What to say about a team that looked sharp on the ball, had numerous opportunities and kept control for a good portion of the time?
We got lucky.
Oh, and England is doomed to never have a keeper. More later.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Man I suck at picking games...
So I'm down a few thou but it's early, and I blame it all on Greece. Something about picking 64 scores in one sitting with a 32oz stein in hand. Hmmm...
Friday, June 11, 2010
Okay... So I finished my picks...
Soooooo I've got Brazil winning this thing over England in the final and so what? Let me break it down for you a little further.
The only reason Holland aren't in the finals is because they lose in the semis to Brazil - otherwise, with Arjen Robben fit - I don't think there's a better team in the tournament.
Except maybe, for Spain? Perennial underachievers, the Spanish won Euro 2008, but lost to the U.S. in 2009. (Confederations Cup semis.) For real, Spain is legitimate and the only reason I don't have them in the final, no to mention even winning it, is because I have Fabio Capello's Three Lions (England) defeating Spain in the semis, 2 - 1.
And where's Italy? Believe it or not, I don't have them past the round of 16, where they lose to the magnificent Samuel Eto'o and Cameroon. I just don't think the Azzurri (Italy) have it this time. I know, it's been said in past tournaments as well. (See Germany 2006.)
Finally, my beloved Argentina. How do they fall? England defeats them, in a glorious quarterfinal match that reflects Maradona's legacy - he's great on the field but otherwise you're afraid to admit he's your friend. Diego Maradona is not a manager. I could see him hiring some guy to advise him from behind the scenes while he absorbs the media spotlight.
But damn I wish I was wrong.
Messi, do it. Prove me wrong.
No one else is allowed to though so BACK OFF!
Cheers... Enjoy the cup!!!!! (I'd be blowing my vuvuzela now if I had one...)
The only reason Holland aren't in the finals is because they lose in the semis to Brazil - otherwise, with Arjen Robben fit - I don't think there's a better team in the tournament.
Except maybe, for Spain? Perennial underachievers, the Spanish won Euro 2008, but lost to the U.S. in 2009. (Confederations Cup semis.) For real, Spain is legitimate and the only reason I don't have them in the final, no to mention even winning it, is because I have Fabio Capello's Three Lions (England) defeating Spain in the semis, 2 - 1.
And where's Italy? Believe it or not, I don't have them past the round of 16, where they lose to the magnificent Samuel Eto'o and Cameroon. I just don't think the Azzurri (Italy) have it this time. I know, it's been said in past tournaments as well. (See Germany 2006.)
Finally, my beloved Argentina. How do they fall? England defeats them, in a glorious quarterfinal match that reflects Maradona's legacy - he's great on the field but otherwise you're afraid to admit he's your friend. Diego Maradona is not a manager. I could see him hiring some guy to advise him from behind the scenes while he absorbs the media spotlight.
But damn I wish I was wrong.
Messi, do it. Prove me wrong.
No one else is allowed to though so BACK OFF!
Cheers... Enjoy the cup!!!!! (I'd be blowing my vuvuzela now if I had one...)
OK got my picks...
It's England v. Brazil in pk's with Brazil winning. Damn. Unfortunately for Argentina, the amazing squad that has no excuse, they lose to England in the quarterfinals...
I have S. Korea beating Mexico 2-1 in the opening game, with France defeating Uruguay shortly thereafter, (2-1).
The U.S., as I've already mentioned, will draw with the 3 Lions, two apiece and help both their causes down the line.
Netherlands has to face Brazil, and Netherlands loses.
It could have been the Ivory Coast but Drogba is no way 100 percent.
France loses to Nigeria in the round of 16 because both Cameroon and Nigeria still have quality teams. (Cote D'Ivoire does as well, but I'm hesitant about Drogba's arm of course.)
Uruguay doesn't hang with Argentina in the round of 16, and it looks like Argentina are destined to do what they should. Unfortunately, they have no leader and they blow it.
Balloon D'Or: Wayne Rooney
Champions: Brazil
(Ouch!! Where's Torres? Where's Argentina? Where's Messi? I say I hope I'm wrong.)
I have S. Korea beating Mexico 2-1 in the opening game, with France defeating Uruguay shortly thereafter, (2-1).
The U.S., as I've already mentioned, will draw with the 3 Lions, two apiece and help both their causes down the line.
Netherlands has to face Brazil, and Netherlands loses.
It could have been the Ivory Coast but Drogba is no way 100 percent.
France loses to Nigeria in the round of 16 because both Cameroon and Nigeria still have quality teams. (Cote D'Ivoire does as well, but I'm hesitant about Drogba's arm of course.)
Uruguay doesn't hang with Argentina in the round of 16, and it looks like Argentina are destined to do what they should. Unfortunately, they have no leader and they blow it.
