Sports Time!

Surprises in Copa América:

2011-07-18T16:54:00.004-04:30

More than one expert might be asking themselves these questions: What happened down there? Wasn’t Messi playing for Argentina? Doesn’t Brazil have 5 World Cups? Where did all these teams come from? For more than one football supporter, this competition makes no sense without Argentina or Brazil in it. And I ask: Where was Spain 10 years ago? Why does no one question their rise to the top? They of course recognize the amount of work done in the past few years. They can see the amount of stars coming out of that country, who never used to play in a different league other than the Spanish Liga Primera. They are mesmerized by the displays of Barcelona and Real Madrid everywhere and easily discard any rivals that might come their way. And I repeat… how many of those “experts” had the same opinion 15 years ago?

One thing that we can learn from La Roja, is that everything in the world is a process, and success is achieved with work. They did it. And now, South American teams have been doing this for quite some time. Aren’t there Chileans in the Spanish league? Aren’t there Uruguayans in the Italian league? Aren’t there Colombians in the Portuguese League? I beg to differ but this Copa América is NOT a surprise.

As a South American fan who has been watching the qualifiers for the World Cup for so many years, and always marking the matches against Brazil and Argentina as lost causes beforehand, this is an incredible competition. The “little” teams, the countries that when you mention them to Europeans you have to give them a geographical reference such as Brazil, are improving greatly. The 5 representatives of CONMEBOL all passed the first round in the World Cup, and 4 of them got to quarter-finals. This cannot come as a surprise. The world has been warned! A very organized Peru beats the lately-branded favourites for the Cup Colombia 2-0 in extra time. Very close. A slow but strong Uruguay beats a tired-looking Argentina on penalties. A walled Paraguay beats a talent-filled Brazil that could not score a single penalty in the shootout. A concrete and hungry Venezuela, the one that has never been to a World Cup before, beats the raging Reds from Chile in the 90 minutes.

Of course, you can see the results and tell me this is just luck or an episode of “The Twilight Zone”. But that will be as simplistic and foolish as saying that Spain was lucky in Austria, in South Africa, and pretty much in the last 5-6 years. No, just sit down; watch the matches, then speak. That is all we ask in South America. We, the fanatics that are NOT from Brazil or Argentina.

Richard Páez, former Venezuelan coach, said in an interview that Brazil and Argentina have forgotten how to play like South Americans. Maybe that is the key for it all. Qualifiers for Brazil 2014 are wide open.

Kaká is not coming: Copa América in the last few years.

2011-06-19T12:07:00.002-04:30

There was a time when the Copa América was undoubtedly the most important competition in South America's football zone. However, in recent years we saw a good number of "stars" dropping out of the event. Some because of injuries, others because they never felt the necessity to play this cup when they were after European glory (Champions League, European leagues, etc). Even in 2001, Argentina refused to attend the event because of "security issues". They claimed Colombia, the hosts, could not guarantee the safety of their stars. And Brazil sent a B-team, leaving the Ronaldos, Roberto Carlos, Cafus etc back home. For Peru 2004 and Venezuela 2007 it was already expected that the "canarinha" would mainly send their Brazil-based players. No Kaká - the best player in the world at that time- for the champions in 2007.

So, the oldest continental competition in world football was losing its appeal. The fact that it was played every two-three years and at an "inconvenient" schedule for the European audience, made the best South American footballers prefer to enjoy their vacations and instead put all their efforts in their careers away from this continent.
It is safe to say that Argentina 2011 is by far the most hyped Copa América to date. But what has changed?

First of all: The 4-year wait. We are no longer "saturated" with CONMEBOL competitions. Brazil beat Argentina in 2007 and Messi and co. want revenge on their arch-rivals. Venezuela was a fantastic host. A country whose football tradition is fairly reduced compared to its South American brothers, made sure that the event was unforgettable for fans and players alike and we could say that it turned the Copa América into a global brand. What we see of Argentina 2011 is thanks to Venezuela 2007.

Another important factor is the amount of stars that are playing. Before, we could only recognise names from Brazil and Argentina, but now some of the greatest players in the world come from the other countries in the continent. Names like Diego Forlán, Radamel Falcao, Edinson Cavani, Alexis Sánchez, Claudio Pizarro, Lucas Barrios, Antonio Valencia, Salomón Rondón and Luis Suárez are as familiar to europeans as Lionel Messi o Robinho. Argentina are hosts and the locals would want their team to win their first major trophy since 1993, plus the fact that the fans still feel that Messi, the best player in the world, still has to prove himself with country.

