Joga Bonito

I received probably my favorite email ever on Saturday when I got confirmation from FIFA for two tickets to match 55 in Dortmund on Tuesday.  Back in May when I put my name and money down on the waiting list for this game, I had hoped against all odds for Brazil-USA.  But Brazil-Ghana was almost as excellent.  And this is how the day went.

At 9am we were on the road for the 3 hour drive to Dortmund.  It was cloudy, drizzling and in the low 60s, but that didn’t dampen our spirits as we cruised through Belgium and the Netherlands into Germany.  We were going to see the Samba Kings play live in the WC.  

After picking up our tickets from the box office, we fortified ourselves with the vital beer and sausage combination.  Despite it being 4 hours until kickoff, decided to just hang around the stadium until gametime instead of heading into Dortmund.  Plenty of food and beverage to be found and the Brazilian fans were already geared up. 

There are approximately 200,000 Brazilians traveling around Germany during the WC.  And these people know how to have a good time.  A constant dim of drums was in the air as everywhere were groups of fans dancing, singing, posing for pictures and just enjoying life.  It must be great to be a Brazilian and have such a passionate love for sunshine, dancing, and soccer. 

This guy’s drumming apparatus was awesome. 

We entered the stadium about an hour before kickoff.  A sizeable contingent of Brazil fans were making a racket behind one goal, but most of the 66,000 were rooting for Ghana.  It’s true that almost everyone’s 2nd favorite team is Brazil, but at this point in the WC that no longer matters.  If your team is still alive, you root for someone to beat Brazil because you don’t want to play the 5-time champions.  So the Black Stars of Ghana had temporarily become Germany’s favorite team. 

 

As kickoff approached there was a definite buzz around the stadium.  Probably few sporting events have this type of electricity.  It was like waiting for Tiger to tee off, Michael to be announced or Tyson to strut to the ring.  And when the players entered flashbulbs popped off like 11 Elvises had hit the stage. 

The game was fantastic live.  Ghana was flying around, stringing together chances, using the crowd’s energy but never could find that elusive goal.  Brazil was intriguing. They seemed content to let Ghana have the ball and then in a flash Brazil would score.  Ghana played well and still they were lucky not to lose 8-2 instead of just 3-0. Witnessed some history as well when Ronaldo scored his 15th WC goal breaking the record he shared with Der Bomber, Gerd Muller. 

After the game we took the U-bahn downtown Dortmund to watch France-Spain on the big screen while the Brazilians tooted their horns. 

Dortmund was packed with fans.  Most people were rooting for Spain, but France prevailed 3-1.  Didn’t lighten the mood though, as I’m sure the party was still going long after we got back to Brussels at 2am.   Overall, it was a fantastic day at the WC. 

If you wish there are more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/57226564@N00/.

Enjoy the games. 

Not so Fair Play

Portugal-Netherlands was not a good game but was certainly gripping entertainment.  16 yellow cards and 4 reds was the final tally in Portugal's bitter 1-0 win.  And it was exactly what this WC needed.  This game was a stark reminder of how much players need to improve their behavior.  It was like recess time for kindergartners.  The iconic image of last night had to be the Netherland's Van Bronckhorst and Portugal's Deco, teammates on Barcelona, watching the game from the stairs like petulant teenagers.  (It was on TV, but I cannot find a picture of this anywhere.  Sorry).  This was the ultimate ugly side of soccer on display for the world to watch.

I honestly believe the referee did a good job.  The players did not adapt and some of their play was simple brutal.  Costinha simply lost the plot with his handball.  Figo's headbutt and theatrical injury fakes certainly tarnishes his legacy and Deco was childish in holding the ball to receive his 2nd yellow.  But for all the Portuguese transgressions the Dutch were worse.  Dirk "Porn Star" Kuyt and Van Bommel spent more time flopping around on the pitch trying to draw penalties than playing.  Robben played like a colicky baby and Boulahrouz deserved to be arrested for his assault on Ronaldo.  It was a pitiful display. 

Shaking off the bad of yesterday, (England's 1-0 win over Ecuador was no picnic to watch either) and looking ahead to the quarterfinals with Argentina-Germany and England-Portugal match-ups set.  Today brings Italy-Australia and Switzerland-Ukraine as two of these teams will move on.  Here's hoping that real soccer action will return.  Enjoy the games. 

The Spirit of Togo

The last 16 is set.  The harsh reality of overtime and the heartbreak of penalties looms over every game now.  Two teams enter and one team leaves.  But before we enjoy WC football at its finest here is an ode to Togo. 