Balloon D'Or: Wayne Rooney
Champions: Brazil
(Ouch!! Where's Torres? Where's Argentina? Where's Messi? I say I hope I'm wrong.)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Drogba Broken arm...
Man, I've always had a problem with this guy, who's mentality and overall fierceness I've compared with the Uruk-hai of Lord of the Rings mythos, but I WANTED TO SEE THIS GUY PLAY! As the striker for Cote D'Ivoire (50/1) in Group G with Brazil (4/1) , Portugal (25/1) and North Korea (2000/1), Drogba could mash some things up. And in Africa. Hard to hear about the broken arm, though Sven Goran-Eriksson claims he'll play against Portugal in their game on the 15th. Hmmm....
(Oh, the parenthetical numbers are odds of the team winning the whole tournament outright, as of 5 am, J-Burg time.)
My Picks Coming Before the First Kick Off!!
So I've been putting off filling out my bracket and so I've got a little bit of work to do tonight. As a sneak peak though, I'm calling a 2-2 draw between England and the US, with England scoring a late equalizer, either via a Rooney header or a Steven Gerrard on the ground far post. Just sayin'...
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The Turkey-Friendly Warm Up...
What'd we learn on Saturday, watching our squad come from behind to defeat a solid European challenger? First of all, Dempsey is in form. The game winner he put away was really one of three he could have had and maybe not even his best opportunity - 'til he slots with the outside of his right foot. Now there's a cheeky, crafty strike from someone outside of Italy or South America! What's that? He's American?
But he wasn't the only Yank playing aggressive, take-the-ball-at-your-opponent soccer. Jozy Altidore, with his weave pass to himself in the box looked confident and ready to compete. Not that he didn't at the Confederations Cup last year, but still the move he made was class and then to have to where-with-all to look up and try to pick out Dempsey. Fantastic. They're playing together folks, and giving some teams something to think about.
Landon, oh Landon. Though Bradley has actual progeny on the field, Landon, you know, you are his boy. Right down to the matching veins popping out from their temples, Coach Bradley and Landon Donovan seem to be on the same wave length as far as game plan is concerned. Quick counters, use your speed, and stay attack-oriented. No more of the slow build-up, please. PLEASE!!! We might have some success, that is, of course, if you two (Coach, Landon) can get your squad amped enough not to give up the early goal.
EARLY GOAL SYNDROME - we have it. Not cool. It can be fatal for inexperienced squads. Solution? Other than a general, play deep behind the ball until our fitness can take over the other team? No. I don't have a real answer for this one, other than we're not going to win much if we continue to consistently go down by a goal in the first half. We will see...
Side notes: Torres - the guy has got style. His dribbling reverse to escape pressure in our own end spoke volumes of the guy's mental acuity for the game. I look forward to seeing what else he can do, as I didn't get to see much of him in qualifying. (And no, I don't like him just because he has the same last name as a certain Liverpool/Spain striker. Though I did like his old-school 'five' celebration with Dempsey after the goal.)
Robbie Findley - Nice chip to Donovan to what became one of the cleanest, sharpest goals by the U.S. squad against a solid opponent in some time. And Findley had a nice fro going too. Cheers
But he wasn't the only Yank playing aggressive, take-the-ball-at-your-opponent soccer. Jozy Altidore, with his weave pass to himself in the box looked confident and ready to compete. Not that he didn't at the Confederations Cup last year, but still the move he made was class and then to have to where-with-all to look up and try to pick out Dempsey. Fantastic. They're playing together folks, and giving some teams something to think about.
Landon, oh Landon. Though Bradley has actual progeny on the field, Landon, you know, you are his boy. Right down to the matching veins popping out from their temples, Coach Bradley and Landon Donovan seem to be on the same wave length as far as game plan is concerned. Quick counters, use your speed, and stay attack-oriented. No more of the slow build-up, please. PLEASE!!! We might have some success, that is, of course, if you two (Coach, Landon) can get your squad amped enough not to give up the early goal.
EARLY GOAL SYNDROME - we have it. Not cool. It can be fatal for inexperienced squads. Solution? Other than a general, play deep behind the ball until our fitness can take over the other team? No. I don't have a real answer for this one, other than we're not going to win much if we continue to consistently go down by a goal in the first half. We will see...
Side notes: Torres - the guy has got style. His dribbling reverse to escape pressure in our own end spoke volumes of the guy's mental acuity for the game. I look forward to seeing what else he can do, as I didn't get to see much of him in qualifying. (And no, I don't like him just because he has the same last name as a certain Liverpool/Spain striker. Though I did like his old-school 'five' celebration with Dempsey after the goal.)
Robbie Findley - Nice chip to Donovan to what became one of the cleanest, sharpest goals by the U.S. squad against a solid opponent in some time. And Findley had a nice fro going too. Cheers
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
