Third World Volleyball Championship…simply amazing!
Cohen on Football
Roger Cohen has a fascinating article on the New York Times relating his conversation with Henry Kissinger. Kissinger summarizes the world’s three soccer powers:
Brazil has played the most beautiful football, while Italy has specialized in breaking the hearts of its opponents, and for Germany everyone attacks in a way suggestive of Erich von Falkenhayn’s huge flanking movements in World War I — and everyone defends.
This is a fine summary, except, of course, as Cohen notes, this year Brazil’s strength is not in her offense, but in her defense:
Brazil has never had a better defense, yes defense. Its goalkeeper, Júlio César, is the world’s best. So is its right back, Maicon (they both play for European champions, Inter Milan, as does the buccaneering center back, Lucio). A Brazilian victory — always a distinct possibility — would be based this year on the part of the game it has traditionally neglected.
Cohen’s prediction is mine also, though I think South Africa would be a likelier surprise than Ghana:
My own prediction? The winner, in order of likelihood, will come from: Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands, Argentina, Italy, Germany. Possible surprise? Ghana.
On Soccer and Maturity
The World Cup soon approaching means that the month of June will be saturated with a sport most Americans know little about. Yet, it is the world’s most cherished sport. As a Brazilian, I grew up cheering fanatically for my nation. At times it seemed that Brazil’s poverty (especially in the Northeast region) was no rival to the joy of our national anthem being played on tv or radio. However, what struck me about those Brazilian athletes was their maturity. They had not grown into fame or fortune. Most of them kicked their first soccer ball in the favelas of the country. Those soccer balls were not fifa approved, they were mediocre balls that endured only a few games before it exploded like a regular balloon. Growing up in poverty taught these young men–now superstars– to use their money wisely by investing, by caring for their immediate and extended families. Once these young men reach retirement age in their late 30’s, they are prepared for life beyond soccer.
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina…
Am I pleased that Maradona’s first game as the new coach of Argentina was a disaster? Bolivia defeated Argentina by the historic score of 6 X 1? Am I pleased? Immensely!
Brazilian girls fight until the end…but gold remains with the USA
“What did I do wrong,” asked the best soccer player in the world Marta after her last chance of scoring. As she looks up to the sky, the referee ends the match. Once again the United States wins the gold medal in the Olympic Games of 2008. The Brazilian girls dominated the first 90 minutes, but on the sixth minute of extra time Carli Lloyd scored for the Americans. With Kobe Bryant and soccer legend Pele on the stands, Brazil loses another chance to defeat the US team. USA now has two consecutive gold medals.
Marta weeps after match.
For memory’s sake…
Oh, the joys of defeating England!
2002
Football Miracle…
I have never seen this before in my life…
“The Most Miraculous Play in all of College Football…”
Viva Italia!!!
I am finally back to reality. I will be auditing a Greek class starting this next Monday and classes are only a month away. As for my World Cup prediction, I was correct! After Brazil’s embarrassing defeat to France (Brazil’s embarrassment is only surpassed by Zidane’s stupidity in front of 1.1 billion people) I knew that Italy would defeat the Germans and take the Cup in the final. The French, well the French did what they could. But when a team depends on one player to do magic until the end, they are expecting too much; not even Pele could’ve done it alone in 1970. Italy– though with a miserable offense and less than superb midfield– took the Cup because it played as a team. Granted, team work does not always work, but the Italians did it. Up till the last penalty kick, they were united with one purpose. Brazil on the other hand with its unequaled amount of talents were unable to show unity. Up to the French match, Brazil had played a meager soccer. Though humiliating Japan, and scoring three on Ghana, Brazil still could not come together.
Though some say that it’s time for someone else to take the Cup, I am not satisfied with that answer. I am sure the World will continue to admire Brazil’s fast and entertaining soccer. Everyone expects that the best must win, but Brazil as the best failed. Let this serve as a lesson. Quality with no unity is worthless. I venture to say we’ll be seeing some changes in the soccer world in the next few years. Who would have thought that the World Cup would receive more viewers than the NBA finals in the US? Are Americans finally softening up to real football or is this just another proof that illegals are taking over? Let’s leave that for another time.
Italy x France – A European Champion
Italy closer to a fourth title…
For the first time since 1978 the World Cup will not have Germany nor Brazil in a final. Today the Italians defeated the Germans by 2×0 in the second half of extra time. By defeating the hosts, Italy will return to a final since the 1994 performance where they lost to Brazil in the penalties. Tomorrow Portugal and France will decide Italy’s opponent in this splendid World Cup.