And global companies are finally responding to this hype. There are now sticker albums, merchandise, and now YouTube announced that they will broadcast all the matches in the competition to a larger audience. There will be no excuses for football fans to ignore what is happening on this side of the world.

All we can say is that South America is the craddle of modern football, and for that we should come up with the most exciting competition in world football. Yes, there are only 10 teams in CONMEBOL and we don't play qualifying rounds for the Copa América, but the beauty of it is that we don't need it. We are fine just as we are. That is why it's OK if the guests -Mexico and now Costa Rica- don't understand the importance of this cup. We do, and that's enough.

Uruguay: Surprised?

2011-02-12T20:15:00.006-04:30

When we say Uruguay we think of that other South American country that won a World Cup. More recently we think of Diego Forlan, their antics in South Africa, Suarez’ hand, etc. They were candidates to go out in the first round, but a draw with France and beating Mexico and the hosts meant a pass for the next round. They were, for the first time in years, the best South American team in the tournament. But it came as a surprise to many, and I ask: Why?

Luis Suarez was captain and lead goal scorer in the Eredivisie with Ajax, and now those numbers and his impressive World Cup led him to sign for Liverpool FC. Diego Forlan, probably the most famous Uruguayan nowadays, had a quiet World Cup in 2002 and a bad spell at Manchester United after that. But successful streaks at Villarreal and now Atlético de Madrid put him back on the map becoming one of the most desired forwards in Europe. He almost single-handedly won his team the Europa League and is the main reason Uruguay got to 4^th place in the last World Cup, where he was awarded the Golden Ball for Best Player.

Edinson Cavani had a harder time to shine as the third striker in that competition, but his talent did not go amiss to the Napoli directors who signed him this season. And how has it paid off! He is currently the leading scorer in Serie A and has his team in second place, treading on the heels of leaders AC Milan. His teammate Walter Gargano was already a playmaker for the Italian club and was also part of the “Charruas” squad in South Africa.

The back line of Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Jorge Fucile, Maxi Pereira and Martin Caceres are also having great seasons at their clubs. Known for their strength and precision, Uruguayan defenders are not afraid to “take one for the team”, that’s why they are a reliable force in the back and were also part of that successful team in the World Cup. Fernando Muslera, their Number 1, is protecting Lazio’s goal nowadays, showing great character and confidence at such a young age.

Completing the team are midfield Supremos Diego Perez, Egidio Arevalo and Alvaro Pereira. Arevalo is the only member in the squad to still be playing in Uruguay. Perez (Bologna) and Pereira (Porto) are regulars for their clubs.

So, it is very likely we had just been blinded by the lights of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney, and Robinho amongst others, not to see this Uruguayan formidable team coming. And it is set to last. The Under-20 squad had just qualified for the London Olympics after 84 years without attending. Last time they went, they brought home the Gold.

This might be the most exciting Copa America in years. Of course Argentina and Brazil still got the advantage of history, but never underestimate the “Charrua” courage. We shouldn’t make that mistake twice.

Xavi: The Golden Architect

2011-01-07T18:17:00.000-04:30

With the election of the 2010 FIFA Ballon D’Or given to the best football player this past year looming, many are wondering who the winner should be. There’s Messi, unquestionably the best player in the world at the moment; Iniesta, the face of Spain’s triumph at the World Cup; and Xavi, midfielder maestro and team-mate to both of them.

Many criticize and others accept the influence of the World Cup in such election. Messi had an outstanding record-breaking year with Barcelona, but success with his National team, Argentina, is still to be achieved. Some might argue that hadn’t it been for such an unprepared coach like Diego Maradona, Argentina would’ve gone far. But they didn’t. And if a World Cup year is a mayor decider on the outcome of this year’s awards, then Messi would not be repeating as FIFA Ballon D’Or for 2010.

Iniesta is undoubtedly the most celebrated member of the Spanish squad that became World Champions, still receiving standing ovations from fans of other teams in Spain when Barcelona plays away in the league. He didn’t even play all the matches or even score the most goals. He just needed one. And that one goal has put him up on the podium for this award. Unfair for me to say that, you might argue, but after spending half of the season plagued with injuries and even being in doubt of going to South Africa at all, I don’t think his year as a footballer was better than Messi’s or Xavi’s.