Yesterday we made the short 2.5 hour drive from Brussels to Cologne to see France-Togo.  This game did not have the same carnival spirit that surrounded Japan-Australia and Italy-USA. Cologne must not have received the memo that they were hosting the WC since the main fanfest in the downtown was basically a gigantic construction site.  Also, the French fans were super nervous since they had to win by 2 goals to advance for certain.  But once we fortified ourselves with the essentials, the day started to pick up. 

We watched the early games on a big-screen.   Unfortunately, this screen was being used for a band concert because its setting in front of Cologne's Cathedral is magnificent. 

 

After the games, the mood of the crowd started to become more festive.   The Spanish and Ukrainian fans were celebrating their wins.  The Togo fans were making friends and earning converts to their side.  And the French were displaying their Frenchness.

 

Cologne didn't seem to have a central meeting point where all the fans were gathered.  Instead everyone was spread out by the Cathedral, at a big-screen park and throughout the Old Town, especially by the river where fans of all ages enjoyed some soccer. 

Most people took the U-bahn or subway for the fifteen minute ride to the stadium.  It was packed like rush hour except that people were smiling, singing, blowing horns and generally happy.  I stumbled upon some French patriots and some dyslexic Togo fans. 

 

Inside the stadium was great.  All the neutral fans adopted Togo as their team. Since Togo had already been eliminated many fans were sporting Togo jerseys purchased at greatly reduced prices.  The French National Anthem was fantastic, spine-chilling stuff.  Great song and always reminds me of "Casablanca." 

The French fans were nervy throughout until their team scored two nice goals to secure passage to the next round.  Then a full-on dance party broke out.  The "Wave" cascaded 6-7 straight times around the stadium.  With 10 minutes remaining the Togo fans behind each goal started huge conga lines.  The stadium was rocking and the game became secondary.  After the whistle and the French had received their applause, about 5 Togo players did a slow lap around the field.  Laughing and smiling, waving to fans, these guys were indicative of the spirit of the WC.  Togo, outmatched on the field, making headlines for all the wrong reasons off, still managed to play 3 spirited games.  The whole place went wild, even the French fans, as the stadium literally rocked to the rhythmic chants of Togo, Togo.  What was an ordinary match had turned into something memorable.    

More pictures of the day can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/57226564@N00/sets/72157594175751810/

What an experience.  There is no other competition quite like the WC. 

Enjoy the games.   

The Day After

Here are some musings on the USA while I wonder why Japan would want to make Brazil so angry by daring to score 1st in their game? 

Yes, the penalty was a terrible call.  But both Ghana goals were preventable.  Don't know what Reyna was thinking on the first.  Never play with it in the back, he should have just booted upfield to clear his lines.  To add injury to insult, that play knocked him out of the WC and will probably be his last game for the USA besides a cameo on Claudia Reyna Night coming on a cold night next year in Columbus.  Pre-order your bobblehead now. 

The 2nd Ghana goal was even worse.  Bocanegra needed to knock it out of bounds.  Gives Ghanaa throw-in, but no real danger.  Instead he plays with it, gets chased down, beat on a header and then the penalty call on Gooch.  Game over, as this USA team was never going to score 2 goals in a half. 

Ghana played a smart game.  They pressured for moments, then set-back and roughed the US up (32 fouls on Ghana to 16 for USA) and then used the counter-attack.  But without Essien who's suspended on cards, they will get rolled by Brazil.  Hey look, Ronaldo is scoring again.  He still can't move, but is a clinical finisher. 

Where does the US go from here? Don't know, but I'm headed to Koln for France-Togo right now.  Actually, I'm preparing a whole state of the USA soccer piece that I'll post in the next week.  Feel free to send me your ideas, so I can laugh at their silliness and revel in my mock-intellectual superiority. 

A final word on the WC refereeing: shitesnessstrautsausageweisersuckfest as the Germans so eloquently put it.  And I couldn't agree more.  The parade of yellow cards and penalty kicks is ruining the game.  A player from Croatia last night managed to receive an unprecedented 3 yellows in one game.  My biggest reason for seeing France-Togo was to watch Zidane play.  He's the greatest player (along with Ronaldo) of the past 20 years and retiring after the WC.  Instead, he's suspended for picking up a 2nd yellow in the 90th minute against S. Korea on a horrible call.  Let the players play. 

Enjoy the games.         

Do you believe in Miracles?

Big, big day for USA soccer.  If we somehow advance today, we'll have to make the rest of the world change the name from football to soccer.  More on the game below, but first some unfinished business.

