World Cup Coverage

All in all this was a wonderful World Cup full of upsets, new and exciting players, amazing finishes and surprisingly quick exits by major sides. Thanks to the players of all the participating countries and ESPN for the fantastic coverage. Ticket to Africa was well done, we could even stand listening to Christopher Sullivan. Good mix of the 4 and good fun listening to Andy Gray.

ESPN's moderators, Bob Ley and Chris Fowler were great! Ex-players/coaches Jurgen Klinsmann, Steve McManaman and Ruud Gullit were all excellent additions which added much to the broadcasts. Lalas was, more often than not, his usual rude annoying self as he battled his feelings of insecurity and inadequacy compared to his fellow announcers. McManaman handled all in a quick thinking, sometimes humorous style when Lalas attacked the English. I think Lalas was "scared" of Gullit so didn't attack the Dutch in the early going, and gave a decent accounting when not trying to be cute!

Going to miss those 4am wake up calls and watching 2 games before heading to work; catching updates of the group stages 3rd games through ESPN360. Thanks for a great World Cup!

The 2010 World Cup Final

Wow...ugly, ugly, ugly. There were a number of games throughout the tournament that warranted another look...but not this one! Two embarrassingly horrible fouls by the Dutch, way too many fouls period, and too many yellows in the first half, led to a real inconsistently refereed game in the second by England's Howard Webb. The one reason I see as Spain's success is their consistent play which would put them in the perfect position to pounce on an opponents mistake...as they did today, and as they did in a number of previous games. Congratulations to them in winning the ultimate football tournament as predicted.

Germany vs Uruguay...3rd place match

By all accounts, from players who have played in this game in the World Cup, it is the hardest game to prepare and get UP for....3rd place...not the final. However, it's still a chance to get something back, recover the spark that got them to the semi's. Naturally I'm cheering my side on...Germany...and hope to see Klose at least tie Ronaldo's current WC record of the most goals. Would like to see Mueller, Oezil,Khadira again, but perhaps the coach will play those that haven't played or played very little..hard to say. At any rate, hope it's a good one!

oh no!

Well, I'm in mourning right at the moment...or....crying in my beer. Which seems appropriate. Anyway...so sad Germany was done in by the Spaniards. So now...besides cheering Germany on in the 3rd place game...I will try to find something orange to wear on Sunday :) I do have to say I'm glad it will be a European team again, and one that hasn't raised the cup before. Wow! Hard to imagine that neither of these 2 fantastic football nations have never reached the ultimate goal...so to speak. Should be another couple great games!

The Semi's--Oh My!

Getting nervous. Looks like a good couple games...Go Germany!!!....Couldn't help myself! Anyway, I think it has been an outrageously excellent World Cup. Push over teams that weren't and said "in your face" to top 10 teams. Ref controversy...where would we be in soccer without it and these were huge. The NIKE ad men going down...Spain's next. Some of the most tense game ties I've ever watched, real nail biting stuff. Glee and happiness on the faces of the players who achieved the unthinkable....it's been great...it's not over...yahoo!

Spain vs Paraguay

Ugh...pretty boring game...weird and inconsistent with pk's, retake or not to retake. Kind of a sad ending for Paraguay who worked really hard. Of course, not the first team to exit after a tough battle.

DEUTSCHLAND!!! JA! JA! JA!

Had us on the edge of our seats and sweating for 3/4 of the game...but then they put those wonderful combos together. Loved it! We'll cry for you Argentina...but not for long!

Addendum: The NIKE Ad Jinx (see below)

Brazil: No Ronaldinho....no more World Cup. Done in by the Netherlands today! The NIKE Jinx is still holding....Spain Beware!

If you didn't read about the jinx...drop below a few posts to review what's happened so far.

FOX Soccer Report: On Air Answer to my Email

I was astounded night before last that FSR actually aired my email question. Was a little annoyed they didn't use the entire text (see below), but it seemed to give them a good talking point. Derek did try to bring Bobby around to the point, and Bobby did say Donovan plays in the attacking center for LA and has more license to go where he wants.....has scored more goals for them. He stated he couldn't answer specifically because Donovan's versatile and plays in several positions for Bradley....ya, but where is he the most lethal, and why doesn't he play there all the time? Anyway, it was pretty cool to get it discussed on air.

"I think Bob Bradley has built the U.S. team around his son Michael; shifting Donovan outside and sometimes Dempsey. Michael Bradley produces very little creativity through the middle, his passing is so so unlike Donovan, who does.
Do you feel Donovan is being played in his most lethal position under Bob Bradley"?

The NIKE Ad Jinx

You've all seen variations of the Nike ad aired for the World Cup right? It's looking more and more like a jinx to the participants....take Rooney for instance, perhaps he is destined for life in the trailer. Au revoir Ribery; he and his team lasted about as long as he did in the ad. No bright lights for Italy's Cannavaro. Ronaldo didn't make his trade mark free kick to keep Portugal in, b-bye Howard and Donovan (sniff, sniff), Drogba and Ivory Coast couldn't get out of the first round....AND.....Wimbledon says goodbye to Federer. So...who's left? Brazil? Well the ad shows Ronaldinho with his ball handling magic...but- he's not there to help his team....maybe that spells doom for Brazil. Spain? Perhaps they'd better get Fabregas on the pitch more or they'll be going home too.

We'll have to wait until the Final to see if the jinx holds up....