And finally, Xavi. The little man from Terrassa that is as Catalan as his club. He is Barcelona, and Barcelona is him. He is the boss of the field. While Casillas was the captain of the hearts in South Africa, Xavi was the captain of the minds. He does the dirty work; he looks for the diamonds in the mines and gives it to the jewellers to make it spark. He is the rhythm section of the orchestra that has become Guardiola’s Barcelona. Comparing his year to Messi’s and Iniesta’s, he played more minutes than the latter and has found more success with the National team than the former.

After many years of this award going to the star of the show, it is time that the producer gets some recognition. Like the jeweller is less without the work of the miner, we might have been deprived of the beauty of Messi and Iniesta’s game if there hadn’t been a Xavi.

Xavi Hernandez, FIFA Ballon D’Or 2010… if there’s any justice in the world.

Ronaldo/Messi: Two sides of the same (Gold) coin

2010-11-24T00:45:00.000-04:30

With a new showdown of the famous 'El Clasico' coming our way on 29th November, I dare to give yet another view on the doings of arguably the best players in the world at the moment.

I found a photo of the awards ceremony of the FIFA Best Player of the Year in 2007, and there they were, accompanying the winner that year, Kaka. Since then, both Ronaldo and Messi have won it (2008 and 2009 respectively). It made me think: was Kaka THAT much better then than Cristiano and Lio? Or are there more considerations to the award than just “the skills”? The Brazilian was never to Milan what Messi is for Barcelona or Ronaldo was to Manchester United and gradually becoming to Real Madrid. Their names are almost synonyms of their clubs. They have won every competition available to their teams. Although they also share the stigma of not performing for their own countries – however, last week’s friendly matches might have silenced some of their critics.

And like a coin has two faces, footballing genius comes in two packages: the Good and the Bad. When poised with the question ‘who is the greatest footballer of all time: Pele or Maradona’, some people will not hesitate to choose the Brazilian, mainly because of Maradona’s on and off-field antics. Today, some fans would prefer Messi because of Ronaldo’s arrogant personality.

Pele and Messi seemed to have come in the “Good” package, Maradona and Ronaldo in the “Bad” one. The former were/are part of formidable teams that are highly, and almost heavenly, regarded by the majority (Brazil ’70, Barcelona ’08-’10). The latter were/are the main figure in their teams. Many can recall the starting 11 of that Brazilian team, but not even remember another player from Argentina ’86 apart from El Diego.

An individualistic player receives more pressure from the press, public, other teams, etc., which might explain that necessity to rise above it all and become like a rock, pretend that you are unbeatable. As part of a big team, there is no such pressure or necessity. People will love you no matter what happens to the team. It is not a scientific fact, but just a pattern that has repeatedly appeared in modern football. Pele and Messi are loved, Maradona and Ronaldo are hated.

I tend to believe that Pele’s perfect image was enhanced by Maradona’s bad one, and vice versa. But they were both brilliant players that marked generations of future footballers.

And so are Messi and Ronaldo. With their talent they are influencing the game in general and those who follow it. But with their personalities and personal histories, they are inadvertently feeding each other’s legendary status. Just don’t ask them who’s better!

El Clasico is not supposed to be a match between Messi and Ronaldo. It tends to be more about politics, religion, money… anything but football. But kids won’t care about those things. Their only worry is whose shirt they’re going to wear after: That number 7 or that number 10. Would that mean a lifestyle choice: Good or Bad package? Only time will tell…

Big Teams, Big Favours

2010-11-02T16:43:00.000-04:30

Following yet another decision that seemed to favour Manchester United, as a fan you can only wonder if it is worth fighting and protesting against the injustice or just accept that this is the way will always be.

Sports fans have been frustrated by fouls and refereeing decisions that allegedly helped the "bigger" team. Brazil's National Team not only charms people watching but also the authorities of the game, for example. It doesn't matter you're the most impressive Turkish team ever, you're not passing through the 5-time World Champions. Or team orders and spying are minor faults by Ferrari, but heavily-punished moves if another team in Formula One does it. Some people might argue that for the eyes of the world - hence the umpires - there's no other team in Major League Baseball but the New York Yankees. Alberto Contador's dopping saga after the Tour de France this year has written DODGY all over it. You can only wonder what is being protected: the athlete, the event, the sport? Result: All affected. And so on...

But apart from the respectability they have rightfully earned through years of success, is there really more at stake than glory? No one can deny that the advent of TV deals have made big teams bigger. Sponsors want to be associated with winners, not "teams-that-play-well-but-never-win". And it is understandable that after investing millions in that team that you'll do your best to make that team win. But while the majority of sports fanatics have to limit themselves to praying for a miraculous victory, you might want to argue that if you could do more, you would. So, why wouldn't these multi-billion conglomerates?