I thought people would be able to access the link for the Top 3 goals but I guess not.  Here they are (but honestly, I would change #3 to Joe Cole's wonderstrike for England against Sweden).

Argentina's 24 passes:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnOGx7DL-CQ

Spain's splendid skill: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz0nFbKT9Kc

Fring's missile: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vLZJQOcJZQ

The first match-ups in the last 16 are set as Saturday's early game is Germany-Sweden followed by Argentina-Mexico.  Sunday's slate is England-Ecuador and what looks like the best game of these four, Portugal-Netherlands. 

While the last two days have produced some nice football, especially in Germany's surprisingly easy 3-0 romp over Ecuador and the Sweden-England game, today should see a step-up in the suspense department.  Every team in the US group has something to play for and later on, Australia-Croatia is a must-win game as well. 

I won't get into all the scenarios that could lead to the USA advancing.  This link sums all those up nicely.  I find no.7 very intriguing.  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=372079&cc=5739 Always take heads. 

My hope is the USA wins today obviously.  If we win and don't advance, I still think the USA has taken huge strides this WC.  Getting 4 points from this group would be a great accomplishment, especially considering the dismal showing against the Czechs.  

Ghana will be a tough task.  Essien is a world-class midfielder and unlike some other teams (England, Brazil) he doesn't have to share the ball in the midfield.  Appiah is a perfect compliment to Essien since Appiah plays just behind the forwards or wanders off to the wings leaving Essien lots of space in the middle. While Ghana is missing 2 strikers due to suspension on cards, the midfield duo of Essien and Appiah should provide the replacements with some good opportunities. 

As for the USA, they need to play with the same hunger and skill they showed against Italy.  Both the Czech and Italians created plenty of chance against Ghana and I expect the USA to do the same.  Traditionally, African teams are usually quite tired in the 3rd game of each WC due to the tremendous amounts of running they do in each game.  But nobody ran more or played harder than the 9 USA guys against Italy.  Praying that the USA won't be leg weary today. 

Ever since the draw was announced it seemed the USA was going to have to beat Ghana to advance.  Well, that day has arrived. I'm so anxious, excited and scared for this game.  It's like waiting in line to get an autograph from Stephen Segal.  The suspense is enormous.  But I believe in miracles and say USA wins 2-0 and Italy beats the Czechs 2-1.  Go USA and go Italy. 

Enjoy the games. 

Halfway There

I've recovered from my WC hangover.  The USA game was so exciting and emotionally draining that it clouded my enjoyment of the latest games.  Also, the server crashed and I lost my entire post, so that was why there was no update yesterday. 

We are officially halfway there (to Berlin) as 32 matches have now been played in the WC.  So, it is time to reminiscence and glimpse into the future. To deal with your short attention spans I've compiled everything into tidy little Top 3 packages.  Pretend a glib Sportscenter Anchor is reading the comments and enjoy. 

Top Teams:

1. Argentina — busting through this tournament like Chuck Norris through a Vietnamese disco
2. Espana — looking strong, confident and dangerous.  Midfield duo of Xavi and Xabi continue to impress. 
3. Brazil–not exactly playing beautiful game, but hampered by only playing with 10 men.  It is a sad sight watching Ronaldo drag himself around the field. 

Worst Teams:

1. Saudi Arabia — Blamed wet conditions for 4-0 loss to Ukraine. On the other had, each player received 100,00 riyals for draw against Tunisia.   
2. S&M– Played well against Dutch.  Then got spanked, whipped and generally manhandled in 6-0 drubbing against Argentina. 
3. France–  Wake up.  Sacre bleu.  In 180 minutes of soccer this team has played with passion for about 10. 

Top Goals:

1. Argentina's 2nd vs S&M.  24 passes before scoring.  Probably can't be duplicated on Playstation 2. 
2. Spain's 4th vs Ukraine. Sublime skills from Puyol sets-up sweet finish from Torres. 
3. Germany's 4th vs Costa Rica.  In a tournament full of great long shots, I still think Fring's goal is the best. 

View all these goals here.  I particularly enjoy the Spanish announcers on the Spain goal and the clairvoyant announcer on the Argentina goal.  http://www.youtube.com/my_favorites

Top players:

1. Riquelme– Argentinian midfield maestro's passing and game management is superb.  Let the Maradona comparisons start or actually re-start.   
2. Robben– Dutch winger has been Man of the Match in both of Clockwork Oranje's wins.  Only detriment to his game is his annoying tendency to dive but is good bet to score from a stretcher in next game.   
3. Essien – Everything Ghana does is controlled by this midfielder.  Organizes defense, sparks the offense, never stops running or competing.  Hoping for an off-day from him vs USA. 

