cahill for Australia runs away with this one. Two goals in the final minutes of the the best game so far makes Gus Hiddink look like a genius.
Most Surprising team:
While no outcome was more miraculous or surprising then Trinibad and Tobago's draw with Sweden, T and T's goalie was a mixture of incredible and lucky in a game where Sweden could have scored 4 or more goals. The team that I was most surprised by was Ecuador. They came out agressive and confident against the European favorites Poland. They showed a complete game with good shielding, strong play in the midfield, great shooting, passion (keeper had the Ecuador flag painted on his face), and a little bit of luck (Two of Poland's shots fired off the post) that is needed to make a good run in this tourney. Ecuador has proven to me that they will not be intimidated by any foe and that they are not to be taken lightly.
Big Win for Big Faves:
Argentina is as talented as any team in the world but that has not stopped them from blowing in recent World Cups. They didn't even play arguably two of the most talented players in the world in Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez because they have two other great stars with more experience in Jacier Saviola and Hernan Crespo (both who scored). Not only was the pressure already on this team but they had to play a very determined and talented Ivory Coast in what many considered the group of death. Argentina looked awesome though getting some of the best midfield play of the tournament out of Juan Roman Riquelme. With all this talent on the field and even more ready on the bench Argentina looks to threaten any team.
Lucky win for Big faves.
England lucked out in there win over Paraguay. An onw goal in the third minute was really the only time England threatened to score. Sure they came away with the win but this favorite is going to need Wayne Rooney to come back from his injury but to come back with a vengeance if they are going to go far.
Concacaftastic
Mexico the lone team to win out of the Concacaf. They did a great job witholding the passionate early charge of Iran and keeping there heads and playing a full 90 minutes. they used there superior skills and teamworl to win a tough game 3-1.
Best Goal
There has already been a multitude of great goals to choose from in this tourney. Koller and Bravo's headers, Lahm and Rosicky's blasts, Robben and Rosicky's breakaways but I am going to have to go with Frings one-time shot against Costa Rica. The goal put Germany up 4-2 in the exciting World Cup opener and really got this tourney rolling. As a side note the Ibrahimovic Kung-Fu volley shot was the best almost goal.
Best assist
Luis Figo's beauty in the 4th minute to Palueta against Angola takes the cake in what ended up being a very close 1-0 win for Portugal.
Best Goalie....s
I have to give this to two goalies. One was Hislop of Trinidad and Tobago who played his guts out in an uncanny tie. The amount of saves he made and his fearless decision making truly was the only reason they came out with a draw. The other went to a losing goalkeeper. Kingston for Ghana really impressed me today. He made save after save after save. He save every shot that was humanly possible to save. It is just too bad for him that Pirlo's strike and a give away by his defender were unsaveable. Great goalie play out of Africa so far.
speaking of goalies... bigger than the pitch moment
It is more than a game and Iran showed that with great sportsmanship before its Mexico game. Oswaldo Sanchez had to bury his late father just days before this match, and Iran acknowledged both Oswaldo and his father with class delivering him a bouqet of flowers and a hug that was worth more that I am sure words could describe. Sanchez also went on to play a tremendous game and it was moving moment seeing him on his knees crying to the sky after the game. My prayers go out to Oswaldo and his family.
Best Midfield
Czech Republic were brilliant in the midfield against the USA. Even though US had a bulk of the possesion the Czech midfield lead by Pave Nedved and Thomas Rosicky knew exactly what it wanted to do when it got the ball. Attack. They had no wasted runs, passes or shots out of the midfield. There play lead to a one-sided 3-0 win.
Worst midfield
While Trinadad and Tobago and Ivory Coast did not have very good midfield play they are not supposed to. USA's midfield was supposed to fast and fierce but instead it was slow, undecided, and helpless. Bobby Convey was hesitant and intimidated on the leftside and Demarcus Beasley was far worse on the right side. Pablo Mastroeni and Landon Donovan were nowhere to be found the whole game (at least Mastroeni has an excuse for the 2nd half.... he was subbed out at halftime).
Best Defense
Italy's defense is at it again. Buffon made some very tough saves look easy out of the goal and the defensive line blocked more shots than an Andrei Kirelenko, Kevin Garnett, and Yao Ming front court. Ghana attacked but evey time tehy got close it was the Italians who were in perfect position. This does not fare well for the USA who looked impotent on offense today.
Coaching questions???
The pressure on Juergenn Klinsmann will not go away any time soon and with German fave Oliver Kahn playing back up to Jens Lehmann who allowed to goals that will continue to be a decision to be questioned. For the other question you have to look at the worse loss in the World Cup so far. Bruce Arena played 5 midfielders and one striker against the best attacking team in all of Europe. That obviously will be questioned by many after the brutal loss. But should he have also known that Cherundolo would be outmatched and that Beasley has had a bad year leading up to this World Cup? What about Clint Dempsey? Dempsey a young goal scorer out of the right midfield known for his flashy offense, fearlessness in the box, and celebrations after goals would have been a perfect person to sub in for and probably start over Mr. Beasley. After these first games no coach deserves to be questioned more than Bruce Arena.
Best player so far
Thomas Rosicky wins this one with a close second going to Klose and Riquelme. Rosicky was brilliant in his first World Cup apperance scoring on goal with power and precision and another with speed and finesse. He nearly had a hatrick too with another torpedo from deep finding the crossbar.