Are there any economic, or other, interests behind suspicious discplinary decisions? Who's got the power: the sponsors? the team owners? the managers? the players? It seems that anyone but the sporting authorities. Unless they have their own interests as well... Korea-Japan 2002, anyone?

The Contador Conundrum

2010-09-30T05:32:00.001-04:30

After more than two months that the Tour de France finished with Alberto Contador as a 3-time winner of the event, comes the news that he tested positive in an antidoping test. The banned substance clenbuterol was found in his sample.

Now, my question is: why after all this time? I'm not a big follower of cycling but I can sense that there's something wrong here. The system is slow and unjust and the players cheat as they please. But even if this was all true, why come out with this now? Are they gonna take his triumph away because of this?

I'm thinking hard if any other sport would have it that way. Can we go back to the World Cup final and give De Jong that red card he deserved for the karate kick, or shall we take away Italy's title in 2006 because of that shady penalty against Australia, or Argentina be stripped of their second star because of the Hand of God? Or what about taking Michael Schumacher's title in 1994 because we later decided he DID crash into Damon Hill? Again, I haven't been a big follower of cycling but this is not going to help to its cause either.

I have to agree with Contador here (the alleged cheat) that if it was a straight-forward case of doping then he would have been suspended then and there and would not have finished the tour. But it seems that is a bit too complicated for that. How long does it take to determine if it is "OK dopping" or not? More than two months, it seems.

Whatever it is, sort it out UCI!

Champions League 2010-2011

2010-08-26T13:03:00.000-04:30

Did you see the draw??
Group A and Group G the ones to look out.
Any bets on who will be crowned Champions in Wembley in 2011?

10 World Cup Moments in South Africa 2010

2010-07-19T19:28:00.000-04:30

After all that waiting we finally got what we wanted: a full month of football! Other sports happened in the meantime but don’t think many people can tell me who John Isner and Nicolas Mahut are, unfortunately for them!

The first tournament ever to be hosted in African soil was surrounded by expectations and a bit of apprehension from football fans all over the World. Infrastructure wasn’t as perfect as Germany or Japan, and will it be a repetition of disastrous refereeing decisions that normally happen outside of Europe and America? (Well… they were only blatantly obvious in 2002 and they seemed to be favouring the locals). We could only wait until June 11^th to find out.

So many things we want to remember and forget from this World Cup, as it is in any other of its previous editions, but I have made my best effort to collect a few in a Top 10 format:

10.- The Bad Stuff:
Yes, let’s get that out of the way first. So, we thought refereeing couldn’t get worse than in Japan-Korea 2002. Well, guess again, because it was!! But if we thought they’ll at least favour the locals, they just made mistake after mistake as if they were hit by a massive jet-lag or vuvuzelas didn’t let them sleep. Whoever they “favoured” in one match, were again affected by them in the following game… Insane!! Referees giving cards like it was Christmas!! Just look at the Final tally: 14 cards!! More than double than any other Final. Crazy.
Vuvuzelas, love them or hate them, they were there. I’m quite glad I wasn’t there sitting next to one. And I could have done that, seeing the amount of empty seats in the stadia. What was that all about?? Weren’t the tickets 98% sold?? And here I was thinking I missed out on a ticket a year ago… terrible.

9.- Jong Tae-Se’s Tears:
His parents were of South and North Korean ascendance and he was born and raised in Japan, but he chose to wear the North Korean colours. He received a lot of criticism from people of these 3 countries because he should not have chosen to play for North Korea. Whatever reason they had to claim that, it became obsolete when during the National Anthem before the match against Brazil, Tae-Se burst into tears like a small child, so much was the pride and the pain caused by this criticism that he could not hold that inside him. He reminded us that in this world of overpaid and prima-donna football stars, there’s plenty that are still interested in the football… and play for their country with such passion and love.

8.- New Zealand 1-1 Italy
Even though some people dislike this fact, Italy is 4-times World Champions and the current holders at the time of this match. They are of course favourites to beat a team that includes non-professional footballers. However, the All-Whites scored first. The champions were losing against a “small team on paper”. One thing we got reminded again: Not everything is written in football. Italy got to draw with a penalty, but by that time, New Zealand had already attracted a bunch of new fans and sounded the first alarm that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary World Cup where the Usual Suspects will always get their way.