Games played:

1. Ghana-Czech Republic.  Thrilling action as each team created heaps of chances.  Should have finished 7-5.
2. Italy-USA.  Indoor soccer anyone?  USA plays 9 against 10 and manages to draw 1-1 against Italy in a fierce, emotional game.
3. Argentina-Ivory Coast  Best team of the tournament in Argentina taken to the limit by hard-luck Ivory Coast.  IC has played some great football but 2-1 losses to Argentina and Netherlands knocks them out of WC.

Thanks for coming out:  Paraguay, Ivory Coast, Poland, S&M, Ivory Coast, Iran, Togo and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated already. 

Today starts the 4 games a day blitz as teams jockey for position in the last 16 (knockout stages).  Depending on how results go, there is some mouthwatering match-ups out there.  England-Germany, Spain-France, Portugal-Netherlands and Italy-Brazil (hopefully not) are all real possibilities.  In other words, starting Saturday the WC steps up in passion, intensity and suspense as OT and/or penalty kicks can occur in any game. 

Feel free to rant, rave, insult or compliment via the comments page.  Enjoy the games.    

USA game

Had some server problems yesterday and I lost my entire post so I hope you enjoyed this photo that somehow got posted despite the problems. 

Originally uploaded by flair24 but photo courtesy of Bob K.

Proud to be an AMERICAN!!!

Before you read this post, you should know I haven't seen one highlight of the USA game, read any recaps or heard any analysis.  I just want to express as best as I can what it was like to be there when the USA finally arrived on the world stage. 

Jumped into the car for the 4 hour drive from Brussels to K-Town with a group of friends.  Beautiful day got even better when had our first beer and sausage at 1pm.  Walked around the center of town and a mere 8 hours before kickoff our fans were dressed up and ready to party. 

 

USA fans were omnipresent.  K-Town was overrun with the Stars and Stripes. Every street we walked down could have been main street in Anytown, USAon 4th of July.   All that was missing was kids bicycling around with sparkers in hand. 

Here is some good old boys getting interviewed by the BBC. 

After a few hours of wandering around meeting and talking with people from all over the USA and the world, we settled in to watch Portugal-Iran in the fan park.  Portugal won 2-0 thanks to some inspirational play-making from Deco.  Portugal advances to the 2nd round for the 1st time since 1966.  Needless to say their fans were a bit excited.

I did not see any of the Ghana-Czech game, but supposedly Ghana was awesome in their 2-0 win. I reserve my thoughts on the huge USA-Ghana game until later.  By now the calvary had arrived and it was time to engage the Italian fans in some pre-game singing and ribaldry. 

K-Town was engulfed in cheers, beers and merriment.  I probably chanted U-S-A! U-S-A!4 billion times.  We danced on tables to "Born in the USA."  Put our arms around each other and sand "Proud to be an American" (I didn't think I even knew the words to this song).  Partied with Germans, Italians, Dutch, Irish, Portuguese and every other person in an unbelievable friendly atmosphere. 

The party continued on the 30 minute walk to the game.  Most fans were feeling nervous, but upbeat.  After all, this was USA-Italy, in the WC, in Europe.

 

I'll let a random USA fan we meet after the game describe how it went:  "I was teary-eyed for the national anthem.  I got teary-eyed when we scored.  And I was tearing up when the players did their victory lap.  We showed up.  We played like the USA.  I'm so proud." 

It was simply the best sporting event I've ever attended.  We outplayed Italy in the WC with 9 guys.  At the end it was like Victory with the whole crowd cheering for the USA.  All that was missing was Max von Syndow leading the clapping.  You can see all my photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/57226564@N00/.  

I'm utterly exhausted.  We got back at 5am with the sun rising.  I know this post isn't great but I hope you get a true feeling of what it was like.  The whole day was surreal.  The only way to describe it:  I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!! 

EnglaPool

Quick, specific predictions for today's games featuring Group C, the 2nd toughest group of the WC (USA's group is a little stronger).

Argentina 2 S&M 0.  Argentina has simply too much skill for plucky Balkan country.  Look for the sublime Riquelme to assist on the 1st goal and then Argentina will score a 2nd on the counterattack as S&M push forward for equalizer. (I was WAY off on this one).

Ivory Coast 2 Netherlands 1.  Will be hailed as best game of tourney so far.  Teams will create plenty of scoring chance, but IC will ultimately prevail.  (I sincerely hope it's this fun). 