Still to come
My longest post yet and we have still not even seen 10 teams including some team called Brazil. The defending World Champions have the Worlds best player in Ronaldinho and a striker on the verge of breaking the World Cup record for career goals in Ronaldo. And that is just scratching the surface of this loaded squad.
Keep yo head up
Fans of teams that dissapointed. Remember that a win in the second game can put you right back to first in this group. This tourney is far from over.
Wow game 1 of the World Cup opener was worth the wait. I did not sleep much last night in anticipation of the best sporting event in the world and now I know why.
Germany started things off with a blast from Lahm from the corner of the 18 yard line. An absolute rocket with no spin moved into the upper right V of the goal off the post and in. Beautiful strike left the Ticos keeper Porras looking helpless. But the overmatched Ticos did not wait long to strike back. Minutes later Wanchope escaped for a one on one with Lehmann and punched it in the net. I can only imagine the uproar that ensued in little Cost Rica who declared today a national holdiay to watch the match.
The celebration would not be allowed to continue for long though. Germany struck back with a nice cross that left Klose all alone for a back door goal that again Porras was helpless to stop. 2-1 Germany and we are only 16 minutes into the game.
2nd half Germany is dominating and looking to put the little Ticos away. Klose again is a lone back door this time for a header that Porras gets his hands on, but he should have wrapped the ball up or punched further away. Instead he set it right back up for Klose who pounded it into the net. At this point I thought Deutschland had the game out of reach.
But the Ticos made it interesting once again. This time with a beautiful goal set up by a nice little chip of a through ball to Wanchope. Wanchope hesitated as Lehmann came out and a German defender sprinted from the side. Calmly or tranquilo in Spanish Wanchope did a stutter step and floated a pretty little lob right past the German keeper and sliding German defender and into the net.
Suddenly the Ticos looked like they could pull out an unlikely tie. But that hope would not come to fruition. It was the Germans that awnsered again with a Goal. With Famed German striker Juergen Klinnsman as the coach it is no wonder that this once brutal defensive squad is playing like an offensive powerhouse. It is strange seeing Germany protect the lead by adding to it and not by hanging back and beating up its opponent, but by scoring. It was Frings who would put the incredible icing on the cake today and set his Nation's hopes on fire. If Lahm's goal was a rocket than Frings must have been something faster than a rocket a warhead perhaps. A onetimer blast from 40 yards out that moved from the center of the goal to the outside and past the outstretched finger of Porras. A goal we will see a hundred or so times in this World Cup because of its brilliance.
Germany wins it 4-2. An opener as thrilling as any and a game that will set the stage for what is sure to be another epic World Cup.
Round 3 all my dear sportsnuttz. Buckle your seatbelts cuz you are about to go for a ride. HA HA! Here are the lovely topics thought up by the Ryan Seacreast of blog contest's meestah detroitsports himself.
1. Which athelete do you idolize the most and why?
2. If you could live with only 1 sport, what would it be and why?
3. Of these four people, Wayne Gretzky, Hank Aaron, Joe Montana, or Michael Jordan, who do you think made the biggest impact on his sport?
1. My truest awnser has already been blogged about here on MAy 26th. You can read it by scrolling down a couple blogs. But since I do not want to submit old material, here is my next choice.
Satchel Paige. I don't know much about him since I was not alive when he played, but what I do know is astonishing. He was an unstoppable force in the #### leagues posting records such as 21 straight wins and 64 consecutive scoreless innings. Unthinkable stats. He played year round not like today's 200 inning weenies, and even famously pitched in 29 games in one month. He pitched year round traveling to the Carribean leagues during the #### League off-season. He had one goal in mind and that was to pitch in the Major Leagues. The showman not only overcame racism but was pitching at age 42 and had an ERA of 2.48 in his first season with the Indians and in his 6 seasons had a career ERA of 3.29.
Joe Dimaggio considered him the "best and fastest pitcher I ever faced."
I can not imagine the trials Satchell went through to accomplish his goals. But I can and do admire both the physical and mental strength he must have had to accomplish what he did.
Paige is a hero and Hall of Famer in every since of the word(s).
2. Soccer. Not only am I a firm believer that the World Cup is the greatest sporting event in the history of sporting events. But it is also the sport I am best at. So instead of being lousy at golf or below average at basketball I think I will go ahead and live a life of being good at soccer.
The negative is I would not be satisfied with just MLS so I would have to get Dish TV so I could watch the foreign leagues.
If it is just what sports I would want to just watch. There is nothing like the NFL. Sacks, endzone dances (hopefully), breaking tackles, cheerleaders. Football is the most entertaining sport in my book.
3. Michael Jordan. Not only did he change basketball but the landscape of sports media as we know it. He is his OWN BRAND. His logo is known around the world. The NBA is a billion dollar industry. High schoolers can sign 90 million dollar shoe deals before even stepping on an NBA court. The NBA and basketball as a whole went from a niche sport to being one of the most popular sports in the world.
Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Emanuel Ginobili, Yao Ming, and more are in the NBA because Michael Jordan was a global super star. He not only had the biggest impact on his sport but a massive impact on marketing, media, world relations, and all sports.
He also improved relations with the universe. Lets not forget Space Jam. "His Airness" played against aliens for goodness sakes. Jordan truly did change the are galaxy.