7.- South Africa’s first goal
For the Bafana Bafana and the people of South Africa, and the African continent, this World Cup was a dream come true. And what a better way to start your way in the tournament with an amazing shot with a solo run from outside the area included and completing the achievement with a choreographed celebratory dance. Yes, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to South Africa :D

6.- Robert Green and the Jabulani
Buffon said it, Julio Cesar said it, Casillas said it… but we didn’t believe it. Apparently the Jabulani is very difficult to control for goalkeepers, but when we thought it was just a bunch of excuses for probably a lot of goals, we saw how the ball escapes the hands of a hopeless Robert Green to give the USA a draw against England. Neither the keepers, nor the players managed to control it at least in the first round of matches. But that didn’t stop Fabio Capello from sitting Green on the bench for the rest of the tournament. He probably thought they were excuses as well…

5.- Le Meltdown
Some people said it was Karma, some that it was a time-bomb expected to blow any minute, but whatever it was, we were still proper shocked when that newspaper report about Anelka and Domenech came out. And with everything that happened after we didn’t know what to feel: sad, ashamed, amused… The French National Team went back home in disgrace. They would have probably been well received in Ireland.

4.- Iniesta’s Goal
TV pundits were saying before the Final that whatever happened in the Spain – Holland match they hoped everyone will be satisfied with the result (comments regarding the last World Cup Final maybe?). And even though it started rough and we could almost say a little boring, the teams finally decided to play good football in the last few minutes of the first 90 and then in Extra time. And when we were getting ready for yet another Final with penalties, along came little Iniesta and scored. Arguably the best player on the pitch that night, he took the team on his shoulders and brought it home… together with the Cup. I’d like to take the pundits’ remark and say that we, apart from Dutch fans of course, were satisfied with the result.

3.- England’s Non-Goal
Talking about bad refereeing and crazy Jabulanis brings us to a pivotal moment in FIFA’s history. They finally considered using technology in football. But why? A clear goal by Frank Lampard was wrongly denied (well, ignored) in their match against Germany. I still don’t know whether that might have changed the outcome of the game (that goal would’ve made it a draw, but England didn’t look superior at any moment) but a goal that was a goal here in Venezuela, in South Africa, in England and even in Germany, was not for Larrionda and his team of liniers that day in Bloemfontein. Germans take revenge on that 1966 Phantom Goal and we are left hoping that never happens to our team.

2.- Suarez’s Saves
119^th minute of extra time, both teams got a goal each, and you’re about to score the goal that will take your team to a Semifinal of the World Cup for the first time in any African country’s history. And then a little Uruguayan who is not the goalkeeper saves the goal. You guys get a penalty, he gets sent off. Nothing unusual here so far, right? Your star player and leading scorer is about to take the penalty… and he fails. You go on to lose on penalties. Read this story again. If the star player had scored, Ghana would’ve been thru and the little Uruguayan would’ve remained little, but no... the Greatest Hero and the Greatest Villain of this World Cup manifested himself here, and his name was Luis Suarez.

1.- At the mercy of Pulpo Paul
We knew Germany had a kind of mascot back home who was predicting the outcomes of their matches. A little Octopus from England called Paul told the Germans how they’ll beat Australia, Ghana and lose to Serbia. A funny anecdote became a media frenzy when Paul correctly guessed the outcomes of the England and Argentina’s matches, especially the second one, when most people were already saying goodbye to Germany before they fell abruptly against Maradona’s men. But, oh, that didn’t happen. And Paul knew it! Surely he’ll be supporting Germany all the way to the final? No. Germany will lose to Spain. And they did. And of course he couldn’t predict the outcomes of 64 matches, he was sticking to the Germany ones only… until the final. He predicted the result, got it right, and became a sensation in Spain and the favourite dish in Germany, Uruguay, Holland, Argentina, England…

*Honorary Mention: Anything about Maradona
The best player in history was back… as a coach. How will he do? Well… he had the best player at the moment in his team, a team that is always dangerous and has two stars in their shirts (he got one of those stars). But from the beginning we knew it was not to be Messi’s show. It was Maradona’s. He shouted, he jumped, he ran, he even dived a couple of times, did a couple of tricks with the ball that deserved the applause of the whole stadium… but not even his trash talk could take away his lack of knowledge as a tactician. Too bad for Argentina, but El Diego kept us entertained while they lasted.

CONMEBOL's World Cup

2010-06-25T21:58:00.000-04:30

So... The first round of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa is now complete, and all the teams that qualified from South America are through to the next round!!!This is only to prove the rise of football level from our vast lands.