Mexico 3 Angola 1.  Mexico will prove too much for Angola and bring a smile to the face of their gruff, chain-smoking coach.   

Ye gods, Argentina puts on a master-class in 1st half and is completely dismantling S&M 3-0.  Their 2nd goal where they strung together 24 passes will go down in the annals of WC history.  Simply magnificent.  

Now on to Day 7 which featured more late goals courtesy of England and Sweden along with some WC history as Ecuador advances into final 16. 

Feel the passion:  Swedes and English fans erupt as their teams score late to secure vital wins.  I could watch Sweden celebrate all-day.   

Genuine Jockeys:  Underwear model and tireless runner Freddie Ljungberg's well-deserved goal in the 88th minute propels Sweden to win and sends Paraguay crashing out of WC. 

EnglaPool:  England starts 3 players from my favorite team, Liverpool.  Rewarded with 2-0 victory over TNT with two Liverpool players (Crouch and Gerrard) scoring late to put English into sweet 16.  A round of applause for the gallant lads from TNT who made England grind it out.

Global warming:  The mighty Equatorians dispatched Costa Rica 3-0 in impressive fashion.  South America's other yellow team is quietly becoming the side no one wants to play. 

Site of the day:  Two guys at the bar who repeatedly jumped out of their chairs and danced the robot mocking Peter Crouch's mistakes.  Crouch launced the robot craze in the build-up to the WC.  Here is a quick history of it. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNwIHO0JL4Y&search=peter%20crouch%20robot. 

It is easily the worst coolest goal celebration ever and a pity he didn't do the robot after scoring against TNT.

Game on!!!!  Argentina has stamped their authority on the WC laying an absolute whipping 6-0 on S&M in a game that just ended. 

There will be no post tomorrow as we are headed to Kaiserslautern for USA-Italy.  I'm hoping the real USA will show up.  Until then, enjoy the games.   

The Burden of History

Curse this blasted technology.  Had just finished an entire post when it vanished into the ether like a sock from a dryer.  This is a hasty re-write because I need to leave to watch England-TNT game.  Apologies.  And congratulations to Germany and Ecuador, the first teams to qualify for the 2nd round courtesy of the Equatorians 3-0 thumping of Costa Rica.   

Day 6 witnessed the goal scoring prowess of Espana, a suprisingly good game in Tunisia-Saudia Arabia and the inevietable German victory over luckless Poland.

Feel the passion:  German fans celebrate madly as stunned Polish fans trudge out of stadium like so many thousands of utterly dejected Charlie Browns. 

Stat you could make money off:  Germany has never lost an international match at Dortmund where they played poor Poland last night.   

Return of the Spanish Armada:  Spain wallops Ukraine 4-0 taking full advantage of some dubious officiating. 

Wonder what the TV ratings were in Wyoming?:  Saudia Arabia-Tunisia play entertaining 2-2 draw with Tunisia scoring in injury time to equalize. 

Terrible burden of history:  Downtrodden Poland has never beat Germany in a soccer match among all the other history between these neighbors.  And Germany "wins" the battle of the hooligans as well with 120 German idiots arrested to only 60 Polish idiots.

Now that all of the 32 teams have played at least 1 game in the WC, here is a quick overall view of the tourney.  The first 16 games had 39 goals scored which means teams are committed to playing attacking football.  Maybe the lighter ball is helping, but even the Italians managed to score 2 goals.  Sadly this trend does not apply to punchless France. 

2×2x2:  A shocking 6 players have scored at least 2 goals in a game:  Cahill (Aussie), Villa (Espana), Rosicky (Czech), Bravo (Mexico), Klose (Germany) and Wanchope (Costa Rico). 

Shadowplay:  Nefarious sun and shadows causing TV viewing problems especially in stadiums in Frankfurt and Leipzig. 

And here's a check on those 3 countries it is your Patriotic Duty to support (http://flair2.wordpress.com/2006/06/08/patriotic-appeal/).

Saudia Arabia:  Draws 2-2 with suscipious Tunisia so price of oil remains steady.  Drive your kids to soccer practice in SUV instead of Prius to celebrate. 

Australia:  America South vanquishes Japan 3-1.  Rent Crocodile Dundee to show support. 

USA!USA!:  Suffers ego-deflating reality Czech in 3-0 drubbing.  $55 million Pentagon report reveals Landon Donovan and Demarcus Beasley to be one-dimensional cutouts maufactured by Nike to sell soccer gear.  But all will be forgiven if they regroup and defeat Italy on Saturday. 

Enjoy the games.