But is it really a surprise?? South American teams have a history of being very strong football nations (9 World Cups in total, anyone??) and even though Brazil and Argentina are the most recent -and more famous- successes from this area, you can only be fooled by believing that the other National teams are all but finished. 2 of those World Cups belong to Uruguay, a team that, yes, they won it back in the 30s and 50s, but it's one of those nice 'surprises' in this tournament. And it shouldn't be... they have the same amount of Cups as Argentina!!

Surely with the next World Cup being in Brazil, it is almost guaranteed that they'll win it... they have the team, and now finally the home advantage... But someone else can give them another Maracanazo... and I could bet it won't come from a European country...

Coming to South Africa, it was rumoured that FIFA were considering taking away a qualifying spot to the South American group, CONMEBOL, because of the World Cup being celebrated there and had already one team automatically qualified -Brazil. But I ask... did they do that to Africa??? No, they didn't. They have 5 spots PLUS the host, in this case South Africa... so I wonder, why not South America? Haven't we shown enough to prove we deserve that place? How many Europeans made it to the second round? How many Africans, with their extra spot??? And playing beautiful football!!!!

All I can say is that I asked for a great tournament full of excitement and sublime football... and I think we can agree that has been provided by the South Americans... the ones you usually follow, and the ones you're quite surprised how they got there.

Thank you Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay for putting our race up there where it belongs!!!

World Cup's here!!

2010-06-10T10:20:00.000-04:30

Have you done your bets yet?
Here are my last 4: In no particular order: England, Holland, Spain and Argentina.

They thought it was all over...

2010-06-06T15:19:00.000-04:30

...but Rafa has done it again!
Rafael Nadal has confirmed today that he is indeed the King of Clay. After such a terrible year with injuries and personal problems, he came back to the clay season with a vengeance, and what a vengeance for that matter! He just never looked like losing at any moment. He made Federer look 'average' in Madrid, and today against Robin Soderling, I bet most of us wondered more than once "Is he really the guy that beat him flat last year???".
He's back to be Number 1, taking Federer's crown once more. All I can say is that this is a reborn Rafa. The people that wrote him off last year after all the injuries and started hinting at an early retirement I'm pretty sure were glued to the TV today thinking how silly they were.
Can't wait for Wimbledon now!!!

ALL HAIL THE KING OF CLAY: RAFAEL NADAL!

Thank you Rafa!

2010-06-03T14:40:00.001-04:30

For all the happiness you brought us, and the players that followed you, and because I really enjoyed the brief "spanishation" of Liverpool FC.
I thank you Rafael Benitez.
Wish you the best in future endeavours. Too bad it had to end this way :(

World Cup... The name says it all

2010-06-02T23:28:00.000-04:30

Every football fan in the world has a date every four years. It doesn't matter what country they are from, what ideology they profess or language they speak. Nothing can separate a passionate football fan from their greatest love.
There are people who quantify their lives depending on how many World Cups have they lived through, either watching matches live or via radio and TV.
It's a WORLD cup, not only because the best teams on the planet are going to fight for the title, but because those who weren't as lucky to see their own country qualify for the finals are able to 'adopt' a new country not to miss out on the party. There are not only 32 countries fighting for the Cup, it's the whole world, that remains behind them and makes part of their armies.

There's nothing more exciting and show-stopping than the World Cup Final. I dare say that there are 3 things that divide the world at that time: The Greenwich Meridian, the Equator... and the World Cup Final.

For football there's nospecific time and place since its birth in England in the 19th Century. To the true fan, no exterior factor will stop them, they'll only follow their heart. And in that way, as we wait for a lover to come back from a long trip, we count the days, hours and minutes for the World Cup to come back into our lives and show it how we have prepared for it in the past 4 years.

But that's the way it is. The best things in life come in small packages, or so they say. That's probably why our passion is still alive. The flame that was lit on 2nd July 1930 in Montevideo, Uruguay, has not burnt out and it never will!

20 years on...

2010-03-23T17:32:00.000-04:30

Twenty years??? Can I really recall so many memories from when I was so young? And so I will try to remember:
Twenty years of recording and re-watching classic matches. Twenty years of filling up a sticker album and looking out for who shares a birthday with me. Twenty years of wondering what life would've been like if I were born a boy and made it as a footballer. Twenty years of the first time I prioritise football over everything else.
Twenty years of consciously feeling the pain and the joy of unexpected results. Of the making of heroes and zeroes. Of "One World Cup Wonders" that failed to succeed at club level.
Twenty years of seeing grown, hard-looking men crying like the seven-year old girl I was on my first World Cup.
Italia, 1990. How lucky I felt to witness 'the greatest world cup in history', or so it was hailed as by their local press.
I remember being very aware of Colombia's campaign, thanks to my family. I remember the names of the Italian team, because I found them funny.
I remember the lavish opening ceremony and the fantastic TV intros before every match, with the name of every host city and every nation quialified's flag.
I remember Jurgen Klinsmann and Jose Basualdo, because they were the first footballers I've ever fancied.
I remember Bobby Robson, especially because the sticker album did not write his first name down. So I was always curious about this 'Robson' with no name.
I remember when all the italian, english and spanish players all played in domestic leagues. I remember being unaware (and for a good few years) of the existence of a French national team.
I remember the legend and the dramas in my own house. Maradona was no longer the hero, but the villain, and that's how I've always remembered him. Colombia, on their second world cup going thru to second round, only to lose foolishly against Cameroon.
I remember, and still have, the Coca Cola special edition bottles and cans. I remember the song! Why haven't they been able to write another song like 'Un' estate italiana'? The winners of 2006 knew this, and that's why they sang it after the final then.
I can't remember all the names and the number of goals. But I remember how I felt during the World Cup. And after every final match my countdown for the next one begins.
And I revive those feeling every four years. The opening ceremonies, the sticker albums, the wall charts, the 'special edition' souvenirs. And over all: The matches, the heroes, the zeroes, the pain... the joy.

The John Terry Affair

2010-02-01T21:22:00.000-04:30

All I have to say is... I wish I hadn't found out about any of that.
The best of luck for England in SA 2010!

Did you see that serve??

2010-01-28T19:21:00.000-04:30

As a massive Rafa Nadal fan that I am, I was gutted to see him go in such fashion against Andy Murray on Tuesday in the Australian Open. Some people have actually started to suggest he might not reach the same level as a couple of years ago, and also (horror!) that he might have to retire!!! I really hope not and that we have Rafa for much longer :)
I do have to admit, however, that Murray had a fab game and it was scary to watch!! I wouldn't want to be in the opposite side of the court to him! Did you see those serves??? The amount of aces he had?? And what a match he had today again against Cilic. Too bad he's dropped a set now since he started the tournament, but at least he recovered and won it in style.
So yes, I really wish him well and that he brings that trophy home. He really deserves a win, but well... the world of sports is not about justice, eh? Ask Patrick Battiston :P

Xabi Alonso

2009-08-14T18:01:00.001-04:30

What a painful sight is to see all the Xabi Alonso's posters taken down in the Liverpool FC shops. He's no longer with us. He's gone. I wonder when will be the next time we'll see him. Will we play Real Madrid again this season? Will he be given an ovation? Will he be booed?
If there was such a thing as a fall-out with Rafa Benitez, Xabi has to admit that he's the player he is today thanks to him. The penalty in Istambul and the from-his-own-half screamer against Newcastle established himself as a Reds legend and one of the most important members of the squad, only behind Steven Gerrard and, later for some reason, Fernando Torres.
Liverpool fans righfully prayed for Xabi not to leave for Juventus last year. He obliged to these prayers with the most outstanding season he could have given us. A very respectful way to say goodbye to us all.
I don't envy him at all as now he has to play alongside Cristian Ronaldo haha!
And mentioning him, we have to point out that yes indeed, Manchester United has lost its most important and efficient player. We, instead, have lost a family member, a loved one.
I am very sad to see him go. Of all the times that I saw him in The Quarter, walking down Hardman Street or playing in the park with his son, is watching him holding the fort in Anfield that I'm going to miss the most.
I stand by my statement: Xabi Alonso is forever Red. To the place that saw you grow as a footballer, to the town that saw the birth of your son, to the city that you called home for five years, we will always look forward to welcome you back.

:(

The Big Four

2009-08-14T17:47:00.000-04:30

Yet another season starts, and there's already a few changes that will have bookies busy and pundits chatty even before kick-off.

Let's take for instance the Big Four.

Manchester United, current champions, have lost their biggest asset in Cristiano Ronaldo. This will make a lot of players quite chirpy about the season... off the record, of course. However, is it really that bad? The same was said when Beckham and others left Old Trafford, but still the team managed to do "quite well" after their departures. I do not doubt this is the case again. Sir Alex Ferguson will definitely build up yet another strong team around another of his stars (maybe Rooney now?). But there is definitely a change in the atmosphere. The usual "respect" that allowed Mancehster United to score goals before the other team had woken up or after they went to sleep will be considerably reduced, for this year at least. Michael Owen IS a smart buy. A team like Liverpool needs someone that can hang around and score in stalemate 0-0 games.

Arsenal don't have much to offer either. Lost Adebayor and Kolo Toure, and Fabregas is always at risk of abandoning ship. Don't think they'll be contenders this year, but might get far in cups again if some of the key players come back from injury.

I think this team will be strong in a couple of years when all the youngsters have grown and gained experience.

The latter is something Chelsea does not lack of. This is their strongest team in years and probably predict a cup win but not the league again. Even though they have a new manager, their style of play is much negative (Parking the bus anyone?) and an Italian coach does not help the cause. Like my flatmate Paul says, if he comes in with a Serie A state of mind, it'll take a while for this team to kick off a Premier League contention, but if he's done his homework, they'll mean trouble to more than one.

They already have their first match. The Charity Shield is a great example of this. Chelsea won a very tied match against a Manchester United without Cristiano Ronaldo. So, either the red devils were very strong or Chelsea are not as strong as they pretend to show the world? They ended up winning in penalties. One year for them, next one for us. They have hardly changed their team which means an advantage over the other troubled four, but still. It's the same Chelsea that bottled up Premiership and Champions League in more than one ocassion.

And there we have Liverpool. Their best campaign in years and definitely the best league performance under Rafa Benitez. There is the "little" hiccup that is losing Xabi Alonso. In terms of importance, Liverpool relied more on him than Manchester on Ronaldo. This is a big blow. However, having Glen Johnson in the team means more attacking ideas and trusting Rafa that Aquilani is a good buy, should be a great season for Liverpool. People keep going on about the last 3 months of the season last year. If they play like that, not for the entire season but maybe even 5 months only, They'll get the league. This is their chance. The other Big Three have a way to be beaten and Liverpool discovered that last year. Just win 3 of those stalemates 0-0 and they get it.

As a Liverpool fan, I did ask a "Wish Tree" in the Bluecoat a couple of years ago for them to win all the cups on their sight. I'm still waiting, and I know it'll happen in my lifetime. Hopefully this year?

But now, let's wait till the whistle blows and enjoy yet another great season!!

Have you seen them in the same room?

2009-06-25T06:43:00.000-04:30

SPAIN vs USA (0-2)

2009-06-24T19:01:00.000-04:30

This result has come as a shock for the majority of us. And by us I mean the ones that have been watching football for over the years and even though we know these kind of results are not impossible, they are still rather scarce. I cannot blame an American fan for believing this could happen before the match started, mainly because all those who called him" crazy" are now eating their words.
Yes, let us admit that we wanted a Spain v Brazil final. The champions of Europe against the champions of South America, the only two federations to have won a FIFA World Cup. Well, it is not to be. Not because Spain played terribly, but because the USA played superbly. Yes, they made a few rookie mistakes and got a third player sent off in this tournament. But, would they really have scored two goals if they were not worthy of reaching the Confederations Cup final? I certainly do not think so. Spain had a lot of holes; their midfield was inexistent. The genius of Xavi and Fabregas were nowhere to be seen. And what use it is to have David Villa and Fernando Torres in the front if nothing else works? If the balls do not reach them?
I cannot blame you if you are tempted to say that the US won because Spain played badly. But again, I repeat. Did they really? Did they not have more shots to goal than Spain in the first half? Were their defence not absolutely brilliant, neutralising the strikers and jumping higher than anyone else? Did they not play as a team that was "going for it" and actually giving some kind of importance to this competition? There you have Brazil, which is the team with most World Cups and arguably the best football nation on Earth, still playing for it. Because it matters, yes it does. And the Americans knew that. Did Spain know that?
I am gutted they lost. I was rooting for them to win this competition easily, even dancing Brazil around in the final. But it was not to be. Not favourites for the World Cup in 2010? Too early to tell. If something, this "shocking" result reminds us that nothing is written in life or football. Maybe losing this match, and the chance to break Brazil's record of consecutive unbeaten games, will take them off that "favourites" list and turn them into the formidable and deserving team that won the European Cup in 2008, yet again.
But let's see. My bet is on Brazil, but another "shock" cannot harm the game. If more, it just shows us how beautiful Football is. The USA has proven they can profit from lost causes, just like many other great teams have done in the past.

Welcome!

2009-06-24T19:00:00.001-04:30

Hello everyone!
I realised I have an opinion on everything related to Sports. So I decided to create this blog. Feel free to leave me a comment!
Love
Maria